[But he steals one quick little kiss to Lyney's lips before he draws back, pulling out his own scryglass and resettling himself against his boyfriend's side. Following the instructions from earlier it doesn't take long for an image to appear before them. And just like that, they appear to be walking down narrow stone streets lined with large, but simple buildings of wood and paper windows, fences covered in flowers and ivy, sakura trees in full bloom at practically every other corner. The blossoms rain down gently all around them, collecting on the rooftops and all along the sides of the street where fewer people have stepped, dotting the cold shades of stone in shades of warm pink everywhere they go.
Heizou takes Lyney on a little tour of the city he'd been living in for so long, showing him his favorite places to get ramen and katsu, where to find the street vendors with the most interesting snacks, spots he likes to retreat to when he's escaping the stuffiness of the police station. He even shows him the detective agency that he used to work at, that he'd founded with Bantan Sango years ago. It's a pretty unassuming little building, situated by the stream that cuts through the city, and Heizou can't help but chuckle a little when he sees it again. He'll get around to the station eventually, but... the agency does have him pausing for a moment out of nostalgia.]
[The kiss draws a sweet smile from Lyney, but soon his eyes go wide as he stares into the scryglass. His gaze flicks from the striking sakura trees to the simple yet elegant buildings of wood and paper, taking in a landscape that is both ancient and beautiful. The people wandering through the streets, and he can practically smell the ramen and katsu from the street vendors. It all looks so different from the carefully polished structures of Fontaine, more rustic and simplistic, and yet clearly withstanding the test of time.]
I've heard of the beauty of Inazuma City before, but... I've never imagined it could look like this! It's like something out of an ancient text... And yet it's all so beautiful.
[That little unassuming building draws his eye, especially when he notices Heizou's reaction to it. He smiles warmly, though his eyes are curious.]
[It's definitely vastly different from Fontaine, which is a big part of why Heizou was so enthralled with the sights on Lyney's scryglass earlier. Looking at their two nations, it's almost hard to believe that they are still part of the same world. Still, Heizou can't help but chuckle a bit at the way Lyney describes it, obviously pleased.]
I suppose we're not the "nation of eternity" for nothing~
[Of course when the magician's keen eyes notice the way Heizou reacts to that humble building, his smile grows a bit, soft but somehow almost wistful.]
This... This is the Bantan Sango Detective Agency. Though- [He snorts a little, amused.] It used to be the Bantan Sango and Heizou Detective Agency. Sango took my name off of it pretty quickly when I left. But we started it together, when I first moved to the capital years ago.
[The image shifts slightly, moving closer to the building so Lyney can get a better look. It's much the same as all the others, with a large sign and a curtain over the door to indicate that it's a business the way other stores in the area do. Interestingly enough, they both prominently feature cat designs on them.]
It's probably different now with just Sango and Ryuuji there, but... Would you like to see more of it?
[Heizou just grins at the way Lyney's eyes widen. The agency itself is really nothing special, but it is kind of significant to him on top of being nostalgic. He likes the idea of sharing that with Lyney, especially since this would be impossible for him to do in actuality. Sango would likely chase him away before he could even knock on the door.]
Oh, I definitely didn't earn that nickname until much later. I was basically a kid when Sango and I put this together~
[But as requested, the image on the scryglass changes to the interior of the building - or at least the way it was before Heizou left. It's small and a bit cramped, primarily consisting of one large room and two smaller ones toward the back - one of which is a simple bathroom. There are two desks placed across from each other on either side of the main room, both covered in books and paperwork and scrolls. Heizou's is probably easy to identify, being the messier of the two in a way that's almost identical to the desk he has in the apartment they're sitting in right at that moment. The walls are lined with shelves, all overflowing with books and old case files.]
Ta-dah~! This was it. Sango sat here- [He points out the neater desk, then his own.] -while I was over here. We had... have very different styles when it comes to investigating. We got along great at first, but after a while there was just... too much we disagreed on.
[As he says that, a brunette woman with her hair up in a ponytail shows up in front of that other desk, arms folded and talking in a clearly exasperated manner. Her voice can't be heard, but the way Heizou's nose scrunches at her appearance makes it obvious who she is. Behind her is another young man, who just looks on a little nervously.]
