Cosmic Funnies
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ojovivo
Product Placement
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❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
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🩵 avery cochrane 🩵
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The Stonewall Inn
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@kngxmina-blog
Mina Mood boards: Takes one to know one [Mina & Howon]
@spxhowon
“People here talk funny.”
“Pretty sure that’s just you.”
“...We’re from the same god damn neighborhood--ow don’t touch me!”
There is a lot I haven’t told you yet. But if anyone is going to find out. Better that it’s you than anyone else.
1, 5, 26
What foods do they love, and what foods do they refuse to eat?
There are many things Mina is picky with. Food is not one of them. She’s not fond of cinnamon or nuts but even then she’ll eat it if offered. However, what she really likes is a nice stew and rice. Also McDonalds. It’s odd how someone with a relatively good income goes to McDonalds several times a week to get her fill of cheap cheeseburgers. Don’t ask why, she couldn’t explain it to you. It really depends on her mood what she does and does not want to eat. Take a long day on Friday and she’ll probably go out to drink Soju and eat chicken feet. Then the next day she’ll go out and eat steak of some sort. The only things she is really averse to is going to nicer places to eat, they confuse and concern her more than anything.
What kind of weather makes them happy, and what kind makes them sad?
There really isn’t any weather that makes Mina sad. Maybe particularly rainy days? But for the most part she doesn’t have any weather she feels sad with. Weather she is rather fond of though are days that have just a bit of a chill in the air, enough to need a sweater, and preferably sunny.
How much do they eat, and how often? Do they drink appetite suppressants (tea, coffee, etc)?
Mina actually has a pretty large appetite and eats probably more that a lot of people do. For those that don’t believe in second breakfast--they are missing out. With how much activity she does in the day though in many ways it makes sense. Also a bit of a coffee and tea addict. She can’t go to bed without a cup of tea and she isn’t herself until she’s had some coffee in the morning. Especially during the week.
21, 25, 27 ouo
How well do they take criticism? How do they react to others noticing their flaws?
It really depends on who is dishing out the criticisms. If its someone she cant stand then it is likely she will either lash out or completely ignore them. If it is someone whose opinion she values then she might take the points into consideration. Might being the key word here because at the end of the day, Mina will do whatever she wants no matter how much she is criticized until she feels like changing. When others point out her flaws she doesn’t often care either, unless it is something that really does bother her such as her ability as an agent. Even then she refuses to let others know how that affects her. Mine has always been the type that would rather be shot than admit to being hurt.
What do their hands look and feel like?
Although she takes care of her hands, it’s clear Mina has hands of a working woman. Slightly calloused at the fingertips, with a few small scars along the palms and back of her hands. The story of someone who was never meant to have soft, delicate hands is clear to whomever looks at her. Despite that, her hands aren’t as rough as others would expect. Again, she does take care of them so they aren’t harsh to hold but it’s always been clear she’s the sort that always puts her hands to labor like use.
Do they have children? Do they want children? What names would they choose?
No children to speak of yet. On the topic of children it is a bit complicated for her. As much as she likes kids, she’s not sure that at this point in her life she’d be able to take care of a child well. After all she’s practically married to her job. But some day in the future she might do it when her life is a little more stable. In a perfect world, she would like to have two children, one girl and one boy and she’s always been fond of the names Mikyung and Kwangmin. Although she might name a child after her father as well. It depends.
7, 13, 14, 29.
7 already answered
13. What decision in their past did they most analyze and fret over after the fact?
Going to be a bit cliche here and answer pretty much everything that has to do with her ex-boyfriend. Even the very decision to start dating him has been a blotch on her personal record that she doesn’t enjoy one bit. Letting borderline abuse slide by has been something she’s regretted quite a bit and wishes she hadn’t even dealt with in the first place. In recent years she has come to the conclusion that even if that time was awful for her, at the very least she has grown and learn. It is these sorts of thoughts that keep her from worrying too much about the past. She has, after all, been trying to look towards the future more and more instead.
14. What are they like when they are drunk?
It sort of depends on her mood when she starts drinking. If she was angry when she started drinking then she’ll probably be angry afterwards. For the most part however, Mina is a bit of a talkative drunk. But not about herself. Oh no, she’ll talk to you and try to figure out more about you, asking a million different questions and not even wait for the answers half the time. Even when drunk she is none too keen to reveal much about herself.
