[ closed ] 別道 「 another way 」

[kaientai]

Who ⬤ Sakamoto Ryouma + the Stars
What ⬤ Ryouma holds a meeting for ranked Sutoku Lost Souls (finally)
When ⬤ the beginning of July, after the mingle
Where ⬤ Konoha
Content Warnings ⬤ none that I can think of!



[ weird how things come full circle. the first meeting ryouma ever put together in jigokucho had been here at konoha under similarly dire — if you want to focus on the negative — circumstances. ryouma thinks they're doing great!

ryouma is also still wearing his bird wounds for the optics.

doing. great.

in any case, there is no time to lose, and so the call goes out to all the Sutoku Lost Souls who command any bit of influence. proper time to plan and a bit more clout to his name this time enables ryouma to do better than just renting out one of the VIP rooms for a few hours like last time — borrowing a room much more suited to the purpose. ryouma has no love for the nightclub or the boardroom atmosphere, but it is the faction's central hub, and as much as he might have preferred to do this at a more intimate location that's more his speed, he feels like it's important to make the gesture.

plus, he's invited the boss. ]

I'm sure you all know why we're here, so now it's time to fill you all in on what's been going on! This is gonna be a lot that I gotta say, so it'll save us all a lotta time if ya let me get to the end before ya ask questions, okay?

[ if anyone was expecting him to look sorry... he does not. he doesn't look worried either, even if some people think he ought to, but unflappable confidence in times like these is just ryouma's thing. it's worth noting that ryouma also looks slightly different and now carries two swords in addition to his gun, which… might be interesting? ]

Ever since what happened at the Night Parade, I've been working real hard to find a way to restore the peace around here. Nobody told me to do that, mind, but forgin' unlikely alliances is sorta what I'm known for where I come from.

[ and you really don't want to know how much things here have followed the trajectory of his former life, considering how it ended, but at least he succeeded at the time? ]

It was only a little plan at first, just a small thing to try and prove it could work out, but then it started takin' shape over time, especially when I caught wind that we were gonna end up negotiatin' with whoever won the turf war anyway. Problem was, Shuten and Tamamo were pretty evenly matched there so things were at an impasse, which ain't real great for them but the perfect opportunity for us.

[ as he keeps talking, ryouma starts to pace, and his accent slips more and more over time as he finds a flow. he's excited about all this and is eager to finally have people to collaborate with. now more than ever, he's picking up on the same feeling he used to have back when he was alive, instead of how it's been while he's been a counter guardian. for better or worse, everyone's getting ryouma in his element. ]

I met with—… well, a lot of people, but most importantly, I met with Majima and Musashi — lieutenants from Shuten and Tamamo, respectively. A couple of folks who were working with me on it aren't here anymore, but one of them gave me the clue that'd be the key to the whole thing, which is lucky because the Shuten Clan was the hardest sell on this whole thing.

[ here ryouma takes a momentary pause. he has a sip of water and looks around at everyone he's addressing right now, sure that he's at least interested or annoyed everyone into having their attention. that's how it usually goes, in his experience. he also lights a cigarette because he finds it relaxing, and everyone else will just have to deal. ]

So, what did I sell them on, right? I'm gonna tell ya.

[ he actually has something prepared to show them, so he starts by unrolling a map and flattening it out on the table before he pushes it forward. he's old-fashioned; he doesn't know about powerpoint. this map is the same one used at the negotiation meeting, meaning everyone's respective aggressive scribbles are exactly where they left them. ]

This is how things in the Underground will be divvied up, more or less. As you can see, this location'll be jointly controlled by all three factions. Givin' a little ground keeps the peace down below, which is good because we don't want the Department steppin' in, but not everybody's happy with that. It's understandable, what with it bein' a loss, but I consider any time we can settle something without bloodshed a win. In any case, the Alliance's most important asset down below — in my opinion — is the waterways and how we can use them.

We need those 'cause we're takin' over the black market.

[ so there. because… that's what he wants to do. so he'll do it. this is definitely not the time to sound wishy-washy. ]

We know there have been leaks and it's eatin' into everyone's cash flow. It's just not been a solvable problem before, so naturally… we're gonna solve the unsolvable problem.

