005. those countryside roads to somewhere
Apr. 8th, 2026 07:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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3kon
( weeks spent gathering non-perishables and their personal items into boxes couldn't have prepared them for what was about to happen.
it occurs in a flash, like a plant's tendril reaching out to seed a new life in something.
the sea vanishes, their epic on the high seas punctuated by a change in pressure. like when a whale breeches or dives with something inside it's mouth, it's an almost unimaginably long pause. their watery landscape transforms into an empty void, pieces of a plane that simply don't exist in the mind, and if one were to stay here, it could easily drive them mad. humans were never made to shift between realities and witness such emptiness, after all, and before takasugi can even think to figure out how shouin's soul might be contributing to this, everything tilts. the world about them flips to a new chapter filled with light, darkness, and stars, and if one blinks, it all becomes clear that everything is floating, floating without a sky to touch the pitch-black remnants of the rippling universe below, and—
a blink of the eyes next reveals that everything they've known has come to change.
the arahabaki mk. ii on the water is gone, and only rolling hills remain.
in the distance, a couple women tend to a small, cultivated field off a well-worn path, meticulously monitoring the water that'll birth life into their crop. the town is green and vulnerable under the piercing blue of the bright spring sky, with a quieter vibe compared to the larger towns that boast all the hustle and bustle of city life. a few open tea houses welcome visitors, inviting them to pause on their journey as they seek bigger opportunities in this new era of industrialization, but most importantly, as the members of 3kon might notice: some of the citizens here are sporting animal ears of various types, and no one acts like each other is worser than wear for it. )
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Date: 2026-04-19 07:40 am (UTC)and when he scrambles behind him, takasugi doesn't have time to think about much else.
not the worst he was expecting, not for their fault but more his own, everyone always rushing off to their own doom without him. if they needed him at their side, he would've rushed there in an instant. so what made their lives so much more expendable than his own, and where was a man truly meant to spill his blood for another? death is a matter that's always on takasugi's mind, the specter of his own not as fragile as the vanished snow as it clings to his bones, because for all the faith he has put into others, it had never seemed to stop them from leaving him. for all the plans he put into motion, it never seemed to do their legacy any good, either.
which is why he slams into the man that charges them the moment he also scents something familiar, and hears something that can only make his ears perk, his heart thumping so much harder for it:
the fact that amagi rinne is still alive. )
Whoa, now. I thought this was a hall for a musical performance, not a sumo match. Talk about an interesting turn!
( and while this really isn't his forte, the strength he puts behind his grip is staggering. as fleshy hands soaked in sweat make for his side, takasugi digs his feet in to reach for the man's own. the leftover strength of their transformations is nothing to sniff at, of course, which is exactly why he hardly uses it. but drawing his blade in this small space just to traumatize niki would hardly be worth it, and so...
as his claws find purchase in fabric, takasugi twists. their weight classes, totally different. he pushes with his lithe upper half, wrangling the man to send him sailing headfirst into the wall just next to them with a firm thud. )
Dosukoi! Or, wait. Maybe you're supposed to say something else at the end. Oh, well.
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Date: 2026-04-19 08:17 am (UTC)Rinne had long accepted his fate. Truly, he'd planned on carrying out his duty to the end. But meeting them this soon—and even better, knowing exactly why they came—brings a smile to Rinne's face unlike any other.
From the other end of the room, he bounds towards them, weaving between the fights he started. It goes without saying that he doesn't intend to finish them.]
Kyaha! What happened to making a run for it, ya morons? Niki, I oughta have ya punished for insubordination!
[Why just Niki...
He lifts his chin, beaming with pride, and holds his tied up hands out for Takasugi. The rope is only sturdy enough for the things people tend to do in places like this.]
Free me, pwease.
[pwease 😄]
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Date: 2026-04-19 09:31 am (UTC)[Niki's frown is more of a pout. It's always like this!!]
I had a feeling you'd be fine, but aren't you having a little too much fun here?
