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

[neverwashere]

[He chuckled. All or nothing, was it? Right, fair enough.]

What, concerned you might bump into former customers who didn't exactly know what they were asking for?

[He was still thinking about cautionary tales and being careful of wishes, not quite aware of just how applicable they were in this situation. Knowing the book exists and seeing it work didn't necessarily make it easier to accept other avenues of wish granting that could potentially warp reality.]

Can they even ask for refunds?

[Another indirect question on the nature of the price might be asked. Watanuki had already mentioned significant costs, but for Dazai, that was a little hard to quantify without a benchmark.]

[foundfate]

It happens from time to time, and it isn't always pretty. And no, there are no refunds. Once a wish is made, it is made. Some of the prices are not easy to return, nor are effects of wishes easy to reverse.

[He could sense that an example would help with picturing that, so he decided to be a bit forthcoming with a wish he made of his own. Maybe that would help paint the picture.]

Back before I was the shop owner, and I just worked as a part-timer instead, I lost my right eye in an incident. I would have been without an eye my entire life except a friend made a wish to give me half of his right eye instead. I don't know what price he paid for it, as he never told me, but now I see through his eye. The magic of the wish translated 'half of his eye' into half of his eyesight capabilities, so we each ended up with a whole eye while our vision was half of perfect eyesight each.

I'm sure you can imagine why it would be difficult to reverse that wish.

[1/2]

[neverwashere]

[Oh that made the picture crystal clear.

And also thanks Watanuki for clearing up that 'half of his right eye' bit, because Dazai was about to imagine how that would've been accomplished literally.]

[2/2]

[neverwashere]

So magic is real.

[. . .]

Sure you're not into organ trafficking?

[Just pointing out what that sounded like.

Also, he refrained from asking about that friend. That kind of willingness spoke volumes.]

[foundfate]

It's not organ trafficking if all parties involved agree to it.

[Yep.]

It's not always as simple as taking something from one person and giving it to someone else either. Sometimes it's something like "I wish my friend wasn't so sad anymore". In that case, I wouldn't take away someone's happiness and give it to someone else. Emotions don't work that way. The person making the wish would pay a price, and the person receiving the benefits would get something else to facilitate the wish.

Besides, most people make wishes for themselves, not for others.

[neverwashere]

[Dazai merely smiled. Pointing out that there were people who voluntarily sold their organs to someone in the black market for a quick buck was already irrelevant. That, after all, wasn't the spirit in which he got his eye.

As for that last point - well. That was a fair observation.]

True enough.

You've mentioned some wishers wanting more than they could pay. Have you encountered someone who tried to pay a huge sum before even knowing the correct amount due?

[This time, he was thinking about Atsushi again. If his appearances near the shop carried the same 'inevitability' as Dazai's own visit, that meant he might cross paths with Watanuki soon.

Dazai did think they'd get along. However, it was probably a different story if it got to the point where his uneasy co-existence with the tiger broke, and he could no longer tolerate his other nature.]

[foundfate]

Occasionally, under the previous owner. It is why I am upfront with all of my prices. As soon as someone states their wish, I tell them the price.

[Some changed had to be made with a new owner, after all. Watanuki was never a fan of using someone's wording to trap them in a terrible wish. For all of his talk of being impartial, he still had a soft spot for people in general.]

And if what they want is too expensive, I tell them that outright.

[neverwashere]

[How upfront. The change of bartering style was refreshing, for all that Dazai could imagine it bringing problems to the shopkeeper.

Normally, he'd question how thus was economically viable, but the usual rules of human economics seemed to not apply.]

It's an approach beneficial for your visitors, even if not all of them will appreciate it.

There is something I might need in the future. Assuming we both agree to the deal - is there such a thing as a conditional and delayed execution of contract in your trade?

[There was a seed of an idea. Dostorvsky might be lying low for now, but there was no guarantee he'd quit targeting Fukuzawa, as the Agency's leader.

First the virus, then the arrest.

He didn't like that he had to make contingency plans for that dark possibility, but needs must.]

[foundfate]

That can be worked into the wish, yes. I've done so before. Usually a set condition or phrase is put on the wish, and it doesn't activate until that condition is met or those words are said.

