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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on Apr 11, 2011 13:22:18 GMT -8
Yong Soo had been carefully examining the walls, feeling with his fingertips wherever eyes did not suffice, squinting in the dark while Cái searched the opposite end of the cavern. Their quiet breaths echoed across the damp stone walls, filling the air with soft sighs intent on escape. The Korean almost skinned his fingers across a particularly rough patch of wall when he heard the Macanese boy splash one of the latent pools. Yong Soo glanced over to find the other washing his hands, quickly dying the water a murky red. The Korean didn’t blame him.
Suddenly, something seemed to catch Cái’s eye, and the boy leant closer to the water. Yong Soo tilted his head, curious. “What is it?”
“I think I found it.”
In the time it took Yong Soo to blink, a series of loud clicks and clacks filled the cavern, spidering overhead to the wall behind him. The Korean Captain whirled, stepping back as the wall seemed to open out into the night, a flood of fresh air flowing in.
The Asian man raised his sleeve on instinct, blinking as his eyes adjusted, but unable to hide a victorious smirk. “We’re out, da ze.” He turned to Cái, properly able to see him once more. The smirk dimmed slightly, just taking in how worn the night had made the boy, and he couldn’t help but remember with irony the Macanese’s excitement to be off the ship just a few hours previous. A few hours . . . Was it only that much?
Yong Soo welcomed Cái to his side, loosely wrapping his sleeve around the other’s shoulders and squeezing. “The ship can’t be that far off,” he murmured, reaching forward to take the Map Piece. “We’ll be able to rest soon, da ze.”
Quietly guilty, the Korean guided the other across the rocky beach to the stone stairs nearby that would take them to the dockside, fully prepared to carry him if the other should collapse. He didn’t make the offer out-loud, though—more than anyone else, Yong Soo knew the value of pride.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Apr 13, 2011 6:45:56 GMT -8
Taking in a deep breath of what would normally be air that Cái found repugnant - it smelt of docks, fish and many unwashed bodies - the young man found it to be one of the best smelling things he'd even had the chance to breathe. Feeling better than he'd had since he'd run into that stupid guard only a few hours ago, he was more than willing to let Yong Soo wrap an arm around him and offer the silent support to get him out of there. It was something he needed as the relief he felt in the absence of claustrophobia was making his knees go weak.
"Yeah - let's hope so. I think I wanna sleep for a good month." he managed to joke weakly, which was a definite improvement over the shaking and muttering to himself of earlier. Though - now that he thought of it... "Yong Soo - mind if we make a pit stop?" he asked rather guiltily. He did want to go back to the ship, but he doubted that the pretty doctor lady would remain calm if she spotted him as soaked in blood as he was. And the 'fresh' sea breeze was reminding him that he was liberally splattered in the itchy red stuff.
Which reminded him that he really shouldn't think of all the people he'd just killed.
"I think... it'd be smart for me at least to try and wash up." he pointed to the ocean, only a few feet away as it lapped happily at the shore.
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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on Apr 19, 2011 15:41:51 GMT -8
Yong Soo paused, looking at Cái, and then at the nearby tide. “Ah, that would be a good idea, wouldn’t it?” The Korean nodded, patting the Macanese’s shoulder and guiding him toward the water. “Take as long as you need, da ze, but don’t give yourself a chill.” He barely managed to hold his tongue and not add “or drown yourself,” instead rubbing Cái’s back and holding out his arm. “Hand me anything you don’t want to get wet.”
He stepped back once he received the other’s items, watching the boy carefully and maintaining a close enough distance to aid or intervene, whatever Cái’s actions dictated. He listened to the sound of the tide pulling in, sucking across the weathered stones, and of men far overhead making their last drunken stumbles through the streets. It was strange to think that, just nearby, the flow of Libertalia’s night-life was still so calm and normal after the past few hours—stranger still to think that he and Cái had only been a part of that same flow earlier that night.
Unbidden, Yong Soo found himself recalling the card game at the tavern. A storm approaching the Captain’s Meet. The Korean frowned, jaw setting.
