cynicus

❝ more and more, it feels like I’m doing a really bad impersonation of myself ❞ kim joonmyun, 7th year, slytherin flattery will get you everywhere.

[slymyun]

restricted | joonmyun & ?

The library is all but deserted on a Friday evening as students retreat to their common rooms, relieved to greet the week's end. Ever-famous Slytherin politics wage within the walls of the dungeons, but Joonmyun is not among them, for he knows that the best time to accomplish covert tasks is when everyone else's attention is diverted elsewhere. He reaches the library half an hour before the librarian is off-duty and shows him the scrawl on a piece of parchment, allows it to be confiscated before he's ushered into the restricted section. Here silence reigns over books arranged innocently on the shelf, but amongst one of them... he's sure to find an answer.

It's a certain curse he searches for, its effects and its countercurse. One by one, he scans titles on the shelves before one catches his attention at the very end of the row. Magick Moste Evile reads the faded golden letters across a cracked leather binding. He remembers glancing through it only once before and muses if he's already found the answer to his problems without recalling it; then gives a brief shake of his head to himself, knowing there was no way he would miss such important information. Joonmyun reaches for the tome, fingers curled around the spine in an attempt to pull it off the shelf before he realizes that another person, standing on the other side unbeknownst to him, had done the same. Annoyance flickers through his eyes before his gaze fades to normal, directed at the figure across him. "I need it for research," he says simply, tone calm but definite.

[junmyoen]

[slymyun]

arcane || joonmyun & kyungsoo

[slysoo]

A heart undecided makes such a mess. Events from the last bits of summer linger in his head as he is forced to face the reality of the world he resides within, the other is merely a fantasy. The red of his transportation back to school pulls up and fingers reach for his belongings as he follows the rest on board, occasional scanning of the masses in hopes to spy one individual in particular — distraction from the temptations at hand.

Whether it is a series of unfortunate events or arisen from his negligence only time can tell. He continues without betraying his intentions in hopes to catch a glimpse to no avail. Instead, slips into a compartment and wears the mask he has crafted from years of practice and heightened this summer with courteous greeting accompanied by shallow chats. Weather, summer, silence. Kyungsoo finds himself staring at the scenery beyond glass panes but a mind too busy to comprehend the images depicted.

Spent the last wakes of summer watching puzzle pieces fall into place. The stain of oil against fingers, the mess and the heat and the smiles, unruly hair swept to the side by gloves marred with hard work. He sits and watches as he slowly recounts the names of each muggle gadget: a wrench, a hoist, a creeper. Observes the way the man’s smile mirrors his brother, leaving him feeling out of place and at home. Large hands ruffle his hair and he doesn’t mind the dirt and grit embedded in those nails, doesn’t mind that he’s only known the other for a week, and he doesn’t mind that someone is invading his personal space without permission.

Would have stayed if he could. But reminders come as summer fades away. The temporary vacation his brother has ends at the same date and fantasies belong in that realm after all. Nostalgia is such a funny thing. Sentimental already about that brief period of time. And all too soon the journey comes to an end; he’s at crossroads but doesn’t look twice to walk on the asphalt road. As tempting as the other one is, Kyungsoo will only allow it to remain a dream — relived at ethereal hours.

He lingers, allows the others to board the carriage bound towards Hogwarts first as he files away his emotions and organizes his memories, meticulously like he always has. Stays long enough before he realizes there are only a handful left and that one, particularly daring individual was approaching the invisible steeds. Shock of hair, bleached to the bone (or as close as it can come). Familiar somehow yet he can’t quite put a finger on it. Mind more fascinated with the fact that a thestral could be seen by one of the students. Approaches, with caution, as if he could catch a glimpse of the animal through someone else’s eyes before he realizes the very individual was the one he had been looking for. Lips curl a fraction because this is a wonderful distraction indeed.

Kyungsoo wonders if he’s been sensed because the movement ceases and he finds himself stilled by the other’s glimpse. Many questions surface but none as pressing as this: “are they as beautiful as the texts depicts?” How long has he spent hours sketching knobby knees and skeletal frames only to wonder if these illustrations were accurate to begin with.

