vexing

[ ... ] A quiet sigh filled her lungs before she was heading over with ease to the other motioning her there. A curiosity was taking her over and he was behind the bar. Did he own it? Slipping into the area that had been freed moments prior by the one calling her to his side; she made a point to raise her eyebrows and look behind her as if looking at the people who had dispersed. “You rang?” She questioned in an almost joking way as he did. “Am I being kicked out or something?” she laughed at this softly, brushing the hair back and tucking it behind her ear. That would be a funny sight.  You’re not having fun?! In MY club? GET OUT. Could you imagine? A light-hearted chuckle left her as she laughed at such a thought. “I’m breaking the rules of not having enough fun, right?” She cooed almost playfully in response to these thoughts.

he waited patiently. knowing full well that being randomly and abruptly motioned over by a stranger behind a bar wasn’t exactly something that everyone would pay attention to, let alone actually decided to go along with. but he liked to think that he had an open and friendly vibe around him, even with everything going on around the club he owned. but he was always willing to take the risk in looking like a giant weirdo. after all, if not here, than where, right?

clicking his tongue in his cheek, namki’s head tilted to the side as he watched with his one functioning eye as the woman figured out what he wanted and that he was, in fact, gesturing to her and not someone else. cue a pleased smile lighting up his face once she started forward towards him, his back straightening up so that he wasn’t just slumped over the bar top looking like some sort of slob. maybe he got a little TOO comfortable at work sometimes. 

an ankle felt around for a stool that tended to roll around back behind the bar before hooking onto it, bringing it deftly to him and allowing himself to plant himself on top of it once she had reached the freed up area, the words spoken making his eyebrows shoot upwards. a paused before a rich laugh escapes past his laugh and he gently slaps the top of the bar, amused more than he could explain at the idea of him kicking someone out over not having enough fun. namki could tell already this one was going to be an interesting person. 

❝ no, but now that you’ve put it in my head, i just might implement that rule. no fun, no entry. but that would take all of my own fun of talking to people away, so... i might need to put a loophole in there somewhere, ❞ he chuckled, a hand motioning behind him to the fully stocked bar.  ❝ what can i get you? on the house. ❞  a rare treat for anyone; drinks were a serious moneymaker in his bar given that he trained his staff to know everything under the sun and then some. 

If there was one place Kenji frequented more than any other, it was Club Aura. He usually found himself there after a week of classes, as a way of treating himself, an enjoyable, but unhealthy habit. Currently, he was sitting at the bar, enjoying what he thought was a well deserved drink after for once finishing an assignment ahead of schedule. 

After visiting the club regularly for over a year, he had become more than familiar with its’ staff. He especially found that he had a lot in common with the owner, Namki, and always enjoyed chatting with him whenever he was around. At the moment, he was eyeing the older male, watching as he was trying to motion someone over. His gaze traveled to the person in question, snickering when he saw who it was. “Hyung, I don’t think you’ll have any luck with him,” he said as he turned to face the club owner. “I’ve seen him around other places in town. Strictly into women, as far as I know.” 

the words pulled namki’s focus back away from his target and over to one of his regulars, an eyebrow momentarily raising before he grinned, realizing that the other knew his occasional tactics a bit too well. but this time had been innocent, he swears. though, he’d gladly admit that the stranger had been his type, not that it mattered.

shifting, he turns his back for a moment and grabs himself a drink, taking his time before moving to lean against the bar once again. ❝ you saying my charms wouldn’t swoon him into my favor? ❞ he asks with a small laugh, now situated so that he was across from kenji, his glass raising to his lips to take a few sips. ❝ its a sad day knowing that my old age has finally turned me undesirable to all sexes. ❞ namki is joking, of course, but he’s never one to pass off an opportunity to be dramatic. 

Minah could only smile at him, because he was right. She was lost and confused but that didn’t seem to dampen her spirit for now. “I was supposed to meet some friends but, they haven’t updated me for a while now so I’m having some troubles finding them.” It wasn’t a big deal, she could either enjoy it since she’s already there or leave, but she didn’t want her friends to think she was some kill-joy just because she lives a better life now. “I’d say you’re friendly for a lost lamb like me but you’ve got the looks of a big bad wolf.” She teases playfully, trying to ease down the tension she felt from stressing herself out in finding her friends. Lifting her hand to gently massage the back of her neck, she looks around some more. Not because she felt uncomfortable with him but because she felt utterly displeased that her friends can’t even check on her. It was annoying and stressful, but again, she tries to calm herself down. 

