[Hijikata isn't the most spiritual person - his attitude towards death could, for the longest time, be summed up as, "I'll see you in hell" -, but since his time on Avalon and his experience as a death mage there, he's felt a certain responsibility towards the souls of the dead. Given that he has no such abilities here on Ellipsa and isn't even able to see ghosts anymore, the festivities are tinged with bittersweetness for him, but he does participate and lights some candles.
It may just be a coincidence, but the next night he dreams of his older brother who took care of him after he lost his parents. 'It's alright, Toshirou.' It's a small message, but the warmth in his brother's voice is all he needs.
The day after that, however, his luck takes a turn for the worse when he sends a lantern down the river. He's "blessed" with a soft glow around him... a glow that reminds him (and, presumably, everyone else who knows) of his ridiculously unnecessary death in the stomach of an anglerfish will'o'wisp over half a year ago. Hijikata, back then, completely brushed past the incident as soon as he was revived, feeling too embarrassed to dwell on it at all - and now, he's suddenly stuck with this visible reminder of his of recklessness and stupidity.
When he grabs lunch at a food stall, the vendor insists on giving him 50% off and resists Hijikata's attempts to decline. It becomes an argument that turns into a bit of a hold-up for other customers...]
Please, I don't want the discount! Just let me pay the full price!
[He looks like he's about to snap and shake the man. Oh dear.]
Part II
[Despite his struggles with his "death aura", as he mentally calls it, Hijikata still wants to help the ghosts who are ready to pass on to the afterlife. Memories of Avalon keep flooding back... they tried something similar, there, only for it to end in a terrible disaster that claimed many lives and souls. All he could do was save as many spirits as possible and give them a purpose while they remained stuck in the land of the living.
Hopefully, things will be easier here.
While he's not very good at making craft ghosts, he enjoys seeing them float about all over the city. They don't look very scary like this... he did relapse into being scared of ghosts and spirits here on Ellipsa, but it's not as bad as it was before, and if there's a comprehensive context to their presence, it's a lot easier for him to calm down and accept them that it was before.
He dedicates a bit of time almost every day to assist the souls at the park in Blossomcrown, and that's where he approaches a fellow otherworlder today, appearing a lot more subdued (and, maybe, serene) than usual, holding a flower wreath together with a tiny paper ghost.]
Would you want to help us?
B) We All Become What We Pretend To Be
Part I
[Hijikata isn't a party person, but it wouldn't feel right to miss out on the finale to the festivities! So he shows up on the airship with his usual crow tengu costume (he didn't buy that nostalgic Mythological Mask to leave it in his closet)! However, the airship staff has a different idea. Hijikata's mask is already magical, and not of the type they have in mind for their event! His costume won't do.
He has mixed feelings as he enters the dressing room, but the magic gives him a costume he can live with: A neat butler suit, complete with a simple mask (that he's told will nonetheless conceal his identity, somehow). Despite his nervousness, he soon relaxes after entering the party proper (though he likewise can't find any familiar faces behind the may beautiful masks... what is up with this magic?).
Eventually, he ends up on deck outside to smoke. He looks down on the many lights of Nightwake City. It's a comforting sight. So far, the city has withstood all dangers encroaching on it. It's our home, for now. When someone joins him at the railing to share the view, he smiles faintly, exhaling smoke.]
I've come to like how cities never sleep.
Part II
[As the party goes on, Hijikata, who's used to calling the shots back home, starts keeping an eye on whether the other party guests have everything they need. When he spots someone with an empty glass apparently looking around for a drink, he grabs a bottle from the nearest table and beelines over.]
Let me give you a refill. Here you go... is there anything else I can do for you?
Toshirou Hijikata | Gintama (Prismatica & Isle of Avalon CRAU) | Summer | Current Character
Part I
[Hijikata isn't the most spiritual person - his attitude towards death could, for the longest time, be summed up as, "I'll see you in hell" -, but since his time on Avalon and his experience as a death mage there, he's felt a certain responsibility towards the souls of the dead. Given that he has no such abilities here on Ellipsa and isn't even able to see ghosts anymore, the festivities are tinged with bittersweetness for him, but he does participate and lights some candles.
It may just be a coincidence, but the next night he dreams of his older brother who took care of him after he lost his parents. 'It's alright, Toshirou.' It's a small message, but the warmth in his brother's voice is all he needs.
The day after that, however, his luck takes a turn for the worse when he sends a lantern down the river. He's "blessed" with a soft glow around him... a glow that reminds him (and, presumably, everyone else who knows) of his ridiculously unnecessary death in the stomach of an anglerfish will'o'wisp over half a year ago. Hijikata, back then, completely brushed past the incident as soon as he was revived, feeling too embarrassed to dwell on it at all - and now, he's suddenly stuck with this visible reminder of his of recklessness and stupidity.
When he grabs lunch at a food stall, the vendor insists on giving him 50% off and resists Hijikata's attempts to decline. It becomes an argument that turns into a bit of a hold-up for other customers...]
Please, I don't want the discount! Just let me pay the full price!
[He looks like he's about to snap and shake the man. Oh dear.]
Part II
[Despite his struggles with his "death aura", as he mentally calls it, Hijikata still wants to help the ghosts who are ready to pass on to the afterlife. Memories of Avalon keep flooding back... they tried something similar, there, only for it to end in a terrible disaster that claimed many lives and souls. All he could do was save as many spirits as possible and give them a purpose while they remained stuck in the land of the living.
Hopefully, things will be easier here.
While he's not very good at making craft ghosts, he enjoys seeing them float about all over the city. They don't look very scary like this... he did relapse into being scared of ghosts and spirits here on Ellipsa, but it's not as bad as it was before, and if there's a comprehensive context to their presence, it's a lot easier for him to calm down and accept them that it was before.
He dedicates a bit of time almost every day to assist the souls at the park in Blossomcrown, and that's where he approaches a fellow otherworlder today, appearing a lot more subdued (and, maybe, serene) than usual, holding a flower wreath together with a tiny paper ghost.]
Would you want to help us?
B) We All Become What We Pretend To Be
Part I
[Hijikata isn't a party person, but it wouldn't feel right to miss out on the finale to the festivities! So he shows up on the airship with his usual crow tengu costume (he didn't buy that nostalgic Mythological Mask to leave it in his closet)! However, the airship staff has a different idea. Hijikata's mask is already magical, and not of the type they have in mind for their event! His costume won't do.
He has mixed feelings as he enters the dressing room, but the magic gives him a costume he can live with: A neat butler suit, complete with a simple mask (that he's told will nonetheless conceal his identity, somehow). Despite his nervousness, he soon relaxes after entering the party proper (though he likewise can't find any familiar faces behind the may beautiful masks... what is up with this magic?).
Eventually, he ends up on deck outside to smoke. He looks down on the many lights of Nightwake City. It's a comforting sight. So far, the city has withstood all dangers encroaching on it. It's our home, for now. When someone joins him at the railing to share the view, he smiles faintly, exhaling smoke.]
I've come to like how cities never sleep.
Part II
[As the party goes on, Hijikata, who's used to calling the shots back home, starts keeping an eye on whether the other party guests have everything they need. When he spots someone with an empty glass apparently looking around for a drink, he grabs a bottle from the nearest table and beelines over.]
Let me give you a refill. Here you go... is there anything else I can do for you?