intercalaryninja | CONTACT

A market of some sort, at least that will put him mostly at ease. He's used to those in some manner or another, even if he's not quite sure what... some of these displays are, necessarily, he supposes he'll find out in due time what they are when the whole monster thing begins to kick in.

However, he did not remotely expect a... spider. That's a mostly spider, that's a thing that's happening right now. And he can't help but stare for a moment, though it's very clearly out of actual curiosity than any sort of fright. He never really had issues with arachnids back home, rather useful creatures in their own ways.

But he's snapped out of his thoughts as he's addressed, a faint hint of pink pulling to his cheeks before he's nodding slowly in turn. Asian, that much is certain. "Ah, I... was given this address and was told to find someone named Tsukikage in regards to a job perhaps...?" He has no idea what he's doing in the slightest, of course not.

Tsukikage would like to say he's a very useful creature himself. The young man's many eyes look towards Speedwagon and he smiles underneath his blue cowl. He wasn't expecting the man to look so nervous (embarrassed?). It was a very different picture to what was painted last night, though a nice one.

"You have been guided the right way. I am Tsukikage of the Fuuma Clan, owner of this establishment, and I am indeed looking for help around here. Do you have any qualifications, mister...?"

Two different faces for two different things, he doesn't have to be guarded or worried about getting killed if something went wrong here. Or, well, he's pretty sure that he doesn't have to worry about that quite yet. He hasn't quite figured out this whole monster thing just yet, but it's fine, Tsukikage seems amiable enough and that's a bonus in his book.

Oh, right, names.

"Speedwagon, Robert E. O. Speedwagon. Either one is fine to use, honestly." He's been called both anyway, it's easier to yell his last name in a crowd and get just his attention versus his first, anyway, he's sure.

"Admittedly, not... too much? This whole place is a lot... different than what I'm akin to, both time and experiences both." He probably should stop that. "Mostly I was a leader of a group of thieves back home, though I also traveled the world for a bit. Experimenting with exotic animals in Africa, plants in Asia, and tornadoes in the Caribbean." That one makes absolutely no sense, but it's probably better not to ask, necessarily.

"Mr. Speedwagon," Tsukikage tries the name on his tongue and he gives a small nod, confirming he's definitely not screwed up the pronunciation. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Well, I'm sure with a bit of time, you'll get into the swing of things," Tsukikage assures him. "I can show you the basics of shop management. As long as you can deal with people and basic math, it should be fine."

The rest of his experience does perk his attention. Tsukikage does assume that 'experimenting with tornadoes' means performing experiments in conditions related to tornados or in stormy conditions, not necessarily with the tornado itself, but it's still fascinating.

"So you're a scholar of a sort as well then? You have an impressive resume in its own right."

"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you." There's no real pleasure in meeting himself, he's quite sure, but he's not about to say such a thing in front of him. Not here, not now, but internally scream about it later. It's a mess he'll deal with in due time, hopefully. The pleasures of inward anxiety.

Shop management, he hadn't really thought much on it before, but the people around here... seemed friendly enough and he certainly can do basic math of all things. Maybe not a terrible fit at the end of the day. "I think that simple enough, honestly..."

The details of that are few and far between and he seems more eager to bring it up than to truly explain what exactly any of that entails. A strange life he's led, not that he would change it for the world at this point.

Until he's being called a scholar and that his resume is impressive, there's that pink pulling to his cheeks again and him quickly pulling the brim of his hat down to maybe conceal some of his face. Enough of this, it shouldn't be getting to him like this, should it? Honestly.

"I'd call myself more of a curious person than a scholar, to be perfectly honest with you. It's not as if I went to university or anything to study such things." Just practical real world experience instead, which is far more his brand.

Well, Tsukikage is glad to meet him in more pleasant circumstances, much like he said last night. Tsukikage's always a little nervous himself, but he's always more self-assured when he's working or at work. As the man moves to get some papers out from behind the desk, he's all smooth smiles and confident movements.

"Yes, it is. Keeping inventory, accepting shipments and organization, amongst the customer service aspects. It's often more troublesome to explain to people who don't know what it entails than to pick it up."

Awww, he's embarrassing him. Tsukikage hasn't seen anything like that in a long time. Or at least in an adult. He's capable of embarrassing Reira no problem, but since Draco...

Despite wearing a mask, Tsukikage covers his mouth politely and chuckles.

"That's fair. Curiosity is the foundation of knowledge, though. The stories you must have must be interesting if you're so well-travelled."

He certainly is a lot more open outside of those particular circumstances, all ridiculous appearances and open emotion despite himself. But it's probably to be expected, the simple act of mugging requiring a far different persona than... what he actually is.

