@♦ Key [[ ohh no worries!! I write mostly on phone and it looks small and I only see the result when I post xD]]
Zhou Mi smiled softly and the other's back softly. He was just as sorry they were on opposed clans, but he wanted to make it clear that it wouldn't change a thing. He'd always care for his long time friend, no matter the war they'd go through and the risk of bonding with someone in the opposed clan.
"It's the first time in three years I think. And something happened I guess. It's the regular gang stress but I need to be up a little longer than my body wants sometimes."
He winced shortly, crossing his arms to his chest. It wasn't linked to Key's appearance, but he wish it had, because then he wouldn't feel pitiful to be needing again, fighting addictions.
"Working close to the power gives a lot more responsabilities and I was recently offered the highest position I could ever ask for. I can't fail the guys."
It was a good thing he could share about it and although it was a risk to just mention he was of importance to the tigers, Zhou Mi was counting on Kibum like he always had.
"I think I said this to you already: Someone should look out for you, someone nice and kind and possibly filthy rich." he chuckled. Money had always been trivial to Zhou Mi, loyalty was his true worth, but he had also never lacked money because of his life eating job. "If you need support you know you can ask me. I can ask for services without having to ruin you in exchange." he chuckled, maybe a little too playful for the circumstances.
@♠ Zhou Mi (It was tiny compared to yours >.< I'll try hard~)
Smiling slightly, Kibum gave a few small nods. "All along, right next to a tiger and yet I never suspected a thing... I wish that I had have known..." He mumbled softly, casting his gaze down. It was shameful to be a dragon, and even moreso when he was faced with such a good old friend who ended up with the tigers.
Listening for anything in the moment of silence, his head tilted further as he looked at the little, feeling slightly concerned, but he knew that the man could take it even if he had started using again.His answer sparked curiosity in Kibum. "So... this will have been your first time in... how long has it been again?" He asked curiously, lips parting as he gazed at the man, feling a little guilty since he seemed to be all of the mans problems at once, he looked down for a few seconds, his lips.
"Did something happen...?" He asked softly, brows furrowing slightly. From what Zhoi Mi had said, it certainly sounded that way at least. Maybe it was just a coincidence that he had stopped using when Kibum had gone, and began when he finally returned. "I am alive, you're right... by some miricle..." He mumbled.
Watching for the other's reaction when he revealed his job, Kibum could see that the male was holing back his true dissapointment, pursing his lips and looking down in embarassment, hands claping infront of himself. And even when he listened, it was little comfort. Who was Kibum to say that someone had gone too far with him? They paid him, and the way Kibum saw it, he was obliged to go along with whatever. Looking up suddenly whe the other pulled on his hand, Kibum gave an unsure nod, but at least he felt safer with the other by his hand.
@♦ Key [[ oh not at all! :3 your answer's perfect and that's not small! ]]
"To think you were all along next to a Tiger and I wanted to keep you out of the clans..." Zhou Mi chuckled a little coldly. He was mad at himself for meaning all the good in the world while leaving Kibum to the ennemy's mercy.
Zhou Mi's pace slowed down shortly upon being asked if he's using again. It was always so much easier when people had no idea he stopped, except Kibum was maybe one of the only who had known right on time. He was always the one to know right on time. A little embarrassed laughed broke the silence that had slipped in at the evidence of his failure. "Well I haven't yet." the butler answered and tapped the side of the jacket hiding his dose with a sheepish smile. "Last time I took something was from you, then I stopped, and weirdly enough, I get this now from you." And thinking of it, Zhou Mi feared his friend would understand it all wrong. He cleared his throat.
"I just can't handle everything at the moment. You're alive, I think that's ground to say you're doing okay at least."
Zhou Mi patted Kibum's back, feeling like they were just like when they last met, struggling, although for different reasons. He inhaled deeply, just as displeased by the other's second job as Kibum expected him to but meaning to hide it. Wasn't he trespassing a few laws too; he was in no place to judge or make a move, any could cost his friend's life. "Don't feel ashamed in front of me. As much as I dislike it, I will answer if someone goes too far to your taste. I hope you know that. You can't let someone get away with borderline violence." He said and pulled on the other's hand to catch his attention. "Especially now that we've crossed paths again."
