[ He's one of the few she feels secure enough to show small moments of weakness like this to. With him, it's voluntary, and it's because he's honest with himself like that that she can be like this. It's his warmth that makes her still again. ]
None of it is right, and it must be corrected. [ Could either of them accept it otherwise? Could either of them live with themselves?
Shinobu breathes out, not quite a sigh, more of an exhalation of some of her negativity. ]
I love you, too, Tsukasa. I would be lost without you. [ Her moral ground has always been steady and strong, but he is a beacon. ] There is so much going on within the Xian Le. [ She takes a deep breath. ] The people unhappy in the Xian Le are the ones doing the kidnappings, and there isn't a small likelihood that they'll try to oust Xie Lian. [ That much she thinks, too, and that worries her greatly, but there's something she doesn't agree with. ]
There is a traitor within the Xian Le. He's the one most likely cutting people's tongues.
[ At least "maybe has long hair" does curb their list, just a bit. Not by much considering how many people have long hair but--
He lets her withdraw, though he's taking one of her wrists to rub circles into instead. ]
He's still within the Xian Le family, so that takes out our longer-haired-yet-neutral associates... He's not someone who hesitates regardless of what action he has to carry out, so he's likely used to getting his hands dirty. He has to at least be high enough - or maybe disconnected enough - that no one questions where he's going or what he's doing, or why he's doing it... [ Tsukasa hums a short note -- really, Shinobu'd have a better feel for suspects, so he's just here to help spitball. ] You're sure it's a man? ...What makes you think he might have long hair, too? I'm sorry, it's not like I'm doubting you, but -- I'd like to hear all your thoughts.
Edited (makes a word plural. IT BOTHERED ME... ) 2020-02-24 03:48 (UTC)
[ She looks to the side, as if she's trying to recall the exact instance she's about to talk about. ]
In an investigation, I overheard some Xian Le members talk about getting attacked by someone interfering with their business. They were clear that it was a man, and they called him a long-haired bastard.
[ How long is long.... is up for debate. That's a subjective descriptor in her mind. ]
Mmm... Thank you. [ A wrist squeeze, with a little smile. Really grateful, actually, because chat like this means he can slip into work mode and leave being upset again to the side for the moment. ] Let's assume that by "long," they mean somewhere from the shoulder down. Anything past the chin's usually considered that anyway, at least on men... From the Xian Le, that takes out...
[ ...he has to think about who all stood up for their terrible no-good descriptors at date auction night; he should keep better track of who's in what family, he's realizing, but future Tsukasa can deal with that. ]
[ Tsukasa gives her half a smile, a blush creeping up across his cheeks and nose - it's more because she's pointed it out, but the little gesture doesn't help, either. ]
...I don't, do I? I think most people'd consider that a weakness.
[ He's on the fence on what he thinks of it himself - it's gotten him a lot of teasing so far, and he doesn't think it's that great to be unable to lie in a town like this.
On the other hand: he thinks it probably makes him at least a little trustworthy, too. ]
You don't though, do you.
[ it's not really a question, because shinobu's always turning his deprecating remarks into something nice. ]
[ He knows her too well. Her smile is a little impish before it's pure affection. ]
To me, it's a strength. In this town full of lies, your honesty is moonlight on a dark night.
[ It's pure water in a lake full of poison. She doesn't want that to change. What she worries about with him is how gullible and forgiving he is. That jail is proof, and it's too naive even if the people who generally occupy it are there for harmless reasons.
I'll think about it. Maybe I will become mayor and get started on constructing a proper jail.
[ He's joking - he doesn't think he'd make a good one, not really. ]
You're always so poetic... I'm jealous of your way with words. [ ...but that's not the important thing right now, and he clears his throat. ] Um -- flirting isn't going to solve our dilemma, Shishi, so let's hold off on it for the moment.
I'll support a mayor that will build a proper jail.
[ Joking or not, she's sincere about that. They need multiple businesses and services constructed. The recent events have only highlighted how much. ]
You're the one who always flirts first, Tsukasa. [ "Flirts." However they end up like this. She doesn't disagree with him, however, so she maneuvers away from him. ]
Capturing that man, whoever it is, will solve some of it. I wish I had more of an idea.
