[ So.. well, in the end Shuu did pick up a job. If not just since he's finally realising that he's actually going to have to.. pay for rent...?? Do stuff humans do..?? He's still pretty salty and chafed over that fact, but he's not going to hang around on the streets, okay. That just can't be hygienic. So he finally picked up one of the suggestions that were thrown at him on the first day he came here.
And it's probably the least likely sight you'd ever see, a demon as a phone sex operator.. except now there's two, huh. Although no matter how Chizuru fares at her job, she can at least be glad there's someone worse at this than her. Shuu's leaning backwards in his chair, his feet on top of the desk, and he has at least three fingers tangled playfullly with the phone cord as if he's a teenage girl calling their best friend rather than a demon lord. (Hey, he's not too far from a teenage girl if you squint..)
... Well, maybe his words don't fit in with the image. ]
Huuuh, you're really calling something like this? You must be pretty desperate.. [ Yeah, he's totally scolding the people on the other side of the line. Except it's the famed Nagumo Scolding (tm) which involves being pa as all hell while you're at it. ] Does your mother know you do these sort of things? I bet she'd be really dis--
[ . . . . ]
Oh, they hung up.
[ This is clearly a good reason for Sengoku-era demons to learn technology, okay. And Shuu is a quick learner when he's actually motivated, and this is sort of fun in a childishly playful kind of way for him, so it actually goes pretty easily.
Except then he turns his head and sees someone else step in as if they're ready to start their work for the day..
.. and it's someone familiar. Or, well, someone he thinks is familiar, and he's already moving out of his seat towards Chizuru with little hesitation. His expression is a little hard to read, but he seems strangely excited - although it still has to be proven if that's a good or a bad thing. ]
Hey! [ He just grabs her wrist, although his hold isn't exactly firm enough to hurt. ] Just a sec, okay?
[ Sorry, Chizuru, he's just dragging you out into the hallway so they don't have pesky humans listening in on demon matters.. but at least he lets go the moment they're alone. And he looks like he's about to speak up, but then surprise crosses his face and he blinks. ]
.. Huh.. no way! Here I reaaally thought you were that Kaoru guy, but you two just look a lot alike, don't you? Except you're actually a girl! [ Still.. oddly excited about this, though.. he's practically near-bouncing on his feet. ]
[Truthfully, Chizuru isn't at all sure what to expect from this job. Fumbling with the device they'd given her had caused her to pick it by accident, but she can't help but be consumed by an overwhelming guilt whenever she thinks of quitting before she's even given it a try; that's why she's here now.
...though she's sort of regretting it because wow that sure is someone grabbing her by the wrist before she's able to do so much as blink.
She stumbles a little, but manages to keep from toppling over as he drags her out into the hall. It isn't until Shuu lets go of her wrist that she actually manages to get a good look at him, and when she does, it doesn't clear up any of her confusion. He doesn't look even a little bit familiar to her and though he does sort of give off the same air as Kazama, Amagiri, and Shiranui, she... hasn't quite put it together yet that he's a demon. Her expression is a little blank as he speaks, and then it sinks in.]
You've met Kaoru-san..? [...wait, what does he mean, "actually a girl"...] She's my twin sister, um... are you a friend of hers?
[Kondou introduced Kaoru as her "sister" in Zelien and no one ever told her otherwise this can't go badly at all.]
[ Twin.. sister..? No, he's pretty sure Kaoru is a guy, if anyone could tell, it's Shuu. But then these two are siblings and then the girl doesn't know Kaoru's a guy? That's.. pretty weird, he has to admit. Maybe she's trying to help him with his cover story and all, but she seems way too oddly genuine about what she's saying. Unless she's just that good of a liar, but he doubts it.
Man, his descendants sure are weird.
(Not that he realises they're not his to begin with..) ]
A friend? [ He hums a little to himself, as if he's trying to decide the answer. Although let's be real, no matter how that thread with Kaoru ends, Shuu's not that familiar with friendship so he wouldn't know how to answer it anyway... Forever alone... ] Hmmm, I guess? We met the other day. Kaoru's a pretty interesting person, huh!
