[when jae-ha normally wanders around the castle, it's looking for company. with the intention of finding people in order to chat with them, regardless of the topic.
today it feels like there are too many people everywhere - and he wonders why it is that this castle feels so small.
when he moves to enter a room and finds cardia there (idk where kia, pick a location) he seems to take a moment to consider it. he likes cardia, but ultimately decides it's because he likes cardia that he'd rather not burden her. so he moves to step out again - ]
[ and very swiftly, Cardia darts forward, extends a leg and hooks her foot around his ankle to try and trip him. Because yeah, she's very much concerned he's going to disappear if she doesn't stop him. Forcibly. ]
because jae-ha wasn't expecting that and as such he's going to end up flat right on his back. he blinks owlishly, surprised even out of his sadness as he wonders out loud]
[ . . . okay, that explains a little bit? if just barely. Jae-ha blinks a few times even as he remains flat on his back, then sighs as he presses a hand to his forehead]
[ . . . hm. Jae-ha seems to consider that for a moment, before shaking his head. His spirits aren't as high as they usually are, but if she's gone to the trouble of attacking him to stay in one place, he can at least manage a conversation.]
The last time I saw her - I left her in a town that we'd saved. That we'd spent over a decade, trying to save together. Her battle was finally over, and she told me to go on, and find another place I belonged.
[ Ah. Someone who had changed his life, who he'd had to leave behind, that he'd never forget-- he'd gotten to see her again here, but to have someone like that ripped away from him?
Of course he'd lose himself. Even if it had been temporarily. ]
There are people you meet that you can never really leave behind. Even when you can't see them any longer.
Once upon a time - there was a port town called Awa. It was a beautiful place, with beautiful people. It saw plenty of trade and was overall bustling. Booming. I hadn't seen it myself, but I'd heard of it.
At some time - some villain named Yang Kum-Ji started laying his claws into it.
But the port town was full of very brave people, including a woman named Gi-gan.
[It won't be the last time he tells this story, he's sure -
[ the names would probably be a little too difficult for her to parrot, so Cardia quietly commits them to memory and nods. Stories are important to her, anyway-- ways to learn about a new subject or a different world entirely.
So she'll at least be an extremely attentive listener, eyes fixed on his face. ]
[His expression is - fond. Painfully so, like he's caught in an old memory that he's not sure how to reach again.]
Even if she was just an older lady, she took it upon herself to prepare boats. You see, Yang Kum-ji was the type of scum who joined in trade. He traded not goods, but people - young women that he tricked. His crimes were many, and Gi-gan wanted to stop them all.
So she, and a handful of fishermen, took up their arms and found a boat - and declared themselves pirates.
She had one rule: none of the fishermen were to kill. Not because their enemies didn't deserve it, but because she couldn't stand to watch these good men become murderers.
[ She's not actually sure if she should look at him right now. The look on his face is raw and vulnerable-- it's another new side to him that she hasn't seen before, and a part of Cardia wonders if that's something she really deserves to see.
But it would be rude to look away at this point, so she doesn't glance away. The story itself is riveting as it is. ]
[He laughs - if if the pain stains the edges of it.]
One day, a boy fell right out of the sky. He was bratty, snotty, and he said to her, 'I'll do anything if you let me stay.'
She'd criticized him - what kind of snot-nosed brat was he to be making demands like that? She didn't even know who he was. Said he didn't know how to woo a woman. But even despite that... she let him stay.
[ Cardia's entire expression clouds over then. It can't be helped, really. There's a woman. There's a child, appearing out of nowhere, someone she didn't have to help because she had no idea who they were, or what problems they might have brought with them.
And now she's gone.
And before Cardia can stop herself, even though she's had such a hard time with physical contact because of just how terrified she's been to hurt someone-- she leans forward from her seated position and wraps her arms around Jae-ha's shoulders in a tight hug. ]
Jae-ha pauses at that, surprised. He'd been telling a story - a story that began before he ever arrived, and all he'd wanted was to have the confirmation that someone else would take it around with them. That someone else knew exactly how amazing Gi-gan was. Is, even after her time has passed.
The comfort is surprising.
He takes it - albeit uncertainly, like he's not used to being the one to receive comfort.
He wraps his arms around Cardia in return and eventually settles.]
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week 0, friday
today it feels like there are too many people everywhere - and he wonders why it is that this castle feels so small.
when he moves to enter a room and finds cardia there (idk where kia, pick a location) he seems to take a moment to consider it. he likes cardia, but ultimately decides it's because he likes cardia that he'd rather not burden her. so he moves to step out again - ]
... excuse me.
