Phoenix Flames

to sing her thrilling song, to stars and waves and sky, for neither old nor young, the phoenix does not die. ~Stanton Kim Junsu; A Phoenix Incarnate; AU Wandering in his endeavors for the cycle to cease, drawn to nothing but desiring everything. The life is unknown, so long forgotten, but the quest is always present and the future unwilling.

[noxmaleficus]

 Yes, we should. It’s cold. *he pulls his hands from his pockets and steps closer to the door, opening it up and holding it. his initial thought was to just step inside himself but he thought better of it for some reason, glancing to you as he holds it*

[junsuthephoenix]

(/the grin somehow manages to widen as the door is held open for him and he is quick to step right in but is sure to bow his head in thanks while doing so, rubbing his hands together as he glances around the restaurant) And you said you've never been here, correct?

[noxmaleficus]

 *he’s about ten minutes later, appearing out of nowhere around the corner and then once he glances around he moves to the front of the building. as his eyes land upon you he takes a small breath, trying to keep his face straight and he comes to just stand in front of you*

[junsuthephoenix]

(/upon seeing you, he grins and takes a step forward, giving a light bow of greeting) Hello, Jaejoong. I had thought for a moment that you had changed your mind in wanting to come here. Shall we go inside? (/he offers immediately only because it's quite cold and he didn't know if the witch was able to combat nature in such a way) 

[junsuthephoenix]

(/he arrives at the steakhouse at precisely eight pm, waiting patiently on the outside, unaffected by the cold and in search of the witch that promised to be there. Though he has some doubts that he'll show. Maybe his curiosity wasn't that great and he didn't care to learn of human phoenixes) 

[junsuthephoenix]

Junsu was probably taking too much joy out of walking along the streets of this modern day Seoul than most people would deem appropriate. It was something he was unable to help. Having been away from Korea for so many years, it was something akin to pride that he felt in seeing the way it had developed. As much of the rest of the world, technology was what truly ran society.And that was something Junsu would never grasp. 

He sat on a bench of a bus stop. He watched people get on and off the buses and go about their daily lives. The Phoenix wanted to speak with a few of the people but any attempt was deflected and it was slowly draining his mood. 

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

 "Yes," Jaejoong agrees simply. He takes a moment to glance up at the sky. It’s a little cloudy and he knows it’ll be cool this evening, but the darkness is coming soon. He’ll have to dress warmly. After a few moments his gaze falls back upon Junsu and he just looks at him for a moment. The witch can’t help but wonder briefly, as he looks over this man, if finding out about human phoenixes was only an excuse. But he doesn’t want to entertain that idea right now.

"8:00pm." He doesn’t bother to ask Junsu if this time is acceptable. Either the other will meet Jaejoong at 8:00 or he won’t meet up with him at all. It’s Jaejoong’s way of keeping some sort of control over this bizarre situation. It’s one of the only ways he knows how to make himself remain some sort of comfortable. Having control.

So the witch gives Junsu the address to the steakhouse and he turns without a goodbye, heading into the sea of people once more.

[junsuthephoenix]

Junsu knew that he had no choice in the time that they would meet. And that was no problem or of consequence to him. He had no where else to be for...a really long time and who knew how long that time would be before he would be required to be anywhere. Regardless, he was slightly eager to meet this witch for dinner. 

After the address was given, Junsu would be lying if he said he didn't expect some sort of parting farewell. The Phoenix even found it slightly rude of the witch to simply depart without it. There was probably a reason behind it. And it did make Junsu more interested in the witch than his capabilities. 

"See you tonight.." Junsu spoke to no one as he slid his hands into his pockets and walked in the opposite direction, perusing wares of merchants in the market. 

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

 "Whenever you wish," is the immediately reply of the witch. He doesn’t particularly want Junsu trying to call on him at his house or asking for a phone number that he doesn’t possess. "Tonight." He corrects himself suddenly, deciding he’d rather just get the awkward thing over with and just find out more about human phoenixes as soon as possible.

