rosavelle | 03 🐣 HYJ: Late January

[After a particular conversation with Yayoi, Yoojin starts spending longer in the Hearthsong Salon (by day) and Stag's Rest Lounge (after sundown), lost in a furious welter of sewing projects. Actually, it's mostly one project redone ad nauseum: lightweight cloths embroidered with that warming charm he's been practicing, to hold or tie over aching muscles to soothe the pain. It isn't even Budwake yet, and he's already working hard.

Of course, this single-minded tizzy of activity isn't solely, or even primarily, powered by altruism. Yoojin's obviously got something on his mind, something that keeps a frown between his brows, a fidget in his leg, and a blush stealing repeatedly across his face and ears. He looks like a rabbit ready to bolt at the slightest sound, but also like he's working through a complicated math problem and finding that the numbers are actually beginning to add up...?

Also, Ororon, Ena, Rose, Bulat, and anyone else who has completed the Meramancers Wanted quest can come to him for their bonus gift. (Or handwave it. I'm easy.)]

[TBH, this is just a reminder that if you're learning Meramancy (or have other performance-related, illusory, or persuasive powers), you can show Yoojin here until March 31st for quest points and a cute li'l felted animal!]

[In the shared courtyard among the royal advisors' barracks, stands... a child. More specifically, it appears to be a pink-haired boy, perhaps four or five years old. The mid-Fallow cold doesn't seem to bother him, but his oddly solemn face remains troubled. Does the Princess have a younger brother? No, surely that would have come up by now.

The boy also has rounded horns, iridescent fairy wings, and magic out the wazoo, for those who might notice such things.

Whether you come across him out in the courtyard, knocking politely at your barracks door, or searching the common areas in Tulip, his steady, golden gaze remains unchildlike and serious--and also faintly nervous in the way that children often are, with strangers.]

Excuse me. Could you help my dad? He overexerted himself again.

[Oh no, a child. Nathaniel tries to remember if they're familiar, but he can't recall that face at all. Although the inhuman features do kind of remind him of his own Brinda...

Also his mention of his dad "overexerting himself" is just worrying in general.]

I'll see what I can do. Macy here-[He gestures at the Carnivine]-knows some medical skills, so she might be able to help as well. Where is he right now?

Oh, hey, nice work. Been practicing something similar for... did I ever mention to you who it was for?

[And here is Nabiki, doing careful embroidery of draconic patterns into a yukata.]

Is this for anyone in particular, or are you just practicing, Yoojin?

[The boy looks at Macy and gives her a small, respectful greeting nod. Despite the composure on his face, his little fingers are twisting together with worry.]

In his room. [He returns his attention to Nathaniel.] It's okay. I left the door open from the inside. But he collapsed on the floor, and... I'm not strong enough to lift him onto the bed. Um, Miss Macy, can you?

Eep!

[Yoojin jumps in his seat, the needle jumps out of his hand, everybody in the club is jumpin', jumpin'.]

O-oh, Nabiki. Sorry, hi, didn't see you there.

[Flushed again, at least this time with an obvious reason for embarrassment, he slides out of his seat to locate the dropped needle.]

Um, no, I'm not making these for anyone in particular. It's for Budwake. I heard people really go all out and get hurt, and I've finally got this pattern down, so I figured. Better help out if I can.

[He's been leaving off the final stitch so he can activate the enchantments during Budwake itself, ensuring they'll be useful for at least a few days of relief. Yoojin finds his needle and picks himself back up, smiling sheepishly.]

You're making yours for Corrin, right? You told me.

[Admittedly, that makes Nathaniel even more confused, since he's pretty sure he'd have noticed this kid in the dorm at some point? Still, he just nods.]

Of course. Lead the way. [Macy floats ahead of him a bit, her vines flexing in preparation for doing the carrying.]

Okay.

