[ . . . he rights his head then and meets blanca straight-forwardly:]
I do not think I am someone who can afford to forget my bad memories either, Blanca. You needn't worry about me not understanding that distinction.
[most of his memories are bad, despite the disposition he shows. even those that were once good, he turned sour by his own choice. even so, he doesn't intend on shirking responsibility or looking away]
Those in power cannot afford to turn a blind eye to what they have done that hurt others.
Even if I have no power here, I don't intend on becoming blind.
[HONESTLY, HE IS NOT SURE IF HE LIKES THIS BETTER, OR THINKS IT'S WORSE. Soo-Won is way too young for responsibilities like this, a lot like both Ash and Yut-Lung.
But it's good to hear Soo-Won doesn't intend on sacrificing the bad memories to spare the good ones.]
[his smile at the acceptance of dinner quickly turns into a pout even as he begins to head back into the direction of town. he looks a little bit more his age]
I would, but you already know plenty about me!
I'll have you know that normally these tables are quite turned. I'd like to know more about you - you seem like a really fascinating person. Are you from this 'New York' you mentioned? What types of jobs have you taken? Did you like any of them? When you think of a smile you don't want to forget, who does it belong to?
[He thinks this is very funny, but also a little sad as he falls in line beside Soo-Won. It's not unlike watching Ash be a teenager around Eiji, instead of a wary and feral cat always on guard.
Sometimes, boys should have the time to be young.]
I am not from New York, no. I'm retired, but I had gone back there on business for someone who requested it. [He seems reserved, but still amused by Soo-Won's prying. He's not sure if there's any harm in saying things here, not like it would be back home.] I suppose you could say I took... janitorial jobs. If I'm honest, I did not enjoy any of the jobs I took. But I had a role to play which I believed I should follow.
[He looks ahead distantly, lips finally thinning into a frown.]
If I begin to not act like myself as our time here goes on, know that I have forgotten that smile, and that person.
[it's fine soo-won's an airhead around literally everyone else -
even now he seems to be carrying himself easily, gracefully, like he isn't shouldering the weight of a kingdom. he listens to blanca, sincerely enthralled]
Janitorial jobs with your skillset in strategy and superior orders.... [ah, he's understanding a bit more now. he doesn't seem worried or bothered by the connections he's making, instead just noting the discrepancy idly] Now that you're retired, do you believe that you've left that role behind?
[though he notes that frown too.]
... this person sounds very important to you. What are they like?
I'm not sure if a man like me can truly achieve a life like that.
[But, like Soo-Won is able to do sometimes, he does not look like he has so much weight on his shoulders when he smiles politely and opens the door for Soo-Won.]
Fufu, my generals still have a few years on you, I'm afraid. [but he didn't answer the question] Do you believe that repenting for what you've done in the past means not reaching for freedom you might desire?
[this is such a neat conversation to have in the kitchen! but soo-won will at least move to help if there's anything he can help with - he's gotten used to being a kitchen aide]
Mm... because it impacted your life once - there's no saying that you cannot be impacted in the same way again. [he tilts his head and offers a smile] Maybe your heart will still want the same thing, you just won't know what it is.
anyway soo-won is going to do as asked! he will fetch ground meat for blanca so he can keep cooking. for what it's worth he's a decent assistant okay, and he'll keep peering around to watch blanca cook so he can perfectly recreate the dish next time they meet]
If the question becomes too personal, I will drop the matter.
[easily! he doesn't mean to cause offense - he's just sincerely curious]
I would say... it would depends on the context of what you did, and why. Some crimes and guilt may be carried in your heart - and you decide for yourself that you may not deserve a life of happiness, or a peaceful end.
Even so, I believe it's more common that some hells are self-determined, and people deserve a chance to escape them.
[Soo-Won, taking one thing back to old fantasy Korea: LOOK AT THIS DOUGH.]
Perhaps a little. Most people your age where I'm from are off being teenagers. You know, making romantic mistakes, being immature, sneaking out against their parents' wishes.
he shows it to blanca to make sure he has the right one?]
Ah... that's too bad. I would hope in the future that all children would get to be children, regardless of rank or birthright. [everyone is a child in the eyes of soo-won]
In my time, I'm afraid it's fairly commonplace... My father began instructing me on military exercises when I was... 4? 5? [that's not commonplace even in soo-won's time but for sons he actually assumes it is]
[He pauses in his own adventure of getting some shallots to nod at the package. That's the ones. He motions toward the counter.]
Usually nobility are very prudent about passing things on to their children who will be next in line. There aren't a lot of ruling nobility in the time I'm from. Not in the same way.
Here. [He opens the packet of dough for Soo-Won, and gets him a little bowl of water.] I'll show you how to fold one, even if it won't be the best.