Jaejoong figures he’ll need more than this one phoenix feather and he doubts that Ember will return to him any time soon if ever. So he allows his pitch black gaze to wander over that smile and he finds himself accidentally offering a small smile of his own. “Tonight.”

[junsuthephoenix]

There was something about seeing the witch's smile in return that had Junsu reacting in a way he hadn't in a long while. That smile held more than what would just meet the eye and he had a growing curiosity to find out just what it was that made it so. 

"That works for me." And it did. Junsu didn't even have a place to stay as of yet, so this would be a very convenient thing to do to pass the time and delay the inevitable. "Shall we meet at this steakhouse?" 

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

 The laughter that radiates from the man who has now identified himself as Junsu is odd to say the very least. It catches Jaejoong off guard and for a mere moment or two his surprise is plastered all over his face. He stares, the sound playing over in his mind before he’s finally able to get his face under control once more. Such an odd person this is..

He sighs softly as he’s asked about good restaurants. No. He doesn’t know good restaurants.. except Kanata’s. But Jaejoong wonders if it would be awkward bringing someone to Kanata’s restaurant. After a little bit of thinking the witch decides against that. “I don’t typically eat a restaurants,” he says quietly. “I suppose we could try a steak house I’ve seen but I’ve never been there.”

The witch runs his fingers through his hair, unable to believe that he’s agreed to any of this. People are staring at them. People who know who he is also know that he doesn’t really socialize with many people. “Do you like steak?”

[junsuthephoenix]

Junsu had caught that surprise. He had seen the change in expression and it only made him grin. He felt himself looking forward to more of this witch before him only because it was so long before he had to honestly work to make someone smile. And that's only if you forgot about his less-innocent desire to use the witch to gain the amulets he needed. 

The Phoenix was oblivious to all attention paid to them as he had no reason to care nor even take notice. He was new to this market in the last few centuries and very few creatures would live long enough to recognize him--if they were even able to. 

"Steak is good; I haven't had steak in a good long while. When are you free?" He asked with that small smile returning now that he had finished laughing. Junsu had returned to his more calm state and was now allowing his interest for the witch on a deeper level show through his gaze.

[suhoheaven]

[vavole]

[junsuthephoenix]

brighter than the sun during the night with no light

Phoenix feathers hold magical properties that only the intended can benefit from if they find a willing creature to bestow them with the gift. The tears of this creature are healing and the most purest liquid in the entirety of the world. They fly in flames with songs that draw emotions from all who hear. 

Though on the darker side; reincarnated without hopes of ending until they find their intended. Their lifespans are drawn out, aging ever so slow. 

Returning to Korea, this Phoenix has taken the form of a man who is so very willing to meet the inhabitants of a place he had spent so many years from. 

[about] [read before interacting] [disclaimer] [literate - para/script]

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

Junsu. So now the witch has a name with the face. It’s not like this reassures him that everything will be all right somehow, but it is better. Jaejoong is confident in the fact that he could more than likely kill this man in two seconds if he were to try anything stupid. So it’s not the idea of danger that makes him hesitate in giving his answer.

It’s the idea of dinner. Going out to dinner seems awfully close to a date and dates are not something that Jaejoong likes to partake in. The last “date” that he went on was to an amusement park that ended up in people being blown up and the roller coaster to go down in flames. Dinner, however, is relatively tamer than blowing up amusement parks. 

But when was the last time he’s been to dinner? Jaejoong is a phenomenal cook. He has no need for others to cook for him. However, there is something in Junsu’s smile. It’s rather cute.. and Jaejoong still really wants to find out if this man is a phoenix. If he is, it wouldn’t hurt to keep him close for a while.

"All right," Jaejoong says quietly. "Just so you can explain yourself to me." He feels the need to add this on the end.

[junsuthephoenix]

More time passed and Junsu had yet to receive an answer. He was a patient being and so the smile that he adorned didn't slip at all. He neither had his hopes up nor expected a a refusal. He was neutral to most things as it would always turn out to be a surprise one way or the other. This moment was the same. 

