[ It's fine... No one ever said mafia business couldn't be done in an apron while baking a cake. ]
An informant? I guess I'm not surprised, considering how much of a mess their side's been... but what does that have to do with us? Is there something sensitive they might have on us?
Not that I know of. But if they get everything settled and they're free to move on to working against us afterward...
[There's a little tension in the set of his mouth, before he shakes his head.]
Then someone like that's going to be an advantage for Xian Le, and a thorn in our sides. It'll be best if we're aware of them before they can turn their attention anywhere else.
We can still be at an agreement for now, can't we? I'm not saying we have to do something about it immediately.
[He intends to maintain peace at least for as long as it takes to act, and preferably as long as it takes to sort out this kidnapping problem. But-]
Before their recent losses, though-- they would have taken us out, given half the chance. They were working towards it. I don't trust that it won't be the case if they manage to start building power again.
[It's for the good of the family to consider this now; the kidnapping is a current problem, but he can't just keep his eyes on the present.]
If I get any clues, I'll let you know, but for now... you know anyone on their side who's been nosier than others? Ask around about that, if you need to.
[ 9S can't blame Chuuya for wanting to build up a good defense. And for the most part, Chuuya seems like a level-headed guy, so 9S will trust him to act wisely, whatever ends up happening. ]
I don't talk to too many people from Xian Le, sir -- especially the hardliners. Mr. Wuxian is nosier than your average bear, but I think he's more invested in the people of Yiling Ridge than anything. Has Mr. Wangji mentioned anything about him?
You know what? Sure. Thanks for keeping an eye out, Nines.
[He'll absolutely take that cookie!
....annnnd then after a day or so, he'll return on whatever the current ic day is, back to see 9S with some more info. Once they're settled in somewhere private:]
I managed to get some information out of someone on the other side. Checked in on who'd been asking a few too many questions-- the ones that stood out to them were Ookurikara, Kangai, Wei Wuxian, and Shinobu. Wuxian's been neutral long enough that I think we can discount him, for now.
[A pause, and-]
But I asked if anyone out of that group had specifically been poking around about their internal problems, and that's a shorter list. Ookurikara and Shinobu. Supposedly this Royce guy's caused some trouble, but he wasn't in the original group of names, either.
[ He supposes he can see Shinobu prodding people for information in her Shinobu way. Which might just be extortion, really. ]
In that case, I've only met Ookurikara once, but he did say something that stood out. It was during that incident with the gatling gun. When he found out that a group from Xian Le was talking about making us pay for accusing them of kidnapping, he made a point about trying to find out the names of the plotters. The guys from Xian Le were trying to write it off as just idle talk, but Ookurikara was adamant.
At the time, I thought he was just trying to discipline them, but maybe it was something more.
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An informant? I guess I'm not surprised, considering how much of a mess their side's been... but what does that have to do with us? Is there something sensitive they might have on us?
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[There's a little tension in the set of his mouth, before he shakes his head.]
Then someone like that's going to be an advantage for Xian Le, and a thorn in our sides. It'll be best if we're aware of them before they can turn their attention anywhere else.
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[ He crosses his arms, not surprised at the idea but still disappointed. Peace always feels like a naive dream. ]
I'll see what I can find out. Do we have any clues on who this person might be?
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[He intends to maintain peace at least for as long as it takes to act, and preferably as long as it takes to sort out this kidnapping problem. But-]
Before their recent losses, though-- they would have taken us out, given half the chance. They were working towards it. I don't trust that it won't be the case if they manage to start building power again.
[It's for the good of the family to consider this now; the kidnapping is a current problem, but he can't just keep his eyes on the present.]
If I get any clues, I'll let you know, but for now... you know anyone on their side who's been nosier than others? Ask around about that, if you need to.
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I don't talk to too many people from Xian Le, sir -- especially the hardliners. Mr. Wuxian is nosier than your average bear, but I think he's more invested in the people of Yiling Ridge than anything. Has Mr. Wangji mentioned anything about him?
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Oh, once or twice.
[all the time, when they drink together. god. he knows so much about Wei Wuxian.]
He's taken in some former Moris, so part of his funding comes from me. I think if he were the type we're looking for, we'd know about it.
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Aww. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were even fluffier than your dog.
[ Despite being possibly even smaller than it. ]
In any case, I'll have to do my homework on this. Thanks for dropping by, and -- oh, how about a cookie for the road?
casually jumps ahead here
[He'll absolutely take that cookie!
....annnnd then after a day or so, he'll return on whatever the current ic day is, back to see 9S with some more info. Once they're settled in somewhere private:]
I managed to get some information out of someone on the other side. Checked in on who'd been asking a few too many questions-- the ones that stood out to them were Ookurikara, Kangai, Wei Wuxian, and Shinobu. Wuxian's been neutral long enough that I think we can discount him, for now.
[A pause, and-]
But I asked if anyone out of that group had specifically been poking around about their internal problems, and that's a shorter list. Ookurikara and Shinobu. Supposedly this Royce guy's caused some trouble, but he wasn't in the original group of names, either.
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Ms. Shinobu officially declared herself neutral, didn't she? And she doesn't strike me as the kind of person to snoop around for anything.
[ She may be a doctor here, but she still has the same aura of impending murder as always... ]
As for Ookurikara... Would he happen to have dark hair, yellow eyes, kind of a serious vibe?
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[So, there's that...
He nods at the question, though, because I assume both sides know the bodyguards? They're hard to miss.]
And that sounds like you're thinking of the right guy, too.
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In that case, I've only met Ookurikara once, but he did say something that stood out. It was during that incident with the gatling gun. When he found out that a group from Xian Le was talking about making us pay for accusing them of kidnapping, he made a point about trying to find out the names of the plotters. The guys from Xian Le were trying to write it off as just idle talk, but Ookurikara was adamant.
At the time, I thought he was just trying to discipline them, but maybe it was something more.