video; un: acala

[wild_romance]

[ Daigo did a bit of community service around Nightwake before he left, and he has aged much more than some of the troubled youths he was previously observing. Some of them sure have made a mess while he was away.

Which is why he has dragged this one before the camera by his ear. ]

Why don't you introduce yourself.

[ It's not a suggestion, there's something steely in his otherwise calm tone. The teenager sulks defiantly. ]

Hagen.

Hagen here needs to keep his nose clean, and we'd both be very obliged if you would keep an eye out for him when you're in Nightwake. Isn't that right?

Shut up, old man.

[ Daigo just smiles, squeezes his captive's shoulder briefly, and then sets him free from this forced announcement. He calls after him as a reminder: ]

Lay low, you've already pissed them off once!

[ Then Daigo sits down to light a cigarette with a sigh. ]

---

quest log with associated quest | quest plotting

Comments

[Video; un: shoto]

[itsmypower]

[A delinquent?]

You handled that well. ...I think.

[For being a tough-looking guy.]

[wild_romance]

[ A lot of things go through Daigo's mind. He has to filter it down to what's appropriate to say to a stranger. ]

We'll see how it goes. He has some choices to make.

[itsmypower]

[Don't they all?]

Maybe someone like that had limited options before. [Assuming it's likely what he thinks...] The next time, though—he'll thank you, I'd guess.

[wild_romance]

[ He sighs, scrubs a hand over his face before he straightens his posture up. ]

Young men think they're invincible, he may ignore me yet.

[itsmypower]

No... [if it's any consolation-] Ignoring you probably doesn't look like that. More likely he's angry that he isn't. It's more annoying when your words slip through.

[He isn't mentioning how he knows.]

If he weren't listening, he wouldn't run off.

[wild_romance]

[ He laughs ruefully. ]

Fair enough. He got into more trouble than he meant to. I'm sure he's rattled.

[itsmypower]

[He doesn't pry, but he IS wondering about the other boy's circumstance. He, himself's, lucked up in finding himself a mentor.]

Then we should thank you for getting involved; we could use more guys like you...

[To "meddle", he means.]

Have you thought of becoming a mentor? There's a lot more than one Hagen around...

[wild_romance]

[ A vague wheeze of laughter. He has a hard time keeping his nose out of trouble. He learned that from someone, and is never sure whether he resents it or not. ]

Yes, I've met a lot of Hagens. I grew up in... large gang.

[ He knows 'the yakuza' doesn't always mean anything to people, so he tries to simplify it. ]

[itsmypower]

So you do understand...?

[A little nod, indication he might have sympathy for the Devil...]

I have a brother a little like that... He's just convinced there's no turning back—like his life's set in stone at this point. It's just that seeing this gave me a hope, in a way.

[And, well—]

I'm Todoroki, if you'd need any help.

[If help's what's needed?]

...Shoto.

[wild_romance]

My name is Daigo, it's nice to meet you.

[ Hajimemashite. ]

Sometimes... a stubborn brother needs a punch in the face. Sometimes a stubborn brother just needs to know someone cares what happens to them.

[itsmypower]

[Just Daigo, huh? It says a lot that Shoto trusts him a little—of Daigo.]

Daigo-san? Thanks. Toya-nii's... waited all his life for that—

[He'll drag him back; absorb his hate and his hell-flames; and they'll have udon, together.]

Just to hear it from someone, once; it might've made all the difference, before, so I'll remind him, whatever it takes.

[He's definitely listening, he means to say.] I'll let you know what he decides.

[wild_romance]

[ He nods, solemnly. He definitely understands the kind of devotion and friendships that can develop between brothers. There's no use real use applying too much logic to a situation that is all about the heart. ]

I'm sure that you will.

voice; un: magichat

[hathasacat]

It seems like he's a little Kamera-shy.

[ That's an understatement. ]

[wild_romance]

He's not used to asking for help.

[hathasacat]

Will he be accepting any if it's offered?

[wild_romance]

We'll see. Young men are stubborn.

[ He doesn't mean that as a blanket statement, the 'young men' are a very specific group of people to the yakuza. Potential recruits, or already recruited but yet untested. ]

[hathasacat]

So I've heard.

[ As if he weren't a young and stubborn himself. ]

Still, I'll keep an eye out for him.

[wild_romance]

I appreciate it. You're welcome to notify me of anything you wouldn't want to get involved in yourself.

I'm Daigo, by the way. Daigo Dojima.

[hathasacat]

Hopefully there won't be any need for that. The point's to keep things on the straight and narrow, right?

[ Though Lyney has the feeling it's not going to be that easy. ]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Daigo. Please call me Lyney.

[wild_romance]

That's the idea, but you never know.

[ If it was that easy, the yakuza never would have gotten off the ground. ]

Lyney. Nice to meet you. Been with Ellipsa long?

[hathasacat]

Not at all. I've just arrived a few weeks ago, but given how much there is to see around this land, it feels like I'm bound to keep feeling like a fresh arrival for months on end.

[ It's an exaggeration, of course, but there really is a lot to see around Ellipsa and Lyney's just curious enough to want to see it all himself. ]

From the sounds of things though, you've been here a while?

[wild_romance]

Ah, yes. I was here for quite a while. Returned to my life for a few years... And here I am again.

[ He is tone is self-deprecating. Not only were those few years difficult, he is also very aware that he's not the most savvy denizen of Ellipsa. Magic remains so mysterious to him. ]

But, ah, welcome. Most people will treat you well here.

[hathasacat]

A... few years?

[ Lyney had gotten used to the thought that they'd be here for a while, but a few years was far more than he was expecting. ]

Oh- but thank you for your kind welcome! I do hope that I'll quickly be able to become one of the friendly residents soon.

[wild_romance]

Well, it was about four years for me. In Ellipsa it was maybe a few months.

[ Timey wimey bullshit, he is way too normal of a guy to wrap his head around it. ]

But, ah, let me know if ever need a hand. I'll do my best.

[hathasacat]

Oh, I hadn't been aware that was a thing.

[ Time to do research on timey wimey bullshit because he needs to know more. ]

[ He's quick not to let his own confusion show through in his voice after that point though. ]

Of course, Monsieur! Thank you for your kindness.