2026-07-27: A Horrifying Shadow Beast
- Log: A Horrifying Shadow Beast
- Cast: Hyousuke Suzuki, Ririka Kawase
- Where: A park in Iwatadoi
- OOC Date: 2026-07-27
- IC Date: Sun, Dec 16 2012
- Summary: Hyousuke asks Ririka to help him tame that most terrifying of beasts... an energetic dog that wants attention.
(|============================= Iwatodai Station =============================|)
-================================================== Iwatodai City/Iwatodai ====-
The intersection of high speed rail along the coast of Tokyo and Tatsumi Port
Island's monorail line from the mainland across the sea to its artificial
island, Iwatodai Station is the cornerstone of daily life to the inhabitants of
this place. Even the most jaded salaryman could get lost in the experience of
looking out upon the glittering sea as they ride across it to their daily life.
A multi-story strip mall across the street from the station offers students such
selections as Wakatsu for sushi high in omega-3s to increase that brain power,
Hagakure Ramen with all the collagen you could desire for skin care, or even
Wilduck's infamous Mystery Burger for those who desire an impromptu test of
courage. Net cafes selling some of the latest releases and hole-in-the-wall
bookstores give people endless options of what to do with their evening.
With this blend of local flavor and modern convenience, Iwatodai Station truly
is the ideal option to stop by whether you're coming or going home.
BGM - Tranquility - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvvwVzA1z44
-==== Players =================================================================-
Hyousuke Suzuki [VII]
-=================================== Exits ====================================-
<D> Walk back to Iwatodai Dormitory
<M> Take a walk to The Moonlight Bridge
<N> Go to Naganaki Shrine
<T> Take the Express Train by the Sea to Aoyama-Itchome Station
(|============================================================================|)
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
> dog's doing better now
> want to come meet him
Whether Ririka responded in the affirmative or not was irrelevant. Hyousuke had business near Iwatadoi regardless, and while the fee and equipment required to take a dog onto the subway without issue was a little bit steep for someone that only worked part-time, he was loathe to pass up the chance to take the as-yet unnamed dog out for a lengthy walk. The dog itself did not seem averse to the idea either. While it was at first a little apprehensive about the crate and the subway, it was happy enough to take the chance to laze around, and even seemed a little stubborn about leaving.
The promise of walkies and a little jostling from Hyousuke got it to amble along though the entire thing had been its idea, however, and the two made their way towards the only park in Iwatadoi that he actually remembered the directions to. Even then, it took him a little while to get to the appointed spot, though the golden furball trotting along at his heels hardly seemed to think it was a bad thing. In fact, it seemed a little disappointed that he came to a stop at a bench, looking at him expectantly until he ruffled the fur atop its head.
"Easy now, we're just waiting for someone." He said, smiling a little as he placated it. The dog pushed into his hand, not so much asking for affection as it was demanding it. Sitting and waiting was boring, after all, especially when there was so much room to go for more walks on. And the sticks - there were so many sticks of so many shapes and sizes. What cruel and unusual punishment had been visited upon it, that it had been denied the chance to sally forth and clamp a stick between its jaws?
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
> of course!
> just tell me where
Yesterday... had been a lot of fun. And ririka had been happy to have a chance to see Ikumi again--even if she was a bit shy about having been seen in maid uniform. (But the good kind of shy, that made her heart do funny things.) And it was nice to do something festive for the school, too.
But... she has to go back to the study grind. She's geen trying to take things easier, but she's still feeling the itch to maintain decent grades, so she's been putting all of her spare time into it. Which, at least, is a lot more spare time now that she isn't cramming her schedule full of other music practice.
Still, the chance to see the dog they rescued was too good to pass up. Ririka grabbed a a jacket for the chill and headed out.
"Suzuki-san!" Ririka called as she spotted the other student and the dog both. She's dressed in a jacket, skirt, tights, and her favorte calf-high (but not chunky) boots. She gives a way as she calls out, and picks up the pace. "Hey, this must be your new friend. You're looking a lot better."