[Changeling turns, keeping his wings tucked neatly in so as not to catch them on errant doorframes or furniture, and leads them straight through the open door labeled Han Yoojin. And there's Han Yoojin, crumpled on the floor by his desk, the very picture of "Man Felt Fine Until He Tried Standing Up."]

Dad...

[Changeling flutters over his body to kneel and peer at his face, then shakes his head.]

He's still unconscious. I don't think he hurt anything when he fell, so it's okay to pick him up, right?

[Well that just raises even more questions!] Let Macy check first, just in case. [The Carnivine is already moving to examine Yoojin's limbs and extremities, as well as his head, before she lets out a "Vine!" of confirmation.]

Good, that means he's not hurt except for maybe some minor bruising. [Macy starts arranging her vines in a carrying position, carefully lifting Yoojin onto the bed and shifting his body into the recovery position.]

[Changeling moves back to give Macy room, then pads to the side of the bed when she's done tucking Yoojin's limbs in place. Yoojin's only reaction has been to mumble something soft and unintelligible when lifted. Changeling lifts a hand, hesitates, and then rests it against his father's forehead for a moment. Then he sighs.]

This happens when he uses his skills too much. I didn't think it would happen here, but... without Uncle or that other guy around, he won't rest, I guess.

[He pulls his hand back and rubs at his eyes like he's tired, too, then seems to remember himself and turns again towards Nathaniel and Macy.]

Um, thank you, though. Miss Macy, and...

[Nathaniel winces. Yoojin didn't seem like the type to overwork himself that much, but looking back he can see some of the signs.]

Are those both people back home? [It's mostly a rhetorical question, since the answer's pretty obviously yes.]

I'm Nathaniel Berger. And...I don't believe we've met before.

[The boy nods. Yeah, Dad's brother and That Guy^TM are back home. In the meantime, he drops his gaze and resumes quietly wringing his little hands.]

I'm... Dad hasn't given me a real name yet. He calls me Changeling, so you can, too, for now. [Changeling bows his head and shoulders.] Thank you for your help, Mr. Berger.

[That's a phrasing that sounds kind of worrying...but at the same time, it gives Nathaniel specifically a better idea of what's going on.] You can call me Nathaniel, it's okay. And...I don't remember seeing you around here before. Have you been staying in your dad's room? [He's not sure what the best way to ask "are you one of your dad's monsters he's raising" is, yet.]

Um... no.

[It's a careful answer--not a lie, but one aware it may be raising more questions. He glances at Yoojin.]

I've been sleeping. I have to sleep a lot, because... um, because I'm a baby?

[Okay, that one was a lie. Changeling winces as he says it, like he knows it wasn't very convincing.]

[Nathaniel is pretty sure five doesn't count as a "baby" anymore. Admittedly, his opinion on this is slightly skewed from both growing up in a farming family and in the Pokemon world.

He notices the wince, and it makes him glance over at Macy.]

Well, your dad didn't mention you to me, so I guess I was a little surprised. Is he trying to keep you safe? [Are you secretly a Legendary too...]

He's trying to keep everyone safe. If people learned about me, or other things Dad can do... we could get killed.

[More specifically, Yoojin could get killed. At this point, though, that would also end Changeling's existence. His calm expression scrunches more as he realizes what he's saying isn't very assuring.]

I'm not dangerous. I, I can't hurt anyone. I was only born to help Dad. But... he feels bad about creating me, I think. Because he didn't know I would be a person. Or a child. But, but, he didn't do anything wrong...!

[Oh. It really is like him and Brinda, isn't it. After a moment, Nathaniel kneels down, slowly reaching out a hand towards Changeling. He doesn't want to spook the boy, but he looks like he could really use some comforting.]

I believe you. And that's...not as unfamiliar a story as you might think. You remind me of my own kid back home, actually.

Your kid...?