29. How do they arrange or decorate their living space?
Mina is the pinnacle of organization--if only in her mind. Everything has its proper place and position and don’t you dare touch it without permission. And yes there are very few that have unstated expressed permission to do this. If her place is a mess then clearly something is wrong because even if she was dying Mina isn’t the sort to leave dishes in the sink.
That doesn’t mean her home isn’t inviting. Her walls are lined with photos out and about with friends. She has a cork board dedicated to interesting news articles she finds and really likes. Her snow globe collection has its own little bookshelf in the living room. Her couch is spacious and comfortable, filled with pillows and a few throw blankets. Her kitchen is homey and warm, with cute cutlery tools and all manner of things. She may keep her place clean and arranged well but it still feels well lived in and comfortable. Her bedroom has posters of all sorts on the wall, as well as more pictures. She has christmas lights strung up all year round in her bedroom as well for ambient lighting whenever her migraines are too bad for full lighting. There are no houseplants though as her cats will get into major mischief with them.
10, 7, 4
4. Who did they look up to the most as a child? Who do they look up to as an adult?
As a child Mina was absolutely enraptured by her father. To her, the sun set and rose on the man and no one would dare to tell her any different. As an adult he is still her role model even if he’s been dead for many years at this point. Really there aren’t many people she looks up to. There are several people who influence her decisions and help her grow as a person, but as for people she looks to to guide her actions--there aren’t many left.
7. What clothing do they like to wear, and what do they wear most often?
This is a woman who likes some variety in her life. One day she’s wearing a muscle tank top with sweatpants. The next she’s in skinny jeans and a cute sweater. It all depends on her mood and what sort of appearance she wants to give off that day. Her favorite kind of clothing is the sort that fits her well--so skinny jeans and fitted t-shirts, and a good jacket. Mina is the sort that has had the same clothes for years and will pull them out often but she is also the sort that buys clothes and maybe wears them once or twice for a particular event before donating them.
Unafraid to repeat outfits if she thinks she looks good in them as well, despite what others say, even with the really flamboyant outfits that no one expects her to wear. No matter what, Mina comes dressed to impress. Even her “lazy” and “sloppy” clothes are fairly well kept. It is only when she’s at home alone or at home around one or two other people she knows well that she’ll dress in her more run down clothing. Life is all about the appearances you give off and Mina takes that to heart but also wants to have fun with it. Her closet scheme is mostly darker colors, a lot of blacks, grey, greens, blues and reds but she does have at least a few clothing items that are brighter in color although she wont wear them often. Give her something black to wear any day. Or purple, purple is her favorite color after all.
Ten already answered
2, 3, 10, 11
2. What is their weapon of choice, and what weapon do they dislike using the most?
In many ways, Mina follows a lot of stereotypes of spies. She prefers to stick to her guns--pun intended--and occasionally the gadgets that the office affords her. Knives are also an easy go to, she’s comfortable with them and knows how to handle them in different situations. There aren’t many weapons that she dislikes per say, but she’s not overly fond of the poisoned pen variety or the traditional weapons of sais. A staff isn’t ideal for her either since she’s quite small in stature compared to most.
3. What is their preferred method of transportation?
Cars. I list her as a Badass Driver for a reason. Girl knows her way around cars and how to drive them like nobody’s business. She’d probably be able to drive to work backwards if she tried. Motorcycles are okay as well, but she’d rather be behind a wheel.
10. What makes them feel safe or secure? What makes them feel insecure or unsafe?
Whenever Mina isn’t feeling safe, she does this quirky little thing. She’ll sit back and think up the street address of her first home, followed by the next street and then the next. After that she thinks of all the things she’s fairly accomplished at. These mechanisms are one of the reasons she exudes as much confidence as she does. Other things that make her feel secure or safe is this particular weighted blanket that she owns that her best friend helped her to make.
As for what makes her insecure and unsafe, there isn’t much anymore. She’s reached a point in her life where she doesn’t allow for others to make her feel insecure. However it is still possible if someone pushes the right buttons. Things like failing at missions--or anything really, and being told that her friends don’t actually want to be around her are two of the major things that make her feel insecure.
