[ huh. not what he was expecting but it's not entirely out of left field--people covet all kinds of things, and undoubtedly there's people who try to marry into the 10 families not for their status, but for their unique traits like the pink fire of the Yeon family.
though he has to wonder, and he's going to wonder aloud because that's the relationship they have. ]
If it was a problem to be identified that way, couldn't you have just worn contacts?
[ Kurapika doesn’t mind the question, because it’s a completely valid question.
So much so that he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little contact carrying case. ]
We did, and I have since. Though it didn’t really matter. Our eyes were already well known and our location was found, despite our moving around and choosing remote places. We may have lived in the forest for my entire life, but it wasn’t exactly easy to get there.
[ hmm... if it was khun, he'd probably opt to hide in plain sight given what's he's heard so far. but he doesn't have all the variables, and there's no point in belaboring what's already been done. ]
That sounds like the work of a traitor, or an exceptionally gifted scout or guide. I take it your enemy is either someone in a position of power or another clan itself? [ he assumes that if it was just a few people or someone not that powerful, they'd be six feet underground a long time ago. ]
[ It's a good thing this manor isn't teeming with spiders, because otherwise Kurapika would have been spotted killing them with unnecessary aggression. ]
They're a powerful group that steals and kills whatever and whoever they like. It's possible a scout or a guide found us, given they were after the Scarlet Eyes. There was a lot of money to be made selling them to the black market, so the effort would have been worth it.
The King of the Tower collects Princesses as "shoes in a showcase" that can never be worn, and this sounds about on the same level as that. At least they choose to become princesses though...
[ he's just trying to find anything to compare this to, because yeah people will collect anything but that sure is weird even to him. ]
It's not all they do, but it's what they're valued for.
[ He has a feeling Khun will ask, so he'll just go ahead and continue: ]
When our eyes turn scarlet, we're in a state of heightened strength and agility. It was easy for me to take down a group of adult men as a young child. [ So, you know. It has its benefits. ] For me, specifically, it allows me to become a Specialist that can harness all aspects of Nen, which most in my world are unable to do.
That seems like a mismatch in priorities to me. [ sure it being attractive is a plus but the power bit seems way more useful? though he knows that really doesn't matter to some people, and he thinks of his father again. blecht.
he can make some assumptions on what Nen is, since it sounds like Shinsu, but before he voices that- ]
Teachers tend to be some of the worst people around, or at least they are in the Tower. Doctors doesn't surprise me much either given that a good chunk of them are inclined towards some amount of experimentation, human or not.
[ Back home, extensive collections are a sign of power. Gathering the rarest of the rare and displaying it is a symbol of the lengths one is willing and able to go to. It's a different breed of ruthlessness, but ruthless all the same. ]
I don't know any doctors that would ever do such a thing.
[ He'll concede on teachers, but not on doctors. Not when all he can think about is the goodness in Leorio's heart.
Ah, but that question distracts him momentarily. ]
A lawyer is someone that is supposed to help civilians navigate the legal system and ensure that the cards aren't stacked unfairly against them. [ ... ] I have a feeling the Tower doesn't have those.
Maybe not the ones you've met, but some of them are definitely into that kind of thing.
[ we do not want to talk about the Workshop. ]
Yeah, we don't have. There are enforcers and a council depending on the floor and the administrator's system, but ultimately everything is ruled by the King and his court. The easiest way to ensure some degree of fairness in the Tower is to cheat yourself.
[ It's at least the magic system from his world. ]
Nen is your life energy, which you can harness to develop an ability unique to you. There are a lot of aspects to Nen, but there are five main types: enhancement, transmutation, emission, conjuration, and manipulation. Knowing someone's type can give you insight into what they're able to do, even if you don't know their ability.
Specialists are outside of these five types, and have advantage in being generally unpredictable.
You use your life force, but it translates to your aura. It can certainly run out, but you'll need to regenerate it through rest rather than losing your life. Of course, there are always exceptions, but if you train your aura well enough you shouldn't run into it.
[ He crosses his arms. ]
I'm sure there are those out there who have placed conditions on their abilities that drain their lifespans or life force, however.
But Khun asked directly, and so he'll get a direct answer. ]
Of course. [ He holds up his right hand, seal prominent on the back, and taps his middle finger. ] Chain Jail. It doesn't exactly drain my life force, however... It's only meant to be used on a specific group of people—the killers of the Kurta Clan. I've placed a condition on this skill so that a blade made of Nen is pointed at my heart, ready to kill me should I use it on anyone else. The tradeoff for this condition is an incredibly powerful skill.
[ There's more to it, as there always is, but he thinks this is the best example of a condition he chose. ]
If the power trade off is worth it, those conditions aren't all that terrible. But I'd hate to be controlled by something like that, even if it was my own choice.
[ that's the thing about khun is that he refuses to even bow to himself, no matter how messy that gets.
he sighs and pushes himself up from the bed properly, ignoring the still lingering ebbs of his injury. ]
Though in the end, we both do what we have to, huh?
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though he has to wonder, and he's going to wonder aloud because that's the relationship they have. ]
If it was a problem to be identified that way, couldn't you have just worn contacts?
