#seen around kadeu;

[lukef]

the fire is calling, and luke follows.

the wings of the bird echo so loud in his ears that he feels like he’s going deaf. it started as a murmur and developed itself into a roar, the roaring of destructive and enraged fire. it’s source is unclear, but he forces himself to stay, wait and follow the flames back into his core. deep furrows burn into the skin of his left arm and right shoulder, the bird uses it’s claws to take what’s theirs. like seeks like, birds of a feather flock together.

luke calls the fire, and the fire follows.

he’s been at this place before and the first thing he sees when he looks out of the window is trees burning. the wood is going up in flames and the sound of an explosion echos in his mind. then, silence. he watches as the fire takes and takes, watches as the life fades out of every single leaf as the smoke takes them in and the flames flicker higher. 

then, he closes his eyes again.

“i like you, luke, i really do. and i want to.. but i can’t.”

he tries and tries and tries, but no matter how hard he wants to understand what the other just said, the words don’t fit in his brain. 

“i’m just not capable of seeing the good that you see in me. and maybe that’s because i know i’m not a good person.”

he wants to scream, wants to yell at cassius. but it’s as if he’s frozen. he has never seen the other like this, so devastated. and as soon as he continues to speak, he knows that the other tells the truth.

“i’d ruin you.”

now, years later, the pain isn’t as bad as it used to be. a gentle sting in the left side of his chest and the distant memory of what his voice used to sound like. with his eyes still closed, he reaches out to touch the other’s cheek again, but his fingertips bump against the memory of someone he used to treasure more than everything. the fire reaches the window and the flames flicker high enough to reach one of the handkerchiefs placed on a commode. the fire takes and takes, and luke grants it.

“how long does it take to kill someone?”

he ignores the boy, who seems to be around eight or nine. being disturbed while meditating is definitely one of his least favorite things. 

“how long does it take to kill someone?” he repeats. “how long does it take to kill a human?” luke has no idea why the boy would approach him at the beach to ask such thing. as far as he remembers, he didn’t have fire elementlist written all over his face. he’s sure he has never seen him before, but he looks weirdly familiar. 

“how would i know how to kill a human?”

“she says you know.”

luke’s head shoots up and he’s greeted by warm and welcoming green-brown eyes, wavy brown hair and thousands of memories. he jumps up, “it can’t be.”, reaches out and watches as she falls apart and becomes ash, just from a single touch.

“destroy. kill. take. fire elementalists are the flames, they devour and kill and take until nothing’s left. once united, never divided.”

while luke cries into his hands greasy of ash, his younger self leaves.

as the fire comes closer, the heat reminds him of the long healed wounds on his arm and shoulder. after one and a half years, the wounds have become scars. the scars on his shoulder have been covered by tattoos months ago. luke knows what he is, and he has come to terms with it. even his hair resembles fire, dark brown merges into red.

the flames flicker higher and as they finally reach him, the whole room crumbles. he is left in between ashes and ruins.

“like seeks like. birds of a feather flock together. but compared to a sparrow, you have to be an andean condor.”

"Hey! Focus up, buddy, you coming or what?

luke had been so busy with meditating and burning his imaginary room down, that he almost forgot about the reason he was back to the seaside. when he finally opens his eyes and is blinded by sunlight, he feels like a bear awaking from hibernation. holding on to memories and letting the last three years pass in review seems to be a good thing when you came to say goodbye. luke smiles at the brunette and signals that he’s coming.

as he walks over, backpack in his hands and one of the shells he just found between his fingers to give it to her, he realizes that he has gotten used to being alone. 

but three years in umibe and abroad were enough. he’s going back to kadeu.

luke spent the last three years abroad. the paragraphs written in cursive are extracts from dreams, nightmares and memories that accompanied him. the solo portrays him meditating at the seaside of umibe, his way of accepting that a certain time in his life is coming to an end. 

the only person he has been in constant contact with is hyeonju. luke sent him a letter every two-three weeks.

after he returned from umibe, he has also returned to being a dueling instructor at the academy. his wrist is still decorated with the (now familiar) J, the letters KH and one arrow pointing down (representing the state of his favor with ace kang harold.)

to see more visuals/outfits/aesthetics, check out luke’s pinterest board.

[croupiex]

WELCOME TO A BRAVE NEW WORLD

“the most sexy depressed human in kadeu” - three time winner, fourth time pending

“i’d like to thank everyone that helped me get here and win this award... my father, my mother, the rest of kadeu... it’s only thanks to all of your hard work that i could achieve such an honour”

― cassius han, upon accepting the 2023 winter “most sexy depressed human in kadeu” award

2021 - 2024 STATUS UPDATES FOR CASSIUS HAN

❢  sense of self-worth ➳ minus 3 PTS | new total: 3 out of 10

predictable! confirming his own beliefs about his lack of worth by rejecting luke has lead to nothing good for poor cassius, they haven’t spoken in almost three years (that means no cake)!　

❢  career ➳ plus 1.5 PTS | new total: 11.5 out of 10 

‣　 title ➳ croupier at the kohaku and fish feeder  ‣　 entry note ➳ cassius is obliged to state that working at any koi casino is a pleasure and a privilege and thus it is impossible for this category to fall below 10 points exciting! cassius now gets to deal with customers with even larger egos than the ones at the koromo

❢ self-destructive tendencies  ➳ plus 3 PTS | new total: 7 out of 10

look out! cassius is back with his former ex, emmeline. their relationship is destructive by nature oh no! it seems someone had a low point and almost resorted to some tasty looking pills - luckily, the human still has some self-preservation left

❢  genuineness  ➳ minus 2 PTS | new total: 4 out of 10

for shame! he skates around subjects, and is frequently seen waving off people who try to tell him he is better, that he should do better, and that he deserves better; he’d rather eat a potato than have this conversation again!

❢  nurturing abilities  ➳ plus 0.5 PTS | new total: 0.5 out of 10

impressive! cassius seems to have developed the ability to occasionally interact with diamond-ace-working-mother-extraordinaire ara’s little strongarm situation ‣　special content   ➳ cassius gestures vaguely at the wiggling bundle, pointedly not looking at it but rather the person that brought it into the world, “so... how is your... situation going”

  　（ written update: the good, the bad, and the ugly ）　

[hilo--keahi]

joint prompt with @ara-kadeu​

Tell us about the Keahi-Moon Wedding!

What customs did they observe?

Hilo’s broad hand gravitates towards the ornate dagger on a simple chain around his neck, his smile proud even if it’s borderline shy. “Well, before the wedding, Ara proposed by having this made for me.” He holds it up for a slightly better look; the hilt now has an additional stone, of course, for Lana. “She, um, didn’t beat me to it by much. I might’ve been faster if I hadn’t spent so much time perfecting the bracelet I gave her,” Hilo adds with a sheepish laugh, letting the dagger settle against his chest again as he rubs the back of his neck.

“For the wedding itself, we had it at the temple, naturally.” It seemed perfectly natural to them, anyway; how could they not honor the goddess who’d visited them on Airang to bless their love herself? “Exchanged rings.” Now Hilo holds up his left hand to display that: a relatively simple but well-crafted ring in a hammered bronze that matches Ara’s bracelet. “She had this enchanted so I wouldn’t ruin at the Forge, or just by being myself,” he clarifies with a chuckle. “Alamea, the uh, last living cousin of my generation, performed the rites for us.” Hilo’s smile turns a little nostalgic, a little sad as he shrugs. “Neither of us had parents to perform the parental rites, but. Everything else, we observed.”

What was the most memorable moment for each individual?

“Oh, seeing her in her dress for the first time.” Hilo doesn’t even have to pause to think, his grin broadening again as he shakes his head. “Not even part of the wedding, I know, and definitely not how she wanted it to happen. But she looked… stunning.” He smiles to himself, slowly shaking his head like he still can’t believe his luck -- and there are still big parts of him who can’t, even years later. “I think that’s the most memorable because that’s when it became the most real, y’know? We’d been planning for months, of course, but that was when it became really real.”

Looking back, was there anything they’d have liked to have done differently?

“Mm…” Hilo takes a deep breath and tilts his head back, lapsing into silence for a moment as he considers. “Maybe the one thing that was the most ‘out-there’ for me was that we rented out that great big ballroom in the Joker for the reception. I wouldn’t change that necessarily, but I think it would’ve been nice to have something more low-key, too. I mean, my family is mostly made up of Ones of Clubs,” he points out with a low chuckle. “A lot of them hadn’t even seen anything like that before. But we’d invited Aces, too, so.” He smiles and shrugs. “Maybe it was best to err on the fancy side, and let my family have their loud party-brawl some other time.”

Divorce is done by simply stating the intent for divorce three times in a row before a witness. How does your muse feel about this?

“Eh.” Hilo laughs, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s wild to me that it’s that easy, I guess. I’ve both joked and not joked with Ara that I worry about divorcing her accidentally. But…” His smile softens and he shakes his head. “It’s not like I’d ever want to state any intention to divorce her, even as a joke, and definitely not three times in a row. If I decide to, I guess we can still make those jokes at home, while Lana’s too young to play witness yet.” He pauses, then adds with a laugh, “And there I’d probably only be thinking about it if she tried to ‘help’ in the kitchen again, like the time she ruined the complicated pastry I’d been working on for forty-five minutes already.”

