#Najma will be there either way if I did anything

[violetlunette]

Not promising anything--

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Is Malleus not that famous in other countries cause in the Scalding Sands event Najma didn't seem to know who he was, there probably aren't many pictures of him around the internet but with how nervous Jamil was getting its weird it didn't cross her, you'd think he'd be pretty well known being the top 5 strongest mage and heir to the throne in Briar Valley

Well 😅 Najma’s just one person, right? I don’t think her specifically not knowing who Malleus is reflects on the average Twisted Wonderland civilian’s knowledge.

With that in mind, there’s actually many reasons why Najma in particular (and/or some other people) may not recognize Malleus:

People don’t always know political figures or figures of prominence in specific circles, especially if it isn’t of interest or of relevance to them. Think about it. Do you know the names and faces of political figures in countries outside of your own? What about specialists (athletes, artists, scientists) in fields you aren’t involved in? Thinking of it like that, it isn’t at all surprising that Najma, doesn’t recognize royalty from another country or highly ranked magicians (when she isn’t shown to be one herself).

Maybe Malleus just hasn’t been mentioned in Najma’s history class yet. For example, in Glorious Masquerade, we learn that Magic History class does not cover certain materials like the accomplishments of the Just Judge until year 2. Therefore, it’s possible that Najma has not yet learned about the Draconias in school. (Alternatively, it’s also possible that non-magic schools skim over notable mages; this would explain why NRC students specifically take Magic History, which I assume focuses on magic and mages, rather than just “History”.)

With how fae aging works, maybe the history books are just not up to date. There is a noted few hundred years of unexplained time between Malleus’s egg existing and it finally hatching when, in reality, it should have only taken a few years for his egg to hatch. It’s also said in book 7 part 4 that none of the history books speak of what happened to Briar Valley’s monarchs (ie Malleus’s parents), and that “the books at home and at the school library don’t mention anything about the Briar Valley’s history”.

It’s difficult to communicate with the Briar Valley. This is very possible, especially seeing as how the country is said to be lacking in way of technological advancements. (STYX is able to contact them, but they’re a secret organization 😂) This would likely mean that historians would have to physically travel far north to personally document Briar Valley themselves—which may be an arduous task, seeing as mirror travel and warp pads are not widely accessible to the general public. Since the Briar Valley is reclusive and even implied to not be accepting of non-fae, it may be even more challenging to get clearance to visit the country. A lot of their history seems to spread mainly by direct word of mouth (as Silver and Sebek imply in book 7; their father and grandfather, respectively, did not either of them about the Draconia family history or about the several years’ period of war Briar Valley went through).

In the actual Scalding Sands event, the visiting NRC students mention that the locals aren’t panicking about Malleus because the head wrap he’s wearing disguises him. Najma also later mistakes his horns as being decorations or fakes. This can easily be explained by the simple fact that… well, celebrities would wear different clothes in public to “blend in” and people wouldn’t recognize them because no one thinks “hey, I’ll run into a super famous person roaming my local market”. If you don’t pay enough attention to something, you may just overlook it. Attention is selective.

Aaaand of course, we have the good old boring explanation of “it’s for plot convenience, don’t question it” 😂

Personally, I think the “the history books just don’t talk about it” explanation is the most accurate, as there’s actual strong narrative implications of it in the main story; however, it’s possible that the real reason is a combination of all of these.

[yuurei20]

Jamil Info Compilation part 2: Middle School Friend(s)

Jamil often references friends (or “a friend,” singular) from middle school.

He says that “Middle school was the first point in my life where I had some time and space to myself. I had friends I could talk with about anything. We’d study together, practice dancing, go out in town and get into trouble…it was also the first time I got into a really bad fight with a friend. We went days without talking, all because of the stupidest thing…”

In a voice line he says that his friend(s) would go to the local market all the time in middle school, because “some days I just didn’t want to go straight home after school.”

Jamil says that he’s largely fallen out of contact with his old classmates, but in his third birthday vignette he mentions going to markets with his middle school friend(s).

The Japanese language relies more heavily on context than English and thus doesn’t really have plurals. This can be confusing in situations like this where it seems like the number of Jamil’s friends is being kept vague on purpose:

Is Jamil saying he only has one middle school friend with whom he is really close, or are there multiple? We don’t actually know!

The add-on of たち (tachi) is one way to specify groups of people.

So “you” is “anata” but “you guys” is “anata-tachi,” but the word friend(s) is kind of unique. You can introduce one person as your tomo-dachi (friend) or a group of people are your tomo-dachi (friends), and it is the same word.

In this way, we never actually knew if Jamil has been talking about one or multiple people all this time…until Firelit Sky.

It’s for this reason that I think Twst was being vague on purpose: we were allowed to assume that Jamil has been talking about his middle school friend-group, but then Najma drops the bomb that Jamil has one, specific friend from middle school with whom he was particularly close.

With this revelation we can suddenly look back on every single time Jamil has ever referenced his middle school friend(s): who he studied with, danced with, got into trouble with, fought with, avoided his home with went to markets with…was that all the same, one person?

The English language forces you to specify via plurals, so in the NA-adaptation Jamil is always referencing a group…except for that one friend with whom he fought.

What is interesting is that in the original dialogue, Jamil is using the same, one word. NA took this one word and assigned it two different meanings, making it plural for things like “practice dancing” and “go out into town” but singular for “got into a really bad fight.”

Did Jamil study and fight with a group of friends, or just one? NA doesn’t seem to know, either, so they decided to split the difference and say he got along with a group of friends while only ever fighting with one, which is certainly one interpretation.

But in his original dialogue he could also be saying that he got along with a group and fought with a group, or got along with one person and fought with one person, or got along with one person and fought with a group. It is not specified.

It has intentionally been left open to interpretation (although Najma’s revelation is a big hint), but Jamil might have always been nostalgic, from the start, about his friendship with just one person.

No information yet on who they were.

(note: in the line above Jamil intentionally uses a different word for friend--友人--specifying that he is talking about only one person.)

[therosefrontier]

@badthingshappenbingo

Title: Silence My Screams, Only Whispers Will Remain

Fandom: Twisted Wonderland

Prompt: Strangling

Characters: Jamil (POV), Kalim, Najma

Placement: pre-canon, about five years ago—Jamil is twelve and just starting sixth grade

Word Count: 7275

(crossposted to AO3)

+++

“Yes, this is great! Jamil, Jamil! Dad said yes to us having the birds at the dance after the feast! I’m so excited for Saturday now! Aren’t you excited, Jamil?”

“Mm-hmm.” Jamil nodded, just watching as Kalim continued to bounce around his room in fresh excitement, going on to talk some more about the birds in question and everything he read about them from his book. He listened, but he was a little bit distracted. He kept running through all the chores he had to do in preparation for the feast in his mind, and he kept thinking about his science project, too. It was due on Monday, which was a week from now, but it felt far too close. He should’ve gotten more done on it sooner. Now, he didn’t feel like he had the time. Maybe he should save most of the work for Sunday, after the feast was over? But, then something unexpected might happen, at work or with school, and his plans would be changed. Maybe he would be given new homework on Friday. Maybe some emergency would happen. He couldn’t leave it up to chance. He should just do as much as he could tonight and tomorrow. He could do that. It wasn’t like it needed to be perfect—only passable. It shouldn’t be perfect, actually… he couldn’t risk being noticed and singled out again, so there needed to be some mistakes…

This was getting tiring to think about. Jamil was in sixth grade now, and he didn’t mind that at all really, but it did mean that he had more homework now than he did in elementary school, so there was more to do. He wished he could just do his work like everyone else—he didn’t like having to worry about success all the time while trying not to fail, either, although he guessed this did technically make things easier on him. Some of his classmates had parents pressuring them a lot to make good grades—perfect grades, even. Jamil didn’t have to be perfect—or more like, he didn’t have to perfect in that way. He still felt like he had to be perfect in a lot of other ways—maybe that was the reason why this revelation didn’t make him feel any less constricted. Sometimes, all he wanted was just a little space to breathe and not have to worry so much.

“What about you, Jamil? What would you want?” Kalim asked, and all of a sudden, Jamil realized with a panic that he wasn’t paying attention. What was he supposed to say!? But then, he remembered that no one else was in this room listening to them. It was only him and Kalim. So, he relaxed a little.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” Jamil asked.

“It’s fine! I was just wondering what kind of animal you’d want to meet in person, if you could see any kind you’d want. I could even ask Dad if he could get one for us! Well, I guess we can’t get anything at all…a shark or a whale would be hard because they’re in the water, but still! Is there anything?”

“Umm…I don’t know, there isn’t really anything…”

“Aww, don’t be shy, Jamil! What’s your favorite animal? I don’t think I know…oh no, did I forget!? I didn’t forget your favorite animal, did I!?”

“No, no, I don’t think so…” Jamil used to have one, maybe, but it kept changing all the time when he was little. But that didn’t matter—he just needed to say something believable that wouldn’t actually be a hassle. “I don’t know, a cobra?”

“Oh, really!? That’s so cool! Well, I guess you’re in luck then, because we’ll have a whole bunch of snake charmers at the feast! At least, I think so, since there were some last time…”

Jamil just nodded, breathing out with a tired smile as he listened to Kalim start rambling again. At least he was happy, and there would be no new animals added to the roster again. Jamil wondered if they could ever have a celebration that was simple for once, but he supposed a lot of important people were visiting, just as there always were, so that probably made flashiness important, maybe. Even a birthday party couldn’t be done without a whole bunch of strangers showing up and needing to be entertained. He wouldn’t worry about it too much, though. He would just do what he had to, and make sure that Kalim was fine.

+++

The feast was a massive celebration, as always. The smell of delectable food and the thrum of upbeat music filled their banquet halls, along with a whole crowd of mostly happy, chattering people. It was never just about the food—it was a night of entertainment, too, from the music and dancing to the displays of birds and elephants. Somewhere in the back of Jamil’s mind, he remembered the first time Kalim gleefully pulled him by the hand to the open floor with the musicians playing right behind them, and how for a moment, after he got used to it, it actually felt so fun and freeing, with him laughing right along with Kalim, even though Jamil was sure they were both awful at it. Now, Jamil doesn’t think he likes the idea of dancing in front of people all that much, even if there was any chance he’d be allowed to dance with the actual guests without it being expressly clear that he was doing it for Kalim and Kalim only, so his parents wouldn’t scold him for neglect. Besides, Jamil was too busy for anything like that—he had a lot of work to do serving guests, besides also watching Kalim, multitasking in his hospitality duties to keep an eye on Kalim from a distance like a hawk, making sure that he was doing fine and not getting into any trouble.

There were two things Jamil had to be careful about with Kalim, on days like this. The first thing was making sure that Kalim didn’t get any spontaneous and also bad ideas that would cause trouble, so he had to either stop Kalim from doing those ideas or clean things up for him if everything went wrong. The other thing—the much, much worse thing—that Jamil had to do was make sure that trouble didn’t happen to Kalim, instead.

Kalim had enemies. Jamil learned this very early on, after being assigned to the young heir. He wasn’t just Kalim’s servant, or his ‘playmate,’ or whatever else they called him—he had to be his bodyguard. Technically, they had plenty of guards—actual adult guards—for protecting the Asims, and they caught a lot of threats, too, but too many bad things had happened for Jamil to be assured that nothing bad would happen to Kalim even while he was in his own home. There was a reason why Jamil had to taste-test everything Kalim ate to check for poison, now. It was one of the things he had to do today, too, going back and forth between being with Kalim and serving the other guests mostly just to check his food. Because…this had happened before. Kalim’s been poisoned. Kalim has also been attacked and kidnapped. Jamil still remembers how terrifying it felt, the first time he was stolen away, but he got a little more used to this, over time. It was still always terrible, though, especially when Jamil knew it was never going to stop. Jamil learned, early on, that the Asims had enemies, and that it was even more complicated than that. He listened to the other servants whisper and gossip about how these were ‘dark times’ for the family, a ‘power struggle’ that was quickly tearing everything apart. No one ever told Jamil anything, but he did pick up on a few things on his own. He knew that some of the people going after Kalim were his own relatives. He knew that Kalim being the eldest child was a big reason why he, over everyone else, was targeted over and over again. It wasn’t fair, and Jamil hoped it would stop. The other servants talked among each other years ago like everything was about to blow up and go up in flames any moment now, but that didn’t happen. It was obvious that they were wrong. The family would be fine…even if Kalim still had to deal with this, and so did Jamil, by extension.

He was going to be prepared, though. Jamil was a mage, and also, he was a Viper, so it made sense that he got to be trained in self-defense ever since he was seven, so he could get to the point where he could take down an armed man twice his size with his bare hands if he had to. When his magic manifested, he put a lot of focus on learning that, too, even if there was a lot he had to work through on his own since no one else had the time to do so. His father taught him a lot himself, and he was kind of good at it, too, but sometimes…Jamil would rather learn on his own, instead of have someone else tell him what to do just like they did for everything else in his life. He would rather be alone as often as he possibly could. He just…still had a lot to learn and work through, that’s all.

But today, he didn’t need any of that. Kalim was fine, nothing bad happened, and he was as happy and smiling as ever, often taking opportunities to slip away and talk to Jamil, talking away about this and that and asking Jamil to take a break to dance or try out some new dish with him, as if Jamil wasn’t required to do the food-tasting part anyways. Kalim just wanted to make sure that he actually ate enough to fill him up, not just enough to taste, and he was happy to find things that Jamil liked. A few times, Kalim did lament a bit about how there weren’t many other ‘kids their age,’ the closest thing mostly being Kalim’s little siblings who were old enough to be here, but other than that, there wasn’t really anything to complain about. Jamil did remind Kalim that they really weren’t ‘kids’ anymore, though—Kalim was eleven, Jamil just turned twelve a couple of weeks ago, and they were middle schoolers. There was a difference. Of course, Kalim just laughed like Jamil was being funny and said that he should relax a little, but that wasn’t true because Jamil was relaxed. Mostly. He was as good as he could be, probably.

Jamil continued working for a while after the feast was finished, cleaning up the tables and putting things away until one of the adult servants told him that his work was done, and that he should go get some rest. Jamil was exhausted, too. It was a good thing he went ahead and got his science project finished, because he decided that he would really rather not deal with that tomorrow.

Jamil left the banquet halls, traveling alone down the narrower windowless hallways that led to all the supply rooms that the servants would use. Najma had already left for her room a while ago, and Jamil had no idea where his parents were right now, so he was on his own, but then, it was usually that way for most things, anyways, and also, his room wasn’t in the same place as everyone else’s. His room was right next to Kalim’s, used on days like these when he would sleep in the mansion instead of going all the way back to his own house.

“Lucky~” he heard Najma’s simultaneously sing-song and whiny voice tell him somewhere in the back of his head, pointing out how Jamil’s room was bigger and nicer than the one she would stay in, near their parents in the designated servants’ wing of the manor, and how Jamil got the room to himself, too, while she was ‘stuck’ with a couple of other girls. Jamil told her that it really wasn’t a good thing, because him being near Kalim just meant that he had to be there for him if anything happened or if he needed anything in the middle of the night, but she was insistent.

“Well, why not just get someone to help you? Your room is big enough for two people. Or even three people!”

“No, it isn’t.” It sort of was, but she didn’t need to know that.

“Yeah it is! It’s bigger than your room at home and we used to share it! Your bed at home is bigger than mine and can fit two people, too!”

“Huh!? Why is this about my bed now?”

“I just think you need to think about it.”

And thus, Najma proved once again that there was no arguing with her on anything. Ever. She would keep coming up with solutions that could never happen. It wasn’t the first time she suggested that Jamil should get help for his job with Kalim, either. However, that was clearly not going to happen, so why would she bother bringing it up? This was Jamil’s job, and their parents would never share the “honor” with anyone else, and Jamil didn’t think he liked the idea of trusting anyone else with Kalim, anyways. Having some kind of partner would be like being in a group project all the time, but worse.

At least Jamil’s room near Kalim was closer to the banquet hall that the servant wing was. Jamil was quickly realizing that he really didn’t want to walk that much farther, as he groggily stumbled through while absentmindedly feeling the old walls with his fingertips for support. He instinctively thought about whatever it was he had to do tomorrow, hoping that nothing unexpected came up. It would be nice if he could just relax a bit. With that thought in mind, he yawned deeply, and then, midway through the action, he stopped.

He heard something.

Jamil looked behind him, and he looked in front of him and to the side, too. He didn’t see anyone. Should anyone else be here? The mansion would definitely still be full of people right now, but he wasn’t sure if any of the other servants would be coming this way, and none of the Asims would be in this hallway, either. Right? But Jamil could have sworn he heard movement. He hoped it was one of the guards on patrol. He kept looking around, suddenly regretting how dimly lit the space was right now.

“Hello?” he said out loud, not sure if that was the right thing to do, but it felt like the best way to figure out if this presence he was feeling was someone who was supposed to be here. There was no answer. He looked over at the wall lined with supplies and unused furnishings, shrouded in dark shadows. He walked closer, and he felt his hand around the magestone in his pocket.

He cast a light spell in front of him, but that was a big mistake.

A figure became illuminated in the corner, tall and cloaked in black, and Jamil started to cry out. His second mistake. He should have attacked him right away. Maybe he should have run away, instead. Making noise, on the other hand, was the most useless thing he could have done in a place where he was alone, and it only mobilized the man into action.

He leapt out like a trapdoor spider, grabbing Jamil, gagging him with one hand, and twisting his arm behind his back with the other. Jamil’s heart furiously rushed blood to his addled brain. Desperately, he tried to wrestle free, but he quickly realized that it was useless—the man was as muscular as he was tall, and Jamil might as well have been a twig in comparison.

The man forcefully threw him against the wall and held him down with precision. With skill. (Jamil was alone. He couldn’t move. What was he supposed to do?) Jamil struggled to catch his breath as he heard the dreaded shing of the man drawing a concealed blade from his side, but that was also the moment when he found his wits again—or more specifically, his magic. Jamil gripped hold of the knife with his mind. The man’s grip may be firm, but he took advantage of his brief moment of surprise to pull the blade from his hand and fling it across the hallway.

A dark mask covered most of the assailant’s face, obscuring his mouth and nose, but his cold eyes were still clearly visible when they registered surprise, and for that brief moment, Jamil relished it. Briefly, he gripped the elusive fantasy that he could outmatch him, or at least outlast him. (Someone would hear them, right? Someone would be here soon?) Jamil was a mage, and everyone underestimated him because he never had a chance to show what he could really do, but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t.

However, he should have known (all along, he did know, but he didn’t want to think about it) that this man, this assassin, would hardly be made useless just because he didn’t have a weapon.

The man didn’t say a thing to him. There were no taunts, no reasons given as to why Jamil had to be brought down like this—of course there wasn’t, because Jamil was nothing to him. Firm hands pushed him back against the wall again, but this time, they were placed around his neck. Two thumbs dug into the center of his throat, and the rest of those fingers clamped down into his nape. Jamil choked. He grabbed the man’s wrists with both his too-small, too-weak hands and struggled to force them away from him. Useless. Why did he ever think he could win? He writhed under the man’s grasp with everything he had left and desperately gasped for air. Desperately tried to scream. He couldn’t breathe. His grip was too tight. He couldn’t do anything. He was going to die. But why? Why try to kill him? Jamil didn’t even do anything. Why not? He was better off dead so he wouldn’t talk. This was the end. There was nothing he could do to stop him.

Jamil opened his mouth, staring into the cold, dead eyes of the masked man in front of him, the last face he may ever see. He willed his magic to help him, but it wasn’t like those simple spells could control someone’s hands the same way they could an inanimate object like a knife. He was doing nothing. Only delaying the inevitable. He struggled for air, but for some reason, he tried to speak, too. “St…st…” It was useless to try to make out words. It was useless to speak at all—this man would never listen. No one ever did. So why would the assassin be different? But Jamil refused to accept that. He refused to stop trying. No, he wasn’t going to be killed by someone he didn’t even know! After all this time!? After everything he went through!? No, he was going to make him listen! He would force him to listen if he had to! The assailant may be a spider, but Jamil was no bug. He would prove it. He just had to, somehow…

“St…STOP!”

Jamil blurted out that single word like it was the one and only lifeline he had, the only thing that would save him from drowning. There might have been truth to its power, too, since the moment he said it, a rush crashed over him like a wave. His eyes flashed red. His fingertips thrummed with fresh magic that also made its home in his head and his chest. His head hurt…and he felt dizzy. Jamil crumbled to the ground before he realized nothing was holding him up anymore. He heaved for air, so hard that his lungs hurt. The coughing only made it hurt worse. He gasped and trembled and touched his throat like that would protect it, blurry gaze staring straight ahead at nothing.

It took him a few seconds before he looked up at his assailant again.

The man stood there, unmoving, his hands limply hanging by his sides. He said nothing. His masked face showed no expression. His eyes stared forward at the wall, the steady, fierce coldness in them completely gone, along with everything else. They were empty. Just a blank stare, with previously dark eyes that now shone a bright red.  

It was like time had stopped. Jamil sat there staring dumbly upwards at the man for a moment, his image blurred and red in his eyes, before he suddenly snapped out of it and scrambled to get up on his feet and be prepared to defend himself, ignoring the way that everything still hurt. Was he going to have to fight? Was this the part when he should run away? His heart continued to pound in his chest, telling him to do something, but he didn’t. Instead, he just kept doing what he had been doing. Jamil moved on pure instinct, or maybe it was pure impulse. His mind kept steady, but he didn’t think. He just knew. He knew that the assassin wouldn’t attack him, because he wouldn’t do anything that Jamil didn’t tell him to do.

“S-Step back.”

Jamil’s raspy voice wavered on the command, but it still worked. The tingling rush of magic thrummed just behind his eyes. The dead-eyed man obediently stepped back.

Jamil was controlling him. He was actually doing it. This was his magic. But when did he even learn this spell!? Jamil was glad he had it, but now, he wasn’t sure what to do next. The magestone glowed in his pocket. Jamil wasn’t sure he had the energy to keep doing this.

“Walk to that wall.”

Actually, he did know. He knew exactly what to do. Once the idea got into Jamil’s mind, it wouldn’t let go. He knew how to end this.

“Pick up your knife.”

Seeing the blade in his hands made Jamil tremble like a coward, but he wouldn’t show it. He would never show it. He took a slow, deep breath, and he stared straight into those dead eyes, making sure that his magic kept its hold.

“Stab yourself.”

+++

“There…does that feel better?”

Jamil nodded mutely, and he thinks that by her smile (that sad, sympathetic smile that somehow, Jamil didn’t really want to look at), Midha was satisfied with that. He drank another sip of the herbal tea she offered him, restraining himself from touching his neck where the salve had been rubbed in. He hadn’t been all that injured, really. The problem was mostly just the sore throat, and also the swollen bruising and raw fingernail marks on his neck, and the way his chest still hurt when he breathed, and the painful, blurry vision—he wasn’t sure if that part was because of the strangulation or because of his own magic, though. Part of him really wanted to look in a mirror just to see for himself how bad it was, but the other part of him really didn’t want to…not after already seeing himself through the way they all looked at him. Maybe later, he would.   

Jamil stayed quiet and unobtrusive as he watched the workroom full of other house servants thrum with hushed, nervous energy, with everyone talking amongst themselves and gossiping over their speculations of who did it this time and why, while they waited for further news. The guards had found the assassin Jamil left in the hallway. Now, they were scouring the mansion looking for accomplices, increasing security around the members of the Asim family while putting everyone else in this quiet state of emergency. It was anxiety-inducing, having to wait, but Jamil was used to it. Most of them were used to it.

Some of the others told Jamil’s parents about what happened. They didn’t come to see him right away, and he didn’t really expect them to. He did hope that they were okay, and he hoped that Najma was okay, too. He also anxiously hoped that nothing happened to Kalim…Jamil wasn’t far from his room, when he got attacked. It wasn’t hard to make the leap and wonder if, maybe, Kalim was the one they wanted.

