PSL (closed)

[foundfate]

[The shop had finally settled again. It was a bit of a relief, because it hadn't anchored to a world in nearly two weeks, and Watanuki's food stores had started to run low. A shopping trip would be in order, mostly to replenish his nonperishable before the shop set out looking for another world in need of his help.

Usually Watanuki could guess when a move was about to happen, but sometimes it happened out of the blue. Like this last move, which had come so soon after arriving in the previous world. That usually meant that his services were in dire need and that people's souls were calling out to him, even if they didn't quite know it themselves yet. Watanuki would just have to wait for them to come to him.

His first visitor, at least, wouldn't take too long to get there. Watanuki always had a sense of when someone was to arrive, and as soon as the shop's gates had opened and revealed itself to the busy streets of Yokohama he had felt the impending arrival of a customer. It was enough to pique his interest, because he didn't usually get a visitor on the same day after a shop move. Someone was very perceptive, it seemed.

By the time his guest would arrive, Watanuki had already set up some tea in one of the sitting rooms. The summer was at its end, and the cool breeze felt nice enough that Watanuki had decided to open the movable doors to reveal the backyard, which was still bathed in the greens of summer. They could stay cool without the need of an air conditioner that way.

From there, he waited. He had a feeling that his guest was a particularly clever one, so he felt sure that they would find their way to the sitting room on their own.]

Comments

[foundfate]

'Exciting' is a nice way to put it.

['Deadly' was another, though Watanuki did not say that. Instead, he listened to Dazai's explanation, nodding along with Dazai's assumption.]

The barrier works by casting an illusion on this place. If someone has a wish they want granted, they see the shop. If they do not, they see merely an empty lot. If they don't see the shop, then they won't know what someone is talking about if they do see it.

I haven't had many lookers yet, admittedly. That white-haired teenager with the long belt has definitely been by a few times, though. I wouldn't be surprised if he finally made it in by the end of the week.

[neverwashere]

[What a multi-faceted Ability that was.]

Is intent your only qualifier? [Doubtful, but it was good to know the basic principle the barrier operated on. He tipped his head back.] If it is, I'm surprised your schedule isn't booked. I don't know if you scouted this city ahead of time, but you should be aware of how greedy some of its residents are.

[He wasn't even talking about Mori this time: Yokohama was a cesspool of crime precisely because it also served as an underground gateway in and out of the country.

At the mention of Atsushi, though -]

That teenager. Is he that memorable?

[Read: that tiger's been targeted too many times, so don't you dare.

Assuming it actually was Atsushi and not some other kid who was headed for places like Shinjuku or Harajuku on weekends.

Still. Atsushi likely having a wish wasn't a surprise given his history, but that wasn't the main issue here. Did Watanuki even bring him up because he knew about the Agency, or was this just sheer coincidence?]

[foundfate]

He's the first one to come by several times. A few people have definitely noticed the shop, but have only been by once. He managed to find time to walk by four times today alone.

[That, and his power was monstrous and decidedly not-human. He was definitely a vessel of some sort, Watanuki was sure of it. But that part he would keep quiet until he got confirmation.]

You are the first visitor, though. And intent is the main qualifier, but 'fate' does play a part in it too.

[neverwashere]

[Four times?

Dazai's smile turned a touch humorous.]

Are you sure it wasn't from that guy pacing around out of anxiety?

[It was also interesting that Atsushi was here of all places, when Dazai himself hadn't run into him. It was also a part of the neighborhood he didn't remember the tiger frequenting.

And as for 'fate' --- well.

Hitsuzen. Inevitable. Not the preordained destiny of unmei. His gaze sharpened as he leaned back a little, bracing his weight on an arm.]

If you put it that way, I suppose it does. It's not often an establishment like this gets set up, and recent events have made what you've told me of your Ability all the more... significant.

[An indirect admission of his own curiosity, and a question of how Watanuki's definition of hitsuzen exactly applied in this situation.

From a strategic point of view, there were just some things that were inevitable, but what mattered more were the factors that influenced that outcome.]

[foundfate]

It could have been anxiety, but I think it was more than that.

[He said that with a huff of amusement. However, that mirth didn't last long, as Dazai seemed to be talented at bringing up unfortunate truths about the future.]

You're thinking of a certain object, aren't you?

['The book', though he didn't say as much out loud. Given how sought after that item was, it seemed cursed to mention it out loud.]

Just because I grant wishes doesn't mean I grant every wish. I do practice some discretion.

[He doubted that would reassure Dazai much, as they were strangers. Also, he didn't outright deny having the book, nor being willing to obtain it. His statement only meant that he was unlikely to grant wishes related to it.]

Many find my prices to be quite steep anyway.

