mayoboro | 〈 ic contact 〉

You underestimate him. Don't.

[as for the other matter]

[there is a discernible pause, a weighing of a history Hijikata cannot see]

That is not relevant.

[before he opts to have this discussion another day (if any)]

You underestimate the Shinsengumi. I know you and the likes of him [see, he's even careful to not group you in the same group--as he distinctly sees a difference between the two] think we are idiots. [...we are, he thinks to himself, but.] Knowing he's here, I won't sit by idly waiting for him to strike if he were to.

It's not my job here any more, though I suppose [blegh it pains him to even make this comparison] we stand similarly regarding the safety of others.

[there's even a shrug that personifies itself just distinctly on his tone of voice. he lets it drop, as katsura's voice cleaves through his question.]

Good. No one will be subjected to that bum as their parent.

Edited 2012-08-20 18:04 (UTC)

[it might be to that acknowledged difference that Katsura gives just a little ground -- they're not friends, no, but they're enemies largely circumstance]

[in another life, Katsura could just as easily be serving on the force, and in another life, Hijikata could just as easily be part of that rag-tag bunch of samurai he led; it was two ways of approaching the same problem of how best to care for people]

[he would rather burn alive than admit such a thing, however, of course]

Then what is your course of action? To sit idly and wait for a strike, or preempt aggression?

[with clear intent to establish Hijikata's actions apart from his own, he adds, somewhat reluctantly]

I plan on making direct contact with him once I have gathered more information. This meeting could have ...adverse effects, or pacifying ones. It remains to be seen how I will find him, and what his plans are.

[it is ambiguous as to whether these plans will be shared; just as he and the Vice Captain found themselves enemies, they're only allied by circumstance, as well (which was subject to change)]

The last thing I want to do is bait someone as dangerous as him with aggression.

[JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR. gathering information comes first, and since takasugi hasn't made a move as far as hijikata is aware of, there's no need to go guns blazing only to be cornered by a tiger who has schemed more than what he appeared.]

[to be giving an inkling of what katsura himself plans to do, however, leaves the vice-chief silent for a hesitant minute. katsura and takasugi aren't on the same level, he knows as much, but then there's a lot of history he does not know about.]

[but he, the police, and katsura, the terrorist, have common interests regarding the situation at hand.]

[he adds helpfully:] Then you better make sure not to give him reason to bite back with a vengeance. He shouldn't have the resources he had back in Edo, much less from the Harusame pirates.

There are always more moths attracted to flame.

[he sounds -- resigned, almost, and in his darker moments, he wonders what makes the Jouishishi and the Kihetai different in that respect]

[the samurai under his wing were desperate men, no less so than those who bayed at Takasugi's call; he'd like to think the answer might be found in their hearts, their morals, their tendency to love their country as much as they hated the government]

[(for that matter, the Shinsengumi were no less desperate -- but how their hearts were, Katsura could not say)]

Have you noticed any individuals fitting this description?

Weak-willed or equally devious in their doings? Perhaps. Children are impressionable, but they hardly constitute a force to be reckoned with. As far as I know--

[now his voice is a bit garbled, as he presses phone along ear to shoulder and scrambles around for a new cigarette and his lighter. when he starts considering things of s serious matter, it's the nicotine that helps him organise his thoughts.]

--there isn't anyone who is unhappy with their situation here that they would want to create chaos because of it. Not to say that there isn't anyone fitting the description. It might be easier to ask the question directly or--

[ah, plumes of smoke] --inquire about anyone familiar with Takasugi.

[Katsura makes a disgruntled noise (smoking was such a filthy, slovenly habit -- so was police work thinking)]

Inquiring directly won't uncover those who we would be most concerned about. Only the incredibly stupid would confess to association, especially this early on.

[he tries not to wonder what that makes him, moving on quickly]

It would also alert others to our own movements. If there is to be a public face to his investigation, it cannot be both of us. He is good at finding and enlisting those individuals who would lend themselves as tools and spies.

[a pause, and then a rather gentle warning (well, for men with steel at their hips and blood in their pasts)]

Takasugi Shinsuke is not mad -- he has his reason. But that reason is hate, and it is all-encompassing. He will bite as a matter of nature, not provocation.

