[ and he gets there in a reasonable amount of time, probably because now that he's thought about the food he has good reason to hurry there. he's traded out the kimono he wore to the parade for another one, mostly because that's also easier for him than it would've been trying to manage what he usually wears and the other one still needs to be cleaned. ]
Weren't waiting too long, I hope?
[ he's not going to mention that it's surprising to even be invited and just... enjoy it. ]
(He says like he was waiting a long time but really, it wasn't that long. It just felt longer because he's hungry.)
Let's go. I'm hungry.
(He'll lead the way into the shop. This one is crowded but since it's just the two of them, they're able to squeeze into a little corner somewhere by the kitchen where it's noisy with clattering dishes, bubbling oil, and beeping kitchen appliances. They only serve gyoza in different flavors, sizes, and amounts. Hizen immediately orders a drink and...... a set of 24 gyoza.)
Get your own.
(No, he didn't get the largest size to share. It's all for him.)
[ he offers hizen his best, most apologetic face and then is quick to follow when he takes off into the shop. it smells good and he keeps leaning around to get a look at everything, especially when they're heading back to their table. busy as it is, he doesn't mind the bustle; it's kind of nice to see the city going right along being lively despite everything that's happened.
it takes him a moment or two to come back out of his thoughts to realise what hizen's talking about. and you know what? ]
Fine then, I will.
[ just go ahead and bring him the exact same thing. ]
(The Daitengu might be dead but a business still needs to make a profit to live.
It won't take long for their food and drinks to be ready. This sort of business thrives on being fast with their service. Still, there's time to talk and while Hizen leans back in his seat awkwardly, he doesn't say anything right away. He's bad at talking and he isn't sure how to start a conversation, especially with this guy.)
... So what d'ya wanna talk about?
(Ignore the fact that it was Hizen who invited Ryouma in the first place so maybe he should start the conversation properly? But it's Ryouma. He always has something to talk about. He has no doubt he's been busy and sticking his nose in places it shouldn't be in since the attack, too.)
Eh? I thought you—... [ had a specific reason to want to ask him to come out? ] ...well, it doesn't matter, haha! It's nice to just sit down and relax!
[ it's fine! he can make up for it and fill any awkward silence with awkward laughter. he hasn't heard anything about hizen specifically, so whatever he chooses to tell will be news to ryouma. ]
Hoping things haven't been too crazy for you, at least?
(Wow, why would Hizen want to talk to Ryouma?? But it's true, he did have something he wanted to talk about otherwise he wouldn't have asked him to come out. Their drinks come first and he waits for the server to leave before continuing,)
Everything's messed up. (Turning his glass in his hands,) Don't really get all of it...
(All of the conspiracies and mysteries going around? He's horrible at thinking and he just... sighs. He always looks tired but right now, he's particularly tired,)
Just know things're probably gonna be busy. (And he looks over at Ryouma, red eyes watching him directly,) And dangerous.
(Ryouma's getting into things isn't he..... It wouldn't be Ryouma if he wasn't.)
Me neither, so it's a good thing expectations are low for us Lost Souls right now. I bet you're more observant than you give yourself credit for anyway.
[ the most frustrating part of all this is not knowing much and knowing even less about this city and the people living in it. that adds layers of complications to the whole issue. he's glad for the drinks, at least, because it gives him something to do other than poorly attempting to sit still. ]
Of course it'll be dangerous, but that's why the work is important. No one should have to live in fear like the Kappa and the other small tribes do.
[ ryouma's determined tone and expression might seem familiar — it's easier to remember what this is all for when you're sufficiently motivated again — but then he smiles and takes another sip from his cup. ]
Besides, whatever you might've heard, now you can see that I'm fine~!
[ just in case hizen had heard about him getting hurt, he can dispel any concerns. not that he expects concern, but maybe he can avoid getting yelled at..? ]
(He doesn't need Ryouma to make him feel better or feel like he has a better handle on the situation than he thinks. He knows his limits. He knows what he's good at. He doesn't need this guy reminding him.
A server brings out their food and Hizen sits up again to eat. He splits his chopsticks and pierces the starchy lace keeping them together but pauses just briefly. This feels uncomfortably familiar. Instead of dwelling, he sticks his gyoza in his mouth, focusing more on the food in front of him instead of the man,)
Haven't heard much of anything. Just the Enma're rounding up the kappa and everything's gonna be taken care of. (The new Daitengu will be chosen? Announced? A funeral will happen. He isn't here to give a full report to Ryouma. It isn't his job to share theories or information but he did come to him for a reason...) Been thinking about the assassins though.
