kaisou | ii. bad moon rising ( action/video; open)

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ii. bad moon rising ( action/video; open)

WHO: Goro Akechi & you
WHERE: the University drictrict + the app
WHEN: 26th & 27th
WHAT: Goro is dealing with that time of the month for the first time, and not having a good time
WARNINGS: possible (but unlikely) werewolf violence

i. live wolf cam ; network post, video, un: oneforsorrow

[Late at night on the 26th, long after it's gotten dark, the feed clicks on. It starts with the blurry image of something dark covering the screen. A second later, it becomes clear that it's some sort of animal pawing at the phone. This continues for a moment, until the creature moves to sniff the camera instead. Then it opens its mouth, and--

Oh, yeah, it's carrying the phone. It's just an unpleasant view of the inside of some kind of canine mouth. After a few minutes of this, the phone drops suddenly to the ground. The camera's half covered by grass, but anyone watching can clearly see a large canine walking away from it and disappearing into the dark.

The feed continues on for another couple hours, until the phone's battery dies. Nothing much of note happens, besides the usual nightly activities. The creature doesn't return.

Any responses to this go ignored until the morning.]

ii. monster mash ; action, around university district

[Be careful if you're out after dark, because there's something lurking. At first glance you could mistake it for a large dog, but... it's way too large. In the darkness, its fur looks pitch black, but anytime it passes under a streetlamp it's clear that its fur is more golden brown.

Luckily, it seems skittish and not particularly aggressive. But it has a tendency to just watch anyone who passes nearby. What does it want?]

iii. apology post; network, video, un: oneforsorrow

[In the early afternoon of the 27th, the video feed starts up again.

This time it's just Goro, sitting and smiling pleasantly at the camera. He looks a bit disheveled and exhausted, but otherwise fine.]

I wanted to apologize for anyone who may have been concerned by my video last night. You see, I lost my phone earlier in the day, and it seems some-- kind of animal managed to accidentally start a livestream. I managed to recover my phone this morning, though.

So there's no need to be concerned. I'm fine, if just a little stressed from the ordeal! Haha.

[There's a long pause.]

But while I'm here, I did have a favor to ask. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with some, ah... medical professionals who are well versed in the supernatural. I have a concerned that's -- not pressing, but that I could hardly bring to the average doctor.

I'd rather not discuss it in detail, though. It's a bit embarrassing, so please respect my privacy at this time.

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Generally speaking, Ritsuka's not the type to linger outside after dark a lot. Not unless she has something that she needs to do. That said, it's the time of year where darkness falls earlier and the nights last longer, so really it can't be helped, especially if there's errands to run.

Naturally, spotting what seems to be a large stray dog has her on guard--one never knows, after all--but there just seems something a little odd about the way it's watching her. And given that this is Kaisou...

"Are you looking for something?"

It's worth a shot, though she does wait until she's pretty sure nobody's around. Just to avoid awkward conversations with bystanders.

[Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, he has enough of his mind left to recognize her. She would be good if he needed assistance, but he can't decide if he does -- or what will happen if he seeks it.

Instead he gives a low growl. Though he also licks his lips in a sign of anxiety. What if someone puts it together and recognizes him?]

The growl really doesn't tell her much. She doesn't approach, of course, but she still can't tell for sure if this is an ordinary stray dog, or someone under the effects of a curse or such.

"Um, if you're someone who got stuck turned into that, I probably can't change you back or anything, but I could help find you a place to stay?"

Assuming this is a person and that whoever it is can still think rationally.

[He has a place to stay, theoretically, but he's not sure how he's going to get into his place. And he's worried if he goes to anyone else's, he'll turn back... and reveal himself.

So he shakes his head. It's probably telling that an animal is capable of doing that and understanding what it means.]

That is indeed telling, and confirms that this is someone who's been transformed, and not just a stray. Which means it's probably safe... and possibly still needs help.

"Do you already have a place to stay?" A pause, then something occurs to her. "If you just need help opening doors or getting food..."

Of course, if necessary she'd offer her place to crash in. She'd have to make sure to lock her own dog in the bedroom or something first, of course, but there's a very comfy magic armchair to sleep on, at least.