[kadeu]

THE DECK; AUGUST 2024

Another beautiful day in Kadeu! Yes, the temperatures are spiking at 113 across the city at noonday but the sky is beautiful the flowers are everywhere! Rejoice anyway folks! Temperatures have been rising steadily but can that really take from the beauty of our fair city? No it can’t. Have people been passing out from overexertion in the heat? Yes but who wants to work hard in this heat anyway?

And it surely does not stop the rising fashion trends in Diamonds. Taking on Ace Miranda’s iconic eyepatch, the Diamond mood makers have been seen sporting eyepatches covered in pastel furs, gems and crystals. This reporter acquired one silk patch but after almost walking into traffic, has chosen to admire from afar. 

The heat has returned the need for Water Elementalists, though some, salty over Diamond taxes, refuse to be, as one yelled at this poor reporter, “used like an animal for coppers”. I suppose they want to pad their pockets fat off of the vulnerabilities of others, again. Maybe they should hop over to Hearts. That sounds like a very Heart thing to do. 

Fortunes are forever growing in Hearts with its businesses booming. The fresh designers and happening places remove any question of what to do in the borough. The highranked elite have been spotted celebrating the birthday of one reclusive Facecard within the clans. It was a who’s who event with the extended floral trains of exclusive courtesans bouncing from the Koi to Aka Ayao’s. It was invite-only and the mean shifters at the door couldn’t be be bribed with gold to let us in for a peak but we watched them leave with one thing in common: The gems on their bodies were otherworldly. 

Makes me wonder if I could get an eyepatch in the style . . .

Meanwhile, the heat is making the Clubs delirious and prone to more to violent releases of energy. Luckily, before the heat brings forth combustion, the construction directed by Ace Shah Mallick has been completed and details are now being shared. A headquarters for Club hunters, dubbed the Hunter’s Lair has been erected to house, recruit and offer relief for hunters within the faction. We expect more details from the Ace and his council closer to the grand opening.

Hope they keep it down though. We think noise may violate the 11pm shutdown curfew over in Spades. Never has a ship ran so uniform and efficiently. It’s frightening. Their  water elementalists, limited though they may be, seem to be doing a much more enthusiastic job of helping their faction out, though. Then again, they’re all kind of a big conscripted militarized family, now aren’t they? Whose gonna demand more pay from their boss-landlord-military superior? This reporter certainly wouldn’t.

NOW SHOWING AT THE PALACE!

A beautiful princess falls in love with a prince from another land, but an exiled ritualist who wants her for himself conjures up a spell to transform her into a swan- but only during day. Thus causing the princess to be assumed missing and the wedding to be called off. That is- until an evil copy of the princess reappears just before the prince is to pick a new bride. Forced to embark on a dangerous quest to reverse the magic, the princess must rely on her wit, wings, and some equally cursed new friends if she wants to stop the ritualist's evil plans in time.

Ace Moon Ara’s protégé from her inspiring Winged Theatrics stars as the villainous Dark Wizard and sly henchwoman Bridgette. Theatre darling Budrelda wows as the Prince’s mother Queen Uberta.

This is by far the best production of the year folks! Live animals and manabeasts, shifters transforming and the magical use of combined elemental skills, Ara’s hand is heavy at work guiding these young stars. Even with the heat, getting tickets to see this one will be hard, unless you own a box and has been to three showings already, we see you, your Lordship. Good luck folks and bless Osiris for this masterpiece!

AROUND THE CITY;

Dragonfire Hotsprings shuts its doors! With decreased traffic and an increased number of guests having heatstroke, the Hotsprings has decided to close its doors until the weather cools off. The owner says they’re hopeful to reopen before October comes around but they’ll keep everyone updated on changes.

The Forge is seeing a record low for the number of blacksmiths at their fires. Where their work is normally out of the fire into the nice breeze, these days its more like out of the fire into a different humidor fire. 

Traffic to and from Umibe has become rather heavy. While the workers at Sencilo and the city itself seem to be pleased, Captain Tsai of the Driftwood Tavern seems fed-up with the increase in visitors, as do the sailors currently in port. The City of Umibe would also like to remind Kadeuians to pick up their trash should they rent camping spots on the city’s famous white sand beach.

[phoenixkadeu]

family dynamics

The house was in shambles, it took Asra a good five minutes just to prepare himself mentally for what he might see. There was nothing he could have done to prevent it, already a bit too late when he first noticed the group at his front door, his list of priorities already sorted out, he had to leave them be in order to save his parents from what was coming for them.

He had failed at that too, but he was dead set on making everything right. Today he took a small step, deciding to organize everything, restore the balance inside his house and leave it clean and tidy just like he had last seen it, so that when his parents returned they would have the perfect place to rest and heal.

Books were scattered on the ground, having fallen from the shelf that was decorated the living room. Asra did his best not to step on anything as he picked them up, careful not to fold any pages as he closed them again before reorganizing them.

One particular book, one with a leather cover, captured his attention. Its condition was good, but its contents were something he had yet to see, so after deciding to take a small break the elementalist sat down on the dirty floor, book in hand as he flipped the pages rapidly until he got to the very first one.

For my son, use it well

The words were simple, but somehow they meant a lot to Asra who quickly understood who this sketch book belonged to. These were the words written by his grandfather, whom he had never met. still too young (given the lifespan of his species) when he died, an air elementalist who also had a taste for adventure and the unknown, it was a particular nasty encounter with a manabeast that had ended his life.

He left his human wife, still pregnant with their third son and two other small children who desperately needed his care and protection. Maya was the name of his grandmother, not only did grief end her, but the sudden death of her husband made her lose her sanity to a spiral of paranoia.

She felt powerless, in a territory ruled mostly by violence and with two, soon to be three children to take care of, everything just felt a little bit too much to handle. Fortunately, Emma, a friend of the family, noticed what was happening and was quick to offer a helping hand, a single woman with a big house and a strongarm who could and wanted to provide for them.

Had it not been for her, none of them would be here now. His grandmother has already passed away, peacefully, knowing that her children were healthy and capable of living a happy life, even without her.

The pages were turned, small sketches of buildings, animals and unknown faces caught his interest, if not for the skill that they portrayed, definitely for the signature at the end of the page. This indeed belonged to his father, it showed a talent and sensibility that Asra never knew his father possessed.

He almost skipped it, a drawing that occupied one page, charcoal lines on a white page, forming a little girl with a mischievous spark in her eyes, hair tamed by two braids at the side of her head, her bangs sticking out on different directions, but other than that the uniform she was wearing seemed to have been portrayed in perfect condition. If it wasn’t for the small note at the end of the page, Asra would have ignored it, not recognizing who that little girl was.

Tanya, her first time wearing The Academy uniform.

Asra snickered, his face lighting up as a stupid amount of teasing comments started to form on his mind up. This did not look like his aunt at all, this was not the woman who had impulsively cut almost all of her hair because she could not bear the thought of someone grabbing it during a fight, not the one who almost had more scars on her body than freckles on her face.

After all the years it sometimes seemed like a lie, but the truth was that Tanya at some very brief point in her life had been a student at The Academy. She was the oldest out of the three siblings, the only girl and possibly the most chaotic. When she first discovered that she was an elementalist she did not feel happy about it, she had already made peace with the fact that she was most definitely only a human, like her mother. 

More than used to throwing mud at all the kids - younger and older than she was - who paraded around the streets in their uniforms, just to watch them cry after she had ruined their little show, it was not a shock that she hated the first time she was made to wear the exact same clothes she had mocked for years.

she lasted exactly a month, met asra’s mother in the process, the only true friend she made there, before finally deciding that the elementalist life was not for her. She liked to fight, with kicks and punches, stabs and slices, it was unbearable the training that they had to endure at The Academy, since every time some other kid decided to splash water in her face all she wanted to do was to break their fingers and make them drown in their own tears.

After analyzing a few other pages, Asra came to a stop again. It was the drawing of a young man as far as he could tell, since there was no way Asra could tell his real age. 

A bored expression, mixed with a bit of annoyance decorated his face, a single mole on his left cheek, disheveled hair and a weird amount of rings and bracelets adorned both his fingers and wrists. Searching for some kind of clarification, since it was clear that this man possessed some features that were way too similar to both his father and aunt, Asra found what he needed again, at the end of the page.

Miles, drawn from memory.

So, Miles was Asra’s uncle, a man that he had no idea existed until later on his life when Tanya revealed what had happened to him. The youngest of the three, the only one who unfortunately did not meet his father and the one who was born at the worst time possible, but yet the one who had proved to be the most capable since very young.

Becoming an air elementalist meant everything for him, since that was the only way in which he could feel some connection to his deceased father. With a mother who was quickly going insane, mind consumed by paranoia and thoughts way too confused to be able to satiate the desire he felt to know more about his father and with a brother and sister who were also way too young to be able to tell him much about the man their father was, the element he shared with his father was the only way that he could feel close to him.

A brilliant academy student, driven by his efforts to become better than his father, to protect his family and continue the job his father had abandoned way too soon. Miles always had the need to prove himself, no project or task could be unfinished, a perfectionist at heart.

He kept a secret that was quick to corrupt his heart. He had fallen in love with a brilliant young woman, her smile was able to lit The Academy’s corridors, she was equally as good as him and a lot less troubled than him from what he could see from afar, she was the only thing that could take his mind off of things.

