SIMPLE & STAGNANT

lilika looked at the talking puppy with a puzzled expression. “what do you mean? i’ll sleep on the bed of course now that i have the chance!” she said nodding her head with a determined expression. “you can come sleep at the end of the bed. since you are so tiny now, obviously you have no use of such a huge bed.” she said pulling the covers over her body. “see yoou tomorrow puppyyeon!”

Lincoln had simply been listening, both because it wasn’t common for Christian to be so wordy when he wasn’t being humorous and overly sarcastic ( or utterly serious ), and because it was a welcome distraction to focus solely on him instead of their surroundings: he preferred not to think about the metal deathtrap loaded up with people, where one person at the very front controlled their fate, and every turn the bus made, and.. other unnerving factors.

So, honestly, he could’ve been listening to the other read out the troubleshooting manual for an internet modem for all he cared. “You know what’s sad? I’m from the U.S. but I don’t even know that much about it. Like, I know the Louisiana Purchase was a thing, but other than that I never really cared to.. care? It’s too big to know and frankly everywhere else outside of it sounds cooler, like you said.” Sitting up slightly, Lincoln reached over to brush one of Christian’s hands away from the book and then turned the page. “Also, that’s been driving me crazy. If I have to stare at those same two pages for any longer, I’m literally gonna end up learning the fucking language, and I’ll be able to write a whole damn book report.”

With that out of the way, he went back to what his friend was saying earlier. “New Orleans seems okay, but whenever I think about it, all I think of is alcohol and partying. I’m sure that’s not fair, but still? France would be lot more cooler to go and visit.” He settled back and rested his head back on Christian’s shoulder before sighing. “I’m less of an adventurer, but you go ahead and visit Spain and China and Norway and all those places, and tell me how it goes.”

       “I wouldn’t say it’s sad. My country is a lot smaller than yours but that does not mean I know everything about it. I think everyone is like that unless it is their job know.” Christian scanned the new pages with absolutely no real interest but again didn’t bother to close the book. “And that is not a job I want... I like history but that’s only to compare it to now. Only reading and studying about a country or culture does not make sense to me. It makes more sense to experience it.” Again, wordy. But Lincoln didn’t seem to mind so far. “Otherwise it’s pointless.”

       He seemed to pause then. Thinking. Didn’t take too much time to do so though because he wanted avoid there being too much silence. “You should visit Dresden one day.” Hopefully the casual way he spoke was convincing even though he was afraid it might sound ridiculous. Lincoln had just said he wasn’t a traveler. “I think you would like it.” A nod followed. “There’s a lot of beautiful architecture and some museums. Nature. Monuments... It has a lot of history.” Christian didn’t elaborate and ended his words with a faint shrug. “Who knows.”

taylor was one of those girls that would suspect everyone that got too close to her. it was a matter of protection, mostly of her heart, but somehow siyang had managed to work his way through her doubts and heart, making her fall completely and madly in love with him.

she was a simple girl, working hard, and even if sometimes she found that siyang seemed to be missing something that made him happy, she never was the one to ask too many questions or even let her mind work through complicated plots. maybe he was just frustrated with his own work. maybe it was actually just her mind.

the girl was supposed to be asleep, long day ahead tomorrow since she had to work, but she had been worrying over where her boyfriend was. he never got home this late, and he hadn’t been answering her texts or calls in a few hours. taylor was used to this meaning that he was in danger, and if he was, she wanted to know quickly so she could help.

as soon as the door opened, she left the bed, sighing in relief. no one else had the key, so there was only one person that could be walking in through those doors. he was walking through the dark, when she turned on the light.

a scream left her lips, as the crimson color surrounded him, making her heart stop beating for a few seconds. he was covered in blood, and this was a sight she never expected to see.

“siyang… oh my god, siyang. what happened? are you okay?!”

