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[bellflower]

CALL ME OUT	LINKS
A simple call me out post Bell. Got an idea for a PSL or meme with one of my characters? Hit me up here! I've set up an OOC thread to chat about it if you wanna ask about preferences, ideas, anything like that... check out the links to the side! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥	» MUSELIST » OOC CHAT » PREFERENCES
By vigils

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gonna try WO3 false ending setting

[pure_havoc]

On the plus side, Dong Zhuo hadn't taken over control of Xuchang for very long - not long enough to really make a mess of the place, at least. But there was still a lot of work to be done to rehabilitate the palace back to the way Cao Pi liked it. If his father was going to go lord himself over Luoyang like he owned the place, he was content remaining in the secondary capital now that the disaster was over, the Hydra gone, and certain nefarious elements driven out of every hole they tried to claim for themselves.

Today's task was going to be daunting, if he got too sidetracked. They had to sort through the books and papers that had been collected to make sure nothing had been stolen or damaged by the tyrant and his sycophants. Since Cao Pi had been amassing papers since he and Ishida first joined hands to take down Orochi from within, there was quite a lot of it. Paging through some old correspondence, Zihuan kept finding little mentions that made him almost nostalgic, and at one point he paused, smirking over a letter. "This brings back memories," he murmured, mostly to himself. "My, but there were so many good opportunities for insults back then. And that was a good one. I should use that one more often..."

I hope this works I fussed for way too long

[mofumofuchan]

"I should think you'd know better than to rely on the past, Zihuan."

Did he ever get permission to use his style-name? Probably not. But it had slipped into their conversations when they were alone anyway and Mitsunari has absolutely no intention of asking after the fact.

He strides into the room, idly tapping his fan into one hand as was his habit and frowning at the piles of papers, scrolls and books in the room. Administration was actually something of a speciality of his, more comfortable and welcoming than anything to do with war; back home in the Toyotomi handling it had been his main role. Here there are other (and far more important) tasks to deal with much of the time, including plenty that would take him away from here. But he's still here anyway, and for the same reasons.

Ones which he has no intentions of speaking about aloud.

"This is a waste of time," he adds when growing closer. "There are countless other people who could do this for you and do it better. Half of it is just taking up space, anyway."

perf let's rock this

[pure_havoc]

Ah, has he been caught talking to himself? Well, if anyone was going to, that would be the man to do it. Cao Pi idly raises an eyebrow in his direction. "That's Lord Zihuan to you." Which, perhaps, may count as permission to use the name from now on. He'd never corrected Ishida in his slips before.

He casts a quick look across the cluttered table and sighs. "I don't disagree. But we had a lot of secrets, upon a time. Things I perhaps wouldn't like even the most tight-lipped and loyal scribe glancing over while putting everything in order." There goes the eyebrow again. "Unless you're volunteering?"

[mofumofuchan]

Mitsunari rolls his eyes, but there's also, maybe, a ghost of smile on his face. He folds his fan in one fluid motion and idly flicks through the documents; if Cao Pi expects him to come out with a 'Lord Zihuan' after that comment he's got another thing coming.

(Maybe later, if he feels generous... it's not like he doesn't recognise the mild permission in there).

"I'll do a much better job than you."

It's an honest comment, blunt as was his typical manner but Cao Pi can't exactly deny it; so, yes, maybe it is volunteering. A not-so-important task done as a favour.

"Get your cooks to bring me decent tofu and I won't even ask for payment while I hoard our secrets away."

[pure_havoc]

As much as his ego wants him to rise to that challenge, Zihuan really doesn't want to do all that work himself. He harrumphs under his breath and makes a show of relenting, rolling up the letter in his hands and setting it aside. "If you really want to. I've already made it easier by starting a discard pile to be burned." It's pretty small, though.

He extends a hand to invite Mitsunari to have at it, drifting aside to go to the door and call an attendant. They'll have lunch brought to them there, and yes, there is a specific order today. That done, Cao Pi wanders back, clearly not intending to just leave him alone with the task. He's here for consultations and interruptions. "Here we are again," he notes. "You had every opportunity to return to the Toyotomi, and yet, it's my war room you grace instead. Should I be flattered?"

[mofumofuchan]

It won't take long to make that discard pile bigger; even as Cao Pi drifts away Mitsunari is starting to properly work through the paperwork and sort it into neat piles of his own making. Some of the more personal notes he hesitates over. Despite his front and the generally logical approach he tries to make with things Mitsunari remains an emotional sort at heart and here is proof of his bonds, his attachments.

Which is dumb. Really dumb. So dumb he slides a few choice letters into his clothing before very firmly adding most of the rest to the 'burn' pile.

"Should I?" He echoes, though after all this time Mitsunari finds himself relaxing around Cao Pi rather easily so the 'snark' is already fading from his tone. "You could send me back at any time yourself but choose not to."

Outright saying that he likes the other man's company just isn't something Mitsunari is prepared to do, or at least not so easily; yes, emotional at heart, but talking about that? Not his best talent.

[pure_havoc]

Likewise, Cao Pi is going to hoard his own secrets until his hand is forced, though if this whole demon world is anything to go by, that will definitely happen. "I tend to believe that I should only send someone away from my service for one of two reasons," he says drolly. "Incompetence, or treason."

He picks through the discard pile to make sure he approves, leaving unsaid that Ishida fits neither criteria. That, and a traitor would only be dismissed briefly and then probably assassinated shortly after. He picks up one scrap of parchment with a sniff of a chuckle. "Ah. No, I suppose we don't need to keep this nagging note from my father." It isn't anything huge, just a request to provide maps before marching to battle Orochi again, but the underlying tone needling him (like he was somehow going to forget to brief the army on the terrain and location) is never appreciated.