She kneels a little, offering her hand out for the dog to sniff.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
The dog turned to face the new human at the same time as Hyousuke did, offering her a glimpse of its features. It was a small thing, properly-proportioned and covered in coat of short, golden, fur from head to tail. Though its body seemed a little round, its features - and, indeed, the face they were set into - were somewhat sharp and angular. The glimpse she was offered only lasted briefly before it ambled over to sniff at her hand. It took only a few seconds of investigation with a bowed head before it nudged into her palm.
She was a person, after all, and she had hands. Was it not his right to demand a tithe of pets?
"He's gonna keep doing that until you pet him." Hyousuke said, smiling a little as he watched the dog all but command Ririka to lavish attention upon it. "Come to think of it, he's probably gonna keep doing that after you stop as well. He's been like that ever since Igor got rid of the curse, and he's had a chance to sleep." For all the fussing the dog did, Hyousuke didn't seem particularly unhappy about it. If anything, seeing it potter around and burn off energy made him the happiest he'd been for a fair while.
"How about you?" He asked, looking back up with a polite, but curious, look. "You been doing alright? I heard Gekkoukan's stalls were pretty busy."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka smiles as the dog wanders over and sniffs. "Awwww. Here you go." She quickly shifts her hand to petting the top of his head. "You know, we never had a pet... someday I kind of thing I'd like a dog, but... not right now. But here you go." Besides, there's Koromaru to take care of, so that's fine.
"So he had a curse...? How awful... he's looking a lot better now, at least. Did Igor say if he'd have any lintering effects? I wonder how he got cursed to begin with..."
"I'm... good. You know. Trying to keep my nose in the books and all that for finals. Are... you feeling okay about finals?" She looks up and laughs a little, "Yeaaaah... one of our classmates kiiind of caused a big commotion and the maid cafe got... really popular. Turns out, people are really into the tsundere maid thing... go figure. I had some people ask me for that, but Iiiii'm nowhere near as good at it as Takeba-san."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
The dog was, of course, pleased with this development. It did not attempt to hide this fact either. Its head wagged as much as its tail did, though while its tail batted the air furiously as its demands were fulfilled, its head rubbed vigorously into her palm with all the energy of a dog that had done little but nap and amble around all day.
"Not a curse, more like a rumour. Me and Ichika-san went hiking and found a collar about where we fought him, so I think it was just a lost dog that was lashing out at people. Rumours started spreading about something in the woods that was attacking people, and well..."
There was still a beast attacking people. However, that beast had shifted its method of attack from savage bits and fearsome slashes to slobbering all over a person's palm and then mopping it up with its own fur. Truly, a most terrifying opponent.
"I don't think there's anything else to worry about for now. Little guy's not got any resonance as far as I can tell, and he's not transformed back as long as I've had him. But Igor said I was gonna have to be responsible for making sure it stays that way. Dunno how he expects me to do that... I don't even have a place to keep him in."
Such notions were not understood by the dog. Blissfully unaware of Hyousuke's current predicament, it focussed instead on sniffing around Ririka's hand, and at whatever other parts of her it could reach. Ankle, hand, arm, hand, wrist, hand again... It may have mentioned it wanted petting before, but insisted upon it again.
"Tell you the truth? I've been doing all I can for finals, but I know I'm not getting into uni. Just passing's been hard enough to do, so I'm not gonna waste anybody's time trying." He laughed, but there was a little bitterness to it. A twinge, carried away by the wind as soon as it manifested, but it was there. "Glad to hear your cafe went well though. Think you'd have had any luck if they'd asked for a rockstar maid instead?" The smile and light chuckle that came with the joke were genuine, at least, even if they were partially intended to clear the air after a rather morose remark.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
It's hard not to be in a good mood with an affectionate dog demanding pets. Ririka listens to Hyousuke's story, though, with a concerned expression."A rumor... how terrible... if h had a collar... is anybody looking for him? Is he chipped?"
Ririka is providing plenty of pets. And scritches! Scritches for chins and ears. She doesn't mind the slobber so much.
