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🧙 WHO: Rosho and Rei (and later Sasara??)
⚔️️ WHAT: beating up an old man (I'm kidding) (or am I)
🕒 WHEN: sometime after this conversation
🗺️ WHERE: Phoenix Roost
⚠️ WARNINGS: prrrobably language and threats of violence... 🥴

[ Its been a long time since Rosho's stepped into the Roost. Not since Jyushi's birthday, he thinks, seeing as he never has a reason to come by. He's too busy with work to ever come to any of Sasara's shows. He also imagines it'd be too weird, standing there in the crowd, watching his former parther perform. It was always easier watching him on the television, because Sasara would never know, it was like he was right there with him again.

Rosho vaguely wonders if they have any security at all, as he makes his way to where he remembers Rei's office being. He's been running what he wants to do through his head since Sasara told him the truth about Rei. At first, those scenarios primarily involved beating the shit out of him.

Honestly, thats what most of those scenarios still are. But he has a general idea of what he wants to say now. Not that he can promise he'll only stick to words.

Hopefully, he can finish what he wants to do here before getting kicked out or anything.

Once he makes it to the office door, he waits to try and hear any movement or noise from the other side, wanting to make sure Rei isn't occupied with a guest in there. He doesn't want to get anyone else involved. When it seems clear, he knocks on the door, but doesn't say anything to give away who he is. ]

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[Princess and concert bouncers aside, there's no security preventing anyone's entrance to the Roost while it's in operation-- only cameras. The back offices are open; there's nothing to impede Rosho on his march to the inevitable.]

It's unlocked, [Rei calls, not looking up right away. (Princess sleeps on at her perch, unbothered.)

It's not until the door opens that Rei raises his eyes from the paperwork spread on the table-- and when he does he can't disguise the surprise that, for a fleeting moment, crosses his face.

So... here it is, after all. He'd gotten complacent after two months of nothing.]

...Yo. Sensei.

[ Its actually relieving to see that flicker of an expression on Rei's face. Rosho won't get haughty, but, it feels good to catch him off-guard. He has no idea whats been going through his mind this entire time. Not just since he stopped talking to them, but since he joined their team. If this wasn't part of his plan, then... good. Because he's no longer content with letting things go Rei's way like he's the only one that matters. ]

If you're busy with something, it can wait. I won't be long anyway.

[ Rosho steps in and closes the door behind himself. He won't approach further and simply stands before the doorway, watching Rei, and he can't help it as his hands curl into fists at his sides. There is no warm welcome in return. ]

I'm sure ya got some understanding of why I'm here. Right?

[Rei pushes his chair away from the desk, leaning back to regard Rosho with a grin that doesn't reach his eyes; his arrogant attitude is back in full force.

He's a team member only in name, now. Maybe not even that, if Sasara and Rosho resign from the DRB in disgust. Surely that's it.]

Come to chew me out? Guess I'll allow it.

[ Ah, there's that expression he's so used to, and Rosho's blood is already boiling. ]

It must be a foreign concept for ya to have to face the consequences of your actions. Well guess what? Y'can't always have things go your way.

[ He takes a step forward. ]

How long did ya think you'd last, lyin' to us? Did ya get what ya wanted? Is that why the moment ya got found out ya went runnin' with your tail between your legs like the coward you actually are?

[ Fitting for a dog of the government, he thinks, and Rosho takes a few more steps forward until he's right beside Rei's desk. ]

Tell me. Tell me right now. Was it worth it? Are ya happy right now? Huh?!

What do you mean, Sensei?

[Rei's grin widens despite himself, looking up at the other man from his seat. He can practically see Rosho shaking, the anger rolling off of him in waves. ]

I've lied to you lots of times, you know. You're going to have to be a bit more specific.

Don't give me your coy, cheeky bullshit!!

[ Rosho gives a swift, hard kick at the side of the desk. He's fuming now. He can hear his knuckles crack with how tight his fists are balled up. The fury he felt that time at the cafe, it doesn't seem to even come close to how he is now. ]

You... you really don't care, do ya? [ He swallows hard as his voice wavers, and it lowers to a chilling hush. ]

I'm tellin' ya somethin' right now. Bein' part of Chuu-oku. Makin' the mics. Whatever else you've been hidin', ya two-faced bastard. I don't give a damn about any of that. You can treat me however ya want. You can do what ya want. Lie all ya want. But doin' what ya did to Sasara, when he trusted you... what ya did to him, after everything he's been through...!