“I don’t really go to clubs so I’m a bit awkward. Sorry about that.” Minah apologizes with a soft smile towards the male. He was kind enough to strike up a conversation with her when she was lost, so it felt like she should be grateful towards him. It was her nature to be thankful for the little things. “Since I don’t know when they’ll respond to my messages, I guess I can stay here for a while.” She says, nodding her head slightly. “So, what do I call you? The Herder?” Minah stretches her right hand out to him, a westernized greeting when meeting someone new. Instead of bowing to him as she introduces herself. “This lost lamb’s name is Minah, by the way. Song Minah.”

still leaning against the bar top, namki was thankful his hearing hadn’t died yet from working inside the club for so long; he’d long since learned to tune in his hearing to be able to pick up conversation when he needed to and this was certainly one of those times. nodding in head in understanding at her explanation, he glanced around, gaze flickering across the crowds to see if he could spot the companions she might have come in with, but it was a busy night and they were likely out of sight.  a chuckle escapes his lips before he can rear it back in at the comment and he tipped his head, appreciating the idea of appearing like the big bad wolf - especially in his own club. 

a hand reaches up and waves away the apology. he has no time for them when they’re not needed. ❝ don’t apologize. ❞ he crosses an ankle behind the bar as he settles further in to talk, content for the moment to make sure the woman lost that slight air of discomfort that people tended to get when entering a strip club they didn’t really want to be in. ❝ the herder would certainly be another title to add to the pile, ❞ he responds, shifting up just enough to extend his hand and take her own in greeting. ❝ ahn namki, owner of all that you see around you. ❞ with a grin, he gestures around, a boyish grin pulling onto his face.

OPEN STARTER Multiple responses are welcome.

         “Just come, you’ll have fun.”

         Those were the first words she heard from her co-workers. It was a mistake to let that group take sight of a ‘Lantern Festival’ poster and she knew this. She clearly remembered her feet padding softly (but swiftly) behind them, trying to avoid them like the plague only to be flagged down with a hoard of pleads. And so, there she was at the festival, following behind her co-workers who skipped along loudly like children in a playhouse. Minjung had already downed one glass of beer and was holding a second one in her hands, glancing down at its contents as it sloshed around. 

         She was all for festivals and enjoyed music as much as one could enjoy it but she was never particularly close with any of her co-workers and the one she was close with couldn’t be bothered to attend. Breaking away from their group would be a dangerous game to play since they were her ride to and from but she took that chance. It was with a sudden stop in her path that she turned around and headed in the opposite direction—captivated by a booth with bright lights. Thank God, there were games. Now this, was something she could get behind. So the woman stepped up to a game called “Ring the Bell” and waiting patiently behind another who seemed to be struggling before her.

         “Yah,” Minjung started while pointing towards the contraption. “You’re not going to win anything hitting like that.”

                               he was not going to be defeated by this game. he’s already told himself that at least six times, but yet he keeps coming up short every time he takes a swing. was he getting old? or was he just a wimp? either way, he was determined to get a prize from this dumbass game. thats the least he could do considering he had already forced himself to come down to the festival despite knowing he could have just as easily been disappointed in himself within the comfort of his hotel-room-home situation. 

                               the sound of the voice that seemed to be directed at him made him glance over once again and he’d be lying if he hadn’t had to bite his tongue a bit in defense of himself. leaning back, he sighed and tipped his head to look up at the bell as if it was his worst enemy before looking back over at the woman, idly wishing he also had a drink in his hand instead of the stupid mallet. this is what he got for actually going out and trying to socialize and enjoy things; he got sassed and humiliated by a damn carnival game.

                               ❝ my chicken arms are doing the best they can, ❞ he replied in a joking tone, though it was partially true. ❝ never thought i’d be so easily defeated by a bell. ❞  

[open+]