[Changeling stops shy of reaching out in return; he hasn't interacted with other people very much at all, and Nathaniel isn't someone he "met" while he was forming in his father's chest. But some of the tension in his face and shoulders eases out. He didn't mess up. He hasn't gotten his dad in trouble.]

[ It'd be a lie to say that Rose doesn't care about the gift. She's curious about what it is! But she feels sort of awkward about going to ask for it, so it might take her a little while longer than most. Indeed, she doesn't really seek Yoojin out at all; she just sees him in the Rest Lounge. Rose isn't a regular there. She's not much of a regular anywhere - she just flits about according to whim. ]

Oh, hi! Are you sewing something?

[ She has not yet picked up on the vibes! ]

[Nathaniel nods quietly.] How...how much do you know about my world? About Legendary Pokemon and the God-Hunters?

[He shakes his head.]

I only know about Earth... and a little bit about some other places. If you told Dad about your world, I didn't hear. Being here makes me sleep really hard.

[After a pause, he sits on the floor to listen, neatly cross-legged.]

Is a Legendary Po...Pokémon like a Legendary-ranked monster?

[ Dainsleif is...not familiar with the sight of such an odd being wandering around, but he has seen a myriad oddities in his long-lived life.

Hence, he does not think it particularly odd to glimpse those who cannot be considered among the normal folks.

His expression is given to the usual severe one, even if it is an apparent child who makes an approach. Though, the look in those eyes also makes it clear that even without the differing physical features there is something more to this one. But, even so, there is no reason to ignore this. ]

Very well.

Where is your father?

[Nathaniel sits down as well, legs sticking out as Macy settles down next to him.] In terms of strength, probably. But...your dad mentioned that monsters were new in his world. Pokemon have always been around in mine, for generations and generations, and humans are used to them. Almost everyone has at least one Pokemon companion.

And Legendary Pokemon...there's usually only one of each at a time, and they're important for the balance of the world. Normally...when one of them dies, they're reborn as an egg. But...the God-Hunters wanted to break that cycle. They managed to kill so many Legendaries, and none of them were being reborn. And so many other people and Pokemon were hurt. [He places his burn-scarred hand over his heart, memories of Brian and Ninda flashing through his mind. Macy places a leaf over his hand, looking concerned. After a moment, he glances over, suddenly realizing that this might be a bit too much for Changeling.]

Sorry...is this too scary? [It's been a fact of life, since he was ten years old. He's not sure how scary it is, to someone who doesn't know.]

[Again, Changeling shakes his head.]

Where we come from, things that die... don't come back at all.

[Again, he looks at his dad. A complicated sadness beyond his apparent age--and even further beyond his actual age--weighs his lashes down. He sighs, pulls his knees up to his chest instead, and wraps his arms around them.]

They leave pieces behind, like bodies or fragments, that can become other things... but they don't come back. I know that, and I've seen Dad fight and get hurt so he won't lose anyone else. So I know what it's like, and it's not scary to listen to.

[He thinks about it gravely another moment.]

I'm sure it was scary to live through, though.

Edited 2026-02-01 20:45 (UTC)

[The boy looks a little anxious to be faced with such a stern expression on such an imposing person, but he takes a deep breath and bears up well.]

In the Tulip house. [He points to the barracks he means.] I propped the doors open when I came out, so we can just go in.

[He leads the way over to Tulip's entrance, stoops to pick up the book he wedged in there, and pushes the door the rest of the way open. Inside, Tulip's common area looks much the same as any of the other barracks, except for the lovely calligraphy signs declaring whose rooms are whose. The other door held open with a book is helpfully labeled Han Yoojin.

Changeling opens that one, too, to reveal Yoojin in an unconscious heap on the floor.]

[Nathaniel inches a bit closer, reaching out to gently place a hand on Changeling's knee.] ...it was. Most Pokemon can't come back like Legendaries do, and...Macy was the third Pokemon to join my team, but now she's the one who's been with me the longest.

