Shiraishi;

[foxweddings]

Mean girls style

Comments

Week zero, sunday;

[foxweddings]

[Tamamo is clearly in a better mood.

The reason? Obvious, most likely, given how she had escaped the cafeteria in search of her Master. Her expression is thoughtful, though unwrinkled by concern, and her kimono trails behind her like a wedding dress as she walks the halls of their prison.

Seeing Shiraishi before her, however, the woman's nose gives a visible scrunch]

Ah, Boar-san. Good evening.

[A woman of manners, of course, and so she will greet him, though she'll just as quickly skirt around him unless he has business with her]

[felinguistic]

[ Thank goodness for small miracles. After a moment of surprise, and then pointing at himself in a "who, me?" gesture, Shiraishi tilts his head at her. ]

You look more relaxed. Did you find your precious detective?

[foxweddings]

But of course. I would have removed your head from your shoulders otherwise, for daring to wander into my presence.

[A tilting laugh, covered by her sleeve]

I am in a good mood, however, so your misdeeds will be forgiven for now. I hope the evening finds you well, Boar-san ♥

[felinguistic]

Threatening murder over something so petty isn’t a very charming character trait, you know.

[ Well, at least she’s in a friendlier mood. ]

Yes, yes. Thank you for your generosity. Did he explain about the room to you too? Makes you wonder just what sorts of things were going on here before we got here. If the decor didn’t do that anyway.

W1; Monday

[foxweddings]

[tamamo never goes out of her way to look for Shiraishi; that's just an indisputable fact of this hotel, and anyone with eyes would realize as much.

But today... well, things are a little different, and she roams the hallways and rooms until she finds him, wherever that grinning bastard might be.]

Ah, here you are, then.

[arms folded business-like]

I have a proposition for you.

[felinguistic]

[ tamamo, you break his heart. he's here, waiting for you and your fluffy ears... ]

Hm?

[ he's less grinning, more chilling and flicking through the clamshell but y'know what sometimes a change is good. ]

This is out of the blue. [ he's not upset though? he looks intrigued. ] But go on then, I'll listen.

[foxweddings]

It will be a long while before Master earns the chance to touch my ears, so for now, I still have my debt to settle with you.

[And her expression... flattens, like she can't believe she's going to offer this]

I want access to that gift shop. And need the coins for it. And you seem like the curious sort who would join me in my endeavors.

[felinguistic]

[ That she does.

Although, to be fair he does look a little surprised when he makes the suggestion. And then thoughtful. ]

...

[ After a moment where you can almost see the cogs turning in his mind as he thinks through the proposal... he nods. ]

I'd like to get a look at it as well. If people are going to repeat last week using item from that shop, it'd narrow down what we're looking for if we know what's missing fom the shop and what could have been used.

[ ... ]

And I'm curious what this place thinks counts as a "gift".

W1 - Post Trial

[foxweddings]

[For someone who declares every other sentence how much she doesn't like this man, Tamamo is starting to notice the regularity with which she seeks him out.

And doesn't like it.

... But he's useful for information, if nothing else, and so she will make a cursory attempt at finding him, wherever he might be lurking]

Boar-san? I trust I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

W2 - Post trial

[foxweddings]

Come with me. We're sharing a drink.

[Just -- that's it. point blank. the moment she finds Shiraishi, she stands in his way like a bully with her arms gingerly folded across each other]

[felinguistic]

[ he's not going to argue, he just. rubs a hand over his face. honestly that might be the most actual emotion he's shown all day? ]

I'm not arguing.

[foxweddings]

[Good. She's going to lead them wherever the nearest bar is, her focus singleminded in her attempts.

And once they get there, she'll direct Shiraishi to sit before she disappears behind the counter]

I'm not in the mood for anything that isn't likely to burn my throat off, so if you have a request, speak it now.

[felinguistic]

[ he drops himself onto one of the seats and just waves a hand. ]

Nothing that'll fog me up immediately or too quickly.

W3, Tuesday

[foxweddings]

[She's been through this song and dance before -- sharing memories that are best kept secret. Monday was an absolute shitshow in every way, and not for the first time does Tamamo think to stay in her bedroom.

But it will do her no good to hide when there are things to do, information to find... She does her absolute best to avoid people at every turn, but it's when she reaches the library--]

My...mirror...?

[She is stunned, glancing backwards in the direction of her room before very slowly stepping forward towards the ornate mirror that hangs on one of the walls. Even with her entire soul warning her of the danger, Tamamo still lifts her hand as if to touch it.]

[felinguistic]

[ because I haven't planned anything yet, Shiraishi seems to have avoided memories so far. Items lying around on the ground so suspiciously had drawn his interest, but he'd avoided touching ones he'd come across so far, in case they were a trap.

he's in the library again, scanning books and trying to file away information, but he can't help but pay attention when he hears Tamamo's almost mystified voice-- ]

-- Ah, you should be careful. What if it's a trap?

