[It's no surprise that Shinobu is strung so tight. Why shouldn't she be? For all her quick and scary temper, her heart is big. The bigger the heart, the harder it is to stop it from getting hurt, from aching for the things falling apart around you.
She may be paranoid, but it's not like he doesn't know what that feels like. She's looking for any frayed threads that might lead her to an answer, no matter what she has to pick through to get there. He's keeping a gatling gun in a spare room on the off chance that enemies come knocking on his door looking for the children he's taken in. Maybe a little paranoia isn't a bad thing.
But too much is a tight noose on an already burdened person. Quietly, he steps toward her and extends a hand for one of hers. If she lets him, he holds it. It's a loose hold, a barely-there grasp on her fingers - but he's always been tactile. It's the first way he can think of to offer even a scrap of comfort.]
Mm. I have more than a fair share of questions that I want answers to, too.
[Especially after that man had accused them of acting without knowing anything. What else could they possibly need to know, outside of the fact that him and others like him were kidnapping and harming people? Children? Intolerable. Inexcusable. Absolutely, unforgivably disgusting.]
—For what it's worth, I think Jiang Cheng might be right about that, at least. I haven't found anything that might lead me to even guess why this all began or when, but what happened at the auction seemed more like a prank than anything. With what these people have done, why would they add pickle brine to a few drinks? And to what end?
[The last part has him canting his head to the side though, brow furrowed.]
Why was the note taunting you? [Or "us" - Xian Le, he guesses.] I didn't get to read it, but I was told about it.
[ She places her hand in his. He is a comfort, his presence is a comfort, and she grasps his hand in a solid hold to tell him she's thankful he's here. She knows she isn't alone and she knows others worry and care about her, but she tries so hard to be strong that sometimes she forgets it takes an equally strong person to let someone try to be there for you. ]
Isn't it a taunt? Whether it's to the kidnapping ring or to all of us who haven't been able to stop them yet—
[ She makes a sharp gesture with her free hand, cutting through the air with her frustration.
Her voice grows very quiet. ]
I recognized one of the murder victims. I overheard him having a conversation that made me want to follow him as a lead, but now I can't.
[Once she returns his hold, his grip tightens just a little, as if that alone will give her the anchor she needs. He wishes it could. He wishes he could do more for these people and the pains they suffer. It's a difficult beam to balance on, that divide between wanting to care for others and take care of everything alone, of letting others take care of you.]
If it was aimed at them, then you wouldn't be an intended target, you know? I want to think something like that wouldn't be a message to anyone but the kidnapping ring.
[Would even that ease Shinobu's frustrations, though? Her angers? Especially with that last part - he sucks in a quiet but sharp breath. A lost lead...]
...Can you still follow the lead even without him? Is it something I can help with, Shinobu? You're doing so much on your own already.
[There isn't even a note of disapproval or scolding in his tone, so much as open concern, maybe something a little regretful. People are trying so hard to keep him from getting involved, but he can't sit idly by.]
[ She looks a little conflicted, and her fingers tighten around his much larger hand. Is this something she can trust him with? Is it something she should? ]
There is already so much responsibility on your shoulders. [ His dozen and one children he has to look out for. He was one of the first to walk into neutrality. How much should she drag him into this? How much could she ask of him? ] Are you certain you want to help me? What I may want to ask... it may involve a bigger scheme.
[He'd chosen to walk into neutrality, but it's just as much a choice to walk back out if he feels he's needed elsewhere. And with those dozen and one children to look out for? With the entire city feeling like it could collapse in on itself at any moment? With the very roof over his head feeling like it could tumble down at any moment? He knows he can't bury his head in the sand. Not that he'd ever be the kind of person who would, anyway.
He reaches forward with his free hand, then, so he can take Shinobu's into both of his. The expression on his face is steeled over with determination, reinforced with the anger he's tried so hard to keep from bleeding out in front of his residents.]
I wouldn't have offered my help otherwise, Shinobu. If there's anything I can do at all, I'll see that it's done.