Something told him it would be prudent to ensure the Lucky Dragon would have her own provisions to weather the squall.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Apr 25, 2011 7:19:58 GMT -8
Nodding tiredly, Cái handed the only thing of value he owned that wasn't covered in blood - the glowing green jewel that Yong Soo had given him earlier. "I'll be back." was all he said as he turned and stepped into the waves. The push and pull around his ankles, then his knees as he wandered a bit deeper was rather soothing, and for a long moment the swell of his old -nation?- memories filled him with the need to just keep walking and just... end. This was how the man whom his memories called 'Portugal' left his life, down in the dark and cold ocean water, with nothing but a note of apology for the boy who now lost two of his pillars. Both him and china.... gone. There hadn't been much of anything to live for after that.
He remembered the cold, calming metal of the gun in his hands, and wondered for a moment if anyone outside of his two dead parental figures noticed or cared that he was gone.
Which was why, when he ducked his head under the water to scrub dried blood out of his hair, he decided he couldn't be dead. Not yet. For one thing, he had people who would mourn him, and not just Captain Yong Soo. There was the other captain, the hidden one who'd helped him through this whole night and gave him that freedom he'd been yearning for. There was Phuong, who constantly was on his case about eating enough so he'd stop being so short. There was Mei Mei and quiet, serious Kiku, both of whom he enjoyed being around.
They were... almost like the family he hadn't been allowed to join, if his nation memories were actually real.
Coming back up once his hair was sufficiently matted with sea salt and not blood, Cái scrubbed his clothes as best he could, knowing full well he'd throw these ones out at the first opportunity. With a final, weary look at his clothes and skin - he still felt like he was covered in blood despite the fact that his skin was at least relatively clean and his clothes were stiff with salt - he dragged his wet form out of the water and shook his head like a dog. Hair mussed up and spiky, he gave Yong Soo a brief, tired smile. "Better. Let's go home."
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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on Apr 27, 2011 14:05:25 GMT -8
The Macanese boy’s return pulled Yong Soo from his thoughts of preparation, his thumb pausing in its idle strokes across the Piece’s smooth surface. One look at the other’s mussed hair was enough for the Korean’s eyes to lose their calculative flintiness, and he was able to return the boy’s smile with an amused half-grin of his own. “Ye,” he agreed, reaching up to gently ruffle Cái’s hair, “before you become an actual sea-dog, da ze.”
He placed his hand on the other’s shoulder, bringing him closer as they began the trek back to the steps. Yong Soo decided to ignore the fact that Cái had just given his vest an impromptu wash in the ocean—chances are the Korean was just going to have to burn the article anyway, and he had made the wise decision to remove the valuables hidden in the vest in favor of his sleeves.
Though, that did bring to mind a few other matters…
Yong Soo sighed, reaching his free hand up to stealthily slip the Gem back into his hidden collar, and glanced at the Macanese boy again. After a moment, he spoke. “I’m going to be attending the Captain’s meeting tomorrow,” he announced. “When I do, I won’t remember everything that happened tonight. You know why now, da ze.” He waited a moment in silence, giving the other time to consider the unsaid implications.
“If something goes wrong there, I want the ship to be ready to stand her ground. I’m counting on you to ensure that, da ze, by any means necessary.” The Korean’s jaw firmed, his gaze suddenly intense, though his hand remained steady on Cái’s shoulder. “No Western rat is going to sink us while I’m still breathing.”
The two began to pick their way up toward the docks, and Yong Soo’s voice lowered. “Talk to Phuong. Kiku if you must. Tell them what you think you can, da ze. If you can’t tell them much, then just convince me to give the order to keep the ship ready and on guard.” He smirked slightly, glancing aside, “You can probably just plant the idea that it will impress the other Captains.”
As they crossed the heavy planks of the docks, weaving between the darkened alleys formed by the silhouetted prows and masts of docked ships, Yong Soo stopped Cái one last time, reaching into his sleeves. “Lastly, I want you to hold on to these things for me.” He pressed the map, the knives, the gun, and a small leather bag into the Macanese boy’s hands. His loot from Bey. The Korean Captain gave Cái a solemn look, patting the bundle. “Because you know where they came from, and who retrieved them.”
Suddenly, Yong Soo wondered if this was too much pressure for the other to handle, especially given the circumstances of the entire night. However, the Korean had no choice—he had to count on Cái, because he would not be able to count on himself. He hoped the Macanese boy understood that. His faced softened slightly in the dark, fingers gripping Cái’s. “We do what we have to do, jae-gun noleumkuun. We’re the only ones who can.”