[Lyney can't help but chuckle at the image as it unfolds. The desk is so similar to the one he sees Heizou hunched over sometimes, and the way the bookshelves and other furniture were so full of clutter yet possessing its own chaotic order reminded him of his own workshop. It's charming, and humble in its own right. His eyes twinkle as he follows Heizou's guidance around the room. His expression turns a little sad when he hears of how the two part ways, but he still studies the two people that appear in the image.]
I take it that one there is Sango, isn't it? She looks like she runs quite the tight ship. I feel for that poor fellow there.
[He laughs a little at the comment, shaking his head a bit.]
Yeah, that's her. She's nothing compared to my current boss, but... She's definitely stubborn as a mule.
[Heizou leans a little more into Lyney with a sigh, feeling nice and relaxed and open. It's his turn, after all, so it's only fair. But he really is never this way with anyone else. Where before he might have waved a hand and dismissed all of this, pulled a curtain over it all so that no one could see too much of his past, Heizou is content to give Lyney the grand tour. Even Traveler only knows some of this, largely through chance. But Lyney has Heizou's heart, and that makes him happy to share.]
Her focus as a detective has always been about revealing the truth, no matter what. The how and the what and the who. Even if the truth turns out to be complicated... or hurts more people than it helps. Of course I also think the truth is important, but I'm more interested in the why. If I can root out the source, then no one has to get hurt in the first place.
[Truthfully, this level of vulnerability goes both ways between them, and it's new ground they're both learning to traverse together. Both have their own secrets, their own scarred pasts... but they're taking steps forward, hand in hand. The vulnerability seems less scary when you can traverse it together.]
I see... I can understand where the conflicts arise, then. I doubt she'd be as understanding of my predicament than you, were she to learn it.
[He doesn't mean it as a dig at her, merely a statement of fact. But he nods slowly.]
There were some in the Fatui not unlike that, you know. Or even in the House itself; more concerned with the mission itself rather than the possible ramifications that could follow. While effective, it can be a bit damaging if you're not careful.
Yeah, she wouldn't be. Because she's narrow-minded like that~
[Honestly Heizou is happy to take it as a dig toward her, so he makes an amused little noise. It's almost childish, like he's blowing a raspberry in Sango's general direction because he has Lyney in his corner, foregoing the politeness that he shows most everyone else in favor of being the brat that he truly is. He and Sango didn't part on the best terms anyway, and she's been annoying him periodically back home ever since.]
But lots of people are, I guess... I just don't think it's fair to condemn everyone so quickly without considering their circumstances. The world isn't so black and white. I know I've helped put away a lot of criminals, but...
[He chuckles softly then, peeking over at Lyney with a small smile.]
[Heizou lets out a little overdramatic sigh at that.] Unfortunately, you're right about that.
[He's done it before, too. Sometimes he still does. But usually he does his best not to.
But he leaves that aside in favor of sharing secrets.]
For almost all the people I've had to help lock up, I make sure to help out the families they've left on the outside. Some of them are elderly folks, some of them are just kids... They don't know it's me, they'd refuse to accept anything if they knew, but I go around and leave items they need at their doorstep. While their relatives serve out their sentences, someone has to look out for them, you know? After all, they're suffering, too.
[As Lyney listens to Heizou's confession, his expression softens into a warm look. He can't help but look ever so fondly at Heizou.]
That's such a nice thing to do. It's truly a kindness not many would be willing to offer, especially to those viewed as criminals. [He places a quick kiss to Heizou's cheek.] You're exceptionally kind, mon amour
[His cheeks go a bit red at that bit of praise, even as he leans happily into that little kiss. But he grins and presses a finger to his lips in a "shush~" gesture.]
You can't tell anyone, okay~? The Cyclone of Inazuma has a reputation to uphold~
[He's grinning brightly as that hand drops to lay on top of Lyney's, just so that they can stay connected as always. As if he hasn't already pressed as much of himself as possible against the other's body.]
A secret for a secret, right? I guess you could say that we're bound to each other now~
[Heizou giggles as he resettles himself comfortably, attention back on the scryglass in his hands.]
At the Tenryou Commission-- The Inazuman police, basically. Here, I'll show you the station.
[He takes a second to focus, and soon enough the image of the compound takes the place of the tiny detective agency. It's a much bigger, slightly more elaborately decorated building, with an imposing-looking gate and a courtyard set up in front with a few training dummies and weapon racks. There are officers in armor milling about the area, several standing guard by the front gate and at the main entrance. This might ordinarily be an intimidating sight, but in Heizou's memory all of the doushin appear friendly enough; many of them just chatting with one another, slacking off, or playing Genius Invokation TCG in a corner where their superiors won't find them.]