He didn't even think of the territories to cross, the rival gang to abstract himself from, Kibum still didn't add to the gang business in the Butler's mind.
@♠ Zhou Mi "I didn't even know of the tigers... I moved and started making my own means, like I said... the dragons found me, and they happened to find me first..." He let out a heavy sigh. It wasn't really the life he chose, but it was the life that he couldn't easily escape. He barely made enough even though he both dealed and sold himself to his customers, and sometimes even just people off the streets. It wasn't a fun thing to do... not most of the time, but it brought in most of the money he would make in a day.
"I forgot to ask... you're using again?" He asked softly. "I didn't know, I thought that you had moved past that all, but then again, I can hardly be the one to judge... I'm not all that better, right?" He asked, voice softening as he watched the other's expression. "It's good that you are cutting down though, I'm happy for you, that you are less dependant" His smile returned, brighter this time.
Looking a little ashamed now that he had finally admitted what he had been doing as he second job, Kibum fiddled with the bottom of his own shirt again, breaking eye contact. "I didn't seek approval.... and I never would have if we were still in contact either, since I know that you... wouldn't have been best please...." He mumbled the last part.
@♦ Key Zhou Mi had a small smile, because he knew that of all people of the clan, the leader was maybe the most kind hearted of all. If the Butler had known about his friend's presence, he'd have looked oit for him but it wouldn't be half as good as what Baekhyun did.
"I understand, you can't easily go back with too much products or too much money. Maybe I secretly hoped you'd linger here. We have our issues too, but we'd be on the same side."
This was like asking for the impossible but it would be easier if Kibum was a tiger like him to protect him.
To the reminder that he would get the best quality, Zhou Mi winced and smiled at the same time. He wasn't supposed to use any drugs anymore and here he was, buying and meaning to buy again.
"Just like you would never disappoint me. I know you will get the best but I might not buy as much as I used to. I'm trying to stop but I don't want this to mean the end of our friendship."
He knew Kibum to be smart and to depend on himself at any cost, still Zhou Mi would risk rumors and warnings, tarnishing his reputation if he could be of help to him. Just in the younger's hesitation, he knew again that something wasn't okay and he wasn't sure he wanted to meddle. That second job was apparently not official to Dragons so he wouldn't cause a fuss, but the Butler had a bad feeling about it.
"So what is it you do Kibum? I just want to know to what extent you're risking your life."
Which was true, Kibum was legal and free to do what he had, but those were the kind of details that would help him intervene if anything ever happened. "We're way past scolding, and after all these years. I don't expect you to seek my approuval, especially now that we're enemies on paper." He had a small smile, walking next to the other. He looked back shortly and decided he'd at least take him to the dragons' territory. This was what having a hunting board helped in: he had killed enough to be known, feared. People would organize to attack him and that took time and precision.
@♠ Zhou Mi "It's okay... he was really kind when I told him what had happened, he even let me sleep and helped me up in the morning to have coffee and breakfast!" Kibum gave an eager nod, flashing a soft smile to the other, his lips nervously. "Since I have been staying there, it's a long way to dragon turf... and I didn't want to be stuck too far away from somewhere to stay if I had to" He tried to explain. If he started walking now, he wouldn't make it back to his apartment on the boarder- not unscathed, that's for certain. The streets were a very dangerous place at night, especially if you were to get lost or followed somewhere with few people to bear witness to what may happen to you. Kibum knew this all too well.
"See~? I knew that you'd never let me down~ Just like the old days, you still have my back... even after all of these years" He gave a warm smile, a small nod following. "I will always have an eye for the good stuff... You should know that it's always how I have been, only the best, especially for you". Kibum would only get the best quality stuff that there was out of there- not only could he charge a lot more, but customers would return happy and wanting more and more. There was nothing worse than an angry customer, so he had always tried his best to get good quality stuff no matter what.