[ as one does??? ]

That is, I'm confident that with a combined effort, we'll succeed. That's the advantage we have now that we didn't have before!

But, there is a catch…

[ and he offers an apologetic smile for the trouble that is the rollercoaster of this explanation. ]

We have two months to do that, or Toraguma will personally come and collect my head. And go to war on everyone else. Tenkohime, of course, will not be interfering, and I'd assume they'll clean up what's left and go back to tryin' to kill each other when the time comes. In which case, this place is finished. You all lived through that curse, same as me. If somethin' like that happens again and everybody's all too busy fightin' each other, that's the end of the road.

[ considering the pressure ryouma lives with, he's not trying to shovel it on now to stress anyone out, but he has also never been one to downplay things in the interest of sugarcoating them. they need to be realistic, or it's not going to work. ]

I'm not gonna let that happen. I didn't a long time ago when I was weaker and dumber, so why let it happen now? I have complete faith in all of us. That bein' said, I have more detailed plans for what I intend to do about it, but the first thing we need to do is start investigatin'. Second, I'm lookin' for volunteers to come in on this and take ownership on the side of what's happenin' in the Underground. I don't have the time and, honestly, no interest in managin' all that, but I won't just drop it on somebody an' cut ya loose. If ya wanna work with me too, lemme know.

I know that's a lot, so I'm gonna shut up and yield. I'll answer your questions now, too. Otherwise, I'm happy to hear your ideas. Plans can always stand to be improved, right?

---

Welcome to the meeting log! Yay!

• This is a meeting for all Sutoku Alliance members who have any number of stars.


• Since there will be many people involved in this (at least ten, I think??), I've decided to organise this a little weirdly given time constraints and mod responses and the like.


• I've laid everything out as far as everything Ryouma has to say. Then after that, everyone is free to respond/react/threadjack each other, etc. This way, everyone ICly has all the pertinent information going forward, and no one will have to rush and wonder what was or wasn't explicitly stated, and threads can progress at their own speed after that. I usually don't do "infodump" style posts, but I didn't want to lock anyone into long tag orders to get the info out.


• Finally, there is an OOC interest check for the parts of all this that deal with developing the Underground itself. Since Ryouma is gonna be deep diving into his black market business, I wanted to hand off the rest of this to other people. I have plenty I want to do, and other people should have the opportunity to take over and carry on! Since it will require a bit of coordination and communication with the mods, I'm doing this because I don't want to assume that someone's character having IC responsibility means you wanna take that on OOC. SO! Please only respond here if that's something you would be interested in!

Comments

[kaientai]

[ he just laughs and manages to look just a little embarrassed at the teasing. of course matoba would notice too — as observant as always — and it's definitely identical in appearance to the one hizen tadahiro (the guy, not the sword) carries around. ]

I've a similar personal interest myself, but at least at the start our goal is the same — we have t' figure out who is runnin' the current operation. The more we know, the easier it'll be to know where t' apply pressure. We aren't trying to break this thing, I just wanna acquire it.

[ he makes it sound way easier than it is, of course. ]

To that end, we also need to start raisin' major capital, 'cause when the time comes we're really gonna need it for a lotta reasons. Fortunately, I think we've got solid folks that showed up here this time that can help, even with teachin' people what's what about these things.

[ because of course he heard that loud and clear and already has ideas. ]

Once it's ours, you're absolutely right. We should be safeguardin' the city. Nothin' like the haniwa or those bullets should ever get in without us knowin' about it again.

[worldbent]

[Given how closely he has handled that exact sword- it would be difficult not to. If he really wanted to tease he would start talking to the sword; be glad he has a sense of decorum for the importance of this meeting.]

Ahhh, I am sure that it can't be helped to chop a few limbs off along the way, but I'm sure we can keep it alive. Buy off the connections that can be bought off, but I'm happy to apply more painful pressure where it's needed.

[Matoba taps a finger against the cocktail table he's seated at, with his cooling tea.] Are you thinking to utilize the Celestials? They're hardly sympathetic, but I actually think their neutrality is a key point as to their use. They seem as though they might be surprisingly easy to be swayed by things we can provide.

