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[ Despite herself, warmth fills her chest when he says "we". His freedom is her priority, but it still surprises her a little when he seems so determined to see her free too...

But hearing what he wants to do makes her perk up, her anger mostly fading now. Her grudge against Teresa burns all the more, but she can push that aside for now. ]

Travelling sounds like a good idea, I remember you said about going to Disney before... And you should absolutely go back to Korea. Though I'll need to insist that you send photos when you do.

...Your answer more than surprises me. [ he'll start with that--because it's the most honest answer that he HAS right now, truth be told, and he's stunned at hearing it. He'd always thought Ayato was a member of the Order who should not be crossed--walk on eggshells around him, behave.

And yet, hearing all this directly from his mouth? It's akin to culture shock. He has no idea how he should react to it other than to just stare at him, open-faced. ]

I had assumed you were much like some of the other higher-ups in the Order. That you enjoyed this job and found comfort in working for the Order due to the position you held.

I.

...I admit I was wrong, and I may have judged you wrongly for it, Sangsa.
If I were to make an assumption, it should be that I should have thought you were forced into this like most of us were, as well.

The rosepetals were absolutely not my idea. They weren't here when I checked in. I have a feeling the Spa and Inn staff had something to do with it.

[ he drags a hand down his face. It's a little embarrassing, but. Hey. At least they can laugh about it? ]

I think they're trying to 'help'. [ he's totally averting his gaze away from that look, sinking down a little into his shadow. ]

At least they didn't put glitter or anything in the bath. By the looks of it.

Or anything to change the color of it. Can you imagine if they tried to make the water pink...

[ he's going to move to hang up his blazer on the back of the bathroom door, slowly closing it and flipping the 'occupied' lock on. ]

I won't send you a single photo. [ he responds immediately--moving to cross his arms over his chest. ]

Because I'm insisting you come with me. So you'll have to take photos with me.

[ take that. ]

[ Wait what -

- Oh. Lapis freezes for a moment, eyes wide as she blinks up at him. ]

... Oh. [ Then she snaps out of her shock, quickly clearing her throat. ]

I mean, of course absolutely! But you... really want me to go to Korea with you?

[ She had assumed, maybe, he would want to return home by himself. She didn't want to intrude on that. ]

[All of this is an answer he actually wasn't quite expecting. He knew his reply would be something Jinwoo probably wasn't aware of, but this? There's a bit of a surprised look on Ayato's face at Jinwoo's admittance of being wrong, but he exhales in amusement and shakes his head.]

I can't blame you. I didn't exactly help matters in how I acted towards people- and I'm sure the higher-ups kept my own history in coming to the Order on a "need to know" basis. To be fair, the only people here who know of my entire induction into the Order are Lapis and Fugo. I've been rather secluded from the group before now, hence why I'm realizing I can't sit back and let whatever happens to people just happen.

[There's a pause here, and he crosses his arms. He makes sure there's no eyes or ears on them both before he continues.]

Jinwoo, my story is like so many others in the Order. I was taken under threat of being sealed while I sat by my father's deathbed in a hospital in Hokkaido. My family is one who knows about the supernatural, and our home served as a sort of refuge for creatures that needed a place to relax or recover. I was to take over my father's place eventually as the head of the estate and the main host to any guests who showed up and needed help.

Unfortunately, the protection we usually had broke the night I was found. My father ended up in the hospital due to our family being taken advantage of by a wandering vampire hiding from a werewolf. My oldest sister and I were essentially dominated and given specific orders when he was trying to hide. She was told "Hide me," while my order was "Leave," as I had followed after her in concern when I saw her move. The order had me turn around and leave the room she was in, and left me essentially trapped in my own body for over two minutes. [Ayato exhales, thinking of what to say next.] As you can imagine, I did not fare well with this and the memories of my past life came back. [It reminded him of the assassination attempts made on him in the early days of re-establishing the Kamisato Clan's reputation, and bringing honor to the Yashiro Commission once again.] The werewolf ended up finding the vampire on the estate grounds and chased him everywhere, ruining several things in the process- and also causing my father to collapse from a faint heart.