“He’s dead, just so you know.”

Jamil’s eyes shot open at the sound of Sayyida’s voice, instinctively putting himself at attention to meet the sharp gaze of the older woman who was also one of the chief managers of the household, and by extension, someone with charge over him, too.

“Yes…Sayyida-san?” Jamil’s voice still sounded horrible. He could barely speak at all. He trembled, too, just from fearing what she meant about what she just said, as if she was just about to tell him that it was Kalim who was dead, but he quickly realized this wasn’t the case.

“They found two accomplices outside,” she reported evenly, almost boredly, as if her only interest was to make the report and nothing more. “I imagine they would be much more open to talk, knowing their assassin is dead. It appears that there are no further threats inside the mansion. Once we are confirmed to be clear, you are to return to your room.”

Jamil nodded silently. He thought back to what happened…he didn’t know if he was dead or not, when he left. All he could think about was going to get help. Maybe it was something that happened afterwards, and he just wouldn’t ever know. But, as long as everyone was safe…

“You might just live up to your family name, Viper.”

Jamil looked up at her in surprise again. What was that? Was she…actually complimenting him? He wasn’t sure…

“You did well. I do not know how you did it, but that isn’t something you need to tell, you understand? Especially not to the Young Master. Jamil, I hope I don’t have to spell it out for you—you shouldn’t speak of this to Kalim. It will only distress him, and that will only lead to problems for the rest of us. Am I understood?”

Jamil nodded—just a single, silent nod, since his throat was in pain, and since that was the only thing he was expected to give, anyways, besides the single word he mustered up afterwards to go with it.

“Yes.”

+++

Jamil unlocked his unique magic that day.

It took until the middle of the next day to realize that, once the shock had worn away and he could think about this whole event rationally. He didn’t talk about the magic part with anyone, so he figured out everything he had to on his own. Right away, he sneakily borrowed books from the Asim’s extensive collection, and he later found books in the public library and school library, too. He searched articles on the internet. Little by little, he learned more about magic and about how signature spells worked. There wasn’t any one single way they happened—some people deliberately crafted spells over a long period of time, and for other people, the spells kind of just happened on their own. Those surprise signature spells could come during a rush of inspiration, or a moment of intense stress, manifesting in response to a need or a want, but usually, they were of some category of magic that the person was already good at, either naturally or learned. Jamil had focused a lot into control magic because of how useful it was, so he guessed it made sense that his UM would turn out like that, but also…it did seem like it was a pretty rare thing to end up with mind control magic, which seemed to be exactly what he had, unless Jamil was wrong and it was something else that made him do what he did. It was a little hard to say when he couldn’t test it really.

Maybe he could confide in Najma and ask her to help him, but she probably wouldn’t like the idea of being mind-controlled herself just so Jamil could practice and might come up with some weird scheme like convincing him to practice on one of her classmates instead or on some other random person she doesn’t like, just to see what would happen. She might even ask for some kind of favor in the future in exchange for her not telling. However, Jamil couldn’t really think of anyone else he knew that he could talk to…except for Kalim, maybe. He really, really shouldn’t, but, he could trust Kalim, and Kalim would trust him back enough to know that Jamil wouldn’t do anything bad to him while he was practicing. It would be bad, if anyone else found out, their parents especially, but Jamil knew he wouldn’t tell. Kalim would never betray him.

Maybe…Jamil should just handle things on his own. He tried his best and read through guides about how to develop personal magic until the words blurred together in his mind. There was way too much he didn’t understand, but he could handle it. He was good at reading, and he could have figured it all out much quicker if only he had more free time. He first focused on the simple things—he needed a name, and he needed an incantation, too. It made the spell more stable and gave him less blot build-up. That part was kind of supposed to instinctively just come to him, though, just like the spell itself did.

Jamil tried out his magic on some animals. It didn’t exactly work all that well, probably because they couldn’t understand his language and he couldn’t seem to make it work when speaking the animal’s language, but it did at least a little something. He was no snake charmer, but he could lead around the cats, dogs, and birds for a moment or two, at least.

With that in mind, the name came to him pretty easily.

He thought of the snake charmers at the banquet, impressing their audience with the way they could bend the snake’s will to their own with their skillful tune. It was like they joined by the eyes—man and beast became one under the grip of that powerful gaze.

“Snake Whisper,” Jamil found himself saying, the incantation linked with the intricate pattern and beats of the spell itself. “The one you behold is your master. When I ask you a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent.”

It was perfect. A little too good to be true, maybe, but it sure felt good to say it. It was kind of nice to be the “master” for once.

If only he would ever have a chance to actually use it.

+++

“Come on, Jamil! Let’s go visit the elephants together!”

“Kalim. We’re still in the middle of your tutoring session.”

“Oh, right…well, we can take a break, right? What about mancala? It’s a thinking game, so that’s kind of like studying, right?”

“No, Kalim, it really isn’t.”

Everything went back to normal, very quickly. Kalim knew about the assassin in the mansion, but he didn’t know about what happened to Jamil, who simply wore a scarf the next day to hide the bruises. He still did notice something, though. He got worried and said that Jamil’s eyes looked red. Jamil said it was nothing. He didn’t know if it was because of the strangling or because of his eye-linked unique magic, anyways.

He looked it up on the internet, after that. It wasn’t because of his magic.

Jamil felt a cold shudder when he finally looked at himself in the mirror that night. It was like it somehow made everything feel worse, or maybe that was just the pain inevitably sinking in further after the shock was over and he was left struggling to fall asleep. That night, it was almost impossible.

“Just a little longer, and then we’ll stop,” Jamil said to assuage Kalim’s restlessness. Jamil was good at math, so he got asked to start tutoring Kalim in it. Jamil didn’t really think he was good enough to be a tutor, but ‘he was already with Kalim all the time anyways,’ so they decided that he might as well.

Maybe it would feel like a better compliment, getting told that he was good at math, if he didn’t have to self-sabotage his grades all the time so that no one else would even know.

“Okay…” Kalim relented with a heavy sigh, broken quickly by a smile. “Thanks for helping me, though! This makes a lot more sense now.”

But I didn’t help you to be nice. I got told to do it. It’s not the same.

“Yeah, you’re welcome.”

Najma noticed that something was wrong, too. Jamil instinctively avoided her at first, but he was still undecided about whether he should tell her about his magic at all, so he didn’t want to talk about the rest of what happened, either. Not that his waiting did him any good.

“Are you sure you’re fine?” she asked him, peering into his eyes that Tuesday night with discerning intensity. Najma was two and one third years younger than Jamil, and sometimes, she ran her older brother ragged just as bad as Kalim would, coming with random and sometimes bad ideas on a whim like little sisters would, but also, Jamil was getting reminded a lot lately that she wasn’t as little as she used to be. She was about to turn ten, and it seemed like with that, it became just harder and harder to lie or deflect about anything at all.

“I’m fine,” Jamil mumbled, trying to hide his eyes and lamenting to himself on how impossible that was to do. “Just tired.”

“Nuh-uh. You got to stay home instead of going to the mansion after school so I know it’s something.”

“Well…can’t I just have a break sometimes? Why do I have to have a reason?”

“You got hurt, didn’t you?”

Jamil choked. He looked at Najma, and he saw that she was very serious.

“Why can’t you talk about it?”

Jamil looked away. “I’m not supposed to tell Kalim, for some reason,” he mumbled sourly.

“Oh, yeah.” Najma nodded sagely. “He would get pretty mad if you got hurt. Like that time with the poison.”

“Y-Yeah…that.” He guessed maybe Najma did understand, then.

“But I’m not going to tell Kalim, obviously,” Najma added.

Jamil let out a deep breath. “Okay, sure. I’ll tell you everything. But there’s one part you’re going to really have to keep secret, okay?”

Jamil’s father gave him rare praise, in the morning after the incident. Jamil didn’t know what his parents would do, but he wasn’t sure he was expecting it to be something like that. He probably should have, though.

“You were brave, to fight back like you did. You protected the Asims from a grave danger last night. You did well.”

‘Protected the Asims,’ he said. That was what it was always about, wasn’t it? Serve the Asims, respect the Asims, give everything to the Asims. What if that wasn’t what Jamil was trying to do at all? He didn’t do it for ‘the Asims!’ He did it for him! He was just trying to survive! He didn’t have time to think of anything else! (But he was worried, after that. He was worried about Kalim, but it wasn’t for the same reasons as what his parents thought.) Didn’t his life matter, too? Didn’t him surviving mean something?

Everyone kept telling him that being a Viper was supposed to be something important, too. They had served the Asims for generations, and because of that, they were supposed to have honor. Respect. They were trusted with their masters’ lives, and that wasn’t something just anyone could do. Jamil didn’t care about that, though. He was told that his family had influence and prestige. His parents would be the ones to entertain leaders from all over the world. They were supposed to be important, but all Jamil could think about was that old image burned in his head of his parents bowing down before the heads of the family, and he hated it. People told him that he would understand when he was older, when they weren’t too busy scolding him for daring to say the slightest thing out of place. Jamil was pretty sure that he never would. His life was a joke. He didn’t want to be ‘important’ just because he was connected to someone important. He wanted to leave.

They let him have a couple of days off to rest, after that first day of him pressing through and smiling for Kalim anyway. His parents assured him that he would be fine, but some of the other servants (the ones who actually cared) vouched for him. Sayyida-san said it would be fine.

Jamil still had school. He still had a science project to present with a scarf skillfully wrapped around his neck like he was about to go on a walk through the desert sands. He got to get some sleep afterwards, though, and get to his reading about magic. It was nice, to have some quiet for once.

+++

Two weeks later, while in his own home, Jamil dreamt of a fire.

He choked on the fumes, violently coughing without a sound, dizzily stumbling through the flaming wreckage. He needed to get out of the house. He kept walking, but he couldn’t remember which way he should go. He should know this place—the mansion, not just a house—but it kept changing on him, looping back around and around. He told himself that he should be hurrying a little more, but he couldn’t and he forgot the reason why.

He kept walking, and at some point, something reminded him that he should panic. He started running, but that made everything worse. The building was falling down around him. He couldn’t breathe. He was going to choke. He ran through the pain even though he felt nothing. He remembered the way to the front door, and finally, he made it.

The door was blocked. A tall figure stood in front of it that Jamil barely knew. His mind registered that it was an assassin. He didn’t know which one it was. So many things had happened—too many things. Kalim kept getting kidnapped. Jamil couldn’t let them hurt him. Not again.

He punched the man in the chest because something told him it was what he had to do. The fire was still going. He couldn’t breathe, and he couldn’t see, either. The man fought back and Jamil wrestled against him, squirmed to keep free. But he was running out of time. He couldn’t make it. The man was too strong. So Jamil knocked him to the ground. He couldn’t see. He couldn’t breathe. He pushed and he wrapped his fingers around the neck of the person on the ground, desperately trying to stop them. He had to get out. He had to get out now.

But it wasn’t right. Something felt wrong. He did something wrong. The weight beneath him went slack.

He opened his eyes. It was Kalim he was holding.

Jamil screamed.

His eyes shot open in a cold sweat, his body reflexively shooting upright in his bed. He frantically looked around his room as if he expected to find danger in the corners of the walls, but he found nothing. There was no one.

It was just a dream.

He knew that, but he still struggled to catch his breath, his chest heaving painfully. It was just a dream. He could handle it. He wasn’t a child. He just…had to calm down.

His door opened with a creak. Jamil jolted a little at the sound, before a small, familiar face with wide, worried dark eyes showed itself around the door’s edge.

“Oh…Najma. It’s you,” Jamil greeted blandly, his voice hoarse. Did he…scream out loud, actually? He wasn’t sure. He didn’t want to think about it.

She closed the door behind her and walked inside without waiting for an invitation. She came up to the foot of his bed and spoke in a loud whisper. “I heard you from my room and it sounded really bad. Did you have a nightmare?”

Jamil groaned. Why did she have to be so blunt about it? “Y-Yeah… I’m fine, though.”

She frowned at him, her eyes squinting into his. “Liar.”

“W-What? I said I’m fine! Just…leave me alone.”

“Are you going to go back to sleep? Sometimes I like to just wake up all the way when I have a nightmare. You could read a book or something.”

Did he want to go back to sleep? Jamil was still shaken up, and he was afraid the dream would come back…but, talking to Najma, he felt at least a little distracted over it, already. Maybe it would be fine. “I have a lot to do tomorrow, so…I think I should sleep.”

“Okay.” Najma nodded. She then stayed there, for a moment, like she was thinking about something. She didn’t make any move to leave the room. Instead, her eyes lit up like she just came up with a spontaneous idea, which usually meant it was a bad idea.

Wordlessly, she climbed into bed beside Jamil, forcing him to just as quickly move to the side.

“H-Hey! What are you doing?”

“Your bed’s big enough for both of us, so I’m staying.”

“But…why…?”

“When you have a nightmare, you’re supposed to go over to your parents’ room and stay in their bed, right? Well, you’re not going to do that, so I’m going to stay in your bed, instead.”

Jamil took a deep breath. What was he going to do with her? “That’s not how it works.”

Najma looked him straight in the eye and shrugged. “What are you going to do? Tell Mom and Dad?”

Jamil groaned and just flopped backwards onto his pillow again.

“If there isn’t room, I can just sleep on the floor,” Najma offered nonchalantly. “I don’t mind.”

“Yeah you would.” This was just a trick, wasn’t it?

“No I won’t.”

Jamil looked up at her and smirked. “There could be spiders down there.”

“Uh, I’m not afraid of spiders. You are.”

Jamil rolled his eyes. She was…technically correct, but still. “Well, just…don’t move too much.”

“Okay,” she agreed, before lying down. She didn’t stop talking, though. “You know, my friend at school told me all about dreamcatcher magic. I can try to use it too if you want. So the nightmares get caught.”

“There’s no such thing,” Jamil mumbled blearily.

“Yeah there is. It’s her special spell, and that can be anything.”

“You mean signature spell. And I still don’t think it’s possible.”

“Says you. How can you be sure if you’ve never met someone?”

Jamil sighed and decided not to argue. “Fine. If I meet someone with dream magic, I’ll let you know.”

“Okay.”

“Now can you please just go to sleep?”

She nodded with a smile, her presence warm even though she gave him space and stayed still, just like she promised. “Okay. Goodnight, Jamil.”

[theclearblue]

Hi, Chen, can I ask something about Blue Lock? See, I never read the manga (anime only), so I'm way behind. But, is there really a scene where 2 male characters (non family) said I love you to each other?

So, for almost a year, I was challenged by my friend to read/skim selected manga series (mostly shounen), and made a bet. Because my friend said most bromance is more romantic than actual BL. As long time BL fan, I disagree. But I think I'll lose the bet. Those moments between rivals and best friends, are just so....

Then I read about Blue Lock. Please tell me it's just fanon or fanfics (maybe?)....

Hmm I don't think I remember a moment where any character says that they explicitly love another character in Blue Lock? I would say Shidou is pretty heavily queer coded and takes quite a (romantic) liking to Sae, but I don't think he says I love you or anything like that lol. So I am inclined to say that's maybe more fanon, though I more consume Blue Lock content through my tumblr mutuals mainly so I'm not even entirely sure on that either. Oh, Kunigami is basically canonically bisexual as well.

And hmm idk what genre ends up being more romantic, BL by nature I think right? Typically that would be written to be explicitly romantic, compared to shonen which, to be fair can be on purpose, but also I think sometimes happens on accident as well lol. But at the end of the day it's up to the reader to draw conclusions yk.

Edit: Najma did point out to me that Bachira does say that he loves Isagi at one point, though it was a thought, it wasn't expressed out loud, so take that for what you will lol.

[leaderpinhead]

Kalim - Heart of Gold

For context, Emir is an OC I created. He is Kalim's cousin, and he is older than Kalim and Jamil by one year. Aaliyah and Ahi are also OCs and I literally just created them for this piece.

“Hurry, Jamil! Emir! We’re gonna miss it!” 

Kalim ran through the stalls of the Zahab Market. He waved at the few vendors closing their stalls, enthusiastically returning their jovial greetings. He skirted around the corners, tripping over his sandals when he took one too quick. He heard the distant trumpet of a horn. Gasping for breath, he ran faster. “It’s starting!” 

“Kalim!” Jamil’s voice sounded distant behind him. “Slow down!” 

Kalim heard a familiar jingle of bracelets. He glanced over his shoulder. His older cousin smiled back at him, the bangles Kalim had given to him yesterday as a birthday present jangling on one wrist. Jamil was only a step behind Emir, frowning at the back of his head. 

Kalim saw Emir turn before he had to focus ahead of him to avoid a cart of churros rolling across his path. “What’s wrong, Jamil? Najma runs faster than you.” 

“Only because she wants to cut off your braid!” 

Kalim laughed. Watching his cousin run away from Najma after using her scarf as a leash for his cat, Jai, had been funny. She had refused to come with them today because Emir still hadn’t returned her scarf. 

Kalim sprinted out from the awning welcoming tourists into the Zahab Market. The street was packed with bodies, forcing Kalim to come to a sudden halt. He stood on his tiptoes in hopes of seeing around everyone, but that wasn’t very possible when you were the same height as everyone’s waist. With a huff of impatience, Kalim waited for Emir and Jamil to catch up to him. 

Jamil immediately grabbed his wrist. “You can’t run off like that! My parents would have my neck if anything happened to you.” 

Kalim laughed and grabbed Emir’s hand. He waved their arms so that their matching bracelets would sing together. “Don’t worry, Jamil! My father said it was okay for us to watch the parade from here.” 

Jamil sighed and said something, but the crowd chose that moment to loudly cheer. Panic pushed Kalim forward. He had to get to the front of the crowd, or he wouldn’t be able to see anything! 

“Master Asim!” 

Kalim automatically turned towards the voice. His head tipped sideways to keep track of the large man pushing through the crowd. “Emir? Isn’t that…” 

Emir groaned and pulled Kalim through the crowd. Jamil, still holding Kalim’s wrist, loudly sighed. “Did you leave home without telling anyone? Again.” 

“This is why you’re my least favorite Viper.” 

“Shouldn’t we let your guard know we’re okay?” Kalim asked. He strained his neck to try to see through every gap in the crowd they passed. It didn’t look like the parade had officially started yet. “Then they’ll let us watch the parade!” 

“Yes,�� Emir agreed. He still pulled Kalim away from his bodyguard. “From a far-off balcony on the Asim estate.” 

Kalim didn’t like that idea very much either. He looked for a place to hide so the bodyguard would pass by them. An alley between two buildings made a small enough gap for them to squeeze through. Kalim swung the other two toward the gap. “This way!” 

They squeezed through the gap and waited. Kalim had to stand on his toes to see over his cousin's shoulder. Sure enough, the guard ran right past their hiding place, still calling Emir’s name. Kalim grinned at his plan’s success. “Now we can watch the parade from down here!” 

A sudden weight landed on Kalim’s head, causing him to yelp. A chitter sounded right in his ear. Kalim shouted when a tiny hand started pulling at his earring. Emir and Jamil reacted at the same time, both of them twisting in Kalim’s direction. Emir’s eyes widened. “A monkey?” 

Jamil tried to shove Emir aside, but the alley was too narrow for him to push around the older boy. “Kalim! Stop standing their looking...at least shake it off!” 

Kalim tried to shake his head, but the monkey only clung to his hair harder. Kalim’s squeal matched the monkey’s shriek when the earring refused to give. Giving up on that piece of jewelry, the monkey skittered down his arm. It yanked a bracelet off Kalim’s wrist and ran down the alley with its spoils held high above its head. 

“My bracelet!” Kalim cried. His shuffled sideways after the monkey. “Give them back, Mr. Monkey!” 

“Kalim!” 

Kalim ignored Jamil and followed the monkey. When it reached the end of the alleyway, it jumped up onto a stall and started swinging from one stall to another down the street. The street was empty of its usual foot traffic, which made it easier for Kalim to keep up with the animal. His eyes stung with tears. “Please, Mr. Monkey! Give it back!” 

The monkey ignored him and kept jumping from one stall to another. It used the fabric roof of one stall to launch itself up the wall and scramble into a window. Kalim stopped in front of the stall. His breath hitched, gasping for air. His eyes stung more. “My bracelet...” 

“Don’t let it get away!” 

Kalim watched in awe when Emir climbed the crate next to the stall. He used the fabric roof as a trampoline and bounced himself just high enough to grasp the edge of the windowsill. With a determined grunt, he pulled himself over and through the window. 

Kalim didn’t hesitate following his cousin’s example. On his first bounce, he caught Jamil staring up at him with wide eyes. “Why do you always follow your crazy cousin?” 

Kalim giggled through his frustrated tears. He didn’t wait for Jamil to climb onto the crate before reaching for the window. It took a few more jumps—his cousin was already a bit taller than him and Jamil—but he was eventually able to grab the windowsill. He tumbled through the window with a small cry. 

After righting himself, Kalim brushed off the thin layer of dust from his pants. He glanced around the dimly lit room, which looked like a room in one of his father’s storehouses, only covered in more sand and dust. Kalim followed Emir’s voice through the small maze of crates and barrels. “You will return what you stole!” 

“I didn’t steal nothing,” a higher pitched voice insisted. The monkey shrieked in agreement. “You can’t prove Ahi did either!” 

“I watched your monkey take that bracelet right off my cousin!” 

“Your cousin should be more careful not to drop his things.” 

“So you admit, you stole it.” 

“I only said he should watch what he drops. Clearly, he dropped his bracelet, and you have nothing better to do than accuse poor street urchins of stealing!” 

Kalim quickly found his cousin behind a wall of barrels. He blocked the only way around the wall, pushing a small girl into the corner of the room. She scowled at him from behind roughly chopped bangs. Her tiny chin tipped backwards so she could glare down her large nose at his cousin. The monkey that had stolen his bracelet sat on her shoulder, baring its teeth at Emir. Kalim saw his bracelet peeking out from the girl’s pocket. 

“Quit the act.” Jamil stepped around Kalim and stood slightly in front of Emir. He placed his hands on his hips like all their mothers did when they were in trouble. “Return the bracelet before we report you to the market police.” 

The girl tipped her chin back even more. “Who do you think you are? You come into my house, accusing me of stealing? Where’s your proof?” 

Jamil and Emir both pointed at her pocket. Emir said, “That’s Kalim’s bracelet, and we can easily prove it.” 

“Oh, yeah? And how do you—.” 

A loud rumble interrupted the girl. Kalim’s eyes widened, and he almost looked around the barrels in search of the tiger he swore was just on the other side. The monkey made a little noise and patted the girl’s choppy hair. The girl, who had frozen mid-sentence, slowly closed her mouth. She swiveled her hips slightly and started again. “Like I was saying, how do...” 

She was interrupted by the rumble again. Bending slightly forward, she patted the lower part of her stomach. Jamil made a huffing noise. “Is that seriously...” 

The girl pointed a shaky finger at Jamil. “You can’t prove nothing!” 

Kalim blinked at the shaking arm. The longer he stared at the girl, the more he realized how tiny she was. She couldn’t be much older than Najma, who was the same age as Kalim’s second sister. Neither of them, with their olive skin and round cheeks, looked as tiny as the girl did. Even in the shadow of the corner, Kalim could see the sharp peaks of her cheekbones, the rough callouses on her fingers, and how her stained shirt billowed around her when she pressed her arm protectively against her stomach. 

Kalim stepped around his cousin and friend. The monkey hissed at him, but it didn’t stop him from walking closer to the girl. Her eyes slightly widened at his approach. She backed herself tighter into the corner until her back was completely pressed against the wall. 

“Are you hungry?” Kalim asked. Kalim dug into his pocket. The girl’s eyes narrowed, and she turned her torso more towards the wall. Kalim hummed when he found what he was looking for. He held out the pack of crackers his mother had slipped into his pocket before he ran out of the house. “You can have these! I was planning on eating them later, but I can always get a small cake at one of the stalls.” 

