001 ⇒ text

[genrouzan]

... Hypothetically speaking, if someone were to look into finding somewhere to y'know. Spar. Train. Keep the rust off their fighting skills in case we get something worse than a sewer full of giant vines trying to swat us like flies for the hell of it. That kind of thing. Is there anywhere around here that would fit that kind of criteria?

What're the chances of half of those Knights they've got posted around here sticking their noses where they aren't wanted? Most of the Knightly types I've come across aren't the type to just nod and let a bunch of people waving weapons around get on with their day without throwing a tantrum.

And if that's the case and the chances are high... whereabouts here are they least likely to go snooping?

Or take the longest to get to. I'm not picky.

[ Hypothetically speaking, of course. ]

Comments

[genrouzan]

I try my best.

I'm thinking don't actually kill someone and try and avoid really bad injuries, because I sure don't have a wealth of healing magic I can tap into at whim, and that covers the major potential issues.

[killful]

A nice friend and a good guy to boot! In some parts of the world, that's just basic human decency.

[ actually let him make this private because NPCs might see this and I don't know where Yuri posted this. Yan Qing's just making sure, okay. Also, he really wants this to happen. It's kind of important to him. ]

I'm thinking more about how to keep it hush-hush, you know? If you got a secret, I don't know, fight club, you wouldn't want anybody talking about it.

[genrouzan]

And some people think that's optional.

[ Oh. Well. Look at someone who knows what he's doing go. ]

Genuinely? I just want to be able to fight and practice without getting zeroed in by people who think it's reckless, or aren't as confident in their fighting looking to be taught how.

But it seems like it's evolving already. Someone's already told me they run this sort of thing on Level 3, so maybe it's worth going down there and checking it out to see what I do and don't want it to be.

...

And if people don't talk about it, then how do you advertise it? Think about it really hard into the wind?

[killful]

I was thinking you could do calling cards, but sure! Telepathy works too.

What's the thing on Level 3? Think I'll give it a look myself. I don't care where I gotta fight as long as I do. My life kind of depends on it, but I'll stop that story there. :)

[ And he has experience with organizing crime himself, but that's not a fun fact he's keen on sharing. He also doesn't want to make Ritsuka cry when she finds out he's helping Yuri Pitt, which is the bigger issue to him, really. ]

[genrouzan]

Unfortunately I'm not known for my telepathic skills. And calling cards leave a physical trail, whereas just telling someone doesn't.

Hm. He called it Buwan's place. I haven't looked around there enough yet, but it sounds like it's one of those kinda shady places with a fighting arena that the Knights either can't control or turn a blind eye to.

[ Hey, wow, he's a good guy. Don't be a rude dude. ]

[killful]

You have a point... Anyway, this Buwan something or whatever sounds interesting! Let's go.

[genrouzan]

...

Right now?

[killful]

Yeah?
Don't you wanna know about it now?

[genrouzan]

Sure. You're more excited about this than I am.

[killful]

Wahahaha! I told you, it's really important to me.
I'll meet you at [ADDRESS OF SOME SHADY SHOP AT LEVEL 3] . I just got some things to finish up here.

are we going into actionland?

[genrouzan]

Fair enough.
I'll try not to cause any trouble while I'm waiting.

FUCK YEAH but we can always handwave if that's more convenient to you

[killful]

And I'll try not to cause any trouble while I get there.

[ They're just the same type of person.

Yan Qing is slightly less reckless when it comes to these things, though. The shop is a small herbal medicine store tucked into the streets of Caihong. Some jerk's motorcycle is parked in front of it. ]

touches ur hand. it's a c t i o n time

[genrouzan]

Really, how'd you think that's going to go?

[ Apparently so. Yuri would bet any attempts to not cause trouble en route will go poorly but he'll find out when he gets there

Welp.

Somehow he'd kinda expected a bar... but this sure is the place. He has no idea what the bike outside of the shop is, or what it's for because JRPG land, but for the moment he's happy to just chill outside until YQ shows up. ]

[killful]

Ow, ow, ow!

[ Yan Qing comes out of the shop with the shop owner — a small, feisty old man with a thin mustache — poking at him with a cane while a young woman tries to pull him away. Yan Qing himself raises his hands in an attempt to pacify the owner, but all the man does is scream "Get out! Out! If you won't have my daughter's hand, you can't have my wares at all!" ]

But I didn't even do anythi—

[ He gets a jacket thrown at his face. ]

[genrouzan]

[ Oh. Speak of the devil. ]

So, it went about as well as expected then?

[ He raises his voice a little louder, to catch their attention. He'd kinda expected to see YQ in some kind of trouble, but maybe not so much this. ]

What did you do?

[killful]

[ He gets into this sort of trouble more often than you think. ]

Yuri!

[ Yan Qing pulls his jacket off his face to flash Yuri a bright smile. He didn't think he'd be so happy to see the same guy who cut down lewd, sentient plants for his sake, but given his current circumstances, he'll take anything. He claps a hand on his new companion. ]

Anyway, my boyfriend's here. Sorry, gramps! I wish your daughter happiness and all that. [ The furtive wink he aims at her implies otherwise, and when he leans in to give Yuri his only helmet, he whispers, ] Can't talk, long story, I'll tell you about it along the way.

[ BACK TO THE FAKE DATING. ]

C'mon, babe! We ain't got all day!

[genrouzan]

[ Hey, he's literally a personal hero right now. YQ should always be happy. The... very sudden, very intense acting both confuses, and puts everything into perspective all in one go.

But he rolls with it, slipping an arm around YQ's waist to make it seem like he's moving him along as he nods at the grumpy man and his daughter -- but not missing the chance to deliver a sharp pinch to Yan Qing's side as they go. ] It only took like ten minutes for me to get here, I'm almost impressed you got in trouble that fast.

[ The arm is loose though, so as soon as they're out of sight he can slip away. How thoughtful. ]

[killful]

[ Thank you, he values his personal space! Not that he values the space of others, but anyway. He laughs as they saunter down the street to where his bike is. Even as Yuri pinches his side, Yan Qing's smile doesn't go away. ]

Wahahahaha! Romeo and Juliet didn't have it easy! [ And honestly, he has a bone to pick with Shakespeare about that. ] Nah, I'm kidding. I just stopped by to drop something off, but I'm too handsome for my own good.

[genrouzan]

[ That sure sounds like a load of BS but hey. ]

The perils of animal magnetism? It sure sounds tough for you.

[ Every word. Sarcasm. ]

[killful]

Eh, you'll get there one day. [ That wasn't a COMPLIMENT, YAN QING. ] Are you gonna get on or what?

[ Because there is his bike, black and sleek as it rests perfectly upright on Prismatica's pristine streets. Red lights around the wheels glow as he starts up the engine. ]

Can't keep Buwan waiting!

[genrouzan]

[ Wow. Yuri is absolutely elbowing him in the side after that one, and slips away from YQ after the assault on his person. ]

...

[ Wait. ]

Bu-who?

[ He's hopping on the bike, before YQ can answer. Nice. ]

[killful]

[ He laughs when he gets hit.

And laughs before he can even answer. UNDERGROUND FIGHTING RING HERE THEY COME. ]

[genrouzan]

[ Helpful. ]

Laughing uncontrollably isn't an answer, just to point out the obvious.

[ Letsa go YQ-rio. ]