(And it's here that he sets down his chopsticks after only a few bites and reaches into the pocket of his hoodie to reveal... a bullet.)
[ gonna just have to deal with that hizen — he has a strong tendency to encourage people even when they don't sound a lot like izō. when the server arrives he thanks them cheerfully (and noisily) for the food, digging in and shoving hot gyoza in his mouth before almost immediately regretting it because it's hot and he never learns.
ryouma perks up at the mention of assassins, brows shooting up while he's in the middle of drinking his sake. at least he swallows everything before he tries to speak up again. small favours. ]
Oh?
[ he leans over to peer at the bullet, setting his chopsticks down and reaching over to pick it up. because he's not thinking about whether he should or not, he just wants to look at it!! it's not like he's going to steal it, after all. ryouma is no expert, so more than anything he needs to feel something out to know anything rather than just examining it visually — although he does that too, of course. ]
This is a great find! Have you had anyone look at it yet? Where'd you find it?
[ digging it out of a wound is not his immediate assumption... ]
Trying to find an exorcist to look at it. He might be able to figure out what was on it if he knows what to look for.
(He's pretty deadpan the entire conversation like.... he didn't just mention getting shot? Like he isn't recovering from it right now? It's all business. He came here to get information.)
[ okay? does it hurt? all sorts of normal things to ask in this situation. instead, he just smiles quietly and sighs, sitting back down properly because at some point he'd gotten up a little and officially started leaning over the table.
what is he going to do, give hizen some sort of lecture? considering he'd picked what he's wearing because he didn't have to mess around having to stretch in ways that make his arm hurt where he'd also gotten hurt, ryouma already realises he has no business saying so. ]
I know an exorcist, so that could be arranged. We're all looking for the same answers anyway.
(Ryouma gets up and Hizen ignores it, instead, focusing on his meal before it cools too much and becomes cold. Ah, but it turns out he actually didn't need to stuff his face to keep from answering any questions because Ryouma doesn't ask after all.
He slows and looks up to speak again.
He'd run into two exorcists (that he knew of) and he wonders which one Ryouma means,)
[ ryouma tries eating again now that his food is slightly less piping hot and doesn't mind hizen's extended silence because that gives him time to actually eat. ordinarily, eating is somewhat optional since he relies on mana, but getting injured puts a real strain on his reserves. ]
One.
[ technically he knows another but he's trying to keep this thing as close to home as possible, so ryouma is naturally going to stick with the one he knows runs with his faction. ]
So I guess ya already know one too anyway. Hell's a funny place t' find exorcists, so they stick out...
[ now he's talking with his mouth full, so his accent slips. ryouma is happy hizen decided to share this since he could've just gone directly to the exorcists in question and cut him out of this entirely. ]
Anyway, figure there's gotta be something unique about those rounds since the way I'm hearing it, you're not supposed to be able to take out a powerful youkai with regular bullets. Hurt just the same though, huh?
[ laughing in having been shot. that's normal, right? ]
( That moment when Hizen has run into three whole exorcists… maybe a fourth. Hell is a weird place to find so many at once and the fact that he keeps stumbling onto them is weird. )
That guy.
( The exorcist with the bad eye. As in, the eye that makes him feel uncomfortable.
His next move is to stab one of is gyoza and he scowls, pointedly switching to an almost perfect accent,)
Of course it hurt. ( it fucking hurt!! It hurt him physically and it hurt his pride!! ) It wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn’t for this stupid body either.
Mm. Then I'll see about setting that up if you haven't already.
[ which is his way of offering indirectly to handle the social aspect of it since he figures hizen might appreciate it. ]
But I didn't mean it like that! I only meant that I can relate seeing as I got pretty lucky myself.
[ the way he pats his left arm is supposed to be reassuring (somehow), but he just ends up wincing instead. seemed like a better idea than it actually turned out to be, well, oh well. ]
Was that s'posed to sound like me? It's pretty good!