And...even Legendaries don't remember everything when they reincarnate. My team helped a bunch of scientists who figured out a way to bring back Legendaries who were supposedly permanently dead, and they managed to bring back Zapdos. They...they imprinted on me, so I ended up being the one to raise them. And more recently...they figured out how to take human form, just so they could call me "dad."

[Changeling's wings flutter slightly as he looks up, surprised by the soft touch.]

...Did you... think of them as your child before then?

...not quite. [He has to admit it. He knew they were smart, and he cared deeply for them, and he wanted to raise them well, but it was still more of a trainer-Pokemon relationship.] They were dear to me, of course, as the youngest member of my team. I was shocked, to hear them call me that. But at the same time...it hasn't felt like that large of a change. I'm glad, to have them in my life, to be their dad.

[ Absolutely reasonable, though as expected the blond hardly looks bothered by it.

As it is, Dainsleif has hardly been to the other barracks himself, on account of the fact that he simply tends not to go beyond his own, but today is a different story all on its own.

The man decides to take the opportunity to take in any sort of differences that he may be able to spot upon a dedicated gaze through (of which are not much), without lingering given the obvious

Then, there is a momentary feeling of surprise as he takes notice of the door being held open, revealing who it may be in the first place. He comes even closer, before kneeling down beside him. ]

...This happens on a consistent basis?

[ He asks, beginning to reach out to Yoojin. Getting him onto a softer surface is obviously imperative. ]

[Yoojin seems uninjured and his breathing is steady, but he's unresponsive and overly warm to the touch. The dude is passed the heck out.

In the meantime, Changeling hovers nearby--literally hovers, proving those wings aren't just for show--watchful and worried. He laces his fingers together as he considers how to answer.]

Consistent... it shouldn't. It happened a lot on Earth, because most of Dad's skills are too strong for his body, and he was always pushing himself. In a peaceful place like this, though, I didn't think he'd use any...

[Textile projects are scattered over half the bed, but the other half is clear and provides adequate space to lay out a man Yoojin's size.]

WAUGH!

[Knee: jerked. Embroidery hoop: flung. Basket: toppled. He's beauty, he's grace, etc.]

Ah--sorry, Rose. I was just thinking... oh, but I have something for you!

[Yoojin blatantly interrupts himself and starts pawing through the assorted skeins of wool and felted things that have tumbled out of his basket. It doesn't take long to find what he's looking for. It's as pink as Rose is: a small, fuzzy ball with delicate mesh fairy wings. The felt core of it lights up gently as he offers it to her in both hands.]

Here. The enchantment won't last forever, but it'll glow when you hold it for at least a few days.

...I want Dad to feel like that about me, too.

[He turns his face politely into his elbow to cover a yawn, blinks a couple times. Eepy.]

I was born to grant his wish. He created me with the power to do it. But when I was finally ready, he put what he wanted aside and asked me to protect everyone instead. So now... I have to find other ways to make him happy.

What do you think I should do?

Oh no, I'm sorry!

[ SHE DIDN'T MEAN TO SCARE HIM....ooooh but hey a shiny cute toy? ]

Oh, um...it's really cute. Thank you!

[ After checking to ensure Yoojin has not had a fatal accident, Dainsleif can continue to take proper note of his surroundings, as well as the child (?)'s odd appearance once more (that sure is some hovering.) Questions unfurl at a quick rate in his mind, but Dainsleif is slow to voice them when he is focused on the current scenario in front of him.

First, he carefully picks Yoojin up, and sets him on the clear spot. What a mess... ]

I recall him stating that he was injured, and though he made a decent enough recovery to move himself from the infirmary, a deep enough wound can affect his stamina.

…Especially if the healing process hasn't fully set in—I think he may even have a fever.

[ Leaving a potential young one to care for him in this state is potentially not really pragmatic. He checks again the temperature on Yoojin’s forehead, just to be certain. If he can feel it through his thin gloves, he should at the least get a wet rag or something for draping. Then, he looks back at Changeling, wings and all. ]

Now, I assume you don’t mind keeping an eye on him for a little while as I fetch something? I’ll be right back.

