jigokucho | EMBER 3.1 - A Social App for Lost Souls! [Sept. Substory OVERFLOW]

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EMBER 3.1 - A Social App for Lost Souls! [Sept. Substory OVERFLOW]

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The EMBER Application icon flashes alive on the homescreen of all the Lost Soul devices across Jigoku-cho.

An Update has just been installed, welcome to EMBER 3.1!

BUGFIXES & UPDATES
-Increased stability and quicker performance.
-Improved accuracy of [various] data tracking.
-EMBER Go! increase in spawn points throughout the city.
-WARNING added; "If USERS trespass upon any part of the city they are not allowed in order to collect characters, do be quick about it.
(EMBER is not liable for injury nor legal troubles which may be incurred.)"

-Helper NPC: YDRIS, added to help users within EMBER, Go!
-YDRIS can be set to automatically feed and pamper collected "Little Lost Souls™".
(This feature costs Dragon Coins at an hourly rate.)

-CAPTCHA Temporarily disabled.

Please see the ORIGINAL EMBER 3.0 post for full information.
Thank you.

-EMBER Support Team

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-This is an OVERFLOW for EMBER posting!
-Please post fresh profiles and link back to previous threads/start new threads on THIS post.
-EMBER is intended to last through to NOVEMBER before another full update to 4.0. SO, do not be shy about reposting here to dodge CAPTCHA! If I need to keep making these, I guess I will...

PER MODERATION: "As the ember post reaches captcha, we will still accept threads for rewards that get the rest of their comments off-post, even if it's an inbox. so long as they start on the ember post, it's fine"

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[The detective inclines his head in a little nod.]

The overall atmosphere of Jigoku-cho aside, [You know, Hell and all. He's still working out how he feels about that now he knows what it's supposed to mean.] the Sutoku Alliance seems to have good people in it. I've already drawn some interest with my prior career experience.

[Baji is trying to be casual, but Heizou can read most people like open books. He studies the younger man for a moment then breathes out a soft chuckle.]

Hey, are you hungry? I could go for something deep fried right now.

[He's got some questions he wants to ask about that prior career experience. Both because the occupation of detective interests him, and where it intersects with a right hook like that really interests him.

There's almost a visible cringe at the mention of food, like a cat bristling-- he's been made to pay for other people's almost four times now and he's nearly flat broke-- but he nods nonetheless.]

Wanna split something? So long as it isn't soupy, I'm game. Deep fried sounds good.

My treat.

[He has a small ulterior motive - he wants Baji to relax a little more. Though he's clearly at ease with Heizou there's still something he's holding back and perhaps it won't come out now but making him feel more comfortable can't hurt.

Besides, it's been a long day already, and Heizou actually is hungry.

He cheerfully loops his arm through his companion's and sets off up the street at a good pace, looking around for a likely spot to duck into. Exploring is always more fun on a full stomach.]

I've been able to look around some already, but not too far beyond where I'm living. Doesn't seem like maps are much use here. I've never seen anywhere like it.

Do you make 'em-?

[Maps, that was. Heizou came across as intelligent; that was discernible from the first moments with him; and if he wanted to get the lay of the land, it wasn't unreasonable to assume he also might map it. Both in his head, and on paper.

Maybe it was an odd question. Baji didn't know; everything was distracting right now.

The arm around his is grounding though, and while he wasn't used to being led, he had a natural respect for those who decided to do so in the moment. He also felt good about keeping the guy close. No one would dare try to wail on him like they'd thought to in that ally if they saw him arm-in-arm with a Toman... and if they didn't know what Toman was yet, they would after missing a few teeth.]

We can split the cost. I don't wanna trouble ya.

Seems like people can travel pretty freely, so long as they don't act up on each other's turf. That's different from home, for me. You got factions where you're from?

Hm? No, I don't.