       He probably should’ve thought of an explanation before stepping foot into the apartment. But what was he supposed to do? Casually linger around in the streets with the police out there? They’d be everywhere soon knowing that he messed up this badly with one of his victims. Hoping he’d mess up again in the same night while fleeing so they could catch him. He had no time for excuses or coming up with an alibi for Taylor.

       Siyang immediately wanted to rush forward and comfort her seeing the look on her face. But like this? No. He sputtered for a minute before realizing something. She thought the blood was his? Maybe he could roll with that. God she’d worry to death but it was easier to deal with.

       “Yeah. Yeah... I’m okay.” He tugged at his red-soaked shirt with a faint smile. And then...? Where was that grand story he was going to weave? He just looked at his girlfriend for a little while before sighing and dropping the act. He couldn’t lie to her face about this.

       “... It’s not mine.” She’d probably leave him. Call the cops. Or somehow worse, she’d look at him in pure disgust and he wasn’t sure if he could handle that. Right now that’s what he was worried about. His world crashing down because of her. Not whatever happened with the law.

Minkyung was judging him right now. Or maybe she was judging the friend the other kept mentioning. Why was this so-called friend appear to be so cowardly to not simply advise her in person but had to go through an intermediary of some sort just to pass along such a message? Was he too busy to be met in person or was she not important to be given the time to meet yet was important enough to be sent someone else to deliver the message. People.

Her eyes widened at the mention of her dreams. Not once she has shared those mental thoughts that disturbed her sleep, keeping her captive and awake at night. That is, she’s ever to wake up from them. Minkyung recalled how hard it was for her to pull away from such dreams, always waking up in her own sweat and having missed almost an entire day. She couldn’t shake away such images even when she’s awake and that’s what made her afraid of slipping into slumber. So how does this person or more like his friend were to know?

Raising her hand for him to stop speaking, there was too much to comprehend. “Wait … I have listened and answered to one of your questions so you have to answer mine before we keep going. Just how on Earth do you or he knows about my dreams? I have not told a single soul and I have not met a professional … Just who are you?”

      Now the conversation could get going better. Haenam hoped the revelation about dreams would give him enough credibility for the rest of what he was saying to not be considered crazy. Not that his earlier words were exactly normal anyway. But it still helped. He nodded when Akiko started to talk and told him that she should be getting in some questions about everything.

       “I’m not technically anybody important to this.” He didn’t mean to sound cryptic but it was the truth. Though he knew better than to leave his answer at that. No reason to keep dramatic suspense for no reason. This wasn’t some cliche action movie. “I’m just the messenger for someone else. But you can call me Haenam.” Despite all the confusion he gave a polite smile to be friendly before the samurai caught his attention again. “Oh, and this is Chikari,” he introduced without thinking about it. He quickly shook his head once he realized the mistake. “I meant that Chikari is the person who wants to tell you all this. About your dreams.”

michiru was glad that he agreed with her and continued to eat just enough to not feel hungry anymore. “yes some of my inventions are still not very stable. i’m always improving them.” she explained to him while placing her chopsticks on the bowl and taking a napkin she wiped her mouth. “i wouldn’t want to work with james bond. i’m a sexy woman, he’d only think about wanting to get in my pants.” she said with a very serious expression on her face. once again , unsure whether what she said was funny or not she decided to play it cool and pretend she was serious.

Instead of blowing off the other’s words, he actually started to understand more of what was going on ( not that he was totally neutral, though, because he really disliked Christian’s wording.. but the point of what he was saying was noted ).

“That’s..” He had no idea what to call it. “It was still messed up,” he decided, standing firm in what he had said previously and determined to make himself heard. “You can’t get mad at me for your actions, and your choices, just because you’re confused. You’re a grown ass adult, and you’ve got the power to do whatever the fuck you want without pinning your problems on other people.” Even though he understood, he wasn’t going to accept that it was right, or fair. “And you’re especially adult enough to know that what you did was stupid, regardless of whatever the hell you’re going through. There’s no excuse for that, and you can’t be putting the blame for all of this on me, like I was.. like..”