[ he grins and, as usual, remains unbothered by this commentary. it's!! endearing!! ryouma eats another gyoza and washes it down with more sake. no wonder he's like this. it's only going to get worse. ]
(Even if he hates socializing and dealing with people, he can do his own jobs.
Ryouma mentions getting shot and pats his arm. Hizen freezes and there's that initial pang of concern and worry but he shoves it all away. Ryouma is clearly fine. He'll be fine. There's no reason to worry so he'll save his energy. As for who he was mocking exactly... it doesn't matter either. )
It's weak. A real pain. (He's finished most of his gyoza already. If he had better company, he'd probably order more. As it is, he'll likely leave once he finishes his meal.) Especially here.
(He pauses, wondering for a moment if he should explain more. Ryouma is different. He was a human before he became a spirit. All of the burdens of humanity were things he'd picked up naturally over time whereas Hizen... Just thinking about it makes him tired and he sighs. No, he changes his mind. He really doesn't want to explain.)
... You wouldn't get it.
(Drinking. He'll focus on other things instead; the things that can be easily understood,)
If you insist~ [ he's not going to argue the point or anything, so he just has another bite of gyoza instead. ] Matoba Seiji.
[ he remembers the name from when they exchanged information at some point. ]
"A real pain"...
[ he repeats the words but thoughtfully, not mockingly, and pours more sake for hizen out of his own. he doesn't want to talk about it any more than hizen wants to hear it, so ryouma is happy to spare him. maybe he doesn't feel the weakness directly like hizen does, but the loss of oryou makes him feel less than whole in a way he doesn't know how to shake. ]
Maybe. Maybe not.
[ vague, nebulous as he can be. ]
But we're in this place and I'm still what I am and you're still what you are. It's not like... wherever Izō went before he came here. [ meaning they didn't all get turned human or into something else entirely. ] Maybe it's an adjustment period? Maybe the local magic has to sort things out, who knows? Might not be like this forever.
(Finally. He's been trying to track down this exorcist for the last day or so. It's been annoying trying to find him in a city full of so many people.
He watches as Ryouma shares his sake with him. Clearly all a ploy to get him to stick around longer... well, it's working. Something in the air seems to have shifted. Ryouma's doing that thing... where he's hard to read. Serious? Hm. The least he can do is listen in return and ah--
He wishes he hadn't. He sits up straighter in his seat and makes a point to look away from Ryouma. Instead, he focuses on his cup, on the sake inside, and... well, he's always scowling but now, his brows knit closely together and his mouth makes a tight line. He needs to talk to Izo, too. About that place... but when Izo is ready. Hizen has never been very good at starting conversations. He needs to apologize too, for hitting him, or rather, hitting Karasu. He might not say anything; talking to Ryouma is difficult enough without talking about difficult topics like Izo but it's clear enough from his body language-- he's thinking about Izo. He's worried about him. He cares a lot more than he'll ever admit outloud.)
's already been too long.
(Without his strength. Without his ability to heal.)
Can't do anything if you're weak. (Can't protect anyone. Can't fight. Can't change anything. Nothing. It's only here that he glances up at Ryouma,) So don't go more making trouble when you can't do anything.
You remember it when you got here, right? Time's sort of funny around here too. Besides, you and I both know I did plenty with less once upon a time, so I can't stop now. Like it or not, that's the job bein' a Guardian.
[ it's true that's all very much in question right now — what with not knowing where his pact with the world stands in comparison to his contract in hell — but ryouma has done the job long enough and embraced the idea of existing for a purpose his entire life before and since anyway. why should he think any differently now? ]
Besides, who could get upset at someone for throwin' a party? Or making everyone more money? That's always been the ticket.
[ it's not like these are some kind of trade secrets, but he's talking with the thought in mind that hizen, like izō, wasn't there to know how things were in the end. however else hizen has come to learn anything through his own experience, ryouma doesn't know, so he can only guess. ]
The one thing everyone knows and understands is money, especially around here. That's obvious just looking around. How could that be trouble, huh?
[ oh, he knows how people can be about money, but again he refuses to let worries like that stop him. ]
(Ryouma gives one of his typical speeches. To be honest, much of Hizen's impressions are all second-hand. He knows the version of Ryouma that influenced Izo's story and the story of Ryouma that allowed Mutsunokami to manifest the way that he is.
And like this, he can see... this is Sakamoto Ryouma.
