#Mystictober 2023

[ekaarts]

🦋🕯Magical / Mysthictober Day, 5🕯🦋

List by @art_of_reku

Mirabel couldn't be left out of this. What else could have come to mind?

Yes, this is Over the Mountains Mirabel, aka Mariposa.🦋

Those who read my fic know exactly which scene inspired this. 😉

[bluejay-writes]

Mystictober 2023 - Day 3: Potions, or Poisons?

You can read this fic on Ao3 if that’s more your speed!

Rating: Teen, for swearing and drug use.

Prompt: Potion

Characters: Saeran, Mint Eye OCs, (Hints of Jumin, 707)

Wordcount: 2081

Summary: Believer C-128 runs the elixir lab at Mint Eye. Mr. Saeran wants to know about her experiments, and tests one without asking.

“What’s with the colors over here?” 

The believer turned, taking in the man in the crisp black suit with a glance. She was clearly not expecting anyone to be in the room with her, least of all him. To be fair, he basically never came into the elixir lab, as the Savior had all of his doses delivered to him while he was too busy hacking to notice.

“Test batches, Mr. Saeran.  I’ve color coded them so I can keep track of the changes I’ve made when testing.”

“What are you testing?”

“The savior requested I make new formulations for specific situations.”

“And who are you testing these on?”

She bit her lip. “Myself, sir. Per her request.”

“Must be hard to get good data while the elixir does its job.  Let me test this one for you.” He reached out and picked up a vial full of a magenta-colored liquid, tossing it back and handing her the empty. “What’s the difference?”

She froze, and Saeran watched as she tried to come up with an answer that would please him. He knew that whatever she said would be at least partially untrue, but he still waited to hear her answer, regardless.

“C-128?” he said, taking a step towards her. He didn’t mean it to be menacing, but it was clear that it terrified her, and she just said the first thing that came to mind.

“It-it’s a booster for long-term elixir use.  Taken on top of your usual dose it helps keep clarity of purpose. Or, well, that’s what I designed it to do… I haven’t tested it yet… how do you feel?”

“No difference, yet.”

“Well, ideally it’s meant to be taken directly after your usual dose of Elixir, so I don’t know that you’d specifically notice the effects yet.”

“Make me another vial of this - I’ll take it next time I take my elixir, and let you know.”

Her eyes widened, but she turned to do as he said. As she was mixing up another of the magenta potions, without the pink dye this time, she dared to ask her question.

“Sir?”

“Yes, C-128?”

“Why are you here? N-not that you can’t be, just, have I done something wrong?”

“No, I was just interested, and I needed a break.”

She took a deep breath, and then handed him the vial of mint liquid that looked very similar to the standard Elixir of Salvation.

“It’s not Magenta.” he said, skeptically.

“Savior said the other colors were only allowable in the lab. If you’re leaving the lab, it has to be mint.”

“Ah. Sensible. Wouldn’t want anyone knowing about the differences.”

“Well, you do now.” She chuckled. “Please don’t tell the Savior you’re testing for me. I fear she’d be angry with me, and…”

“It was my choice.” He said. “Would you tell me no?”

C-128 shook her head. “Of course not, Mr. Saeran.” “Good.” he said, leaving the room. “I will be back tomorrow to tell you my experiences.”

After that day, Saeran regularly stopped by her lab for his “booster” as he called it. She’d been tweaking the formula to work better on him as he told her his experiences, and every day he felt even better than the last.  He wasn’t sure what the mixture was actually supposed to do.  Her lie had been thinly-veiled at best, and mostly spoken out of panic. He didn’t know if he’d just been testing her initially, but after that first day of clarity after an elixir dose, he just couldn’t stop wanting the booster to accompany it.  Regardless of its purpose, it was making his job so much easier.

He knew that per the Savior’s instructions she had been creating a much stronger version of the elixir, which would work as a booster to hypnotic suggestion receptiveness in small doses, but that didn’t seem to be what this was doing for him at all.

Saeran had never felt so capable and in control with the Elixir than he did with the boosters that C-128 developed for him. He’d been managing to stay three steps ahead of that traitor, and the savior had even decided they didn’t need to get someone into the apartment to distract the RFA - she was content with his progress as it was, and he’d never been more proud.

So, when C-128 didn’t bring his next day’s booster vials, Saeran was immediately worried. Not only would it affect his progress but it could get her in trouble with the Savior as well.  He’d have to go pick them up himself, of course. It’d give him a chance to check in and see if there were any new updates she’d made, or if it was just the same not-Magenta mixture.

When he got there, he found the door shut and locked, with another Believer standing in front of the door. Immediately, Saeran was on guard.  What was going on with the Elixir lab?

“Believer, Report.”

“Ah! M-Mr. Saeran! Believer A-230 here. The Savior is waiting for C-128 to finish testing something, and no one is allowed in or out until she’s completed it.”

“And you’ve kept watch the entire time?”

“Yes, nothing has changed. It’s been quiet in there, though.”

“Understood. I’m here to relieve you, Savior’s orders. Go back to your usual duties, A-230.”

“Yes, Mr. Saeran.”

The believer nodded to him and walked off.  Once he was sure the man was gone, he unlocked the door and slipped inside.  As the door shut behind him, he froze in shock. C-128 was laying on the ground with a broken flask and a puddle of bright blue liquid nearby.

“C-128. Are you alright?” He crouched down next to her, noting the flicker in her eyelids that he was used to from a cleansing gone bad, and checked her pulse.  It fluttered weakly against his fingers, and he would swear the rhythm was erratic.

She looked up at the tone of his voice, squeezing her eyes shut before staring imploringly at him. “No. Magenta…” Saeran grabbed the vial of magenta liquid from his first visit to the lab, and tipped it down her throat.  She coughed, but seemed to breathe a little bit easier almost immediately. “Won’t be enough. I need… Hospital... Bring the… red bag.” one shaky hand pointed to where the first aid kit was attached to the wall.  Why would she need the first aid kit if she was going to the hospital?  

There wasn’t time to ask these questions, not with C-128 passing out again. Saeran didn’t argue, couldn’t argue with an unconscious woman. He lifted her up over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, and grabbed the large kit she’d pointed at.  He may have been practically skin and bones before, but with her booster he’d been putting on muscle in ways he hadn’t been able to before, so lifting her wasn’t an issue.  

Believer and her first aid kit in hand, Saeran made quick time to the garage, where he buckled her into his personal vehicle.

Fifteen minutes into the 40-minute drive at breakneck speeds to the nearest hospital, Saeran’s phone began to ring. He tapped the button.

“Yes, Savior?” “Ray~” Her saccharine-sweet voice rang over the car speakers, and Saeran had to suppress a shudder. “Where are you going?” “I am taking C-128 to the hospital. She’s catatonic.” “You can’t do that, Saeran. She will ruin everything for us.” “I must. She’s a genius, and we can’t afford to lose her.” “She was a lost cause the moment she started giving you that ‘booster’.” Rika’s voice was bitter, suddenly. “But the booster that C-128 gave me vastly improved my performance. You said so yourself.” Rika made a disgruntled noise. “You must turn around and come back, Ray.” “No. I will not. She needs help.” “Ray. This is an order.” “Too bad.” He said sharply, and hung up.

Next to him, C-128 stirred. “She’ll cleanse you for that, Saeran.”

“I’d love to see her try.” He said, roughly. “You’re awake. What’s in the kit? I peeked, it’s not bandages and ointments.”

“All of my samples. My legal identification. Incriminating Evidence.”

“How do you mean, incriminating evidence?”

“Savior had me keeping track of the cleansing deaths, and I have her initial elixir trial notebook.”

“This will bring down Mint Eye.” Saeran growled. “Why would you do this?”

