jigokulogs | [ closed ] 別道「 another way 」

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fate: sakamoto ryouma

[ closed ] 別道「 another way 」

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ ryouma definitely feels at ease, enough to indulge in his newly regained ability to choose a more agreeable outfit by magic if he wants. it's much more comfortable to sit around in a kimono and hakama than it is in stiff western-style clothes. ]

So, those things ya wanted to ask that didn't have anything t' do with the meetin'... more business, I'm guessin'?

[ not that he minds. it's just smarter for them to get anything official out of the way while he's not had a lot of sake. ]

Yes, and things I didn't want to be overheard that might potentially derail the meeting. Speaking above my place and all.

[man, she's jealous of his clothes changing. so simple...so easy. that would make her life better, but she assumes that just comes with being a magic being.

in any case, she waits until they have their sake to talk.]

I've revised one of my opinions. I don't think Matoba should be allowed anywhere near the Shuten Clan unless we want something to fall apart.

[she speaks quietly but firmly - there's no hesitation in that statement.]

Ah. I getcha. Fair enough!

[ although he shows exactly how he feels about matters of who or what is above anyone else since regardless of rank or anyone's idea of etiquette, ryouma is content to pour for the both of them. ]

Oh? Is it 'cause he was real willin' to get his hands dirty?

[ because that's what seems most obvious to him at the moment, but that's why he's asking. ]

No, that would make him more ideal, actually. It's more his personal beliefs.

[sighing, she sips from her cup before going on.]

You know I have a companion, the same as Izo does. They went to meet with him, to introduce themselves and head off any...unpleasantness that might arise due to Matoba being an exorcist. Naturally, such a man might feel some unease from my partner, but there was the hope that we could reach an accord given our shared purpose. We might have even explained our situation, which is not an unwelcome one as it stands.

His response to them from all I gather showed two things - a core inflexibility when it comes to what he designates as "ayakashi", and a sense of pride that would undoubtedly raise the ire of more sensitive temperaments if the former wasn't difficult enough.

[like Toraguma, quick to wrath by all accounts.]

If it was just my condition he took issue with, I could bear up with that, but my companion drew notice to how he does not shy away from announcing his opinions on those who are not human. All told, putting him in an already fragile situation is possibly the worst call we could make.

I see...

[ it's a vague, non-committal response, but ryouma is mulling it over because it's something to add to his overall picture of matoba in his mind. the matter of who should deal with the shuten is obvious. ]

Well, then there ain't much for it then, huh? He might even be relieved; I think he prefers workin' behind-the-scenes more anyway. Can't take that risk no matter what's goin' on.

[ but then ryouma empties his cup in one go and grins across at her. ]

Could ask ya t' do it, couldn't I? Y' know what we're after, and Majima ain't gonna see red when he looks ya in the face. If y' feel like it's goin' above your paygrade again then I think just havin' ya around'll help...

[she's startled by the question, it's obvious. at least that route had never crossed her mind when she was considering who could deal with that particular branch of things on an even level. maybe it would be a potential if she got promoted but - ]

You serious?

[wouldn't that just be exploiting a relationship for politics? granted, the sakazuki would cover it slightly...]

Edited 2022-07-21 04:20 (UTC)

Well, sure. But like I said at the meetin', I'm not askin' anybody to do something they don't wanna do. That might be too much of a conflict of interest, and I'd understand it. A long time ago, I used t' worry if I'd run into my old mentor sometimes 'cause I knew if he ended up facin' me as my enemy, I'd never be able t' shoot. Not sayin' it'll come to all that, but it feels like that sittin' on opposite sides of the table too, so I'm not gonna put ya in that position if ya ain't comfortable.

[ and, as much as he doesn't want to bring all this up, now seems like the best time. it's relevant, after all, but the topic leaves a bad taste in his mouth no matter what, which is part of the problem. ]

Otherwise, to address the elephant in the room... everybody's history and extra-curriculars are colourin' this thing all the way down, and it doesn't seem like that's gonna change, so cancellin' out how much he hates me so the Alliance ain't always operatin' at a disadvantage from the get-go just seems like a smart strategy.

[there's a way Ryouma says it that she doesn't love, but she refills his sake before replying, drinking from her own cup. she's considering it, mulling it over in her mind. frankly, it's the safest thing to do, and while obvious, she can say she knows what tactics he'd bring to the table as well. add onto that the oath, and...

well. if Majima had his choice, she knows he'd choose her. closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath.]

