rosavelle | 01 🐣 HYJ: November Catch-all

01 🐣 HYJ: November Catch-all

((OOC: A general catch-all for stuff Yoojin's doing in November! There are four open prompts up here in the main post, closed prompts to come in the comments below. Want to do something with Yoojin, but the open prompts don't suit your fancy? Ping me in the game Discord or reach out on Plurk

asherdashery and we can set something up!

You can find Yoojin's info here and his permissions here.))

A. Mr. Yoojin, All Contusions, How Does Your Garden Grow? (Everbloom's Greenhouse; from 11/3 onward)

[Yoojin came to Rosavelle with the express intent to relax and recuperate. Yet, after spending a mere 48 hours with neither kids nor kidnappings to deal with, he finds himself at loose ends, restless.

Thus, even though getting around is more difficult than he'd like on his crutches, Yoojin decides to spend the next few weeks slowly exploring the castle grounds.

The first place he visits is the first part of Rosavelle he saw: the Everbloom's greenhouse, lovely in its rose-tinted warmth. The garden plot Yoojin feels is connected to him is overall quite pretty. It isn't arranged with precision, but he still registers pleasing sort of harmony among the colors and shapes. The plants at the center are especially impressive, with flowers of azure blue, cerulean, orange, gold, and all shades of pink.

He smiles as he sets his crutches down and gingerly lowers himself to the ground. He lifts an azure bloom to examine it, then touches a cluster of the perky, tiny ocean-colored flowers that remind him of his ward.]

Hey, kiddos. I miss you. Hope you've all been eating well while I'm away.

[Which might sound a bit odd, from someone who believes the Princess's claim that time in their home worlds won't pass while they're here.

From then on, Yoojin makes it a habit to swing by the greenhouse every day to weed, water, and check for dead leaves and branches, often humming while he works, sometimes murmuring to himself. If he happens to say, "I love you," to a bunch of plants, well, haven't we all seen and heard weirder here already?

Once or twice, he can be found staring up at the Everbloom tree with a much harder expression to read on his face. He doesn't touch it. Eventually, he mumbles:]

So you're the Source of this place's magic, huh...

B. Hizzztory Homework (Amourian Library; whenever)

[Supposedly, the library has a copy of the history text Nadeshiko references in class. Supposedly, it can't have left the room; it's on reserve all month, for use only within the library itself. So where is it? Who stole it?!

One needn't look far for the thief. Snug as a bug in one of those "warm corner" reading nooks the staff has set up, Han Yoojin has clearly succumbed to the Blankie + Boring Book double-whammy combo. He's managed to curl up sideways in his armchair, completely burrito'd not only in the chair's throw blanket, but an oversized, hot pink knit cardigan that clearly doesn't belong in this world.

And he's hugging that history tome to his chest like a security stuffy. The corner of it sticks out of the blankets, poking him in the chin in a way that should be uncomfortable.

The shadows under Yoojin's eyes suggest he hasn't been sleeping well, even amidst this royal luxury. On the other hand, it's his sneepy face today or Nadeshiko's temper tomorrow. Choose Wisely.]

C. Coo Coo (At the base of the Lilac Couriers' Loft; latter half of the month)

[Yoojin's kitted out in a whole hot pink ensemble on top of his castle clothes: knitted cap, mittens, long cardigan, even longer scarf. It must keep him warm and cozy, because he doesn't shiver in the slightest even as his breath mists out in front of him. He watches the messenger doves come and go from the top of the watchtower above, winging expertly amongst the ribbons and charms, cooing and fluttering.

He sighs eventually and drops his gaze, then starts when he notices someone else nearby.]

Oh! ...Hi!

[He covers up his surprise with an awkward smile, turning on his crutches.]

They're cute, aren't they? The doves.

D. A Spritely Sort (Barracks Courtyard; 11/25)

[Speaking of cute: frost sprites. Look at them, they're so little! A handful of them have gathered around Yoojin, who's sitting on a bench in the barracks' shared courtyard, picking off flakes of pastry from a sugar-crusted, danish-looking thing in his lap. A couple sprites are brave enough to dart in and take the crumbs directly from his hand. He grins as he watches them, singing some silly thing he's clearly making up on the spot.]

♪♬ You're little frost sprites, yes, you are
Zipping around, near and far
Have some snacks on me, they're free... ♫♩

[He looks up. Locks eyes. Oh no. You're in this together now. His smile widens even further.]

Help me get these kiddos to the Everbloom tree~! ♬♫♩

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No, that's good information! I don't have a mana sense; I'm going off instinct and experience.

