oh, pretty bird

CHOI HANEUL nineteen. aqua. flyrogenesis. she has the kind of smile that says: you don't know me, and you never will. [ seven months in elswood ]

[queenvals]

“So, I’m really in the mood for a date night.” Vals announces this in such a way as if she’s expecting a line to form before her. “I mean, I’ve just been so consistently grinding that I think I’ve been neglecting my intimate needs, you know? I need to be lavished and ravished, wined and dined, and when better than a Friday night?” Her brow raised, she stares in expectation at the one person standing in front of her, clearly expecting them to provide a handy solution.

[hxneuls]

“Are you asking me?” Haneul’s gaze flicks up to meet Valerie’s, and she offers the other a polite smile, somewhat taken aback by the request. She’s not the person people normally ask out. At all. “I’m not interested, sorry.” Getting involved with Valerie Hyeon is not Haneul’s idea of a good time---or perhaps she’s just not one to take risks today. She pauses, pursing her lips in a contemplative manner. “But there’s that pretty brunette in Global Econ that thinks you’re cute. She thinks she’s quiet about it, but not really. Anyway, I think she’s the type that’d book out one of those pods just for you.”

[jiseokist-archive-blog]

And while it was true that Elswood was relatively providing all the things he might need ( well, primary ones, like food and clothing and ‘education’ ), he still felt no different from when he used to live in the orphanage he was raised, in a country that was literally nothing but a prison. He was not meant for walls, may them be metaphoric or actual ones made with bricks and concrete –he was a free spirit in need to feel the wind playing with his messy short locks and to tickle his skin, to feel the scent of the sea and the perfumes of street food calling his name and even the sensation of having to wait just a little bit to have enough money in order to treat himself well.

He wanted to live. He wanted to leave and be able to live again –but first, he needed to find Ikje, to find him and find a way out and perhaps dragging those few people he actually liked with them, because there was nothing worse than running and leaving others behind.

« I feel you so much on that, sometimes he just makes me want to slam my head against a wall. And I share a room with him, so guess who has to deal with him every day, every night. » Sigh ensued, trying not to think about the silly roommate for a moment, one hand moving to scratch lightly the back of his neck. « I guess we all have those people in our lives who are the bane of our existance. »

[hxneuls]

“Wow. I am so sorry.” She shook her head sympathetically, thanking whatever omnipotent presence was out there that she did not share a room or division with Oliver Dubois. “Don’t know how you do it, but props for putting up with him that often.”

At his next remark, she let a wry smile curl at her lips. “I guess we do---which is one of the nice things about this school, actually. Anyone back home that was the bane of our existences we don’t have to see ever again. I can definitely think of a few former classmates that fit that description. So glad I don’t have to see them anymore.” She paired the arch comment with a laugh, though irritating classmates didn’t even cover half of it.

That label belonged to the two men who called themselves family in public, but didn’t dare acknowledge that fact behind closed doors. Her stepfather and half-brother were so much more than the banes of her existence; they were worse, and sometimes, Haneul couldn’t find enough words to describe how much she fucking hated them. How horrible they were, how horrible they had been to her. 

[fleurctte-blog]

As a child, Fleurette was the devil in disguise, and yet to this day she prided herself on being just that. She was young, rebellious and full of life, and she had knack of wandering off to place she wasn’t suppose to be. The memories of sneaking out with her brother to dance in the warm summer rain past two, to roaming the shores of Marseille alone had pondered her mind. But, the one memory that made her feel vulnerable and home sick had intruded her mind instead. The one she refused to talk about. She hated the feeling of being weak, and needed to relinquish the past from the present. Fleur needed to distract herself, and oddly enough, she chose the art room. Not to draw or paint of course, just to observe the many fine pieces of art. 

Reaching for the doorknob of the art room, she let herself fling open the door to see a familiar girl. Her name hadn’t slipped her mind like most people’s name at Elswood. Haneul.

“So, I’ve noticed. I expect art students to be messy, but never this messy.”

[hxneuls]

Haneul hadn’t expected Fleurette to enter the art room, but then again, Haneul wasn’t particularly sure what she expected of the girl. Fleurette was French, she sometimes said things that shouldn’t be said, and she was charming---sometimes too charming. That was the extent of what Haneul knew.

And she did remember overhearing a conversation about where to have sex in Elswood, but had promptly left the vicinity; she had no interest in such topics. Had Fleurette been genuinely curious or was she just trying to start shit?

While it was enough to pique her curiosity, it was ultimately not her concern.

“Maybe it’s a new art form? You know, expressing yourself creatively a la Jackson Pollock. You can’t make more of a statement than spilling paint all over the floor where someone’s not going to miss it---even if it means slipping right into it.”

She paused, considering the puddle on the floor again.

“Or they were just really clumsy and irresponsible, but that’s the much more boring explanation.”

[fy-missa]

skuukzky: #수지그레이

[professor-ivanovich-deactivated]

Ten years of Elswood. That was quite the flawless record - for many many things that he was neither proud or ashamed of. Konstantin was quite the presence now, even if maybe not the most sociable among faculty members or rather, according to his probabilities, the lesser. Not so much because he didn’t want to be around his colleagues and now students but because it was so difficult, to understand them, their minds and to withstand the noise and every behavior that grilled him. It was hard. Being around people. For a 6′5′’ tall man, he was told he didn’t own up to it. Truth be told, sometimes he felt as he knew as little as his proteges within the Academy Walls. 