[slymyun]

Their gazes are held for a fraction of a second before he's already tempted to look away, but Joonmyun denies himself the urge to - as always. However pleasant their last encounter may have been, within the short weeks apart his own life has changed irrevocably. Though he himself remains the same... mostly. He's pleased to realize what the other says first is not about Joonmyun, or himself, or anything beyond the (in)visible creature between them. But how to answer such a question? Words never do beauty justice. Either the plain are made to be extraordinary, or the exquisite unable to be penned in words that present a different meaning to each individual.

"I'm sure that the opinion varies. To some it is but a skeletal vessel," Joonmyun answers, stepping past the thestral that gives a quiet snort of what sounds like disapproval. Or perhaps that's just his imagination at work, since it was the horse's role, after all. His attention shifts to what must be a burning curiosity on the other's part and not for the first time, he wonders whether to choose his own answers and divulge information, or merely to gloss over a reciprocation of his question. Old habits die hard and he chooses the latter. "To others, an impossible depiction of beauty."

He moves closer as he speaks, until they're eye to eye. There's a difference in Kyungsoo's posture that he's unsure what to attribute to, and a quick glance down allows a brief look at palms rougher than he expects. Manual work? Joonmyun doesn't vocalize the guess, but allows his gaze to drift upwards again, offering a faint smile that doesn't reach his eyes. Somehow he feels more weighed down by secrets than ever before, and under their weight, feels all desire for small talk and probing questions seep out of his will.

"If you prefer a more dramatic entrance, we might wait for a while longer. If not..." At the pause in his words, he approaches the carriage and hears the creak of hinges before the door swings open, sensing their presence. "I believe the Slytherin table awaits." Courtesy demands that he wait for Kyungsoo first, but knowing that he had left the other with an option for refusal and taking his seventh year seniority in stride, he occupies the seat of his choosing. He leans back against the wall of the carriage, brushes away still unfamiliar blond strands away from his eyes, and raises a brow at the other. Are you coming along?

[slymyun]

arcane || joonmyun & kyungsoo

The Hogwarts Express has never been a particularly exciting place, but this fact holds especially true today. The doorways and halls feel too narrow; the compartment door is too brittle under his palm, the seats are more cramped. He's greeted a chorus of hello's and how you've been's from classmates, and most immediately their attention is drawn to his new appearance, which most are tactful enough to hold off on remarking until after they've inquired about him going missing for the last month of summer. Joonmyun shrugs and offers an impassive smile. Nothing out of the ordinary, he says. Visited father's homeland, learned about my roots, that sort of thing.

As the train sets off between rolling hills and green pastures, Joonmyun opts to sit at an angle where he can see through the compartment doors without being seen himself. There is one person in particular that he searches for, though his posture is relaxed and he doesn't give away just whose appearance he awaits. Disappointingly enough, he doesn't appear (that, or Joonmyun overlooked him). The hours tick past and except for taking a bite out of a pumpkin pasty, he touches nothing, speaks only when required, and somehow, in the company of three others, manages to change into his uniform. From Hogsmeade it's only a short carriage ride to the castle, but he lets the others go ahead, approaching cautiously on his own. It is for a reason he doesn't yet wish to divulge; that he can finally see the creatures pulling the carriage.

Joonmyun had prepared himself for this. He knew what thestrals looked like, knew their skeletons stretched wide under translucent black skin, had examined the blank white eyes in lifelike illustrations. But nothing comes close to the real thing, to its otherworldly magnificence. One by one the carriages depart, until there's only a few left, and it's only then that he dares step forward, cautiously holding out a hand to a gaunt snout. The thestral gives a sniff to discern who he is and finds no threat from him, not now, at least. It presses closer to the touch. Joonmyun smiles, satisfied. For a second he forgets that the winged horse is invisible to most others, that what he thinks concealed behind a skeletal cover is only true to himself. His hand drops to his side and he lifts his gaze to scour his vicinity.

And who should he find looking at him, but the very person he's been quietly seeking all day?

