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🆁🅴🅳🅰🅲🆃🅴🅳 ᴄʟᴀᴜᴅᴇ
or: vague and all-knowing chessmaster club
or: vague and all-knowing chessmaster club
(Don't ask me what time this takes place okay I need to balance my life tonight.
But Claude manages to track down Hua Cheng and the first thing he does is set down a teapot and some cups at whatever table he's sitting at.)
Don't go anywhere. (He'd be more polite if he wasn't so TIRED and running on low right now. Do you know how hard it is to deal with this effect when you're a social butterfly using up all of your energy where ever you go???) We're overdue for a talk.
But Claude manages to track down Hua Cheng and the first thing he does is set down a teapot and some cups at whatever table he's sitting at.)
Don't go anywhere. (He'd be more polite if he wasn't so TIRED and running on low right now. Do you know how hard it is to deal with this effect when you're a social butterfly using up all of your energy where ever you go???) We're overdue for a talk.
[ There is no judgment here, only tea.
Hua Cheng looks away from where he was focusing on the PHS, glancing down at the teapot and cups before looking back up at Claude himself. He's been ignoring the niggling sensation of needing to go play red light, green light to find his apparent buddy, but. Hello. ]
Are we? [ Conversationally. ] By all means, then, sit down before you wind up falling over.
Hua Cheng looks away from where he was focusing on the PHS, glancing down at the teapot and cups before looking back up at Claude himself. He's been ignoring the niggling sensation of needing to go play red light, green light to find his apparent buddy, but. Hello. ]
Are we? [ Conversationally. ] By all means, then, sit down before you wind up falling over.
Yes.
(he pulls up a seat, and they'll just have to wait a bit for the tea to steep,)
I know you feel it too. (This strange desire to be close to each other for whatever reason.) Neither of us have the time to be bonded by the hip for who knows how long.
So we should work something out. Something that will help us balance our own lives with...
(Vague hands!! Whatever this is.)
(he pulls up a seat, and they'll just have to wait a bit for the tea to steep,)
I know you feel it too. (This strange desire to be close to each other for whatever reason.) Neither of us have the time to be bonded by the hip for who knows how long.
So we should work something out. Something that will help us balance our own lives with...
(Vague hands!! Whatever this is.)
Unfortunately. [ He does feel it. And he doesn't like it. He's the type of person that has no interest in being attached like that, save for with one person, and for as interesting as he finds Claude... ]
I would guess something like this would probably be enough, if we were setting aside the time for it. Because I really can't say I'm interested in being bonded to you by the hip.
[ Places to be, things to do, gege to spend time with! ]
I would guess something like this would probably be enough, if we were setting aside the time for it. Because I really can't say I'm interested in being bonded to you by the hip.
[ Places to be, things to do, gege to spend time with! ]
Woooow. (Flatly,) And here, I thought I was popular.
(Pouring Hua Cheng his cup of tea first. He'd tried to guess what sort of tea he might like and what he'd settled on was a jasmine tea. Something light and not too strongly flavored with a relaxing quality to it. He doesn't see like the type that needs a strongly flavored tea to keep him alert hmmm it's always hard to tell when you don't really know people.)
Let me know how it is. I can find something else for next time, if you'd like.
(And he pours himself a cup before setting the tea pot down on at the center without so much of a clink. Tea time is relaxing. A true noble knows better than to make a ruckus.)
I don't know how long we'll have to be together for this to pass or how often. (Running a finger around the rim of his cup,) We've lasted this long though so probably dont have to bother each other too much.
Until then... here we are so we might as well get to know each other.
(Pouring Hua Cheng his cup of tea first. He'd tried to guess what sort of tea he might like and what he'd settled on was a jasmine tea. Something light and not too strongly flavored with a relaxing quality to it. He doesn't see like the type that needs a strongly flavored tea to keep him alert hmmm it's always hard to tell when you don't really know people.)
Let me know how it is. I can find something else for next time, if you'd like.
(And he pours himself a cup before setting the tea pot down on at the center without so much of a clink. Tea time is relaxing. A true noble knows better than to make a ruckus.)
