party rock is in the house tonight

[ninjou]

Who: Osamu Dazai, and YOU!
What: A man about town being a man about town, i.e. various prompts and excitement where our intrepid rescuer sets himself up to be an intrepid hot mess.
When: 3/28-3/31
Where: An alleyway, a bar, and snooping around some music stores.
Warnings: Alcohol and possible discussion or use of drugs. Possible suicide mentions. As always please fill out this content warning post with regard to that if desired. Thanks!!


alley cat blues
Dazai is the sort of guy who can be subtle or not, and switch with such ease that it's almost scary. This is one of those more subtle days. He's been surreptitiously tailing anyone he finds interesting, and succeeding grandly at looking inconspicuous and like he's just there, not following at all. How about that? Although this time, he might (deliberately) get caught near one of the other rescuers, around whom he's much less cautious. Why them? Well, he's a pinch hitter right now until he finds his own target for rescuing. Sure, it's a group effort, but none of the musicians are interesting on the surface. He has to figure them out, whittle them down to what's real and what's imagined. Fun stuff. No, seriously, he thinks it's fun.

Musicians may get a little taste of what seems like a fan who simply seems too shy to ask for an autograph. This is the Dazai laying in wait. And looking kind of cute in his fedora and loose shirt and hole-y jeans. What's up with the bandages on his neck, chest, and arms? He'll never tell!~


barring disaster
Okay, so this one's a little less subtle in intent. The same Dazai, same week, can then be found in the later evenings at a different bar each night. One night, class and charm turned on in the glittering establishment for those post-work cocktails, where he'll compliment you gently with a soft smile and interested eyes.

The next, a little honky-tonk kind of place with dancing and loud music. He only participates in the line dancing once, but it seems to amuse him to no end, and he makes a valiant attempt to shove you out into the fray. His eyes sparkle with mischief and dullness at once.

Another night, and he's at a bustling, small place, loud and smoky and god knows what's going on because it's so chaotic. Here's where he'll shout that your fly is unzipped, whether true or not, and hand you a beer for no reason. Careless and jovial, there's still something about the way he looks at you that says he's watching every move you make.

The last night. The crazy night. Loud again, but in a place infamous enough that one wouldn't suspect a guy like him to even be let in. He's all scruff and carelessness, and they're all the cream of the crop when it comes to throwing money at nothing. Who knows what goes on in the back? For now, he's at the bar, poking around a weird residue on the counter while looking visibly intoxicated. Maybe you're about to get herded to the back for a talk.


disc jockey
If there's anything Dazai loves, it's music! Okay, not necessarily--some of these bands are really shitty in his opinion (sorry folks!). He stands around at the music store, or listening to various people's music--he's pulling headphones off heads and tuning in for a second before excusing himself and taking them back--sampling the wares, as it were, of each famous group. He's settled on his weird favorite, of course, but it's generally considered good form to get to know the brainwashed folks' art form. Maybe he can start unraveling things from there. With all the appearance in this case of a cloud cuckoolander, there's little one can do but stare. Or have your headphones absconded with for a brief moment.

Comments

1?

[sharktrash]

[ Well, he might have to ask if he wants anything. Squalo barely spares him a glance as he passes by, not exactly in a hurry but not looking in the mood for detours either (when is he). ]

[ Lucky for us, his inherent bully tendencies are mostly back to normal, so of course when he realizes something unusual about the guy, he's going to make a comment. In this case, the bandages. ]

Halloween was five months ago.

[ninjou]

Was it?

[WELL RATS, HE MISSED IT.

Not really.

Dazai, smiling that half-vacant way he usually does, trots right up and in step with Squalo.]

Hey, are you that one guy?

[sharktrash]

[ HOW EMBARRASSING FOR YOU. Think positive, though, maybe you're just seven months early. ]

[ Ugh, great. An annoying fan? But he'd know who he was in that case. Why are there people who just feel like they need to chat? His expression's pretty flat as he looks at him again. ]

Be more specific.

[ninjou]

Squalo...? [He says it nice and slow, complete with obvious question mark. He's just ~not sure~! Or a liar. Try to guess which. He's not here for an autograph, either, but he takes a bag off his shoulder and starts to dig around like he's looking for something.]

[sharktrash]

[ ...alright then. ]

Congratulations on reading the fucking news. Yeah, that's me.

[ninjou]

[ALL SMILES. Kind of a weird, knowing smile as he digs in the bag, digs, digs...]

Great! Well, it's a pleasure to meet you.

[sharktrash]

[ TOO LONG NOTHING IS HAPPENING YOU GET A "NO" ]

[ Squalo deadeyes him and turns to go. ]

Yeah, whatever.

[ninjou]

[FLAIL]

Hey, wait! I was looking for... aha!

[A CD!]

Could you sign this? Please? It would mean a lot.

[sharktrash]

... Sure.

[ He shrugs and holds a hand out for it while reaching into his coat to retrieve a marker with the other one. That'd better be a MANTICORE CD, though. ]

first bar

[bass_instincts]

Shin's been sampling the local bars as often as he's been actually working and recording, or at least he would if the label wasn't working him so hard. He looks rather exhausted as he's staring into his drink. He's about to close out and leave to find somewhere he might be able to get some coke when Dazai shoots him a complement. He's not unused to compliments, but he's feeling reckless, which has been the standard for him lately. He wasn't sure if the guy recognized him or not, but he flashes him a flirtatious smile anyway, "Well, I don't come cheap for a reason."

oh lord

[ninjou]

Dazai has this lovely thing called not being a mindless slave to music going on, but he recognizes that guy when he sees him. It's not surprising that any of them would be a little easy...