[He says that, but it's only a tease, no judgement at all. He's glad for it. It's sort of nostalgic, even—Niki hasn't seen Rinne like this since before they woke up in Karteria. Maybe the new scenery... Maybe the fact that it finally feels like they've made even just a little progress toward going home has rejuvenated his waning spirit. That, truthfully, might be even more of a relief than just seeing he's okay.
(But without saying anything, Niki does note the damage and stains on his clothes. He'll have to make sure Rinne is really fine later, once things have quieted down.)]
Thanks for the save, Prez. [While Takasugi works on freeing Rinne (or not!), Niki starts to wander toward the nearest table. It looks like this food has survived... 🤤] My short life flashed before my eyes for a second there!
[He makes it sound like they're already safe now?? Yet, despite Takasugi's blatant display of force, the uproar caused by Rinne doesn't seem to be cooling off at all. No amount of intimidation, it seems, can overtake the allurement of the sight of not one, but three handsome fox men.]
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Date: 2026-04-19 12:06 pm (UTC)Morons?
( there wouldn't typically be a twang of irritation in takasugi's voice, but it's hard not to see the exact same things niki is seeing this close: the torn front beneath layers of silk, slightly damp. red lines drawing against skin, a sight that makes him itch uncomfortable to recall the last time rinne was captive. but takasugi pushes everything down, makes his voice stay even. the smile on his face, big.
so this place is really about luring in men with animalistic traits to use them as playthings? maybe even selling them, with hands shoved down robes and against thighs to get them ready? his imagination thrums against the inside of his skull. )
Not a one of these farmers looks like they've got any training, and yet we, the ones completely unbound, are the morons. Don't wiggle, Amagi-kun. And don't walk off while we're in the thick of danger, Shiina-kun, unless you want me to drag you by the collar.
( okay. he sucks at this trying-not-to-sound-bothered-thing right now.
there's the cold shing of metal, where it only takes one carefully angled swipe to cut into the thick bondage holding rinne's hands in place. while he's doing this, something comes sailing at their heads from the side. a thick glass bottle, emptied. )
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Date: 2026-04-19 01:02 pm (UTC)Hey, hey, hey. You could seriously kill someone with this!
[ He shoves the man away with a kick. The longer Niki can be oblivious to the danger of this all, the better. As for Takasugi, well... ]
Niki, is he mad? Aww, Prez! Don't be mad. You looked so cool just now, protecting our Niki-kyun and everything. [ While they're chatting, Rinne grabs a guy's face and violently shoves him away before he can touch Niki, who is probably snacking on some pickled foods right now. ]
You said we needed a decoy and intel, right? Rinne-kun spent all his life tryna sneak outta his village, you know? I knew you two would have each other's backs, so I went ahead and made a diversion for ya.
When some foxy ladies grabbed me by the balls and told me to come up with a program, I went ahead and gave these guys a show. Ain't that what being an idol's all about?
[ The taller Rinne tugs on Takasugi's sleeve and sways it from side to side. Look at his adorable smile! Please forget that he used a notoriously difficult and dangerous move to incapacitate you. ]
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Date: 2026-04-19 04:25 pm (UTC)in the midst of smashing plates and grown men meeting the floor to no avail, takasugi can hardly hide the inappropriate delight at his sleeve being played with. quit it. this isn't the time for all that, he wants to say. but instead, his brow simply furrows like a child who's about to ask to be tossed into the air once more for entertainment. )
... What. So I can't be worried on your behalf? Because I was, actually. A whole lot. No doubt Shiina-kun felt the same way. If being an idol means you always have to carry our burdens alone to flip them on their head for us, then I'm going to redefine it from the ground up.
( his anger is diffusing in real-time... and so easily. and while it's true that takasugi likes to have a good time and be surprised, this is too close to the open wound that always pulses whenever someone's after their neck. his tail sweeps across the floor, thwacking straight into an on-comer's face as he glances away in embarrassment. )
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Date: 2026-04-20 02:35 am (UTC)[But Niki says this casually, more concerned with savoring the flavors than whatever violence is going on around him. It is a little scary, but with the other two around, he's basically never felt safer.]