[ The divorce of his parents. Losing his partner. Everything that Rosho still doesn't understand and may never come to understand. Being left alone time and time again, abandoned by those he cared most for, and feeling as if he could never open himself up to anyone ever again. How difficult it is for him to just trust and depend on someone. And yet still, he allowed this man to be with them, to become a part of them. This team. This name that Sasara and Rosho formed for themselves years ago.

He let Rei into something special.

And Rei treated it like nothing but his own toy, his tool. ]

All I wanna do is beat your sorry ass within an inch of your life, so you can understand even a fraction of how much ya hurt him.

[The loud bang of Rosho's foot clanging off of the metal of the desk jolts Princess awake. She barely manages an animal magic-translated "What manner of--" before Rei interrupts.]

What I did to him? Hah. [Rei is used playing his part, but something about this accusation rankles him. Why? Why is that?] I warned him, Rosho. We could have gone on being chummy just fine! He walked right into this of his own will.

[He rises slowly from his seat. His smile remains, but his eyes are almost wild.]

You know what? If you really don't give a damn about any of it, I don't see the problem. It's hardly your business, anyway.

[Hate him. Hate him, Rosho. Hurry up and hate him so Rei can move on.]

You and Sasara just keep to your comedy bit and let me do my job.

[ He's too focused on Rei to come to the realization that he's heard another voice, one he doesn't recognize, but it doesn't matter. Rosho doesn't even think Sasara would be enough to stop him at this moment. He knows what he's doing isn't right. He's operating on pure anger and no logic, no reason. Doing this won't change the fact of whats been done, who Rei is. This doesn't answer the question of what they're all supposed to do now.

But its better than doing nothing. Its better than letting Rei get away with this without consequences.

Rosho snatches at the collar of Rei's shirt to yank him closer. ]

Don't ya dare blame him!! Nothin' about this is his fault!!

[ He doesn't know how this happened, why this happened. All he knows is that nothing'll make him feel better other than knocking Rei's teeth in right now so he'll stop smiling. This isn't okay. He won't stand for it.

Rosho reels his free arm back and aims for that punch Rei deserved a long, long time ago. ]

[Part of Rei wants to just let Rosho hit him... but Rei is nothing if not stubborn. He jerks backwards, dragging Rosho over the desk. His chair overturns. Papers scatter in all directions. Princess shrieks, darting from her perch in a flurry of feathers and noise as it topples.

Rei doesn't try to hit back. He suffers the first blow with a grunt, muscles clenching at the impact. Then he grabs for Rosho's wrists, trying to wrestle the other man into submission.]

You haven't changed, have you! [All this violence! Nostalgic. (Rei is, at least, not smiling any more.)]

[ Rosho already knows that when it comes to strength, Rei has most likely got the upper hand. He's not sure how it is that Rei's not trying to fight back but he's not going to take his chances. He resists as best he can but doesn't try at another blow, simply aiming to keep Rei's hands occupied but himself still on his feet. ]

Neither have you. There ain't a single honest bone in your body.

[ He pushes to make sure he can't be pinned against the desk or tripped over. With the focus of his weight on his arms Rei could easily twist him around or pull him down to the ground. ]

That person ya said ya looked up to. If they were even real. They deserved better, and I'm only glad they don't gotta see what a sorry excuse of a man ya are now.

[Rei is so surprised at how much that stings that he laughs, bitter and scornful. Rosho doesn't know much, but he knows enough to make it hurt. Yet another reminder for Rei: connection isn't worth it, not now.

But really. You think any of those barbs are news, to him?]

That's enough.

[Rei lets go suddenly, letting Rosho's momentum carry him forward. Seizing it, Rei spins them around and shoves Rosho into the wall. He looms, voice deadly serious.]

Are you done yet?

["Rei!" squawks Princess, beating her wings somewhere behind them. "Stop that this instant!"]

