Alisa U Zemlji Chuda
almost home
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JBB: An Artblog!
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@rxlinquo
k . they/she . 27 . est . lurking .
want to plot? then please message me on this account! while i'm logged into this account on my phone, it might take me some time to reach out to everyone on a daily basis. please be patient as i slowly get back into tumblr roleplaying.
Minjun Kim . Thirty-One . Local Artist .
Biography | Stats | Connections | Headcanons
It's another new face, new to her, at least, but also new to the shop, apparently. The first question gives them the slightest pause, eyes darting over to the rows of bookshelves crammed full of books. “That's what they tell me, anyway,” they joke, flashing the man a sly but friendly smile and hoping they didn't piss off a potential customer because they had to be a smartass.
“But yeah, we're a small, independent bookstore, so it's a bit different from Barnes & Noble,” is their genuine reply. “There's obviously the fact that shopping indie directly helps the town economy as opposed to a big corporation. But we also cater to the community more than a chain store, so you'll notice there's a bigger religious section and a bigger hobby section with more books on, like, cooking or gardening or animal care. We do try to keep a good, varied stock, of course, and you're always welcome to put in a request if we don't have something you're looking for.”
“Oh, and we run some community events on occasion, too; we do work with the library in hosting a book club.”
“Sorry, that's probably more of a response than you were looking for,” Arden chuckles. “But, indie bookstores are great, and I'm not just saying that because they pay me to,” she grins. “But, yeah, lemme stop talking. Feel free to browse all you want. I'm Arden, and I'll be here if you need help with anything.”
Minjun catches the joke and laughs, but it's stiff and awkward, so it doesn't last long. He coughs to cover it up, embarrassed with himself. "Right, right..." He says, nodding and listening closely to the other's words. He's been to a few indie bookstores, but Barnes and Noble has always been so easy and connivant that over time, Minjun stopped going to the smaller bookstores. However, that's not the case here, so he's learning. "That's... really cool. Honestly. Is the book club popular?" He wonders if the librarian Molly attends said book clubs, it would make sense if she does.
"Ah, I'm Minjun," he says. "Thank you, Arden, and it's nice to meet you."
location: festival games area, Rain of Petals Parade status: open!
Tori Mae wasn't much for dancing and pageantry but she did enjoy the occasional event to people watch. The Springs came alive every spring with the Rain of Petals Parade and the looks of pure joy on the faces of festival goers was a nice reminder that there still was a little magic left in the world, even if none of it belonged to Tori Mae.
She should've listened to Miss Fortune all those years ago when she told her to expect a big change in her life, but truly, she should'a listened to her mama telling her she had no business putting any trust into what that woman had to say. Tori ignored the instructions to steer clear of her tent then, but had made up for it by avoiding it entirely for the last fifteen years. That counted for something, right, Mama?
Instead, she wandered the festival grounds, savoring the smells of freshly baked teats, hand picked flowers, and honey sticks. She greets local artisans with a big smile, promising to make another round to actually purchase something and sends her Pop's regards. He hated missing the festival but promised Tori Mae's mama he'd rest this year and let Tori take care of the shop talk.
Now, she's clad in high-waist denim shorts, a muted golden-yellow floral button down, tied in a knot just above her exposed midriff, and flower suede platform Doc's with a freshly squeezed lemonade (and gin) in hand. Her eyes are trained on the ring in her friend's hand as they play ring toss, or maybe attempt to play would've been a better way to put it. A chuckle escapes from her lips. "So, did'ya ask anyone to dance yet?" She inquires with a quirked brow, bringing the straw to her lips.
"No.... should I or do you think everyone is already taken?"
It's his first Rain of Petals Parade and Minjun is enjoying himself, as usual. The townspeople love to throw a festival, everyone gathering with sweet treats and beautiful crafts that Minjun is regretting not bringing out his own mugs and plates to sell. However, he only decided against because 1) he's still new and 2) he wants to enjoy what the Springs has to offer. He wants to enjoy being with the townspeople, as they, as always, welcome him with open arms, and the general festivity. Though, the only downside is the dancing part. Minjun has to watch people ask others to be their dance partners as he keeps to the back, not having a close relation with anyone here. Maybe he should ask Haerin to dance with him-- no, she'll reject him. Not even his own sister would dance with him. "Have you asked anyone?"
