beautiful liar

jung leo // 27 // owner of siren's song // son of akbul // faceclaim: jung taekwoon (leo), vixx

[for-lr]

[mpxleo-blog]

acoustics || open

Christmas was always a busy time at Siren’s Song, so Leo was glad when evening came and people preferred to stay inside where it was warm and bright, as opposed to the cold darkness outside. Of course, he kept the store open for long hours anyway, just in case, but in the evenings it was usually just him and his store.

And tonight, he decided to give the different instruments he had on display a test... just to see, of course, not to indulge in his urge to create something. But once he sat down at the keyboard, he just couldn’t help but compose. After a few minutes of trying things out, he gave in and grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil and began writing things down, singing to himself as he did.

“No, wait~ this would sound better with a guitar instead~” he sang to himself, a soft smile on his lips as he turned off the keyboard and picked up an acoustic guitar instead. He played the first few chords and was about to sing again when-- the bell rang and the cold wind hit him and he looked up to see someone in the door, watching him.

Well, shit.

[mpxleo-blog]

let’s play dress-up

@mpchange​

The Halloween ball was always a big and fun and important event for most people on the island, but Leo unsurprisingly stayed away from it. Crowds weren’t his thing, and drunk crowds of people in various costumes who expected him to be in a costume and expected that costume to be good... It was too much pressure, and just too much in general.

But Leo didn’t dislike Halloween in general, and he did like costumes. Which is why he’d volunteered to help his moon mama, Chang’e, decide what to wear. He liked being around her and he liked that she’d more or less taken him in as her son -- it was only after that fact that he realized how badly he’d needed someone like that in his life. Leo never really had a proper mother, but Chang’e was wonderful and patient and kind and never made him uncomfortable.

They browsed the costume store together and Leo glanced over at Chang’e every now and then, quietly smiling to himself.

[mpxleo-blog]

s h a d o w

a jung leo playlist

[mpxleo-blog]

[open starter]: breathing

[mpxleo-blog]

mpxtohil‌:

“akbul?” tohil echoes, and automatically a smile appears on his features. the name is more than familiar and it brings back many memories of time spent in the other god’s presence. how often had he tried to make light appear in akbul’s darkness by use of his fire? how often had akbul scolded him for that exact same thing?

he moves on from the subject when the boy speaks of his surprise at not getting burned, and then he’s grinning again already because of the boy’s gladness that he didn’t get hurt. “i’m a god of fire, my boy, a little bit of hot coffee is not going to hurt me. the only thing dying in the collision would probably be my shirt.”

his grin is easy as he rounds the corner, heading over to the coffee shop and pushing open its door to let the demigod enter first. “what type of coffee did you have?” he asks with ease. “i’ll order you a new one.”

Tohil’s smile makes Leo feel a little more at ease. Now that they have some sort of a connection beyond this... mess, it feels less awkward to be taking up the god’s time. He’s not sure how well Tohil knows his father, but if the smile is anything to go by, there is a good history there.

“God of fire, right... I should’ve known.” Leo returns Tohil’s grin with a soft smile of his own. It reaches his eyes this time; he’s starting to feel more comfortable. “I hope your shirt survived, but if it doesn’t-- I can, I mean, I will pay for it.”

He bows his head slightly when Tohil lets him into the coffee shop first, glancing at the menu. Leo has a standard order; menus stress him out, and specials stress him out even more. “I had an americano,” he answers softly. “You really don’t have to--” But he stops himself. If Tohil has set his mind on doing this, then Leo would only annoy him by protesting.

[exmpxyuna]

remember;

[mpxleo-blog]

eunbixmp‌:

Nahyun hummed, tilting her head to the side as she regarded him. It was driving her crazy that she couldn’t quite remember him. “Concerts? Not really.” Bars, on the other hand, she had definitely frequented– rarely ever for their intended purpose, but she had certainly spent a perhaps excessive amount of her time talking to strange men in bars. She supposed he could have been one of them. And in that case, he must not have been all that bad, or he would not have lived to tell the tale. 