[minpuffs-deactivated20201103]

[slymyun]

plops flowers on your face (◡‿◡✿)

( ` one minute he's reading and next, there are petals obscuring his vision; he sits up slowly and lets the flowers scatter to the ground, raises a brow at the Ravenclaw girl) Strange pastime you have there.

[slymyun]

you're short.

And you're capable of constructing two-word sentences, bravo.

[slymyun]

ravbaek replied to your post:

/ shakes head at you

. . . why are you shaking your head at me.

[slymyun]

yifan stares at joonmyun, shaking his head with a big frown in his face. "why are you back, no one wants you here." retorting the frown upside down, he laughs and throws his arms around his friend. "nah, i kid, missed ya bruh."

There's a roll of his eyes lingering just in the recesses of his expression, but he settles for a wry smile instead before he's pulled into the other's embrace. "It's only been a few weeks at most, save the theatrics for another time." But he does have to admit it's good to see a familiar face greeting his return.

[slymyun]

Curiosity DID kill the cat, but it was satisfaction that brought him back

But a cat’s lives run out at nine, hence there are only so many times that the cycle can be repeated. The moral of the story is to always take caution.

[slymyun]

hey, you there. yes, you. come a little closer.

tbh that gif is just an attention-catching device used for the sole purpose of luring you into liking this post. so hello, hi, how's everyone. it is i, taehyun/simon's mun, finally bringing back myun from the land of the dead. (i know you think i'm crazy for having 3 characters, and i agree. i am properly out of my mind.) if you'd like to plot with this character, just stop by the inbox or like this post and i'll pay you a visit instead. sound like a fair deal? alright.

[pandreos]

[slymyun]

Impromptu rendezvous | Joonmyun & Kyungsoo

[slysoo]

Lips pursing at the comment, realizing how confident he was in his answer. He doesn’t comment, nor does he cock his head to the side at it is a form despite welling curiosity. Perhaps he was right… but to what extent? Upon the following clue, in which he was somewhat amazed that the other actually was an animagus, he deduced that the fox was Joonmyun’s Patronus form. Of course, the process of validating this theory would be too risky to attempt in the first place.

Wondered, as long as he dared before vacancy was apparent, about the form the other took. Feline would be his next bet, amusement lining his lips for a fraction of a second as he considered the possibility of Joonmyun mirroring his own pet. He doubts it but a comical idea nonetheless.

Kyungsoo is forever closer to air than he likes to believe, his mother’s blood undeniably staining his veins. He comes back down to earth, gravity centered when he picks up the invitation. A prolonged conversation, what for? All the better to understand you with. It’s a two way street so Kyungsoo dips his chin down for a fraction, slight nod. “I haven’t,” voicing it before his stomach can attempt to. A meal had been left in the back of his mind as pressing matters, grandmother’s present, were addressed first. Skipping meals was a habit when one indulged more in food for the brain than the stomach.

He’s never been to the establishment the other mentioned but trusts Joonmyun’s taste (most Slytherins have taste buds he agrees with; silver spoon fed tongues since birth for the most part. He follows, hating how quick his foot follows another, preferring the act of leading. Steady is his gaze, stop rushing me, as he comments: “Only if you’re paying.”

[slymyun]

Having received the anticipated reaction, Joonmyun allowed himself a moment of self-satisfaction. "But of course. It would the height of folly if the host allowed his guest to attend to the bill - though now, I might just try signing my name as Do Kyungsoo to see what you'll do." This was how it was going to be, he could tell. He makes a move, Kyungsoo follows. He retreats, Joonmyun advances. A careful dance with every step calculated along the way. Tiring could be one way to describe it, but to him it felt like a breath of fresh air; invigorating.

As Kyungsoo caught up next to him, he turned the corner that led through the outer streets of Knockturn Alley. It was no longer a place of dingy establishments and dusty, dark artifacts being sold off in pawn shops - dark magic had instead been glamorized and sold off as novelty. Amidst this sea of pretense, he spotted the entrance to the building. Detecting their presence, the doors automatically opened, but he still paused at the entrance and glanced at Kyungsoo, head tilted as if to say 'after you'.