11. What do they do when they need comfort? Do they seek out a person, a food, an activity, etc?
Most of the time she’ll seek out her best friend if she really needs comfort. But really she tends to keep it to herself and try and work it out alone. There is a particular stuffed animal that she keeps that she often pulls out in times of need. As well as hiding herself under the blankets for a little while. She hates relying on others for anything.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT MEME
Greetings, Espion! We thought it was about time for another meme! This time the focus is on character development! Send a number to your fellow members and answer some questions you receive about your muse you may not have thought about before! Reblog this post to let people know you’re keen to do this, and remember to send as many numbers as you receive; don’t leave people out! Prompt ideas credited to apeacebone.
Keep reading
MINA’S MIX
Including Demi Lovato, Kayne West, Britney Spears, MIA & others [. . .]
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” ― Victor Hugo
CL’s IG update “+”
We’re what? | Mina & Jongin
He gives her a somewhat apologetic smile. Pitying his poor partner, who was going to be the new meat for married women and older ladies alike, once the mission actually begins. In that case, Mina did got the short stick in this deal. “I was curious as a child what occurred in these ‘sleepovers’ but sadly one of my first ‘assignment’ included me attending one.”
The medic shakes his head, hoping the image from his past wouldn’t come back to haunt him. The things he did for this agency was beyond the boundaries of insanity, immoral and terrifying; yet he wouldn’t trade his job for the world. Sadly glancing up at his ‘fiance’, Jongin gives her a pitiful look before continuing his mini flashback. “I didn’t think hair moose and nail polish, specially the dark ones, were so hard to take off.”
If they weren’t getting weird looks before, Jongin was sure that if someone caught the last bit of his sentence, they would definitely be receiving some odd glances now. Clearing his throat, he tries to recompose himself from the disturbing thoughts. He nods dutifully at her suggestion of getting small, ‘meaningful’ things to display around, to make their ‘relationship’ more believable. “We should get you a ring too, for the engagement I mean. Reckon we can get away with one of those poisonous rings back at the weapons dept. Should come in handy at one point or the other?”
Mina smiles like a secret is on the tip of her tongue but she dares not say it. He is a boy after all and to be privy to the real inner workings of sleepovers might as well be blasphemy. That’s what her few friends on base would always say. At least the ones that were the same age as her at the time. “How very unfortunate for you.” She’d leave it up to him as to if that is actual pity in her voice or not.
Then he makes that comment and she snorts in derision, her head falling forward to where her nose is almost in her drink. She manages to straighten herself out quickly enough but there is a sarcastic humor still glittering in her eyes as she regards him. “Beauty is pain. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is a liar. Also didn’t help you have no idea how to actually work with any of the products.” She adds with a little shrug. Truthfully Mina had little sympathy for these sorts of situations. Study up and its not so difficult. Then again she often forgets that others don’t share the same approach she does.
“I have one already,” she replies vaguely and glances at her empty left hand. One of the perks of her position was the allowance to avoid these sorts of things. But they come up every now and again. This wasn’t her first fake marriage rodeo. Perhaps the first one that would last more than a few days sure. But certainly not the first. “I suggest others as well, little key ring trinkets or matching shoes. That’s the sort of thing they notice more often than not.” Also she wouldn’t really be able to stand if it something flashy was encourage, she would probably die on the spot of embarrassment and frustration.
+SHANGHAI+
Dancing The Night Away ◆ Mina
“So what’re you picking next there?”
The question surprises him. Howon stops fidgeting with his iPod for a few seconds, throwing her a sideway glance before scrolling down again. He doesn’t know, to be honest. His fingers have hovered over a few songs, wondering if he should press “play” or not, but never doing it for an unknown reason.
His playlists are full of good songs though, and he knows the both of them would have no problem dancing to any of them based on what he saw earlier but he’s oddly hesitant about picking one. Almost afraid that her opinion of him is going to be based on a song choice, that she’s going to judge him. Almost.
He was there first, he recalls, and she’s free to leave if the music isn’t up to her tastes. He wouldn’t even stop her, even though he has to admit her company is decent, and it has been a long time since he has been around a woman without embarrassing himself.
Maybe that is the issue, he realizes. Everything has been going well, too well, and he doesn’t want to mess up now. His pride wouldn’t take it well if she was to deem his pick as “awful” or something along that line. As insecure as he sounds right now, he doesn’t need another person to dislike him or judge his rough around the edges personality without even getting to know him fully.