[Wow, that sure is a serious discussion. Nathaniel shifts a bit closer, so Changeling can lean on him if he wants.]

...I know I'm happy when Brinda gets to enjoy themselves as just a kid, not the Legendary Pokemon Zapdos. And I think...your dad would also want you to get that chance. Is there anything you like to do?

[He dips his head more, looking a little embarrassed.]

I don't know. I haven't really done anything yet, besides protect the Earth and help Dad fight. Um... we had to use my power right away when I was born, and I've been too sleepy to come out much since then.

[Shocking discovery! Working to the point of collapse is not actually a productive way to stop overthinking, because then he collapses, gets told off by healers who insists that he rest, and is forced to lie around for a day with nothing to do but think. No Imprintwork, no attempts to reverse-hack his own brain, no hard Budwake labor; he can't even distract himself reading without tiring out his temporarily weakened eyes. It's dumb and boring and he can't stop thinking about Bulat. As he hugs a pillow and waits for his temperature to go down, Yoojin goes over every interaction he can remember and wonders,

Was he serious? Is that possible?

A question that makes his heart race even faster: does Yoojin want Bulat to have meant all those sweet, teasing things? And if he wants it, how badly will it hurt if it turns out he's wrong after all, and Bulat was just joking?

No wonder it takes his fever forever to break.

It's well before dawn on the sixth day of Budwake, and for all his "rest," Yoojin's hardly slept a wink. Sighing at himself, he drags himself out of bed, puts on a loaned pair of glasses, and gets a few things ready.

A handwritten note slides under Bulat's door.]

Can you meet me in the greenhouse before heading out for Budwake today?
I have something to show you and something I want to ask.
- Han Yoojin

[Yoojin waits at his plot in the greenhouse, apparently busy tending to the flowers there, but really taking more comfort from the reminders of those they represent than doing anything useful.

He takes a deep breath in, lets it out, and turns off Resist Fear.

He's going to do this right, or he isn't going to do it at all.]

Haha, it's fine. My fault for being jumpy.

[He starts tidying up the rest of the things he dropped.]

And you're welcome! I wasn't sure what your favorite animal was, but then I remembered those frost sprites. So I tried to make a Rose sprite! I'm not confident about making tiny people, though, so it's just a ball. I'll try harder next time.

[Even through the gloves, Yoojin still seems to be running hot. Determined to help, Changeling nods, takes a long, hot pink cardigan from where it had half-fallen from the desk chair, and alights on the bed beside his father. He lays the sweater like a blanket over Yoojin with a small child's clumsiness, but clear care.]

Yeah! I can watch over him until you come back.

[He finds a clear spot to sit and folds in his small limbs, but turns his attention back up to Dainsleif first.]

Um, if he has a fever, do you think I should try to fan him with my wings?

[ Up early by habit and skipping his usual workout on the grounds that he's been substituting proper work, Bulat wonders how Yoojin's fever is holding up, and if he should take a kitchen shift in order to make him soup.

There's an answer to that very question right there by the door.

A letter. A love letter, even?

Bulat has lived a life of bracing himself for the worst while never giving up hope for the best. Whatever the outcome, while he makes his way to the greenhouse in the gray of the early morning, he greatly enjoys imagining what he wants to hear.

He takes a little detour to check on the plot with the lush red tulips - the solitary viridiflora isn't as large, but seems quite at home in their company all the same.

His approach is stealthy by habit. A deliberate scuff of his boot against the floor gives Yoojin a heads up. He had something more heartfelt to say, but on eye contact - ]

What you wanted to show me - it's not the glasses, is it? Don't get me wrong, though, you look good. Take it from an expert in handsome men.