But she closes her eyes and concentrates, listening past the sounds of the park and the happy dog noises. There's nothing as far as she can tell, either. But she opens her eyes, looking up at Hyousuke with some surprise. "Igor said you'd have to be responsible for him...? Huh. Maybe... if he doesn't fit the rumor of 'lost dog attacking people' it can't... target him or something?"
But she straightens up a bit more. "You don't have a place to keep him in? Then... what are you going to do? How'ev you been taking care of him so far?"
There's a laugh, and a slight relaxing of her concerns as the dog ges for all the snoffing. "Wha-- hey there, boy, you're friendly, huh...?" Ririka mostly smells like teenage girl, there's some faint traces of hot beverages and sandwiches from yesterday, and her breakfast this morning.
Oh, and she might also smell a little bit like a Shiba Inu that happens to stay at their dorm.
But Hyousuke's convinced he's not getting into uni, and Ririka finds her brow furrowing again. "Hey... even if it's tough... it might not be too late. Nee-chan was worried about that for a while but she's planning for the future again. I bet there's something you can do."
There's a soft smile and a little bit of a laugh at the joke. "Ohh, I could probably manage that. Put my hair up, put on some leather, maybe the boots and the torn tights..." she muses for a moment. "Well, if it comes up next year maybe I'll try it."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke shrugged, the motion jostling the lead a little. The dog looked behind itself, tilting its head a little at what it thought had been a call for its attention, before turning back to face Ririka once it had been established that Hyousuke had not actually tried to shift its focus. Hyousuke himself continued on, either oblivious to the dog's confusion, or simply not thinking it worth remarking on.
"No chip, collar's too damaged to figure anything out... Nothing. I asked Uchida-san if she could help, and I've been poking around when I can, but we've got nothing so far."
He looked the dog over. Even after all it had been through, and even with it no doubt missing its true owners, it still managed to act as calm as could be and adapt to its new environs with remarkable speed. The sheer amount of attention it had gotten over the past few days, as well as long and frequent(ish) walks had no doubt helped, but it was hardly as if he could let the poor thing languish on its own.
"...Don't tell anyone, but I've been keeping him at the dorms. It's only for now, and I'm giving him back as soon as I find his owners. It's just... I can't sign any of the paperwork until I'm older, and there's no chance in hell my parents are gonna talk to me, never mind help me. The only one that could's my brother, but he-"
Hyousuke caught himself before he elaborated, and silently chided himself for lapsing in focus enough for the mention of a sibling to even happen. He made all haste to move on from the subject, doing so with such speed that even the dog's ears pricked up when it happened. It might also have just been it catching the scent of another dog on Ririka's hand, amidst the smells of food and teenage girl-ness.
"A-anyway, it's not important. I'm sure we'll find his owners soon. They're probably missing him as much as he's missing them, so he'll be back home before you know it. Nobody'll have to worry about him turning back if he's back with his family."
Sure, the collar had come off, the dog had no chip, and it was perfectly happy to lounge around in a stranger's room. But he was confident the dog's people would be found eventually. That thought helped him settle himself a little - even if there was a hint of sadness still lingering in the back of his mind for one reason or another - and he began to scratch at the dog's back. It, of course, appreciated attention from both ends, and wagged into both of its friends.
"...We'll see about uni, I guess. Honestly, I haven't even been looking for a place in one. I've just been trying to figure out if there's any jobs that'll take me right now. Maybe I should ask Shimizu-san about it..." He seemed resigned to it - like failure at the entrance exams was a foregone conclusion. Like the attempt would just be wasted effort, and a burden on all involved.
"Call me up if you ever do that rocker-maid thing though. *That* is something I've gotta see."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"No chip, and nothing from the collar... that's too bad... I wonder if anyone's reported a missing dog..." Who do you go to for that? Vets? The police? Ririka hoped it wasn't the police. Especially not the police in Sumaru.
But the dorms. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me, Suzuki-san." She nods along quietly. Can't sign the paperwork, that makes sense. But she pauses as Hyousuke mentions parents and a lack of help. That's concerning, as is the mention of a brother that isn't finished.
