#rgseohwa

{ rgseohwa }

“Your hair is a mess!” “That’s not how you dress for a party!” “We’re meeting with aristocrats and you put that on?!” 

The number of complaints his commanding officer and troop had spouted the moment he stepped out of his quarters had gone in one ear and out the other. Or at least it was supposed to, but then it was forced back in when his commanding officer had told him to fix himself up unless he wants to be assigned to giving out the rations for two weeks as punishment for dressing so shabbily. 

Not wanting to interact and touch anyone outside his troop and those he’s about to kill (the amount of brushing he subjects himself through after getting blood all over him isn’t something most consider healthy), he let out a sigh as he was directed to a shop in Duur near their meeting place. So with the threat of being assigned to give out rations, he went, refusing to slump his shoulders due to his pride (but the weight of the thought of someone else touching him making his heart want to jump out of his chest).

The festival was as exciting as Jinhwan had imagined, even after being there for several days. However, it was also more expensive than he had expected. He’d stolen enough funds to treat himself to a small meal and a few snacks each day, but he didn’t have quite enough for what he was really looking forward to: a treat for the kids.

Before leaving the Slums, Jinhwan had gone around and said goodbye to the children he had befriended, promising to bring them back a treat. He wanted to get them something rich and sweet, considering how infrequently they could eat such a food, but cakes were far more expensive than he had anticipated. Technically he could afford one, but that would leave him too poor to pay for his own meals.

There was always the option of simply picking yet another pocket, but he was in the mood for something different. It’d been a while since he conned someone out of a few dollars or a meal, and what better place to do it than at a festival where no one even knew his name?

Jinhwan scanned the busy area for someone who looked like they could be tricked into buying him a treat. When he saw a girl with well-groomed hair and bright clothing staring giddily at a painting of a monkey, he figured he’d found the right person.

He ran his fingers through his hair to make it slightly more disheveled and adjusted his (stolen) tunic. After determining that he was at the perfect balance between disheveled and charming, he made his way to the young woman.