[And no point in arguing about the cost... but Heizou still intends to pay regardless. They make an interesting-looking pair walking down the street like this, but between all the other very interesting people - Lost Souls and natives alike - walking around here he's starting to feel like they aren't really standing out that much at all.

Good. The less attention drawn the better.

He looks up at the question and rolls one shoulder in a little shrug that almost mirrors Baji's earlier gesture.]

And not like this. There's the Tri-Commission that oversees the country's affairs, but the criminal element of Inazuma tends to gravitate towards two different groups... the treasure hoarders, or the nobushi. People striking out on their own don't last long.

[They're either easily caught, or... dealt with in other ways.]

I'm employed by the Tenryou Commission. Public Security. Technically I'm a Doushin, but I undertake different work than my colleagues.

[This is good. Talking about Heizou is serene somehow, calms his nerves. He'd settle a little, muscles discernibly relaxing against the other's shorter frame, his step falling more in line with his as Baji took mind not to tug his arm or straggle behind.

Looking down with quiet interest, Baji'd take all that information, politely attentive. When he wasn't on his worst behavior, on the other end of the spectrum could be more well-behaved, tactful, and respectful than one might imagine from first impression. His mother hadn't raised a heathen, after all.

...Mostly.]

Nobushi... that's really old school. 'Least to me.

What kind of work's your favourite?

My favourite..? Haha...

[It's a deeper question than Baji realises, and Heizou isn't sure if the young man is really prepared for the seriousness of the answer. He considers changing the subject, but then instead he pulls in a breath and stretches his free arm up and then drops it back, rubbing the back of his head.]

When I can stop an act of evil before it even takes place. When I'm able to put myself in its path and halt it before any harm can come to anyone... that is my favourite kind of work.

[There's an odd intensity about the man as he says that. Something tense in the line of his jaw and a steely undercurrent in his voice.

Then he smiles and laughs, and it's like a cloud moving away from the sun.]

Oh, but such cases are few and far between. I decided to pit myself against the wickedness of the world years ago. If I can't nip evil in the bud, then I shall be its natural enemy.

[He appreciates the answer. It's honest; no bullshit.

Lowering his head a little repairing the words slowly in his mind...

Heizou is a good person. It's not the response Baji was expecting, but it was more respectable than most anything he'd heard about jobs before. When you could get in the cross-hairs of something truly vile to prevent it before it could occur, you should. That was less a job, more a creed.

Heizou had the spirit of the kind of gang Baji wanted, without being affiliated with one.]

...few and far doesn't matter. That you do the right thing by your people; that's what does. Fuck that dishonorable, shady shit; it's like poison. People like that need to be weeded out.

[He assumes something has Happened to make Heizou feel this way. Of course it has. But he's not gonna pry.]

[He isn't sure hwat he was expecting. Baji seems young, and he had thought with his so far limited knowledge of the young man that it might have been a bit much for him, or maybe he'd laugh to cover some kind of awkwardness at the intensity behind Heizou's words.

But he agrees, vehemently even, and the detective finds himself warmly smiling... though there's a faintly saddened edge to it. Baji is right when he thinks that something happened to make Heizou think this way, but it's not something he's ready to talk about with anyone just yet.]

Yeah. So you get it. [That's... nice, actually. Unanticipated, but in a good way. Heizou lets out a soft huff of air through his nose and slides his arm free to wrap it around his companion's back instead, curling his fingers over Baji's shoulder.]

This place looks good, let's go in here.

[Baji isn't the type to waste time beating around the bush. Heizou had seen things, so had he. What it always came down to, what always mattered, was what you did and who you did it for. Actions would always help better than words, so the robust silence that settled around "so you get it" made all the sense in the world.

Whatever had happened to Heizou, it maybe hadn't been good. And it had been personal. These things always were.

A nod in response and a narrowed sideways look at him. ...Well, whatever grim shit had happened, they'd just have to make sure it didn't happen here, right? He'd help with that, he decided, right then and there. He'd make sure nothing happened to him. Within his abilities, anyway.