[ Not a word lied about that, at least. He's.. interesting, alright.. but at least he shares Shuu's hobby of being pa as hell, so hey, as long as he has Kaoru to pa at without getting trouble in return. ]
So I can't help but feel really excited to meet you as well! We have to stick together inbetween all these humans, right?
[ It's really hard to tell how much about him is genuine and how much is a lie even for normal people - let alone for Chizuru, probably. In fact, even Shuu probably doesn't really know how much he's actually excited. Most of it feels like him putting on airs to try and get information out of her, but he can't deny he sure prefers hanging out with other demons over humans. And without Senkimaru and Yachiyo here, he's going to have to find new company somehow. ]
[She's pretty sure Kaoru is a girl! They're twins, of course she would know!! ...Chizuru is going to feel really awful when she figures out that Shuu was right all along...
And wow, doubting her already. Maybe she is that good of a liar. Maybe she's been playing the entire Shinsengumi all along! You all thought she was that sweet demon raised by humans but no, she is the most demonic of them all. ...except that really isn't the case and so she's completely sincere when she smiles and folds her hands over her heart.]
A friend of Kaoru-san's... I'm very glad to meet you. Um - thank you for being her friend. She's... very interesting, but I can't help but worry, sometimes.
[Kaoru just doesn't seem like he has many friends at all.]
...there are a lot of humans here. But, they're not all bad! [Oh look, more sincerity.] In fact, many of them are remarkably kind and dependable! But, if you and I could become friends too, I would like that very much. I don't know many demons...
[Or rather, she doesn't know many demons who aren't actively trying to kidnap her. A moment passes, and then her eyes go wide before she bows hastily.]
I'm sorry! I didn't introduce myself. My name is Yukimura Chizuru. Um, it looks like we'll be working together..!
[ This girl really is weird. She's so obviously a demon - he can sense that demonic aura from her from a mile away, at least - but at the same time she's saying that she doesn't know many demons, and she talks about humans as if she's actually friends with them, not to mention the whole deal with her thinking Kaoru is a girl..
Really a weird girl. Definitely too naive, at least. But that's just for the better. He doesn't have any particularly big plans in this place.. well, other than getting out of here. But if he's going to need some sort of help with that, then he's sure he can rely on her - and he does know that teaming up in those situations is usually the better idea. There's a reason why he sticks around with those other two despite him having an entirely different goal, after all. ]
It really does. [ His smile drops into something more like a smirk. ] Chizuru's pretty cute, so if any of those dumb humans harass you over these things, let me handle it.
[ Because there's nothing Shuu loves more than making grown men cry.. and if it'd fluster Chizuru then it'll be like double hilariousness on both sides. Besides, he does at least somewhat believe in demons sticking together. As long as they're on the right side rather than the clans that ended up banishing the three other ones, including his.
That's exactly why he blinks at that last name though. Here he was assuming she was a Nagumo, just like Kaoru.. ]
.. There's something a little weird here though, isn't there..? If you and Kaoru are siblings, then why do you have different family names? That's so strange.. [ It'd be easy to read the tone as him just being surprised or curious, but there's definitely a pa undertone to it.. don't end up a poser too, Chizuru, he won't be pleased!! ]
[Naive people are easier to manipulate, it's true... Shuu, at least, doesn't have to worry about Chizuru trying to manipulate him.
...they are also easier to fluster! And flustered she most certainly is, when he speaks up; it takes her a moment to really process what he's said, and when she does, her cheeks flush red and she shakes her head, bringing up her hands in a pacifying gesture.]
Cute-? No, that's not..! Um. ...they're not going to harass me, I think... the person I spoke to about this job, they said it was... a place where lonely people called to have someone to talk to? They wouldn't do something mean, if they really want to talk...
[nOT QUITE WHAT HE MEANT, CHIZURU.]
Um... as for Kaoru-san's name... [How much of this does she want to divulge to a stranger, she wonders... If it was just her, she wouldn't care, but Kaoru is affected by this, too. Then again, Shuu is apparently one of his friends... She'll just be a little bit vague.] We were separated when we were very young. The family that took her in... they were the Nagumo. [And apparently they were rude as shit but she's not getting into that.] That's why our names are different...
