[Libertalia] Nop-eun Wiheom, Nop-eun Ideug~

[Liechtenstein]

High Risk, High Gain

There were many things Yong Soo loved about being a pirate captain. The pride of steering his own course, the thrill of capturing rogue vessels, the simple joy of the ocean breeze. There were many things to love about being a pirate captain.

Balancing a checkbook was not one of them.

“Aiiiiyaaaa, da ze;;” The Korean scratched his head, the base of his palm tilting the glasses on his face. His mouth gave the figures before him a strained grin, as though trying to charm them into order, but no matter how cheerfully he smiled the numbers failed to swim into less worrying arrangements. There was no getting around it. The Lucky Dragon was well under-budget.

“I knew we should’ve taken that job in Vietnam, da ze;;” Yong Soo sighed, and marked up the paper, trying to figure out what supplies the crew could afford to go without and what was absolutely necessary. Even after this, there was more that they needed than the Korean could currently afford. Not without selling…

Yong Soo palmed the upper left side of his collar, feeling through the lining a small, carefully concealed pocket, where something small, hard, and precious hid its glimmer. The Korean’s eyes lowered, before they hardened. Aniyo. There had to be another way, da ze.

“Maybe if we take on some local jobs,” the Korean mused aloud, nibbling on the end of his pen, “or form some alliances…” But who would want to ally with a couple of Asian nobodies who were low on money? Sure, the crew of the Lucky Dragon had marketable skills, but…

Yong Soo paused, the pen popping out of his mouth. Marketable skills… A rare, conniving grin marked its way across the Asian man’s face, his warm brown eyes glinting with sudden determination.

Setting his pen aside, he took off his glasses, folding them carefully into his sleeve, and stood up from his chair. Sleeves fluttering before him as he stepped into the hall, the young pirate captain purposefully strode towards the mess hall in search of one particular person. He came up to Cái’s side, resting one sleeve on the table, and tilted his head.

“Annyeoung, jae-gun noleumkuun~” he began suddenly, smirking more than smiling, “It’s rather boring here, da ze. How would you feel about a night on the town?”

Aniyo = No
Annyeoung = Hello (informal)
Jae-gun noleumkuun = Little Gambler (Korea's nickname for Macau)

Cai was bored. Well, not just bored - he was bored, kinda hungry and just not in the mood to get a lecture on meal-times from Yao just to try and have a snack. He'd plunked himself down in the mess hall with a lack of anywhere else to be while the ship was in port. In fact, he was almost dozing off while sitting up when a long arm appeared in front of him, connected to Yong Soo. Snapping out of his daze, he was actually really surprised to hear the taller asian ask him that question without Yao being there and having been asked first. It was kinda suspicious, but holy Gods above did he not care. It was something to do. Something interesting. Something different. "Sounds amazing Xiāngjiāo niúnǎi!" he grinned widely.

Yong Soo gave a quiet chuckle, mouth quirking up as he tilted his head. "Then we better get moving, da ze. Before all the excitement starts." The Korean stood, glancing around as though to make sure no one was watching--'Yao-Hyungnim would never approve, da ze, no matter how I tried to explain it.'--and gestured the other to follow. "We'll need to stop by your room, first, da ze, and make sure we have the right things." Readily assuming the other would follow him, the tall Asian silently strode down the hall, sliding open the door and peering inside, though being respectful enough not to actually step in. He glanced at the young boy, tilting his head in, "Grab your cards, da ze. Dice too."

Eagerly hopping out of his seat, Cai was quick to follow. Down into the depths of the ship to his room they went, only stopping once when Cai froze momentarily at the mention of his things. How... how in the world did the korean know about his scam stuff? Hadn't he kept them well hidden? Quick to keep pace though, he let that thought slip for later, after he was off this ship and there was no real chance of the perky man telling him he had to go back. "Right..." he mumbled, darting through the door. Moving to the wall behind his hammock, he counted wall panels until he found the one he wanted. He'd discovered the little hidey-hole back when he'd first gotten the room for himself - a little cupboard that was completely hidden from sight unless you pressed on it at just the right angle to unlock a mechanism inside. Palming his cards and dice before clicking the compartment shut again he stepped back out into the hall, an eager grin on his lips. "Where to, captain?"

Yong Soo grinned again, glad the other was being so eager and cooperative, and gently closed the door again, folding his hands in his sleeves. "Now we go and take in some of the local color, da ze~" He deliberately turned, instinctively angling himself along the shadier side of the hall, and moved, the sound of his steps abnormally quiet against the hard-wood floor. If the Korean had any idea that he was being unusually quiet, he gave no indication, except for the speculative glance he gave Yao's room as he paced, looking back to Cai with a stern caution. Eventually, the two Asians made their way to the doors located on the middle deck, where Yong Soo gave the watchman on duty a small, curt nod, not bothering to answer his unspoken question with more than a wink. Once the duo's feet had touched off the short gangplank connecting the ship to the dock, the Korean let out a heady sigh, smile curling as he looked into the town nearby. The very first night-lamps were glimmering, and the air was filled with ribald activity and promise. 'And, hopefully,' Yong Soo thought, smirking, 'more than a few drunken saps.' The Korean glanced down at Cai, sure that the boy had questions, and nodded him forward, "Lead the way, da ze. I'll trust your instincts on this," he smiled, a bit darkly, and laughed, "Let's see if we can earn our crew name, da ze."

Biting back the urge to point out that of the two, he was the underage one with no experience in such matters (which would, quite honestly, be a lie), he scanned the still bustling docks and tried to get a feel for where the best place to go would be. The foreign town was just that - foreign to him. So, in the end, he straightened and took on the airs of someone much older than he was. Someone who would be looking for a good place to drink away their night. Stepping forward and asking the nearest dock worker where their favorite pub was, he was quickly given directions to a moderately busy pub just a ways down the docks. It smelled of fish and sweat, not his favorite combination in the world, but since he didn't plan on staying long, cai peered through the smoky depths and found a group of men gambling with cards in one of the corners. "Over there." he pointed out quietly to Yong Soo, an uncertain look coming over his face as he stood in the doorway. Sneaking a guilty look up at his tall companion, he reminded himself that Yao wouldn't be able to find out he went behind his back by entering such a seedy establishment.

Yong Soo looked down at the other, tilting his head slightly once he saw the other’s self-conscious shifting. Uncertainty. He hadn’t expected that, but then, it was hard for the Korean to remember sometimes that for all his bravado and skill, the other was only a young boy, as he had been. Prone to doubt. He set a hand on the other boy’s shoulder, patting through the sleeve, and decided to offer the other at least some form of reassurance. “Thank you, jae-gun noleummkuun,” he said, grinning the shared smile of a conspirator, “I’ll be your front. That means, I’ll do all the flash and talk, while you be my eyes. We won’t stay long enough for the money to run thin, da ze.” Giving the other another pat, the Korean moved forward, beckoning the other to follow along behind him, and sauntered up to the gambling table. With a self-confidence that could only belong to a pirate, the Korean smoothly settled himself in, giving his new tablemates a predatory smile, “Annyeoung, da ze. Room for one more?” Yong Soo drew a few coins from his sleeve, valuable enough to be tempting and cheap enough to lose. The other gamblers gave him a vaguely interested glance, and grunted, shifting to a more inclusive position. Yong Soo glanced at Cai, grinning, and gestured the other to stand at his shoulder, grinning to the other men, "You don't mind if I have a luck charm, right da ze?" The other's snorted, not even giving the smaller Asian a second glance. Yong Soo smirked.

Taking that reassurance at face value, Cai stepped inside right behind Yong Soo, keeping quiet like a shadow. The less obtrusive he was, the more likely no one would notice once he started cheating. Watching carefully as the cards were being dealt - for who knew that while they were trying to scam these men, they might be trying to scam them - he leant against the back of Yong Soo's chair, both arms obviously not touching the seated man, crossed to lean casually along the top of the high-backed chair. Now, hopefully, the korean and he were on the same page for code-gestures or they would be royally screwed.

Reading the group around him carefully, Yong Soo automatically decided that this was not a particularly chat-oriented group, and set aside the small bits of small talk he had put aside, at least until there was an opening. He kept an inscrutable grin on his face, purely neutral, while vaguely noting that he had a favorable hand as he placed his part into the center. He glanced about, opening his eyes and ears, and settled back to watch the stakes rise. The other men drank about him, some more heavily than others, prompting an approving tilt from the Korean. Drunk men made more mistakes. He hummed lightly, well-below the level of noise in the bar, and waited for his cues.

His eyes roved over every face around the table as each man reacted to their cards in their own way. The drunk ones were obvious to him, faint grimaces for bad cards, a twitch of the lips for a good hand. The mostly sober ones were a bit harder, but - unexpectedly, for he couldn't remember the last time he'd been involved in a card game where there were odds against him - he found himself reading them like books. Two to the right of them had a good hand, beside them on both sides (one drunk, one not) had bad hands even though he couldn't see their faces, he knew. He could tell. Taking in a slow breath and standing straighter his right thumb hidden by the rest of his hand traced along the korean's sleeve, going upwards. Raise the stakes, their chances were very good.

