@viiktor sent: ❛ if you want me to trust you , you’re gonna have to tell me the plan . ❜
Silco eyed Viktor for a moment, through the corner of his good eye. At first, he didn't respond, as though thinking over a proper response in general for this young man, just returning to his home of origin. He supposed it would be good for their little alliance for him to drop the finer details of the plan, but Silco himself did not trust easily. No one, save for those at the closest to his core and the most loyal, ever completely knew his plans.
Instead, he decided to tell Viktor a little story.
"When I was about your age, I took to gambling. The edges of the canyons to the south of here are littered with nooks and crannies where all manner of deals take place. They bet on everything--animal fights, card games, dice, you name it-- and you can put anything you want on the line. Coin, goods, even lives."
As Silco spoke, he brought his hand up to tap his forefinger along the wood as he said certain words, the dull, warm thud reverberating along his points. "I became particularly good at cards. Have you ever played a high stakes card game, my young friend? Feeling the cardstock under your fingertips, enough so that your hands sweat with the stress as you try to keep your face from betraying you? When you add your life to the line? Suddenly, those cards of yours ARE your life. Each time you put one down or it's knocked out by another player, it's like seeing your own moments count down."
He moved to light a cigar, letting the smoke extend out of his nostrils as he continued to speak, gesturing with the smoke pluming from the tip so as it caused a screen between the two of them.
"You learn what's important and what you can let slide, but what you most learn? Secrets are your lifeline and you have to keep your cards close to your chest."
Silco stood up and moved forward to stand near Viktor, so much so they were face to face. The kingpin leaned in, as though his words were only capable to be heard as such a close range.
"Knowledge is power and trust is sacred, but you need to learn to keep your own cards close to your chest. That trust needs to be earned and I already know that no matter what I tell you, it's just going to be a gamble again. Make the odds in your favor, child. You want me to give up my plans without equal take back? No. First, you need to offer me something in return. Let's trade."