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So much so that he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a little contact carrying case. ]
We did, and I have since. Though it didn’t really matter. Our eyes were already well known and our location was found, despite our moving around and choosing remote places. We may have lived in the forest for my entire life, but it wasn’t exactly easy to get there.
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That sounds like the work of a traitor, or an exceptionally gifted scout or guide. I take it your enemy is either someone in a position of power or another clan itself? [ he assumes that if it was just a few people or someone not that powerful, they'd be six feet underground a long time ago. ]
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[ It's a good thing this manor isn't teeming with spiders, because otherwise Kurapika would have been spotted killing them with unnecessary aggression. ]
They're a powerful group that steals and kills whatever and whoever they like. It's possible a scout or a guide found us, given they were after the Scarlet Eyes. There was a lot of money to be made selling them to the black market, so the effort would have been worth it.
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...wait, "selling them"? Did they sell your people off as slaves or their actual eyes?
[ kurapika said they were dead though. so... ]
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[ Which sure puts Implications on the slaughter itself, but Kurapika is quick to gloss over it. ]
After death, their eyes were gouged out to be sold as decorative objects.
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The King of the Tower collects Princesses as "shoes in a showcase" that can never be worn, and this sounds about on the same level as that. At least they choose to become princesses though...
[ he's just trying to find anything to compare this to, because yeah people will collect anything but that sure is weird even to him. ]
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[ Though for the living... he can't imagine a life like that. ]
You'd be surprised at who collects them too. Doctors, teachers, people who are known for doing good in society.
[ Or... maybe Khun won't be surprised at all. ]
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[ sorry, he has to ask one more time. ]
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[ He has a feeling Khun will ask, so he'll just go ahead and continue: ]
When our eyes turn scarlet, we're in a state of heightened strength and agility. It was easy for me to take down a group of adult men as a young child. [ So, you know. It has its benefits. ] For me, specifically, it allows me to become a Specialist that can harness all aspects of Nen, which most in my world are unable to do.
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he can make some assumptions on what Nen is, since it sounds like Shinsu, but before he voices that- ]
Teachers tend to be some of the worst people around, or at least they are in the Tower. Doctors doesn't surprise me much either given that a good chunk of them are inclined towards some amount of experimentation, human or not.
[ a beat. ]
What's a lawyer?
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[ Back home, extensive collections are a sign of power. Gathering the rarest of the rare and displaying it is a symbol of the lengths one is willing and able to go to. It's a different breed of ruthlessness, but ruthless all the same. ]
I don't know any doctors that would ever do such a thing.
[ He'll concede on teachers, but not on doctors. Not when all he can think about is the goodness in Leorio's heart.
Ah, but that question distracts him momentarily. ]
A lawyer is someone that is supposed to help civilians navigate the legal system and ensure that the cards aren't stacked unfairly against them. [ ... ] I have a feeling the Tower doesn't have those.
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[ we do not want to talk about the Workshop. ]
Yeah, we don't have. There are enforcers and a council depending on the floor and the administrator's system, but ultimately everything is ruled by the King and his court. The easiest way to ensure some degree of fairness in the Tower is to cheat yourself.
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Cheating is certainly underhanded, but... it's necessary. From what you've told me of your home, that doesn't surprise me.
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[ though even if kurapika didn't and judged khun for it, he wouldn't be offended. ]
So what can you do with "Nen"? I'm assuming it's similar in a way to magic.
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[ It's at least the magic system from his world. ]
Nen is your life energy, which you can harness to develop an ability unique to you. There are a lot of aspects to Nen, but there are five main types: enhancement, transmutation, emission, conjuration, and manipulation. Knowing someone's type can give you insight into what they're able to do, even if you don't know their ability.
Specialists are outside of these five types, and have advantage in being generally unpredictable.
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Does that mean you actually use your life to power Nen?
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[ He crosses his arms. ]
I'm sure there are those out there who have placed conditions on their abilities that drain their lifespans or life force, however.
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And does that number with conditions include you?
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But Khun asked directly, and so he'll get a direct answer. ]
Of course. [ He holds up his right hand, seal prominent on the back, and taps his middle finger. ] Chain Jail. It doesn't exactly drain my life force, however... It's only meant to be used on a specific group of people—the killers of the Kurta Clan. I've placed a condition on this skill so that a blade made of Nen is pointed at my heart, ready to kill me should I use it on anyone else. The tradeoff for this condition is an incredibly powerful skill.
[ There's more to it, as there always is, but he thinks this is the best example of a condition he chose. ]
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[ that's the thing about khun is that he refuses to even bow to himself, no matter how messy that gets.
he sighs and pushes himself up from the bed properly, ignoring the still lingering ebbs of his injury. ]
Though in the end, we both do what we have to, huh?
[ as tonight has illustrated. ]
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[ It's the manifestation of his resolve, an illustration of just how far he's willing to go.
Kurapika stands, straightening out his clothes once he does. ]
You should get some rest. I'm sure you'll need it, especially with your injuries.
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I'd be an idiot to sleep tonight, but I'm not going to run any marathons so don't worry.
[ khun's not getting up to see him out, but that's probably pretty understandable. ]
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[ And it really doesn't surprise him that Khun won't get up, so Kurapika can show himself out! ]
Take care.
[ See ya. ]