That was how the Order found me. But I wasn't assigned to this position from the start.

[He pauses here, if only because he wants to give Jinwoo time to ask any questions he may have from the information he's been so far. Better to talk in pieces rather than tell the whole thing immediately and hope for the best.]

[ And there's another chuckle from Lapis in response; they can absolutely laugh about it, though she might not help with how embarrassed he feels right now. ]

I think I can safely say we don't need 'help'. [ Lapis.

But she does check for anything else in the water, because glitter on skin is a nightmare and not one she wants to deal with right now. Besides some petals still floating around the surface though, it seems all clear. ]

No signs of glitter. Which is good, because trying to get glitter off of anything is a pain.

[ Though... pink water. There's a slight scrunch of her nose at the thought, before she steps over so she can hang up her own jacket. ]

I think pink water might look more weird than romantic. What if it stained... [ Especially considering how pale he is; at least he always covered himself up.

Though with the door locked and it now securely just being the two of them, it does lend to Lapis being a little more... mischievous. While she was reaching back to unzip her dress, she instead pauses; the smile she gives him all faux innocence. ]

Can you help me with this, Jinwoo?

[At some point in the midst of work, Edward bumps into Jinwoo’s side, catches him briefly, and murmurs:]

Meet me on the rooftop in an hour.

[And then he’s off to help out backstage.]

[ he's in the middle of fiddling with one of the stage props when he's bumped--and he stops to stare for a moment before giving the other a friendly wave with a hand.

...And then he goes back to work, as if he hadn't heard a thing; and promptly within an hour, Jinwoo can be seen quietly stepping out of one of the shadows on the roof.

He'll remain quietly pressed into the shadow until he can see Edward, and only then will he step out and give the man a bit of a confused look. ]

If this is about me scaring you last week as a bird, I already apologised.

Oh, that? Jinwoo, mate, in the mess that’s been this week, I honestly forgot about that.

[Looking around the place, checking to see if there’s anyone watching them, then pulling his hood up and gesturing for Jinwoo to sit with him in the shadows. Once he’s there, he lets out a breath.]

I need a witness for a story I’ve come up with for where I was last night. [All but admitting he did something last night.] If you say yes, I can tell you more, but I must warn you that even knowing this might put you at great risk along with me.

I trust you greatly, and I know you can handle yourself, that’s why I’m even asking. But this is your chance to back out. I’ll not mind one whit if you do.

...It has been a mess this week, hasn't it. I have this itch that it's about to get worse, but.

That's been my life up until this point.

[ he moves silently to move up to where Edward is. Pulling his own hood up and around his head, pulling his mask down over his eyes as he settles, head tilted towards the other in honest curiosity. ]

...Regardless of what it is, Edward, you know I'd help you. I promised you, didn't I? That whatever happened, I'd have your back. I'm not about to go back on that word.

I may be a bit of a weakling, but I've never been a coward.
I don't care about 'risk'. Just tell me what you need.

Hah. Well. About that.

[He gets quiet.]

She’ll not bother you anymore. I made sure. [He’ll let Jinwoo draw his own conclusions from that. He’s walking a tightrope here, and pulling Jinwoo along with him.] I’ll tell people I was at the Vogue working—and drinking—late. I need you to swear that I was doing exactly that, and you were there to see it. You even left me in the basement with a blanket after I passed out down there.

[ now, Jinwoo isn't the smartest man in the book. So Edward being vague makes him stare, confusedly at him for a moment.

hold on.

It's loading. ]

[ oh, he figured it out. His back straightens, his mouth hangs open--and there's a mixed sense of feelings driving through him. He can't tell if they're elated, relieved, or terrified.

a cocktail of all three and he reaches out go grab Edward's arm--a sort of skittish energy escaping him.

