video; un: TIGER-STRIPED

[jigokumods]

[ The scene is familiar to most of the Shuten Clan at this point. It's Toraguma's office at the Arena, the wall behind his desk covered in ornate and fancy looking weapons, as well as a giant sake gourd kept in a glass case right behind his chair. It was the symbol of the clan's namesake, the legendary magic gourd of his former master.

Toraguma himself looks... sweaty. Like he's just come from a workout. Or was just eating himself into a sweat, again, as he likes to do. ]

Listen up, you dogs!

[ Oh, and he's yelling, that's familiar, too. ]

The Night Parade is gonna be happening at the beginning of next month!

As you've seen from all the work you've been doing so far, it's a pretty big fuckin' deal! And I want MY guys to show our pride out there when the celebrations start!

We're gonna have a sumo ring set up, and I want all of you guys to muscle up and show this city your mettle! Prizes to those who win, obviously, but if any one with Shuten Clan credentials loses a match, I'm gonna dock your fuckin' pay!

[ Yeah, that sounds about right. ]

And remember to have fun, damnit!

Comments

[osake]

My, so serious. I'm not looking to take your throne, you know.

[ in the face of toraguma's inner turmoil, shuten shrugs lightly. ]

After all, this is your town now, isn't it? As sad as it is to say ... my reign has long passed.

[jigokumods]

The Shuten of my memories wasn't the sort to simply accept things like that.

[ A huff. ]

That Ibaraki is yours, right? She's determined to fight a battle she can't win...

[osake]

[ that gets her to sigh. if ibaraki is going to get beaten by their ex-subordinate, she'd at least like to see it. ]

You're a lot like her, you know. Two rowdy children who want to relive our glory days.

[ tone some parts endeared, most parts gently admonishing; light and winding all the same. she tips her head at him. ]

Well, not to worry, dear. I'm still going to have fun the same way I always do.

[ leaning in, with a heavy whisper: ]

Mercilessly.

Save one of those prizes for me, won't you?

[jigokumods]

Tch...

[ At least Shuten seemed to have her head together. He didn't have to worry about her... probably... ]

As if you'll need a gourd like this...

[osake]

No? You know me, though. Always wanting more.

[ or does he? ]

Besides, I had my beloved divine sake taken from me when I arrived. I need to take my due.

[jigokumods]

[ He knows a Shuten. This one... he's still trying to figure out. ]

The gourd behind me once belonged to the Shuten that I remember... live up to that name, and maybe you'll get it back.

[osake]

[ the enthusiasm is immediate, all that chiming, lilting excitement rolling off her words in bubbling giggles. at the very least, he knows how to get her motivated. ]

Ooh, promises, promises~! Have you kept that old thing this whole time, Toraguma? So sentimental. Tell me ...

[ she figures she knows the answer to this one, though ]

... have you taken a sip since that day?

[jigokumods]

[ This time, he can't even really look back at her. He just turns back to look at the gourd, silent for a moment... ]

... No. It's been fermenting this whole time.

[osake]

Fu, fufufu...

[ show her those tears, toraguma. it'd make up for having to deal without her dear sake and her powers. ]

Such a sweetie.

[ her voice drops to a tender low, coiling like snaking fog on the ground. ]

I bet it tastes even more divine now. When I finally come to take it back ... let's have some together, okay?

[jigokumods]

... I'll keep it safe, till that happens.

[ Whether or not it would... he didn't really want to allow himself to hope. ]

[osake]

[ boo. not that easy to see him mourn after all, is it? ]

Oh, and I know she's one of your own, but ...

Try not to go too easy on Ibaraki, alright? She's never going to stop. I'll come pick her up after all's said and done.

[ translation: knock her out and she'll be there to reassemble the pieces later. ]

[jigokumods]

You aren't in a position to tell me what to do, no matter how you word it.

[ Those words came a bit sternly. ]

What happens to that one is my responsibility alone.

[osake]

Oh, did I hit a sore spot? I'm afraid you're wrong there. You just said that Ibaraki is mine, didn't you?

[ with a sigh, she pulls away from the camera. ]

You're making a lot of work for me, dear ... And for yourself.

[ such a weight on those big, blue shoulders. ]

Still, in the end, it's harmless advice, nothing more.

[jigokumods]

[ A snort. ]

We'll see.

[ He ends it there, as he can already hear the ruckus Ibaraki is making on her way to his office. What a pain... ]