“She intends… to give them all what she made me take.  The Eternal Party… it’s going to kill everyone.”

Saeran went silent. C-128 wasn’t lying to him. She sounded certain, in a way she hadn’t when she’d told him about the ‘booster’. He’d known she was lying about the magenta vial when he took it, and especially when it’s what she reached for when she was in trouble.

“What does the magenta vial you’ve been giving me for the last few months actually do, C-128?”

“It’s a nullifier.” She said, resignedly. “I designed it to... purge the elixir’s effects... from my system.”

“You’ve been giving me anti-elixir this entire time?”

“Y-yes.” She stuttered, and Saeran just blinked.

“No wonder the Savior was so upset with you.” He sighed. “Thank you, C-128, but you did not need to do that for me, not at this cost.”

“Hey, you took it first. I didn’t really… do… anything…” She muttered sleepily, and Saeran looked over at her in a panic. “C-128. Stay with me, we’re almost there.”

Whatever she tried to say didn’t resolve into words as her head lolled against the headrest.

“Fuck.” Saeran said, and drove faster.

“The toxicology on this woman is insane.” Saeran heard the nurse say. She probably thought she was being quiet enough that he wouldn’t hear her. She was not. “The ingredients in the test vials are unbelievable. How they got their hands on some of these things is beyond me.”

Saeran thought back on some of the things he’d done at the Savior’s direction and knew exactly how they’d come by the trickier parts of the elixir’s ingredients.

“Excuse me.” He said, standing up from C-128’s beside. “Is she going to recover?”

“Ah, Mr. Choi. Yes, Thanks to her own notes your wife should be awake in a few hours, once the sedative wears off, and then we’ll likely be able to discharge her tomorrow.  You are aware that the police would like to talk to you both?” 

He nodded, and stepped out to make a phone call. Wife. Her identification card had said ‘Eunji Choi’. Sure, there were a lot of Chois out there. He could have said they were siblings, but they looked nothing alike. And he had to give them some kind of relation, or they never would have let him in. He hoped she’d forgive his subterfuge. However, with a potential release day of tomorrow, he was going to have to take a risk. With his heart in his throat, he tapped a contact on his phone, and let it ring.

“Who is this? How did you get this number?” “Saeyoung. It’s Saeran.”

True to their word, C-128 blinked her eyes open just a few hours later.

“Mr. Saeran?” She asked, blearily, as if to confirm he was still there.

“Just Saeran is fine - I told them we were married so they’d let me stay with you. What should I call you?”

“Oh. Anything but my wallet name.” Her cheeks pinked, but if she had any thoughts about being called his wife, she didn’t share them.  He made a split-second decision, and smiled down at her.

“Okay, Princess.” he said, brushing her hair back off of her forehead, just in time for the doctor to walk back in and check on her due to the change in her vitals from the machines she was hooked up to.

“Ah, my apologies for interrupting. Mrs. Choi, welcome back to the world of the awake. Thanks to your detailed notes, we were able to promptly flush your system of the poison, and you should be back to functioning normally shortly.”

She nodded, and the doctor sighed. “The police will want to speak with you as soon as you are able.”

“They will have to wait until the Family lawyers arrive.” A voice said from the doorway, and Saeran looked up to see one Jumin Han, a man he had previously only seen in photographs, looking stern. Behind him, a mop of red hair Saeran would know anywhere.

[archer-ko]

MYSTICTOBER|Moth-rabbit Crystals

15. Crystal moth-rabbit

~ Shine and sparkle 

The very first moth-rabbit did not possess wings at all from birth. After a long time of watching butterflies swirling around, he wished to hover near them and acquired soft wings, which were passed on to his descendants. The current rabbit moths have become truly magical creatures; depending on what was closest to them at the time of birth, they acquire different abilities. This little cutie was born in a cave full of gems that shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow. He absorbed all their light and brilliance, which was reflected not only on his coat but also on the surrounding crystals, which formed a second pair of wings and a sparkling crown. The easiest place to find a crystal moth-rabbit is in a mine with precious minerals, because to this day it never leaves its nest.

⬇ Commission [OPEN] ⬇

Feral $10 USD (Pokemon|Pony|and other animals) Chibi $15 USD More information on Humans, Humanoid, Anthro:

❥ Headshot $10 USD ❥ Thigh up $15 USD ❥ Full Body $20 USD

*Price per background from $5 to $20 USD

I draw: Feral, Pokémon, Pony, Mythical creatures, Humans, Humanoid, Anthro I don't draw: Hard fetishes Deadline 3-7 days Payment by Boosty (you can pay with Paypal or card)

*If you have any questions, please ask me

YCH|Sunny portrait [OPEN] fix $ 3 USD

[password-door-lock]

Masterlist

Headcanons/Asks RFA wedding napkin preferences [1.7k words] What would Saeran’s career be like after the events of Gummy Worms [525 words] Sharing a bed with all Saerans [2k words] Video calling with SE Saeran [874 words] Sneak Peak at Gummy Worms 2 [872 words]

Drabbles Far too much description of the pink room [1.8k words] Being Unknown’s assistant is 1000x better than my actual job [540 words] Giving Unknown a full length mirror so that he can see how weird his boots look [1.5k words] Calling Suit for the express purpose of telling dad jokes [1.2k words] Bothering Unknown until he tells you who he is lol [1.2k words] Introducing SE Saeran to match 3 games (and koalas) [954 words] Idol Unknown goes live (set during Gummy Worms) [1.2k words] You get a cold in the intelligence room as Unknown’s assistant [1.4k words] Suit dresses up as Ray and asks for a kiss [947 words] Saying “yes” to GE Saeran [884 words] Sneaking into the kitchen at Magenta to cook something for Suit [1.5k words] Unknown comforts you after you see a bug [1.1k words] Surprising Unknown with a “Christmas” gift [1.3k words] Giving Unknown one of those fancy promotional tea drinks that comes with a plushie [981 words] Indoor picnic with GE Saeran [723 words] Unknown sits on your lap (for control-based reasons, of course) [813 words] Asking Suit Saeran to stay after his apology [1.4k words] Trying to be a proper assistant for Unknown [1.6k words] The Mint Eye server crashes and you and Unknown banter about it lol [1k words] Ray accidentally steals your glove while “observing” you at work [1.5k words] You try and fail to input the password on the door lock (but at least you get to meet Unknown) [1.4k words] You and Saeran comfort one another on day 3 of his AE [944 words] Asking Unknown if he ever gets tired [1.2k words] Unknown watches you through your webcam [1.2k words] Telling Unknown that you’re bored of working [722 words] Contemplating your feelings for Unknown while he sleeps beside you [768 words]

Collections Mystictober 2023 Fake Chats

Oneshots The Cheesiest (Introducing GE Saeran to boxed mac ‘n’ cheese) [3.2k words] Mischief Night (Unknown crashes the RFA Halloween Party) [3.6k words] Caramel Apple (Unknown contemplates his feelings for MC a year after crashing the RFA Halloween Party) [4.6k words] Puppet Show (Based on the iconic puppet show cg ofc) [4.4k words] Everything More Than a Dream (Role reversal: you are fictional and SE Saeran is very real) [5.4k words] Peach Blossoms & Banksia (Say hello to Danger Ray) [12.8k words] Just Like Any Normal Couple (Fake dating with Unknown) [11.4k words] Gummy Worms (Idol Unknown AU) [28.2k words]  Orange Roses (Vampire Ray and Vampire Suit) [2.6k words] Rose Leaf (Vampire Unknown x Reader) [2.6k words] Maybe (Choi twins Linguistics AU; no pairings as of now) [3k words] Secret Santa (Christmas with Unknown) [7.4k words] Be (anything but) my valentine (Valentines Day with Suit Saeran) [10.2k words] Bleach (Helping Unknown bleach his hair) [6k words]

Multi-Chapter Blue Light (Assistant AU / Unknown redemption arc set on Yoosung’s route for some inexplicable reason, a creative decision which I question daily; 30/30 Chapters) [140k words] Glow-In-The-Dark (Fantasy AU, Unknown x MC, 3/? Chapters) [14.5k words]

[sakuradamitsuki]

Day 2: Child/Photograph Mystictober 2023

[yoosungisbabie]

hello! this masterlist is small right now, but I wanted to get it out there for you all to use! thank you and enjoy!