...Elation might be the most active emotion. ]

...You.

Edward, you amazing, idiotic fool.

[ he whispers this, but, he shakes his head. Both hands moving to clasp over his face, where he sighs out a huge sound--relief, if Edward needs to be sure how Jinwoo's feeling. ]

...I can do that.
I always work late at the Vogue due to my condition. It's a solid alibi. So long as we stick to it.

--Will you need others to have this for you? I can make up a messy bed down there for you, in a few minutes. Tell Zulius you were down there, didn't make a mess, I.

...

Edward. [ thank you. ]

I’ve been called a fool many times before. [Softly:] She hurt Jun and Dan Heng. On my fucking ship. She doesn’t get to walk away from that.

[And he doesn’t regret it. What he does regret is that it had to come to this.

He nods.]

Tell him—oh, tell him and everyone else, when I woke up, you escorted me back to the docks. Left when I told you that I could make it to the Jackdaw on my own. [He scratches the back of his neck.] You’ll probably have to hold your nose, I did make a mess—spilled a bit of rum in the basement when I got back. For authenticity’s sake.

Edited 2024-03-14 23:00 (UTC)

[ Jinwoo makes a ... face. He didn't know Dan Heng or Blade personally, but after spending that long on a ship with Jun and Mikleo?

He can't say he wasn't feeling a bit stabby towards the woman himself. Problem was, he couldn't figure out a proper way to end her life without becoming a suspect. He's still a weakling, he'd have to have thought about it for AGES. And yet. Edward did it. Just like that.

It's hard to not hug him right now. ]

Hey, it's fine. Trust me when I say some of the jobs I've done for the Order are way grosser than a bit of bile and rum on the floor.

...

Edward, I want to give you a gift. Is that okay?

I’ll take your word for it.

[It’s the chunky rum that not even demons want to try buddy are you sure. He fiddles a little with the bracer on his arm, adjusting and readjusting the straps, a habit betraying his nerves. Murder was a lot easier to get away with in the West Indies. Here, with eyes everywhere, he can’t help but worry just a little.

He’d left the body there so it would look like some random mugger had stabbed someone, panicked, and ran. He hopes that’s enough.]

You’re giving me so much already, Jinwoo. But all right, I’ve never been one to turn down a gift.

[ it'll be left in such a way that makes it so... completely difficult to point a finger on who it might be. A single stab, no magic or trace of special power left behind.

A pathetic way to die. And that for some reason, makes Jinwoo want to laugh.

He doesn't.

He raises a hand up to pinch between his eyes, to fight off the manic feeling so he can take this thing seriously.
He is an actor--he does know how to hold a face, how to hold a tone.

From inside his jacket, he produces a white-steel dagger, handing it to him. ]

I know you probably don't need it. But you could use it better than a weakling like me. I've got a dagger I prefer over this one.

This one halves your weight, making climbing, running, and jumping easier.

Something I don't really do.

[Edward turns the dagger over in his hand, flips it around to test the balance of it. Then he hides it in his coat, concealing it from view.]

I’ll put it to good use when I find a chance. [Not now, not any time soon, but someday.] Certainly it’s damned useful, and a pretty sight to boot.

[He does pause a moment, then looks at Jinwoo and shakes his head a little bit.]

I’ve known weaklings, mate. I’ve killed them. [His tone is matter-of-fact. Teresa is just one more murder that will fade in time once all this blows over.] You’re not a weakling. No weakling could’ve done what you did and helped take out both a kraken and a sea serpent. So what if you’re not so impressive as the rest of us? You have a strength all your own.

Of course. It's better in your hands than rotting away in one of my pockets. You're a talented man, Captain, my Captain.

And you have no idea the favor you've done a lot of us by taking the weight of this.

[ he looks away, sheepish, as the other. legitimately compliments him, a bit of a dusting of pink on his usually very greyish-white face. vampire problems. ]

...Thank you, Edward. Hearing that gives me strength, so I'll hold onto it.

