[he'll take them and meet the gaze evenly. the disbelief doesn't seem to phase him much]
It sounds as though you're asking me to see the future when I don't know where I'll be - or if what I'll do will change, based on now receiving this information much earlier due to the time distortion.
[he's kang cheol right now
though - ] If you were hoping to respect her wishes of privacy, why ask the next person you meet that could give you answers?
Don't misunderstand. It isn't I didn't wish to know so much as I did not want to force her to talk about it.
[ALSO STOP, DON'T BE KING CHEOL]
I asked the person who would be able to tell me. I don't believe she thinks very highly of you right now, and I wanted to know what you would tell me without knowing I knew.
[His brows come together, but he doesn't look as if he is scared of following Soo-Won to another room. After a moment of searching Soo-Won's eyes and face, he nods.]
Very well. After you, Mister Won.
[He will walk beside Soo-Won, though, so he doesn't look creepy walking behind.]
so off they go, headed to the room. ange is out right now and soo-won's figured out how to use the access key to get in. as promised, he doesn't try anything funny now that they're out of the public eye, and his room is empty. he'll turn back to face blanca and offer a smile.]
My name is Soo-won and I currently serve as the King of Kouka.
I actually prefer "Won" everywhere, or Soo-won if it's just us, I guess.
[he's too honest. but really, titles and etiquette really don't matter to him - but he won't stop people either]
After all, it doesn't really matter here. If my title ever becomes relevant, I don't mind sharing it - but I have no riches, land, or command. Just myself. And so there isn't much to separate me from a common merchant. Title doesn't mean I'm different from any other person.
Is that what you wanted to know about me? Or is it whether or not I'll be a threat to Yona?
Currently, her safety has actually designated a priority in order to maintain peace between my kingdom and another vassal state. So I don't really intend on acting against her interests.
Alright. [He's going to at least call him "sir" or something because that's how he is.] Won then.
[Perhaps he made too quick of a judgment. There is not way Yut-Lung would sound this practical. Is this what Yut-Lung would have been like if he had taken Blanca's advice?]
I'm aware your business at home has nothing to do with me. But here, her and I share a room. I would prefer to keep her out of any danger until we learn more about this place.
She said others could probably trust you, but she didn't. It worried me, after I had seen the shackles.
Her reason for not trusting me can be summed as "politics", for all the pain and good that comes with. [he'll say it again, because he doesn't think it's ever enough on its own. but he also won't make excuses for the choices he's made.] I don't blame her, and I don't expect her to change her mind.
Our situation is more complicated in our home - but here, I don't have to put on quite so many airs. She won't believe you even if you tell her that I don't intend to see any harm come to her - but I don't mind telling you that bit of truth.
[there are no pretenses that he has to keep up here, nothing he has to do for the sake of a kingdom's peace and the trust of his confidants. he can be sincere about who he wants to protect.]
But all I have here now are words - I intend on letting my actions speak for themselves. I'd like to bring everyone home, as unharmed as possible, and dismantle the structure that brought us here against our will.
I understand if your trust is one that has to be earned, but as long as Yona is safe, you have mine.
[He sort of opens his mouth, but all he does is draw in a deeper breath and quietly sigh. Soo-Won has, as far as he can tell, been honest with him.]
Usually, my trust is irrelevant because I am obligated to fulfill contracts. That... was my job before I retired. But I do not intend to let anything happen to Miss Yona.
Though I suppose it is unfair we believe we have a say in this for her at all.
She's a very beloved person. [by who, he won't say] Even if we do not truly have ability or choice, I don't mind making play as though we do. It's the most we can do, as people who have feelings and emotions.
[you can't help who you want to take care of, who you want to protect. no matter the hurt that might come later.]
Are you permanently retired, Blanca? I wouldn't suppose it might be possible to hire you again.
[he tilts his head. leaving it at that is misleading and hard to believe on its face, though.]
But it doesn't mean that others in my cabinet don't see ways to use her and her comrades - but if any such plans are brought to me, I reject them. [it's just that he can't be everywhere at once, much as he tries.]
... and she loves her country, at the end of the day. She makes political moves of her own, and often I have to react to her decisions.
But I would ultimately prefer if she and her companions weren't involved in our nation's politics.
[soo-won believes in the separation of church and state]
[He frowns. The answer is a tad better than what he expected, but also doesn't alleviate a lot of concerns. Worse, Soo-Won seems more reasonable than most of the people he typically deals with.
And yet, he still doesn't know exactly how far he can trust someone he doesn't know, or hasn't observed.]
I'll take your word on it, sir. I would say I hope you won't harass Miss Yona unnecessarily, but she seems to be rather feisty. Still.