“Kalim.” Kalim couldn’t tell if the sigh came from Emir or Jamil, but it was Jamil who spoke. “Why are you trying to feed a thief?” 

The girl shot a suspicious glare over Kalim’s shoulder. “How many times do I have to say it? You can’t prove I stole anything!” 

“You can keep my bracelet.” Kalim knew it was his cousin who gasped this time. He smiled wide at the girl despite the returning sting in his eyes. “It was a bracelet my grandmother gave me before she died. I was supposed to keep it safe for her, but you can have it. Father once said it could feed a whole palace!” 

The girl stared at him with wide eyes. The monkey suddenly hopped from her shoulder to Kalim’s. Kalim tensed for a brief second, but he quickly relaxed when he felt the monkey’s tiny fingers digging through his hair. He giggled when the monkey tickled the back of his neck. 

The girl slowly uncurled from the corner. Her hand lashed out faster than Kalim could see, snatching the crackers from his open hand. He smiled when she nibbled on the corner of one before shoving the whole thing in her mouth. The monkey chittered and jumped back to her shoulder to accept a cracker too. 

She watched him through narrowed eyes while she thoroughly chewed. She shoved another cracker into her mouth, and her posture uncurled a little more. Kalim couldn’t help but feel good seeing her cheeks bulging. “Do you want to go watch the parade with us? There’s supposed to be dancers and everything!” 

The girl shook her head almost immediately. Before Kalim could feel any disappointment, he found the bracelet shoved into his face. He started back a step in surprise and scrambled to grab the bracelet when the girl just let it go. The girl shoved another cracker in her mouth, and her monkey companion did the same. “Here. I can’t do nothin’ with it anyway. Even that shady stall at the back of the Camel Bazaar would report me to those stuffy officials.” 

“So now you admit to stealing it?” Jamil muttered. Kalim glanced over his shoulder. Jamil frowned at the girl, but Emir stared down at his own wrist, fiddling with the matching bracelet their grandmother had given him. “We should still report you. I bet you’re a regular pickpocket in the bazaar since you’ve trained your monkey to do it. I bet he’s not even registered with the authorities.” 

“Ahi don’t need to be registered.” 

“Case in point.” Jamil sighed and shook his head. He met Kalim’s eye. “Kalim, you should report this to your father. To pickpocket anyone in the Asim family is...” 

Ahi suddenly shrieked. The girl rammed into the barrel next to her. The stacked barrels wobbled in such a way that wasn’t normal, but Kalim only had seconds to watch them tip forward before his cheek scraped against the floor. The weight on his back lifted only after the hollow thuds ended. “I figured it was a trap. I can’t believe you let her trick you into following her back here. Why else would she let you corner her?” 

“You think I didn’t know that was what she was doing? Why do you think I stayed at the far end of the barrels? I could have easily ducked out of the way, which doesn’t even matter because they were just cardboard!” 

Kalim pushed out from beneath Jamil. He left his friend and cousin to argue while he ducked around the fake barrels and followed the girl to the window. He got there just in time to watch her bounce from the stall roof into the stacks of hay on the opposite side of the crates they climbed earlier. Her choppy hair collected a few pieces of straw that she couldn’t simply shake from her head. 

As if sensing Kalim’s eyes, she turned back up to stare at him. He waved at her. “Bye! Oh! What’s your name? I’m Kalim!” 

Ahi chittered back at him and waved. The girl stared up at him for a long second. Her tongue poked out from between her lips. “You’re way too nice. Almost a dumb kinda nice.” Kalim tipped his head slightly. She took a few steps towards the end of the street. She twisted her torso to stare back up at him. “It’s Aaliyah. Now go watch the parade with your dumb friends.” 

Kalim grinned and waved at her until she vanished around the corner. Aaliyah—Kalim liked her! She was kinda like Najma. Kalim slipped his bracelet over his hand and back onto his wrist. Najma liked to pretend she didn’t like Emir too, kinda like Aaliyah pretended she didn’t care his bracelet was the only thing he had left of his grandmother. 

[dreamerswriter]

Ghost Bride: Some Day I’ll Find My Prince

I am sorry, what?! Epel, no. It wouldn’t work between us. I also can’t see myself living on a farm. Don’t worry, there’s a youtuber named AJ who wants to marry you. Go for her. 

I... No, it isn’t going to work with us either. But if I have to pick, you would be fine. You’re more of a realist and caring person who is trying his best and actually a good character. Also, the fans want you with Yuu or Deuce. I want you with Najma. 

Oh, no! Riddle, it wouldn’t work. Your temper would be too much for me, and I don’t want to have anything to do with medicine/doctors after having them as parents. We have the same trauma, it wouldn’t work. 

NO, NO! NO! OH GODS NO! I AM NOT MARRYING YOU! You belong with Vil, but also, you terrify me in the best and worst ways. Nope! Not gonna marr you! 

I picked the first one. Own up to it, cat. You lost fair and square! Get to cleaning! 

Azul, you need to hire ghosts to do your work. They’re efficient. Also, why does this keep happening to us?! 

Ok, so I know most of us would scold Crowley, but I think this is fine. He didn’t actually expect anyone to live in the dorm and honestly forgot. That being said, he must’ve informed the others about this, right? I can’t imagine student’s being taken away by ghosts is a good thing. 

So.... Malleus? Silver? Vil? Those make the most sense to me. 

AHAHA! She has my taste in men?! HAHA! OH MY GODS! 

I mean, oh no! What are we going to do? Also, how does that happen? What did he do? Did he not have a poltergeist? (Luigi’s Haunted Mansion deserves some love)

[twst-drabbles]

Like. Okay. Sanctuary AU. Not exactly a question at first? But I kinda wanna cup the dormleader’s/OB’s faces or hands(either that they’re comfortable with) in a gentle but steady hold, not too light to be irritating and leave a buzzing, but also not too still/strong that they can’t get away if they don’t want any touch. I just wanna hold their face/hands and tell them that they did good. That while it did take a while, they’re back home. In their own sanctuary. And even though they’re big now and have bigger forms, I’ll still be their caretaker.

Take one of their hands(remove one from face if holding face) and put it on my chest over my heart, then say, “So long as the heart beats, I will care for you and all the others. And even when the day comes that it stops, I will watch over you all the same.”

Just. Let them know that I’ll do my darned best for them and the others. That even though they’re much bigger and much stronger, I’ll always care for them, big forms or not.

I know the caretaker in the house pet and Sanctuary AU is much more…not cynical… sarcastic and doesn’t show affection easily, but I think little tender moments are sweet. I did mention the choice of hands or face to hold, don’t wanna break any boundaries or cause panic. And I’ve always thought that feeling or listening to another person’s heartbeat is intimate. Not necessarily in romance or affection similar to it. But a closeness. Just that organ right under their skin is one of the primary things keeping them alive. And that steady beat reassuring you that they’re alive and present.

This would probably happen a good number months after rescuing them and bringing them back. Trying to find a new place in a lifestyle they thought gone for good. Giving them time to adjust. Then telling them that they did well.

Just. A bit of fluff for Sanctuary AH.

May I ask how you think some reactions may be to such a thing? For Azul, I don’t think I’d be able to cup his face or hands lol. I’m already smol enough without Azul being Kraken size. Maybe just grab an index finger lol

Not really taking reaction asks my dear. At least, I'm not going to be giving it in detail. It's just general stuff since I like to leave all the details for the drabbles.

But, let's get to how it could possibly go shall we?

Touch is something of a sensitive language for me, hence why I wrote the Caretaker the way that I did. Touches that are seen as causal, like arms over the shoulders like Ace would do, or pats on the back have my skin crawl a bit if it's too often. Hence why I'm not too touchy and give the implication that I'm fine with being touched out of nowhere. However, there are exceptions, and that's with people I've grown a close emotional bond with.

So, how would I conjure a situation for the scenario you're asking? I'd have the dorm leaders initiate contact first during a moment of quiet, when no one can listen on in. It's a fragile vulnerability, the kind that they will bury back deep inside themselves if they so much as see anything resembling rejection. After all, they've learned that emotional vulnerability will be taken advantage of, so they had to hide it.

Riddle would tug at your sleeve. Leona would let his head fall on your shoulder. Azul would lower his head before you. Jamil would lean his scars close to your hip. Vil would ghost his hands over your arms. Idia would sit very close to you. And Malleus would hover his tail around your waist.

Listening to one's heartbeat is also intimate to me as well, Anon. It's also a good way to get them to fall asleep. Rarely do any of these leader have good dreams, when they feel the need to sleep anyway. So, how would they react?

Riddle loses the stiffness in his neck. Leona back starts slouching more. Azul gets quiet. Jamil starts talking about stories of Kalim and Najma. Vil starts humming under his breath. Idia starts grabbing the edges of your clothes. And Malleus let's his wings close around you.

At least, I think that's how it would go. No telling if this is right until I start digging into it in a drabble.

[thevibraniumveterans]

Ms. Marvel s01e05 - “Time and Again”

SPOILERS!

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.

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Okay, few points

1. Though I cannot speak for people from cultures clearly not my own, I did feel a deep sense of anger when the British soldier told the locals to “go home”. Like, excuse me sir, you’re the foreigner.

Moving on.

2. One other thing I liked is that across these five episodes now, Kamala has been receiving bits and pieces of clothing that would soon become her (or inspiration for her) eventual outfit. She received her mask from Bruno, her vest from Waleed, and now the scarf from Kareem. Not to mention the bangle she sorta kinda inherited from her great-grandmother, so there’s that one too.

3. CAN WE TALK ABOUT KAMRAN. No, hang on, can we talk about his mom first. Najma calls out her son’s name right before she turned to ash as she tried to close the Veil, right? Then there’s this little seconds-long sequence where you see strands of the Noor (Light) snake it’s way to Kamran, knocking him to the ground. The captions state “Energy pulsating”. Kamran’s eyes glow the same way Najma’s and Kamala’s eyes glow, except with him, it’s blue. We then see him look at his hand, and it’s the exact same kind of hard light that forms around his fist (same as Kamala’s), only it’s blue instead of purple. And this is kind of inherent to him the same way it was inherent to Najma, the same way it’s inherent to Aisha and therefore Kamala as well. Remember a few episodes ago Bruno said to Kamala, “It looks like your power is coming from within you. The bangle unlocked the superhuman part of you.” It was the same with Kamran. He has the EXACT SAME POWER SET as Kamala does now. Kamala has her power set because she’s a human hybrid (Aisha was clearly not of this world), and Kamran has his power set because like Aisha, Najma is clearly not of this world either. But while Kamala needed the bangle to unlock her inherent powers that she inherited, Kamran received these powers almost by accident, but his body is receptive to the powers because he too, is not of this world, courtesy of his mother Najma. So essentially, both Kamran and Kamala have powers that originate from the Noor Dimension, because they have the same (or similar) origin story. Their ancestors came from the same place, the Noor Dimension. This actually fits in so well with their similar comics origins because there, they were both exposed to the Terrigen mists and so in the comics they are Inhuman, but here, in the MCU, Kamran and Kamala are pseudo-Noorians, if such a word exists. They have a foot in both worlds. They are simultaneously of the Noor Dimension and of Earth.

3. Okay, about Kareem. At the very end, when Kamala bids goodbye to Kareem, yeah? This little conversation:

Kamala: You know, I'm pretty sure a Pakistani goodbye is the opposite of an Irish one. Overstay your welcome and then ask if you could take home food.

Kareem: I have to go tell the others what happened. I figured you could use some time with your family.

Kamala: Are you gonna be okay?

Kareem: Yeah. Yeah, I'll be fine. He'd be really proud of you.

Kamala: Thank you, by the way. For everything.

Kareem: You know, if you ever need anything, I'm just a call away. Although the U.S. government may or may not have several warrants out for my arrest, so…

Kamala: Wow. Well, I don't know how much more trouble I can get into after all this.

Kareem: Just in case. [The narration states, “He removes the red scarf from around his neck and drapes it over Kamala’s shoulder.”] For you. [The narration continues, “He walks away. Kamala eyes the fabric, then pulls it off her shoulder and holds it in both hands as she leans on the balcony railing, wearing a contemplative expression.”]

Why would the US government (well, the DODC but like) have arrest warrants out for Kareem, if what he says is true? He’s not the one with powers, and yet, YET when he first meets Kamala face to face in the station, he tells her point blank, “I sensed the Noor.” Does Kareem also have some sort of hidden ability? Would this, then, be why he suspects the DODC may target him? Also, if Kareem had sensed the light from within Kamala, it would mean that he’s sensed it a week earlier when Kamala first saw that vision during that AvengerCon. To be able to sense it, he must’ve been somewhere in the US as well, and maybe tracked her down all the way to Karachi. 🤔

[trojansblr]

#FightOn! (04) | OT7

Summary: The University of Southern California is a prestigious school - only the best or the richest can attend. That means there will be a lot of spoiled brats. Two groups start colliding and the entire college shift alongside them. What will happen when sparks starts to flow between them? Drama will certainly be there.

Pairing: BTS with -eventually- female characters

Genre: Fluff, Angst, Smut (in the future), CollegeAU!

Word Count: 16k UNEDITED 

A/N: Thank you all so much for waiting. This chapter was taking his time to take form in my head. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and thank you so so much to all the girls that joined our family and to the ones that are with us everyday! Also, a big thanks to @bunnybubkook for being our editor of this chapter (she’s helping us improve our writing since our first language isn’t English). I made so many mistakes, it’s a shame ooofff I’ll be waiting for your feedback on the asks ❤ Love you all 

The Characters • Day 3 • Day 4 • Day 5

The air at USC was electrifying, and it affected everyone. At the Flour Tower, Hyori’s alarm had just rang. To her surprise, her roommate was already awake. Deo was sitting on her bed, hair all over her face. Honestly, if there wasn’t light peeking through the blinds, Hyori would almost swear it was Samara sitting there instead of her best friend.

“Are you ok?” Hyori’s voice came out hoarse from having just woken up a couple of seconds ago. All she got from her roommate was a grunting sound and a nod. “What is going on? Did something happen?”

She jumped out of her bed and into the other, cupping Deo’s face in her tiny hands. The girl looked pale and her lips were more of a red-ish, compared to her usual lip color. It was either because of a cold, because she had been crying, or because she was on her period.

“Did you turn into a vampire or something?” Hyori joked, making Deo laugh.

“I’m on my period.” Deo finally spoke, letting her body fall backwards and into her soft mattress. “It feels like I’m dying.” She grabbed Hyori’s wrist dramatically.

“Do you know what’s good for cramps?”

“If you say exercise, I’m going to kill you.”

“C’mon, come run with me.” Hyori said excitedly. It was rare, but the times it did happen she had the best time running with Deo. The two of them were super competitive, so they would always end up racing each other to see who would win.

As the girls were getting ready for their morning run, everyone was still very much sound asleep.Hyori was used to mornings being quiet, only seeing one or two people on her way to the track field. Today, however, with her roommate tagging along, she could barely hear the birds chipper because they were talking and laughing too loudly.

“Ok, are you ready?” Hyori said, getting into her lane and kneeling into position.

“What? Wait! We have to make a bet!” Deo said. She’s picked up this habit with Jungkook of betting on everything and anything. ‘Bet you I can finish my drink faster than you’, ‘bet you I can take a better picture than you’, ‘bet you’ll be hungover the next morning’. Because of this, she would always try to make bets with her friends, just for fun.

“Fine!” Hyori said, straightening herself. “What about... whoever loses has to make the other breakfast?”

“Good enough for me.” Deo shrugged, and both kneeled down on their respective lanes.

“Ready...”

“Set...”

“GO!” They screamed at the same time and started sprinting.

For the sake of their breakfast, Deo lost. Or, being truthful, she quit midway because her cramps were bugging her too much, so instead of running, Deo just sat down on the track and Hyori returned to her normal pace.

Once they got back to their dorms, they took a quick shower before heading to the common kitchen where they usually ate breakfast. Deo ended up making enough pancakes to feed two girls that were their floor’s neighbors.

Not too far away, in apartment 203, everyone was awake except for Yoongi. He had stayed up until sunrise adding last-minute details to one of his songs. Today was a big day for him, which also made it a big day for his friends. They were their friends' number one supporters and if there was anyone who deserved love and support, it was Yoongi.

“Hey man.” Namjoon spoke to Jungkook, making him jump in his seat. He was too focused typing on his phone.

“Oh hey, good morning!”

“You’re up early. Going somewhere?” Namjoon asked as he took a bite of his apple.

“Yeah. I gotta help my friend set up a runaway for this fashion show they’re having.”

“Oh yeah, I think I saw a flyer around campus about that. You’re going to model?”

“Nah, I’m going to help backstage.” Jungkook said nonchalantly. Namjoon only nodded. “You’re going to the library?”

“I have an essay to finish, so, yeah. I’m gonna go now since everyone is still asleep, and once they wake up I know I won’t be able to focus.” Namjoon laughed lightly, grabbing his books and standing up. “I’ll see you later.”

“See ya man.”

Jungkook continued to stay glued to his phone. Ever since the volleyball party he had been talking to this girl he met there, Aashna. Usually, he would only open his social media to check on the million things his friends would post but recently he found himself excited to see the questions Aashna would send him. Their conversations were based on games like 21 questions or would you rather and he had a good time doing it. It stopped him from being bored. Right now, he was trying to decide if he would rather fly like Superman or travel like Spiderman. To him, this one was actually pretty easy. He liked Spiderman so much, it was an obvious choice.

Namjoon, was already in the library. Luckily for him, the crazy old lady didn’t hear him heading out today, so he didn’t have to waste two hours talking to her. It would take him a while to get in the mood to do his work but there was something that always worked. Scanning the books shelves. Namjoon’s love for books was a big one and just reading the books covers would make him ease into the state of mind he needed to focus and do his work. 

He had assembled quite the pile of books. In fact, it was so big that it created a wall, such that he was barely visible behind. After 45 minutes, Namjoon realized one book was missing, so he walked quietly to the front desk where a pretty girl was sitting. Her hair caught his attention due to how bulky it was. He cleared his throat before speaking.

“Sorry to bother but I need a book on lobbying. I couldn’t find it back there.” He said quietly, to not disturb the people that were reading close by.

“Yeah, give me a second.” She said and started typing on the computer she had in front of her. “If you want you can sit down and I'll bring it to your table?” She suggested.

“Thank you!”

Namjoon headed back to his table as Silvia, the pretty girl at the front desk, was waiting for the computer to respond. Considering USC installations, the computer in the library was a dump. Specially from Silvia’s point of view. Her close friend Tessa was majoring in Graphic Design, so she was used to the best computers the school had to offer. They basically only took one second to open an adobe program. This computer however, took five whole minutes just to search for a book, but thankfully, she had the patient of a saint. Once the computer finally managed to load the book Namjoon was looking for, she headed for the correct aisle and scanned it until she identified the book Namjoon needed. As she approached, she couldn’t help but hear Namjoon mumbling to himself. Curiosity hit her, and she stopped in her tracks.

“It’s just so hard, Celi...” He sighed hard, talking into his phone. “I don’t even remember who that was at the party. I remember that she was pretty, and tiny, and had this dark brown hair that was kinda wavy. It suited her so well... I was too drunk to remember her name though. This is so unlike me! And I thought I liked Najma, but if I slept with someone else, maybe I don’t?” He continued rambling. “Anyway, I'll see you at lunch. We can talk about all of this then, yeah?”

As Namjoon placed his phone down, Silvia was afraid that he would look back and catch her red-handed. So, she clumsily moved towards his table.

“I have your book right here.” She smiled kindly to him.

“Thanks! I’m sorry I had to bother you, but I really didn’t find it.”

“Oh, it’s not a problem. To be honest, I was almost falling asleep back there.” She said cutely, making him laugh lightly.

“Well, anyway, thank you!”

“If you don’t mind me asking... what’s your work about?”

“It’s about Interest Group Perspectives. It’s for one of my Philosophy classes.” He nodded his head.

“Oh, I won’t keep you any longer then. Good luck on that, and if you need anything you know where to find me.”

Silvia started walking back to her post but she couldn’t resist on looking back. Namjoon was scanning the book, a serious expression on his face. For the first time ever since she started working at the library, she thought her role was  being a mere spectator only, of other’s lives. She was done being the reader. She was going to become the narrator of Namjoon’s story and help him find someone he deserved. How? She didn’t have her plan all figured out quite yet, but what she did have was time. She was going to come up with something.

Somewhere around campus, Jimin was already rushing to meet Deo and Hyori. They had to go help Hobi arrange the space for his sister’s fashion show but Jimin fell asleep and so, the girls had been waiting for him for the last 15 minutes. He finally laid eyes on the two tiny girls and jogged to them.

“Hey babies! Sorry I’m late!” Jimin smiled big, so big his eyes seemed to shut.

“I hope you don’t keep all your girlfriends waiting like this every time you get a date.” Deo sassily said, hugging the boy.

“It’s part of his charm.” Hyori teased back, but also gave a quick hug to the boy.

“Let’s just go!” Jimin whined. “They’re waiting for us!” The girls gagged in disbelief to the boy’s audacity but decided it was best to ignore him and just walk.

Back in Jimin’s dorm, Taehyung was tossing and turning in his bed. His roommate had gotten up in such a hurry, that it almost felt like their dorm was under attack. He usually had a quick and deep sleep, but today it wasn’t cooperating with his laziness. He rolled around one more time, this time turning to his bedside table to reach for his phone and check the time. It marked 10:47, so he decided he might as well enjoy the day. He quickly got dressed, put his usual drawing notebook in his bag, and headed out. The sun was bright outside, so he decided to stop by the campus café to get something to help his inspiration run a little. His brain was still in sleep mode.

Once he got to the café, as he was waiting in line, already knowing what to order, he decided to take a look around to see if there were any familiar faces he could greet. He did find one. She was sitting on one of the furthest booths of the café, looking at something on her tablet. Once he got his order, he walked up to her.

“Hey! I think I recognize you?” He asked, not feeling so sure now that he remembered how drunk he was at the party. “Sana, right?”

“That’s me!” She smiled kindly to him. “You wanna sit with me?”

“Yes!” As he answered, the girl scootched to the side to give him space to sit on the booth. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m actually waiting for my friends. They should be here pretty soon.”

“Oh, you’re doing something fun?” He asked, excited and curious.

“We’re gonna have breakfast here, and then we’re going to buy tickets for an exhibition. I don’t know if you know the artist. It’s Benjamin Verhoven.”

“Oh? Benjamin...” Taehyung let his thoughts slip through his lips. “His name sounds familiar, but I can’t remember any of his works.”

“Well... you can join us if you want?” She offered with a sweet smile on her lips.

“I can’t say no to an invitation like that. I’m a sucker for art.” He smiled sheepishly. “Would it be ok if I invite some of my friends to join us?”

“Of course! The more the merrier!”

“Cool!” Taehyung let out a big smile. “I’ll talk to you later then?”

“Of course! I’ll dm you the details!” Sana said in a goodbye tone.

They had begun to talk a lot ever since the party about things like art, music, books – pretty much everything. Their tastes were very similar, so they always had a good time speaking to one another. Taehyung left the café looking like a little kid on a sugar high.

“NO NO NO! SUPPORT ME!” Jin screamed into his microphone. He had been playing LOL for the past 45 minutes, and to say that the game wasn’t going his way was an understatement. “Fucking noobs!”

AlpacaTower: wtf dude!! Support!! Noob

Otakupandasworld: omw!

AlpacaTower: no! You're a jungler!!

Otakupandasworld: we can still win this!

Jin couldn’t even care about his team chatting, as soon as the surrender popped up, he clicked on ‘YES’ and immediately left his computer. He was too upset to stay and see his screen light up with the word ‘DEFEAT’. He walked into the kitchen and straight to the fridge, and before opening it, he took a quick look at the kink list. Weirdly enough, it hadn't been updated this week. As he was about to open the fridge, the power was cut out. He immediately regretted not turning off his computer earlier and putting the garlic bread in the oven. Jin took his phone from his back pocket and turned on the flashlight. He walked out of his apartment and into the hall where the electric board was. 