｀、ヽ｀☂ヽ｀、ヽ ━━  halloween decorations lined the streets and in the night like it is, it’s almost beautiful, but he can’t take the time to appreciate it. his eyes are a dark pool as he strolls the streets, barely taking a second to notice the world around him. he didn’t care that his white undershirt was smeared with blood from his split knuckles, having taken relentlessly to the punching bag without protection after losing his match earlier that day. his eyes are rimmed in red, jaw jumping as he grits his teeth and kids stare when they see him like he’s the one in a costume. but it’s not yet halloween, too early for costumes, and he just looks out of place. losing a televised match for the world to see really takes a lot out on a man with as much pride as he has. he hadn’t been paying a bit of attention, quietly seething━ he hadn’t meant to bump into anyone there on the streets, certainly not looking the way he did. his knuckles burn and his mind is static when he looks at the person before him; they’d collided at the crossing sign, the hand signaling it wasn’t yet safe, and sang-yun can’t just run away from his one. “sorry,” he murmurs, his voice a scratch of raw emotion, lifting a scabbed, bruised hand to run through his blond hair to stain it red. “wasn’t looking…” he mutters the excuse tiredly.    

                                night strolls through the streets were one of his more tame guilty pleasures and tonight had been one of those nights where he needed to get out of the hectic scene that took up most of what he did; opting instead for the ambient noise of the world as he just... walks. just walking and thinking. his mind deep into itself.

                                the fun part of times like this was that when he finally pulled himself out of his own thoughts, he tended to have no idea where his feet had taken him. there were more than a few times where he’d found himself totally lost and needing to take a cab home just out of frustration. true, gps on his phone could have guided him back, but most of the time his feet were sore and he was starving. these walks were never short. 

                                an early break caused the train in his mind to screech to a halt though, his shoulder jerking back slightly at the crash of another body into his. eyes refocusing, they instantly turned to look at the other, flicking from place to place to take in everything that told him this bloody mess was NOT, in fact, an early costume. 

                                ❝ no worries, ❞ namki answered instinctively before stepping back just slightly, not bothering to hide the fact that he was looking the other over. ❝ rough night? ❞  a dumb ass thing to say. but he was incapable of not being either blunt or sarcastic. 

To anyone who actually knows Minah, she’s not a party girl and never was. She’s not fond of going to clubs either, having worked in one before. Liquor is not her good friend either. She’s more into sober conversations and making good choices. Apparently, her friends from college are not. They asked her to come to the club, to celebrate a friend’s engagement. “This isn’t the kind of engagement party I would choose for myself.” She mumbles under her breath. Minah sighs, unable to find her friends. Lost, confused and awkward, she stands there clutching her phone in her hands, hoping at least one of them would text her or inform her where the hell they are. 

At the same time, her eyes lock with a stranger’s gaze. He’s got the looks of the guy that most parents would warn their daughters about. He motions his hand at her, puzzled, she blinks and stares for a second, only to look around and point herself. “Me?” She mouths at him before walking towards him without hesitation. Does he know her? Maybe he knows her friends? She wasn’t sure, but still she walks over to him without question and the first thing she asks of him, might be one of the silliest things she could’ve asked a person she just met. “Do you know me?” Minah sounded confused and one might think she doesn’t even know her own name.

                                 after a few years of the business, it had become second nature to tell who had and who hadn’t experienced the unique entertainment of strip clubs. the sideways glances, the tense shoulders, and the general aura of awkwardness tended to make it like reading a book to namki. but still, he was still a business owner, and he’d be damned if he didn’t try to make each person that walked into his establishment a repeat customer - whether it was for his performers, or for the music and the dance floor that existed for patrons as well, or maybe even just for the friendly chatter of his bartenders and staff. most nights involved him being somewhere in the club and tonight the bar was his home; filling in for a sick employee, and giving him a front row seat to everything happening. 

                                without any intended insult, a laugh escaped the man’s lips at her confusion; his lips soon curling into a smile once she was close enough to actually speak to her without having to screech across the club.  ❝ no, but you looked like a lost lamb and i tend to try to herd the flock into comfort, ❞ he answered simply, arms leaning against the glassy black bar top.  ❝ not the place you expected to end up tonight? there’s always one in the group during hen nights.  ❞ his demeanor was friendly and oddly charming, matching the strange accent that still lingered on his words even after the years of living in korea, the smile remaining in its subdued form.

                   before  he  knew  it,  his  eyes  were  landing once  again  on  the  newcomer that  he’d  spotted a  few  moments again,  the  slightest of  smiles  spreading onto  his  lips  as  he  waited  to  see  if  the  other  would  notice his  gaze;  a  hand  lifting to  motion  them  over  and  shoo  away  a  few  lingering  people to  make  space  at  the  edge  of  the  bar,  hoping  to  make  it  clear  that  he’d  like  them  to  come  over  towards  him.  ( — open! )