#{ verse; history is my playground // antique dealer }

[theyearningtofly]

Like every morning, after Asuka eats breakfast she goes around her home and waters her flowers. She might not look like one who keeps such in her apartment, but her home is filled with them.

Maybe it's sappy, but despite them being formed of her dying blood and tears, she can't bring it in herself to get rid of them. They're symbols of love, after all, and soon another flower would join in their ranks.

She clutches her chest, bending down when a series of coughs wreck her form. Covering her mouth, petals fall on the palm of her hand, dark blue tainted in blood.

"Again..." she murmurs with a grimace.

It doesn't matter. She'll get through this, like she has with the other ones. Asuka already has a surgery plan scheduled, so it doesn't matter. After she quickly gets ready, she locks up and heads straight to her shop.

Oh, right. She'll have to text Connor that she'll be missing lunch today.

@artofdeviancy​

[theyearningtofly]

@resentfuldrcgon​ asked:

“Sooka!! Sooka!!!” He came running while waving his arms, his robes flowing around him as he stopped in front of her, “people are staring at me and I don’t know why? Is there something on my face?” //cross-over WuXian xD

“Why?”

Asuka raises her brows, before turning her head to look around to check; yes, people are staring. Then she looks at the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. He looks like someone straight out of a novel. She looks at him with a deadpan stare.

“Cause you look like an isekai protagonist,”

But then she grins, wide and mischievous as she reaches up to pat his shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it. All we have to do is give you a little makeover. And...a little haircut. I know just the place.”

[theyearningtofly]

"Hey," he whispered against her ear. "Wake up babe. I brought you breakfast."

She feels cold. Her limbs are seizing up, unable to move. Air won't go into her lungs. She feels trapped.

No. She knows she is. When she opens her eyes she'll be in that closet. Cramped. The walls pushing in on her. Unable to move, unable to scream.

She--

"Hm--?!"

Asuka starts awake. The whisper against her ear wrenches her from her nightmare, and she snaps her eyes open.

It was just a dream. Just a dream.

They don't come as often they used to, but sometimes they creep up, pouncing on her sleeping mind and dragging her back to her worst memories. Despite being used to it, they still leave her shaking, covered in cold sweat when she wakes.

A tired groan spills from her lips as she sits up. Her hand shakes as she brings it up to her face, and it's only then that she realizes she's crying. She quickly wipes the tears away.

"Sorry...just...a nightmare."

Turning towards him him, she forces a smile. It's only then that she remembers what Callum had whispered, and another to finally notice the tray he carries.

"Oh! Breakfast in bed?"

The smile that she had forced turned brighter, a genuine one as she looks at the tray in surprise. Taking the tray from him, she can feel her stomach grumbling as she looks at the delicious food, inhaling the smell of perfectly cooked pancakes and eggs.

This is the perfect comfort food after a nightmare.

"Looks yummy. What's the occasion?"

[theyearningtofly]

@detroitfortune

She sits on the front row, sharp eyes looking over the faces present. Some familiar, a few of them dangerous, and the others? Strangers. Her men are ever present, black suits surrounding her in a not subtle cocoon, alert and ready, glaring at those who have once crossed her.

A black tie event, this auction is one that she's gone to almost every year. And one of her favorites.

Her gaze is locked onto the stage. And just in time, the host proclaims the next item. One that she's been eyeing for the past few months.

Silver and lustrous, the metal is polished to a shine, with rubies embedded on its sides. The goblet is a hidden jewel, unnoticed and outshined by ancient manuscripts and shards of broken holy relics. Asuka straightens in her seat. It's almost time to bid.

Knowing that it's an overlooked item, its starting bid is among the lowest, at $3000. She takes it slow, rising her own bid little by little, watching the few bidders losing interest by $4800. She grins. This is it. She'll get--

"$8000 to the gentleman in the back!"

What?!

Asuka almost whips her head. Who the hell?!

