WHO: Yuji Itadori (eyescar) & open
WHAT: October arrival and catch all
WHERE: Around the City in various places
WHEN: October
WARNINGS: Yellow tea (hallucinations, violent reactions) in one prompt; possible spoilers for JJK manga (up to chapter 212)
[ Yuji's arrival in the city is anticlimactic, comparatively. After at least an hour of wandering around and seeing if there was any kind of threat, he ends up heading southwest towards the city park. This is nice, at least, and the fresh air does something good to relax some of the tension he's feeling, his hands unclenching. It's calm, and reminds him a little bit of wandering around school with Fushiguro and Kugisaki, the same sense of happy peace from times he's not sure he'll get to have again.
He doesn't instinctively look on the new device he's got to see if anyone else he knows is here; he's a little afraid of the outcome of it. He's afraid that if he finds someone then something awful will have happened to them, that he'll see the consequences of his own idiocy, especially with the rattling whisper of a familiar voice in his mind, reminding him of his own mistakes. Yuji doesn't think Sukuna is here, he can't feel the cursed energy or the strange body manipulations, but that doesn't mean he's gone for good.
Rather than doing anything useful, he instead spends a lot of time just... Sitting and contemplating what to do, paralysed by his own fear and indecision - not for the first time, but at least this won't have any consequences, right? ]
TEA PARTY / I TRUSTED THE WICKED.
[ The park is a haunt for Yuji; it's usually pretty quiet, and calming, and it means he can be alone with his thoughts, which... Maybe he shouldn't be allowed to do, given the direction his thoughts take at the moment, the uncomfortable feeling of twisting nausea inside of him and the reminders of what might happen when he goes home. He isn't sure exactly what Sukuna is planning on doing, but he can make a pretty good guess, and it won't end well for anyone.
He doesn't care about himself, but...
Finding the tea party, he spends a little time walking around, investigating it; he feels a little bit like he might be intruding, somehow, as if there's a birthday to celebrate or a guest of honour he's missed, but the closer he gets, the more he wants a drink of tea. The desire gets impossible to ignore, and sooner than he'd admit to he's sitting down and pouring himself a cup of yellow tea, smelling it briefly before he takes a drink, tilting his head back. ]
Oh, that's really good...
[ It doesn't take long for the strange, uncomfortable feeling to bear down on him, an oppressive feeling, and the knots in his stomach begin again. Putting the teacup down, Yuji lifts his fists, looking around nervously - as if something might come out of nowhere and attack him, go for the throat and rip him to shreds. A voice echoes in his mind, and he grits his teeth. ]
No - no way he's here...
GREENHOUSE / IS IT CHILL THAT YOU'RE IN MY HEAD.
[ Flowers are nice enough, and after a handful of strange and uncomfortable experiences Yuji is ready for something a little nicer - and he was optimistic, until he sees the labels both claiming to be beautiful and deadly. A part of him wants to turn around and go somewhere else, to disappear and ignore it all, but he feels drawn in to looking at them.
He heads to the right, hoping "beautiful deadlies" might be more kind to him than the opposite. As soon as he steps into the space he feels utterly overwhelmed, his eyes widening as he drinks it in, walking through with a smile settling on his face. He wants to reach out and touch, but he's cautious enough to keep his hands to himself. Nerves make the hair on the back of his neck stand up, and he hesitates, stopping in the middle of the pathway to tilt his head. It's as if he can hear something, and when he focuses, the words make him feel as though he has been stabbed in the gut. ]
Cog... Murderer... So many people, killed, and he just watched... A machine, a monster, a cog, showing his face here?
[ He stops, unable to keep moving, lifting a shaking hand to cover his mouth. He doesn't seem to notice anyone - or anything - around him, overwhelmed by the venomous whispers. ]
[ Maybe it's a little rude to have someone just butt their way into what is clearly a deep and pensive thinking session in the park, but Tsuruno isn't a teenager who a.) can leave someone alone when they look that stricken and b.) can mind her own business nine times out of ten.
From her attire, she was just doing a jog around the place, but she's since slowed and come to a halt, head tilted as she examines him. And, maybe as if to clarify-- ]
[ Overwhelmed is definitely a word for it, and he glances over when he hears a voice - not recognising them doesn't make him tense up, but he's clearly not relaxed. Whatever was going on at home before he got here has definitely had an impact.