Yong Soo took a moment to register the gesture, deliberately keeping his face stable, and nonchalantly raised his stakes, making sure to make a gesture as he did. A simple tug of the ear. It was a line—once he managed to reassure the more observant pirates that they could read him, they would be more willing to act predictably based on his actions. Sang Ki appeared to give Cai a subtle wink, as though to tell the other of the ploy. “So, where are you from, stranger?” One of the pirates asked, prompting Yong Soo to look up, tilting his head and smiling. “I originated in Korea, da ze. Can’t you tell?” One of the other gamblers coughed quietly into his mug, shrugging, “Quite a ways.” Yong Soo tilted his head back and forth, rolling his shoulders lightly in a shrug. “My captain insisted.” Better to let them think that he was just a common sailor.

The chatting didn't distract him at all - in fact, it seemed to fade into the background as he stared rather blankly down at the table. Or rather, it appeared that he was staring down at the table - minute eye movements caught every gesture that would give the game away. Across from them, a line in the form of rubbing a hand through receding hair. To the left, one he couldn't see the face of, he could tell suddenly that that man had a winning hand. Without even changing his expression, Cai poked Yong Soo in the arm with his left thumb. Throw the round - lose. Let them think they were unlucky.

Yong Soo didn’t jolt at the poke, though it took him a moment to interpret. A throw? Alright, he could do that. He looked up at the others, smiling pleasantly, and proceeded to make more small talk. “I haven’t been to Libertalia before, da ze,” he began, “but it appears to be lively location.” The pirate with the receding hairline scoffed, mouth quirking in a smile as he raised his stakes, “Knew you were a fresh one the moment I saw ya.” Yong Soo tilted his head, maintaining his smile in spite of his slightly suspicious curiosity, “Ah? Why is that, da ze?” The one with the receding hairline glanced up, mouth twitching, before returning to his cards, “You don’t recognize the feel of it yet. A storm is brewing.” The Korean’s mouth lined, interest piqued, before he intentionally lost his game. Putting on an air of slight disappointment, he rubbed his left elbow, dropping a loss line.

Sighing, trying to look aggravated for the people around the table as if losing the round bothered him, Cai spent a few moments looking quickly around the table again as the cards were dealt. "You're lucky charm ain't so lucky, pup." snickered the man sitting to the right of Receding Hairline, earing himself a disapproving stare from the older man. Cai wasn't listening to their banter - unfavorable cards all around meant that those words were meant to try and call them out, to make too big a gamble. Tapping Yong Soo three times lightly on the arm to indicate getting more cards to supplement their... not pathetic cards because there was a faint chance of winning, but unimpressive hand.

Yong Soo allowed the small flare of irritation arrive and pass, his smile getting a bit braver and colder as he retrieved more cards. “If I judged my games on the first hand, I would be a poorly made man, da ze.” Let them mock him now, and think it was bravado that kept him going. He tilted his head, expression neutral, figuring that no line was a better bet than tiring out an old one. He looked up around the table, and allowed his vague curiosity to show. “A storm, da ze?” He grinned slightly, chuckling, “Should I have brought an umbrella?”

The cards were better for sure, if they bided their time they could win this round. Except... perhaps it was too early for a win? Letting his attention wander for a moment, he noticed that Hairline had as decent a chance of winning. And the conversation - storm? An actual storm or... something else. Once again, he poked the Korean with his left thumb. Maybe losing would keep the man talking. If it was nothing... well, he was bored of this place already. A good win and they could leave.

Hairline chuckled wryly, glancing up at the Korean again over his drink, “I would pay a pretty penny for an umbrella that could divert this. Things always pick up when captains are meeting, but there’s something special on this one, mark my words.” Ah, that’s right, the captain’s meeting—the Eastern Asian had already marked it in his head as a debut, but, if a seasoned pirate felt something was up... Yong Soo felt the poke to throw, and mentally sighed. But, he would trust the other’s instincts. “Special how, da ze?” he asked, setting himself up for a loss and opening the lines of conversation.

Cai watched as everyone at the table became confident, as they all seemed to be in on some grand secret as the cards were dealt once more. Even from those reactions he could tell that their hand was the best - and with how the men were acting they could get their money, their information and get out of here without none being the wiser. "Special in a way that if you weren't heading that way, do so. Something is going to happen." Hairline stayed vague, annoying Cai a fair bit. "And it's going to change everything in Libertalia." A right-thumb stroke to raise. If that was all they were going to get out of it - well, they were going that way anyways.

Yong Soo raised again, trying to seem caught up in the dialogue instead of paying attention. Let them think he was a bright-eyed fool—it would make his victory all the better. He grinned a bit, humming, “I’ll be trying to keep a weather eye out, then, da ze~” There. He had them. The hands were shown, and Yong Soo allowed a small smile at the pleasant sound of grumbling all around. “Ah, looks like change is coming already,” he commented wryly. He collected his winnings into his sleeves, and nodded towards Hairline with a grin, “Good game, da ze.” The other pirate took another drink, apparently losing interest as the cards dealt again. Yong Soo stood up, glancing to Cai, and made his way out of the bar. He opened the door for the other, humming. “We did well, da ze. Told you luck originated in Korea~” He chuckled, stepping out, sleeves to his head, “Now, where to next? We can either try our luck at another place, or…ah,” the Asian captain looked down, grinning, “Are you hungry, da ze?”

Looking around the level they were on quickly, he spotted, of all things, a cart selling meat buns. "Over there - can we grab something while we walk?" Being back outside gave him a quick thrill as they were back on the hunt for a new target. They'd done one on this level - the lowest level, to be honest. Heading upwards would mean bigger stakes... and bigger chances of getting caught.

Yong Soo chuckled at the brightness of the other’s eyes, hearing that casino jingle once again. He nodded, approaching the vendor and paying him the sum of two buns. He handed one over to the other, and waited for the other to lead, this time, not needing to prompt him. He watched the other speculatively, tilting his head and wondering once again at how easily and seamlessly they worked together. “You’re a very good asset, jae-gun noleumkuun,” he hummed, biting into his bun, “I’ll try to remember that when we get back on board.”

Accepting the bun, he took a small bite out of the steaming hot bread. Darting a quick glance at his captain, Cai, still in his odd noticing-mode caught what was being said. Try to remember? Peering closer at the man... he remembered the first time he met the korean when he'd felt something... off about him. Off in a similar way to Cai himself. Swallowing what was in his mouth, he decided to risk it. "...who are you?" he stayed on the balls of his feet in case the question wasn't appreciated.

Yong Soo paused, looking down at the other. His eyes darkened for a moment, features blank and suddenly both younger and older. “…” he snorted, softly, and looked down, “I thought Yao-Hyungnim would figure it out first, da ze.” He nodded Cai onward, indicating that he’d like to keep walking. “Has Hyungnim ever told you about the day we lost our family, da ze?” The Korean’s voice was soft, distant, and very quiet, “Bandits came, and razed our village. Broke us. Stole us. Killed. I saw it all happen, from somewhere they couldn’t see me. I was torn between wanting to kill, and wanting to die.” Yong Soo’s mouth snarled suddenly, and he glared at the walk, voice bitter and acidic. “I did nothing.” He suddenly looked over, coming back a bit, and frowned lightly, correcting, “We did nothing. Ever since, I’ve been split.” He smiled, sadly, “I’m still Yong Soo, da ze.”

It was... perturbing to hear. "No... Yao told me that you were seperated, but he didn't go into detail." kicking a loose rock ahead of him with more vigor than necessary, he looked back up at Yong Soo, bitterness hiding in his eyes. "You know how he is with me. If... if he could wrap me up and hide me away from the world... he would do it, without hesitation." He stuffed his mouth full of meat bun to take away the sour taste in the back of his throat. He didnt' want to think about it anymore. He was... so tired of being angry at Yao, at others. This was supposed to be a fun night out so - he swallowed down the bite, choking a little as he'd hardly even chewed it before swallowing. "C'mon. We're not making anything by just bitching here. Let's go find some fun."

Yong Soo blinked, slowly. He could understand why Yao-Hyungnim would want to shut Cai away. Not agree with it, no, but understand…The Korean sloughing it off for now, allowed himself a wicked grin, and nodded. “Ye. Hopefully at other’s expense, da ze.” He stuffed his mouth full of meat bun, swallowing easily, and nodded Cai ahead. He felt better, now that someone knew he existed. He had a comrade. Yong Soo blinked, resisting the urge to shiver. ‘Comrade?’

Cai grinned, even if it was a little forced, he was having fun. And this 'other Yong Soo'... well, Cai couldn't say anything about having 'another him' inside. More often than not, the anger that built up in him until he snapped almost felt like another Cai - one that killed to make himself feel better. "Any idea where to go?" he asked as he scanned the crowds. "I haven't been around this place yet." It went unspoken that Yao hadn't let him off the ship, deeming a nest of pirates, thieves and whores to be unsuitable for him to wander around in.

Yong Soo tilted his head, angling it about as he thought. "I've heard that the city gets richer the higher up we go, so, if it's quick profits we're going for..." The Korean grinned sharply, swinging up his arms to brace his neck as he hummed, "More likely to find people willing to throw their money away, da ze~"

Following the Korean's gaze, he looked up and up - wondering how a cavern could be so big, even if it was a hollowed out island - seeing level after level of buildings. "... wow." he mumbled, rather stunned as he took it in. "I didn't think pirates could be... organized like that." But Yong Soo was right - the higher the level, the better the money. A grin grew on his face. "I guess that means we're on our way to the top?"

