#m:hys

[forlornmyth]

AMONGST THE CHAOS, MINSTER HAN YOONSUNG FINDS LORD HAN YOONJAE IN THE MINSTER’S WING / @lcrdofcinder

since his eldest brother’s death, yoonsung had been spiraling down an endless pit, desperately grasping for any sense of stability and security. it was not only the weight of his position on the small council, but it also was not only the ever-changing loyalties of the upper echelon of the fire nation nor was it increasingly greying morals. the biggest weight that hung on his shoulders was the safety of his family, the future of the han bloodline — if yoonsung could not save them if he could not ensure they remain unscathed then what was he doing? what was the point of burning himself if not to keep them from the flames?

perhaps his brother had felt this way once before. maybe he had swallowed his fear in hopes of removing the burden from his loved ones, the same way yoonsung finds himself burying the anxiety of the current events deep within himself when he spots yoonjae, in the han’s residence. the minster straightens his posture, steadying himself as he steps towards the younger. his gaze softening, “yoonjae,” he calls out, he hopes his brother cannot feel the uncertainty in his voice; he hopes that yoonjae cannot tell how much he does not know.

“how are you faring?” he grasps the younger’s shoulder, his tone neutral — as he eyes yoonjae’s features, searching for signs of weariness. “it’s been...hectic to say the least. do you need some tea? mother just restocked on some of your favorite snacks as well.”

[forlornmyth]

IN A TEAROOM IN THE GOLDEN CITY,  MINSTER HAN YOONSUNG MEETS LADY SANG YEONA / @calefactions

life goes on. 

there’s no rhyme or reason and it’s hardly fair but alas — yoonsung had quickly learned that among the nobility that, grief was a terribly dull conversation starter. out of fashion and not exactly as exciting about the latest love affair. saving face the utmost importance with fire nation nobility. 

therefore he’s not exactly shocked by the sudden invitation from his future sister-in-law — but he supposes the chances to see lady yeona outside of the meetings with dami was far and in between. the younger was always a bit shrewd with him, always too smart to care for whatever trinkets he brought from the capital city in hopes of gaining approval. the sang daughters were too sharp to fall for such elementary tricks but yoonsung could not deny the attempts were genuine, a byproduct of a nervous scholar who only hoped to gather the affection of their eldest sister.

it’s a bit different now. as things always are. 

the minster’s lips skew into an uneasy smile once he steps into the teahouse that was tucked far from the palace, in some quiet part of the capital city. it’s not lost on him on the oddity of not taking tea in the more busy areas, one where nobles frequent often, yet he continues on to the reserved room — his steps careful, as he slides the door open.

“lady yeona, good afternoon.”

yes. nothing was the same but life must go on.

[forlornmyth]

IN THE DARKNESS OF THE PALACE,  MINSTER HAN YOONSUNG MEETS WITH THE ESTEEMED FIRELORD CHAESAN @caethexis

once upon a time, many years ago when yoonsung did not spend his evenings lingering in the shadows when he did not carry the weight of his family’s past, present and future on his shoulders. a time when he was barely older than a boy who spent too much time lingering after his older brother, when he dreamed of living out his days quietly with only his poems and the sunset as company, yoonsung fell in love.

a naive sort of love — childish if he were to admit it now, one that was destined to fail from the start. one that when the sight of the girl washed over him like a glowing sunset during the autumn months — warm and amber-tinted. a time when the firelord was just chaesan, when he did not find himself consumed by doubt, anger, guilt and every emotion between in at her mere presence. 

but time is all moving, it stops for no one. 

he is not the young boy with poems on his mind. she is not the girl to who he confessed all those years ago.

yet when it’s only the two of them, sitting side by side, with the only the glow of candles illuminating the room, it’s almost easy to forget that time has moved on.

“your majesty,” yoonsung clears his throat, eyeing the length of the candle wick, “it’s getting late; perhaps it’d be best if we retire; we have much to do tomorrow.”

[forlornmyth]

IN THE CROWDED MARKET ROADS IN THE GOLDEN CITY,  MINSTER HAN YOONSUNG MEETS LADY TAI HAENA @stvrmbxrn

the capital during the name day festivities was unlike any other time. the sounds of merchants selling their wares, the smell of spices from the various street foods, the chatter of children as they ran through the booths. yoonsung couldn’t help but wish that besides the stress of ensuring all went off a hitch, the capital city would be this lively throughout the year as he walked through the market, it was a rare but enjoyable affair. 

a young woman in ruby passes by the minster — his eyebrows furrow, the faint sense of familiarity lingering as she continued on. it takes a moment, the memories of various scrolls detailing the various noble families and their eligible sons and daughters for marriage, the whispers from the shadows of something sinister happening aboard. a widow before she turned twenty-five, a shame they said — so young to have been tainted by death. not exactly a proper fit for any of the great noble han family, which leads to yoonsung quickly closing any idea for marriage between the youngest tai daughter with his dear brother.  

but the minister was not the type to throw away a potential connection due to mere gossip  — after all, there is usefulness to be found with anyone. and it seems that faith had brought them on the same path — in a way that would not cause whispers around the capital. leisurely, he steps closer to haena, an amicable smile on his lips as he calls out, “lady tai, hello, i see you’ve returned to the capital just in time for the festivities; how are you fairing?”