jigokulogs | [ closed ] action stations

[Lan Wangji blinks into his teacup. good friends who are complicated sounds nice. he would like it if he and Wei Wuxian were good friends who were complicated, he thinks. it requires a "good friends" precursor, no matter how dramatic that "complicated" actually gets. Lan Wangji isn't even sure he and Wei Wuxian have ever managed "friendly." he can blame himself for that, easily enough.]

There is experience with both.

Complicated...yeah, that's a word for it.

[he huffs a laugh into his cup, because he's having much the same train of thought as Lan Wangji, except where he doesn't think Lan Wangji ever really wanted to be friends at all. what a pipe dream; what a teenage fantasy.

at least Ryouma is giving them both something to pay attention to that isn't the thickening tension between them at this table.]

We've got, let's see, three incidences of messy widespread fighting this month, one after the other? I for one am ready to break the streak anytime and try something that hurts less when I go to bed at night.

What sort of connections do you need for this? Higher-ups? Locals? Other factions?

Yes. [ he says it with a laugh and takes another sip of sake but he's half-serious too. ] That is to say, I'm not ruling anything out at this point. But I'll do my best to explain as neatly as I can what I'm thinking and then you'll probably have a better idea of where to start.

[ ryouma has a tendency to ramble and he's aware of it. ]

Right now we have Kappa refugees living in a warehouse and we have supplies for them by the grace of local businesses. But that's neither ideal nor sustainable long term for anyone. Nor would I want to ask them to endure it any longer than necessary. So I want to do a fundraiser — one night only, a huge party in the Underground! This is just the first step, I should point out. A sort of trial run because if we can't accomplish this than we have even more work to do.

[ but right now that's a possibility he's not willing to entertain. only success! ]

We know Shuten and Tamamo want to win and we know that the Tengu Elders were prepared to negotiate with whoever won. Only right now things are deadlocked down there. No one's making much progress, either way, so now is the best time to approach Tenkohime and Toraguma with a solid proposal. What we want is for them to call a truce and to do that we need to make it very clear to them that peace is their most lucrative option.

[ and there is where he pauses for now to give them both time to consider what he's said. there are enough moving pieces to all this that he's willing to wait for specific questions than hope he's remembering to mention every detail anyway. ]

[Wei Wuxian considers, not wholly skeptical but not not skeptical. he is, admittedly, not one for this particular tack of diplomacy, but he knows the shape of it. Discussion Conferences, banquets, summer lessons at other sects...they're the same sort of thing, the social threads that draw people with disparate interests together.

he does hone in on an important question right away, though.]

I get where you're going, but you need a pretty strong leverage for this sort of thing, right? They're deadlocked, but they'll still need something really attractive to make it worth their while to give up on the territory, to get both of them on our level.

What do you have in mind for that? The Kappas' skills?

[both of the other parties are much talkier than this guy, so Lan Wangji keeps silent at first, listening to the cadence and patter of where the other two's thoughts are leading as much as to the words. a fundraiser, hm. a most lucrative option. the Kappas' skills...

he wonders if that request for information on the exact structure of utility system underground that he put into the Department of Enma last month ever went anywhere, actually. perhaps he should check on it.

in the meantime, though.]

How much loss has this dispute incurred already?

[he has a feeling that the noble leaders of the factions will benefit from seeing both the carrot and the stick clearly.]

More money, of course. Nothing more attractive than that, is there?

[ he smiles and refills his cup, going right along. ]

The Night Parade was a city-wide, fun-for-everybody sort of occasion. That's not what this will be. This is going to be high-profile and somewhat exclusive. You pay to get in and the more you pay for your ticket, the more perks you're entitled to. Pack this thing full of the best of what each faction has to offer, gather all the profits up in one big pot and then split it three ways. That way everyone is invested in the overall success of the event, not just individual profits. More importantly, the better we lay down the foundation with this the easier it will be to build on it later — figuratively and literally. Then we get to ask why we should stop at this when we can develop it.

Limiting access also makes it less of a headache when it comes down to arranging for security since that is going to be an area we can't afford to cut corners. Once we move on this it has to go smoothly, so we can't risk outside interference, but we can also cross that bridge when we come to it.

