131 » i want to sell what you're buying

[ironwind]

[It starts like this: Aether is walking through the streets of Inazuma alone for once, Paimon sound asleep in the Serenitea Pot and all the more comfortable for it, when he happens across Kujou Sara lost in thoughtful contemplation as she stares at what seems to be an indecipherable stretch of graffiti over a signboard. The traveler holds Sara no ill will, of course, but it isn't as though she's a friend, either, and without Paimon by his side to wave and say hello for him, he might have walked away. The tengu's eyes are sharp, though, and the traveler's appearance is too eye-catching. She looks up, and then he's caught. She doesn't wave or say hello either, but their eyes meet, gold on gold. She nods. She doesn't smile.

"Traveler," she says, by way of greeting. "This is an embarrassment for me as a member of the Kujou Clan, but might I beg a moment of your time?"

That tone, coming from her? Apologetic and remorseful? It piques Aether's interest, so he nods, closes the distance between them. "What do you need?" he asks.

She opens her hand to reveal a Vision bound by an O-ring in her palm, grimacing. The curious thing is that her expression reveals a subtle disdain, even a faint disgust. "It's... about this," she mutters, uncharacteristically hesitant. "Since the Vision Hunt Decree has been rescinded, I have given the Doushin orders to return all the Visions we confiscated to their rightful owners. But this one... this one I would not assign to a common subordinate."

There are only a few reasons Sara might be hesitant to return someone's Vision, and Aether can guess at it easily. "Is its owner going to be mad at you?"

"You have keen instincts. This Vision belongs to an extraordinarily irritating man named Arataki Itto," the tengu sighs through gritted teeth. "No, not a man, just an oni... an obnoxious brute of an oni who is sure to try and 'get even' with any subordinate I send to return his Vision to him. Of course, since I am the one who took his Vision by combat, it is only right and just that I return it to him personally. But I'm certain he will pester me for a rematch once it is returned to him, and..."

"And so you want me to do it," Aether finishes for her, waving one hand in airy understanding. He doesn't hold it against her; things like honor and what must be done are less important to him than matters of sheer practicality, and, indeed, if it makes Sara's day easier for him to return Itto's vision in her stead, then he'll do it, no further questions asked. "Sure. Where can he be found?"

The oni prefers to stay in the mountains when he hasn't come down to Inazuma City to 'play,' as it turns out. I'm all but certain he will want to exercise his powers again after his Vision has been returned to him, Sara had sighed, disgruntled. You may wish to take him on some sort of commission with the Adventurer's Guild so that he can exercise his faculties with less... troubling aftereffects for the Shogunate. Easy enough, Aether figures. He's good at navigating personalities that others might consider difficult. Arataki Itto might be hotheaded and a bit stupid, but he can't be all bad, surely?

Outside the cave which is rumored to be the oni's lair, Aether hesitates, not seeing a door upon which he should knock. Awkwardly, the traveler raps his knuckles upon a nearby boulder, not expecting much sound to resonate and not getting much out of it for his troubles. Oh well. It's the thought that counts.]

Excuse me. Is this the home of Arataki Itto?

[Formal, like a courier sent to deliver the day's mail. Maybe he should have said "the best" or "the greatest" or something.]

Comments

[itto]

( despite losing his vision to who he would politely call 'that binch', itto didn't lose his particular brand of living life: as loudly as possible while swinging a heavy club. perhaps it was a little easier for him to wear out, his voice not carrying as far as he would've liked, but it still did him justice. his subordinates still had difficulty holding him back nonetheless so business did carry on as usual.

but he still carries that grudge. in fact, itto knows he'll get that fight one day. he'll clip her wings, so to speak, and then would make sure no one ever thought they could take advantage of him or his gang ever again! even if that gang is one person and a bunch of beetles...

grumble grumble.

anyway. the sound of someone knocking on a rock nearby the entrance of his little 'home'/place where he can scream without worrying others will hear and come investigate has his immediate attention. )

Who would dare intrudes my territory?

( his voice, booming and magnified by those interior rocky walls, growing louder and more gruff as he stomps his way toward the dumb idiot who will have to somehow be punished by his hand...!

it's...

coughs. )

Yes, I am him. Arataki Itto. ( and he scratches an itch on his chest, a bare spot right below his throat where that vision would normally rest. it's been far too long... )

You have sought me out, but for what purpose? Speak now or else you'll find yourself on the ground, my club on your back!