I don't know how long we'll have to be together for this to pass or how often. (Running a finger around the rim of his cup,) We've lasted this long though so probably dont have to bother each other too much.
Until then... here we are so we might as well get to know each other.
You're interesting, [ Mock pleasantly. ] But I'm not sure if that's enough for us to want to spend most of our waking hours together.
[ In the long run, Claude's guess is a decent one. Hua Cheng has never really had an interest in tea - for a variety of reasons - but a good cup doesn't need to be strong for him to enjoy. As he takes the cup, he waves off the offer with his free hand. This is fine. ]
Better to not press our luck, considering the things that the Realm keeps coming up with. My luck is usually good, but I don't want to test what happens if we face adverse effects and something else happens.
[ He brings his cup up, regarding him. ] More questions for me to vaguely answer?
[ In the long run, Claude's guess is a decent one. Hua Cheng has never really had an interest in tea - for a variety of reasons - but a good cup doesn't need to be strong for him to enjoy. As he takes the cup, he waves off the offer with his free hand. This is fine. ]
Better to not press our luck, considering the things that the Realm keeps coming up with. My luck is usually good, but I don't want to test what happens if we face adverse effects and something else happens.
[ He brings his cup up, regarding him. ] More questions for me to vaguely answer?
Still?
(Interesting? He'd said the same thing when they first met.
But he isn't surprised. Of course he is. He's been "interesting" since the moment he was born. It's one of the perks of being different. One of the disadvantages of appearing from no where. Everyone wants to test you. Everyone wants to know more about you.
And in a place like this where everyone is so different and appeared so suddenly? Everyone is so interesting.
(And he loves it.))
Yes. I don't mind it so much now. I've certainly felt worse before and it's still early in the week, after all. But if things are going to repeat, I think it's in our best interest to spend more time together later.
I don't mind vague answers. I've learned to work with what I'm given. (He sips his tea and sets it down soundlessly,) Why don't we start with something easy?
What do you usually do? You have an impressive skillset.
(Interesting? He'd said the same thing when they first met.
But he isn't surprised. Of course he is. He's been "interesting" since the moment he was born. It's one of the perks of being different. One of the disadvantages of appearing from no where. Everyone wants to test you. Everyone wants to know more about you.
And in a place like this where everyone is so different and appeared so suddenly? Everyone is so interesting.
(And he loves it.))
Yes. I don't mind it so much now. I've certainly felt worse before and it's still early in the week, after all. But if things are going to repeat, I think it's in our best interest to spend more time together later.
I don't mind vague answers. I've learned to work with what I'm given. (He sips his tea and sets it down soundlessly,) Why don't we start with something easy?
What do you usually do? You have an impressive skillset.
Still.
[ But for a basis of interesting, Claude sits higher on his list than others do. It's easier to figure out the core of people like Hikaru, Yona, Sora - they're heroes, optimistic and kind, wanting to help others. They're cut from the same cloth as Xie Lian.
Then there's the ones that don't carry their heart on their sleeve like that. Whose talents are less straight forward, or veer off the norm.
Like Claude. ]
En, I agree. [ And it's not really much of a bother to him, at the end of the day. Not with the tradeoff of not going up the wall with a need to be close to someone like this. ] At least it's not a hardship, really.
[ A chuckle comes at the question, and he takes a sip of the tea. ]
I'm a city master. Built it from the ground up, some hundreds of years back, and have run it ever since.
[ But for a basis of interesting, Claude sits higher on his list than others do. It's easier to figure out the core of people like Hikaru, Yona, Sora - they're heroes, optimistic and kind, wanting to help others. They're cut from the same cloth as Xie Lian.
Then there's the ones that don't carry their heart on their sleeve like that. Whose talents are less straight forward, or veer off the norm.
Like Claude. ]
En, I agree. [ And it's not really much of a bother to him, at the end of the day. Not with the tradeoff of not going up the wall with a need to be close to someone like this. ] At least it's not a hardship, really.
[ A chuckle comes at the question, and he takes a sip of the tea. ]
I'm a city master. Built it from the ground up, some hundreds of years back, and have run it ever since.
Oh?
(His attention is caught! Even if this is only part of the answer, he's intrigued by it all the samebecause he's a little nerd.)