Events: 

Jumin Week 2020

Mystictober 2020

MysMe Angst Week 2020

Jumin Week 2023 - still ongoing!

Jumin

events:

Jumin Week 2020

Jumin Week 2023

fics from events:

brownies

my favorite view

you're too much

one more night (and i would've been yours)

not what i expected

it kills me to think of you (with another man)

bodyguard

i should, but i don't

i can't make you love me

i can only reach you from where you are

infidelity

standalone fics:

on the ride home

alone with you

Seven

fics from events:

constellations and confessions

rescue mission

the pedal's down

you're not mine

just a distraction

you know i'll follow

ZEN

nothing yet!

Yoosung

fics from events:

i'll miss you

[updated oct ‘23]

[ekaarts]

🌙🌕Lunaris / Mysthictober Day, 6🌕🌙

List by @art_of_reku

This is none other than Goddess Artemis. 🌕🦌

For Garden of the Never-Known Goddess, I want to take a twist on the appearances of the other deities as well, based on their attributes.

I have had my rouble with this one quite a bit. Not the design (well, that too, but like 2 months ago, and that is for a different time), but the lineart. She was suppoused to have a much more delicate face, but it didn't work out well.

I still like her a lot, though.

I want an "official" post for introducing her, but a quick rundown: She's Bronthea's half sister and one of the only ones she gets along with.

Artemis and all the other deities appearing in the story are antagonists to the main cast.

This is far not final. I will reach out to pagans worshiping her to see how much they like it, and as a pagan myself, I'll make sure to personally give her some offerings and check if she herself approves.

[bluejay-writes]

Mystictober 2023: Day 4 - About the Barn Cat...

You can read this fic on Ao3 if that’s more your speed!

Rating: Teen.

Prompt: Rebel / Royal

Pairing: Jumin/MC

Wordcount: 2546

Summary: Crown Prince Jumin Han needs a wife, but mostly he needs a partner to lessen his work load. Almost all these ladies at this afternoon tea want the job. One of them just wants to get her embroidery done.

Author's Notes: This fic was written for Mystictober 2023, Day 4. I'll be writing for the whole month, so if you have any requests, hit up that ask box. (The full prompt list is at the bottom of this post!)

Jaehee is referred to here as Mrs. Kang - the Mrs. designation is because she is the head of the serving staff for the entire palace, as Housekeeper, she is Mrs., regardless of her marital status. If I write more in this AU, however... :D got plans for Miss Jaehee.

Please enjoy some classic Jumin being bad at feelings.

(Did I just post this on the old blog? I sure did. You saw nothing.)

“Stop fidgeting.”

The sharp voice made Emme’s hands still where they had been picking at the over-embellished dress she was wearing. She knew better than to fidget, had been trained better, to stand still and simper and be otherwise indistinguishable from a noblewoman. But she hated it. She’d rather be out in the fields with her sheep. The very sheep that her brother was now probably tending to inappropriately.

But it had been decided. The rebellion needed an inside voice with the monarchy, and with the prince’s hand in marriage up for whomever could grab his attention, they’d put all their effort into training Emme for just that purpose. Did she want to be a princess? No one ever asked her, not even herself. The rebellion was her family. Ever since her father had been killed for supposedly ogling a noblewoman, and her mother had followed him into death via her own grief, the rebels had taken care of Emme and her brother, so at the very least she could give this her best attempt.

It was possible that the prince was gay. As far as everyone said, he’d never even looked at a woman twice. He might not even be interested in women, at which point this whole farce would have been useless, but she still had to try.

“If you’re done woolgathering, the carriage has arrived.” The blonde woman smirked at her, but mostly at her own joke since Emme was a shepherdess before she became a faux noble.

Emme didn’t voice a response, knowing that was what was expected of her. She simply got into the carriage and wondered how she could get out of this uncomfortable situation without disappointing literally everyone.

“Your highness, it is time for Afternoon Tea.”

His Highness, Crown Prince Jumin, looked up from the paperwork covering his desk and sighed.

“Mrs. Kang, you know I don’t have time for this.”

“I know, your highness.”

Jumin didn’t argue, he simply stood, smoothed the wrinkles from sitting out of his attire, and waved for the Housekeeper to proceed.  He knew that this afternoon tea was planned out by his father to find him a wife.  It wasn’t that he was against finding a wife, but most of the details of running the kingdom were already his responsibility while his father spent most of his time attending social functions or consorting with his harem.

“As you’re aware, Highness, you will be expected to pick at least one of these women to court.  I recommend spending some time talking with each of them to get a feeling for their work ethic.”

Jumin chuckled. Trust Mrs. Kang to understand exactly the sort of thing he was thinking.  She truly was the perfect Housekeeper, and he never regretted having her take over the butler’s duties when he retired. The woman was impeccable at her job, which he appreciated more than anything.

He wouldn’t mind having a Queen, or even just a Princess Consort if they were willing and capable of sharing in his workload.  But he knew the noblewomen his father would have invited didn’t know the meaning of the word. Most of them had been raised to be nothing but arm candy, because that’s the sort of woman the King preferred. Maybe he should just give in to the rumors and tell everyone he was only interested in men.  It wasn’t true.  Not that he was any more interested in men than he was in women, but it would at least stop this marriage farce.

Walking into the hall, he could immediately tell that this was going to be a most uncomfortable few hours of social effort.

Emme twitched.  When it was clear that the prince was making his way table-by-table, everyone had flocked to sit as close to the front as possible, leaving her alone at her table to drink her tea.  She had no reason to try to get closer.  Either the prince would take the time to reach every table, or he wouldn’t, and no matter where she sat, it wouldn’t make a difference.

This tea was already proving to be a trial, even without company to chat with. She was likely to leave the event hungry, which went against her better judgment, given how used to going hungry she was. She couldn’t afford to be picky, but a noblewoman in her position couldn’t afford not to be picky. She wasn’t interested in the sweet pastries, instead preferring savory accompaniments, and everything they’d provided was sweet. She considered this an oversight on the part of the staff, not that she would ever speak her mind about it. She was taught better.

Knowing that if word of her behavior got back to her handler in the rebellion she would get no end of grief, Emme still slipped her embroidery out of her bag to work on, once she had finished a second cup of tea.  She’d been working stitching a scene of her own design, one she’d sketched out of a barn cat asleep on a windowsill.  She thought it would be a lovely handkerchief, or perhaps a scarf, once it was completed.  With a small smile pinned on her face, mostly from nostalgia about the barn cat, but also her training to ‘always be pleasant’, Emme got to work on her embroidery, paying little attention to the rest of the room.

As predicted, Prince Jumin was bored.  He had thought he might have to answer the same question repeatedly, but instead these women were only interested in talking up their own supposed achievements and desirability as a potential princess candidate.

Once, during a shift from one table full of insufferable women to the next, Jumin noticed one of the women, at the farthest table, sitting quietly by herself working on her embroidery.  She seemed quietly pleased, and it immediately drew his attention.  Of course, his attention was immediately followed by the next table of women being even more oppressive, and even underhandedly catty about the woman who was sitting alone, as though they thought that was what he wanted to hear.