It would certainly keep him busy and in a place like this, perhaps it's better if he distracts himself from everything else that is going on around them. "A simple task, even then..." Sounds about the same from his time period, honestly. Just more legal.

He has never been this embarrassed in... well, a long time, honestly. And he's still under some assumptions he need to keep under wraps and perhaps bury in the metaphorical garden with a headstone for mourning it. But, for now, he's trying so hard to put himself back together despite how much he actually just wants to yell.

This is absolutely unfair in the worst way.

"I... would say that I do have a yarn or two to spin if that should ever come up, not that they're particularly gripping stories unless you're familiar with that sort of thing..." He's being far too modest, but it may work in his favor later down the line without him even realizing it.

"I suppose we should get everything settled in writing. I like having things established. A formality, yes, but in case I ever disappear, I like to make sure there are no disputes."

Tsukikage's main eyes are looking down, leafing through documents, but the other six eyes on his face are keeping an eye on Speedwagon. Tsukikage has to hide another warm laugh and a smile as he tries to be as professional as possible. He is the boss, after all.

~~What do you want to yell, boy? Do it.~~

I'm sure they're more interesting than you think. You'd have to share it with me sometime. Besides Ryslig, the City and maybe one island, I haven't been outside Japan much."

"Ah, of course. It makes perfect sense to have everything written down when it's something like... this." He's not even sure what he means by "this" at this juncture. "Do... people disappear a lot around here, then?" Not the most tactful of questions.

Oddly, he's not really unnerved or bothered by the whole eyes situation, it seems fairly useful from what he can tell. Besides, he's mostly come to terms with the whole monsters being people thing at this early point, unless it's a particular kind, and it does help that personality shines through a lot easier. But he's always been like that, finding more interest in personalities and the like than appearances.

Which might lend itself to why he's fidgeting with one of the sleeves of his jacket, doing so well to not look like the absolute mess he sometimes can be. ~~No, he'll yell about things when he leaves. Into a pillow, probably.~~

"Japan..." He's mentally figuring out the world map in his mind before slowly nodding, ah, yes, that one. "A fascinating country, from what I've been told, even if I didn't have the chance to see it myself." Anything is better than Britain, he's sure. "... Perhaps one day I will, though I make no promises that they're actually interesting to anyone but myself."

Tsukikage gives a long sigh. His face falls just the tiniest bit and his hand does stop briefly on the paper. But then it continues on and Tsukikage gets out the right documents.

"It happens often enough. I'm the third owner of this store in five years, for example. People disappear a lot more suddenly in contrast to how regular arrivals are. You can be here for years or you can be here for months and then vanish."

He hands the documents for the man to read over and sign. Simple things like what his pay would be, his hours and indeed he worked here and didn't just walk in with no claim to the job. Tsukikage finds himself already liking what kind of gentleman Speedwagon is. Those sorts are few and far between here and he has to admit he does tend to be drawn to people who are more than meets the eye.

Tsukikage can at least appear he's not a mess in public.

"It is. Very beautiful, at least my version of it. Should you return home, one day you should see it. It'd be educational. I can tell you about it when you tell me your stories. I shall judge whether they're interesting or not."

Perhaps that was the wrong question to ask? He's quiet as he watches and listens, taking note of each little movement to determine if he should pry or not. Ultimately he's deciding now isn't the time for that, if ever.

"I... see. I would hope that they return home, but how would anyone truly know if they did or not..." Does he trust the word of this supposed fog god? Absolutely not.

Ah, the documents. He's quietly flipping through them and reading what he can, mostly the information that would be relevant and appropriate for him to know. It seems straightforward enough and he's certain that there's no sort of catch or anything that might make things more difficult in the future. So, at least, he's going to sign them fairly quickly in what might as well look like chicken scratch. It's fine.

At least one of them can not be a total mess.

"I think I shall add it onto the list for the future if I return, then. I do prefer seeing other cultures than remaining stagnant in my own, only so much one can take London." And he detests it some days, but that's neither here nor there.

There it is again. It's strange to hear someone actually want to hear his tales, having figured they weren't remotely interesting to anyone. Hopefully he can take a few deep breaths to calm his nerves and not be more of a nervous mess than he already is.

How did he manage to get him this stupid?

"I-if you really want to hear them, I suppose?" That was meeker than he meant.

"The Fog says they don't. And we have seen evidence to contradict their return home but I believe it's possible. One way or another, anyway. We just have to find it." Tsukikage doesn't trust her either but he cannot rest on the assumption that things would be fine eventually.

