[ the solar seems like the hot hangout place today, apparently!
xie lian has been exploring a bit on his own, but he pokes his head into the solar looking for something, and finds kim dokja, instead! san lang, a ferret on his shoulder, hops off rather suddenly and goes trotting over to see if he's reading a book or anything. how very nosy. ]
Oh - San Lang ah! [ xie lian's voice comes a second later, hurrying after his energetic daemon. ] Sorry, sorry...
[ San Lang will indeed find Kim Dokja reading! A book in his hand that he's mostly focused on, and the only indication he notices the little ferret coming their way is when a certain black hognose snake peeks from around Dokja's neck and flicks her tongue in the other daemon's direction.
However, the reader peeks afterwards at their new company and offers a polite smile. ] Hello, Xie Lian. It's alright. Doing some more exploring today?
I am, yes! San Lang. [ this little scold is clearly not meant too much; his daemon chitters and clambers up xie lian's arm again as he bows his head in greeting. ] I keep finding myself drawn back to this place, though.
When one is in a search for knowledge... [ Well, books are normally the first place they would look, right? Jin starts to slither down along his arm, coiling around his hand as if to inspect the book herself. ]
Nothing so far. [ With a turn of the book, it's got some ??? language going despite the clear fine text. ] I've been looking through the books here to see if there's something I can understand but. No luck so far.
[ There is a few books on the table nearest, showing he's gone through a few as he claims. He passes Xie Lian another look until he moves to set the book down. Jin takes that opportunity to slither onto the table and settle herself on the pile of books. ] Find anything interesting yourself?
[ it's time for memshare shenanigans! in which, we'll dive quickly into because Dokja catches sight of Xie Lian just as he steps on a glass shard, enlightening him to one particular memory... | and a song for your music needs. ]
- - - - -
[ When you awake to your senses, it's filled with nothing but pain. Your body has been torn apart again and again- enough to cause your mind to break down. Despite this shock, your body was still alive. Your party members were shocked by your miserable appearance but they shouldn't stop. It is not meant to be for you to live. You stare at your loyal and dependable companions, exhausted and tired. Forced to fight you despite not wanting to, pressured to by your words and encouragement. Each of them filled with despair, that they would have to strike you down just to live. However, it had to be this way. If not you- then who else? It was better that it was you that was in this position. ]
Con... tinue.
[ If they didn't do it now, there wouldn’t be another chance.
[A few constellations have noticed your sacrifice.] [Many constellations are amazed by your will.]
However, if there was one person you could rely on to finish the job, it was him.
"Kim Dokja." Yoo Jonghyuk had risen from the stone wall and was watching you.
You almost laugh at the expression he makes. He can't change what has already happened, and he knows that. Because it's Yoo Joonghyuk, he has already accepted that he would have to kill you. That's what you think even as you can see that he believes it should be him in this spot and not you.
When Yoo Joonghyuk rushes to you, every hit with his blade against your body makes you feel weaker and weaker. He doesn't say anything but his despair is conveyed every time the blade cuts you. You know this isn't enough. You know it and he knows it. You usher him to use the proper blade- he hesitates with a response, gaze hard as he stares at you.
"...If I use this, you can't b̶̗̬̹̲̌̓́̿̈́́́̆é̵̢̢̢͔̰͎̖̬̰͉̺̳̦͚̈́͆̍̽͑͠ ̶̳̂̉̇͗͑r̶̥̤̠̜͎̜̦̳̉͐̀̐̏̽̒̇̑̊̂͋̾͘̚͜e̷̢̧̯̫͖̟̜͍̮̙͔̺͛͗͒̔̃̋̎́͝ͅs̶̨̞̙̲͎̙̻̞̠̘̾͆͒̌̋̚̚̕ṵ̵͚̺̞̝̟̠͎̳͍͎̊͜r̶̨͓͕͊̂̉͛̌r̵̺͖̄̔͛̆̊̇͌̔̐͋͌̓̂͝ę̴̳͇̹̻̼̰̏̏̽̌̽̒͜ͅc̵̜̾̚ţ̷̠̭̜̱̉̔̑̎͝ẹ̵̅̾͂̃͋̈́͛͒͋͑͗͝͠͝d̶̮̅͐̀͂̾͘."
Yoo Joonghyuk thinks too much and you know this. You know he's worried about the scenario being ruined, however now was the time to use that blade. It had to be done if they hoped to win. Text appears on the screen beside you in that moment.
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ feels despair.] [The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is sighing deeply.] [The constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ is holding her breath.]
