"Cause you're probably cooler than the idiots I live with." Gyungho admitted as he set the candy down and then shrugged a little, smiling at Minjun. "I mean, you definitely are already. I love your hair, it's amazing. Mines so boring." It was just black and styled, he felt so uninteresting next to him. "I saw the paint on the trees, it's so beautiful. It's such a rich blue, I can barely get that from acrylic paints at home. Was it you? You're very talented if it was."
Whoops, he was rambling. He held up his hand apologetically. "Sorry, I got a lot of feelings. My bad."
Turning back, he looked at Cheon. "You wanna add anything, boss?"
"It's not my real hair," Minjun admitted, before correcting himself, gesturing vaguely. "Some of it is." A lot went into how his hair looked, it changed a lot throughout the year. Frankly, he was just relieved that this time, he didn't have any stones woven into it. "The paint is made by me. It is only used by me too. Colours mean a lot to us."
Cheon's eyes narrowed. Maybe that was connected to the gems after all. "Very beautiful colours. You must be proud."
"Must I?" Minjun shrugged, looking at Gyungho again. He was much nicer to look at. "I saw a storm coming. Maybe that is what you are."
"I hope not, I hate getting wet." Gyungho confessed as he looked around at all the things that were around here, clearly in awe. He smiled when he saw a load of paint splattered all over the floor, reaching down to look at it. "They are beautiful. Maybe if you have time and you don't mind talking to an outsider, you can tell me what they mean. I'd love to know... if it's not rude to ask."
It was so tricky to say. He stood up straight and turned his head, trying not to get too swept up.
"My boss is looking to talk with the tribes. Or, at least, one of the tribes. Do you know which way we need to go? We come in peace." For now, at least.
"I could teach you a little. If you and your people don't do anything rude." Because Minjun had seen the signs the Gods had sent him and, more importantly, he saw the men right now. Maybe Gyungho came in peace, but that other man, he didn't think peace was ever on his mind. "The tribes live hidden. No outsider is allowed to go there. But I can arrange for a meeting here."
Whether he would, he hadn't decided yet. "Bring the pretty one. The one the warrior met."
"Bunch of pervs." Cheon snorted. "Think we can trade Yejoon in?"
"Woah, no, you already scared him enough. Yejoon doesn't want to be attacked and he's ours. No trades, no swapsies." Just to be clear. Maybe he could get Yejoon to come but it wasn't a priority. "I won't make a promise he'll come but I'll ask him. Like civilised people, we ask first." Just to clarify that demanding didn't get what they wanted or they might do it more. "We can come back tomorrow, we'd like to meet the tribes."
Turning his head, he gave Cheon a glare. "And no, we are not trading him. Yejoon is our friend."
Or he was his friend. He was unsure about Cheon and Jaebum.
"I was saying you should bring him. Not trade him." Minjun frowned. "Why would we want that? We don't have slaves. Is he a slave?" He was getting confusing messages here. Either way, he shook his head, but kept talking. "I will ask representatives of the tribes to be here tomorrow, but I make no promises."
That seemed safest. "You are a scholar, yes?" He said it to Gyungho. "An adviser. You are very young."
"He's an egghead, yeah." Cheon was so helpful. Minjun looked confused.
"No, he's not a slave but I wanted to just make sure that you knew I can't bring him unless he wants to." He loved Yejoon so he'd keep him safe. He'd bring him if he had to, he'd pet his hair and take care of him... or something that made Yejoon sound less like a cat. Though he was kind of a cat. Right down to the fact that he hissed when annoyed. His little buddy was such a cat.
"I am young, I went to study at university and graduated a while back. My eomma paid, she had high hopes. I'm a scientist, I specialised in natural science and anthropology." So this was so cool to see. "I'm here to help. Both him and you. Any questions, I'll try to answer."
"I don't know some of those words," Minjun admitted, frowning as he tried to puzzle together the meaning as well as he could. "If you come or if you stay now, you can watch as I call the tribe. That is what you do, yes? Watch and learn. It's the same for us."
