jigokulogs | [ open ] all hands on deck

Entry tags:

[ open ] all hands on deck

Who ⬤ sakamoto ryouma (rider) + other sutoku alliance lost souls
What ⬤ post-event emergency meeting
When ⬤ several hours after the assassination
Where ⬤ konoha — vip area
Content Warnings ⬤ none right now but will update as needed!

[ once the dust (steam?) has settled, an sms goes out to fellow sutoku alliance contacts. some might recognise the username rider more than others and know the man it's attached to but in any case, everyone who shows up will know him soon enough anyway. ]

Hello!

There's a lot of confusion right now, but what's important is to stay calm and not do anything hasty. I'll be organising a meeting tonight at Konoha. Let's exchange what we know and discuss next steps. You're going to have to pay for your own refreshments though, sorry! Space is on me though! (*_ _)人

Don't be discouraged! We're only getting started. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

If you think there are any other Sutoku who haven't gotten this, pass the message along, ok?

— Rider

[ ~~someone has to keep the spirit of the daitengu alive, okay??~~ the message also comes attached with a calendar invite. ]

[ later, anyone arriving for the meeting will be directed to the club's VIP area and encouraged to place food and drink orders as desired. this has definitely set ryouma back, but under the present circumstances, there's no better time than this to spare no expense, right? ]

☆ ooc; this is a mingle in addition to a general sort of information sharing prompt so feel free to throw your own top levels up and thread amongst yourselves! i give everyone free rein to threadjack as you see fit — just check with other individual players if you have any questions!
☆ i left the exact time of the meeting sort of open, but assume it's sometime within the next half-day or so after the assassination to account for people needing to finish up investigations, potentially heal up a little after fighting, time for him to book the club, etc. feel free to have characters wander in late too!
☆ i also provided the option for characters to phone in (since it was mentioned to me on the ooc post), so if they can't make it in person they can still be in the loop!
☆ any non-Sutoku tag-a-longs are assumed to be showing up late so as not to be sitting in on private discussions earlier in the night.

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[ There are several ways to view their present situation, but in a sense, there is a feeling their life has been put on pause. The means to progress their goals, continue their own aspirations, could they truly strive forward here? There is no need for restraint in some aspects but he has found that within a narrow corridor, he has needed to use imagination to navigate the path he wants.

Here, well, perhaps there is something he has found. Gazing at his friend, he knows for certain it is the single thing he wishes to keep always. Maybe time here is not all wasted effort.

So, it would be dinner with Chongyun. Allowing the tether to loosen because this is a partnership after all.

And soon as Chongyun speaks, from Xingqiu there is a smile. A nod. It is what he said, anywhere. Although at the mention of a vegetarian place a trickle of cold regret runs through him. Then Chongyun has the audacity to mention the most dreaded, vile, and accursed thing to ever exist. Carrots. Really. Is this him finally getting his comeuppance?

Well, time to play it cool. ]

Meat, well, I much prefer fish. So you'll have to test those dishes out.

Don't worry. [ the same little smile remains on the exorcist's lips, ] They replace fish dishes with carrots too. It's a marvel, isn't it? That they can use carrots in so many ways?

[ ....... maybe it's a little bit of revenge. Does a place like this actually exist? Vegetarian place, yes. But the whole bit about carrots is bullshit. Surely they use them, but subbing carrots in for the main portion? It's just a little prod to tease his friend back for once. ]

I didn't know they were so versatile. Did you?

[ There is some weird shit to be found Chongyun, you just have to look really hard and some people just want to replace everything with vegetables. A very dedicated group, he would commend them if it didn't bring about his misfortune. Of course, knowing the great strives people have managed in their food-based experimentation, he doesn't doubt the ever honest Chongyun's words.

Left sweating internally, he has to keep up, he has to take a moment to make a more enticing counter offer. ]

Well, actually... I've become familiar with some things found here and there...

Chongyun, I was thinking perhaps you would prefer if I prepared you a meal instead. I know I lack Xiangling's culinary skills but I wouldn't discount my abilities completely. I'll make whatever you wish, just for you.

[ With that last word he taps his index finger against his friend's chest, even leaning close looking up at him from under the fan of lashes. ]

[ … how is he supposed to say no to that? The upward gaze beneath the lashes is too powerful a move. So powerful that his heart flipflops like a squashed whoopie cushion in his chest.

Jeez. Chongyun finally teases back a little and Xingqiu gets a wholeass upgrade. Figures. ]

Alright. As long as you don’t put anything spicy in it. [ soundly defeated, Chongyun sits back on the couch with a huff. ] Make whatever you’re best at making. That’s what I want to have.

How clever of you not to neglect to mention that.