That couldn't have been easy. There must have been a few hardships along the way, especially in all of that time. But if you've managed to run it this long, then that speaks for you as a designer.
(Propping his elbow on the table and resting his hand in his palm,)
I'd love to hear more about it. What's it like? How does it run?
(His attention is caught! Even if this is only part of the answer, he's intrigued by it all the same
That couldn't have been easy. There must have been a few hardships along the way, especially in all of that time. But if you've managed to run it this long, then that speaks for you as a designer.
(Propping his elbow on the table and resting his hand in his palm,)
I'd love to hear more about it. What's it like? How does it run?
[ What a fucking nerdlord. It's fine, though, he doesn't mind talking about it. ]
Ghost City is simply named, because that's what it was. [ He takes both hands parallel to each other, drawing his fingers across the table between them in straight lines. ] It's also called the Ghost Market, and is the first in the three realms of its kind - it's the main draw for why so many go there, including mortals and gods. Everything is built on a network, with the main street its foundation. I would say it's a city that never sleeps, but ghosts prosper more under nightfall than they do during the day, for as unsurprising and boring as that can be.
[ And he doesn't have anything to draw with, currently, but he uses his fingers to go from the end of the "street" to swoop out, creating a circle with two halves. ]
To say it's chaotic would be an understatement, probably. The residents are unruly, and annoying, ghosts and demons alike. They need to be kept in line or given a focus for their negative energy and resentment - so, they're in Ghost City.
Ghost City is simply named, because that's what it was. [ He takes both hands parallel to each other, drawing his fingers across the table between them in straight lines. ] It's also called the Ghost Market, and is the first in the three realms of its kind - it's the main draw for why so many go there, including mortals and gods. Everything is built on a network, with the main street its foundation. I would say it's a city that never sleeps, but ghosts prosper more under nightfall than they do during the day, for as unsurprising and boring as that can be.
[ And he doesn't have anything to draw with, currently, but he uses his fingers to go from the end of the "street" to swoop out, creating a circle with two halves. ]
To say it's chaotic would be an understatement, probably. The residents are unruly, and annoying, ghosts and demons alike. They need to be kept in line or given a focus for their negative energy and resentment - so, they're in Ghost City.
Well, maybe not yet.
(And he streeeetches,)
Something like that is interesting, isn't it? Something that came quickly and then resolved itself overnight. The timing can't just be a coincidence either.
(The way he was just instantly better the next morning, after two people died.)
But it's something I'd like to look into more first. It's concerning... the last thing we need is for people to misunderstand what it could all mean.
(Time to get some more answers.)
(And he streeeetches,)
Something like that is interesting, isn't it? Something that came quickly and then resolved itself overnight. The timing can't just be a coincidence either.
(The way he was just instantly better the next morning, after two people died.)
But it's something I'd like to look into more first. It's concerning... the last thing we need is for people to misunderstand what it could all mean.
(Time to get some more answers.)
No, and considering the fact that there's been no indication that anyone else was affected... it does seem targeted.
[ looks at what happens to them after this thread, looks away ]
But with very little indication of where it came from, or who it might have been, if a person and not the Realm, it's for the best that you don't let that information go errantly where it shouldn't.
Misinformation breeds trouble, when it isn't controlled. [ A small huff. ] So we'll certainly see.
[ looks at what happens to them after this thread, looks away ]
But with very little indication of where it came from, or who it might have been, if a person and not the Realm, it's for the best that you don't let that information go errantly where it shouldn't.
Misinformation breeds trouble, when it isn't controlled. [ A small huff. ] So we'll certainly see.
(When will the game let Claude von Riegan rest.)
Unfortunately, there are those that ran into me that day so it can't be helped. (Sometimes you don't realize you're losing your memories until you run into people and they ask you what the fuck is going on.) I'm not too worried. I think I can trust them to be discrete.
(ANYWAY, he's given Hua Cheng his wine! So he's just gonna turn on his heel and leave--)
Right, so that's done. Even? Even.
(C a t c h h i m.)
Unfortunately, there are those that ran into me that day so it can't be helped. (Sometimes you don't realize you're losing your memories until you run into people and they ask you what the fuck is going on.) I'm not too worried. I think I can trust them to be discrete.