I left Sango to join up with these guys. Mostly because I wanted to be able to be one of the first people on the scene of the crime. Usually people only go to private detectives to find their pets or catch their spouses cheating on them... But as part of the police I can take on more important cases, and really start making an impact.
Oh no, this is just the police station. I'll show you the commission building later, if you like~
[He can't help but giggle a little at all of Lyney's little reactions. Really all of this feels like nothing compared to the grandeur of the Court of Fontaine, but... Maybe that's just because Inazuma is familiar to him. Lyney probably felt this way while showing off his own memories.
Heizou beams at that comment, though.]
How well you understand me, mon couer~ I don't mind bringing lost ones home, but... The police station is better, in that one sense.
Of course! I would never want to see you settle for anything but the best.
[It makes more and more sense why Heizou would choose to split off the way he did. And as he should; such a brilliant mind is a rare gift, one that shouldn't go to waste.]
[He nods eagerly, a smile on his own face.]
Of course, I would love to see it! Inazuma is so unlike Fontaine, I find myself mesmerized by everything. It's all so simple, and yet so elegant and refined... It's got a certain regal quality to it.
[Lyney's encouragement and support quietly fills him with warmth and affection. Just knowing that his boyfriend understands his point of view, even though it puts them in somewhat opposing sides of the law, means so much to Heizou. And honestly, it makes him willing to bend a little on all sorts of rules if it would help Lyney out. If they were in Teyvat, anyway. Fortunately they aren't, so... it's not really something to worry about.
Either way, Heizou leans in to plant another kiss to Lyney's cheek. Just something small and quick and grateful.]
I haven't even shown you the Shogun's palace, yet! But now you know how I felt, seeing all of Fontaine's splendor. It seemed like every building you showed me was sparkling in the daylight~
[Lyney leans into that kiss on his cheek, but he shakes his head.]
Ah, but the grandeur and spectacle of Fontaine still isn't anything compared to this! If the buildings of Fontaine sparkle in the daylight, then these... I'd say they stand etherial in the moonlight in comparison, wouldn't you~?
[Perhaps it's a little flowery, but he means it. Inazuma seems so unlike Fontaine that it's captured his imagination. He's only ever heard stories of the place from other Fatui members, never seen it himself.]
I could only imagine what the Shogun's palace looks like.
[He can't help but laugh at the description, snuggling in close to Lyney once again.]
You have such a lovely way with words, mon amour. I love it~
[Said as if Heizou isn't guilty of using the same sort of flowery language, from time to time.]
So let's not wait a moment more! I hope it lives up to your expectations...
[And with another thought, the image shifts once again... This time to reveal Tenshukaku in all of its splendor. It's easily the biggest set of buildings so far, with the largest one towering above the rest of its compound even from a distance.]
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book2thehead) wrote2024-03-09 08:44 am
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That seems only fair~
[But he steals one quick little kiss to Lyney's lips before he draws back, pulling out his own scryglass and resettling himself against his boyfriend's side. Following the instructions from earlier it doesn't take long for an image to appear before them. And just like that, they appear to be walking down narrow stone streets lined with large, but simple buildings of wood and paper windows, fences covered in flowers and ivy, sakura trees in full bloom at practically every other corner. The blossoms rain down gently all around them, collecting on the rooftops and all along the sides of the street where fewer people have stepped, dotting the cold shades of stone in shades of warm pink everywhere they go.
Heizou takes Lyney on a little tour of the city he'd been living in for so long, showing him his favorite places to get ramen and katsu, where to find the street vendors with the most interesting snacks, spots he likes to retreat to when he's escaping the stuffiness of the police station. He even shows him the detective agency that he used to work at, that he'd founded with Bantan Sango years ago. It's a pretty unassuming little building, situated by the stream that cuts through the city, and Heizou can't help but chuckle a little when he sees it again. He'll get around to the station eventually, but... the agency does have him pausing for a moment out of nostalgia.]
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I've heard of the beauty of Inazuma City before, but... I've never imagined it could look like this! It's like something out of an ancient text... And yet it's all so beautiful.