Still, he manages a little smile, waving his hand. ]
I just got here, so I guess I don't really know what's going on...?
[ What is going on here? Yuji's brain doesn't work fast enough to figure it out, but he is totally overwhelmed; the idea of being stuck here for so long is unfathomable with everything going on back in - wait - ]
What happens back in our world when we're stuck here?
[ it's easy to see who is new, sometimes. It's people who look lost and who don't seem to know what to do next. Kaneki has been there too - and sometimes he falls into that spot again.
[ Clearly he's not doing a great job at hiding it, and Yuji shakes his head as he tries to force a little bit of a smile. This is all a little overwhelming, and while he's doing his best to handle it... Maybe he's not the best at facing his demons, literal or otherwise.
Scratching the back of his head, he huffs a little, awkward laugh. ]
[ kaneki reaches for his communicator ] People who arrive to this place all have one. We use it to talk to each other, kind of like a forum. If you have people you know here, they are most likely using it too.
[ it's very convenient! ]
Or you can make a post yourself and see who answers.
[ between all those sinister whispers, that voice is clear and more vivid with an intent to grasp the other boy's attention. in any given situation, denji would've walked away from this, and he still didn't hold enough sympathy to feel sorry for that boy. instead, he is more motivated out of spite against those dumb plants. after all, he had his share of their abuse a while ago and somehow managed to break free— if this is their idea of fun, he will cockblock them to all eternity.
from a closer perspective— that kid really didn't look so good. so, he calls out to him again. ]
[ Yuji jumps when he hears the voice, turning and raising his fists immediately. He doesn't recognise the person speaking to him, but his expression tightens all the same. He might be the kind of person to be more trusting than others, much to his detriment, but right now, in the middle of all these flowers? He's not in any kind of mood to be too forthcoming.
He's on edge, and he grits his teeth before he shakes his head. ]
A part, in a machine. It keeps it turning.
[ Does he want to explain why they're choosing that particular word? No. He'd rather follow the more literal route right now. ]
... That's a weird choice of word to insult someone.
[ that is the vibe of this place, isn't it? personal jabs and insults. as for 'murderer' — well, denji can understand that is a low blow but hurtful regardless, especially if it's true. he meets yuuji's intensity with a dull calm; almost familiar, knowing. ]
I wish I can say something like 'don't let them get to you' but this city has a talent for making you feel like shit. It might help to know this isn't directed at you alone. You're not special here. We're all bullied equally.
[ trauma bonding— it does bring some level of ease, denji assumes. he then sighs, miserable, as he glanced around them, the plants never stopped their taunts the entire time, somewhat closing in on them. the word 'murderer' echoes once again, but it's not directed at yuuji this time. ]
It's like it's reading our minds, isn't it? It knows exactly what words to use.
[ Yuji glances between Denji and the plants, not really wanting to go into too many details - the idea of airing all the things going through his mind to someone he's never really met before isn't something he wants to indulge in. Sure, Higuruma might have said that he wasn't guilty, but...
He still feels it. The words still echo in his mind, and he shakes his head. ]
What can I do to get rid of them, then?
[ If he can't fight them, or punch them, or even eat them... Then what is he supposed to do, other than tolerate it all? ]
[ luckily for yuji, he won't ask more— so they don't need to indulge in any intimate conversation while being mercifully taunted of their old sins. they both get the idea of this place, and maybe there is truth behind all those whispers after all. well, denji knows it's the truth in his case, so that applies to the other boy too, right? perhaps it's okay to acknowledge it within themselves instead of pointing fingers. from one murderer to another, they should get along until they find their way out. ]
I don't know. [ really, he doesn't. denji sure did walk up to the situation as if he knew what he was doing, but nope. he exhaled another tired sigh and then shrugged. ]
I guess we should keep walking until we figure something out ...
(Meanwhile, not too far off, Tsurumaru stretches his fingers after swallowing a certain packet of seeds. It takes a moment but soon, the cracks on his skin begin to heel and what's left is his regular, organic flesh.
Ah, that's much better, he thinks and he's ready to leave this place by totally avoiding the tea party when he senses someone nearby. It would be easy to just leave them behind to deal with their own problems but that isn't in his nature so he goes to investigate.)
My, my... (Despite intending to help, he can't help but go about it in a cryptic and obnoxious sort of way,) You look like you could use a drink.