“But yeah, I guess it must have been something like that,” she agreed, a small, sharp smile tugging at her lips. She did not believe him for a moment, and she could certainly tell that he was hiding something. The cover story was flimsy, artificial– besides, he seemed a little old to be sneaking out like a pre-teen a few scant years ago. Surely people did not have to sneak out when they were already out of high school. Then again, she may have had a skewed idea of how parents operated; her mother had always let her do whatever she pleased, and had rarely been around otherwise.

So she was not going to press the matter. Not right then. She would think on it for a while, see what else she might be able to recall. “And what was your name, again?” As if she was some simpleton that would forget so easily.

Even though she agreed with what he’d told her, Leo wasn’t going to pretend like everything was fine now. They both knew he wasn’t telling the truth, and they both knew they both knew. Whatever this was, it would come back to bite him in the ass, but that was fine. He would be fine. Eventually, he would be fine, even if it wasn’t on the island, even if it wasn’t as Leo.

He wanted to keep this version of himself; it felt like the truest one yet. He was like this. He was a mess, a liar, plagued with anxieties and fears and memories. But... he would be fine.

“Leo,” he said softly, not believing for a second that she didn’t remember. “My name is Jung Leo. And yours?” After this, they would both go on their merry way. She would talk to him again sometime in the future, and he would lie to her again. Even if it was obvious he was lying, he would continue. The truth was something he guarded like his most prized possession. Maybe someday he would be free of it.

[mp-ryo]

We’re All Mad Here | Leo & Ryo

[mpxleo-blog]

mp-ryo‌:

Ryo tilts his head watching a small sense of nerves and panic fly across the handsome owners face but melts back into the shy and timid smile. As soft as it was, the Japanese demigod saw as blinding still. He can’t help but smile back. 

“I see..well..” he starts off as he slowly walks a bit closer just so they both could get a better look and feel of each other. They were a safe distance away for the both of them. “would you happen to have a..Japanese section? I’d like to see what collection you may have.” 

Ryo should have had a plan when he came in instead of running around like a chicken with his head cut off. He does love music, but there was one genre that came in as number one, J-rock. As he waits for the owner’s reply he eagerly bounces on the balls of his feet boots making sounds against the floor, hands shyly kept behind his back.

It seemed like they were both a bit bad at this, which did help Leo relax. As attractive as extremely confident people could be, they often made him want to curl into a ball in the corner. But people who spoke and smiled softly made him feel more at ease.

“A Japanese section? We have Japanese music, yeah. What genre are you looking for in particular?” And Leo began walking, leading the customer to the various Japanese sections. The store was split into genres, so they did a bit of zig-zagging, with Leo explaining each part.

“I personally like Japanese rock music a lot, bands like The Gazette or Mejibray or Diaura... Dir en Grey too, of course.” Leo stopped in front of the J-rock section. “Garnidelia and Exist Trace are very good too.”

[mpfeihong-deactivated20191110]

almost ++ leo

@mpxleo

He pushes open the door of the Siren’s Song and walks inside. He’d leafed through the information booklet he’d been given upon entering Mount Phoenix, finding himself something to do in the days that sounded good enough, and had actually almost come over to the music store to apply for a job. Eventually being a bouncer had won out, because he felt like it would’ve been more easily combinable with his actual wish to do something with dancing. Admittedly, he would have probably also danced if he’d worked at the music store, but then it would have been just that tad bit less accepted than what he does now - teaching it at the Zero to Hero.

Still, the description of the store had definitely caught his attention, so he felt like he should pay it a visit nonetheless, which is exactly why he’s here now. He didn’t actually expect that thing about the music outside to be true, so he’s more than pleasantly surprised to have heard the tones of his favourite classical piece over the speakers, and had spent some time just lingering outside listening to it.