Yes... you're aware that by that blade, all of your chances of coming back may be gone. This could be your final farewell.
The party members were running. They cried, screamed or were filled with deep anger. Everyone was coming towards you. Your vision gradually diminishes and all the characters became the landscape. You saw them and laughed.
「 Incarnation Kim Dokja will be killed by the person he loves most. 」
You had forgotten. All prophecies couldn't be interpreted literally. In this Star Stream, people were stories.
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is looking at you.] [The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is looking at you.] [The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is looking at you.] [The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is looking at you.] [The constellation ‘Maritime War God’ is looking at you.]
As the gazes of countless stars in the sky poured towards you, a story was running towards you. Parents, friends and lovers were all stories. This wasn’t the Ways of Survival you knew but— It was a story more wonderful than Ways of Survival.
[A constellation of a small planet is looking at you.] [All the constellations on the Korean Peninsula are looking at you.]
It was your story. You laughed as Yoo Jonghyuk's sword pierced your heart.
[ Your fate has been realized. ]
Your body slowly sinks down and you can feel Yoo Jonghyuk hold onto you. “Kim Dokja.” You choke a bit on blood, spilling from your lips as your peer at the man with a smile. ]
It was a really great story. İ̵̧̢̢̧̠̟̜̰̯͇̈́̆̓͑͐s̸̖̬̐̾͌̂̒̚n̵̢̨̡̯̝̭̯̲̳͛̀̓̓̍̎̓͘̚͜'̷̡̫̝͇̖̎͗̀ţ̴̧̭̙̮̬̣̺̰̤͙͐̀̂̊͌̾̉̓̇̌͜͝͝͝ ̸̛̘͉̻͍̬͌̓̾̊̅͛̇t̷̡̛̗̦̲̝͍̝̲͙͉̼̖̯̻̱̒̍̓͂̔̄̏́͗͘͠h̴̨̘̆͜a̷̛̦̹͇̻͎̞̺̪̥̾̾́̊́̀͑͂̂͝ṫ̷͉͐̃ ̵̘̿̀̀̄̓͒̍͜ṟ̶͍̼̲͎̳̞̈̇̈̒̉̾̄̅̍͐̿̈́̑̉͝į̴̮̗̜̠̥͓͈͒̊́͌̚͝͝͝g̷̢̣̘͔͈͙͚̖̬͈͋̓̌̾͐͊͐͐͑͝ͅḧ̸̨̨̛̺̙̙̳̼̤̣͕̣̝̲́̽̏̋͒̐͜͝t̸̨̛̠͖̞̲̺̩̦͔̖͙͉̞̝͈̊̂̎̈̒̀̈́͒͒͐͊͠?̷͉̬̲̬͎̇̎͂̀͊̓͠
[ Yoo Jonghyuk stares down at you silently. You couldn’t find any words and just watched. It was as if you had always been meant to do this. That's what you believe.
[The effect of the Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds has destroyed all remaining extra lives.] [You can no longer resurrect.]
You finally look up at the sky. The clusters of nebulae were in the center of the night sky. Vedas, Olympus, Papyrus... You would never forget what they had done. Then the sky blinked.
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ doesn’t wish for your death.]
The stars shone brightly as if in response to your will.
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ doesn’t wish for your death.] [The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ doesn’t wish for your death.] [The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ doesn’t wish for your death.]
You look at the sky and laugh. Due to these guys, you hated the constellations but you couldn't hate the story. ]
[ The power of the demon king disappeared and at the same time, strength drained from you. A small black hole appeared in the air behind you. Your body was slowly being sucked into it. Your legs, your torso, your arms... it's a strange sensation as they turned into powder and were slowly being sucked in.
it is not that he has died, really - he should have, but he can't, so the pain itself isn't unfamiliar.
but what happens after is new. the miserable comrades joonghyuk - seeing him through kim dokja's eyes, feeling his realization, his laugh - the way his face as kim dokja's pulls up into a smile, as the life starts to leave his body. and this about constellations, too, feels familiar but unfamiliar all at once, like the heavens of his own realm, like the voice of the heavenly emperor, doesn't wish for you death --
he takes a deep breath like a gasp as the memory ends, surprised, and touches his own chest, curling his hand in the front of his silks, stumbling a little where he stands. ]
I -
[ it takes him a moment to recenter himself, and xie lian forces himself to exhale. ]
[ That feeling of horns atop his head, the weight of wings on his back, the sword... piercing right through his chest as he sunk into his companion-
it's all gone now. A hand is on his chest to confirm he's still intact, not having fallen away into pieces. His right arm is in a sling and that's a reminder of the present and not the memory of his past.
