jigokucho | (post-mingle) text; un: UEHARA

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(post-mingle) text; un: UEHARA

Good morning, everyone. I hope you're well.

[read: he hopes that you're not too hungover and that none of you died out there last night.]

Despite the different clans to which we've been assigned, we all find ourselves in strange territory in Jigoku-cho. It may look close to what several of us recognize as Japan, but as you might've already discovered, familiarity does not guarantee similarity. The other day, I met a man who could have easily been from my world, perhaps even my continent or country-- only to discover he hailed from a completely different planet.

So, I'd like to begin gathering information. [He's no Sutoku, but this is important to all of them, and-- as he's been taught-- there are no shortcuts when it comes to investigation.] The more that we know about our fellow lost souls, the more we will have to work from as we learn more about this place and why we're here. We can start with something simple. If you would like, please share where, and when, you are from.

I'll start. I am from Tokyo's 25th Ward, in Japan, on Earth, in the year 2005.

(ooc: feel free to threadjack around! ✌️)

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( this child does not understand texting. thus, everything comes, predictably, in caps lock, because how does one turn this strange device's screaming off..... he'll learn at some point.... )

GREETINGS, YOUNG UEHARA

MY NAME IS RENGOKU KYOJURO

THE LOOK OF THIS PLACE IS QUITE SIMILAR TO JAPAN, WHERE I HAVE COME FROM! BUT I AM AFRAID THE TIMELINE IS MUCH DIFFERENT.

AH, wAIT, THE tEXT can be changed!

I am from the Taisho era!

( he feels quite proud now. he's being helpful! )

[WHY ARE WE YELLING......]

Ah, you figured it out. Good job.

[He can't blame him-- even he took a little bit to figure it out, and he had a flip phone. Also, he's gotten actually yelled at for less. At least Kyojuro was friendly??]

The Taisho era was a long time ago for me. Not quite a century, but close. It's the Heisei era for me. How are you adjusting?

[after that, he's guessing... not so well to the tech.]

Heisei era! Amazing!

I have not quite learned to adjust to the new inventions of this time.

Are you familiar with the clawed toy grabber box?

( translation: the UFO catcher that he thought he had to shake in order to make it work. )

The... UFO catcher, do you mean? Yes. There were arcades and video games in my era.

The trick is to use the claws to push it into the prize hole instead of actually grabbing it. Those plush toys will almost always fall off-- by design.

I see!

I will need this demonstrated for me!

Are you available? ( what time is it... )

It is important to learn new skills!

[they're... using so many exclamation points... are we still yelling?!]

I don't think the arcades open quite so early, but... I could show you later this afternoon, if you would like.

[Kamui hasn't gotten the chance to check out too much of Sutoku territory, anyway: might be a good opportunity to nose around some.]

I'll be around the area, so I can send you a message later.

Perfect! I will acquire a snack for us, as I know it may be strenuous work!

I will await your bubble, young Uehara!

( he means message, but the little bit that pops up on the screen does look like a bubble...)

[It only occurs to him after he's stopped replying that... he has no idea if he's younger or older than Kyojuro. ~~he's older.~~

Ah, well. He's made it to the arcade and is all ready to help, at any rate. As promised, he shoots over another 'bubble' with his location.

When Kyojuro arrives, he'll spot a fairly plain-looking man a few years his senior, offering a hesitant, yet polite wave as he approaches.]

Kyojuro-san, right?

( the bubble comes, of course, a small ping on the device that makes him immediately clutch at it with both hands. gratefully, he's learned how to use them more accurately, meaning that he has somewhat mastered the use of the keyboard and switching screens, but not much else. this bubble, however, comes with something far more useful--an address, one that he repeats to himself, quietly, as he makes his way through the streets. he's in the right area, at least; he doesn't want to have to ask for help from any unsavory townsfolk around.

it is his second time at one of these things. arcades they're called, or game centers, the latter being something that makes more sense to him. strange electronic boxes full of all sorts of mysterious missions and prizes; he's happy to encounter them again, and the man in question that is waiting for him.

he finds him easily, and offers up his own hand in a broad wave. )

Uehara! ( his tone is warm and jovial, and not as loud as it might usually be. ) It is a pleasure to meet you in person. The bubbles have no voice attached!

