illicitly | IC Inbox for Jigoku-cho

From:

where do you live anyway (•̀ᴗ•́ )و

[It's coming from a number with no username set, because Wei Wuxian thought learning about emoji was the higher priority.]

Edited Date: 2022-03-30 04:31 am (UTC)

From:

illicitly

[These devices are so strange! Nie Huaisang's never been a quick learner with complicated tools unless they are directly related to his hobbies. Or in the case of talismans, had synergy with his skills with a brush.

He still hasn't quite figured out how to text replies yet and in his awkward fumbling, manages to call back the number. Happy accident?]

H-Hello? Who is this?

From:

laughitoff

Nie-xiong, you know who it is--oh! I forgot to put my name on it again, didn't I.

[Well, that's easy to identify as 'not a random stalker,' at least...]

From:

illicitly

[Much more of a relief! Hearing the familiar sound of Wei Wuxian's voice is enough to put a smile on his face, not that it can be seen. There is an audible warmth in his tone, however.]

Oh! Wei-xiong! It's good to hear from you! I live in an apartment provided by the Tamamo clan. It's really small! My room back home is three times as big as this one and I still have to share.

[Okay, so maybe there's a little bit of that old boyish whining in that last statement before it evens out again.]

How about you? Are you settling in?

From:

laughitoff

[There's laughter on the other end of the line.]

Ah, what, doesn't it fill you with fond nostalgia for the old days? Being cramped together in those guest rooms in the Cloud Recesses?

[They hadn't actually been that cramped by design, it was just that the boys had all packed themselves in whenever they wanted to party together against the rules, but. Details.]

I'm doing fine; I don't think any of us new recruits have quality accomodation right now, but it's not that bad? Ah...I would actually like to drop something off in person, though, which is why I ask.

From:

illicitly

Oh! I can give you my address. It's... It's...

[Wait, was the address for this place again? Nie Huaisang's brain has been crammed with so much new information lately, the address has slipped his mind entirely.]

Actually, I'll have to ask Jin Guangyao when he gets back. He's more familiar with how the buildings work in this place than I am. But if you want to give me something, I can meet you somewhere! There are lots of restaurants and shops I could meet you in. There's one that has some interesting books I wanted to check out for research.

[Yes, he means those types of books from their school days because of course, he'd learn where to pick up new porn before memorizing his own address. Nie Huaisang's reading tastes in erotica haven't really changed all that much.]

Edited Date: 2022-03-30 06:52 am (UTC)

From:

laughitoff

You're living with that man?

[There's something sharp and concerned in that question, but it fades almost immediately into a long sigh as he recalibrates.

Hm, no, he doesn't want to have this conversation fully over the phone. And his original plan of slipping information under Huaisang's door isn't the best if Jin Guangyao is his roommate. He has no control over where it goes after he's given it, of course, but he still doesn't feel like putting it directly in a Jin's hands.]

It's just a trifle, but I see your point. Fine; let me know which bookshop? I probably know where it is.

[He likes window-shopping in Tamamo territory frequently, if nothing else, though it's usually too pricey for him right now.]

From:

illicitly

[It's not surprising to hear that sharp catch. Honestly, Nie Huaisang figures that most people from their world would be concerned though likely for very different reasons, some more than others depending on how much they knew. However, to his knowledge, Wei Wuxian's the only one who could possibly know of his involvement other than Jin Guangyao himself now that Jiang Cheng seems to have vanished.]

Well, it's not just a bookstore... It has a lot of different things, including books. Have you been to Wild Things?

[He's yet to venture inside but it seems to be a one-stop sex shop for a variety of kinks. No one would question a Tamamo newbie visiting such a place, particularly his roommate. It's going to take a lot more time for Jin Guangyao to fully win back his trust.]

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From:

laughitoff - Date: 2022-03-30 07:34 pm (UTC) - Expand

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From:

illicitly - Date: 2022-03-31 06:30 am (UTC) - Expand

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From:

laughitoff - Date: 2022-03-31 06:55 am (UTC) - Expand

From:

sharpestsword

I was just called into a meeting with the Enma and I'm not sure what to make of it. Can you promise not to tell anyone about this?

From:

illicitly

of course.

is something the matter?

From:

sharpestsword

It was a reward for all my recent efforts. He offered me some sort of magic. I'm not sure exactly how it works. He didn't elaborate.

From:

illicitly

really?

what did he say to you?

From:

sharpestsword

He told me to move this ball on his desk without touching it and somehow I could.

Then he said: "The shape of the world is determined by those with the strength to mold it."

What do you think that means?

From:

illicitly

was there anything special about the ball?

as for the rest, it sounds like he's encouraging you to change the world if you're strong enough.

From:

sharpestsword

I think it was some kind of metal.

I'm not strong but maybe with the help of this power I could come close.

From:

illicitly - Date: 2022-05-28 07:01 am (UTC) - Expand

From:

taintedpeony

Jin Guangyao was more excited about this date than even he had cared to admit. There was so much bustling to do between work, the turf war, and running the propaganda campaign was more than enough and a nice night out with his roommate was just what he needed. He got ready and conditioned his ears and tails so they were fluffy and silky. He loved the floral-scented kitsune shampoo and fur care products that were available to him. He was a man who liked to look his best and tonight was no exception. He was dressed in a Happi jacket with a gold button-down shirt. this was paired with a pair of black skinny jeans the salesperson had convinced him would make his ass look wonderful and he had to agree. He put his hair up in the jin-styled ponytail with a gold guan pinning it both at the base and the end.

Yao-kun is looking like he is ready for a very good evening and an even better night. Kekeke!

Goodness, it is nothing like that Koemi. Why must you insinuate such things?!