[ he's getting better at explaining this more succinctly now, at least. repeating himself helps, which he'd picked up doing this years ago and walking from meeting to meeting with many different people. that much self-review and you have to have at least one good idea by the end, right? ]

Heh, used to be once upon a time I went into these things empty-handed and just figured it out as I went along but there's no point in wasting anyone's time trying to pitch this without putting together a solid proposal.

[ lan wangji's question, in particular, makes him grin. ]

And you bring up a good point. I'm sure we could find that out with a little digging and we should — any losses to personnel, property, anything. I want them to have that to think about while they're imagining how much we could make. We don't need to tell Tenkohime or Toraguma how well their best businesses do, just how much we're going to make this work for them.

[man, he really wishes that ghosts liked to go near the Sanzu and the sewers. if this isn't an ideal situation to have them spy and investigate on what's going on, he doesn't know what is...]

I get the idea for the event, but I'm not sure I can picture what the underground would turn into long-term, is the thing. A market for the factions to mingle more freely? A trade zone?

[maybe he's leaping ahead? it's hard to make those predictions without knowing which potential backets would come on board. well, the first step is the hardest and most vital, regardless; Ryouma's right about that.]

[Lan Wangji frowns thoughtfully at his tea. Wei Wuxian has the right of it: it's much easier to focus on this than the identity of the man to his right. that isn't to say he's unaware, since he's exquisitely aware at all times, but it's far from the first time he and Wei Wuxian have done business together or nearby each other while viciously at odds. he can keep a lid on it for now.]

That is also constrained by what is there.

[infrastructure. the nitty-gritty of how a city is put together is boring to many, but it's the other side of the human interests that all cultivators pursue as they follow the stories of the dead. the physical reality of a place and its energy sets the limits on what is possible -- it was the first thing he had wanted to learn about, before the Night Parade had even set up its first stall.

he wonders about the progress of his (incredibly delayed) request for information on such from a couple of months ago, actually. would there be any use in asking after it?

...and would any of the Department of Enma help him, if they knew why he was asking?]

...

Will make inquiries.

I haven't worked out the specifics yet, but my goal is to build something fun down there. The construction effort alone would keep people working for a long time.

[ ryouma grins and brings his hands together in front of him. ]

I'll appreciate whatever you can do!

[ but then he gets more serious because if they're going to discuss this in more depth, it wouldn't do to rush in without laying the rest out. better having everyone is on exactly the same page. ]

'Course, this is all just a stopgap. If we don't start working on the underlying issues around here there's not much any of us can do. I suppose I should point out that all of this probably comes with some real risk involved — not only from the clans but whoever tried to take the Daitengu out of the picture. There are some measures we might be able to take to make it harder to track down whose involved if it comes to that, but nothing is guaranteed. Your positions within the Alliance don't obligate you to go along with me and I'm not forcing anyone to do something that could paint a real target on their backs down the road.

[ he just likes people knowing what they're in for, even if his own way is to acknowledge the risks and then never think about them again. ]

I'm not worried about becoming a target! I'm also not sure how much work we'll be allowed to do on the underlying issues without doing it from the top down, but I think everyone at this table understands the value of both.

[they're all free about going off on their own without a nod from their superiors if it really suits them. but they're all also wearing rank badges, making progress upwards, no matter how deliberate or hapless they've been about it.

there was something veiled and barbed in that statement, too, if the sharp look he darts Lan Wangji is any indication.]

I'd like it, if we can find a solution where the factions work together more. To get the Kappa settled again, yes, but in general, too. There's people I like in all of them...it seems kind of silly to lose that if the higher-ups take it in their heads to order something bigger than a territory conflict, someday.

The Alliance is a collection of interests. We are well served in gathering others.

[Lan Wangji raises his eyebrows faintly at Wei Wuxian. he's not sure what the message there is supposed to be, but he has one of his own. a certain evening by the water's edge comes to mind...]

And, where the underlying work is done below. It is best not pursued alone.