[neverwashere]

[Unfortunate truths came with the territory, sadly enough. It was just one of those things Dazai had to prepare for where groups like the Rats and the Decay of Angels were involved.]

So I am! And I'm sure you do.

Should I presume you or your predecessor created that troublesome object?

[It was something he needed to confirm first, before he could even ask about how steep those prices were. What did it matter, if scribbling a few lines of story on a piece of paper seemed to circumvent any kind of barter Watanuki could deter from?]

[foundfate]

Neither I nor my mentor are ones who create objects like that. Wish-granting is our purview, which means we acquire items for people sometimes. But we do not make them on our own, not usually.

[So no, the book didn't come from either of them. Watanuki would confirm that much at least.]

The item you are thinking of is distasteful anyway. It violates taboo, and I will have no part in something that violates taboo.

[neverwashere]

[...ahh. Good. That was good.

Watanuki might notice the slight easing of tension in Dazai's shoulders after his guest stretched his arms above his head.]

Well, at least one person here has sense.

In your professional opinion, is destruction or retrieval out of the question? Or is that why you set up shop here at this particular time?

[foundfate]

If sense is in short order in this city, then my broom may need to swat a few big-headed idiots to make their egos smaller.

[He sounded a touch grumpy there, but in a 'I always have to do that, people are the same everywhere' kind of way.]

Destruction is not possible. The cost of such a task cannot be paid by one person. Containment, however, is a possibility. It is likely a better outcome than simply hoping for the best. I can think of painfully few people who would not be tempted to use it.

If I had to guess, everyone's collective desires related to that object may be why the shop settled here. But I cannot know for certain until people arrive and ask for wishes.

[neverwashere]

Maa. You may want to have a few spares lined up in the event of wear and tear.

[There were plenty of heads to smack. Assuming it did actually happen, Fitzgerald might be a little more forgiving. Dostoevsky was still the one Watanuki had to watch out for.

As far as Dazai saw for now, it was really a chicken and egg situation: the Book was rumored to be in Yokohama; therefore, those who wanted it flocked to the place, and this Shop (or, perhaps, even the Book itself) manifested here because of that desire.

Well, he wouldn't mention it for now. Best for the practitioner in the field draw his own conclusions for that.]

Out of curiosity: what is the price of containment were a group to wish for it?

[Spreading the cost was his thought process here, after he heard Watanuki mention the cost for destroying the thing.

He had a feeling money wasn't the main issue here, though he didn't know up to what extent this trade was different.]

[foundfate]

It depends on the people involved. Prices are decided by person, not by wish. If you and a co-worker made exactly the same wish, you two would end up paying different prices.

[That was said with a sense of nonchalance. Watanuki wasn't one to hide the details of his job, and this was just one of them: cost was personal. Asking for $1,000 from a homeless man and asking for $1,000 from a millionaire was not asking the same cost of both of them.]

Why do you ask? Are you thinking of getting a group in on containing that object?

[neverwashere]

Equity, in other words, not equality.

[How intriguing! He could already imagine a certain mafia boss trying to wiggle his way out of such a deal, if Watanuki was unfortunate enough to meet the man.]

More like considering my options. That item has caused a significant amount of disruption for me and my coworkers in the past year alone, and I think we could all do with a little more peace and quiet.

So let's say sealing it away works out. Will your, ah, hitsuzen get in the way of it if there is someone who must inevitably find or use its pages?

[Just checking how airtight this whole thing was.]

[foundfate]

Exactly.

[Time to sip that tea again as he listened to Dazai's talking. Truthfully, Dazai's assumption wasn't wrong. If someone was fated to get the book, they would get it. Watanuki's magic could attempt to change the future, but some things were unavoidable. But instead of admitting that, he said something else entirely.]

The hitsuzen could be your arriving here and negotiating that deal in the first place, though I would be hesitant to do any negotiating with you in regards to that object in the first place. Even if your intent was to bring it directly to me for containing, you would not be able to resist the temptation of using it. You're better off searching for someone trustworthy to pass that task to.

[neverwashere]

[The lack of an answer didn't escape his notice.

This was an interesting switch of topics, though. What exactly had Watanuki picked up on? Dazai didn't think he had any tells that'd lead to that conclusion.]

Eh? I do know someone who can qualify. However, what do you think I'd wish for? Even if there was something I wanted, it's probably unobtainable.

[Four years ago, perhaps, the temptation would be strong. At the present, he was just resigned to some things never happening in his lifetime.

OG Dazai isn't aware of any alternate realities. As far as we can tell, anyway.]

[foundfate]

The way you carry yourself speaks of someone who holds regrets deep inside their heart. Giving that person access to an item that can change the past isn't a wise decision.