( a hearty laugh, but his owlish eyes look towards the arcade entrance. ) Shall we begin?

[Perhaps it was all that "young Uehara" talk, or simply his typing style, but Kamui hadn't really been expecting to meet someone so close to his own age. Though it wouldn't have mattered much either way, it's sort of surreal, casually meeting up with two strangers in a day-- and not to chase any sort of lead, either. Ironic, to feel a little more normal than usual in Hell of all places.]

The... oh, yes, the messages. There is an option to use your voice on the phone, as well: I can teach you later.

[But they've got another mission to attend to.] Let's.

[With that, Kamui leads Kyojuro inside. It's the middle of the day and slightly less populated than usual, which is just as well for Kamui: he's never been comfortable in a crowd. As they move further into the arcade, they even pass a kappa attendant napping at a small reception desk, snoozing through the lights and white noise of songs emanating from the arcade cabinets.

It only takes about a minute to find the long rows of crane games, all stuffed to the brim with an assortment of plushies, snacks, and figures. Kamui surveys their options for a second, then points to one holding some especially soft-looking plush birds in hats.]

This might be a good start. Do you have a basic idea of how the crane machine works?

( it's easy for him to focus on one thing at a time, but more pointedly, he tucks that bit of information away to be focused on later--using his voice with the device? these are remarkable developments! at first, the barrage of technology in this place had felt almost overwhelming, but slowly, he's learning to work his way through it encounter by encounter. having friendly faces, who also don't mind giving him a tip or two? he feels particularly grateful.

he lets his new companion lead him inside--this arcade in particular is one that he hasn't visited yet, but he feels somewhat pleased with his previous experiences; for example, he knows now that he can't grip the glass itself and shake the crane games into submission, just as he knows that some machines are far more clever than others. still, like the other arcade, this one is full of so many glorious noises and bleeping, musical machines; there are less people here, and this time, he's not hiding from a gang trying to murder him, so: more opportunity to explore!

cheerfully, he follows after kamui, letting him pick the machine. when they finally stop, it's so that kyojuro can wind himself over kamui's shoulder to peer into the glass. for a moment, he waits, as though expecting the colorful birds to move; they do not.

he gives a hearty, bright laugh--right...near kamui's ear, whoops. )

Yes, of course! You move the grip with your hands, and the clawed hand moves accordingly inside the box! There, you must line it up carefully to claim your prize...!

( he settles back on his heels, plants his hands on his hips, and grins. )

However! I would like to see young Uehara's handiwork, first.

[Taisho era... how nostalgic.]

Bravo! These devices can be rather tricky to grasp, young man.

[He types as easily as he lies.]

Thank you!

It is always important to keep learning.

Do these devices do anything else important I should know?

For as long as we live, we never stop learning.

I think it simply let us communicate with each other over this space. I wouldn't be surprised if there's more I haven't figure out.

I will let you know if I discover anything else worthwhile!

What is your name?

[His name, hm... Only certain people would recognise his name and its value. He rather not deal with that over this network. So, just a part of his name.]

I look forward to that.

My name is Norimune, young Rengoku. Simply an old, retired man.

I see!

What have you retired from?

The family business. There's also the time I worked for the government for a while.

It sounds like you must have been busy!

Retirement is a good idea, if it makes you happy.

Haha! Indeed. I was quite busy, I find myself appreciating the peace and freedom in retirement.

[Or as close to it he can have.]

If you ever feel it's time, I recommend it, young Rengoku.

I think I am retired already!

Or, I was! But now it looks like I am being given a new chance here. I will do my best!

Oh my, I didn't know.

I wish you good luck! I hope I'll be able to count on you as well, here.

[Potential ally or not, he likes this fellow already.]

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(post-mingle) text; un: UEHARA

text; un: UMAI

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to action?!

slides in late with starbucks

wait lemme get a cold brew too

🧊☕💖

un: oneflower

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