essenceofdeadlybeasts | [ximilia] ic inbox

[The comeback was perfect and Zhao let loose a peal of laughter. He lifted his drink to a fake chink against an invisible glass in the air.]

Only the best of the best!

[Then took a(nother) sip as if it were the best of the best whiskey available. Well, it was the only whiskey available currently so technically it was the best at the moment, too.]

You worry too much. [He said good-naturedly, with a little grin.] I can handle whatever is thrown my way, Hannya-man. But if I do bite off more than I can chew you'll be the first to know~.

[ That... wasn't a wrong assertion. Despite all the intense things that happened on the mission, being removed out of Sotenbori for over a month made him realize how much the chain truly weighed him down. He saw a much older face in the mirror, and stress lines that had no place on someone supposedly only twenty-four years old. ]

Isn't that my responsibility as yer senpai? [ He stated cheerfully, contrary to how he felt about being called out. ] Kiddin', kiddin'— on a second look ya seem like someone capable of takin' care of herself. I take back my worry.

If ya want it to be. [And for a moment his face grew soft, his smile genuine and touched, even if it was all a joke.] Can't say it isn't nice to have someone worry about you.

[Then the switch was flipped again and once more he had that sly smirk on his face. That brazen confidence and smug glint in his eyes that belied everything else about him.]

But you're not wrong and all that worry isn't gonna do you any good. I've got moves you've never seen the likes of, and maybe even I'll pull your ass out of the fire a time or two, senpai.

[ It probably is. Zhao's softer expression made him believe it must be. Any semblance of self-reflection or seriousness goes out of the window when Zhao throws that senpai back at him ]

Now, that's what I'd like to see! [ Fighting is his language, it's what always made him feel alive ] I have a fair share of my own, special moves. Maybe we'll end sharin' tips'n'tricks.

[ That reminds him ]

I brought a cool toy from that mission, might as well start a new weapon collection.

Ohho, you wanna see my moves? I've got plenty to throw at you. Never taught anyone anything but if you pick up a few ya might get too tough for your own good.

[He laughed at his own silliness. Then cocked his head to one side in curiosity.]

Really? What did you buy? Think it could take on my sword?

[ Majima was planning on showing off the fan he got in Gyeongje, but the very mention of sword stopped him in his track. An unusual weapon back in their time. Unlike a knife (anyone can conceal and use a knife) sword truly requires skill in using it, or you were just a laughable loser on the ground.

Change of plans ]

Oh, it is a bladed weapon. [ He stated deliberately and smugly, not giving any more details ] We got to spar someday. Ya might happen to be just exactly the muse I need.

[ Picking things up was more close than studying. Komaki tried to teach him his school, but Majima stubbornly found his own ways to counter it instead. Not that it ever stopped the old man from considering him his student in in some form ]

[Oooh, he made it sound so ~mysterious~. Zhao wondered if it were simply a dagger like the tanto he'd used in their fight at the Omi Headquarters or if Majima had picked up something a little fancier than that. Or maybe sillier if he was hiding it.

Zhao simply smiled in response and showed his genuine interest.]

Sounds good to me. Let's see how your 'bladed weapon' fares against my saber. And maybe I'll be kind enough to teach you a trick or two.

Anytime.

[ As far as Majima's concerned, they could throw down right now. Their drinks were barely a hindrance. Or maybe encouragement of stupid ideas? ]

Alright, but saber? I faced few guys who'new how to use these— [ And he might have occasionally picked them up, lying on the ground. ] It's a fancy weapon. There's a story out there and I wanna hear it.

Anytime, huh?

[Zhao said with a smile around the rim of his glass as he took a drink. Drinks were definitely encouragement for this sort of thing. Hell, Zhao had a whole style catered around how drunk he was. He'd only get better at it the more tipsy he was.]

Story is I'm trained in Chinese martial arts. Ya wanna know which ones your gonna have to face me in combat and find out first hand.

[ Majima hummed in confirmation as he downed the drink. And proceeded to pour them a bit more. Yes, anytime means even now. And it was a thought that was gaining more and more prominence with each drop of the whiskey. ]

Ah, yer bein' so mysterious. I get it, keepin' up the air of mystique makes everyone return for more. [ That's how it was with hostess and hosts, why not fighters? Majima tapped the glass as his thoughts wandered and made connections ] Yokohama, say— that's a triad backyard, innit?

I'm being mysterious? [He laughed.] What about you and your ~bladed weapon~? Very elusive answer, that one.

[But the next question took Zhao off guard and his demeanor changed. Not quite mad but definitely on the unhappy side of things. He frowned.]

It's...got the Snake Flower Triad in some parts, if that's what you're thinking of. [Or, did, past tense, by Zhao's time. But during Majima's time they would still have a hand-hold in Yokohama where the Liumang hadn't run them out fully yet. His tone got more serious as he continued.] But if you're thinking that I run with those guys you're dead wrong.

Haha, yer right, guess I started that!

[ Majima giggled innocently and beamed at that little call-out. Still, he thought he was in the right demanding some more info. Zhao knew about him from some word-of-mouth he didn't— and just so, a first tidbit uncovered.

He put his hands in the air, in a gesture of placating mock-surrender ]

Tsk— that's on me, apologies. I was pretty ignorant 'bout the world outside of Kamurocho— [ But that indeed was one of the several names he knew. Despite his climbing ranks at high speed, he was still an inexperienced kid, too green to be let on to politics of bigger fish. He was becoming acutely aware of that fact right now. ] Sounds like ya got history.

