#dnxpilkyo

[dnchunok-blog]

【looking out for our own】                             + pilkyo

[ @dnxpilkyo ]

“Hyesung,” Chun Ok called from outside of his room. “It’s Chun Ok. Are you there?”

Her palm rapped against the door, rapid yet gentle, as if the wings of a hummingbird fluttered against the hanji paper between the wooden frames. The fabrics of her skirt wrinkled and gathered up within her clenched fist. She felt the silks smoothly rub against each other as she wrung them in her hand. She wanted to hit someone, to use force to return things back to order again, to have her efforts be like a scarf to veil another’s scar. 

“Please, it’s important,” she pressed on. Something nagged at her that she should’ve apologized for her tone. If he hadn’t answered the door right away, perhaps he had his reason. It was not her place to urge him like this, but her frustrations shrouded her better judgment. ( As always. ) With her vision so clouded, “her place” blended in with the rest of darkness around. Her place did not include demanding immediate attention, nor telling someone else’s business, but they were a troupe. A kisaeng could only trust her fellow workers. Only others within this rank and profession could understand the lifestyle that called for the constant display of smiles in lieu of one’s loneliness and bitterness. They had to look after one another... Right?

The previous headmistress she trained under used to tell her time and time again. Only when you’re about to bite down on your own pain and focus on your goal can you become a true courtesan. The fabric in her hand molded into a wadded shape and kept the form even after her fist opened back up in tandem with a slow, blooming inhalation. Her hand stiffly flattened out against her skirt and smoothed out the wrinkles. She clasped her hands together before her and stood there with her head bowed. All she could do for the time being was wait, and so she did.

[dneunyoung-blog]

ᴀɴ ᴀɴᴄʜᴏʀ ʟɪғᴛs ❃ ᴊᴜɴɢ ᴘɪʟᴋʏᴏ

@dnxpilkyo

'There is no one and nothing to look back to, Ha Boyoung', the bitter song played endlessly in her head as they traveled to the new house. No trace of dismay can be found on her face, not even the slightest bit of nostalgia. The roots she had once in that place had been uprooted by the very people who took pride in growing the flowers. It was only a matter of time before someone else took particular interest in the fading gisaeng house' ladies. It was not that she had a say whether or not she was to stay or go, but thinking the opposite gave her peace. More so when her prayers have been heard. Passing by the gates, the heavy burden pressing on her shoulders have been lifted and the day did not seem so dark anymore. She heaved a sigh, relieved, beneath her veil as they moved further away from the darkness and into a new light.

Eunyoung had heard about the owner once or twice over drinks. In passing, of course, as the clients had no particular interest to further discuss the matter. But now that she thought about it, she should have asked. It had been a sign that she was going to be involved in his affairs. Being in their line work mean they are to be entangled in more ways than one. Some helpers were more than willing to tend to the new transfer, some girls, despite their smiles, looked like had other thoughts in mind. She took note of their expressions and kept them aside, she will deal with their thoughts later on. Her eyes scanned the place, fascinated, at first, but soon enough the apprehensions came. It all begins like this, all beautiful and safe, giving her hope. But like a storm, the cruelty comes to wreak havoc, so she once again regresses to her cold state. She had raised herself to be a strong woman in the storm, she had seen and heard so much that there was little in this world that surprise her. But even so, her body responds contrary to what her mind deciphered. Her fears still linger beneath her skin, waiting to devour her flesh until she was stripped bare for the world to see.

Her thoughts were immediately put on hold upon his presence. Beauty of all forms had always left her in awe, much like the man that stood before her, with his gentle features and kind eyes. Eunyoung kept her these observations to herself, there was ample time to deal with it tonight by herself. She rearranged her expression as she lowered her head and bowed, waiting for him to speak.