✧ ex-gang

[reignitions]

[There's one thing Shio can say about his life now and that it's, for the most part, quiet.

Disbanding BLAZE was not the easiest decision (no matter how it felt at the time, grief is a bitch, etc), but... well, in hindsight, it's one he's glad he made now. Gen is moderately successful and that's good enough for him. Nobody causes trouble in this quiet little out-of-the-way noodle shop.

Even if that is partially by design.

He should be expecting one of his regulars in about three, two, one...]

Comments

[threebetrayals]

Maybe next time.

[Doubtful, but would be funny.]

How much do I owe you?

[reignitions]

If nothing else, I'll get you the security footage next time you're here.

[But it would be funny.]

Just the usual price.

[threebetrayals]

[Wanderer pulls out his wallet and just drops the cash on the bar. He's not done, but this way he's paid already in case he gets called away.]

Make sure you strengthen your wards.

[reignitions]

Something big's coming, huh?

[As he collects the cash.]

[threebetrayals]

Mhm. Stellaron's in town.

[So. Chaos.]

[reignitions]

Ah, fuck.

[Normally, he wouldn't let customers hear him curse like that, but Wanderer gets it, he won't give a shit.]

Thanks for the heads up.

[threebetrayals]

Mhm. YoRHa, too.

[So there is something big going down soon.]

[reignitions]

Stellaron and YoRHa? Christ. The Sognare guys that come in are gonna be pissed.

[At least most aren't stupid enough to tangle with Sognare.]

[threebetrayals]

And that's just the two I know for sure are coming in. I've heard rumors about others, but nothing concrete.

[reignitions]

[A groan.]

Do I even want to know?

[threebetrayals]

Talk to those damn wolves, if you want to know more.

[He can't confirm, and Yuri probably can.]

[reignitions]

Noted.

[Yeah, he's gonna give Yuri a call as soon as he's on break.]

[threebetrayals]

[With that, Wanderer finishes up his noodles and leaves. He warned Shio. That's all he can do.

The big whatever that was coming happens within two weeks. It's a full moon, always a bad time, and when combined with all the fucking supernatural types in the city it was only ever going to end like this: a big, nasty not-quite-earthquake and a lot of things that shouldn't be on this plane suddenly trying to get in.]

[reignitions]

[For fuck's sake.

Between Sognare, the Wolves (and whatever allies they have), and the XRC, it's basically all fucking hands on deck, and right now, Shio, for one, really fucking wants to deck a few people.

(More than a few.)

He prowls the streets around Gen, weapon in hand and on the lookout for anything suspicious.]

[threebetrayals]

[It's largely quiet in the area, but after a few rounds of patrolling Shio might hear a crash and then a groan.]

[reignitions]

[Well, at least it's quiet. But the crash and the groan, of course, gets his attention, and he hurries in that direction.]

[threebetrayals]

[There is a (still living) body.

It's Wanderer. He clearly fell from somewhere up high, and he's not looking good.]

[reignitions]

... Christ.

[He puts Vorpal Weapon away, checking over Wanderer--fuck, is he in any state that Shio can safely move him?]

[threebetrayals]

[Barely. He's bleeding and unconscious, but he doesn't look like anything is broken. Perks to being a flier, or something.]

[reignitions]

[Shit. But if nothing seems to be broken... good enough. He'll use his jacket to staunch the bleeding, and carefully lift Wanderer up to carry him back to Gen, and up to the living space above the restaurant.

Here, at least, he'll be able to tend to Wanderer properly. He'll call a healer anyway. Gen's neutral enough ground, at least.]

[threebetrayals]

[As Shio carries Wanderer, he may notice something. Or, well, several somethings. He's not wearing the dark clothes that the Fatui all wear, the tattoo on his arm that marks him as Fatui is mangled, and he is clutching a small cloth doll even like this.]

[reignitions]

[... curious.

Once he's gotten Wanderer to Gen and taken him upstairs, Shio gently sets him down on the sofa. He'll patch up the wounds as best as he can, but he'll have Josuke on speed dial.

(And will send him a heads-up text, at least. He's pretty sure Josuke has his hands full at the moment, but...)

... Nothing left to do but wait.]

[threebetrayals]

[It's not Josuke who arrives first, but the huli jing that runs the Sichuan place a few roads away. Jiaoqiu barely knocks before slipping in.]

Where is he?

[reignitions]

[Hey, you know what, he'll take it.]

I set him down on the sofa. He's all yours. [...] Thanks, Jiaoqiu.

[threebetrayals]

Don't thank me just yet.

[But Jiaoqiu starts to look Wanderer over, hissing when he sees that tattoo.]

He's been banished?