lunar echoes

"hey, that seems.. unfair," she says, crinkling her nose as another small giggle manages to escape. "because it's very likely that it might fall again." she's honest - especially around yingyue, one of the few people who she feels most comfortable with, someone who accepts her with all of the good and all of the bad. even with her most clumsy of faults. but being able to make light of one's more.. graceless traits, well - isn't that what friends were for?

"oh, what if we make.. s'mores popcorn?" boreum's eyes light up at the idea and she wiggles in her space on the floor - it's certainly not one of her more unique food suggestions, so safe to say it would be something at least edible. and it was popular nowadays to combine salty and sweet snacks together - at least, that's what it seemed like from the trendy posts she'd seen online. "we can melt chocolate and marshmallow and pour it over the popcorn."

as her thoughts swirled, they painted a picture of warmth: cozy and indulgent, a scene bathed in the amber glow of candlelight. “s’mores popcorn,” she clapped her hands softly, the syllables like honey on her tongue, sweet and tempting. sweet and salty—a combination as simple as it was irresistible, and somehow perfect for the moment. “that sounds... perfect,” she nodded, her voice trailing into quiet musings, curiosity threading through her words. “like caramel popcorn, maybe? or kettle corn, but better?” the slight pauses between her thoughts weren’t hesitation—they were an exploration, an appreciation for the possibilities yet to unfold.

He paused for a few seconds to sniff his sleeve, just making sure that the fact that this cat liked him was legit and not because he still smelled like bacon and steak from the diner -- no, wait, he had showered and was wearing completely different clothes since his last shift! Nope, Maomao actually LIKED him! Oh hell yeah, that was a win in his book. "It's an honor to officially meet you, Maomao," he greeted, using his free hand to spoil the feline with scritches to the head and neck and chin. So she didn't usually go out of her way with visitors? Well that certainly made Sparky feel special … to the point that he had a mild existential crisis. Did that mean he was a good person and not the monster or shadow he had been led to believe he was? Or was he just that good at fooling cats? Or maybe that cat just knew he had braised pork in his bag and wanted to butter him up for scraps?

Whatever the case, he was glad the cat liked him, because he certainly liked her! Okay, enough distractions with Maomao -- he was here to cook for his "little sister"! A taste of home, for certain. Standing upright again, he ventured to her kitchen and set the bag on the counter, instinctively moving to the sink to wash his hands after petting the cat (not that he wouldn't have washed his hands before handling the food anyway); trade habit.

"I don't think that sounds boring at all. Dealing with kids especially. Some can get really wild," he explained as he rinsed his hands, drying them on a nearby towel. He returned the counter, removing the contents from the bag and arranging them on the surface -- except for his favorite apron, which he promptly slipped over his head and tied at his back as he had done hundreds of times.

"Today, my friend, we make some good ol' soul food," he began, starting with scanning the kitchen, noting space, outlets, casually opening and closing drawers and cabinets to make note of the location of dishes/utensils/spices/etc. before proceeding with washing the rice, adding and water to the rice cooker, getting that going before anything else. "Some simple braised pork and rice, sauteed bamboo shoots, scallion pancakes, and -- one of my personal favorites -- san bei ji," he explained as he continued prepping the ingredients. "Mom would make that every Saturday night," he said of the last dish, "it's the first thing I ever learned how to make."

the scent of braised pork mingling with fresh bamboo shoots curled through the air, wrapping around her like an invisible thread pulling her back to a time when family dinners were still whole—when the laughter of loved ones echoed in the background. now, that laughter was a distant memory, a faint echo of a past she no longer lived.

