muffle the titan stomp

when: friday, night

status: closed | @passingthrovgh​

            — Ever since having met Soomin, Leon found himself stopping by Donut Hole either before heading to work to buy his co-workers something to eat, or after his classes on easier days, mostly to check in if the younger woman was settling in alright. He definitely couldn’t relate to moving to a new country and having to start over–I mean, in a way, he could. But he was very young when that happened to him, so it was easier to adapt.

“Hey.” He smiled upon seeing Soomin. “You ready to go?” Leon figured he could either walk her home or grab a bite or a drink if she wanted.

        At first, she was confused and even resistant at Leon’s consistent efforts to stop by. But it didn’t seem like much of an effort on his part. He really is just a naturally nice guy, with a rare, purely gentle soul. Something about him seemed troubled too, but for now that’s where the curiosity ended. Soomin’s not used to having a regular cast of people in her life while she lived her vagabond life, but considering how her privacy is uniquely thwarted in this city, she decided to adapt. Just like she’s learned to do for the past few years. Besides, she’s really warmed up to his regular company, which in itself is a rare feat.

        Soomin removed her apron, rolled it into a ball, and then tossed it into the basket by the kitchen entrance. While washing her hands, she turned to Leon once again.

MEET LEE SOOMIN “JENNY”

AGE: Twenty-four years old

BIRTHDAY: April 3rd, 1996

PREFERRED PRONOUNS: She/her

OCCUPATION:  Baking assistant @ Donut Hole

PLACE OF BIRTH:  Ulsan, South Korea

NEIGHBORHOOD:  North Valley

HAS LIVED IN ASTORIA FOR: Two weeks

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Why did you decide to move to Astoria? Can you tell us a little about the last place you lived in?

“I haven’t lived anywhere for awhile. I just travel. So this year I went to Jeju-do, Budapest, and then Montreal…” She nodded, quietly mouthing other locations as she thought of them, numerous micro-destinations disappearing into a buzzing murmur, “… then I was in Florida right before. For a month. It was fucking humid, but I like humid weather. Their clubs were-” Soomin chuckled as she recalled her misadventures, “-top notch.” Should there be a particular, grand reason why she’s designated Astoria as her next pit stop? She scratched her ear, briefly contemplating her answer. “I dunno. I came from Florida, and I guess I just stuck around long enough with the same view. But I’m still in a beachy mood, and I heard that Astoria has some of the beaches around. “I wanna get some vitamin D, eat at every restaurant here, get out, have fun. Like I have for a few years now. You know, for my mental health.” Suddenly, Soomin leaned forward to her interrogator, displaying a rare, full-dimpled smile. “Hey! You’re a local, right? If I get in, you gotta give me your recommendations. I’ve been craving dan dan noodles.”

Are you coming to the city by yourself, with friends or family? Is it work related?

Soomin’s expression brightened again, relishing the liberty of wandering solo. It’s been years since she’s been tethered to her uncle, but she’s humble enough to count her blessings. “Just me. I also don’t plan on leaving to visit anyone because there’s no one to visit, and I don’t expect any visitors. Although…” She looked around, “… looks like that’d be difficult anyway.” Not like she’s sticking around for long. “I might take up a part-time job here, just for fun, but that’s optional.”

What’s something about your past you could share with others?

How vague. Given the nature of this interview, however, Soomin figured she should impart something a bit personal. “I was a company heir before my uncle kidnapped me when I was eight, forced me to do his bidding as a disgruntled foot soldier, and then came back eleven years later to run that whole thing into the ground and execute my parents. Something I despise him for, and don’t accept, by the way. I’ll explain all that later.” With a nonchalant wave of her hand, she continued on. An answer like that would inevitably require explanation, but the interview’s just gotten started. “Anyway, what’s relevant right now is that I never wanted to be in the business. Ever since I was little, I never wanted the benefits of having the status of an heir, since it meant that I would have to do so much paperwork, meet people I don’t want to meet, wake up at 4am everyday… and treating people like shit seems like a requirement too, and I don’t really have the discipline to do that either.” “It’s also why I’m so comfortable now. When I came back to the estate with my uncle when I was nineteen, I took my mother’s jewelry box before I left. Then I liquidated nearly all of the assets. Not as much as my inheritance, but I don’t feel like making the trip back.”