[ If it wasn't for the arrangements he'd made prior with his own familiar, Rosho knows his kuda-gitsune would be screeching up a storm as well. But he can't rely on Rei's familiar to not get involved. ]

Don't get in the way!

[ He tries to see if he can use some of his animal magic influence on her, but nothing happens, not in the right mind to remember it has no effect on familiars. Instead he focuses his attention back on Rei. ]

I'll be done when I say I'm done.

[ But he doesn't know what else to do at this point. He's cornered, Rei's clearly furious, and he has no way to turn this around. The weight of him is heavy against the wall, its crushing, and Rosho has no skills to help him out of this position.

It seems hopeless. Yet he refuses to let this end just yet. ]

I, I really... wanted to do everything I could for this team. Sasara, and even you. If it wasn't for you— y-you... if we'd just never met you...!

[ He can't say it. He wants to, but he can't. If they never met Rei. If they'd just never gotten involved with him.

Things wouldn't be better. They'd be exactly as they were. Things left unsaid. No resolution. Nothing would have ever happened between himself and Sasara.

Rei didn't deserve them. But them. They... they needed him. ]

We didn't have to listen to you, but we did! We owe you so much! That shouldn't mean nothing!

[ He shoulda known when Rosho finally left on some shoddy excuse! Well, he did, with a sixth sense for danger like that. He had that look in his eye, the moment Sasara belted out the words, as much as he admitted and took blame upon himself. Did they even finish dinner that night...? Almost like his break with Samatoki, it's kind of a blur, but never enough to absolve himself.

The sprint to the Roost squeezes the air out of him, but he's sure that's where he needs to be. Even as Sasara hugs the doorframe after making his best time, he hears plenty of noise inside.

'Don't get in the way!'

Sasara catches the sounds of Princess beating her wings in agitation in that small space. He's panting, stumbling through the cafe area to Rei's office in the back. ]

Stop—!!!

[ Truth be, he expects Rei to be in the corner, held down by what could only be called Rosho's wrath. When it's the other way 'round, it's all from his gut that Sasara calls out—they sorta left on him making that promise: ]

Rei!! Stop!

[ But he only gets a step past the door. Sorry... that run took it out of him. He's really banking on his entrance being enough to disrupt the moment. ]

[Rosho's shift in demeanor-- from anger to... sorrow?-- confuses Rei, but Sasara interrupts them before he can really grasp it.

Having both of their eyes on him... is exhausting.]

...What a joke.

[Rei releases Rosho and steps back.]

[ For a brief moment there's genuine hesitation in Rosho as Sasara suddenly shows up. Of course he plays stupid, but in reality he's far too sharp, so he can't say he's surprised that he figured out just where exactly he'd gone to. He only hopes that he could have had more time to himself. This, whatever progress he's gotten, if he can even call it progress, just isn't enough.

He's as frustrated as he was when he first got here. Rosho knows he should call it quits, and yet Rei's comment just drives the matter home once more and he's furious all over again. Its all anger and no reason with him as expected while he shouts without backing away himself. ]

Who is?! Say it again!

[ He knows he needs to stop, especially with Sasara here, but Rosho is already rushing forward again. ]

[ Getting right in between's dangerous... well, he'll have to! While Sasara can only imagine what's going on on Rei's face he sees the furious look on Rosho's. With his arms out, with as much space as he can put between Rei and Rosho, and himself, he's trying in the most leader-like way he can muster to step in. To step up. ]

Rosho, you too...!

[ Rei's right, what a bad routine... ]

[Rei no longer looks angry, only tired. He watches them scuffle, the sight hitting him with a pang of nostalgia: it's just like that first time the met, in that little cafe.]

...Sasara.

[what is it now?]

[ Rosho stops before he can even make contact, and while he knows Sasara doesn't make for much of an unstoppable force, if there was anyone that could stop him in his tracks, it'd be him. He's stuck in a corner now, it's terribly frustrating.

But maybe this is exactly what they need right now. ]

If he wants to leave, then that's his decision.