It was a surprise when that woman first appeared at his door asking for Tanya. He learned that she had been the one to share some of her knowledge with his crazy sister. From then on, Miles had gained the courage to speak with her, whenever she came to his house and whenever he was able to cross paths with her at The Academy. Conversations were easy with her, she was kind and beautiful and everything he wanted, but the air elementalist was so enamored that he failed to see the reality of the situation.

He was able to hide his hatred when he first discovered that she had fallen for his brother, thinking that it was only temporary, that he was only a way for her to pass her time because he knew how smart she was and most of all wanted to believe that her brother would never be enough for her, nothing more than a mere human, a man that was bound to die sooner or later, one that would leave her alone in the end and when Aisha realized that, Miles would be there to make her see that he was the only one for her.

His fantasy was broken years later, the woman he had loved in silence was beside his brother, more happy than he had ever seen her as they both announced that she was pregnant.

He lost it, confessing and spitting hurtful facts at them in the heat of the moment until finally Tanya dragged him out.

Miles apologized the next day, truly regretting every little word he had said. Asra’s parents had forgiven him, but that was not enough, Miles knew he would not be able to hold back, to see them forming a family and growing old together, he knew that he would never be happy for them no matter how hard he tried, so the best thing he could do was leave.

After that he disappeared. No letter, no goodbye, simply gone till this day. No one has any idea if he is either alive or dead, in Kadeu or not, all contact was lost.

Shrugging Asra moved on, more pages were turned until the very end. The last page signaled the end, a perfect picture painted in faint colors. His mother was holding Asra close to her chest, hands protecting his small and fragile body, nose buried into his golden hair.

He was little, way too little to remember that particular day, still young enough to be able to sleep so soundly, to feel so safe in someone else’s arms, no scar yet, just a pair of rosy cheeks.

He closed it, got up to put it in between the other books. His father drew the story of their family, but Asra knew that it was yet to be finished, he would make sure that they would get back together so they could all give his father many more moments to capture.

[mallickshah]

A charming interruption.

July 1965 (A few weeks before the wedding) @ Mallick’s mother’s residence

The exclamation, the clamor, the noise, the screaming, the high shrieks, all from the room filled only with women, where Mallick had just barged in with a wide grin on his face with a purpose in mind. His arms wide open and the brightest expression a man could ever think of wearing, his purpose lost in the chaos and the anchoring of his wife to be in the middle of all this ruckus. 

None of these women were quite happy to see him, mostly, they were surprised, outraged--well, save maybe for one. The one standing in front of the mirror, holding the ample material of her dress. A gift from her in-laws, Mallick’s mother had been more than happy to get Saiyah the most gorgeous, yet simplest in its flow, wedding dress. Just as she deserved. Because that was what Saiyah was, reserved yet spontaneous, gorgeous but simple, not simple minded, but it was easy to have her content with what she had, even if it was not worth much to others. She did teach Mallick how to appreciate those little things--time spent looking at nature, rather than searching through it for the next best weapon to fight with. 

His mother however, was the first in the line of battle right now, rushing to him with her hands held out and pushing him right out from where he’d come from. Trying to at least.

“I know I raised you with better manners than to barge in a woman’s chambers unannounced!” 

Yes, mother was right, but-- “She is my woman.” 

Was it not apparent in the way, despite the touch of his mother against his chest not pushing anymore because it was vain, Mallick’s eyes had not left the sight of his wife to be from the moment he stepped in? Well, it was now, somehow Mallick also had the effect of making Saiyah look just as enamored, a little lost in the way he got a flush to rise high up, from ehr neck and reside pleasingly against her cheeks. That made her even more beautiful, if that was possible. Saiyah could do that though, she could become even more beautiful than Mallick had thought her to be since the first time he’d seen her. Even more than the last time he’d seen her, and he was certain she would be, days from now on their wedding day and even more, even better, years from now as the mother of his child. His wife, his partner, his mate for life. His soul had to be tied to this woman, no, his soul was tied to this woman.

So for all the shrieks, cries, outrages and all that these women had first felt of throwing at the feet of this infatuated man, it was evident now. It had to be. It was. That the only ones who should be outraged and feel out of place were all the others, not Mallick. His mother had a sigh, her hands dropping at her side, she wiped them against her sides before tilting her head and motioning for the other women to leave the lovers to themselves. Something about Mallick’s stance was making it more than blatantly clear, they had to evacuate. 

Give them the space they needed, the one they built where no one was allowed to intrude. 

“That wasn’t really nice, Mallick Sai.”  “Oh, both of my names? I’m in trouble.”

Had Mallick noticed the room was now empty? He’d never noticed it had even occupied by anyone else but Saiyah--he would say if he was asked such a stupid question. But he was in trouble, in deep trouble.

“Can we skip the wedding day, and get married right now?” That deep in trouble. 

Saiyah shook her head, her eyes narrowing as if giving him a warning, but they both knew it would not withstand. Nothing could when it came to the will of carrying with their desires, because Mallick was not the one with the biggest one. She might be softly assertive with hers, but she still had them. Simple desires that had Mallick the way he was, almost gliding towards her, like metal to magnet. 

He was kissing her before she could answer. The dress she was in would need to be retouched and his mother, and all those other women would have their complaints. But it was Saiyah who wound her arms up around his neck and let him haul her up in his arms. A man could only withstand so much without sweeping the object of his affection off and away. 

We could elope, he said when he pulled back, & she laughed a breathy Silly, no, I want to marry you with everyone you love and all those who love you, watching over us with blessings and adoration, for the good man that you are to me and the husband you will be.

So he had to kiss her again, with her looking down at him because her feet could no longer touch the ground. But she’d once said that she loved this the most, that Mallick could make her feel like she had the wings necessary to never have to touch earth again. The truth was, this wedding was because Saiyah wanted it. The dress, the traditions, everything that came with it, it was taken from her books, the ones she favored most, that spoke of union beyond Kadeu’s borders in a way that seemed out of way especially for Clubs. Mallick had once told her that she could find it here too without hesitation though. That to dream of it out of these lands was not necessary and he’d see to it that she would always have each and every one of them right here, because this was his land and by default it became hers to love too.

His duty was to keep it safe for her, hers was to keep loving it for the both of them. 

The dress eventually had to be discarded, for safety measures. Mallick could only anger the women of this house so much, that was one of the excuses he would give if asked. The other one? It would have earned him more eye roll than necessary but, again, Saiyah had been the whisperer. He would never fault her though, it was easy to tempt him, always had been, but with her, no strings were ever wrong. No tug was ever too sharp. 

Every single one of them fell right where they should, and every morning he would spend waking up by her side, he was certain would only solidify this enchantment.

[kadeuxhyeonju]

Revelations Untold

Kadeu, Location Unknown

1st March 2021, Post-Airang Curse, 8AM

Light was burning through Hyeonju’s eyelids, unusual for him since he was normally up before the sun. He shifted, feeling a heaviness in his limbs. He opened his eyes only to to quickly shut them once more. Damn his head was pounding. What in the gods name was that about? It couldn’t be a hangover seeing as he’d never gotten one in his life. His alcohol tolerance was near god-like and he’d only had a couple glasses of whiskey. No, this was something else.

Groaning softly, eyes still shut, Hyeonju sat up letting the blankets pile around his naked torso. He pressed a hand to his temple in a futile attempt to alleviate the headache. Just as he was about to get up, he felt something shift beside him—or someone. Hyeonju froze, eyes shooting open, fully awake now. Who the hell is in my bed? Wait. This isn’t my bed. The hell? The hybrid turned his head—slowly to avoid aggravating his headache. Laying beside him, still asleep and ducked under the covers, was another body. He heard the soft whisper of breath, felt the warmth of their body through the sheets and close proximity. In an instant, the events of last night came back to him.

FUCK.

An illusion. A powerful one at that. He recalled the red mist, the sudden fire and ice coursing through his veins, the desperation and longing and joy and pain each time his eyes landed on someone passing in front of his eyes. But his eyes hadn’t been seeing the person. None of his senses had. They’d seen someone he hadn’t seen in decades. Idris. Looking as he had the last day Hyeonju saw him—the Fae’s last visit to the Red Dragon. Sounding as amused, calm, and kind as the hybrid recalled. His touch, his words, his expressions—all of it too real and beautiful and too good to be true. Because Idris was not coming back to Kadeu. Hyeonju was certain of that. The hybrid had never been enough for him to stay—the ache from hallucinating Idris was back. Hyeonju dug sharp nails into his chest.

He recalled his own words and actions and feelings. Felt the tumultuous confusion and anger and pain at not being able to understand why he had done and said and felt all those things upon seeing his old friend again. Shame. He felt shame. For seeing Idris in that light and letting his emotions run away. Anger. For whoever had played him like a puppet, using someone dear to him like a toy, and Hyeonju not recognizing the illusion for what it was immediately. Pain. For the inexplicable sense of loss. For he had once again watched Idris fade into the night and become a memory once more. And another emotion—unfamiliar and yet not. He had no idea what to call it. It felt like something bright and beautiful and full of hope had been ripped from his chest. Made him feel like his heart was weeping pools of blood on the sheets of some stranger’s bed and there was no healer who could mend him.