[ Yuji is tense, absolutely on edge, and when he hears a voice behind him the temptation to turn around and just punch is overwhelming - but he manages to resist, stopping himself, instead tilting his head to the side so he can check. He can only see Tsurumaru out of the corner of his eye, but he still feels as if he's being watched.
As if Sukuna is right there, ready with hands around his throat - or worse, cursed energy to slice him - ]
I already had one.
[ He's gritting his teeth now, paranoid, pushing himself up and away from the table. ]
(So it's as he suspected. He'd had some of that strange tea. But when he studies Yuji, he doesn't notice any cracking or breaking on his body. Perhaps it was one of the other teas?)
Tsurumaru.
(He raises a hand to his chest and bows ever so slightly in casual greeting,)
(Different from the one he had. Do the different teas have different curses attached to them? He can't tell exactly what's wrong with Yuuji though besides the obvious unease around him.)
[ a greenhouse full of whispers between the leaves, a hush in the vines, all abloom with shivers and secrets; wreathed in the black, sage, and gold of his ceremonial robes, he blends in with the shadow and soil. it isn't remiss on him that those spilled secrets are industrial when they've both found themselves ensconced in everything earthen. ]
[ Getou's fingers run along the perimeter of a few snapping, mouthy bulbous plant heads. he freezes as Yuuji freezes — and he doesn't react as thornfangs sink into the flesh of his fingerprint. just when Yuji's face begins to stretch with horror, one arm claps around his shoulders. well, it's the only arm he's got. an act of mercy, it must be! his fingertip dabs blood onto the shoulder of Yuji's jacket. ]
Noisy, aren't they? [ introducing himself into Yuji's space makes the hush die down some. they aren't holding hands so it isn't gone completely, but it recedes by decibels... and begins to mingle with a cross of his own whispers. careful, quiet, trying to be— alone— a feeling like running, like a gunshot-start, like a gleam of stoplight red on slick, wet asphalt. ]
Besides, not everyone can be the hero. [ so much for mercy. ] Someone has to keep society going, right?
[ Yuji might have been more willing to be lenient with whoever has appeared out of nowhere and is listening in to the whispers of the plants, but he feels as though he immediately recognises the person who has slipped into his space. He tenses, almost instantly, and turns his head to look at the stranger, tilting his gaze up and trying not to fall immediately into his own grief and anger.
No one has told him about Getou being here, no one has told him that it's Getou and not the worse of them, the creature inside his body, so of course his instinctive reaction is the urge to lift his hands and attempt to fight - until he realises that he doesn't have any cursed energy to defend himself with, and with how weaker he feels... Would he even be able to put up a fight now?
Instead, he jerks away, trying to get out of his grip, frowning as he looks down at the blood on his jacket. He doesn't know what to do, and his instinct is to run, but with the voices echoing around them he feels utterly trapped. ]
I don't care about being a hero. I care about - [ Helping people. Saving them. Doing whatever he can.
He tries to take a step back, his jaw tight as he lifts his gaze to look at Getou properly, lifting his hands into fists. He'll fight if he has to, but... He has only one arm? That doesn't seem fair. ]
[ oh, there's recognition there, true and bright in the boy's gaze. his hands even lift to fight him — marvelous! what are they teaching the kids these days that this monkey thinks he even has a remote chance against him, powers suppressed upon arrival or otherwise. he almost can't help the laugh that falls out of his mouth. ]
[ still, it's good he doesn't just roll over. if Getou attacked him now, he'd probably do everything he could to live, even if that life was pointless in defending, as quickly as bodies resurrect in this strange city. he's proof. of course, with Yuuji separating them, the whispers return back to a plaintive hum, mingling their messages: suspicious, cog, he won't tell him, weakling, he won't tell him, tell him, say it— ]
[ at Itadori's question, all he does is... point at a particularly chatty shelf. ]
Now what could that mean?
yuji right now: https://i.ibb.co/gMVkgdf/Untitled.jpg
[ The problem is that Yuji is well aware he's not able to put up any kind of fight right now. Being physically weaker isn't the problem - that's never stopped him before - but the knowledge he has no cursed energy as a backup is something he's painfully conscious of. Being laughed at doesn't ease that burden, and he grits his teeth. Last time he and Getou (or whatever his name had been, the fighting had left Yuji's ears a little fuzzy) had fought, he had absolutely almost died, but does that matter?