He hears his name and for a moment he doesn't answer. It doesn't register. After a pause, he finally looks over to the man and he smiles, but it's not really there. ]
Xie Lian. [ He glances off to the side, as though still seeing that memory still on display. ] ...It's a good story. My companions did well to defeat the rise of the 73rd demon king.
[ A hum of thought. ] I gained my modifier after that. "Demon King of Salvation."
xie lian is hanging out at the fountain, at the moment, tending to san lang, who is in qilin form and flopped over on his back, enjoying the sunlight. he looks up from where he's getting a dragon tummy rub. ]
Hello, Kim Dokja. [ a bow of his head, and a smile. ] I would love that! What sort?
[ Jin has a starry gaze. Tummy rubs... if only that was her. But she behaves and sits down just as Dokja joins him with a lighter smile. ]
Of how I became the 'Enemy of the story. ' [ Hope you're sitting and relaxed, it might be a while! ] My company had a lot of enemies. Some cheered for our Fable on, but some others either were jealous of them, or in some cases, even hated them. At times, malice with no basis could be found, too. However, there was one common denominator among that array of emotions. And that was the fact that they had been watching a certain Fable for a very long time.
[ ⸢A story that you spent a very long time with will eventually become a part of you.⸥ ]
Just like me with my favorite story the ‘Ways of Survival’. "However, the moment you close your eyes, this story you’ve been watching will end right here." It felt like everyone was against me. I had become some incredibly powerful being that was on an entirely different level than when I was rising as the 73rd Demon King. Even my company members could no longer understand me. I couldn't tell them what I was thinking, what my plan was... I had to just trust in them. Even so, even if they could have stuck to the scenario and killed me... they decided to fight against it. They decided to become enemies of the Star Stream. Even at the risk of their lives. But... we were always putting our lives at stake since the very beginning.
It wasn't just them though. Even Constellations that were familiar, but not counted on decided to pitch in their own help. Even those that we did not know. Every Constellation that came along for the ride with < Kim Dok-Ja Company >’s Fable was now sponsoring our story. Even they wanted to see the end of our story. Despite all odds stacked against us, it's hard to go against the audience and what they want. Even if it means becoming the enemy, or 'villain' in most people's eyes, I want to reach the ending that ends it all. To give my companions a happy life without scenarios. To protect those I love.
[ He glances to him. ] If the time ever comes, I hope you can meet my companions. I think you would like them and their stories.
xie lian is in the church, after some of the chaos has come down - he's quietly looking at the mosiacs, hands folded in front of him, looking very much like he belongs here in his all white clothes.
though he's very calm - his daemon is not, snuffling and pushing through the church's interior in qilin form, as if he's trying to catch a hint of what could have happened to the people the night before.
at the sound of footsteps, he glances back - and then offers a small smile, bowing his head. ] ...hello, Kim Dokja.
[ Kim Dokja is wearing something different for a change, a hand on his waist as he looks around curiously. After all, his own companion and his group had come from in here the day before. He didn't take an opportunity to check it out until now.
Jin, is in her white-necked raven form, croaking out in greeting and flying over to land on a pew not far from Dokja as she watches the other daemon curiously. ]
Any luck? [ He already knows the answer but... he asks anyways. ]
xie lian's brow is creased as the question comes, and he shakes his head. san lang, from where he is snuffling through some broken glass, lifts his nose - and then, spotting jin, pads over to properly say hello to his bird friend. ]
...None. Though - I will be honest, I was not expecting much. Fridays do tend to be this way.
anyway xie lian will come to join kim dokja wherever he is when he's come in from searching, dark hair pulled up into a bun and sniffling a little bit. he's fine, probably.
spotting kim dokja though, he gives a little bow of greeting, and a small smile. ] Good afternoon. Do you have a moment...?
[ The reader has done some searching himself, the worry over Sheba after yesterday's 'adventure' and now missing today? He raises his gaze to look up at him, Jin in her fox form has her head resting in Dokja's lap while he runs a hand over the daemon's head. ]
Of course. [ Will gesture to sit beside him if he so needs. ]
[ with a nod, he comes to settle down next to him, folding his hands in his lap. san lang is in qilin form as he usually is on friday - he looks stormy and unhappy, but comes to sit by xie lian's feet, stopping his own prowling. ]
...I wanted to talk to you about yesterday after everything, but... [ mm. ] ...I suppose I was just hoping for a moment of your company, too, if that's alright.