His mind was filled with thoughts about this woman, using time that would otherwise have been wasted on useless social interactions to complete work. He moved almost as a marionette through the last few tables of women, none of whom stood a chance of catching his attention and taking it away from the woman at the last table.

Finally, Finally, he went to sit with her, to meet her, and she continued to surprise him. As he sat down, she held up a hand as though to forestall his greeting as she finished one last stitch, and tucked her embroidery safely back in her bag.

“I’m sorry for the delay.” Emme said, smiling. “I wanted to get that stitch finished.”

“It was no issue. I am a fan of embroidery, myself.” He said, sharing the first piece of information about himself all afternoon. “May I see what you were working on?”

“Truly?” Jumin felt blinded by her smile, lighting up her face like the bright rays of dawn.  She took out her embroidery frame, showing off the sleeping cat, as far as she’d gotten him done so far. “Did you design this yourself?” He asked, eying the hand-drawn lining underlying the stitches.

“I did. It’s our barn cat—“ She bit her lip. Noble Ladies don’t consort with barn cats.

Jumin didn’t seem to care that she shouldn’t have been anywhere near a barn, or consorted with barn cats. “Would you ever be willing to design one for me?”

Emme tipped her head to the side in curiosity, reminding Jumin of his Elizabeth the 3rd. “Of what, if I may ask?”

“Of my darling cat, of course.” he smiled. “My Elizabeth the 3rd would make an excellent subject for your embroidery, I am certain.”

“Oh.” Emme said, drawn in by the warmth of his smile. She had expected the prince to be cold, and boring, and nothing at all like he was. “Well, yes, I think that would be a fun challenge.”

“If you’d like, then, I shall invite you back for a private luncheon where you can meet Miss Elizabeth.”

“That sounds marvelous, I—“

Emme was cut off by one of the guards walking hurriedly over to Jumin and whispering in his ear. He paled, and turned to her in apology.

“It seems I must cut our tea short. I will see you again, miss.” He nodded to her, and followed his guard out. Emme just stared after him, and tried to stifle a laugh. He’d never even asked her name, how was he supposed to invite her to lunch?

Jumin was pacing.  The alarm from the guards had been nothing of note. His father had been demanding his presence, in fact to ascertain which women he wanted to court.  If only he’d known that he’d pulled Jumin away from a conversation with the only person, gender irrelevant, who had ever caught his attention.  It wasn’t romantic, what he felt for her, but… it was certainly a pull.  A desire to befriend her and keep her forever, like he felt with his Elizabeth.  Maybe that was enough for a wife, after all.  She certainly seemed diligent, working on her stitching rather than gossiping with the other noblewomen.

If only he’d had the presence of mind to ask the girl her name.  This slip in etiquette was plaguing him, as all he could tell his aides of her was her long dark hair, golden eyes, and penchant for embroidery.  Also, that she apparently had a barn cat.

A knock at his door startled him out of his thoughts, and at his call, Mrs. Kang entered the room.

“Excuse me, your Highness, I have located your mystery noblewoman.”

“You have?” He gestured for her to approach, and she did, moving silently as usual, his favorite thing about her which was also the most unnerving.

“Yes, though there is a bit of an issue. It appears that while she appears noble, and on the surface her credentials are from a noble family, she herself was born a commoner, and has been raised primarily by the rebellion.”

“Ah, so you think she’s a spy, or an assassin?”

“No, unlikely. It seems they’ve groomed her to be a noblewoman to try and get a voice in amongst the nobles.  They’re dissatisfied with her because she refuses to involve herself in unnecessary gossip, and thus doesn’t bring back information the way they hoped.  And after being called away from her at Tea, they are assuming she made a poor impression on you. It is unlikely you will need to deal with her at future events.”

“She would have been the only bright point in those events.” Jumin said, with more than a hint of melancholy. He considered discarding his fancy then and there, but found that it pained him to even consider it.

“Mrs. Kang, what is her name?”

“Emme, your Highness.”

“Emme. What a lovely name.” Jumin smiled, and added the name to the letter in front of him. “Mrs. Kang, please see this letter delivered to Miss Emme. We shall be having lunch on the morrow.”

Emme was, once again, fidgeting. Her dress today was much simpler - She’d been summoned to the palace to have lunch with the prince and discuss embroidery.  The letter had been delivered to her actual home, and not to the address she was beholden to as a supposed noble. This meant that the palace knew exactly who she was, and were in no way fooled by her assumed identity.

Her handler warned her that going to the palace again would be a trap, that they meant to arrest her for treason, and that if she were to do this, they would wash their hands of her. There would be no help coming.  Emme wanted to believe that his highness was truly interested in her embroidery, truly wanted to speak with her, and perhaps request her work as they had discussed. She wanted to believe in him, because he seemed to truly see her, not just what he wanted to see.

And so, here she stood in front of the palace gates in her simple blue dress, its hem dust-stained from the walk across the city, her embroidery bag slung over her shoulder.  At least it hadn’t been raining.

“Who goes there?” The guard called, and she paused, taking a deep breath before responding.

“Emme, sir. Here at the invitation of His Highness Prince Jumin.”  She held out the invitation, which the guard took from her, and then smiled.

“Ah, the embroidress.  Welcome, miss!” The guard winked at her, and handed the invitation back. “Mrs. Kang should be out to escort you soon, you’re a bit early.”

“Yes, I am.” Emme said with a nod. “Better early and waiting than late and keeping His Highness waiting.”

The guard nodded, and in mere moments a severe-looking woman in glasses walked out, took one look at her, and smiled slightly.

“Miss Emme, if you’ll follow me?”

The way to Jumin’s private lounge was twisting, and Emme knew that she would not be able to leave the palace without assistance.  The way the guard and the housekeeper had been treating her didn’t imply that she was to be arrested, and so her hopes of having a peaceful lunch with discussion of shared interests rose steadily.

Jumin was, of course, ready for Emme when she arrived.  He’d been standing by the window petting Miss Elizabeth the 3rd, and turned with a smile when Mrs. Kang showed her into the room before shutting the door to give them privacy.  It was false privacy, as Jumin’s valet stood against one wall, ready to serve any need they may have during the luncheon, all but unnoticed.

“Miss Emme.” He said, greeting her with a smile and a kiss on the hand. “How lovely to see you again. You look more comfortable today.”

Emme chuckled. “You weren’t upset to discover I was but a simple commoner in noble’s clothes? I am sorry for deceiving you, Your Highness.”

“Not at all, actually. You’re a breath of fresh air, and as hypocritical as it may sound, I don’t care one whit about nobility.”

Emme chuckled, and settled into the chair he motioned her to. “I brought some of my other embroidery for you to look over, since you mentioned it was also a hobby you enjoyed.”

The moment she sat down, Elizabeth the 3rd perked up from her window seat. She stretched leisurely, then trotted over to Emme, and after a casual appraisal, jumped up into her lap and curled up to go back to sleep.

Emme was startled, and looked to Jumin and then back down at Elizabeth multiple times, with hearts in her eyes.

“Is this Miss Elizabeth the 3rd? She’s so lovely!”

Jumin simply stared. Miss Elizabeth did not tolerate anyone but himself, often going so far as to scratch Mrs. Kang, and hiss at his Valet, V, if he got too close. But here she was, declaring her preference for the lap of this girl she’d just met over his own.

“Emme.” Jumin said, his voice full of an emotion he couldn’t place. “Marry me.”

[ekaarts]

🌺🌸Florentis / Mysthictober Day, 4🌸🌺

List by @art_of_reku

It was time you guys finally got a picture of Jo, my Encanto OC and love interest of Isabela.