It doesn't help that the flowers are still speaking, echoing around him, reflecting his own words back at him: I'm you. I'm probably nothing more than a cog. I don't need to find a meaning... It makes him feel sick, remembering that moment with blistering clarity in the back of his mind. He doesn't want this, he doesn't really want to fight, not when he's weaker, and he's not sure of the consequences, but... ]
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( OPEN ). OCTOBER GENERAL PROMPTS.
arrival
[ Maybe it's a little rude to have someone just butt their way into what is clearly a deep and pensive thinking session in the park, but Tsuruno isn't a teenager who a.) can leave someone alone when they look that stricken and b.) can mind her own business nine times out of ten.
From her attire, she was just doing a jog around the place, but she's since slowed and come to a halt, head tilted as she examines him. And, maybe as if to clarify-- ]
You look a little overwhelmed?
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Still, he manages a little smile, waving his hand. ]
I just got here, so I guess I don't really know what's going on...?
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[ She seems almost relieved to say it, offering him a smile in return. ]
I've been here since--uh, well maybe that won't make sense...
This'll be my fourth month stuck here!
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[ What is going on here? Yuji's brain doesn't work fast enough to figure it out, but he is totally overwhelmed; the idea of being stuck here for so long is unfathomable with everything going on back in - wait - ]
What happens back in our world when we're stuck here?
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[ And she's sure she's not the only one. ]
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arrival
So it's easy to see that in Yuji.
Kaneki approaches, offering a gentle smile ]
Hello. Are you alright?
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Scratching the back of his head, he huffs a little, awkward laugh. ]
I'm kind of... Lost?
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Most of us feel like that when we arrive. [ and even after they arrive ] We don't know much about the place or what is going on, after all.
Do you have any questions?
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[ He glances over, sheepishly. ]
Anyone I know, I mean.
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[ kaneki reaches for his communicator ] People who arrive to this place all have one. We use it to talk to each other, kind of like a forum. If you have people you know here, they are most likely using it too.
[ it's very convenient! ]
Or you can make a post yourself and see who answers.
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greenhouse
[ between all those sinister whispers, that voice is clear and more vivid with an intent to grasp the other boy's attention. in any given situation, denji would've walked away from this, and he still didn't hold enough sympathy to feel sorry for that boy. instead, he is more motivated out of spite against those dumb plants. after all, he had his share of their abuse a while ago and somehow managed to break free— if this is their idea of fun, he will cockblock them to all eternity.
from a closer perspective— that kid really didn't look so good. so, he calls out to him again. ]
Tell me. What does it mean?
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He's on edge, and he grits his teeth before he shakes his head. ]
A part, in a machine. It keeps it turning.
[ Does he want to explain why they're choosing that particular word? No. He'd rather follow the more literal route right now. ]
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[ that is the vibe of this place, isn't it? personal jabs and insults. as for 'murderer' — well, denji can understand that is a low blow but hurtful regardless, especially if it's true. he meets yuuji's intensity with a dull calm; almost familiar, knowing. ]
I wish I can say something like 'don't let them get to you' but this city has a talent for making you feel like shit. It might help to know this isn't directed at you alone. You're not special here. We're all bullied equally.
[ trauma bonding— it does bring some level of ease, denji assumes. he then sighs, miserable, as he glanced around them, the plants never stopped their taunts the entire time, somewhat closing in on them. the word 'murderer' echoes once again, but it's not directed at yuuji this time. ]
Punching them doesn't work. Or, eating them. [ denji .... ]
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[ Yuji glances between Denji and the plants, not really wanting to go into too many details - the idea of airing all the things going through his mind to someone he's never really met before isn't something he wants to indulge in. Sure, Higuruma might have said that he wasn't guilty, but...
He still feels it. The words still echo in his mind, and he shakes his head. ]
What can I do to get rid of them, then?
[ If he can't fight them, or punch them, or even eat them... Then what is he supposed to do, other than tolerate it all? ]
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[ luckily for yuji, he won't ask more— so they don't need to indulge in any intimate conversation while being mercifully taunted of their old sins. they both get the idea of this place, and maybe there is truth behind all those whispers after all. well, denji knows it's the truth in his case, so that applies to the other boy too, right? perhaps it's okay to acknowledge it within themselves instead of pointing fingers. from one murderer to another, they should get along until they find their way out. ]
I don't know. [ really, he doesn't. denji sure did walk up to the situation as if he knew what he was doing, but nope. he exhaled another tired sigh and then shrugged. ]
I guess we should keep walking until we figure something out ...