Now he’s here, though, and the speakers are playing something else entirely, but it’s still not a bad sound, so the smile doesn’t leave his features just yet. He gives a friendly nod to the person behind the counter, before letting his eyes go over the insides of the music store. CDs, he knows, have become quite obsolete in today’s online discourse, but being a man of simple living, he does not have the smartphones and the music apps and the whatnots. He still prefers his music to come out of a portable radio’s speakers - that or the absolutely amazing speakers of a well-built dance studio. Probably the only thing he has ever collected at home are CDs, which is of course not counting his own personal collection of animal shapes to choose from.

He’s browsing for a while when the rhythm of the song playing catches his body and he unconsciously starts to move along with it, body and legs performing some dance moves while his hands continue to be mostly occupied with skimming through CDs and occasionally picking one out to look at it. It’s with one of the latter in hands that he performs a few more complicated moves with his entire body before returning to his business of inspecting the songs on the back of the CD, entirely unaware once more of the presence of the shopkeeper.

[mpxleo-blog]

Leo has one earbud in, tapping his notebook with the eraser end of his pencil, silently mouthing along to the music he’s listening to. Writing songs is a good (and productive) way for him to relax and let out his feelings, whatever they are, even if what he’s feeling is the lack of feeling. Depression recently hit him harder than usual, but he’s getting back on his feet again.

He’s immersed enough in his work that he doesn’t realize at first when a customer comes in, and when he glances up he almost flinches for a second. Shit, hopefully the stranger didn’t try to approach Leo. He can be a bit... distant when he’s writing.

The first thing Leo notices, once his heart rate has calmed down a bit, is that this stranger is attractive. There are a lot of attractive people on this island, and Leo always feels a little out of place whenever he’s around them. It feels a bit like he ate sand; his tongue and throat get a bit dry and end up being all he can think about, rather than actually forming sensible words.

But with customers, Leo has enough standard phrases to muscle through a conversation. A professional one, at least. But just as he’s having these thoughts, trying to decide which of his many practiced greetings he should use -- the customer starts dancing. Leo watches in surprise, a small smile forming on his lips. He knows very well what it’s like to get lost in music, and so he doesn’t disturb the customer, not yet at least.

Leo also knows, however, how awkward it is to realize someone was watching you and didn’t say anything. So he clears his throat for a second and then asks, “Did you find what you were looking for?”

[xmp-taeyong-deactivated20230330]

Fade Away

[mpxleo-blog]

mp-taeyong‌:

A mirthless laugh left Taeyong’s lips at that. “Easier. You’d think so right? I don’t know why or how my power works the way it does. All I know is that every time I ease up, every time I let go even just a little bit, people get hurt. So if practicing means I have to hurt anyone to get there, then I’ll pass.” That was the only the could do and even that was becoming more and more difficult as time went on. He could feel the pressure of his power just under the surface, growing, waiting for him to slip up and make a mistake.

He slumped further into the chair, finally calm after the near fiasco. He looked up sheepishly at the taller man. “Sorry. I’m not really much of an optimist when it comes to my personal problems. I do appreciate it though, you letting me come here. Music is like, one of the only things that makes sense when this stuff happens.” Dance was of course his real escape but music was just as big a part of him. Music was a much needed oasis for his turbulent mind when things got tough.

“Are there other people here who have the same power? Or similar ones? Mine works differently, so...” Leo gave Taeyong an apologetic smile. “I... I really wish I could help you.” Leo had never thought about his powers all that much, they simply... happened. Darkness enveloped him, welcomed him home, and kept him safe. It was his friend, not his enemy or a problem, like Taeyong’s power seemed to be. A part of him wished he could switch their powers.

“I can relate,” he said with a soft laugh. Leo was a horrible pessimist too, and he knew it. “And... yeah, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to open this place. Music makes me feel safe. I can distract myself or let out my feelings.” He glanced over at the instrument section of the shop for a few moments. “Do you play anything? Sometimes making music or just... doing something myself helps me.”

