anyprice | IC INBOX = KAISOU

[Hua Cheng straightens and smiles when he sees Sampo come in, and gestures for Sampo to follow him into the back room. He also waves to a prettily-dressed attendant to bring them some snacks. She returns in short order with a platter of chopped fruit, cheese, meat, and some of whatever Sampo likes to eat most, and sets it down on the table. Hua Cheng is, as always, attentive to details.

Today he's looking a little more and more like the monster people think he is. An older face in his late twenties, though still with that youthful personality. Pointy ears. Fangs. One red eye, and the other hidden behind an eyepatch. His skin is paler than usual, too—the pallor of a corpse, really, and he has no heartbeat to fight the allegations. But he seems unbothered by it.

This is a private meeting room, cozy but not romantic, lavish without being personal. Sampo will also know that it's soundproofed. Hua Cheng shuts the door behind him.]

I thought about showing up in person, but I wasn't sure who could be listening in.

[He flops on one of the settees and crosses his legs with a jingle.]

How much do you know about what's going on with the Black Order?

[ Sampo's never been a man who'd ever turn down a free meal--especially given that he's gotten used to dealings with Ghost City and its coquettish head-of-house. Like a stray cat, it'd taken him a half dozen or more visits to fully trust the eyepatch-wearing man, but now that he's sure the man isn't about to tie him up and sell him to the Order, he seems to relax easier when in his company.

Once they're inside the quiet room, he even slowly shapeshifts back into a more comfortable appearance, even if it's not his 'own,' and he's gonna make quick work of making little cracker finger sandwiches out of the fruit, cheese, and dried meat. The man had even been so sweet to have a small platter of those cold cocktail shrimp too, so it's with a full mouth that he looks up at the other when he asks his question.

Which, predictably, gets a sort of sour look from the sneak of a man. ]

Fifteen years I've been evading them, can you believe it. And then I wind up in this place, only to find that it's absolutely Lousy with the guys. Honestly, if it wasn't you making a house call, I'd have feigned some horrible illness to get out of coming to see you.

[ he's gonna twist a shrimp tail around between his fingers and sigh. ]

That is to say, I haven't been totally avoiding them. Reading every little thing they've been saying on that Libra network.
They're all pretty tense, don't you think. Stinks of something bad going on. And the fact that I've seen at least two of them in person and not one'v them tried to bag me?

Something's up with them. They're not like the usual Order members I'm used to dealing with.

...You worried?

Fifteen years is a long time. [Sampo had been a little drowned rat of a man when Hua Cheng first met him, but at least he's eating well now.] You're right to lay low.

[He has his own thing with shapeshifting. It's easier now that he can just do the same thing Sampo does all the time, instead of depending on accessories or funny clothes. Hua Cheng likes to keep facial recognition on its toes.

He mulls on that question while he pours some wine.]

Worry is a strong word. [He offers Sampo a glass. It's red wine this time, goes perfect with a charcuterie board.] But I think you're right about all of this. It feels like hunting season is about to begin.

[He leans back and swirls the wine in his own glass for a moment.]

I have reason to believe this is going to become a turf war. If the full might of the Black Order comes down on the city, they could purge and burn everything... even this place. In preparation, we're going to send everyone who can't fight, or won't, back to Shanghai.

[Hopefully a small garrison of shady supernaturals loyal to Hua Cheng can help the app users in some capacity.]

You could join them on the boats, if you want. You could also stay here and help run the evacuation. Or you can run—I won't begrudge you that.

[ a drowned rat who was paranoid to the point of being like a ghost himself, blinking in and out of existence at the slightest provocation. Ghost City had done him a world of good while it felt the rest of the world was out for him, not that Sampo would ever admit such a thing in any sincere capacity. Fiercely independent as he liked to pretend he was. But it showed in how he talked and how he held himself--not to mention that he didn't look the part of runaway anymore. ]

You get used to things. It's just part of life now, y'know?
[ ...thinking seriously time wasn't a pleasant time. The Laughter is already getting exasperated with this line of conversation, the echoing sound of bells and the constant hum of bored all but ringing in his ears. But Hua Cheng's line of conversation needed this sort of focus. Like it or not. And slowly, he puts a hand over the right side of his face. Letting free an exasperated sigh. ]

Sssssuper glad we are both on the same page here. Here I was thinking it'd be real strange for an Organization like The Black Order to be at odds with one another. Given their whole thing feels like a damn cult of togetherness from the pitches I've been given over the years.
Being in the middle of a war between these guys feels like a bad idea and getting the hell outta dodge is honestly the smartest damn idea there is.

