Man On The Moon

Chapter 24: About Zyronia Planet

Black Swan, her composure unruffled, turned to the group and spoke with a casual tone.

Black Swan: "Well, that was certainly exciting, wasn't it? My apologies for the disruption, but old habits die hard."

The group, still on edge, exchanged glances. March 7th spoke up first, her voice a mix of curiosity and unease.

March 7th: "That was no ordinary 'acquaintance' of yours, right? He looked like he was out for blood."

Black Swan smiled mysteriously, sipping her drink.

Black Swan: "Oh, that one? He's just an old business associate, you could say. He wanted to settle some disagreements we had. Nothing too unusual, I assure you."

Vettel, his expression sceptical, raised an eyebrow.

Vettel: "Disagreements, huh? Seemed more like a personal grudge to me."

Black Swan chuckled, her eyes dancing with mischief.

Black Swan: "Well, my dear, the line between business and personal dealings can often get a bit blurred in my world. But I assure you, it was nothing I couldn't handle."

Dan Heng, always the observant one, spoke up next, his voice calm yet astute.

Dan Heng: "This 'acquaintance' of yours...he seemed quite familiar with you. This isn't the first time you've met, is it?"

Black Swan's smile widened, impressed by Dan Heng's perceptiveness.

Black Swan: "You're observant, I'll give you that. Yes, my old friend and I have crossed paths before. Our history together goes way back. But it's all part of the game, isn't it?"

Jingliu, her eyes flickering with a hint of calculation, interjected.

Jingliu: "And what exactly is this 'game' you speak of, Black Swan?"

Black Swan's smile didn't waver as she replied, her voice holding a cryptic undertone.

Black Swan: "Oh, life is a game, my dear. A game of choices, moves, and sacrifices. And just like any game, it has its players, its strategies, and its rules. Some we adhere to, others we bend, sometimes even break."

The group, still filled with questions, looked at each other, their faces showing their confusion and curiosity. March 7th, unable to contain her curiosity, spoke up again.

March 7th: "And are we part of this game? What role do we play in all of this?" 

Black Swan took another sip from her drink, her smile enigmatic.

Black Swan: "Ah, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Your role is yet to be written, my dears. The threads of fate are ever-unravelling, and with each step you take, they change, they evolve. Your choices, your actions, they all play a part in the grand scheme of this game we call life."

Vettel: "Can I share your drink Black Swan?" he takes a glass.

Black Swan chuckled, finding Vettel's forwardness amusing.

Black Swan: "Certainly, my dear. Help yourself. It's quite fine, if I may say so myself."

Vettel poured himself a drink, raising the glass towards Black Swan in a gesture of thanks. He then took a sip, his face showing slight surprise at the rich taste.

Vettel: "Hm, it's good. Mind sharing what's in it?"

Black Swan smiled, swirling her glass gently.

Black Swan: "Oh, a secret recipe, I'm afraid. A special blend of ingredients, each with its unique properties. Shall we just call it...a cocktail of intrigue and flavour?"

The group chuckled at her words, the tension easing slightly. Dan Heng added a small smile playing on his lips.

Dan Heng: "I guess everything with you is a secret, isn't it?"

Black Swan smirked, her eyes sparkling.

Black Swan: "Oh, my dear, secrets are my currency, my lifeblood. A little mystery makes life so much more fun, don't you think?" 

March 7th, ever the curious, couldn't help but try to dig a little deeper.

March 7th: "So, if everything is a secret, then how can we trust you? How can we know you're telling the truth about the artefact and everything else?"

Black Swan chuckled, swirling her drink in her hand.

Black Swan: "Ah, trust is such a delicate thing, isn't it? Like a fine thread, it can snap at the slightest pressure. But let me ask you this, my dear: do you have a choice? You need me as much as I need you in this... the game we're playing. And sometimes, necessity trumps trust, no?"

Dan Heng, ever the thoughtful one, spoke up again.

Dan Heng: "You speak as if you know our role in this 'game' you keep mentioning, Black Swan. Are we pawns on your board?"

Black Swan's smile never wavered, her eyes dancing with something akin to mischief.|

Black Swan: "Oh, my dear Dan Heng, pawns, pieces, players...we're all just different faces of the same coin, aren't we? In life's great game, each one of us has a role to play, whether we know it or not. The question is, what kind of role do you want to play?"

Jingliu, her eyes narrowing, replied in a firm tone.

Jingliu: "We want to play to win. But first, we need answers. And we won't move an inch until we get them."