[ A tension in the air that tells him, impossibly, that the old friend sitting across from him wants to take his life. A reverberation in the clash of weapons, screaming that the red-eyed assassin doesn't want him dead and sees no other way forward. The greenhouse feels like it's soaked in something, and whatever it is, it can't be read by a talent honed on the battlefield. ]

I'd know how to deal with this if it were a trap, something too good to be true set out as bait. You get a lot of that, in both the capital city and False Mountain. Some people - and trees, I suppose - are completely genuine, of course! I've seen a good few of those.

[ He likes to think that he could be considered one of those! Aside from, you know. His entire job. People can also be complicated. ]

Still, it's been a while since I've had a no strings attached pat on the head.

[ Figuratively and also literally, because he's so tall. You know who isn't that tall? That's right it's local good boy Yoojin. He gets Bulat's big meaty hand on his head this time. Ruffle ruffle. ]

[He's nodding along with what Bulat's saying--yeah, this place as a pretty trap would honestly make a lot more sense--but then there's a hand mussing his hair.]

Hee-eeyyy!

[Yoojin hops a step to the side on his crutches, then shakes his head in a no-hands effort to restore his hair's normal, generic fall. Harrumphing, he scowls at Bulat.]

If anyone's head's getting patted, it should be yours. [Bulat gets a quick look down and up.] Hm, yeah. Pretty sure I'm older than you, squirt.

[ Ah, the advantages of a hairstyle that can be so quickly fixed with no outside tools. Bulat snickers unrepentantly, and this only increases when Yoojin sasses him. ]

So you're a venerable twenty-six?

Bzzt, nope! You're a whole five years short. I'll be thirty-one by the end of winter.

[Of course, he'd have been offended if Bulat somehow managed to guess that, when he's physically going on twenty-six, yes.]

It's okay, go ahead. Call me hyung.

No kidding?!

[ That's something of a shock!

His skin's in pretty good condition for a thirty year old man who doesn't get enough sleep. Bulat is not the kind of person who needs to say everything that pops into his head without thinking about it. This might be a surprise to some people, because of the things he tends to say anyway. ]

...Well, older men have a certain mature appeal. Feel like looking after me, aniki?

[The usual heat and confusion rise up in Yoojin's face--mature appeal, who, what??--but as his gaze flicks to Bulat, as he loads up some response to stammer, their eyes meet. Yoojin pauses. Then, though the conditions aren't ideal for getting away with it, he activates his most-used skill. It's fitting, perhaps, that they're in the greenhouse. After all, As the Twig Is Bent, So Grows the Tree. A window opens before Yoojin's eyes into what Bulat could be, if nurtured properly.

Yeah. He had a feeling. In Yoojin's world, Bulat would have been a natural-born S-ranker. His stats would be crazy--probably are, even without Awakening. His skills have terrifying names like Hundred Man Slayer.

It probably has been a long time since he had a no-strings pat on the head. Or had anyone checking that he's eaten, or had a good day, or, well, any of the sort of care human beings don't stop needing just because they're big and strong. Maybe people are even scared of him, sensing his power and reading it as danger.

But Yoojin's not afraid of anyone or thing ranked lower than Legendary.

Even though he knows Bulat's just teasing, he smiles and answers sincerely:]

Of course.

[Letting one crutch rest against his side for a moment, Yoojin frees a hand to reach up and clap Bulat's wide, beefy shoulder.]

I'm good for more than a quick poison fix, and we're housemates, so come to me with whatever you need. From now on, I'll take care of you, Bulat. ...Though I'm not patting your head while you've got that much pomade on it, buddy.

[He points to the heart-shaped pompadour, grinning.]

[ Bulat's adept at detecting skills used on him with hostile intent, and there is about as much intent to harm in this case as there is in a omelette. As far as he's concerned, they're staring dreamily into each other's eyes because of a budding mutual attraction! Yoojin does seem like he's looking quite deeply, which adds fuel to this theory.

He's really glad Yoojin seems to be just as forward (or, you know. That blend of forward and skittish that seems to be his brand) when Bulat isn't horizontal and partially helpless. While the rest of Night Raid, at least, doesn't fear him, he does project the attitude of someone who can and does take care of himself, and has for quite some time. He can! But... it's genuinely making his heart flip around in his chest to consider that he doesn't need to. ]

Maybe one of these days you'll catch me with it down. We're housemates, as you said!

[ Eyes wide, a flush staining his cheeks, he's too off balance to make a crack about how he lets it down to sleep and there's therefore a very good way to catch him like that. He might be in trouble here. Good thing he's used to trouble, right? ]

[(Bulat)
(The same page they could be on)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------> (Yoojin)

He laughs, a light and easy thing. Look how flustered he is. Once again, Yoojin's thesis bears out; no matter what, everyone appreciates a little looking after.]