(ANYWAY, he's given Hua Cheng his wine! So he's just gonna turn on his heel and leave--)
Right, so that's done. Even? Even.
(C a t c h h i m.)
So long as you're sure, though there's not much to be done about it. [ Except silencing them. Which is, you know, frowned upon here! ]
Hm? [ Oh, Claude is leaving? For a moment, it seems almost like he's absolutely going to be able to walk off and call it a day. Except there's a brief jingle of his boots, intentional as the only warning that he has.
See: icon. Albeit, only for a moment, since it's shock week in this timeline. ]
Oh, you thought that was even? Come now, Claude, we should sit down for some tea again.
Hm? [ Oh, Claude is leaving? For a moment, it seems almost like he's absolutely going to be able to walk off and call it a day. Except there's a brief jingle of his boots, intentional as the only warning that he has.
See: icon. Albeit, only for a moment, since it's shock week in this timeline. ]
Oh, you thought that was even? Come now, Claude, we should sit down for some tea again.
Interesting.
(Truly, and he taps his finger on the table, thoughtful.)
So it's a real city with a structure and central focus. I'd wondered if "Ghost City" was a nickname for a place. You know how it can be. People are always giving other names to places that already exist. The Valley of Torment, the Red Canyon, the Aquatic Capital... but none of those are real names, even if they can give an idea of what one might expect... usually.
(The Red Canyon is still a mystery to him.)
But to imagine a place where mortals and gods can exist, with ghost and demons... it sounds like a story. Ah, not that I'm doubting you. I'm sure there are things where I'm from that might sound incredible in their own right.
(Truly, and he taps his finger on the table, thoughtful.)
So it's a real city with a structure and central focus. I'd wondered if "Ghost City" was a nickname for a place. You know how it can be. People are always giving other names to places that already exist. The Valley of Torment, the Red Canyon, the Aquatic Capital... but none of those are real names, even if they can give an idea of what one might expect... usually.
(The Red Canyon is still a mystery to him.)
But to imagine a place where mortals and gods can exist, with ghost and demons... it sounds like a story. Ah, not that I'm doubting you. I'm sure there are things where I'm from that might sound incredible in their own right.
Yikes! (He jumps! Honestly, it's one thing to be struck by an arrow or hit with a sword but he's still getting used to these shocks. Magic always feels more... shocking (heh). ) Careful! You'll give me a heart attack!
(He's fine. He's healthy.)
Eh? Come on, I just gave you something from my own personal collection here.
(He's absolutely going to try to weasel out of ??? Whatever. )
(He's fine. He's healthy.)
Eh? Come on, I just gave you something from my own personal collection here.
(He's absolutely going to try to weasel out of ??? Whatever. )
Mm, I understand - we have some places like that, but for the most part they're all rather straightforward in terms of naming sense. Not that those names wouldn't fit right in with some parts of Zhongguo. [ Especially the Valley of Torment? Sounds legit to him, to be honest.
But he reaches for his tea, setting the cup in one spot in the imaginary circle he's created. ]
You'll find mortals where I'm from will even agree with you, though so many worship the gods and fear ghosts that it's more like if they turn a blind eye to it, it won't be there. [ He rolls his eye, then taps the cup with a finger. ] And yet so many wind up coming to Ghost City, for their own reasons. For the market - to buy curses and talismans; or ingredients for remedies, magic, the like; for artefacts that will benefit them, in some way - or, for the most trafficked feature.
The Gambler's Den.
But he reaches for his tea, setting the cup in one spot in the imaginary circle he's created. ]
You'll find mortals where I'm from will even agree with you, though so many worship the gods and fear ghosts that it's more like if they turn a blind eye to it, it won't be there. [ He rolls his eye, then taps the cup with a finger. ] And yet so many wind up coming to Ghost City, for their own reasons. For the market - to buy curses and talismans; or ingredients for remedies, magic, the like; for artefacts that will benefit them, in some way - or, for the most trafficked feature.
The Gambler's Den.
I highly doubt a heart attack is how you're going to go out. Take it from a ghost that's seen enough people die of fright.
[ That is NOT reassuring! Hua Cheng!