Mmm... The compliant crossdressing delinquent, Minato -- his hair's also pretty short, so he's out. Shishimaru, too. And it can't be Xie Lian, either. He's as upset as you or I about this whole thing...
He'd never do it. [ Tsukasa's firm on this - if there's anyone he believes in within the Xian Le, it's their most recent family head. And not just because the two of them are similar. ] Where does that leave us?
Honestly... There's some people I'd like to discount as well. [ He's only human -- so is she, and he mimics the touch she'd given him earlier, his fingers brushing her cheek. ] Shishi, I'm sure between the two of us we'll be able to figure out... or rather, lend whoever you're worried for an alibi.
[ ...Mmm. It's his turn to hug her, resting his head against hers. ]
Me too. That's someone I'd like to discount, too...
[ Because, for everything he is, Wei Wuxian is nice. Wei Wuxian is someone he could call, maybe, a friend? He's not someone Tsukasa could think - would think - is capable of something as horrific as what's happened so far. ]
I wonder if he's the one who's sent me such threatening notes through Shigure, too... Ah, not really threatening-threatening, but very angry ones. [ "Do your job!" and all. ] ...No, we're supposed to be building a case for him. Er, his alibi...
[ ...he doesn't know where to begin, because there's no way he can confirm his location at all times. The town is tight-knit, but not that much. ]
No, I don't think he'd harass you or your partner that way.
[ At least she's pretty sure about that. She can't say she knows him as much as others, but she thinks she has a good enough read of his character. She also knows his past, so she knows he's not incapable. It's just now...
Is it so wrong to not want to suspect someone you care about? She knows it's too soft-hearted of her to think that way. ]
It's fine. You don't have to suspect. I don't want to believe it's him. I can continue to do so.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
None of it is right, and it must be corrected. [ Could either of them accept it otherwise? Could either of them live with themselves?
Shinobu breathes out, not quite a sigh, more of an exhalation of some of her negativity. ]
I love you, too, Tsukasa. I would be lost without you. [ Her moral ground has always been steady and strong, but he is a beacon. ] There is so much going on within the Xian Le. [ She takes a deep breath. ] The people unhappy in the Xian Le are the ones doing the kidnappings, and there isn't a small likelihood that they'll try to oust Xie Lian. [ That much she thinks, too, and that worries her greatly, but there's something she doesn't agree with. ]
There is a traitor within the Xian Le. He's the one most likely cutting people's tongues.
no subject
Then we can solve one problem right now -- or at least sooner than the others. [ Well, god willing. ] ...Do you have any theories on who it might be?
no subject
[ She lifts her head and withdraws from Tsukasa. ]
Unless you think about how the way he operates indicates how connected he is in how he knows where to hit and how brutal he can be.
[ Cut tongues, burned warehouses, murder victims, burn victims, you name it. ]
no subject
He lets her withdraw, though he's taking one of her wrists to rub circles into instead. ]
He's still within the Xian Le family, so that takes out our longer-haired-yet-neutral associates... He's not someone who hesitates regardless of what action he has to carry out, so he's likely used to getting his hands dirty. He has to at least be high enough - or maybe disconnected enough - that no one questions where he's going or what he's doing, or why he's doing it... [ Tsukasa hums a short note -- really, Shinobu'd have a better feel for suspects, so he's just here to help spitball. ] You're sure it's a man? ...What makes you think he might have long hair, too? I'm sorry, it's not like I'm doubting you, but -- I'd like to hear all your thoughts.
no subject
In an investigation, I overheard some Xian Le members talk about getting attacked by someone interfering with their business. They were clear that it was a man, and they called him a long-haired bastard.
[ How long is long.... is up for debate. That's a subjective descriptor in her mind. ]
no subject
Mmm... Thank you. [ A wrist squeeze, with a little smile. Really grateful, actually, because chat like this means he can slip into work mode and leave being upset again to the side for the moment. ] Let's assume that by "long," they mean somewhere from the shoulder down. Anything past the chin's usually considered that anyway, at least on men... From the Xian Le, that takes out...