Blanca will give him a test run with an empty dumpling to show him the very basics of how it's folded while the meat cooks.]
A little maybe. The rich and the poor are still, unfortunately, not always in the same places together. Not having money closes a lot of doors, and makes it easy for others to keep you out. As sad as that is to say.
and then perfectly recreates the steps, picking it up easily after his observation. he offers up a smile and continues to watch blanca even as he responds]
Mm... it is a bit sad - though I suppose it depends on the leadership of those places, no? It's up to those living luxury to listen and help raise the standard for those on the streets.
While I believe there are other ways to accomplish such a thing... it's perhaps the most direct way.
[While Soo-Won practices with the dumpling, he puts a pot of water on to boil, and looks for... some kind of steamer, and some napa cabbage.]
I think your intentions are good, but... things don't work quite like that in my time. At least, less so in America.
[Thinkin' about Ash and New York hours.]
Americans have a culture which values individual freedoms, and so, it is often hard to have them agree on policies which take a small portion from everyone to help those without anything. Those who are rich especially find ways to dodge this since they would pay more because of their wealth.
Humans don't exactly barter much anymore, remember. So money is very important. Sounds silly, no? But money can buy you all kinds of things: small, like food, a place to live; big, like medical treatment; but also dirty, like forgeries, and even people.
So human trafficking persists even then... I suppose there's corruption that you cannot hope to fade out as people gain more technologies and capabilities.
[even then - he seems to be taking the problem seriously, examining it like a puzzle that's been brought before him. he continues to practice with the dumpling even as he hums in thought]
What a difficult system... even with the abolishment of the monarchy, a different set of issues persist. [he frowns] I never thought a perfect life would be able to be molded...
But it would be nice, if the luxury of others did not come at the expense of the downtrodden.
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no subject
I do not think I am someone who can afford to forget my bad memories either, Blanca. You needn't worry about me not understanding that distinction.
[most of his memories are bad, despite the disposition he shows. even those that were once good, he turned sour by his own choice. even so, he doesn't intend on shirking responsibility or looking away]
Those in power cannot afford to turn a blind eye to what they have done that hurt others.
Even if I have no power here, I don't intend on becoming blind.
no subject
But it's good to hear Soo-Won doesn't intend on sacrificing the bad memories to spare the good ones.]
I did not mean to imply you are foolish.
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[he's not offended - most people think he's a bit of a fool anyway. so even if blanca did, he wouldn't be offended! nice.
but he'll move gulfan onto his arm, giving the bird a helpful little nudge upward to give a little bit of extra momentum as he heads up into the sky]
Now, Gulfan has gotten far ahead of us as far as dinner goes. Would you care to join me?
If there's any memories you'd be willing to trust someone else to hold onto, I wouldn't mind carrying them for you, too.
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It would be rude of me to reject such an invitation.
[Which is to say, "Yes, please, dinner."]
And you? Are you going to do the same?
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I would, but you already know plenty about me!
I'll have you know that normally these tables are quite turned. I'd like to know more about you - you seem like a really fascinating person. Are you from this 'New York' you mentioned? What types of jobs have you taken? Did you like any of them? When you think of a smile you don't want to forget, who does it belong to?
[hE'S GOT SO MANY QUESTIONS, BLANCA]
no subject
Sometimes, boys should have the time to be young.]
I am not from New York, no. I'm retired, but I had gone back there on business for someone who requested it. [He seems reserved, but still amused by Soo-Won's prying. He's not sure if there's any harm in saying things here, not like it would be back home.] I suppose you could say I took... janitorial jobs. If I'm honest, I did not enjoy any of the jobs I took. But I had a role to play which I believed I should follow.
[He looks ahead distantly, lips finally thinning into a frown.]
If I begin to not act like myself as our time here goes on, know that I have forgotten that smile, and that person.
no subject
even now he seems to be carrying himself easily, gracefully, like he isn't shouldering the weight of a kingdom. he listens to blanca, sincerely enthralled]
Janitorial jobs with your skillset in strategy and superior orders.... [ah, he's understanding a bit more now. he doesn't seem worried or bothered by the connections he's making, instead just noting the discrepancy idly] Now that you're retired, do you believe that you've left that role behind?
[though he notes that frown too.]
... this person sounds very important to you. What are they like?
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Unfortunately, I didn't. Not when I first returned to New York, at least. I went because I was again filling a role required of me.
[He glances at Soo-Won, smiles hollowly, and then looks away again.]
She was beautiful, and intelligent, and full of convictions.
no subject
... I hope you will get to live a life on your own terms soon.
[so that he doesn't have to return to a role. wouldn't that be nice? though at the description of the person - ]
It sounds like you two made a wonderful pair.
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[But, like Soo-Won is able to do sometimes, he does not look like he has so much weight on his shoulders when he smiles politely and opens the door for Soo-Won.]
