√ please. don't support that shit. cmon we know better dont we

he continues on as if nothing happened, instructing a nearby servant to proceed with bringing the first course of food and drink out. )

to say, he allows the table to resume their menial discussions — however, a finger does lift.

the chair he xuan is seated in shifts itself back and slides across the floor, swapping positions with the incredibly confused ghost that had been previously sitting closest to hua cheng.

>

so, he seems subtly disappointed — who knows why. )

. . appetizers will be out in a moment. in the meantime, why don't you all start considering what you'll forfeit in case you lose tonight's game?

there's a mighty prize up for grabs, so no low-balling.

( with nothing more

>

nothing comes for a while, only a languid wave of hand for the dancers he enlisted for the occasion to move aside. such a frivolity ought to just remain paradise manor feature, he muses inwardly.

crimson eye scans the table, lingering on he xuan for a beat longer than on anyone else. after doing

>

( finally there to fill the seat at the head of the table ... he's arriving late, and with a flourish of his vibrant robes. )

welcome in, everyone.

( how 𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘭𝘺 he addresses the eager crowd, all but a few falling to a subdued murmur while expecting more of a speech.

>

( black water turning his nose up at the prospect of free food? hua cheng would scoff if he could read minds this moment — truly it counts as a (slight) surprise.

perhaps he xuan is the one who needs checking in on. )

( if it aids in he xuan's decision, there 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 be a banquet held for those trying their luck at the gambler's den tonight. )

✓ twitter alt — @ CxRxSxF

√ pov — vague, but firmly set pre - tonglu arc.

no established relationships yet.

√ mun's name is spades ( they & he ) , 22.

i love long threads, chemistry building, slow burn, and angst (!)

the art used on my account is either official or my own. (!) credit the art you post or get blocked. don't repost my art anywhere pls.

anything on the timeline is open to interaction <3 !

( he looks over the absolutely shell-shocked crowd, hums, and stands once more to leave. it would be entirely too boring to sit around for the duration of the wait ; by the time he returns, news will have certainly reached everyone in the three realms. )

something like this won't be as exciting unless there's lots of challengers, wouldn't you agree? so, the game will begin in ... eh, how about ... six hours?

maybe we'll even have some upstarts from the heavenly court show up. that sure would set a strange precedent if they won.

petty insurrection anyhow. i decided to make this easy for you.

( sipping from his glass — no one dares to speak. )

it'll be a simple game. let's cast three rolls of the dice, and anyone whose combined total is greater than mine . . i'll happily concede to them the title of 'king'.

the occupants to drop into a dead silence. one could hear a feather drop in the lull. )

here's an interesting proposition. which one of you lucky folk wants to rule ghost city? i see how you've all grown 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 in my absence.

i have no doubt there's some talk of

( some servant, still faithful in recognizing his gesture, immediately supplies a glass of white wine.

he leans back and props chin upon free palm. )

i'd surmise it's best to pay attention . .

( leisurely, idle. he doesn't bother raising his voice to carry throughout the room, causing

( the gambler's den : where ghosts and gods alike can pretend their lives still mean something. a rowdy, disagreeable place.

he'll take his seat behind the red curtains, the building's rancor falling quiet after a delay as everyone realizes who arrived.

crossing legs, holding a hand out. )

( the ghosts are bold. instead of entirely clearing the way for him, they only make a lukewarm shuffle to the left or right.

frowning, prodding at one. as it scampers away in terror, he thinks he might just need to make a show of himself ... that ought to remind everyone who runs this city. )