[ He keeps a hard, stern gaze on Rei even with Sasara stood between them. ]

"When I say I'll do something, I'll do it." Those are your words, right? I'm not some gullible idiot all the time. All that work you put in, whatever grand plan ya had goin' on in that head of yours. Its frustrating to see it all turn out like this, isn't it? So are ya just gonna let it all fall apart? Are ya really gonna turn your back on us just 'cause ya can't keep your secrets anymore? We didn't ask ya to be a part of this team. You did! And now ya want out without the victory we said we'd get?!

[ His anger only quells slightly as Rosho turns his focus to Sasara. ]

And you too. Don't forget what ya told me back then. That if this old man ever breaks his promise, he'll pay for it.

[ Eyes on Rei, for anything else to hear from him; it ain't like they left off on talking terms. More so, with a damning silence simmering, now Rosho's the picture of it boiling over. He's saying something Sasara didn't have the guts to point out, back to, in that moment:

Rei promised. For an old liar and scammer, maybe there oughta not be any expectations for him to keep his word... but hadn't they worked together, and worked it out, as if he was? ]

Old man– [ No, he's still — ] Rei... [ —part of their team.

The same as how it happened back in that alleyway. Sasara staggers over his words, with what Rosho says to him. Maybe he did forget—or more like, even when he said and meant it he didn't think of things turning out this way.

He's catching his breath and it makes for his spot between Rosho and Rei, physically, yeah, but his anger's there too while it doesn't bubble as much. ]

Sorry... something like that, I couldn't keep a lid on it any longer! Ya oughta say something this time!

[Rei frowns again, though it's more pensive than anything else. He's... a little bewildered, to be honest. They're fuming, sure, but not for the reasons he expected. What happened to hating him? What is this emphasis on keeping the team for? This made more sense when Rosho was just yelling.

He is silent for a long moment, just looking between the two of their identical expressions.

Finally:]

All that, and you're still gonna keep me on? [Rei was so certain, so certain they'd move on from him if he gave them a chance to confront him-- Sasara in particular: he's had enough suffering at the hands of the mics already. So what the hell??

Rei has to press the issue. He has to be sure.]

Did you forget already? It's true that I'm the engineer behind the Hypnosis Mic. I'm not going to stop with just that. And you're just okay with it?

[ Even with Sasara between the two of them, Rosho bristles, but he doesn't rise to the swell of anger this time. He remembers what Sasara told him back at their house. That he needs to rely on him. Even as a leader, there's only so much he can do, and so Rosho won't let him feel as if there's nothing else he can do in this matter.

He might not have the same tact as his partner, but he's smart in his own way. ]

I'm not gonna stand here and say you're forgiven. After all of this... like hell I trust you.

[ And that's the dangerous part of this whole thing. At any moment, a rift could show right back up, and this team could crumble apart. What they're doing is probably ridiculously reckless. Incredibly stupid.

But no one will stay silent this time. They'll make it work. They have to. With how far they've gotten, there's no turning back. ]

But it was like this from the very start, wasn't it? Like goin' back to square one. If we wanted to be generous, I'd say doin' it like this is just an upside to us. We know who you are and what you're up to. What you're capable of. At least, I know about as much as I do now. I wouldn't be surprised if you've got plenty more rotten secrets in ya.

[ BOY does he. But Rosho will deal with the whole Yamada thing when the time comes, and Rei will get the... second? Third? Ass-kicking he deserves. Right now, Rosho thinks he's done enough. He's gotten his anger out the best way he knows. Sasara standing here between them, Rei looking more than a little confused, that's just the right setting they need to get themselves in the right mindset.

This is still a team. Rei can't change that. ]

The one that made the mics is in our team. And? What of it? Let that be a big deal to everyone else. I told ya already, I don't care. The moment Sasara asked me to be part of a team with him, thats all I cared about. And thats all that matters to me. Getting to the top.

[ Rosho reaches up to stroke the fan shaped pin on his clothes. Even if there's no reason to wear it around here in Avalon, he still does, just because he can. And especially now, its a good reminder of what lays here under the surface, under the frustration and emotion and strain of words. Their feelings.

His feelings, really. That he wants to do whatever he can for the team. For Sasara. ]

You, and I. He chose us for a reason. [ Rosho steps aside in order to stand beside Sasara, a hand on his shoulder, a strong grip as he looks at him with confidence. ]

Ya don't just deserve trust. Ya earn it, and ya learn to give it to people as well as offer it in return. Its not easy, but... its good to have things that way sometimes. That's what I believe in. So, doesn't it make it just a little easier if we're all learning something like that together?