He didn’t want to feel all this. He didn’t want to associate one of the most precious people in the world to him with these emotions, but he couldn’t push them away. Hyeonju had run out of tears a long time ago, but it seems his heart was crying enough for both of them, though he didn’t fully understand why.

Just stop thinking for now.

The hybrid glanced down at the person beside him once more. Their face was buried under piles of blankets, but Hyeonju couldn’t bring himself to pull the sheet back and gaze at the face of some stranger he’d foolishly been magicked into believing was Idris—who he’d slept with because he’d thought it was Idris. Suddenly, he felt sick to his stomach. He’d never been ashamed of sex or those he slept with, but this—this was something else entirely and Hyeonju wasn’t entirely sure he was ready to deal with whatever this was. Gods, this is ridiculous. Get your shit together, Hyeonju.

On silent feet, Hyeonju slipped from bed and gathered his clothes that were strewn about the place. Dressing himself slowly and methodically, Hyeonju focused on each task as if it would cost him his life were he to mess up—if only to keep the memories of last night at bay for the time being. He needed to get out of here and back home to the Vega Gem. Then he could have that crisis he could feel building in the back of his mind.

Hyeonju slipped out onto Kadeu’s streets, took in his surroundings and cursed silently to himself—Of course, I’d end up in Diamond. With a look of nonchalance, he headed toward the Vega Gem. His ears took in sounds of shouting and confusion and pleads for forgiveness. It was coming from alleys and homes and businesses. Hyeonju pitied those taking the fall for someone’s illusion game. He made a point of keeping the faces of last night at bay. Almost home, Hyeonju, almost home.

With a sigh of relief, Hyeonju reached the Vega Gem, strolling through its front doors—only to be met by a sour-faced Alexei. He looked like Hyeonju felt. “Sir,” he greeted half-heartedly, “Can I request the day off. I had a…rough night last night.”

Hyeonju laughed darkly and waved his hand in dismissal. “I’m sure the rest of Kadeu will say the same thing. Take the day off. In fact,” he interrupted himself, “take the week. Tell the rest of the staff I’m not feeling well.” All he wanted was the sweet silence that came with an empty home and the remnants of his dignity in tact as he let the memories tackle him like wild manabeasts. Alexei seemed to sense this and with gratitude, simply nodded, whipped out his amulet to contact the other employees, and saw himself out. Hyeonju locked the door and made his way up to the apartment.

Everything hit him at once. Hyeonju crumpled to the floor of his living room, claws of one hand dug in his chest, the other pressed against his head. He let the memories come. Saw Idris side-by-side with the faces of the people the Fae’s visage had been plastered to. Fuck. He saw the person he’d taken to bed. His stomach roiled. Fuck. He saw a handsome young man—a human by the scent—kissing his cheek and giving comforting words before running off into the night. That man had heard words that Hyeonju knew deep down were words he’d been reigning in and ignoring—words no one was meant to hear. Fuck. There was that beautiful bartender. The acrobat with a smile sweet as the sun after a storm, holding him close and encouraging whatever the hell he’d been doing and saying.

OH FOR FUCK’S SAKE.

He saw Joui’s face, enamored and playful. He remembered flying and feeling like he was reaching for the heavens. He remembered a press of plush lips and how he’d both felt simultaneously overjoyed and disgusted. If he were the Hyeonju of eighty years ago, only one of those emotions would exist, but the building, dawning horror and rage told of how much the hybrid had grown since then. The problem here was that one—he’d kissed Joui—two—he’d kissed his best friend’s lover—three—he’d actually kind of liked it—and four—

Hyeonju groaned, dropping his head into his hands. Whoever cast that illusion—he’d kill ‘em if he ever figured out who’d done it. Unlikely he’d be successful given how powerful the magic was. Because apparently even The Ace of Hearts, a master of mind manipulation fell under it (‘cause there’s no way they’d make out with each other sober and magic-free otherwise). This year was looking to be worse than the last. ‘Cause fucking hell’s bells—

Joui knew about Idris.

[sullivanspade]

A Literal Nightmare

The final glorious note of the performance resonated through the packed auditorium and Sullivan, along with everyone else in the audience, launched from their seats into a standing ovation. Many had tears in their eyes from the emotional ending scene as the applause grew deafening, but Sullivan’s sentiment was much deeper than the casual theater-enthusiast. As if on cue, the gorgeous raven-haired man taking his much-deserved bows centerstage, straightened up and looked directly at him. Sullivan’s heart leapt, thankfully kept firmly in place by the considerable knot in his throat. And, being the dramatic that he is, Sunny then raised his hand to his lips, placing a kiss there before theatrically blowing it in his direction.

Heart on the verge of imploding and any and all inner thoughts reduced to keyboard smash literacy, Sullivan stopped clapping only because he needed to verify that his cheeks weren’t actually on fire. It certainly felt like they were. He couldn’t hide his beaming smile though or the adoration that made his dark eyes sparkle. He felt so special in that moment. Adored and cherished and...loved, as Sunny took a moment to appreciate him when they were literally in a room packed with a vast range of Kadeu’s ranked, who were all applauding in appreciation of Sunny.

A strange but familiar buzzing started and gradually began to rival the cacophonous applause echoing in the room. Sullivan’s euphoria began to wear off as the feeling of hundreds of eyes penetrated his happiness. Suddenly, he remembered it was not just he and Sunny in the room. He reluctantly tore his eyes away from Yongsun and instantly regretted it. He’d never seen or felt so many people looking at him. The room felt like it was beginning to spin and from the corner of his eye, Sullivan’s horror increased when he realized Sunny was gesturing for him to come down...and join him on stage.

Sullivan couldn’t even shake his head in protest before he felt himself LEVITATING out of Sunny’s box. He gasped in horror, flailing helplessly before remembering that hundreds of people were now staring at him if they weren’t already before. He went absolutely rigid, silently cursing Ara for taking it upon herself to include him in this involuntary game of ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board.’

Descending helplessly toward the stage and into Sunny’s beckoning arms, Sullivan did his best to hide behind him as soon as he was placed on his feet. He smiled widely and laughed, seeming to misinterpret Sullivan’s discomfort as his usual coyness and dislike of overwhelming attention. The stage was Sunny’s home. A place where he felt comfortable, but it was certainly not the same for Sullivan. There were so many people looking at him. Too many people. He felt exposed, almost violated now that he was trapped centerstage under the scrutinizing gaze of the audience.

Barred by Yongsun’s impossibly strong arms, Sullivan began to look around at the audience members, both incredibly curious as to who was watching him and afraid to see what they thought. He recognized certain faces immediately, his trepidation mounting as he analyzed their expressions and somehow missed glaringly obvious clues that this scenario was the working of his inner fears.

The first person he noticed was Ara in the wings, smiling beautifully and giving him two enthusiastic thumbs up with unmistakable ‘you’re doing amazing, sweetie’ energy. Gaze traveling toward the front of the crowd, he spied Prospero and more notably, Eva, who was repeatedly yanking on the poor man’s arm and shouting ‘What’s happening?! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!’ He realized belatedly that she was much younger than she should be. Eyes moving directly upwards, Sayge catching his attention.

She stood in her box, arms crossed over her chest and looked incredibly disinterested in the situation that was bordering on traumatic for Sullivan. She was unmoving except for her top hand, which was busily rolling a poker chip over and across her knuckles impressively. The lights on the stage brightened, making it increasingly harder to see, but there was no mistaking the figure beside her. Zuihuo Joui...the bloody Ace of Hearts...completely buck-ass nude, long luxurious black hair draped over his body with strategic Lady Godiva style.

Sullivan’s eyes narrowed as he continued to stare against the intensifying lights. Joui smirked impishly, clutching the journal he’d given him for his birthday as he furiously scribbled down onto paper whatever Sullivan might’ve gleaned from a more expressive expression. The deception left Sullivan distinctly annoyed but sensing from the Ace’s movement that a hair flip of scandalous proportion was underway, Sullivan rightfully averted his precious eyes.

Only to have them land in the box below, where Max was sitting on Bestram Beryl’s lap, his cheek bouncing repeatedly against her bosom as she enthusiastically clapped with her arm around his neck. At this point, the lights intensified to a blinding level. Sullivan let go of Sunny’s arm with one hand to try and block the light but it was no use. He was blind.

The light enveloped him completely, warming him from the inside out. The comfortable sensation starkly contrasted the confusing dream nightmare he’d escaped, so he tried not to question the timely rescue.

“Darling boy, you are ill-prepared for the dark times that await you.”

Sullivan can’t hear the sudden voice as much as he immediately understands the light’s intended message. The words and the light are warm, almost like this entity is smiling at him, but there is something else there too, underneath. Something jagged...wild...dangerous.

“I’ve seen your past. Though they were meddling where they had no right, it seems someone has tried to help you once already.”

Sullivan’s trepidation slowly begins to force its way into the sugar-coated scenario at the revelation that this being has ‘seen his past.’ At the mention of meddling and help he’d been given, Sullivan had an immediate influx of candidates as many, many people have offered him help, but there was only two who had aided him on a ‘magical’ level and only one had been unbidden.

“This is the last of the assistance you’ll get. Never say Shukra didn’t help you.”

