Underground Turf War Catch-all! [OTA! Come toplevel!!!]

[baofeng]

Who ⬤ Open to all!
What ⬤ Catch-all log for the Underground Turf War
When ⬤ Throughout April: Dates within
Where ⬤ The Underground
Content Warnings ⬤ Please tag any cws in individual toplevels / threads!




This is a post to facilitate shenanigans regarding the Underground turf war! Feel free to park your toplevels below and tag around!

Summary of what’s going on:
The Underground is the network of subterranean utility / sewer tunnels under the city, previously held by the Kappa tribe. After the April 2022 Event, the Underground has been cleared out by the Department of the Enma and is now mostly unattended.

The Tamamo Clan and Shuten Clan have received orders from their leaders to take over the Underground. Unfortunately, there's two of them and only one Underground, so the two clans are fighting over it. (Tamamo Meeting Log) (Shuten Meeting Log)

The Sutoku Alliance is not willing to fight for the territory, but are intending to work out a deal with whoever wins the turf war to get the kappa back to work. The Department of the Enma is also more interested in investigating the Daitengu’s assassination than the turf war, but that means their Lost Souls can bring popcorn and watch the show. (more info here.)

Comments

[rainswords]

[ Aside from disregarding the inquiry, it is true, that he is displeased with this turn of events. It truly feels as if Chongyun isn't completely understanding his decision to follow the Lady Tenkohime's orders. That's fine, as long as one of them understood what it meant for the future that is what matters. Besides, he now has the bandages in his hand, dutifully he will dress the wounds, doing so wordlessly. With each step towards fully bandaging the scratches and cuts, his touch regains some degree of gentleness but his anger hasn't been abated.

And that's just fine.

After he has ascertained that he has completed his task properly and Chongyun wouldn't be walking around unraveling gauze, he retakes the flashlight he had nestled between his knees aimed at his work. He leans away with a sigh and motions for Chongyun to run along on his way. There is really nothing he can say now. ]

[cutcloud]

[ Chongyun bends his arm a few times after the bandage is fully applied. It aches a bit, with a hint of a sting when he goes too far, but he’s had way worse before. Really, nothing but a scratch that will heal over in a few days time.

He turns his attention back onto his friend to give thanks, but instead receives a dismissive handwave. It frustrates him—Chongyun’s lips thin—but he doesn’t want to pick a fight over this. It’s something they can’t quite agree on, but it’s not like they’ve always seen eye to eye on everything.

Still. He’s feeling mulish enough now that he forgoes the thanks. ]

You never told me what you’re doing down here.

[ Likely a very intentional move in Xingqiu’s end, but the knowledge of that doesn’t stop the exorcist from prodding again. ]

[rainswords]

I know I didn't tell you what I'm doing.

[ The point is obvious, he is avoiding answering that question, even while aware Chongyun can demonstrate a certain degree of tenacity. Usually, that determination is focused on a single cause, but he has found his spirits, the rest is really up to his friend along with his skill. Although was the exorcist's desire truly fulfilled, they aren't in Liyue. There is no helping a long sigh, anger is unpleasant as it is exhausting. This isn't even remotely akin to the anything felt against those who commit injustice.

That's easy. He can chart the correct course easily, follow the right path and dispense quick retribution for those wronged. This is bound to only get more complicated, a sideglance towards Chongyun and slowly he reaches towards him. His fingers curl around the fabric of his friend's sleeve. Gingerly his hold tightens, then loosens as if he is having second thoughts because that is exactly what is happening. It's hesitation, but ultimately he decides it doesn't matter, there is no one to see.

Yet thought alone is embarrassing, so he just has to push forward. That's what he does when he leans heavily against Chongyun, not intentionally, he hadn't meant to be so brusque but he wanted to take action. ]

Should you really be asking?

[cutcloud]

[ Pale fingers grasp at his sleeve. A slender body tilts, a slim but sturdy shoulder presses against his. It’s cold in the tunnels but Xingqiu is warm—the exorcist responds without thinking, body moving on its own as he turns slightly, arm sliding to brace along the small of his friend’s back and hand resting at the small of his waist.

Dipping, Chongyun resets his forehead against Xingqiu’s shoulder. Downy blue hair falls across his temples, snowy waves at the tip of the mountain, as he closes his eyes for a moment. His friend is a comforting presence even when he’s mad.

Inhale, exhale. Xingqiu smells of clean linen and cotton… but lacks the familiar aroma of silk flowers. Suddenly, Chongyun misses it. That normal scent that he heavily associates with the other boy. ]

Maybe not.

[rainswords]

If you know that then let me tell you this, Chongyun. I don't have any intention to be dishonest. Therefore I thought it prudent to best leave your question unanswered.

[ Anger isn't easily diffused, but he is weak, here it is. It's a flaw for anyone, a place to easily needle, and though he hates the feeling he wishes he felt more ire towards Chongyun and his choice. At most he seethes silently, only a simmer of what initially began to boil. The cool air of the sewers is hardly what tempters passion, it's long time polished manners, it's restraint and it's the boy at his side.

But Xingqiu knows where he stands, he won't waver, he won't forget his loyalties and unlike Chongyun, Xingqiu won't be led astray by anyone. Rex Lapis may have laid down rules and contracts in ages past, but ordinary people like themselves were never forced to follow that guidance perfectly. They have their own awareness, abilities, and therefore they are free to make choices for themselves. Again, it is something they have both done.

It's not about who is right, who is wrong, but his ideals of being good, doing good. That's his chivalric code and now he must take action. Maybe he is wrong too. ]

...maybe some other time.

