Video Post

[koukai_kirai]

Posted by: Hachiman
When: Nov. 28

Back when I was human, a few months before I was taken here, I cut my hair.

[Hijikata raises a hand to sweep at the ends of it, now roughly shoulder-length.]

There were a few different reasons for it, and I won't be getting into them right now. But I forgot how damned long it takes to grow out -- haven't had it short since I was a kid.

If anyone knows any good styles for it at this length, I'm all ears. It's getting too long for the way I've been wearing it, but it's still too short to keep it how I'm used to.

...I'd say that this post feels too frivolous, but I've seen what half of the rest of you use this network for. [A confusing waste of invaluable technology, but whatever, he guesses the cat videos make Souji happy?]

That said, I should probably say something productive. As a reminder, or for anyone unaware, anyone needing instruction in practical combat skills can seek it at my shrine. Those in need of shelter or defense can come here whenever they need to, as well.

[He gives a small smile, slightly wry but surprisingly genuine.] I don't see any reason that the mortal and living should be the only ones under my protection.

Comments

[pure_radiantics]

[ Kairi latches onto an early remark, quiet and musing as she responds. ]

You're saying that you don't feel human anymore?

[koukai_kirai]

[It's not what he was expecting someone to reply, and for a moment, her question catches him off guard. His eyes widen, and he's silent a moment longer than he really intends to be.]

[The pause isn't too noticeable, though, as he quickly recovers and shakes his head.]

Technically speaking, I don't suppose I am anymore. I don't feel like less of a person for it, though, if that's what you mean.

[pure_radiantics]

[ She nods slowly. ]

I guess that's what I meant. I think of someone like Dust as a person, but I also know he's not human. It's just a little stranger to hear coming from someone who really does look human.

[koukai_kirai]

There's no reason being a god would make me look different.

[Okay, maybe it might, but he's not sure extra arms or radiant light or whatever would really be his style anyhow.]

If you go back into the old legends, the previous Hachiman was a human first, as well. One of the early emperors.

[Just a bit fancier than his own origins.]

audio, from: Li Tieguai

[reformedsinner]

[In a very helpful tone] Ah, that's the length where you probably want hair clips.

Or you could pull the top layer into a tail?

audio

[koukai_kirai]

Hn.

[There's a quiet shuffling over the line for a moment, as he attempts the second suggestion.]

And just... leave the lower layer loose?

[reformedsinner]

Yes, exactly. If it's not long enough to put it all together in a braid or ponytail, pulling the top layer back at least keeps it out of your eyes.

[Cho Hakkai: murderer, demon, hairstylist. Or, at least, he'd watched Gojyo go through that awkward stage of having hair long enough to get everywhere and not long enough to do anything with.]

[koukai_kirai]

It's definitely not long enough to braid...

You said something about clips? Most of the ones I've seen around here look like they're marketed towards young girls.

[He's not so sure about some elements of modern gendered marketing -- he's a manly man and he likes to look at pretty things and be well-dressed and smell nice??? -- but he's committed to his color scheme of "black and sometimes a little bit of subtle red if he's feeling rakish," so a lot of the accessories he's seen for longer hair are out of the question as far as he's concerned.]

[reformedsinner]

They're not all pastel and floral, I promise. Try an accessory shop, and you should be able to find some in black or tortoiseshell.

[Not that there's anything wrong with pastel and floral, or cute animal shapes for that matter, but it doesn't exactly suit Hijikata's aesthetic.]

Or plain bobby pins, for that matter. That's how Ken keeps his hair out of his eyes.

[koukai_kirai]

I'll see what I can find at the higher-end ones. Just as long as it isn't too gaudy.

[He'll leave the rainbows and cute baby animals and bright colors to Souji, thanks.]

[reformedsinner]

Actually, the plain ones tend to be cheaper....

[So, perhaps not too high-end. Though if he wants anything particularly cute or bright-colored for Souji, he'll find those at the high-end shops.]

[koukai_kirai]

The shops that cater to older, more professional clientele, though. I'm not in the market for overpriced, colorful plastic.

[reformedsinner]

My mistake. [That's definitely a chuckle.]

Well, I'm afraid I couldn't speak to those. I keep my hair short.

... It's kind of you to offer your shrine to anyone who needs shelter. I know we rather often have shinki in that situation.

[koukai_kirai]

[He'll ignore that chuckle. He's a very dignified man, okay?]

Shinki without gods, or shinki who'd be better off without theirs? Either way, it does still happen far too often.

[reformedsinner]

[He's briefly silent. He's not sure how personal that is, given how things had gone with Ayumu... but it's probably for the best to let it pass without comment.]

There is a shelter for shinki without gods already, after all. And I would hope that shinki who would be better off without theirs would be released.

[koukai_kirai]

One would hope. It isn't always simple incompatibility, though.

[It's not a barb aimed at Hakkai -- he let Ayumu go, after all. But damn, he still bristles when he thinks of the way Jennifer's god treated her.]

video from literally just another room

[spes_phthisica]

I'm sure I could do something with these!

[Holding up a couple of hair ties with cute unicorns on them, which he frequently uses to get his hair out of his eyes while training nowadays. A helper!]

Sooj why

[koukai_kirai]

No.

[Absolutely the fuck not.]

he's a good shinki

[spes_phthisica]

Awww, are you sure? I bet I could at least manage some pigtails with that length.

[In case Hijikata doesn't know what those are, he demonstrates with his own hair.]

[reformedsinner]

No, not always.

[He sighs, just loud enough to be audible, and adds in a lighter tone:]

Although I'm glad to say that Loki is no longer among us. Which is, at least, one troublesome god gone.

so many questions about why you're the way you are

[koukai_kirai]

That looks ridiculous even on you.

[And youthful, feminine things suit Souji.]

[koukai_kirai]

One does have to appreciate the small victories in life.

[That is to say, fuck that guy in particular.]

[reformedsinner]

[Admittedly, arranging for Loki to be shot in the head had ended in Hakkai being strangled to death and Ayumu ending their partnership, but, still: worth it.]

Indeed one does.

sugar and spice and everything nice

[spes_phthisica]

[Sticking out his tongue at Hijikata like a mature adult.]

You're just being silly. But fine. If you find some way to solve it, I can probably work out how to do it.

[Because listen, maybe he just likes fussing with Hijikata's hair?]

text from Sha Gojyo

[erogappa]

following