Of course, you would still have to pay the price upfront. Even if the wish was never used it would still have to be paid for.

[So no 'set up a thing and only pay for it if it's used'. Watanuki doesn't work like that.]

[neverwashere]

[An understandable policy. He chuckled and slid his hands into his pockets.]

Then let's see if I can actually part with the cost, no?

That boy with the long belt you keep seeing. At the moment, he can only control his transformations thanks to my boss' ability and his own reluctance, [or so he suspected] but there's a chance he'll be pulled off those training wheels sooner than expected.

Should that happen and until such a time he can willingly reconcile and transform, I'd wish for his ability to control the transformations without my intervention.

[A stopgap, in other words.

At this point, the tiger thing should be clearer to Watanuki]

[foundfate]

[Pieces were certainly falling into place, yes. A reluctant weretiger, one who needed the magic of another to keep himself in control...hmm...

Watanuki mulled over the wish as he prepared his pipe, packing a bit more tobacco into the end of it. Then he lit it, and he took a draw from it, exhaling the smoke with a slow breath. It was only then that he finally answered.]

You want a way for him to remain in control, for the tiger to be able to hide his stripes at will. That is certainly something I can do. However-

[With his free hand, Watanuki will reach over to indicate to one of Dazai's bandaged wrists.]

In order for him to hide the darker parts of his life, you must give up your ability to do the same.

[1/2]

[neverwashere]

[Whatever price he expected, that certainly wasn't it.

One personal choice for another, was it?]

[2/2]

[neverwashere]

[Discomfort settled under his skin at the mere thought of exposure. To cover the 'darker parts of his life,' indeed. He already covered himself with bandages even before holding a gun, witnessing a murder, meeting Mori - a lifetime of scars littered his skin, the causes of which were always indirect, for all that some of them were intentional attempts.]

My actual wallet's going to dry up with a wardrobe change.

[And turtlenecks were distinctly not the same as gauze clinging to his skin.

But only if he agreed.

And the question circled back to himself: just how far would he go for Atsushi's sake?]

[foundfate]

It shouldn't change too much. Stick to lighter clothes in summer, warmer clothes in winter. Dressing for the weather is acceptable. But purposefully wearing turtlenecks and covering clothing to make up for the loss of bandages would not be. And should you ever choose to violate the terms of the wish, then your co-worker would lose the control you are asking for him.

[It was indeed a tough decision for Dazai, and that was on purposes. Wishes were never cheap, and each wish's price was very personal. It had to be, as Watanuki had to factor in the rules of karma to the wishes he granted.]

You don't have to decide immediately. The offer will remain open for as long as I am in Yokohama, which should be a while yet.

[neverwashere]

[Even that comfort was denied him.

No wonder the easy practicality of writing on paper was preferable to this, if personal cost was what was being balanced.]

I'll let you know, then.

[He wasn't bitter. Really.

(Maybe he was, a little, over the general situation.)

As far as he could see, these prices were penalties for taking the shorter route for a guaranteed outcome, as opposed to years of personal refinement: one giant leap down, instead of incremental stumbling.

As far as concealing the book went, it seemed they'd have to stick to the old plan, and that half-baked idea he had earlier was easily tossed out the window. This deal on Atsushi, however, was something he'd continue weighing. Might have to.

Never letting him know was the only thing Dazai was certain of, and this wasn't exactly out of kindness. Atsushi being ineffective because of guilt wasn't something they could afford.]

If this does fall through, is there a confidentiality clause of sorts? Or will there be an extra fee for that?

[foundfate]

There's no extra fee for that. Until the deal is made, you aren't technically a customer of mine, so there is nothing to share. And if someone wants information on a wish someone has made, then they will need to pay the price for that information. I don't make a habit of giving confidential information out freely.

[That might not be so reassuring, but Daza would be safe for the time being. If he decided to actually make the wish, though, there might be conditions applied to giving out that information. It's worth looking into, should he decide to make that wish.]

[neverwashere]

[Not to worry, he'd come up with a solution for it. Someone would profit from asking - Dazai if he could help it, or the Agency.

Never mind that he still hadn't made up his mind when he visited the shop again the following week, except the sight before him meant he was almost out of time: a frustrated Tachihara in military uniform had just emerged from the gates, nearly bumping into Atsushi.]