Sullivan jolted awake, sitting upright in one fluid movement that pulled a mountain of blankets with him. Gradually he regained his bearings, realizing that despite waking up drenched in sweat and with a massive headache, he was in familiar surroundings. Cold morning light painted hazy squares on the floor of his study. The remnants of a fire smoldered in the hearth to his right, a sleeping Adonis at his left.

Relieved that he hadn’t woken him, Sullivan pulled off his saturated pajama top before returning to his rightful place in the crook of Sunny’s arm. He turned toward him this time, laying his cheek on Sunny’s bare chest, comforted by the warmth and the slow rise and fall of his breaths. The headache, nor the dream would leave him as he absently stared at the opposite wall. He spent much of his free time here, especially in the evenings. The room itself was a canvas for Sullivan’s studies. The walls were painted a deep charcoal gray and covered, at most times from floor to ceiling, with Sullivan’s sketches and scribbles. (I shouldn’t say that. Sullivan has never scribbled a day in his life.)

His eyes focus on one particular section of writing, one that he’d painstakingly transcribed from the grimoire the River Witch had given him. One that he was having a particularly difficult time deciphering to the point that he could translate it. One that now looked unequivocally clear from his vantage point.

Sullivan sat up abruptly, this time bumping Sunny in the process and stirring him from sleep. It was only a moment later when he clumsily scrambled over the chiseled torso in between him and the now legible wall. Sullivan put his palms alongside the text, kneeling as he stared in amazement. His eyes were wide as saucers as he looked around wildly, gasping in astonishment as one by one, the mysteries revealed themselves.

Finally, when the realization had sunken in good and well, Sullivan turned to his confused and concerned partner with all the uncontainable excitement and elation welling inside of him.

“I CAN READ!” he exclaimed, almost overcome with gratitude from this unforeseen ‘divine’ intervention.

Wednesday 11 November 2020; Midnight.

You are sleeping. The dream you’re having halts abruptly and you become aware you’re dreaming. A light appears at the edge of your vision, an impossibly bright, golden light. Even as you turn to look at it you see nothing but a light that feels both like it’s searing your eyes as well as gently warming your very soul.

It speaks to you without words, though you understand it all. “Darling boy, you are ill-prepared for the dark times that await you.” You are still blinded by the light, but you feel as though you’re being smiled at. Yet, you can’t shake the feeling the expression is somehow feral. “I’ve seen your past. Though they were meddling where they had no right, it seems someone has tried to help you once already.” The light reaches towards you until all you see, eyes closed or open, is searing golden light that penetrates your brain. As your consciousness fades you hear these departing words, “This is the last of the assistance you’ll get. Never say Shukra didn’t help you.”

You awaken abruptly, drenched in sweat with a blinding headache. Eventually, you realize something’s changed. Acting on instinct, you fetch the tome the River Witch gifted you. You can now read the ancient demonic language.

You have been blessed by Shukra, Guru of the demons, bestower of knowledge.

[cunningtype]

Not what you would expect

@lukef

Friday 03 September 2024, early morning Diamon Territory, Downtown

Glazed golden eyes came back to consciousness in the morning racket of the Diamond market, the sun shone brightly, not a cloud to be seen. Summer was working hard during its last days and it did nothing for the headache attacking the fox spirit. There, behind piled sacks of rice, lay the wounded body of Soomin, inky fur muddy with blood and dirt. In all honesty, she was fucked. That was the only thing she knew for certain as memories from the previous night flooded her mind before it regained full awareness.

The kind of mission was simple and done a thousand times, find her objective and follow them to their headquarters, see who they contact and who they avoid, keep a close eye on their every move. Iseul was a firm believer in the saying ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’, and he had a lot of them, the Jackass. No one said, especially him, that being his pupil would be easy, not on nights like this when a series of unfortunate circumstances lead to a dangerous outcome.

Soomin was tired, exhausted from not getting a good sleep in days due to working late hours and repetitive nightmares filled with guilt and fear haunting her dreams, so of course she made mistake after mistake. She couldn’t blame anyone but herself when the target lured her into a trap.

“I didn’t expect anyone to ever send such a useless piece of shit. Whoever’s your boss should take care of you for doing such a terrible job, but I’ll do them the favor since I don’t want you tailing me like a stinky mutt anymore”, the pusher in front of her, now surrounded by three more of their henchmen, pointed down with his index and in that moment Soomin noticed there was another one posted on the roof that encircled the dark alley they were in. If she had been well rested none of this would have happened, or at least she would have completely dodged the arrow that pierced her thigh from behind. Falling to her knees, she acted on her survival instinct without thinking and so complete darkness enveloped their surroundings, something effortless in an already gloomy passage. “Where is she?! Don’t let her escape, I’ll make that bitch spit out everything she knows!”

She quickly broke the arrow’s fletching and pulled it all the way out, biting down on her face covering to muffle a scream. Not two seconds later the lights came back alive and only a thin trail of blood was left of her. Luckily, they wouldn’t be able to tell she was a kumiho only by that little trick she pulled, all they saw was a hooded figure, totally untraceable to one of the many foxes that populated Kadeu. She moved around, changing location as far and often as she could so they wouldn’t find her as they traced the nearing areas, but eventually she succumbed to blood loss and mainly the poison infused in the arrow head. Her vision went blurry and her head light, and when she woke up in the morning she thanked each and every deity for keeping her out of sight after fainting behind those sacks.

[lukef]

eyes shut

throw your heart to me

let it fall and hit the ground

your timing was so wrong

well, nothing's gonna hurt me with my eyes shut

tw; death

being born in kadeu probably came with a huge stack of terms and conditions. thing was, no one ever read the terms and conditions, and if they did, they most definitely spared the fine print. when luke was born, he was never offered to read terms and conditions ( he wouldn’t have done it, anyways ). kadeu changed to quickly to even have some. if someone told him what was to come, he would probably have considered regressing to the egg cell and sperm he was created from. creator of said egg cell, his mother, halmeoni, currently looked through vegetables portrayed in front of a booth. she wasn’t as weak as most humans in her age, strong on her own legs without support. but she still linked arms with her way taller son after paying for lettuce and tomatoes ( luke complained about them being sold with the vegetables, knowing very well that they were considered fruits ).

“how is dear cassius doing..?” his mother asked, rather focused on listening than walking, something that nearly caused her to trip. his mother loved the fellow diamond, probably as much as her own son. he chuckled about her question, carefully grabbing her arm a bit stronger when she was close to tripping. “cas is doing just fine. i’m planning on taking him to the academy around next week or so, he really wants to see my powers in action. i have to save some mana for that.” “so no quickly heated up meals and tea today..?” the old woman sends a smile in his direction, then turns around and looks at another booth, this one displaying bread. “you should bring him over more often..! he is such a sweet young man. i should make him food more often. tell him that he’s free to come join us eat anytime he wants. i can make some jjigae this weekend..!” she huddles closer to some soup bowls placed on a table next to the bread. “these are so pretty. i should get cassius some.” “mom.” her talking is interrupted by her own son, who has tears in his eyes from trying to suppress his amused laugh regarding her love for his friend. “you gifted him about five soup bowls for yeon nen, i think he’s fine for now.” he gently pats her shoulder, taking over her bag as she pays for the needed bread and stuffs it between tomatoes and lettuce. luke is distracted by a few bystanders arguing over the last bread, so he turns around for a few seconds and tries to talk some sense into them. in that short amount of time, his mother buys two of the bowls in secret. she’s right, they’re gorgeous, with colorful flowers painted all over them. luke doesn’t notice as they disappear in the bag. when the argument is solved, he offers her his arm again and they wander off in the direction of downtown diamond.

“actually, there’s something i have been wanting to tell you about. you remember hyeonju..? i mean, juju..?” halmeoni scoffs loudly, sending him a gaze that comes close to a glare. “how wouldn’t i?” something in her tone is reproachful, but he got used to it after all the years. “when have i last seen him? twenty, thirty years ago..?” luke shakes his head. “around forty, should be it. so, what i have been meaning to tell you, i recently met hyeonju. he is now a successful jeweler and-”

luke does not get the chance to finish what he was about to say. his mother shushes him, shaking her head. “hyeonju can tell me about it himself when you two are close again.” she smiles, leaving a surprised and confused luke behind as she takes a turn right, in the direction of their grandfather’s house. he hurries after her. “uh, mom, i didn’t say anything about us possibly becoming close again.” “oh, dear luke. fenris. you have always been two great minds that think alike and always will be.” with these words, she cuts him off before he has the chance to say anything else. now he’s the one to scoff, helping her up the stairs while thinking about what she just said. 

he sleeps over at their house that night, with it becoming to late to travel home and his father convincing him to stay. his grandfather leaves them alone for the evening, something he is slightly disappointed but not mad about. he has more time left with his grandfather than he probably has with his parents.

and as his grandfather comes home the next morning, he’s lucky to have him there. because who else would have been able to control the fire that emitted his chest in the middle of the emotional outburst he experienced in his parents bedroom when he went to check on them that morning. he is now sitting at the kitchen table, hands wrapped around his favorite mug, one with painted owls on it. the coffee in it is strong, too strong for luke. his eyes are too dry, his cheeks top puffy to speak clearly. and while he knew that it had to come someday, that he would live longer than his parents, he never prepared himself for the day he’d find them both, arm in arm, hand in hand, asleep.

forever.

