[ he lets out a breath, shoulders slumping. so this is happening. izō sits back down again and gestures for ryouma to follow; he just can't bear going inside right now. it should be worse out here given the present state of the sky, but it's peaceful in spite of that. ]

This guy was lookin' for somebody t' help out with somethin'. A... a ritual thing, I guess? Gave this whole long story...

[ he's just trying to get the whole thing out start to finish. the details he can fill in later... probably. ]

Had a weird feelin' 'bout it but—... [ he hesitates for a moment or two, then shrugs a shoulder and moves on. ] Anyway, in the end, said I'd help. So I did. Me an' some other people. Nobody said that's what was gonna happen! That fucker tricked us! This is what I get for stickin' my neck out for people...

[ he settles back down when his yelling disturbs the birds. ]

Ain't expectin' t' get a pass. Jus' want ya t' hear from me before ya hear it elsewhere.

[ he's sure ryouma will have questions, but having to admit he fell for something is bad enough. ]