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on May 22, 2011 16:47:02 GMT -8
The faint breeze coming in from the distant cave mouths had Cái shivering moments after he slogged out of the water. Pulling Yong Soo's ruined vest closer in the vain attempts to get warmer, the young man was forced to turn aside from worrying about the cold and about his mental state the more the Korean spoke. He remembered that tavern, with the gamblers and the hints at something happening soon. If that something had to do with... with the man who had done all that to him... then Cái could see his point. There was something dangerous going to happen.
After all, the man had welcomed him back... and said he was just in time. And nothing good could come from the skills the teen - nation? - had.
At the same time, the Macanese teen couldn't help but be grateful. Something to do - something to work on. He was more than happy to push away the differing and conflicting memories and take up something more day-to-day. Something that could keep his somewhat-family alive.
Taking the items from Yong Soo, Cái gave his captain a white lipped nod. He had no idea really how to convince anyone of anything. But he could stand guard and if something did happen, he'd be ready and willing to yell the alert. With his knives slipped back into his sleeves, the gun, map and pouch hidden away inside of Yong Soo's vest, and his determination being the only thing keeping him standing, Cái promised himself that if it was the last thing he did, he'd keep his Captains family safe.
"I know I can't stop you from worrying, but I'll do my best. Just... watch out for yourself. Or your other self. He needs that more than you."
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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on May 23, 2011 11:33:27 GMT -8
Yong Soo smirked slightly, scoffing. “Believe me, da ze—no one knows that fact better than I.” He gently set his hand on Cái’s back, offering support for the swaying boy and silent approval for his endurance. “Take comfort in the fact that fortune favors fools—my other half is surprisingly good at survival.”
The pair quietly boarded the ship, the Korean captain offering a cool, commanding glance at the watchman, an unspoken order to keep quiet about their state. The silent Asian man’s eyes widened slightly, before he wisely turned them down, acting for all the world as though he had seen nothing.
Yong Soo continued to guide the Macanese teen to the living quarters, giving a passing glance to a nearby brazier on the second level a considering glance. “It may be a good idea to toss the vest in one of those,” he suggested, “unless you believe you can salvage it for something else.” Taking the article to another crewmate for repairs was out of the question—no need to raise inquiries that he wouldn’t be able to answer, after all.
Sensing that Cái was swiftly reaching his limit, the Korean wasted no further time leading the other to his room, standing outside it and letting his hand slip away. He offered the Macanese boy another flickering half-grin, tucking his hands into his sleeves. “Rest well, da ze. You’ve certainly earned it. If you should have reason to talk further, you know where to find me. I’ll be up for a while yet.”
It was a subtle offer of camaraderie, one that this Korean wasn’t particularly used to giving to others, but at this point Yong Soo was fairly certain that Cái needed it—they had both seen a truth about the other that night, and Cái’s appeared to be particularly heavy to bear. Again, there was a sympathetic twinge in the Captain’s memory, a recollection of needing someone that wasn’t there.
He would be what he could to make sure Cái didn’t feel the same.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Jul 3, 2011 18:56:45 GMT -8
Looking down at the ruined clothes, the blood stains, the stiffness of sea salt, Cái could only nod slightly. The clothes would have to go, but... right now he just couldn’t care. Later. Later he would dispose of them, when he didn’t have to get ready for a potential fight the next day, when he wasn’t just holding himself steady by the barest of threads. ”Right...”
Blinking at their sudden arrival at his own door, the small amount of relief he felt at being able to just hide away in there for a bit was almost overwhelming. ”...thanks Yong Soo.” he managed to pull up a frail smile before he slipped through the door and closed it behind him, too desperate for the darkness inside to consider how rude his abrupt goodbye was.
The only light in the room was flickering through his small window. Other than that, it was blessedly dark and entirely unlike the cave system they’d just escaped from.
It only took a moment for that fake smile to fall from his face and only a moment more for his knees to give out. Huddling in a ball, back braced against the door, Cái let the tears and hysteria he’d been holding back for what felt like days reign. Sobbing helplessly into his knees, the Macanese teen just shook with tears, being bombarded by memories that were his and yet weren’t.
