[ Does he need to be rescued? Because fear not, he will get right on that! ]
[ Never underestimate his ability to network, Gintoki!! (It's pure dumb luck that the one princess he somehow managed to charm into believing Hijikata is the villain of his life happened to be at the scene. Please don't expect this to happen consistently.) ]
[ Katsura cracks the door open with his usual blank expression, which lights up when he sees Gintoki, and he pushes the door wide open. ]
Ah, Gintoki! Come in, come in. I bought cupcakes for the occasion.
[ ARE THEY EDIBLE??? MAYBE, ACTUALLY. It's supposed to be a positive reinforcement after all, and luckily it sounds like he didn't make them himself... ]
[ Look on the bright side, at least there's no balloons and he's not working on a Welcome Back Shiroyasha party banner... yet. ]
[ just kidding, but he does take a faceful of door and a crotchfull of foot and so down he goes ]
What do you mean? [ genuinely confused. maybe bleeding a little ] You were documented resisting Shinsengumi encroachment. Taking a stand should always be celebrated.
[ will allow the manhandling for now and not make a real effort to get up. get all that pent up rage out, shiroyasha-kun, he'll just ragdoll a little with that collar shake ]
[ blinks up at him innocently ]
Eh? I didn't do anything. [ yet... ]
A dear friend was at the scene and sent me evidence of the police brutality incident along with an offer to represent us in court.
You and me, Gintoki. [ duh. ] Now we've both been slapped by the long **** of the law.
[ "arm", the metaphor is "arm"!! ]
[ sits up and dusts himself off indignantly ]
It's not bullcrap, it's the truth. [ how did you know it's a "her", Gintoki... are you reading his threads or are you aware of his effect on women o ho ho ] She was concerned about my wariness of the police cars [ read: didn't believe his bullshit about being a termite inspector ] so I told her that an individual with V-shaped bangs has tried to run me over in one. [ that was back home! more importantly, wasn't that Okita to begin with?! ]
[ Oh, no, the pronoun is entirely the gorilla's fault.
For a few seconds, Gintoki just stares blankly at Zura. Letting those words sink in, and the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together. Zura would be instinctively wary of police cars, likely more so than is normal for any regular person to be, and it's not like Gintoki would expect him to be honest about why. You don't just drop the fact that you're on a list of terrorists to any random person.
Although people would possibly be more okay with someone calling themselves a rebel fighter. That can garner some sympathy.
Gintoki sighs, scrubs a hand over his face, then tilts his head back to stare blankly up at the ceiling. ]
Zura. You can't just direct all your rebel efforts at one person.
[ It's only been a few weeks. He's been on the run for years. Even if he knows that he's done nothing here to be in trouble with law enforcement, that's not going to just stop his muscle memory from throwing him behind the nearest cover whenever he hears sirens or sees that gold-trimmed uniform. ]
[ Likewise, this whole thing is largely force of habit for him. He might not actually wish for all Shinsengumi to die at this point, despite his occasional insistence otherwise (and yet none of his mostly-successful infiltrations of them doing any actual damage or having any casualties), but it's too damn easy -- and natural -- to focus his ire there when there's few other outlets available, when he's already teetering on the edge of some sort of identity crisis thanks to how unnecessary he feels when he dares to contemplate his current position in depth. ]
[ He hadn't even truly stopped to consider that Hijikata might be just as alone here, without the power of the Shinsengumi or the Bakufu behind him at all. ]
[ Katsura doesn't have anyone backing him up either, but it wouldn't be the first time he's been able to somehow bring down the full wrath of the jouishishi all by himself. It's hardly fair (even if Hijikata is also a one man army of his own). Gintoki might have a point there. ]
[ He looks up at the ceiling as well. ]
Ah, why not? It almost sounds like you're defending him.
[ He didn't protest the name, though. He might just be more on the wavelength of being a little stubborn shit here rather than actually insisting on Hijikata's demise. ]
[ This doesn't mean that he entirely gave up on the idea, and there's always the danger of Sonia accidentally kickstarting the loop again... but for now, at least, he might be willing to hold of on the whole bringing wrath down thing. At least until Hijikata does something to provoke him. ]
[ There are indeed cupcakes, sitting on the kitchen table in all their chocolatey, glazed glory. Unfortunately, the sweet taste will no doubt be soured by the knowledge that Gintoki did nothing to deserve them... 😔💔 ]
Be careful making friends with someone who would have you cut down, Gintoki.
[ Maybe he wouldn't, though. Most of them seem like decent guys, perhaps even potential allies someday. Katsura certainly has no room to talk in that regard either at this point, does he? ]
[ But, well, that's why he says be careful, and not don't. ]
[ No, the cupcakes will taste just as sweet as they would have if he did do what Zura thinks he did.
He doesn't respond to the warning. Not like he doesn't know. It might be idiotic to trust the Shinsengumi as much as he does, but they've given him little reason not to. Their morals align as a whole and he wants to believe that if shit really hits the fan, they'll make the right choice.
