text | UN: meirenyu

[baofeng]

[Yizhi is posting from a sock account because he's well aware that authorities come down hard on snooping around. He would encourage you to do the same, but that would be blowing his own cover, so it's gonna be up to you to figure that out.]

Hey, does anyone know what's up with the blocked-off section in the parade route? The one along the Sutoku stretch.

(ooc: feel free to threadjack and mingle around! I made this to facilitate infosharing/communication/theorizing among those investigating the Night Parade plot thread, and don't plan on replying to every thread as my character has little to share himself.)

Comments

[baofeng]

What do you mean by “cursed”?

I’m not disagreeing with you, they could be, but I don’t know much about curses.

[demonrebel]

What I mean is that maybe those areas are cursed by some sort of yokai that doesn't want lost souls like us wandering into their den.

It's not uncommon for certain types of demons or devils to place curses on random individuals in hope of siphoning their lifeforce. I dealt with a few cases in the past where demons will haunt a particular item or host just to feed on them.

Those types of curses are more parasitic by nature but in regards to what I'm mentioning here, I wouldn't be surprised if the yokai of this realm put certain curses or hexes to keep folks out.

[baofeng]

[Thank the heavens they finally have someone knowledgable in the discussion!]

Right, I see. That makes a lot of sense.

Is there any way we can find out if there’s a curse for sure? Can you sense it, or is there a physical source that could be found?

[demonrebel]

[If there's one thing Dante knows, it's demons. Yokai might be a different kind of a demon but it's still a demon.]

That depends on the curse. Your "Average Joe" isn't going to notice there's something dark and nasty in the corner there.

I'll admit that I'm not exactly human myself, so spotting them might be easier for me.

[baofeng]

Any plans to try?

[Yizhi also sends a second question, this time as a private message:]

On another topic: you’re from Shuten? I’m looking for an escort through that territory. I’ve got a face people like beating up. Would you be interested in anything from Tamamo that I can hook you up with as a trade?

[demonrebel]

Probably. That is if I can escape the guys long enough to try.

[Dante made a bit too much of a splash since he arrived here. To tell the truth, he has plenty of OPPS watching him right now, some of which are from his clan. Let's just say the yokai don't like the thought of a bonafide "devil hunter" being here. He has more enemies than allies right now.]

That I am and I wouldn't mind helping you out. Besides, I need a break from these Shuten assholes. Everyone and their dog have been trying to tick me off.

As for the offer, I wouldn't be opposed to getting some more information about the Tamamo and their operations.

[baofeng]

[On the public board:]

Sounds like you’ve got a lot of problems over there. Take care, trickshot.

[That should wrap things up nicely without seeming like he's encouraging crime. The guy sounds like he'd be better off laying low anyway, not that Yizhi wants to play consultant with the amount of information he has.

Now for the PMs:]

That does sound annoying. How about this, then - you show me around the areas you’re free to go around in Shuten, and I’ll do the same for you in Tamamo. See what info we can find. Does that sound fair?

When are you free?

[He'll also give Dante his contract number.]

[private | text]

[demonrebel]

[Dante couldn't help but squint a little at that previous message. Were they really about to run off now? Apparently, not judging from the private DM that comes only seconds later. Clever. Keeping up public appearances matters, especially since this conversation is probably being monitored now.]

That sounds like a good deal to me. Besides, I wouldn’t mind playing tour guide for a little while.

[This definitely sounds like a better evening than just shooting the shit with the Oni dudes.]

I'm free all evening after 6:00. Time is a little funky here but at least it's similar enough to the real world.

[baofeng]

[He’d expected to be booking an appointment, but the guy is free tonight? This is already looking to be a worthy investment.]

6:00pm today? That’s great. We can meet at 8:00 at [STREET]. I won’t bother you over dinner.

Shuten or Tamamo first?