"Not necessarily," he says. Scammahorn's products certainly exist, they just don't typically work as intended-- but Wes is more than willing to take the rest of it off Minjun's hands. He'd be remiss not to run at least a few more experiments with it, anyway, just to note any consistencies or discrepancies. Any notice he might've paid to the other's reactions is quickly squandered as he approaches the side of the cottage, leaning in and squinting as he notes the spiders crawling across the boarded foundation. There's too many of them for them not to be babies, and they're rather large for babies; all he can assume is some rendition of wolf spider or tarantula. But, upon further inspection, he realizes they're a bit off.
"Most arachnids prefer the warmth of a human touch," Wes replies, crouching down and allowing a couple of them to crawl onto his bare hand, bringing it to eye level and examining closely. Blue. He's never seen a blue spider before. One of them bites him immediately. "Hm," he frowns, following what looks like a trail, all the way over to Minjun's semi-discarded Speed Gro fertilizer bag, where it seems a good amount of them have been living for the time being. "Your problem might be more dire than I thought..."
It's probably a good thing that Haerin isn't here to see this, knowing his sister, she would lose her mind at the sight of the spiders. Minjun is fine, spiders don't necessarily scare him, but the big and hairy ones do make his skin crawl in disgust. He prays to the Goddess (mind you, he does not pray at all) that nothing big shows up. "Really?" Minjun asks, leaning a little closer to see the spiders crawling on Wes' hand. Does he have to worry about blue spiders when starting this garden? "How bad is it? Like bad enough that we can't start this garden?"
Knowing full well the previous impression was not spot on, Osvaldo snorts but returns an appreciative smile, "You should hear my Steve Martin." He spares him from having to listen to more butchered SNL quotes for now as he lightly tosses a cheeseburger wrapped in foil at the younger man.
"Unless you got a blackberry bush growin’ through your kitchen, ol' mutt probably wouldn't have passed through. But hey! Ain’t it my lucky day then, to have your company during the occasional outing." He wiped his hand on a napkin, crumpling it one handed and tossing it behind, onto the bed of his truck. "Osvaldo," he introduces himself, extending a now clean hand, "Oz, if you'd prefer. You ain’t hidin’ from Johnny Law, are ya?” Not that being a criminal on the run was the only reason someone would prefer to stay at home. He leaned in and spoke in a hushed tone out of the corner of his mouth, “Wouldn’t be the first one.”
"Well, I would like to if given the chance." Though, he hopes that the impression will happen another day, that way Minjun can at least prepare and watch the SNL skit before their next meeting.
"Oh!" A blackberry bush. Minjun has seen one before, remembered a local pointing it out and telling him about it. So he knows for sure that there aren't any blackberry bushes on the Kim grounds. At the introduction, Minjun does the same of wiping his own hand, while not messy, he does it out of common courtesy. "Nice to meet you, I'm Minjun," he says, shaking Oz's hand. There's a pause, as he tilts his head to the side at the question. "No, I'm not. I'm just... new, really." Not extremely new anymore, but still fairly new. "Are you hiding from Johnny Law?"
She grins as she pulls back from the hug, totally not expecting him to squeeze her back like that—but oh, he did, and she’s definitely not crazy for being a little delighted about it. What? A cute boy hugging her was worth a whole inner monologue. Sue her!
“Oh, don’t say that!” she gasps, swatting the air with one hand like the very idea offended her. “Everybody’s got it in ’em to whip up somethin’ halfway edible. Last year I made a batch of chocolates so bad, my siblings thought I’d hexed ‘em.” She laughs, leaning forward a little like she’s telling him a secret. Though, it was more just cluing him in on the already much discussed and known Josie Sutton lore 'round these parts. “This year, though? Not a single gag. That’s what we call personal growth.”
She leans back, adjusting the strap of her little messenger bag, hands landing on her hips as she gives him an exaggerated once-over. “Anyway, I feel like you’re probably the type who’s secretly good at everything. Bet you’ve got some hidden kitchen talent just waitin’ to surprise me.”
She raises an eyebrow, teasing. “Unless you’re about to break my heart and say you burn rice.”
"No way." That, he cannot believe. From her looks and their few encounters, Minjun can't seem to comprehend the fact that Josie is terrible at baking, or doing anything. In his mind, Josie would excel in stuff like that. Shows how little he knows about his new friend. "That's good! I'm sure that they were proud of you," he says, coming from the place of an older brother who would be proud of his younger sibling's personal growth.