...I'll do it. But if I go in with your backing, then it's with the understanding that what I say, they'll hold both of us to. Can you live with that, Ryouma?

[beat.]

I promise I won't put our lives up as collateral.

Ya say that like you're plannin' on agreein' to something I wouldn't or givin' more ground than we already had to. We're not gonna be in this same position forever. The Alliance looks weak right now, so all I could do was make promises with nothing else to deliver at the moment.

[ he sips from his cup again, though he clearly has a thought in the middle of that. ]

If he thinks he's gonna ask ya t' agree to me doin' or sayin' things I won't jus' t' appease him, tell him t' grow up. I've kept it strictly professional.

[ otherwise, he's sure there won't be any issues between the alliance strengthening its negotiating position and no one to unintentionally piss off with his attitude. what else wouldn't he like? ]

That will not be an issue.

[she says it calmly, assuredly. no, if their practice showed anything, she won't be doing any appeasing. she was learning, training for that.]

...That's all the business I had for you. Sorry to bring it all the way out here, but I didn't want anyone to take it the wrong way.

Oh, good! The boss is gonna be handin' ya another promotion at this rate.

[ and he's content to settle the end of the business by tossing back the rest of his cup. let the real drinking begin~! ]

And no worries! I'd prefer to avoid any awkwardness in that area m'self, and I think all parties involved'll be better off for it. He's interested in goin' after what the Celestials have t' offer anyway. That's sure to be exhaustin' work.

[ that will be the official story, anyway. ]

I guess I should thank your—... er... companion? [ he's encouraged to discover that thinking about this topic hurts only a reasonable amount, for once. ] I've only dealt with Karasu, so you'll have to forgive me for not knowin' the etiquette.

Hibiki is about as much one for etiquette as you are, so there's no need to worry. In general, you can think of them as someone else in the room content to be entirely overlooked while it suits them. They'll make a proper introduction only if asked, or it strikes their fancy.

[the observer. only she has to deal with their commentary when it crops up, and a good thing for it.]

Oh. Is that so? So it's a "no news is good news" sorta deal, huh?

[ ryouma refills his cup and sees that emily's is topped off again as well. he's not going to quit doing that unless she tells him to. ]

The times I've encountered Karasu have been—... interesting. Complicated..? [ what isn't..? ] So! Ah... good to know.

[ they almost had a sort of conversation once. ]

It's more that we have an understanding, and mostly, we stick to it.

[she'll pace herself with her drinking, making sure not to go too far - sipping is fine, and at some point the hiyayakko she ordered will show. no rush.]

Karasu's very, very different. You could say that he's still in his youth, comparatively. Full of his impulses.

Ah, I get it. That makes a lot of sense. I couldn't tell if he was just mean or what. Anyway, their similarities probably aren't doing them any favours either...

[ two impulsive people together in one mind is just asking for trouble. ]

I don't know what it's like so I'm sure I was speaking out of turn in thinking you're lucky to have each other.

Not at all. It's a complicated arrangement, but I'm glad for it, in the end.

[and that said...]

I'm the kind of person who works better with others than alone, anyway.

Yeah? Me too. We don't have to get along all the time and actually it's better if we don't, it's just better havin' somebody around. I'm from a big family though, so maybe that's why.

[ ryouma know that's not why and there's an awkward few seconds as it dawns on him because he's bracing for something. ]

Huh. And 'cause of Oryou, of course. I keep expectin' it t' feel like it did before whenever I talked about 'er...

[ the last time he'd tried talking about her it had been more than just an emotional loss because it was painful on some magical or spiritual level he couldn't even properly describe, let alone heal. his hand goes unconsciously to the second sword he still has tucked into his hakama strings. it has everything to do with that, after all, and is really screwing with his existential bullshit lately. ]

Ah—... sorry. It probably doesn't seem like much, but the boss gave me somethin' recently that's changed just about everything.

[ which, he also realises, could be somewhat alarming given the stakes these days. ]

Not in a bad way! It's—...

[ he pauses, thinks to find the words. ]

It's like ya go all your life seein' things like ya do and then someone gives ya a pair of glasses. Ya saw trees all your life but now ya see the details clearly. If that makes sense..? I'm sorta workin' through some of it as I go along. I still miss her though...