[ ...he has to think about who all stood up for their terrible no-good descriptors at date auction night; he should keep better track of who's in what family, he's realizing, but future Tsukasa can deal with that. ]
no subject
[ She's joking, but she's not. He may be the police, but his family has ties to the Xian Le. ]
Even if it didn't, you don't have a face that can lie.
[ She reaches up to brush her fingers across his cheek. ]
no subject
...I don't, do I? I think most people'd consider that a weakness.
[ He's on the fence on what he thinks of it himself - it's gotten him a lot of teasing so far, and he doesn't think it's that great to be unable to lie in a town like this.
On the other hand: he thinks it probably makes him at least a little trustworthy, too. ]
You don't though, do you.
[ it's not really a question, because shinobu's always turning his deprecating remarks into something nice. ]
no subject
To me, it's a strength. In this town full of lies, your honesty is moonlight on a dark night.
[ It's pure water in a lake full of poison. She doesn't want that to change. What she worries about with him is how gullible and forgiving he is. That jail is proof, and it's too naive even if the people who generally occupy it are there for harmless reasons.
The truly horrible often end up dead. ]
I still think your basement needs reform.
[ Her usual smile is back. ]
no subject
[ He's joking - he doesn't think he'd make a good one, not really. ]
You're always so poetic... I'm jealous of your way with words. [ ...but that's not the important thing right now, and he clears his throat. ] Um -- flirting isn't going to solve our dilemma, Shishi, so let's hold off on it for the moment.
[ Calling this flirting is also a joke desu, ]
no subject
[ Joking or not, she's sincere about that. They need multiple businesses and services constructed. The recent events have only highlighted how much. ]
You're the one who always flirts first, Tsukasa. [ "Flirts." However they end up like this. She doesn't disagree with him, however, so she maneuvers away from him. ]
Capturing that man, whoever it is, will solve some of it. I wish I had more of an idea.
no subject
anyway. ]
Mmm... The compliant crossdressing delinquent, Minato -- his hair's also pretty short, so he's out. Shishimaru, too. And it can't be Xie Lian, either. He's as upset as you or I about this whole thing...
[ :thinking: ]
no subject
Shinobu's smile is inscrutable. ]
I hope it wouldn't be Xie Lian. To make his own family buckle like this would be....
[ Terrible. ]
no subject
He'd never do it. [ Tsukasa's firm on this - if there's anyone he believes in within the Xian Le, it's their most recent family head. And not just because the two of them are similar. ] Where does that leave us?
no subject
[ It is perhaps some of their similarities that made Xie Lian endear himself to her so quickly.
Here, Shinobu's smile falls away, and she looks off at the wall. ]
I have some suspicions, but I don't want to admit one of them. I hope it's not him.
no subject
Honestly... There's some people I'd like to discount as well. [ He's only human -- so is she, and he mimics the touch she'd given him earlier, his fingers brushing her cheek. ] Shishi, I'm sure between the two of us we'll be able to figure out... or rather, lend whoever you're worried for an alibi.
[ well
maybe. for her sake, he kind of hopes so. ]
...Tell me?
no subject
There's a small, almost unnoticeable tremble.
In the softest whisper: ]
Wei Wuxian.
no subject
Me too. That's someone I'd like to discount, too...
[ Because, for everything he is, Wei Wuxian is nice. Wei Wuxian is someone he could call, maybe, a friend? He's not someone Tsukasa could think - would think - is capable of something as horrific as what's happened so far. ]
I wonder if he's the one who's sent me such threatening notes through Shigure, too... Ah, not really threatening-threatening, but very angry ones. [ "Do your job!" and all. ] ...No, we're supposed to be building a case for him. Er, his alibi...
[ ...he doesn't know where to begin, because there's no way he can confirm his location at all times. The town is tight-knit, but not that much. ]
no subject
[ At least she's pretty sure about that. She can't say she knows him as much as others, but she thinks she has a good enough read of his character. She also knows his past, so she knows he's not incapable. It's just now...
Is it so wrong to not want to suspect someone you care about? She knows it's too soft-hearted of her to think that way. ]
It's fine. You don't have to suspect. I don't want to believe it's him. I can continue to do so.