He nodded his head and looked at Cheon. "You brought weapons, didn't you? This is a sacred place. You shouldn't have. Don't do it again."
"I didn't bring weapons!" Cheon lied. "You shouldn't accuse me like that."
"Apologise. If we did do that, which we didn't, it was wrong of us." Gyungho had to sort of... find a middle ground here. Appease everyone. He smiled softly at Minjun and nodded his head. "I'd like to stay and watch. I can explain all the weird words I just said and you can explain all the stuff you do. Then it's a trade."
Gyungho bowed his head a little and then looked back at Cheon. "I could stay and you could head back, maybe ready everyone for tomorrow when we meet the tribes. I won't stay long and I'll be safe." Hopefully.
"You are under my protection," Minjun confirmed, while Cheon looked around suspiciously, then lowered his voice to speak to Gyungho.
"Keep an eye out for anything interesting. We need all the info we can get." That said he bowed his head again, moving a step backwards. "I'll leave you to it then, great prophet. Have fun with out egghead."
Watching Cheon walk away, Minjun raised his eyebrows. "He's peculiar. And unlikable."
"Yeah but that's his charm. Or anti charm, I guess." He watched Cheon disappear and hoped that he actually went back to camp and didn't go out to piss anyone off. "We're not all like that but you know, you give an idiot cash and they're still an idiot, they're just an idiot with power now too. I'll keep him from being an idiot as much as I can, promise."
A boss and a chief were different, naturally. He didn't have to respect him, he just had to listen and do as he was told to get paid.
"I'm really grateful to be here and to see what you're doing so I'll try my best to be respectful."
"Cash?" Minjun said it in a questioning tone. He wasn't sure what it meant and content didn't help that much. Power, he knew that though. It was worrisome that this man had to call the other one his chief. Worrisome.
He turned, walking around the tree, but gestured to Gyungho to follow him. "The man who attacked, he thought that your friend was trapped by the things he stole. I told him they are just a kind of sandal."
He glanced down, nodding as he saw Gyungho's shoes. "I am right."
"Money. Something you can get stuff with. It's like a token you'd use in trade." Gyungho explained as he walked around with Minjun, listening intently. He thought Yejoon was trapped by his shoes? Huh. "Why did he think shoes were a trap?" Interesting.
He stopped and hopped on one foot to show Minjun his shoe, tapping the solid sole before gesturing to the leader. "They're shoes, yeah? Kinda sandals but more protective. I've got a hard sole, good tread and it's leather so it's waterproof."
He supposed islanders didn't need shoes. "I bet your feet are just as strong."
"Because he was stumbling. He thought it was like a bunny in a snare. He's a warrior and a hunter, so..." Minjun shrugged. Most of his fellow tribesmen didn't have many experiences outside their immediate surroundings. He looked down, inspecting the shoes and finally nodding. "They look strong. But yes, I need to walk through fire. My feet are strong."
Just as he said that, he stopped by a fire, burning on the ground. The fire pit was clearly well cared for, hot stones surrounding it, the flames mostly died down by now, but the heat still came of it strongly. Minjun picked up a leaf and used it to fan the flames. "I can use the smoke to speak to the tribes."
"That's sweet. I'll tell him. He'd really like his shoes back so if you could arrange that, it'd be brilliant. They're not weapons or traps, he just needs them. He has soft feet, he got a splinter on the boat and he was wearing socks." He had like baby feet or something, Gyungho didn't know but he would find a way to get him his shoes back!
"Oh woah, walking on fire? Cool. I could not do that." Gyungho sat on the ground, a distance away, pulling out his book so he could record what was happening. "And they both know it's you and come to talk? That's handy."
"I don't know if I can convince Sangwoo. He probably considers them trophies." Minjun knew how his people thought. He glanced to see Gyungho writing, but it didn't bother him, so he just continued his explanation. "They see where the smoke comes from. And they know what I want when I colour it."
For now he moved one of the stones onto the fire and then tossed some moss onto it, watching as the smoke started to rise. "The moss, it has water. Water and fire together makes smoke."