[theyearningtofly]

@detroitfortune

"Hmm, very nice,"

Grinning, Asuka Stronov tilts her head, satisfaction obvious as she taps her chin, eyes fixed on the painting on the display. A new exhibition, one that never would have opened if not for her. Her blood, pain, and proverbial tears, and for that hefty sum? It was worth it. Not to mention the ancient ruins, additional trinkets she picked up along the way.

The museum is just a little on the crowded side today. Opening day usually is. Investors and some high profile people. They give her a wide berth, curious eyes trailing after, but Asuka is used to it. To the normal citizens of Detroit it might look strange, but to her it has become a part of her daily life.

As usual her dark suited entourage surrounds her. Like black smoke they follow her, a protective shield made of betas and alphas. At first she thought it was too much. She was a grown woman, she didn't need a group of bodyguards. But her line of work is dangerous, more so to an omega--even one on suppressants.

Her heels clack, almost echoing as she explores the length of the exhibition. Though the painting is the star, she isn't about to ignore the rest. From recovered potteries, to restored ancient jewelry. Each one with its own story, and each one deserves attention. It is then that Asuka notices him.

Standing not far away, is a man. Tall, and suited, an obvious alpha. His scent wafts over to her, captivating her, and Asuka finds herself drawn. She meets his eyes.

Something--something's happening.

She can feel something, hot and simmering, deep in her belly. It's a sensation that she's felt before. Years ago, but one that she has not missed.

"H-hi..."

What is she doing?! Did she really just walk up to a random alpha just cause he smells good? Fuck. Of all the things...

[theyearningtofly]

@detroitfortune

She hasn't been feeling the best lately. Nausea in the morning, fatigue creeping up on her when the sun is still up in the sky...Asuka admits she might have caught a little stomach bug but surely it's nothing serious. Furrowing her brows, she rubs at her forehead, trying to shake off the lightheadedness that is suddenly creeping up.

"Miss, are you ill?"

The question sounds far away, and Asuka blinks, struggling to focus her vision. Saito looks at her, worry creasing his expression.

"I'm...I'm fine," she says, shaking her head. Black spots are appearing on her vision.

"Miss...Miss--!"

The next thing Asuka knows, she's lying on a bed. The smell of disinfectant prominent, she knows immediately where she is.

"Why am I in the hospital?"

[theyearningtofly]

@untamedxfates​ said:

“Sokasoookaaaa” Wuxian called out to her as he entered her shop, he happily walked up to her and handed her a perfectly wrapped box with mooncakes inside, “happy mid-autumn!” // from wuxian :D

Looking up from the tablet she was reading, a small smile quirks up on her lip when she realizes who it was. Asuka's grown used to the silly nickname, and a small part of her even...likes it? Not that she'd ever admit it.

"Ooh that's right. Mid-autumn festival is today."

That means...her gaze turns to the box that is placed in her hands. For a second she is tempted to shake the box, but refrains, and instead simply unwraps and opens it.

"Oh! Mooncakes!"

Grinning, Asuka immediately delves in, picking one and biting into it. She hums, happy as she eats.

"Thanks, Wuxian!"

[theyearningtofly]

WTF (main)

“Hey, Callum.”

She’s tired. Sore. Covered in bruises, and she’s pretty sure there’s some internal bleeding going on. Yet still the first thing she did when she arrived back in Detroit was to knock on his door.

Asuka pulls out the bundle from her bag, unwrapping the cloth to reveal the ancient maps that she’s been tasked to hunt.

“Sorry it took so long. Ran into some…well, a lot of trouble. You’ve probably heard of it.”

Biggest understatement of the year. Her plane crashed. But hey, she survived.

It’s only then that she notices his expression.

“…what’s wrong?”

[theyearningtofly]

@deviated-detective

"You really think they were real?"

Lotus's voice is seeped in doubt. She stands leaning against the wall of Asuka's study, gaze roaming the numerous antiques behind glass panels. They are remnants of fallen civilizations, all different yet with the same overarching focus: the myth of the Fire King.

She steps off the wall, staring at the large tapestry that dominates the wall. Stitching of flame and ice cover the fabric, a fitting rendition of his battle with the Snow King.