"It's okay, you worry too much~ I have a way with words, you should know that" He gave a bright grin. "And besides, I'm sure that if I mention that I happen to know Baekhyun, they may just let me off with a small warning!" He grinned brightly. "See~? I'm under protection, and with you there too, I will be safe, right?" He tilted his head off to the side. "Ah... I will" He nodded quickly. "Only once, got it...".
Sighing softly, Kibum could only shrug at the other's words. It was only a matter of time before he was taken in by either the tigers or dragons, but they had gotten to him first. Never did he think that he would have to enemies with him, of all people.
"Is this all I do...?" He repeated the question, lips falling parted for a few seconds, before he broke his gaze with the other, unable to look at the other, his cheeks reddening. "A-ah... I mean, it's my only official job as a dragon but... being a dealer doesn't always bring in enough..." He mumbled, fingers grabbing the hem of his shirt, nervously playing with it.
@♦ Key Zhou Mi saw the dealer's face change, and he was regrettably unable to tell what Kibum was thinking anymore, that time of closeness had passed and disappeared unnoticed like a warm rain of summer.
So his friend had been acquainted to the Tigers' sense of warm welcome. Zhou Mi only hope he had been interrogated by the fairest of all, for like in the Dragons, some were sick, mentally sick certainly, and they could break someone. If Kibum had the strength to stay on this side then he had been lucky; the Butler shook his head lightly at rhe assumption. "I won't tattle an old friend, not tonight, especially since he has eye for the good stuff." He said with a small smile, his first since he had gotten here. People had all kind of reasons to join a gang, but it felt like Kibum wasn't very happy about his choice. Knowing more would only revolt the Butler and for now he had enough on his own plate to mind his neighbor's.
"It's going to kill me if they get you on their bad day, please don't come too close." He asked quietly, his eyes fixed on Kibum's. "If you get caught for nothing, say I requested for you. But you will only use this excuse once okay?" He said, exposing himself. He could be taken out if it was a Dragon trap. But he trusted Kibum enough to be reprimanded if he ever was called out.
"I wish I would have dragged you into my Tiger mess, at least I'd be responsible for you." He added and closed his eyes shortly.
"Is this all you do?" He added just when he was about to leave. He had heard about a rumor back when they knew each other better, that said Key was the best lay in town and Zhou Mi had never been angrier for a rumor. But he always wondered if it was true and too scared to discover it was. This could break them apart again.
@♠ Zhou Mi "This territory...?" Kibum asked slowly, eyeing the other for a few seconds, the look in the other's eyes told him everything right away. Zhou Mi had made a choice too. He was to be a tiger, unlike Kibum who had been lulled like a ship to siren, bound to be shipwrecked, landing with the dragons. Kibum's eye widened a little, and it took him a few seconds to regain his composure before he could speak without his voice wavering.
"I have been staying on this side of the city..." He mumbled, gaze dropping to the floor as he fiddled with his hands infront of himself. Kibum had no choice but to disclose the truth- especially when it was a matter as serious as this with someone he used to know so very well. "I've been staying in your headquaters..." He admitted softly, giving a small nod to his head. It was the truth, he had been taken in by the leader of the tigers for questioning, and spent one very uncomfortable night there, high as hell before he was finally questioed in the morning. Then he had slept there, and hadn't woken until the evening.
"I thought that it'd be okay this time..." He mumbled. "And besides, only you know, it's not like you're going to tattle on an old friend, right...?" He asked softly, eyes looking worriedly and a little upset at the other.
"I had to..." He mumbled, giving a small shrug. It had been when he used to live in the middle of the dragon's turf and he had been selling for a few years. A group of dragons approached him and accused him of selling on his turf. He was given two options. Join them as a dealer, or be killed. Of course, he feared for his life, and before he knew it, he was being dragged off to their headquaters and made a dragon.
@♦ Key The Butler didn't need his Glasses to tell apart the worst distinction Kibum could ever be bearing on his wrist when he was given the drug. He looked up, baffled and hesitant to even take the wrapping of powder. He, reliable and loyal Tiger, could get toyed with just easy if the opposite gang just knew. He was always very discreet about his gang relations and easily passed the detail. But now they were to be ennemy.