“Oh shit! You scared me!” Esme, the girl that lived front door said, her hands covering her chest from the scare.

“Sorry about that.” Jin scratched the back of his neck, trying not to laugh. “And sorry about the power too.”

“It just went out out of nowhere!” She laughed, still a little spooked.

“Yeah, I had too many things on!” Jin laughed and made some space so that he could reach the electric board. “You just have to flip this switch up and it should be back on right...” He stopped, flipping the big red switch on the power board “now!” As he spoke, the corridor was filled with light.

“Wow, I almost got goosebumps.” She teased, making him laugh. “I’m Esme by the way!”

“Jin!” He let out his hand for her to shake, and she did. As he was about to turn his back on her, he stopped by his door, turning over. “Quick question, if two vegetarians have a fight, is it still called beef?” He said with an amused look on his face.

“It depends on what’s at steak.” She responded back quickly, making Jin laugh.

“I carrot believe you thought of that so quickly.”

“Lettuce rejoice over our puns, neighbor.” They both laughed.

Jin went back inside to eat his garlic bread, amused with the slight pun exchange he had just had with his neighbor.

Not so far away, Namjoon was finally leaving the library. One of his close friends from his first year in college had hit him up to have lunch with her, and he missed her so much there was no way he was going to say no. Once he got to their usual café, he noticed Cecilia was already there.

“Sorry, I had to walk all the way from the library.” He apologized with a sweet smile that she couldn’t resist.

“It’s ok. I already ordered for us. I ordered a large pizza, so we can share!” She told him excitedly.

“Pizza’s here are delicious!” He complimented. They used to go to that café all the time last year. “How are you? You said you wanted to talk to me?” He changed his expression from relaxed to concerned in a matter of seconds.

“Oh...” She was a little lost for words, not knowing how to explain her feelings. “It’s Mark. He keeps asking me for a second chance but... it doesn't feel right, you know? I get this sick feeling in my stomach.”

“He made you go through so much... You should think it through before putting yourself in a sticky situation again.”

“I know... it’s just hard.” Cecilia sighed, looking lost. “But enough about me, tell me about you. And that party!”

Namjoon let out a big sigh. “I don’t even know what to tell you. I was supposed to be on Taehyung duty. I don’t know how I got that drunk.”

“But what about the girl? Tell me who she is!” She pushed, excited to hear the gossip.

“So... you see...” He scratched the back of his head, kind of embarrassed. “I don’t remember.”

“Joonpiter!” She let out his nickname, shocked and excited. “That is so not like you!”

“I know!” He sighed. “Plus there’s Najma.”

“What about her?”

“I can’t get her out of my mind, even though she doesn’t seem to care that I exist?”

“Oh of course she cares!”

“Am I just wasting my time with her?”

“Of course not! You can’t just give up like that!” Cecilia tried her best to encourage her best friend, but his head was already hanging low. “What about your poetry?”

“What about it?”

“Have you been writing?”

“A little, here and there. I’ve been trying something new actually.” He said, his morale going up a little.

“What is it?”

“I can’t say yet!”

“Pretty please?” She bat her eyelashes.

“I can read you one of my poems?”

She pout at his recommendation but realized it wouldn’t get better than that, so she agreed. “Three poems.”

“Fine!” He finally caves in, making her smile big.

As they wait for their food, he gives her his little notebook where he usually writes down his feelings and poems. Cecilia reads them intently and with care. Namjoon can’t contain himself and asks what is her favorite.

Some days, we laugh so much that we end up crying It’s like the blooming flowers. Today I crave those moments The sun rays and the calming breeze  I feel lost and insecure I don’t like it. The gentle sea can turn into an unforgiving tangle of tears I wish I could turn back to those happy moments The orange sun in the horizon Slowly setting down Gently accepting it’s errors Skies turning shades of pink and pastel blue Suddenly the realization I changed and will change Just like everything going in the wind Where cherry blossoms bloomed and I... I was happy. And I will be again.

- RM

“No, no, no!” Hoseok’s sister’s voice echoed through the room, and everyone stopped what they were doing.

“What now?” Hobi asked, everyone could feel the attitude in his tone.

“The banner is all wrong!” She whined. “Who did that?”

“Jazzy you need to relax. You’re freaking everyone out.”

Hoseok sat down on the floor, tired from all the moving they had been doing in the store. They had been working for 3 hours straight. Jazmine had asked his brother to come and help with the store. At this moment, with all the damage of having hired a company to help finish all her clothes in time for the big opening, Jazmine couldn’t afford to hire a cleaning team to help put everything together. Instead, her loyal brother found a couple of kind souls that were more than ready to help. The only problem was that in those 3 hours, all that the stylist did was complain and order them around, instead of helping.

“She totally doesn’t know how to handle the pressure.” Jungkook whispered to Jimin.

“Right? I hope she doesn’t go this hard later because I won’t model for Hitler.” Jimin whispered back, cleaning the sweat off his forehead as he placed a chair down.

“What time is it anyway? I’m starving.” Jungkook said, and as if his belly had ears, it growled.

“It’s almost 12:30.” Hyori appeared out of nowhere. “Where are we eating?”

“I’m gonna eat with Tae. You can come if you want?” Jimin offered.

“Hard pass.” Jungkook said. He turned to Hyori. “Where are we eating?” 

“Hmm... I was thinking about burgers?” Hyori suggested.

“I'm gonna grab my stuff and we can go. I still have to run by my apartment to grab my cameras to take photos later.”

“Bring me my jacket please!” Hyori shouted to Jungkook who was already midway. “You’re taking her with you?” Hyori said to Jimin. nudging her head towards Deo who was trying her best to tie her hair with a hair band that was too tight for the amount of hair she had.

“I want to, but you know how she acts around Taehyung.” Jimin sighed. His only wish was to see his two best friends become friends as well.

“You should make her go anyway. She’s the youngest of our group, so she has little to no say in things.”

“Then why is it always the other way around?” Jimin couldn’t help but laugh.

“Because~~ she has good ideas!” Hyori articulated more with her hands.

“Ok let���s go!” Jungkook finally appeared, Hyori's jacket on his shoulder.

“Hey where are you guys going?” Deo shouted after the two.

“For lunch!” They screamed at the same time.

“Wha- wait for me!” The girl started running around to grab everything. “Where’s my phone?”

“Why are you running?” Jimin asked with an arched eyebrow.

“Because I’m hungry and- and they already left!”

“Then we can eat together yeah?” Jimin side hugged the tiny girl. “What do you wanna eat?”

“Grilled cheese?” The girl suggested after a long pause.

“Grilled cheese it is.” Jimin smiled sweetly to her. “Let’s go!” He made a weird cheering sound that made the girl laugh, and they both left.

Taehyung couldn't help his excitement, and that's probably why he ran as fast as he could to Carolina's cinematic department. Their buildings were pretty close, he could've just walked there, no need to hurry, but that was Taehyung, the happiness preacher... always planning new gatherings and being excited about it!

He barged through the doors and thanked mentally no one was around there on that Saturday morning, only the girl since she offered to help Yoongi with his art presentation for his mini show that same night.

"CAROLINA~~" Taehyung called while walking his way around the artsy corridors and looking frantically for her "Carolina where are you???"

"HERE!" he heard her voice once a door opened in the end of the corridor, loud music playing, and her head peeking through it, displaying a tired smile.

"For a second I thought you weren't here!" he chuckled while running towards her.

He entered the 'lab room' that was basically just a bunch of computers and mixing tables displayed all over the place. Carolina had returned to her chair and was now glancing at him doing an excited little dance while closing the door.

"May I ask why you're dancing like a weird penguin?"

"Hey- this is the pingu dance, I'm offended!" he said with a fake hurt look.

"Sorry Mr. pingu" she chuckled, always amused by his carefree nature "But why are you so excited on a Saturday morning?"

"I got tickets!!!!"

"Please say Oasis got back together, and you got tickets" she prayed with closed eyes and hands pressed together, mocking him "Please God!"

"I'm going to throw this weird hairy hobbit on you if you don't stop," he said, taking in his hand a little troll doll with purple hair.

"Hey! Not Mr. Junky!"

"He looks so ugly that it's cute" Taehyung laughed while he marveled the doll.

"And it's a troll by the way... Hobbit-" Carolina snorted, making fun of Taehyung, and turning around to focus on what she was making again.

"It doesn't matter! I'm sure Mr. Junky isn't offended- Now can you please pay attention!!!"

"I am" she said, not taking her eyes off the screen in front of her.

"I'm serious-" he went towards her chair and pulled it backwards, the little wheels of it making it easier for him to drag her back "I got us tickets for this new exhibition- I'm sure you'll like it, and I really want to go, so... What do you say? Isn't it 'yay'??"

"I'm in for sure!! What exhibition?" she asked, turning around much more interested.

"That Benjamin Verhoven one!"

"Let me google him, wait." she turned around again to open the web. Taehyung went right after her, leaning on the back of her chair.

"Woah~" he said, once a bunch of photos of the exhibition appeared "That looks so cool"

"Wow! Look at this installation!"

"It seems really cool right?" he said, poking her cheek "You can thank me now"

"Thank you, sir~" she mocked "The tickets are already with you? Or do we have to print them?" she looked up to meet his glance, and at that moment he smiled embarrassed.

"So... about that" he started "We... hum.. we have to buy them first" he quickly looked at Carolina, and she was blinking slowly, her mouth in a line.

"Do you wanna run now, or do you wanna meet Mr. Junky from a close point of view?" she asked with a poker face.

"WAIT! NO!" he said protecting himself with his hands "I was the one finding the exhibition!!!! CAROLINA"

"You clown!!!" she said loudly while tickling him all over.

"Wait- Wait I beg you!" He was kneeling on the floor, laughing with teary eyes "I BEG YOU!!!"

"This is the shock treatment for liars." She got up, sitting on her chair once again.

"I... I'm exhausted," he said while taking a deep breath and sitting on the floor.

"I'm buying the tickets on my credit card then - is Nam going too? Or just the two of us?" Carolina asked, ignoring the almost passed out boy on the floor by her legs.

"Buy for him too! I'm sure he will like to go!"

"Nice! Three it is..."

"Actually, we are going with a friend of mine too, so we're four - maybe more since she will probably be with her friends too," he explained.

"Wait - What? Who's she? Who are the friends?" Carolina looked down with intrigued eyes.

"No need to worry, she's nice, you'll like her! Her friends, I don't know... But she is nice!! Trust me"

"Still, do I know anyone?"

"I don't think so...? She helped me out at the volley party... When I disappeared" he remembered.

"Ugh, that party" Carolina rolled her eyes "Fine. Do I have to buy her tickets as well? Like - I don't even know the people and I'm already buying stuff for them, I'm such a nice person, wow."

"Of course not!" Taehyung laughed "Just buy for the three of us, she already bought hers"

"I like her already" she said and then looked at him "I'm kidding, I need to talk to her first to know that" and they both laughed at her honesty.

"Print them already! We always forget to do that-"

"True! I'm printing" she said looking at the screen focused and then pointing towards her left "Go get them there for me please"

"Yes, captain!" he got up and went towards the printer "Also, do we give it to Namjoon now?"

"No way, he always loses his tickets! I'm keeping his."

"Keep mine too?" he asked while returning to her side.

"You're supposed to be the older one!!!"

"I am! But you're better at keeping stuff," he admitted.

"Not really though... I always lose stuff."

"You're better at keeping things you like," Taehyung reformulated, putting emphasis on the 'like', making the girl point at him.

"On that you're right!" she said, making him laugh.

"I'll go have lunch with Jimin now, wanna come?"

"Ugh..." she rolled her eyes once he mentioned Jimin's name "I'd rather die here from work exhaustion"

"You know, you have to get over that hate you have towards him someday," he said, giving her a forehead kiss.

"Never is a nice day to do that," she answered making him chuckle.

"Where are you eating then?"

"At Ben's" she said simply, making him choke on air "Oh get over it!"

"See you later then! Don't forget to tell Namjoon about the exhibit!" he said, already hurriedly walking towards the door, wanting to hear nothing about that subject.

"I will! See you! Don't be late! You know it's important for Yoongs!"

"I won't! Now say 'I love you' so I can say it back and go!" He already had the door open, ready to leave.

"You're unbearable..."

"Say it"

"I love you, Teetee"

"Love you too! Stop fucking my teacher~ Thanks~ Bye~" and he left Carolina behind, laughing lightly about his awkwardness to accept she was a grown up now.

Yoongi was a nervous wreck. He already checked on his songs at least 5 times, and he had nothing to do but wait. It was a big night for him. It would be the first time he would be performing live, and, as far as he knew, it was going to be a full house.

He got the gig thanks to a friend. He wouldn’t be the only one performing, but he was supposed to be the big star of the night. He felt a little better knowing all his friends were going to be there, and this was an opportunity of a lifetime. However, this sickening feeling in his stomach wouldn’t leave him alone, so he thought it would be best to try distracting his mind with something else.

He opened his laptop one more time and entered his social media. He scrolled through the feed and saw some posts, but, still, his mind wouldn’t let him be. So he decided to dm someone he’d been getting to know for a couple of weeks now.

As Deo and Jimin walked their way to the café they were supposed to eat at, they kept on chatting about everything that came to their minds. Jimin had been telling her about this new friend he made online. He had no idea who she was, but she signed her messages as Cara, and he was intrigued by the strange connection he felt with her.

“What about Sarah?” Deo asked, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

“She’s like a ghost,” Jimin sighed. “I saw her maybe twice or three times, and then never again. How am I supposed to even start talking to her if I can’t even find her on social media?”

“Wish I knew baby. I'm sure she’ll appear when you least expect it.”

“Does that mean I have to be ready at all time?”

“What?” Deo chuckled. “You always look good, so you’re always ready.”

“Ah~ I don’t know what I would do without you.” Jimin’s arm wrapped Deo into a tight hug. 

“Wait- is that? Jimin!”

“Sorry?” He smiled apologetically.

“Dude! Did Hyori know about this?” Deo frowned. “I swear to god, this stupid plan of yours is impossible to handle.”

“What plan?” Jimin quickly blushed. He was a horrible liar.

“Don’t you dare lying to me Jimin!”

“Just come eat with us.” Jimin did his best puppy eyes. “He’s a lot of fun.”

“I’m not upset about him, I'm upset you didn’t tell me.” She rolled her eyes at him.

“Sorry.” He gave a side smile, but it was too late for his charms to work.

“Let’s just go.” She started walking in front of Jimin, but he grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t be mad at me.” He pouted. 

“I could punch you right now. You know that, right?” She tried to contain a smile from appearing on her lips.

“You never can.” He teased, launching his arm around her shoulders and squeezing her tightly against him.

The two got to the table, still bickering, but shut up once Taehyung lifted his head up from his phone and smiled brightly. Deo immediately tensed up. She was never very fond of the dude, and with her friends’ crazy scheme, it made it worse. She wanted to be as far away from him as she could, and in some weird way, Taehyung knew that. That made it fun.

“Hey guys! Oh you brought a friend Jiminie~” Taehyung said happily as he noticed Deo giving him a smile and a small wave.

“Yeah, you don’t mind, do you?” Jimin said nonchalantly while sitting down.

“Of course not!”

“You’ve been here for long?” Jimin asked.

“Not really. How’s it going?” He was referring to the fashion show.

“Good. Everything’s done, so all we gotta do is makeup and parade.” Jimin said excitedly.

“You’re participating too?” Taehyung asked Deo.

“Me? Oh, no. I’m staying backstage to help.” She said simply.

“Oh that’s nice of you!”

Before they would say anything else, the waitress appeared at their table, menus in hand. They discussed their orders for a couple of seconds, and then were ready to order. They all agreed on going for the same thing.

“Three grilled cheese and three cokes,” Jimin said nicely to the waitress once she got to the table.

“Is Pepsi ok?” The lady smiled politely.

“Can I have a Fanta instead? Orange please.” Taehyung asked.

“Sure thing Hun, and for the two of you?”

“Pepsi.” Jimin and Deo said at the same time, fist bumping right after with grins on their faces.

“So...” Jimin trailed off once the table got silent. “Did you finish your video?” He asked to Deo.

“No, I still have the last theory to see,” she said nonchalant.

“What is it about?” Taehyung asked, curious.

“Van Gogh!” Jimin said excitedly, knowing it was one of his friend's favorite artists.

“It's a conspiracy theory that says he was murdered and didn't commit suicide.” She completed.

“What? Really? By whom?” Taehyung asked, confused.

“His brother, or some kid that used to bully him? I’m not very sure, I didn’t watch the entire video yet.” Deo said.

“Theo?? No way! That’s like impossible!” Taehyung said, upset at such an accusation.

“I didn’t buy it either, but I also don’t think it was suicide. They explained that the place where he was shot was too low for a typical suicide attempt, and that it was most likely that he was shot from afar. The wound would’ve been much bigger if it was self-inflicted.” Deo made her point.

“Still... I don’t know... Where’s that video again?”

“Buzzfeed unsolved. You ever heard of it?”

“Yes! Namjoon watches it all the time.” Taehyung smiled. “I’ll check it out... Can’t believe he was murdered.” He said the last part more like a whisper.

“They also said that he used to say that suicide was a coward’s way to go. I guess it wouldn’t make much sense?” Deo continued, intrigued with the situation.

“I believe he had some mental problems... To be incoherent is normal in that case, so I don’t know.”

“Hmm maybe? I just think it is so weird that they never found the gun and his painting stuff out in that field,” Deo countered. She just couldn’t make up her mind about it. To be honest, she had been watching too many conspiracy theories lately.

“For the time period, it was normal to steal things, so that was probably the case,” Taehyung assured her.

“Maybe.” She wasn’t too convinced though.

“It’s probably that, trust me,” Taehyung insisted, feeling very sure of his answer.

Deo made a face, not wanting to start a whole debate with the boy. “Imagine a Gogh painting no one got to see because it was stolen. That sucks.”

“Right?! I bet it was a masterpiece!” Taehyung said, overly excited. “It’s a little sad,” he concluded and received a nod in agreement from the girl.

“So Taetae, what are your plans?” Jimin asked.

“For today?”

“Yes!”

“It’s Yoongi’s show tonight! Wanna come?” He looked happily between the two. “The more the better! He’ll be happy if he sees the place crowded.”

“I’m going to a fair later tonight, but I think we can go! Right?” Jimin looked excitedly at Deo

“Hmm, I think so! We’ll have to talk to the others though, but worst case scenario, we go just the two of us.” Deo smiled to Jimin.

“Please go! It’s going to be fun. Yoongi is really talented,” Taehyung spoke with pride in his eyes.

“What kind of music does he do?” Deo asked, intrigued. Yoongi was a mystery to basically the entire school. He was very reserved, and the only thing she knew about him was that he was the radio guy. That and some gossip Hyori would hear while tutoring, but some things sounded too crazy for her to believe.

“Rap mostly.”

“Oh~~ we’ll try,” Deo said excitedly. Rap was one of her favorite forms of music, and she was excited to see a new side of the mysterious boy. She was sure her friends would be excited as well.

“Sure, invite your boyfriend too,” Taehyung said with a wink, catching her off guard.

“Oh yes, Jack is going with us to the fair!” Jimin intervened as he noticed Deo’s expression, but he was entirely ignored.

“Oh yeah, we’ll be there.” Deo smiled sarcastically to Taehyung.

“So...” Jimin started, trying to lighten the mood. “Look! The food is coming!”

As those three started eating, Carolina was far from her meal. She didn’t mind it though. She was working her ass off to help her friend, and if there was someone who deserved all her effort it was Yoongi. To outsiders, their relationship would seem a little bit odd. They loved each other and would do anything for the other. They were family.

“Maybe we could add some holograms on the colab song?” Carolina suggested, not taking her eyes from the screen.

“I guess. All we have for that one is the background, so that would make it better.” Tessa, one girl Carolina could consider a friend, commented. They would spend most of their time together at the movies. What better way to bond than over that? Movie tastes say a lot about a person.

“A full moon would be nice...” Carolina adds. “And we can shine them with that white and blue-ish light from the stage. What do you think?”

“We can’t put too much white, but I like it.” Tessa smiled, satisfied with the results they were showing. “You never get bad ideas huh?” She teased, making Carolina smile.

“I can say the same about you, you know- and I agree, just a little bit of white.”

“And about time – We need to wrap this up so you can take it to Yoongi. What time is the event?”

“Eleven sharp! He’s probably dying with anxiety right now, my phone just beeped for the fourth time in a row, and trust me - that's a lot of texts for Yoongi, a record even.” The girl laughed dryly.

“Oh~ poor guy. You should tell him we’re almost done here!”

“I’ll send him an audio messing with him first.” Carolina let out her best impression of a villain's laugh.

“Don’t!” Tessa whined, but, also, laughed. “He’s gonna have a heart attack.”

“Poor Yoongs...” Carolina laughs as well. “I’m not doing that to him... at least not today! He’s too nervous already, and I want everything to go perfect.”

“It will, don’t worry!”

“Thanks for helping by the way, really.” Carolina turned serious. One thing she really appreciated was when friends supported one another.

“It was my pleasure, but if you ever wanna pay me back there’s this movie I really wanna see as soon as it comes out.” Tessa grinned.

“Say no more!” A week without going to the movies was a week badly spent. “What’s the title?”

“Send in the clown~~” Tessa sang the song. “Joker!”

“Bro!” Carolina chuckled. “Call me crazy but that’s like my childhood hero- villain- whatever!”

“I’d go with hero honestly. So you’re in?”

“Of course I’m in! I would be crazy if I wasn’t!”

“Alright!” Tessa said, excited. “I saw in the theater that it’s realizing a little after Halloween.”

“It is! I saw it too! It’s a deal.” Carolina pointed her finger at the girl with that ‘this is serious’ look.

“But... if you had to choose, who would be the best Joker so far?” Tessa asked, intrigued. This was something the two had never discussed before.

"Heath Ledger is forever my soulmate, and forever my favorite joker, but I have big expectations for Joaquin Phoenix! And Jared Leto is a fabulous actor, but the Joker he was attributed, the Gang Joker, is like the worst of them all, my least favorite so..."

"Oh thank god you exist. I'm so sick of hearing people say that Jared Leto's joker is the best one just because he's super-hot. I had such huge expectations for Suicide Squad, and it was a big flop."

“Same! I was so excited and well... Bleh.” Carolina did her best poker face. “Oh, and Jack Nicholson was pretty awesome as well! I used to watch him as a kid.”

“Yes!” Tessa said, overly excited with the conversation. “I don’t know if you saw Gotham, but they cast Cameron Monaghan to play young/teen joker and he was pretty good too.”

“I did, he’s pretty good as well.” Carolina nodded.

The two continued discussing their movie tastes and working hard to finish Yoongi’s concert effects as soon as they could. The boy was a pile of nerves, and everyone knew it. 

Someone who was also on the verge of having a nervous attack was Hoseok. His sister was driving him crazy, and he was trying his best not to lose it too.

Everyone was back at Jazmine’s store, and the last details were being made. Some people were getting their makeup done, some were curling or straightening their hair, and all were listening to the lecture of what clothes they had to change into.

“You look so so good! You’re making me regret not signing up too,” Deo sighed as Tori did a little spin to show her the outfit she was wearing.

“I told you!” The girl grinned. “You’re always like that. You need to stop that shy act of yours.”

“It’s not an act. I’m more of a potato than a supermodel,” Deo said, making the other sigh.

“You are not! Stop!” Tori said. She knew her friend was kidding, but still.

“You’re staying for the after party, right?”

“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good, you know I need my drinking buddy with me.”

“It’s just you and me, against the buzz,” The girl sassily said, making the other laugh.

Not very far away, Hoseok noticed his new friend, a girl that had recently joined USC.

“Hey Amber, I’m so glad you came! How are you?”