( hehe. )

[ironwind]

[Now, of course Aether expected this.

Sara basically warned him that it would happen, after all, and it's not exactly the traveler's first time — there's no nice way to put it — corralling idiots. Even so, it's a little hard not to smirk sardonically at the threat to his person. If Paimon were here, she'd be smiling smugly along with him, no doubt.]

And you're going to do that with what Vision, exactly?

[He's got one finger looped through the ring holding Itto's Vision at one end, so all he has to do is lift his palm to make it dangle, shiny and golden and glinting with the light of the gods. Like teasing a cat with a toy, he thinks. He's sure this will only rile Itto up some more, but never let it be said that the Traveler has ever turned down a challenge... or a threat to his person.]

That's no way to treat the mailman, Itto. I mean, I came here to give this back to you, but maybe I should keep it for myself...

[With a neatly elegant snatching motion of his fingers, Aether clasps Itto's Vision back into his palm and tips his head to one side. He's braced to leap away if the oni lunges, of course — he's not that short-sighted...]

[itto]

( he freezes in place, toothy and snarling grin stuck on his face as he stares at his vision. it's obviously intact, untouched after being taken by that conniving woman under the orders of the shogun, just waiting to be worn again--- clipped back onto the fastener on that spiked collar of his! it's been far too long since he felt geo's sturdiness weighing solidly on his form, so honestly... as much as he wants to threaten this man... )

I'm gonna... ( itto looks away for a moment. okay, how to approach this as diplomatically as possible? ) ... not... go fight someone?

( a turn of his head as he feels a drop of sweat bead on his forehead. )

W-wait! You did? ( all pretenses of the tough man act are immediately shed and he stands up straight, hands on his waist. ) Why didn't you say that as you knocked?

( did he just ruin his chances...!? )

I should've known she'd eventually given in to my demands. ( internally fist pumps. ) Hand it over. Please.

( grabby hands! gib vision. )

[ironwind]

[ gib vision! itto says, in so many words, but aether goes on staring with... well... Literally This Face. this smug, smarmy face. a smirk so knowing and smug that his sadistic satisfaction could devour entire worlds.]

To be clear, Sara didn't give in to your demands. But I will give you your Vision back if you cooperate.

[ he gestures with the hand that isn't holding itto's vision — a short sweeping motion that resembles the sort of hand signal you might give a trained dog. ]

Sit. Seiza-style, please.

[ arataki itto... the greatest... the almighty... being told to sit like a puppy or he won't get his vision... ]

[itto]

( he doesn't like this expression on aether's face. it's not cold or cruel, but carries a kind of amusement that would make a dog nervous. and itto, being somewhat canine-coded, certainly feels like he's been put on the spot? especially when his own vision is being dangled right before his very eyes. and while he could just reach out and try to take it, there's something that keeps him glued to the spot.

and slowly... he listens??? of course he won't do it without a grumble and a surly frown as he lowers himself down to the ground with his knees bending and back straight, hands in his lap. )

Tch.

( what should he do next? raise his paws and beg??? )

[ironwind]

[ yes. exactly that.

Fortunately for Itto, Aether does not in fact tell him to stick his paw out for a shake. The sitting alone seems to be enough; with a soft, melodic laugh, the traveler steps forward, now elevated over Itto's enormous frame, and takes hold of the ring at Itto's collar. A little bit of fiddling with the gaps on each ring, and...]

There.

[Itto's Vision glows gold when it's hooked around his neck and finally resonates with him again. Aether gives it a faint pat, vaguely affectionate; the color never fails to remind him of Zhongli. He figures he'll ruffle Itto's immaculately coiffed hair just for good measure. Juuust to drive the point home.]

Good boy. You're all done.

[itto]

( the physical weight of his vision does nothing to make his head move, to make his chin dip or make him frown with the familiar yet unfamiliar feeling of something that belonged there for so long... yet was absent for quite some time. but it's the metaphorical heaviness that is suddenly lifted off of his chest and his shoulders, and the burden of being without one of the core components of his oni strength...

he's quick to get up onto his feet and immediately grab onto aether by the waist, lifting him up into the air and swinging him around. )

Done? Oh, we're not done! No... seeing as you're acting as her envoy of sorts, you're the one that'll receive the punishment.