Yong Soo smirked, nodding, "As far up as we can go~" He glanced down at the other, sniffing lightly in sudden amusement, "After all, if we're going to get in trouble by Yao-Hyungnim for being out, we might as well be out doing something big enough to be worth the trouble, right, da ze?" Chuckling freely, the Korean tapped his way up the first few steps, fingers brushing along the insides of his sleeves as he looked about the next level. Emerging from the second level and bypassing the third entirely, the two Asians had found their meandering way from the tableau of foods across the globe up to the level built entirely on entertainment. Music filled the air, everything from raucous drunken ramblers to jaunty two-steps, laughter playing counterpart to the loud clink of frothy mugs. Yong Soo tilted his head to Cai, giving a smile that was all teeth, before hiding his mouth and making a sound not entirely like a pigeon.

Cai, easily distracted by the flashing lights and noises, craned his head around as they walked on - nearly stopping a time or two as he gaped. This was different from any city he'd been in before! There was so much to see, so much going on that he wanted to just wander the streets for hours. "I can't see why Yao wouldn't want me to come here!" he spoke with increasing amazement, wide-eyed.

Yong Soo laughed brightly, tilting his head as he let the other wander just a few feet ahead of him, trusting again the boy's instincts. "That was pretty much my reaction the first time I turned up in a major city too, da ze. You've not seen dazzle until you've been to Seoul." The Korean paused then, eyeing a person that was straying too close, and offered a sharp grin. The person paused, and then scuttled off, hiding their pick-pocket's knife as they went on in search of an easier target. Yong Soo hummed, stepping closer to Cai, and continued, "All the same, make sure to keep your wits about you, da ze. We're the scheming, not the schemed, ye?"

"Hmm?" Cai looked back at the other and suddenly remembered exactly what they were doing. "Right..." he flushed faintly, turning back forward and dashed up the last few steps up to the top level. Letting off a low whistle at the extravagance of the place, he let his eyes wander towards a guard looking their way. "I think we're a little... underdressed for the area."

Yong Soo followed after, pausing on the stairs to look about. He grimaced slightly, rolling his shoulders a bit. "So it would seem." The Korean took particular pride in his appearance, so the concession was a bit painful to admit. He glanced to Cai, and conjured up a small grin, "Still, tigers don't get strong by being meek. I am an official captain of Libertalia, da ze, and have every right to be here." He looked around, humming lightly, and pulled one fan out from the sash at his waist, fanning himself lightly as he smiled at Cai, back to the guard, "Now, do you want to head down the street, da ze, or should we try to make the one giving us the eye a friend of ours?"

Cai eyed the guard who was making his way towards them slowly but surely as if to scare them off without a confrontation. "Pff - we can take him." The excitement of the evening had not worn off - nor had the urge to have fun. And if there was going to be fun and profit on the top level of Libertalia, then damn it all a guard wasn't going to get in his way. Flicking his sleeves down over his hands, he snapped one of his knives down - just in case things got messy.

Yong Soo grinned at Cai, dark eyes glinting, before he turned back to face the guard, smiling broadly and lightly fanning himself. "Annyeonghaseyo, da ze." He eyed the guard, carefully assessing him as a potential opponent, 'go for the eyes with fan--broadly muscled if a bit top heavy--slight limp on the left knee--knock out his weight from under him--' while tilting his head, a picture of wide-eyed innocence, "Is there a problem?"

"Yes, there is." the guard, blunt and frowning down, focusing first on Yong Soo. "This area is for the top captains - for example, Vargas, Bey and Kirkland have places up here. You don't have the criteria to be here, so I must ask you to leave."

Yong Soo's fan abruptly froze, his grin locking into place as his eyes almost seemed to sear out of his skull. After a tense moment, though, the Korean laughed lightly, continuing to fan himself as one hand moved up to his collar. "And, if I may, what is this criteria I am so obviously lacking, da ze? It's dangerous to judge on appearances, y'know."

The man scoffed, with a look of 'new person' on his face. "Well, it's pretty obvious. For one thing - everyone on this level is a famous pirate captain. Everyone who's anyone knows who they are - and whenever someone new is invited to live on this level, there's big celebrations all over the city." he shifted, crossing his arms across his chest. "And you need a piece of the famous Ernst map. If you don't meet all them criteria, you don't belong." While the man spoke, Cai casually shifted himself from behind Yong Soo, standing a couple steps behind and to the left, having yet not spoken.

Yong Soo hummed lightly, managing a small smirk, "Obviously, I must be a legend in the making, da ze, for I was invited here for the sole purpose of attending the captain's meeting. Which, if I recall, is supposed to be held up here." Yong Soo folded his fan, crossing one arm beneath the other and lightly tapping his mouth, "Hm~ I guess that means I'm invited, huh? But, don't just take my word for it, da ze," He held up his free hand, letting the sleeve fall down to reveal the jewel resting in his fingers. Yong Soo smirked, letting the jewel catch the light, "In Korea, we have a phrase for this, da ze: Ineun gildo muleogara. Even if you know the way, ask one more time."

The guard stuttered to a stop, eyes riveted on the shining green gem. "Oh... well..." he cleared his throat nervously, eyes suddenly darting between the two of them. Oddly enough, his eyes came to rest on Cai and after a moment of confusion, the guards face went from pale to pasty white. The younger asian boy stared back blankly, something about this man feeling oddly familiar. And the whole 'feeling familiar' thing was so rare, and something that he'd been looking for for so long, he wanted to know. Who was this man?

Yong Soo was about to continue gloating, but the unexpected reaction to Cai gave him pause. Quirking his eyebrow, the Korean quickly swept his sleeve up, replacing the gem, and half-way opened his fan again, gesturing towards the guard, "You look as though you've seen a ghost, da ze. Why is that?"

The man was startled out of his stare when the Korean spoke, jerking his head back and forth in a definite 'no'. "Nothing... no reason at all." And he turned, hustling himself away down the street, turning into an alleyway. For a long moment, Cai stood, staring after him before shaking his head. "... Yong Soo, sorry to ruin the night, but I want to follow him."

Yong Soo watched the man go, one eyebrow still raised in confusion. Then he tilted his head to Cai, dark eyes thoughtful, before he nodded, closing the fan and placing it in his sash, "It's no problem, da ze, I was about to suggest it myself." He swept a hand over his hair, making Sang Ki bounce a bit, before grinning sharply. "Curiosity originated in Korea, y'know, and I've never been that good at letting things lie." He paced forward, loosening his hands in his sleeves, and began making his way towards the alley.

Cai crouched low, each quick step making no noise as his other blade snapped down into his other hand. Darting down into the alley, he closed his eyes for a moment to let them adjust to the darkness of the space before stepping forward. In the distance, the guard was unlocking the gate to a large house built into the rock behind it.

Yong Soo slunk parallel to Cai, the tall and usually boisterous Asian surprisingly quiet as he picked his way through the shadows. He braced his back up against the wall, eyeing the house before him, and quietly began casing the joint. "Along with our friend, there seem to be a few more people around. Possibly--nah, definitely armed. Mostly inside, so that's good. However, that probably means there's something else protecting the courtyard--most likely an alarm." He glanced towards the house proper, blinking, "Only a few windows on the side facing us, and, call me a cynic, but I highly doubt there's a back-door to a house built into a cave wall. There does appear to be some sort of ventilation, but it's too high up and too small to be helpful as a secondary entrance. So," he looked to Cai, grinning slightly, "Fun enough, da ze?"

Frowning up at the building, Cai only nodded to answer Yong Soo. There were only a few options for getting in - and there certainly wasn't a name on the front door to let them know who owned this house. A brief glance around the street gave him an idea, as there was a blond man who, inan impeccable black suit looked entirely out of place was walking by. "Hey!" he called out, getting the man's attention. "Whose house is this?" The man furrowed overlarge eyebrows and glanced at the building. "That would be Bey's house." the faintly accented words came out as the man rested casually on his cane.

Yong Soo's head tilted abruptly, eyebrows raising high at Cai's directness. Then, propping himself up a bit, the Korean man brushed down his clothes, and looked at the other man to thank him. He paused, then, a momentary confusion passing over him,as a sudden feeling of familiarity passed over him...as well as a sudden paranoia that he was about to shrink. Shaking his head, Yong Soo grinned at the Englishman, playing up as a curious tourist, "The same Bey that is the current head of the council, da ze?" He looked to Cai, smiling and hoping he'd play along, "Wow, isn't that interesting? I told you visiting a pirate town would be fun, didn't I? I would know, fun originated in Korea." He raised his head to the gentleman, waving his sleeve in a happy, carefree manner, "Thank you, da ze~"

The man looked at the both of them oddly for a moment, gaze switching between them and the house for a brief moment, before a fierce grin grew briefly on his face. "The rock on the face of the house is rather soft." He tipped his hat as he stepped away. "Have a pleasant evening." The step, step, thunk of him and his cane went just a short ways down the street before he opened the gate to a nearby house and entered. Cai shared a glance with Yong Soo about the odd Britishman before pushing back his sleeves, revealing gleaming blades in each hand. "I can climb the wall, if what he said is true."