The chatter of alley-goers dissipated as the doors closed and Joonmyun approached the elevator designed akin to the one in the Ministry, only darker. "Tell me, have you ever traveled abroad?" This wasn't small talk, but neither was it meant to be a probing inquiry. A topic of interest that could be expanded in any which way they decided to let conversation proceed - and perhaps, a way to get something more than a five-word reply from the other.

[joonmyuns-blog1]

[xslyyifan]

• land of the brave ㅡ kris & joonmyun.

[xslyyifan]

[ / hasty eyes dart towards the direction of the sound and joonmyun is standing there looking like he’s baby merlin ready to sweet everyone off their feet. he isnt fooling yifan though and he almost feels like chucking his banana at him / ] you’re late [ / 5 minutes isnt considered late but yifan still throws a tantrum because he made him wait that long. or short. dragging his feet, he follows as joonmyun looks through the rows / ] everything’s in my pockets. [ / he groans a little because he still doesnt know why and how he’s come to agree to travel to america with his fellow slytherin friend / ] what am i even doing here again? 

[slymyun]

( ` his only response is a brow raised, as if daring the other to throw it at him and knowing he'd only do it by accident or something as ridiculous as that.) You're here so that we don't pigeonhole ourselves to only Diagon Alley. Of course, if you'd rather stay here and drink tea all summer... ( ` he deposits to their payment in galleons to the apparatus on the table and picks up the tarnished statue figure about half the length of his arm, fingers around the torch as he gestures for Yifan to grab it before it activates) Hold on tight. ( ` he awaits the inevitable lurching feeling, glancing up at Yifan expectantly as if silently conveying him to rein in his complaints. ) 

[slymyun]

Impromptu rendezvous | Joonmyun & Kyungsoo

[slysoo]

Kyungsoo blinks, words dying on his tongue, questioning if the small joke was uncalled for. He’s not disappointed, why would he be? Perhaps a bit at the seriousness the other deals to his comment but the appearance of a smile is much more important. Not quite an accomplishment but Kyungsoo allows himself to believe he’s winning. It’s the small victories that count.

The brush against his shoulder would usually have Kyungsoo taking a few steps back, disgruntled as he flashes one of his glares (fashioned under the notion of silencing nosy individuals). This time he remains impassive as he observes Joonmyun’s actions, intrigued by the ease in which he handles the owl (and the extent to which the animal complies). Perhaps it is the same with human beings.

Never had he expected Joonmyun to be less than that of a hunter and reflected upon whether or not he should have been honest about his conjectures. But he’s left alone, slightly confounded by the I shall be waiting. Previous encounter(s) has him believing in cliffhangers so Joonmyun could give off an impression of a man shrouded in mystery — or someone who lived for the last word.

Dumfounded would be the best description for Kyungsoo who was left behind, frozen as he contemplates his next action. The spell breaks soon enough as the other moves away. He reaches for his letter, thumb tracing the curves of dried wax, reading the crest inscribed within. Deep in thought as he imagines a chess game and tries to see the next few moves; possibilities endless and he finally comes up blank. Black is his future, a game in which the victor is yet to be decided. He could laugh but smiles instead, lips curled at the edges as he stares at the envelope in hand, eager to hear the first check of the match. He bides his time as he inspects the emporium carefully.

Kyungsoo keeps track of time and the entrance. Eleven odd minutes after the other had exited before he posts his letter. What next? With a heart unwilling to lose or be seen of as a lesser being, he follows at his own pace. His answer? He could come up with something else, playing off the hunter stereotype. Wolves are of pack mentality and he can’t seer he other as one, lions prefer a bold and daring front, snakes would showcase an individual lacking in creativity. Shoe hits the pavement and he spies the individual shrouded in shadows. “Vulpes,” honest once again, sticking to his gut feeling.

