#event: zhou joui ball

[kadeuxhyeonju]

Gold is a Fae’s Best Friend

@zuihuojoui

Saturday 15 August 2020; After Sunset 

Heart Territory, Zuihuo Joui’s Birthday Bash

The ball was in full swing and Hyeonju found himself jumping between chatting with fellow guests and helping himself to the delicacies passing him by on servers’ trays. At one point, the Heart felt so at ease from the festive atmosphere he’d dazzled a few bystanders with a fan dance. Hyeonju was enjoying himself. He might hate high rankers—and Joui by proxy—but he couldn’t deny how drawn he was to the grandeur and false sense of freedom he felt at events such as these.

He had yet to see the birthday boy everyone was celebrating but made no efforts to find the Ace right away. The Fae loved attention, when others threw themselves at his feet. Hyeonju had no intention of being one of those fools. Still, the weight of his gifts  sat heavily in a hidden pocket and he knew he’d have to find Joui long before the night was out. After all, the Ace was running around with only half of the intended jewelry for tonight’s glamorous golden festivities.

It would be a black mark on Hyeonju’s name to have someone so prestigious running around practically half-naked—though he was certain Joui would strut through the crowds like that, undeterred. That’s what Hyeonju considered it, anyway, walking around with an incomplete fashion set.

So after much debauchery and a handful of flirtatious comments and smiles, the Ten of Heart went out in search of his favorite client. It didn’t take long to find the Fae—just look for the hoard of women fanning themselves and staring longingly into the middle of the crowd. Instead of trying to fight through what would only be a futile  and desperate attempt at reaching the Fae, Hyeonju opted to stand off to the side and admire his work.

He’s like my personal model, he thought to himself. Let him show off a little more. Might be an asshole but he’s great business for the Vega Gem.He smiled to himself as he waited for Joui to notice him.

[kadeuxhyeonju]

generalkwon​:

“I’m originally from Spade… that faction”

Jihoon’s expression was unreadable as ever as he hummed to show he was listening. No matter the reason he disliked Spade deserters a great deal. Given his faction was the only faction that helped others no matter their rank and no matter the aggressor, the disloyalty always rubbed him the wrong way. An “intense” mother was as feeble an excuse as he had ever heard.

“It’s her name,” the General replied with a small shrug. The healer had tried to get him to call her Max a few times but had eventually accepted the fact he would never change. It still amused him to this day that he was only one who ever called her that. 

Then why did you desert was the question at the tip of the Ace’s tongue but… he found he didn’t want to have that discussion. If this man chose drug addicts and whores over family he would have no constructive criticism the General could learn from. Offering a political smile Jihoon chuckled, “I suppose that’s one way to live.”

Jihoon wasn’t sure how much he trusted Hyeonju’s word but he filed the information on drug breakdowns away anyway. He had known the Zuihuo Clan created Yurei and were the sole distributors within Kadeu, but he had assumed they also sold other things. If that wasn’t the case, perhaps their cartel was more of a side project than a rounded investment.

Tough nut to crack, this one,” Hyeonju thought to himself as he took in the unreadable expression. He prided himself on being able to read people but he had to admit the Ace was far better than most at hiding his thoughts. Hyeonju smiled. “It certainly is. Good for you, General. I’m glad to see she has someone so upstanding in her life. She’s quite lucky.”

To anybody else that would have been a pointed and sarcastic remark, but the Heart had heard plenty about General Kwon from Max and knew enough to at least understand he wasn’t an insufferable, pretentious leader like the ones he had known before.

*”That’s one way to live.”*

Or perhaps Hyeonju and Max were both mistaken and the General was a complete dirtbag. “Well,” Hyeonju returned the insincere smile with one of his own. He recognized masks when they were worn even if he had no idea the thoughts behind them.

“It might not have been ideal, but I managed.” He thought of the escape from his mother’s heavy hand and the Spades who scorned him. Running from the pain.

“Provided perspective.” He thought of his resistance dealings. The low rankers who continued to endure and not thrive as he once did.

“And I have a corner of success that belongs solely to me. I take pride in it. Heart is far from perfect—easily the worst faction as far as morality goes.” He winked. “I’m quick to admit it. Then again, all the factions have fatal flaws—Spade included. Nonetheless, Heart has its share of good times.” His thoughts flickered to Nari and the entertainers he’d suffered and smiled alongside. Of the fun and interesting commissions he created. Of the rebels like Anton and the leader who gave him a dream when he had let the ones before it die in the gutters and dilapidated rooms and dirty alleys and a lifeless studio apartment sitting deep in Spade territory.

“This is my way to live. And that is all that matters, General.”

He looked back towards the high ranker addicts and nodded at the approaching figures. “It seems Ace Joui’s servants have come to clean up.”

[kadeuxhyeonju]

Surprise on High

@diabyeolical

Saturday 15 August 2020; After Sunset Heart Territory, Zuihuo Joui’s Birthday Bash

Hyeonju had been looking forward to this night since he’d received the letter of invitation. Not for the man who the guests were here to celebrate—Joui could trip and fall down his gilded, golden stairs, ruining his gorgeous face and Hyeonju would guffaw behind his fan in morbid pleasure. No, the Rank 10 just enjoyed gazing at the splendor of the ball, the attire, the music. He loved to watch the world reach its peak beauty and he had to admit—Joui was a master of beauty.

Skirting the edge of the ballroom, smiling behind his fan, the Heart stared in wonder and awe at the acrobats twisting and turning in elegant motions above his head. For that reason he didn’t see the figure in front of him. The collision sent Hyeonju’s fan flying from his between his fingers and across the ballroom floor. He looked in horror to see it disappear, but when he glanced back at the person he was about to chastise for not being more careful—Hyeonju, really?—he froze in shock.

“Hanbyeol? Why are you here? Did you by chance trip and fall and find yourself in Joui’s home by mistake?” What was his low ranker friend doing here? The Ace of Hearts was going to kill him!