Shrugging into the arm, perfectly comfortable with it; half tempted to give a piggy back ride, if they'd had further to go; he'd nod again.]

Cool. [Going to push open the door, and even though they were glued together, still noting,] After you, Shikanoin-san.

[It's been surprisingly easy to settle into Baji's company. Heizou is often gregarious and charming but rarely befriends anyone beyond a surface level either through his own efforts to keep them at arms length or their misunderstanding of his personality and intentions. He knows he can be A Lot, capricious and difficult to get along with, and this has never really bothered him.

But this is nice. Different. He hadn't expected it, but he won't reject it out of hand.]

Shik-- Eugh, don't call me that! [Heizou starts laughing as they walk into the place. He detaches himself from Baji enough to not make things awkward on the way in.] At least not to my face.

[Goodness. Shikanoin-san. No one calls him that unless they're being terribly polite or he's in some kind of trouble.]

Call me Heizou.

Wha--? Oh, hah! [A grin, stooping to his height a little more to give a laugh, nudging him.] Right, sorry 'bout that! It's a mouthful anyway.

[And as he'd never call anyone something behind their back that he wouldn't to their face--]

Heizou it is.

[Baji stoops, and Heizou gives him a little nudge in the ribs as he does. He's still obviously amused as they find their way to a table and sit down.]

'Shikanoin-san' is what people back in the village call my father. Or what my superiors call me when I've done something particularly outlandish. [He slips into his seat easily, clearly not feeling at all guilty about any occasions where his superiors might have had occasion to use his family name.]

But me and you are friends, right, Keisuke-kun? [The detective leans on the table while he says that, obviously trying his luck with that level of familiarity.] We don't need to be so formal.

Then you know I gotta ask what the most outlandish shit you've ever done is, right? It's illegal not to once you say somethin' like that!

[Grinned, taking the seat across from him once Heizou was seated first.

At the nickname; Keisuke-ken; Baji's smile calms down into an expression slightly warmer, if vaguely momentarily surprised.

...It's been a while since anyone's called him that. It's nice. Fits, kinda.]

Yeah. We are.

[Heizou grins right back.]

Illegal? I'll admit I haven't familiarised myself fully with the laws here but I think you might be pulling my leg. [He chuckles then, and picks a menu up off the table to scan down what's on offer. With his push at familiarity with his new friend not at all rejected he's feeling significantly buoyed.]

Though I did go unexpectedly missing for so long recently that there was a commission put out for locating me.

[Reaching under the table to give the fabric of his pants a light tug, playful.]

Now I am.

[Countered.

He'd scan the menu just briefly, almost in distaste, like he expected the menu might be up to something. In reality, he just wasn't interested; he'd let Heizou pick what they wanted to split. He'd give an opinion if asked. He did have his particulars with food.]

--what?? Where'd you go? [Looking up, curious.] Just joyriding? They manage to find you or did you give 'em the slip?

Oh, I was just on another island, and I'd happened to come across an interesting case while I was sightseeing.

[He says it like it's no big deal. Like he didn't go missing so unexpectedly and for so long that someone was actually paid to go looking for him to bring him back safely.

It doesn't take him long to pick a couple of things off the menu that he likes the look of. Fried things mostly. He has his own preferences too. As he keeps talking he taps against the menu with one finger to indicate what he'd like to get.]

Alas, I wasn't able to evade the person who ended up following me, but it wasn't a complete loss. As it happened it was someone I'd been wanting to meet. [None other than the famous Traveller. Very exciting.] I'm getting these. What are you having?

[He sits forward at that, elbows on the table, engrossed.]

What kind of a case was it? Did you solve it?

[Hm? Oh, the food. Glancing down, he'd half-read them, before shrugging.]

Let's just get a few things you want and split everything. Food tastes better that way.

[He tilts his head slightly in thought. For a moment, it doesn't look like he's actually going to answer. A brief distraction comes in the form of someone approaching to take an order from them and Heizou chirpily orders a few different things before tilting his head in Baji's direction.]