[ The truth is, for once, especially regarding this occasion Xingqiu had no intention to drive his friend into a heated frenzy due to merely adding a couple of extra ingredients to the meal. He was being open and honest in his offer to prepare dinner with his own hands, besides, he can't immediately attempt to trick Chongyun in his fashion. It was best to lull him into a false sense of security for future endeavors.

His smile warms, and only then after his offer has been accepted with that specification does he slowly curl his finger back (it almost hooking with the fabric of Chongyun's top). He looks down at his own hand, yeah, he really just did that. Wow. Maybe he shouldn't feel so impressed, perhaps he really should consider restraint. It's hard, there is no reputation or father or his older brother to scold him. ]

I'll give you my word that nothing unnecessary will be added to this meal. And I believe I may already have an idea of what to prepare. All that's left to do is to decide the time and date.

[ His word... well, Xingqiu is nothing if not chivalrous. If he promises there will be nothing spicy, there'll be nothing spicy. It would be far more suspicious if his friend pulled his trick of avoiding the topic entirely. He's already done that a few times since they've arrived—don't think Chongyun's forgotten.

Xingqiu draws his hand away and stares at it. Chongyun stares at it too, wondering if there's... something on it? ]

Well... that probably won't be tonight, right? Don't forget you've promised me dinner after this meeting. [ he smiles, looking back to amber eyes, ] Doesn't that mean we get to go to the vegetarian place after all? I think they have a carrot cake dessert.

[ 👀 ]

[ There are certain things that are best left unmentioned, some details that he must avoid, so in whatever manner he can he would circumvent some topics. Much like he wants to do with the present one. Curse his need for planning, he can't simply whip up a meal without proper ingredients and assuring himself the setting is warm and welcoming: that is code for needing to tidy up his current lodgings. What a mess!

The hand that has garnered attention is used to pick up his notepad, following that the sheets are used to swat at Chongyun before he softly bumps the exorcist's forehead with it. ]

It's your choice Chongyun.

[ He pulls the notes back, looking at his friend from over the brim of sheets. ]

If it's dinner tonight... you can't have everything.

[ The young exorcist puffs out a soft laugh after being appropriately swatted. Alright, alright. Giving up on that cursed vegetarian option, Chongyun drops back against the couch and looks at Xingqiu sidelong. ]

Something Inazuman would be good, actually. Or... well. I think this "Japanese" cuisine is very similar too. That might be easy to grab late—this meeting might run a while, don't you think?

[ Though, honestly, he isn't convinced that Xingqiu's been paying all that much attention. And they did come late, missing a large chunk of whatever was discussed at the beginning. Fine for Chongyun, who doesn't even go here, but maybe less so for the actual Sutoku member. Which is why he adds, ]

Unless you want to leave soon?

[ Enjoying the sound of that laugh, his smile returns bright and cheery, probably a stark contrast to what is being discussed in this meeting. From his perspective, it was a good choice to bring Chongyun along, late or not. Of course, it hasn't been lost on him that he had missed plenty of details along the way but that has been a long-standing fact since the festival. He had not been present for its conclusion.

He should be using this time to catch up, to obtain more information but his heart is elsewhere, probably obvious only to anyone with a keen eye. ]

Likely, until they come to some type of consensus. At the moment, it seems they're trying to piece together information but... [ That's just a guess, he hasn't forayed closer, which leads to him missing more bits of knowledge being passed between other alliance members. Out of politeness for the invitation extended to him he should at least stay until the end. ]

Well, it might be rude to leave so soon. We'll have to eat late, I am sure as stated there will be places open. [ He finally lowers the notepad. ] Do you want to see what I have written so far?

[ He doesn't disagree with staying. It makes sense, and Chongyun hasn't received a message from his own clan to gather yet. He presumes it will happen eventually, but so far... the Tamamo have been pretty quiet. Maybe sitting back and watching what the rest will do. They might be a hedonistic bunch, but they aren't stupid. For now, he's a free agent. And, secretly, after the events of the night parade ... it feels better to stick close to Xingqiu for a while. The fact that they aren't in the same clan is frustrating; how is he supposed to have his friend's back if he isn't there?

Chongyun nods, leaning forward once more to see what Xingqiu's been working on. They've been pretty far from the main discussion, but bits of information have floated over. Nothing important to Chongyun's ear, but he hasn't been trying that hard to listen. ]

I do.

[ Peeeeeek—whadda we got here? ]

[ The notepad that was used to previously swat at his friend, is now set on his lap, he turns a page back. While it may seem impossible, during that initial bout to quickly jot down anything he could pick up, his handwriting was so much worse. Don't tell him, he is perfectly aware of how bad it is. It's really a shame, embarrassing but he has to make do. Now on the right page, he will allow his friend to try to decode what is written. ]

There was a lot being said, I missed quite a bit of it, so I'll just have to figure things out. [ Maybe, he isn't sure, he has to wait until there is a final decision made before he decides on what to do next. ]

At times like this... [ If Xu was here then he would have someone to take care of tedious tasks such as this one. ]

[ Chongyun—tries.