I wasn't really worried until Prez started getting worried, but Rinne-kun's over here looking as tasty as a horse. [Niki licks his finger and thumb as he speaks. He's not trying to throw Takasugi under the bus, though. In fact...] But what happened? I thought we were gonna kill him, Prez.
[Obviously, he doesn't want Rinne to get in trouble or anything, but he thinks Takasugi does have a good point. For as much as Niki trusts him, he still wishes Rinne wouldn't run off on his own all the time, using himself as bait as if it doesn't matter to anyone else what happens to him. Niki believed he would be okay... but that doesn't mean he doesn't still worry.]
Man, these pickled veggies are heaven! I missed authentic Japanese flavors like you wouldn't believe!
[Not to distract from the killing or worrying or anything. He's just in a really good mood!]
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Date: 2026-04-20 06:15 am (UTC)[He's not usually this kind. But when he sees Niki smile in a way he hasn't seen in a while, how could he be mean? Rinne can only smile back with fondness.]
But killing tasty ol' me? That's kinda harsh. What happened to failing my ass and slapping me on the wrist?
Look Prez, let's flirt later. We gotta find those foxes.
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Date: 2026-04-20 06:48 am (UTC)( liar? he pointedly doesn't look niki's way while saying this. )
But, find them, instead of make a quit exit? That's just crazy enough at the moment to be a sound idea. Then I can exact some proper punishment for whatever you don't have time to explain. The easiest way to snuff out a fox, of course, would be a fun method I'm fairly familiar with, only we'd have to exit the building to avoid scorching our tails any in the process.
( he curves the blade still in hand while being vague, gesturing it out towards the crowd as if to prove that he's still paying attention. a couple men reach for their weapons. their steel doesn't quite gleam the same. )
Surely that won't be a problem, though... as long as you don't make a point of knocking me out again. I bet it's going to bruise, that.
1/2
Date: 2026-04-20 07:54 am (UTC)[He shakes his head in mock exasperation. That's the only explanation for why Takasugi gives in so easily. Niki knows how this goes! He's been bullied since they met!
At the same time, though... It's actually pretty cute. Because that's just the kind of person Rinne really is—he's someone who knows how to ease people's hearts. He knows how to make you melt. It's honestly not even a little surprising that even someone like Takasugi Shinsaku would find himself weak to him.]
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Date: 2026-04-20 07:54 am (UTC)Jeez, it's all alcohol...
[But he needs something to wash his snack down with, so he downs the small cup in one go despite his complaint. It's not like he's going to feel it, anyway.]
Is it a good idea? Haven't we caused enough trouble already?
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Date: 2026-04-20 10:42 am (UTC)If they didn't want trouble, they shoulda thought about that before throwing us to the wolves!
[And yeah. He is bullying Takasugi. But is it bullying if Takasugi likes it?
Suddenly, they're surrounded by the dozens now. In the gaze of each angry farmer glows a small flame, a pink petal of fire dancing along to someone else's whim. Whoever is controlling them isn't the man who first charmed them.
Rinne steps closer and behind Takasugi, shoulder to shoulder and glass bottle in tow.]
... Prez. I promise I'll be good, so clear a path for us and make this interesting. The sword you got me's still back in their dressing room, y'know?
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Date: 2026-04-20 03:36 pm (UTC)good. that's exactly what he wants to feel, the corners of his lips twitching until they bloom into a smile he can't seem to hold down any longer. if there's anything he still needs to despair about, then he'll excise it from himself later, alone. for now, he just needs to join in on the fun with two younger foxes and uplift them with a breeze of his own. being an idol should be about making their own fun, right?
he tilts his head up pointedly, knocking the back of his head gently against rinne's. )
Of all the heroes who've ever existed, you couldn't have asked a better one to fulfill your wishes, Amagi-kun.
( out of mercy for their eyes, takasugi opts to playfully jab his way through the crowd, nudging their wrists and chests hard with the butt of his sword. it's almost a little too wasteful when he could easily be making clean cuts, especially with his usual sword style, but it works. it works and it keeps them from seeing too much.
a man that moves like lightning doesn't need to do much more than follow the beating heart of his practiced moves, takasugi stepping back with his right to lunge with his left, and if his body is bothering him, he doesn't show it. he won't ever try to show it. he carves a wide arch in the surrounding men as asked, and then, nimbly hops up onto a nearby table with a laugh as his red, bushy tail helps him keep balance. )
Eyes up here, gentlemen. Why not have a glimpse under this hakama of mine and find out if this tail is the real deal?