When Jaejoong agreed to this dinner, Junsu felt a wave of triumph and this time, the gleeful laugh escaped him. "Brilliant!" It was an odd laugh that carried over though his reincarnations and he had become quite used to it, even if it was often the focus of ridicule. Though the laugh continued when Jaejoong clarified the reason for agreeing as though Junsu needed a reason to begin with.

"It's been so long since I've been to Korea, you must know of a place we could eat, yes?" Probably not the best thing to admit while being the one who suggested dinner in the first place, but it wasn't all that bad and Junsu could quickly recover from that.

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

 He notices when the other does not give his name and it irritates him slightly. For a moment Jaejoong narrows his eyebrows, but he quickly washes it away as more curiosity at your words takes him over. The witch notices the way that your head tilts and he can’t help but be reminded of a bird. He’s seen Ember cock her head that way many times before. For some reason he wants to smile at this and it catches him off guard, but the unnamed man would only see a fleeting glimpse.

"Oh, so you like to speak in cryptics." Jaejoong points out calmly. This man is either a phoenix or he’s utterly insane. However, being insane doesn’t explain the feather that is tucked away in Jaejoong’s pocket. He knows what a real phoenix feather looks like and the aura that is gives off, and that is a real feather. Maybe the man has a real phoenix hidden in his jacket or his pants. But that’s a ridiculous idea, now isn’t it?

His eyes wash over the smile that adorns the unnamed man’s lips and Jaejoong can feel it. He knows what’s coming. Another person who wants to get closer to him. However, here in the witches’ market he knows that it is much more likely that this man doesn’t want Jaejoong to kill him so he wants to be buddy-buddy. That is, if this man has any idea as to who he is and how much power he possesses.

"Now, do I look like an idiot?" His words are not harsh, his face returning to the typical stoic expression. "You want me to go to dinner with a man who still hasn’t given me his name? How rude.."

[junsuthephoenix]

Even though there's a pause between the question and the answer, Junsu had expected nothing other than what he had been given. He had thought that Jaejoong would catch onto not receiving his name and it brought a sort of gentle amusement that Junsu took delight in over the centuries he walked the earth. He wasn't cynical as many others had become before their reincarnations stopped. And maybe that's why he was still going, because he found delight and enjoyment in the world around him. And even if he never spoke to anyone after the first meeting, it was always good to make the interactions ones to remember. 

Junsu let his eyes crescent with a wider smile, almost a laugh escaping him though the sound he makes before responding is akin to one. "I am Junsu." He wanted to laugh, not at Jaejoong but at the pure fact that he did enjoy this interaction and took an almost sickening pleasure from seeing Jaejoong close himself off though the surprise had been sweet while it lasted. He did wonder if Jaejoong would give an answer to his question now that he had a name to match with his face, but Junsu wouldn't be put off if it was a negative one. The reason for the dinner was the same reason he had gone to the market so soon after his latest incarnation but he wouldn't voice that. Given how the merchant and those around them had regarded Jaejoong, Jaejoong must be one of power and power was always good. He would require the best of amulets to protect and mask what he was. 

[myjyj91]

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

 Jaejoong understands immediately what this man is implying by his words and it makes him look over the other a little more carefully. So this man is claiming to be a phoenix. It’s a little odd because phoenixes are animals and he has not known of one possessing a human form. He tilts his head a little and catches the man’s gaze again.

"Jaejoong," he says quietly. "My name is Jaejoong." He doesn’t ask for the mans name because he assumes that he will receive it anyway. As he stands there he thinks over the possibilities of this situation in his mind. Ember, his former phoenix pet, didn’t have a human form as far as he was aware. So Jaejoong is still a little skeptical.

"You’re telling me that you’re a phoenix, then? A human phoenix? Do tell me exactly how that works." It’s clear that he’s unsure of the truth behind the man’s words.