Probably! Heh, maybe I'll have to start getting out of bed earlier to catch a glimpse.

[Not like he's actually sleeping all that time. Hanging out with Bulat would be more fun than lying around missing home.]

Is there a particular reason you style it like that? It must take time.

[ The energy in the air feels so easy and comfortable - flirting aside, Yoojin is just really good company? Most of what Bulat does in the mornings is work out. He's not above dragging others into it, but having a broken leg is a surefire pass to sit back and enjoy the show. ]

The short answer - it's a symbol of my resolve to break free of law and convention, and to make my own choices. It might be harder to maintain than my old style, but feeling more like myself is worth the effort.

[ Someone with a conventional appearance might not quite get it, but there is one way Yoojin stands out a little bit if you don't take his personality into account. Bulat gets ready to catch him in case he overbalances again, and slides his hand riiiight along his jawline until he's touching the earlobe. ]

You have these piercings, here... A little pain was worth the self-expression, right?

[Eeeeeeeep. Oh, how quickly the turns table. Though he doesn't tumble, Yoojin does shift his weight back a bit, startled. The line of his throat, exposed as it is to look up at Bulat, bobs as he swallows. When he glances away and clears his throat, his ears are almost as red as the studs set in them.]

Th-these are items, actually. They boost my mana and have a shield skill attached. [He demonstrates, activating the shield to one side of them. Ooh, shiny.] My... someone I had a deal with gave them to me after I got kidnapped one time, since he couldn't help out then.

[He deactivates the shield and lowers the hand he'd left half-covering his face.]

Still, I get it. Everyone seems stronger when they're not holding parts of themselves back. Happier, too. I like seeing people live like that--like themselves, all the way to the fullest.

[ Oh, that's quite good! In a few senses! A defensive item means that Yoojin can take care of himself in an emergency, aaand it means that if Bulat's advances were actually unwelcome, he could have demonstrated it about ninety degrees this way. Also, it looks and sounds so cool, which is an important aspect of any power! The bright blue lighting stands out sharply among the flowers.

It would be a very opportune moment to truly live life to the fullest, to lean down and in a handspan of inches and go for the throat, as it were. Or the lips. ]

I like that too. I'd like to see you live like that, in particular.

[ ...And it'd be even better if he could get Yoojin to go for him first. Bulat lightly brushes his lower lip with his thumb when he draws his hand back. ]

[There's a moment, as the pad of Bulat's thumb clears Yoojin's lip, when Yoojin's breath catches and it looks like he might understand what's going on.

Then it goes up in a cloud of pink-faced, flustered smoke.]

Wh-what makes you think I don't? [Besides the, uhhhhh, everything about Yoojin.] Look, man, maybe with me, what you see is what you get!

[The suggestion is so patently untrue, it should call lightning down from the blue (but rose-tinted) sky. At the same time, though, Yoojin seems to believe it in some part: sure, he's chock-full of secrets, but there's nothing remarkable or interesting about him that's worth bringing out.]

What I see is already worth admiring, but I've got a good sense for people. There's more to you than a kind heart and a sweet smile.

[ Yoojin's main hobbies so far seem to be caring for people, caring for monsters, and getting kidnapped. He seems to enjoy two of those things! But he could stand to do something nice for himself. Not necessarily having a passionate love affair with Bulat, although that would be a splendid option if you ask him.

He puts his hand to his chin thoughtfully. Considering the face layout, this is technically an indirect kiss, but he's not actually thinking about that right now. ]

How often do would you say you're at risk of kidnapping, by the way?

[Ah. Him and his big mouth. Yoojin hesitates, but upon review, he sees no way to weasel out of answering. At least, no way that doesn't immediately undermine his claim to transparency.

With a wryer, ironic kind of smile, Yoojin exhales and counts on his fingers.]

It's been five times over the past four months. Eh, well, four and a half. Liette was just playing.

[The truth is, once separated from his overprotective S-ranks, Yoojin is never not at risk of kidnapping. Not even at home.]

[ Once per month is a lot even if you discount the one casual abduction among friends? Bulat jolts. Kidnapping isn't that uncommon where he's from either, but damn. For leverage on the powerful brother, almost certainly, and he won't be saying that out loud. He's not discounting Yoojin having his own personal kidnappable qualities - yeah, not saying that out loud either, that's not reassuring. ]

More than I was expecting! Now I'm surprised that that leg's the only dent you came in with.

[ He's also drawing some conclusions about the leg. ]

[And Yoojin hasn't even mentioned the abductions that happened before he turned back the clock...