[slymyun]

Waiting outside was a strain on his patience, but after the way Joonmyun had began to lose control of his self-composure so splendidly (i.e, that disastrous dinner with his rival as the guest of horror), he welcomed the challenge it presented. After all, it's not as if he were going to stand around twiddling his thumbs. His metaphor for the bookstore wasn't completely unfounded, as he had indeed visited Flourish & Blotts sometime earlier and had shrunk a new book into his pocket. It chronicled the adventures of a British wizard who had covered the expanse of Siberian taiga, emerging with a broken wand and only a few scratches to tell of his mishaps. But as he skimmed the first few pages of the now properly sized text, he found it difficult to concentrate, some strand of thought tied to the boy still inside the Emporium. It tugged and pulled at Joonmyun's consciousness, receding and fluctuating along with how he visualized Kyungsoo pacing around the store, no doubt playing at his own game of patience.

The thought brought a smile to his lips, touching upon his face for a second before fading away. He flicked through the pages idly, observing illustrations and charts of magical fauna and flora in the region and wishing for a fraction of the permafrost to descend upon London that afternoon. Just as a heat-induced yawn was about to emerge on his lips, he (thankfully) heard the other's voice and glanced up, pulling himself away from the wall.

"Admirable guess." he voiced aloud. "It is a form..." A snake should have been anyone's first attempt, but he had to give Kyungsoo more credit than that. "But not of my Animagus." That was hint enough at the form of his Patronus, something that Joonmyun never divulged easily. But considering the younger boy had pinned it down with accuracy, there seemed no reason not to indulge in the guessing games. Perhaps, he would discover the other's as well.

Stepping closer and emerging in the sunlight, he beckoned Kyungsoo with a half-turn of his wrist; almost as if he were offering his hand, but it remained out of reach. It was good manners to escort the females he encountered, but etiquette demanded nothing of two males beyond a firm handshake and being able to handle their drinks well. "If you haven't yet eaten, might I suggest an establishment in Knockturn Alley? It's at the top of the Tempest Tower, and though you'll find the view obstructed by Gringotts, the food is exquisite and the company... well, I hope you'll find him eloquent, at the very least." He offered no smile with his words, but he saw no need to - not when Joonmyun was the one to extend the metaphorical olive branch and all Kyungsoo had to do was reach out and accept. With a step back, he turned around. Another step and he was already on the cobblestone path, an inquiring look over his shoulder that said, Are you coming?

[slymyun]

Introduction to cellphones, or: why are there so many buttons? | Joonmyun & Bomi

[gryffmi]

{ she hums— in the face of people without extra time on their hands, Bomi can’t help but wonder exactly what she’s doing with her life to have this much time to spare, but she keeps those thoughts to herself lest she gives him a reason to think poorly of her; } Well, { is saying instead, lifting her phone a little to show that she’s referring to it; } If you ever decide to get one, lemme know and I’ll send it to you. To commemorate your first selfie… I mean, assuming that was your first. { again, her tone is a teasing one, and she wonders to herself if maybe she needs to stop joking around like that so much, knowing that some people do not appreciate it; } { her smile is still apologetic when he introduces himself; } There’s no need to— I’ll remember it. { she doesn’t even want to think about the mortification she’d face if she were to forget his name after not knowing it in when he knew hers— she makes a mental note of his name in her mind; }

[slymyun]

If we're referring to cellphones, then yes, you would've been my first. ( ` he says with a subtle wink that ends up drawing a snicker from his lips, knowing that the suggestive remark only comes from a need to put the other girl to ease; she seems to be watching herself every other word and really, he didn't bite the way a typical Slytherin would. ) But the concept is not foreign to me. I used to take quite a few of my own self-portraits when I was little. Though it only showed half my face at most, if I were lucky. ( ` there was no harm in revealing something about himself, something sentimental but otherwise irrelevant to him; a notion of trust, of friendship. With that he finally moves to stand up, almost about to reach his hand for hers as a gesture of farewell before realizing she would likely not catch the implications anyway; no need to add to her discomfort. Instead he gives a small nod of his head, a soft smile, and says ) It's been a pleasure, Bomi. But I've lingered for a little too long and I'm expected back home - I look forward to our next meeting.