[ it's comforting, a little. to look at someone and to know that they think like you do, in the worst moments, that they've been through something that you have - kim dokja's presence is a comforting one, in the sense of camaraderie. ]
[ When Dokja finally finds Xie Lian, he isn't too surprised to find him in the kitchen area. His arrival is probably alerted by the soft hissing from his own person. Jin, in her eastern black hognose snake form, is curled around his neck with her mouth closed shut but... still a bit hissy, she doesn't seem to be in a good mood. ]
[ oh boy!! xie lian turns a bit - he looks relieved to see kim dokja out and about, and gives him a little smile, bowing his head. san lang is here, ferret formed, sitting on xie lian’s shoulder, and he perks a little too . ]
I was hoping you could look over my injuries. And... I might see you tomorrow again for the same thing if that's alright.
[ A hand raises to pet under Jin's chin, the snake flicking her tongue out and seems to quiet down a bit. ] Normally I have Yoo Joonghyuk do it but he's been gone since Wednesday night.
[ Jin seems to hissy a bit again. Clearly, her attitude connects to said companion. ] I also have a note to share with you from my group's adventure that you can look at, so it won't all be for nothing.
[ xie lian is out and about today in more modern clothes! he still very much looks like an ancient china gay because of his five feet of hair but you know what
he is also just kind of watching people at a boba stand, san lang standing ferret formed on his shoulder. both of their heads are cocked to the side in the same curious pose.
[ Dokja is also out in some comfy clothes as well! Though with an added dark scarf around his neck, with Jin peeking her black hognose snake head from it. ]
Ah, Xie Lian. [ Curiously looks over at the stand... Oh. ] Interested in getting some boba?
[ boba was yesterday... today is coffee & tea day! a fancy place that also is adorned with some delicious sweet pastries. Dokja greets Xie Lian with a smile and gestures for him to join. ]
They have a system here that lets you watch the brewing process. Is there any tea or coffee you'd prefer? [ It's a particular shop (aka only place Joonghyuk would care to try from), but Dokja figured it's something his friend might be interested in watching actually. It's like a little show while you wait for your drink? ]
[ ah!! xie lian has an immediate smile for dokja when he greets him, coming over immediately! this crash course in the modern world with kim dokja has been very fun so far, so he seems quite happy and curious as he looks around the little shop. ]
Good afternoon, Mr. Dokja! [ and then, to the question, thoughtfully; ] I drink green tea at home, but... I have been known to be a bit picky. [ "a bit" ] And I've never had coffee, before. Is it good?
[ Ah, if Xie Lian is ""a bit"" picky, that's going to be fun. ] I feel like we all reserve our right to be picky, after all I don't exactly like tomatoes...
[ He turns so they can watch as the current barista is brewing some coffee right now from behind the glass. ] Some people will tell you good coffee has a natural sweetness that is complemented by acidity. But really, it can be pretty bitter too, but not in an overwhelming way.
[ He'll point out the various blends in the background. ] Since some coffee can be flavorful, like from chocolate to fruitful. So I'll let you decide if you to give it a try. There's always cream and sugar you can add to it if it's too bitter for you. [ Hmm. kdj is normie who sticks to what he likes so this next advice is smth he definitely doesn't follow but-- ] I don't think it's a bad thing to try new things, even if you end up not liking it in the end.
[ kdj isn't exactly an expert in coffee but my experience as a st*rbucks barista is coming in ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
week 1, tuesday!
xie lian has been exploring a bit on his own, but he pokes his head into the solar looking for something, and finds kim dokja, instead! san lang, a ferret on his shoulder, hops off rather suddenly and goes trotting over to see if he's reading a book or anything. how very nosy. ]
Oh - San Lang ah! [ xie lian's voice comes a second later, hurrying after his energetic daemon. ] Sorry, sorry...
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However, the reader peeks afterwards at their new company and offers a polite smile. ] Hello, Xie Lian. It's alright. Doing some more exploring today?
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May I ask what you're reading...?
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Nothing so far. [ With a turn of the book, it's got some ??? language going despite the clear fine text. ] I've been looking through the books here to see if there's something I can understand but. No luck so far.
[ There is a few books on the table nearest, showing he's gone through a few as he claims. He passes Xie Lian another look until he moves to set the book down. Jin takes that opportunity to slither onto the table and settle herself on the pile of books. ] Find anything interesting yourself?
(no subject)
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w2, tuesday MEMSHARE.