He wasn't sure how much Gyungho knew. Reaching for a pouch he kept near the fire, he tossed a handful of powder onto it, then sat back on his feet. "It's purple. One tribe's colour is blue, the other red. Now they know that they both should be watching my message."
Gyungho gave Minjun a thumbs up, made some shorthand notes and then smiled brightly at his new, odd friend. "You're wise. I can see why they all listen and respect you. I would too." He was sure that he knew how all of this worked but the reason behind it was what he found the most interesting. It was fascinating. "We don't ask a lot from your tribes, we would just like to talk. Promise. It's nothing scary." If he could tame Cheon, anyway.
"I-- You said studied, right? We have rites. Initiation. I read." He gestured to the notes Gyungho was taking. "So, I studied."
In a way, he supposed. Minjun tossed another hand of powder onto the flames, the smoke turning orange. There was danger, he just didn't know how much of it yet. "You say that, but you aren't sure."
He looked at Gyungho, caught his eyes. "I think you are promising for yourself. But you don't speak for everyone."
"Cheon won't do anything stupid and if he does, I'll make sure to talk him out of it." He hoped he could, at least. Maybe he was just focusing on himself and not the others but he didn't like the idea of being involved in anything as bad as that. As what could be war.
"Do you like to read?" A safer topic. "I have books at the camp. I can bring you some tomorrow."
"I like reading. But I'm not sure I should--" Minjun frowned, then shrugged, smirking suddenly. "I can. I make the law, you know?" Pretty neat gig, at times. Of course, he had been taught not to abuse it, but if it meant reading books he had never had access to before, why wouldn't he give himself permission for it? He saw no danger there.
"Why did you want to come here? Is it just because our island is beautiful?"
"Gambling got me nowhere and I owe a lot of cash but Cheon pays well so I'm here for that. My eomma wouldn't be thrilled, she kept telling me to study hard and be reputable and I just -- I dunno, I'm a cheater at heart. I like the easy way." He shrugged his shoulders, he had been pretty good at making cash that way until he got seduced and manipulated. Luckily, he was a graduate with a good education who could do what Cheon needed for the lowest price.
"Also it's nice to get out of the city and actually reignite why I loved this work."
"There must be a lot of people where you are from. City." Minjun said the word that he knew, but rarely ever used. "It can get lonely here." Not on the island as such, but given his position, relative isolation was a given. He was still trying to catch up on what else Gyungho had said, trying to piece it all together. "You use some words my people wouldn't understand. Be careful about that when you talk to them or they might get upset."
Minjun shrugged his shoulders. "The two tribes are at peace with each other right now. One lives in the forest, the other by the water. Both guard their home well." His eyes went to the sky, looking at the smoke coming from two different places. "Are you going to cheat me?"
"I'll be more careful. Sorry. I don't mean to use confusing words." Gyungho bowed a little and stood up, pocketing his notebook as he looked up at the sky, watching the following signals. When Minjun asked the question, he smiled and turned to him, shaking his head. "Nah, my days of cheating are over. I only ever cheated to do less work. I got no reason for that here, I like the work."
So it was different, it wasn't as essential. "I'll earn your trust, promise."
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Whoops, he was rambling. He held up his hand apologetically. "Sorry, I got a lot of feelings. My bad."
Turning back, he looked at Cheon. "You wanna add anything, boss?"
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Cheon's eyes narrowed. Maybe that was connected to the gems after all. "Very beautiful colours. You must be proud."
"Must I?" Minjun shrugged, looking at Gyungho again. He was much nicer to look at. "I saw a storm coming. Maybe that is what you are."
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It was so tricky to say. He stood up straight and turned his head, trying not to get too swept up.
"My boss is looking to talk with the tribes. Or, at least, one of the tribes. Do you know which way we need to go? We come in peace." For now, at least.
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Whether he would, he hadn't decided yet. "Bring the pretty one. The one the warrior met."
"Bunch of pervs." Cheon snorted. "Think we can trade Yejoon in?"
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Turning his head, he gave Cheon a glare. "And no, we are not trading him. Yejoon is our friend."