[Ah, gave himself up. But he lifts his head and growls again, offended at the very idea. He's not some stray that needs food to get by, he's just -- in a mess right now.

He huffs, in a derisive way that might seem familiar to her, and then turns away.]

Stray or not, he clearly doesn't have hands, and Ritsuka would assume most people would rather not eat random trash off the ground if they could help it. Whereas she could go get him some fried chicken, or something.

Still, that's a pretty clear refusal, even if she's still a little concerned.

"Are you sure? If you're stuck like that, it's really not a problem to help..."

Edited 2023-11-26 23:47 (UTC)

[Unfortunuately, he's stubborn. He's to hoping she's more stubborn.

But he bristles and snarls again, trying this time to scare her off by snapping at the air. Maybe if he leans into this wild animal act, everyone will leave him alone.]

It's too late, she already knows he's not just some animal, so she's not going to be easily convinced otherwise. And while she'd defend herself if needed, Ritsuka isn't particularly intimidated by just a large dog snarling and snapping at her.

"... If you really want to be left alone, that's fine, but you looked like you were looking for something before. Or someone? Anyway, there's plenty of people here who've been cursed and turned into things, that just seems to happen here. Which is why it's not any trouble to help."

Will being rational even work? She figures it's worth a try, at least. Maybe this is someone new who's just scared and confused, after all, or something like that.

[He pauses, and paws the ground briefly in thought. He remembers seeing his phone, vaguely. Or was it someone else's phone?

He doesn't want to admit he needs help. He never does. But he is worried that someone's going to call animal control on him soon. So, grudgingly, he takes a few hesitant steps closer.]

Well, that's a relief. Ritsuka was a little concerned that whoever this was would just keep refusing and run away or something, and then she would have worried. She's trying not to push or rush things though, so she lets him approach.

"Do you just need someone to open a door? As long as it's not locked, or if you can get the key, you can just show me where it is."

She'll try what's hopefully the easiest option to consider first.

[The last thing he wants is to show her where he lives. He just needs somewhere to hide out until this passes, but -- how does he tell her that?

He shakes his head, and instead paws at the ground. Not very helpful.]

So that's a no go, then. Ritsuka doesn't even bother wondering why, there's plenty of good reasons, after all.

"Well, I could help you look for something else?"

There's a pause, as though she's debating something before she adds:

"I mean, I wouldn't mind if you stayed at my place, either, but I have a dog, so..."

And while she doesn't consider it a problem to just lock Keke in the bedroom or something, she wouldn't exactly blame whoever this person is if they'd find that too awkward. Getting transformed was probably bad enough, but possibly worrying about having to deal with some dog on top of it?

Edited 2023-12-04 20:30 (UTC)

[He huffs, lip curling a little in disgust. No, he doesn't want to stay at her place. He wants to... Well, he doesn't know what he wants.

So he just shakes his head and backs up more. He's better off staying out here for now, right?]

Yeah, she didn't think so. Still, it probably was worthy offering just to rule it out. Even if that does leave the question of where he can stay...

"... Oh, I wonder if we could get into one of the damaged buildings? Since there's a lot nobody would be in right now..."

And at least having walls and a roof ought to count for something, right?

[His ears perk up. That sounds like a good idea. He draws closer again, and then lifts his head as if he might be able to... smell an empty building? There have to be some around here.]

Oh good, a possible solution! ... Now just to find a suitable building.

"I think I remember where I saw some that looked pretty empty, though let me know if you spot something."

There was enough damage done surely they'd find something! Of course, there's a good chance of said something being fenced off and locked up, but surely that can be worked around. What's a little breaking and entering for a good cause?

[He nodded, exaggerating the motion so she'd see it. Somewhere closed off and private, abandoned, that seemed like a decent option. He moved closer, trying to encourage her to lead him there.]

"Alright, let's go then."

She heads off in the direction she recalls seeing some of the more damaged buildings nearby. Fortunately, her memory proves accurate, and there are indeed a few--mostly stores and such commercial buildings from the look of them--along one block that were damaged enough to currently be out of use.

Unfortunately, the property owners were aware of the potential attractiveness for squatters, so what isn't boarded up has been fenced off. Still...