[he means that figuratively: grassroots efforts require groups, preferably as diverse as possible. he also means it completely literally, in that Wei Wuxian tried to explore below the city on his own last month and almost ended up not making it back. it doesn't occur to him that Wei Wuxian wasn't aware they both knew the identity of that drowned rat fleeing the river.

he returns his gaze to Ryouma, for now. speaking of underlying issues...]

What do you see as those principle concerns?

You'd be surprised, but it's good that you're seeing it both ways. I'm really just a nobody from the country, so it's good to know I can still find good people to work with! A leader can do anything they want, but if they don't have the people behind them, one day, they're going to wake up and realise the times have gone on without them.

[ he's relaxing more into his role — and the sake — so this energy (and the volume) will likely continue to rise. ]

Until this gets in front of the leaders, we'll have to keep this quiet. Besides the two of you, I'll be meeting with contacts from Tamamo and Shuten. They are from the same world as I am, and I trust them entirely. I'm also working with Yuri since heading up efforts to support the Kappa in the meantime. As for the Enma, even before the funeral, I suspected something might be going on within the Department. I don't intend to cut them out of this entirely, but we'll avoid interference if no one knows there's anything to interfere with in the first place.

Also, most obviously, is the issue of time. If any of this feels rushed, it is. If the balance shifts too far one way or the other, we'll miss our window to meet on equal terms, and we don't want to exhaust the good favour of the local businesses. Writing a proposal is easy, but it's most effective when backed up with clear information. That's the Alliance's strong point anyway, right? What else—...

[ he pauses and tries to think about it. ]

Honestly, it'd probably be easier to tell me any of your ideas. When I work with people, it's best if everyone can pursue what they're good at, and I guess all we've done since we all met is talk about local business, so I'm not even sure what either of you used to do before you came here. I didn't even realise you knew each other!

[ he's possibly the only person in the room who finds that as amusing as he does right now. ]

[you can almost hear the pop of the metaphorical can of worms uncapping. Wei Wuxian doesn't show a lot of it on his face, but his smile gets definitively more hooked, and both Ryouma and Lan Wangji can see a faint flicker of red light in his pupils, there and gone again. maybe it was their imagination?]

Ah, we can talk about that, but I'm not sure how much bearing it would have on this current business, either--which is why it probably didn't come up, ha! We're both cultivators, and we've been acquainted for a long time, but exorcising demons and resolving hauntings hasn't really had much of a place so far here in hell, regardless of the methods one uses.

I'll let Hanguang-Jun--

[and here he motions towards Lan Wangji, since Ryouma might be unfamiliar with the courtesy name]

--speak for himself if he has other suggestions, but, ahhh, honestly, a trade zone might not be a bad angle? All of the factions have resources they don't easily make available to the others, so an established marketplace where they can start to explore that is both a good and profitable idea? The Kappa could be Sutoku's frontliners there, too, depending; I haven't looked into our options much yet, but I can't imagine some of their technology wouldn't be attractive as a show of good faith. If they were amenable to it, of course.

I can't imagine the Enma could protest something that lowers inter-faction tensions that way too much, either.

Will investigate best use of the space. The Kappa may have ideas.

[whatever Ryouma can see going on with Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji doesn't rise to it -- a can of worms is only bait, after all. his voice is lower and steadier, if anything.]

If not technology, the Alliance's other virtues. Convenience. Performance.

[he gets even more brief and quiet in response to Wei Wuxian's edged volubility, though it happens so naturally that it's not particularly noticeable. it's like Wei Wuxian takes up more space the more he gets into this mood, and Lan Wangji fits himself around it and keeps his place as best he can without moving. he doesn't move.]

[ ryouma empties another cup of sake and leans forward to listen with interest, looking particularly curious at the mention of exorcisms and hauntings. how interesting! and here ryouma thought they were neat because they seemed like they're from the past. ]

Hoh? Real-life exorcisms and ghosts, huh? No, no, I think what you used to do can be really useful here. You have your own way of looking at the world that no one else has. The things that make you good at doing what you do and what make you unique can be applied in all kinds of ways. Like you—...