-- and don't let him pay for anything, no matter what he says to you. [A grin, a wink, then he's quickly sending them on their way and turning his attention back on his companion.]

As it happens I didn't, on that occasion. My would-be rescuer was very insistent that I return to the city with them, and I decided to acquiesce. I only had the faintest inkling that something was going on, so it wasn't a matter of leaving weeks of work behind.

[--wait, what??

Head snapping to attention, watching the waiter's back get further away after he'd jotted the order, Baji's mouth half-open.

Don't let him pay for anything??]

--I said I'd pay!!

[Indignant, when he shouldn't be, because let's face it: how many meals had he payed for for others before arriving? Still, didn't feel right, when he was out with someone younger...

He was so distracted by the kind slight, he dropped the other thread of conversation for a moment--]

I can't let someone younger 'an me pay for my food. You don't have to treat me.

[Heizou only grins at Baji's indignant response to his generosity. Where has he got money so quickly, anyway? Better not to ask.

There's another of those amused, indulgent smiles as the detective shakes his head and waves one hand in a dismissive gesture.] Nonsense. [He says, not to be swayed, then he seems to belatedly catch on to the rest of what Baji says and blinks at him, uncharacteristically caught by surprise, before he's laughing.]

Younger than you? I might be on the short side, but I'm a grown adult, thank you very much. [Oh, gods-- He splutters his way through giggles.]

I'm twenty-one years old, Keisuke.

[And his brows are going straight up again.

Twenty-one?

...He was an adult? Not so lame, for an adult. Surprisingly not-lame.

Deadpanning at the laugher though, looking just the faintest bit huffy.]

Hey, it's not my fault you look young. You don't look twenty-one. And you said to call you Heizou, casual-like.

Most adults aren't that cool about it.

And how do you know I ain't twenty-one, anyway?

Easy. Your voice wavers just a little bit when you talk, like it didn't break all that long ago. And you're clearly still growing - your physical proportions are slightly off, like most teenagers. [Most people wouldn't notice something like that. Most people wouldn't think to try and notice something like that. But Heizou? He's always been able to pick up on that kind of thing.]

So... I'd say you're sixteen, at the most.

[He looks across the table expectantly, waiting to be confirmed as correct.]

As for my name, I've never liked to go by my family name outside of work. It sounds too much like I'm in trouble when people use it.

What-!!

[Baji practically stands up he's so alarmed by that description of himself. He's the tallest in his class, though he didn't cap Draken's height in Toman. For all he'd grown high, his voice was pitched lower than most adult's, with that deep rumble of someone dangerous.

He seemed like someone who was still growing?!

Pink bursts over his nosebridge and he'd almost look at a loss, pointed teeth hovering over his bottom lip as he'd stare at Heizou with a mix of-- admittedly, awe-- and a sort of shy offense.]

You-- ....shit, detective's really are observant, huh?

[Relaxing a little, but still stuffily embarrassed.]

Keep saying my voice hasn't dropped and you will be in trouble, Shikanoin-nii.

[Teased back, with a soft snort and a hand through his hair to save face. Damn.]

[He could have come out with a few other things if Baji hadn't believed him with just that, but with the look of that blush and the baffled way he's being stared at Heizou thinks he can safely assume both that he is correct and that he has suitably impressed his young companion.]

Detectives are observant, but I'm a special case. Not every detective would have noticed those things.

[Heizou has been paying attention to Baji since they first met, and during this interaction as well. He has already told him so much without speaking.] And really, just what kind of trouble will I be in?

[Don't tempt him. He can tease terribly when he has a mind to. Ah, but he might not really mind that use of the name... He gives a pleased little smile as he continues.]

You're not trying to intimidate me when I'm buying you lunch, are you?

EMBER 3.1 - A Social App for Lost Souls! [Sept. Substory OVERFLOW]

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