Or he was his friend. He was unsure about Cheon and Jaebum.
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That seemed safest. "You are a scholar, yes?" He said it to Gyungho. "An adviser. You are very young."
"He's an egghead, yeah." Cheon was so helpful. Minjun looked confused.
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"I am young, I went to study at university and graduated a while back. My eomma paid, she had high hopes. I'm a scientist, I specialised in natural science and anthropology." So this was so cool to see. "I'm here to help. Both him and you. Any questions, I'll try to answer."
Like the good boy he was.
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He nodded his head and looked at Cheon. "You brought weapons, didn't you? This is a sacred place. You shouldn't have. Don't do it again."
"I didn't bring weapons!" Cheon lied. "You shouldn't accuse me like that."
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Gyungho bowed his head a little and then looked back at Cheon. "I could stay and you could head back, maybe ready everyone for tomorrow when we meet the tribes. I won't stay long and I'll be safe." Hopefully.
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"Keep an eye out for anything interesting. We need all the info we can get." That said he bowed his head again, moving a step backwards. "I'll leave you to it then, great prophet. Have fun with out egghead."
Watching Cheon walk away, Minjun raised his eyebrows. "He's peculiar. And unlikable."
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A boss and a chief were different, naturally. He didn't have to respect him, he just had to listen and do as he was told to get paid.
"I'm really grateful to be here and to see what you're doing so I'll try my best to be respectful."
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He turned, walking around the tree, but gestured to Gyungho to follow him. "The man who attacked, he thought that your friend was trapped by the things he stole. I told him they are just a kind of sandal."
He glanced down, nodding as he saw Gyungho's shoes. "I am right."
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He stopped and hopped on one foot to show Minjun his shoe, tapping the solid sole before gesturing to the leader. "They're shoes, yeah? Kinda sandals but more protective. I've got a hard sole, good tread and it's leather so it's waterproof."
He supposed islanders didn't need shoes. "I bet your feet are just as strong."
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Just as he said that, he stopped by a fire, burning on the ground. The fire pit was clearly well cared for, hot stones surrounding it, the flames mostly died down by now, but the heat still came of it strongly. Minjun picked up a leaf and used it to fan the flames. "I can use the smoke to speak to the tribes."
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"Oh woah, walking on fire? Cool. I could not do that." Gyungho sat on the ground, a distance away, pulling out his book so he could record what was happening. "And they both know it's you and come to talk? That's handy."
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For now he moved one of the stones onto the fire and then tossed some moss onto it, watching as the smoke started to rise. "The moss, it has water. Water and fire together makes smoke."
He wasn't sure how much Gyungho knew. Reaching for a pouch he kept near the fire, he tossed a handful of powder onto it, then sat back on his feet. "It's purple. One tribe's colour is blue, the other red. Now they know that they both should be watching my message."
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Gyungho gave Minjun a thumbs up, made some shorthand notes and then smiled brightly at his new, odd friend. "You're wise. I can see why they all listen and respect you. I would too." He was sure that he knew how all of this worked but the reason behind it was what he found the most interesting. It was fascinating. "We don't ask a lot from your tribes, we would just like to talk. Promise. It's nothing scary." If he could tame Cheon, anyway.
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In a way, he supposed. Minjun tossed another hand of powder onto the flames, the smoke turning orange. There was danger, he just didn't know how much of it yet. "You say that, but you aren't sure."
He looked at Gyungho, caught his eyes. "I think you are promising for yourself. But you don't speak for everyone."
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"Do you like to read?" A safer topic. "I have books at the camp. I can bring you some tomorrow."
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"Why did you want to come here? Is it just because our island is beautiful?"
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"Also it's nice to get out of the city and actually reignite why I loved this work."
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Minjun shrugged his shoulders. "The two tribes are at peace with each other right now. One lives in the forest, the other by the water. Both guard their home well." His eyes went to the sky, looking at the smoke coming from two different places. "Are you going to cheat me?"
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So it was different, it wasn't as essential. "I'll earn your trust, promise."