Shy Deer Steppes Well I’m sorry I thought what I said was true, I was wrong

long ago, shoko had learned that reading between the lines was not just a benefit, but a life skill, and what was left unspoken was often more telling than what was laid plain upon the table. arsenio promised nothing if his safety. if anything, he seemed to promise the contrary. 

shoko enjoyed high stakes games. he could be stupid and impulsive when he was excited. arsenio spoke of the pharaohs impression he was there to serve; this prompted shoko to wonder just what arsenio’s angle was. 

he turned his head to the side, lips pulled thoughtfully. it sounds like i should meet this pharaoh. but first, what is your game, arsenio?  surely if the mercenary had his own angles to play, shoko might end up a pawn in his chess game.