[ It's sorta what he expects Rei to say; he might have been trying to keep that secret in the first place, but now that it's out it ain't like he'll just up and run, right? The truth is that he probably could have made his out even in this place, if he wanted to. Yet, waiting like that, it'll just have to be this way— ]

Rosho...?

[ Sasara's head whips around to him. After breaking down, all but falling to his knees and admitting not just his own secrecy but his helplessness in the matter, after finding Rosho ready to knock Rei's lights out, he doesn't expect to find any mercy on his partner's end. ]

What're you saying!? [ The words just burst out after pause and silence. More than offended, Sasara's stunned, his response a reflex. ] You really...

[ The truth is, Sasara didn't confide in Rosho only for his partner to shoulder that burden, once again, of splitting them up. When he'd confessed that he needed help, he still thought it'd be to do something just like that. However, relying on someone else, it doesn't mean having them make your choices for you, but making their own; doing something that you couldn't have.

Sasara thought it was over. His words, unsaid, bob in his throat. ] You really think so? [ "And thats all that matters to me. Getting to the top." He's sorta in awe. That's why it takes him another moment longer to look back at Rei again. ]

Old man, there's no forgetting what ya said– [ But— ] —still, I had my part in it. Some things, they better stay secret, [ A quiet admission. ~~Maybe this is about Ichiro, too.~~ It's just... to say that in front of Rosho; not without the next part, though, anyway. ] but, ya don't always know about that 'til it's out. Like Rosho said, [ Trusting won't be easy now. Between all three of them, though. ] it ain't just us, you too.

Rei... [ Mhm. ] If ya got some score to settle with Chuuo-ku, I don't suppose you'll be able to pull it off on your own.

...

[Rei is expressionless for a while longer. Inwardly, he's... well.

Rosho, with his faith and hope in the face of great odds. Sasara, with his desperate need for other people, despite everything. Standing here, a united front, challenging him.

Maybe... Maybe he's been underestimating them.

Eventually Rei sighs, tension seeping out.]

You two are as stubborn as ever. [Breaking eye contact Rei turns and bends down to pick up the toppled bird perch, setting it upright.]

But... [He stays turned away, hands on the perch.] I can work with that.

[ It feels ridiculous for him to be the one having to put all this effort to reuniting this broken team, when it hadn't been that long ago that Rosho had been furiously declining Sasara's offer to become his partner again. But now he's carrying this burden, just like the rest of them are, their secrets and their weaknesses, and he's going to continue to do so until they win the second DRB. That's their mission. That's their sole purpose. And Rosho doesn't intend to quit now that he's in such high spirits. The sky's the limit for the three of them. Even if he's the sort of person that thinks more with his heart than his head sometimes, there's nothing wrong with that, right?

He looks to Sasara for a moment as he stares at him in shock, and he hopes he sees something in his partner now that Rosho wasn't ever able to see in himself until recently: something to aim towards, something to look forward to, something to believe in. Thats what he wants to be. It was only when they all came together like this that Rosho realized he too, could do something like that for others, including himself. Even in the face of adversity. Nothing is impossible. Everyone gets a chance. ]

Ya can 'cause you've gotta from now on. There's no backing out for any of us.

[ Rosho gives Sasara a firm pat on the back and the flicker of a bright smile before his expression hardens at Rei. ]

Seriously, all that time investigating us and ya somehow couldn't figure out this'd happen? Some "Mastermind" ya are. You're stupid! The both of ya. The two of you better learn your lesson from all this. But, I'll teach ya a hundred times if I've gotta, what it means to be a part of this team.

[ Rosho punches a fist into an open palm as a clear threat. Whether it be talking sense into them or knocking it through their skulls, he'll do absolutely whatever it takes to keep them working as a team together. He's done feeling like he's the weakest link of the group. They've given him confidence and faith in himself, so now he's going to return the favor for all of them, no matter what.

(I mean, they're called "Dotsuitare Hompo" for a reason I guess...) ]

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[closed]

(chuckles) i'm in danger

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