What is a Man?

VI Suspicions

Summary: A series of somewhat disconnected oneshots that explore the alternate universe life of Hans, formerly known as The White Star of ancient legends. Ancient White Star Hans, Dark!Hans AU.

VI. Suspicions

Hans was viewed as the 'most normal' subordinate of Cale's. This perspective prevailed despite him: taking long vacations every year that he never talked about, multiple odd comments about the God of Death, and that one time he broke someone's arm after easily defeating five men in a bar fight. He had explained the last one by saying that he knew how to fight because he grew up in the slums.

—

Even the children had joined the game of poker after watching a round. On held their cards, her little brothers on either side.

Cale and Alberu had chosen to sit as far away from each other as possible. They had the largest stacks of chips.

Ron and Beacrox were next to each other. They were both doing a decent job and had a medium size

Everyone else had folded. The river was eight of spades, ace of diamonds, and four of hearts.

Hans was across the table from Cage. He had a three of spades and two of hearts, so the priestess probably had a better hand than him. Fortunately, he had a decent guess about what would annoy Cage the most, based off of his own experiences with their mutual...friend. "I have a few jokes about unemployed people."

Everyone looked at him, confused.

". . .But none of them work."

Some people chuckled, especially the children. Cage's face twisted in annoyance.

The fourth card flipped. It was a seven of spades.

Hans knocked on the table to check. "I just found out that I'm color blind. The news came completely out of the green!"

Cage glared at him and raised the bid.

Hans added fifteen more chips to the pot. "I wanted to take pictures of the fog this morning... But I mist my chance. I guess I could dew it tomorrow!"

Cage threw her hand down on the table and stood up. She looked like she was about to murder Hans.

—

There were times when Hans casually gave predictions that turned out to be terrifyingly accurate or comments that were odd but turned out to be relevant later. Eruhaben had taken to calling him, 'Suspicious b*stard' inside of his head.

Hans also gave out advice nonchalantly. He seemed to nudge them in helpful directions most of the time.

The most suspicious thing he did was mention how the local rocks factored into the cultures, exports, and flags of both the Territories of Marquis Stan and Duke Henituse. He seemed to smirk as the realization dawned on Cale's face; fortunately, his employer was distracted by the thoughts of where the second earth power was hidden.

—

A long time ago, Hans had stuck several barrels of wine in a hidden cellar near that one famous Paerun lake. The lake was dry now, but his wine was still there.

There was more than enough for him to share with the others; because of this, that night everyone found out Choi Han was an absolute light weight.

—

Duke Fredo couldn't help but notice the butler standing behind Cale Henituse. He knew that his subordinates also noticed as a look of confusion flashed across their faces.