He’s not a bad person, has never been but not fitting the mould meant being seen as different. And being different in that society, he has learned, is more often that not a bad thing.
“I can’t choose,” he finally answers, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, cringing as he can feel the sweat there sticking to his fingers. A good shower sounds like heaven right now, he thinks, but he’s not ready to go home yet. The tension in his body hasn’t completely left yet, and he’s certain he won’t be able to rest tonight if he doesn’t burn all this pent-up rage and frustration that has built inside him over the last few days. “Wanna help?” He finally asks. It’s just common curtesy because he’s a nice person, he tells himself.
He looks at her then, his lips twisting in a cheeky smile. It’s interesting, he thinks, how relaxed he is tonight. He’s certainly not completely letting go of himself yet, doubts he ever could, but he’s certainly not as guarded as he usually is. It’s refreshing, and he already knows that he’s going to miss that feeling upon going back in the shitty dumpster he’s living in later tonight.
“No, wait,” he ends up saying, unplugging with own iPod from the stereo and putting it in the pocket of his sweatpants carelessly. “Just plug yours and show me what you’re made of, yeah?” He winks at her, surprising himself before avoiding her eyes and making his way back to the center of the dance floor. What in hell is going on with him tonight? He doesn’t wink to people, and certainly not without reason. Howon rolls his shoulders, hoping that she doesn’t comment on what he just did. He would never be able to live it down.
Don’t look at the mirror you dumbass, he orders himself, instead looking at his feet and his neatly tied shoes. He doesn’t want to look at himself now, perfectly aware of the pathetic sight he’s probably making.
After all, red ears aren’t his most attractive feature. Neither is his awkward personality.
For once, Howon guesses he has to agree with that mama boy doctor he can’t stand - he’s a pathetic loser.
Due to her limited experience with consistent friendships and alliances Mina is rather surprised to find anyone fidget around her about anything. Then again, most of the people she spends time around were the sorts that didn’t often put themselves in awkward situations around her. Especially Jaebum and hell even Jonghyun is hard to rattle. So the other’s reaction surprises her. She almost comments on it, but decides against it. This is one of those moments where her candid attitude wouldn’t do her any favors.
Truthfully, she doesn’t think about it much. Indecisiveness isn’t something she’s ever really had to deal with. Always one for quick decisions in all matters—actually most matters. But that is a subject she hasn’t breeched in years and has no intention of breeching. Instead, she bends over and begins basic leg stretching exercises, sighing with relief as her protesting muscles relax and extend.
She looks up at his offer, surprise coloring her features for a moment. Then she grins and brushes a few strands of hair out of her face. Mina straightens up, her hand unconsciously rubbing the sore spot from her last mission on her side. It takes her a few seconds to realize that she’s grinning again, a full, pleased sort of grin that typically is followed by some sort of threat but not today. Or at least not yet. The day is still young and who knows how long before she ends up pissing off the male in front of her or he ends up pissing her off. Knowing her track record and all probably fairly quickly. And yet. Nah, she’ll wait and see. Before she can offer any sort of advice however, the other offers for her to plug in her own iPod. Mina can’t help but laugh a little, surprised but pleased by this turn of events.
“Just remember you asked for it. Although I like to think my music tastes are impeccable.” Is she actually being playful? Yup, today is weird.
She turns from him and casually moves over to her bag. It takes her a moment to find her iPod. As she walks over to the speaks, Mina shuffles through her options and suddenly can relate to the other. Having so many possible options that she would normally pick suddenly don’t seem to satisfy when there is someone else in the room. Then, just as she reaches him she finds a suitable song. Smirking, she playfully nudges him with her elbow. “Let’s see if you know this one.” She wouldn’t admit it but he’s a personal favorite. And something about the other being awkward around her made her want to tease him a little, too comfortable.
Chuckling under her breath, Mina walks over to the speakers and plugs in her iPod. Turning the music up a bit more, Tell Me Where To Go by E-40 blasts through the speakers. It had been a while since she had pulled out E-40 but he was a classic choice to her. She turns back to Hoya and smiles, pleased with herself, shrugging casually. Sliding across the floor with a squeak of sneakers Mina breaks into a few silly moves, mouthing along with the lyrics as they start.
