--Gangs--

[felyney]

[Lyney, as a rule, does not like going to people outside of the Family for help. He just doesn't know that he can trust them, and trust is tantamount for him.

But Shio was Family, once, before he managed to leave and maybe that's what Lyney needs right now. At least, he knows Shio won't report him to the Family for coming back injured.

He knocks on the employee entrance of Gen's, pressing his jacket to the wound on his arm.]

Comments

[reignitions]

[Being part of the Family just... wasn't for him. He doesn't have a problem helping the people who are still there if they come to him, but he's content to leave things be, try to live a more peaceful life.

It's a bit later, a little closer to closing when he hears the knock at the employee entrance. Which is weird, most of the other employees have gone home by now. He opens the door, eyes widening at the sight.]

Lyney, what the hell happened?!

[He ushers the other inside, closing the door behind him. He calls out to the front--]

Hey, Kunikaki! Keep an eye on things, something came up!

[felyney]

Pay me extra.

[But he will, and he steps into "boss" mode pretty quickly.

Lyney just sort of smiles weakly as he's ushered in.]

Oh, you know how it is~

[reignitions]

[Shio doesn't reply but wow, Kunikaki, talking like he doesn't!!

He sighs exasperatedly, grabbing the first aid kit before ushering Lyney along to a restroom, making sure to conveniently keep the other out of view.]

Yeah. Yeah I do, which is why I'm worried if you're coming to me.

[felyney]

Just...ran into some trouble. And I don't feel like dealing with whatever the Family Doctor will do as punishment.

[It's a nasty little wound. He absolutely got into a knifefight, or something.]

[reignitions]

[Shio grimaces, sitting Lyney down.]

Why hasn't Father done anything about him still?

[Doesn't she hate that guy too?

(And yes, there's always a part of him that will see Arlecchino as Father, even if he's out of the Family, no matter how much time passes.)

He starts taking care of the wound, his touch careful.]

Someone came at you with a knife, huh.

[felyney]

Mhm. Didn't like that I was there to collect money.

[Lyney sits, shifting so Shio can look at his arm better.

He shouldn't say this, but it's Shio.]

...Father isn't in charge anymore. She was overthrown.

[reignitions]

[At least a knife wound's easy to take care of...]

... What?

[felyney]

Mhm. We're not sure who led the charge, but one day Father sent everyone away. When we were brought back, she was gone and a new "Uncle" was in charge.

[...it's safe.]

We're looking for her, at least those of us who can. The new head is...well, he likes Dottore.

[reignitions]

[Oh, he does not like that and it's clear he does not like that.

As he tends to the wound--]

Are Lynette and Freminet okay? I can find somewhere for them to lay low if necessary--

[felyney]

[A longer pause. His siblings are precious to him, Shio knows this, and he'd never do anything to put them at risk.

But.]

They're...alive. I...haven't actually seen them in a while. I'm not allowed.

[reignitions]

... What?!

[OH HE LIKES THAT EVEN LESS.

That makes it clear that this "Uncle" needs to go yesterday.]

[felyney]

It's...mm. Father wanted me to be her successor.

[It's an attempt to cow and control Lyney.]

[reignitions]

... I see.

[Deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Okay. He's not calm, but he's steadier. He needs to talk to Kunikaki.]

Hey. Stay here as long as you need--nobody'll start trouble here because we've got a bunch of folks who will enforce the neutrality rule.

[felyney]

Are you sure? If I'm not back home soon, I'm sure they'll come looking for me.

[reignitions]

If they want to start shit, they'll have to take it up with the Eisners.

[felyney]

...do the Eisners know how scary they are, or is it just something that happens?

[reignitions]

I think it just sort of happens with the brother. The sister absolutely knows full well how scary they are and takes advantage of it.

[felyney]

Next question: why are so many twins-or-near-enough so scary?

[He doesn't think he and Lynette are, but.]

[reignitions]

Your guess is as good as mine.

[And... there. He's done cleaning and bandaging the wound by now.]

... Do you want something to eat while you're here?

[felyney]

...if you're offering. I haven't had anything since breakfast.

[reignitions]

Of course I'm offering.

[Gentle nudge. He closes the first aid kit and stands up to wash his hands.]

Whatever you'd like.

[felyney]

Your best noodles, then!

[He moves his arm, leaving the jacket behind. It's for the incinerator. Or his magic, whichever.]

And sake? I am old enough, despite rumors to the contrary~

[reignitions]

[He laughs a little.]

You got it. The room we rent out for parties isn't being used, if you want to duck in there.

[felyney]

I will, thanks.

[He is going to duck in there, find the bench he knows is in there, and just.

Lay there.

Unmoving.

Exhausted.]

[reignitions]

[What a mess.

Shio wanders back to the kitchen to get to work, nudging Kunikaki's shoulder with his own as thanks.]