[ which means, someone like Sampo would be first in line to run, of course. because thats who he was. and Hua Cheng knew it. ]

....Buuuuuut I'm afraid I can't go runnin' off like a rat bailing the sinking ship this time. [ as much as he so desperately wants to. ] If only you'd asked me a month or two ago.... Ugh.

[Sampo had really grown into himself. Hua Cheng would never say it, but it's that sort of thing that makes doing what he does worth it. Where else would Sampo and the other residents of Ghost City go? Certainly no one would take care of them like Hua Cheng does.

He might be an ugly monster in the eyes of the people, but at least he can do this much.]

It was bound to happen eventually. They seemed to be a little loose on the leash here, only to have it yanked away from them. They didn't like that, and now the higher-ups are sending people to get them under control. [His lip curls around his fangs.] I've seen it before. It never ends well.

[He thinks about the distant memories of a corrupted heaven, and then he brushes them aside.]

Oh? Something keeping you? [If someone is holding Sampo hostage he would've heard about it by now.] Well, you won't be the only fool left behind.

[He smiles. It isn't nice.]

I'm staying, too. I have debts to collect and a bet to see through.

I'm curious about this bet you made. [ because if there's one thing he's learned about Hua Cheng throughout the years it's that the man isn't at all the type of man to take a bet that's uninteresting. He'd like to know exactly what caught the man's eye (singular.) ]

'Loose Leashes' and a cult like the Order doesn't seem to work together. Makes me wonder if the Order members here are going to get uh. ...Disciplined, real soon. Which is EXACTLY why my greater instincts tell me to jump ship now while it's being offered.

[ while the order members here have left him alone, new ones... might not. ]

And you're damn right I'm a fool. Not only have I ... met up with some old ghosts of my life Pre-Running-For-My-Damn life, but. Also found some people from my past life.
I mentioned to ya before that my memories of my past life are a vague blur, right? [ there's so much missing, so much he doesn't understand--can't remember, can't see clearly... ] If there are people in this place from that past life, I...

Shouldn't just leave them all to die, right?

Ooooh, ouch. Look at me. Growing a conscience. Is it like a fungus? It feels like a fungus.
So this fool will be helping you out, looks like.

I shouldn't elaborate just yet. That's bad luck, isn't it?

[He offers Sampo a wink, or at least it's probably a wink because it's hard to wink when someone's wearing an eyepatch...]

It could be that this assignment is considered discipline in itself. [He snorts.] If that's the case, all they've done is sow the seeds of mutiny by sending them here.

[It would be damn interesting if it wasn't putting his people in danger. Actually, it is damn interesting, if only because Hua Cheng wants to interrogate one of these sons of bitches and ask them where they took his 'treasure.']

Hahah... is that so? [There's something... softer in his smile, but don't you dare call him out on it.] I haven't found what I'm looking for, but it seems such a waste to hand a nice town to a bloodthirsty cult of kidnappers. I bet they wouldn't even let anyone gamble.

[He tosses back the rest of his wine.]

Why don't we show those brainwashed boneheads how to have some real fun?

[He reaches into his crimson coat and pulls out a small silver key. It looks like he forged it himself.]

This goes to the warehouse at Pier 4. [There's a few places where Hua Cheng keeps supplies hidden, including explosives; this is one of them.]

Maybe something in there will be useful to you.

Oof. Here I was hoping for a little insight but, you're right! You're right. Never a good idea to share where you're putting your chips down, uhehe.

