01 - Pint Sized Terror Unleashed!

[bittydragon]

Who: Yamato Hotsuin and YOU!
Where: Taurus Ward at night
Summary: Yamato is more than a little disorientated
Warnings: A fire breathing dog. THE FIRE BREATHING DOG. Also Taurus ward I guess.

Yamato's brain felt like it was in the middle of a grand overload.

The bright neon lights, the bustle of people in all sorts of outlandish clothing moving from building to building in groups, the loud laughter and catcalls - it was so alien to Yamato, who had spent his years isolated in a quiet, out of the way mansion, that he found himself frozen in place, his head stiffly moving from side to side as he drank in the gaudy sight.

At least he had his faithful demon companion by his side. Cerberus was looming over him, more than twice his height, the beast's shoulders hunched in a tense way. Its body language clearly stated that it was prepared to lash out at anything that exhibited the slightest bit of threat, a low, muted growl rumbling in the back of its throat.

Yamato took an abrupt, cautious step forward, and Cerberus shadowed the movement. As... bewildering and confusing this was, he couldn't stand still all night. He...had to get to the bottom of this. A calm, detached observation of his surroundings, even if the lack of memory about his arrival here was disconcerting.

So. A child by his lonesome, dressed in a traditional yukata, with a Cerberus trailing after him... in the red light district during the busiest hour. Approach?

Comments

[jumyouboshi]

Alcor continued to float in silence. Even though he could have simply teleported the both of them to the government building, it was probably better that the boy get a feel for the city now, with Alcor hovering by his side if anything went wrong, as opposed to wandering out later and escaping his watchful eye.

Finally, the government building came into view, looming ahead.

[bittydragon]

Yamato had been drinking in the sights at they walked, trying to commit as much as possible to memory. He could see demons in full view in this city, meshing well with the human populace. It was... bewildering. In their world, demons were hidden from the public eye, but here...

"Is demon summoning a common art here?"

If so, Yamato could at least continue his studies here, or, perhaps, learn something new and innovative for when he returned.

[jumyouboshi]

Alcor nodded.

"That's correct. The population is familiar with demons, and the dangers they present to them."

Of course, Yamato Hotsuin would pick up on that much. He was a sharp boy, very much so, and he would probably find a wealth of knowledge in regards to demon summoning and the duties of his clan here. ...Not to mention the Personae either.

[bittydragon]

There was no other way to describe it; Yamato's eyes lit up in what could only be called childish fascination.

"Is that so...? I wonder if they've developed differing techniques than those in our world? It would be interesting to compare and contrast, see if they have something more efficient to incorporate into the Hotsuin's way..."

[jumyouboshi]

"Yes, they have. There are a great many things here you can learn."

Alcor suddenly stopped his floating, planting his feet on the ground, and reached down to lightly pet the top of Yamato's hair, mess of hair in the back that resembled a duckbutt included. Then, he pulled his hand away quickly, as if he did nothing out of the ordinary.

[bittydragon]

"Ah-?"

Yamato stood stock still, blinking up at Alcor in obvious confusion at the affectionate gesture. They rarely touched, if ever. Yamato could count on one hand the amount of times Alcor had touched him in their two years together, and they hadn't been little hair pets or- anything, really.

He wasn't sure how to react. "Wh... why did...?"

[jumyouboshi]

"I had thought it an appropriate gesture. Was I wrong?"

After all, it was partly because he was acting on feeling, and partly because he had observed that physical contact was a good way to convey one's feelings. Guilt, nostalgia, a slight bit of happiness, and more remorse...it was a confusing mix of emotions. Actions spoke louder than words, was it? Of course, it also helped that Alcor didn't quite mind initiating physical contact...just when he was receiving it. Nevertheless, he seemed to have shrugged it off, continuing to float toward their destination.

[bittydragon]

Yamato quickly composed himself when he realised that Alcor was beginning to move away, and trotted after him. He still looked ruffled, and he was shooting the star agitated looks, his mouth twisted unhappily. He said nothing more on the matter, however.

"Will my accommodations be close to yours?" he asked at last.

[jumyouboshi]

"Who knows? I cannot say."

It wasn't under his control whether Yamato would be assigned a certain homestead or not. ...However, they could certainly request that he move in, or something along those lines. It might be better for him to move in with his own twin sister, though. Hotsuins sticking with Hotsuins.

The latest - forgive my action brackets, my brain can't handle prose right now

[terminally_clever]

[It isn't often that Fumi ranges out as far as the Taurus District, but she does recognize that it's one of the less pleasant places for a newcomer to the city to arrive. And she's finished her work at the JP's building early today, so with her phone at her side, she heads out to see who has arrived this time. As she steps around the corner, the demon Lugh striding confidently beside her, she encounters a sight she did not expect to see.]

...Chief?

[bittydragon]

Yamato's nose wrinkled a little. "Hmph. In case it isn't, I demand that you reside in mine. You don't need to sleep, correct? So it doesn't matter whether you stay in my room or yours."

it ok uvu

[bittydragon]

[Yamato's head twitched up at the title, his eyes a little wide with childish confusion. Fumi would notice that Yamato's features were a lot... 'softer' than the adult, his face still rounded with baby fat and eyes clear from the dark bags and exhausted lines]

...are you speaking to me?

