AUDIENCE: SOO-WON

[retellers]

Comments

[retellers]

[ they stare blankly at soo-won before sighing ]

Me telling you about myself is bonding.

[ soo-won.............. this is them trying ]

[recrowns]

[he looks gently amused at that before reaching out to place a hand on wolf's shoulder if they won't shy away]

I'm still curious about the mystery of the coin -

But I'll put it away for now. I'm merely joking. I'm glad that you're willing to share your regained memory with me. Do you know why you stopped being a soldier?

[retellers]

[ they tense a little at the touch and turn away ]

... Said you couldn't pay me to bond with people.

[ sometimes you JOKE and it BACKFIRES MOVING ON ]

... The army I was working for wasn't great. Don't remember the details much.

[recrowns]

[ . . . . this is cute and funny. soo-won's expression softens at that, if only - ]

Ah... so you're sharing with me because you want to?

[don't point it out!!! but at least he'll move on quickly if wolf doesn't want to admit it, even if he seems quite pleased with the answer.]

... mm. I see. I'm glad you were able to leave it then - corrupt armies don't deserve strong hands. Did you enjoy being a mercenary?

[retellers]

... I'm still building a rep, so it's a lot of grunt work so far. [ and then they frown ] And I'd probably enjoy it a lot more if people paid me without me having to ask for it six times.

[recrowns]

When we leave this place, I'll hire you.

[being a mercenary for a king is literally just being a soldier shut up soo-won]

Promise I'll pay on time.

[retellers]

[ oh my god ]

Can Kings even hire mercenaries?

[recrowns]

Could someone tell me no if I can't?

[this is an abuse of power]

[retellers]

[ ....... ] Really don't know enough about kings to answer that.

[recrowns]

[he's laughing

the answer is no. no one could tell soo-won 'no']

It'd be fun to work together even after this, don't you think? If you're looking for a job...

[retellers]

I don't think we're from the same place.

[ but they look amused, so, ]

[recrowns]

Hmm, I guess it is too soon to ask if you'd like to go to my kingdom instead. Well, the offer's open if you gain more memories and decide you'd rather expand your adventures. Just let me know.

[coupled with a cheeky little wink because strong allies are important?]

Is that all you remembered? Or did you remember twice as much this weekend, circumstances being as they were?

[he's not going to just outright say that someone on wolf's team murdered but like. it's there.]

[retellers]

Circumstances?

[ they will MAKE him spell it out, thank you. ]

[recrowns]

[HIS SUBTLETY

fine]

The icon on your teams' PHS...es.... devices? [he tried.] Ah, it was blinking - like Goat's was, the weekend after Sharon attacked me.

So that means you learned more about the Realm, at least, and presumably a second memory.

[retellers]

So you want to know what I might've learned?

[ they tilt their head ]

[recrowns]

[he nods!]

I do.

But from what I understand... it sounds like it's especially sensitive this week.

And so... I hope you'll trust me with it, even if it comes with stipulations. I know I'm not on your team... so I understand if it comes on your terms.

[retellers]

You're not used to people telling you no, are you?

[ it's idle, and they swirl the drink in their hand ]

If it's important enough, I doubt stipulations would stop you from talking.

[recrowns]

.... I've been told no once or twice. I had no choice but to accept it then - but I do remember them.

[though he doesn't seem to elaborate]

Mm.... Perhaps not - but I also don't believe on acting rashly based on emotion or fast judgments.

So if it's something you'd want me to be quiet about, I trust that the reason is important.

[retellers]

... Right.

[ they sound a bit doubtful, honestly. but they sigh ]

Might as well tell Lup she can tell Taako, if I'm going to tell you. It's about the people who have been removed from the Realm.

[recrowns]

[the look that soo-won wears isn't exactly sheepish - but something closer to admonished]

... she's worried that you'll get mad at her because she told me something new came up at all. But... Rufus told me that his icon blinked as well. I was going to ask you regardless, to see if it's possible for Leaders to tell people who aren't on their teams.

But I'll let her know.

What is it about the people who have been removed?

[retellers]

Yeah, I know.

[ they try not to spy on people because it's the worst, but sometimes, of course they go ? at their own name damn ]

There's a way to bring them back. But it's not a good one.

[recrowns]

[poor wolf......]

.... all I ask is that if you're mad at anyone, it be me. Even if I'd rather if you aren't cross with me either.

[but if he can try to take the fire off lup, he will!!]

Ah... Goat presumed as much. Did you receive details of the price to be paid?

[retellers]

I'm not mad.

[ mad would imply they care and they?? don't??? so??? also they are too tired to be mad, lbr. they swirl the glass again, pensive ]

... Yeah. It's tied to each team. If enough people on a team kill, the people who have been removed from that team can be brought back.

[ so you can see why they would rather not ]

[recrowns]

[ . . . . yep. he seems to be thinking about it, truly letting the weight of the statement sink in -

before sighing.]

I can see why you wanted to keep it close to the chest.

I understand. I have no intention of telling anyone.

[because ultimately, he's not the type to believe that any life means more than others.]

[retellers]

Mm. [ wolf looks at the glass intently ] Who knows. Might not even be the only way.

[ but they sound doubtful ]