( and then he... sort of just presses his face against that space underneath aether's chin, against his throat, nostrils flaring. )

I'm going to eat you.

[ironwind]

[So, it's like this:

Itto probably knows from experience that, while there's some variety to be had between individuals, there are roughly three different reactions one can expect when hoisting a full-grown adult (or, well, mostly-grown ageless being) into the air. The first type is the thrasher, or the kind of person who will wriggle and yell and demand to be let go (not unlike Itto himself); the second type is likely to be so used to being picked up that doing so elicits almost no reaction from them (to be expected of an exasperated little ninja like Sayu). And the third type is, of course... the clinger.]

Hwah?!

[Aether fully realizes that he does not want to be close to Itto, who is threatening to eat him — but being off-balance sends him scrambling for security and stability. He yelps when he's swept off his feet and swung through the air — then, when Itto's delight (?) settles, he clings, wrapping his arms and legs around the oni's shoulders and waist as he tries to avoid the indignity of being, you know, dropped on his ass. The fact that he can feel Itto's hot breath threatening to — what, tear out his throat? — doesn't quite register.]

H-Hey! Put me down! [Kinda hard to do that now that he's wrapped around Itto's chest like a koala bear around a tree.] What do you mean, you're going to eat me?! Oni don't eat people!

[...He thinks oni don't eat people, anyway. Look, the Paimon jokes aren't as funny when he's the one who's in danger of being eaten instead!]

[itto]

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. ( and he's heard a lot of dumb things, none of which have ever come from him. obviously. ) Of course we eat people. You wanna see firsthand?

( he licks his lips, then makes sure to lick that spot on the throat too. his teeth would first perfectly there. after all, itto is a big man. there's nothing about him that isn't big, including his personality. aether does a pretty good job of trying to get his arms around in order to cling, but does he actually think itto would let go? impossible. the longest of long shots. the oni is more than happy to make sure he goes nowhere. no escape. )

Or maybe you're just gonna have to deal with feeling it. ( a snort, as he takes another deep inhale. the traveler's scent... a mixture that he has never caught before. it reminds him of foreign places and of home. something that comforts him, somehow. even if he's never taken a step away from inazuma.

... and then itto laughs. a raucous and loud noise as he gives aether another squeeze. )

Just kidding! I'm not hungry for anything raw. Nah, I'd need to cook you up first.

( won't stop him from giving the traveler a big ol' smooch on the forehead for another quick taste test, tho. )

[ironwind]

[Aether is touched, sniffed, licked, and squeezed in such quick succession that he's not even sure whether he's predominantly embarrassed or appalled. His face is warm enough, though, and the sounds he's making are admittedly somewhat panicked — though his dignity is restored when his voice comes out snappy and annoyed once he's finally recovered enough to speak after that... after that... whatever that was!]

...Are you some kind of pervert?

[Still... the forehead kiss was kind of nice. Sort of sweet. It's the one reason Aether stays where he is, fairly pliant and soft in Itto's arms, even though the more sensible thing would probably be to kick the oni in the side and wriggle away.

(That, and there's the fact that he's acutely aware... even with his powers and his good swordsmanship, he's in a bad position here. There's no way he can take Itto in a battle of sheer strength, especially now that the man has his Vision back in his possession.)]

That had better be a thank you for bringing you your Vision. I didn't have to give it back to you, you know.

[A haughty little harrumph punctuates that remark...]

Also, I don't cook well.

[itto]

A what?

( he's been called many things, but a pervert hasn't been one of them until now. it certainly doesn't sound good so he'll have to assume that it's not some kind of term of endearment or a sign of respect. even more surprising is that he hasn't tried to struggle yet either, which is incredibly confusing to him.

maybe another kiss will help to keep aether from being a total brat? this time, on the cheek. he can be an affectionate man and has the capability and capacity to be one. being tender is one of those things... he can do it physically but the words don't always come to mind. )

It is. What, do I actually have to say it?

( a soft huff and grumble before itto makes another grumpy noise. )

Thanks.