His words trailed off uncertainly to silence as he failed to find the right wording, not even sure what he was going to say or allude to in that sentence. However, not wanting to lose his momentum again, he decided to let that thought go unfinished and head moved on with a shake of his head. “The point is that if I’m such a shitty person for you, why do you bother? Like I said, you’re capable of making your own choices. You see how ‘bad’ I am for you, how much I’m apparently fucking up your whole life, but you still came over and apologized.”

With his own words starting to sink in, Lincoln quieted down, his expression turning questioning and almost skeptical ( also, a hint confused once he realized one glaring contradiction ). “.. And you’re still here, talking to me and putting up with me even though you just got pissed at me like a minute ago. You’re still here, maybe angry at me or yourself or I don’t know who the fuck you’re really upset at, but you haven’t left.. It’s not like I’m holding you back or begging you to stay, either.” He strode closer before stopping directly in front of the other, not wanting to allow him to look away or deflect. “And I know you don’t like to waste your time, so what’s all this actually about? You better not lie or shut me out again either, Christian, or I’m fucking done with you.”

       “I--” And then the abrupt response died. Almost instantly. Christian stared at the other in disbelief. Felt like he’d just been punched in the stomach by the words and at a loss of what to say. He’d already been scrambling to think of something to say when Lincoln started to pick apart his reasoning when the threat reached his ears. And he knew it was a serious one. As close as they were, Lincoln wasn’t the kind of person to say something like that and not mean it. There would be no running back. No “I didn’t mean that” later. Nothing. Nothing.

       And the realization of that was more impactful than he’d ever admit. When did the roles reverse? His friend had always been “the clingy one” but now here Christian was. Or maybe clingy wasn’t the right word. Just... attached? Invested?

       He averted his gaze but then looked back to Lincoln once he found what he wanted to say. “... I don’t know.” And he still didn’t know how to feel. And that’s what bothered him so much. A part of him was still defensive and upset about the whole thing. A part of him just wanted this to be over and for things to go back to normal again. A part of him thought maybe it’d be better to go to sleep to forget everything for a good, long while until he had the energy to address it.

       Right now wasn’t the best time or place for any of this but the ultimatum was still crystal clear in his mind. It was there waiting regardless of how caught off guard or pressured he felt.

       “Do you... remember what I told you on the roof?” Christian did. Mostly. Even though he started to fall asleep at the end of the conversation he remembered enough. He remembered how bizarre it was to be vulnerable even just for that really brief moment. “It’s that.” But he also remembered the support. And how much it meant even though he completely brushed it off in the moment to act like nothing was really wrong. “It’s the fact that I believed that until you came along. I had already accepted it. That was it. That was my life. It was all planned out.”

    DESPITE the similarities they have in terms of their abilities, the both of them seemed to have different thoughts about the afterlife and how it may affect the ones who were still in the living, as well as watching them in their ethereal form. But one thing was for sure, she knew it hurt to see those she had left behind grieving about their loss, putting themselves in isolation – which she had admittedly done to herself, despite being alive and well. Maybe that could be how her late parents felt to witnessed their only daughter be in solitude, shutting herself down completely from those who supported her, even if they were not around.  Yes, all of it seemed to be a scary thought, but Ryo had grown used to it.

    SHE shook her head gently and gave a small smile at him. Of course, Ryo respected his thoughts on the topic he brought up, before she took note of his seemingly wavering tone when Haenam answered. “I-I don’t think it’s selfish at all, Haenam-san. It’s okay to not talk about it too, if you feel off about it.” She told him kindly, followed with a faint nod. “I know it’s not easy to do it – to see the ones you leave behind – or even stay in the living for a long time.” She added, taking a few steps down the stairs and took hold of the other’s hand when he needed a validation from her.