“Hey Hobi! I’m good. I’m excited, but also nervous. I'm sure I'll be ok though! How are you?” The girl asked, turning a little in the makeup chair to give him her full attention.

“I’m a nervous pill, there’s so much to do! But don’t be nervous, you look really pretty!” Hobi smiled gently. He was proud of his sister’s clothes and happy so many people came to help show them off.

“You’ve got this! The show will go super well.” The blonde cheered. “But, I’m clumsy so I’ll need to really concentrate, and thank you! I don’t usually wear this much makeup. I've never been good enough.”

A frown quickly appeared on Hoseok’s face. He hated to see people sad. “What?! Don’t say that! You shouldn’t think so poorly about yourself!” His mind raced for the right thing to say. “My sister is really picky, so if she chose you it was because she saw something in you! Believe in yourself!” He gave her a gentle smile, and squeezed her shoulder lightly.

“I just get nervous around certain people, and then I get clumsy.” Amber hinted. “But I know it’ll be ok. I’m glad she picked me, all the things from her shop are so nice! You look so good today. You know... In the makeup and stuff.”

“You think so?” Hoseok was used in being the one giving compliments, but he couldn’t deny that receiving them felt good. “This isn't really my vibe, but I can’t deny these clothes look sick. Do you have plans after this?”

“I do! You should wear more clothes like that. I’m not doing anything after this. Yourself? Did you want to do something after?”

“We have some champagne and cake hidden for my sister. You wanna stay to celebrate with us?” He offered.

“Of course! I would love to. It sounds fun. She definitely deserves it after putting this show together,” Amber complimented, looking around the room to see all the beautiful outfits.

“She does. She went a little Godzilla this morning, but she’s the best.” Hoseok’s gaze turned soft as he spoke of his sister.

“She is! She’s put in so much work, and it’s been so worth it. I can already tell this show will be amazing.”

“I hope so! I’m grateful for everyone joining, and that includes you! Oh - Duty calls! You’re gonna nail that ok?!” Hoseok encouraged one more time before turning away.

“I’m grateful for being invited! Thank you so much, I'll see you later. Good luck, you got this!”

Amber continued getting her makeup fixed. Meanwhile, Hoseok ran to his sister. They peeked through the made-up curtain that led to the runway.

“Look little bro, we have a full house!” Jazmine squealed excitedly.

“Of course we do!” He hugged her tightly. “You worked so hard, everything will go as planned!”

“Thank you!”

Lights started flashing and music starting playing loudly through the speakers. Everyone was amazed with the final results. It almost looked like a professional show. As soon as the first model left backstage and stepped into the runway, flashes hit her eyes from all different directions. Jazmine felt proud. Hoseok felt proud. Everything was taking form.

“What’s up nerd?” Jungkook’s head peeked in front of Jae’s lenses.

“Jesus Christ! I almost died. That angle does not suit you,” the girl teased, and Jungkook pretended to be offended by her snarky remark.

“What do you mean? All angles suit me,” Jungkook said cockily, but he quickly let out a laugh.

“Sure.” Jae rolled her eyes. “Are you taking any good shots, or are you just joking around?”

“I bet you my shots look way better than yours,” he teased.

“Pfff, you wish virgin boy.”

“Oh please.” He rolled his eyes.

“I’m just joking.” Jae loved to see how annoyed he would get at the sound of the nickname.

“Yeah, whatever nerd.” Jungkook chuckled.

“So I was thinking... we could pair up for the project for photography club.”

“Sure, the nerd and the virgin boy. Sounds like a bad superhero movie,” he said, making the girl laugh out loud.

“It sounds pretty rad.” She laughed. “What would be your superpower?”

“I would kick their asses and then hang the bad guys by their underwear. Yours?” Jungkook said after a little while of thinking.

“I’d probably throw them math books because everyone hates math,” she explained with a playful smile on her face, “and I'd have glasses, and they would shoot some deadly rays that’d turn them into dust.”

“Sounds like you’ve this all figured out,” Jungkook chuckled.

“So should you. We’re a team now.” Jae pointed her finger at his face, dead serious. “Or are you not worthy?”

The public was mesmerized by the incredible organization. The models looked stunning, and the clothes were a hit from the start. Sadly, that organization the people were seeing wasn’t happening backstage. Everyone was running around and trying to change into their outfits on time for their turn on the runway, where they give life to Jazmine’s pieces.

“Coming up I need Jimin and Alissa. Be ready because you’ll go in 2 minutes.” At the mention of his name, Jimin got up but immediately sat down.

“Oh my god! I’m so sorry!” The pretty brunette girl almost screamed in Jimin’s face when they bumped into each other.

“Are you ok?” Jimin asked, filled with concern.

“Yeah! And you?” She examined him from top to bottom.

“I am.” Jimin smiled. “I didn’t see you around ever since the party, Laura” He gave her a quick hug. They were from the same dance crew, but they weren't that close. 

“I’ve been kinda busy” she chuckled. 

“Hey can I-” Jimin’s sentence was cut off by a scream.

“Next model c’mon! C’mon!”

“I guess that’s your cue.” Laura said, tucking the hair that had fallen in front of her face behind her ears.

“It is, but I'll see you around Delgado?”

“Sure- yes, you will!”

The runway continued, and after a couple of hours, all the outfits were shown. Jazmine walked down the runway with all her models as the last song played, and she even did a little speech to everyone there. She was very grateful, and it was getting hard for her to hold her tears in.

“Everyone!” She let her fork click into her champagne glass, already backstage. “I am so thankful to all of you. I appreciate you joining me in this little crazy adventure as well as all of you that woke up super early today to come help set everything up! To my lovely brother who always stays by my side... cheers!”

“Cheers!” Everyone held their glasses up and drank.

“So... did you have fun?” Hoseok sneaked behind Amber making her jump slightly.

“I did!” She smiled big. “You should feel proud of yourself!”

“I am!” Hoseok gave her a sheepish smile. “Thank you, again.”

“Anything you need, you can count on me ok?” The girl said with a sweet look in her eyes.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Hoseok gave her a wink.

 “BANG BANG INTO THE ROOM!” Tori and Deo sang out loud to the song that came out of the speakers, drinks in hand

“WAIT A MINUTE LET ME TAKE YOU THERE!” Jimin joined.

“Go away, this is girl’s fun only.” Tori jokingly pushed him.

“How dare you!” Jimin tried his best to sound offended, but he couldn’t help but laugh. Through Deo, he and Tori had become friends, and he liked teasing her a lot.

“Fight me Jiminie!” Tori teased back.

“I’m a gentleman. Excuse you.” Jimin laughed as he walked away from the two girls.

“Oh~~ Jiminie~~” Deo teased.

“Shut it! Dork!” Tori laughed out loud to Deo’s impression of herself. “Go see Jack!”

While everyone continued partying, the Y group had to leave the party. Jimin’s classmate and friend Jean, had invited them to some local market and they had to shower before going. They were tired from all the running around at the show.

Carolina, on the other hand, had just finished her job and was at her home, taking a shower. Jin was there too. After his pause earlier, he decided to go back to his games and when he noticed, it was almost 6 in the afternoon when his housemate peeked her head into his room.

"Is Dracula home?"

"Ha ha ha very funny" he said while stretching his arms, still sat on his gamer chair.

"Please tell me you ate something" she entered his room still wrapped in a towel, some droplets of water falling to the floor because of her wet hair.

"I ate some snacks while play-"

"Jin!!! For fucks sake, snacking isn't eating properly"

"Ya, you tell that as if I already didn't know!" he got up "I'll eat something before going"

"You better! If you drink on an empty stomach, I swear to my whole vinyl collection, I will leave you there" she threatened with a sharp look making him sigh.

"I will eat something, we both are. And stop treating me like a child"

"The fault isn't mine, you're the one that play games the whole afternoon like one" she said while turning around to leave his room making him follow closely.

"You game too you- you pillock!"

"Pillock?" she turned around and snorted with a smile "You're watching too much Sherlock Holmes for your own good"

"I'm afraid that's your british influence on me, my dear" he joked making her roll her eyes but chuckle nevertheless.

"And yes, I game too but I only like things like assassin's creed or god of war"

"You love Mortal Kombat too, don't lie"

"True, I do love it" she looked up too caught in her own head.

"We should play it sometime, there's a while since-"

"No time for that now! Go to your shower otherwise you're going to be late! I'll leave you something to eat here, go go!" she started pushing him towards the bathroom.

"It's still early!!"

"We both know you take ages in the shower Seokjin" she looked at him with that 'let's get real' eyes they always shared in moments like this, making him sigh again.

"Fine. I do." he mumbled going by himself to the bathroom now "You're being way too harsh today"

"No I'm not-"

"Yes you are~~ You're like Yoongi's manager" he said laughing.

"Yeah yeah"

"Is it because you want a song??" he wiggled his eyebrows before closing the door.

"TAKE YOUR SHOWER!!!!" she shouted making him fall in laughter inside the room.

Carolina texted her group in their usual chat after getting ready, wondering where everyone was and when she noticed that Yoongi was probably home alone, she decided it was time to go to the bottom floor and see how the boy was doing.

“So how did it go?” Yoongi sat down on his chair and as soon as he did, his nail immediately returned to his mouth. It was his coping mechanism. In his mind, he was looking cool but on the outside... that was a whole different thing.

“Oh so you’re pulling the chill vibe on me huh? That’s new.” Carolina let out a sympathetic smile.

“I tried but I guess it’s no use with you.” He let out a sigh. “But seriously, the effects... are they cool?”

“Relax! You know damn well I wouldn’t just do anything for you.” Carolina raised her eyebrow. “They turned out great, all of them in sync with the songs and matching the concept of them.”

“If there’s someone I can trust is you. But I was thinking of going in a little bit early so we could try them out and see how they look onstage?” Yoongi suggested. The more he thought, the more excited he was getting.

“Sure! I think the boys are already coming, I showered first to come here while Jin gets ready and Tae called saying he was on the way.”

“Good, that way we go together- any news on Namjoon?”

“He texted a while back saying he was waiting in the lobby- you know, because of the crazy neighbor.” Both couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s probably just waiting for her to leave so he can come up in peace.”

“Maybe we should invite her, so he can have a little fun tonight.” Yoongi teased, making Carolina laugh.

“He would be so disoriented that he most probably would ruin your show and when I say ruin I mean breaking the speakers, tripping on the cables etc.” Carolina said with a straight face but two seconds later was laughing out loud.

“Oh shit.” Yoongi couldn’t contain himself just picturing the situation. “Maybe next time.”

“Less nervous now?” Carolina said, a soft smile occupying her features.

“Yeah, I'm getting excited now.” Yoongi also smiled. He felt so lucky to have a friend like her.

“You’ll do great as always, Yoongs. And besides, we both know you’re the most talented musician in this place.”

“I know... But I just heard the place will be packed and I only ‘performed’ for you guys so that doesn’t count.”

“Once you step on that stage remember your dreams. And if you can’t, just look at us.” Carolina pulled him into a hug. “We’ll make sure you don’t forget how talented you are.”

“You’re making me all sappy. I need to channel Eminem to look bad ass.” Yoongi dorks around, showing his cute gummy smile. “But thanks.”

“Thank me one day with a song made specially for me.”

But before Yoongi could answer Carolina’s sassiness, there was a knock on the door and a head peeked into the room.

“Sorry to bother man but Taehyung is out in the living room. He said he was knocking on the door for the past 10 minutes so I let him in.” Jungkook said and right after that the door was fully open by a bored looking Taehyung.

“Jeez, I was starting to think no one was home.” Taehyung let himself fall onto Yoongi’s bed.

“It’s impossible that you’ve been there for 10 minutes. I've been here for 10 minutes.” Carolina arched her eyebrow and Taehyung showed a guilty smile.

“You know I'm dramatic.”

“Seriously.” Carolina sighed but laughed right after.

“Where is everyone?” Taehyung asked noticing they were hanging out at Yoongi’s room and no one else was there.

“They should be on their way.” Carolina shrugged simply.

“You guys want something? I have beer in the fridge. I need one.”

“I’ll join you.” Carolina answered, getting up from the bed and going to the kitchen.

Jungkook went back into his room to get ready. Meanwhile, Deo and Hyori were almost ready too. As Deo was still tieing her all stars, Jack called and Hyori took the moment to take some shots of the sky. It was almost that golden hour and she couldn’t resist to take them, even though her camera roll had maybe 300 photos of that already.

“Hey Hyori!” A girl called out from behind.

“Oh~ hey Emma! How are you?” Hyori said sweetly when she saw the girl that had called her.

“I'm good. I see we had the same idea.” Emma joked, pointing to Hyori’s phone.

“I’m a sucker for the sky, especially when it gets all pretty.” The girl confessed.

“Me too.” The two took a moment to watch the pretty sky one more time. “I was actually meaning to text you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I feel like the only time we get together is for school stuff. And that being said, it’s me asking for your help with bio.” Emma confessed, a little embarrassed.

“But I don’t mind helping you at all!” Hyori said kindly.

“I know! But I was thinking that we could do something fun one of these days? To relax a little for the class’s stress.”

“Oh sure!” Hyori smiled to the girl. “I’m going out with my friends now but I'll text you later so we can set something up!”

“I’ll be waiting!” Emma said, waving the girl goodbye.

“So are you ready?” Hyori asked, when Deo came to her.

“Yup, Jack will meet us there.”

“Why did you decided to invite him all of the sudden?” Hyori asked.

“What? Because he’s my boyfriend?”

“Uhu, I see.” Hyori gave her a lopsided smile.

“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” Deo teased.

“I don’t have to. I know you too well.”

“Whatever floats your boat.” Deo shrugghed. “Where’s JK meeting us?”

“Don’t know, I'm going to call him.”

As the phone rang, the two girls walked to the fountain where they had agreed to meet with Hoseok and Jimin. After the third try, Jungkook finally answered.

“Thank God!” Hyori’s voice sounded as soon as Jungkook answered.

“I was in the shower.” Jungkook said simply.

“How did me and Deo get ready before you did? You’re the worst I swear.”

“He’s still in the shower?” Deo’s voice could be hear through the line. “Put him on speaker.”

“I need to smell good.” He said simply and could almost feel Deo’s rolling her eyes. “Unlike some of you!”

“Shut up 5-year-old.” Deo laughed.

“Where are you?” Hyori asked.

“Still at home, I’m almost ready and I’ll be there soon.”

“Well you better hurry!”

“Yes mom!”

Jungkook hang up the phone and finished getting ready. Once he step foot out of his room, his living room was filled by the typical crowd.

“Is Namjoon coming up or what?” Yoongi asked.

“He’s probably waiting downstairs.”

“I bet he’s with that sweet lady.” Jin joked.

“Don’t tell him that.” Carolina laughed.

“Hey Jungkook.” Jin noticed the boy.

“What’s up?” Jungkook greeted. “Good luck later man!”

“Don’t you know it’s bad luck to just say it like that?” Carolina teasingly said.

“Thanks.” Yoongi intervened before the two could get into their usual arguments.

“You should drop by!” Jin said, with a grin in his face.

“Yes, I invited Jiminie later!” Taehyung added.

“Sounds like fun, I will!” Jungkook said excited.

“Hey if you see Namjoon downstairs tell him to come up?” Yoongi asked.

“Sure.” Jungkook replied, walking to the door. “See you guys later.” He said, winking to Carolina and seeing her reaction before closing the door, satisfied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The night fell pretty quickly and both groups were having the time of their lives. The Y group was already with Jean at the 626 Market and the X group was already at Yoongi’s show. Before it was his turn, there was going to be other artists and that made him relax a little.

Once they got to the market, they didn’t expect it to be that big. The streets were filled with light and music echoed from all around the places. There was a little map at the entrance and everyone was mesmerized to see how big the space was. The food area was composed of 100 different chains and the variety of food and insane. But what really caught their eyes was how big the rides section was. It was a whole another world for them.

“So what do you guys wanna eat?” Jean asked when they made it to the food trucks.

“I think I wanna try that churro ice cream you suggested.” Jimin said, excited.

“That’s for dessert.” The girl laughed.

“Look! Corn dogs!” Jungkook pointed and rushed to the truck.

“What do you wanna eat babe?” Jack whispered behind Deo as he back hugged her.

“I don’t know. Hyo?”

“Maybe a burger? Those look good.” The girl pointed to a truck near them and took some steps towards it.

“I want a corn dog with JK.” Hoseok said excited, following the boy.

“You?” Deo asked, turning around to be facing her boyfriend.

“I’ll have what you’re having.”

“Wow, that helped so much.” She rolled her eyes playfully. “Burgers then?” The petit girl turned to Hyori.

“Burgers it is.” Deo managed to set free from Jack’s embrace and intertwined her arm with her roommate, ignoring his protests.

“What about you guys?” Jack turned to Jimin and Jean that were still looking around.

“I’m thinking of a kebab? Maybe?” Jimin asked, looking between the two.

“Why not? I’m in.” Jack said with a shrug.

“Me too.” Jean smiled widely to the both boys.

As everyone waited in line for their food, Yoongi and his friends had just arrived at his venue. It was a local club/bar that the locals and mostly college students would go to. They weren’t very strict with whom they would let in but when it came to serving alcohol, they always asked for ID’s.

“Ok, it's not empty but-” Yoongi started looking around.

“Yoongi relax, it's still early.” Namjoon pointed out.

“Yeah and we all invited some people as well, they will probably arrive a little later” Taehyung smiled sweetly.

“Thanks.”

“Nobody arrives early nowadays...” Jin commented while looking around “But I'm sure Jungkook will show with his friends, and I invited some people from my department-”

“Should we go to the front already?” Carolina asked impatient pointing towards the spot, not empty but still not crowded.

“Yeah, you guys should stay there, front sits are always the best” Yoongi chuckled.

“There's no sits...” Taehyung looked confused to the spot.

“It's just a saying, dumbass.”

“Oh...” he said only, making everyone laugh.

“Anyways guys, I think I'll head to the backstage-”

“Are you sure?” Namjoon asked.

“I'm sure you still have time...” Carolina tried.

“I'm sure. I'll prepare myself better inside.”

“We'll be waiting for you then! You'll be great, bro!” Taehyung cheered making Yoongi smile.

“I'll go check on you in a few.” Carolina assured him.

“I'll be waiting. Tell them you're a friend of mine, I'll let the guy know you're with me.” Yoongi said already leaving.

“Oh yeah, that's my friend!” Jin said to a guy who was passing by him “I'm friends with the singer!”

“Come, let's buy some beer.” Namjoon pulled him towards the bar “You two stay here guarding the spot.”

“Sure thing!” Taehyung said loudly.

“Sure thing.” Carolina mimicked Taehyung in a mocking manner.

“And may I know why are you so mad now?”

“Couldn't we just be in peace in Yoongi's thing???” she said furious.

“But we are-”

“No, you are! And everyone else! Stupid asshole- I don't even know where the friendship came from like-” she ranted.

“You won't even see Jimin, he'll probably be over the back with-” Taehyung tried.

“Who cares about Jimin, dude?” she looked at him with a confused expression.

“What...?”

Everyone had mostly finished eating and were just waiting for the slow eaters like Deo and Hyori and for the one who ate like he were three people in one, like Jungkook.

“Is it really a good idea to be eating before going on the rides?” Deo asked. She loved to go on roller coasters and crazy rides.

“I’m not bringing any sick people back into my car.” Jack laughed.

“Even if it’s me?” Deo did her best puppy eyes and the boy immediately soften.

“Don’t make my life harder baby.” Jack retorqued, making Deo make a funny face and give him a kiss right after.

“So Jean, how do you know Jimin?” Hyori asked.

“Oh you didn’t tell them?” She asked quietly to Jimin. “We have some classes together.”

“We’re friends.” Jimin smiled big.

“Yes!” Jean smiled back to him. It was hard for her to have social interactions like this and his answer made her relax a lot.

“So what do you wanna do next?” Jimin asked her.

“Oh whatever you want, is fine with me.”

“C’mon, you were the one inviting so we gotta do something you like!” Hoseok supported, making Jimin nod.

“Well, what about those churros ice cream?” She suggested.

“We better save that for after the rides.” Jungkook jumped into the convo. His eyes finally left his food and that was when he noticed the girl from the party coming towards his table. “I’ll be right back.”

“Hey Jungkook! I thought it was you!” the girl smiled as they were only a feet apart.

“Hey Aashna! How are you?” He smiled, stuffing his hands in his jean’s pockets.

“I’m good. You’re with your friends?” She asked, peeking through his shoulder.

“Yeah, you?”

“Too! We should go on a ride together!” The girl said excited.

“Yeah, what about the bumper cars? We’re lacking one person so I was just going alone.” He suggested.

“Sounds fun!” Aashna smiled excited.

“See you there Aashna?”

“Yes, and call me Ashi!”

“See you Ashi.” He chuckled, going back to his table.

Before Jungkook could even sit down, his friends were already teasing and he just shrugged them off with his hand, stuffing his last corn dog in his mouth.

The second artist of the night was up and the club was getting more and more crowded. This one had a bit of a more chilled vibe than Yoongi but he wasn’t as good. Still, he entertained the public quite well. In Carolina’s opinion, he would be a better host than a singer, although his lyrics weren’t that bad.

"This song is super good!" Namjoon said loudly "You think I can hear it online?"

"Probably? Maybe the guy has SoundCloud?" Carolina answered.

"MY FRIEND IS AFTER! SUGA!" Jin continued to look like a manager; he had a cup on his hands.

"Woah~ Look at that!" Taehyung pointed to the screen behind the musician.

"What I did for Yoongi is much better, trust me."

"You did him the art presentation?" Namjoon asked surprised.

"Yeap" her eyes were still on the stage.

"Should I record him once he performs?" Taehyung asked.

"Of course you should!" Jin answered "We have to keep some memories for him."

"I'll take some photos, you do the videos, you're taller anyways and that helps." Carolina added making Taehyung nodd "Be sure to record everything from Far Away, the holograms are amazing on that one."

"Holograms???" Namjoon exclaimed.

"I'm very proud of my kid." Jin back hugged Carolina peppering her with kisses, just to mock her.

"I swear to God, Seokjin!" she threatened but he was too hyper to let go, the other two just kept laughing.

As they had agreed, Aashna was waiting for Jungkook and his friends to ride the bumper cars. She rode with Jungkook, Jimin with Jean, Jack with Deo and Hyori with Hoseok. Useless to say the first ones of which team were the ones driving. Mostly, Deo kept screaming at Jack to hit everyone and he barely even had time to react because he was laughing too hard. On the second round, they decided to change the drivers. Jungkook had to hold himself to not get thrown out his car because Aashna was crazy for blood and wanted to hit every single person that would hit them.

“Shit, I’m all sore.” Jungkook complained. “You’re a terrible driver.” He said, making Aashna laugh.

“Hardly as bad as you are.” She teased, hitting his arm playfully.

“Pfff as if.” He said, before his arm being pulled. “Anyway, I had fun.”

“Me too, thanks for riding with me.” She smiled sweetly to him.

“I’ll see around campus yeah?” Jungkook said before waving Aashna goodbye.

“Where are we going now?” Hoseok asked, excited.

“We could go on the roller coaster?!” Deo almost pleaded excited.

“Yes!” Almost everyone said at the same time.

“I was thinking of maybe going on the ferries wheel?” Jean asked, tucking Jimin’s shirt, not wanting to be a party killer.

“I’d prefer it too. We can go together if you’d like?” He suggested.

“I’d like that!”

Once the third singer climbs up on stage, Carolina decides it’s time to check on Yoongi backstage. She wanted to go right away the moment he left but decided it was best to give him some space.

"Pssst, Agust D!" Carolina said in a whispery manner while peeking cautiously her head inside the backstage room.

"Nobody ever called me that." He chuckled.

"Well, soon enough everyone will know him." She closed the door "Still, I like Suga way better."

"Because he's not that angsty?" he joked. The girl crossed the room and sat right next to him before answering. His attentive eyes on her.