And when they do, he'll be there too. ]
Who's this 'we'? I'm still not a part of this.
[ Exhausting. You're exhausting, Zura.
ANYWAY. Chocolate cupcakes! Zura is in fact the best. He plops right down at the table, noticeably brightening.
Still not joining Ellipsa's New Dawn Initiative or whatever though. ]
[ Here's hoping he's right about them. They're right about them. Perhaps, when push comes to shove, once they've been forced to experience the full ugliness of the reality they all live in, they will find it in themselves to make the right choice. To raise their swords to protect the people of Edo and the people they love, rather than what they've been told is the order of Edo. ]
[ Here's hoping the price of it all will never be as high for the Shinsengumi as it's been to them. ]
[ But in the meantime, Katsura is ready for a betrayal, as well. ]
Hm? You seem quite eager to be a part of my kitchen.
[ Zura is in fact the best! Uh, he means, it's not Zura, it's Katsura. Anyway, he doesn't seem too upset about Gintoki's reluctance to participate and claiming of the cupcakes anyway. Mostly because simply seeing him with that bright expression on his face is well worth whatever he's spent on them. ]
[ Also, about half of the table is probably covered with bolts and pieces of cables and tiny electric circuits that look vaguely like some bombs being assembled, but no need to worry about that. He did expend a number of them in the trials, after all. ]
Of course I need you. [ damn first non-bullshit thing out of his mouth today ] But it's not like they have to be eaten before a certain date or they explode...
[ OR IS IT ]
[ suddenly looks a little concerned. still holding on though ]
It means that if you leave, they will simply remain here. Alone. Uneaten. Unfulfilled in every way a muffin could possibly be. Do you really want that on your conscience, Gintoki?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
owo who could this be
[ Never underestimate his ability to network, Gintoki!! (It's pure dumb luck that the one princess he somehow managed to charm into believing Hijikata is the villain of his life happened to be at the scene. Please don't expect this to happen consistently.) ]
[ Katsura cracks the door open with his usual blank expression, which lights up when he sees Gintoki, and he pushes the door wide open. ]
Ah, Gintoki! Come in, come in. I bought cupcakes for the occasion.
[ ARE THEY EDIBLE??? MAYBE, ACTUALLY. It's supposed to be a positive reinforcement after all, and luckily it sounds like he didn't make them himself... ]
[ Look on the bright side, at least there's no balloons and he's not working on a Welcome Back Shiroyasha party banner... yet. ]
your doom
He is going to come in, but he's also going to aim to kick Zura down onto the floor as he does. ]
THERE AIN'T NO OCCASION!
scream
[ just kidding, but he does take a faceful of door and a crotchfull of foot and so down he goes ]
What do you mean? [ genuinely confused. maybe bleeding a little ] You were documented resisting Shinsengumi encroachment. Taking a stand should always be celebrated.
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The hell do you mean documented? By who?
[ The next sentence he adds through gritted teeth: ]
What did you do?
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[ blinks up at him innocently ]
Eh? I didn't do anything. [ yet... ]
A dear friend was at the scene and sent me evidence of the police brutality incident along with an offer to represent us in court.
[ WHO'S "US" ]
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[ Now he's really shaking him, just a couple of times, and then drops him unceremoniously on the floor before he gets back up. ]
What bullcrap did you tell this 'dear friend' to make her offer to represent you in court, oi?
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[ "arm", the metaphor is "arm"!! ]
[ sits up and dusts himself off indignantly ]
It's not bullcrap, it's the truth. [ how did you know it's a "her", Gintoki... are you reading his threads or are you aware of his effect on women o ho ho ] She was concerned about my wariness of the police cars [ read: didn't believe his bullshit about being a termite inspector ] so I told her that an individual with V-shaped bangs has tried to run me over in one. [ that was back home! more importantly, wasn't that Okita to begin with?! ]
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For a few seconds, Gintoki just stares blankly at Zura. Letting those words sink in, and the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together. Zura would be instinctively wary of police cars, likely more so than is normal for any regular person to be, and it's not like Gintoki would expect him to be honest about why. You don't just drop the fact that you're on a list of terrorists to any random person.
Although people would possibly be more okay with someone calling themselves a rebel fighter. That can garner some sympathy.
Gintoki sighs, scrubs a hand over his face, then tilts his head back to stare blankly up at the ceiling. ]
Zura. You can't just direct all your rebel efforts at one person.