  “I understand, Haenam-san. It’s all right.” Ryo reassured him yet again, giving a gentle squeeze on his hand. In the topic at hand, it was no surprise that she would support Haenam, especially when he made a good point about living in both worlds. But at the thought of it, it made her wonder about her choices as well, since she traveled into the other world through astral form. “I-It can be dangerous to be in that situation…especially when there are malicious spirits or people that could use you to do their bidding or to corrupt you to hurt others.”

       He couldn’t help but chuckle faintly at the reassurance. Relieved. It helped that Ryo actually understood what they were talking about and wasn’t someone with no experience who just thought “it’d be so cool to be a ghost and fly around and pull pranks on my loved ones haha!”. He’d heard that too many times. Frowned a little when he held his tongue and couldn’t correct them. But he supposed ignorance was bliss. Better to not know potential negatives?

       “No, it’s alright. It isn’t the most pleasant topic but it’s actually a little cathartic too. I could never really talk about it... It isn’t as if I have a crowd of friends that can relate. Imagine that? The Seoul Association of Mediums and World Walkers. It would make life a lot easier.”

[ SMS ⇄ M'z 👓] That doesn’t mean it’s normal. People call each other “honey” and that’s pretty gross since it’s actually bee vomit or something [ SMS ⇄ M'z 👓] …. Okay so I’m gross and I have weird eyes and I look like a tongue? Also I turn into dust when I come into contact with salt???? [ SMS ⇄ M'z 👓] I’d change your name to Bee Vomit if I wasn’t lazy [ SMS ⇄ M'z 👓] But no keep the other one it’s cute– [ SMS ⇄ M'z 👓] And probably sounds nicer than SHNEKKEHSTEIN or w/e it is

It all seemed to happen so fast. Not only the sudden attack on her defender, but the fact that she was abruptly yanked back by one of the spectators. And all before she could do anything about the fact that an actual fight had broken out! She stumbled back into the person who had pulled her aside and, for a second, felt that nervousness from before. What were the odds that there were two creeps in this bar? But he didn’t seem to have any poor intentions, “You should stand back, Solar. Don’t get involved.” Ah… so he knew her stage name. A fan, maybe? He was a fairly small guy and clearly had no intentions of getting directly involved in the fight that was going on. He had just been kind enough to keep Yongsun from throwing herself in the middle of it… which had, honestly, been her first reaction. He’d probably seen her start to step forward.

The random male kept his hands on her shoulders as the battle continued. It didn’t last long, thankfully. Or, at least, it didn’t seem to last long. Everything was moving so quickly she couldn’t really tell if her perception of time was right. The only time Kim Yongsun properly intercepted was when the guy who had been protecting her got his attack in. The instigator stumbled back and, though it wasn’t much, Yongsun used her powers just enough to push him back a little further, directly into the crowd. Maybe that way he would be far enough away that the fight would end. She should have done more, but that was the best she could do right now.

Thankfully some of the spectators had some common decency. They held back the drunken male despite his attempts to break free of them and go after his enemy one more time. It was then that Yongsun looked back over at her protector (could she still call him that now that everything seemed to be over? She didn’t have a name for him so it would have to suffice for now). Immediately she noticed the blood. He could definitely have been bleeding worse, but that didn’t make it any less awful. Should he go to a hospital? At the very least, he needed a little first aid just to keep the wounds from getting infected or something. She shot a final quick glance back over at the drunken asshole who’d started the whole fight- he had calmed down quite considerably, thank god. In fact, he was already leaving, just as he had been told to do. Not so tough now, was he?

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       Manny wasn’t about to challenge the security guard’s words. In fact he planned to leave if asked to again. The last thing he wanted right now was more confrontation. Especially with someone who was clear headed and no-nonsense in a position of authority. But then? It was his turn to spectate as the mysterious exchange happened between the stranger and the guard. He couldn’t hear perfectly with the music in the background but he could see the change in body language. And the fact that the guard changed his mind.