[That little unassuming building draws his eye, especially when he notices Heizou's reaction to it. He smiles warmly, though his eyes are curious.]
Is there something that catches your eye?
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I suppose we're not the "nation of eternity" for nothing~
[Of course when the magician's keen eyes notice the way Heizou reacts to that humble building, his smile grows a bit, soft but somehow almost wistful.]
This... This is the Bantan Sango Detective Agency. Though- [He snorts a little, amused.] It used to be the Bantan Sango and Heizou Detective Agency. Sango took my name off of it pretty quickly when I left. But we started it together, when I first moved to the capital years ago.
[The image shifts slightly, moving closer to the building so Lyney can get a better look. It's much the same as all the others, with a large sign and a curtain over the door to indicate that it's a business the way other stores in the area do. Interestingly enough, they both prominently feature cat designs on them.]
It's probably different now with just Sango and Ryuuji there, but... Would you like to see more of it?
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[How beautiful. The more he sees, the more he wants to pay the place a visit. Though, as Heizou explains the small agency, his eyes widen.]
This was your first practice..?
[Lyney looks at the building carefully, taking in the building and smiling at the cat motif on the sign.]
Yes, of course. I'd love to see where the Cyclone of Inazuma got his start!
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Oh, I definitely didn't earn that nickname until much later. I was basically a kid when Sango and I put this together~
[But as requested, the image on the scryglass changes to the interior of the building - or at least the way it was before Heizou left. It's small and a bit cramped, primarily consisting of one large room and two smaller ones toward the back - one of which is a simple bathroom. There are two desks placed across from each other on either side of the main room, both covered in books and paperwork and scrolls. Heizou's is probably easy to identify, being the messier of the two in a way that's almost identical to the desk he has in the apartment they're sitting in right at that moment. The walls are lined with shelves, all overflowing with books and old case files.]
Ta-dah~! This was it. Sango sat here- [He points out the neater desk, then his own.] -while I was over here. We had... have very different styles when it comes to investigating. We got along great at first, but after a while there was just... too much we disagreed on.
[As he says that, a brunette woman with her hair up in a ponytail shows up in front of that other desk, arms folded and talking in a clearly exasperated manner. Her voice can't be heard, but the way Heizou's nose scrunches at her appearance makes it obvious who she is. Behind her is another young man, who just looks on a little nervously.]
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I take it that one there is Sango, isn't it? She looks like she runs quite the tight ship. I feel for that poor fellow there.
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Yeah, that's her. She's nothing compared to my current boss, but... She's definitely stubborn as a mule.
[Heizou leans a little more into Lyney with a sigh, feeling nice and relaxed and open. It's his turn, after all, so it's only fair. But he really is never this way with anyone else. Where before he might have waved a hand and dismissed all of this, pulled a curtain over it all so that no one could see too much of his past, Heizou is content to give Lyney the grand tour. Even Traveler only knows some of this, largely through chance. But Lyney has Heizou's heart, and that makes him happy to share.]
Her focus as a detective has always been about revealing the truth, no matter what. The how and the what and the who. Even if the truth turns out to be complicated... or hurts more people than it helps. Of course I also think the truth is important, but I'm more interested in the why. If I can root out the source, then no one has to get hurt in the first place.
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I see... I can understand where the conflicts arise, then. I doubt she'd be as understanding of my predicament than you, were she to learn it.
[He doesn't mean it as a dig at her, merely a statement of fact. But he nods slowly.]
There were some in the Fatui not unlike that, you know. Or even in the House itself; more concerned with the mission itself rather than the possible ramifications that could follow. While effective, it can be a bit damaging if you're not careful.
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[Honestly Heizou is happy to take it as a dig toward her, so he makes an amused little noise. It's almost childish, like he's blowing a raspberry in Sango's general direction because he has Lyney in his corner, foregoing the politeness that he shows most everyone else in favor of being the brat that he truly is. He and Sango didn't part on the best terms anyway, and she's been annoying him periodically back home ever since.]
But lots of people are, I guess... I just don't think it's fair to condemn everyone so quickly without considering their circumstances. The world isn't so black and white. I know I've helped put away a lot of criminals, but...
[He chuckles softly then, peeking over at Lyney with a small smile.]
Wanna know a little secret?
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[He knows he's been guilty of that in the past, of course... Still, Lyney's attention gets piqued.]
Hmm~? Of course I do. What's your little secret~?