[ The entire city does feel like it could collapse in on itself, and it's killing her slowly if it doesn't end up killing her quickly. Her walls are no longer connected to bodyguards who refuse routine check ups, and her doors are open to anyone. Helping everyone isn't the issue; it's finding the right way to.
She nods, seeing his expression. ]
I want to see if anything happens at the Azalea Lights Festival first. I'll come to you even if nothing does happen.
[ It will just help her frame what she wants to do. ]
[There's a little hum of agreement from him. He has a bad feeling about the festival and BOY IS HE ABOUT TO HAVE AN "I KNEW IT" MOMENT.]
Please do. Okuni is taking granny, uncle and the kids away for the weekend, so I should be more available.
[Though what he really means by that is "I should be able to take actions that may be more risky, because I won't be worried about them getting dragged in or more gatling guns raining down on my gotdam roof." The second question seems to catch him off his guard though, and after a second of hesitation, he shakes his head.]
No, I don't. I wasn't planning on staying very long after the lanterns are lit.
[Maybe he'd hoped to sort a few of his own personal singular braincell issues out, but sometimes things like romance take a backseat to dealing with KIDNAPPERS.]
[ That's sincere even if she's quieter saying that. It's a little wise in a way, too, but she understands the implications. If Okuni is also going to be out of the picture for a while, she won't have to worry as much either, what with that shoulder wound. That's one less thing to factor in. ]
[Another, lighter hum. It's the least he can do - and in a situation and a city where he feels less and less capable of keeping everyone he loves safe, he's desperate to hold onto those things he can have a say in.
He gives her hand another squeeze before lowering it again, moving to draw his hands back.]
I'll be waiting for you. [...] But take care in the meantime, if you can. We're all working hard, but I know how you are.
[Exactly the same as like 90% of the people from Xian Le, damn. Self-sacrificing, willing to use themselves up for the sake of getting more done.]
[ She smiles up at him, her warmth and affection clear. She wants to fully trust him. ]
I'd be a terrible doctor if I aggravated my wound before it could heal.
[ She needs to be able to be in her best shape to do her all. How can she do her best to help everyone if she's not at her best? They're all reckless in her own ways, but she tries to be reasonable when she can. ]
You take care until then, too. I know how you are, too.
[The smile he offers back is equal parts fond in its exasperation and exhausted in its warmth.]
True, true - and you're the exact opposite of a terrible doctor, so I guess I'll just need to have faith.
[That she won't run out and do wildass reckless things agaiN... At least not until her injuries are a little more healed, hopefully. But he'll step back with a laugh, raising a gentle hand in mock-dismissal and goodbye.]
I'll take care, I will. My word! Until next time, then?
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no subject
She may be paranoid, but it's not like he doesn't know what that feels like. She's looking for any frayed threads that might lead her to an answer, no matter what she has to pick through to get there. He's keeping a gatling gun in a spare room on the off chance that enemies come knocking on his door looking for the children he's taken in. Maybe a little paranoia isn't a bad thing.
But too much is a tight noose on an already burdened person. Quietly, he steps toward her and extends a hand for one of hers. If she lets him, he holds it. It's a loose hold, a barely-there grasp on her fingers - but he's always been tactile. It's the first way he can think of to offer even a scrap of comfort.]
Mm. I have more than a fair share of questions that I want answers to, too.
[Especially after that man had accused them of acting without knowing anything. What else could they possibly need to know, outside of the fact that him and others like him were kidnapping and harming people? Children? Intolerable. Inexcusable. Absolutely, unforgivably disgusting.]
—For what it's worth, I think Jiang Cheng might be right about that, at least. I haven't found anything that might lead me to even guess why this all began or when, but what happened at the auction seemed more like a prank than anything. With what these people have done, why would they add pickle brine to a few drinks? And to what end?
[The last part has him canting his head to the side though, brow furrowed.]