Motivational, optimistic, light-hearted, and minimizing how much trouble things really are. A job's a job! Everything is fun. It's all about money. He has a plan! And if he doesn't? He'll figure it out. He'll figure everything out. He makes it sound so easy and simple that even a fool could follow it.
If Hizen were more naive, he'd probably be charmed. He isn't naive though and when he looks at Ryouma, eyes dark and hollow, it's like he's trying to cut through all of the distractions and leads,)
People like you are easy to hate.
(People that kick up a fuss, stick their noses in place they aren't supposed to. People who aren't afraid to speak their minds and have personalities that can draw people to them, growing in number and strength.)
'S why people like me have jobs.
(Because when you hate someone enough, you'll pay to have them killed.
And he reiterates again,)
Don't be stupid.
(Don't cause trouble. Not when he's too weak to get out of it. Not when the people who would drag him out are also weak.)
You already know what I'm gonna say though, don't you?
[ his tone and his smile remain the same and ryouma drinks his sake with the same enthusiasm as he has been, but he feels entirely too perceived right now. hizen is already privy to more than he should have let on about — with him or anyone else — because ryouma's problems have always been best kept to himself. that's how he sees it anyway. ]
I've never been able to just sit and watch.
[ how could he? the place and the people are different but the problems sure feel familiar. it's impossible for him not to feel for the plight of the smaller tribes and he barely knows them. ]
Besides, this is the first job I've had in a very long time where I can do whatever I like and the end result isn't just a lot of meaningless paperwork. I guess I'll just have to make enough money to be able to pay double.
(It's the answer he expects and not the one he likes. Ryouma keeps that same look on his face and Hizen can't look at it anymore. It's annoying. He hates it. Really, it just makes him want to knock it off his face and yell some.
Instead, he eats his last pieces of gyoza and picks at some of the pieces that had broken off from the fried lace. He's going to clean his plate. And really, picking at a few shards of oil and starch with a pair of wooden chopsticks is more than an acceptable distraction from Ryouma.)
... Can't stand you.
(He really can't. With nothing else to eat, he can only drink. Nothing tastes as good as it did when it first came out, though.)
Go do something stupid then. Not like I can stop you.
(Or anyone. No one ever listens to him. He's annoyed. He's disappointed. He's tired.)
Heh, well, I'm not trying to rush into anything stupid if I can help it! I might even sleep tonight.
[ at some point eating all this gyoza and washing them down with sake is going to intersect with his flagging mana reserves and knock him out and he really needs the rest, honestly. ]
I'm not looking to make an enemy out of you or who you work for, for what it's worth?
[ everything is at any time potentially a new partnership. he wants to strengthen the bonds between the various tribes that comprise the alliance but he's already thinking bigger than that. ]
Well, those're your words, not mine! I just figured we'd get on peacefully as allies, but if ya took that as me meaning friends maybe I should be aiming higher...
[ congratulations, he's taken it as a suggestion instead. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ and he gets there in a reasonable amount of time, probably because now that he's thought about the food he has good reason to hurry there. he's traded out the kimono he wore to the parade for another one, mostly because that's also easier for him than it would've been trying to manage what he usually wears
and the other one still needs to be cleaned. ]Weren't waiting too long, I hope?
[ he's not going to mention that it's surprising to even be invited and just... enjoy it. ]
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(He says like he was waiting a long time but really, it wasn't that long. It just felt longer because he's hungry.)
Let's go. I'm hungry.
(He'll lead the way into the shop. This one is crowded but since it's just the two of them, they're able to squeeze into a little corner somewhere by the kitchen where it's noisy with clattering dishes, bubbling oil, and beeping kitchen appliances. They only serve gyoza in different flavors, sizes, and amounts. Hizen immediately orders a drink and...... a set of 24 gyoza.)
Get your own.
(No, he didn't get the largest size to share. It's all for him.)
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[ he offers hizen his best, most apologetic face and then is quick to follow when he takes off into the shop. it smells good and he keeps leaning around to get a look at everything, especially when they're heading back to their table. busy as it is, he doesn't mind the bustle; it's kind of nice to see the city going right along being lively despite everything that's happened.
it takes him a moment or two to come back out of his thoughts to realise what hizen's talking about. and you know what? ]
Fine then, I will.