"No, Suga is angsty as well... But that's the thing... Agust D is only Agust D, Suga on the other hand is you and him. That's why I like him better." Her head now leaned on the back of the couch, waiting for his response, a small smile creeped on his face.

"I don't think I ever saw you getting this emotional." He looked down. "Is the british air doing you good?" Yoongi met her eyes now.

"Is this you thanking me for appeasing your mind?" Carolina chuckled amused. "And no, it has nothing to do with him... I'm cold but you're like- really important to me so... That's how I truly feel."

"Shit, I'll have to work on that song for you now." He smiled awkwardly. None of them were very open about feelings but they understood each other pretty well.

"Remember to look at us when you're up there!" She smiled back and got up to leave, not before he pulled her hand making her look back at him.

"Is it empty out there?" he asked, his front was confident but his eyes never lied, he was nervous, Carolina could tell.

"Yoongs... Trust yourself. We are right in the front, don't forget." She winked and he let go of her hand. Carolina crossed the room again, her hand on the door, ready to leave but not before looking at him again "It's crowded by the way." She left right before seeing his smile go wide.

Now at the top of the wheel, Jean and Jimin were sitting quietly, watching the full moon and the stars upon them.

“We got lucky it stopped here.” Jean commented after a while, referring to being on the highest point of the fair.

“We did! Everything looks so pretty down there.” He smiled big and took his phone out to capture the moment. “Wanna take a selfie?”

“Oh sure!” They posed with a smile and then a silly face before he placed his phone back in his pocket. “Make sure to send me those later.”

“I will! Are you having fun?” He asked, turning to face her.

“I am, thank you for coming with me.”

“Thank you~ for inviting me.” Jimin said sweetly.

“Oh stop it! It was my pleasure. You are a great friend.”

“So are you Jean, so are you.”

Back at the show, Carolina was back with her friends. The artist that had gotten up when she entered backstage was now saying his thanks and goodbyes.

"Is he ok??" Taehyung asked once he saw Carolina returning with a beer in hands.

"He was a little nervous, but everything will be ok."

"Who bought you that?" Jin asked coming close to her because of the loud music.

"Myself...?" she answered "I'm a strong, independent woman after all."

"The beauty of equal rights! Cheers!" Namjoon said clinking his bottle with hers overly excited.

"You forgot to add underage in that sentence." Taehyung said.

"It's fine, if anything the beer is mine." Namjoon added with an accomplice look at the girl who side hugged him.

"I just wanna know who's driving my car tonight because I'm a little busy with the vodka." Jin said loudly while dancing, as if he was in another world.

"I can't drive so..." Taehyung answered.

"Don't look at me, I myself don't trust me with a car." Namjoon shrugged.

"I don't have a license but I know how to drive-" Carolina was saying but got interrupted.

"NO!"

"You take the car then." Jin said not worrying too much.

"NOT-"

"Really?" she asked with a funny face.

"Oh boy...." Namjoon took a large gulp of his beer.

"What about Yoongi?!" Taehyung said loudly.

"He's fine I told you already." Carolina answered "I assured him we would be here waiting and-"

"Ya" Jin laughed "I think he was talking about driving?" Taehyung nodded agreeing.

"Oh..."

"Guys, let's decide that later... Let's enjoy first!" Namjoon pondered.

"Anyways I highly doubt anyone will get drunk, we're all here to see Yoongi." Carolina said.

"Agree!"

"I don't know about you guys, but as soon as Yoongi finishes off I'll start celebrating." Jin said still dancing "HEY! DO YOU KNOW SUGA? I'TS MY FRIEND!" he shouted to a bunch of people standing next to them.

Yoongi stepped on stage, a couple of people cheered but his friends were the loudest. They were screaming at the top of their lungs and Yoongi couldn’t help but smile. He presented himself as Suga. He started off with a song entitled “Agust D”. As the song started playing, everyone started jumping and moving their bodies to the sound of it.

Next up was “Give It To Me” and when that was already over, Jungkook and his friends arrived. After that, “The Last” started playing and then “So Far Away”, a collaboration he did with a girl he met online that used to do some covers. By that time, everyone had their phones out with their flashlights to fit the mood of the song and arms in the air swinging.

“He’s really good!” Deo shouted in Jungkook’s ear so that he could hear her.

He only nodded in response. He didn’t know this side of him. He knew he liked music and that he like to produce some things but it never crossed his mind that he’d have things this level, this good. He stayed glued to the words until the very last one and once it was over, everyone cheered.

"Ahhhhh!" Carolina exclaimed once she saw Yoongi coming in their direction, she went straight to a tight hug "I'm so proud of you!!!! You were so good, Yoongs!!!"

"Thank you!" he hugged back "Everyone's talking about the art work" he chuckled excited.

"Bro it was amazing!! Woah~" Taehyung came by excited as well "The songs were BAM! grrr" Taehyung let out a bunch of noises and expressions.

"Thanks!" Yoongi chuckled.

"And of course they're talking, I told you to trust me!" Carolina added.

"I wish I could see it as well but I was on stage so-"

"Oh we recorded it for you!!!" Taehyung said.

"YOU DID AMAZING BRO!" Jin came by with Namjoon, greeting Yoongi with his always playful manner.

"You did good, Yoongi!" Namjoon tapped on his shoulder congratulating him. "The lyrics were- Wow, really powerful!"

"Thanks guys!" He chuckled feeling proud of himself. "I see you all had a good time then."

"Of course we did! We'd be crazy not to!" Carolina added.

“Hey man, you were great! Congrats!” Jungkook appeared in the middle of the group giving Yoongi a quick hug.

“Thanks JK! Glad you showed up!” Yoongi showed a genuine smile.

“Of course! How did you feel up there?” Jungkook asked excited.

“Pretty great I must say.” Yoongi chuckled.

“JK MY MAN!” Jin screamed and immediately came in for a hug.

“JIN!” Jungkook screams back, laughing.

“Jimin came as well?” Taehyung asked.

“Yeah-” Jungkook said but before he could say anything, Jin spoke again.

“Wanna hang? Bring your friends, we’re celebrating here!”

“Yeah man, come hang!” Namjoon said, beer in hand, cheerful.

“I can go call them?” Jungkook kinda asked, he wasn’t really used to these hang outs between his group and his housemates but he couldn’t deny he was excited for it.

“He’s probably busy with his friends guys, let him be.” Carolina spoke but everyone ignored her.

“Yeah go grab them!” Jin repeated himself, probably because of the drinks he had already had.

“Oh really?? Bring Jiminie!” Taehyung spoke with a big smile.

“I’m gonna call them and I’ll try to find you!” Jungkook said before turning away to where his friends were.

“Jungkook left?” Yoongi finally looked back to the group, he had been talking to some people that were congratulating him.

“He went to get his friends.” Namjoon spoke from beside him.

“I’ll be right back.” Yoongi said. “You came.” He said in the girl’s ear.

“Yoongi! You were great! Of course I did! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

“Thanks Linzi.” He let out a chuckle. “You’re alone?”

“No, I’m with some friends. I was just about to leave actually, but I was trying to find you first.”

“Well, thanks for coming!” He let out a smile.

“We’ll talk later yeah? Let me know if you got home safe.”

“I will!”

“FRIENDS! WELCOME!” Jin shouted when Jungkook came back with his friends.

“Welcome where?” Carolina said, sarcastically.

“Oh! The stargazing girl!” Namjoon let out once he noticed Hyori.

“Hey guys!” Hoseok spoke to everyone in general.

“Oh~ hi!” Hyori said shyly.

“Let’s go grab some drinks!” Jungkook said, sliding his arm around Jin’s shoulders.

“I’ll go too!” Deo said. The whole situation was freaking her out. They were friends but they were hanging out and it was weird and awkward.

“Sure! Anything you guys want?” Jin asked, looking back at everyone.

“I’m good thanks!” Taehyung said, looking away from Jimin.

“Whiskey if you can.” Yoongi said.

“No thanks, I'll go there later.” Carolina said before wandering off to the dance floor.

“Bring me anything.” Jimin winked.

“Whatever you’re having ok?” Hyori said looking to Deo.

“I’m already served.” Namjoon showed his beer bottle. ”But thanks.”

“Want me to come with?” Jack asked Deo.

“No, you’re not allowed to drink today mr. Driver.” Deo snorted, pinching his cheek.

“Let’s go!” Jungkook said.

“I’ll be going with you guys! You won’t be able to bring everything back, I’ll help!” Taehyung said cheerfully.

“Nice!” Jin said before turning their backs and going.

Deo had her hands around Jungkook’s arm to not get lost and he was following Jin to the bar. Taehyung was hanging in the back. They had to walk in line because the place was so crowded. Once they managed to get to the bar, they did a little circle.

“What was it that they wanted?” Jungkook asked.

“Not a clue, everything is fine!” JIn laughed.

“Yoongi wanted whiskey and Jimin was anything...” Taehyung said right after.

“What are you having?” Deo asked, turning her attention from the shelves and to the boys.

“Maybe a shot... Can’t decide, I’ll ask the bartender for suggestions.” Jin answered.

“Nothing for me.” Taehyung said.

“For me and Hyori... hmm... can be two vodkas with coke.”

“I don’t know either. I’ll go with Jin’s.” Jungkook added.

“I like this friend very much!” Jin said to Taehyung while pointing to Jungkook.

“You have to order for us, they’ll think I’m 16.” Deo chuckled, talking to Jin.

“They do have a point.” Jin laughed, amused.

“I’ll help ordering because it’s pretty crowded.” Taehyung said, jumping to the bar. “Stay close.” He looked at Deo but she just shrugged him off.

“Swear to God!” Deo said in Jungkook’s ear making him laugh.

“Go away underaged kid.” Jungkook laugh, defendind himself from a punch she threw to his arm.

“So are you!”

“Leave it to us kids!” Jin laughed, looking back.

Once they manage to get all the drinks, they walked back to where their groups last were. Yoongi, Hoseok and Jack were chatting while leaning against the wall about music. Something in Hoseok sparked when he saw Yoongi perform and he was excited to explore that part of himself. Everyone gave them their drink and followed to the next group where Hyori was talking to Namjoon and Jimin was just flirting with some girl.

“Did you find your friend? From the party?” Hyori asked Namjoon. They were still on the topic of the party.

“I did, yes. It’s that blue haired one that went to grab drinks.” Namjoon pointed once he saw Taehyung.

“He seems quite hard to miss.” Hyori teased, letting a laugh fall out of her lips right after.

“Well you might find it surprising how many times we already did.” Namjoon laughed too, a little embarrassed.

“I get it. It was a super big house!”

“It doesn’t help that he’s a little unpredictable.” He laughed. “I never asked you thought but, what were you doing on that room?”

“Watching the stars mostly. That party was too loud for a second and I needed some air.” She said simply.

“I can relate to that.” He confessed, feeling a little shy.

“If you ever need, I know some points around campus where you can see the sky perfectly. Even some rooftops.” She suggested with a grin in her face.

“That would be nice! Thanks, star girl!”

“You having fun?” Deo creeped behind Hyori, handing her the drink she choose for her.

“I am thank you.” Hyori gave her a death glare.

“Hey do you know where Carolina is?” Deo asked, showing him the drink she had for her.

“Uh... She was just here?” Namjoon said confused. He wasn’t paying much attention.

“Jimin!” Deo tapped on his shoulder. “Did you saw Carolina?”

“Ye-” before he could say anything, Taehyung was already going off.

“We lost her???”

“She’s there.” Jimin chuckled while pointing to the dance floor.

“Oh~~ thank God!” Taehyung let out a sigh.

“Hey!” Deo tapped Carolina lightly on the shoulder. “Got you a drink.”

“Oh thanks! You didn’t nee-” Carolina finally looked at the girl, eyes widden. “-eed to...”

“It’s nothing! But you’re ok? You’re a little pale.”

“Uh... Yeah! Totally! Thanks!” She took a sip of her drink, confused with a million things running through her mind.

“Imma go back to the group but if you need to catch some air or go to the bathroom you can call me!” Deo said. She was 100% sure now that Carolina was the bathroom girl from the party, all she had to do now was figure out about which boy she was talking.

“Mhmm, sure thanks!”

The time flew by and the party wasn’t over yet. Once Yoongi ended his performance, the manager of the club announced that he was the last one but that everyone was invited to stay and have fun. With the regular radio music playing, everyone kept on drinking and dancing and laughing. The smoke from the cigars and dim light made the entire mood. It was going to be a good night. That was until...

“Take your hands off my girlfriend you piece of shit!” A guy yelled over the music and threw a punch.

“Fuck you man!” The other guy quickly stood up and threw another punch.

“What the hell is going on?” Jack called over, catching the group’s attention.

“Someone doesn’t know how to handle their drinks.” Jimin shrugged it off.

Soon the manager came in between the two guys and kicked them out. As it was usual policy, he would give a warning but if they didn’t stop, he’d have to call the cops. It was a bad image for the club to have drunks fighting right at their door. One of the man that was involved in the fight was a regular. Every once or twice, he would come to the club and would make a scene. The only reason the manager would still let him in was because he spent more in a night than most of his clients in a week. But of course, that would lead to fights.

“Knock it off!” One of the bouncers yelled but it was no use.

“Want me to step in?” The other one asked.

“No need, the police is already on their way.”

It took them a while, but once they heard the sirens, the two men stopped fighting and ran in different directions. One ran down the street to get away as fast as he could and the other managed to get inside the club.

“The cops are here! Run! RUN!”

Maybe it was the alcohol in their systems or maybe the fact that half of the people there didn’t have the legal age to drink but chaos installed quickly. Everyone was running out through the front door, some decided to use the emergency exit but it was already too late, cops were already covering both exits.

Carolina quickly exchanged looks with her group. She was underaged and there was no way she was going to get caught. She quickly grabbed Deo’s wrist and ran to the backstage area where she had been just hours ago with Yoongi. Hyori and Jungkook followed right after.

“Ok listen up, there’s no way I’m getting caught. We have to jump out of this window.” She peeked her head outside to see if there were cops there. “The coast is clear, let’s go.”

Carolina jumped first. “C’mon, hurry up!”

“There’s no way I’m jumping out of that.” Deo said.

“Would you rather get caught?” Jungkook glared his eyes to the both of them. He was a pile of nerves.

“That’s too high!” Hyori panicked.

“I’ll go first and I’ll help you get down yeah?” Jungkook sugested.

“Ok, but be careful!” Deo said.

“Ok c’mon!” Jungkook whispered.

“You wanna go first? If they get to us we’re dead Hyo, we have to jump.”

“AH FUCK!” Hyori flipped, climbing up the window.

“Ok Deo... keep your shit together, you’re a cheerleader. You’re thrown in the air higher than this fucking shit!” Deo talked mostly to herself. “Can I go?” She peeked her head out.

“Yes, I get you.” Jungkook told her.

Outside the backstage, the boys were trying to create a distraction to make the policeman that was looking for the agressor inside the club.

“We gotta do something!” Hoseok said, panicking.

“Chill Hope, let’s talk to them and keep them up.” Jack suggested.

“NO! Namjoon pretend to faint!!” Jin almost screamed.

“Me?! I can’t act for shit!” Namjoon said, panicking as well.

“Guys keep it down, you’re making it worse.” Yoongi glared at all of them.

“HERE I GO!” Taehyung embraced himself for a fall, closing his eyes as soon as he hit the floor and giving it a special touch my pulling his arm over his forehead. It was a 5-star acting.

“HELP! MY FRIEND FAINTED!” Jimin screamed, getting the attention of the policeman.

“What is going on here?!” The cop asked.

“OUR FRIEND FAINTED!” Jin said overly dramatic.

“What happened?” The cop asked, an eyebrow arched.

“The bad guy!” Namjoon started but felt flustered, not knowing what to say after.

“He pushed him and he fell!” Hoseok said, covering for Namjoon.

“That’s why he fainted!” Jimin added.

“Did you saw where he went? Which direction?” The cop said anxious.

“Into the bathroom.” Yoongi pointed in the opposite direction of the backstage.

“HEY! What about our friend!” Jin said, too excited with everything going on but thankfully the cop was long gone.

“Dude!” Everyone said at the same time.

“Oh yeah.” Jin said nonchalant.

“C’mon, we gotta get out of here to see if they need help.” Yoongi said.

“Everyone has their ID’s?” Jack asked, while him and Jimin pulled Taehyung up.

As the boys waited to leave – the line was super long because the police was checking ID’s at the front door. Deo finally managed to jump and they were hiding behind a dumpster, checking to see if they could move.

“Ok I think there’s a car there.” Carolina pointed to the side of the bar.

“Why the fuck they need so many cops for a fight?” Deo said frustrated.

“That doesn’t matter now!” Jungkook said, his palms were already sweating. He was tense and Carolina had to hold a laugh.

“Ok, be prepared to run if you have to.” The older girl told them.

“How are you so calm?!” Hyori said, freaked out.

“You don’t wanna know.” Carolina laughed dryly. “Ok, on the count of 3.”

The girl started counting. 1... 2... 3! They all started running and as soon as they hit the end of alley, it was exactly what Carolina suspected, there was a car and the two cops that were leaning against the wall noticed them immediately and started chasing after them.

“C’mon!” Jungkook grabbed Deo’s wrist so that she wouldn’t stay behind while Hyori and Carolina ran in front of them.

“HOLY FUCK!” Deo screamed, overwhelmed with the situation.

They could hear the footsteps of both cops chasing after them and they various attempts of telling them to stop were ignored. Quickly they got to a crossroad and Carolina took the left road and Hyori followed suit. Jungkook was ready to turn too but Deo pulled him to the other way.

“It’ll be easier like this! Hyori is fine with her.” She assured him.

“Keep up just a little longer ok?” He asked, seeing how tired she was already.

“We gotta find somewhere to hide.”

Once Carolina and Hyori noticed they were alone and they couldn’t see the cops, they decided to slow down their pace. They sat down on a bench. They noticed they were on a park but at this time of the night they weren’t recognizing it.

“That was close.” Hyori started, trying to normalize her breath.

“Yea-” Carolina stopped mid-sentence. “Do you hear that?”

“Wha-”

“We gotta hide.” Carolina quickly looked around, eyes scanning the place. “Are you good at holding your breath?”

“What?!”

“YES OR NO?!”

“I guess!!”

Carolina grabbed Hyori’s arm and pulled her with her to the fountain. She kept peeking a little but when she saw the light of the cop’s flashlight, she dove in, pulling Hyori along with her.

Deo and Jungkook continued running for what felt hours but really was 10 minutes since they got separated from the two girls. That was until they saw a convenience store.

“Let’s go there!” Deo pulled Jungkook.

“Wait, we need to control our breaths before we go in.”

“We don’t have time for that! Just smile to the cashier and then you can breathe normally!”

“Fuck, let’s go then.”

They immediately walk to the drinks area. Jungkook grabbed a power drink and Deo a water. They heard the doors slide and their hearts clutched a little. They tried to peek but didn’t see anything.

“Let’s grab some Doritos.” Deo suggested, telling Jungkook to calm down with her hands.

“I want pringles.” He said nonchalant.

“What? You always want Doritos.”

“And you always want Pringles.”

“Your point?” She laughed lightly.

“Hey kids.” They heard a voice from behind them and turned.

“Yes?” Deo spoke, afraid Jungkook’s voice was going to tremble.

“What are you doing here at this time?” The cop walked closer to them.

“We came to buy some snacks.” Deo said, showing the chips in her hands. “Is there a problem?”

“Where did you came from?” The cop pushed again.

“From campus.” Deo answered immediately with an eyebrow arched. “Why?”

The cop looked at them for a couple of seconds before relaxing his posture a little. “Make sure to make it there safe. Have a good night.”

As soon as he turned his back, Deo couldn’t contain the big smile on her face. “Let’s grab some gum too.”

“I swear, one of these days I die because of you.” Jungkook whispered to her.

“What did I do?!”

“You were giving him an attitude!”

“I was no- he was interrogating us for no reason!” She said teasingly.

“I- what?!”

“Relax Gguk. This will be the first of many times.” She winked to him and turned on her heels, heading to the cashier. The only thing she could hear was his sigh.

Back at the fountain, Carolina decided to be brave and peek her head out of the water. She couldn’t hold her breath anymore so between drowning and getting caught, it was a close call. Everything was quiet. She couldn’t hear the cop’s radio anymore so she decided it was now or never. They jumped out of the fountain, fully wet and trembling to the breeze of the night.

“Let’s agree to never speak of this again.” Carolina said, frustrated.

“Agree.”

DAY 5 [COMING SOON]

[zi-tales]

Interview: Phecda

1) Father

My mother sang praises of him. I had nothing to go off other than this. At the very least, I should have heard of him in my time living in Nashaba. Someone looking for my mother, asking what happened. Yet, I have heard nothing. Years of silence. I am under the impression perhaps he is too afraid to know the truth. A spineless fool like that never deserved my mother, and will not recieve any respect of mine. He could be dead for all I care.

2) Mother

Her name was Najma. In the village, she was an incredibly skilled huntress, and the one designated to travel to places like Nashaba or Alshuba and establish trading relationships. This made her worldview much broader, and thus much more dangerous. The village was always hellbent on maintaining tradition, and keeping things as they were without outside influence. And yet, my mother respectfully continued to push this conviction, always bringing medicine, or magics, or what have you even at risk of trouble. Beyond this, she was a trainer for the village militia, apparently known as a skilled duelist for years. So, yes, my mother was an intrepid woman, and an incredible fighter. I only hope to be as accomplished.

3) Childhood

My childhood was full of isolation and self-restraint to not interact much. My mother's story for me was being an adoptee from the dunes, and to hide the fact that my ears were the only real tell for my abnormal status. Since the risk of someone noticing such a distinct trait was very high, I had to live mostly alone. This did not bother me much, as I accepted it as a norm eventually. My mother insisted we would move away at some point, so I shouldn't bond with anyone strongly. Until I was... I am unsure. 15? 14, perhaps? I believed it would happen easily. At around that time, I was made aware of our village's distinct xenophobic tendencies, after the subject never appearing until then. That was when I realized the implication of my existence, and when I began to question things. This prompted my mother to accelerate what training she could of vocational things like hunting and fighting, although she didn't manage to do it enough before I slipped up. Perhaps I am rambling a bit. Things happened so long ago, and it is a... A haze.

4) Hometown

My mother's actions and presumed death seemed to have caused a large rift between people within the village. She was influential due to her role as the sole link to the outside world, and without her, the connections fostered were severed. While I was expecting a decline from this, I did not expect self-destruction. No one seems to want to talk about what happened to my mother, either, so I cannot even say for certain that she perished the night I fled. I simply assume so, so I do not spend the trances distracted. It was not somewhere I would call home, regardless. Most people kept their distance from one another, and it was a place of quiet reverence and obeying the law. I cannot say I miss it.

5) Time as an Assassin

The Asterius League was truly a band of interesting folk. Individuals like Arista and Eltanin used to be such... Role models, I suppose? To see them fall so far... It continues to disturb me. We trained with a distinct intimacy that bonded us together as contract killers with meaning, with purpose. Constant reminders that we were not murderers, but forces by which to shape the nation, guided by the many sources of influence. I hardly see killing as a sport, but it comes close. It is an art form, in a way. Every combat is a blank canvas waiting to be used, to observe every detail of the opponent. To kill perfectly, with grace and professionalism. These tenants separated us from the shady, unwashed masses within the Ahlbaali. Anyone can kill for money. We could kill with unparalleled expertise. There were elders, instructors, and acolytes as the organizational structure. My mentor and the man who took me in from the dunes was Errai, an expert marksman and venerable warrior. He taught me everything my mother didn't, like the hidden elegance of Common, how to infiltrate, and anything else that assisted being a true killer. Although, he despised the title of killer. It was far too inelegant for what we were doing. Am I rambling again? Please, let me know. I do not often talk of these subjects, and it can get very messy for me.

