#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic

[hehosts-moved]

❝ we're glad you could join us, ❞ says yong-sun, pushing back a long chunk of white hair. the dragon smiles, eyes closed, yet seeming to look directly at them.

❝ sit, ❞ insists the great man. he is openly smoking a cigar, uncaring as he sits with splayed posture. commanding, authorotative, he says that they ❝ have been waiting. ❞

❝ yeah, ❞ quips deng, ❝ we've all been waiting. ❞

ji-hun says nothing, staring hard from his seat. eyes flash to deng, a silent command to silence him. the hyena chortles, baring sharp teeth. the surgical mask that usually covers his lips and nose is tucked beneath his pointed chin, making a ridiculous expression at the cobra.

❝ i said sit, ❞ that man maintains. he is tired of his brood and their antics. ❝ there is much to discuss. ❞ // * out for dinner !! an open starter featuring the great man (goro), the cobra (ji-hun), the dragon (yong-sun), and the hyena (deng) !!

[hehosts-moved]

all people of this place are in servitude of that man, it seems. the waiter comes prepared, knowing what the great man will be having before he's had it (another bourbon), and nods at her request. simple, something he can remember.

yong-sun refrains from alcohol, instead ordering more tea, and that man seems to have no qualms about the distinction. there is an odd respect between them, something lacking with the others. yong-sun is the oldest among the three, younger than the great man, but still old enough to know his place. the dragon merely watches her, long hair loose as blind eyes seek her out. even without vision, he sees her.

deng orders a straight shot of tequila (he likes the taste, he'll say, and he's done with margaritas), while ji-hun puts in for another whisky to sip on.

❝ is a night out really not worth celebrating? ❞ asks the great man. it's an offhanded question, one he doesn't expect an answer to.

❝ our companion might disagree ... with present company included, ❞ says yong-sun wisely.

❝ are we here for us? ❞ probes deng. ❝ or for her? ❞

❝ we're here because we were told to be. that should be good enough. ❞ ji-hun is sour tonight, keeping his wits about him.

❝ why not both? ❞ goro answers easily. his focus remains on her. ❝ you made a deal. i'd like to talk more about it ... over dinner. for now, we drink. ❞ and they do.

the waiter returns with an air of nervousness, yet sets the drinks down with a confident hand, serving each of them correctly. the younger man is dismissed for now, told to come back later.

goro raises his glass — and the others soon follow suit — to good health, good fortune, and good deals.

        Deng might have been receiving the brunt of scorn for the comment, but she had to agree. Alcohol was all well and good, but food was the priority. Food, dammit! ..Plus, inebriating herself in front of others was always a recipe for trouble. Don't get her wrong, she was a healthy woman that enjoyed her alcohol! She might have even thrown caution to the wind if she was among friends. Yet she wasn't among friends, and she didn't feel like making a fool of herself with this particular company (best to keep her wits about her). 

         Still, much like Deng, she's not in much position to argue with that man's suggestion. Well, she would, if she had good reason to. For all that the man unsettled her (she's trying very hard to ignore his gaze), he hadn't exactly done anything to warrant that sort of behavior.

                                                                         Yet.

          " Hmm. " She takes a moment to glance over the provided beverage menu. She's mostly quiet as they speak amongst themselves unless she's spoken to. Though partly due to being a little overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity (both in environment and the company she keeps), she's more focused on observing their dynamic.

          Goro was the undisputed master. What he said was law, with little room for dispute. Ji-hun seemed comitted to ensuring that those decisions went unchallenged. Or, at the bare minimum, that Deng didn't do anything to disrupt it (did she detect a bit of tension between the two?) And Yong-Sun.. well, they seemed pleasant enough to talk to, but they were the most unfamiliar to her at the table. She didn't really know what to make of them. 

          When the waiter finally appears, she says simply: 

         " I'll have a twisted iced tea. " Light enough. 

[hehosts-moved]

❝ i understand you're very worried, ❞ he remarks, and he sounds almost empathic, or at least sympathetic. with closed eyes, he bows his head solemnly to her. they do not open. poor thing. his hair is tied back today, a simple, low ponytail holding back long, almost white strands. they are thick and many. brows knit, expression of his somehow finding her face, and were he a seeing man, with eyes open, he would be looking right at her. ❝ but the alleviation of your burdens starts now. you're here because of him, yes? ❞ ah, but which him? that man? or the young, new god?? likely the latter. the former has yet to get involved. ❝ speak. i'm listening. ❞ // * @setsunaid liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ you're late. ❞ their meetings are weekly, frequent enough to mark as routine, and always here, several blocks from shining! at a local teahouse. ❝ but that's to be expected. you were with him again, weren't you? hm. that's quite all right. ❞ the dragon knows when the cobra is near, coiling to bide his time. her affiliations are not unknown to him — he is one of them. ❝ and ... you've been preoccupied with the hosts, as i understand it. ❞ he pours her a small glass of tea. his own is left untouched for now. he had been waiting for her. one hand waves for her in encouragement to join him. ❝ come. sit. ❞ // * @fumalsamakah liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