"you didn’t have to go all out," her words carried no protest, only deep, sincere gratitude as the realization settled on her like a soft blanket. "but i’m glad you did." her smile softened, almost wistful. "it’s been so long since i’ve had anything close to homemade." her words lingered in the fragrant kitchen air, her gaze resting on sparky, who moved with such calm confidence. she masked the flicker of melancholy beneath her serene exterior.

maomao had fully surrendered to bliss, perched regally by the kitchen’s edge, her soft fur glowing under the warm light as she gently nibbled on the tuna sparky had prepared. each tiny bite was savored slowly, her contentment evident in the soft purrs that filled the air, eyes half-lidded in pure delight. it was as if time itself slowed to let her enjoy the rare treat, her delicate pink tongue flicking out with a grace that only a content cat could possess.

yingyue giggled softly at the sight, her features lighting up with a warmth that mirrored the affection in her eyes. "she knows i don't give her enough tuna," she mused, shrugging lightly as her gaze lingered on maomao, the fondness in her voice undeniable.

(content warning: alcohol!)

"what other flavours do you have?" she probably could have one more but not overdo it. her eyes gazed at the edges of the glass, feeling the condensation beneath her fingertips. a soft, shy smile tugged at her lips. "it feels nice to be able to hear yourself think." she chuckled, letting out laughter more than she normally would. this newer version of herself was foreign territory she was just beginning to explore. "i definitely would like that cup of water now." she crazed something grounding, something pure. while the sweetness of the drink was a quality she quite liked, she needed the clarity of water to wash away the haze creeping in; it felt blurry, cloudy, and fuzzy to be under this feeling.

tw: alcohol

alcohol had it’s negatives, but it surely also had it’s positives. jiha had always been a fan of drinking from the moment he first started, he enjoyed the taste, and he enjoyed the feeling alcohol would give him. though he didn’t want to be a bartender for his whole life, this was a job he didn’t hate. he’d been jumping from job to job until he found this one. in the beginning his cocktails skills hadn’t been the best, but with time he learned, and now he knew a lot of recipes for cocktails in his head.

“alcohol can have that effect, making you forget about the world around you” he shows a smile to the other, watching as she enjoys her drink. “what other flavours we have? like which other cocktails i’d recommend to you?” he hums for a bit “i could recommend you an apple martini perhaps, or what about a clover club, it consists of raspberry syrup” jiha has a million cocktails he could recommend, but it might be a bit overwhelming if he lists them all.

the world of cocktails, once distant and uncertain to her, felt less intimidating with the company of a friend. his recommendations convinced her, that an apple martini, sounded appetizing but that was her judgment, perhaps under the influence. a clover club... another option that she hadn't heard of before. each one was like a petal falling gently, inviting her to step into something unknown but not unwelcome.

"an apple martini sounds… intriguing…" she murmured, her voice still fragile, carried by the wind. "thank you! i'll be drinking that water now." she lifted the glass of water to her lips. the cool, soothing liquid down her throat like a refreshing stream, clearing the fog that had settled in her mind. each sip would be closer to gently pulling herself back to reality, the hazy edges of intoxication softening would need time. but, it was as if the water was slowly grounding her to the present, like rain soothing the parched earth. she could feel the lightness in her head slowly, but surely fading.

her tolerance for alcohol was delicate, a fragile thread easily swayed. so, as much as the allure of the apple martini called to her, its crisp and earthy sweetness tempting her senses, she had to cool the interest that flickered. instead, she sipped more water while carrying on the conversation mindlessly.

he reminds himself that despite her requesting to see what he's got, this isn't about showing off. it's about both of them finding ways to improve their skills.

he focuses too, settling into the moment, that familiar sensation, like he's in another world and time slows. he reacts to yingyue's movements easily, blocking them. he chuckles. "brave." it's not that he expected her to cower. he just didn't expect her to go on offense so quickly, especially from her initial stance.

he considers the next course of action for a moment: let her attempt to break through his defenses again, or go on the attack himself? the first might be more constructive for her, but it's also more boring for him, and of course, when given the chance, jaeyong will choose himself over other people.

her endurance was up for a challenge, but she held steady. the temptation to use her telepathy lingered at the corners of her mind, a whisper he ignored. this wasn't the moment to reveal that card… just yet.

she dipped lower, her feet light as she repositioned herself outside his reach. her hands moved quickly, not strong enough to strike him down but to distract—a sharp, controlled jam aimed at his ribs, intended to make him pause for a moment. she couldn't win in this fight or overpower him in any way, she just needed to reconsider his next move.