She’s not really focused on impressing him either. More so determined to get him out of whatever train of thoughts he’s on that could unhinge him. Call it a hunch but she’s seen that look too many times on friends faces--on her own face. And not in this place. Not in this sanctuary is that allowed. She’s not very good at helping others feel better. Her own best friend could tell anyone that. But damn it Mina tries. And no one can fault her for that.
Clockwork | Mina & Soojung
Soojung takes the key card from the other, soft smile beginning to play on her lips as she does.This moment will go down as one that she won’t admit to either, but she’s somewhat glad that Mina gives her the offer. On most assigned partner missions, she found herself having to fight her way against her partner to be the one to finish the mission. While the challenge was definitely enjoyable, it was starting to get boring for her. Especially on simple missions. But Mina just let her have this one. And for that a small smile found its way to her lips once more. The thanks is in the smile. As she slides the key card in it’s slot , the light on the door flashes green, followed by the whirring sound of the door unlocking.
The girl pockets the card and moves to open the door. She slips in, holding the door open for the other to come in behind her. The room is fairly dark, illuminated only by the quickly setting sun shining through the sole window on the opposite side of the room. The room isn’t all too furnished either, as she expected it to be. There’s a desk facing the door and a set of cabinets along one wall. She wonders if they’ve gone to the right room. Surely, a room containing important information had to look more… important. Her suspicion rises again. There has got to be more to this mission. She feels it in her gut, but she hasn’t the slightest clue as to what more there could be.
“Get the information and I’ll guard the door.” Soojung stands at the door. “You’ve got a USB right?” Her thoughts about the mission aren’t voiced. Mina must feel it too, the ease of the partner mission, the state of the room, the lack of problems. It was obvious something more was going on than what they were told. Soojung pulls out the gun under her skirt and cocks it. Just in case. With each passing moment, she feels more and more on edge.
It is not until they get into the room that Mina realizes something may be off. Of course she’s always a little paranoid on missions but she figures that’s what helps to keep her alive most of the time. Working in recon one grows accustom to a particular environment when gathering intel. The posh offices, the overly clean centers with sensitive keyboards and heat sensor floors. Occasionally she’d find herself in small, hardly lit rooms trying to siphon off all she can. But not in rooms that are meant to be the main target. Her eyes narrow as she looks around. Then shakes her head deciding that right now they just go on as planned. If things change then they change.
“Candy from a baby.” She mutters to the other. Of course she has a USB, the woman never even leaves her house without one. Instinctively, Mina runs her fingers over the pocket inside of her jacket just to triple check that yes it is there. As she makes her way to the computer, she puts her on her polyurethane gloves, flexing her fingers to loosen them up a bit. “Come to momma,” she mutters under her breath and immediately gets to work.
Breaking through their security is nothing. Maybe a little too easy even. Fishing through the files to get the intel was a little bit of a task since it was hidden away in several folders. She’s almost done and goes into the final folder to find it completely empty. Of course it is. Mina curses under her breath and tries to find it either in the computer or remotely but there isn’t much of a trail. It’ll take a few minutes and she’s not too pleased with the idea of having to stay in this area longer than she’d like. Especially when everything is riding on them disappearing from the building as soon as possible. They—they, oh right crap Soojung is with her. Mina curses under her breath again, then glances at the other. “Small problem. One of the folders is empty, I can trail it but it’s going to take a minute or two. Watch my back?’ It comes out as more of a question than she intends. She isn’t used to even having to ask that but she supposes it’s good to have her there. Especially when this could get very messy, very quickly. Still cool as a cucumber, she gets back to work without even waiting for the other to respond.
CL ♥
Bring it | Mina & Jonghyun
Jonghyun watches with partial attention as she takes out his bishop, and he resists the urge to shake his head and tell her she’s fallen on to a trap: however, this wasn’t exactly a strategy he’d thought of beforehand, and he sees himself using a pattern of moves he’d used before, and at this moment he concludes he ought to take a different route (albeit he’s not really taking the game to heart right then, he knows better than to fall onto habits like this, even more so when he’s sufficiently apt to alter his options for the experience he’d gathered playing before with himself and others).