[ haha... ]

Mm. Should I teleport you back to the Jackdaw? That way it gives you even more of an alibi. Noone saw you leave because I can teleport via shadows of the places I've been before.

From the 'basement' to the captain's hold is easy. Noone will see you leave the Vogue today.

Of course I do.

I have good memories of Korea, but. I'll probably have to hide my face in certain places. I'm supposed to be 'dead', after all.

But going there alone? I don't think I'd want to do that.

It wouldn't be fun unless you're there with me.

We definitely don't need help. [ he can at least say this assuredly, even. If. He's currently looking right at Lapis with a slight burning red color in his cheeks.

It isn't his first time being intimate with her at all--but somehow, the coy sound to her voice, the pinkish color of the lights, with the smile on her face is making him feel --

Ah, that's definitely a burning feeling that rises in his neck, and down into his stomach. ...God, he was such a lucky guy, after all. Years of bad luck, and yet, this is where he'd ended up?

He's going to move away from the door and slide up behind her, drawing a thumb along the zipper she's talking about with a hum in the back of his throat. He doesn't undo it--not yet, considering it with a little flicker of a glow in his eye. he slides one arm around her middle. ]

Ah, I think it's caught.

I may need to apply a little more... pressure, here.

[ ...as he presses a kiss to the back of her neck, then to where the zipper is, he grasps it between his teeth. Dragging it down, slowly. ]

[cheerful:] I know I'm talented, mate, it's just one of my many charms. [More serious now:] I didn't do this as a favor, Jinwoo. She was a threat to you and to the rest of my crew, taking her out was really the only choice I could make. I only regret I hadn't done it sooner and averted the bloodshed.

[He'd planned this for a while. He'd bought cheap and disposable clothes, had learned how to change his hair and his eyes, had followed her around for weeks learning her routine. In all that time he ought to have done it then, but he'd been worried something might go wrong.

Well, something did go wrong, and now people Edward swore to himself he'd keep safe are badly hurt. He'll—He'll check on them, soon. He just needs to iron out his alibi, first.]

Jinwoo...

[He's asking so much of him already. He's asking him to put himself at risk with people he works for, with his team here, possibly even with Lapis. He fiddles restlessly with his bracer, the hidden blade now clean of Teresa's blood.

Leap of faith. Time to let him in on what he's thinking.]

I don't think a teleportation will be necessary, no. I want people to see me leaving the Vogue later: drunk, swaying, barely able to stand. You all know I've been...off-balance, recently, [which is a nice way of saying he's been dealing with shock after shock,] and I've been known to get horribly drunk when that happens. If you'll allow it, I'll be hanging off your arm, needing someone sober to get me back to the docks.

[He shrugs.]

After all, what harm could a rum-sodden old pirate such as me do?

[ he's aware of the danger he's putting himself into. He knows how the Order works--but other than the branch in Kaisou, what has the Order ever done for him? Kidnap him from his family with threats of sealing away the entity keeping him alive, forcing him to go on do-or-die missions, to fake his death, lose his family, the goal he'd worked towards his whole life...

No. as much as this is to help one of his friends--one of his Only friends outside of the Order--it was also spite. He was doing this to spite the people who had ruined his life. And boy can you run on spite for a long time. ]

...I know. Between you losing your family by being transported here, a world hundreds of years in the future. Finding out you have--had a family but are unable to hold it in your hands any longer.

I have memories of a past life where I had a family. Even a son, too. But that was a life lived and gone. You didn't get to participate in any of it, and there's never a promise you'll ever get to go home from this place.
If any man in Kaisou deserves to drink himself silly, it's you, Edward.

And as such--as your friend.
I'll see you safely get home. No matter how much of a silly drunk you become, no matter how much of a handful you become.

Even if I have to tie you to Tank's back and carry you home while you sing me a tale of the sea and of loves and lost.

I'll even drink with you.

I can't get drunk still, but. It's the thought that counts, isn't it?

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