       “Yeah, no more fighting-!” He was startled when the focus suddenly shifted back to him and put his hands to to show that he wouldn’t be a threat. Or a problem. 

       Once that was over he gave the stranger a questioning look. So...? He figured that was his cue to disappear back into the crowd but apparently that wasn’t the case. Manny was glad for the fact he wasn’t shoo’d away after the whole thing like nothing. Then again that was just his mind throwing out negative scenarios as always. He smiled but then immediately winced softly before covering his mouth with the back of his hand. “Crap...” Yup. There it was.

       “I’m okay.” For the most part. But he didn’t want to make it a big deal. And though he raised his shoulders slightly when she reached out the almost-gesture was still appreciated. “... Yeah. No problem. And don’t worry about it- it’s okay since that guy left you alone.” Better to help and take some fixable damage along the way than sit back and let someone be harassed like that. But he was still somewhat dazed after the whole thing and it took him a second to process the offer. Politeness wanted to insist “no”. He didn’t want to inconvenience anybody. Manny always felt awkward asking for or accepting any type of help for that reason.

A “wurst?” Wurst, worst. Is that a worst? Worst, what? Worst option, worst suggestion… She was just able to hold conversations in English. Her brain had no concept of German. Doe eyes blinked, cheeks heating up at such a surprisingly jovial reaction. Lucy automatically reached out to slide the seemingly offensive cattail away from its more appealing and traditional siblings. Odd as it was, many people actually went this route, though. She didn’t feel quite as foolish once he clarified, but at least that was one potential avenue down.

“We could use both? They mean well, are easy on the eyes, stick some baby’s breath between and I think it would be really nice. A mixture is less monotonous than a bunch of the same type, more personalized and interesting. But. Either would be lovely, with each other or even more of the same for impact.” Lifting the unlucky cattail up by its stem, she playfully waved it in his direction and teased, “Last chance for a beautiful bouquet of these bad boys.”

       “When you put it that way I am very tempted to buy him a bouquet of nothing but them,” he joked. “But then I do not think he would take me seriously. Ever again.” Christian tried not to smile as he thought about it. A sarcastic thanks and a deadpan stare was guaranteed.

       “I like your other suggestion better. The mix with baby’s breath sounds nice...” He crossed his arms and nodded. Glad that progress was being made and the whole thing was no longer utterly confusing. More comfortable in general actually after that bit of joking. “If that’s all then what? I mean if that is everything.” There. That sounded better. “Do I pick a size? Or...?” Or delivery method. But he still wasn’t sure about it so he purposely avoided asking.

“Wow, that wasn’t subtle at all. So you pretty much just don’t wanna listen to me bitch for the next three days?” He tilted his head to look up at the other, contemplating pretending to be offended or not, before he simply gave a shrug and nodded. “Yeah, I understand that.”

Although, that didn’t mean that he would just give up and decide to be a productive member of society with a normal sleep schedule. “But, no, it’s not exactly a ‘need’. What I wanted to get her, it’s kinda big and I’d look like a total idiot carrying it around on the bus. I’ll just, like.. wait until I can order it online, and set aside some money for shipping.” He blinked a few times before turning his head away to yawn, afterwards leaning more of his weight on the other, not seeming to be worried about actually falling out of his chair, and looking back at him with a smile.

“New deal: I go change, we eat breakfast, and then you be a useful friend and sit with me on the couch so I can use you as a pillow. Then, once I get a quick nap in, we go get some caffeine and do whatever. There’s places you wanna go see, right? Like, uhh.. Actually, I don’t know. Is there some kind of Math Museum or Bad Pun Factory around here?”

       “First of all...” First of all this wasn’t fair. Christian adjusted his stance so that he wouldn’t be pushed over before sighing loudly and looking off to the side. He shouldn’t have been even considering agreeing. But it was difficult not to with a very sleepy Lincoln being... what he was being. Why though? He should’ve been immune to this. Had to find a way to be. It was his new mission. “First of all you make me sound so boring.”