Please elaborate on any violent circumstances you may have been involved with in the past.

Without concerning herself with tact, Soomin responded coolly, “I’ve been ‘involved’ in a lot of them. My uncle was a hunter before he decided he wanted to get rich and powerful. He kidnapped me when I was about eight years old, then immediately taught me how to defend myself. Then put me in situations where I had to defend myself. He had this weird philosophical idea of how to ‘train’ me.” She smirked, stretching slightly in her seat, physically feeling her freedom. “We weren’t compatible with each other, but he really, really tried. Not that I’m ungrateful for the education.” Soomin elaborated after realizing her implication, “By education, I don’t mean the killing part. I mean things like learning how to take apart and put together entire cars, software engineering, etc etc. You can’t get that with a typical private education.” “Anyway, because of all that, I’ve killed. I’ve hurt people. But that’s because there are some crazy bastards out there, and he set my life up where I would run into them. I wasn’t invested in the violence. Kinda really hated it. I was a minor, though. I tried leaving him many times, but as good as I am at running away, he was way more experienced in catching people. If it was up to me, I’d have been doing what I’m doing now for much longer. I mean traveling, finding good food to eat, you know. So yeah, I was a minor. There’s a reason why courts take that into consideration, right? Lack of autonomy, coercion, all that.”

What are your weaknesses and strengths?

“I’m impulsive, prone to risky behavior, slightly socially awkward, act before I think. I’m pretty bad about ghosting people. I also mentioned before that I’m not really disciplined, so there’s that.” She paused. “I’m not evil, but I don’t know how to define my morals. I’d say I’m not particularly bad or particularly good.” Strongly due to the fact that for so long, she’s been forcefully inundated with a moral code she was never going to employ. Strengths? “I mind my own business. I’m pretty bold, but some people call that a flaw. I have a lotta stamina and I’m practical. I don’t stress about things too much. I’m also good at mechanical sort of things. Fried rice. Cat’s cradle. Languages. Combat. That kinda stuff. I’m also pretty good at drawing, if I say so myself, but I don’t think I’m artistic. I understand math really well, so I learned calculus when I was eleven. I also have a really good memory.”

Your thoughts about supernatural beings.

“Specifically?” Soomin blinked. “I’m not prejudiced. Humans can be just as rotten and dangerous as the supernatural, just in different ways. Fangs, talons, potions, curses… none of that is necessary to be a piece of shit, or to be good at being a piece of shit.” Memories of sitting on her mother’s lap as her mother nonchalantly strategized how to strike down union leaders, and brutally so, flashed in her head. Too vague, Soomin realized. Given what she’s explained so far, she probably has to be much more specific and personal, or they’d never let her in. Maybe even keep tabs on her or something. She didn’t know. Anyway, it was strange to explain so much, but although she wasn’t used to it, she didn’t really mind. “My uncle was equally despicable as a human and as a vampire. That made him a hypocrite, but that’s because he was just terrible. But that doesn’t sway my opinions on either as a species.” Making such a sweeping, emotional opinion has always seemed so exhausting. Look at the graves it led her family to. “I haven’t met a single person that I’ve felt more danger from than from him.” Her last words tumbled out without thinking, and her expression froze for just a second, her stomach slightly churning at her own confession. It was the first sign of insecurity or unease she’s expressed during this whole interview, and it surprised even herself. “But he’s gone. Dead. At my parent’s estate. Wasn’t me that did it though, it was all a big shock to me too. Even if I was invested in settling scores-” Could she really call that a score? “-that one’s gone.”