Oh no reason at all kekekekeke! she chortled.

He peeked through the door of their tiny apartment, after giving himself a last once over.

"Huaisang are you ready? It is almost time for our reservation!" he called in.

From:

illicitly

A night to decompress and unwind from all the stress he's been under lately is exactly what Nie Huaisang needs. Despite his current level of skill in strategy and subterfuge, he achieved it through years of self-teaching and grueling practice across a decade. In those days, he'd been utterly convinced that one wrong move would not only bring about his death but the destruction of his sect as well had he been caught. He's never had a high threshold for hard work and it's been stretched rather thin of late.

It been hard for him to care enough about this stupid sewer or whatever pre-existing squabble might exist between Toraguma and Tenkohime. Aside from the generous bonus for his work at the bathhouse and sticking up for the clan after the Shuten Clan leader had insulted them, his clan leader hasn't done much to inspire his loyalty. Add in the fact that he could easily achieve this objective if he had resources of his own and this whole turf war has been an exercise in frustration.

So he's ready for this date. He's donned one of the garments of his own design currently being sold by the tailor he'd assisted before the Night Parade, a midnight blue hanfu-kimono blend spangled in a crane-and-moon pattern. He's put his hair up for the occasion, affixing with a delicate bird hairpin. After touching up his eye makeup one last time, he heads toward the front door, fan in hand.

"I'm ready to go now," he says. "Sorry for the wait. I remember you said it was for one of the finer places so I wanted to make sure I'm dressed up enough for it."

From:

taintedpeony

He tried to keep the flush from his face as he looked him up and down.

"Nie Huaisang you look quite handsome. You have certainly proven yourself quite skilled at clothing construction. I love the colors on you and the blend of styles." he smiled warmly and offered him an arm.

With the other hand, he opened the door leading them to the cool evening air. "The place is an expensive sushi restaurant. They cut all the fish in very delicate ways. I am really excited to try it. I hear it is delicious. There are so many foods I've only read about and heard about in Dongying, who knew I would have the opportunity to try them after my demise."

It was good to look forward to things, it had been some time since he had looked forward to anything.

From:

illicitly

Nie Huaisang takes his arm, smiling back. Since making the decision to partner up with Jin Guangyao just to give them both some stability in this chaotic whirlwind of personal ambition and rising tensions all around them, he's felt a little more at peace. Sure, he's annoyed by his current rank as an overqualified rookie having to work his way back up to a leadership position after previously holding one for a decade but it's helped to have someone he knows he can count on. As strange as it is that it happens to be Jin Guangyao of all people.

There's still a lot they have to talk about and process but they've managed to live together this long without either of them slashing the other's throat. So Nie Huaisang's continued to cautiously allow the cold, stone walls he's maintained around his heart for the past ten years to finally start coming down.

And it's just nice to be able to think about something other than strategies on how to snatch that smelly sewer from under Toraguma's nose.

"Is it? I've never tried food from Dongying before coming here... I'm glad we managed to sneak in some time to make use of that coupon. A break from work sounds wonderful."

From:

taintedpeony

It was a lot and there was so much between them that still need to be addressed. It was not the turf war that occupied Jin Guangyao's mind but his other work. After struggling to run from his entire life to escape the brothel and whoreson name, he found himself right back in it. There was a part of himself that twisted itself into knots about it. And though his clients were all very sweet and comfortable, there was a part of him that just wanted to curl up and sob.

He didn't know if his roommate ever caught him, curled in the bath some nights. That combined with the trauma of his losses and Jin Ling's absence...It was a lot.

He was however willing to do anything to fulfill his contract, even if it meant spreading his legs for whoever would have him.

But Nie Huaisang somehow anchored him. Having someone familiar who really saw him, who he did not have to act around. It was good.

"I have had the chance to try some things, Hakagemachi had a ramen stand, though we never ate the meat there...For dubious reasons."

We need to order Agedashi tofu! More fried tofu!

"Koemi demands that we order fried tofu as well. Huli Jing are really fond of it. I am happy we managed a break as well." He pressed his shoulder against the other man.

"Let's forget about all of that and enjoy ourselves tonight. We can worry about work tomorrow."

From:

illicitly

"That sounds good," he says, relaxing a bit more. "We'll be sure to make sure Lady Koemi has all that she desires as well."

It has been comforting to have someone near who understands him as well. There's no point in lying or hiding himself around Jin Guangyao anymore. He already knows what a dangerous enemy Nie Huaisang can be and it's probably for the best that there's someone in the Tamamo Clan who knows when and how to soothe him before irreparable damage can be done.

He leans into the contact unconsciously, letting it anchor him in the moment. A night of fun without worrying about everything would probably do them both good. It's just all been so overwhelming though at least, he's enjoying painting and design again. He'd had a good time in the bathhouse, too, coming up with creative ways to satisfy his customers.

From:

taintedpeony

Keep this one or I'll steal him!

Goodness is that all it takes to win your heart?!

Still, he laughed. "She appreciates the gesture, very much," he said while pressing an arm around the other's waist. The city was lively and loud, but it was early enough in the evening that the usual street fights hadn't quite broken down yet.

"This place has its own kind of charm though. It's more bustling than even Lanling in festival season. Once we are used to all the noise, it really isn't a bad place to live. Certaily is a lot better than Hakagemachi was. Even if it is Jigoku... I did not think I would have had this afterlife.

Look around us. There are so many different kinds of food to try, and art to see. Games to play and music to hear. I wonder what kinds of operas would be available here? It can be like the day trips we used to take into the Qingge markets when we were young."

He had noticed his recent anxiety and melancholy. He wanted to remind him of the beautiful things that he loves. It used to work on him, in the past.

"I'm really proud of you Nie Huaisang."