He really does try, for his friend's sake. He knows Xingqiu has been practicing his handwriting. But the longer he stares at the page and tries to make sense of the scratch, the more it feels like they're slowly becoming even more illegible squiggles. Like Xingqiu had tried to make some sort of code just in case a stranger were to find his notes. A puzzle. A passcode. A weird system that only one person's frenzied mind could possibly know.

After a long, long, long moment, the exorcist finally sighs. ]

It ... you have a good memory, right? Maybe notes don't really matter.

[ He can't read it. SORRY, BABE. ]

[ Give him just a second. He needs to parse the hidden meaning behind that question. Of course, at surface level the answer is simple, yes, his memory is sharp. He recalls most details that he managed to gleam but it is always prudent to keep a written record as time can wear recollection.

Slowly his gaze drops down to the page, he scans through what he wrote, and even as he speaks he knows his words are nonsense. ]

It's not that bad.

[ Besides, he isn't the sole individual that could read the puzzle that is his handwriting, Xu is quite talented and devoted. But Xu is also not here to interpret for others what he has written. ]

[ Chongyun’s mouth twitches at the corners as he looks back down to Xingqiu’s notes. He really has been trying … so the exorcist gives his friend a pat on the shoulder. ]

Actually, I think it’s gotten a little better. After some more practice you may even be able to enter calligraphy contests.

[ It might seem like teasing, but he’s really trying to perk his friend up a bit here … Chongyun knows well how disheartening it can be to try, try try and see very little in the way of results. Hell, isn’t he the king of that? ]

So keep it up.

[ Friends must encourage each other! ]

[ He can recognize teasing for what it is, he engages in plenty enough to know, but he also notes Chongyun's attempts to uplift him. Truly a wonderful friend, in times like this does he ever appreciate the honesty and kindness afforded to him. ]

Do you really believe in me that much? Well, what do you say to a contest between the two of us?

[ They may as well, he hasn't heard of much in the ways of competition here, aside from that tipoff given to him by his friend here. Of course, he means a friendly competition. Nothing to get too competitive about. Except, he knows Chongyun and he knows himself. ]

I do.

[ He wouldn't be putting any real money on that contest, sure, but once Xingqiu puts his mind to something, Chongyun is confident that the other boy will eventually achieve it (even if this one might take some time).

A contest between them, though—why not? He nods his agreement. ]

What were you thinking?

[ Of course. He already knew that, yet it still manages to get a pleased laugh out of him. He smiles and pats Chongyun's back once. ] You wouldn't be my... second biggest fan if you didn't.

[ He knows what he said if his smile is anything to go by. Now as for the contest, shouldn't that be obvious. It is the subject of their discussion, after all, so he pats the notepad. Not handwriting. Despite his lack of attention in class, he knows Chongyun has never even been in a setting where he would even have a glimpse of the mastery behind that artform. In some way, they are evenly matched then. ]

Calligraphy. What else? Not now, we are in a meeting, but we can set a date and the subject, nothing too intricate so it's manageable.

I know calligraphy, [ durrrr Xingqiu, ] but I was asking about the specifics. You're right, though. We can figure those out later.

[ He has a few ideas, but knowing the other boy, he must have at least a dozen knocking around that head of his. Chongyun's happy to go along with whatever Xingqiu wants ... as usual. ]

We can figure out what the winner gets later, too.

[ Of course, specifics, right. That's what Chongyun meant. Fortunately, he had already thought of some ideas, he had also discounted some of them as they didn't seem fit for the contest. It needed to leave them on equal footing, so despite his lackluster abilities he still didn't think it appropriate that their own names should be inked aside from practice there is also the difference in how intricate the characters were.

There was also the idea of using some book passages, or poems, but that could get long and tedious. Therefore something simple like— ]

Right, another time. That too.

To be honest, I thought the satisfaction of victory would be enough but I guess that's not true for you. Therefore I am leaving you in charge of coming up with a prize.

Okay. I'll think of something good.

[ After all, he isn't the type to use his powers for evil. It won't be anything embarrassing or unfair. Just enough to charge the competitive streak between two teenage boys, nothing more. ]

[ Blossoming curiosity, it's a good thing Xingqiu is well acquainted with restraint (more so than his older brother surprisingly) therefore he would not hound Chongyun with any information on what the prize for victory may mean, at most he would contact him regarding how they would go about with their little contest, setting up rules and what the actual challenge would entail...

When that comes to pass... well... there would be one victor. ]

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