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tea party
Ah, that's much better, he thinks and he's ready to leave this place by totally avoiding the tea party when he senses someone nearby. It would be easy to just leave them behind to deal with their own problems but that isn't in his nature so he goes to investigate.)
My, my... (Despite intending to help, he can't help but go about it in a cryptic and obnoxious sort of way,) You look like you could use a drink.
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As if Sukuna is right there, ready with hands around his throat - or worse, cursed energy to slice him - ]
I already had one.
[ He's gritting his teeth now, paranoid, pushing himself up and away from the table. ]
Who are you?
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... I see.
(So it's as he suspected. He'd had some of that strange tea. But when he studies Yuji, he doesn't notice any cracking or breaking on his body. Perhaps it was one of the other teas?)
Tsurumaru.
(He raises a hand to his chest and bows ever so slightly in casual greeting,)
Tell me, what did you have?
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The yellow one?
[ Frowning, Yuji twitches, turning his head the other way. He was sure he saw something, but he takes a deep breath and calms down.
Carefully, he takes a step back and away from the table. ]
I think it was jasmine, or something like that. I'm not good with teas.
[ Identifying them, at least. ]
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Did you not like it?
(He tilts his head curiously to one side,)
You seem unwell.
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greenhouse! lol hi
[ Getou's fingers run along the perimeter of a few snapping, mouthy bulbous plant heads. he freezes as Yuuji freezes — and he doesn't react as thornfangs sink into the flesh of his fingerprint. just when Yuji's face begins to stretch with horror, one arm claps around his shoulders. well, it's the only arm he's got. an act of mercy, it must be! his fingertip dabs blood onto the shoulder of Yuji's jacket. ]
Noisy, aren't they? [ introducing himself into Yuji's space makes the hush die down some. they aren't holding hands so it isn't gone completely, but it recedes by decibels... and begins to mingle with a cross of his own whispers. careful, quiet, trying to be— alone— a feeling like running, like a gunshot-start, like a gleam of stoplight red on slick, wet asphalt. ]
Besides, not everyone can be the hero. [ so much for mercy. ] Someone has to keep society going, right?
oh jeez here we go!! what could go wrong!!
No one has told him about Getou being here, no one has told him that it's Getou and not the worse of them, the creature inside his body, so of course his instinctive reaction is the urge to lift his hands and attempt to fight - until he realises that he doesn't have any cursed energy to defend himself with, and with how weaker he feels... Would he even be able to put up a fight now?
Instead, he jerks away, trying to get out of his grip, frowning as he looks down at the blood on his jacket. He doesn't know what to do, and his instinct is to run, but with the voices echoing around them he feels utterly trapped. ]
I don't care about being a hero. I care about - [ Helping people. Saving them. Doing whatever he can.
He tries to take a step back, his jaw tight as he lifts his gaze to look at Getou properly, lifting his hands into fists. He'll fight if he has to, but... He has only one arm? That doesn't seem fair. ]
What do you want?
(:
[ still, it's good he doesn't just roll over. if Getou attacked him now, he'd probably do everything he could to live, even if that life was pointless in defending, as quickly as bodies resurrect in this strange city. he's proof. of course, with Yuuji separating them, the whispers return back to a plaintive hum, mingling their messages: suspicious, cog, he won't tell him, weakling, he won't tell him, tell him, say it— ]
[ at Itadori's question, all he does is... point at a particularly chatty shelf. ]
Now what could that mean?
yuji right now: https://i.ibb.co/gMVkgdf/Untitled.jpg
It doesn't help that the flowers are still speaking, echoing around him, reflecting his own words back at him: I'm you. I'm probably nothing more than a cog. I don't need to find a meaning... It makes him feel sick, remembering that moment with blistering clarity in the back of his mind. He doesn't want this, he doesn't really want to fight, not when he's weaker, and he's not sure of the consequences, but... ]
It's none of your business.
[ He squeezes his fists into shape. ]
What do you want?
chihuahua vs doberman
at least he's scrappy
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