audio.

[mercedis]

( as always, he's trying to make this as short as possible, but it's hard to even know where to stop with the way his voice carries into the charm. it's likely going to come out all wrong, but: he figures it's like posting something on the notice board in the slums. no one's going to listen to it, right? )

Looking to head back out into the forest to see if there's any trace of the people that went missing.

Figured it might be best to find someone, or someones, to come with me. Not looking to become one of the missing myself.

Some questions if you're considering it...

One, are you afraid of ghosts?

Two, how do you react when you're scared?

( --and then, with a measured sigh: )

My name is Cloud. Blonde hair, big sword. If you're worried, I'm pretty good at keeping people alive, but.

( imagine if he had just, you know, done a video. )

Comments

[mercedis]

Maybe you're right. Ghosts or not, they might not have enough pull to stop someone stronger.

You sound like someone stronger. ( a little pinch of amusement, there. )

[yeshou]

Of course I am. I'm the king of ghosts!

[ He says that with complete confidence, even if he just decided that a few minutes ago. ]

So far they have only picked off people who aren't armed. They probably don't have that many numbers. I bet they're easy to fight off.

[mercedis]

( admittedly he kinda likes this guy. )

Well, your Highness, I feel like if you want to go out there and fight ghosts, you probably shouldn't go alone.

[yeshou]

[ Wen Kexing knows more than anyone when he's being made fun of. But this is one of those rare times he doesn't catch any malice behind the words. No disdain or venom, and the comment almost feels friendly. Normal.

He probably shouldn't let that get to him, but it does. He finds himself responding back in kind before he realizes it. ]

You mean you want to come with me?

[mercedis]

Someone's got to make sure you come back safe, right?

( there's a faint thread of humor in his voice, but more importantly: )

...You sound surprised. Do people not...usually want to go with you?

[yeshou]

[ Come back safe? If Cloud thought he sounded surprised before, Wen Kexing is downright stunned now. He laughs, but uncomfortably. ]

Who would want that? Nobody wants to travel with a ghost.

[mercedis]

( ...well that takes him aback. )

I thought you were a king, not a...ghost yourself.

[yeshou]

I'm the king of ghosts. That makes me the strongest ghost there is.

[ This is child logic, but he stands by it. ]

And no matter what your rank is, nobody's going to like you. Ghosts are things humans want to get rid of, not follow around.

[mercedis]

So... Got it. Okay.

I'm used to being followed around, so I wouldn't mind if you followed me too.

[yeshou]

[ He does startle at that, looking up sharply. ]

Are you trying to be haunted?! Tch... If meeting a ghost is bad, what do you think it'd be like to be around the king of ghosts?

[ Composure! Composure, Wen Kexing, before Cloud notices! He manages to rein himself in only after clearing his throat. ]

Anyway, aren't you afraid there really are ghosts out there? You could get hurt.

[mercedis]

By you? Or by the other ghosts?

Kind of figured that if you were there, I wouldn't be bothered. You'd scare them off.

[yeshou]

By other ghosts or by me! Who cares? Ghosts are ghosts!

[He gets too wound up putting force behind his answer, trying to convince Cloud that he's frightening. And then he stops short, audibly gasping, because he wasn't expecting that. Was that a compliment?]

O-of course I would! If they are just lowly ghosts, then I'll make them all beg for mercy. Even a hundred petty ghosts won't stand a chance.

[The biggest predator rules the territory, right? That's how the lawless wilderness works.]

But aren't you afraid of me? If there are ghosts in the woods, they've just been causing trouble. I'm no different.

[mercedis]

( …he doesn’t quite understand why, but there’s something about this person that’s just really charming, in a weird way. )

I’m not afraid of you. Are you afraid of me?

Pretty sure I won’t be begging for mercy or anything. Even if it’s to you. And I don’t think you’ve been in the woods causing trouble, unless this is a confession.

[yeshou]

I'm not afraid of anyone!

[The suggestion that he might be afraid of Cloud has Wen Kexing flustered. If the man were actually threatening him, he could get angry and rail back at him, but the question seems mild. Wen Kexing doesn't know what to do with normal conversation, so he huffs and waves his fan to keep from flushing.]

I... Who would bother playing around in a stupid forest anyway? Tch, okay, fine. If we find any thieves or assassins out there, we can just get rid of them. If they are ghosts, I'll make them bow down to you too.

[mercedis]

( that earns an affronted, surprised, and embarrassed sort of laugh. )

No, I mean. I don't really...need anyone bowing down to me. I'm not royalty, after all.

[yeshou]

Well, I'm not royalty.

[What's your point, sir?]

That doesn't mean we can't beat all the other dumb ghosts until they beg for mercy. They're causing trouble, right? If they're really there, they should learn their place and not pick on people who can fight back.