6) Transitioning to normal life

Frankly, I was hardly an assassin. I hadn’t ascended ranks past acolyte, which usually gave you the authority to actually take assignments independently. I had taken support roles in contracts with veterans like Errai, but I was not truly an assassin. Simply trained in the disciplines of one. Regardless, losing the Derelict as my home and being alone did force me to carve out a name for myself in Nashaba almost immediately, although contacts of Errai’s recognized me and helped as best they could to establish me as a mercenary or courier. From then, it was a matter of self-sufficiency and living day to day in the organized chaos of the Ahlbaali capital. I was used to the culture already, only had to adjust to the lack of companions and the discrimination behind being a half-elf. People don’t trust knife-ears as much, I suppose. At least I’ve rectified that these days.

7) Sircius

Ebmeros is innately a good man, despite some shrewd behavior and hot-headed mannerisms.  Truly, I have never met a man with more insistence on hiding his own nature than Ebmeros. He is clearly a father at heart, and yet, refuses to let this out due to what I can only assume to be fear of attachment. His fixation on what he can lose seems to be almost overwhelming, although I suppose coming from myself, I cannot begin to criticize this. I have lost what I can, and simply seek retribution. He still stands to suffer, but I intend to stand by him to prevent that as long as I can. Other than this, the ferocity by which he commands his offensive magic is incredible, if only ever disappointing when attempts to put individuals to sleep consistently fails.

8) Roc

A warrior from another time that I incidentally discovered in an Ahlbaali ruin. I can say I have thought of many things to find within the dunes, but a companion is not one of them. The apparent pain of her history forces me to be cautious when I feel a need to inquire about it, as I am one who prefers privacy of those matters myself. Nonetheless, as it does not interfere with her ability as a fighter, I do not plan to push the subject. That being said, I am highly curious what possible circumstances could lead to such a state of being, and wonder myself how I will eventually cope with being in my own accursed state upon expiry. I should consider asking Roc about that, ah?

9) Eleniel

Eleniel... I hope she realizes what she is capable of. Her capacity for goodness is matches only by her desire to martyr herself in the name of personal redemption, to the point where it can be easily construed as suicidal tendency. I worry for her. Eleniel is proof to me that there are indeed selfless individuals in this world, and how dangerous such a devotion to those ideals is. While I cannot say I envy any such obligation, nor can I begin to comprehend the mental fortitude necessary to constantly seek charitable action, I respect her unerring faith in her dogma. It is a rarity in these times, truly.

10) Herself

What do I think of myself? What an odd question. I do not reflect on myself often. To do so feels vain, and my time would likely be spent better elsewhere. I suppose I am... Learning to be normal. So long have I been accustomed to being a wolf of sorts. Everything is a potential meal. I have to negotiate, push myself, ignore pleasantries. Efficiency, displays of skill, et cetera. I live every moment to advance as a person, or something of that nature. And now, I do not know. I continue to try and socialize, which is incredibly alien to me. I have much to learn yet still, clearly. The killing arts should not be all that matters in this life.

11) The Future

I am unsure. I seek to hone my skill with a bow to an impeccable fault, at the least. Perhaps even with a blade, if I can balance my practice that well. Perhaps I am to find a worthy successor to the Umbra? Re-establish the Asterius League once I’ve killed the remnants? Or maybe, I go back to Nashaba, and return to my humble life in the sands? Options wax and wane in appeal always. Nothing ever goes to plan anyway. For all I know, I may learn to romance someone, and I settle down and start a family like Belzer and Veii. I merely hope I am not alone in all of it.

12) The Vermilion King

Normally, I would not put him under concerns of mine. His dogma and apparent ambitions seem to fall more in line with something the churches should combat, not someone like me. But, he holds Eltanin in his employ, which speaks to his shrewdness. On that virtue, I seek the Serpent’s head, and so I may as well help topple this Vermilion King’s schemes. As for him as an opponent... I generally don’t fear dying. He is no exception. Whatever bleeds can die, and if he is a being of blood, then the statement remains relevant all the same.

13) The Umbra

The Umbra is, in short, mine. Only mine. I would not hand it off willingly to anyone unless I believe they will wield it responsibly. The latent power in this bow cannot be underestimated in the slightest. It burrows deep into your soul. Like cruel tendrils that drill into your heart, feeding off of you, but pulsing energy back. We are one. A single entity whose bond continues to grow stronger. It is strange, surely, and I am well aware it will devour me in the end, but... It is not evil, necessarily. It feels akin to an animal. Its instinct is to keep its wielder alive, and only devour them when they no longer matter. If this is my fate, so be it. As long as I make it worthwhile, I have no issues with a cursed death.

14) Malerus I only hope we do not have to tamper with such dangerous materials ever again. Resurrection is one thing, sacrifice is another. Rellus should not have had to make that decision.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

I really live the idea of the twst anime just showing random things that happen with the characters that we don't see in the main story, the obey me anime did that too and I think it was for the best! I would also like to see some events played put in the anime bc I think it would be fun to see some of them in a form other than the game! that would give us a chance to maybe see some different places other than nrc too! I think the masquerade event might be too big for one episode of the anime but it would be really cool to see it animated. I also want to see najma, cheka and some other family/friends that we either have seen little of or haven't met before (deuces mom and malleus grandma! the leech parents! azuls family??? SEBEKS MOM AND DAD??) they don't have to play a big part in it, just little bits with them if the anime is focusing on certain characters each episode

[Referencing this post!]

In talks of the TWST anime (which we still don't have a lot of details about), I do often hear comparisons made to Obey Me, which got an anime adaptation that focused not on the main story but on the daily lives and stupid shenanigans of the characters. As I mentioned before, I would prefer if TWST went this route for its anime rather than repeating the main story for (what is it now?) a 4th time (game, manga, light novel, now anime).

The main story is fine and all, but to me each retelling barely adds anything new to the actual plot (even if the Yuu is changed up), and I'm personally not all that invested in them when they don't play an active role for half of the story. I feel like the art form of animation could be much better utilized to explore things not tackled in the manga or the light novel: new locations, new characters, new lore. It could even be adaptations of the less serious conflicts in events or vignettes! This would get newcomers introduced to TWST without spoiling the main story while also providing fanservice to preexisting fans. There's just so much of TWST not touched upon outside of the game, and I think that's a real shame because Twisted Wonderland has very interesting places, cultures, and people! I personally want to see more of the characters interacting and more of the world in the anime rather than the episodes trying to shoehorn Yuu into scenes they don't necessarily have anything to do in. (That's honestly a lot of the gripes I have with Yuu; their presence oftentimes feels contrived and lacking 💦 and I feel like this issue will become extremely apparent in animation unless Yuu is changed significantly and actually given things to do where game!Yuu did not (ie during battles, in book 5, etc.)) I definitely feel like my interests are more aligned with learning more about the 22 boys in the main cast and their relationships and families. Maybe we could have an episode or two dedicated to just how their friends/families reacted to them being accepted into THE Night Raven College! The anime certainly sounds like a faster way to see the family members of the boys over waiting for them to be introduced to us one by one in randomly placed hometown events 😅 I just want something more slow-paced and character focused, time to take in the scenery and how the characters act around each other... not, "Oh gee. Fancy that, starting with Heartslabyul all over again."

In regards to Glorious Masquerade, I do think it would be possible to cram everything into one episode's run time (especially if you condense the boys exploring the City of Flowers into a quick montage), but I don't think it would be paced too well. To be safe, it could take place over the span of a few episodes, maybe 2 (with part 1 being the pre-crimson flower phase and part 2 being the post-crimson flower phase).

[tellytantra]