Like entertainment.

[Suffice to say, in the last few weeks, Matoba has learned just how hard that might be swayed. Then again, he hardly knows exactly what he did to earn the favor...]

[kaientai]

[ kind pacifist that ryouma likes to be, the sort of attitude that goes along with the need to apply painful pressure is ill-fitting. he gives matoba a long look for a few seconds and remembers that he's the one who started off describing the whole thing like it's a beast to be tamed in the first place, so it's not like he can blame matoba for running with it.

ryouma might as well try to accept that this is the way things are. he was prepared to adopt someone else's heavy-handed tactics for power once, this shouldn't be that different... right?

he much prefers where the conversation is going because exact methods they can figure out as they go along. probably. ]

That's exactly what I intend to do. Don't see any reason that the factions should have t' dig too deeply in our own pockets when the Celestials are sittin' on a fortune they'll part with as easily as they do.

This actually goes back to an early idea I had when this whole thing was taking shape. Back when the Celestials first came down here, I chatted up a few of 'em when I had the chance and told 'em what I was gonna do about tryin' t' bring everybody together. Nothin' specific or useful, mostly 'cause I just made up what sounded interestin' an' they ate it up. Anyway, I got a pretty good stack'a money outta that 'cause they were gonna invest in an event I was gonna setup.

Real upscale deal, top-shelf everything. If ya think I have ideas for all this, I been workin' on that a lot longer. Good opportunity for a dry run for the Underground, I'm sure? Plus, the new Ember features got me thinkin' it'd be a good tie-in.

[worldbent]

[Matoba holds the look, and smiles, brightly. It was a part of his "charm"- the ability to say gruesome and cruel things without tarnishing that smile for even a second.]

[If Ryouma's having regrets now, it's a little late. But luckily for him, Matoba knows how to play the cat-and-mouse game of when to press with his strangeness and when to lighten the mood. That, too, was a tactic.]

Ahhh.... This is why you are always broke. [It's a lighthearted little dig, but even other Lost Souls have been telling him such stories. Promises of dinner and the like; anything to get that one more connection, huh?] But it should hook them. If I must be the carrot to be dangled, then fine, I suppose I shall do it.

[Matoba purses his lips and glances up towards the chandelier of Konoha's luxury room.] ...Well, I've never served a god before, so I had better brush up on my ceremony...

[kaientai]

[ ryouma doesn't have regrets exactly, he's just gotten comfortable; his work as a counter guardian was different. those were assignments. paperwork. ryouma hasn't had to make the life and death decisions he is now since way back and it obviously feels a lot uglier when you're playing the long game. still, ryouma started this, so he will see this through. ]

Well, what can I say? That's living money! It's—... well, I suppose they just call those "investments" now, huh?

[ but "living money" is so much cuter, in his opinion. the amusement in his expression is brief, however, because this all brings to mind the more pressing issue behind his goals. it's a familiar worry that is strangely bittersweet. he did not miss those times when the fear his country would no longer exist in the future would keep him up at night, but ryouma also recognises that he was at his best back then. it kept him focused. he could probably use a little of that clarity right now... ]

What happened a few months back can't happen again. I'm sure there was a lot more goin' on behind the scenes, but the other factions can't go along thinkin' they can just roll over us that easily. They don't respect us, which is why they thought they could march in and take away people's homes and livelihoods. If I'm bein' honest, I'm willin' to do whatever it takes, assumin' our people are comfortable with it.

[ because he's not about to force anyone to do anything they don't want to do.

otherwise, the sense he's gotten recently — what with his power being restored to him and all — is that things aren't going to descend further into chaos for the moment, so it's time to build back stronger while they can. ]

[worldbent]

Living money. [Matoba chuckles, just a quiet puff of a laugh, and mildly glances away with the corner of his sleeve to his lips. If he was being honest, that sounded like a much blunter term than an 'investment', but he likes it. It was quite literal, wasn't it?] ...You are ever the business man at heart, aren't you.