( and then he gives aether's back a few hearty pats. )

So. You, uh... got it back. How? Did she just give it up? Or maybe you beat her into submission? I gotta know your secrets!

[ironwind]

[This is most definitely the first time that Aether has ever been cuddled and kissed upon first meeting someone, and... well, what bothers him the most is that it's all very pleasant, actually. If he could just be mad about it, it wouldn't be so embarrassing. This would all be so much easier to react to if he could just bring himself to slam a fist down on Itto's thick skull!

But... well... fine. He's being carried and kissed and patted like a big baby, and all of it is actually rather nice, in all honesty. Demeaning as all hell, to be sure, but. Nice. The traveler huffs and shifts his weight so that he's more securely being held in Itto's arms. Maybe this is all just an oni thing.]

No, she just asked me to give back to you. They're giving back everybody's Visions now — didn't you hear?

[Uh, maybe the brutal truth isn't the most flattering... either to him or to Itto. But why lie about it?]

...I'm pretty sure she just didn't want to see you.

[itto]

O-oh.

( damn. he really should've brought his gang to go pluck out his. having his brought by this boy out of all people... maybe he should've been more upset about the fact he couldn't have done it himself? but he isn't and that's where they are right now, and he's quietly staring at aether as if he's never heard those words before--- despite them being said to him before. more than once. definitely like ten times. )

Tch, you're kiddin' me. She totally wants to see me, she just doesn't have the time.

( of day. which is disheartening but he's an oni and he can deal. it's not the same as losing a beetle fight. that's where his pride truly lies. )

... so. You been here before? Or do you want me to give you a tour?

( gestures behind him. it's a seemingly well lit cave, at the very least. )

[ironwind]

Um...

[Aether looks at the cave, and then at Itto's face. The oni has been every bit as weird as Aether was warned he'd be, but he seems kind of pitiful, all disappointed like that. He should really consider his job done and get going... but Itto seems like a nice enough guy, and the traveler can be a little bit of a bleeding heart, sometimes. Fine, fine, he can get some attention.]

Sure, why not? You can give me a tour.

[Briefly, the traveler wonders if this tour is going to involve putting him down, but at this point he's being held pretty securely. It seems like Itto could actually just carry him with one hand the whole time. He keeps his arms wrapped around the oni's neck, tipping his head curiously to one side as he looks at their surroundings.]

Do you stay here permanently or is this more of a temporary thing?

[itto]

Temporary! Granny Oni helped put this place together for us, just in case we needed to... have... exclusive Arataki Gang meetings... away from our normal hideout!

[ yes. it all sounds very convincing. there is no way that itto could be anything but that! truth be told, the inside is decorated pretty nicely; a place to rest, drink, and eat. somewhere that he could bring a friend or two. granny did worry about itto profusely, after all, and not just in the way of keeping himself healthy and out of trouble. no--- maybe someone who could be his equal in many ways could keep him from doing the most boneheaded and impulsive and reckless things?

as he carries aether inside, he points toward a pile of cushions meant to act as a couch of sorts. or a bed. or... like, whatever happens to be necessary. they're loosely scattered enough. the lighting inside is bright and cheery, candles and lanterns offering a warm environment for whoever might be his company and for whatever intention he may have with them. a veritable oni bachelor pad.

it also happens to be their landing spot, as he takes a seat--- practically falling down onto their plush destination, aether more or less carefully staying in his lap as he does so. ]

You like it? I think it's kinda cool myself...

[ironwind]

[Foof! Down Aether goes into the pile of cushions (but still in Itto's lap). It's surprisingly comfortable — as a matter of fact, Itto's man-cave is actually sort of cute. The banners and lanterns scattered around the place add a sense of eclectic cheer pulled from all corners of Inazuma, much like the Arataki Gang itself. Itto's bright, toothy smile is impossible to resist.]

It is actually kinda cool, yeah. [Uh, the use of actually denotes some condescension here, but the compliment seems genuine...] You picked out all of this stuff?

[Aether stays calm and analytical, but he does seem to have a boyish sense of enthusiasm about the place that might rival Itto's own. Or... at least hold a candle to it, anyway.]

If you just put something really cool and badass right here — [he gestures to one slightly emptier corner of the room] — the place would be perfect.