"I'm guessing you can't climb that, huh. Maybe you could jump? Or maybe if I lifted you, you could make it the rest of the way?"

It's a pretty ordinary chain link fence, nothing fancy. So even if none of those options appeal, maybe they could find an opening to work with anyway, or simply find some debris to form a makeshift ramp, or something.

[ he'd seen the original live feed-- even checked it a few times throughout the night. He'd even tried to see if he could go find where the phone was--but unused to Kaisou as he was, especially after just coming back from nearly a two-month boat trip, he was unsuccessful.

The name on the network post was enough to get his attention--and the amount of relief he felt to see the message in the following afternoon was at least enough to settle his worry.

Akechi was, as he'd hoped--alive. Back from the dead like the others. He'd started to worry he hadn't come back, and some animal got ahold of his...

he shakes his head, and turns his own feed on. A glowing-eyed jinwoo--looking a lot paler and a lot less skittish on the other side. ]

I had started to worry about you, Akechi-ssi. After seeing you disappear under a wave of stone, I haven't had the chance to follow up to see if you were okay.

Seeing that stream last night... made me feel you were dragged off by wild dogs.
I won't press you for details if you don't want to discuss them. But.

I am happy to see you alive and well.

[...Ah. He'd almost hoped he wouldn't see Jinwoo again, since he hadn't heard anything for nearly a month. Let his pathetic attempt at heroism die with that miserable cabin.

And now he's back after another embarrassing moment. Internally, Akechi seethes. Externally, he smiles to the camera.]

I apologize for worrying you. No, like the others, I returned... in one piece, more or less. And the only thing the creature interfered with is my phone.

Like I said: my concern is not pressing. I don't believe it's a matter of life or death, just... an inconvenience. Something I'd like to get checked out, you understand.

[ Sorry, Akechi. Jinwoo has actually been quietly worried this whole time--regardless of how the other feels about it.

He gives the other a smile as well--quiet, if not somewhat warm. ]

I'm glad you did. What you did was... [ Borderline insane, somewhat unhinged, and extreme tragic. ] brave. Braver than anything I can ever say I've done in my life.

The cave in you caused...

It took away one of their routes of escape.
Even if noone saw but me. I think your action slowed them significantly so we could escape.

[ as for his second comment... ]

If it's something supernatural, I'm not sure 'getting it checked out' will work.
I um. ...Caught Vampirism from a strange grab bag from an odd store in town. I reached in to pull something out, and something bit me. And now I'm. Well.

[ he pulls a lip up to reveal long, pointed eyefangs. ]

[That stops him short. He's already rattled and sleep deprived, more than usual. He expected a lecture, hearing Jinwoo tell him how stupid it was, but--

It worked? It helped? His dumb unintentional sacrifice... might have been worth it?]

I... [He's at a genuine loss.] ...Thank you.

[And then another surprise. That's -- about the same thing that happened to him.] Right. But don't you want to be certain of the details of your vampirism? It's important to know if you biting someone can spread it, what's safe to feed on, what you're vulnerable to... and so forth.

Credit where I feel credit is due, Akechi-ssi. I'm not really the type of person to give out hapless compliments. [ just to assure him that this isn't just. Lip service.
But ah, onto the better conversation... ]

You are right. When I turned into this, I asked for much advice from my peers. I had to find out many things about myself, and how it worked. I found that drinking the blood of animals helps stave my hunger off, and that drinking non-human blood is... a bad idea. [ an LSD trip. ]

I'm not sure what sort of affliction you have gotten but. If it is similar to mine, I'm willing to help you figure it out.

[He can't know for sure if that's true. But if it is...

Well. It pries him open enough to feel a little vulnerable.]

Ah, mine is... perhaps the opposite of yours. I believe I have until the next full moon to figure out more details.

The... opposite of mine? ...Are you allergic to the moon?

[ Jinwoo's strength stat: 85. Jinwoo's intelligence stat: 25. ]

[...]

Werewolf.

...Ohhhhh.

Right, that. Makes way more sense...

The... video, and.

...

A, anyway. If you want help figuring it. Out.

[ god he just hit a wall face-first didn't he. ]

[Ugh. He shouldn't have said anything. He just smiles and hides his annoyance.]

If you have any resources, I'd appreciate it. I'd like to know whether I should be avoiding silver and that sort of... cliched stuff.

[ listen he might be a little on the airheaded side, but at least he's. genuine...? he's smiling faintly, again. ]

Oh, for me, personally? I know for sure that I had to get rid of one of my necklaces. It was a cross, and it left a burn mark on my skin when I tried to wear it.

I don't know if it was because it was a holy symbol, or if it was because of the material it's made out of, though.

[So vampires are injured by crosses. That likely means the most basic understandings of these things are true. He'll have to avoid silver.

Speaking of...]

And what was it made of?

The cross it self is metal, but it could be either Iron or Silver--

but then again, I don't have much of a reaction to some metal objects in my house, like hinges or screws.

So I would bet on it being Silver.

[Oh hey, it's the guy she worked with during that demonic invasion. She had been meaning to check up on him. Seems like he's been having a rough time of it, if his phone got taken by some animal. Though that video does seem...strange, for some reason.]

That was a big ass animal. Reminds me of the stuff I'd see back on my parents farm at night.

And as for a doctor, not sure. That Eunie chick is a healer. She might be able to help. Don't tell me you're still licking your wounds after the big fight?

[Privacy? What's that, some kind of dessert?]

Edited 2023-11-25 20:39 (UTC)

Oh, you're a country girl? That tracks, somehow.

[He's still not sure what to think of her, especially in a less dire situation.]

Hardly. Those wounds were nothing an average doctor couldn't handle, anyway.

I'll take that as a compliment.

[Country girl pride.]

Glad to hear it. I had a lot of fun fighting those oni. It'd be fun to do something like that again. [The "with you" goes unsaid, but it's implied.]

[Hard to say if it was one. With him, you never know.]

Hmn. I can't say I disagree, but finding enemies to engage with so casually is harder most of the time.

[He is frustratingly hard to read at times; she'll give him that.]

What about those side quests?

[Well... true. He's been ignoring those.]

I have school to deal with.

What is it the Americans say? All work and no play makes you a dull boy?

[She laughs.]

Come on, we talked about this. Cut loose. Live a little!

Uh-huh. And now I'm dealing with-- a health condition, so I can't exactly afford to just cut loose. As much as I'd like to.

Right. One you can't bring to the average doctor.

[Like he said before. Some gears are turning, but honestly? She doesn't really care. It's none of her business anyway.

...still.]

I'll keep my eyes and ears open. [Just because she won't pry deeper into what it is, doesn't mean she's giving up on getting him on her side.] If I come across anybody I think can help, I'll send them your way.

Edited 2023-12-05 02:55 (UTC)

[Maybe he should have never mentioned it.]

...I appreciate it.

I do go to the gym on occasion, you know. I wouldn't be opposed to having a companion at times.

[Maybe.]

Don't mention it.

[Seriously, don't. She doesn't want people to think she's soft or something. Though his invitation does catch her off guard. Like it's not that weird, objectively speaking, but she wasn't expecting it.]

...you want me to go with you?

[Don't worry, he won't. The last thing he wants it people knowing he accepts help.

He shrugs, though, too tired to bother keeping up the smiling facade.]

I don't really care either way. I'm just being polite.

[Cassandra cracks a small smile.]

Of course; you don't seem like the type to do me any favors.

[The smile changes into a smirk as she seems more relaxed.]

Alright, I'm down. When should we start?

[neuvillette is also out and about, for a much different reason than skulking about. he is holding a black and white bichon frise puppy in his arms.

he vaguely notices another large dog (?) in the periphery, but the puppy is fighting him every step of the way, so he doesn't pay it any mind. much. because the puppy is somehow winning. and barking - straight in the large dog's direction.]

[Grandpa. How could you replace him with another dog?

His ears flatten at the sound of something barking at him. Instincts tell him to snarl back, to assert his territory, but he manages to hold himself back with only a low growl. But he notices who it is and -- ah.

This can go two ways, as far as Akechi figures. Either Neuvi and his ridiculous water powers will somehow have an answer for this, or he's going to end up embarrassing himself. He tries to slink away more into the shadows.]

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ii. bad moon rising ( action/video; open)

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iii. video: un: Arise.

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Video | UN: ragingbull

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