[An important part of business was being able to see ahead to the future. Future growth, future sustainability.... And in that, what Ryouma says next is fact.]

Whatever may have been the reputation before any of us arrived, the Night Parade incident did damage that none of us were yet prepared to handle. The next time will not be the same. I can promise you that on my part. [He inclines his head.] ...I may not understand all of the Boss's decisions regarding what happened then, but if they are entrusting the path of this clan's future to us, I am not concerned with questioning them.

[There had been a lot of questions then, when they had all sat in this very club in the wee hours of the night- and anger, and confusion. Many of their questions still haven't been answered. It was normal for the masses to challenge the actions of leadership that was not yet clear to them, nor in a place to trust.]

[He wonders how those sentiments have changed amongst their peers, or not, since then.]

You know better than anyone that war is just another kind of business. [Grinning, his bangs shift as he tilts his head towards the man. Matoba was no soldier, and he wasn't a politician, either. But heading up an exorcist clan was like heading an army: you chose which offenses were worth launching, you handled the supply lines, you weighed the cost of men's lives when you sent them to handle a job. They didn't always come back. In effect, battling ayakashi was not that different- even negotiations played a role when invoking the help of a spirit, here and there, or another clan of exorcists.] There are many Lost Souls that have been brought here who are civilians and normal humans, unaccustomed to combat or politicking of any kind. I'm not going to pretend that it pleases me that they have been entangled in this, but there are always efforts those on the 'homefront' can contribute to a war effort, and that remains true of those who cannot play a more active role in what we are going to need to do in order to take power.

But I can say for my part that I am comfortable with just about anything. [He smiles, resting his eye on Ryouma's. It holds.] All that matters to me is that I get a good result. So, Sakamoto-san, if you ever find that there is something that you or any other cannot bring themselves to do, leave it to me.

[Matoba liked to think that clarity was one of his strong suits.]

[kaientai]

That's the title I figure I wear best if everybody's gotta wear one!

[ he's been called a lot worse. ]

But what you say is exactly why I invite everybody to pursue whatever they like. Unusual skills adapt to this world in ways people may not expect. If you come across anyone havin' a hard time findin' a way t' contribute, send 'em my way. There's more of us all the time, it feels like, so it's not so easy t' get around to all the new faces anymore.

[ it's a nice thought, helping each other out. too bad what follows feels less nice. ryouma meets matoba's gaze and holds it, knowing exactly what's being said. ]

It's good t' know I can count on ya, Matoba-san.

[ deep down, it will always pain him to know that there may yet come a time for methods he would only sign off on under the direst circumstances. he's had to toughen up since he was younger, and he's had to see and do a lot of things he wishes he hadn't. he always had oryou there at his side as well, to do those things that needed to be done that ryouma couldn't bring himself to do. this isn't much different, if he thinks about it... ]

That bein' said, let's hope our other plans work out well enough that we won't need t' ask ya. Even so, hearin' what people are sayin' out there, it's hard t' ignore repeatin' themes. People are scared'a somethin'. Good thing I'm not!

[ he has learned nothing about not baiting your enemies. except he'll be ready this time. ]

[worldbent]

Oh? I can dump them off onto you? [His smile brightens, all false innocence.] I'll remember that for next time.

[...He thinks of the many teenagers that have been gathered in the last few Alliance meet-and-greets that he's seen, especially the ones that were not accustomed to this world of ayakashi and shady dealings. Nervousness and unsure footing, even beyond the usual; that was not his wheelhouse, and he was happy to wash his hands of it. He makes a note to himself to ask the ones he was acquainted with, just how those ones were faring.]

[For the ones he knew, it was the same story as usual. You didn't survive long in their world unless you learned quickly that sacrifices were necessary in order to stay alive. It formed twisted humans, by conventional society's standards, and that was why exorcists had long formed their own societies away from the eyes and morality of those that would shun them, even as their power kept the rest of humanity safe from that they couldn't see. Left to their own worlds, they were an inconvenient necessity that the rest of society did not want to engage with.]

[That was fine. Monsters should be left to do the monstrous things.]