After watching the unexpectedly vague Englishman wander off, wondering what soft rock was supposed to mean, Yong Soo glanced down at the boys hands, eyebrows raising as Sang Ki gave a silent whistle. He paused, and then grinned a bit, tilting his head and placing one sleeve on Cai's shoulder, "Definitely a good asset, jae-gun noleumkuun. I hope you'll keep surprising me, da ze." He lifted his sleeve, and glanced to the house, the familiar predatory gleam in his eyes, "So, you climb the wall, scout it out, and open the gate?"

With a quick, silent nod and a small leap, both blades were sunk almost to the hilt in the wall. LIfting one out and moving it higher, he slowly climbed the wall until he reached the second floor window. Checking it, it was locked and he moved on, up another floor. The one on the third floor was unlocked and with a pull, there was enough room for his small frame to scuttle through and inside.

Yong Soo watched the boy go for a moment, making sure that he was safely in, before sliding up across and over to another hiding spot closer to the gate, where he'd be able to slip in quickly once Cai had reached the other side. He glanced about himself in case there were any others that happened to be passing through on a late-night stroll, and, finding none, eased his two weighted fans out from the sash, gently opening them and readying for any unexpected attacks. "If only my other half believed in guns," he muttered quietly, sighing.

The hallway was dark - there was only a lantern halfway down outside of a large set of closed doors. Blades held forward as he stepped slowly, softly in case the soft carpeting squeaked. Everything was silent - all the people they had seen the shadows of were down on the second and first floors. Getting closer to the closed doors, he spied a stairway heading downwards just past it on the other side of the hall. Yong Soo had asked for him to let him in and... there was... he thought it was a growing sense of dread that was growing in his stomach that made him decide that it would be best to get the older asian before tackling whatever mystery this house held.

"YOU SAW WHAT!?!"

A voice yelled from inside the closed room, making Cái jump, heart pounding as - familiar, familiar - he knew that voice... but where?- something behind the door slammed down, something crashed.

"I-I apologize sir. I thought he was gone for certain - I was there when Yoo disp-"

"No! I do not care for your excuses." The voice was thickly accented - definitely European of some sort (not Portuguese like Afonso, he could tell that much...) and Cái found his hand on the doorknob before his brain could catch up with his body. He needed to know - needed to know why he was so terrified.

Click. Door open. Meet startled brown eyes, calm blue eyes.

Couldn't breathe. He knew. He knew.

"Welcome back, child. This is quite fortuitous that you returned. And... just in time for the festivities."

His world shattered and he screamed.

Yong Soo would never admit how high he jumped once he heard the scream, his brown eyes widening and teeth clamping down tight on his mouth to prevent the irrational impulse to shout back.

The Korean's body immediately went into action, snapping one of his fans shut and jamming it into one of the many hollows Cai made, pulling himself up and stabbing the other fan into another crevice high above it. The rubber soles of his shoes provided Yong Soo enough purchase against the rough surface to allow him to scramble up the wall, and it wasn't long before he had made his way level to the second floor window.

Panting lightly but still running on adrenaline, the Korean pierced through a glass pane with the butt of his fan. Not even taking the time to clear the glass, Yong Soo's sleeved fingers scrabbled for a lock, placing shallow cuts along the sleeve.

As soon as he was able to push the windows open, the Korean halfway-crawled and halfway-rolled into the room, surprising the hallway guard that hadn't gone up to investigate the scream. Standing up and breathing harshly, Yong Soo only spared an instant to grin murder at the other guard, before rushing him.

Cái remembered.

Happy night - mother and father laughing, hugging. Warm and there.

Portugal picking him up, whispering to him soothingly in a language he didn't understand.

Blood. Blood all over mother and father and whywhywhyweretheynotbreathing? Blank stares, the click of a gun.

He loved his new mother and brothers and sisters. They were close and warm and kind - unlike China, who was scared of him. New clothes, held close, stories of adventure - he didn't ever want it to end.

Standing over a dead man he didn't know - but heshotthemheshotmamaandpapasoDIE - gun in hand. Applause behind him. Whip around - going to kill everyone! - meet curious blue eyes. "I have a use for you." Pain and darkness.

Everyone was sick. He wasn't allowed near his siblings or his mama and he was lonely. He even wished he could see China again, but even he was sick. Wiping the tears from his face, he - Macau, not Cái, Macau - promised himself that when everyone got better he'd never leave them alone again.

It hurt - every time he fought back, it hurt. Or it was cold and dark and small and he couldn't breathe but They told him if he behaved he wouldn't hurt or be afraid but the lied. Always lied. Swords and guns and pain for all who faced him. "You're doing well, my little assassin."

There was war. Wars upon wars and he couldn't stop crying as he sat at his mama's funeral. Two caskets, for mama and his lover as they died trying to save each other. No. Nonono, it shouldn't be that way - he promised they'd all be together forever! Long after everyone else left, he sat there. "I won't leave you mom. Never ever." he laughed - he felt sick to laugh but without mama he felt weak and tired and - the gun in his hand made it's way to his temple as he cried and laughed weakly and he'd find his mother in the next life, he wouldn't be alone and BANG-

He... he didn't want to remember. Days in the smallcold space and the pain being beaten... he forced those memories away. All his memories away, as he stumbled down the alley, running for freedom. He wasn't anyone. Or anything. He was sure he was supposed to be dead - why though? why was he supposed to be- water. There was a dock ahead. Just a little further and he'd be free - free from what? All he knew was that he needed to run! - he... could... make.... it... FALLING. DARKNESS.[/i]


He snapped back to reality, much more than he was before but horribly confused - what was real? It couldn't both be real itjustcouldn'thecouldn'tbeacountry - with the brown haired man standing right before him. Stumbling backwards blindly - blinded by the tears that he wished weren't there because he couldn't fight if he couldn't see - he felt hard fingers brush against his face and back, forcing him closer - notcloserdon'twanttobecloser.[/color]

"Now, now. Behave yourself. You remember what happens when you resist." the voice - oh how he hated that voice! - cooed in his ear. He sobbed helplessly, knowing the truth for what it was.

Yong Soo glowered over the body of his felled opponent, eyes narrowed and chest heaving. Sparing only another moment to crack the folded fan over the thug’s skull, confirming the other’s descent into unconsciousness, the Korean whirled down the hall, pacing fast to the door downstairs. No one was coming up to investigate the quick quiet melee, so the Asian closed the door, locked it, and set a chair under the knob to make it difficult for anyone to try. A meager defense, but it would have to do.

Yong Soo ignored the tremors in his hands, the aches and pains lacing fire up his arms, the treacherous vine of fear crawling up his spine with the intent of strangling his mind. There was no time for any of it; Cái needed him.

Yong Soo would not fail his family twice.

The Asian loped back to the fallen guard, crouching down and performing a cursory search of the other’s body. The Korean’s hands grazed cool metal, and there was no effort made towards holding back the fierce grin as he pulled the foolishly unused gun from the goon’s belt, slipping it into his own sash before drifting up the stairs. The Korean braced against the wall, forcing himself to adhere to stealth in spite of the desire to run, and peered around the corner of the stairwell.

The other guard from the second floor had just entered an open door down the hall, and Yong Soo caught the murmured discussion in what appeared to be French. Sneering at the foreign tongue, Yong Soo’s grip on the fan shifted, and he began making his way into the hall, ears and eyes open for any sign of his comrade.

'So help me, if that sobbing is him,' Yong Soo's heart gripped, and he bit the corner of his mouth till it bled.

The touches he could feel on his face made his skin crawl and he tried to back away but he hit the wall behind him and the fingers dug into his face, perfectly manicured nails feeling like they were scratching his skull as they dragged down wards. He was terrified, unable to do more than whimper as one hand took his own and delved into his sleeve to grab his own dagger.

"What a pretty little toy." Blue eyes twinkled in amusement while Cái felt sick enough to vomit - the taste of meatbuns and bile made a disgusting flavor in the back of his throat. "And it has a brother too! My, you have been busy, little Pet." he sobbed helplessly as he was divested of his second knife and his two most easily accessed weapons. The man backed up a step and the little strength in Cái's legs gave out - with a rustle of cloth, he hit the floor.

Yong Soo edged close, but at the last moment, found that it was the door down the hall that demanded his attention. Looking at the door in front of him, the Korean pulled an adhesive from his sleeve, thankful that his other half was an eternal trickster, and stealthily gummed up the door knob and the place where the door would lock. Just as quietly, the Korean shut the door, locked it, and took only a moment more to brush the fast-acting glue along the seam of the door, in the hope it would increase the delay, before stuffing it back in his sleeve and turning down the hall.

He eased up to the second entrance, peering in to see Bey’s hands skim over Cái’s face. Yong Soo glowered, teeth grit, and he set the fan down into his sash to pull out the gun. As soon as Cái hit the floor, Yong Soo stormed in, cracking his other fan across the guard’s throat to bend him forward and over his head to knock him out, at the same time drawing the gun up to the Frenchman’s temple. A second later, the guard fell to the carpeted floor with a soft thump.

Yong Soo sneered, cocking the gun with a hiss, “Drop the knives, you son of a French swine.” Not glancing away long enough for Bey to pull anything, Yong Soo’s tone softened, his dialect switching to a calming Chinese as he talked to Cái, “Ni meishi ba, da ze?”

