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[Hijikata was just having the time of his life on the Island of Dreams, playing with a whole bunch of cute mayonnaise mascots, when a little bird (literally or not... who knows) told him that back in Camelot his ghost subordinates are being hunted and trapped by dark web denizens. Shit!! Why does this happen the one time his burner phone is out of commission?!

After a quick panicked brainstorming session he decides to take to AOL, totally anonymous this time, just in case. He'll keep it short and sweet.]

How do you find ghosts that have been sealed in containers and hidden?

[If only there were something like a more specialised Wayfinder spell for this exact situation! Wait, didn't the traders sell a pendulum that can detect items? Ugh, why didn't he buy it?! But really, who could know that something like this would happen? Now he can only hope that Avalon's netizens have some good ideas for him.]

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[ The city guard clean up corpses before sunrise. He knows this because-- well, he had been thorough when organising his serial killings last year. So it must be a fresh murder.

He has no interest in solving it however. Justice isn't in his purview.

A line of red snakes down his left arm as he holds it out towards the zombie. Some sort of vine motif, or the stem of a flower, with small, sparse leaves shooting off it. The glowing line pulses briefly then shoots towards the zombie and pierces its back. Not a flesh wound but one that cuts to the soul, separating it from the body.

The body collapses and the soul is set adrift. But is it one of Hijikata's...? ]

[Hijikata watches with interest as Emet-Selch works his magic. It sure is a different school than that which he took his lessons from, but it suits the man! Once the ghost is pulled free Hijikata recognises her straight away and dashes forward as she sways in the air with a faint wail, trying to hide in the shadows.]

Danariel! What happened?!

A man and a woman-- they attacked me and Karim when we found this murdered man! Before we could possess them they-- they trapped me--

[The elf ghost sobs, hiding her face in her hands.]

It was horrible! I felt the cold flesh, the stiff dead limbs... I could barely move. I don't know if they got Karim too; he tried to get help--

It's okay! We got him. They trapped him in a flask.

[He takes out a small tinted bottle and uncorks it.]

Get in here for now so I can keep you out of the light. I'll keep you safe, I promise!

[As she slips into the bottle he sets his jaw in anger. Of course his subordinates know the risks of their work, but doing this to her was beyond cruel... and then, of course, there's the matter of the murder. He looks at the fallen dead body.]

Shit. I hope those bastards didn't just kill this poor sod to lure my patrols in! I don't see his ghost around; do you think he moved on already? Either way, we've got to investigate this!

[They also need to keep looking for his missing subordinates, though. For a moment Hijikata seems torn, then he adds (with some frustration):]

Or the police can do that. I'll call them and tell them what we know.

[ Whilst Hijikata is preoccupied, Emet-Selch crouches to examine the corpse left behind. The limbs are no longer stiff and it's beginning to smell. It's been quite a few hours since they were killed.

Still, it isn't their problem to deal with. He straightens to his full height and inclines his head to the other man. ]

Local law enforcement can handle something as simple as a murder. Only we can find your wayward souls however.

["Something as simple as a murder", he says... if he knew what menial tasks the Shinsengumi is made to perform home in Edo sometimes he'd probably be beyond unimpressed. Besides the murders he committed last year were anything but simple! Hijikata doesn't argue, though, because it's true that nobody can take the search for his subordinates off their hands. He sighs, takes out his phone, and calls the police.]

Toshirou Hijikata here, of the knights. Emet-Selch, also of the knights, and myself found a dead body in a side street off Brickmaker Street...

[He provides further information, and before long the nearest mounted policeman arrives on the scene and takes over the situation. As the two of them continue walking Hijikata tries to pry his mind off the crime and focus on the ghost hunt again. Without Emet-Selch's help he'd still be significantly more stumped... the man is seriously talented.]

Say, have you ever considered working with ghosts more closely? Or rather, more actively? I know you sort of function as a therapist for them, and that's important for sure, but...

[But the Yuureisengumi could used support. If Hijikata had something like a Vice-Commander, a living person who can take over when he's indisposed or otherwise engaged and help the ghosts with situations they cannot handle, that would be a huge relief. But he knows that Emet-Selch already has his hands full with his shop, so he should perhaps hope for something more reasonable. He might be able to help them with potions (can vaporised potions boost, protect or otherwise positively affect ghosts... he'll have to research that) or information. If he wants to, that is.]

[ For his part, he keeps quiet and lets Hijikata do the talking, only speaking when directly addressed. Although he had served his sentence for taking so many lives, he doesn't feel as though he belongs amongst these other principled men and women. He would have surrendered the title if the king let him.

Soon enough they are allowed to go on their way. Lost in his own thoughts, he almost doesn't catch Hijikata's question. ]

Working with...? Oh.

[ He hesitates. He is not one for being proactive in things. Not unless he deems it worthwhile. But hasn't he been searching for purpose during his stay? Would it be such a bad thing to involve himself in events? ]

I...suppose I could do more for them. But I have not the time to patrol the streets as you do.

Yeah, I know. I wouldn't ask you for that. But if you wanted to be an affiliate, someone my subordinates can go to if they need someone and I'm indispensable... would you be willing to do that? Only on designated nights, of course, and with advance notice. I could introduce you to them.

[It's a pretty bold suggestion, but he knows that Emet-Selch is blunt enough to simply say no if he doesn't want to do it, so he doesn't feel bad for asking.]

Indisposed, you mean?

[ He mentally runs through a typical week. The company could be nice. Even better if there is a schedule he can plan around. The shop is quiet enough during the day that he is able to manage all his other affairs in-between customers, leaving his evenings free to do as he pleases. ]

...I could do that much for them, yes. The shop can also provide them with safe haven if they fear something pursues them. I have been studying how to create wards of late, although they will not do much against living threats.

Yeah, that.

[He tiredly runs a hand through his hair. The whole ordeal has been a lot to handle, and it's not even over yet! But Emet-Selch's agreement puts a small smile back on his face.]

I think they'd really appreciate that. It's a little hard sometimes to only have one living person in the group. And one hand washes the other, of course - if you need some of them for anything I'm sure they won't say no, and I'll do my part as well. The I pick up quests often take me all over the place, so I can keep an eye out for materials for you, for one.

Then we have a mutually beneficial agreement, it seems.

[ If Hijikata and his ghosts can keep an eye out for material for his alchemy - or even jewellery - business then he won't have to head out on his own and can in turn spend those hours within Camelot assisting in other ways. He nods in satisfaction, extending a hand. ]

I look forward to working with you.

[ He is surprised to find that he means it. ]

[Hijikata is visibly happy as he gives Emet-Selch a firm handshake. Much as he willingly dedicates himself to his patrol work, it does take its toll on him, like his beloved Shinsengumi does back home, and having such a capable fellow death mage as his partner puts new wind into his sails.]

Likewise. I know these two-- [He gently pats the bag holding the bottled ghosts.] -- will be happy to hear it. Let's see if we find any more who'll owe you right away.

[This is one way to keep themselves motivated, because they'll probably spend a good while longer tracking any death magic traces they find... if nothing else Hijikata will offer to treat Emet-Selch to dinner at the end of it (but he half expects the other man to decline; he really doesn't seem to be much of a socialiser).]

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