[ mentioned: @kadeuxhyeonju | @croupiex ]

[evaxsombra]

Once Upon a December

Kadeu, Club Territory, Abandoned House

30 December 2020, 2200

Snow was falling gently, making the usually dilapidated buildings and streets seem more like a wondrous dream than the rough and tumble faction that Club was. Eva was huddled deep in her Spade-issued winter set, a dark wool coat keeping the frost at bay. Her hand moved the cane to and fro across the path in front of her, pushing freshly piled snow to either side. Her boots made soft crunches with each step, a pleasant sound in the rare silence. Her hair was tucked under a cap, but her bat ears were free, slightly chilled from the cold. Eva could here the soft murmurs of families and friends in their homes and smiled to herself. She loved that sound—the sound of lives being lived.

Eighteen years. That’s not long for most citizens in Kadeu, but for Eva, at this very moment in her life, it felt like lifetimes. She could feel the snow kiss her cheeks as if in greeting, hear the creak of old wood, and the special howl of wind reserved for places long forgotten.

“Mama, Papa…I’m home.”

She greeted the her old home and the ghosts that dwelled within with a soft murmur. Anybody who’d ever seen Eva knew she was always blessing them with a smile made of sun, passion in even the tiniest of movements and words. If they saw her now, would they recognize her? The young woman standing in front of an abandoned, half-felled wooden house, shoulders hunched in sorrow and loneliness, mind as unfocused as her eyes, and cane looking like it’s the only thing holding her up rather than guiding her? Would they know it was still Eva who stood here?

The shifter took tentative steps forward, feet pulling her forward as if they remember exactly how many steps it takes to reach the door (five). Her hand gently rests against the door knob as if it knows how old the house itself is (forty-five years old) and fears it will collapse with a single breath. And when Eva finally enters, her body both tenses and relaxes as if it half-expects to find the two people Eva herself knows will never be there. Like it’s uncertain whether that would be cause for elation or crushing heartbreak.

Eva clicks her tongue against her teeth, the sound bouncing off the borders around her, reaching her ears once more and painting a picture both nostalgic and lonesome. She moved further in, wooden floors creaking and groaning from disuse. It’s clear nobody has lived her in a long time, but Eva knew that already. Every year it’s the same—no one’s ever home save for her.

With a sigh, she lowers herself slowly to the floor, the cold almost immediately fighting to reach her through the layers of clothing. Eva doesn’t mind, though. She likes it, the way it makes her body shiver and remind her that this time there’s no threat of death looming over her head. She’s not the five year old girl from eighteen winters ago, dressed in rags and waiting for her parents to come home like they promised.

She remembers telling Shu-Ling months ago how she was never one to sit still, never enjoy silence—and that was true. But this place was special, like it demanded a certain amount of reverence from the young woman that the rest of the world didn’t. Eva pulled out a small, hand-made lantern from a satchel that hung from her shoulder. It was poorly shaped, she knew simply from running her fingers over it, and she was positive it didn’t look nearly as beautiful as the lanterns sent off into the sky at the beginning of Yeon Nen. Still, Eva made it especially for this occasion and she was proud of it. She placed it on the floor, whipped out a match and carefully guided her hands and the flame to the wick inside. After a moment, Eva could feel the small burst of warmth fill air around her and she smiled.

“Well,” Eva huffed out as she sat back on her palms, “another year without you guys. Are you well?” A pause. Eva continued, a smile in her voice. “I know you guys don’t care much one way or another, but I didn’t tell anybody I came here…again. I didn’t wanna make Prospero feel bad. Don’t get me wrong! He’s an amazing dad and he’s only ever wanted the best for me…but I don’t know if he’d feel great if he knew I was still waiting for you.”

The darkness that was as familiar as her own breath, usually so oppressive, was now comforting, like her favorite blanket. It felt like it was keeping the pain at bay. Her fingers tapped a rhythm against the floorboards. “You won’t believe it. I got promoted to a Four! Look!” She showed off the wrist she knew to have her rank, though she’d never seen it herself. “Does it look as cool as it feels? …I bet it does.” Horse hooves could be heard through the walls. Eva waited until they disappeared. “You know how I’ve been trying to convince Hilo to come to Spade? Well, he finally agreed! But only if I become Ace.” She grinned widely. “That should be easy with how fast I’m moving up. Only twenty-three and I’m a Four. How many Spades can say that? Don’t answer that.”

The silence continued. Eva felt the grin on her face slowly fall. She whispered, “I’m keeping my promise. I’ll become Ace. But I made a promise to you guys to stay here….Does that make me a liar? But you didn’t keep your promise either. You didn’t come back.” A tear slid down the young woman’s cheek. “When are you coming home? You said you’d be home. I’m here. I’m waiting. I’m being a good girl just like you told me to.”

Just like that a wave of sadness and loneliness flooded Eva’s chest, but before she could let it overwhelm her, she sang. It was a lullaby so old, her father had told her he’d long forgotten where it came from.

“Do you want to sing it with me, Evangeline?” Her father asked after putting the toddler on his lap, rubbing her belly in a futile attempt to soothe the hunger pangs his daughter felt. Tear tracks trailed down chubby cheeks, but at the mention of her father’s favorite song, Eva lit up and smiled, revealing gummy backs between small teeth. She clapped and her father chuckled. “Alright. Ready?” Eva nodded. They both took a deep breath.

Dancing bears, painted wings

Things I almost remember

And a song someone sings

Once upon a December

On and on the father and daughter sang, one of deep timber, the other sonorous and high. They sang until little Eva could do it no more. Her eyes drifted close, but reopened at the sound of the front door opening. All the little girl’s energy came rushing back, hunger momentarily forgotten as she smelled the smoky fires and metals that she associated with her mother. “Mama!” Eva crawled off her father’s lap and waddled to her mother, using the sound of stomping shoes as her guide.

“Singing won’t put food on the table Koldo, or in Evangeline’s stomach.”

“It’s the only thing that calms her.”

“You haven’t gotten anymore jobs?”

“None. At this rate we might have to start looking at—”

“No.”

“Altagracia, my love, there’s nothing for us here.”

“Eva would never make it.”

“What if we scouted ahead? I heard from a friend it only takes a few weeks to reach the borders. After that, there’s land and countries that take care of their own. No curse, no fighting, no starvation. Eva could survive.”

Eva sat at her mother’s feet, understanding nothing, but smiling and laughing in a simple, innocent joy reserved only for children. Their eyes watched her with a fondness she could not see, but their voices were warm and concerned as they spoke.

“We can’t bring her. It’s too dangerous.”

“It’s dangerous here.”

“We have friends. Trusted ones. We can ask them to watch her until we return.”

“And if we don’t?”

“At least she’ll be in a world that we know has certainties and people who will help.”

It continued on and on for months on end. Winter approached. Eva could feel in the air the tension her parents carried, though she couldn’t understand why. The day came that they sat the five-year-old down, wrapped in ragged blankets and torn clothes. Eva could only make out their shadowy silhouettes, but their scents filled her nose and brought her comfort.

“You must promise us, Evangeline, you will stay here until we come back.”

“I pwapmis.”

“That’s a good girl.”

“You pwamise to come back?”

“We promise. A kiss to seal the deal, our little light.”

And so they did. But they didn’t come back and Eva found herself succumbing to the frost that invaded her empty home and only the appearance of the family friend saved her from death and solitude that day.

“But I never stopped waiting. I never will. I’ll move as fast as I can through the rest of my life, but you’re the only thing I’ll ever stop for.” The room was slightly warmer now thanks to the candle’s heat, but only just. It was enough, though, lulling Eva into memories too blurry to really recall, voices too faded to make out their meaning. Only the melodies and scents and touches remained.

In the distance, beyond the small walls that contained her pain and confusion, Eva could hear the cheers as Kadeu’s citizens brought in the New Year. Eighteen years since her Mama and Papa left, but at least there was something happy left of them. Eva smiled softly, knowing somewhere in her memories, there were feelings of love and family and a song that stayed with her—their gift to her.

Far away, long ago,

Glowing dim as an ember,

Things my heart used to know,

Things it yearns to remember

And a song

Someone sings…

Once upon a December

[scnreiis]

Friday 16 October 2020; Evening. You arrive at the Olympus Strip to find your manager waiting for you at the door, a worried expression on their face. As they lead you to the back they inform you one of your female dancers is acting strangely. Not only has she been extremely aggressive since arriving, her pupils are dilated and whites of her eyes appear more grey than white. Your manager thinks she may be high on Stallion but when you see her you’re not too sure.

You know this woman is very poor with her money management and is a gambler at heart. You think she may have drank corrupted water and ended up infected. If so, this will be the first real case of corruption seen in a humanoid in Kadeu.

As evening settles over the silhouette of Olympus Strip, it’s owner slips from her fiercest form into the one more accepted by the patrons of her establishment. She coughs a little as she takes her bipedal stance grimacing at the taste of blood left in her mouth from her earlier meal. She always despised shifting so shortly after she’d fed but she was running late on all accounts today and she couldn’t waste time waiting for her food to digest. She had never gotten used to the lingering flavour of some pathetic fool’s aorta on her human form’s palette. It still amazed her how something that was so mouth-watering to her when she looked like her native species was suddenly so bitter and stomach-turning when she wasn’t. She unlocked the backdoor slipping inside and grabbing the canteen and robe labeled with her name from the chest she kept near the back door. Over the past few months, this had slowly become the most expensive little hideaway in the entire building. She swished the liquid between her cheeks and gargled it spitting what was left out onto the pavement before slamming the back door shut and wiping at her mouth with the back of her wrist as she shrugged on the silk feathered garment. It was at a time like this that two things dawned on her: She was lucky to be privileged enough to just waste a precious resource on fixing such a childish pet peeve and she could practically hear her mother’s voice in her head telling her that she was being unlady-like, but that had never been a word that applied to her, anyway. 