Ni meishi ba = Are you alright?

Cái was quickly finding himself slipping into a daze - his mind couldn't keep up. What was real - which memories were real? Which was the real him? Was he a nation, or was he a teenager or was he some kind of assassin or was he not real at all? It was all so surreal - it couldn't really be happening right?

From a distance, he noticed himself having a panic attack - or at least, he could tell that he was gasping for air even though he hadn't done anything but fall down. He could feel the hot tears on his face, and, like a faint buzzing in his ears, he could hear the others speaking.

Eyes wide and panicked - and yet not him at all, because if he was Macau then none of this was real, right? - he stared at his brotherfriendcaptain which was he really? It took a long moment before the words that the other spoke caught up with that part of him that was there at that moment. But it was the part of him that was panicking that answered.

"Oh Deus, o sangue. Por que ... não, mãe! Pai - Por favor, respirar. Não me toque! Portugal - me salvar. Não deixe que eles ..." he muttered, fingers twitching in his lap as he stared forward.


(mama, tell me if this is fail!portuguese *relied on google translate* anyways, it means: Oh god, the blood. Why did... no, not mother! Father - please, breathe. Don't touch me! Portugal - save me. Don't let them... )


Yong Soo’s mouth twitched at the corners, his heart sinking heavily as he heard the frantic, hazed, foreign words. That familiar tone…He had failed—Cái was already damaged. Anger and something too much like helplessness rose in his throat, threatening to choke him. Luckily, the Korean knew who he could take it out on.

The Frenchman chuckled, tilting his head curiously as he looked towards Yong Soo, a tight sneer and the hastily dropped blades by his feet the only thing that acknowledged the Asian’s current control of the situation, “And, who may you be?” he drawled, mouth curling with a derisive sniff, “A long lost relative?”

Dark eyes got darker as the brunet grabbed Bey’s arm, dragging him closer and pressing the barrel of the gun into his skull, forcing Bey’s head to the side and producing a sharp gasp. Yong Soo loomed close, teeth bared in a snarl, staring into the Frenchman’s slightly fearful eyes. “I’m fucking Captain Im Yong Soo, da ze.” Before the other could comment, Yong Soo lifted the gun and slammed the butt of it against the back of his skull, letting him drop limply to the floor.

“And don’t you ever touch my gajog again,” he hissed, spitting on the blond. He stuffed the gun into his sash, refraining from violence only because Cái was still frantic, still unhealthily pale and trembling. Yong Soo looked at the other, arms limp at his sides, before slowly crouching down next to him, careful not to touch. “Jae-gun noleumkuun?” he called softly, frowning gently.

He rested his head on the wall above the other’s head, wanting to reach out but afraid it would make things worse. “Wo bu hui rang ta zaici yu nin lianxi, da ze,” he promised, hoping the boy would understand.

Gajog = Family
Wo bu hui rang ta zaici yu nin lianxi = I will not let him touch you again

Everything went from hazy to sharp the moment that He fell - he could feel it in his head, how there was him and the other him and the before him digging into each other and vying for dominance. He remembered, from before, when he met Afonso for the first - not the first, he knew him for centuries before that first meeting - when he met Afonso that time, he'd been thinking he was like glass. Nothing was more apt - the shards of the three different hims were tearing him to bloody strips... and he wasn't given a choice on whether he wanted to let go or not.

He couldn't look away - was He dead? Finally? - from the fallen Frenchman. Someone had the power to take him down? Shakily, he forced his eyes away from the hopefully dead man, to the one who had put him there. He was so familiar - not just Captain, not just friend, but Korea, the silly south and the quiet north all in one and it was North... North Korea who saved him - and before Cái knew it, he'd grabbed Yong Soo's vest and tugged the man down, clinging to him like a burr.

Burying his face in the soft cloth, it quickly became damp with tears as he found himself suddenly unable to stop sobbing. Everything was a mess of confusion. Maybe... maybe if North could stop Him... he could make it all go away? "... help..." he managed to croak out between his hitching gasps.

Yong Soo startled a little from the sudden embrace, one palm smacking quietly to the floor as Cái brought him close. Upon hearing the other’s single sobbed word, though, the Korean’s expression flickered from surprise to empathy, and, after a moment, he wrapped his sleeves about the young boy’s frame, holding him close and pressing his mouth to the other’s hair. “It’s going to be alright, da ze,” he murmured lowly, rubbing Cái’s back and rocking gently, trying to be soothing and finding it surprisingly easy.

Even if his words may later not turn out to be true, Yong Soo knew that’s what he had wanted to hear when the past caught up with him. When he had been weak. Yong Soo frowned, before closing his eyes.

A little later, he spoke, making his voice calm and level, “Breathe with me, Cái, or you’re going to pass out.” He took a deliberately measured breath, holding it, before slowly letting it out. He did this a few more times, waiting for the other would do the same and continuing to stroke the boy’s back. Made sure that he wouldn’t turn around and see the unconscious body that had so recently brought him grief.

At the same time, the Korean kept an ear to the hall, and tried to figure out a way to take Cái somewhere safe and leave this forsaken place behind. After looting Bey’s pockets, naturally.

He leaned in closer, closing his eyes on the tears and ignoring the salty burn in his eyes - it didn't hurt nearly as much as his mind. North helped him - Yong Soo spoke to him, gave him something to concentrate on other than those crazed memories that spun together in a broken spiderweb of thoughts. Breathe, he was told. He could do that. It took more than a few tries to get in a lungful of air without it being broken into bits by sobs, but in the end he had the tiniest bit of satisfaction at getting some minor control over himself.

"Onde está a mãe? Eu quero vê-lo." he mumbled quietly into North's vest, completely unaware that he wasn't speaking in Chinese or English.

(Where's mother? I want to see him.)

Yong Soo glanced down at Cái, frowning in mild confusion. What he had first taken to be hysteric babblings earlier the Korean now recognized as a language, albeit one he did not know. It sounded European, but where would the Asian boy have had opportunity to learn?

Yong Soo was just about to ask, when a series of loud thumps interrupted him. His head snapped up, arms instinctively tightening protectively around Cái as he listened to the growing commotion in the hall, where the people that had been glued in discovered that they had been so.

“Geseki,” he cursed, palming his gun through the sash, “We’ve got to get out of here.”

He turned to Cái, setting his jaw and giving the other a once over, considering. “Can you keep together until we get back out, da ze?” he asked, careful that his voice made the question neutral and non-accusatory. As much as he was hoping for a ‘yes’, Yong Soo braced himself for a ‘no’.

Geseki = Son of a bitch

Trapped in his broken memories, Cái heard footsteps coming closer - footsteps that belonged to the man who would do this to him. That night, where he watched his parents die - and even if they weren't Macau's parents, he felt for them as they'd cared for him and loved him like no other human. Only Portugal had shown him love like that - and attacked the shooter, stealing his own gun and killing the man with it, there had been footsteps.

That man was coming to get him.

"No! Você não vai me pegar de novo tão facilmente!" he screamed, pushing Yong Soo away from him and scrabbling for one of his fallen knives. There was a body on the floor beside it, but it couldn't belong to the man of his nightmares as that man was walking to him and he would not be hurt by him again.

The people around the corner didn't stand a chance - the first one didn't even get a chance to scream as his knife plunged through his throat and out the back. Ripping it from the gurgling corpse, he whipped around, arterial spray peppering his back. The second person's scream intensified as the knife dug into his gut and sliced up, all the way up to his throat before he fell over dead. The last man standing attempted to run - he made it no more than three steps before Cái leapt upon his back, taking him down and stabbing him over and over so he'd never be able to hurt him again

(You won't catch me again so easily!(

The door crashed open down the hall, and Yong Soo flinched, turning to draw his pistol and aim. Cái pushed him away suddenly, causing the Korean to fall against the wall and drop the gun. Thankfully, it didn’t fire. Yong Soo raised his head in time to catch Cái dashing out the door, screaming something in a foreign language. Blood spattered the walls, the wobbling head of a man’s corpse falling into view, and for a stunned moment, the Korean merely stared, disbelieving. Then he registered the death scream.

“Ileon sesang-e,” he swore quietly, unaware of it. He shook his head, and scooped up the gun again, stashing it in his sash. He leant forward to grab the Macanese boy’s other knife as well, pausing only to do a very basic search of Bey’s unconscious body. He pocketed whatever came loose without really looking at it, sure he would have a chance later, before standing up and unfolding his fans, following after Cái and hoping the boy was still physically alright.

The scene Yong Soo walked in on stopped him dead in his tracks. Three still-warm bodies littered the floor, steadily leaking blood from grisly wounds. One man’s neck was sliced clean through, and the Korean had to restrain the impulse to cradle his own, and ensure it was still intact. The navy-clad Asian swallowed instead, his throat drying up at the smell and sight of the carnage. He banished the instinctive memories of fire and pain, and turned his gaze up.

There was Cái, straddling the back of a dead man, his own body turned away from the Captain. His breathing was audible, raspy and greedy for air, high-pitched even now with the reedy tones of youth. He held the knife low at his side, bony knuckles gripped tight, pale as ivory beneath the crimson spray.

