[ he regards kurapika for a moment, gaze sharp but not icy. ]
Kurapika, I'd prefer what I'm about to tell you stay within relative secrecy. But at this point I think there's a greater risk of people snooping around trying to figure things out than not knowing at all. Still, there's a good amount of our number who couldn't deceive a newborn, so I don't trust them to keep it from the wrong ears, purposefully or not.
Oz is currently being held at Granvelle Castle, though I use the term "held" loosely. He's unconscious and has been since his return. The barriers we were asked to erect are for the purpose of protecting him and masking his magical signature, which as you can imagine, are quite distinct. In his current state, he's basically the largest sitting manastone that's ever existed.
Hmm, it's probably impossible to tell in hindsight.
[ but he makes a mental note of what kurapika's said all the same. ]
Going back to Oz being a sitting duck, my concern regards the relations between Western Country and Central Country. I have the West handled, I've met with one of their Generals several times—the usual wining and dining, but in their military club with some members of R&D.
That's why I was hoping you had some sort of relationship with Central. I know what the West is aiming for, but I can only make a guess as to what Central is thinking.
[ He shifts, uncrossing his legs so he can rest his elbows on his knees. ]
I wish I did, but they're reluctant when it comes to wizards. Perhaps they'll ask me for a favor one day, but as things are? I think we were lucky they let us stay at the castle overnight at all.
[ Though one thing Khun says grabs his interest. ]
Are you willing to share the West's plans with me?
The usual when it comes to those who aren't afraid of war. Weapons and technology that can emulate magic and maybe even surpass it. They're not loose lipped enough to usually talk specifics, but they did mention resonance neutralizers—technology which in theory could identify magical signatures and neutralize it.
They absolutely stink of mana stones, so if they were certain of Oz's whereabouts...you get the idea.
Most likely. But I'm less concerned about us being swept up in this mess than I am about them declaring full out war against all wizards, including us. They'd love to use us to power their weapons and wouldn't think twice about it.
And they've been making progress I think, the general sense I got from our last meeting was that they're optimistic in regards to their relationship with Central.
That's why I was hoping you might be able to get the other side of things.
As far as the West is concerned, I'm someone who's enthusiastic about their progress and general line of thinking: progress is the way of the future no matter the cost. I intend to keep it that way, since the more they trust me, the more intel I can actually get. Cid's the other Western wizard who's in their good graces—he's come with me whenever I've gone to meetings with them.
Cid, huh… [ So he’s actually capable of doing work, is he? ] I think that’s a good idea. Stay as close to them as you can, especially if we may get a heads up on anything that could impact our group.
[ And wizards as a whole, but he prioritizes those here, given their task. ]
I can make attempts to get closer to important people here, but the distrust for wizards is strong enough among a few of them that I worry any of those attempts could be thwarted.
Above everything, we need to avoid being targeted for any reason, and I’m willing to work towards that goal.
He's an enigma, but he's an enigma to everyone equally. And he does care about his own self-preservation. I don't have any reason to trust Leo and Jing Yuan is hardworking, but I doubt in his ability to appease others and hold his tongue when he has to.
[ Jing Yuan is too good in a sense and you do not change the view of people like the General, you just appeal to it and use it against them in Khun's POV. ]
Let me know if you find anything. It's important that no one from outside this manor finds out about Oz, as there's also a risk of non-aligned Wizards attacking him too. The faction of Central that knows about it is the Ministry of Arcane Management, though I imagine it's only the high ranking officials within it.
And like I said before, I'd prefer that the amount of people who know this within these walls is as limited as possible. I doubt all of our number have the stomach for these kind of politics let alone the ability to navigate it.
[ ah and he should mention: ]
Tatara also knows, though I do need to update him on my last meeting with the West. I just wanted to see if I could help cover the Central angle first.
[ Jing Yuan is a very straightforward sort of man, and while Kurapika thinks he could hold his tongue if he so desired, he knows there’s no changing Khun’s impression. ]
Trust me, I didn’t doubt that Tatara knew.
[ Just saying. ]
But I’ll keep this information on a need to know basis. I may need some help appealing to those in Central, so I might recruit Kiryu or Akira. They’re both capable when it comes to social situations.
[ he sighs, though doesn't show any other emotion besides. this is business even if it's more than that as kurapika knows. ]
Some people think he's not doing anything, but he's doing what he can. [ the Vibes even if he's not privy to knowing who exactly thinks he's useless.
he nods after a moment at the two names. ]
Kiryu's reliable with a particular sense of genuine honesty that can be disarming in it's own way, though I'm not sure how aware of it he is. As for Akira—I'll trust your judgement on that one like you trust mine with Tatara.