[xmp-yixing-deactivated20230330]

Out and About

[mpxleo-blog]

mp-yixing‌:

Yixing listened patiently as Leo spoke. It seemed his earlier words struck a cord with the younger man and for that Yixing was grateful. “Time is a funny thing. It changes everything and nothing is immune to it. Even us immortals still feel the pull of time despite being separate from it. You may not know how to feel comfortable now but you will. There’s a place for all of us. It’s only a matter of time before we find it.”

He turned for a second to look at Leo incredulously. “Oh please you know how much I dislike it when people put me on a pedestal like that. You are worthy of anyone and everyone’s friendship Leo, including mine. And if you insist on saying things like that you’re only going to force me to prove it to you. And I have all the time in world remember.” His cheeky grin was in full force as he aimed it as his young friend. 

If Leo could, he would write down every wise thing Yixing had ever said to him, and then put them all in a song. There had been enough to fill multiple songs, in fact. And every time Leo felt incredibly grateful and... confident was the wrong word, but Yixing helped him feel like he wasn’t a lost cause, not just a complete mess. On darker days, remembering what Yixing said helped.

Leo was about to apologize, but when Yixing grinned at him, he laughed instead. It was a soft, quiet laugh, half hidden behind the back of his hand, but it was a laugh nonetheless. He gave Yixing an amused look and shook his head with a smile. “Then I’ll try to believe you faster. I wouldn’t want you spending all of eternity trying to convince me.”

[exmpxfelix]

rainbows & shadows;

[mpxleo-blog]

mpxfelix‌:

“Yeah, right!” Felix replied with a big smile, as if green reminding them of forests was something unique that connected them or something. “I just work the front desk. So I, like, organize appointments and answer the phone and make fancy ladies coffee while they wait to see the seamstresses.” Yep, that was his job in a nutshell. And, perhaps surprisingly, he rather liked it. It made him feel important and needed, because everything would be a mess if he wasn’t there to organize the schedule and greet customers. It took the burden off the dress makers and made him feel useful.

“Ah, well, just… You know, not a lot of guys like bubblegum pop. or maybe they do. I actually don’t know.” He did not think he knew any guys that liked it, and he had sort of conflated that with the entire male population, he supposed. “Alternative? What’s that?” He didn’t think he had ever heard of alternative. Was that like hippie music? Or something super experimental? He had no idea, but he was suddenly really curious. “Do you have any here? Can I listen to some?”

Felix’ job may sound simple to some, but to Leo it was almost an impossible task. At least here at Siren’s Song, his interactions with customers involved his biggest passion, and he could always disappear in the back to do some finances or something if he was truly overwhelmed. Answering phone calls and tending to fancy people all day? “Do you like your job?” he asked, genuinely curious. Felix was extroverted; Leo figured he’d do a good job as a receptionist.

“A lot of guys think liking bubblegum pop makes them less manly, but I don’t agree with that. I don’t see any reason to judge someone for the genre of music they like.” Leo’s voice was soft as ever, but there was conviction behind it. “Alternative... I’m not sure where to start explaining.” He smiled and took Felix to the alternative section of the store. “There are a ton of different alternative bands; you could spend days listening to them all. Do you want to... go for it? Or I can show you some of my favorites.”

[mpchange-deactivated20200612]

—☾  like a mother to her child ;

continued from here !  @mpxleo

she couldn’t really put her finger on why she was drawn to the demigod in the first place. perhaps it was simply because of her own instincts or the fact that none of the children she had birthed were on the island, yet. no matter the reason the outcome was still the same. she adored leo and was ready to put everything she had into helping him. 