[CATCH HIM, TRIP HIM, DO SOMETHING]
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Pardon me.
[ and very swiftly, Cardia darts forward, extends a leg and hooks her foot around his ankle to try and trip him. Because yeah, she's very much concerned he's going to disappear if she doesn't stop him. Forcibly. ]
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because jae-ha wasn't expecting that and as such he's going to end up flat right on his back. he blinks owlishly, surprised even out of his sadness as he wonders out loud]
..... Cardia?
Or.
An assassin?
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[ firmly, though it softens in concern as she leans over and peers down at him. ]
Did I trip you too hard? I'm sorry.
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Is... this your way of cornering me?
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[ so... yes. ]
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'Then if you're going this far, why not tie me up and hold me down?' rests on the tip of his tongue, but doesn't... quite make it.]
Did you need me for something, dear miss Cardia?
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[ And Cardia-- neatly seats herself in front of him, resting her hands on top of her thighs. ]
I wanted to comfort you. But if that won't work, then I wanted to at least make sure you weren't alone.
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Do you... have trouble with men often, dear Cardia?
[2charming]
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[ uh. ]
I was cornered a few times by men, but they got hurt because of it. And Impey can say some ridiculous things, but he won't follow through on them.
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... your sincerity is just very cute.
It's touching.
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... But this isn't about me, it's about you. She was someone important to you, wasn't she?
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Important feels like an understatement.
She wasn't - related to me by blood. But... sometimes you meet people who change your entire life.
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Cardia's eyes darken sympathetically and she lowers her voice. ]
I... I understand. That's still... like family.
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Jae-ha nods.]
... ah.
The last time I saw her - I left her in a town that we'd saved. That we'd spent over a decade, trying to save together. Her battle was finally over, and she told me to go on, and find another place I belonged.
[ . . . ]
I did, but...
I'll never forget what she did for me either.
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Of course he'd lose himself. Even if it had been temporarily. ]
There are people you meet that you can never really leave behind. Even when you can't see them any longer.
... But I'm glad you had her.
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... I am too. I don't know the type of person that I would be, if I'd chosen to follow anyone's path besides hers.
[ . . . ]
Shall I share a story with you, dear Miss Cardia?
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If you'd like? I don't mind listening.
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At some time - some villain named Yang Kum-Ji started laying his claws into it.
But the port town was full of very brave people, including a woman named Gi-gan.
[It won't be the last time he tells this story, he's sure -
... but someone else still ought to know it.]
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So she'll at least be an extremely attentive listener, eyes fixed on his face. ]
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Even if she was just an older lady, she took it upon herself to prepare boats. You see, Yang Kum-ji was the type of scum who joined in trade. He traded not goods, but people - young women that he tricked. His crimes were many, and Gi-gan wanted to stop them all.
So she, and a handful of fishermen, took up their arms and found a boat - and declared themselves pirates.
She had one rule: none of the fishermen were to kill. Not because their enemies didn't deserve it, but because she couldn't stand to watch these good men become murderers.
[That was the type of person she was.
Jae-ha thinks it's important to know.]
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But it would be rude to look away at this point, so she doesn't glance away. The story itself is riveting as it is. ]
... Strong and kind... an impressive woman.
[ Like Elaine.
But she doesn't want to think about Elaine. ]
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[He laughs - if if the pain stains the edges of it.]
One day, a boy fell right out of the sky. He was bratty, snotty, and he said to her, 'I'll do anything if you let me stay.'
She'd criticized him - what kind of snot-nosed brat was he to be making demands like that? She didn't even know who he was. Said he didn't know how to woo a woman. But even despite that... she let him stay.
[ . . . and he exhales.]
How could I have ever left her side after that?
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And now she's gone.
And before Cardia can stop herself, even though she's had such a hard time with physical contact because of just how terrified she's been to hurt someone-- she leans forward from her seated position and wraps her arms around Jae-ha's shoulders in a tight hug. ]
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Jae-ha pauses at that, surprised. He'd been telling a story - a story that began before he ever arrived, and all he'd wanted was to have the confirmation that someone else would take it around with them. That someone else knew exactly how amazing Gi-gan was. Is, even after her time has passed.
The comfort is surprising.
He takes it - albeit uncertainly, like he's not used to being the one to receive comfort.
He wraps his arms around Cardia in return and eventually settles.]
... It's a good story, isn't it?
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