Much more given to the protection of his office or classroom, to their stillness and silence and the rules his students would have to follow - or back in his TA days that were but a year ago, where he could stay at the library undisturbed. The physicist was rarely seen anywhere but those places, not the most talkative either, if anyone would ask, he remained quite the “Serious Teacher” and people were afraid of him. If only they knew it was the classical - he was much more afraid of them than they were afraid of him. And yet he understood their world, the enclosed world that was Elswood in his own way and didn’t go against it. Even with powers that could might as well do so. 

Speaking of said powers - as all of his classes were theoretical, Konstantin always made a point of never disclosing his abilities to any student, for it was much too dangerous. Still, one thing Grigori had told him was that not only a trained mind or body but trained skills make one whole. It is after dusk that he stays by the lake, appreciating the fact there are no students or faculty within his surroundings to train. He changes the lake’s colour to bright pink with a motion of both hands, talking to himself in his mother language still, keeping what Grigori would’ve called a “spell”. Around the borders of the lake, changes the grass foliage to soft blue fuzz. It is approaching steps that disrupt his concentration - and from the ring of blue grass around the lake, tendrils of violently red tall grass spark. Konstantin frowns intently at it, startled. “Careful.” He speaks stiffly, motioning his hands to reverse the changes. “Very dangerous.”

[hxneuls]

Aside from being taught to be respectful to her teachers, when she has no way of knowing who and who isn’t on Elswood’s side ( though, sometimes, it’s easy to guess ), it’s better to stay on the good side of the faculty. Tonight is no exception---when her curiosity gets the better of her and she approaches the vividly colored lake she’d seen from a distance, she steps back to keep a safe distance. Warnings are best heeded. 

At first glance, the professor is imposing with his height and stoic manner, and she’s heard as much in the hallways. He’s strict, he’s a man of few words, he’s a mystery. She should be intimidated, but she isn’t, not really. A man who warns someone instead of snapping can’t be all bad.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” She places an apologetic smile on her lips, but when she looks at the lake again, her expression is full of awe, her mind whirring. If she’d been more expression, she might have gushed at the sight. She’s seen many powers since coming to Elswood, but nothing like this. Is it illusion? Is it kind of like Jai’s power: Changing an object into another? What was that...molecular manipulation or some shit? 

“Dangerous, yes, but beautiful,” she remarks, watching as he reverses the changes with a twinge of disappointment. She rather liked the show, even if it wasn’t for anyone to begin with. “What kind of power is that? What makes it dangerous? If you’re just changing the color, then surely not much would really change, unless you’re doing something more to it that makes it spark?” She gestures to the previously crimson grass. 

[hxneuls]

🎵; 💃

🎵 — singing

haneul has a gorgeous singing voice, though mostly self-trained. it’s a talent she tends to keep to herself, but sometimes you can hear her singing in the music room when she’s playing the piano. she recently joined choir so she can use it more and get herself out there. she’s found that she actually really likes singing.

💃 — dancing

she could be good at dancing if she tried, but she doesn’t. it’s just not her thing. have fun trying to get her to dance because she just won’t.

[ask-meme-addicts]

Muse skillset symbol meme

Send an emoji to learn how good/bad my muse is at that particular skill!

💋 — kissing

💄 — makeup

👾 — video games

🎵 — singing

💃 — dancing

🎹 — playing an instrument

🌷 — taking care of living things

🌲 — surviving in the wilderness

👊 — fighting

😇 — following rules

🍳 — cooking

🍼 — taking care of children

🎁 — giving presents to others

🎉 — hosting parties

💌 — romance/flirting

🎨 — art

🍀 — luck

⚽️  — sports

🏊 — swimming

🚗 — driving

🔮 — magic

🔎 — investigating

🔫 — long range weapons

💣 — explosives

🔪 — melee weapons

🔬 — scientific pursuits

🚿 — hygiene

💰 — finance

🌍 — knowledge of the world

👻 — communing with the paranormal

📚 — reading

🔧 — engineering/mechanics

⌛️ — time management

📥 — organization

🍺 — alcohol tolerance

🚴 — riding a bike

🎭 — performance art/acting

⚓️ — sailing

➗ — mathematics

[wordsnquotes]

It did no good to cry, she had learned that early on. She had also learned that every time she tried to make someone aware of something in her life, the situation just got worse. Consequently it was up to her to solve her problems by herself, using whatever methods she deemed necessary.

Stieg Larsson, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (via wordsnquotes)

[hxneuls]

@cbaby: obvi. i just wanna better know the minds of my fellow students.

@haneuul: aw aren't you so kind

@haneuul: you couuuld take all the erasers off their mechanical pencils if they use them. replace their uniforms with sizes too small or too big. replace their entire song library with kidz bop. or friday on loop.

[hxneuls]

@cbaby: you know i love a good revenge plot, haneul.