[ he makes a gesture with his hand, giving up the line on that. ]

It is a nice town, isn't it. I've been to many all over this country but this place really has a special feelin' to it. I'm more of a lover than a fighter, you know, but I suppose ol' Sampo shouldn't sit around and do nothing if there's something I could be doing.

Look out for the little ones and all that.

[ the chorus of boredom that'd been clanging in his head comes to an abrupt and sudden stop, however, as Hua Cheng mentions fun. It's like his spirit feels hyperfocused, all of a sudden, and there's a small shift of red energy in his eyes that isn't distinctly his as he takes that key. ]

Now, you know how I feel about fun.

Is this a surprise, or are you gonna' give your pal a hint to what kind of 'useful' we're talking about here?

[ now The Laughter is interested, and invested. And honestly, so is he. ]

[He'll let Sampo know some other time.]

You've always had a... tender side to you. [Aside from being a coward, but Hua Cheng doesn't mind.] That doesn't make you weak. It only means you'll do anything for those you care for. Isn't that right?

[The key dances over and under his fingertips and then he presents it to Sampo with a flourish.]

I could say it's complete dynamite, but it'd be a lie. There are mortars, too.

[ it's fine, he's not so much fussed on the details currently, if only because when the other mentions explosives, there's a pause as a memory comes over him.

a past life where using explosives was
very much something he did on the regular. be them smoke bombs or actual weapons.

There's a tingle in the back of his head as he smiles, shifting to tuck the key away inside his jacket. ]

Aw. I'm not tender. I just know what it's like to be put in a place where you feel cornered. If a few sticks of dynamite and a couple of hand grenades can keep an equilibrium against the worst, I am not against using them.

So this is a huge gift, if you ask my opinion. I'll use it well.
Especially if this all starts to turn into some sort'a civil war.

Sometimes the difference between victory and ruin is a little noise.

[He much prefers seeing the enemy up close, reflected in the steel of his scimitar.]

Good, good. I'm not sure what I'll do with the other warehouses like this one. A rainy day, perhaps. Or a rebellion? Hmm.

[A rebellion sounds fine.]

Wars are expensive and pointless and full of suffering. Whatever they decide to do doesn't matter, because I've already decided we're going to win.

[He idly conjures some dice from his sleeve and throws it onto the floor. Two sixes come up.]

Trust me.

Nothing wrong with saving for a rainy day. And who knows, if this civil war turns out big, maybe they'll have a use.

[ a rebellion sounds terrifying tbh but he's keeping it together, he's gotten out of tough scrapes with his skills and magic before--the addition of bombs is already lighting up ideas in his head. ...his past life, it turns out, was very good at using these things and he's slowly starting to remember that.

he looks at Hua Cheng curiously. Did he know...?
His head tilts to the side as he catches sight of those two dice. His small, always-present smile stretching out a bit; catlike. ]

Aaaaand that's why I've been betting on you for the last thirteen or so years.
If anyone knows where the numbers are goin', it'll be numero uno, eh? Eh?

Wouldn't that be something?

[Even Hua Cheng can't tell how much of it is bullshitting and how much of it is actually being in tune with the narrative. But for his part, he never doubts his fortune. He knows what it's like to come up with nothing, to escape death, and to revive on the other side. He only doubts himself when it comes to one person in particular, but since he believes in them wholly, he might as well not have any doubts at all.]

That's right. [He snaps up the dice again, and lets them dance over his knuckles before they disappear back into his sleeve somewhere. It's not really magic, but he makes it look like it is.]

I've been around a long time—long enough to know that the world moves in cycles. Time and time again, I've seen men build their kingdoms to the heavens, and then fall to corruption. They always believe they'll be the exception.

[His red eye glints. He gets up and adjusts his coat, then starts toward the door.] I have my own preparations to attend to. If anything comes up, you know how to contact me.

[Honestly, it speaks to the amount of trust Sampo has earned that Hua Cheng doesn't mind him loafing around eating his food if he likes.

Hua Cheng and his strays... He can't help it, he was like that once upon a time.]

IC INBOX = KAISOU

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