#fromashanddust

the façade: “Oh, well… I don’t think I’ve done anything morally ambiguous really. Perhaps nicking sweets from the kitchens as a child?”

➳　factcheck! this is a lie. cas has done plenty of morally ambiguous things. in fact, cas is currently contemplating asking luke (@lukef) to set his neighbour’s laundry (they hang it out to dry every three days) on fire in the hopes that they get fed up and move out. anything to make the early morning sonnet rehearsals stop.

20th February 2021,  Late Evening

The journey to the Yelling Secrets had been uneventful, but it hadn’t stopped Hyeonju from keeping a careful eye on his surroundings. Unlike a week prior, the Heart could no longer prance about the faction as he’d like when it came to resistance business. When Hyeonju had heard of Joui’s orders to close off Club’s border to Heart, the man had cursed the Ace’s name and wished the fleas of a thousand camels upon him. Why did that damn High Fae have to make his job harder?

There was nothing for it, though. Hyeonju would adapt as he always did. The key was simply to act as he always had; and since it was no secret that he frequented Dust’s tavern, no one would bat an eyelash as he waltzed through its doors.

Sitting at the bar counter, Hyeonju gave a cordial wave to the owner. First things first: “Your tried and true if you don’t mind. On the rocks.” He waited for Dust to present him his drink before speaking again, giving  off his signature attitude of devil-may-care. “I’m sure you’ve already heard given your intricate network of eyes and ears, but I came across the most amusing piece of gossip the other day in Diamond. Some ritualist summoned a demon in the hopes of exacting revenge against some Palace actor for taking ‘his spot’ in the most recent audition.” He examined his claws. “A shame he didn’t foresee the demon and his more talent-inclined enemy falling head over heels in love and eloping in Umbibe.”

Seeing out his employees, Hyeonju bid them farewell and locked up the Vega Gem behind them. He let out a weary sigh and turned to make his way back to his apartment. There was no way he’d waltz into The Yelling Secret dressed as vibrantly as he was. It didn’t take long, just replacing his garments for more subdued colors of browns, blacks, and deeply dyed blues, accented ever so slightly with gold threading. He refrained from wearing his usual glittering jewels, knowing it would tempt a few struggling low rankers and he had no desire to kill any poor souls who thought him easy prey. No, tonight he would be dressed modestly because he was not there to galavant about and create a spectacular scene.

He was there to meet Dust and get the latest gossip. Both his longest-partnered informant and most amusing, Hyeonju looked forward to seeing the man again. Dust had attitude and it made for quite the company. But more importantly, Dust knew anything and everything and had no qualms sharing his information—for the right price, of course. And the Ten of Heart was more than willing to pay. Hyeonju pocketed a bag of coins set aside for resistance business, grabbed one of his bladed fans, and set out to meet the tavern owner.

Hyeonju walked through the doors of the The Yelling Secrets and while some eyed him in an attempt to deduce his value, most hardly spared a glance. Another reason he enjoyed visiting this informant more than most—most patrons knew to mind their own business.

The [2/3] track on album “From ash and dust”

Composed by Craig Meier