jigokulogs | [ OPEN ] trust in me

Ah, I see!

That's a very interesting condition. You can't see anyone at all or just certain people? I bet that makes things pretty difficult, but I won't make things any harder than they need to be! We'll shake hands western style!

In any case, you're welcome to swing by my office. I'll attach an address.

There's only one person I can always see, but he's a special case. But thank you for your consideration! I will be on my way.

[It was a little nervewracking, if only because he didn't know this man's motive or how successful this whole deal he had might be. Was it something about the black market stuff? Or concerning the haniwa? He was too dumb for this. Best to ask directly.

He'd arrive to the office, politely greeting anyone he heard came by and hoped that Ryouma would recognize it was him, since he didn't want to really just stand here awkwardly.]

Excuse me, I am supposed to meet with someone here.

Edited 2022-07-28 16:33 (UTC)

[ as luck would have it, ryouma runs a solo operation here and was expecting him, so he's there to greet him as soon as he announces his presence. ]

Mr. Knightley, yes?

[ ryouma always likes to try and pronounce things he's never really said before and he's pretty successful for once! but only because he knows how it's supposed to sound. not much to do for his accent though.

at least he's quick to give an enthusiastic handshake as well, as promised. ]

I'm Sakamoto Ryouma.

[Cain was fine with that, too-less people means less potential things to run into and apologize for. Ryouma like he said shook the knight's hand, and the matter of his sight was settled.]

Cain Knightley, sergeant of the Enma division and former captain of the Central army, at your service. Though I guess you already knew most of that.

[Still, he put a hand to his chest and did a slight bow, just like you'd maybe see a knight do. It was only polite of him to do it properly in person.]

Sorry for bothering you so suddenly with this. Any details you'd be willing to tell me would be appreciated. What exactly did you promise to the Lord Toraguma?

Well, before I get into it... is this an official investigation or just because you're curious?

[ now that they've been introduced and ryouma assumes that he can be seen, he goes to make the tea he started preparing when he knew he'd be having a guest. it's only polite. ]

It doesn't really change much; that's more a question for myself.

[Well, he kind of figured some sort of suspicion was there given all the inter division conflicts that are coming around. But he's not good at lying and he hopes the Ryouma believes he's being genuine.]

It's nothing official-I highly doubt I'd be allowed to even if I did ask. This is more for me, wanting to keep the peace.

[He'll sit down wherever it is appropriate because he's not trying to be rude, either.]

[ ryouma smiles and seems satisfied enough with that answer. ]

I see! A guy who goes above and beyond, huh? I've got nothin' but respect for that!

[ finished with the tea, he sets a cup down on the little table next to the couch — which is the best place to sit here. it's unsweetened green tea in the japanese style, naturally. ]

So, in exchange for agreein' to a ceasefire with the Tamamo Clan, I promised t' find and deal with the problem of the black market. I'm sure to Toraguma-san, I look an' sound like some kind of shady politician who lies through his teeth and is willin' t' send better people t' fight an' die. I'm not, but I can see real easily how it looks like that. So, he gave me a deadline, which is fair considerin' I asked him t' trust me at my word.

[ ryouma has put a lot of thought into this, which is the conclusion he's arrived at. ]

In any case, either I make enough progress or I die, but I got too much work t' do yet to be dyin'!

[Well, Cain didn't really know the man so he couldn't make any assesments either. He generally didn't like the type, but Ryouma even if he wasn't fighting, was risking his life by doing this....that was still a soldier's way of doing things.

But as for the black market, that might be something he could actually help out with.]

I see! I heard about the ceasefire, and the black market problem I know various people are looking into-actually, the other day I managed to get a name. I don't know if it would help you, since Captain Shiki didn't recognize it?

A bunch of different smugglers all kept speaking about some Iron Bear.

[ ryouma blinks, surprised at how easily cain volunteers a name. ]

How didja manage t' come by that exactly, if y' don't mind my askin'?

[ he writes the name down even if he's sure he's unlikely to forget it so easily. ]

This could be a huge help! I won't forget it either. I'll really owe ya one for this if it checks out.

[He's trying to help! How would he even be able to do that without it?? But Cain was a genuine and straightforward kind of guy, and Ryouma was not an enemy. However...]