( in one swift motion, takasugi pulls free the tie keeping his hair bunched up in soft spirals. it comes tumbling down his shoulders, his back, a river of pink at his fingertips. as his steps shift, every groping hand reaching for his ankles in their dance like rhythm only to get punted away, his laughter rises like the flame on a candle.)
Hahaha! This is almost like my very own Dan-no-Ura!
( a step on the head here, a step on the head there.
as he flings his sword about above his head like a crazy man, what's left of the farmers starts to disperse. beyond them and the stunned bodies on the floor, a clear path leads on up to the stage above, where a woman who'd been watching all the while pops back behind two folds of a noren curtain. )
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Date: 2026-04-21 03:24 am (UTC)[Niki huffs dramatically. Still... With Takasugi here, their survival rate has increased significantly, so if there's ever a time to be a little reckless, it's definitely probably now. He really would rather leave, but if the other two are moving forward, Niki would be an even bigger fool to stay behind. This place is way too dangerous!
So while Takasugi works to make room for them, Niki follows after Rinne. He's careful to try and keep a little distance there so he doesn't get in his way, but he also makes a point to stay close enough in case he needs to reach for him for any reason. (Not for his own sake. He'll be okay. But in case Rinne starts feeling a little reckless again, or if anyone tries to touch him again, or...) Occasionally, a straggler will get a little too close, but they don't move with the precision that Takasugi or Rinne do, so Niki doesn't worry too much. Rinne and Niki are quicker, and whatever remains of the crowd takes care of itself, often drunkenly(?) tripping over themselves or the furniture before they can even reach them. It's the woman who retreats behind the curtain that concerns him a little more. He only catches a glimpse of her, but he could tell that she's been watching.]
That's not where we're going, is it? Please tell me it's not.
[He's not sure why, but that feels like bad news!]
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Date: 2026-04-21 04:55 am (UTC)[As Takasugi gleefully clears the way, hair dancing in the air as if his spirit was burning with life, Rinne grabs Niki by the hand and runs, following closely behind. He never would have had adventures like these if they never left that city!
If he never left Karteria... he would have never seen Takasugi and Niki look so healthy.
The sea of angry mobs parts for the trio as they make their way to the stage.]
There's only one way an idol can go, Niki. But it looks like we were just the opening act! That lady up there? I bet she's the real star of the show.
[He waves his empty bottle in the air.]
Show's pretty mid, though!
[The woman doesn't deign him with an answer. Instead, out onto the stage, she takes one step. The audience, utterly captivated by her magic, rises back to their feet like clockwork and wordlessly falls into order.]
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Date: 2026-04-21 06:03 am (UTC)( onto the stage, takasugi lands with a thump. instead of his blade, the great swing of the shamisen attends him in his grip.
pointed straight towards the mysterious woman, by the way, where she's unable to hide the ears flattened back and styled into her done-up sokugami hairstyle any longer. they're a deeper red, almost brown as they unfurl. and while her eyes cautiously follow his every moment, takasugi simply taps a claw against the length of the wood. )
Regardless of what your true intentions were with my cute subordinate and whoever else is running this whole event, let's stick to what we agreed on earlier and continue, albeit with a few new conditions. The conditions being, of course, that you’ll ease up on these farmers, and we’ll get a few hours without being followed after we leave, especially after we’ve put on a good show for you. Oh. And forget about tonight’s arrangements; I think I've seen quite enough to put me off from wanting to lay my head down for even a second. Do they have a ratings system in this era yet? Because I'd totally be giving you one star right now. Anyway. Free the crowd and let's get this place jumping, and don't try anything strange. These men deserve the chance to hear the raw power of an idol with a clear mind.
( another tap on the long span of the shamisen, the knife shine in his eyes bright. )
Subdue the enemy without fighting is one of the first tenants of a popular strategist, by the way. I'm not sure where your colleagues went, but it seems they left you in over your head.