“it is all about perceptive. though that is one of the hardest things to change in the world.” chang’e replied with a small nod. “everyone has had dark moments, they’ve had downs but we can only have downs if there are ups. looking up to see something ahead rather then looking down to see nothing.” chang’e purses her lips as speaks and sighs softly. look at her tall boy, they may not be of blood but chang’e considered him one of her own at this point. 

“but that isn’t something you have to do alone.” she declares and takes his hand. 

[mpxleo-blog]

"It's just... so difficult to see the ups. It feels like I'm going from down to even lower. Everything I am or want to be seems doomed to fail.” Leo always feels bad when he’s pessimistic around Chang’e. She’s such a wonderful person, a calming presence in his life, someone who he trusts more than he thought he could. She has taken on a motherly role, and Leo can honestly say he’s never had a mother before her.

When she takes his hand he hesitates a moment, then gives hers a soft squeeze. “I don’t want to burden you with anything,” he says quietly. “My problems are my own to deal with, and... there are some things I don’t want to drag you into. Even if--” Leo stops himself. What is he thinking? Did he really consider asking her for help, asking her for protection from the family? From his past? He closes his eyes and shakes his head.

[mp-santino]

Skeletons | Leo & Santino

[mpxleo-blog]

mp-santino‌:

Tino gives the other a sweet smile. It was nice to hear that someone else trusts him. He has quite a few friends now that feel that kind of way towards him, but it never ceases to amaze him. “It makes me happy to hear that..way more than you know.”

The Mayan demigod listens well, always better at listening than talking anyways, but he knows how hard it can be opening up. While Tino may trust others easier, he still takes into account how much he wants to give away of his past. One of the main things he hates to admit is all the wrong he did.. Well wrong in his heart while his followers back then felt like it was more of some justice. All he knew was that he hurt people, killed people. Not everyone needed to know that. 

“I’m flattered that I remind you of a friend it sounds like you enjoyed your time with. I am sorry about you getting in trouble, but I would still like to give you that same joy. Being here..jamming with you, writing songs, I wouldn’t mind having you come down to Feelgoods for some shows too. I’m sure I can get you in without paying or something.” he chuckles. “Also, yes I do consider you as my friend, but I’m not sure I understand what you mean when you say you don’t want to go back..? You mean go back to your parents?” 

In turn, it made Leo happy to know he made Santino happy. Even if that happiness was partially built on lies -- it was better than upsetting his friend. Everything was better than that.

“You already give me that joy,” he admitted softly. “I haven’t had a friend to play music with in a long time, and... I’d almost forgotten how safe it makes me feel. I’m so grateful to you. And I’ll definitely come down to Feelgoods more often-- especially if you get me a discount,” Leo added with a soft laugh and a playful wink. That was another thing, playfulness. He was starting to discover that side of him again, thanks in part to Santino.

“My parents... they had very different plans for me. Very different expectations. And the powers I have...” Leo swallowed. “My father called me a monster,” he said quietly. “He said I was a mistake. And I... I never went back there. I packed my things and left. I can’t go back there.”

[chained-up-taekwoon]

Jung Taekwoon does a “sexy” dance and then hides under the table…

[rpmusings-galore]

                 ———–  i guess I kinda liked the way you numbed all the pain

[purplehearts-pinkfarts-deactiva]

[mpxleo-blog]

“You said you wanted someone smart” Krystal gestured to herself then, a playful grin on her lips. "So here I am. I am the smartest person I know besides Bryan so you're stuck with me."

“How can I be stuck with you if I actually wanted you here?” Leo returned the playful grin with a smile of his own and a little nudge. He had requested someone smart, but more than that he needed someone with a good eye, which he believed Krystal had.

“I just don’t know how to expand the instruments section. I feel like I should have something built to display them on better, but in order to do that I’ll have to move some other things around. I think I could technically expand the shop itself, but that would require a lot of money and time... and the shop would have to be closed, so I wouldn’t actually have the money.” He sighed. “Do you have any... I don’t know, design ideas? Maybe? Sorry for just... bombarding you with this.”