Jo uses both he/him and she/her pronounces, since he's neither and both a girl and a boy. I found it unrealistic to use they/them for a character in the early 60's.

But, like, why did this turn out so cute? 😭❤️

They're supposed to be this lovy-dovy couple, always hugging and just in need of constantly touching each other.

(This picture in particular would happen after the fic Over the Mountains [currently on hiatus].)

[bluejay-writes]

Mystictober 2023 - Day 13: Autumn Leaves

You can read/collect this fic on Ao3 if that’s more your speed!

Rating: E for everyone.

Prompt: Sweater / Leaves

Characters: MC & Saeran & 707

Wordcount: 1189

Summary: MC is raking leaves. Saeran is stealing her sweater. Seven is being a mischief. So, y'know, the usual.

Author's Notes: This was written for Mystictober 2023, Day 13. I've been intending to be writing for the whole month, but a lot of the prompts just aren't doing anything for my muse, so if you have any requests, hit up that ask box. (The full prompt list is at the bottom of this post!)

MC sighed as she looked at the pile of raked leaves.  She’d gotten through maybe a quarter of the yard at their new home, and there were already so many.  She wasn’t bitter.  Seven… Saeyoung… had wanted to move into a real house now that he was reunited with his brother and had invited her to come live with them as well.  And since he still had more work than time (or sense), household chores fell to her. And, theoretically, Saeran. But MC couldn’t bring herself to ask the still-recovering victim brother to help with the physical tasks. He’d help in an instant, if he thought he’d get away with it.  After the last time he’d overexerted himself and ended up in bed for a week, MC was a lot more careful about asking for his help.  She was capable, and while she enjoyed his quiet company she wanted him smiling, not wincing in pain.  Thinking about his quiet antics made her chuckle, given that if he was dealing with only his twin he could be a right asshole. But never to her. There was probably some reason for it that she wasn’t aware of. Something aside from the fact that he still hadn’t truly gotten over Seven abandoning him as a child, regardless of the mitigating circumstances.

Those thoughts, however, were  for another time. Right now was for raking all of these leaves. Pulling off her sweater - a smart idea to battle the late Autumn chill, just a little too much now that she was actually working - she tossed it on the back step, and got back to raking.

Finally, raking the last of the bright red and yellow leaves into the pile, MC turned back towards the house to get herself a drink.  Maybe some tea would be good…

She blinked, and then blinked again. Saeran was sitting on the back step holding two oversized mugs…and he was wearing her sweater.  On closer inspection, he was basically curled up entirely inside said sweater, which made her giggle.  He was so small, even now that he was recovering, the fact that he could curl his knees up and be contained in the thing… it was big, sure, and she wasn’t a twig like he was, but… it was too adorable.

“I brought you tea.” he said quietly, holding one of the mugs out towards her. MC tried not to focus on the fact that he was a blushy mess, but the pink on his cheeks, with that soft smile, it was too rare not to notice.

“Thank you! I was literally just thinking I could use some tea.  It’s chilly out here, do you want to go back inside?”

“No, it’s nice. I mean… it is now… do you want your sweater back?”

“You keep it. I’m still too warm for it. Besides, you’re adorable like this. You should consider oversized sweaters.”

The strangled sound he made only made her smile more. Sure, he was quiet, but that didn’t make him not a target for her teasing.

“Only if you help me shop for them.” He said, and she blinked in shock.

“Really? You’d go shopping with me?” Saeran had been disinterested in leaving the house since they’d moved into it. 

He smirked, and MC realized she hadn’t seen that look on his face before. He’d worn a similar expression when he’d broken into the apartment, but this was more honest, more himself.

“And take you away from my brother for an afternoon? I’d love to. How close are you to done with the raking?”

As he asked, the patio door behind them slid open, and a streak of red black and gold blew by them. 

“Cannonball!” Seven yelled as he jumped into the large pile of leaves that MC had made, scattering them everywhere.

MC laughed. She hadn’t jumped into the leaves since she was small.  She should have been irritated, given that Seven had just undone part of the work she’d spent the morning on, but she just couldn’t bring herself to be anything but amused by his childishness. Saeran gave her a look, and she held out a hand for his mug.

“Go on.” She whispered, and he launched himself also into the leaves, practically smashing into his prone twin while he was at it.

“Whoa, MC!” Seven said, and then realized it was Saeran in the leaves with him. “Bro?!”

“Hello, Brother.” Saeran said, a wicked light in his eyes “I have come to turn you into the scarecrow for the yard.” And without further preamble, he started shoving handfuls of leaves into Seven’s shirt.

Both exhausted from their leaf fight, Seven and Saeran shook the leaves out of their clothes (and MC’s big sweater) and joined her on the back step.

“Y’all are cute.” MC said, grinning.

“Lies.” Saeran said quietly.

Seven simply said “Yep.”

“Now I have to rake all that back up.” MC said, despairing.  Mostly for effect, but it certainly did the job.

“Saeyoung, I am taking MC out shopping once I’ve gotten all the leaves out of my everywhere.  You are going to re-rake this entire thing back into the pile it was before we ruined it.”

Seven looked between MC and Saeran, and MC just shrugged with a grin plastered on her face.

“Okay, you two have fun.” Seven said, reaching out for the rake that MC had left leaning against the wall.

“Yes, of course brother. I hate you so much.” Saeran said, and it took a moment for MC to realize he was referencing that little cartoon with the kitty-ladybug boy, and not just being the mean version of himself that he only ever let out around Seven.

Shopping was a time and a half, but after going to half a dozen stores, Saeran had a few sweaters that he was happy with, and had even found a gift for Seven while they were out.

“Brother! I am home!” Saeran announced as he walked in the front door.  MC hadn’t made it inside, she was staring at the fact that not only had Seven fixed the mess he’d made in the back yard, the front was also completely raked and leaf-free.  She circled around to the back of the house to realize that he’d actually bagged up all of the leaves, leaving the yard in pristine condition.

When she stepped inside, she saw the look on Seven’s face as Saeran gave him the sweater they’d found for him, which was an ugly-Christmas-sweater style knitted monstrosity with different meme cats all over it.  The boy was crying.

“This is the best gift I have ever gotten.” he said before shedding his iconic hoodie to pull the new sweater immediately over his head. “I will cherish it forever.”

MC smiled while leaning on the doorway. This was everything she’d ever wanted in life. A warm home, and a found family that loved each other. It was practically perfect in every way.

Just then, a voice called from the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready, come eat it before it gets cold.”

Wait, Vanderwood’s here? And he cooked? Now it’s perfect.

[bluejay-writes]

Mystictober 2023: Day 12 - This sounds like a Job for AI

You can read/collect this fic on Ao3 if that’s more your speed!

Rating: E for everyone.

Prompt: Robot / Text Message

Characters: 707, Vanderwood, MC (Anna)

Wordcount: 1993

Summary: Wait, did you really expect her to just stay in the apartment under these obviously sketchy conditions? No thanks. Let's just make a chat bot to talk to the RFA and then GTFO.

Author's Notes: This was written for Mystictober 2023, Day 12. I've been intending to be writing for the whole month, but a lot of the prompts just aren't doing anything for my muse, so if you have any requests, hit up that ask box. (The full prompt list is at the bottom of this post!) Also, the diner and the waitress therein are an homage to one of the best MC/707 fics out there, "The Number Next Door" by LumiOlivier.

Alright, now I just need to make sure I’ve got the settings correct so that it only joins chat rooms during the sleep schedule precedent I set for the first two days, and then I think everything’s set…

Anna winced as another chatroom opening notification pinged in.  Well, it wouldn’t hurt to set the thing up and test it out before she made her way out of the apartment and back to some semblance of a normal life.  If everything went well, she’d be out of the apartment for good within the hour. Making sure the phone was plugged into its charger, she set it next to her, kicked on the Chat AI bot that she’d just finished, and watched as it entered the chat just like she taught it to.