He didn’t know how long he’d been huddled there when the tears dried up and his head began to ache with the onset of what he knew what dehydration. It was hard to tell time when the Lucky Dragon was inside of an island, but it felt like it had been hours later. Shuffling weakly to his feet, he stumbled almost drunkenly towards the basin he kept of water which was normally used to help him wake up in the morning. Shedding clothes all the way, Cái grabbed the small cloth that was hanging off the side of it and proceeded to try to scrub all the salt off his skin before he upended the entire basin over his head. Piling the ruined clothes up over the spilt water, Cái shivered in the cold as he reached for a towel to dry off.
He didn’t want to be alone anymore, he knew that much. Being alone was too easy to fall into the memories again and he... he wanted a little distance from the raw memories. Pulling on some clothes and toweling his hair into a dryer mess, he stepped quietly out of his rooms.
And went to find Yong Soo.
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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on Aug 22, 2011 8:21:26 GMT -8
The boy’s swift retreat behind the door was not surprising. Neither were the soft hysteric sobs that followed shortly after. Yong Soo sighed, turning away with pity, and paced back towards the ship’s commons. Knowing that his wired mind would be unable to turn towards sleep, the Korean wondered over the events of the night, worrying over its mysteries like a dog with a bone.
There were too many blanks for the Korean’s liking. Who was Bey, really? More than Libertalia’s Council Head, that was certain. Thinking of that, Yong Soo suddenly remembered the gambler’s words at the tavern: a storm was brewing. The Korean frowned. What plans would the other attempt to implement during tomorrow’s council?
The Korean sighed, shaking his head. It was useless to speculate—any revelation he could uncover would surely be lost on his other half. He would simply have to hope that, whatever events transpired, the cheerful Asian would somehow be smart enough to survive. Yong Soo now felt foolish for letting a moment of adrenaline grant Bey knowledge of his name—an identity was a dangerous thing to flaunt freely; perhaps he should consider adopting an alias.
Yong Soo paused at the threshold of the mess. Speaking of names…
Bey had referred to the Macanese as his “Pet.” The implications were more than a little troubling. It made Yong Soo’s stomach turn, remembering the look of sheer terror on Cái‘s face, the condescension in the Frenchmen’s voice. The Asian captain found himself remembering the night he had found Cái, broken and bleeding in the streets of Macau. He had been trying to get away from something, or someone…
Blanks began trying to fill themselves one by one— the boy’s mysterious past, and his even more mysterious talents—but the scenarios became more and more distasteful with the Korean’s continued musings. The Asian sharply jerked his head, growling softly, and made for the stairs leading to the ship’s upper levels. If speculating on Bey’s designs was an exercise in futility, giving thought to his potential crimes against a valued crewmember was a needless trial in wrath.
Yong Soo strode through the shadows of the ship’s second level, forcing his tense shoulders loose, taking deep, calming breaths in an attempt to transition. As he ascended to the top level, the Korean shunted aside his aggression, taking refuge in his other half’s oblivion. His night shift was done.
Yong Soo opened his eyes once more, blinking at the door to his office, and experienced momentary confusion. Wasn’t he counting the treasury a second ago? How did he get outside? The Korean shifted, and looked down when he felt the press of a full coin purse on his thigh. His eyebrows climbed, an eerie shiver lacing down his spine at the unexpected fortune, before he suddenly remembered.
The Korean chuckled, pressing a palm to his forehead in a sheepish gesture. How did he forget that he had gone to town with Cái just an hour or so ago, and ran into some luck at the tavern? They had even bought some meat buns to celebrate—the Korean could still faintly taste the powder off the dough. Then they had gotten turned around at some point, and ran into some trouble…but, hey, they were both alright now, right?
Yong Soo smiled, marveling over the Macanese boy’s unexpected luck with gambling and his own ill fortune with directions, and opened the door to continue his task, adding a generous portion to the pile. It wasn’t so much that he didn’t worry for the future, but it was enough for now. For some reason, the Korean sensed that money would be the least of his worries soon.
A few minutes later, he heard the soft sound of feet on the stairs, and tilted his head, looking out the threshold. “Annyeoung?” he called out softly, wondering who else was up at this hour. “I’m over here, da ze,” he assured, putting down his pen and waving his sleeve, grinning, “feel free to come in!”