He returns both hands to the grip bars of his crutches and holds on tight to keep from fidgeting. He would really, really prefer not to talk about this, and it's disorienting to do so in the greenhouse's gentle, tranquil beauty. Clamming up isn't going to get him anywhere, though. Bulat doesn't strike him as the type who'd let go with just that much.]

Most of them had reasons not to hurt me. Actually, since I have F-rank stats and no combat or self-defense skills of my own, they've probably had to go out of their way to keep me in one piece.

[That's... fudging a lot of details and certainly doesn't explain the state he's in now, but Yoojin did say most. Most is carrying a lot of weight, here. (And isn't all that accurate to begin with.)

His evasive gaze lands on a poky little weed sprouting in the gap between the paving stones and the garden beds proper.]

Not that I'm not used to rough treatment. I just... do my best to get through, that's all.

[ During his explanation of ranks on the first day, Yoojin hadn't mentioned his. It's not a surprise that it's on the lower end. 'Used to rough treatment' is also not a surprise, but still. There's a lot that isn't being said here, hanging in the air like a choking fog. Further down this line is definitely not talk for the greenhouse. Bulat follows the direction of Yoojin's gaze. ...Yep. This guy needs a pep talk, and the return of Bulat's huge hand on top of his head. ]

That's three and a half so far you got yourself through with that amount of power. Not bad.

[ Bulat's voice is warm, mellow, and completely sincere. What someone does with what's available to them is more important than strong or weak attributes. He is also making some assumptions about the most recent kidnapping - using the letter as a last-ditch exit strategy is what he did, after all. ]

Having combat skills might end up with you getting roughed up even more, but that's something I can teach.

[Who pats a thirty-year-old on the head?! --Is not something he asks aloud. He just squawks, ducks away again, and smooths it back into place, frowning at Bulat with fake ire and a genuine, if tentative hint of hope. Or at least interest. Apart from the training he received during his requisite military stint, no one's ever offered to teach him anything useful in the creeping monster apocalypse.]

You think? I really don't have any natural aptitude for fighting. Trust me, I've done everything I can on my own. I've gotten a little better over time, but without items like the earrings...

[It's not a question of technique or skill. He held his own against Yoohyun during their match in the mindscape, without his garbage-ass real life body holding him back. As a C-rank in virtual reality, he took out quite a few high-rankers all on his own. But the frustrating truth remains: an F-rank is an F-rank. There are things his body just can't do, no matter how desperately he pushes it.

If five years' experience fighting everything the world throws at him can't improve his basic capability, what will?]

[ Going for the head is a very hard impulse to suppress when you are tall. It's natural that Yoojin wouldn't understand.

That's a better look on him than the glum one. Bulat doesn't want to give him false hope, but what he can certainly give him is a considerable amount of effort. ]

You've tried what you can on your own, so try what you can do with someone else in the mix.

[ Not having a lifetime of internalizing the ranking and awakening system behind him, Bulat is under the impression that technique and skill are more of a problem here than they actually are. (Un)fortunately for Yoojin, he's also something of an expert in increasing physical strength. He looks up at the Everbloom - it's an emotion tree, yes? Sense his feelings here, lend him a hand with this. ]

Me, the martial arts kids, whatever you can wring out of the magic here. Anything you want to try, I'll back you up.

[At the very least, given this sort of attention, care, and a break from monster attacks and kidnappings, Yoojin might reach a healthy baseline where he doesn't crumple every time he so much as looks at one of his more badass skills.

He searches Bulat's face a moment longer, then smiles again, a touch slower and shyer, but no less warm for it.]

All right, then. As soon as my leg's better at bearing weight, I'll see what we can do.

[He breaks into a chuckle, smile broadening.]

Heheh. I'm not used to being on this side of the equation. Cindy offered to teach me some stuff, too.

All right! Tulips stand for a fresh start and a bright future! Between us, we'll get you upright and blooming with pride!

[ There's absolutely nothing shy about the grin Bulat breaks into. He looks like he's glowing under the soft rosy light. ]

[SNORT.]

Hahaha, dude, what? That's the corniest thing I've ever heard.

[But Yoojin closes the slight distance he put between them--you know, to duck the head-petting--and bumps Bulat's arm with his elbow. The pinkness of his cheeks could be the result of any number of things: the strangeness of someone looking out for him, excitement to try something new, amusement at his goofy phrasing. But the fondness is definitely, 100% for Bulat.]

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01 🐣 HYJ: November Catch-all

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you have an icon for every occasion

The manwha forced my hand re: icon space by making him so expressive

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