Ririka gets having complicated feelings about your parents. Though... Ririka's always known, deep down, she could go to her parents for help--it was mostly her trying to hold herself up to some impossible standard that kept her from doing so. (She still feels like it might be possible, but she's trying to talk herself down from it,.) From what little Hyousuke had just said... that might not be the case for him.
Still, she's curious, but she doesn't want to press the issue, since she doesn't know what the situation is like. It doesn't sound good, though...
"Yeah... you'll find his owners, I'm sure of it. And if you need any help with that, or with getting supplies for him, let us now, okay? I think you're doing a really nice thing to take care of him until you can return him home." She offered what she hoped was a comforting smile. "Oh, you mentioned finding the collar, right? Did you at least find out what his name was?"
Ririka's always been certain about what she'd be doing--but her problem, at the moment, is chosing how. But that's not something she's going to share in the moment. "Well, I hope you can find something you like to do, Suzuki-san. Maybe..." She let that trail off. Better not say too much on that subject.
She grinned a little. "Sure! Dunno when I might, but... I'll let you know if I do."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Ririka keeping the secret safe was enough to draw a warm - if somewhat weak - smile onto Hyousuke's face. Her offering some comforting words only served to further reinforce that. The dog itself did not quite understand what had happened, but it understood that the two humans got along and were relatively happy, and that made it happy. It also alerted it to the fact that they were paying attention to each other, and not to it. Such a travesty was not allowed to stand, and it huffed a little, looking expectantly up at Ririka for more pets.
"I know we'll find them soon. I've been checking missing animal reports around that area since we got back, and I'm sure Uchida-san'll probably be able to figure something out once she gets a good look at him." It was, after all, rather distinct. Gold-furred breeds were not unheard of, but most were too big for an apartment in the city - a small one with such features was bound to be, at the very least, recognisable to its owners. "'Course, it probably *would* be easier with the name, but the collar was too damaged for that. I don't want to give him a new name if I'm not even gonna have him for a week, but it's been getting pretty awkward. You think it'd be alright if I gave him one for now?"
The dog gave no answer. It seemed to have no preference, instead taking an interest in a passing insect, pulling away from the pets to sniff at the ground and discern what this strange new creature's business was.
"Maybe Melon Bread? He kinda looks like it." Hyousuke pondered the thought for a moment, before pulling a face. "...Nah, that's too much of a mouthful. Maybe Pudding. His fur kinda looks like the right colour for it." Hyousuke, much like the dog, seemed oblivious to the fact that he'd listed off two sweet foods as potential (and temporary) names.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Don't worry, don't worry, I haven't forgotten you," Ririka cooed to the dog, resuming the pettings. "Who's a good boy and isn't a horrifying shadow beast? It's you!"
"Well, Uchida-san is a detective--or in training, I guess--I'm sure she can figure something out. That's kind of what she's training for, huh?" But the collar couldn't illuminte the name, either. "Shoot. That's too bad..." And Hyousuke doesn't want to give him one, if this is temporary. Ririka nods along. "Oh, yeah, I guess I get that."
But she considers the naming matter. "I mean... it might be nice not to have to refer to him as 'the dog'? Even if it's only for a couple of days... we know you're not trying to keep him, right? So I think it's okay."
Ririka lets the dog wander off, and stiffles a giggle into her hand when Hyousuke names two sweet things as suggestions. that's cute! "'Melon Bread' might be a little unwieldy," she agree. "'Pudding' is cute. Maybe... if you try some names with him he might have a reaction?"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
It was indeed him that was not a twisted abomination born from man's subconscious. The dog did not quite get what Ririka had said, and did not particularly care to. All that mattered to it was that she had given it attention. And that there was an insect wandering by. Upon further inspection, it was an ant. A fascinating creature, the dog seemed to think - assuming it had a thought going on behind those eyes in the first place. Hyousuke, for his part, was more invested in the conversation than in the local flora and fauna.
"Then until Uchida-san gets back to me, I guess I can try seeing if he likes any of the names. I'm pretty sure sure he'd react to any kinda name with food. Or walks."