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[He's done it before, too. Sometimes he still does. But usually he does his best not to.
But he leaves that aside in favor of sharing secrets.]
For almost all the people I've had to help lock up, I make sure to help out the families they've left on the outside. Some of them are elderly folks, some of them are just kids... They don't know it's me, they'd refuse to accept anything if they knew, but I go around and leave items they need at their doorstep. While their relatives serve out their sentences, someone has to look out for them, you know? After all, they're suffering, too.
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That's such a nice thing to do. It's truly a kindness not many would be willing to offer, especially to those viewed as criminals. [He places a quick kiss to Heizou's cheek.] You're exceptionally kind, mon amour
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You can't tell anyone, okay~? The Cyclone of Inazuma has a reputation to uphold~
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Ah, of course. My lips are sealed~
[But he does move to kiss that finger before him.]
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I'm holding you to that, my great magician~ Or I'll be forced to reveal some of your tricks!
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Heizou, you wouldn't dare! After all we've been through??
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A secret for a secret, right? I guess you could say that we're bound to each other now~
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[He says it with a dramatic sigh, but the way he smiles and leans even further against Heizou speaks to his true feelings on the matter.]
So then, where are you practicing now?
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At the Tenryou Commission-- The Inazuman police, basically. Here, I'll show you the station.
[He takes a second to focus, and soon enough the image of the compound takes the place of the tiny detective agency. It's a much bigger, slightly more elaborately decorated building, with an imposing-looking gate and a courtyard set up in front with a few training dummies and weapon racks. There are officers in armor milling about the area, several standing guard by the front gate and at the main entrance. This might ordinarily be an intimidating sight, but in Heizou's memory all of the doushin appear friendly enough; many of them just chatting with one another, slacking off, or playing Genius Invokation TCG in a corner where their superiors won't find them.]
I left Sango to join up with these guys. Mostly because I wanted to be able to be one of the first people on the scene of the crime. Usually people only go to private detectives to find their pets or catch their spouses cheating on them... But as part of the police I can take on more important cases, and really start making an impact.
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Goodness, that’s the Tenryou Commission? It’s much more imposing than I envisioned…
[Lyney listens carefully, and nods at Heizou’s explanation.]
I can see why. Tracking down lost pets or extramarital affairs… that’s hardly something your brilliant mind would tolerate~
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[He can't help but giggle a little at all of Lyney's little reactions. Really all of this feels like nothing compared to the grandeur of the Court of Fontaine, but... Maybe that's just because Inazuma is familiar to him. Lyney probably felt this way while showing off his own memories.
Heizou beams at that comment, though.]
How well you understand me, mon couer~ I don't mind bringing lost ones home, but... The police station is better, in that one sense.
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[It makes more and more sense why Heizou would choose to split off the way he did. And as he should; such a brilliant mind is a rare gift, one that shouldn't go to waste.]
[He nods eagerly, a smile on his own face.]
Of course, I would love to see it! Inazuma is so unlike Fontaine, I find myself mesmerized by everything. It's all so simple, and yet so elegant and refined... It's got a certain regal quality to it.
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Either way, Heizou leans in to plant another kiss to Lyney's cheek. Just something small and quick and grateful.]
I haven't even shown you the Shogun's palace, yet! But now you know how I felt, seeing all of Fontaine's splendor. It seemed like every building you showed me was sparkling in the daylight~
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Ah, but the grandeur and spectacle of Fontaine still isn't anything compared to this! If the buildings of Fontaine sparkle in the daylight, then these... I'd say they stand etherial in the moonlight in comparison, wouldn't you~?
[Perhaps it's a little flowery, but he means it. Inazuma seems so unlike Fontaine that it's captured his imagination. He's only ever heard stories of the place from other Fatui members, never seen it himself.]
I could only imagine what the Shogun's palace looks like.
i'm lazy to describe...
You have such a lovely way with words, mon amour. I love it~
[Said as if Heizou isn't guilty of using the same sort of flowery language, from time to time.]
So let's not wait a moment more! I hope it lives up to your expectations...
[And with another thought, the image shifts once again... This time to reveal Tenshukaku in all of its splendor. It's easily the biggest set of buildings so far, with the largest one towering above the rest of its compound even from a distance.]
LOL my immersion is ruined u_u
OOPS THA IMMURJON O3O
WAAAH
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