[what about you, then? hijikata wants to ask, but keeps himself from doing so. there are times to fish for hurt over insult. strangely enough where katsura was concerned, this was not one of them.]

[the confession to association if not incredibly stupid, is slightly alarming. it takes a terrorist to know another, and in spite of their differences perhaps their thoughts were similar in function, though not in the practice of them.]

An investigation with the least amount of people involved. [it comes to mind as katsura states the risks of an open investigation] Undertaken preferably by a stranger to us, consequently to Takasugi. [he frowns considerably, tapping at the glass of the window he's standing next to] That could take a while to put together; to find the right person for the job and be sure they'll take it seriously, rather than racing off to spill the beans for a price.

[seppuku would be the answer for the traitor. here, now, in holly heights, it was hard to tell potential foe from potential ally--if he had to go as far as using those terms.]

Time that you say is not a luxury we have.

[he considers this for a moment]

Sougo will take care of his sister and those around her. Your "family" could be a target once Takasugi discerns your arrival here. [warning, registered]

If time is not a luxury we have, then put it together quickly.

[it's not as if they have a choice; Katsura is a tactician, yes, but the life of a revolutionary (or a cop) was not without risks, rushed jobs, and split-second decisions]

[however sharp Katsura is on the uptake, he is only two days fresh here, and his information gathering has been focused severely to those things that have consumed his life -- freedom from a cage, the current danger, and an escape from the law]

[in reading the landlord's lease, his eyes had scanned over much until he reached words about break-outs and medical anomalies, ignoring other details completely]

[the idea of a "family" had been one of those ignored details]

[so it's a slightly puzzled return of]

I arrived alone.

[was that some kind of codeword for his men? he honestly had little idea]

I don't take orders from terrorists.

[you, sir, are an asshole! insulting the shinsengumi like it's your pledge to the japanese flag, but now you rely on them--though the tone of his voice implies that he will, in fact, be keeping busy promptly after this phone call, putting things together and enlisting sougo to .. not do things.]

[because this is how he rolls.]

Everyone gets a house with a spouse and children. They're not really family, obviously.

Hmph, just anyone else with enough authority.

[but then that cold, cool voice dips into a tired sort of complaint]

[frankly, it's been a long two days, and this smells like shit icing on top of a shit cake -- and he came to the party already full]

Haa? How can you "get" a spouse and children, as if they were a cold? Is this some kind of sick fantasy being played out...?

[this guy is a joke. how can anyone ever take him seriously? maybe he fell on his head a few times too many since the anime started.]

It's part of the lease arranged by the lessor who's brought us all here. You're free to unlock any of the doors or windows now.

[maybe this will work-]

No.

I had not expected dependents to worry about.

[he sounds troubled over it, but reasons it through]

Why should he care about them? If I never meet them, they will remain unrelated to both myself and he.

[it was worth a try]

What are you trying to say? That you are going to stay at my house instead? Oi, what's so good about this house? Even Sougo doesn't want to leave.

I held a short service for the deleted episode of The Brave and the Dangerous.

[awkward pause]

I had not expected such a casualty.

[it is as close to an apology as he will ever come you scum]

Oi! Didn't I tell you not to touch the VCR?!

It was out of my hands.

--it wasn't.

[are we going to talk about the other elephant in the room, as in sougo's sister or are we just gonna- okay]

That better not happen again or I'll be more than happy to burn you at the stake, Katsura. Make sure that asshole Sougo doesn't get away with it either.

[code for sure, he'll leave the house and do this investigating business keep the toilets clean]

[shhh shhh no elephants, everyone is being proper and Japanese]

[he returns shortly]

I don't take orders from scum.

[this seems to be code for **** you and maybe are we finished here?]

Nor, unlike some, do I have the time to gather wool all day...

[Katsura is not always known for his subtlety]

I'm going to ignore anything you said right now.

[katsura sure has balls to be an asshole. hijikata will hang up now, deciding its best to let this rest for the moment]

Edited 2012-09-15 10:09 (UTC)

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