Fuck, watch i-

...it's you. Tch.

[Tachihara grimaced, lowering the cap to shield his eyes, and carried on at a sedate pace with one hand in his pocket. Looks like someone has a lot on his mind.

Atsushi might also notice Dazai watching the Hunting Dog with a grave expression. Hmm.]

[foundfate]

[Atsushi definitely noticed, and after glancing between Tachihara and Dazai for a moment he finally settled on Dazai with a concerned look.]

Dazai-san...?

[He didn't ask the question out loud, but it was hanging there between them: what's going on? What is this place? And why was Tachihara of all people there?

The answers could be found within the shop itself. Watanuki was busy cleaning up from the previous customer, but he was available if Dazai and Atsushi entered.]

[neverwashere]

Well, if it isn't Atsushi-kun.

[He waved as he walked closer, peering at the sign posts and whistling.]

Fancy seeing you here. Enjoying the view? You must have quite the eye for architecture if these caught your attention.

[Mind, if Atsushi denied anything, Dazai would give him a friendly slap on the back with enough force to have him stumble past the threshold and into the shop's front yard. Lookit, a helping hand!]

[foundfate]

Ah- well- not really-

[Denial time was a go, as was shoving Atsushi into the shop yard with that 'friendly slap on the back'. Atsushi stumbled in and fell flat on his face, ass-up in the air.

The world seemed to go unsettlingly quiet as soon as Atsushi entered the shop grounds, though. It was as if the whispers of the wind and the tree branched had been called to a quick halt upon finding an interloper in their conversation and had started to stare down said interloper.

It felt like thousands of eyes were watching both Atsushi and Dazai, and given that neither of them would be able to see said eyes it might have been unnerving. Atsushi certainly looked bothered by it, though a cursory glance around didn't show any observers nearby.]

[neverwashere]

Whoops!

[Dazai followed him in soon after, whistling with his hands in his pockets, and stepped past Atsushi to head to the front doors. Do follow him in.]

Watanuki-san? You in there?

[At least he announced himself this time?

If there were plenty of unseen figures watching them, well. That was just slightly annoying. Dazai simply worked with the assumption that this was part of Watanuki's now improved barrier over the shop - things didn't feel like this the last time around]

[foundfate]

[That's partially true, since at least two sets of eyes belonged to the ones responsible for that barrier. If Dazai was observant he would catch a flash of pink and blue before the girls disappeared around a corner. They were staying far away from Dazai, it seemed.

Watanuki was actually in his lounge, relaxing on a couch while fanning himself with a paper fan. It wasn't too terribly hot, but it seemed Watanuki did not enjoy even a mild heat. Maybe it's the heavy kimonos he wears.]

Yes, I'm here. I see you brought a friend this time.

[Atsushi seemed a touch intimidated being called out like that, but he stayed right next to Dazai and cast the man a quizzical look. Who was this strange person?]

[neverwashere]

[Hard to miss the flashes ocolores in all this wood.

An amused smile lifted his lips at the sight of Watanuki lounging. Refreshing to see him do as he pleased, in contrast to their first meeting.]

So I did. [He gave Atsushi's belt a meaningful glance before smiling at its owner. Wait and see.] Busier than last time, I take it?

[foundfate]

Much busier. In the last week alone nearly a dozen people have come in here for wishes. A dozen! Normally I get one or two customers a week.

[Atsushi, still unsure, mouths 'customers?' to Dazai. What is this guy going on about?

Watanuki will sit up though, which lets his kimono sleeve slide down slightly and reveal just a little bit of his shoulder. He sure does keep that thing loose on himself, doesn't he?]

Are you two my next customers, then?

[neverwashere]

Maybe, maybe not.

[Dazai was close to saying 'yes,' given the situation he stumbled on outside the shop. Oh, but why should he get straight to the point? He could match the slow pace of Watanuki's unintentional striptease.

He gave Atsushi an encouraging smile and nudged him a step forward.]

This one, though, kept on peeking in, and I figured he might as well satiate his curiosity.

Say 'hi' to our dear proprietor, Atsushi-kun. He just set up shop around a week ago.