- - - - -
[ When you awake to your senses, it's filled with nothing but pain. Your body has been torn apart again and again- enough to cause your mind to break down. Despite this shock, your body was still alive. Your party members were shocked by your miserable appearance but they shouldn't stop. It is not meant to be for you to live. You stare at your loyal and dependable companions, exhausted and tired. Forced to fight you despite not wanting to, pressured to by your words and encouragement. Each of them filled with despair, that they would have to strike you down just to live. However, it had to be this way. If not you- then who else? It was better that it was you that was in this position. ]
Con... tinue.
[ If they didn't do it now, there wouldn’t be another chance.
[A few constellations have noticed your sacrifice.]
[Many constellations are amazed by your will.]
However, if there was one person you could rely on to finish the job, it was him.
"Kim Dokja." Yoo Jonghyuk had risen from the stone wall and was watching you.
You almost laugh at the expression he makes. He can't change what has already happened, and he knows that. Because it's Yoo Joonghyuk, he has already accepted that he would have to kill you. That's what you think even as you can see that he believes it should be him in this spot and not you.
When Yoo Joonghyuk rushes to you, every hit with his blade against your body makes you feel weaker and weaker. He doesn't say anything but his despair is conveyed every time the blade cuts you. You know this isn't enough. You know it and he knows it. You usher him to use the proper blade- he hesitates with a response, gaze hard as he stares at you.
"...If I use this, you can't b̶̗̬̹̲̌̓́̿̈́́́̆é̵̢̢̢͔̰͎̖̬̰͉̺̳̦͚̈́͆̍̽͑͠ ̶̳̂̉̇͗͑r̶̥̤̠̜͎̜̦̳̉͐̀̐̏̽̒̇̑̊̂͋̾͘̚͜e̷̢̧̯̫͖̟̜͍̮̙͔̺͛͗͒̔̃̋̎́͝ͅs̶̨̞̙̲͎̙̻̞̠̘̾͆͒̌̋̚̚̕ṵ̵͚̺̞̝̟̠͎̳͍͎̊͜r̶̨͓͕͊̂̉͛̌r̵̺͖̄̔͛̆̊̇͌̔̐͋͌̓̂͝ę̴̳͇̹̻̼̰̏̏̽̌̽̒͜ͅc̵̜̾̚ţ̷̠̭̜̱̉̔̑̎͝ẹ̵̅̾͂̃͋̈́͛͒͋͑͗͝͠͝d̶̮̅͐̀͂̾͘."
Yoo Joonghyuk thinks too much and you know this. You know he's worried about the scenario being ruined, however now was the time to use that blade. It had to be done if they hoped to win. Text appears on the screen beside you in that moment.
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ feels despair.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is sighing deeply.]
[The constellation ‘Queen of the Darkest Spring’ is holding her breath.]
Yes... you're aware that by that blade, all of your chances of coming back may be gone. This could be your final farewell.
The party members were running. They cried, screamed or were filled with deep anger. Everyone was coming towards you. Your vision gradually diminishes and all the characters became the landscape. You saw them and laughed.
You had forgotten. All prophecies couldn't be interpreted literally. In this Star Stream, people were stories.
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ is looking at you.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is looking at you.]
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ is looking at you.]
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ is looking at you.]
[The constellation ‘Maritime War God’ is looking at you.]
As the gazes of countless stars in the sky poured towards you, a story was running towards you. Parents, friends and lovers were all stories. This wasn’t the Ways of Survival you knew but— It was a story more wonderful than Ways of Survival.
[A constellation of a small planet is looking at you.]
[All the constellations on the Korean Peninsula are looking at you.]
It was your story. You laughed as Yoo Jonghyuk's sword pierced your heart.