blind eyes seek the stranger, extending his hand to gesture to the seat in front of him. ❝ if you're alone, why don't you sit? you seem to have a lot on your mind. ❞ the long-haired man smiles, strands tied back today to cascade in even flow down the back. bangs are swept aside briefly as if to get a better look at the person near him. ❝ i'm here all day. i'm here to listen. ❞ // * @sociieties liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ if you were to ask me, ❞ begins yong-sun, ❝ the rabbit is of two. ❞ he holds up twin fingers, middle and index, to display what he means. ❝ ren ... and yori. two lives, two hearts, one body. circumstances outside of his control ... and circumstances he has caused himself. you coddle him too much, really. ❞

the dragon does not speak out of wickedness nor of scorn, and he does not seem to have personal issues with the hare. no, ren is merely a casual exchange of information, something she has a personal interest in, and that yong-sun just happens to have knowledge of.

yong-sun's posture remains still, comfortable in the seat he takes daily.

❝ but ... he has one thing he did not have before. something that was not accounted for at first. ❞ he smiles. ❝ you. i wonder ... if he does broach that man ... to make a deal ... will you stop him? ❞ blind eyes look up to seek her out.

“I see.” In the beginning of her temp at Shining!, she let the wordplay go right over her head, excuses aplenty: she was an outsider, she was here temporarily, she was here only to do a job, she was no one’s savior. As the months trickled by, the metaphors began deciphering themselves unbidden, one by one, creating a story. Sakura herself isn’t as roundabout with her words / no one in her circle is, from her mentor to her best friends / but it’s become second nature to hear their allusions and respond in kind. In the many months that have passed, one thing remains the same: She’s still no one’s savior. She can’t be. Her expression pinches. “...That sounds serious. And the rabbit has no one else to turn to?” She shouldn’t have asked. She doesn’t want to be told her suspicions are true. “He has it hard enough already.”

[hehosts-moved]

❝ you've been seeing him more and more, ❞ comments yong-sun over their afternoon tea. the teahouse is comfortable, and their seating is private, intimate. ❝ i wonder how prudent this is — for you. for him. ji-hun is a man i rarely recommend getting involved with directly. ❞ not because he doesn't like ji-hun (quite the opposite), but because he knows ji-hun; knows what he is capable of. ❝ that man chose him for a reason. he chose all of us. ❞ even deng, despite the circumstances. altogether, that man could have denied him, even with ji-hun's involvement. ji-hun. he has a way about him, something that must be captivating enough to ensnare. he is a snake, the dragon reminds himself. a cobra. it's been too long since he's had a charmer. ❝ how are you finding yourself fairing? now that you've also been in contact with that man, i imagine things are starting to ... change. ❞ // * @psichique liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ — and this life, too? ❞ they sit nestled in a small café, several blocks away from the hustle and bustle. it is intimate, quiet, and there's been a call for rain an hour ago. his tea is left unattended, closed eyes fixated on the young man in front of him. long hair is left loose today, spilling over his shoulders. yong-sun wears no readable expression for a moment, then turning to something akin to sympathy. ❝ a curse, certainly. luckily for you, i know a man ... that might be able to help you. ❞ // * @mythcaels liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ i heard your song, ❞ he says simply. he stands still, hands pressed together in front of his abdomen with hair loose and eyes closed. an almost tender smile, canines splitting pallid lips. head tilts before he speaks again, saying that he ❝ came to listen. ❞ // * @kuroyrii liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ and many others, then, ❞ remarks the dragon. skilled hand reaches for his glass of tea, sipping somberly. ❝ who is he ... ❞ his voice almost echoes, softly speaking. his attention is grave. ❝ that man. he's known now as watanabe goro. you can find him ... if you're ready. look for a red door ... on the right. you'll see it. it will appear when it's time. but be warned: a deal will have to be made. these sort of favors ... do not come cheap. ❞

There is a slow nod from him as lips part to utter soft and tired sounding words. ❝ That is correct . . . This life too. ❞ And likely the next and the next one after this too, a never ending cycle of too many lives and too many deaths ( each death all too soon and all too painful ). The sympathetic expression from the other is one that makes him avert his gaze and sigh, well until the other utters such words that make him seem to perk up ever so slightly and have his gaze falling right on the other once more. ❝ I was unaware that there was anyone that could help me . . . ❞ He tries not to get his hopes up really, he has tried to have his curse broken many times over the course of many lives and nothing or nobody has ever once broken the curse. Yet, hearing that there is a chance, he wants to feel hopeful ( but he could easily be let down again like many other times before ).