[Chief... that was a title he was expected to earn and - Yamato doubted it was a coincidence. His eyes narrowed a fraction]

Who are you?

[jumyouboshi]

Alcor took a second to press his hand to his mouth, as he usually did when contemplating something.

"You are right. I have no need for sleep, nor a homestead at all. I can certainly do ask you ask. But...why?"

[bittydragon]

"Isn't it obvious?" Yamato asked, and he slowed his words slightly, as if he was speaking to a particularly idiotic child; "I am unfamiliar with this place and its dangers. What is safe for you, is not necessarily safe to me. Therefore, I would prefer to have something familiar, and known to be an ally, close at hand."

Cerberus could serve well as protection but... well, Yamato would just be comfortable with Alcor in close range.

[jumyouboshi]

"What about Cerberus? It is rare for him to leave your side."

Not that Alcor minded (In fact, he couldn't help but feel a tiny bit flattered, or at least pleased that Yamato trusted him to that extent...which made the current situation between them in the "present" a bit more awkward) but...he was simply curious.

Re: it ok uvu

[terminally_clever]

[Fumi is well and truly speechless at the sight. Had she expected it, she might have had some witty quip or sarcastic jibe ready, but the reality of what she's looking at here is just hitting her too hard. Hard enough that she has to take a single, slow, deliberate blink of her eyes before she nods back in response.]

...Yes, that's correct. Although it's a title you won't have for several years yet. And as far as your second question is concerned, I am one of your subordinates from ten or so years in your future, judging by your apparent age.

[bittydragon]

"There is a flaw in relying on Cerberus, and that is that his existence is tied directly to my mental state," Yamato replied. "If I am forcibly knocked unconscious, greatly wounded, or mentally shaken, then Cerberus vanishes from this world, bringing his protection with him."

It was logical, yes?

[bittydragon]

...

[Blink.]

...are you mentally unwell?

[terminally_clever]

How annoying. Kids are supposed to believe fantastic stories like that.

[Fumi huffs, walking a step closer and folding her arms.]

However, what you choose to believe has no bearing on the truth of your situation. The long and short of it is that you've been transported to an alternate world governed by entities capable of drawing combatants from many different realities, as well as many different timelines in those same realities, as pawns in their game.

[There's a small smirk on her face at this point.]

If you don't believe me, I'm prepared to recite your history from the JP's personnel file. Like Cerberus there, or the fact that you have a twin sister who's being groomed for the role of your body double as insurance against a worst-case scenario once you've inherited the secrets of the Hotsuin family.

[bittydragon]

[...oh. Okay then.

Yamato was tense at this point, his posture stiff and cautious, his expression as blank as paper. Cerberus was very still, the beast uncertain on whether Fumi was a threat or not. Both of them were clearly on edge.

Truthfully Yamato didn't know how to react, and he hated indecisiveness like that. His head spun. Alternative realities - well, that he could swallow. Demons came from their own realm, after all. Time travelling? That... was a little more fantastical, as humans were incapable of it so far (whereas demons... well). But this woman, she knew things only those in higher ranks of JP's would...]


...you said that you are one of my future subordinates...

[jumyouboshi]

Alcor took his words in...and nodded.

"Very well. That can be arranged."

He was satisfied with Yamato's explanation, so he continued on, floating forward, until they finally reached the government office. About time.

[terminally_clever]

That's correct. Fumi Kanno, of the JP's Nagoya branch.

[It's likely unnecessary at this point, given the thoughtful pause she'd already gotten out of him, but she reaches up to turn the collar of her coat in such a way as to make the JP's insignia more readily visible to Yamato's eyes.]

I'm not sure how much you've already heard, but if you have any questions about this place, I'll answer them.

[bittydragon]

Yamato looked up at the government building with a small frown. He had been told unsavoury things about the government in general, and his own reading and observation of the world's event told him that governments in general were a flawed system that created problems rather than solved them.

"What type of government runs this city?" he asked. It would be wise to know if this was some form of police state or something.

[bittydragon]

[Yamato slowly nodded, seemingly believing Fumi for now - even if the suspicious glint in his eyes hadn't faded in the slightest. For now he would... humour, he supposed, but unless concrete proof was slammed in front of him that this woman was indeed 'safe' and a JP's employee, he wasn't going to relax his guard at all]

What is this game you mentioned? Between the two entities?

[eyewillprotect]

She'd met Yamato (the older) and Miyako, and realized that they did not share her ideals when it came to saving people. But for even this small child to be saying such things...

"The people here are struggling. With the demon population as it is, and this city being the only one that remains... There's only so much they can give. However, as long as you are here you will be provided with a room, as well as enough money to pay for supplies for about a month."

Which... just reminds her of yet another concern, really.

"Hotsuin... It might be best if we found your sister and stayed with her as long as you're here."