Moodboard/s : (4/??)

Now Playing: Youth - Troye Sivan

“My youth is yours Trippin' on skies, sippin' waterfalls My youth My youth is yours Run away now and forevermore.

sungjae is great with directions, sure. he’s been in a number of quests as a scout, and to be one, it requires agility, boldness, and a great sense of direction. maybe he’s great with short ranges, yes. but now, after years of being caged in such a confined zone in the woods of the justice kingdom, he’s not so confident anymore. especially now that he’s overwhelmed by the vast lands of eutopia after being casted as a scout. most of the time, if not always, he would get the place right in his missions; he’d pass with a seven out of ten. that is if he’s lucky. today, unfortunately , will be counted with those remaining three.

he’s in a graveyard, he’s not so certain, but there’s an eerie feeling lurking around and his stomach is squirming with acid; he hasn’t eaten for the past five hours. he’s in the middle of an important quest, and he’s just here, casually strolling around, and worst, empty-handed. if only luka’s with him, it would be a hundred times easier. he has relied too much on the kami that he feels so empty without the fox around. his bow and arrow would have been of great help, too, yet it’s under repair in his father’s hands at the moment.

if he had not insisted on pursuing the mission empty-handed, this wouldn’t have happened, yet he realizes this when it’s too late to back out and when he’s completely lost in the middle of nowhere. he doesn’t deny his anxiousness, his fear, not because he’s alone, or at least, not just because he’s alone— he’s been in that state more than enough in his life that he isn’t surprised to find himself in this condition again— but mostly because of this little voice in his mind whispering danger!, this feeling of uneasiness because there’s something wrong here, something foreign. something doesn’t feel right.

he is awakened in his trance when he hears something rustling, movement. something is approaching. his thoughts are pushed into the back of his mind quickly and he zeroes on the sound, his ears perking at the sudden sign of life. he holds his breath. body squeezed between concrete, he ceases his movements, breathing as slow and quiet as possible. his kitsune mask is fitted perfectly on his head, and he stays low, wary of danger. he might often be clumsy with directions, but there’s more to him than that. just like a cunning fox.

he waits a little longer, until something, or rather, someone breaks the silence.

hotaru!

what is happening?

whatever happens, don’t ever touch me.

these… these voices.

come closer, let me hold you in my arms.

i don’t understand.

gin!

it was winter when it all started. the pain was unbearable; it pierced into sungjae mercilessly without warning, seeping into the very core of his soul. he was fragile, as if one single touch could pulverize him into ashes. and it did.

the sky cried its cold, sad tears the day sungjae conjured up the spirit inside him, the very first time he heard his name: gin. he felt the spirit spring into life inside his body, eating him up in the most painful way that he thought that very day, he would breathe his last breath. voices whispered at the back of his mind, short glimpses of his reincarnation’s life stained his eyes. the twelve year-old’s body was too young for the agony disturbing within him, but he was the perfect vessel, the fitting instrument gin chose. his father’s heart weakened in anguish; he could not help his own child in any way, even by simply holding his son’s hand could bring so much pain to the boy.

Well, hi, my name is Emma and I'm an ominiscient narrator in the knowledge kingdom.… I... Hm... I like the mirror of wisdom, scketching and tea, but there's one thing little thing that can really make my day.

It's when the cold wind blows thought my hair, specially in the morning, when I just woke up. My messed hair getting even more messed up, the smell of fresh air, the cold wrapping my body. I really love it.

I left the bed with a smile on my face and, since it was cold, I decided to put one of that dresses that you can't wear when it's hot or you'll melt inside it.

Although I merely had a normal routine, it seems like even ordinary things are better when the weather is just fine. I even decided to play that rematch against a royal advisor even thought I'm already tired of chess.

Everything was going just fine, but unfortunately, that day was going to be ruined soon...It started when I was going to see the mirror, it's just a normal part of my routine, a part that I love. I love to be with the mirror, I love the knowledge I can receive from it, I love how it's always something different and unpredictable.

Sometimes more than I want it to be...

The mirror often tells me storys, about someone, something, sometimes even about a whole kingdom. And this time, the story was about a princess. A smart princess, a kind and lovely one, I already knew a lot of this story since I almost saw her growing.

But I wasn't expecting this end.

The mirror showed the princess lying on the floor surrounded by trees, probably in a florest, her hair was blonde, her eyes blue, and I knew what it meant... The princess was dehydrating, and she would need help.

But the sun was shining bright in the mirror’s prediction, so it probably won't happen today, right?

I left the mirror's room with this thought in my mind, but as soon as I left, I looked through a window and saw... nothing less than THE SUN SHINING BRIGHT.

Oh god! How much time I spent in the mirror's room? I still don't know if what I saw will happen today, but I can't risk it. Let’s just check if the princess is in the castle....SHE ISN’T!

I started running downstairs, there's one florest near the castle, and if my memory is not fooling me, I believe already saw the princess walking there before.  I asked some employeers if they saw the princess, none of them knew where she is.

Due to this situation, I would need water, but I was running against time, so I picked one bucket that a employee left on the ground and just said thank you without explaining anything, I also caught the papers that I left prepared for writing the mirror's wisdom.

Getitng to the florest wasn't difficult, I could run without bumping into someone easily since I already know the routine of almost everyone in the castle, I know what they will do, which path they usually use, and other things like Emily, one of our maids, she always avoid the stairs when she's with a headache, so she usually washes the first floor twice just to delay when she is going to go upstairs. I only had only “problem” I was leaving ice footprints in the floor, and some ice stains on the walls.