[Zhao chewed on that for a moment but in the end the surrender was taken to heart, and Zhao made a peace-offering in the form of a flash of teeth--less feral this time, more awkward smile. He also offered a little more info to keep Majima satisfied on that front since now he was the one being pried at. He preferred to be the one doing the prying.]

Yeah, actually. You could say I've had a run-in or two with them. Nasty sons-of-bitches. They're into things nobody should touch with a fifty-meter pole.

I see. So yer the ones to keep 'em in check.

[ Meanwhile, Majima absolutely livens up, now that the role has switched and he gets to pry. Tell him everything, please. Or he will withhold the alcohol. ]

How did it go?

How did what go?

[Zhao asked 'innocently' as he sipped on his alcohol. If Majima wanted more information that Zhao had to think carefully about before revealing, then Majima was going to have to work for it. Pry more methodically to get at. No one said he had to play fair.]

[ Ah, playing hard to get ]

The run-in or two with them.

Oh, you know. I'm still standing. Most of them aren't these days.

[Said as casually as can be.]

[ Ah yes, the final way of solving the problem. ]

Yer not so keen in havin' questions directed at ya, huh? [ An observation ]

[Zhao smiled sweetly.]

I like to be the one doing the probing.

[And since Majima was being stingy with the whiskey now, Zhao played idly with his leftover ice. He popped a piece into his mouth and resumed smiling at Majima with an amused twinkle in his eye.]

Ya'dhh—

[ Majima stuttered a second too late from keeping his stupid mouth shut. Good thing he caught on the innuendo, otherwise, he'd really dig his own grave with the comeback he was going to throw. ]

Oh, I've noticed. [ Damn him if he wasn't amused, and it showed in a stifled giggle. And the fact he'd become less stingy with whiskey and a bit more animated again ] Why tho? Is it just 'bout satisfying the urge?

[ The curiosity, naturally ]

Not like any dirt ya get here is gonna be useful back home.

[Zhao's tongue worked to move the ice cube around deftly in his mouth until he finally bit down on it and chewed enough to swallow. His smile never slipped. He chuckled softly at the response and then waited for the refill of whiskey before replying. He took a sip of alcohol first to wash down the ice.]

I do have a pretty strong drive hit me from time to time--and what better way to satisfy than to go in hard and fast with someone worth the effort?

[Would flattery get him anywhere? He didn't know yet but he was having fun twisting his words around either way.]

As for what I would find useful or not... well, that's my prerogative, now isn't it?

[ Bold and confident. That's how many want to carry themselves, but few succeed. Majima ended twirling a lock of his hair in his finger, one that escaped the clutch of the ponytail. As he quietly tried to crack the mystery of the man before him.

Maybe there wasn't any. Maybe he was just— away from home, like everyone else. And just lucky enough to find someone that recognized names of familiars places. Majima certainly could relate to that. ]

Live fast, die young— I'm here for a good time, not for a long time. [ Cheesy all the fucking way, but ain't that something to look forward to. He almost sounded wistful and decided to drown that out with alcohol. It worked, he chuckled instead, and slurred a bit ] I like that, a strong drive I mean. I like ya. Count me in!

[Zhao grinned and chuckled lightly again. That statement was certainly cheesy--and yet had an appeal to it anyway. He certainly could understand the sentiment behind it, and appreciate it. Maybe he felt that way, too, a little. Lived that way sometimes.

When he wasn't trying to make sure everyone else was taken care of first. Woes of being the responsible leader.]

Good, because I'm already starting to like you, too. [And he took a sip of his drink to buy some time after that statement.] So, does that mean I can probe you some more before the day is done?

[ Briefly, but sadly very noticably, Majima inhaled the whiskey. Literally. Few drops were enough to need to trigger a reflex to cough it out, which caused a sound that was a cross of howl and a wheeze. Shit, that round Zhao won.

But— there was a voice in the back of his head. Voice reminding him about letting loose, the thoughts about dropping all the inhibitions or at least the ones that he could live without. Egging him to carve his own path, one that could never predict.

Him getting surprised if not flustered on a line delivered like that? Predictable. Obvious. That was what it was designed for. To make him admit defeat awkwardly and stand down. So what would be the opposite of that...? ]

—just so we're on the same page, ya mean literally or metaphorically?

[ Nailed it.

Majima hee-hee-heed, his voice a bit hoarse as his airways burned from their intense introduction to whiskey, but not stopping a cocksure grin on his face in the least ]

[Zhao waited calmly for Majima to cough up his inhaled whiskey. That had to hurt at least a bit. Poor fella. He didn't want to make the guy feel any more embarrassment than he already probably did though so he waited it out politely.

Just so we're on the same page—he turned his head to look at Majima now, waited for the incoming question—ya mean literally or metaphorically?

Without missing a single beat, Zhao went into his response with a little more oomph to his tone than before. A little bit of a loud laugh in his voice as he opened.]

Hoho! Ya lookin' for a good time tonight after the drinks, tiger? [He leaned forward just enough to encroach on Majima's personal space but not invade it entirely. Met Majima's cocksure grin with one of his own.] 'Cause I know a move or two for that sort of affair, too, if you're interested.

[He leaned back into his own space.]

But don't worry, I've got plenty more questions to throw at ya if we're keeping it all hands-free. Dealer's choice.

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