[ Chizuru, you're so naive... he's almost amazed, really. This is worse than that Yukina girl, which is probably saying a lot. It's not like they had phone sex operators back around 1600, but he still managed to catch on to this place's intentions pretty quickly all the same. But then again, he's smarter than his childish nature may indicate most of the time.
It's sort of funny yet endearing, and Shuu's not entirely sure if he wants to break the truth to her since humans taking advantage of demons is the worst, but on the other hand, it may be pretty hilarious to see her slowly realise what's really going on here and have her blush like that again.
Life is full of difficult decisions, isn't it...
But thankfully the decision doesn't matter a moment later when he hears what Chizuru is actually saying. Taken in by the Nagumo, huh.. A fate he wouldn't wish upon anyone despite being a Nagumo himself, but that's not important right now. What's important is that Kaoru isn't a real Nagumo after all, and wow, does that fucking poser think he can just pull that sort of stuff on him... Kaoru'd better watch himself the next time they meet.
Still, that means Kaoru's a Yukimura too.. unfortunately it's not too easy to realise just what clan that is with the lack of usage of last names in his time among demons.
But if they're part of the Jukkishuu - well, then he's not going to be very happy. ]
What a story... [ He keeps his tone light, but there's definitely anger just plainly boiling under his skin. ]
Kaoru's apparently way from the future though, so you too, huh? Do you maybe know the names of any of your ancestors, Chizuru?
[ Because it's the easiest way to find out before he has to flip out the rest of his days here over not knowing it.
.. then again, if he can't find out, he'll probably just assume the worst. Gomen, Chizuru.. ]
[Unfortunately, he is absolutely asking the worst person to tell him about the Yukimura ancestors. Chizuru very clearly doesn't know how to answer him; she doesn't want to say "I'm sorry, I don't know," because that's not a very helpful answer at all. But the truth is she doesn't know the names of any of her ancestors; she only knows the name of the man who isn't even her real father.
...what are her parents' names? Her expression flickers a little and she looks down. What sort of a daughter of the Yukimura clan is she, if she cam't even remember something as simple as her parents' names? Surely she must have heard them at some point, even if it was just when they were very little. Surely someone must have called them by name while she was there.
So why can't she remember? What use is having Shotsuren to remember them by, if all it reminds her of is that they exist? It's at her waist as it usually is and she rests a hand on it, because it's familiar and comforting, and -
Oh. Her whole face lights up, and she is earnest as she raises her head and looks at Shuu.]
I don't know any of their names... but! [She pulls Shotsuren, sheath and all, from her waist and holds it out for Shuu to take a closer look at.] The man who raised me... he said this was passed on through generations in my family. If you lived a very long time ago, maybe you would recognize it...?
[It's a long shot, but it's the closest thing she's got to an answer.
...that sure does look like one of Suzuka Gozen's swords, huh. Did Shuu ever find out that Shotsuren and Daitsuren were passed on to the Yukimuras? ...not that believing her to be one of Yasehime's descendants is much better, dear god.]
[ Yeah, this is pretty much the dumbest move Chizuru could have pulled. Especially since all they've been out for is destroying the Jukkishuu - and trying to assassinate Yase-hime was all just part of that, really. In fact, her swords are so surprising that even Shuu can't hide the look of surprise that appears on his face as he sees them, although he at least manages to make it more surprise than real shock, so it may not seem too suspicious.
But on the inside, he's already quickly trying to think. Because those definitely belong to Yase-hime's people, and does that mean that Chizuru and Kaoru could actually somehow be descendants of Yase-hime herselfZ? Does that mean they'll fail, that she'll wake up again? There would be some serious irony by Kaoru being taken in by a clan thrown out of the Jukkishuu like the Nagumo then, the clan that's been left to fend by itself and suffer from attacks by humans and demons alike, with not Yase-hime nor her people even giving them a second thought..
