chasing shadows;

yura; though she would usually go under a different name. wanderer. performer. grifter. thief retrieval specialist. Kuala+Lumpur

[daisynous]

[yvoleuse-blog]

didarae

Di was sitting at a bar— Rick's, it was called. It was her first time at the bar, but the place had a welcoming atmosphere to it. A beautiful voice was singing in the background, mixing with the deep lull of men and women talking with one another. The idol was seated on a stool, right at one end of the counter, though. She wasn’t really up for socializing that night, so she simply sipped her mojito as her dark hues watched the baristas do their thing.

She ordered another one after some time. The alcoholic drink hit her right spot that night. Mojitos never were her thing. She preferred whiskey. Lagavulin single malt that’s been aged for 15 years, to be exact. She found drinks similar to Mojitos rather boring and weak, but she recently cashed her money on a few things so she figured that she should start saving again.

The music and singing finally came to a stop. Voices all around her became louder and the slurred words more evident. As she was halfway with her drink, she didn’t realize the performer slip onto the vacant stool right beside her.

"You’re like a cappuccino: hot, sweet, and you make me nervous," the attractive lady who armed an equally enchanting voice said.

The corners of Di’s lips picked up into a small smile, the rim of the glass that was propped onto her lips covered it from the view of the stranger. She downed a big sip and shifted in her seat so that she could face the other woman and get a good look of her.

After her eyes finally adjusted to the light, they caught a dark shadow from underneath the performer’s garment. It was creeping from behind her shoulders blades, she notices. A tattoo, perhaps. Di shooed the thought away soon enough.

"A pleasure it is to meet you as well, miss…?" She trailed off. Her head tilted to the side in question, patiently awaiting for the lady to provide her with her name.

It was a work night tonight-- partly because she missed the spotlight, another part because she needed the money. No matter how much she received from her previous job, it never seemed to be enough. She wasn't a huge spender, no. All of them went straight into her bank account, well one of her bank accounts. That money was off limits. The income earned from Rick's though was the one she used for her normal expenditure.

A round of applause greeted her as she ended her number and exited the stage. Her throat felt so dry as if she had downed a glass of chalk water. A few of the regular customers came up to her with the intention of chatting her up (as per usual) but she wasn't really in the mood to entertain any of them. Instead, she waved them off, hoping they'd get the hint.

"Just water, please," she told the bartender with a smile as she slipped into one of the empty stools. It was a crowded night, more than the usual number of crowd had turned up and she wouldn't have minded it at all if not for the heat. The place was jam-packed like a can of sardines, okay perhaps she exaggerated a little, but really though, it felt suffocating. When her drink was served, she felt a tap on her shoulder and she glanced behind to see who it was, only to meet nothing but wisps of cigarette smoke.

She shook it off as a sign of fatigue and drank the whole glass of water down. Ah, her parched throat felt so much better. Tugging on the collar region of her garb, she swivelled around in her seat only to have her gaze fall on a stunning lady sitting beside her. A mischievous idea slithered into her mind and she couldn't help but to mutter a tongue-in-cheek statement that occupied her field of thoughts right that instant.

Perhaps it was loud enough for the other to hear since it brought about a response from her part. Yura was probably grinning like a mad-hatter but it didn't matter at that moment. She felt... giddy, like she had just gotten down from a roller coaster ride. Offering the lady her hand, she replied (more like slurred), "Yuuura..." Her tongue felt thicker than normal but she paid no heed to it. What followed next was a string of giggles escaping her lips though she couldn't understand what was so funny. She just felt like giggling.

[yvoleuse-blog]

▒▒ ѕιѕтєя ∂єαяєѕт || уυяα αη∂ ѕσσנυηg

[sxxjxng]

Tiny little crescents are formed by her eyes and a tight, closed-lip smile appears and yet it’s obvious that she’s anything but happy or humored. “Aw, thanks,” the sarcasm drips from her tone like water being squeezed out of a soggy rag. “People always tell me how charming I am.” Hearing the female’s real name though, takes her aback and even her sarcasm can’t fire back.

Crowds of questions stream through her like throngs of people leaving a coliseum. They push and shove, begging to get to the exit, to be asked and answered. Yet, only a few make it out. “So how does this even make us sisters?” There was nothing to tie them together, not even a common surname, nothing but a piece of paper. Staring at the paper, she bit down on her lip and imagined trampling it, throwing it and even burning it – anything to get rid of the tiny fragment of evidence and yet, she remained as she was, standing frozen, her eyes pleading for answers for the stranger whom herself had none.

Destroying the paper wasn’t going to do her any good. The information had already been engraved in her head and she craved the answers, her curiosity like an unquenchable thirst.  The way Yura had tried to convince her baffled Soojung, almost as if the other female wanted them to be siblings, as if it was the truth no matter how little proof there was. “I thought so.” Yura almost looked defeated as she replied to Soojung’s last question. Soojung almost felt bad. Almost.

She had to remind herself that she had no family and even if she did, she didn’t need a family. She’d gotten by just fine for most of her life and she’d survive just fine without them for the rest of it. A new layer of silence came over the room. This one was more tense, heavier and denser than the first. There wasn’t anything left to say. Nothing was certain at that moment and no questions could be answered. “Listen, I have a job to do. I can’t –” Soojung doesn’t get to finish her statement, though. She can see the panic on Yura’s face and as if on cue, she shoves the phone to Soojung only for her to see the message. “What! I can’t just leave.” She would’ve argued more, but the look on Yura’s face, stopped her. For now, she had to believe in this person.

