Scientific Theory on the Supernatural
Day 22, Dongji, of KPDH Advent Calendar
With Poly!Saja
Tagged: @witchleo21
Okay. Little error on my part. I thought dongji was the dish above, but it’s “a celebration of the Winter Solstice which occurs each year around December 22” (theseoulguide.com). At least I got the date right.
The dish here is called patjuk, or red bean porridge.
Research tells that during dongji, evil spirits are more active, and this dish supposedly has a power that repels them. Talk about an alternative to the honmoon 😂👍🏾
So, what’s there to expect on consuming such dish when around the Saja Boys? Especially when coming up with a hypothesis from knowing all five were originally human in their pasts?
I wanna try, but shouldn’t.
What could happen? I’m not sure.
Will it hurt? Maybe a little? Maybe none at all?
I mean, they were human before, and they still look him even with the patterns and claws. I don’t know…
I’m tempted, though. Looking at this dish and seeing various recipes, it looks so good! I like trying out new dishes and it caught my eye. But, from added research about it… A demon repellent? Learning that, I’m not so sure.
Sigh. I really don’t know. I want to try, but I don’t want to hurt my boys. Hell, I’m not sure if it will hurt them, or is just a plain dish that’s connected to a superstition. Especially when selling your human soul and actually born as a demon are two different concepts in the supernatural life.
I’ve seen demons other than the Saja Boys. They’re not human, and if it’s true, this could protect me from them – and the boys.
I really want to try, though! Maybe because I just ate, but my mouth is already savoring the flavor my imagination conducts. How hot and fresh it must be. The thickness of the sauce. The rice and beans and meat, all cooked under equal preparation.
Who knows what could happen?
I swear, this feels like a science project. Another procedure to verify the scientific theory with a subject for a graded project. A moment to answer an hypothesis: can patjuk really repel demonic activities and figures?
Can patjuk hold back the Saja Boys as much as this mysterious honmoon they mention once in a while?
…
I’m still hungry, my mind concludes as my thumb scrolls recipe after recipe for a satisfying, high-reviewed choice.
What harm could come from it?
.
.
.
At least it’s not that “what could go wrong” cliche, because technically it didn’t. In a way.
“Darling! How could you?!” Romance cries. I’m blinking at the emotional outburst.
“What do you mean?! I didn’t know this could happen!”
“But you did the research, didn’t you?” Baby calls out, pointing at me from his side of the FaceTime call — the only use of communication face-to-face, for now.
“Not intentionally. It was just there when I was looking into it. Besides, I wouldn’t have made it if I knew it would create an invisible force field!” I argue.
And apparently one quote powerful, even from a small pot that can hold about two servings – one for me to try today, and if good, be leftovers for tomorrow. From that led to, what I can describe as, my own ‘mini honmoon’, where the boys can’t get in since they’ve been out for an early rehearsal.
At least it doesn’t hurt them. Physically.
“You gotta dump that demon-blocking menace!” Abby then says. “We can’t get inside because of it!”
Palms out in respect. And slight defeat. “Alright, alright! I’ll get rid of it.”
“You didn’t eat it, did you?”
I freeze halfway standing from Mystery’s question. Confusion sneaks in as I gaze over to his bangs where his eyes are analyzing me. “What if I did?”
“Did you?”
“Ladies first. Answer my question.”
He instead makes a face plant on his palm, the dread starting to come on everyone else’s faces. My confusion just increases. It doesn’t hurt them. Why freak out over it.
“If you ate it,” Jinu then takes over on the answer, “then we can’t go near you.”
Blink. “Can’t… go near me? What do you mean?”
“It’s one thing to have the dish present and to be a barrier similar to the honmoon, but if you choose to eat it, it expands that ability within you.”
Another blink. “For how long?”
“Depends on how much you ate. And until it leaves, we can’t be around you. No kisses, no hugs, no cuddling—”
“No sex,” Baby adds, ignoring the death glare Jinu gives him. Although, the boys around them crumbles a little on the notion.
“That, too,” Jinu then mumbles.
My eyebrows are touching my hairline. This is added research not even humans can learn about let alone something Google AI can find. “It’s that powerful to repel?”
“Yes,” Jinu concludes. “Now, can you please get rid of it so we can come home already?”
I do feel bad for blocking their way back home. They can’t even poof their way back inside because of the dish. Getting rid of it is the best option, especially since it is a little unfair…
And yet, my mind wonders off to stare at the pot on the stove. All warm from cooking an hour ago, unknowingly until confessed releasing a forcefield from supernatural intruders in a harmless appearance. A small serving, and one enough to expand the job through consumption for a period of time. A shield upon shield. Double protection.
“… Huh.”
“Y/N, what are you thinking?” Baby then points out. “You better not be eating that shit on us!”
“I’m… not.”
“You’re hesitating,” Mystery claims.
“Darling,” Romance warns.
“I’m not,” I repeat, a little more aware now.
“Then look at us!” Abby calls out.
My eyes dart over to the FaceTime call, all five sharing suspicion mixing with concern. As though they already know what I’m thinking.
“Throw that pot away, Y/N,” Jinu speaks out their shared thought.
Looking at them a little longer, I soon relax and give a smile of assurance. “Relax, honeys. I’ll dump it out properly so you can come home safe and sound.” I then place a hand over my heart. “I promise I won’t eat it.”
A synchronized release of relief comes out from all of them, small smiles being made.
“Good,” Jinu speaks for them all.
“Anymore.”
Their panic is instant as my grin. “What?!”
“Bye!”
A quick turn off before they could respond, and placing it on airplane mode to avoid rapid calls, I’m looking over back to the pot with a sigh. As delicious as it is, the superstition is true.
“Well, at least the guys aren’t hurt by it. Not gonna see them be killed and head back to Gwi-ma, or worse,” I mutter, walking over and do a little stirring. I bring up the metal spoon, a spoonful of the meal at rest on the surface. Only to transfer into my mouth, my body in delight on the new favored dish.
“A few spoonfuls won’t kill anybody, right?”
Besides, it can be useful for a breather once in a while.
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.
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Reader’s such a savage! 😂
Been a while since I did first person, and will be doing it again in another story!
See you in Day 23!
Three more days before Christmas!
