✧ 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]

It's quiet around here, but I think that's because we're strict about enforcing the "neutral zone" rules.

[He groans.]

It's not going to stay quiet for long. Yuuki caught wind of IPC heading out this way to investigate.

[threebetrayals]

Please tell me someone posted about a betting pool to get the blonde twink out here and not the fucking dominatrix scammer. I'll even take the pig.

[reignitions]

I think that dragonblood down at the curiosities shop got one started.

[threebetrayals]

He doesn't count, he's fucking the twink and his sugar baby with the Ph.Ds.

[reignitions]

[That gets a laugh.]

Hey, it just means there's potential for a direct line there! But I can see if I can goad Sognare's gunman into it.

[threebetrayals]

I'm just saying, if the dragon made the betting pool it doesn't count because it's the direct line. Maybe see if Yelan will, if the idiot gunman won't.

[reignitions]

That requires getting into contact with Yelan to begin with, and we know how she is.

[threebetrayals]

True.

[He shifts, wincing.]

If the IPC come looking for me, tell them when the geass broke it took my memories with it.

[This is technically a lie. Yes, his memories of Fatui secrets are gone but Nahida had them magically backed up for later use. He just doesn't want to deal with the IPC.]

[reignitions]

... Maybe if things don't work out with the Sognare gunman, I'll tap Rika to try with Yelan.

[Anyway. He just hands Wanderer the tea.]

Will do. I'll make sure Mitsuki knows, too.

[threebetrayals]

[He sighs as he takes the tea.]

Do you have a safe house I can borrow for now?

[reignitions]

Jiaoqiu suggested you stay here and I was planning on asking anyway. I bumped up the wards more than I thought I'd need, and, well--you know how the XRC is. We mostly slip under the radar.

[threebetrayals]

Did slip under the radar. With me out of the Fatui, I don't know how long that will last.

[Or: he kept the Fatui distracted and not focused on the XRC, which meant other troublemakers did as well.]

[reignitions]

[... Oh.]

In that case... maybe the ones that aren't idiots-- [see: Tartaglia] --will think twice before crossing BLAZE's surviving ex-leader.

[threebetrayals]

[Wanderer chokes on his tea.]

I'm sorry, what?

[reignitions]

[A shrug!]

It's pretty much an open secret that I'm ex-BLAZE, but only the rest of the XRC, a handful of the Sognare guys, and Jiaoqiu know I used to be one of the leaders.

[threebetrayals]

And you work at a soba shop?

[reignitions]

I wanted something quiet after I disbanded BLAZE.

[...]

It was Jiaoqiu who helped me get my shit together when I was grieving. Showed me I could do better. Encouraged me to take over Gen for the previous owners.

[threebetrayals]

...makes sense, I guess.

[If anyone would, it'd be Jiaoqiu.]

If you out yourself as the ex-leader, though, that'll just cause more trouble. It's not worth it.

[reignitions]

Then I won't. They'll just have to find out the hard way.

[threebetrayals]

...kind of hope Childe hears about it. It'd be funny.

[reignitions]

[A snort.]

I can already imagine it. It would... But I'd never know peace again.

[threebetrayals]

You could kill him.

[reignitions]

I would not be doing that. Even if I was willing, bodies raise questions and I wouldn't be able to effectively get rid of the corpse, so no.

[threebetrayals]

Break his leg?

[Wanderer.]

[reignitions]

[A snort.]

He wouldn't learn from it.