[Ash was also fierce, but he could be strong-armed into very bad things.]
idea that he would even harass yona necessarily surprises him, and makes him tilt his head. he pauses, and tries again:]
Mm... I think I need to clarify a point, perhaps.
I'd like to leave her alone as much as possible. I think it would be easier for both of us if we two never cross paths again, aside from perhaps exchanging information here. Even then, that can be done through an intermediary.
[ . . . ]
Well, perhaps it's why I'm asking you to look after her - because I'd like to give her a future where she sees me as little as possible until the very moment we both have to return to the same country. It's part of why I'd like to hire you.
She said it herself - she can't trust me. I understand, and don't blame her for that.
... I'd still prefer to know she's looked after. [a beat] The person who I... always thought would be with her - isn't here.
I don't know your politics, but I'm not unaccustomed to political battlefields. Even without kings, or emperors.
[Please don't trick him by putting on airs. He will be so mad. But no, the dour expression on his face softens slightly. He's relieved? Not that Soo-Won is staying away from Yona exactly, but that he is understanding.]
Regardless of being hired, she is my... roommate, I suppose. I'll look after her how I can. My apologies for being cold to you initially.
Ah, while I'm glad to hear it... [he holds up a hand at that] No apologies necessary. It's the automatic reaction anyone would have, given the information you received - shackles, someone untrusted... it was a reasonable assumption to make. Even if it was incorrect, I'm glad you brought it forward.
[his expression warms in comparison, easy-going and understanding now that they seem to be closer to the same page. he really doesn't seem offended at all, given - ]
Rather, it let me know that you're a kind and considerate person, regardless of contract. I'm glad to know you a bit better, Blanca.
[His smile is somewhat light. He just nods like he is too humble for the compliment, but the reality is, he doesn't know if that is true considering he does what he does.
Or did what he did, rather.]
Miss Yona isn't in our room, I'm afraid, if you had come to see her. I will leave you be, if you are busy.
[soo-won can take a guess at what contracts might mean, even though he's not sure.
even then, he would not bother to take the words back.]
Oh - no, that really was... [he looks sheepish] I was startled to see your names together, but in truth, your timing was good!
[he would've wanted to find blanca after that anyway
but he'll brush off his swishy swishy robes and move like he intends to exit again - ]
It's a little hard to be busy in this place, but I was going to head outside. You're free to come along, if you'd like, but I don't want to keep you from your day either.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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It sounds as though you're asking me to see the future when I don't know where I'll be - or if what I'll do will change, based on now receiving this information much earlier due to the time distortion.
[he's kang cheol right now
though - ] If you were hoping to respect her wishes of privacy, why ask the next person you meet that could give you answers?
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[ALSO STOP, DON'T BE KING CHEOL]
I asked the person who would be able to tell me. I don't believe she thinks very highly of you right now, and I wanted to know what you would tell me without knowing I knew.
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eventually he seems to ease, offering up a smile and a tilt of his head, as if they were talking about the weather.]
Would you mind joining me in my room for a moment, Blanca? There's something I'd like to retrieve before carrying on with my day.
[he holds his hands up - ]
I have nothing up my sleeve, as it were, in case you're wary.
I just don't think we should continue our conversation here any longer.
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Very well. After you, Mister Won.
[He will walk beside Soo-Won, though, so he doesn't look creepy walking behind.]
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so off they go, headed to the room. ange is out right now and soo-won's figured out how to use the access key to get in. as promised, he doesn't try anything funny now that they're out of the public eye, and his room is empty. he'll turn back to face blanca and offer a smile.]
My name is Soo-won and I currently serve as the King of Kouka.
It's a pleasure to meet you properly.
[said with all the intensity of a dandelion]
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This is just Yut-Lung, but without the brattiness.]
Your Majesty. [He sort of bows his head and shoulders without throwing himself over.] I assume you would prefer "Mister Won" around others.
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[he's too honest. but really, titles and etiquette really don't matter to him - but he won't stop people either]
After all, it doesn't really matter here. If my title ever becomes relevant, I don't mind sharing it - but I have no riches, land, or command. Just myself. And so there isn't much to separate me from a common merchant. Title doesn't mean I'm different from any other person.
Is that what you wanted to know about me? Or is it whether or not I'll be a threat to Yona?
Currently, her safety has actually designated a priority in order to maintain peace between my kingdom and another vassal state. So I don't really intend on acting against her interests.
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[Perhaps he made too quick of a judgment. There is not way Yut-Lung would sound this practical. Is this what Yut-Lung would have been like if he had taken Blanca's advice?]
I'm aware your business at home has nothing to do with me. But here, her and I share a room. I would prefer to keep her out of any danger until we learn more about this place.
She said others could probably trust you, but she didn't. It worried me, after I had seen the shackles.