"you're strong." she breathed, her voice tranquil, laced with the faintest tease, knowing he wasn't finished. she stepped back, resetting the pace, waiting for him to react next. and it would be best not to provoke him either.

with @dxyingyue ˎˊ˗

the fairy lights are unceremoniously draped over the kitchen chairs - they're tethered together with an assortment of throw blankets, each one a different color and texture, though all seem to somehow come together despite their vast differences. between the lights and the covers, the inside of the blanket fort looks like a cozy canopy, a beacon of warmth and security. boreum quite likes it - the warm gleam from the small bulbs, the thought that both she and one of her closest companions are shielded from the raging outside storm, as though this small fort is the epitome of protection. she's never build a blanket fort before, after all, but she'd read enough about sleepovers online to know that this was a staple for a girls' night. comfy pajamas, an endless array of snacks, wholesome movies and the comfort of sharing late night secrets into the early morning hours - boreum's never experienced such wholesomeness, having struggled the both make and keep friends, but it's better late than never.

"they look like stars," she says softly, fixated on the lights as both she and yingyue laying beside each other inside the fort. she's quite proud of their work, and she'd only knocked down the construction three times before they'd secured it enough for the two of them to crawl inside. maomao also joins them, curled up between the two girls and softly snoring. "i'm glad we were able to find some." she continues, voice barely above a whisper, as though talking any louder might disturb the sanctuary of their cocoon.

“they really do look like stars,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath, as though speaking louder might shatter the peaceful spell of the moment. she shifted carefully, moving with quiet precision so as not to disturb maomao, nestled comfortably between them. the ends of her lips curled into a soft smile—when was the last time she’d felt this at ease, this safe, where the only thing she had to think about was deciding on their next snack? “popcorn sounds perfect!” she nodded, confirming with a gentle smile. her fingers trailed softly through maomao’s fur, hoping to lull the feline into an even deeper sleep.

“but we definitely need s’mores too! i love s’mores,” she added, her voice overly enthusiastic, unable to contain the bubbling excitement that surged at the thought of gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate. still, she kept her tone hushed, knowing she couldn’t let her enthusiasm get too loud. maomao was far too light of a sleeper for that.

And now?

Sparky had not seen stars this clearly since his escape on the boat, traveling hundreds of miles -- north, always north, following Polaris like the legendary guiding light it had been throughout the all of history. In these moments, hiking along the trail, embraced by nature from every angle, he truly felt overwhelmed -- emotionally, mentally -- though somehow, someway, his feet continued along the trail. His steps may have been a bit slower than usual, but he was managing to keep it together despite the distractions in his soul.

In these moments -- and surely for the rest of his (what is sure to be a very long life), he would be eternally grateful for Yingyue, for bringing him beyond the borders of District X to have this excursion in the wilderness. Perhaps oddly, he HAD been a bit quieter than his usual chatty self since embarking on this hike, occasionally distracted by something but managing to keep his hands to himself by grasping the straps of his backpack (because he did come prepared, of course, snacks and drinks were important). He snapped out of his thoughts, though, as she began speaking of the constellations, his gaze turning away from the sky to look to her, to her gesture, then back to the stars she indicated as a small smile ghosted over his lips. They had something in common, it seemed, with preferring the northern constellations.

"Ah, those are amazing constellations," he concurred to her favorite celestial arrangements, content to naturally speak his native tongue with her. "I think Xuan Wu would be pleased you chose constellations that fall in his domain." He was, of course, referring to the ancient Chinese constellations, lifting his left hand to trace the edges of the Black Tortoise constellation which encompassed the entirety of the northern sky. "Though, what draws you to those three?"

