Chapter Text
Chilchuck doesn't like to be looked down upon, even accidentally. Especially accidentally.
When Dandan first introduces them, it doesn't take long for Chilchuck to decide that Laios is a complete idiot. Accusing him of overcharging for his services is one thing, but Laios does agree to pay without trying to haggle him down, so his reservations could be forgiven if the moment Chilchuck hopped down off of the barstool he'd been sitting on Laios hadn't leaned down to shake his hand. It isn't even necessarily that he leans down to do it, it's how he does it: with his free hand on his bent knee, like he's offering his hand to a child.
Chilchuck kicks him squarely in the shin, proving a point that won't be soon forgotten.
To the tall-man's credit he does appear to tread more cautiously after that, but Chilchuck quickly discovers all the same that Laios is a blundering mess of a man at the best of times. His sister, Falin, seems at first like she might have a head on her shoulders, being of a quieter nature and presumably more self-aware, but Chilchuck isn't convinced that it's enough to make up for what Laios seems to lack.
For a party leader, he only barely has a concept of what supplies they'll need to reach the depths of the dungeon he seems to be after—or in fact what Chilchuck's job even is or entails, which is truly mystifying. That he trusted Dandan enough to believe Chilchuck's skills were necessary when he doesn't even know what they are... He's a complete and utter fool, bound to be taken advantage of and robbed blind by the first person to recognize it.
Begrudgingly Chilchuck walks him through what supplies the party will need to stay underground long enough to reach the fourth floor, and for a short time he begins to suspect Laios genuinely respects and appreciates his knowledge of the subject as a sort of mentor. Then comes the inevitable breakdown of the illusion: he's reaching for a rope hung on the wall of the shop they're in, looped around a hook in such a way that tugging on the loose end only winds it tighter, and Laios reaches over him to grab it from above, slipping it off of the hook and offering it to him.
Chilchuck scowls, clenching the fingers of his outstretched hand. Trying to placate him, if a little bit sheepishly, Laios is quick to explain himself with a hurried, "I'm just trying to help."
"I don't need your help navigating through life," Chilchuck snarls at him, snatching the offending rope from out of his hand and jabbing a finger on the opposite hand in Laios's direction. "If it hasn't occurred to you yet, I've been this height for a lot longer than you've been doing this!"
He tells himself he's used to this; ever since coming to The Island Chilchuck has been treated like he's something lesser just for existing in the way he does, but there's something uniquely frustrating about it coming from the Touden party leader. An idiot and a fool, and so completely earnest about it that it's downright embarrassing to witness. The hurt look that Laios offers him as he's scolded is as baffling as it is maddening—he genuinely isn't trying to be condescending. Somehow that's worse.
Mollified, Chilchuck puts his accusatory finger down, casting his gaze off to one side. "Whatever," he grouses, throwing the bundled up rope at Laios for him to fumble catching. "You'll want a rope," Chilchuck continues, the venom in his tone all but having ebbed away entirely. "Always. Every expedition. You lose it, you turn back and buy another one."
"Is it really that important?" Laios asks, earning himself another hard glare before Chilchuck realizes that—once again—he's not being belittled. The tall-man is genuinely curious.
"Yeah," Chilchuck sighs. "If you lose your footing you'll need your party to be able to pull you back up," he explains, tamping down his own impatience. "And if you ever plan on going any deeper than the fourth floor, the terrain starts getting more treacherous; the group might need a way to get across. Plus, each person has different strengths and weaknesses. Just because something is easy for you to do, climbing or swimming or," here he rolls his wrist, making a 'and so on' gesture with one hand, "whatever it is you're good at, don't assume it'll be easy for your party members. Everybody should carry one, for that matter. Buy one for Falin, too, in case you two get separated. What— what are you doing?"
Laios looks up from the notebook he's pulled out from somewhere, scrawling something on the page. "Taking notes?"
Chilchuck bristles. "Don't take notes," he seethes, "Just... remember it."
"Re...member... it," Laios echoes, writing, right before Chilchuck delivers him a swift kick in the shin once again.