[ khun actually doesn't have a favorable view of him since the whole ghost thing, but he does recognize that someone as chatty and forward as akira is useful. and likewise, he knows there's no changing kurapika's mind on this. ]
[ Though Kurapika still wonders if Tatara is cut out to lead at all, regardless of whatever effort he puts into it. However… he’s not going to voice that thought in front of Khun. ]
Kiryu is at least well aware of the importance of connections. I think he could make use of that perspective. [ And Akira? He frowns, ever so slightly. Surely they aren’t that obvious… ] Akira values social connections as well. He’s good at turning situations around, enough so that he might be able to win over some of those in Central.
[ honestly? khun doesn't think he is and if it was possible, he'd swap their positions in a heartbeat. but they're dealing with what they have and while it's not ideal, it's not like tatara is inept. ]
It's your call. See if you can make a trip to reinforce the barrier if you haven't already. I've done what I can, but even though it's a specialty of mine back home, it's not here.
[ Using his past words against him...! How dare you! ]
...I am.
[ Look, he has no shame in admitting it, but the way Khun has gone about it is irritating. Then again, he wouldn't be Khun without bringing it up this way anyway. ]
What do you mean by "we're neighbors"?
[ They're not obvious like Tatara and Khun are, are they? ]
[ did you want him to ask via messenger pigeon or something. ]
It means what I said. [ maybeee! or maybe he's just good at reading vibes. (it's probably both.) ]
You're better off up here though. I need to make sure Tatara uses his bed~ [ he's not up here most nights anymore, something kurapika would easily notice. ]
But that Khun doesn't elaborate makes him relax just a little bit, his shoulders not quite as tense as he heads toward the door, motioning Khun out so he can follow. ]
I'm not interested in hearing about his bed and whether or not it's used.
[ It does explain Khun's general absence up here, however. ]
That said, I hope the move down there has been seamless.
[ he has to think about that for a second actually, but in the end he gives a mild shrug. ]
Not really. I've had to make sure that I've had what I needed for my hair and some clothes, but that's about it.
[ the majority of his clothes are still in his room because truly he owns too many. but he does need to slink back to his room to change for the day, so he has to have some casual wear at tatara's room. ]
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[ he regards kurapika for a moment, gaze sharp but not icy. ]
Kurapika, I'd prefer what I'm about to tell you stay within relative secrecy. But at this point I think there's a greater risk of people snooping around trying to figure things out than not knowing at all. Still, there's a good amount of our number who couldn't deceive a newborn, so I don't trust them to keep it from the wrong ears, purposefully or not.
Oz is currently being held at Granvelle Castle, though I use the term "held" loosely. He's unconscious and has been since his return. The barriers we were asked to erect are for the purpose of protecting him and masking his magical signature, which as you can imagine, are quite distinct. In his current state, he's basically the largest sitting manastone that's ever existed.
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...They're practically begging for someone to infiltrate and try to kill him.
[ How dangerous. Do they even have backup plans for dealing with that? Are they going to call on them again if word spreads of his presence there? ]
How long has he been there?
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[ though yeah it's far from ideal. ]
Since you finished your mission in Central. You didn't notice anything at the end of it?
[ it's a genuine question. ]
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[ He was very much out of it. ]
After the mission, I went to the rooms that they had prepared for us, took a bath, and went to sleep. I didn't do much else.
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[ but he makes a mental note of what kurapika's said all the same. ]
Going back to Oz being a sitting duck, my concern regards the relations between Western Country and Central Country. I have the West handled, I've met with one of their Generals several times—the usual wining and dining, but in their military club with some members of R&D.
That's why I was hoping you had some sort of relationship with Central. I know what the West is aiming for, but I can only make a guess as to what Central is thinking.
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I wish I did, but they're reluctant when it comes to wizards. Perhaps they'll ask me for a favor one day, but as things are? I think we were lucky they let us stay at the castle overnight at all.
[ Though one thing Khun says grabs his interest. ]
Are you willing to share the West's plans with me?
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[ a little sigh. ]
The usual when it comes to those who aren't afraid of war. Weapons and technology that can emulate magic and maybe even surpass it. They're not loose lipped enough to usually talk specifics, but they did mention resonance neutralizers—technology which in theory could identify magical signatures and neutralize it.
They absolutely stink of mana stones, so if they were certain of Oz's whereabouts...you get the idea.
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[ ... ]
The power to neutralize magical signatures... they could destroy those barriers and reach him.
[ This is... bad!! ]
I wonder if we'll unwittingly be caught up in this little conflict, should they confirm Oz's location.
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Most likely. But I'm less concerned about us being swept up in this mess than I am about them declaring full out war against all wizards, including us. They'd love to use us to power their weapons and wouldn't think twice about it.