[Matoba's eye drifts downward towards Ryouma's hip again, pondering that. He had noticed it at the top of the meeting, but in this moment several things rang with clarity- between this conversation, between his recent tea with Hizen. His expression doesn't shift much, but he seems somehow amused- like a natural truth laying itself bare again.]

Nor I.

[His smirk remains in his amusement, but he pulls his gaze back away from it and gestures towards outside of the VIP rooms, where tengu staff bustled here and there.]

Have things been smoothed over with the Kasasagi Tengu? I'm surprised you escaped that festival unscathed that night, with how irritated everyone was. [Given his expression, Matoba wasn't that happy either!! Thanks for blueballing him, Ryouma.]

[kaientai]

The ones ya got no use for, sure.

[ this is a business meeting. and someone he doesn't like very much right now made sure to drive home the point that there isn't a lot of room for emotion in this. it boils down to the simple decision of if there are unused resources, they can allocate them somewhere they can be put to use. basic stuff.

ryouma also wonders if matoba is going to ask about things openly or if, besides the sword, he can sense that something's changed, enough that ryouma is almost a little startled when he's asked about something entirely different. maybe that was on purpose, but ryouma looking foolish isn't such an odd thing anyway. ]

Well, they didn't peck me t' death, if that's what y' mean! I suspect I have the boss t' thank for it not escalatin' further, but I've managed t' look a little chewed up for a few days, at least. That ain't scathed enough, huh?

[ he laughs, even if he shouldn't. he's got the scrapes and scratches, but he's already been failing at the not sorry part of this the whole time. ]

[worldbent]

[It wasn't the place or the time- not to be asking such personal things amongst a whole crew of nosy lookie-lous who could remember a slip of information or emotion if it caused one, and that was a show of respect that Matoba gives him for the fact that they are equals. It was the sort of thing he'd rather ask Ryouma over a private drink, or in the quiet secrecy of the temple verandas again.]

[And besides, he still had to ask Hizen.]

Ahaha, I thought the crowd would get to you before the crows, [Matoba grins, and finally picks up his tea to relax from the previously dire business discussions. Seems that's been more or less settled.] My apologies for not finding you and giving them a little taste of their own medicine; I got a little sidetracked after I checked in with the boss.

[With watching a forest heretic-god just straight up eat a crow. That was ...interesting.] I suppose that simply means that we will have to make internal appeals to soothe things over, once we have built ourselves up against the outside. What exactly did you give up that they were they so worked up over? Or was it simply useless pride.

[kaientai]

Well, consider it a talent of mine t' be able to get outta tough scrapes!

[ because, truly, the amount of times he should have died before he did is a lot. ]

I imagine they thought it was totally unreasonable that we oughta be givin' any territory away period. The boss is alive so why are we even doin' this? But they're proud and I can't blame 'em for that. People didn't like how I did business once upon a time either, but it is what it is.

Even if we didn't need t' give 'em ground I would've 'cause I need the others t' have a real stake in this. If we were the only ones takin' risks it would be real easy for someone t' blow the whole thing an' take it for themselves. This way? They won't so easily sacrifice what they have and the way I worked it out, we make a percentage of their business. They pay rent on territory that was makin' us no money!

[ this could probably seem terribly greedy if he didn't sound so genuinely excited. ]

I'll be more than happy t' buy 'em an appropriate apology gift when the time comes. All our profits'll be used t' strengthen the Alliance collectively, after all! They'll see!

[worldbent]

So I have noticed. [So history has noted, too.] It's a good talent to have.

...Honestly, it's unreasonable to think we could get out of all that without doing so, but they ought to take their complaints to the Boss for causing all that ruckus in the first place, if I may be frank. [Matoba sips at his tea with a shake of his head.] The kappa clan have lost far more than their feathers have been so much as ruffled, and all the kappa I spoke to seem thrilled about the outcome of your negotiations.

Let their pride hurt, then.

[And anyway, he can understand what he means, by forcing the other clans to have a stake. It was sort of luring them in, in a way, so that they couldn't cut and run the next time something went wrong in the Underground.]

...Whatever is down there. [His voice softens, watching the drifting sediment in his cup.] You don't really think they've given up on it, do you?