[ A broad wink, a glimmering smile. ]

[When he hears Bulat's footstep, he straightens and starts pulling off one of his gardening gloves. Then he pauses, blinks, and laughs, adjusting the glasses.]

Pfft, heheh. No. I've been overdoing it with the magic lately, and sometimes that messes with my eyes. They'll be back to normal in a day or two.

[His ungloved hand lingers up by his face for a moment; his eyes similarly linger on Bulat's expression, behind the lenses. Then Yoojin gently, deliberately takes Bulat's hand and turns towards his garden plot.]

This is what I wanted to show you, back here.

[Quite a lot of flowers grow in Yoojin's little patch. There's the display of blues, oranges, and golds at the heart of the plot, which have neither changed nor faded--the spray of colors that remind him of Yoohyun, Yerim, Peace, and the rest. His family, the center of his world.

But other seedlings have sprouted and grown. A climbing morning glory, stubborn forget-me-nots, lilies and geraniums. A showy bourbon rose is absolutely thriving, already halfway up its trellis and decked out in big, deeply fragrant ruffles of blossoms, all in the most vibrant shades of pink. But what Yoojin points out is a much smaller plant growing behind it, almost hidden. A single tulip topped with a still-green, still tightly-closed bud.]

...It's nothing special, but it wasn't growing at all, originally. I definitely didn't think it'd get this far. Doesn't it look like it's going to bloom soon?

[It looks, for all the world, a bit like it's reaching towards the nearest ruffled rose.

Yoojin isn't actually looking at it, though. Before he's finished speaking, his gaze has already returned to Bulat's face, as though there's something else to see that he couldn't before. It has nothing to do with his glasses' prescription and everything to do with a question.

Do you want to be?]

...It was mostly an excuse to ask you to come here, though.

Well...this is a good time to try. Maybe you could draw something for your dad? [Brinda likes sculpting, but he thinks Changeling could probably use something simpler.] If you're not feeling too tired right now.

[He's also curious about the "coming out" part, but he can ask about that later.]

Drawing... I, I can try!

[While he does look tired, he also looks eager. He starts to uncurl from his self-protective posture, wings fluttering slightly.]

Dad probably has a pencil... here?

[He gets up, goes to the desk, looks over what's on it, and picks up a pencil. Then he frowns at the way he's holding it in his hand--in a fist, like any child would who'd never tried before--and makes an attempt to adjust.]

It's more like... this? No, that feels weird... ...Mr. Nathaniel, can you show me?

Just don't overdo it so much you can't make out my face, all right? I know you'd miss it.

[ Said with less of a flirty trill than he might otherwise have used, given the atmosphere. The overload may have been a consequence of having an all-out mind fight, huh? ...Well, if Yoojin got enough out of it that he still felt pushing himself was worth it, Bulat certainly isn't sorry about his part.

His eyes fix fondly on the small tulip, doing its best. Full of potential. It wants to be more than just a sprout, huh? Wants to be right up there and open with its neighbors. The roses have exploded since the last time they stood here together, which seems right on the mark. He squeezes the hand in his, just enough pressure to give it some weight. ]

Sure does - I want to see it in full flower. You had something else on your mind, sweetheart?

[ He's doing some rapid tactical evaluations on whether he should slouch or not. On one hand, it might be convenient to have his face lower if all of his hopes are on point. On the other, he has picked up that Yoojin likes his height. ]

03 🐣 HYJ: Late January - February Catchall

A. oh no oh no oh no (Late January; Hearthsong Salon/Stag's Rest Lounge)

B. Meramancers Wanted (All Fallow, wherever)

C. Is for Changeling (Sometime between Jan. 28th - Feb. 6th; Barracks)

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HOW DO YOU DO FELLOW IMPRINTWORKER

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Gomen, Finch, someday soon I'mma be the one who tags YOU

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D(O IT SCARED). [CLOSED to Bulat] (Feb. 6th, Greenhouse)

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