[ Let him just enjoy the physical closeness, already he fears that may be all they could have, one of them would have to bend. ]

[cutcloud]

[ It’s a fair jab. Given the wedge between them, Xingqiu’s silence on the matter is wise … but that fact doesn’t make Chongyun like it. Frustration tugs at them both, but what can they do? Inaction feels wrong to Chongyun, in the end, and he cannot sit still.

… maybe he can for a moment. He doesn’t move his forehead, which rests on Xingqiu’s shoulder. Even his hand has moved, sliding over Xingqiu’s with a light curl of fingers. Holding, but not threading, unsure if his friend is too annoyed to have them intertwined.

He sighs. It’s a soft noise, but in the quiet of the tunnels it feels weighty to his ear. ]

Just don’t get caught in any of the traps.

[rainswords]

[ That's a bit of a late warning, not regarding traps, he is already caught in something.

Although as more time passes, the longer their stay is prolonged, the easier it is for him to come to several realizations. Or rather, he can't simply ignore differences. Perhaps what once made them complement each other well would eventually lead to dissent between them. Nothing lasts forever, and nothing or no one is infallible, and he knows all that well.

But all that is pessimistic thinking.

Yet, he won't ask a single question that could alleviate his concerns. Those answers may be just a bit frightening, perhaps it's naivety from Chongyun, but how far did his friend plan to take all this? Here he was, fulfilling the agreement, following direct orders and how far would that lead Chongyun. ]

I'll be fine. Shouldn't you worry about yourself?

[ Fingers grasping at his hand seemingly get no reaction, except that he is allowing this form of contact or any at all. That it was in fact he who broke distance. ]

[cutcloud]

[ It would be easy to placate. To say something like I’ll be fine or I’m being careful, and yet neither come to his lips. Xingqiu knows his capabilities. He knows that his friend’s irritation isn’t stemming from the fact that Chongyun isn’t capable.

Sitting up straight again, the exorcist draws his fingers back. Patched up and unscathed elbow both sit on knees as his hands fall loosely between his parted legs.

The tunnel feels colder now. ]

I have my limits. [ he looks ahead, studying the how the shadows fall under small lowlight lanterns, ] I don’t agree with this, but it doesn’t feel like the right thing to go against her on.

[ They’re not their sewers to fight over, no, but is it worth ignoring orders and getting on his new boss’s bad side straight out of the gate? ]

She may even lose interest if things keep on this way.

[ The Tamamo can only take so many broken nails, after all. ]

[rainswords]

[ Mere words wouldn't appease, not entirely anyway, there is no comfort in knowing that Chongyun was so willing to throw himself into battle. For what? That contract? But there is a difference of opinion that may never be bridged. It remains only a guide for Xingqiu while Chongyun seems bound by his word, he would be led by that Lady Tenkohime, concern continues. He suspects this is only the beginning, who would Chongyun turn his sword against next? Perhaps it's not just Chongyun who is stubborn, he knows his own way, and he won't stray from the path he has chosen. No matter what orders, or that silly contract.

At least, there is a moment of peace here. It's just the two of them in their own world if it could last just a little longer. Chongyun's weight against him, the touch of fingers against his own hand. He isn't invulnerable, this is his weakness. ]

重云

[ And just as Xingqiu gives way, as he further relents to finally grasp at the touch against his hand, Chongyun pulls away. There is nothing but air for his fingers to curl around. He leans away then setting his hand on the step as he takes in his friend's profile.

He can't help but scoff at Chongyun's words, even if his smile hasn't vanished altogether. ]

What a useless thing to say, agree or not, your actions serve one purpose and in fact, anyone observing may assume contrary to what you said. Ugh. Well, we're different people, with different points of view on the matter. Perhaps you've grown past...

重云

[ There is no dissuading Chongyun from this path, that's been obvious, then in that case all he can do is support him. The first thing to do is grab Chongyun's mostly empty water bottle, from his bag he produces one of his own. He may as well share some of his drinking water, he won't allow time for protest as he refills the bottle with his own. As for other supplies, he drops a few graham kitkats on Chongyun's lap. After that he is going to get to his feet. It seems this conversation has come to its natural conclusion, they're not going to meet half way on this. ]

See me tonight. [ That's all he's going to say as he begins to descend the flight of stairs. ]

[cutcloud]

[ Wow.... Chongyun would never take a heart away from Xingqiu!! But his own is aching now, caught in unfamiliar tightness when Xingqiu calls Chongyun's words useless. Like he hadn't been trying to express how he felt stuck between a rock and a hard place; his expertise isn't words, and he knows he doesn't always find the right ones, but that—had been a bit harsh. The exorcist doesn't quite know how to react to it, still processing as his friend stands and begins to fiddle with things.

💔

Chongyun stares down at the graham kitkats unceremoniously dropped into his lap.

Stares, but he isn't actually looking at them. In that silence he can feel the tightness in his chest, the way his heart—... hurts. It's strange. They've had disagreements before, though this one might be the most substantial. Memories of silvery cherry blossoms fluttering across dark hair flicker in his mind's eye before those little snack packets more properly come into focus. Frustration melds with that pinch of hurt, but he doesn't think it's from Xingqiu disagreeing with him.

Honestly ... he doesn't understand it at all. Yet, somehow, something Matoba once told him feels a little more clear. Thoughtless, the exorcist finally relaxes a clenched hand and rubs his palm over his chest. Scrubbing lightly over where his heart beats. ]

...

[ Hurt, but unwilling to acknowledge it, Chongyun nods stiffly after pushing himself to his feet. What a useless thing to say—... well, then. He won't say anything else. Blue eyes flicker to Xingqiu for one last moment, disappointed, before he turns and heads the other way. ]