[ just go ahead and bring him the exact same thing. ]
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It won't take long for their food and drinks to be ready. This sort of business thrives on being fast with their service. Still, there's time to talk and while Hizen leans back in his seat awkwardly, he doesn't say anything right away. He's bad at talking and he isn't sure how to start a conversation, especially with this guy.)
... So what d'ya wanna talk about?
(Ignore the fact that it was Hizen who invited Ryouma in the first place so maybe he should start the conversation properly? But it's Ryouma. He always has something to talk about. He has no doubt he's been busy and sticking his nose in places it shouldn't be in since the attack, too.)
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[ it's fine! he can make up for it
and fill any awkward silence with awkward laughter.he hasn't heard anything about hizen specifically, so whatever he chooses to tell will be news to ryouma. ]Hoping things haven't been too crazy for you, at least?
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Everything's messed up. (Turning his glass in his hands,) Don't really get all of it...
(All of the conspiracies and mysteries going around? He's horrible at thinking and he just... sighs. He always looks tired but right now, he's particularly tired,)
Just know things're probably gonna be busy. (And he looks over at Ryouma, red eyes watching him directly,) And dangerous.
(Ryouma's getting into things isn't he..... It wouldn't be Ryouma if he wasn't.)
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[ the most frustrating part of all this is not knowing much and knowing even less about this city and the people living in it. that adds layers of complications to the whole issue. he's glad for the drinks, at least, because it gives him something to do other than poorly attempting to sit still. ]
Of course it'll be dangerous, but that's why the work is important. No one should have to live in fear like the Kappa and the other small tribes do.
[ ryouma's determined tone and expression might seem familiar — it's easier to remember what this is all for when you're sufficiently motivated again — but then he smiles and takes another sip from his cup. ]
Besides, whatever you might've heard, now you can see that I'm fine~!
[ just in case hizen had heard about him getting hurt, he can dispel any concerns. not that he expects concern, but maybe he can avoid getting yelled at..? ]
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Didn't come here for a pep talk.
(He doesn't need Ryouma to make him feel better or feel like he has a better handle on the situation than he thinks. He knows his limits. He knows what he's good at. He doesn't need this guy reminding him.
A server brings out their food and Hizen sits up again to eat. He splits his chopsticks and pierces the starchy lace keeping them together but pauses just briefly. This feels uncomfortably familiar. Instead of dwelling, he sticks his gyoza in his mouth, focusing more on the food in front of him instead of the man,)
Haven't heard much of anything. Just the Enma're rounding up the kappa and everything's gonna be taken care of. (The new Daitengu will be chosen? Announced? A funeral will happen. He isn't here to give a full report to Ryouma. It isn't his job to share theories or information but he did come to him for a reason...) Been thinking about the assassins though.
(And it's here that he sets down his chopsticks after only a few bites and reaches into the pocket of his hoodie to reveal... a bullet.)
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[ gonna just have to deal with that hizen — he has a strong tendency to encourage people
even when they don't sound a lot like izō. when the server arrives he thanks them cheerfully (and noisily) for the food, digging in and shoving hot gyoza in his mouth before almost immediately regretting it because it's hot and he never learns.ryouma perks up at the mention of assassins, brows shooting up while he's in the middle of drinking his sake. at least he swallows everything before he tries to speak up again. small favours. ]
Oh?
[ he leans over to peer at the bullet, setting his chopsticks down and reaching over to pick it up. because he's not thinking about whether he should or not, he just wants to look at it!! it's not like he's going to steal it, after all. ryouma is no expert, so more than anything he needs to feel something out to know anything rather than just examining it visually — although he does that too, of course. ]
This is a great find! Have you had anyone look at it yet? Where'd you find it?
[ digging it out of a wound is not his immediate assumption... ]
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Inside me.
(And he just goes back to eating for a moment,)
Trying to find an exorcist to look at it. He might be able to figure out what was on it if he knows what to look for.
(He's pretty deadpan the entire conversation like.... he didn't just mention getting shot? Like he isn't recovering from it right now? It's all business. He came here to get information.)
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[ okay? does it hurt? all sorts of normal things to ask in this situation. instead, he just smiles quietly and sighs, sitting back down properly because at some point he'd gotten up a little and officially started leaning over the table.
what is he going to do, give hizen some sort of lecture? considering he'd picked what he's wearing because he didn't have to mess around having to stretch in ways that make his arm hurt where he'd also gotten hurt, ryouma already realises he has no business saying so. ]
I know an exorcist, so that could be arranged. We're all looking for the same answers anyway.