Minjun mulls over what she says, thinking of his skillsets. Though, Josie does pull out a little chuckle from him at her burnt rice comment. "No burnt rice over here," he says. "I'm decent in the kitchen. I can make a few things, enough to keep myself alive." After leaving his parents' home, Minjun had to learn how to fend for himself. "You should come over one day and I'll cook you something."
ooc.
sorry guys for not being here! it was my birthday a few days ago and the musical i'm in is coming to an end. i'm still here, reading threads and doing replies! if you want a starter, please reply to this post or message me <3
where && with whom : : town square w/ @vespcrtines
"So, did she like it?" Minjun asks, nervously twiddling fingers as he awaits the answer. "Your mom. Did she say anything about the mug?"
Josie beams the moment she spots Minjun, arms already outstretched before she’s even halfway to him. She wraps him in a quick, joyful squeeze around the neck, pulling back just enough to let him breathe.
“She loved it!” she bursts out, eyes alight, already digging into her pack with both hands. “And I loved mine, too. You didn’t have to make me anything, y’know—” With a triumphant little “aha!”, she pulls out a neatly wrapped tray of brownies, still warm, if he notices.
"Not a big fancy deal or anything, but it’s a thank you. For being so sweet," she says, thrusting them into his hands like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
The hug is unexpected, but welcomed, it weasels out a belly laugh from Minjun as his own arms wrap around her. Never would Minjun consider himself to be a hugger, but with a ball of sunshine like Josie... you have to become one. "I'm glad," he says. "And of course I did. You deserve something too." It would've been awkward had he just left something for her mother and not for Josie.
His eyes then brighten at the sight of the brownies, not expecting this kind gesture. He takes the tray, staring down at it for a few seconds before looking back at Josie. "Josie... this is perfect and, well, sweet." He lets out a small laugh before his lips shape back into a smile. "Thanks for this. I'm sure these will taste better than anything I'll ever make."
where && with whom : : town square w/ @vespcrtines
"So, did she like it?" Minjun asks, nervously twiddling fingers as he awaits the answer. "Your mom. Did she say anything about the mug?"
"Yes, that's me." He smiles awkwardly and hopes that it looks natural as he meets another local. Though, he has to remind himself that no matter what, no one would judge him for being awkward or so quiet, it's to be expected. "Uh... no? Was I... supposed to?" It was delivered to their home randomly and the name alone made Minjun wonder if it was an actual scam. It had to be with a name like that. "Because if I need to, I can go get it."
“No,” he insists firmly. “In fact, I’ll take the rest of it off your hands, should you forget not to use it.” He’s sure this poor fellow doesn’t need a spider problem and oddly mutated crops, though Wes is now curious to see which might come out on top. “Hardly makes plants grow any faster, anyway. You’re better off with good old water and sunlight.”
He sets his case down on one of the back porch steps, glass jars rattling inside as he clicks it open. “Oh— before I forget,” he says, sticking a hand into one of his pockets and tugging out a handful of seeds of varying size. Mostly beans, with a few pepper and tomato seeds scattered throughout, and he unceremoniously shoves it into Minjun’s hand in lieu of a handshake. “Just a few questions about the spiders. You don’t mind if I take a few, do you? They’re good to have around, especially if you want to start a garden. Carnivorous gems, really. So I understand if you’d like to keep them.”
His interest in arachnids may be the only reason he’s here, but that won’t keep him from yapping about it. Besides, he’s not even sure what he’s dealing with yet. This could range from a harmless case of daddy long legs to a family of tarantulas. It’s best to ask permission before mentally preparing.
"You're kidding." He looks in the direction of where the fertilizer sits, piled off to the side and very untouched. And it looks like it'll still be that way. "So like the guys name says... it's a scam." Even a small town like this has scammers, the only difference is that the scammer is someone who will sit next to you at a diner.
He blinks as the seeds are shoved into his hands, taking in the different types of vegetables that the Kim siblings will grow. It's more than the few packs of potato and carrot seeds that Haerin bought. "Thank you, though, you didn't have to give us these." It's such a kind gesture that swells his heart. It makes him happy that they moved here.
However, as the topic shifts to the spiders and if the other can keep them, Minjun is reminded that while kind, the townspeople are very different from him. "... Please, take them all. I don't want them." Better yet, Haerin wouldn't want them, they'll make her scream if she were to see them when she does start maintaining their backyard. "I didn't think spiders were beneficial like that," he says. "How are you going to catch them? With a jar?"