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[ Likewise, this whole thing is largely force of habit for him. He might not actually wish for all Shinsengumi to die at this point, despite his occasional insistence otherwise (and yet none of his mostly-successful infiltrations of them doing any actual damage or having any casualties), but it's too damn easy -- and natural -- to focus his ire there when there's few other outlets available, when he's already teetering on the edge of some sort of identity crisis thanks to how unnecessary he feels when he dares to contemplate his current position in depth. ]
[ He hadn't even truly stopped to consider that Hijikata might be just as alone here, without the power of the Shinsengumi or the Bakufu behind him at all. ]
[ Katsura doesn't have anyone backing him up either, but it wouldn't be the first time he's been able to somehow bring down the full wrath of the jouishishi all by himself. It's hardly fair (even if Hijikata is also a one man army of his own). Gintoki might have a point there. ]
[ He looks up at the ceiling as well. ]
Ah, why not? It almost sounds like you're defending him.
[ He didn't protest the name, though. He might just be more on the wavelength of being a little stubborn shit here rather than actually insisting on Hijikata's demise. ]
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He scoffs, and turns to head for the kitchen. What was that about cupcakes? ]
Don't get the wrong idea.
More importantly, like I've told you a billion times before, I ain't joining your Jouishishi. Not here or anywhere.
1/2
[ There are indeed cupcakes, sitting on the kitchen table in all their chocolatey, glazed glory. Unfortunately, the sweet taste will no doubt be soured by the knowledge that Gintoki did nothing to deserve them... 😔💔 ]
Be careful making friends with someone who would have you cut down, Gintoki.
[ Maybe he wouldn't, though. Most of them seem like decent guys, perhaps even potential allies someday. Katsura certainly has no room to talk in that regard either at this point, does he? ]
[ But, well, that's why he says be careful, and not don't. ]
2/2
You may have a point. We should consider a rebranding for this world. What about Ellipsa's New Dawn Initiative?
[ He'll totally join that, right? ]
no subject
He doesn't respond to the warning. Not like he doesn't know. It might be idiotic to trust the Shinsengumi as much as he does, but they've given him little reason not to. Their morals align as a whole and he wants to believe that if shit really hits the fan, they'll make the right choice.
And when they do, he'll be there too. ]
Who's this 'we'? I'm still not a part of this.
[ Exhausting. You're exhausting, Zura.
ANYWAY. Chocolate cupcakes! Zura is in fact the best. He plops right down at the table, noticeably brightening.
Still not joining Ellipsa's New Dawn Initiative or whatever though. ]
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[ Here's hoping he's right about them. They're right about them. Perhaps, when push comes to shove, once they've been forced to experience the full ugliness of the reality they all live in, they will find it in themselves to make the right choice. To raise their swords to protect the people of Edo and the people they love, rather than what they've been told is the order of Edo. ]
[ Here's hoping the price of it all will never be as high for the Shinsengumi as it's been to them. ]
[ But in the meantime, Katsura is ready for a betrayal, as well. ]
Hm? You seem quite eager to be a part of my kitchen.
[ Zura is in fact the best! Uh, he means, it's not Zura, it's Katsura. Anyway, he doesn't seem too upset about Gintoki's reluctance to participate and claiming of the cupcakes anyway. Mostly because simply seeing him with that bright expression on his face is well worth whatever he's spent on them. ]
[ Also, about half of the table is probably covered with bolts and pieces of cables and tiny electric circuits that look vaguely like some bombs being assembled, but no need to worry about that. He did expend a number of them in the trials, after all. ]
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[ He came willingly to your apartment, Zura. Are you sure you want to chase him off? ]
1/2
2/2
You may leave if you choose to, but they're staying right here.
[ You wouldn't leave your chocolate soldiers behind, would you, Gintoki?! ]
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ALSO MAKING A GRAB FOR IT
So they both end up with their hand on the box. ]
Oi oi, I didn't ask you to get these, you know. I thought they were a gift, a gift.
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[ but he also sort of ruined it by letting the air out of Zura's metaphorical balloons, so the least he can do is stay and hang out!! ]
[ CLUTCHING HIS END OF THE BOX TIGHT and slowly trying to pull it toward himself ]
They were a gift for your initiation, which you refused.
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See, he wants to hang out too, but you're being annoying and now threatening the cupcakes! Do you want war?
CLUTCHING HIS END JUST AS TIGHTLY and keeping it put right there. ]
What, you're telling me you're gonna eat them all yourself? That's too much sugar for your tastes.
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[ JUST SIT THE FUCK BACK DOWN AND IT COULD HAPPEN!! Why you gotta threaten him with leaving when you know it's a sore spot for him! ]
[ still trying. his knuckles are white at this point ]
Don't be ridiculous. Sweet food like this puts cavities in the soul of any normal man.
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So you need me. I'm not a normal man.
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Of course I need you. [ damn first non-bullshit thing out of his mouth today ] But it's not like they have to be eaten before a certain date or they explode...
[ OR IS IT ]
[ suddenly looks a little concerned. still holding on though ]
no subject
[ SQUINTS ]
The hell is that supposed to mean?
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It means that if you leave, they will simply remain here. Alone. Uneaten. Unfulfilled in every way a muffin could possibly be. Do you really want that on your conscience, Gintoki?
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1/?
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wrapping i guess?