"Yes, I'm sure." Asuka rolls her eyes.

She stands behind her desk, papers of her research all over its surface. Behind her, Ren lazes on the windowsill, yawning and curling up into a ball. The warm afternoon sun sends him into a light doze, casting Asuka's dark hair to a warm glow. The ash-gray color has faded. She'll have to redye it after this.

"Come on, Lotus. Seriously?"

'After all we've seen, you're doubting this?' goes unsaid.

Also present in the room is Kazuo Saito, scratching his head. He looks unsure, even as Asuka sends a sharp look up his way.

"I don't know, Miss," he says, "this seems fishy. And for you to do it alone? Well--" He glances back at Lotus. "Both of you, to go there alone..."

They will go to uncharted territory. Any civilization they expect to find there are long dead. Hardly any signal. Saito's concern is logical--there's a high possibility they might die, and in so many ways.

"Relax, Saito. We'll just be gone for a few weeks." Walking around the desk, Asuka slaps his arm, not unkindly. "We'll be back before you know it."

He rubs his arm, wincing. "Right..."

"If this Fire King obsession of yours kills us, Asuka..." Lotus trails off.

"It's not obsession!" Her denial is instant. "It's just a little passion project, that's all!"

But it's not. Memories of another life have haunted her since childhood, a life when there was no electricity, no technology; only magic. Her past life did not wield them, no, but her lover did. Heat and fire, warm against her skin, almost as heated as his kisses. His words are as vivid to her now as if he's uttered them mere minutes ago.

"I love you,"

It's why she is insistent on going. Asuka isn't sure what she'll find. It has been centuries--a ruin, most likely. And perhaps a tomb. She knows, logically, he must be long gone. But the thought of not seeing him in this life almost shatters her. Asuka pushes those thoughts away, instead moving closer to Lotus. Flinging an arm around her shoulders, she gives her a wide, teasing grin.

"What's the matter, scared of a little chill?"

The sharp glare Lotus sends her makes Asuka's grin sharper. Got her.

"Fine," Lotus hisses, annoyance obvious.

---

Asuka expected more sun.

Instead, gray clouds roll up above her, covering the blue sky in an overcast. The land feels bleak, like there is a great sorrow that has befallen it. The castle almost seems out of place here.

Though still lovely to look at now, in its prime, it would have looked breathtaking. Dull and unpolished, its spires have lost their luster. The large double doors are unlocked, and she coughs when she enters.

"Oh man," Asuka mutters.

This castle might have once been beautiful, but now all it is is dusty. Her fingers trail over the banisters as she ascends the stairs, clapping the dust off them when she reaches the next floor.

Though the doors are easily opened, they had no visible damage. Other than all the dust and dirt that have accumulated over the centuries, the castle is not in ruins as she'd thought.

She has no memories of ever being here. Perhaps the Fire King settled here after she died. Which brings her to something she's been wondering about. How did her past life die?

Some of the walls have remnants of dark, scorched marks on them. Burn marks. A few of the rooms even looking like something exploded in them.

"Someone needed anger management..."

"--please!"

Asuka blinks. What was that? A scream? No...a memory. Like fog, they seep into her mind like jumbled remnants of a dream, confusing and strange.

"I didn't do it. Please, you have to believe me!"

Drinking from her water canteen, she moves on, heading upstairs. And there, Asuka finds it.

In a little alcove, there hangs a painting, pristine and free of dust. Of herself.

Her hair was longer than it's ever been in this life, dark and lustrous, falling down her shoulders and reaching her back. She was dressed in a simple gown. That's right. Her past life was just a commoner. Nobody special.

Right below it is an urn. She doesn't need to wonder whose ashes are in it. Fire and heat, flames scorching her skin as she screamed.

"Connor, please! Help me--"

She remembers now. The night before their wedding day. They dragged her out and threw her onto the ground. Tied her, screaming and kicking, to the stake.

And the Fire King watched her burn to death, and did nothing.