[junsuthephoenix]

Junsu stood with that smile quickly reappearing when he was given the witch's name. He brushed aside his black fringe to clear the view to never let his eyes part from Jaejoong's. He didn't respond with his own name, though he was less interested in that bit of courtesy as he was in the fact that Jaejoong had caught on real quickly as to what he was. 

"I don't think I have told you anything like that," It was something spoken with a light and teasing tone, the smile almost gentle in the way it affects his features. "But yes...if I were to tell you that, I guess I would follow with just how it works." Junsu cocked his head to the side, a quick action that mimicked a bird in every twitch of the muscles. He was growing intrigued and he couldn't quite place his finger on just why this witch intrigued him so.

Taking a plunge, Junsu let his mouth form words before thought had processed them. "Let me take you out to dinner and I will tell you just how it works."

[orchidsonthemoon-blog]

[junsuthephoenix]

brighter than the sun during the night with no light

Phoenix feathers hold magical properties that only the intended can benefit from if they find a willing creature to bestow them with the gift. The tears of this creature are healing and the most purest liquid in the entirety of the world. They fly in flames with songs that draw emotions from all who hear. 

Though on the darker side; reincarnated without hopes of ending until they find their intended. Their lifespans are drawn out, aging ever so slow. 

Returning to Korea, this Phoenix has taken the form of a man who is so very willing to meet the inhabitants of a place he had spent so many years from. 

[about] [read before interacting] [disclaimer] [literate - para/script]

[junsuthephoenix]

The Market

[noxmaleficus]

Jaejoong is somewhat amused by the near cowering of the stall owner when this other man agrees with his suggestion. However, his expression remains rather blank. He’s not the kind of person to show too much to the outside world. Actually, he prefers to be somewhat of a mystery. Perhaps it’s a huge reason why he can’t make friends easily, but it’s not something Jaejoong can change easily nor is he willing to do so.

He watches with mild interest as the other man turns to walk away. It seems as though their brief interaction is already coming to an end, and he’s fine with that. The witch is not intending to purchase anything further from this lying man behind the stall, so he intends to walk in the opposite direction.

However, he stops all of his thoughts as he notices the red and orange feather fluttering from behind the retreating man. His dark eyes catch the glint of the brief flame and recognition knocks Jaejoong upside the head quickly. From somewhere behind him he can hear the crook gasp as well, and this prompts Jaejoong to grab the feather quickly before anyone else has a chance to touch it.

The witch brings it up to get a better look at it. The feather is beautiful, almost breath taking. It seems to glow with a sunlight that is entirely it’s own in this gloomy winter market. There is no doubt about it. This is a phoenix feather.

Quickly Jaejoong glances at the man as he walks away. He tucks the feather into his jacket and follows after the man though he does not appear too hasty. “Hey,” he speaks softly. “Where did you find this?” Jaejoong does not want to assume right away that this man might be a phoenix in a human body himself, so he goes the inquisitive route.

[junsuthephoenix]

Junsu was well aware that the witch would catch the feather before anyone else would be able to and that was what was supposed to happen. The witch was the intended owner of this feather. Junsu found his willingness to not become violent and give the crooked merchant a verbal warning worthy of something so sacred as he couldn't imagine the man being one of the darker ones. 

He hadn't been all that surprised when he was followed and he's polite enough to stop when spoken to. There's a small smile on his pale pink lips and his eyes meet the other's without fear. He stood tall and proud, as any Phoenix would in these time when they were a dying race. He took a gentle sort of amusement at the questions directed to him and he tried not to let the laughter pass his throat. 

The Phoenix repeated what he said earlier in response, "Only those intended may use the magic a Phoenix feather brings and only if it was willing on the Phoenix's part." And that should be answer enough. Junsu wasn't rude about it, wasn't snarky in any sense. He was simply wondering if the witch could understand what it was that Junsu had been implying with his words and the gift he had just given him without an expectations of something in return. "I do hope you use it wisely..." He tilt his head and a frown took over that smile he had adorned on his lips earlier. "I apologize, I didn't catch your name."