Nonetheless, she didn’t bite the hook before, and this disappoints him so; but truly only the remnant of the emotion passes him by, disrupts his trail of thought as brown eyes settle on her, and a frown creases his forehead over her choice of words. He can’t help to agree on that one, yet he withholds from a personal opinion additional to the topic she’d introduced with the adjective for the obvious (he’s not quite the opposite of what that one suggests).
The male, thus, simply tils his head to the side, a smile spreading across his lips. “And do you have a thing against it because…?” although, despite his playful undertone against the latter inquire, his eyebrows gradually climb higher at her implication. Jonghyun tsk’d at the female twice, and without skipping a beat, he took out her rook with a pawn (his humorous exclamation of disapproval not really correlated to her judicious move on the game, but rather on that previous comment of hers). “Takes one to know one.” He’s light-hearted, strangely in a jovial mood often around her, it should come as no surprise when he sends her a wink after uttering this. “on the good side, though, this means we got more in common if so.” he jokes, and a small chuckle escapes him.
It strikes Mina that neither of them are really concerning themselves too much with play. Using it more as a conductor for their usual habits. She doesn’t mind. Except for when she has a funny feeling that he’s playing her. It wouldn’t be the first time. Mina won’t confess to it often but she’s never been the absolute best at chess. Playing by herself for a while made her rusty. In a way, she’s grateful to Jonghyun for sharpening her skills again. If nothing else. Also it’s early by some standards. She really should have gotten a coffee instead of a soda.
Jonghyun really should know better by now. She decides not to tease him too much. The day is still young, and knowing this duo there were many more things to bring up and tease later. But she tucks this away for later, pleased with herself. “It’s very difficult to scale fences when you’re small.” And she should know, coming up to a meager 162 centimeters. Although completely average, she often feels small in comparison to her fellow agents. One of the many reasons she learned how to run in heels. With his move in the game, her nose wrinkles slightly but she tries not to let it bother her too much. Noting that left her defenses open a bit, she moves a pawn out for defense, willing to sacrifice it if need be.
Mina snorts back a laugh and shakes her head. “What am I going to do with you?” She marvels at him. “Would it really be good to have that in common though? Surely we can find common ground somewhere else?” Her voice and light and a faint smile is on her lips. This guy honestly. Even if she wanted to smack him a few times, she was like that with everyone. A few chuckles escape her as she leans back in her chair, her hands going to her hair and braiding it absentmindedly.
She’s the type of person to look you right in the eye when she lies, but not one to look you right in the eye when her heart is involved.
It’s not that she’s faint of heart, she’d just rather it stop than skip a beat because she’s not one for feeling weak. (via she-lives-to-write)
Dancing The Night Away ◆ Mina
Howon nods as he listens to her talk about the past, some of her words and story sounding awfully familiar to his. He’s not going to admit it out loud, but it’s rather fascinating. “Not a practical skill, eh?” he chuckles, the sound coming out somewhat forced. He runs a hand through his hair, pulling the sweat coated strands off his forehead as he ignores the bitterness that suddenly rises in his throat. “Seems like it’s a very parental thought, then,” he adds in what he hopes is a light tone but still rolling his eyes. He might find her interesting, but well, it will take more than that for him to talk about the sensible subject that is his past. Way, way more.
He hadn’t expected this night of energy burning and raw dancing to turn into an emotional discussion. Or any sort of discussion if he had to be honest. This is not a bad thing, just one he doesn’t know how to deal with.
Howon turns his back to her, walking towards his sport bag to fetch another water bottle out of it. It’s not that he’s running away or avoiding her questions, but talking is bound to bring a complexity to what should have been a fun, easy evening. He’s not sure that is what he wants… or what he needs.
Despite that, the words leave his mouth with an ease that surprises him. “Me? Well…” he starts, before opening the bottle and taking a sip, not minding how lukewarm the water has become, “No classes, really. My dad would have preferred to be dead rather than have a son dancing…” he shrugs it off quickly, not wanting to dwell on it or have her pity him. Phantoms in the past should stay in the darkest corners of his mind and memories.
Once he’s done drinking, Howon puts the cap back on the bottle rim, twisting it roughly and throwing the bottle back in his bag. He then moves towards the stereo, humming under his breath to the melody of Chris Brown’s “Little Bit”. It’s interesting, he thinks, how he’s aware that the lyrics are quite dirty, even with the most basic English knowledge he has. Howon wonders what she thinks of them, since she must speak English way better than him and he inwardly laughs. If she’s embarrassed though, she doesn’t show it.