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He slows and looks up to speak again.
He'd run into two exorcists (that he knew of) and he wonders which one Ryouma means,)
... One with four eyes or one with one?
(Glasses or a covered eye.)
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One.
[ technically he knows another but he's trying to keep this thing as close to home as possible, so ryouma is naturally going to stick with the one he knows runs with his faction. ]
So I guess ya already know one too anyway. Hell's a funny place t' find exorcists, so they stick out...
[ now he's talking with his mouth full, so his accent slips. ryouma is happy hizen decided to share this since he could've just gone directly to the exorcists in question and cut him out of this entirely. ]
Anyway, figure there's gotta be something unique about those rounds since the way I'm hearing it, you're not supposed to be able to take out a powerful youkai with regular bullets. Hurt just the same though, huh?
[ laughing in having been shot. that's normal, right? ]
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That guy.
( The exorcist with the bad eye. As in, the eye that makes him feel uncomfortable.
His next move is to stab one of is gyoza and he scowls, pointedly switching to an almost perfect accent,)
“The gun is mightier than the sword.”
( —じゃ。 —Jya. It’s clear he’s mocking someone. Ryouma?
C’mon, sir, why would a sword find this funny? )
Of course it hurt. ( it fucking hurt!! It hurt him physically and it hurt his pride!! ) It wouldn’t be a problem if it wasn’t for this stupid body either.
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[ which is his way of offering indirectly to handle the social aspect of it since he figures hizen might appreciate it. ]
But I didn't mean it like that! I only meant that I can relate seeing as I got pretty lucky myself.
[ the way he pats his left arm is supposed to be reassuring (somehow), but he just ends up wincing instead. seemed like a better idea than it actually turned out to be, well, oh well. ]
Was that s'posed to sound like me? It's pretty good!
[ he grins and, as usual, remains unbothered by this commentary. it's!! endearing!! ryouma eats another gyoza and washes it down with more sake. no wonder he's like this.
it's only going to get worse.]What's wrong with your body? Looks fine to me.
[ but did you die? it'S FINE. ]
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(Even if he hates socializing and dealing with people, he can do his own jobs.
Ryouma mentions getting shot and pats his arm. Hizen freezes and there's that initial pang of concern and worry but he shoves it all away. Ryouma is clearly fine. He'll be fine. There's no reason to worry so he'll save his energy. As for who he was mocking exactly... it doesn't matter either. )
It's weak. A real pain. (He's finished most of his gyoza already. If he had better company, he'd probably order more. As it is, he'll likely leave once he finishes his meal.) Especially here.
(He pauses, wondering for a moment if he should explain more. Ryouma is different. He was a human before he became a spirit. All of the burdens of humanity were things he'd picked up naturally over time whereas Hizen... Just thinking about it makes him tired and he sighs. No, he changes his mind. He really doesn't want to explain.)
... You wouldn't get it.
(Drinking. He'll focus on other things instead; the things that can be easily understood,)
Everyone's weaker here.
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[ he remembers the name from when they exchanged information at some point. ]
"A real pain"...
[ he repeats the words but thoughtfully, not mockingly, and pours more sake for hizen out of his own. he doesn't want to talk about it any more than hizen wants to hear it, so ryouma is happy to spare him. maybe he doesn't feel the weakness directly like hizen does, but the loss of oryou makes him feel less than whole in a way he doesn't know how to shake. ]
Maybe. Maybe not.
[ vague, nebulous as he can be. ]
But we're in this place and I'm still what I am and you're still what you are. It's not like... wherever Izō went before he came here. [ meaning they didn't all get turned human or into something else entirely. ] Maybe it's an adjustment period? Maybe the local magic has to sort things out, who knows? Might not be like this forever.
