--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]

[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.]

[threebetrayals]

[A nudge back.]

So. What happened?

[reignitions]

Lyney got hurt.

[He sucks in a breath. More pressingly...]

Arlecchino got overthrown. New guy's a bastard-- like, actually likes Dottore level of bastard.

[threebetrayals]

...what? I never liked the Knave, but what?

[reignitions]

Yeah. Apparently she sent everyone away and when they got brought back, someone new was in charge.

[His mouth presses into a thin line.]

They're keeping Lyney away from Lynette and Freminet.

[He does not elaborate because he knows Kunikaki will see that for what it is.]