He paused, though, when she posed the question of his own preferences.

her attention returned to the constellations she had always held close to her heart. "i think it’s because they’ve always been there for me," she began, her voice taking on a more reflective tone as her thoughts wandered through the stars above. "even if everything else changes—locations, age, who i am—the northern constellations stay the same. they’re like ancient friends, always watching over me." a nostalgic smile tugged at her lips as her eyes followed the familiar shape of the big dipper. "kind of like ancestors, huh?" she chuckled lightly, the thought of their timeless presence bringing her comfort.

"the first constellation i ever learned was the big dipper," she continued, her gaze softening with the memory. "my father used to point it out when i was little. now, it reminds me of those simpler times, when things weren’t so complicated." her heart ached briefly at the thought of her parents, no longer with her, but she welcomed the memory as a lesson, one she carried through the years. despite the pain, she let a small smile linger, choosing to find solace in those moments of the past.

her hand then gestured toward cassiopeia, the queen in the sky. "cassiopeia has always fascinated me. her story is a warning about pride—that even the most beautiful things can fall apart if they lose their humility." her voice grew quieter, the admiration in her tone mixed with a hint of melancholy. cassiopeia’s story was one of consequences, a reminder that no matter how high you rise, there’s always a cost to pride.

finally, her gaze returned to her favorite—ursa major, the great bear watching over the northern sky. "there’s something about the great bear that feels like a guardian to me," she said with quiet reverence. "it has this silent strength, a presence that makes me feel safe, like it’s always there, watching over everything. it reminds me that even when life feels uncertain, some things remain steady—things that make you stronger because others might be looking to you for guidance." she paused, her guard slipping as she allowed herself to be more open, feeling at ease. "kind of like how i look up to you," she added with a confident grin, her tone warm and sincere.

the more she spoke of the stars, the more she felt tethered to them, as though they were silent witnesses to her journey through life. their presence, constant and unwavering, offered a kind of clarity she often found elusive. with a soft sigh, she let the stillness of the night sink in, her heart lighter as the sky seemed to embrace her.

PAST: training at the pinnacle institute of mutagenic excellence

there are some things jaeyong is fine not being the best at. for example, his literature class in high school. he didn't need to get the best grade in his algebra class, or be picked first for team sports.

there are other things he must be the best at, though – the things he trained for, bled for, sweated for and cried for. the lessons he learned the hard way – surely harder than any of the other students at pinnacle. he has so many scars to prove it, with nearly every inch of skin on his body bruised sometime between now and his childhood.

part of him realizes it's unrealistic to beat every student at the pinnacle institute in every aspect of their training. the rest of him will try anyway. he worked too hard and suffered too much to be anything other than the best. if he isn't, then what was it all for?

martial arts is at the top of the list of things he must be the best at. his father is a taekwondo instructor. he can't remember a day in his life he's gone without practicing his kicks and hand attacks, or a day in his childhood where he wasn't blocking incoming attacks.

he knows that's why the instructors pair him with the students with a lot to learn sometimes. jaeyong would rather face worthy adversaries, but he also understands the value in being able to teach something. he takes it as a compliment, too.

today, his partner is yingyue. from his observations, she's not terrible. about average, he'd say. she's not very memorable to him in general, if he's honest. he hasn't spoken to her much until now.

"let's spar. i don't really know what your ability is yet. i'll go easy on you," he says.

the glance from jaeyong—her mind was adhering to the temptation to reach out, to trail amongst the edges of his thoughts and mind, to discover his intentions behind his movements before they formed but she dismissed the idea. that wasn't how she wanted to win. not fair and square, to be sure. he seemed to have an enigma in him that displayed the drive to be the best. yingyue wasn't here to pry on him or use her abilities to gain the upper hand. ethics, she reminded herself.

it's important to keep her power contained, she wondered if jaeyong knew that she could slip into his thoughts but she needed to focus on the outcome. "let's see what you've got!" she said, her hands rising into a defensive stance, a small but almost imperceptible grin playing at the corners of her lips. she wasn't here to win but wanted to learn about how to refine herself in the crucible of combat.