Even in his numb horror, Yong Soo couldn’t help but feel his heart swell with uncommon pity for the boy; it struck him suddenly how small Cái really was, how narrow his trembling shoulders, the fragile look of the bones in his lithe limbs. For that moment, the Korean nothing more than to make the other’s pain stop.

Yong Soo tucked his chin, swallowing quietly to steady his voice, “Cái,” he called, bracing himself for a potentially violent reaction, holding his fan loose and low in his sleeves, “It’s time to go home, da ze.”

Ileon sesang-e = the Korean equivalent to ‘Holy s***’

He snapped back to himself the moment he heard the Korean speak. Looking around in confusion and coming to the sudden conclusion that he was on top of a man he had clearly killed, knife still in hand and dripping blood, he froze for a long, agonizing moment. Then, the knife clattered to the ground as he practically threw it away.

In mere moments, he was away - still covered in blood. And not his blood but other people's - and retching doubled-over. His eyes stung with tears and the stink of acid and blood that engulfed him. What... what was wrong with him? Why had he killed those people? They weren't Him, they didn't deserve to die -except they were here, they had to have something to do with Him, a voice whispered in his mind, kill them all to make sure they wouldn't help Him again - and... and there was so much blood, just like before.

When finally he stopped heaving nothing onto the floor, he stared a long moment at his blood caked hands. They'd left perfect imprints on the ground, he could nearly see the grooves on his fingers... "Yong Soo...." he croaked, slowly looking up even if he couldn't see the other man's face through the tears pouring down his cheeks. "... I don't feel well." was all he could manage.

Yong Soo winced as the other threw his knife aside, fingers gripping tighter on his fans as he watched the young Asian retch to the side of the mutilated body. He took a shaky inhale, body tense, and it wasn’t until he saw the other’s face turn to his, young and vulnerable and so lost that he felt something give. Still cautious, he began walking towards Cái, keeping his arms low and his face neutral as he carefully stepped around the fresh corpses.

Once he was close enough the Korean stopped, looking down with a pensive expression, before replacing his fans in his sash and crouching down, wrapping his sleeves around the blood-spattered shoulders and pulling him close, willing himself to ignore the iron stink and the sticky wet warmth bleeding through the cloth.

“It’s going to be alright, da ze,” he murmurs, willing it to be true. “I’m carrying you home.” He loosely squeezed the Macanese boy’s narrow shoulders, sending a meager message of comfort, before leaning back and easing one arm beneath the other’s legs, lifting him up in a gentle cradle. He brushed one sleeve over the other’s head, wishing he could just wipe away the carnage in his eyes.

He looks down both ends of the hall, jaw firming as he kept his gaze above the level of the floor. After a moment of indecision, the Korean Captain hastily moved down the unexplored part of the hall, pausing only to grab Cái’s knife and slip it in his sash, determined to find a way out.

((Can we get a dice roll, maestro~? |D))

[Liechtenstein]

Cai was all too ready to accept the offered comfort - he needed that someone stable, something to keep him grounded in the present instead of those god-awful memories of three lives all mashed into one. Not fighting as he was lifted into strong arms, he just closed his eyes, held onto the front of Yong Soo's vest and wished for it all to end. He didn't want this - these odd memories of being something more than just another messed up human.

One of his old wishes he'd had since he'd woken up with no memories was to be normal. Apparently, he'd never been such a thing, in this life or the last from what he could make out of those sharp and entirely too painful memories. He did know that the quiet darkness before one life and the next was... unpainful. Reopening his eyes, he stared blankly at his hands, which were leaving more of those dark smears on the blue of the fabric.

One thing started to seperate itself from both the far-distant memories and the relatively new ones. A face - dark-skinned and smiling. Reminding him of the ocean and sweets. One that he'd met in this life and the last...

"Yong Soo..." he started quietly, his wish to end things struggling against his desperate need to see Portugal. The whole reason he'd ended it before and come back. "... can... can I ask a favor?"

Yong Soo stalked down the hall with purpose, his eyes darting everywhere for any sign of escape. So far, no go--all he saw was rooms and rooms and more rooms. Thankfully, none were occupied, but the Korean couldn't count on that being a certainty for very much longer.

He shifted Cai lightly in his arms, biting the inside of his cheek. It was a tactical disadvantage, he knew, but the Korean simply could not abide the idea of forcing the other to walk just yet. Not when he remembered how traumatic it was for him when he was that age, lost in a battleground. Even if he wasn't the cause like Cai was, Yong Soo hardly felt it made a difference--a bloody body was a bloody body, and having it on your hands could only make things worse.

Hopefully, he'd be able to find some way of letting him down gently if they ran across someone.

Yong Soo paused at a corner, peering carefully to make sure the coast was clear, before turning down it, scoffing. Why the hell did Westerners make their houses so damn big! The fact that he was going deeper into the mountain did nothing to calm his nerves.

The other's voice breaks him from his musing, and he glances down with a curious gaze. However, knowing he can't afford to stop moving, he looks back up again, hoisting the other up with a grim smile. "Other than "get us the hell out of here," da ze?" he quipped on instinct, before biting his cheek and correcting himself.

"I'm listening."


Sucking in a careful breath, trying to not think too hard because thinking hurt, Cai turned bleak eyes to his captains face. "I... I want to see Afonso when we get out of here." His mamãe had always been able to make him feel better, both in the last life and in the brief time he'd stayed with him in this one. It was almost funny... it was like he was supposed to find the man and stay by his side.

His frail control over himself broke again - as he blinked, he could feel the first few hot tears streak down his chin. Ducking his head once more and choking on a sob, he wondered if even Portugal would be able to fix him after this. Unless the man already knew about being a nation - which could have happened, right? Afonso wouldn't just pick a random sad kid up off the street and invite him to stay with him if he didn't know who he was, right? - how would Cai explain the strange memories? Would Afonso tell him to leave - to lock him away in some nut house, rather than deal with him?

...if Portugal couldn't help him... he might as well not exist.


The Korean holds Cai closer, making meaningless soothing noises and petting the other's head. Yong Soo blinks, wondering for a moment who Afonso was. Someone his other half knew? He'd have to look later, when he got back to the ship.

Oh, right. First, that would involve getting back to the ship.

Yong Soo looks around, biting his lip, and his eyes catch on a hidden door in the rock. He tilts his head, bemused, but, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, moves forward, opening it quietly and slipping inside, closing it behind him.

He sets against the door, listening carefully, and as he waits the walls begin to take on a faint phosphorescent glow. Hm. Well, at least he wouldn't have to worry about finding a light.

The Korean looks back down at Cai, brown eyes catching the muted light. "...this Afonso person is important to you, da ze?"


Nodding faintly, Cai closed his eyes entirely rather nervous in the dark. It reminded him of something he wanted to forget... "Y-yeah... Afonso's the... the navigator for this sky ship called 'La Madre Maria'. A while ago I went and stayed with him for a bit..." but he'd come back out of guilt, he thought to himself. Now he knew why - Yao, his rather estranged older brother figure. He couldn't just walk out on him. Not after he'd taken him back into his house - ship. Cai reminded himself. Took him onto a ship and then traveling together until they met Yong Soo.

"He... he told me if I ever needed someone to talk to.... or just someone to be around because I'm... not feeling well-" and this was the overstatement of that particular promise. He felt awful. "-that I should go stay with him..."


Expression still neutral, Yong Soo's eyes remained steady on the other, deep in thought and weighing the options. After a moment, he holds the other close again, petting his head. "We'll get out of here, first, da ze. Then, I'll see what I can do." Not pausing in his soothing motions, the Korean looks down the tunnel, frowning lightly.

It seemed to stretch on deeper into the darkness, steadily declining into the mountain, but there was a faint breeze, and that gave the Korean hope. He began walking down, keeping his eyes and ears open. Yong Soo glances at Cai again, and then looks back up, clearing his throat. "Until then, you're free to talk to me, da ze. You don't have to, but you can."


It was highly tempting to just vent all the odd feelings and memories to Yong Soo - to Korea, of all nations! Cai even found his mouth opening of it's own accord. But... "I..." he didn't know how to go about even beginning to talk about past lives or anything... "I don't want -" he choked. "I want to... I really do... but I don't want you to..." to hate me for being crazy - he thought to himself.

In the one moment he'd opened his eyes, trying to get Yong Soo to understand with a look what he couldn't say... he froze. It was here... the dark, dank hall. Shuddering, he slammed his eyes back shut and clung all the more tightly to North's vest. Oh god... after all those months, wishing to remember.... he wished now to just forget everything.


Yong Soo didn't press, stroking the other's shoulders as the words struggled. "You have your reasons, da ze. I can respect that." He kept a close look at his footing, making sure not to shift on stray pebbles, and continued falling the faint wind.

Then the other was suddenly clinging to him, whimpering slightly and murmuring in that other language again. Yong Soo looked down, bemused, and stopped, leaning against a wall to hold the other. "What is it, da ze?" he asks in an undertone, soft and solid. "I'm not going to let anything hurt you, Cai. Talk to me."


With a faint keen, Cai buried his face in Yong Soo's shoulder. "We're here..." he mumbled under his breath. "I don't want to be here..." he whimpered. "S'dark and it's cold and they won't let me out..." and he got lost in the passages and he was so hungry and alone and cold and sick... Unknowingly, he started to panic - each shuddering breath coming faster than the last. He was going to be trapped in here and even if he wasn't alone he didn't want to be trapped!