Your body slowly sinks down and you can feel Yoo Jonghyuk hold onto you. “Kim Dokja.” You choke a bit on blood, spilling from your lips as your peer at the man with a smile. ]
It was a really great story. İ̵̧̢̢̧̠̟̜̰̯͇̈́̆̓͑͐s̸̖̬̐̾͌̂̒̚n̵̢̨̡̯̝̭̯̲̳͛̀̓̓̍̎̓͘̚͜'̷̡̫̝͇̖̎͗̀ţ̴̧̭̙̮̬̣̺̰̤͙͐̀̂̊͌̾̉̓̇̌͜͝͝͝ ̸̛̘͉̻͍̬͌̓̾̊̅͛̇t̷̡̛̗̦̲̝͍̝̲͙͉̼̖̯̻̱̒̍̓͂̔̄̏́͗͘͠h̴̨̘̆͜a̷̛̦̹͇̻͎̞̺̪̥̾̾́̊́̀͑͂̂͝ṫ̷͉͐̃ ̵̘̿̀̀̄̓͒̍͜ṟ̶͍̼̲͎̳̞̈̇̈̒̉̾̄̅̍͐̿̈́̑̉͝į̴̮̗̜̠̥͓͈͒̊́͌̚͝͝͝g̷̢̣̘͔͈͙͚̖̬͈͋̓̌̾͐͊͐͐͑͝ͅḧ̸̨̨̛̺̙̙̳̼̤̣͕̣̝̲́̽̏̋͒̐͜͝t̸̨̛̠͖̞̲̺̩̦͔̖͙͉̞̝͈̊̂̎̈̒̀̈́͒͒͐͊͠?̷͉̬̲̬͎̇̎͂̀͊̓͠
[ Yoo Jonghyuk stares down at you silently. You couldn’t find any words and just watched. It was as if you had always been meant to do this. That's what you believe.
[The effect of the Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds has destroyed all remaining extra lives.]
[You can no longer resurrect.]
You finally look up at the sky. The clusters of nebulae were in the center of the night sky. Vedas, Olympus, Papyrus... You would never forget what they had done. Then the sky blinked.
[The constellation ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ doesn’t wish for your death.]
The stars shone brightly as if in response to your will.
[The constellation ‘Abyssal Black Flame Dragon’ doesn’t wish for your death.]
[The constellation ‘Secretive Plotter’ doesn’t wish for your death.]
[The constellation ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ doesn’t wish for your death.]
You look at the sky and laugh. Due to these guys, you hated the constellations but you couldn't hate the story. ]
Let’s meet again, Ȳ̶̪̟̣̹̱͉̩̻̬̾̉͜͝ͅò̶̧͚̺͎̤̮͓͉͈̳̈́̉̌͐̆͑̔͋͋͐̅̈́̕͜ô̵̱͕͈͇̗͔̬̭̤̯̿͠ ̶̯͈̩͎̗̪̇͗͝J̸̛͎̼͓̟̘͊͌͋̅̌̀̓ǫ̵̡̖̽͒̒͑͛̾̕͝ơ̷̡̢̪͍̭̲̠̹͔̜̈́̇̀̃̽̍̇̕n̸̨̡̢̗͍̘̺̪̳̭͕̖͚̘̏ģ̷̡͕̟̟͇̹̠̻̝͂̓͊̅́̀͆̏̈́̀͠͝h̶̨͔̻͈̮̤̰̰̱̹̖̘͎̮͙̅̓̈͗̑̉̄͌̎̍̿͛͆͒͠ỳ̶̼̬̮̹́̓͒̋̒̊̀̕͜ͅu̴̧͕͈̬̭̤̩̿͆́̚͜k̵͎͚͙̙̙̯̮̝͙̭̜̣̱̟̾̅̍̊̐͆̂̄̀̏̐̉̈̕̚͜.̵̧̘̼͖̘͖̖͙̍̇̾̾̈́̚
[ The power of the demon king disappeared and at the same time, strength drained from you. A small black hole appeared in the air behind you. Your body was slowly being sucked into it. Your legs, your torso, your arms... it's a strange sensation as they turned into powder and were slowly being sucked in.