He hates them. Because they didn't help him when their village was being destroyed, their land claimed by humans. They didn't help him when his father committed suicide because he was unable to handle the guilt of having been unable to stop all of it.
This girl is one of them, and it would be a lie to say that Shuu's temper doesn't make him feel like wanting to kick the living shit out of her right here and now for it. To make her suffer until she takes responsibility for what happened, until someone does, no matter whether it's Ishida Mitsunari or the Jukkishuu or Yase-hime or this girl, just someone--
Argh, he has to keep himself together here and he knows it though. He doesn't know enough yet, doesn't know about her abilities or how much of a chance he'd stand. No matter how difficult it is, he tries to swallow his rage down, even as his hand twitches lightly by his side because god this is the worst possible scenario. ]
One of Suzuka Gozen's weapons, right? Anyone'd be a fool to not recognize it! [ It's definitely harder to seem like his usual cheerful-with-a-weird-edge self right now, but he manages. Mostly. ] They should've been in Yase-hime's care, or otherwise it's possible she passed it down to someone of the Jukkishuu. So you must've come from one of those families!
[ From the worst scum possible, good job, Chizuru..!! ]
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And it's probably the least likely sight you'd ever see, a demon as a phone sex operator.. except now there's two, huh. Although no matter how Chizuru fares at her job, she can at least be glad there's someone worse at this than her. Shuu's leaning backwards in his chair, his feet on top of the desk, and he has at least three fingers tangled playfullly with the phone cord as if he's a teenage girl calling their best friend rather than a demon lord. (Hey, he's not too far from a teenage girl if you squint..)
... Well, maybe his words don't fit in with the image. ]
Huuuh, you're really calling something like this? You must be pretty desperate.. [ Yeah, he's totally scolding the people on the other side of the line. Except it's the famed Nagumo Scolding (tm) which involves being pa as all hell while you're at it. ] Does your mother know you do these sort of things? I bet she'd be really dis--
[ . . . . ]
Oh, they hung up.
[ This is clearly a good reason for Sengoku-era demons to learn technology, okay. And Shuu is a quick learner when he's actually motivated, and this is sort of fun in a childishly playful kind of way for him, so it actually goes pretty easily.
Except then he turns his head and sees someone else step in as if they're ready to start their work for the day..
.. and it's someone familiar. Or, well, someone he thinks is familiar, and he's already moving out of his seat towards Chizuru with little hesitation. His expression is a little hard to read, but he seems strangely excited - although it still has to be proven if that's a good or a bad thing. ]
Hey! [ He just grabs her wrist, although his hold isn't exactly firm enough to hurt. ] Just a sec, okay?
[ Sorry, Chizuru, he's just dragging you out into the hallway so they don't have pesky humans listening in on demon matters.. but at least he lets go the moment they're alone. And he looks like he's about to speak up, but then surprise crosses his face and he blinks. ]
.. Huh.. no way! Here I reaaally thought you were that Kaoru guy, but you two just look a lot alike, don't you? Except you're actually a girl! [ Still.. oddly excited about this, though.. he's practically near-bouncing on his feet. ]
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[Truthfully, Chizuru isn't at all sure what to expect from this job. Fumbling with the device they'd given her had caused her to pick it by accident, but she can't help but be consumed by an overwhelming guilt whenever she thinks of quitting before she's even given it a try; that's why she's here now.
...though she's sort of regretting it because wow that sure is someone grabbing her by the wrist before she's able to do so much as blink.
She stumbles a little, but manages to keep from toppling over as he drags her out into the hall. It isn't until Shuu lets go of her wrist that she actually manages to get a good look at him, and when she does, it doesn't clear up any of her confusion. He doesn't look even a little bit familiar to her and though he does sort of give off the same air as Kazama, Amagiri, and Shiranui, she... hasn't quite put it together yet that he's a demon. Her expression is a little blank as he speaks, and then it sinks in.]
You've met Kaoru-san..? [...wait, what does he mean, "actually a girl"...] She's my twin sister, um... are you a friend of hers?
[Kondou introduced Kaoru as her "sister" in Zelien and no one ever told her otherwise this can't go badly at all.]