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Her reason for not trusting me can be summed as "politics", for all the pain and good that comes with. [he'll say it again, because he doesn't think it's ever enough on its own. but he also won't make excuses for the choices he's made.] I don't blame her, and I don't expect her to change her mind.
Our situation is more complicated in our home - but here, I don't have to put on quite so many airs. She won't believe you even if you tell her that I don't intend to see any harm come to her - but I don't mind telling you that bit of truth.
[there are no pretenses that he has to keep up here, nothing he has to do for the sake of a kingdom's peace and the trust of his confidants. he can be sincere about who he wants to protect.]
But all I have here now are words - I intend on letting my actions speak for themselves. I'd like to bring everyone home, as unharmed as possible, and dismantle the structure that brought us here against our will.
I understand if your trust is one that has to be earned, but as long as Yona is safe, you have mine.
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Usually, my trust is irrelevant because I am obligated to fulfill contracts. That... was my job before I retired. But I do not intend to let anything happen to Miss Yona.
Though I suppose it is unfair we believe we have a say in this for her at all.
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She's a very beloved person. [by who, he won't say] Even if we do not truly have ability or choice, I don't mind making play as though we do. It's the most we can do, as people who have feelings and emotions.
[you can't help who you want to take care of, who you want to protect. no matter the hurt that might come later.]
Are you permanently retired, Blanca? I wouldn't suppose it might be possible to hire you again.
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You are quick to hire me without knowing who I am, or what we may be up against. [His smile is slight, and then it fades.] Why do you want to hire me?
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that said Soo-won is rather easy, and shockingly honest despite his title - ]
Because I'd like to trust you without worry of competing interests.
[the simplicity of it]
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I would like some time to consider, if that's alright with you. At least until we possibly know a little more about this place than we already do.
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[he doesn't seem bothered by the delay at least]
I suppose I simply wanted to try. Thank you for your honesty.
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[His brows furrow.]
Are you really using Miss Yona as a political chess piece back home?
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[he tilts his head. leaving it at that is misleading and hard to believe on its face, though.]
But it doesn't mean that others in my cabinet don't see ways to use her and her comrades - but if any such plans are brought to me, I reject them. [it's just that he can't be everywhere at once, much as he tries.]
... and she loves her country, at the end of the day. She makes political moves of her own, and often I have to react to her decisions.
But I would ultimately prefer if she and her companions weren't involved in our nation's politics.
[soo-won believes in the separation of church and state]
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And yet, he still doesn't know exactly how far he can trust someone he doesn't know, or hasn't observed.]
I'll take your word on it, sir. I would say I hope you won't harass Miss Yona unnecessarily, but she seems to be rather feisty. Still.
[Ash was also fierce, but he could be strong-armed into very bad things.]
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idea that he would even harass yona necessarily surprises him, and makes him tilt his head. he pauses, and tries again:]
Mm... I think I need to clarify a point, perhaps.
I'd like to leave her alone as much as possible. I think it would be easier for both of us if we two never cross paths again, aside from perhaps exchanging information here. Even then, that can be done through an intermediary.
[ . . . ]
Well, perhaps it's why I'm asking you to look after her - because I'd like to give her a future where she sees me as little as possible until the very moment we both have to return to the same country. It's part of why I'd like to hire you.
She said it herself - she can't trust me. I understand, and don't blame her for that.
... I'd still prefer to know she's looked after. [a beat] The person who I... always thought would be with her - isn't here.
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[Please don't trick him by putting on airs. He will be so mad. But no, the dour expression on his face softens slightly. He's relieved? Not that Soo-Won is staying away from Yona exactly, but that he is understanding.]
Regardless of being hired, she is my... roommate, I suppose. I'll look after her how I can. My apologies for being cold to you initially.
I will consider your proposal.
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[his expression warms in comparison, easy-going and understanding now that they seem to be closer to the same page. he really doesn't seem offended at all, given - ]
Rather, it let me know that you're a kind and considerate person, regardless of contract. I'm glad to know you a bit better, Blanca.
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Or did what he did, rather.]
Miss Yona isn't in our room, I'm afraid, if you had come to see her. I will leave you be, if you are busy.
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even then, he would not bother to take the words back.]
Oh - no, that really was... [he looks sheepish] I was startled to see your names together, but in truth, your timing was good!
[he would've wanted to find blanca after that anyway
but he'll brush off his swishy swishy robes and move like he intends to exit again - ]
It's a little hard to be busy in this place, but I was going to head outside. You're free to come along, if you'd like, but I don't want to keep you from your day either.
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Actually, I was thinking about having lunch, if you wanted to join me.
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Oh, I'd love to! What's your favorite food, Blanca?
[remember how he was talking about complex political interests like 4 minutes ago]
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