"̸̢̧͎̭͚̞̥̲̗̻̮̎̀̈́̓͋̓͌́͘̚ͅK̶̢̡̢̨͈͕͔͖̘̲͉̱̏͂̈̓̑ȋ̷̢̺͉͎͇͈̖̜̱̗̺͒̕m̷̧͔̯̮̅̊̿̅͆͗ ̴̢̡̧̨̹̗̖̥̘͙̟͇͌͑̓̎̔̃̓̆͒̈͂̄͐͌̎ͅD̷̨̛̻̱̲̼͈̺̤̬̞͚̘͋͝o̷̡̬͇̲̬͙̲̼̹͉̘͋͗̊̆̿͒̀͊͗̅̂͘͜͝ķ̸̧̭̼̪̭̘͔̥̣̩̰͕̪͈̍͛̀̾̾̔̍̈̿j̴̟̤̞̞̘̻̄̍̏̓̾͗͑́́̇̆̕á̵̢̡̛͙̞͈͚̬̪̣͑͊̓̌͛̽͐͗̓͠!̷̡̻͖̬̖̰̻͓̭͎̲̠̬̳̉͗̈́̔̊̿͐̌͗̈́͜ ̸̜̥̖̻͎́̅̔̓̌̈́̃̊̈͂̊̚͝N̶̻̖͉̞͔̮̭͖͉̘̜͙̖̯͌̓̒̀ȯ̸͎̗̝̳̳͗̓̿̆͐̏̉̔̐̇̃͜͜!̴̠͓̤̘̹́̈́̆̀͘͠ ̶̡̤̖͎̔̉͐͐̃́̓̈͒̋̕̚Ḱ̷͔̰́̒̌̌̕ì̷̢̢͉̳̯̠̯̱͙̍̓̒̊̈̚͜͜͝m̴̻̥̎̄͛̄̌́̍̋̅͊͛̓͘͠ ̴͓̯̀͜Ḑ̷̦̖͙̝͖̃̏o̴̯͓̫̙͍͇̗̣͛͘ͅk̷̛̼̼͕̿̇̅͑̉̉̅̐̓̚͠͝j̴̧̧̛͈̭̹͔̯͙͖̘͖́̆͗͛̾̂̀̓̾̾͝a̸̡͚͈͖͖͕̲̯͓̜̫̲̞̮̔̂́̿̅̉́̃̒͒̑̓̅!̵̡̛̱̦̫̳͗̈̓̀̆̃͘͜ͅ"̴̧̛͚͉̪̫̼̳͎̗̤̈́͊̒͘͠
At the last moment, he tightly held you by the neck. However, it was already too late.
Your vision turns black and you are sucked into an empty void. ]
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it is not that he has died, really - he should have, but he can't, so the pain itself isn't unfamiliar.
but what happens after is new. the miserable comrades joonghyuk - seeing him through kim dokja's eyes, feeling his realization, his laugh - the way his face as kim dokja's pulls up into a smile, as the life starts to leave his body. and this about constellations, too, feels familiar but unfamiliar all at once, like the heavens of his own realm, like the voice of the heavenly emperor, doesn't wish for you death --
he takes a deep breath like a gasp as the memory ends, surprised, and touches his own chest, curling his hand in the front of his silks, stumbling a little where he stands. ]
I -
[ it takes him a moment to recenter himself, and xie lian forces himself to exhale. ]
... Kim Dokja...
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it's all gone now. A hand is on his chest to confirm he's still intact, not having fallen away into pieces. His right arm is in a sling and that's a reminder of the present and not the memory of his past.
He hears his name and for a moment he doesn't answer. It doesn't register. After a pause, he finally looks over to the man and he smiles, but it's not really there. ]
Xie Lian. [ He glances off to the side, as though still seeing that memory still on display. ] ...It's a good story. My companions did well to defeat the rise of the 73rd demon king.
[ A hum of thought. ] I gained my modifier after that. "Demon King of Salvation."
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w3, wed.
Ah, Xie Lian. If you have a moment... can I tell you a story?
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xie lian is hanging out at the fountain, at the moment, tending to san lang, who is in qilin form and flopped over on his back, enjoying the sunlight. he looks up from where he's getting a dragon tummy rub. ]
Hello, Kim Dokja. [ a bow of his head, and a smile. ] I would love that! What sort?
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Of how I became the 'Enemy of the story. ' [ Hope you're sitting and relaxed, it might be a while! ] My company had a lot of enemies. Some cheered for our Fable on, but some others either were jealous of them, or in some cases, even hated them. At times, malice with no basis could be found, too. However, there was one common denominator among that array of emotions. And that was the fact that they had been watching a certain Fable for a very long time.
[ ⸢A story that you spent a very long time with will eventually become a part of you.⸥ ]
Just like me with my favorite story the ‘Ways of Survival’. "However, the moment you close your eyes, this story you’ve been watching will end right here." It felt like everyone was against me. I had become some incredibly powerful being that was on an entirely different level than when I was rising as the 73rd Demon King. Even my company members could no longer understand me. I couldn't tell them what I was thinking, what my plan was... I had to just trust in them. Even so, even if they could have stuck to the scenario and killed me... they decided to fight against it. They decided to become enemies of the Star Stream. Even at the risk of their lives. But... we were always putting our lives at stake since the very beginning.
It wasn't just them though. Even Constellations that were familiar, but not counted on decided to pitch in their own help. Even those that we did not know. Every Constellation that came along for the ride with < Kim Dok-Ja Company >’s Fable was now sponsoring our story. Even they wanted to see the end of our story. Despite all odds stacked against us, it's hard to go against the audience and what they want. Even if it means becoming the enemy, or 'villain' in most people's eyes, I want to reach the ending that ends it all. To give my companions a happy life without scenarios. To protect those I love.
