✧ 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]

[It takes almost an hour, but he gets cleaned up and fresh bandages on. Jiaoqiu shows up and takes the kitchen over, mostly to help Wanderer but also to help a few others who need healing. Soon there's a bowl of fried rice and more soup being sent up for the injured former Fatuus.

Jiaoqiu beckons Shio over.]

[reignitions]

[Shio goes over.]

What is it?

[threebetrayals]

Has he told you what happened yet?

[reignitions]

No. He doesn't want to talk about it, so I haven't pressed the issue. All I've got is Dottore had something to do with what happened.

[threebetrayals]

Yes, he does. Moze got curious and went to find out more. Dottore attempted to clone that boy, and the boy refused. There was a fight.

[reignitions]

Fucking hell.

[The only thing keeping him from dragging a hand down his face is his hands being full right now.]

No wonder he doesn't want to talk about it.

[threebetrayals]

Agreed. I believe this sort of...magical medical mistreatment was regular for him, too, given his ancestry.

[He's not sure that Shio is aware of Wanderer's ancestry, given that this is mostly news to Jiaoqiu himself.]

[reignitions]

... His ancestry?

[threebetrayals]

He is a Raiden.

[A well-known supernatural family. All of them incredibly long-lived.]

His family rejected him for reasons no one seems to know, but the fact remains that he is a Raiden, and likely older than he looks or acts.

[reignitions]

Oh. Fuck.

[Yeah, okay, no wonder Jiaoqiu has those suspicions. This is a mess.]

Fucking hell. In other words, this is an even bigger mess than we figured.

[threebetrayals]

It is. Thankfully, he's been banished from the Fatui so they no longer have a Raiden under their control. Still, this might explain a lot.

[reignitions]

Yeah, it-- it explains so much.

[Christ.]

... I'm just glad he's out of there. And away from Dottore.

[threebetrayals]

Agreed. Here, take this tea up to him.

[reignitions]

[A nod.

He'll take the tea and take that over to Wanderer.]

Here.

[threebetrayals]

[Wanderer is sort of slumped over, and like this Shio can see that mark on the back of his neck of the Raiden symbol. Looks like Jiaoqiu was right.]

Hm? Please don't tell me it's more tea.

[reignitions]

[Ah.]

Unfortunately, I'd be lying. Jiaoqiu told me to bring this to you.

[threebetrayals]

Ugh. And if I don't drink it?

[reignitions]

I know you're probably tired of it, but until we can get Higashikata or Giovanna...

[threebetrayals]

[He grumbles, but he takes the tea.

And pauses.]

Son of a--you said that huli jing made this?

[reignitions]

I did, yes.

[threebetrayals]

The bastard knows--

[And he tries to get up. This will fail, but he's going to try.]

[reignitions]

[Yeah, Shio's going to ease him back down.]

[threebetrayals]

How did he find out--you didn't tell him, did you?

[He isn't saying what.]

[reignitions]

[He has his suspicions what Wanderer's talking about, but his confusion is genuine when he asks--]

Didn't tell him what?

[threebetrayals]

What I am!