Thank you. I would like to think we did.
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[he inclines his head in polite acknowledgement before he enters. off to the kitchen! he still can't cook.]
Mm, then I'm even more certain of it. Is there a way I could help remind you of her, should it come to that?
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[Ash. ALSO STOP THIS. Blanca is going to cook even if he cannot make any gourmet meals.]
What makes you believe I will care about such a thing once the memory has left me?
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[this is such a neat conversation to have in the kitchen! but soo-won will at least move to help if there's anything he can help with - he's gotten used to being a kitchen aide]
Mm... because it impacted your life once - there's no saying that you cannot be impacted in the same way again. [he tilts his head and offers a smile] Maybe your heart will still want the same thing, you just won't know what it is.
no subject
Yut-Lung. 😒]
It depends on whether or not you believe you can truly repent for things you made a deliberate choice in doing.
[Hm. Like murder? He will let Soo-Won assist only because he does not want to insult King Soo-Won by telling him to go sit down and wait.]
I can see you really want me to give you more details about myself. Hm. Will you hand me some ground meat?
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anyway soo-won is going to do as asked! he will fetch ground meat for blanca so he can keep cooking. for what it's worth he's a decent assistant okay, and he'll keep peering around to watch blanca cook so he can perfectly recreate the dish next time they meet]
If the question becomes too personal, I will drop the matter.
[easily! he doesn't mean to cause offense - he's just sincerely curious]
I would say... it would depends on the context of what you did, and why. Some crimes and guilt may be carried in your heart - and you decide for yourself that you may not deserve a life of happiness, or a peaceful end.
Even so, I believe it's more common that some hells are self-determined, and people deserve a chance to escape them.
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[Since, like, ready-made dough for Soo-Won is like huh? probably.]
Should I be concerned you are eighteen, a king, and are already willing to make philosophies like these to me?
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but he'll be laughing at the question even as he goes to look for it]
Is it concerning? Maybe I've just read too many books...
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Perhaps a little. Most people your age where I'm from are off being teenagers. You know, making romantic mistakes, being immature, sneaking out against their parents' wishes.
You remind me of someone I know, is all.
no subject
he shows it to blanca to make sure he has the right one?]
Ah... that's too bad. I would hope in the future that all children would get to be children, regardless of rank or birthright. [everyone is a child in the eyes of soo-won]
In my time, I'm afraid it's fairly commonplace... My father began instructing me on military exercises when I was... 4? 5? [that's not commonplace even in soo-won's time but for sons he actually assumes it is]
no subject
Usually nobility are very prudent about passing things on to their children who will be next in line. There aren't a lot of ruling nobility in the time I'm from. Not in the same way.
Here. [He opens the packet of dough for Soo-Won, and gets him a little bowl of water.] I'll show you how to fold one, even if it won't be the best.
You said you liked dumplings, right?
no subject
You remembered? I'm honored!
[and he loves learning new things!! so he'll be sure to watch how blanca folds the dumplings carefully so that he can mimic it with gentle pinches]
Ah - and I'm pleased to hear that the nobility has faded in your world, then. Does that mean that classes blend together more?
no subject
Blanca will give him a test run with an empty dumpling to show him the very basics of how it's folded while the meat cooks.]
A little maybe. The rich and the poor are still, unfortunately, not always in the same places together. Not having money closes a lot of doors, and makes it easy for others to keep you out. As sad as that is to say.
no subject
and then perfectly recreates the steps, picking it up easily after his observation. he offers up a smile and continues to watch blanca even as he responds]
Mm... it is a bit sad - though I suppose it depends on the leadership of those places, no? It's up to those living luxury to listen and help raise the standard for those on the streets.
While I believe there are other ways to accomplish such a thing... it's perhaps the most direct way.
no subject
I think your intentions are good, but... things don't work quite like that in my time. At least, less so in America.
[Thinkin' about Ash and New York hours.]
Americans have a culture which values individual freedoms, and so, it is often hard to have them agree on policies which take a small portion from everyone to help those without anything. Those who are rich especially find ways to dodge this since they would pay more because of their wealth.
Humans don't exactly barter much anymore, remember. So money is very important. Sounds silly, no? But money can buy you all kinds of things: small, like food, a place to live; big, like medical treatment; but also dirty, like forgeries, and even people.
no subject
So human trafficking persists even then... I suppose there's corruption that you cannot hope to fade out as people gain more technologies and capabilities.
[even then - he seems to be taking the problem seriously, examining it like a puzzle that's been brought before him. he continues to practice with the dumpling even as he hums in thought]
What a difficult system... even with the abolishment of the monarchy, a different set of issues persist. [he frowns] I never thought a perfect life would be able to be molded...
But it would be nice, if the luxury of others did not come at the expense of the downtrodden.
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