Tsukikage looks over the returned list and nods. The bit about the address is a bit worrisome since he's not sure where he can specifically address things to him since it's at the hostel but he leaves it for now.

"It'll have to be at another time but whenever you're free to chat over tea. It'd be nice." That was more forward than he meant and Tsukikage finds himself red-faced as well.

"I... ah... oh yes. We are usually closed during the Fog but if you can't come in because of any other changes, you can message me on my network number." He hands his digits to Speedwagon on a little paper card, doing his best to keep his hands and his composure steady. "As a new arrival, if you need any help, please let me know. "

Oh.

Oh.

He's catching that red faced moment and the connotations of it and is trying to hide a bit of his own, oh good grief. This whole thing is entirely useless and it's amazing either one can get anything done in the prescence of the other even now. "I... would like that, honestly." He's still unsure of this place and how it works exactly, thus the bit of a careful nature to all of it, but he certainly wouldn't turn down what sounds a lot more like a date than just a time to chat.

Certainly he'd remember it for a while and quietly scream into a pillow or something later.

Carefully he's taking that paper card and storing it away in a coat pocket, a small bit of a smile playing on his lips still. "I suppose I'll really see the Fog in all its... questionable... glory soon enough?" He has no idea how often this comes around. But he also still doesn't know how he's going to cope with this monster bit, either. "I really do appreciate everything, Tsukikage." The name feels a little odd in his mouth still, but all that requires is more practice in saying it. ~~Perhaps sooner rather than later.~~

Tsukikage remembers how bad he's at for all of this and he tries to casually pull his cowl up further over his cheeks in an attempt to try face. He's more embarrassed about looking too desperate when he really was just trying to be a welcoming veteran that 'Charlotte' mentioned last night. He turns to file Speedwagon's document away, movements still calm and graceful while still fighting a smile.

"You'll have about a month from when you arrive. Then it'll be gradual for a while until you settle into your body. Sometimes people only get their next batch of transformations during the monthly fog while others just steadily change from then on..." Tsukikage comes back up to face him and nods.

"You're very welcome. I'm glad you came here myself. I've needed someone here for a while now. You can start on Monday, right? A little soon, I know but I'll make it worth your while."

Is he internally screaming right now? Absolutely. No one has ever been remotely this forward with him, if that's how he should be reading into this, and he's still unsure if things work the same here as they do at home. Which, to his point, he's used to people being arrested or killed for any of this sort of thing. He'll figure it out, eventually.

"So it can be different between each person..." He's absolutely filing that information away for later and to let someone else know as soon as he goes back to where he's staying. It's important, after all.

Monday. "I... don't see why not, honestly? I have little else to do in this place in the meantime." Other than explore and figure out the lay of the land, but that's something he can do on his own time. "Worth my while?"

"Incredibly different. Some have their transformations relatively pleasant but it can be gruesome. When I was transforming into a shade when I first arrived, all my skin peeled off. Later, when I changed to this arachne form, I had to regrow my body and my organs. I was without limbs for a while."

Tsukikage, that's not how you flirt.

"Yes, I'll pay you extra than what I offered you in the contract along with training. Hiring people suddenly isn't really proper and you need to go through the necessary steps." What do you think he meant?

Edited 2019-10-13 01:09 (UTC)

That's... actually kind of terrifying, Tsukikage. "Wait, you can be one thing and then become another?" He has no idea what's going on anymore and that's probably for the best at this particular juncture. What an idiot.

It's not how you flirt at all, get back on track.

NOTHING REMOTELY WEIRD AT ALL, OKAY. Actually, he's a little relieved that it's just that. "Ah, that... would make sense, yes. As I said, I have little else to currently do so there's nothing that would get in the way of that." Even if he's only slightly disappointed at the lack of a tea conversation before then.

In due time.

"Changing monster types permanently isn't common but it's something that can happen. Most of the time, you may get temporary changes that may combine or exaggerate your features. For me, after arriving I became a shade, and then after that, I returned human and then turned to an arachne. Things just happen from time to time. Such is the terrible magical nature of this world."

He can't help it if he's bad at this.

"Well, then perhaps you could spend the day with me learning the ropes? Only if you have the time to, of course. It would spare us the tutorial on Monday if we did training now."

Wow, what a bad excuse to try to hang out with this handsome gentleman. Why is he so bad at this?

"Becoming one thing, then returning human, and then another..." He's turning those words over slowly, not quite sure what to make of all of it. But at the end of the day there's nothing he can do to change anything and he damn well knows that. He's stuck here as someone's plaything, after all, not that any of it sits well with him.