For a moment, she was focused on guzzling down half of the remains of the canteen when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see her favourite employee. The manager that she’d hired and instilled a decent amount of fear in. That wasn’t her favourite way to keep up people in check but this guy was so easy to scare that it was comical. She had hired him, of course, for his strength as a Strongarm to keep girls safe but it was their little secret that he was a relatively gentle soul. As she looked up at the man who was nearly twice her size, he bowed gently. Before he was even fully standing, he began informing her of the current tragedy. There was always a tragedy. From dancers slipping and twisting their ankles to starved succubi needing energy before they got on stage and saw men filled to the brim with coursing veins of lust.  The look on his face as he spoke, though, told her that it was something more serious now. His hands were almost shaking as he explained and led her to the private room that the dancer usually began her shift in. The manager had mentioned Stallion and at first, Rei believes him. To say that this dancer doesn’t have the best reputation amongst her co-workers would be an understatement. There were always rumours about her, either from the customers or other dancers so that wouldn’t have shocked her. Her mind begins to doubt, though, as the Manager gingerly swings open the door of the enclose space.

Her first thought? Thank god we got this place soundproofed last month. Why? There’s this sickening loud thwacking in the corner offset by a deep thump. thwack. thump. thwack. thump. It’s almost as if the girl is in a haze, unable to notice the trails of blood now forming on her forearms as her skin breaks against the now splintered and muddied walls of the suite.  ❝ Amneris.... ❞ The Heart empowers her more dulcet tones in an attempt to get the attention of her employee. She’s no fool and part of her immediately knows that this isn’t Stallion and it doesn’t look like any other drug, either. At least, nothing that she’s seen before and being the owner of a strip club and a high-ranking Heart, there’s no drug that exists in Kadeu that she hasn’t seen or tried herself. This had to be something bigger. Despite thinking this is something powerful, maybe even more powerful than her powers could overcome, she tries to appeal to the woman’s looser side, anyway. If seduction didn’t work, there were always other things she could turn to. 

The woman’s ears immediately twitch with an almost inhuman speed, she turns to face Rei. There’s a slight hesitation and for a moment, Rei thinks that she sees some sort of recognition in the woman’s eyes but it’s only slight. Almost before Rei has time to dodge away, the woman lunges at her leaving what looks like a dent in the velvet-lined wall.  ❝ Holy Mother of Hearts, that’s fucked up.... ❞ Baby muttered under her breath. It’s immediately apparent that this won’t be as simple as conjuring some illusion or knocking the woman out. That type of strength definitely wasn’t natural and even worse, it wasn’t something she could fight back against. Strength wasn’t how she won fights. She was quick and skilled at well-placed punches and illusion but sheer strength and what seemed like mind-shredding confusion wasn’t something she’d come in contact with so she didn’t know exactly what to do. Her eyes meet the managers and she nods towards the woman who still seems a little disoriented by her clash with the plywood.  ❝ I’ll distract her with an illusion as best I can but you need to catch her when her guard is down. I’m not strong enough to hold her on my own, ❞ 

A simple nod is all she receives from the man and that’s all she needs. Rei’s eyes close and her body becomes so still, it’s even unclear that she’s breathing. Her ears twitch as if she’s back in her most comfortable form. It was usually her ears that stuck around. The tails and sometimes her claws but almost always her ears. The wiggled back and forth as she focused and then suddenly, her eyes shot open. They had turned from pools of brown to a beautiful pink-ish pearl that matched the fur she was currently missing. This would’ve been so much easier if she weren’t human-ish at the moment. She’d practiced illusion so well to lure men into her grasps as a fox but when she was on two feet, it was never as easy. Still, though, she managed to conjure up enough of her presence to make herself look like she was in three places at once. This mind was a bit harder to effect and this plan definitely wasn’t fool proof but the most she could hope for was that the girl was too far gone to realize that she was being duped. Now, all Rei had to do was hope that the girl didn’t pick the wrong clone.

Just as the thought crosses her mind, the girl lunges at her again and in sheer fear, Rei phases suddenly tumbling across the room and landing in a pile of what looks like black fur and pinkish tails on the ground. She shakes her head a bit as she rises to her paws, there’s still more than one of her and now, the illusions are stronger. They’re more stable for her in this form and she feels lucky for it, suddenly because the girl isn’t sure where to look. She turns her back to the manager for a moment and a shrieking bark leaves Rei’s throat. The ear’s piercing cry seems to drive the woman mad and in that split second, the manager lunges and so does Rei. She pushes all of her force down against her hind legs leaping in the air. While the manager tackles the woman’s body, Rei makes a point of jumping high enough for a well-placed hit to the head and finally, it seems like the woman is down. There’s a small twitch from the woman’s hand that makes Rei take a hesitant few steps back but once it’s clear the threat has been subdued, she shifts back to her human form. As she stands there bare, she looks around the room for her robe that slipped off during the fight and rolls her eyes at the manager.  ❝ Well, don’t stare. It’s not like you’ve never seen a naked woman before. Have you...seen a naked woman before? ❞ She leans over abandoning the thought of the robe for a moment and placing a finger under his chin. She grins as she leans in close, her foot on the dancer’s neck to prevent any unforeseen mishaps, in case, her presence overwhelms the man too much for him to hold the other down.  ❝ Soak it in. I don’t frequent mirrors, but I’m sure it’s quite the view, ❞

Though she plays it cool as she stands straight and struts across the now scattered room for her robe, her mind is reeling. If this girl isn’t on Stallion then that doesn’t leave many options since not many things do...well, this, to a human. She couldn’t be...At least, Rei would’ve been astonished if... Maybe she’s corrupted? But she’d gotten to work without anyone noticing or maybe people did notice and they assumed the same thing that Rei had which was that a human being corrupted was...unheard of. Sure, this phenomenon was new but she hadn’t heard of that before. Still, it was strange and she wanted, no she needed, to know more.  ❝ Restrain her...somehow. She’s unconscious. Be creative. Get kinky or something, ❞ She tied the robe tight as she made her way to her office slinking in and locking the door. Any other disasters would have to wait. 

She pulled out the box that held her Amulet. While it wasn’t exactly a prized possession, as she preferred speaking in person, it was still convenient even if it was so rarely used that it remained in the ornate box it had been given to her in. Normally, she’d have just seen Joui in person and approached him with the woman in tow but the situation was delicate and they weren’t so far from opening time for the Strip. This clearly had to be handled differently and so as she prepared to make the call, she hoped and prayed that this was going to be the first and last time she’d ever have to.

❝ Hey, old man....something’s come up and you’re gonna wanna take a look at this- ❞

[kadeu]

ETIQUETTE 101; MARRIAGE I

Marriage in Kadeu is strongly rooted in traditions hailing from the Old Empire, especially in Diamond and Heart territories where noble traditions were followed. Across factions, it is generally expected that the higher ranked individual be the one to propose marriage. This expectation stems from the Old Empire, where the higher ranked noble family would propose unification between households via marriage. If both individuals are the same rank, the one from the stronger family should be the one to propose but really, either partner has the right to ‘pop the question’ as it were.

Engaged individuals usually trade meaningful pieces of jewelry in Diamond and Heart factions but this tradition has changed to the exchange of weapons or armaments in Club and Spade factions. For jewelry, the higher ranked partner usually proposes marriage by offering their significant other a necklace or a bracelet of fine quality with a gemstone that is the color of the giver’s eyes or hair. This is meant to symbolize giving a part of themselves to their partner. If the proposal is accepted, the partner is then expected to have a piece of jewelry of equal value crafted that represents themselves which they will then give to their fiancé.

While the exchange of weapons is common in Club territory, it is just as common to see jeweled proposals in Spade territory as it is weapons. In Clubs, the marriage knife has seen an increase in popularity over the last forty years. The marriage knife is a small knife hung around the neck and the hilt is decorated with a stone for each child they have. The color of the stone indicates whether the child is male (white) or female (red), and the color of the stone's setting indicates whether or not the child is still alive, and if not, the manner of his or her death, whether in a duel (red) or otherwise (black). If a child is of age for a duel and he or she refuses one, his or her stone is pried out by many Clubs. The stone for the marital partner is usually the largest stone and is set in the handle of the knife. The color of this stone usually matches the color of their partner’s hair or eye color, like the jewelry Diamonds and Hearts trade.

Spades that trade weapons usually trade practical every-day weapons that have their partner’s names engraved either on the blade or on the handle. As many Spades view their weapons as their way to express their individuality while in uniform, some couples choose to collaborate on their proposal gifts so as to get their partners something they’ll actually use. There are also couples that exchange decorative weapons that are then paired together and hung in the family home and used as the new coat of arms for the couple. Spades that exchange jewelry usually opt for tight-fitting bracelets or anklets so there’s no risk of their jewelry interfering with their ability to wield their weapons or move about. Occasionally, instead of wedding bands they will add on to these pieces of jewelry with a matching set.