At the Kim residence, a small, green box sits on the first step of their porch — with the classic Granny’s logo emblazoned on top. Open it up and find some positively decadent, homemade fudge nestled in between pieces of wax paper. Tucked into the side is a folded piece of floral stationary, with loopy cursive reading,
“Hope y’all are settling into our little town just fine now! Why don’t you walk on over to the diner and order yourself one of our Farmer’s Breakfasts, on the house?
Eat Well,
Granny”
He's never received a gift from someone outside of his family, not even in any of his relationships-- the relationships never lasted long, he was too busy with his studies and working. So when Minjun does see the green box, he blinks, believing that it's a mistake, or at least for Haerin. Slowly, he lowers himself and picks up the box, carefully taking it in and giving the gift his full attention. Who in the world would give a newbie like him a gift?
Then, he sees the note and the corners of his lips twist upwards. Granny, of course, the kind older woman who's show he has never missed since moving to town. She was kind, full of love, and such warmth that he rarely got from his grandparents before they passed away. Turning to go back inside, Minjun places the gift on a nearby table. He takes a deep breath before shouting, "Haerin! Stop what you're doing and let's go to Granny's!" They need to thank the older woman and take up her offer of a Farmer's Breakfast.
baek ye jin + looking at hee do with heart eyes
TWENTY-FIVE, TWENTY-ONE (2022) dir. Jung Ji-Hyun
Location: Pioneer Books Status: open
Something was wrong. She didn't know why, but she knew that something was wrong.
Yes, it was pretty normal behavior for Rafael to just fuck off for a few days, and he always returned home in one piece. He often returned with more than one new injury, mind you, but, at least, his hunter blood meant he'd be back to normal after some rest. This was normal, she shouldn't be worried– at least not more than usual– and yet… she just couldn't shake the feeling.
She had tried his apartment several times over the last few days. Perks of being the asshole's neighbor, she could just head down the hall and check at any time. Each time, though, there had been no response, no sounds coming from inside, nothing. The door had also been locked because of course Raf went and fixed his ever-busted door at the most inconvenient time possible. Still, it wouldn't hurt checking again.
There were still no sounds coming from inside the apartment, even after she knocked. When she tried the handle, to her surprise, it actually turned in her hand, and that made her pause. Only after she pulled out her knife did she open the door and step in.
The apartment was a me–
DING
Hand freezing mid-word, Arden's focus is broken by the sound of the doorbell. Damn.
They don't immediately look up as they try to quickly finish the sentence they were writing while they still remember it. “Welcome to Pioneer Books,” they call kindly, pen scribbling. She glances up briefly, shooting the individual a polite smile as she finally finishes. “Anything I can help you with today?”
The town may be small, but there's still so much that he has yet to see. From the people to the local businesses, every day, it feels like Minjun is discovering more and more of this so-called "small town." It's because of his curiosity that he finds himself walking into Pioneer Books, eyes trailing around the small store before falling on the worker. He shakes his head before answering, "No, I'm just looking," Minjun says. He pauses and gives one final swoop before his eyes fall back onto her. "This is a bookstore... yes? Similar to Barnes and Noble?"
where && with whom : : the kim's cottage and OPEN (0/3)
Haerin has done so much for Minjun, from helping him with starting up happymugs inc to moving to Bleeding Springs-- he owes his younger sister so much. Which brings him to this: starting a garden in their backyard. During their move, Haerin made it her goal to start a garden and later become a farmer. Like any proper older brother, Minjun supported her desires and wishes. He got her books, found videos, and even got all the materials. It just... never happened because of how busy Haerin became with her job.
It's okay, oppa, I'll get to it when my schedule opens up. That's what she told him, three weeks ago. And from the heavy eye bags and Haerin sitting at her work laptop 'till late at night... Minjun figured that his younger sister won't be able to start the garden anytime soon.
And that brought him to the bulletin board and requesting from some help. It's the perfect opportunity to meet others and get some help with the garden. After all, the people of Bleeding Springs love to talk and help their neighbors.
"Thank you for taking up my offer," Minjun says, leading the other around the house and to the Kim's backyard. "I don't know much about gardening, just the stuff that I've read in books and seen on Tiktok. So, I'm glad to get some help today."
Wes has never even heard the name of the person who's responsible for the most recent bulletin in the town square... But the mention of spiders rings a bell. In a sprawling row of older cottages on the side of town, some vacant and others less so, the spiders essentially own the land; it makes sense they would graduate to the empty houses, too. Seems this house hasn't been occupied for long.