@haneuul: as if i would deprive you of one

@haneuul: this is striiiictly educational purposes, right?

[hxneuls]

@cbaby: survey time, sluts.

@cbaby: you have the chance to make someone's life a living hell using the most minor methods possible. what do you do?

@haneuul: @cbaby but saying so would give up all my plans :(

[hxneuls]

@FratBratOlly: since V-day a lot of people have been asking, so let me clear this up right now - yes. Casey Wright and I are dating.

@FratBratOlly: @cbaby happy weekiversary, baby!

@haneuul: @FratBratOlly lol you're full of shit

[dailydavinaclaire]

[teachersgazebo-deactivated20200]

“She has a mouth like unswept glass—-when you least expect it she cuts you.”

Junot Diaz, “Otravida, Otravez  (via kaladndekars)

[caseyswright-blog]

“Seriously?” First people tell him they don’t speak Spanish in Brazil, now Haneul’s saying Argentinian isn’t even a language…what’s next, Mexicans don’t speak Mexican? “Whatever. I asked you because you’re the only person I know who thinks this holiday is as bullshitty as I do, Haneul, you know that. We can eat chocolate and judge all the tacky gifts people get together.” As for her question, he swiftly avoided answering. He didn’t have an answer. Put it on the record that Casey Wright was interested in nobody.

[hxneuls]

“Yes, seriously. You learn new things every day.” Her deadpan expression gives way to a small laugh when he continues, and she shrugs. “That’s true. I mean, I never got why it was such a big deal?” Maybe that’s because she never had anyone to spend it with, but that’s a story she’s not getting into. Not today. Not ever. “If we’re really getting sappy and romantic, you should show whoever it is you like you like them on random days, not on a designated one.” God, now she’s sounding like Hawke. “And speaking of tacky gifts, did you see that huge teddy bear some girl actually screamed about when she got it? Like, what do you even do with that? It just sits there.”

[jaislater-blog]

There was something unconvincing about her words, something that made Jai pause and look up at her questioningly. Maybe his hesitance was cued by the pause in her voice, the suspicious smoothness in her words. And at her last statement, he bristled. Because in a place like this, no one was free. There was a system in place and rules to follow no matter how many were broken behind closed doors. Even when he left the shackles, he would be caged.

Jai tried to make sure his smile wasn’t too bitter as he forced it upon his lips, hoping it would stay in place.

“I guess so,” he said plainly, a dreamy look in his eyes as he looked out on the forest. There was a world going on beyond those trees. A world full of a future none of them would ever have.

By the time he looked back, he was focusing on his feet, digging his loafers into the dirt as if it was some act of rebellion.

“Um, speaking of Hawke…” He brought himself back to the present with a moderate amount of eloquence, deciding neither of the two needed to talk about the fact they were sitting ducks. Besides, he hadn’t gotten much information out of Hawke other than mindless curses and bouts of self-hatred. “Is he… Alright? Seemed kinda down the other day…”

[hxneuls]

Had she said too much? Judging by the expression on Jai’s face---no matter how his bemusement faded as quickly as it appeared, no matter how hard he tried to press the bitterness out of his smile---, it appeared she had. 

No point in dwelling on a topic he seemed more than happy to move on from, though. No need to be reminded of the grim and the morose when there were already far too many unspoken reminders. So when he asked about Hawke, she just regarded him with pensive curiosity, lips pursed as she mulled over his question.

She didn’t trust Jai ( and she doubted he trusted her ). He was easy to talk to, of course, and decent company, but that did not have to mean she’d put her faith in him.

But Hawke did.

Then again, Hawke trusted about everyone while she trusted nearly no one. Still, aside from picking something new to talk about, Jai seemed genuinely concerned about their friend, and that was nothing to scoff at. 

“No, he’s not. It’s just...boy problems.” She offered a wane smile, sighing. That wasn’t even half of it, but other than what happened with Young, she didn’t really know what else was truly bothering him. For someone who was the living embodiment of an exclamation mark that never stopped talking, he had a talent for shutting down when he wanted to. “Did he say anything to you about what happened?”

[hxneuls]

[ @lynnalves ]

There were much better ways to spend midnight other than armed with a flashlight and a roll of bright yellow ribbon ( the most obnoxious color she could find in the art room ), ready to embark on a trip through the forest, but curiosity had gotten the better of Haneul---and perhaps something to offset the monotony of Elswood had, too. The school was strange, to be sure, but it was easy to fall into the routine of class, clubs, socialize, and repeat. Routines offered structure, something to hold onto, but it got boring.

Besides, she technically wasn’t breaking any rules. Actively looking for Eva Vernon ( in the middle of the night, no less ) was just ill-advised, but when she played it safe for every other part of her current Elswood career, she could afford to do this much. Plus she was with a staff member who’d been here for so much longer than her. Who actually knew shit. 

Hopefully. 

It was still better than running around with some thrill-seeking newbie.

Shining the flashlight haphazardly around her so she wasn’t stuck in pitch black dark, she straightened up from where she was leaning on a tree at the edge of the woods when she saw someone approaching. “This has got to be the most messed up game of hide and seek, but at least it’ll be interesting. I think.”