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He watches as Ryouma shares his sake with him. Clearly all a ploy to get him to stick around longer... well, it's working. Something in the air seems to have shifted. Ryouma's doing that thing... where he's hard to read. Serious? Hm. The least he can do is listen in return and ah--
He wishes he hadn't. He sits up straighter in his seat and makes a point to look away from Ryouma. Instead, he focuses on his cup, on the sake inside, and... well, he's always scowling but now, his brows knit closely together and his mouth makes a tight line. He needs to talk to Izo, too. About that place... but when Izo is ready. Hizen has never been very good at starting conversations. He needs to apologize too, for hitting him, or rather, hitting Karasu. He might not say anything; talking to Ryouma is difficult enough without talking about difficult topics like Izo but it's clear enough from his body language-- he's thinking about Izo. He's worried about him. He cares a lot more than he'll ever admit outloud.)
's already been too long.
(Without his strength. Without his ability to heal.)
Can't do anything if you're weak. (Can't protect anyone. Can't fight. Can't change anything. Nothing. It's only here that he glances up at Ryouma,) So don't go more making trouble when you can't do anything.
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[ it's true that's all very much in question right now — what with not knowing where his pact with the world stands in comparison to his contract in hell — but ryouma has done the job long enough and embraced the idea of existing for a purpose his entire life before and since anyway. why should he think any differently now? ]
Besides, who could get upset at someone for throwin' a party? Or making everyone more money? That's always been the ticket.
[ it's not like these are some kind of trade secrets, but he's talking with the thought in mind that hizen, like izō, wasn't there to know how things were in the end. however else hizen has come to learn anything through his own experience, ryouma doesn't know, so he can only guess. ]
The one thing everyone knows and understands is money, especially around here. That's obvious just looking around. How could that be trouble, huh?
[ oh, he knows how people can be about money, but again he refuses to let worries like that stop him. ]
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And like this, he can see... this is Sakamoto Ryouma.
Motivational, optimistic, light-hearted, and minimizing how much trouble things really are. A job's a job! Everything is fun. It's all about money. He has a plan! And if he doesn't? He'll figure it out. He'll figure everything out. He makes it sound so easy and simple that even a fool could follow it.
If Hizen were more naive, he'd probably be charmed. He isn't naive though and when he looks at Ryouma, eyes dark and hollow, it's like he's trying to cut through all of the distractions and leads,)
People like you are easy to hate.
(People that kick up a fuss, stick their noses in place they aren't supposed to. People who aren't afraid to speak their minds and have personalities that can draw people to them, growing in number and strength.)
'S why people like me have jobs.
(Because when you hate someone enough, you'll pay to have them killed.
And he reiterates again,)
Don't be stupid.
(Don't cause trouble. Not when he's too weak to get out of it. Not when the people who would drag him out are also weak.)
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[ his tone and his smile remain the same and ryouma drinks his sake with the same enthusiasm as he has been, but he feels entirely too perceived right now. hizen is already privy to more than he should have let on about — with him or anyone else — because ryouma's problems have always been best kept to himself. that's how he sees it anyway. ]
I've never been able to just sit and watch.
[ how could he? the place and the people are different but the problems sure feel familiar. it's impossible for him not to feel for the plight of the smaller tribes and he barely knows them. ]
Besides, this is the first job I've had in a very long time where I can do whatever I like and the end result isn't just a lot of meaningless paperwork. I guess I'll just have to make enough money to be able to pay double.
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(It's the answer he expects and not the one he likes. Ryouma keeps that same look on his face and Hizen can't look at it anymore. It's annoying. He hates it. Really, it just makes him want to knock it off his face and yell some.
Instead, he eats his last pieces of gyoza and picks at some of the pieces that had broken off from the fried lace. He's going to clean his plate. And really, picking at a few shards of oil and starch with a pair of wooden chopsticks is more than an acceptable distraction from Ryouma.)
... Can't stand you.
(He really can't. With nothing else to eat, he can only drink. Nothing tastes as good as it did when it first came out, though.)
Go do something stupid then. Not like I can stop you.
(Or anyone. No one ever listens to him. He's annoyed. He's disappointed. He's tired.)
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[ at some point eating all this gyoza and washing them down with sake is going to intersect with his flagging mana reserves and knock him out and he really needs the rest, honestly. ]
I'm not looking to make an enemy out of you or who you work for, for what it's worth?
[ everything is at any time potentially a new partnership. he wants to strengthen the bonds between the various tribes that comprise the alliance but he's already thinking bigger than that. ]
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("I'm not looking to make an enemy out of you or who you work for, for what it's worth?")
If you're looking for a friend, look somewhere else.
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[ congratulations, he's taken it as a suggestion instead. ]
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