So, as he approaches the suspected properties carrying a wooden suitcase with the word 'SPIDERS' etched into it, he's relieved to find who he assumes is the bulletin poster already rearing to go, blathering on about tick tock. It's true, there's no time to waste.
"Minjun, is it?" He asks, squinting over at the cottage before back to the stranger in front of him, adjusting his glasses as he trails after, assessing the property with a vigilant eye. It doesn't look like there's that many spiders at all; perhaps he just needs to get closer. He skips right past formalities, turning instead to the patches of dirt that may very well soon be a garden. "You haven't used any of Mr. Scammahorn's speed-gro fertilizer, have you?"
"Yes, that's me." He smiles awkwardly and hopes that it looks natural as he meets another local. Though, he has to remind himself that no matter what, no one would judge him for being awkward or so quiet, it's to be expected. "Uh... no? Was I... supposed to?" It was delivered to their home randomly and the name alone made Minjun wonder if it was an actual scam. It had to be with a name like that. "Because if I need to, I can go get it."
It's supposed to be a quick trip out the house. Walk to the local diner, get some food, and then walk back home. Easy. However, he's still learning that a "quick trip" is never a quick one when the townspeople catch sight of you. "Uh--" He lets the sound drag, eyes shifting between the door to the diner and the stranger's truck. "O...kay?" The townspeople are friendly individuals, or at least the ones he met so far, so it must be safe to eat food from a stranger's truck. No matter how crazy it may seem and how the situation would send his mother into an early grave. It's all good! "What do you have?" Minjun asks.
"Cheeseborger, cheeseborger, cheeseborger. No coke, pepsi." It's not often you get a set up for a reference to a classic Saturday Night Live sketch and Osvaldo just had to seize the opportunity for an impression. "That was my Belushi." He popped a couple of fries into his own mouth, sensing the other's hesitation. "It's just cheeseburgers and fries but I ain't twistin' your arm here, kid." He grabbed one of the paper bags, tucking it further away, "I also got some unseasoned cooked patties but those are for a friend. They say all that other stuff is bad for him but the way that guy eats, I'd be surprised if it actually gave him any trouble." Oz half believed feeding Penguino a healthier diet might do him more harm than good at this point. "Maybe you’ve seen him around? He’s a black n’ white mutt, soulful eyes and the gumption of an old sea captain.”
"... Oh! Okay!" The reference is lost on Minjun, but he nods along as if he gets it. "It was definitely spot on." Note to self, look up Belushi. At the other's words, Minjun grounds and keeps himself steady as his nervousness was visible enough for the other to see. His cheeks slightly flush in embarrassment, it's just his luck that someone else caught sight of his awkwardness. He really needs to work on that. "N-no, I want to eat with you!" The words fall free from his mouth and it makes him flinch. Just... relax! Be cool and chill. "Then I'll take a cheeseburger," he says, nodding and listening to the man. The description of the friend makes Minjun grin, mind scanning for any memory of the little guy. "I don't think I have, sorry. I'm usually sitting in my home." In front of his pottery wheel, spending hours and hours making bowls and mugs for his customers.
ooc post
sorry for these upcoming replies. my wifi cut out suddenly so I'm gonna post everything from my phone 😭
where && with whom : : the kim's cottage and OPEN (2/3)
Haerin has done so much for Minjun, from helping him with starting up happymugs inc to moving to Bleeding Springs-- he owes his younger sister so much. Which brings him to this: starting a garden in their backyard. During their move, Haerin made it her goal to start a garden and later become a farmer. Like any proper older brother, Minjun supported her desires and wishes. He got her books, found videos, and even got all the materials. It just... never happened because of how busy Haerin became with her job.
It's okay, oppa, I'll get to it when my schedule opens up. That's what she told him, three weeks ago. And from the heavy eye bags and Haerin sitting at her work laptop 'till late at night... Minjun figured that his younger sister won't be able to start the garden anytime soon.
And that brought him to the bulletin board and requesting from some help. It's the perfect opportunity to meet others and get some help with the garden. After all, the people of Bleeding Springs love to talk and help their neighbors.
"Thank you for taking up my offer," Minjun says, leading the other around the house and to the Kim's backyard. "I don't know much about gardening, just the stuff that I've read in books and seen on Tiktok. So, I'm glad to get some help today."
