✧ 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

[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?

[reignitions]

Apparently. [He slips his phone into his pocket after sending a follow-up text to Josuke, then makes his way over.] I can't say for sure, though, since he was unconscious when I found him.

[threebetrayals]

His tattoo is mangled and radiating negative energy, and Moze saw a fight break out in Fatui territory. They've banished him from the Fatui. I need hot water.

[reignitions]

Ah.

[Anyway, he doesn't have much more to say on that, since he'll be getting the hot water, and then standing by for whatever else the huli jing needs.]

[threebetrayals]

[He can't do too much, as his healing relies on food and drink, but Jiaoqiu is able to at least get Wanderer cleaned up and some of his healing recipes started so when the boy wakes up he can eat and drink.]

Have you been attacked, Shio?

[reignitions]

No. I strengthened the wards on Gen recently, and the XRC's mostly managed to slip under the radar otherwise.

[threebetrayals]

That's good. Then you won't mind keeping him here until things die down.

[reignitions]

Not at all. That was the plan, honestly.

[threebetrayals]

Good. I need to go check everyone else, but if something happens with him, call me. I'm likely the only healer in the area who isn't swamped.

[reignitions]

Alright, will do. And be careful.

[This area's an enforced neutral zone, but with everything going on...]

[threebetrayals]

[Exactly.

Jiaoqiu leaves with instructions to make sure Wanderer has the soup and tea he's left for him when he wakes up. It's not for another hour or so that the boy wakes up, though, groaning and muttering in Japanese.]

[reignitions]

[And as soon as Shio hears that groaning and muttering, he stands up to get the soup and tea.

In Japanese:] Ah, you're awake.

[threebetrayals]

Surprisingly. Where...oh. Shio?

[He sounds young and tired, and he's not sitting up. He's not stupid.]

[reignitions]

Yeah. Hey. Brought you back to my place.

[...]

Jiaoqiu left soup and tea for you.

[threebetrayals]

[He groans]

Why...that's so spicy...

[reignitions]

He's the only healer that isn't completely swamped. I tried messaging Higashikata but it was going to take hours for him to get here.

And I don't even want to know how bad it is on Giovanna's end.

[threebetrayals]

...help me sit up. My back is killing me.

[reignitions]

Yeah, of course--

[Helping him sit up!]