[ he looks pointedly at lan wangji. ]

You have a hell of a poker face. That's also useful in negotiating because that can really disarm some people.

[ him. ryouma is people and continues to be mildly intimidated by his inability to read lan wangji. ]

"Hanguang-jun", huh? [ he potentially butchered repeating that. ] Is that like a title? I think you should both pursue those angles and see where it ends up. I definitely have long-term plans but I want the Kappa in on in every step of the way and in the meantime I can try and see about a ceasefire at least for a little while.

It's a title; it means 'light-bearer.' The beacon of hope, the man who goes where the chaos is, et cetera.

[Wei Wuxian sounds a little dry about it, amused, like he doesn't fully buy the title for some reason. that might be because it's a little ridiculous when you lay it all out like that; that might be for some deeper reason. who knows!]

I don't mind investigating if there's a need for such a zone, certainly. And for now, anything that gets us all out of these tunnels and breathing some fresh air is very preferable, no? You might have an easier time negotiating now just because everyone's ready for a break.

[he's spitballing on that last part, but the tunnels aren't the most pleasant environment to be in even when they're not a hotbed of conflict.]

[for now, Lan Wangji is going to ignore the sidebar about his title; it feels a bit pretentious to pursue that angle, in this place where he's not known. it is probably typical, he thinks with resignation, that even in their current, continuing state of being at odds, Wei Wuxian has found a way to mock him with it.

it occurs to him in a distant way that Wei Wuxian seems to either call him Lan Zhan or Hanguang-Jun most of the time, rather than using his courtesy name. that's... interesting? he's not sure if it's meaningful. it's not something he can devote more time to analyzing right this moment, but he'll quietly tuck the thought away.

none of these thoughts particularly show on his face, so Ryouma's complaint continues to hold true...]

Hm.

How have the kappa reacted to efforts thus far?

Ah, that's a very heroic sounding name! Makes me wonder what the characters are. [ he can imagine combinations of kanji, after all. ] "The man who goes where the chaos is"? Ahaha! Yes, perfectly heroic, I think!

[ by his own particular definition of heroic, wangji certainly qualifies. ]

Wei-san—, [ he's tipsy and has settled on what to call at least one of them now. ] ... Do you have a title too?

[ it only makes sense to ask wei wuxian if it's a custom. he knows he should be on business but how often do you get to talk to people from a totally different world?

well, he manages to pivot just fine and answer one question, at least. ]

The Kappa have started to come 'round since people have been making real efforts to help them out. They really just want to go home and get back to work. I'm sure they must be organising at least a little too? Leaders naturally emerge in times like these.

[the question doesn't catch him off-guard, fortunately; he opened himself up to it when he mocked Lan Wangji's title. his smile definitely gets more controlled for a second, though. maybe Ryouma won't notice when he seems this drunk??? question mark?]

"The Yiling Patriarch." Yiling is just where I used to live, though. It's, ah, irrelevant here.

[and while he'll leave most of the kappa address to Lan Wangji, he can't help but add--]

I wonder how that other group of Kappa Ydris was talking about factors in, if they do.

Any title from home means little here. Placing weight on reputations left elsewhere is foolish.

[it's a way to close the topic that doesn't give a lot of hints as to Lan Wangji's motivation for doing so. is he trying to shut down the mockery of the embarrassing "Hanguang-Jun"? is he making some commentary on the "Yiling Patriarch" angle? is he trying to deflect from the Yiling Patriarch angle? is he just done with his minuscule store of patience for this particular area of small talk? you be the judge.

in reality, it's all of those. but the words "Hanguang-Jun" spoken in tones of half-reverence, half-derision are something he's accustomed to, while hearing shit talk about the Yiling Patriarch is something he's familiar with but very unprepared to tolerate. moving on before that has a chance to go further is the safe choice.]

Would guess all Kappa have interest in reducing turmoil among around their members. Suspicion may be transferable. May be an opening for alliance, or further distance.

Are the common occupations and interests of the mountain tribe known?

[ closed ] action stations

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

so sorry for the delay i am officially all caught up again finally hhh

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject