semi-closed 🔪 such is the mantra of men

[pitfight]

Who ⬤ Nishitani and the hoard.
What ⬤ August/Event catchall!
When ⬤ August
Where ⬤ Sai no Kawara, the underground, enma territory, shuten places.... ryouma's apartment.
Content Warnings ⬤

if you would like to tag into this/want a starter, hmu at bussy!

Comments

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!!

[pitfight]

[ Nishitani plays Kazuma's table for a round or two. ]

[ That's all he needs. Standing up, he approaches one of the young attendants, her dress cut low and drinks on a platter above her head. He tells her he needs to see the pitboss. ]

[ It's mere minutes later Kazuma is "relieved" of duty, pulled away from the table and coming face to face with one very irate Nishitani. They're out of public eye here. There's no camera's either. ] Boy, that was some dumb shit you just tried pulling.

no worries friend!!

[karumic]

[A more sensible person would probably deflect, or apologize, or play dumb, or do anything to try and deescalate the situation. Kazuma is not a more sensible person. Rather than do any of those things, he tilts his chin up and looks Nishitani square in the eye.]

I somehow doubt a single table will make much of a dent in profits, sir.

[pitfight]

[ Nishitani's smoking-- he's always smoking, and when Kazuma doesn't immediately apologize he points at the kid with the same hand carrying the cigarette, smoke choking the air between them. ] It's not about fucking profits. [ Nishitani's a friendly person, when he wants to be-- overbearing, insane, criminal, yes, but friendly. Here though, Kazuma is facing down with the Kijin Patriarch, a man who has done unspeakable things to further his own career, and is willing to do unspeakable things here to do the same. ] You think you know how to run a fucking casino? No. So you shut the fuck up and do as you're told, got it? Or I'll shut you up myself.

[karumic]

[Kazuma narrows his eyes as he considers the man in front of him.

The thing is, he isn't sorry he wasn't following instructions, and if directly asked about it he'll admit so. But he's not stupid, either. He's well aware that Shuten is populated by some very dangerous people, Nishitani included, and that continuing to press his luck here could end up very badly for him without much to show for it. He does have his pride, but there are other things he counts as more important. Marginally.

So he won't back down yet, but he will elect to tread carefully. He keeps his tone neutral rather than incendiary.]

Meaning what, sir? Isn't it better for our customers to feel they're having some success?

[pitfight]

What's best is consistency. Once word gets out that you're the fucking weak link, you think the boss is going to want you working at any casino, let alone the one downstairs? [ Irritated, burning that cigarette down to the filter, throwing it at Kazuma's shoes. Deal with it, or don't. Nishitani will judge either way. ] So it's time to get your head out of your ass and do as told!

[karumic]

[That gets through to him, finally.

Kazuma doesn't make it that much of a secret that he doesn't particularly like the Shuten's values, but unfortunately he does need to fulfill his contract, and ideally as fast as possible. He really can't afford for Toraguma to have a problem with him.

Honestly, he'd hoped nobody would notice his little protest, but it seems he really does need to toe the line here. Keep his head down. Compromise his morals.

He stares down at the cigarette Nishitani threw at his feet and grinds his teeth.]

I... understand. Sir.

[It feels like the words are being dragged out of him, but this is what he needs to do.]

I apologize for my conduct. It won't happen again.

[pitfight]

Good boy. Now if I get any word from one of your tables again, it's going to be more than just a little chat next time. [ Nishitani taps out another cigarette, specifically not offering one to Kazuma, lighting up and drawing back hard. He's at the door, about to open it, before he looks back over his shoulder, pointedly at the cigarette filter at Kazuma's feet. ] And for fucks sake, clean that shit up and get back out there.

[karumic]

[Kazuma doesn't actually respond to him, still staring at the cigarette on the floor. A little extra indignity, as if the exchange hadn't been humiliating enough.

But he can't afford to press his luck here. Whether he likes it or not, Nishitani is far more important to the Shuten than Kazuma is, and it seems the ice he's on is already very thin. Following orders is the least he can do to gain traction back.

Even if it galls him.

After a moment, Kazuma gives Nishitani a stiff nod. And he cleans up the fucking cigarette.]