Anyway, this is not the point, I started running through the forest, there's a trail so I believed that following it would lead me to the princess. I also took some time to write a small letter.

Even running, I still managed to move in my systematic and metric manner, but the uneven ground of the forest has given me some distress, like when someone drags an iron fork in the botton of a pan.

Luckly, I found a guy in the forest, he was chopping trees, and his face wasn't strange to me... Yes, I remember now, he's the princess's guard right? ... Hm, maybe it'll be a good idea asking him for help.

I approchead running, oh, how I'm hating my dressing choice, these clothes are making my movimentation so difficult.

- Hi. - I smiled, gave him the letter and then started running again.

My bucket if half empty right now, but I believe it can at least give us some extra time.

Letter:

Moodboard/s : (3/??)

Yoon Bora & Ok Taecyeon ; The Princess and The Guard

“You are the only person that’s left. As you would have recalled, I entered the kingdom gates at eighteen. Without much knowledge of the system, I kept you away from my personal life and family despite the many times you’ve mentioned and offered your generosity to them. But, Princess.” “I don’t have a family. I entered the gates as an orphan. I’m sorry to burden you with my problems, I shall escort you back to the palace right away, Princess.” ”

“Will you light up some lanterns with me later?” “I would like to pray and send them up to the heavens where your family is. This is the least I can do for you. Please, don’t try to tell me that I don’t have to do this.” “If I am all that you have, I want them to know that.. you’re not alone.. and never again, will you be.” 

@ettaecyeon

       Taeyeon evened out her clothes, brushed her hair. She sat in front of the mirror, braiding it. She wanted to look fine when she would meet the person she would be with for the next time to come. The person, who owned her currently, told her. He would give her away, trading her in for something else. Maybe it sounded like a sad story but in the end, it was how her life was. She would be bought and would be sold again. She would be treated nicely and terrible from others. She came to an agreement with herself and her life. It wasn't the best and she didn't believe that one day a prince would appear in front of her and rescue her from all the bad -- but she was alive.

       "What are you waiting for? We are going to be late?" The man who owned her said and Taeyeon stood up from the seat, nodded in silence. He was one of the people who was fine with her being mute -- but didn't treat her better as anyone else. She was shoved around, slapped if the mistake was too big but this was probably still better than situations she had before. She stepped out of the room. There were no belongings she had -- she was a slave. No belongings, no life -- and no mind on her own. Taeyeon was now twenty-four and she forgot how to learn on her own with her own mind. She had to depend on others to tell her what her next step would be. She was lost on her own.

       His hand curled around her upper arm, digging into the flesh underneath the fabric of her clothes. She would whine if she would be able to give a sound from her. But the mute little fairy wasn't. She pulled a face from the pain that erupted from her arm but she moved forward. The air outside was cold, rushing through her golden locks. She wondered where she would be going. She wondered in which kingdom she would end up this time or whom she would be sent to. She was curious if she would be treated well or not. But probably she already knew the answer because after all -- she was just an object.

@ettaecyeon

Sighing, little twelve year old Mina sat barley listening to the lesson being thrown at her at the moment. From where she was looking she could see the outside and boy did she longed to be there instead. That was it, she made up her mind. Interrupting her teacher mid-sentence she stood up, saying that she needed the restroom, and walked out of the room. As walked outside she couldn’t help but keep a mischievous smile of her face. Nope, she wasn’t coming back for a while and yeah she’ll get in trouble but it’s worth it.

Walking rather quickly so no one could stop and ask her questions, she entered the forest she had her eyes on every since the lesson started. Once she was sure nobody to see and take her back inside her steps became slower so the essence of the forest could be fully appreciate. What her destination was unknown it didn’t matter anyway. Mina wanted to get lost, the more lost she was the more every pressure she had melted.

Bora never liked the idea of being watched, trapped within the castle walls and being followed by this certain male figure who never seems to get tired of chasing after her and bringing her back inside the castle. It's been like that since she was around the age of sixteen, turning seventeen. She had seen him then. He stood out from the rest and she thought that he was some attractive specimen. But her books were far more interesting than boys. Though she must admit, stealing glances on him made her giggle a little.

That was until she learned that he was going to be her guardian. The one who will never leave her side no matter what happens. It angered her so much. Why? He was annoying but attractive. It was complicated. He was annoying in the sense of not understanding what 'Personal Space' is. She can never go anywhere without him following her. Even when she sneaks out of the palace, he follows her like he was her own shadow. But still, she was a girl and he was a boy. She can never deny that he is attractive despite his strong and intimidating appearance. He makes her nervous when they get to be alone.

Due to her special condition, she had to be in the water at times and at certain times her body craved the salty water of the sea and so he would wait for her return and escort her safely back into the palace. Many times have she screamed due to her nudity from returning to her human form but he didn't seem to budge at all. 

Now here he was again, following her around. 

"Can I go to the beach on my own? I want to see the ships by myself. I want to be alone in my thoughts." She groaned. She didn't have a good day today. "Do you really have to follow me everywhere? Every time?" The question has always been the same since the day he was assigned to watch over her.

"If you weren't assigned to do this, I would actually tease you that you like me!" She jokes out loudly but realized it was backfiring at her with her heart suddenly racing against her chest. "B-But of course! Y-You don't!" She stuttered, hurriedly walking away from him then.