Anna couldn’t help but preen like a proud mother as she watched it interact.

[Anna has entered the chat] Yoosung★: Hey, it’s Anna! Jaehee Kang: Welcome, yo Jaehee Kang: I mean, welcome. Yoosung★: typo lolololol Jumin Han: Her fingers must have slipped. Jaehee Kang: …;

Anna watched as her bot flawlessly chatted with Jumin, Jaehee, and Yoosung about their lunches, and food in general. She smirked at the commentary about rich people, and Seven’s maid.  Anna was certain that Seven neither had an actual maid, nor was the person in question named Mary Vanderwood 3rd.  It was probably his handler for whatever super-secret work he did.  Not that Anna was one to judge, she did plenty of hacking on her own.  

She’d made one major mistake, however. Her cover identity this time around was too perfect. It had fooled Unknown into thinking she was just the kind of nonentity that he needed for whatever mess he was trying to get her into with the RFA, and it was clean enough that even hacker 707 thought she was who she said she was.  It would be a bit sad to shed Anna less than a year after slipping into her skin, but that was the price of going undetected in this line of work. Apparently, her impressions of 707 had led her bot to trust him, which amused her. He was probably the most trustworthy among them, but because of that the least likely to speak the truth.  

As the conversation started to wind down, Anna unplugged her power cable and got everything ready for her departure from the apartment.  Surely they would just assume she was still here if the phone was still here and talking to them.  She knew there was a camera in the hallway, so if she left the apartment after this chatroom closed, they’d think she was off to get groceries or something, and Seven would just assume he’d missed her come back when she started talking again.

Yoosung went back to class after his lunch hour (which was frankly a miracle given his gaming habits), whereas Jumin and Jaehee had a meeting.  They all logged out, and Anna paused the bot before it, too, left the chat.

Anna: This is going to sound weird, but Anna: Thank you all so much for being so welcoming. Anna: I know you didn’t have to, and it means a lot. [Anna has left the chatroom]

Anna kicked the bot back in, checked that she had everything she came with, and turned off the light on her way out the door.  She felt bad for leaving them without more than a cryptic thank you, but if she said anything else they’d start to question the bot.

Next stop, lunch.

The sights, sounds, and smells of her favorite little diner wrapped Anna up like a warm hug. She sipped on the blueberry honey shake in front of her as the waitress took away the dirty plates from her lunch. Laptop in front of her, she tapped away, looking for just the right area to disappear to next. Seoul had seemed like a great idea, but then she’d found that lost phone and decided to be a Good Samaritan and return it to its owner, and, well, the whole mess with the apartment.

She lost herself for a moment, looking at youth hostels in Morocco, when someone suddenly slid into the booth across from her. Gut instinct told her to cut and run - but before she could even shift, someone else settled between her and the edge of the booth.

Anna sighed, and looked up at the ginger sitting in front of her.

“Good afternoon. What can I do for you…” She glanced at the stern brunette next to her. “Gentlemen?”

“Come on, Anna. You’re smart enough to recognize me from my pictures!” The man across from her said, brightly. “Don’t play dumb, please.”

Another sigh, and Anna shrugged. “Hi, Seven.”

Seven, for it truly was the hacker from the RFA, grinned and waved down the waitress. “Florence, can I get a short stack and a strawberry shake?”

The older woman smiled. “Sure thing, Lucy. Anything for your shadow?” She eyed the man next to Anna, who shrugged. “And a black coffee.  You need a refresh on that shake, dear? Not often I get an excuse to play with honey.”

Anna looked at Seven, and then back at the waitress. “Sure, why not. May as well ruin the rest of my day with a sugar high.”

“Works for this boy often enough, not that I usually see him before Midnight.” 

Anna sighed, and closed her laptop. “So, what can I do for you while we wait for the sugar rush of the century?”

Seven smirked. “Care to explain how you’re having a conversation with Yoosung about the pros and cons of LOLOL character builds while you sit here considering youth hostels in Africa?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Anna said, shrugging. “Well, about LOLOL. Never played it. I was definitely looking at Hostels.”

Seven tapped his phone a few times and pointed it at her, where ‘Anna’ and ‘Yoosung★’ were definitely having that conversation.

“How did you install a chatbot in my messenger?  Why did you install a chatbot in my messenger? You’re an American, an English Literature major college dropout, how do you even know what a chatbot is?”

“First, rude. Liberal Arts majors know a lot of things and don’t get enough credit.” Then, she shrugged. “The fact that you believe that I’m American, or dropped out of college even, implies that you’re not as good of a hacker as you claim to be.”

There was a pause, and the shadow next to her shifted in a way that implied he was reaching for a concealed weapon.

“Stow it, black coffee.” Anna said, rolling her eyes. “I’m hardly a physical threat, and you have me dead to rights before I could even try and get out of this booth, there’s no need to scare randos at a diner.”

“Vanderwood.” He grunted, relaxing a degree or two, and she nodded. 

“Sorry. Vanderwood.”

Seven looked between them, and then back at his phone, and deflated into a depressed looking puddle just as Florence arrived with their food.

“Trouble in paradise, you two? And here I thought my firecracker of a regular was finally going to go on vacation with a cute girl. You better apologize, mister, she’s a keeper.” Florence said, waggling a finger before walking away.

“Shit.” Seven rolled his eyes. “I’m even the villain to Florence now.”

“Sorry, Seven. No romantic vacations for you. At least not with me.”

“Aw, am I not cute enough?”

“You’re adorable. And I’m a lesbian. Next question?”

“What’s your name?” Seven asked, bluntly.

Next to her, Vanderwood made the strangest sound, like he was trying desperately not to laugh. When Seven gave him a look, he quietly said “She could tell you, but she’d have to kill you.”

Anna chuckled, and Seven just shook his head. Spy Dad Jokes.

“Okay, how about ‘what do you want to be called’ then?  We all know Seven’s not my real name, so like, I’m not one to actually complain.”

“Anna’s fine. I haven’t gotten to be Anna long enough.”

“So, obviously you’re a hacker type.” Seven said. “And better than me at. identity. shenanigans.” he clarified. “Why did you leave the apartment? Why a chat bot? I want to understand. I want to keep my friends safe.”

“You try being led to a random apartment by someone who was drawn in by an identity that no one would miss if she disappeared, and then get taken in like family by the people you were led to. Now, be told that you shouldn’t leave the apartment you’re in, that there are cameras but not where. Then be told not only by the group in which you’ve been planted but also by the creeper that put you there that you have to convince people to come to a charity party and that everyone’s happiness relies on you doing a job you only agreed to so you wouldn’t get arrested for trying to do a good deed. I am not sad to be burning this persona to the ground this fast, I just started being Anna and I like who she is. I’m a fan of not caring what two milkshakes in a day and no gym time is doing to my hips. But I’m glad. Because it means that it’s me who was in that situation. Me, who was equipped to get herself out without hurting herself or others. Well, barring some feelings. I’m sure Yoosung will never forgive me and I set the bot to be nice to Jaehee and flirt hardcore with Zen, so… yeah. Feelings probably hurt, but. No innocent lives were entirely ruined, and I’ll figure out what to do about buying new jeans wherever Anna 2.0 ends up next.”

“Well. Someone certainly taught you how to monologue.”

“Video games.”

“I thought you didn’t play LOLOL.”

“I don’t. There are other games, you know.”

Seven sighed. “Okay. Say I understand. What about the shady guy? Isn’t he going to just get someone else?”