!!!! ... TU HI TU ... !!!! "Urgh!!! Don't talk to me She shouted while running towards the staircase, Her face twisted in annoyance. She stomped her feet on each step as she ascended the stairs. A couple of steps up and she stopped. "Don't even try to follow me... Turning back she warned and her face twisted more as the sound of mischievous laughter traveled to her way and filled her ears. "YOU MORON She gritted her teeth and her hand reached to her foot.  Removing her shoe she hurled it towards the source of laughter before stomping towards her room. "Aahhh...you violent girl words traveled to her and she looked back "Serves you right She retorted back before she slammed her room door shut "Uhun... He picked up a shoe that hit on his head, "Silly girl... He shook his head while climbing up the stairs with a shoe in his one hand and a large chocolate bar in the other. "What happened to you...? He asked as he pushed the door open and walked inside... "You have become so much violent...just for a chocolate you... He stopped as she hopped out of the bed glaring at him... "And what about you...that chocolate is mine and you snatched it while I was eating... "What would I do? "You were not ready to share it... He asked showing her the chocolate bar... "It's mine and I am not in mood of sharing it with anyone...don't you understand... She shouted while stomping towards him. She jumped to snatch the chocolate from his hand while he held it up... "Give it back... She yelled as he moved back grinning "Take it...if you can... He moved quickly before she reached to him and soon they started running around the room and messing the things that came in their way... "You should stop eating such things, can't you see, you have gained weight He teased increasing her temper... She stopped, her murderous gaze focused on him as her hand moved to pick up an alarm clock from the table... "What did you say? She gritted her teeth as she aimed the clock toward him "Hey...hey...stop... He tried stopping her... She raised her hand moving forward and her leg twisted as she stepped on the charger cable that was hanging down the table... "Aaahh... Squeezing her eyes tight she cried out expecting to hit on the floor... "You silly girl He shook his head rushing towards her as he watched her falling... Chocolate bar dropped from his hand before his hands wrapped around her preventing her fall... "Ohhh... He tried to balance himself but failed and landed on the floor with her on the top... His hands wrapped around her while her hands tightly fisted the fabric of his shirt... with eyes closed and breathing heavy both stayed silent for some moment... "Zoya... He whispered and slowly she lifted her face up... Her silky traces playing on his face made him squeeze his eyes again... A smile lifted the corner of her lips as she watched the irritation on his face... Her grip on his shirt loosened as her hand moved to touch his face when he opened his eyes and she pulled her hand back... His brows rose questioningly and she shook her head looking other way... A sudden grip of his fingers on her waist and her breath hitched as he flipped her changing their position... "Uhunn...what are you doing She whined as her back touched the floor "What? He placed his both hands on either side of her as he hovered and held her questioning gaze... "You were not in a mood of getting up...now you can rest here as long as you want...and yes... He stopped moving back, "Enjoy your chocolate... Grabbing the chocolate bar he held it to her... "Huh? Not getting any reaction from her he leaned narrowing his eyes as she stared at him... Her hand moved to touch his face and smile graced on her lips noticing his confused expressions... "I want to share it...with you... She mumbled as her hand reached to touch his face and her forehead creased... A sudden shrill sound of an alarm and she sprinted up from the bed... "Huh? "It was dream...? Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun hai Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun hai  Confused she looked around and sighed... "Idiot... Grabbing a hair tie from the side table she shook her head while tying her hair in a messy bun... "kitna sunaya tha us din...jaise maine jaan boojh ke gira diya ho tumhe... She made a face while walking towards the bathroom...recalling the incident... "Stupid... "Don't know why I am excited to see you...it has been exact two years four months and seven days now and there was not a single day jab maine tumhe yaad nahi kiya hoga...but tumhe toh yaad bhi nahi aati hogi meri... Lost in thoughts she pushed the bathroom door open... "Aaahhh... She gasped... a sound muffled against her palm as she stepped back in shock... with wide eyes she stared ahead... "Cursing me...huh? He crossed his arms and she blinked "Asad... stunned she stared at him and he smiled... Moving a step ahead she raised her hand to touch him and he moved back... She stepped ahead while he kept moving back... He leaned back to the wall and she smiled... Her hand moved while her eyes conveying her joy... "You look taller than before... She mumbled raising her hand... "Ummm... A frown appeared on her face as her hand touched the wall... Raastey har dafa, sirf tera pata Mujhse pooche bhala kyun hai "God!!! Moving back she held her head irritated, "Why I am imagining you everywhere? She groaned when a laugh reached her way... "You are missing me She could see him standing near sink... with that mischievous smile... Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun haiTu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun haiWo.. oo.. ho..Wo.. oo.. ho..Wo.. oo.. ho.. She shook her head smiling to herself as he disappeared again... "Hmm...Miss toh bohat kiya maine but what about you? "I know bilkul miss nahi kiya tumne mujhe... Grumpily she fetched out a brush and toothpaste and started brushing her teeth... "I never thought goodbye can be pleasing too He waved his hand from the mirror and she huffed more increasing her brushing speed remembering his words... "You being away never gave me any pleasure...but you were enjoying your time... She huffed as she turned the faucet on... "Hey...how are you? Deleting the text many times she finally hit the arrow... It's been six months he had gone and he hadn't even texted her once... "Urgh!!! She sulked as after whole five minutes of wait he didn't see her message even though he was online... Placing the phone aside she decided to continue her reading but the thought kept bugging in her mind, Who it could be he is chatting with?' Almost fifteen minutes later her phone beeped and hurriedly she check the notification on screen and that moment she realized he was her favorite notification... But the next moment smile on her face turned into frown, "What type of question is this? She pressed her lips together and her forehead creased as she read his reply... "I expected this type of reply only..." She typed and sent with angry emoticon "But I didn't expect your message" "Did you send it to me by mistake?" Came back his reply and she gritted her teeth and her fingers tightened around the device... "Yes...actually I was texting someone else but don't know how it delivered to your number" She hit the arrow and growled as the next moment she watched the series of smiling face with open mouth and tears of joys emoticon on the screen... "You are still the same stupid Zoya" Followed his text and she send the series of angry emo's before throwing her phone aside... "What did he think of himself? She growled as again her phone beeped... "If you were texting someone else then why you did expect my reply?" She huffed and her hand rose when again the device in her hand beeped... "Save that poor device... I know habits don't die so as your temper tantrums..." She read and cursed the moment she decided to message him... "Suits you as well...after whole six months you have not changed a bit..." She sighed leaning against the bedpost "Ohh...it has been six months I didn't realize" She didn't reply to his message and watched the screen as he was still typing... "But why you are counting the days...are you missing me?" another text flashed followed by astonished face emoji and that brought a small smile on her face... "I guess yes..." She thought while typing,"Seems you are enjoying your time there" "And why would I miss you...its peaceful here without you around" "Yeah...working with Mehek is fun...even though the work load is too much it's never felt tiring when she is around..." Her face twisted in distaste as she read the text... Mehek was a daughter of his father's business partner... She was going to handle their new branch in Bangalore and she insisted Asad to come and help her till everything was settle... "Hmm...so you are not missing to be here...I mean missing home?" She stared at the screen as his reply didn't come for next ten minutes... "Why would he miss anyone? He has changed a lot earlier...after Mehek's arrival Feeling depressed she was going to place her phone aside when it again beeped "Actually I don't have time to miss anything..." His reply saddened her and she decided not to reply back... "Where have you gone?" "You didn't answer my question" "Why suddenly you texted me? "Don't tell me you are really missing me" She watched as the screen kept flashing with his messages but ignoring it she buried her face in her soft pillow... "Why I am missing you" Soona soona mann ka hai konaa  Soona soona tere bin hona hai har kahin par Tu hai tu nhi hai par Tu hai o bekhabar Tu hai har mod par "So you missed me a lot...huh? He smiled in the mirror             She shook her head and taking a handful of water she threw it on the mirror... "You are Sooo...Uhunn...Annoying... His image faded and cursing him she walked out... "Zoyaaa...where are you? Someone shouted from the door... "Uff...you are still not ready...we are getting late "God!!! Najma!!! "We don't have any appointment that we get late... Taking out her clothes she shut the door of her closet and turned, "It's just shopping... "I am not talking about shopping...you know Bhai is coming, right? Najma replied as she sat on the bed and took out a book that was placed under pillow... "And after shopping we are going to the airport...I have missed him a lot She sighed as she flipped the pages... "How it was so much fun when he was here... Every Saturday night he used to take us to the lake for that special kulfi...hai na? Najma reminisced, "And how much you both used to fight all the time... Najma asked looking up while Zoya sighed "Yes...your Bhai is so annoying... Najma laughed as Zoya made a face and walked towards the washroom, "Hehhe...actually I have missed your fights too... "Umm...me too...those fights were irritating and amusing at the same time She breathed leaning against the washroom door... Paas ho to bura, door ho toh buraAisa mere Khuda kyun haiWo.. oo.. ho..Wo.. oo.. ho..Wo.. oo.. ho.. "I'll wait for next five minutes only" He warned as he sat on her bed waiting for her to come out from the washroom "Why you are here? She shouted from inside, "Where is Najma?" "She asked me to see if you are ready? "Now stop your inquiry and hurry up! "But why you want me to come with you two" Coming out of the washroom she inquired Getting up he walked towards her, "I just thought to be nice as you are my sister's Best Friend... But it's up to you, I don't mind if you reject my offer..." He crossed his arms standing in front of her... his gaze was challenging that made her nervous and she looked other way... "Umm...Najma won't like if I refused, so I am coming for her only..." She said avoiding him and walked out in hurry... "Is it? He asked as he followed her, "But I guess it's not only Najma but..." Coming beside her he whispered mischievously... "What but..." She glared pointing her index finger towards him, "I don't have any interest in coming with you...you understood?" He laughed as he pushed his hands in his jeans pocket, "I didn't say it's me..." His brows raised and he leaned towards her, "I was talking about Kulfi..." Moving back he grinned and she seethed in anger as he descended the stairs whistling... "Urgh!!! Idiot!!! She stomped her feet following him out but her leg twisted, "Aahhh...ouch!!! She cried in pain... "Hey..." He rushed to her as she sat on the stairs holding her ankle, "Tsk!! you should be careful..." sitting beside her he examined her ankle and she stared at him as he looked worried... "Is it paining..." He asked and she shook her head trying to get up... "You don't bother...I am fine... and you shouldn't have worried that much for your sister's best friend..." She tried to walk holding on the railing when coming beside her he wrapped his hand around her shoulder helping her... "There is one more reason for me to get worried you know? He asked and she looked up, "You are my sister's best friend that means you are like my sister too..." He said and her eyes widened, "Isn't it my duty to take care of my sister..." "What?" She yelled pushing his hand off of her shoulder, "I am not your sister..." "Ohh..." He raised his brows and leaned to her... His hands braced on the railing caging her and her grip on the railing tightened as he looked in her eyes, his breath fanned her face... "Then what you are to me?" He was just inches apart and she closed her eyes... Her heart raced as he didn't bother to move back and taking a deep breath she opened her eyes... "Tell me..." He insisted She gulped before pushing him away from her, "Nothing!" Avoiding looking to him she tried to walked down the stairs when he again came beside her, "How it can be nothing? "You can at least call me your best friend's brother...right?" He asked and she stopped... "Will you just shut up?" "Yes..." He grinned and before she knew it he picked her up in his arms... "YOU..." She wriggled in his arm... "Put me down...I can walk..."             "Shhh!!! Don't shout...I am just helping my sister's best friend..." "Najma won't like if you miss your college tomorrow because of sprained ankle..." He said balancing her in his arms while she just stared at his face... There was something in his smile... and she felt her heart suddenly raced...something stirred inside and she closed her eyes...   "Looks like you are enjoying much...huh?" He whispered staring at her face... "Urgh!! You...leave me" she wiggled and tried to punch her elbow in his ribs He laughed at her action, "Think about your best friend, she won't like the way you treated her brother..." He teased more and she sulked zipping her mouth noticing Najma walking towards them... "Zoyaaa...hurry up na... Najma shouted banging on washroom door but the moment door clicked open she forgot even blinking and stared at Zoya open mouthed... Zoya shook her head at Najma's reaction, "Stop staring like you have seen a ghost or something Walking towards the dressing table she set her hair... "What happened to you Zoya? Walking towards her Najma checked her temperature, "Bukhar toh nahi charrh gaya? "Yeh dress, dupatta, straight hair... Allah!!! What happen to my friend She exclaimed noticing Zoya in light blue straight chiffon dress with dupatta around her neck and her straight loose neatly set hair... She couldn't believe her eyes as she wasn't used to see this girly type Zoya... "Stop exaggerating... "For a change I wear dress today, what is wrong in this? Najma shook her head, "Nothing is wrong...But... She said still not believing... "Now come...or else you will be late, right? Zoya dragged her out trying to avoid Najma's questioning and also hiding the smile that wasn't ready to left her face... Feeling fresh under her favorite perfume and some breezes in her hairs, she drove Najma and herself to the shopping centre... When she looked into the rear view mirror, her eyes collided with his dark chocolate ones...those that chases her every dream and those that she never could forget... She turned to look behind on reflex and found him waving a hey' making her eyes go wide. "Zoya...watch where your're driving Najma touched Zoya's shoulders in alarm and Zoya looked in front of her again. "kya hua? "Nothing Zoya waved off with a silly shrug. Next moment she heard him laughing out loud with that mischievous smile and she narrowed her eyes in directing them at him from the rear view mirror, where he winked at her. She looked back again and he was gone. Giving a smug look to Najma she sighs steering the car into the parking lot... Raastey har dafa, sirf tera pataMujhse pooche bhala kyun hai Najma was on a shopping spree tagging Zoya everywhere, but Zoya's mind was far away in wondering how things are going to be when he would get back this evening. She was so much into thinking that now it was making her nervous in the pit of her stomach. "zoya c'mon try these, they're so pretty! Najma ushered Zoya into the changing room, with some dresses. As zoya was trying to close down the chain at the back, she heard someone chuckle, not just anyone, someone for whom she was waiting desperately... She stared at him in the mirror standing behind her. "Back again? she rolled her eyes, half mocking at the weird sightings she has been seeing of him. "Don't you think you've gained so much wait? This dress won't fit you at his words, Zoya's eyes widened and she turned around to glare at him. Why was he so infuriating? "Nobody's asking for your opinion so I'd appreciate if you'd shut up and help me she huffed and tried to close the chain roughly. He chuckled feeding on her fury and she scowled at him from her bright eyes. "Uh hunh! I'm tired but I'd like to see you try he said and leaned on the wall folding his hands as he did. Zoya's smile grew bigger as she finally pulled up the chain and straightened her dress, glancing at the empty wall proudly. Finding him nowhere she again shook her head. She smiled a small smile while exiting the changing room. Asad used to help her in many ways but he also made sure that she learned to do everything herself. Now that she came to think about it maybe behind his hard demeanor, he hid his care. Najma gave her a thumbs up for three more dresses she tried and then when she was back in the dress she wore previously and was putting the new dresses away, she felt him tugging her hand and closing in on her. His hand caressed her face and down her arm to hold her hand. She shivered in this beautiful figment of her imagination. "I'm glad you remember my favourite colour, this dress suits you Zoya her name came out as a gentle caress and she stared back into his eyes. "More than this, it's your simplicity that adorns you. He smiled his charming smile at her before the warmth she felt was gone again. Ek pal pyaar ka zindagi se badaAisa mere Khuda kyun haiWo.. oo.. ho..Wo.. oo.. ho..Wo.. oo.. ho.. She remembered the day Asad was leaving, there were so many emotions in those eyes. She wanted to say so many things then but she also needed time to get her mind clear. She had no right to keep him from going too, he was a career minded strong man and she admired him for that... "So? he asked her.  "So what? she played cool leaning on the balcony and looking down on the road where he was standing with his luggage, his taxi waiting in the background. "Will you manage to not fall in trouble without me? he raised his eyebrows at her amusingly. "Oh please! Don't acts like my knight in shining armor okay! I can take care of myself. She folded her hands supported by the railings and he nodded. "Really? Without me? he grinned up at her. She narrowed her eyes at him and said tongue in cheek "really! Without you..." "No chance of missing me then? he asked rolling his sleeves up his arm. She giggled mocking him with a knowing look "why? Are you expecting to be missed by me?" "No way! I just don't want you to trouble Ammi by crying all day for me...do whatever you want to do, I don't care..." He shrugged with an expressionless face. "Why would I cry after you? For me it's a relief to be honest...with you the control freak gone thodi shaanti hogi ghar mein" she smirked down at him as he shook his head. The honk of the taxi made them both look in its directions. The next moment when their eyes connected, there were so many things unsaid, so many emotions unexpressed but felt right from heart. He just twisted his lips into a wry smile and waved off before heading to the taxi while she was left with a fake returning smile. "Bye Asad! Find someone to trouble when you miss me." she called out to him and he turned on his heels facing her back but kept walking backwards while gesturing as he spoke, "There ain't anybody like you.." he winked and then he was gone... Teri meri baki hai kahaani Teri meri aadhi hai kahaani Aa gayi wo mod par Tu gaya jo chhod kar Mere dil ko tod kar... kya mil gaya... Writer:Prinky & Suermaniac After a day filled with him swimming in her imaginations she went to sleep sadly, feeling empty on the inside. That evening when Najma and Zoya were going to the airport, they were informed that Asad's flight was canceled and since then zoya's spirits came crashing down to the ground level. Next morning she woke up late, when the sun was shining bright and happy. She smiled as the fresh breezes rushed inside her room with the sun rays caressing her skin. She remembered closing the balcony door yesterday night. Thinking that Najma might have opened it early morning she again slipped under the duvet and let lose herself in the welcoming warmness. Her eyes did a double take when she spotted a manly figure standing in the sun's way. The brightness didn't allow her to see more than a shadow but she knew better. Her heartbeats started hammering inside as she squinted her eyes to see properly until he came inside and smiled at her... That smile for a moment held her hand and swirled into her dream world but then she came back to reality realizing Asad's flight was canceled. She lay down on the bed again covering her eyes with her arms... "God! Pareshaan kar rakha hai... Kal bhi dreams mein aaye, then the whole day you followed me and didn't leave me alone last night too. Now again... you're just everywhere! She kicked off the duvet from above her when she heard him chuckle again. He hovered over her, the top two buttons of his shirt open for giving her a nice view. The scent of his cologne filled her senses and she breathed in peacefully, strangely feeling so complete like she never felt in the past two and a half year... Itna toh bata mausamo ki tarah Tu badalta gaya kyun hai Wo. oo. ho. Wo. oo. ho. Wo. oo. ho. "You will never change, hai na? The banter queen? his warm breathe sent ripples of nervousness around her body. His voice never felt so alive in all her imaginations like it did today. She was breathing hard all this while and closed her eyes when he leaned in to drop a sound and tender kiss on her cheeks... Sometimes it takes time to realize what one feels for someone. When Asad got away from home he felt that incompleteness in every action he did and in every moment he lived. He was confused with the cyclone of so many emotions whirling around inside him then when he left. But being away for a period of time he has realized what is it all about... It's love... Who's the girl? Zoya... That very same stupid at times and very easily irritated and annoyed Zoya whom he enjoyed to tease so much. Zoya was his neighbor from last fifteen years and have bonded well with his Ammi and Najma. She somewhere warmed up to Asad too. Every time she walked in the house wanting to meet her best friend Najma, she'll always come face to face with her best friend's brother as she called him. Zoya was a broad minded and smart girl, her early educational training was in New York but after her mother's demise she moved back to India with her dad. She spent most of the time at his house and even stayed over whenever her dad was busy. Busy is an understatement for her dad. He was always busy in and out of the town and even country seldom. She was a part of his family and he became habitual to her presence. But all this time away from his family and her, he felt that value of her presence in his life... Zoya was a fresh air that he always wanted to breathe in. but from last two years unfortunately, he only was able to take a whiff in from what he saw of her in his dreams or in daydreams. He was never a person who would zone out. But it didn't matter whether he was in public or alone, he'd always hear her giggling or frowning at him as he teased her... Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun hai Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun hai Raastey har dafa, sirf tera pataMujhse pooche bhala kyun hai Na mai apna raha...na kisi aur ka Aisa mere khudaa,, kyu hai! Wo oh o...wo oh o...wo oh o... Her eyes shot open as she felt his lips on her cheeks. Her heart did a double take and she flushed at the touch. Was it real? How can it be so good to be real? She raised her hand to touch his stubble face. His happy eyes gazed back in hers which were full of wonderment. "Are you for real? she whispered and his lips curved up into a smirk. "Shall I prove it again? he cocked his eyebrows and let his gaze fall down to her lips. She fisted the lapels of her dress and stared at his lips too. He came closer and she closed her eyes, wanting to get her fantasy fulfilled in her imaginations at least... He watched her holding her breath in anticipation and couldn't hold his laughter anymore. He moved back and burst out laughing half rolling on the bed. Zoya's eyes flew open for the second time too shocked to react. "You! she gasped, her eyes zeroing in on him. She threw a pillow at him and he tossed it back with his elbow laughing hard. "You've been always that playful! Why don't you just vanish from here like all other times! she threw another cushion at him and he caught it on time...  Resting his chin on the softness he asked her with innocent eyes, "why Zoya? Why do you want me to vanish? "Because every time I see you around, every time you come in my dreams, every time Phupi speaks of you and Najma tells me she misses our fights, I miss you damn it! she slumped her shoulders down in defeat with a sigh and covered her face with both her palms... "I don't want to see you... Go away! Asad sobers up and shifts near her, holding down her hands, but she kept her eyes shut. "Par mai ab wapas aagaya hu...you won't have to miss me anymore. "I tried not to miss you ...par abhi do minute mein gayab ho jaaoge...I'll start missing you again! she sighs averting her eyes from his... "You don't believe me do you? he asked her but before she could say something more Najma walked in the room with a bright smile... "Oh bhaijaan! You already met her...ahahaaha zoya...Aaj bhi unhappy hone ka natak karogi? Did bhaijaan give you your surprise? Zoya stared at Najma in confusion while Asad just shook his head... "Uh...Najma you can see Asad too? "Of course...not that he's wearing an invisible robe she laughed it off turning to Asad, "bhaijaan, ammi is calling you, come soon...and Zoya, get ready and you too come out, it's late. Saying so Najma left and a silence hovers down on both of them when finally Zoya realized that this Asad was not a figment of her imagination but was actually the man himself. She widened her eyes at him and he started laughing again...  "Do I look like a ghost? he questions when she kept staring at him. "Oh wait it's you who look like one right now he said, moving close to her and fixing her hairs properly. Reality hit her and she replayed all the things he said and she said few minutes before. Her face surpassed every shade of red when she recalled him kissing her cheeks... "Raat mein aise mere room me mat aana, looking at you and these hairs like this I'd be so scared to death he chuckled, ruffling her hairs more again. "Huh...what did you just say? ASAD! she slammed her fist at his arms and he gets out of the bed. She hopped down after him and there starts a chase and run game between the two, like old times. After running for four more minutes both stopped breathing hard... "Ah! God Zoya, no more peaceful days for you, why did you come back? she fake scowled at him in dislike and he had to bite his lip from laughing... Is this the same girl who wanted so much to see him? "Accha? he neared her while she moved back and hit the wall. "Someone said she used to miss me while I was away. "w...who? she stuttered as he came dangerously close to her, her breathing faltered at his touch when he held her hand and threaded his fingers with hers. "Someone who is affected whenever I am this close... Someone who missed me but it would kill her ego to accept... Someone who looked so cute and peaceful in her beauty sleep this morning... He whispered as she dropped her gaze. She felt her knees going weak and held on to his right shoulder with her free hand... "Aur? She dared to open her mouth, but the word came out dry and foreign to her ears... "Aur, ...someone who is looking very pretty this morning, someone who didn't leave me alone even when I was far away, someone whom I love to tease, someone who is really close to me. Her eyes collided with his, as he stared deeply in hers with sincerity... "Aur? Her inaudible word was felt by him on his neck and he intensely held her gaze, "Aur...someone who stole my heart, someone I realized I'd manage till the end, someone whose absence I can't bear... Someone I have come to love so much... She stopped breathing at his words and he leans close to her ears, feeling her hand tighten the grip on his shoulder. "Now...do I control your breathes Zoya? He whispered in her ears and she saw red... He again faced her with a smirk, "Breathe She pushed him away frowning at the ground as she breathed in... it was like, he was opening that every knot of her heart and she came undone with his honest words... "Wapas chale gaye toh? He held her hand and placed it on her heart under his palm... "I know I have a place here, and I haven't come back to leave... Dheemi Dheemi aanch pe jese Dheere dheere jlta hai dil Ye bekaraari kyu hai Ye khumaari kyu hai Awaargi kyu hai Har mod par... She licked her lips accessing her inner thoughts and absorbing everything he said... Then he stepped back, his hand leaving hers and rubbing the back of his head shyly... "Asad!! they heard his ammi calling him and he shoved his hands in his pants pocket before walking out of her room, a smirk playing on his lips that she didn't fail to notice. After he disappeared from her sight she sat on the bed, her hand still placed on her heart where he oh so securely kept it. A blush crept on her face as she felt zillions of butterflies dancing in her stomach. Her grin grew wider in glee and she hugged the pillow lying back on the bed. She couldn't believe he was finally here... She was finally happy in a long time, her heart joyfully complete and jittery. His words swam in her mind all day long and she was lost in just watching him interact with his Ammi and sister. Now and then he shot her a knowing look with that smirk plastered on his face... After lunch when everyone went to sit in the hall, zoya was making custard in the kitchen. He pretended to look for something in the fridge. She turned and looked over her shoulder, focusing her eyes on his movements from under her lashes. When he turned around and caught her staring and she instantly turned back to cutting fruits. He walked to her and stood, supporting his back to the kitchen counter. "I spot some drool he said in a serious tone, thumbing her lower lip and then when her eyes widened on him he snorted. "YOU! she pointed the knife at him. "Woah! You can be daring too? You looked so innocent when you were staring he teased. "I wasn't..sta..staring. she muttered, failing to prevent the stutter. "Is that so? he kept his elbow on the counter, cupping his chin. His bright eyes mocked her and she turned away from him. "Can't you spend one moment without me? Always comes behind me to trouble she muttered. "ohho! Tum dono phir se start hogye? Dilshaad walked in on them shaking her head. "Phupi your son is just too much...I thought he will change into better but some people never change! glaring at him she walked out leaving the two in loads of laughter. Asad passed a smug look to his Ammi as she twisted his ears, "did you tell her? "Did, par guess samjhaana mushkil hai isey. He points his index finger to the side of his forehead and rolls it to express she's mad. Dilshaad gasped in mock anger and then narrowed her eyes at him, "Asad, stop teasing her. atleast give her the surprise c'mon she pushed him out of the kitchen and he went into his room to take out her surprise. Zoya felt the sofa deepen beside her and then she found herself sat thigh to thigh close with Asad. Before she could react or shift away he held her palm open and placed a big gift wrap in front of her. It was unexpectedly good for her so she just sat and stared... "ptch! Asad tutted and glanced at Dilshaad, "I told you she's crazy! "Gift wraps are supposed to be opened zoya. He turned his attention back to her and she slapped his hands away with a roll of her eyes. "Shut up! Najma giggled at this. Zoya was surprised would be an understatement. Asad had bought her favourite artist's famous painting. It was an original with his autograph. "Are you kidding me? she covered her mouth with her hands and hugged him in sheer happiness. She didn't need to say anything; he knew she had no words to express how grateful she was... His heart was contended that way. The evening passed by with some healthy fights between the two, but after Asad gave her the gift she sobered up to him so much that they actually were laughing together at something and not at each other. After a light dinner, Asad took all of them to their favourite Kulfi spot to keep intact their tradition. The setting was perfect for summers, with a lake alongside the sidewalk. They all were sitting on the chairs, facing the subtle waters of now the dark lake and enjoying the cool breezes. Asad was lost in zoya, as she stared at the moon, her chin turned upwards, a peaceful smile on her face. It filled his heart to the brim that it even hurt to keep staring at her. He was the most happiest person on this planet, having her sit beside him and devouring the Kulfi. He averted his eyes which were starting to get wet, he just felt so grateful towards life. Now he was back and he would start his business here only. That meant having zoya around him all the time. He sighed smiling up at her and found her already looking at him... Na mai apna raha... Na kisi aur kaa... Aisa mere khuda... Kyu hai...  Wo oh o...wo oh o...wo oh o... The moonlight was reflecting on her dark figure, her eyes shone with a tender yet faraway look... "Cheers! She brought her kulfi close to his and he chuckled nudging her kulfi with hers, "cheers! Do you remember? It was a humid day, and Asad was following an overexcited zoya to the kulfi stall. Najma had her board exams the next day so she was strictly off limits for going out. She was even warned to not eat kulfi by her ammi because she didn't want her to spoil her health in exam days. Reason being when Najma ate Kulfi she just didn't ate kulfi, she ate kulfis being a stress eater. But Asad and Zoya promised her to get only a single one for her secretly. They both were sat on the chairs facing the lake. Zoya thought it would be funny if she can find out how far she can throw the wooden sticks into the lake. So she started throwing the sticks which were littered all over the road by other customers. "Big time they all learn to use dustbins! she commented aiming for her third shot in the air. It flew up and just managed to fall at the starting wall of the lake. She pouted and he chuckled. "Really? And what are you doing? Spoiling the pleasant waters of the lake? he pointed to which she rolled her eyes. "Well, atleast they won't be visible! "That is if you manage to throw them far enough he laughed at her as again her throw just closely missed hitting the water tangling in the bushes surrounding it. "Oh really? Why don't you try then? she challenged him and being Asad he took challenge very seriously on his ego. So there they began picking the used kulfi sticks from the ground and throwing them in the lake. It was a pretty cool competition between the two until they were reprimanded by the Kulfiwala to not spoil the lake. They both ran from there into the next street laughing hard on their rebellious self. While walking back home, they feasted on their half melted kulfis... "You wanna try this Pista flavor? Asad offered her all of a sudden and she paused for a second before shrugging "okay. She licked his kulfi and he also tried to have some of her Rabdi kulfi but she didn't let him. "I have a rule with kulfis, no sharing! she shrugged and started walking ahead. He followed her raising his eyebrows with a naughty glint. "Well you're sharing your love, that should do for now. He said and then swiped his tongue on his kulfi, just where zoya licked. "What nonsense! she rolled her eyes at him. "Aur nahi to kya. Jhutha khaane se pyaar badhta hai, you know it don't you? he looked innocent but Zoya could see the imaginary devil ears on his head. "In your dreams she again rolled her eyes and made a face, "In our case it's not pyaar but hatred, wo bhi pure...bina milaavat They both chuckled, remembering the same incident and shared a good natured laugh. In their eye lock they didn't even realized when Najma and Dilshaad left. Dilshaad wanted to give them some time alone so that Asad could tell her his feelings. Asad and zoya looked around and spotted dilshaad and najma walking in a distance. They both started following them, walking side by side with the remaining kulfi. "So? he prompted. "So what? she asked out of habit. They've had this several times. "Wanna taste a different flavor? he smiled wholeheartedly at her and it was intoxicating to her that she returned it with all her heart. "Sure. She nodded and forwarded her kulfi towards him. He widened his eyes in surprise and exchanged kulfis with her. "What happened to your no sharing policy? "Maybe someone made me change it? it sounded like a question when she said it. "And might I ask who? he leaned his head closer to hers while she devoured the taste of his half eaten kulfi. She smiled, "Someone to whom it's tempting to eat a half eaten kulfi, someone who can't bear to spend a moment not troubling me, someone who needs to keep check of his over smartness. He started chukling and shook his head before looking at her intensely. "Aur? "Aur...someone who is damn infuriating, someone who enjoys teasing me, someone stood very close to me and looking like a fool she smirked and he narrowed his eyes on her before turning his attention to the kulfi as he ate it. "Aur? he aksed while swiping his lips with his tongue. "Someone who distracts me in odd times, someone I think I'd manage to live with till the end, someone who has stolen my heart and someone whom I have come to love so much. Hua nahi pehle kabhi yeh... Chuaa nahi dil ko kisi ne... Har aarzoo tu hi... Chain or sukoon tu hi... Mai toh kahoo... Tu hi hai zindagi... He was expecting her to twist the end playfully as shed normally do. But when she repeated his earlier words, he stopped walking. She smiled a shy smile and took her kulfi from him. Asad was mesmerized, but she walked ahead with both the kulfis in her hand. "c'mon! she laughed as she called him and he followed her and took back the kulfi from her. "hey! she tried blocking but he was fast. "What are we sharing today Zoya? he leaned in to whisper in her ears, his cool breathe making her shiver. "Answer me Zoya. What is it? Love or hate? She chinned up her head and looked straight in his eyes... "Love her tone was confident with finality. He grinned at her madly, impressed by her audacity. "With no milaavat "With no milaavat They both said together at the same time. He laughed and she affirmed with a smile and finishing off the kulfi and then dropping the stick to the ground, she kicked it off. He mimicked her actions and side hugged her as they walked to the house. "Thanks for the surprise Asad, I love it! she said when they reached home and were standing outside the gate. "What about my return gift? he winked and she narrowed her eyes...  "Ab kya chaiye? You finished most of my kulfi she rolled her eyes and he chuckled. Now they were back to being them. They both were incomplete without each other and they knew it. He pulled her close locking her one hand behind her so that she was pushed towards him till their breathes mingled. "Something sweet? his eyes danced happily as they took in every detail of her face shining in the moonlit veranda. "Pehle chodo... She pursed her lips, controlling her ragged breathes. "Bhaag gayi toh? With her free hand she placed his free hand on his heart and said, "I know I have a place here, and I haven't come here to leave. They both smile at each other and he loosened his grip on hers. She quickly raised herself on her knees and pretends to peck on his cheek, but when his hands are completely on his side, she made a quick move and runs away... Na mai apna raha... Na kisi aur ka... Aisa mere khuda Kyu hai..  Wo oh o...wo oh o...wo oh o... She escapes into the house giggling and it's too late for him to register she just tricked him... He followed close and their chase and run game goes on which might have fooled Najma, but the smiles on their faces told Dilshaad about the flow of this positive energy called love between the two... "Not fair Zoya... You will have to pay for this... He warned following her as she rushed out of the house and again peeped in holding the door ajar... "Everything is fair in love and war... She whispered with a naughty glint in her eyes and before he reached to her the door closed and he could hear her as she shouted wishing a good night to Dilshad and Najma... He shook his head before walking back to his room... His heart was swelling with contentment as he lied down on his bed reminiscing that everything happened in a whole day... 'Love...with no milavat...' those were the words in his mind as he slowly drifted into the peaceful sleep with that small smile intact on his face... While on the other side sleep was far away for Zoya as she was still feeling this everything as a dream... Just till last night she was missing him so much and imagining him nice and sweet to her in her dreams only... But now he was back for good... And had he really said all that to her...? It was still like a dream to her... She sighed caressing the gift... "Hehhh...It was too much to believe... His each word kept ringing in her mind and she felt her eyes welled up feeling emotional suddenly...  "Today you gave me everything Asad... She breathed hugging the painting to her heart... "Don't I deserve a return gift then? She shook her head smiling as she could see him leaning back to the door... "Yes...You deserve... She hopped out of the bed and opening the door of her room walked out of her house... Taking a look around she moved to his window... For a moment she just stood watching him sleeping peacefully but then frowned, "Meri neend uda kar tum aise araam se so rahe ho like nothing has happened...how could you? "You like to tease me anyways...that is not going to change... She shook her head and very carefully entered inside his room... Sitting beside him she stared at him for sometime feared thinking she would touch him and he will disappear as he used to be... "Still it feels like a dream... She touched his soft hair falling on his forehead before leaning to kiss him on his cheek... "Your return gift... She smiled as her lips touched his cheek and before she knew it his hand wrapped around her seizing her and she gasped... "It's not a dream and you should start believing it... He whispered as he caressed the side of her face with his free hand sending chills down her spine... and she closed her eyes drinking in the feel of his touch... He smiled and flipped them so she landed on her back with him hovering over... His breathe fanned on her face and he traced the side of her lips... "Or it's better to make you believe Zoya... His voice thick as he whispered and his lips brushed against hers... He felt himself captive feeling the soft texture of her lips that he had dreamed of countless times... Her hand moved to his shoulder and gripped him tight as he placed a sweet tender kiss to which she began responding giving in... But half a minute of her responding, and he pulled away staring at her amusedly... "Can you believe it now... He asked moving back & she inhaled before her eyes met with his... He winked and she pushed him off... He laughed lying on the bed and his fingers gripped her wrist as she tried to get up... "I would love if you keep dreaming though...  He eyes danced with playfulness... Grabbing a pillow with her free hand she threw it on his face making him laugh hard... And as his grip loosened on her wrist she hopped out... Her gaze fixed on him as she moved back to the window... He stopped laughing as he watched her getting out... "I don't want to dream anymore..."    He heard her whisper and getting out of the bed walked towards his room window... outside where she was standing and held her hand, "Dream Zoya... I'll make your every dream come true..." She still stood as she did, her back facing him and he back hugged her from inside the window... "We'll together make our reality better than the dreams even, haina? As he said that she smiled a huge smile which he couldn't see but felt... "Hmm..." They both smiled and watch the moon, with thousands of stars merrily winking at them from the summer sky... They all were witnesses of them loving each other with a love that was more than love... Har aarzoo tu hai... Chain or sukoon tu hai... Mai toh kahoo... Tu hi hai zindagi...!!! ---  ---

http://jodifiction.blogspot.com/2020/05/asya-ss-tu-hi-tu-qubool-hai-surbhi.html

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Personal opinion but I feel quite a let down when Vil's new SSR card is just a bonus card for Jamil's hometown event, even if they made a slight change to the story to include him?? The last Vil's event SSR card is Halloween part 1 which to be fair all 3 SSR cards were barely focused or main character-ish. So I was expecting for a Vil focused event, like hometown or anything that would give him the spotlight more... So yeah, quite a let down, and the card doesn't even have a vignette. Guestroom furnitures are cool, but I still prefer vignettes 😔

[Referencing this post!]

Mmm, I think the thing with the first Halloween event is that the three featured SSRs did play a somewhat more significant role than the others, but they were also bogged down by having to compete with EVERY other main cast student, NRC Staff, and even the Ramshackle Ghosts also appearing in the event. (If I remember correctly, it was Cater who informed everyone about the Magicam Monsters, Jade who encouraged everyone to fight back using scare tactics, and Vil who headed the Halloween planning committee.) Considering all of this, I get why the importance of Vil's first event SSR may have seemed to be minimized. It felt like a mainly “Cater” event of the SSR trio. I do think Vil is an odd choice to give a SSR for Jamil's hometown event of all things 😅 I mean, it has been years since Vil last got an event SSR, but in terms of context this just seems... out of nowhere?

I guess Vil can technically be easily thrown in with the excuse of "oh, he's there on an acting/modeling gig", but then that would work for any event?? And it isn't really justified with a change in the story either (it sounds like it will be 100% the same; Vil doesn't even come with vignettes but with furniture recipes so we won't ever formally get an explanation for why he's in Yasmina Silk). It's a CRIME that Vil won't get to hang out with best girl Najma 😭 LET THEM TEASE JAMIL TOGETHER-- I would have thought the natural new SSR to come for this event would be Kalim (who already has a presence in the event, but not a new outfit, so you wouldn't even have to write much new dialogue for him; this would be similar to what was done for SSR Suitor Suit Idia and SR Suitor Suit Lilia). Even Lilia would work, as he was originally intended to go with Malleus as his +1 (although this route would have warranted considerable new chunks of story to incorporate Lilia into the narrative). Like… are those two not the Obvious Choices???

Maybe I just feel this way because I prefer story and character to how something looks (although nice aesthetics are always a bonus)?? Honestly, I don't really care for decorating the Guest Room or making furniture, I find it very annoying and time-consuming to gather the materials especially since you usually can't auto the Extra battles and the Guest Room isn't all that interactive anyway 😂 I also just don’t see a point in releasing a new card when there’s no story at all associated with it??? That’s probably why Yasmine Silk Vil and his lack of event presence seems more egregious to me... It is what it is, unfortunately 💦 I'm sure there are people who love decorating and are excited that Vil is finally getting a new (non-obligatory, non-birthday) card regardless. I'm happy for them and hope that they enjoy him when he releases!