Uh...well, I really don't like lying, but Captain Shiki told me to keep it on the down low and I figure she has a good reason for that. Would I be able to leave it at that? It's nothing harmful at all.

[But he did look excited at the prospect of having actually helped the man out with his job.]

If you want, I can keep looking from my end as well. I mean, unless you have a plan already, I'm assuming.

Nah, I wouldn't ask anybody t' do anything that would jeopardise their standin' within their own factions. There're enough of my people pokin' around now anyway that if anyone catches wind of us knowin', I'll make sure it ain't connected to ya.

[ the least he can do is ensure that anyone willing to pass along information to him from outside the alliance is at least protected from suspicion, as far as he's concerned. to anyone else, ryouma got this information any other way. ]

I'd appreciate it if ya kept an eye on things, yeah. The plans I do have mostly hinge on me knowin' who's who and what's what. My goals in all this aren't personal; I got no dog in this race myself. I don't want people dyin' out there for nothin' when we're all of us stronger together and we know for a fact that there is someone or somethin' out there that isn't happy with the people in this city. I only say so in case you're wonderin' what I intend t' do with any of it! I really just... wanna help these people in whatever ways they can't help themselves, I guess.

Well I can be pretty confident the only people who know this are me, Captain Shiki and whoever she puts on the case, and now you.

[After all, who was going to suspect a random alley cat staring at them for eavesdropping? But it did give him a sense of relief to hear Ryouma's reasoning behind what he's doing. It at least made a bit more sense why he made such a dangerous deal.]

That's my goal in all of this, too. I know faction politics and all this stuff are a thing but...I mean, it's more important that everyone stays safe, rather than if we talk to the correct people or not. The Lord Enma told me something along those lines...but if what I told you can help in that goal even a little bit, I'll be satisfied.

The Enma told you? Directly?

[ ryouma can't really disguise the fact that this surprises him because ?? the enma talks to people?? ]

In any case, there are bigger fish t' fry than the usual petty disputes. All I wanna do is keep the peace, so ya got nothin' t' worry about with me!

[Yeah, it surprised Cain too. Honestly even that small gesture made him respect the Enma more, though he still was conflicted over what was said.]

Yeah, I got an oppurtunity to talk to him after I was promoted. I'm still not sure what to think about it all, and I wish he could tell me more about this Haniyasu, but I can also see why he wouldn't. I can tell you that he really does care about the order in this city.

[Though what that means to everyone is different. And the Enma had told him that he needed to be stronger and more trustworthy to make his version of justice and order happen.]

I'm real glad for that, though. I've been worried about the motivations of some people, but I can commend you for trying and taking risks like that. Hopefully..the Lord Toraguma can forgive me for being ignorant of such politics..But for real, even as different divisions, if there's anything I can help you out with please let me know.

I'm just surprised he—... well, that's somethin', huh?

[ the enma is a living example of everything that ryouma finds most frustrating about government, so he actually has to try to set aside his particular prejudices in regards to that. ]

Just take care with it either way. Whoever this is, they want everyone t' think they're real dangerous 'cause the one consistent thing I've seen and heard are how scared some people get when ya start askin' questions about any of it, not even with a name attached. Best take somebody ya can count on t' watch your back, whatever y' do.

[ the last thing he'd want to see is someone getting hurt over this. the funny part is where he will not follow his own advice at all. ]

[Too late Ryouma!!! Cain is already a self sacrificing idiot!!!! But he did understand the mans concern as someone who was involved in politics himself. Still, he's pretty sure that no one had thought twice about the cat following them around and he knew Captain Shiki to be discrete. He hadn't want to put anyone else in danger, bu Ryouma already got himself involved.]

Yeah, I got that impression. They were definitely speaking that name with fear. But you got to do the same thing, okay? They aren't going to be as uh...nice? As Lord Toraguma and tell you they're going to kill you. If you need my help anytime, you can ask me. Even in different factions we can still work together for our goal.

[He's giving Ryouma another smile and a hand to shake because he considered that polite!! But he's definitely bugging you in the future, strange accent man.]

[ OPEN ] trust in me

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