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Man, his descendants sure are weird.
(Not that he realises they're not his to begin with..) ]
A friend? [ He hums a little to himself, as if he's trying to decide the answer. Although let's be real, no matter how that thread with Kaoru ends, Shuu's not that familiar with friendship so he wouldn't know how to answer it anyway... Forever alone... ] Hmmm, I guess? We met the other day. Kaoru's a pretty interesting person, huh!
[ Not a word lied about that, at least. He's.. interesting, alright.. but at least he shares Shuu's hobby of being pa as hell, so hey, as long as he has Kaoru to pa at without getting trouble in return. ]
So I can't help but feel really excited to meet you as well! We have to stick together inbetween all these humans, right?
[ It's really hard to tell how much about him is genuine and how much is a lie even for normal people - let alone for Chizuru, probably. In fact, even Shuu probably doesn't really know how much he's actually excited. Most of it feels like him putting on airs to try and get information out of her, but he can't deny he sure prefers hanging out with other demons over humans. And without Senkimaru and Yachiyo here, he's going to have to find new company somehow. ]
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And wow, doubting her already. Maybe she is that good of a liar. Maybe she's been playing the entire Shinsengumi all along! You all thought she was that sweet demon raised by humans but no, she is the most demonic of them all. ...except that really isn't the case and so she's completely sincere when she smiles and folds her hands over her heart.]
A friend of Kaoru-san's... I'm very glad to meet you. Um - thank you for being her friend. She's... very interesting, but I can't help but worry, sometimes.
[Kaoru just doesn't seem like he has many friends at all.]
...there are a lot of humans here. But, they're not all bad! [Oh look, more sincerity.] In fact, many of them are remarkably kind and dependable! But, if you and I could become friends too, I would like that very much. I don't know many demons...
[Or rather, she doesn't know many demons who aren't actively trying to kidnap her. A moment passes, and then her eyes go wide before she bows hastily.]
I'm sorry! I didn't introduce myself. My name is Yukimura Chizuru. Um, it looks like we'll be working together..!
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Really a weird girl. Definitely too naive, at least. But that's just for the better. He doesn't have any particularly big plans in this place.. well, other than getting out of here. But if he's going to need some sort of help with that, then he's sure he can rely on her - and he does know that teaming up in those situations is usually the better idea. There's a reason why he sticks around with those other two despite him having an entirely different goal, after all. ]
It really does. [ His smile drops into something more like a smirk. ] Chizuru's pretty cute, so if any of those dumb humans harass you over these things, let me handle it.
[ Because there's nothing Shuu loves more than making grown men cry.. and if it'd fluster Chizuru then it'll be like double hilariousness on both sides. Besides, he does at least somewhat believe in demons sticking together. As long as they're on the right side rather than the clans that ended up banishing the three other ones, including his.
That's exactly why he blinks at that last name though. Here he was assuming she was a Nagumo, just like Kaoru.. ]
.. There's something a little weird here though, isn't there..? If you and Kaoru are siblings, then why do you have different family names? That's so strange.. [ It'd be easy to read the tone as him just being surprised or curious, but there's definitely a pa undertone to it.. don't end up a poser too, Chizuru, he won't be pleased!! ]
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...they are also easier to fluster! And flustered she most certainly is, when he speaks up; it takes her a moment to really process what he's said, and when she does, her cheeks flush red and she shakes her head, bringing up her hands in a pacifying gesture.]
Cute-? No, that's not..! Um. ...they're not going to harass me, I think... the person I spoke to about this job, they said it was... a place where lonely people called to have someone to talk to? They wouldn't do something mean, if they really want to talk...
[nOT QUITE WHAT HE MEANT, CHIZURU.]
Um... as for Kaoru-san's name... [How much of this does she want to divulge to a stranger, she wonders... If it was just her, she wouldn't care, but Kaoru is affected by this, too. Then again, Shuu is apparently one of his friends... She'll just be a little bit vague.] We were separated when we were very young. The family that took her in... they were the Nagumo. [And apparently they were rude as shit but she's not getting into that.] That's why our names are different...
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It's sort of funny yet endearing, and Shuu's not entirely sure if he wants to break the truth to her since humans taking advantage of demons is the worst, but on the other hand, it may be pretty hilarious to see her slowly realise what's really going on here and have her blush like that again.
Life is full of difficult decisions, isn't it...
But thankfully the decision doesn't matter a moment later when he hears what Chizuru is actually saying. Taken in by the Nagumo, huh.. A fate he wouldn't wish upon anyone despite being a Nagumo himself, but that's not important right now. What's important is that Kaoru isn't a real Nagumo after all, and wow, does that fucking poser think he can just pull that sort of stuff on him... Kaoru'd better watch himself the next time they meet.
Still, that means Kaoru's a Yukimura too.. unfortunately it's not too easy to realise just what clan that is with the lack of usage of last names in his time among demons.
But if they're part of the Jukkishuu - well, then he's not going to be very happy. ]
What a story... [ He keeps his tone light, but there's definitely anger just plainly boiling under his skin. ]
Kaoru's apparently way from the future though, so you too, huh? Do you maybe know the names of any of your ancestors, Chizuru?
[ Because it's the easiest way to find out before he has to flip out the rest of his days here over not knowing it.
.. then again, if he can't find out, he'll probably just assume the worst. Gomen, Chizuru.. ]
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...what are her parents' names? Her expression flickers a little and she looks down. What sort of a daughter of the Yukimura clan is she, if she cam't even remember something as simple as her parents' names? Surely she must have heard them at some point, even if it was just when they were very little. Surely someone must have called them by name while she was there.
So why can't she remember? What use is having Shotsuren to remember them by, if all it reminds her of is that they exist? It's at her waist as it usually is and she rests a hand on it, because it's familiar and comforting, and -
Oh. Her whole face lights up, and she is earnest as she raises her head and looks at Shuu.]
I don't know any of their names... but! [She pulls Shotsuren, sheath and all, from her waist and holds it out for Shuu to take a closer look at.] The man who raised me... he said this was passed on through generations in my family. If you lived a very long time ago, maybe you would recognize it...?
[It's a long shot, but it's the closest thing she's got to an answer.
...that sure does look like one of Suzuka Gozen's swords, huh. Did Shuu ever find out that Shotsuren and Daitsuren were passed on to the Yukimuras? ...not that believing her to be one of Yasehime's descendants is much better, dear god.]
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But on the inside, he's already quickly trying to think. Because those definitely belong to Yase-hime's people, and does that mean that Chizuru and Kaoru could actually somehow be descendants of Yase-hime herselfZ? Does that mean they'll fail, that she'll wake up again? There would be some serious irony by Kaoru being taken in by a clan thrown out of the Jukkishuu like the Nagumo then, the clan that's been left to fend by itself and suffer from attacks by humans and demons alike, with not Yase-hime nor her people even giving them a second thought..
He hates them. Because they didn't help him when their village was being destroyed, their land claimed by humans. They didn't help him when his father committed suicide because he was unable to handle the guilt of having been unable to stop all of it.
This girl is one of them, and it would be a lie to say that Shuu's temper doesn't make him feel like wanting to kick the living shit out of her right here and now for it. To make her suffer until she takes responsibility for what happened, until someone does, no matter whether it's Ishida Mitsunari or the Jukkishuu or Yase-hime or this girl, just someone--
Argh, he has to keep himself together here and he knows it though. He doesn't know enough yet, doesn't know about her abilities or how much of a chance he'd stand. No matter how difficult it is, he tries to swallow his rage down, even as his hand twitches lightly by his side because god this is the worst possible scenario. ]
One of Suzuka Gozen's weapons, right? Anyone'd be a fool to not recognize it! [ It's definitely harder to seem like his usual cheerful-with-a-weird-edge self right now, but he manages. Mostly. ] They should've been in Yase-hime's care, or otherwise it's possible she passed it down to someone of the Jukkishuu. So you must've come from one of those families!
[ From the worst scum possible, good job, Chizuru..!! ]