He looked at the crouched and sniffing dog, noting how its tail had slowed, but had not stopped wagging completely. "...Or insects, I guess. Thinking about it, I'm probably gonna be here a while doing that, aren't I?" He chuckled, half at his own joke, half at the dog making its own fun. "...But thanks. For coming out with me. And for offering to help with the little guy. I've got it covered for now - me and some friends are hitting Mementos hard to make sure I don't run out of food for him, and the guys in the dorm are fine with looking after him while I'm out - but it's good to know I can count on you."
Hyousuke paused for a moment, afflicted with the feeling he probably should have reflected on those words, before dismissing it out of hand.
"...Actually, I think there's something you *can* help me with right now. Maybe Yamagishi-san, Mandai-san, and Sanada-san too. I got no real idea what to name a dog, and you guys helped him as much as I did that night, so I think it's only right you guys get a say in it too."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Such are the mysterious contemplations of the dog...
Ririka nodded, standing up now that the dog had lost interest in her for the moment. "I think that's all you can do..." she commented of the name. She offered a smile. "I'm sure he'll tell you what he likes, though."
She chuckled. "Not unless you find a name he likes really fast, right?" The smile grew warmer as Ririka nodded. "Hey, sure, you're welcome." But the smile faded as Hyousuke mentioned Mementos. "Oh, well... just be careful, okay? You've gotta be able to keep taking care of him, right?"
"Hmm? Oh!" Ririka considered it, fingers tapping on her thigh. "Wellll... if you want us to give you some ideas, I can ask them if they have any. I'll ask Mandai-chan, too. Oh! and..."
Ririka slipped off her backpack, and reached into it to retrieve a small package. "I know it's a little early, but since I wasn't sure when we'd both run into each other again..." She offered it forward. "Do you mind if I give it to you now? You can wait to open it if you want."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke took the package and gave it a curious look, tilting his head a little as if the different angle would shed any light upon what lay within the present's confines. Noticing that Hyousuke had taken an interest in something, the dog padded up and stood at his feet, canting its own head sidewards as it looked at this strange new object. Though it leaned up to try and sniff at it, Hyousuke made sure to keep it out of reach. Upon being denied the chance to investigate something, the dog let out a soft - but notably indignant - bark.
"Oh, you didn't have to..." Hyousuke said, though the broad and beaming smile that curled his lips made it patently clear how he truly felt about it. "...But thanks. Really, I mean it. Not just for this either - you've been doing a lot for me this year, and it's... Well, it's appreciated." Hyousuke had faced down beasts twice his size and men with murderous spirits puppeteering their every movement. But it was baring his soul and giving heartfelt thanks that he seemed to truly struggle with, even with how genuine his sentiments were. "I wasn't sure I'd get to see you before break, so I gave yours to Ichika-san. I don't know if you're gonna wait to open yours, but I think I'm gonna do it for yours."
He fixed it with another curious gaze, as if there were something else he wanted to say, but the sentiment vanished quickly when he felt something pawing at his leg.
"Alright, alright, we'll get going. Honestly, what am I gonna do with you..." Hyousuke chuckled, then stood straight. "I think he's getting impatient. You want to walk and talk? You can take his lead, if you want. I think he likes you." The dog thought it liked Ririka too. She was a nice human and gave pets when they were demanded. Unlike a certain someone that did not give it strange rectangles when it was clearly entitled to them.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
What Hyousuke discovers by looking at the box from a different angle is that... it has a different outline. Isn't Geometry fun?
"I didn't, but... I wanted to," Ririka said with a grin. "You're welcome. It's been... some kind of year, huh?" But Ichika has hers--and Ririka clocks the use of the first name but doens't comment. "Oh! Cool. Thanks, Suzuki-san! I'll wait, promise."
The next gaze reveals... a different outline! Though it's pretty similar to the previous one...
Ririka pulls her backpack back on and nods. "Sure, I don't mind walking with you for a bit. Stretching my legs will do me some good..." She'll take the leash if offered, and he can spend a little bit more time walking and talking--and giving the dog pets, of course.