Yong Soo's eyes widen as the other begins to hyperventilate, and he shakes his head, shushing quickly and rubbing his back. When that doesn't work, the Korean crouches down, setting the other's feet down and holding him close, looking into his panicked eyes.

"Cai, listen to me," he commands gently, eyes firm. "You need to breathe with me, da ze." He takes a slightly exageratted deep breath, holding, and letting it go. He does this repeatedly, making sure it's louder than the other's breaths, and strokes his shoulders.

"We're getting out of here. They're never going to have you again, da ze. Not while I'm here." He frowns, and sets the other down, stripping off his outer jacket and tucking it around the other, wrapping it close about him and hugging. As he does, something rustles out of his sash--a scroll of paper. Yong Soo blinks, tilting his head, and picks it up curiously.

Taking slow, shuddering breaths Cái imitated the Korean's every intake and out take. He wasn't shaking with the cold anymore - Yong Soo's jacket was incredibly warm, like the other man was a veritable furnace and he felt better as the residual heat seeped into his frame. "You... you mean that?" he mumbled, staying as close as he could to the other - resting his aching head on the taller mans shoulder. "I - I don't have to go back?" Don't have to go back to the man who kidnapped him and killed his parents? Didn't have to go back to being a Nation? Didn't have to go back to being alone - being abandoned?


Temporarily shifting his focus from the mysterious scroll, Yong Soo turned his head against the others, rubbing the boy’s back through his jacket and shaking his head, not knowing entirely the promise he was making. “Aniyo, da ze,” he murmured softly, squeezing the narrow shoulders. “You never have to go back there. Not while I’m breathing.”

He remained there for a while, just letting the other boy calm down a bit, occasionally brushing his back in firm strokes. Then, when he thought Cái could handle it, he slowly took his arm away, keeping close and letting the Macanese boy huddle into his jacket. He took out the scroll in his hands, carefully untying the ribbon that held it shut and rolling it open.

It took him a while in the dim lighting to figure out what the parchment was, but once he did, the Korean couldn’t help the vicious grin on his face. “Da ze! I think this is a map of the tunnels!” He peered close, trying to make out the words, and snarled. “Geseki. It’s written in a Western language—I can’t make it out…”

[Arthur Kirkland]

With his eyes closed, he could pretend he wasn't in the tunnels. He could pretend he was outside, or back on the ship with Yong Soo beside him, talking to him with no echo to the words. It was nice and calm and he was away from the madness. The Nation memories were just some crazy dream he'd had and so was He and he was surrounded by a family who cared for him.

A drop of water hitting him on the nose broke that happy illusion and he was back in the tunnels with his Captain, huddled into the jacket and staring with wide eyes, trying to remain calm. He could do it. He could. He just needed a distraction. Fiddling with the hem of the jacket and taking in deep breaths of the surprisingly calming scent coming off of it he let himself just... concentrate on that to keep calm.

"Western?" he mumbled, trying to peer at the parchment that might get him the hell out of the darkness. "Let me see?" those odd memories-that-couldn't-be-memories came up in his mind, telling him that yes, he could speak some of the western languages and read them as well.

[Im Yong Soo~!]

Yong Soo glanced up at Cái, speculating. After a moment, he nodded, coming closer and handing the map over. “Can’t hurt, da ze,” he murmured, moving his arm back to rub the other’s back through his jokki, peering over his shoulder to the unintelligible scribbles the Westerners called language.

The Korean wasn’t certain that the Macanese boy would be able to see in the dim light, or if it would end up even mattering in the end, but the murmurs of Western tongue earlier gave the Captain hope now. At any rate, he welcomed the opportunity to offer Cái some form of distraction; hopefully, it would be an escape from falling into hysteria. As much as Yong Soo wanted to just let the boy break down, it would have to wait until they were safe.

Yong Soo waited quietly, ignoring the way his legs began to cramp in their crouching position, and never ceased stroking over the Macanese boy’s back.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Gingerly taking the map from Yong Soo, Cái did his best to not ignore the strange and painful memories as he squinted in the semi-darkness to try and figure out what was written on the map. At first the symbols on the paper were just that - a mess of unintelligible symbols. But slowly before his straining eyes, they began to make sense until he had a decent idea of what the map was saying. Letting out a shuddering breath - being able to read this foreign language because of the memories made the potential insanity of being a re-incarnated Nation less of an insanity and more of a 'it really did happen' - he leaned into the comfort of his captain's side for a brief moment before forcing himself to pull away.

"The map says if we go this way," he put the map down on the ground so he could trace a finger along the correct route, "we'll be able to get out." shivering in the damp chill, he silently wished he'd seen this map back when his newly-remembered memories weren't memories. If he could have escaped these tunnels when he was young, he wouldn't be so afraid of the damned things. But there was some relief - he used to think there was no way out and that was what had scared him the most. Now... now there was a way to get free.

[Im Yong Soo~!]

Careful not to seem too hopeful or too much the opposite, the young Captain remained silent, silently brooding on possible courses of action if this little miracle failed to manifest. His thoughts were primarily damage control and methods of determining a relatively safe way out—Yong Soo did not wish to spend any more time in this labyrinthine cavern system than absolutely necessary.

Not only because he wasn’t at all sure that the damn Frenchman’s guard wasn’t raising the alarm at that very moment, but because it didn’t take a genius to notice that being here clearly unsettled his Macanese companion. For what reason, Yong Soo cared not to think about, remembering with simmering and protective fury Bey’s fingers on Cái’s chin. Right there, the Asian captain swore there was no way in any Hell that he was letting the councilman lay hands on his little gambler ever again. He was already regretting not killing him when he had the chance.

Yong Soo’s thoughts cleared when Cái leant closer, his arm slowing and settling across the boy’s shoulders as the Korean looked from the obscure map to the smaller Asian. Though it wasn’t his particular custom, he offered the other a small smile, squeezing lightly and reassuring the other he was still there, no matter what happened, before letting him slip away.

Yong Soo’s eyes widened slightly at the other’s next words, Sang Ki blinking in surprise. ‘So, he can read it, da ze?’ The Korean thought, before allowing himself a sharply triumphant grin and standing up, placing his hand on Cái’s shoulder. “Excellent, da ze, and the sooner the better, ye?” He gave the Macanese boy a congratulatory pat, squeezing lightly in pride of the younger’s surge of returning confidence, before making his way into the gloom, his hand gently set between Cái’s shoulder blades and urging the other on with him.

He thought about pulling out the boy’s knives from his sash, and handing him something he could protect himself with, but after an interval Yong Soo decided to wait until it occurred to the other and he asked—after all, those knives were so recently used, and it was still uncertain how stable the other was feeling at the moment. Knowing that it was going to be up to him if they did come across trouble, the Korean slipped out his confiscated fire-arm, holding it low to his side and keeping a wary eye toward the dark.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Standing on shaky legs, Cái was determined to keep his wobbly legs under control long enough to get them out of the rather dangerous situation they'd got themselves into. Wearing and distantly it occurred to him that the people in the house may burst into the caves at any moment - and at any moment he'd either be dead - again? He quickly stopped that odd thought and did his best to concentrate on the present. The memories could stay away until then. - or back in his former Master's hands...

In which case he would make sure to kill himself, and Yong Soo if it came down to the chance that the man of his nightmares would consider enslaving the Korean as well. But that was another thing he'd do his best not to think about.

Giving his Captain the strongest smile he could - which was pretty pathetic compared to his normal smiles, but it was the best he could do to show his appreciation for all the encouragement. He shuddered to think of what would have happened to him if the Korean hadn't rescued him... hadn't just picked him up and carried him away from it all. Cái owed it to his Captain to make sure that he at least got out okay - and if that meant continuing on when all he felt like doing was collapsing on the ground in a crying pile and just blank everything out, well. He'd do it and then collapse.

Putting as much energy as he could into each step, Cái followed Yong Soo further into the caverns.

[Im Yong Soo~!]

Pacing along the cool cavern corridor, Yong Soo kept a wary eye and gun-hand out for signs of disturbance, squinting his eyes in areas where the phosphorescence was scarce. Those areas were happening with increasing frequency, making the Korean anxious at the thought of having to somehow produce his own more noticeable light, and risk becoming a more obvious target. The only encouraging thing about the tunnel was the slowly strengthening buffet of air occasionally breezing about his face, tempting the Asian Captain with the hope that escape was near their grasp.

His other hand was still set between Cái’s shoulders, gently urging the boy forward with a steady reassurance. He noted distantly that he could still feel light tremors beneath his fingertips, small flutters of weariness and dull fear. He pressed lightly on the other’s back in moments when the shuddering threatened visibility, smoothing over the navy cloth with silent but hopefully soothing gestures.

“Is there anything ahead we need to watch out for, da ze?” he inquired, keeping his voice low to diminish the echo. There was no sound of pursuit, but that made Yong Soo more edgy than content as long as they were in Bey’s subterranean passageways.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Cái shook his head moments before he realized that in the increasing darkness, Yong Soo wouldn't be able to see him do that. "It doesn't look like it. The map says take three lefts, a right and another left and something about 'the glow stone will open the gateway'. Whatever that means. he spoke lowly, and if he were tall enough he'd have whispered it in the others ear.

