un: drenched kitten of heated purrs, voice;

[jeoha]

It has come to my attention that some of us have had more difficulty earning coin in the city than others.

[ Translation: He's broke as fuck and can't pay the portion that Mingyu mentioned in his last post that they would be expected to. ]

My companion Ylsa has informed me that the fur and beast trade in this city can bring coin, and has reluctantly agreed to accompany me outside the city to hunt. If any of you have similar skills and have yet to make your contribution to our shared cause, you are welcome to join us, but I must insist that you are capable of handling yourself not only with the hunt, but with any deathless that we may come upon outside the city. This is not a risk-less venture, and I have no intention of allowing anyone to put themselves in harm's way unnecessarily. So no, there will be no training on the hunt, at this time. If you wish to train, we can do so here in the House.

If anyone requires furs or skins to make warm weather clothing - and if you do not have them yet, you will need them - you may request them for a far smaller sum from us than you would find on the market. [ A pause: ]

And that includes you, ladies, as thanks for your gracious hospitality.

[ There's a tittering over the channel that indicates that someone, at least, is listening. ]

Also - I think it may be wise for all of us to meet. In person. At once. Mingyu's step toward organization was a wise one, but from the moment we arrived here we became brothers in arms. Our survival and our success will rely solely on each other, and that requires knowledge and trust.

I expect most of you will agree.

Comments

[jeoha]

[ He pauses, frowning unseen. ]

Our old rule?

If you mean my vow, I have no intention of breaking it.

[descendency]

Close. You're going to make people think we're married, talking like that.

I meant no heroic gestures, seeing as I don't hate you.

[jeoha]

You're going to make people think we are rivals, speaking like that.

[ There's kind of a weird tension to his voice, though. He clears his throat. ]

This is not a venture for heroism, I assure you. You need not be concerned for your unhated.

[descendency]

What would you say we are?

[jeoha]

Clearly, apprentice entertainers.

[ He says it with a wryness that belies the discomfort he finds in not just the question, but speaking about it publicly.

He doesn’t know what they are, and felt it wisest not to ask lest he hear something he didn’t wish to. ]

[descendency]

[ A clever deflection. If Mingyu is disappointed by it, he doesn't let on. His voice is all smiles as he responds, though there's sharpness to it that wasn't there before. ]

Oh, how cold. You've hurt all one of my feelings.

[jeoha]

I think our tallies accounting for your feelings may not match.

[ A pause. ]

But I don’t think anyone hear would be surprised to know that you are the closest to me.

[ Not just here. Anywhere. But he expected Mingyu would know that. ]

[descendency]

[ This, inexplicably, startles Mingyu. He's not sure why, perhaps because he's long since forgotten the very notion of being close to people. In his life, people are assets or they are not.

He doesn't find the assessment wrong. He's just surprised.

He doesn't voice any of this, turning back to humor instead. ]

What about your friendship with Lan Wangji? You seem... well acquainted.

[jeoha]

He is a very skilled and capable man, of whom I am glad to have made the acquaintance.

But I am sure you have noticed he is a man of mystery.

[descendency]

A mystery is one way to put it...

Is that the difference? What you know about me...?

[jeoha]

[ A rueful sigh. ]

What are you looking for, Mingyu?

I meant what I said.