video; un: eraserhead

[eyedrop]

[ Aizawa's lolling against some tree somewhere. Terrible, slumped posture; hair wild about his face. His expression is neutral, bordering on irritable, and his voice is an exhausted monotone. He sits with one leg folded over the other, idly tossing a cat figurine from hand to hand. ]

Hey. Myself and a few others did some looking around. Apparently, both the sea clan and the mountain clan have their allies--but they're not within easy reach. In the case of the sea clan, the empress's brother is married to some far-off queen. The mountain clan's allies aren't too nearby, either.

[ He shifts minutely. His eyes flutter briefly shut, and he sighs. ]

Point being, war between these two would be irrational. The old man we spoke with said no one really wants to start anything, but I don't know how true that is. I haven't tried to approach the nobles.

[ He really doesn't look or act the part, and he knows it. Nor does he have an escort. ]

If you've spoken to any of them, what's the mood? What do they want?

[ He cards a hand through his hair, frowning slightly. ]

They're the key to this, I think. Certainly the key to actually meeting that empress of theirs. So if you've got info, or if you've made any connections, spill it.

Comments

[refashioned]

Well, the good thing is that she was breathing. A concussion, as long as it's ... one of a kind, definitely beats the alternative here.

[She's relieved. She's so relieved.]

Honestly, the women who attacked that night seemed like they were trying to avoid this. But I think it goes without saying that they didn't do that good of a job.

[justbeingknife]

Yeah, well... when you show up to a party with fire and oil, this kinda thing tends to happen.

Houses here are wood and paper, too. Quick to light up.

[ They were super lucky, man... ]

Listen, how good are you at buttering people up?

[refashioned]

Honestly, in all of this mess, I haven't had the opportunity to butter anyone up. Consider me an expert in the practice.

[justbeingknife]

Oh yeah?

[ The slight change in the inflection of his voice when he smiled, on the other hand -- that was detectable over audio. ]

Well, I ended up pickin' up a couple presents, in case we ended up having to buy anyone off. Didn't have any use for 'em myself, but they're things a lady'd appreciate. Think you'd be up to getting yourself into some official's good graces?

[refashioned]

Yes, but I might decide to go in with a gift of my own. I'll have to see what you have on hand.

[Veronica is definitely picky and ... yeah. That's the long and short of it.]

I'll have to approve of what you've acquired first.

[justbeingknife]

Fine with me.

[ As a lady herself, Veronica probably had a good sense of what was and wasn't best. Majima's knowledge was secondhand through hanging out with his hostess friends. ]

You good with examining 'em over this thing, or do you need to see 'em up close?

[refashioned]

Given ... current arrangements, how about we hold off? It might be better if our princess—or princesses—are the ones making the decisions here.

[justbeingknife]

Alright. Let me know if ya need me for anything.

[refashioned]

Will do. You can count on that.