essenceofdeadlybeasts | [ximilia] ic inbox

[ 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.

[ This was the absolute worst but also— just really damn fun. At this point, he was going to see it through whether it was just a joke or not just to prove that he can. Break of the leash. The leash, he was briefly reminded of with the word 'tiger', enough to falter his grin a little. But not enough to throw him off entirely.

Sagawa isn't someone he wants to think of right now. He'd be happy if he could never think of him again, but that's way too much to ask. ]

Sure, why not? I could unwind a little. [ He was still flashing his teeth, but until the humour returned it probably looked more dangerous than pleasant. The whiskey definitely helped to keep darker thoughts at bay. Like a strong wind keeping skies clear. ] Tho I don't have stripes, I got scales.

[ And tiger without stripes is just a kitty cat ]

[Zhao might have pursued the 'offer' if the expression on Majima's face didn't speak volumes of how awkward he was taking this turn of conversation. Sure, he was grinning, but it felt either forced or feral in a defensive way.

That didn't mean Zhao wouldn't keep having fun at Majima's expense. Until told otherwise, he was going to presume they were having fun despite the awkwardness poking through. Sometimes treading into unknown waters could be exciting and fun even if it was strange and scary. Hopefully that's what Majima was feeling rather than offended. Zhao could only guess.

He kept these thoughts out of his expression with his typical little crooked smirk. His eyes flickered over Majima's whole body as if admiring him from head to toe (and back again).]

I bet. [Almost quietly. Then more loudly:] Ohho? Ya mean if I pet ya I won't get to hear ya purr for me? I might be a little sad about that. So, are ya gonna bite me instead? Hope you're not venomous then 'cause I'm tempted to find out, Majima-kun.

[He chuckled and took another sip of his drink.]

What were we talkin' about? Oh, yeah. I was curious about your blade but we got a little distracted by appreciating a different kind of tumble. So, you gonna show me yours and I'll show you mine? Or were ya savin' that ~mystery for a special occasion?

[ Zhao wasn't wrong on the assessment that Majima wasn't as relaxed as he tried (and failed) posturing with. But if this direction was unwelcome he'd also make it abundantly clear. His amusement at that line is genuine— he wasn't getting flirted at all that often. Or he shot that down if it was in the work environment. And honestly? He was kind of admiring, and kind of jealous Zhao could spin the tale so easily and so openly ]

Maybe I'll be the one to bite first, huh? The fun way—

[ He clanked his teeth and chuckled echoing at what started this entire segue in conversation. If there was only any way he could ensure he meant it playfully— heh, every blink is a wink when you've got only one eye.

—No high five for you brian, this time. Moving on. ]

Show don't tell is a good rule. And the trainin' space is quite nearby so—

[ It's not like someone is going to stop them because they had a few drinks. Living in places like Kamurocho— or Sotenbori— or Yokohama— just the life they go through, means getting into fights even when shit-faced. And they're far from that state, they're fairly lucid even. This is absolutely great idea. ]

Bet I could take ya and yer blade even right now.

[Zhao chuckled good-naturedly, amused by Majima keeping up the game. At first it felt odd flirting with him, but Zhao found it fun to mess with the younger man and fell into it more easily as they talked. Now he was tempted, curious, and a little interested. But he also wasn't ready to push his luck. If this was only a game to Majima he didn't want to insult by actually showing interest in physical intimacy with the man. Best to keep it just a fun game of words.

And Majima gave Zhao another perfect opening with his last phrase despite the change in topic. No way he could pass that up.]

Ohh, I'd be more than willing to thrust my blade at ya to show ya how it's done. You want me? I'm all yours. Let's go, hot stuff.

[ Zhao keeps that up, and he's going to run out of the witty comebacks. But then a short break they had to take to get ready for the training room was just enough to refuel the brain juice, for the next bout of sparring. This time not just verbal but also— well, actual sparring.

Fortunately, no one was taking the training room right now, so they didn't have to worry about going easy. Majima tucked the folded metal fan into his pocket and entered the room with an energized beat to his step. He opted for going shirtless, if just because— he is not going to sew back his own shirts if they get cut to ribbons, and they are a limited resource (and they are going to cut each other, alright). Besides, the hannya needs to see some light of a day too, get some sunrays— artificial ones, in this case. ]

Heard there's somethin' that belongs to me here. [ He said with a cheeky grin, starting the banter exactly where it was left of. ]

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