Why was the note taunting you? [Or "us" - Xian Le, he guesses.] I didn't get to read it, but I was told about it.
no subject
Isn't it a taunt? Whether it's to the kidnapping ring or to all of us who haven't been able to stop them yet—
[ She makes a sharp gesture with her free hand, cutting through the air with her frustration.
Her voice grows very quiet. ]
I recognized one of the murder victims. I overheard him having a conversation that made me want to follow him as a lead, but now I can't.
[ Because he's fucking dead. ]
no subject
If it was aimed at them, then you wouldn't be an intended target, you know? I want to think something like that wouldn't be a message to anyone but the kidnapping ring.
[Would even that ease Shinobu's frustrations, though? Her angers? Especially with that last part - he sucks in a quiet but sharp breath. A lost lead...]
...Can you still follow the lead even without him? Is it something I can help with, Shinobu? You're doing so much on your own already.
[There isn't even a note of disapproval or scolding in his tone, so much as open concern, maybe something a little regretful. People are trying so hard to keep him from getting involved, but he can't sit idly by.]
no subject
[ She looks a little conflicted, and her fingers tighten around his much larger hand. Is this something she can trust him with? Is it something she should? ]
There is already so much responsibility on your shoulders. [ His dozen and one children he has to look out for. He was one of the first to walk into neutrality. How much should she drag him into this? How much could she ask of him? ] Are you certain you want to help me? What I may want to ask... it may involve a bigger scheme.
no subject
He reaches forward with his free hand, then, so he can take Shinobu's into both of his. The expression on his face is steeled over with determination, reinforced with the anger he's tried so hard to keep from bleeding out in front of his residents.]
I wouldn't have offered my help otherwise, Shinobu. If there's anything I can do at all, I'll see that it's done.
[No matter what it is.]
no subject
She nods, seeing his expression. ]
I want to see if anything happens at the Azalea Lights Festival first. I'll come to you even if nothing does happen.
[ It will just help her frame what she wants to do. ]
... Do you have a date for that night?
[ Just so she can time her visit. ]
no subject
Please do. Okuni is taking granny, uncle and the kids away for the weekend, so I should be more available.
[Though what he really means by that is "I should be able to take actions that may be more risky, because I won't be worried about them getting dragged in or more gatling guns raining down on my gotdam roof." The second question seems to catch him off his guard though, and after a second of hesitation, he shakes his head.]
No, I don't. I wasn't planning on staying very long after the lanterns are lit.
[Maybe he'd hoped to sort a few of his own personal singular braincell issues out, but sometimes things like romance take a backseat to dealing with KIDNAPPERS.]
no subject
[ That's sincere even if she's quieter saying that. It's a little wise in a way, too, but she understands the implications. If Okuni is also going to be out of the picture for a while, she won't have to worry as much either, what with that shoulder wound. That's one less thing to factor in. ]
I'll see you then, if nothing goes awry.
[ She hopes against all hopes it'll end well. ]
no subject
He gives her hand another squeeze before lowering it again, moving to draw his hands back.]
I'll be waiting for you. [...] But take care in the meantime, if you can. We're all working hard, but I know how you are.
[Exactly the same as like 90% of the people from Xian Le, damn. Self-sacrificing, willing to use themselves up for the sake of getting more done.]
no subject
I'd be a terrible doctor if I aggravated my wound before it could heal.
[ She needs to be able to be in her best shape to do her all. How can she do her best to help everyone if she's not at her best? They're all reckless in her own ways, but she tries to be reasonable when she can. ]
You take care until then, too. I know how you are, too.
no subject
True, true - and you're the exact opposite of a terrible doctor, so I guess I'll just need to have faith.
[That she won't run out and do wildass reckless things agaiN... At least not until her injuries are a little more healed, hopefully. But he'll step back with a laugh, raising a gentle hand in mock-dismissal and goodbye.]
I'll take care, I will. My word! Until next time, then?
no subject
She waves back. ]
You have my word, too. Until next time.