"What are you doing on this territory?" He asked, implying the obvious: they were from completely opposed gangs, and Zhou Mi wasn't sure he wanted to chase Kibum away when he had known him for so long, there was a time when he felt even close to him. His voice had been harsher than planned, but his next advice was more lile what he used to be.
"You shouldn't take so many risks to sell, I'm afraid I would have a hard time protecting you this time."
He might even get killed on the spot: he was Baekhyun's eyes and ears, his first line of defense, out here, buying substances from the enemy thus, not only risking his own life. He sighed lightly hiding the package and giving a little more than asked. He always had with Kibum, it wouldn't change.
"Why did it have to be /that/ organization?"
They could have stood on the same side forever, but now Zhou Mi knew someday he'd have to be mean -to say the least- to his friend.
@♠ Zhou Mi Nodding slightly, he slipped a packet of quickly and disecretely to the other, flashing a small smile to him. Kibum didn't feel ashamed of being a drug dealer- this was the more glamourous job than his other little secret job afterall. Taking people back to his scruffy apartment, used condoms strewn all over the room with no working fridge or shower... now that was something he was ashamed about. It was also something that he had little choice about, since he was i so much debt, but he somehow still had to make ends meet.
"I did..." He mumbled, giving a small nod. Kibum was in an organization. Organised crime gang, and the small diamond on his inner wrist was enough of a giveaway to anyone who knew that the symbol represented the gang.
@♦ Key "Oh boy."
The surprise on Zhou Mi's face was chewed by the slight disappointment of meeting Key here, still selling, or the disappointment and shame of being here, twenty seven years old and using again. This was what they were at again. Zhou Mi shookhis head, his eyes shifting to the trash nearby, making himself a reason. He was in no place t judge, but he had hoped the young man would do something else, something better.
"The usual." he said knowing it went back to three years, but still, he took what would make him lucid and strong, cocain and or crack.
"I thought you were getting a job in an organization or something Kibum." He still added, counting bills until he reach a hundred. Little did he know that said organization was a gang.
@♠ Zhou Mi Eyes cast down, waiting for any of his customers to recognise him, or other users to take the hint that he was a dealer, he shuffled on his feet slightly. Kibum knew that he shouldn't still be dealing on rival turf, but he had met the leader of the tigers, and he was sure that he no longer minded about it if it was only Kibum.
Looking up when he heard a voice, he didn't recognise the butler- butbhebreally hadn't been paying attention to any of the faces on his stay.
"Crack ... 100... Weed... 40..." he mumbled lowly. Only the finest quality. Also, lsd 80." Kibum gave s small nodm "what will it be?".
@♦ Key Zhou Mi just needed a little something to go on, a little cheer up to deal with the pressure with the same efficiency he was known for. He wasn't dumb enough to just go to his old dealer, fearing the Leader of his gang would be reported of his mislap. So instead, he went through those places in town where people got loaded and he found a discreet male doing business on the side of a club entrance. he Butler took his chance, dressed in a long black coat, his hand looked in his inner pocket fr cash. This was an in and out, no one had to know about this. The seller looked familiar but in the hurry Zhou Mi was in and the darkness of the poorly lighted street, he didn't recognize the yound male.
"Hi, what do you have tonight?" he asked, ready to buy at any price.
@♠ Byun Baekhyun [L] Baekhyun.. *smiles broader than before* You even have an honorable name, chief. My name is Sooyoung, by the way. But please, call me Joy.
@♠ Joy Oh you can also serve the other clan but only as long as they don't around. If they around, mix them some poison in their drink
/smiles softly and winks/
Some are lingering around here, most of them are easy to get along to.
/smiles warmly/
Just pop there and say hello, some will easily welcome you. /chuckles softly/ Dont be scared, they wont bite.
@♠ Byun Baekhyun [L] Well, my job is a mixologist, but I'm not sure what I can do to serve our clan.. And also, I would like to get to know the others and be good friends but I'm not sure how to approach people as you may have noticed *blushes, embarrassed*
@♠ Byun Baekhyun [L] *smiles back* well, I guess there's nothing to lose..
*sits down across from you*
Do you mind telling me more about this place? I think I'm still registering to everything since I'm new and all..