       He didn’t want to admit that he really didn’t have anywhere he wanted to go. He’d been in Seoul longer than Lincoln and already visited all the closeby places on his bucket list. And if it wasn’t unique then he’d already seen all of the city 10 times over anyway. A math museum actually sounded kind of interesting if there was some history or exhibits talking about when it was 1st made a subject and how it progressed from the very beginning compared in different countries and... Wow. He gave Lincoln a subtle glare for being right about him.

       Strike 2 of unfairness and they hadn’t even been awake a full hour yet.

       “I am... very hurt.” Sarcasm at its finest. “So I’m going to say “no” to a nap. We are going to eat and then go out.” And what? He had no actual plan. “We can... go jogging. It will wake you right up.” And then he was about to say more before he heard the front door start to open.

       Welp. The annoying family member had returned.

that girl sure talked too much. lilika didn’t like her at all and once again she was spouting the nonsense regarding harry potter. that again. hayeon was lucky she didn’t mention something like that in front of her twin. she would have been not only a puppy, but probably a teddy by now and she would be burning inside an active underwater volcano. “there is no pact. don’t mention harry potter. we just give our witch’s honor that we will do something and it is enough.” she said with a not very pleasant expression. “and if you bark all night i will turn you into a lamp! then you won’t even be able to talk! so be patient. let’s rest and tomorrow i’ll fix you when i remember how.”

“i don’t think that i would be able to do what you are saying.” michiru said and ate once again. “if they found about about three of my inventions i’d probably be the number one persont to kill for every secret spy organization.” she laughed out loudly and continued to eat. “don’t worry i have smoke bombs and various other objects to use. but you know id rather not make a big fuss. we are not after the small fry. we are after their head!”

       “I’m not so sure about America. That would be... strange.” Christian continued to look at the book he’d been reading even though he hadn’t actually read anything for the past hour. Conversation predictably took over again during the long bus trip. “Isn’t a lot of it just mixes of other cultures anyway? I would rather visit Italy again instead of going somewhere with Italian influence. It makes more sense. I could get the full experience instead of a version of it.”

       He already knew Lincoln wouldn’t take the opinion personally so he wasn’t worried about picking his words carefully. Not that he usually did anyway. But exceptions had been made in the past... Just not this time around. “Would you rather visit New Orleans or France itself?” Christian finally closed the book and turned his head towards Lincoln. Though he couldn’t face him completely since they were sitting so close together. AKA Christian had resumed his role as a pillow. Again. “Not that New Orleans sounds bad... Actually? I would visit both. That was a bad example. I heard it’s very unique even though it came from France.”

She whined in her place, her hand trying to brush him away from her. “Come on, I won’t give you coffee right now! I gotta go pay this bill!” There she was like the crazy person she was. Gongshil seemed always a hot mess, the ghosts in her life made her less and less interested in getting herself looking straight in any way. Her hair was a mess, her clothes always too big. That day she was using a dress that would be easily mistaken as a sleeping outfit. Although that wasn’t, it was just her look making it look like that. Going through the park she kept trying to shoo the ghost away. “I said STOP IT!” Her hand went high in the air just in time to hit someone that seemed distracted while passing by her. Just a very strong and nice slap on the tall guy’s face. “Oh! I’m sorry I’m sorry!” He wasn’t a ghost she was sure of that. The teenager looking ghost moved to stay behind her. “I’m sorry it was a fly!” Again the hand creep on her shoulder, she swat it off. “Another one! I am so sorry, is your face okay? Eottoke?”

       Well this was curious. Haenam knew people could be bothered in their homes or certain buildings were spirits lingered. But... wow. He didn’t know if he should be more impressed at the spirit for having the energy to be that annoying for that long, or impressed the woman hadn’t gone crazy yet. Or in this case too crazy. Actually, no. That wsan’t fair. More like overwhelmingly agitated. Understandably. Haenam was approaching to offer his help when...