To keep his mind off of where they were and what he was - or was not? He didn't want to be sure - Cái tried his best to clear his thoughts. There was a breeze blowing, something that he'd never felt before while locked in the caves. It meant that there was a way out. Freedom. Shivering and itching - the blood that soaked his skin and clothes was drying in the breeze and the smell was beginning to suffocate him. He would never go a day without a bath again. - Cái held the map out before him, careful to keep it away from himself.

"I hope we get out of here before all the light is gone..." he looked around as best he could in the increasingly dim lighting.

[Im Yong Soo~!]

Yong Soo nodded along with the directions, mentally transcribing them in his head. He paused when the other mentioned a glow-stone, blinking, before turning dead-pan. "Hm. Think we should shave off a bit of phospherescent rock, da ze?" he inquired, keeping his own voice low to reduce the echo. Before the other could answer, the Korean shook his head, shifting his grip on the gun. "Nah, I know what they're talking about. Probably."

Wouldn't be the first time the map-piece found its use in a strange place.

Yong Soo continued rubbing Cái's back, reassuring him and pressing him onward, encouraging him to face the breeze. Sang Ki bobbed into his vision, and Yong Soo had to brush the curl away with his gun-sleeve. Not that it was mattering much by this point. As if reading his thoughts, the Macanese boy chose now to comment. Yong Soo hid a dark grin, shaking his head. "If we have to move through shadow, I'll get you out, da ze. Rest assured."

So they continued on, and as they did so, the Korean's words slowly became prophecy. Yong Soo found himself having to be particularly careful where he placed his feet, holding onto Cái's shoulder as much to keep tabs on him as to support. Night-vision was kicking in at a gradual pace, but even that was fading as they rounded the final corner.

[Arthur Kirkland]

Cái would have sent his Captain an odd look if he could see his face. "I... I dunno. Maybe we should do that anyway? It's kinda really hard to se-" he stumbled over a loose rock - or at least, he assumed it was a loose rock as he couldn't see where his feet were. Grabbing on to Yong Soo's arm for balance, the other arm pinwheeled for a moment, helping him steady himself. "Fuck." he cursed, adding 'aching foot' to his list of things that were wrong with him.

"I mean..." he stood up straight again, slightly relieved that he hadn't met his hated tunnels face first, "Sure I wouldn't suggest shooting one out - but you have my daggers right? W-we could try and pry some out." He realized he was suggesting going back a few paces, deeper into the rooms of his nightmares.

But... the darker it got, the more Cái had to cling to the Korean's side as his unsteady steps nearly tripped him up more than once. And he did not want to trip and die in this place - if he ended up a ghost, he'd rather not be stuck in the belly of the beast - could nations end up as ghosts? he almost wanted to ask himself, but didn't want to think on it at all.

Gritting his teeth, the Macanese teen turned just enough to look back the way they had come - and winced as his shoulder bumped roughly into poorly cut stone wall. "I think I found our first left turn." Not that he could really see it.

[Im Yong Soo~!]

Yong Soo tightened his grip on Cái as he stumbled, chewing his bottom lip in sudden concern. However, the other continued walking on, so the Korean eased up and let it pass. He listened to the Macanese boy continue with his suggestion, and nodded in the dark, seeing the sense in it.

Then again, that would've been a better idea a minute ago or so.

Yong Soo sighed slightly, shaking his head. "I don't think it's a good idea to back-track, da ze. We don't know how much time we have." The Korean mentally ran through his options, considering. He momentarily thought of offering the boy his daggers back now that they were mentioned, but with Cái's nerves and the dangerous darkness, handing the other blades to fall on seemed poor judgment.

Then the other bumped into the wall. Yong Soo paused, frowning. How battered was the other going to be by the end of this?

"..." The Korean sighed, pulling Cái to a stop. "Hold on." He reached into his collar, pulling out the Treasure piece. Holding it in his open palm, the gem emitted a verdant glow. It wasn't much, but in the gathering darkness, it was enough.

Yong Soo blinked, a bit dazzled from looking straight on. The gem seemed brighter than he remembered, but the Korean put it off to his eyes getting too used to the dark. Solemnly, he gestured Cái to open his palms, resting the gem there and clasping the boy's shoulder. "Let's go, da ze." He left the trust unspoken.

Without a sound, the Korean faced the tunnel, pacing down and keeping his ears open. Somewhere in the distance, he heard...water?

[Arthur Kirkland]

Cái stared at the odd, glowing jewel that had been placed in his hands. To be honest, he'd never seen it before even though he was pretty sure he'd heard Yong Soo talk about it a time or two. He guessed it was one of those legendary Map Pieces, and from the way it was glowing he could kinda feel himself believing that it was some sort of mysterious, magical stone. After all, the internal glow was one thing, but his money-conscious eyes told him that the actual gem was jade.

He was actually kind of touched that after all he'd done today that Yong Soo would trust him with it. He knew it was important to his Captain - after all, Yong Soo didn't keep much hidden from anyone and for Cái to have never seen it before today meant that it was important enough to hide - and almost as important as finding his family. And after he'd had his... mental breakdown - he thought this as a particular memory of his father came into his mind, offering him his first taste of something sweet and gods, it hurt to think of Portugal... - he was afraid that... well... despite the fact that he appreciated the coddling, the comfort... he was afraid that he'd destroyed the trust he'd made with his captains other half.

Holding the gemstone carefully up so he could see around him, Cái was right - he had run into the first left turn. With a sigh and a weary grin to his captain, he said, "Yeah. I'm so done with these tunnels...".

And his ears caught the most lovely sound in the world - better than listening to a live orchestra, or a diva with a gorgeous voice. The sound of running water. They were getting close. He was almost free.

[Im Yong Soo~!]

Trying not to think too hard about the fact that someone else was holding his claim to Libertalian captaincy, Yong Soo chuckled softly, squeezing Cái’s shoulder as they turned down the passage. “You and me both, da ze.”

They travelled on in eager silence, following the burgeoning sound of water over stone, dimly illuminated by the gem’s enchanted glow. The Korean could taste the earthy air getting damper and damper as they pressed on, and every so often the floor would give way to patches of clay.

Occasionally, little springs of water bled through the earth, leaving shallow pools that glinted softly in the glow. Yong Soo stepped carefully around these, making sure the Macanese boy did as well. Though, it could do Cái some good to wash off the grime and . . .

The Korean didn’t need to think too hard about that. Loosening his grip slightly, Yong Soo wondered how long he would have to soak his vest in sea water before he couldn’t smell the blood anymore.

. . .

That was not helping the “didn’t need to think too hard about that” decision he made earlier. Neither was thinking about how quickly Cái was able to kill those men, and how easily. Ruthless as Yong Soo was capable of being, the idea of a child like Cái committing murder was disconcerting. What damage had the poor boy been through?

For Yong Soo, it took the destruction of his home and several hungry nights on the streets to be able to pull a gun on another person. Even then, it left a bad taste in his mouth, even if the following feeling of power was . . .

Maybe it just wasn’t safe for Yong Soo to think about the past anymore. Concentrate on the present. Find a solution.

Two lefts, a right, and another left later and the Korean glanced about the walls, looking for some sort of gateway. He could hear the rush of water quite clearly now, below and through the walls, and he knew it had to be close. “I think we’re just under the harbor, da ze. I can smell the surf.” He looked down at Cái, his expression solemn and serious. “Tell me if you see anything that could react to the Piece. Green glow, most likely, but any sort of sign.”

[Arthur Kirkland]

Nodding faintly, Cái wandered away from Yong Soo, missing the warmth and comfort that came from being in the man's grasp, but knowing that if they didn't find the way out pretty soon he was probably going to start breaking down for there was only so long that he had the strength to keep it together. So he searched, taking the small light with him and watching the walls as best he could in the dim green light.

He didn't see anything, even after long minutes of searching. The faintest dregs of his former panic at being locked back in the caves was beginning to creep back up on him and, to calm his nerves somewhat, Cái looked for a distraction. It came easily enough - the glowing gem in his hands may not have been the brightest of light sources, but it illuminated his hands in great detail. Namely - the blood caked on his fingers and making them sticky.

Backtracking to one of the little pools that Yong Soo had directed him around, Cái knelt and began scrubbing off the dried blood and making the water in the pool turn a murky color.

Which was when he spotted it - a dim glow in the water. Reaching out, he ran a cautious thumb over it, wondering what exactly it was. It turned out to be - not a glowing rock, or a gem of any sort. It was a small mirror, barely the size of his thumb placed on top of what felt like a lever hidden in the pool.

"I think I found it." Cái spoke softly, letting the echoes in the cavern bounce his voice all the way over to his Captain as he pressed down on the lever. Almost instantly, there was a clacking noise that carried up the wall and over their heads before one final loud click was heard. And right in front of them, two sections of rock began pulling apart from where they were seamlessly sitting together.

Watching them part, Cái was partially blinded - not by sunlight, but by torchlight, which from after so much time in near blackness seemed as bright as a sun. Cái didn't care. All he felt was elation and relief - he was going to get out. The claustrophobia vanished. Getting to his feet, Cái limped over to Yong Soo's side with a shaky laugh. "Finally..." he'd felt like they'd been in the cavern for days.