[Watanuki didn't know Dazai specifically, but he can see the echoes of hundreds of previous customers in Dazai's features. He doesn't need to know Dazai's specific brand of regret to know that he has things he would change, if given the chance.]

Since you seem interested in my wish-granting, I will tell you this much: I will not kill someone, and I will not return someone to life. The former is a weight I do not want to carry, and the latter is a Taboo that even I will not violate. Most other wishes I will at least consider and name a price for.

[1/2]

[neverwashere]

[...hmm.

Wasn't this too short a time to be called out like that?

Then again, he couldn't fault someone for being too perceptive, even if it placed Dazai himself at a personal disadvantage.]

[2/2]

[neverwashere]

[Neither was he obliged to confirm or deny anything, and Watanuki's own guidelines just proved that a certain old half-boiled want of his was still moot. So, moving on!]

I see you aren't adding to the recent surplus of hitmen. With abilities like yours, most of them would have had to face the dreaded prospect of finding a less lucrative job for longer hours.

In this place, the name of the game is organizational control. I'm sure you can see where acquisitions and loss might lead to in this context, even if murder and resurrection are out of the question.

[It wasn't something he needed to say outright, but he might as well clear that up. Tit for tat, if Watanuki had just revealed to him some of the conditions for his practice.]

[foundfate]

[Well I mean. He did ask.]

I can certainly imagine. Yokohama is hardly unique in that respect.

[Crime was everywhere, and Watanuki had been through his fair share of brushes with the seedy underbelly of humanity in the past. Most of those types only made the mistake of crossing him once.]

So what 'control' are you after, then?

[neverwashere]

[So he did, and Watanuki could've dodged more questions. Knowing how abilities worked was currency for someone often involved in conflicts that included them.]

Not unique, yes, but its frequency is pronounced here.

As for what I'm after: a favorable situation for me and mine. Hardly anything unusual or fancy.

[Mind, he could've gone for an indirect answer, but he considered it a less productive route at the present.]

[foundfate]

The wish isn't unusual, no. But I suspect I will have to do something unusual to make any significant different in the lives of 'you and yours'.

It wouldn't have anything to do with a white tiger, would it?

[This was a guess. Watanuki had seen a white tiger in one of his visions of the future, and he had suspected that he would get a visit from that tiger sometime soon. But what if he wasn't going to meet the tiger, but rather an associate?]

[neverwashere]

'White tiger?'

[And back to being obtuse.

It was just one surprise after the other with this guy. That he didn't connect it with Atsushi's human form might be a favorable sign, but Dazai'd rather know first why Watanuki thought the tiger was relevant here, and where he first heard of it.

Rumors, perhaps? Though Dazai had not heard of any resurgences from that story, and he was sure that finding it was no longer an immediate priority of the police.]

[foundfate]

[Yyyyyep Dazai knew something about it. Maybe he was the intended recipient after all. It would have been easier if Dazai just admitted to it, but some people didn't come quietly. It seemed Dazai was one of those people.

Watanuki took a moment to sip his tea and collect his thoughts. describing his vision but not outright stating it was such was a good way to direct the conversation, or so he figured. Either Dazai would figure out that his knowledge was due to his powers, or he would be interested in finding out more.

When he spoke again it was with a bit of distance, as if he were describing a dream that he had to strain to remember.]

A fearsome beast, a white-striped man-eater. It prowls around under the light of the full moon, frightening those who assume he is out to eat them. But the white tiger isn't looking for food, is it? Hmm...what could he be searching for...

[And then he shrugged and returned to his normal voice.]

Or so it seems that a customer of mine will be tied to that white tiger in some way.

[neverwashere]

[Sorry, old habits die hard.

But that tone Watanuki uses - it's unlikely from a recent memory. Not with how Atsushi's more in control of his tiger form these days.

And not many would note how being eaten's only an assumption.

Atsushi might just like this guy, once he gets past the initial discomfort of his ability being discussed.]

Perhaps you're right.

It's up to the tiger to reveal himself, though he's not usually comfortable showing his fangs outside of fights.

[foundfate]

I imagine a 'man-eating tiger' who has no interest in eating men would be like that, yes.

[After taking a drink, Watanuki set the cup down once more. His tea cup was empty.]

Though I suppose it is none of my concern, unless he comes to make a wish. Outside of my job, I have no place in the day-to-day life of this area.

[neverwashere]

Hmm? None whatsoever? I can think of one or two places that are rather accommodating for tea breaks.

[It was also pretty weird hearing something like that from a shop owner, but then again Watanuki seemed to run things differently. Whatever business contacts this guy had, they probably weren't the usual sort, either.]