...to compliment, that is! He's able to extend the bright, innocent smile when the compliment is accepted, even if the reply after it can be taken a dozen different ways. He's looking a little tousled when he takes his hat off and fans himself with it, then replaces it.

"Right! Music is an expensive industry! You're talented, too, so you're probably costing them a pretty penny right now, as well." Talks like a moron, looks like he's seeing right to your soul. "No, I won't bug you for an autograph. That's not my style at all."

I'm sorry I'm not sorry

[bass_instincts]

Shin laughs darkly as his comment is deflected. He didn't expect it to be taken seriously, but to be taken as an industry whore. He wondered why that didn't bother him as much as it probably should. "Yeah, that's totally it. I don't mind signing one if you want," he says a bit tired. "I'm just going to bleed them dry buying fancy shit." Even though he says that, he's wearing clothes that look like they came from a dumpster. Maybe he's spending it all on hair product? It must take a lot to keep it spiked.

He smiles more warmly, expertly putting up a mask of there being nothing wrong, "So, you often rub elbows with the rich and famous?"

bless

[ninjou]

Master of deflection; one grows accustomed to it after a while. Dazai, of course, meant no real insult, just a little jab at the industry and not the individual. He nods in approval at the comment.

"I say do it. If it makes you feel at home, do what you have to do, It's probably a really tough job, working long hours and concerts and whatnot. I respect it well enough."

Then he holds up his elbow and prods it a bit. "I try, but they called it bony. Go figure." Then he extends a hand. "Kunikida." Throwing absent comrades under the bus is fun.

lovely boys

[bass_instincts]

"Shin," he says, shaking the guy's hand. "At least you aren't fawning over me. That has it's perks, but it sometimes feels like work too. Came here to take a break. I don't know why I bother with the sunglasses, it never seems to help anyway." His sunglasses are tinted blue and match his hair, with a little flair on the corners of the Vivvian Westwood orb. Probably to make tracking him easier, not that he's even thought of that yet. He would probably laugh if someone suggested it.

"So, what brings you to this place? I'm trying to avoid rabid fans." This kind of straight-laced bar isn't exactly his usual scene, though he just got kicked out of the dive bar near the studio building. Daiaz may have noticed a tabloid about it.

gonna be good stuff here

[ninjou]

"Shin!" He lights up a little, squints. looks him over, then smiles somewhat brightly. Might seem slightly exaggerated. "You're in my favorite band of all time." If he wanted to do a little fancy creepy fan thing, he could rattle off the published vital stats, but he doesn't. He just shakes Shin's hand and gives him a once-over, appraising look, taking in every part of his wardrobe, his posture, his expression.

"I'm not rabid. I'm new to the neighborhood and this place seemed nicer than the one by my apartment. Am I wrong? That would be embarrassing." He's seen it. The sordid details made him a little more interested in the band, so to speak. "I'm the lone wolf sort, but you know bars and going solo..."

/sobs it's beautiful

[bass_instincts]

"I've not been playing with them long, but I'm glad you like it." He drinks in the appraising look, giving a bit of a sultry smile. He'd rather a lady, but he could try baiting this guy for fun. "Eh, it's okay. Too polished for my taste, but they still take my money, so that counts for something." He puts an elbow on the bar and leans towards the other man a bit, "Besides, going solo's the best way to find a bit of extra fun."

/cries a single tear

[ninjou]

"I think you have real talent, there." And also they're a little more interesting than some of the other groups. Dazai settles his own elbow on the bar, rests his chin on it, and doesn't back off at the lean.

"The drinks are good. I hope I can walk home after I'm done. Wouldn't it be a shame if I was too drunk to make it?" It sounds incredibly factual, to the point, and he doesn't seem to be taking that bait in anything more than words.

Pretty darn good words, he'll admit. Probably work pretty well on most.

#1

[i_am_not_cute]

[Pao-Lin is dressed pretty low-key compared to her usual stage outfits, but she still stands out in a crowd. As a result, she's used to getting attention even when "off-the-clock." So she picks up on Dazai tailing her fairly quickly.

But she doesn't really acknowledge it until she makes her way to one of the city's public parks. Pao-Lin sits down in a somewhat secluded but still populated area of a garden, setting herself up to be approached if Dazai chooses. If he doesn't, she'll call him out.]

[ninjou]

[He's just some nerd clutching a fashion mag and looking from it, to her, and back...]

Ah...

[Talking to himself...]

[i_am_not_cute]

[Pao-Lin gives a good-natured sigh. She picks herself up and walks over to him with a bright smile.]

Nice day today, huh?

[ninjou]

[Oh. He's been caught. How unfortunate. I guess he'll just have to play cool! He nods and smiles faintly and casually holds the magazine down at his side.]

Isn't it? [He glances away, then back.] I guess I bothered you, didn't I?

[i_am_not_cute]

Not at all! [Really, his stalking is benign compared to what others have done.] But you don't have to be shy now that there aren't bodyguards following me.

[Uh, not exactly the best idea to be disclosing when you do and don't have guards with you, babygurl. Even if the lack of bodyguards is rather obvious.]

[ninjou]

[It's a great idea! The best, possibly. He doesn't seem creepy about it, nor overly delighted, but rather understanding.]

It must be so nice to get away from all that.

[i_am_not_cute]

Yeah, it does. But I'm used to it!

So what's your name, huh?

effin' notifs.

[ninjou]

Watson!

[Please don't question it.]

And I'm really pleased to meet you. I mean, you're famous and all, so who wouldn't be?