Some late night company would actually be rather nice.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Oct 2, 2011 15:39:48 GMT -8
Having made a beeline through the darkened hallways of the Lucky Dragon, Cái came upon the closed doorway to his Captains room and was quick to knock quietly on the door. The murmured words through the wood were muffled, but the assent was clear enough to him and the door swung open.
Just looking at Yong Soo made him freeze as the friendly and open expression screamed that the Yong Soo he'd been talking to before was gone and his original captain was back in place. Pausing for a moment on the thresh hold. This Captain didn't know what happened, or why he would be so suddenly there for company. But in the end his feet carried him forward anyways as the awkwardness of just walking away without saying anything would call up so many unwanted questions and pestering.
That, and he'd prefer any company over no company and his ever circling thoughts. Though now he wished he'd done a better job cleaning himself up after his bate of tears. Questions. Thinking about questions and answers made him think of other unwanted thoughts.
"Hey Yong Soo..." he said wearily, wandering slowly over to the Korean. "Do you mind if I stay here for a bit? I... need some company."
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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on Dec 29, 2011 17:18:56 GMT -8
The Korean’s smile faltered slightly as the Macanese boy gave pause, and he tilted his head in confusion. That confusion became a mild concern as Yong Soo registered Cái’s raw and reddened eyes, disheveled clothes, and slightly damp skin. However, out of both respect for the younger’s pride and a sense that it would be unwise to inquire too deeply, the Asian Captain broadened his smile, welcoming the other into the office.
“Of course you can stay, da ze. Company originated in Korea, you know.” He gestured to the fold up chair next to his own, beckoning the boy closer with his sleeves. “I was just counting up the treasury; nothing too exciting.” He glanced up at Cái, still smiling warmly, and twirled his pen. “If you want, you could stay up and help me, but I’m alright with taking a break to chat, too.”
Sensing that the other was still a bit hesitant, the Korean quietly reached over to ruffle Cai’s hair, making sure that the other had plenty of time to see the action coming and avoid it if he desired. “After today, a bit of relaxation would be nice, ye?” For some reason, Yong Soo felt it was particularly important that the boy knew that he was safe and cared for right now, and tried to show it by being open.
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Post by Arthur Kirkland on Feb 1, 2012 20:00:19 GMT -8
Cái felt his nervousness at speaking to the Korean fade bit by bit. There was something about this man, this personality, that was so incredibly soothing. At first, he couldn't figure it out - what was this special thing that could calm the cold terror that was gripping him? It wasn't until the other mans hand was on his head that he realized.
Warmth. Yong Soo was so warm. From the heat radiating off his outstretched hand to the comfort of his smile, it washed over his frazzled nerves and gave him something to center in on. "Y-yeah. I'd like to stay - go ahead and keep working."
His knees felt ready to fold, so he did what felt best - he curled up on the wooden floor, head cushioned against the Korean's knee and let the warmth creep through his side and spread to the rest of him. "I'll stay right here."
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Post by Im Yong Soo~! on Feb 7, 2012 16:02:33 GMT -8
When the Macanese boy forwent the chair and opted to settle on the floor instead, Yong Soo couldn’t help but blink slightly. He didn’t comment, though, tilting his head with a warm smile and gently shaking his hand free of the sleeve. He reached down, continuing to pet the other’s hair with his bare hand, idly smoothing out the damp strands as he turned back to his work.
For a few minutes, there was only the sound of pen against paper, the clink of coins, the smell of warm lanterns, and the soft movement of a comforting hand. The Korean Captain couldn’t help but smile to himself at the idle thought that his own father had done this for him too, back when he was small. On some lucky days in the village, Hyungnim did too.
‘I guess it’s only right,’ he thought, absently tucking Cái’s hair behind his ear. ‘Cái’s a part of the family too, now.’ The Korean glowed, feeling a sort of rightness in the idea, and made a note to make sure the Macanese boy knew it someday.
He suddenly realized that he had finished for the night, and as he put the pen back in its place and regarded the dozing child, the Asian had a small internal debate. Eventually, though, he gently pat the boy’s face, trying to prompt him awake in case he fell asleep. “I finished for the night, da ze,” he started softly, brushing a snoring Sang Ki from his own vision, “but if you like, we could just stay here to sleep.”
There was a cot in the corner just for that purpose, actually, and the idea of turning the boy back to his own hammock alone just didn’t sit well with Yong Soo tonight.
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