“But I’m really good?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows cheekily and fidgeting with his iPod again. He’s not that playful usually, not even friendly, but words come to him easily tonight. He’s not about to complain and in fact, rather enjoys how easy it is to talk to someone for once. “Thanks,” he says, the sincerity in his voice impossible to miss. Compliments about his dancing have always been the best gift he could ask for and he’s always grateful for them.
Indeed, for years, it had been the only thing that had mattered. But this had been a long time ago, back when he had hoped he would be able to make it with just an unpolished, raw talent and an ambition out of this world.
Then, reality had caught up with him. He hadn’t stopped dancing, couldn’t even if he wanted to, but he had stopped dreaming. Never would he ever regret the nights spent dancing in the streets all these years ago, though.
“My old friends would be happy to hear this,” he says, not aware of the soft smile that has taken place on his lips at the thoughts of the crew he was once a part of, “We all learnt from each other, you know…” He reminds with a fondness he didn’t think he still had in him, “And we made the streets of Busan tremble.”
It is the way he says it that captures Mina’s attention. The bitterness in his tone is all too familiar. She’s expressed the same bitterness far too many times before—even just now. Mina doesn’t know what to say in return. Truthfully, she didn’t want to talk with some stranger about her mommy and daddy issues. Hell she barely even talked about them with her closest friends. Not that she had many of those but the point remained. She doesn’t know how to respond, so she doesn’t. At the most she hums a noncommittal sound and turns her gaze towards the mirror again. She’s getting too loose lipped lately, this had to stop.
Frankly too nice as well. A bit of a problem really. As he turns from her, she lets out a slow breath and rests her hand on her hips. Normally, she’d want to know his answer as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, given the circumstances she forces her patience to return to her. She barely knows who he is and certainly isn’t entitled to know these sorts of things.
As he drinks, she leans over and touches her toes, allowing herself to stretch for a moment thanks to the lull. After the silence Mina is a bit surprise that he even answers her. She’s not sure where the desire to give compliment towards him even came from but she doesn’t dwell on it. At least not as much as she mulls over his response for a few moments longer than intended. “Parents.” Is her sole response, without a hint of pity or sympathy, more so of understanding and aggravation. As it was, there were days it felt like her mother still wasn’t satisfied with her actions. Would she ever be? Probably not.
When he moves over to the stereo, she pulls out of her stretch and rolls her shoulders again, her back popping a few times. She probably should get that looked at. Oh well. She can’t catch all of what he’s humming exactly but regardless it’s familiar. Mina doesn’t ask though, figuring either way she’d find out. She’s about to suggest a song, one of her personal favorites, Ciara’s Ride but decides against it. It’s his ipod after all, she doesn’t even know if he has it.
The thought is dismissed anyway at his teasing. She rolls her eyes, but the grin gives her away and she shakes her head. “I just call it like I see it.” Mina admits with a little shrug. Then his thanks actually surprises her a bit as well. Hopefully it doesn’t show on her face as she walks a few paces over. Her closed mouth smile is sincere enough to know that she’s not just flattering him for the sake of it. After all—he doesn’t know this—but Mina has never been the sort that deals out compliments for no reason. There is never a point to it for her.
In a way she wishes that he’d stop surprising her. It reminds her too much of things that she had long forgotten about. She hasn’t decided if she appreciates that or not. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Out of all people, Mina could appreciate looking back on old friends. Especially the ones from Busan in her younger years. Wait—did he say? Her brows raise in surprise and her head tilts to the side inquisitively. “I used to do that with my friends as well.” Mina admits, her gaze growing soft as she looks past him and at a time that seemed to have been eons ago. Quickly she shakes the thoughts away and forces out a short laugh. “Busan hasn’t been the same since I’m sure.” It was moments like this she missed her old stomping grounds, her old friends she hadn’t seen in years. But it was for the best. Most of them probably didn’t even remember her at this point. Didn’t even know she had changed her name. It was for the best.
Mina clears her throat and eyes the iPod. “So what’re you picking next there?” They aren’t here to reminisce after all. Even if a small voice in the back of her mind tells her it would be okay to do so, she doesn’t listen.