They're both horrible at this, so at least it's mutual uselessness.

He really wasn't lying when he said he had little else to do other than maybe figure out a better living situation than he and Jonathan had found. So perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea. That and he could learn a little more about him which isn't remotely a bad idea in his books. "Well, I do have the time and I think that would save us both a lot of trouble."

At least he can be subtle about all of this, for the most part, even if he's agreeing to a lot of this for more than just the need of payment. It's hardly his fault he has an odd type.

"Again, it is not common. It's just one of the events that can happen in Ryslig. With any luck, you'll have one transformation and then be done with it," Tsukikage reassures him.

How are they even going to get anywhere with their combined hopelessness?

"Then, let us get started," Tsukikage smiles. Quite obviously, he's happy about things but it could pass for him being an employer finally getting the help he needs. "It'll be quiet today, so that will give us a good amount of alone time to teach you the ropes. Usually, you'll have one or two other employees around as well, especially on weekends."

He straightens himself up and then gestures Speedwagon to follow him to the back so he can show him around the store room.

"Hopefully so and hopefully easy to cope with..." He's not too keen on certain ideas, like vampires, and turning into one of those. A lot of trauma there that he'd rather not turn to if he doesn't have to.

Who knows, one of them will need to not be an idiot for about five seconds or so. A tall order, clearly.

It may just be that and he's thinking it's just that, but there's a part deeper down that perhaps is hoping it's something more or other than just being happy to have some help in these times. A man can dream, after all. "I would assume so on the weekends, I can't imagine how busy this place must get then." If he only knew.

Also the whole alone time thing gets a brief dusting of pink that he's quickly trying to hide away. Absolutely useless. At least he's quick to follow after him.

Very tall. As tall as Speedwagon is, for now.

"It gets moderately busy. We import goods from Vandare since the old owner managed to get some sort of contract going with a woodworker there. So you'll find lots of buyers on the weekend. We've been managing so far, I suppose."

Tsukikage doesn't want to dream. After all, it's ended in heartbreak and unrequited feelings most of the time. Even when the last few times went so well, Tsukikage feels he needs to guard his heart a little better than he has. It hurts, finding someone interesting again...

Tsukikage misses the blush and shows the back room. There's nothing extraordinary: a rest area, storage area, bathroom and a small office. Tsukikage shows Speedwagon around, first going through protocols and then-

"You drink tea? Coffee?"

Sad that that will change in the future.

"Vandare..." He's still learning the lay of the land, but it's a name he's certain is a good idea to keep a tab on. Even if he ends up never going there or... does so, for some reason, in the future. "Then I take it that the majority of wooden objects and the like would be from there?" He's pretty sure the answer is yes, but he might as well confirm.

One day they'll figure it out. As it is, he's playing things close to his chest out of the same foreboding he would have had back home. It's safer to play ignorant and keep things light under other contexts, just in case things go south. Even if it's absolutely killing him.

At least it was missed and he's getting himself back under proper control, noting the locations of each little bit. It's not much, but you never know.

"Ah, both, actually? I can't say that I'm too picky about either one."

But hopefully so will the distance between them.

"It's a port city not too far from here. It's got some nice exports, so most of the wooden furniture and handicrafts are from there," Tsukikage confirms. "I also like getting flowers from there. It's a hassle but the bouquets we get out at the front for holidays are lovely."

One day. For now, they suffer in silence.

"We have tea and coffee here. I've never been good at brewing coffee here but there's a selection of tea. It's all there on the side. If you actually want good coffee, you'll have to hit one of the cafes nearby."

He wishes he could say he could show him sometime... but again... very forward...

It's very possible, both figuratively and literally.

"A port city... Then there's an ocean here, as well? Has anyone gone beyond it to see if other places exist or is that more of a fool's errand?" Of course he would be getting excited over that of all things. A traveler through and through. But the bouquets thing is almost fascinating to him in a way, as well. "Are they familiar flowers or something that only grows in this place?"

Suffering as always.

"I'm sure I could figure coffee out if I see the equipment." Because it's a travesty that he hasn't figured it out for himself. Coffee's rather lovely if done right, he's learned through his time.

You know what, perhaps...

"Cafes nearby? I must have missed them in my wandering somehow?" That's not smooth.

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, HAZYREFLECTION FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 011.04.151.01 * HAZYREFLECTION has joined 011.04.151.01 <HAZYREFLECTION> Only contact me if it is necessary. <HAZYREFLECTION> Report to me immediately if it's regarding Reira-dono. <HAZYREFLECTION>** I will be checking this nightly when possible.

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