❝ Who is this man, if you don't mind me asking ? ❞

[hehosts-moved]

❝ your genetic code is being rewritten. ❞ a speech he's heard similarly, spoken to him by that man. THE GREAT MAN. this person is going through it too. deal made. this is what happens ... to become like me ... to become one of us. ❝ just hold on and everything will be fine. ❞ // * open starter from ji-hun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ — how do you like your tea?? ❞ with closed eyes, he finds the menu easily, sliding it forward to his companion. ❝ the way a person prefers their tea can say a lot about them. i typically like my teas black and unsweetened. i'm having an earl grey today. what are you having?? ❞ // * @7hell liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

[hehosts-moved]

❝ i would, ❞ he says softly. ❝ may i? ❞ he gestures to stand near her, though at an amicable distance. he would sit were the option present, thus he will stand and listen. ❝ whatever you decide, i'm sure i will enjoy it. i can only hear. i cannot see you. ❞ ah, but he can ... in his own way. he sees her quite clearly. his eyes remain shut, seeking her out, finding her face without effort. ❝ please ... i'm ready. ❞

     Warmth cascades over her features, she suddenly hasn’t the heart to reach for the expensive cigarette case within her jacket. Fingers that coil on the velvet of her short skirt, “Oh…” tenderly spoken as if she was digesting the words one bit at a time. Even in the midst of nowhere among the masses, she sings her never ending melody, a siren that lures all with her enthralling voice. “Would you care to hear another? I’m not performing this evening but the music still manages to captivate me, yet, an audience never hurt”  

[hehosts-moved]

❝ i assure you, ❞ he says evenly, ❝ that it is genuine. i have nothing to show. ❞ his hand sweeps over the top of the small cup with innate precision, cutting through a small plume of steam. the cup remains on the table, untouched. it's as if to say, this is all i have — tea. ❝ i'm only here to listen. ❞

when offered, she sits, casual and careful as she makes herself comfortable, head tilting downwards and green bangs cover red / green eyes. “ how tempting, ” sora muses softly, carefully gazing upon the other, trying to pin fleeting familiarity. “ this… ” his demeanor, “ is it for show? or is it genuine? ”

[hehosts-moved]

his tone indicates nothing but calmness and rationality, even a hint of kindness. this kindness is bated, used necessarily, and has bore the sweetest fruit. he is no problem starter, nor is he a problem solver, but instead an absolver. he takes these burdens from spoken word.

when she mentions '"dating," as it is, he cannot help but shed a small smile. the term feels childish for those of their nature; of their positions. date. yong-sun has never dated. he speaks confident whene he says that ji-hun also ❝ doesn't "date," per se, but he does ... get involved. this breeds trouble. ❞ a natural pause. ❝ it's hard to say what relevance importance has to a person; what is important. he might not outwardly say, but his actions speak loud enough. ❞

the last time ji-hun got involved, yong-sun opened his eyes. a bad omen. an omen of death. but ... to see ji-hun is to see death, the same omen in the flesh, and yet ... he encourages her to speak freely here. he sips his tea languidly, knowing exactly where it was and where it goes again.

❝ yes, i am talking about goro. ❞ it is rare that they utter his name. in the end, none of them are really his. the great man is ultimately nameless, only taking monikers when he has to. those who know him, know better. ❝ i was merely curious. i wanted to know for myself how you were doing. if you haven't noticed now, you will soon. until then, your time is best spent protecting yourself. the last time he came to help you, well ... ji-hun is an incredibly lucky man. ❞ and horribly unlucky at the same time.

daphne almost chokes on her tea, but instead simply coughs abruptly and sets her cup back down. people have been asking her about ji-hun a lot recently … was she getting herself into trouble or something? couldn’t be much more trouble than she’s faced in the past.  “ it’s not like we’re dating or anything, ”  another cough, this time to clear her throat,  “ he’s important to me, yeah, but … I would hardly think that I'm important to him. ” a hum, she doesn’t know; she’s avoided thinking about things in such a manner. perhaps it’s all these cryptic warnings, perhaps it’s the fact that most things have been torn out from under her faster than she can blink.  “ are you talking about goro? ” for some reason they all refer to him in such a strange manner: that man.  “ i don’t mind him, he’s interesting … as for me: i’m fine, really. not much frightens me, not after what i’ve experienced. why? ”

[hehosts-moved]

❝ then your time is limited, so i will not waste it. ❞

health hangs in the balance. humans are so fragile. the man with closed eyes observes her the way a seeing man would. he nods gravely. yes. he can help her. the teahouse is dead today, leaving ample room for private affairs. his own cup is left abandoned, cooling rapidly.

he speaks lowly then, almost gravely. he had (over)heard of something like this, two officers that spoke in harsh tones together in their car, and it seems now it is confirmed. kira had been shot, but he had lived. he wonders how this can be. this man, this "god," must be resilient.

❝ i cannot help him, no ... but that man can. for now, you can call him watanabe goro. that is the man you seek. ❞ a momentary pause, allowing her to catch what he is sure is bated breath. ❝ but know this: making a deal with that man comes with a price. are you willing to pay it? pay for your god?? ❞

❛ yes, both. i've only heard so much about that man you work for, but i would like to know more.  ❜

     just yesterday all had been well. no issues or problems in sight. today ? very much the opposite. your god had fallen ill. you don't remember all the details, but it had something to do with one of his injuries from being shot by an ex-coworker. he's in an emergency surgery, but something about the doctors makes you anxious & you couldn't seem to sit still. with anxiety & adrenaline rushing through your body, you make the decision to seek him out.

❛ our god is in a life threatening state. there's something off about the doctors that are tending to him. i want to ensure his health & safety. are you able to help him ?  ❜