Whatever. ]
A small bottle of wine that you got from your "gift bag" is not an equivalent trade for the favor that gege and I did for you, you know.
[ That is NOT reassuring! Hua Cheng!
Whatever. ]
A small bottle of wine that you got from your "gift bag" is not an equivalent trade for the favor that gege and I did for you, you know.
Honestly? I've never believed in ghosts or gods. When you're dead, you're dead. Everything is over and all that's left is for the living to carry on your memory and legacy for better or worse. As for gods... well, even if they are real, I have better things to do than put my faith in intangible things.
(He shrugs,)
Cities with the most resources, armies with the most men, the soldier with the most experience, the terrain on a field, the weather at the time... Things I can see and count on are more valuable than the whims of some divine or otherworldly force.
(Casual things to say to a Ghost King, to someone who oversees an entire realm filled with what sounds like dangerous potential. Curses and talismans? Magic and enchantments? Surely, those are things that would turn the tide in any situation.)
If I stick to my beliefs and disregard the things that seem too fantastic, I can still appreciate a city with a valuable market and a shrewd king.
(Which is why he listens so carefully. If Hua Cheng hadn't established himself as an interesting character to begin with, he'd probably dismiss all of this, think little else of it and only carry on with the conversation for the sake of being polite. But like recognizes like and Claude can only give Hua Cheng his complete attention as he speaks,)
That sounds pretty sketchy. (A Gambler's Den,) I bet all sorts of things go down in a place like that, especially if you aren't careful.
(Tell him more.)
(He shrugs,)
Cities with the most resources, armies with the most men, the soldier with the most experience, the terrain on a field, the weather at the time... Things I can see and count on are more valuable than the whims of some divine or otherworldly force.
(Casual things to say to a Ghost King, to someone who oversees an entire realm filled with what sounds like dangerous potential. Curses and talismans? Magic and enchantments? Surely, those are things that would turn the tide in any situation.)
If I stick to my beliefs and disregard the things that seem too fantastic, I can still appreciate a city with a valuable market and a shrewd king.
(Which is why he listens so carefully. If Hua Cheng hadn't established himself as an interesting character to begin with, he'd probably dismiss all of this, think little else of it and only carry on with the conversation for the sake of being polite. But like recognizes like and Claude can only give Hua Cheng his complete attention as he speaks,)
That sounds pretty sketchy. (A Gambler's Den,) I bet all sorts of things go down in a place like that, especially if you aren't careful.
(Tell him more.)
Who said anything about dying? (Claude sure didn't.) Trust me, I've no intention of dying any time soon, poor heart or not.
(BUT UUUGH, look, he knew? But sometimes if you act confident enough and play things off just right, you can walk away and leave things unspoken.
Of course, that doesn't work with Hua Cheng.)
Alright, alright, can you blame me for trying, though?
(It's tea time now?? Assuming Hua Cheng is putting Claude to work, he's just... gonna head off to the kitchen and Hua Cheng can follow him while he gathers everything.)
(BUT UUUGH, look, he knew? But sometimes if you act confident enough and play things off just right, you can walk away and leave things unspoken.
Of course, that doesn't work with Hua Cheng.)
Alright, alright, can you blame me for trying, though?
(It's tea time now?? Assuming Hua Cheng is putting Claude to work, he's just... gonna head off to the kitchen and Hua Cheng can follow him while he gathers everything.)
Then you'll be just fine, won't you?
[ But it is Hua Cheng, who has spent all of his time as a ghost playing this game. He gets it, and he's not exactly going to let Claude get away with it, when he's just dangled things in front of his nose. ]
I can't. You get marks for the effort, which would probably have worked on anyone else.
[ Anyways, yeah, he's putting him to work. Why would Hua Cheng do it??? He'll just follow along, radiating amusement. ]
[ But it is Hua Cheng, who has spent all of his time as a ghost playing this game. He gets it, and he's not exactly going to let Claude get away with it, when he's just dangled things in front of his nose. ]
I can't. You get marks for the effort, which would probably have worked on anyone else.
[ Anyways, yeah, he's putting him to work. Why would Hua Cheng do it??? He'll just follow along, radiating amusement. ]
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