[foxweddings]

[She doesn't have the chance to answer him. Once she's touched the mirror, they're both enveloped in the haze of a barrier, and Tamamo can only stiffen with a hand pressed to her forehead as her mirror crumbles to ash.


But when the fog clears, they appear to be in a festival instead library. The ground is dirty, the tents are crude, the weather is frosty, but the people are laughing and dancing to music and drink, while some others have split from the group, walking to a nearby temple.

Whosever perspective this is -- they follow the humans who disappear into the temple, talking quietly to themselves.

"I don't know why you humans bother. It's not as if I have control over the fate of your unborn child. Gods do not work that way."

It will be obvious in an instant: the voice belongs to Tamamo. And though it will be difficult to notice, given the first-person perspective, more than three tails swing back and forth. The normally teasing voice is detached and void of all emotion. On top of that, the humans who kneel in front of an altar do not seem to notice her, as if the fox talking to them is but a ghost.

The two humans -- a couple -- ask the altar for guidance, for prosperity, for a healthy child to love and nurture. The fox's tails twitch as if in agitation.

"I do not understand either of you. Always with these prayers. What happens to your child is no concern of mine."

... And still, the couple will pray at the altar until they have placed a small offering on top, and together they leave Tamamo standing there to stare at the gift. She drops her head, staring at the floor. The tips of nine, golden tails comes into view, illuminated in the darkness.

"I do not understand... you will likely both die in the winter. Your child will never know its parents, if it lives at all... Just how do humans continue to thrive like this...?"

Her voice is musing, wistful. Even sad. Tinged with a lonely jealousy.

"... Is that what love feels like, I wonder?"



The scene ends, though Tamamo and Shiraishi remain trapped in the barrier. The woman beside him sighs in exasperation.]

Really? As if I want to show my age like this.

[felinguistic]

[ apparently they get uno memory each so this'll be a Blast.

After the initial memory starts, Shiraishi takes a moment to observe the new surroundings they've found themselves in. The tents, the dancing, the temple that takes up a large part of the memory -- and the scene that plays in front of him.

He watches, without speaking, until the scene fades away, and he turns to speak to Tamamo-- ]

You'll have to share whatever your secret is, women out there would kill to hide their ages as well as you d--

[ -- but it doesn't last. There's a warping sensation, and a different memory fades in (30:00 - 32:20). The lighting is dim, and the world outside is dark and Shiraishi is crouched in an underpass, a round calico cat clutched in his hands. A young woman in a police uniform and a winter coat stands nearby.

The conversation is something and nothing -- just Shiraishi talking to the cat, teasing it for gaining weight and a warm smile on his face, and explaining his reasoning behind naming the cats after numbers. There's just too many, you see?

But the smile drops off his face eventually.

"Stray cats live life lazy and free. I bet it would be amazing to live the kind of lives that they do. Though with that freedom comes the uncertainty of knowing you could die at any time."

"Um... From my standpoint, it seems like you live your life pretty freely, as well." The girl speaks up from behind him, watching him. There's a pause, and then that smile is back on his face.

"I do?"

The scene ends, similarly to Tamamo's, leaving them in the barrier, that looks like it might be fading. ]

-- That was uncomfortable.

WK 3; SATURDAY - post trial

[felinguistic]

[ hey y'know what he's just going to look for her. no frills. he's sasuke running at you tamamo, but without the sasuke running and with more strolling. ]

[foxweddings]

[Huh... to think he looked for her.

But it's about business, she presumes, and so tilts her head at his approach.]

Yes, Boar-san?

[...]

No, just Shiraishi-san. I do not feel in the mood for nicknames.

[felinguistic]

I mentioned a drink last time. This is probably a good point to honour that.

[foxweddings]

If you wish. I would not be against one right now.

[folding her arms into her kimono, head tilted as she follows along]

... We did quite a poor job, didn't we?

WK 3; SUNDAY

[felinguistic]

[ girl where are you. are you degooed. ]

[foxweddings]

[SHE IS. And now forced to wear something other than her kimono until she gets that cleaned. It's been a tough day for her.

But she'll raise a tired hand in greeting when she sees Shiraishi -- and then immediately narrow her eyes]

Boar-san, where is my tribute?

[Shower her in praise and food??? She made her demands known very clearly after she killed that demon!]

[felinguistic]

[ she had a busy day, stabbing demons, getting gnawed on... the usual. ]

Does a bottle of vodka and a suggestion you go and eat count as a tribute? You used up your free cocktail voucher yesterday.

[ stabbing a demon to death doesn't automatically renew it. ]

WEEK 4; TUESDAY 1pm

[felinguistic]

[ i'm running out of ideas for why shiraishi is anywhere, he's just uh. on the new floor looking around, thoughtful, and lingering around to stare at the weird locked room at the far end of the floor.

hi. ]