video @bodaiju

[gurge]

[ there's a monk. a buddhist monk, dressed nape to ankle in ceremonial robes, bare feet on hard tile floors. the penthouse behind him is classy and tasteful, but a jarring modern contrast to his clothing. it doesn't take much movement to realize his right sleeve, however, is completely empty. cheerful and chipper, he smiles and waves at the camera. ]

Hi hi~! Oh. I've been here since the first of us and not properly introduced myself on the network. My apologies, I'm a bit shy. [ yeah right. ] I'm Getou Suguru — [ the bow of his head is just deep enough to not be impolite. ] — a shaman from Japan. Back home, I specialized in hauntings and strange phenomena, as well as karmic work and even some chakra alignment. If you're suffering from strange aches and recurring nightmares, compulsive thoughts or stranger whispers, unprecedented cravings...

[ he's extremely animated through each of these symptoms even though he rattles them off like a medication commercial: acting out an ache in his nonexistent arm, a hand over his eyes for the nightmares, holding his head for thoughts and whispers, and... something a little more devious for cravings as he winks. ]

Please don't hesitate to visit.

[ a map link identifies his location. he's not very worried about stranger danger, is he? there's a long beat where he just smiles, and it seems like the feed might end, but then he acts on another thought that's been rolling around in that silly head of his: ]

Ah, and... Satoru.

[ to throw himself at the mercy of the public image is... a lot. he must know it, this man who values his pristine image. is it apology enough then, to make himself look like such a fool? he slides onto his knees mid-screen, clapping his hands together in prayer. are there tears? there might be tears. ]

Can't you please finally forgive meeeee?

[ what an embarrassing note to end on. ]



[ note: this character is a villain who hates humans so please check the journal for content warnings! i caught covid in the middle of sept so sorry for the abrupt hiatus; i'm working my way through backtags soon. no worries if anything's too old! cheers ]

Comments

[emyoji]

[ His head tilts with the effort of understanding, again like he's assessing the tone but struggling with the words. No, you can't. He reads that part well, but the constant why is eluding him. ]

Because I already agreed to it. That and this are different things.

[ Seimei smiles as he does set down most of his items. ]

Not everything is payment.

[gurge]

[ his gaze holds the screen for a moment, but a few beats pass, and... he finds himself laughing, shaking his head and casting a look down. something about it seems to catch him off guard. it might be one of the rarer moments of his being genuine, even with an apparent fondness for Seimei. ]

...This feels like a conversation I'd have back home.

[ homesickness. that's what it is. ]

Please compromise with me and limit yourself to one item.

[emyoji]

[ His expression brightens at the laugh. Did they do something good? The sentiment sounds positive, nostalgic, but being someone who never quite knows what home is to himself, he knows that some nostalgia is only painful. So he hesitates, still like a curious deer, until Getou addresses him with the clear stipulation, and that is familiar and comfortable. He can work with compromise. ]

I can do that.

[ He assumes Getou has a dislike for debt and favors, which is understandable. Modern people are always concerned about having to match anything offered to them, wary of debt or malice from strangers hidden within generosity. It's a far cry from the days he could wander into a remote village and be treated because he was a traveler and onmyouji, when fishermen shared their catch for no real reason at all.

Is he getting too old? What a thought. ]

I will try to show restraint. Thank you, Getou-bou, for being patient.

[ And he's a bit more subdued when he says that. A little more proper and quiet, since Getou seems to prefer avoiding a fuss. ]

[gurge]

[ acknowledging that Seimei is making the attempt there on the end is probably the only reason he doesn't address that cute little honorific, though his smile does go wan nonetheless. ]

[ a small sigh, and he moves on. ]

I'll set you up an appointment and mail you the RSVP.

[emyoji]

[ He's just enjoying Getou's outfit! It definitely feels more familiar than a T-Shirt to him, although he does notice the exasperation slipping through. Too bad that's most of the people Seimei knows. These are the drawbacks of acknowledging a fox. ]

Okay! Thank you for your hard work.