[ He glances to him. ] If the time ever comes, I hope you can meet my companions. I think you would like them and their stories.
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w3, friday
xie lian is in the church, after some of the chaos has come down - he's quietly looking at the mosiacs, hands folded in front of him, looking very much like he belongs here in his all white clothes.
though he's very calm - his daemon is not, snuffling and pushing through the church's interior in qilin form, as if he's trying to catch a hint of what could have happened to the people the night before.
at the sound of footsteps, he glances back - and then offers a small smile, bowing his head. ] ...hello, Kim Dokja.
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[ Kim Dokja is wearing something different for a change, a hand on his waist as he looks around curiously. After all, his own companion and his group had come from in here the day before. He didn't take an opportunity to check it out until now.
Jin, is in her white-necked raven form, croaking out in greeting and flying over to land on a pew not far from Dokja as she watches the other daemon curiously. ]
Any luck? [ He already knows the answer but... he asks anyways. ]
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xie lian's brow is creased as the question comes, and he shakes his head. san lang, from where he is snuffling through some broken glass, lifts his nose - and then, spotting jin, pads over to properly say hello to his bird friend. ]
...None. Though - I will be honest, I was not expecting much. Fridays do tend to be this way.
[ which he!! hates!!! ] How about you...?
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w4 friday i guess?? what are dates
anyway xie lian will come to join kim dokja wherever he is when he's come in from searching, dark hair pulled up into a bun and sniffling a little bit. he's fine, probably.
spotting kim dokja though, he gives a little bow of greeting, and a small smile. ] Good afternoon. Do you have a moment...?
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[ The reader has done some searching himself, the worry over Sheba after yesterday's 'adventure' and now missing today? He raises his gaze to look up at him, Jin in her fox form has her head resting in Dokja's lap while he runs a hand over the daemon's head. ]
Of course. [ Will gesture to sit beside him if he so needs. ]
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...I wanted to talk to you about yesterday after everything, but... [ mm. ] ...I suppose I was just hoping for a moment of your company, too, if that's alright.
[ it's comforting, a little. to look at someone and to know that they think like you do, in the worst moments, that they've been through something that you have - kim dokja's presence is a comforting one, in the sense of camaraderie. ]
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w5, thurs precurfew!
Xie Lian, do you have a moment?
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Of course. What is it?
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[ A hand raises to pet under Jin's chin, the snake flicking her tongue out and seems to quiet down a bit. ] Normally I have Yoo Joonghyuk do it but he's been gone since Wednesday night.
[ Jin seems to hissy a bit again. Clearly, her attitude connects to said companion. ] I also have a note to share with you from my group's adventure that you can look at, so it won't all be for nothing.
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week 6, tuesday!
he is also just kind of watching people at a boba stand, san lang standing ferret formed on his shoulder. both of their heads are cocked to the side in the same curious pose.
what..is this... ]
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Ah, Xie Lian. [ Curiously looks over at the stand... Oh. ] Interested in getting some boba?
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san lang chitters when he sees jin and immediately leans alllll the way over to offer a nose boop in greeting to the snake! hello ]
Good afternoon, Mr. Dokja. Are you familiar with it, this 'boba'....? What is it, exactly?
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w6, wednesday.
They have a system here that lets you watch the brewing process. Is there any tea or coffee you'd prefer? [ It's a particular shop (aka only place Joonghyuk would care to try from), but Dokja figured it's something his friend might be interested in watching actually. It's like a little show while you wait for your drink? ]
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Good afternoon, Mr. Dokja! [ and then, to the question, thoughtfully; ] I drink green tea at home, but... I have been known to be a bit picky. [ "a bit" ] And I've never had coffee, before. Is it good?
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[ He turns so they can watch as the current barista is brewing some coffee right now from behind the glass. ] Some people will tell you good coffee has a natural sweetness that is complemented by acidity. But really, it can be pretty bitter too, but not in an overwhelming way.
[ He'll point out the various blends in the background. ] Since some coffee can be flavorful, like from chocolate to fruitful. So I'll let you decide if you to give it a try. There's always cream and sugar you can add to it if it's too bitter for you. [ Hmm. kdj is normie who sticks to what he likes so this next advice is smth he definitely doesn't follow but-- ] I don't think it's a bad thing to try new things, even if you end up not liking it in the end.
[ kdj isn't exactly an expert in coffee but my experience as a st*rbucks barista is coming in ]
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