Many wedding ceremonies are held in Aphrodite’s Temple in Heart territory, but such is not always the case. Sometimes, individuals craft (or have crafted) a shrine to Aphrodite at the location of their choice which they are then married before. This is one of the only tributes to the gods that persisted through the long absence of the deities. That being said, some of these altars are not tributes to the goddess, but are instead called “marriage altars”.

At the wedding, there is a short ceremony, usually performed by a mutual friend or one of the parents. After the exchange of vows, wedding bands are traded, the formal ceremony ends, and the celebration begins.

Professor Magnolia Kim Emitter

[saygeko]

She heard about the water and food issues at the worse possible moment, and with each passing day, the Koi's staff seemed more and more frightened to deliver bad news. A rumor was being spread around the main casino, all of them trying to whisper as low as possible, aware of how Sayge could smell hearsay. 

"She is going to crush the spine of the unlucky bastard bringing the worst message."

"The water, Miss Kō..."  Sayge's piercing glare made the poor man run away for his life. The problem wasn't the corruption on the water or what was causing it, but she needed the vital element for her ponds. Her fish were the first to come to mind, people came after.

She took care of the issue; everyone working for her in any of the three casinos received clean water and a safe food ration when on duty. How they managed after work was not something Sayge could care for, neither was she interested much in doing it. Charity causes weren't her forte, but she felt a responsibility towards her workers, many of them came from other factions and had different rankings. One could say she was as considerate as the Spades Leader bringing help to those in need. Maybe she was doing charity after all, and perhaps it was as good as the one offered at The Joker or in Spade's territory, but just like Jihoon, she did it behind closed doors. She wasn't claiming morality though. What for? She needed them to work and didn't need to hide her intentions with good deeds.

As long as workers didn’t present any symptom of sickness, they could attend and receive the small benefit, but at any sign of unwellness, they were asked to leave. The Koi casino didn't present any difficulty or low flow of customers, highrankers could afford to survive and gamble without hesitation. The Kohaku showed some slow traffic of gamblers but nothing too bad and worked fine. On the other side of the spectrum, the Koromo suffered considerably, lowrankers hardly could survive to spend their money in Sayge's games. The Koromo stayed open nevertheless.

Sayge was nowhere to be seen on her main floor, to risk her health to bring good luck up close wasn't worth it.

The arrival of Vanfeldir's dwarves to Kadeu surprised the Fae, but it didn't affect her at all. How they were surviving or under what roof they were sleeping didn't make her blink once. Many of them felt attracted by the bright lights of her casinos and the coins they managed to obtain ended up in Sayge's pockets. She had nothing to complain about.

The Diamonds, diamonds seemed to be everywhere lately, and though Sayge has a liking and favoritism for some of them, she hasn't been very pleased with the neighbor faction for a while. The Academy exploding made her crack a laugh, but the mention of fires being set by the resistance made her bite her tongue right away. The idea of places burning down to ashes was haunting her sleep and gave her nightmares. The threats coming from the lecher Queen of Diamonds about taking her down to hell was only one of the reasons she was rolling around in bed at night. Being killed was probably the less worrisome of the outcomes, but witnessing her family's business on fire with her own eyes would be the ultimate defeat. Not being able to control her fortune bothered her now more than ever.

Oh, Joui. Revenge was probably one of his favorite words, how wouldn't Sayge know? And if others didn't realize now that making a move against him was a bad decision, then when? Nothing he did would be pacific or in lack of greatness, and if the whole Diamond territory didn't become dust, then the High Fae was showing nothing but benevolence. To steal from an Ace had to be the most idiotic of the plans, to dare thinking it would pass unnoticed, or he wouldn't take action on the offense spoke volumes of how they were not taking into consideration Joui's power and rage.

Joui and Sayi, as he called the Fae since childhood, spent days the same way they did when they were children, or perhaps as similarly as possible, but his protection over her didn't change a bit. His intent of calming Sayge's mind when it was covered by a dark mist and she couldn't see anything but her brother's shadow was her only light. The sun simply shone brighter when he smiled at her.

The younger of the Kō siblings had shown up to bring misfortune to Sayge's world (the way he always did), by reminding her how she still had no heir after over a century of promising her father she'd take care of it, and the days of him taking over the business were approaching. Her brother would be the reason of Sayge's madness sooner than later.

To believe. Deities. Holy beings. To deny their existence wasn't something Sayge could do, not now if others were experiencing contact with them, this not being her case so far. The idea of worshipping beings that did not exist in her realm was out of question. But how humans (mostly) seemed to dedicate part of their short lives to praying for help from something they couldn't see amazed Sayge. They were praying for good fortune, a good life, to a deity whom most of the time (or never) didn't answer back.

Would people build a shrine on her name if she blessed them with good luck? Wasn't the Kō's magic the closest to what they were so fervently praying for?

[cherrykadeu]

The Palace. Diamond’s Theatre District. Aladdin. Before the evening performance.

Alright, so Nari had managed to sneak in. It was easier than she had expected, everyone was so busy preparing for the upcoming show that no one had really noticed her presence yet. Nari was hiding being a rack of intricate clothes, trying to blend in as best as she could as she pretended to be organizing the said clothes, but a loud voice made her head perk up.

“You!” a man she had never seen in her entire life was pointing a finger at her, no one else seemed to really care about was happening as they ran around, there were actors getting ready, others were testing the lightning and sound and Nari was now frozen on the spot thinking that someone had seen through her and that she was going to be kicked out even before the show started. “Come here! Quick!” she quickly took a name badge that was attached to one of the jackets and walked towards the man while pinning it to her own shirt, it was a male name and it was upside down. 

“Does this look right to you?” she looked at the man for a few seconds before leaning in his direction to stare at the piece of paper he was showing her. She narrowed her eyes, trying to understand what the hell he was showing her, was he mad because of a spelling mistake? Oh god, if that was the case, she was doomed, she hadn’t paid enough attention while in school to be able to recognize even the most scandalous mistakes. 

“Yes, it does” she answered politely, the man who had been looking at her in order to grasp her reaction blinked twice before turning his head to stare at the paper once again as if to check that he was actually right. Nari’s confidence throwing him off for a few seconds even as if on the inside she was a completely nervous. A few seconds later the man scoffed, rolling his eyes, before making that piece of paper collide with her chest, the action shocking the kumiho as she clutched to it with her eyes wide. “Fix it” and just like that he left, already shouting and pointing to other people who were backstage.

Cherry turned her body around, her hand was still splayed across her chest holding that piece of paper close to her. She forced herself to calm down, she hadn’t been caught and at least now she knew exactly who she should avoid. 

She didn’t even bother to check what was written on that paper again, she simply crumpled that piece of paper until it looked like a little ball before throwing it into the nearest trash can she found. “Fix it yourself, asshole” she mumbled to herself, an angry pout on her lips as she thought back at how rude that man had been and while it had been a good thing for her that he didn’t recognized the majority of the crew, she couldn’t stop herself from feeling attacked in some way. She had to remind herself that she didn’t really work here and that she needed to keep her head down, however as she looked up, preparing to hide herself again she almost ran into someone. “Oh!” a surprised gasp left her lips as she stared at the beautiful girl in front of her. Could she have heard what she said about that other guy? Was she going to expose her?

“Hi, can I help you with something?” she had repeated that sentence a million times since she worked at The Fox Den, so it came out naturally, however she couldn’t really hide her surprise look as she stared at Ara.

@ara-kadeu​

[kadeuhq]

The pages for Concubi, Demons, and Fae have been updated with the changes reflected below

Concubi

Concubi cross over from a different Realm. This could have been your muse or your muses ancestors, but someone crossed over from the Demonic realm in order for them to end up in Kadeu. Back in their own realm, Concubi are seen as a lesser species than regular demons as they have limited lifespans and are already trapped in humanoid bodies. As they are from a different realm, unless they were born and raised in Kadeu it would be very rare for a Concubus to believe or even know about Kadeu's deities.

Demons

There is a lot of inherent mistrust when it comes to Demons as it is well known that they come from a different realm (like the Fae do). This isn’t helped by the fact that most Demons cross over to Kadeu to cause havoc and ‘play around’ with the ‘lesser beings’ that live there. As immortal creatures in their own realm, many of them border on megalomaniacal and sadistic like the Meths in Altered Carbon: Example.

Note: As Demons come from a different realm, unless they’ve been around for a while they will be unfamiliar with Kadeu’s deities. It would be extremely rare for a Demon to believe in the ‘Gods’.

Fae

High Fae like Zuihuo Joui are something akin to Fae Royalty in their own realm. They tend to be more powerful than regular Fae and some of their customs differ as well. Examples: High Fae usually possess powers rooted in mind manipulation such as: clones and elaborate illusions whereas regular Fae have more tangible powers (creating an elaborate flower garden in the mind vs actually growing flowers in a planter box). High Fae also pride themselves on their abilities and wish to pass them on to as many children as possible so they tend towards multiple sexual partners even if they are married.

Note: As Fae come from a different realm, unless they’ve been around for a while they will be unfamiliar with Kadeu’s deities. It would be extremely rare for a Fae to believe in the ‘Gods’.