anyprice | IC INBOX = KAISOU

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.]

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