“Yeah, probably, but I mean you were looking for him and he won’t notice I’m gone for awhile, and he’ll be so confused by the chat bot he’ll slip and you’ll catch him.”

Seven grumbled. “I was fooled by the chat bot until I realized you weren’t in the apartment.”

“See, cameras.”

“But why a chat bot, Anna? Why give in to sleazy corporate AI shenanigans? Stolen training media!! My heart hurts.”

“I stole the chat bot. She’s ripped. And she’s trained only my own shitty fanfic, so she sounds as much like me as possible.”

Seven just blinked at her. “You write fanfic?! No no no wait that is not the takeaway here.”

Vanderwood cleared his throat as Florence arrived to clear the table and quietly return Vanderwood’s credit card.

“Right. Uh. One last question, Anna, and then I’ll get out of your hair.” Seven was wringing his hands, and Anna wasn’t sure how she felt about whatever this question was going to be.

“Would you consider… working with me?  Maybe this hacker situation as a trial and you can see if you like the working conditions?”

Anna eyed Vanderwood. “This your handler?” A grunt from Mr. Black Coffee Vanderwood himself gave the answer. “That make him my handler?”

“Depends.” Vanderwood spoke for himself. “How do you feel about dishes?”

“I prefer a dishwasher but as long as you don’t make me wear the horrendous yellow plastic gloves I’m game?”

“Yeah. I think I can handle you.” Vanderwood nodded.

Anna smirked, but didn’t take the easy bait.

“Alright. Let’s go catch us a creepy cult boy and his Eternal Paradise or whatever. Then I’m going to Morocco.”

“Need a +1?” Seven said, smirking as they left the diner.

“Yep. I’m going to seduce Jaehee.”

The sound Seven made in response sounded almost like someone put a rubber chicken in a blender. In that moment, Anna was glad she decided to stay.

[ekaarts]

☠️Poison / Mysthictober Day, 12☠️

List by @art_of_reku

Well, this is a last-minute one.😓

I had absolutely no ideas, and when I did, I fell ill.

This is basically me as Wednesday in her iconic poison-drinking scene.

[ekaarts]

❤️‍🔥Sucubus / Mysthictober Day, 11❤️‍🔥

List by @art_of_reku

It's Bonnie because... who the fuck else would it be?

Let's be clear, because those who saw this before you guys thought as such, Bonnie is NOT actually a sucubus; she's just very horny. 😅

She's the island's residental escort.

The world's horniest aromantic, if you will. 😂

Fun fact: I have some "active" classmates who got to know me as the "inocent one," and they're really proud that I'm starting to grow up. 🤣

[ekaarts]

🕷🕸Spiderweb / Mysthictober Day, 8🕸🕷

List by @art_of_reku

Oh my, how much I missed drawing Araya. I haven't drew her since LAST OCTOBER

I really want to draw her more now, actually.

For those unfamiliar with Over the Mountains (my main Encanto fanfic), Araya is Antonio's best friend (it plays 10 years after the time of the movie), and her favorite animals are spiders. 🕷

[bluejay-writes]

Mystictober 2023: Day 7 - Voice like an Angel

You can read/collect this fic on Ao3 if that’s more your speed!

Rating: Teen (Swears, Sex References)

Prompt: Festival / Music

Characters: Zen, Jaehee, GN!OC = Garrett.

Wordcount: 2268

Summary: Garrett hasn't seen Jaehee since they quit school to pursue music. One fateful day at a festival, Jaehee hooks Garrett up with Zen. For music reasons and only music reasons.

Author's Notes: This fic was written for Mystictober 2023, Day 7.  I really love how this turned out, and even I'm curious about what's going to happen with Garrett and Zen down the line. Certainly whatever it is, Jaehee will have all the gossip.

Also, I know that the fact that there's no relationships in this means that the vast majority of people won't read it. And I'm actually okay with that. But sometimes a story calls for an aro they/them OC, and not following the muse on that one is like tearing my own heart out.

Garrett was nervous.  They weren’t usually nervous, not for concerts, not anymore.  But it had been a long time since their little band had performed on a big festival stage. And by a long time, they meant like a decade.  They’d been 16 and fearless the last time, and while it had gone fine, they hadn’t been invited back the next year, so who knew how “fine” it had actually been.

This year’s festival was sponsored by C&R International, and while their sponsorship was a surprise, it seemed that one of the C&R Directors was actually running the festival this time.  Things seemed to be going well. Ticket sales were up, food stalls weren’t murdering the merch sales with impossibly high water prices because C&R was just handing out water bottles for free. 

What that actually meant for Garrett was that they actually knew the person in charge of the stage they were playing on, and that - that - was what had them nervous.  C&R’s Stage Liaison for the Cyclone stage was none other than Jaehee Kang herself.  Garrett knew Jaehee from Cram School.  Okay, from the cram school they’d dropped out of to pursue being a musician full time.  And yes, that had worked out.  Backing vocals and bass guitar in a band that opened for multiple sold out tours internationally was no joke.  And sure, they could be lead vocals. Or in a band that headlined those tours. But they refused to downplay their own achievement by wishing for more.

Jaehee had, however, known them by their dead name. And certainly their visual presentation was no longer the demure girl with long black braids and braces, but an undercut mohawk and androgynous presentation wouldn’t stop the notoriously observant Jaehee from figuring out who they were immediately.  None of the band had called them by their dead name in at least five years. But the minute the media caught wind of it, they were likely to be haunted by it again approximately forever but at least a few months.

“Oh my god, Garrett, just calm down.” J.T. said, laughing at them. “Your crush will remember you, I promise.”

Of course J.T. would tease them for that.  When they’d tried to explain why they were nervous the other day, the entire band remembered how much time they used to spend studying at the library with Jaehee, and how worried they were about what the girl would think when they quit cram school.  In the end, Jaehee hadn’t said anything, just nodded at them and went back to studying.  If Garrett had been crushing on Jaehee, those hopes were, well, crushed.

“It’s not like that, J.T. God.” Garrett said, rolling their eyes as they set their bass case down, leaning it against the stage.

“Garrett!” A feminine voice called out to them, and they turned to look.  Wait a minute.

“Jaehee?”  They asked, uncertain if this glasses-wearing pixie-cut business suit was the girl they used to know, or if it was wishful thinking.

“Obviously.” She pushed her glasses up as she came to a stop just outside the circle of band members. “I thought that was you!” 

“Oh. H-hey.” They said, stuttering awkwardly. They weren’t the most social person to start with, but seeing someone they hadn’t seen in a decade was… an entirely different situation.

“I am rather excited to see your show. I arranged for you to be on my stage - there was a bit of a battle between stage liaisons over your band, but honestly, all I had to do was state a preference and they weren’t even competiton.”

“What do you mean?” Garrett said, confused. “I mean, I did wonder how we managed to score the second largest stage in the entire festival, but…”

“Oh, well, being the executive assistant to the director in charge of the festival has its perks.” Jaehee said, and Garrett was sure if she had longer hair, she’d have flipped it over her shoulder.

“Sweet, Thanks for pulling for us, Miss Jaehee!” Arabella, their lead vocalist, practically yelled. “We’ve been hoping to play this festival again, and it finally didn’t conflict with a tour, and then here you are getting us prime real estate like a goddess.  Garrett, dude, you totally owe her a date.”

Jaehee glanced at Garrett with a blush on her cheeks, and they spoke in almost perfect unison.

“I don’t date.”

“Absolutely out of the question.”

They shared a look, and J.T. just cackled.

“Aaanyway.” Garrett said, deciding to fix one awkward topic with another. “Jaehee, as much as I hate to say this, I really expected you to dead name me.  How did you…?” They trailed off, wishing they’d figured out the end of that sentence before they started talking.