And they've been making progress I think, the general sense I got from our last meeting was that they're optimistic in regards to their relationship with Central.
That's why I was hoping you might be able to get the other side of things.
As far as the West is concerned, I'm someone who's enthusiastic about their progress and general line of thinking: progress is the way of the future no matter the cost. I intend to keep it that way, since the more they trust me, the more intel I can actually get. Cid's the other Western wizard who's in their good graces—he's come with me whenever I've gone to meetings with them.
no subject
[ And wizards as a whole, but he prioritizes those here, given their task. ]
I can make attempts to get closer to important people here, but the distrust for wizards is strong enough among a few of them that I worry any of those attempts could be thwarted.
Above everything, we need to avoid being targeted for any reason, and I’m willing to work towards that goal.
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[ Jing Yuan is too good in a sense and you do not change the view of people like the General, you just appeal to it and use it against them in Khun's POV. ]
Let me know if you find anything. It's important that no one from outside this manor finds out about Oz, as there's also a risk of non-aligned Wizards attacking him too. The faction of Central that knows about it is the Ministry of Arcane Management, though I imagine it's only the high ranking officials within it.
And like I said before, I'd prefer that the amount of people who know this within these walls is as limited as possible. I doubt all of our number have the stomach for these kind of politics let alone the ability to navigate it.
[ ah and he should mention: ]
Tatara also knows, though I do need to update him on my last meeting with the West. I just wanted to see if I could help cover the Central angle first.
no subject
Trust me, I didn’t doubt that Tatara knew.
[ Just saying. ]
But I’ll keep this information on a need to know basis. I may need some help appealing to those in Central, so I might recruit Kiryu or Akira. They’re both capable when it comes to social situations.
[ And the two in Central he knows the best. ]
no subject
Some people think he's not doing anything, but he's doing what he can. [ the Vibes even if he's not privy to knowing who exactly thinks he's useless.
he nods after a moment at the two names. ]
Kiryu's reliable with a particular sense of genuine honesty that can be disarming in it's own way, though I'm not sure how aware of it he is. As for Akira—I'll trust your judgement on that one like you trust mine with Tatara.
[ khun actually doesn't have a favorable view of him since the whole ghost thing, but he does recognize that someone as chatty and forward as akira is useful. and likewise, he knows there's no changing kurapika's mind on this. ]
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[ Though Kurapika still wonders if Tatara is cut out to lead at all, regardless of whatever effort he puts into it. However… he’s not going to voice that thought in front of Khun. ]
Kiryu is at least well aware of the importance of connections. I think he could make use of that perspective. [ And Akira? He frowns, ever so slightly. Surely they aren’t that obvious… ] Akira values social connections as well. He’s good at turning situations around, enough so that he might be able to win over some of those in Central.
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It's your call. See if you can make a trip to reinforce the barrier if you haven't already. I've done what I can, but even though it's a specialty of mine back home, it's not here.
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[ They all have enough going on as it is. ]
...I appreciate you telling me all of this.
[ After all, Kurapika knows that Khun is the sort to keep information like this close to his chest. It really is a testament to their friendship. ]
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[ not that khun doubts that he will.
he pushes himself off the wall with a stretch, slipping into his usual cadence. ]
Let's get going. Maybe you can buy your boyfriend a pair of sunglasses too.
[ 8ball says he has rights! ]
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What are you talking about?
[ Be more specific, Khun. While he won't lie about what he has going on, he's also mildly embarrassed over it. ]
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[ but sure, he'll say it. ]
You're dating Akira, aren't you? He's your type.
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...I am.
[ Look, he has no shame in admitting it, but the way Khun has gone about it is irritating. Then again, he wouldn't be Khun without bringing it up this way anyway. ]
What do you mean by "we're neighbors"?
[ They're not obvious like Tatara and Khun are, are they? ]
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It means what I said. [ maybeee! or maybe he's just good at reading vibes. (it's probably both.) ]
You're better off up here though. I need to make sure Tatara uses his bed~ [ he's not up here most nights anymore, something kurapika would easily notice. ]
no subject
But that Khun doesn't elaborate makes him relax just a little bit, his shoulders not quite as tense as he heads toward the door, motioning Khun out so he can follow. ]
I'm not interested in hearing about his bed and whether or not it's used.
[ It does explain Khun's general absence up here, however. ]
That said, I hope the move down there has been seamless.
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Is there a reason it wouldn't be?
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Kurapika shuts the door to his room behind him, locking it secure before following Khun to the elevator. ]
It's an adjustment, isn't it?
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Not really. I've had to make sure that I've had what I needed for my hair and some clothes, but that's about it.
[ the majority of his clothes are still in his room because truly he owns too many. but he does need to slink back to his room to change for the day, so he has to have some casual wear at tatara's room. ]
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