[ just a normal amount. ryouma is just too proud perhaps to admit that it had been very bad. contributing factor to his ending up cursed and his shooting of izō problems, bad. he's just going to shut up and drink. ]

Like it's more of a scar than an open wound?

[the smile she shoots him back is gentle, more at ease than when she's talking business. this she's far more versed on than trying to understand yakuza dealings or handle tense black market deals. just being people, talking about people.]

It sounds like what's come your way has been sorely needed, Ryouma, and I'm happy for you. Of course you'll still miss her - it's a bitter ache to be without someone that special to you - but if it feels like you can breathe with the pain, then that's for the best.

[thank you, izakaya staff, for the hiyayakko showing up. it counters summer's feeling.]

I have a certain feeling you'll reunite with her sooner rather than later. You're simply too determined to have it pan out otherwise.

Yeah! But bigger'n that too, 'cause it's a lotta things besides Oryou...

[ there is some hesitation here, mostly because he just unloaded so much already all in a rush. it's not like he's quiet, but whenever he talks about himself directly too much he always feels like he needs to stop and shift the topic towards literally anything else.

his expression is mildly pained when he realises he probably owes her an attempt at a more thorough explanation, if only because he's continuing to rely on her support. it's probably enough wondering what he's going to do as-is without adding layers of magical uncertainty to the mix. stupid sense of responsibility. ]

Servants're pretty complicated, mostly 'cause what makes a person a person is a lot, so sometimes the same Heroic Spirit can appear in different forms. Classes. What the Daitengu gave me changed mine, which until it happened I didn't think was possible for me. I'm just a guy from nowhere, Oryou is what made our team special.

[ and now he's having to deal with the fact that he has power in his own right and it's weird!!! ]

I miss Oryou 'cause we're apart, like normal, not like somebody cut out half'a me and then expected me t' forget about it.

[ which feels very dramatic to say , laying it out like that, but it's the closest he's gotten to a proper description. ]

Dunno what else it means though, which is what I'm figurin' out, only that I'm stronger now than I was.

[ it's easy to imagine why it was given to him now, all things considered. ryouma isn't looking for a fight but a little more resilience never hurt when you're making enemies left and right. ]

You're right too, what y' think. We'll be together soon, I know it! Not 'cause'a anything I'm doin', either, hehe. Oryou said she'd stick by me no matter what, especially after what happened the last time we were really apart. She's right behind me, it's jus' that time works funny here, that's all...

[ which he's believed since he's been here and probably won't stop believing whether or not he's just deluding himself. ]

[the look on her face probably tells him that she hasn't the faintest idea what a "Heroic Spirit" is, or what he means by classes. half of what he's saying is then utterly lost on her, and the only way she can understand is by thinking of her own connection - if someone simply snapped off her connection to Hibiki, it would feel like an utter loss in her body.

so instead, she focuses on what she can understand. that time moves strangely, and there's still hope for the future. that time moves oddly - at least the ground stays under their feet.]

Right. It's not always so straightforward, in a new place...time doesn't always work the way we think it should. She's coming, and when she arrives, I hope you let me know so I can meet her.

[because friends take joy in their friends having their wife back.]

[ ryouma doesn't miss that look and he laughs quietly as he drinks from his cup again. ]

Here I thought I was explainin' somethin' but I only made it worse, huh? Too much magical nonsense is what it is. But yeah, 'course I'd introduce ya!

[ assuming he's right. assuming he survives long enough to be reunited. he's making a lot of big assumptions here. ]

Anyway, I'm sure ya didn't come here t' talk about all that.

[ see: ryouma hates sad things and would love to talk about this again never. ]

It won't stop me doin' my job, so no worries.

[ the part of himself he thinks matters most, after all, is what's useful for what needs to be done. ]

Do you speak those words for my benefit, or your own?

[mildly, not the piercing gaze and voice she's turned on him before, but a friend's inquistion.]

Hm? Well—... yours! Havin' done what I've done 'round here and havin' a lot ridin' on this, I figured the last thing ya wanna hear is somethin' else t' worry 'bout...

[ he does very little for his own benefit, to be honest. ]

Business wise, yes. But as myself? That's another matter entirely.

[don't tell her the clinic needs more. but do talk about yourself - your wishes and wants.

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