“How did I know your use name?  Come on, Garrett.  Do you really think the girl you studied with for all of those endless hours wouldn’t keep track of you after you ditched me? I’ve got all of your records. And no, I don’t just mean albums. I even have your first pressing.”

“Wait, you what?” J.T. was staring at her deadpan, and Garrett could feel themself blushing.

“Yes, of course the one with glitter in it.” Jaehee said, pushing her glasses up in a way that made them flash in the light. “I’m a professional fan, you know. When I’m a fan, I’m committed.  There’s only one other artist I feel this strongly about, you know.”

“Oh?” Garrett said, trying desperately to deflect the conversation before Ara asked if Jaehee had the one with Garrett’s naked silhouette on the cover. “And who would that be?”

Jaehee’s face flushed instantly. “Zen.” She said, in a way that made Garrett instantly envious of the man.

“Isn’t he that musical actor who’s been recording musical covers on MeTube in his spare time?” J.T. asked, confused.

“The very same.” Jaehee said. “He’s truly one of the masters of our age.”

Garrett didn’t know who that was, but they knew they were going to look into him just to see what Jaehee liked that wasn’t, well, them.  Then, Ara giggled, and Garrett knew they needed to change the subject quick before their frontwoman offended their staff contact.

“Sorry to derail.  We’ve got all of our gear here, and we’re playing…”

The set had been long, and it was summer. Garrett felt like they were dripping in sweat, probably because they were.  It didn’t take long to pack up their bass, and then they were leaning against the back of the stage again, almost as though they existed in two places. On the stage and off of it, ne’er the twain shall meet. Like a video game NPC.

They were relishing in the shade that the stage itself cast when Jaehee’s voice echoed from around the corner.

“I don’t know, they’re probably exhausted, Z—Hyun.”

“But you promised! And she’s perfect, Jaehee.”

“They.” Jaehee said, a sharp correction. “And I don’t know, it’s an abuse of power to…”

“Just ask them.” he said, pleading. “I will take no for an answer. You know I will. I’m not Echo Girl.”

“Fine. But if they stop talking to me over this I will take it as a personal slight, Hyun.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Garrett pretended to be looking at their phone when Jaehee rounded the corner.  If they’d thought that Jaehee was talking about anyone else, the pronoun correction disabused them of that notion really quickly.

“Garrett?”

They looked up. Jaehee looked nervous, and surprised to see them back here already. “I… uh… I have a friend that really wants to meet you. He’s…”

Garrett simply raised an eyebrow and the woman caved immediately.

“He’s a good friend of mine, I promise. He wants to ask you something, and I don’t know how to say no to the man, would you be willing to…”

“Of course, Jaehee.” Garrett said, chuckling. “I don’t mind talking to a fan, especially one you’ve vouched for. J.T. and Arabella will still be a minute, bring him back here.”

Jaehee relaxed like a marionette whose strings had been cut, and turned to leave. “He’s just over here, I’ll be right back.”

Garrett tried not to listen in when Jaehee told the man he could come talk to them, but they were just so good at eavesdropping on conversations at this point, they didn’t know how to not.

“They invited you back, Hyun.”

“They WHAT?!” 

“Don’t embarrass me.”

“Me, Zen, embarrass you?”

“I thought we weren’t using your stage name at this festival?”

“Shit. Right. I. Uh. Forget you heard that.”

“Anyway.” Garrett could practically hear Jaehee roll her eyes. “Come on, let’s not keep them waiting. You should have a few minutes to chat with them alone before their band mates finish packing up.”

“A-alone?” The man stuttered, and Garrett smirked, an expression that was still on their face when Jaehee rounded the corner with an incredibly attractive man with piercing red eyes.

“Garrett, this is Hyun. Hyun, this is the bassist you’re so enamored with. You two chat, I have to go make sure the crowd clears a bit so we can pack you out and the next act in.” Having said her piece, Jaehee turned on her heel and walked away, leaving the two of them facing one another.

Garrett, for their part, smirked. “Enamored with?”

Hyun just blushed and shrugged. “She calls it like she sees it.”

“Well, sweet cheeks, don’t get your hopes up, I don’t date.” Garrett said, and he waved his hands as if to wipe away the suggestion.

“No, no. It’s not. I mean you’re hot as hell, and not just in an “it’s summer and you’re outdoors” kind of way. But it’s your voice I’m in love with. Seriously. Why are you just backing vocals? You could be a real star with that tone, babe.”

“Are you trying to poach me? I’m not leaving the band.”

“W-well, no, I just… I was wondering if you’d be interesting in recording a few tracks with me while you’re in town? I need someone to duet with, and I’ve never met anyone with a voice so rich.”

“Duets? You in a band? Wannabe idol, or…?”

“Oh. OH. Uh. I’m Zen.” He said, and winked at them.

Garrett burst out laughing.

“Wait. Jaehee is a major fangirl for some guy she knows? I thought I was a bad enough case, oh my god.”

“You actually know Jaehee too? Not just because of the bullshit stage work that Trust Fund asshole has her doing?”

“Well, yeah, we went to cram school together like a decade ago. How do you know her?”

“We’re in a fundraising charity together. Have you heard of the RFA?”

“Oh, yeah, she wanted us to play for one of their Christmas parties a couple years back but we were in Canada at the time.”

“Haaah. That was you. She was so disappointed.”

“So, anyway. You want me to lay some tracks with you?”

“If you would. I’ve got some duets I want to cover, and I hope this isn’t offensive somehow, but I really think your voice would be stellar for the female lead lines.”

“Oh.” Garrett said, a bit taken back at just how considerate he was being. “No, that’s not offensive in the least. That could be fun, but I’d have to check with my manager about contract stipulations - our contract’s pretty tight at least until we release this album, so…”

“Oh, alright. How about I give you my number, and you can call me?” He looked uncomfortable, and now knowing who he was, Garrett didn’t blame him. 

“Yeah, let’s exchange contacts. I’d at least love to get coffee with you and Jaehee sometime.”

Zen held out his phone - They typed in their number, and he turned his phone back to himself and typed out a message.  They felt their phone buzz in their back pocket, and smiled.

“Got it.”

“Got what?” J.T. said, throwing a spare hand towel at their face.

“My number, hot stuff.” Zen said, with a wink at J.T., and then a wave in their direction without looking at them. “Garrett, babe. Don’t leave me waiting too long.” He’d put on this air of being incredibly too good for them, and strutted off like the hottest possible model.

Which, to be fair, he was objectively attractive. And subjectively hot as hell, Garrett thought.

“What was that about?” J.T. asked, eyeing them.

“Looks like Garrett got themselves a free ticket to a one night stand with a sexy groupie.” Ara said, smirking.

“Yeah, I’d hit that.”

“Poor guy’s going to be heartbroken when he realizes you’re aro, you know that right Garrett?” J.T. said, with a serious look.

“I promise, he’s not. It’s not…” Garrett sighed. They’d tried to play it up, really they had. “That was Zen. Jaehee knows him from that charity org. He wants to sing with me for his metube. I’m going to check with Mr. Kim about the contact and see what I can do - it certainly couldn’t hurt us to get our name out there a different way, you know?”

“Oh. Well now I feel like shit for insinuating that.” Ara said, sheepishly.

“No, he wanted you to think that, I guarantee it. Man’s a really good actor.” They pulled their phone out of their back pocket and laughed at the message before sharing it with the band.

Hey, it’s Zen. Or Hyun, if you’d rather. Hit me up, babe, you know I’m good for it.

[ekaarts]

🟣📓Tiny / Mysthictober Day, 3📓🟣

List by @art_of_reku

Did you know that Marinette Dupain Cheng is FUCKING small? She's only 135 cm.

So yeah, next to Gail (170), she looks exeptionally small.😂