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Date: 2026-04-21 09:10 am (UTC)See? This is exactly what he means. Rinne's the kind of person who, with one small gesture, makes you feel like you're glad that you're still alive.
He wonders if Takasugi feels that way, too, when he lands on the stage like that, full of an impossible amount of energy, when he speaks to the crowd like he's the one that controls it.]
Whoa, Prez is getting really into this, huh~.
[Niki's never seen him do so much damage before, but he's already well-aware that he could do so much more. He's sure Takasugi could kill everyone here if he wanted to. There was no reason it had to come down to singing. But since it seems like it is...]
I don't think this is "being thrown to the wolves." I'm pretty sure this is offering ourselves up on a silver platter.
[He doesn't know if this is a good idea. Frankly, it seems like kind of a bad one! But it seems like there might be something special about them, and if that's the case... Well, that isn't always a bad thing, is it? Sometimes, being different is a thing you can use to your advantage.
So he tugs on Rinne's hand, gently, just a little.]
I guess we should go up there and join him.
[That's probably what Rinne would want to do, he thinks. And, at this point, they're all in this together, so Niki's more than okay with that despite everything.]
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Date: 2026-04-21 02:01 pm (UTC)[Rinne agrees. Whenever the three of them are together, Rinne feels like he can do anything. That's why he pulls Niki into his arms, carries him like a bride, and jumps onto the stage, surprisingly light on his feet. His Natural Soul hasn't taken back her blessings just yet.]
Doncha think you're forgetting something, Prez? [He sets Niki down just as quickly.] You gotta make a good offer if you wanna negotiate!
[The woman's amber eyes widen at the sight of all three foxes. Her fear shakes her to her very core. "No, that smell... This can't be! If what they say is true, then...! Natsuki! Mitsuki! Satsuki!"
Three tails unravel and burn like pink fire behind her. From them, the three fox women are made flesh once again, battle-ready.]
... Damn, where'd she learn how to do that?
[She sighs. "From cultivating my energy, of course. Don't you men know nothing? I planned on tenderizing you with those brutes before I ate you all. Yes, indeed! With this much energy in one room, I can grow another tail. With the three of you, maybe more! But..."
She brings her palm back up to her mouth and licks it again. Rinne winces.
"There's been a change of plans." With an austere glare, she points a manicured claw at Rinne. "Give me the red fox, and I'll spare your little kabuki act. Watching your show with someone by my side will make it all the more pleasant."
Her pink tongue licks a sharp fang behind her rouged lips.]
reverse uno
Date: 2026-04-21 02:52 pm (UTC)because surely she's joking, right?
the demand for that specific exchange pulls at the corner of his white irises unseen, turning the edges of them black. an anger that's been silent since they arrived stirs at the pit of his core, and takasugi might snap his beloved shamisen in half if he's not careful, where buying another one is so out of their budget at the moment. his hands might slip onto the trigger, a barrage of bullets slicing right through this entire crowd and more if he lets the supernatural malice mesh with his need to take claws straight into her throat. it's dangerous, this. he ought to take a hand to his mouth and muzzle it before giving in, before a growl rises up in his and nuzzles in his throat.
instead, he swallows. he raises a hand like an eager participant in class, voice light as he waves it eagerly. )
I can offer you something even better, actually.
( the wooden instrument hefts off his shoulder, clattering to the floor.
takasugi walks over confidently, showing nothing but sincerity on his face.
that's how it goes, right, sensei? to earn someone's trust, one has to give off an aura of truthfulness. nevermind the chinese scholars and their distinctions on strategy he toiled away on in his childhood, then. as all that long hair sways out behind him, takasugi cups her chin with no hesitation whatsoever, no concern for her familiars as his hollow pinks bore into her fiery gaze. he tilts his pale wrist upwards , tempting. )
I'll be your partner while they execute their performance. As a former Heroic Spirit, there should be a cache of tasty magical energy stored in my body somewhere for you to drink from in the meantime. It's a pretty good deal, don't you think? You won't get another chance like this in a lifetime.