“Your world has way too many rules.” An exasperated sigh leaves her lips and she shakes her head, trying to be funny, but she knows now’s not the time. “C’mon.” Turning on her heal, she moves past a few shelves to reveal a back door within the storage room. The bolts are rusty from the humidity in the room that the flowers need and the door looks as though it’s never been used. Soojung tugs a few times but the lock doesn’t budge.

If there was one useful thing that Soojung’s learned from living on the streets, it’s fighting and fighting entailed kicking. She could probably kick anything open; doors, heads and even rusty locks. Without warning, she lifts her foot and the impact breaks the lock off. Thankfully, it’s so rusty that she doesn’t make much noise and the rusted metal falls to the floor with a soft ‘clink’. With a proud smile, she faces Yura, her chin higher in the air. “I can be cool and mysterious and threatening too.” 

[yvoleuse-blog]

"Forget about your job!" Yura was extremely infuriated that the girl couldn't see the potential harm that might come their way. For all they knew, someone was out there to cut their life short and yet here she was, worrying about her job like it was the most important thing in the world right now. If it wasn't for the stupid letter, she would have left her right there and then, fleeing for the sake of her own safety. She had had too many brushes with death that she wouldn't want to risk it for fear of dying an untimely and unjustified death, especially in this small room. Besides, she had already planned how she wanted to spend her last breath.

Soojung's lame attempt to enlighten the mood only received an annoyed roll of the eyes from Yura's part. There was absolutely nothing to be made fun of in regards to the world she lives in. She was the one who had chosen this path, therefore the responsible thing to do was to walk down that freaking road with her head held high. Even in the beginning, her mentor had warned her of the hazards that come with the job but she bravely entered it because this was something that she was good at. Now look how far she had come. Every person in the 'after-dark syndicate' knew of her and what she was capable of, earning her the title of their go-to person whenever they had something to be 'retrieved'.

As the younger one led her past the towering shelves of boxes engraved with molds at their sides, Yura couldn't help but to steal a number of glances behind her shoulder to make sure that they hadn't been discovered. The pacing footsteps had stopped but it didn't provide that much of a comfort to her erratic heart. When they came across a locked door, she felt a little disheartened-- until she saw the old, rusty lock. A small smile etched across her lips. This was a piece of cake. It would only take her less than five seconds to pick it and hello, fresh air. She was already pulling out a pin from her hair because seriously, breaking through the door would only be-- what in fuck's name?

Before she could even utter a word, Soojung's foot was already on the door. In the dimly-lit room, her face contorted into what resembled a lot like terror. One could only imagine how much she cringed internally at the soft clink of the metal lock hitting the ground. It sounded like a ton of needles deliberately dropped to the floor in an enclosed space-- hell, even one was enough. To a thief, it was the equivalent of accidentally setting off a room full of sensors, their blaring sound loud enough to alert every police department in the vicinity. "What have you done.." 

Thundering, fast-paced footsteps were headed their way and she quickly pushed past the girl to open the door.The door however, creaked loudly due to the rust-coated hinges. Yura cursed under her breath at her terrible luck, turning to grab the other's wrist when a bullet flew past her head, missing her by just a few inches. Her heart did a little lurch at the sight of the large-built man closing in the distance between them with a revolver in his hand. Yanking hard on Soojung's wrist, she managed to duck just in time when another bullet was fired.

The current situation was moving far too fast for her brain to register a single thing. But there was one thing for sure, she wasn't going to spend another second in that room. Right after the third shot, she shoved herself against the shelf, watching as the boxes came crashing down on the armed stranger so they could buy themselves some time. "Go now!" she instructed, getting up to push the other out the door into the bright light. Thank God, it was midday. Now all they had to do was lose themselves in the crowd or grab a cab to go anywhere else but here.

[yvoleuse-blog]

"Are you crazy? It’s too dangerous!"

                    ———- ”I ℓαυgн

                       in the face of

                     ｄａｎｇｅｒ．＂

[yvoleuse-blog]

"Keep it down, will you?"

                    ———- ”I’м ѕσяяу,

                       I couldn’t hear you

                       over the sound of

                       my awesomeness.”

[yvoleuse-blog]

"Keep it quiet, but I’m completely naked under these clothes.”

                    ———- ”Wєℓℓ ωнαт αяє тнє σ∂∂ѕ?

                       I’m naked too.”

[al-jilani-asks-blog-blog-blog]

IF WE'VE NEVER RP'D TOGETHER send me a simple starter:

Friendly:

"You look a little lost. Do you need directions?" "That’s an awesome outfit." "How’s the chicken? I can’t decide whether to order it or not." "Excuse me, I think you dropped this." "I don’t know a single person here…"

Flirty:

"Wow, I’ve never seen an angel before…" "You’re the hottest person in this place." "I saw that. You just checked me out." "Hey, can I get your number?" *wolf whistle*

Confrontational:

"You’re in my seat." "What are you staring at?" "You just stepped on my toe!" "Who do you think you are?" "Keep it down, will you?"

Dramatic:

"Get down - he’s got a gun!" "Help, I need medical attention!" "Just kill me now!" "I need a ride! Please!" "Are you crazy? It’s too dangerous!"

[yvoleuse-blog]

These are the basic emotions according to Artistotle. Reblog and show your best icon for each!

Anger

Calmness

Friendship/Love

Hate

Fear

Confidence

Shame

Shamelessness

Kindness

Unkindness

Pity

Indignation

Envy

[jennieroleplays]

Chat up my muse

"I lost my teddy bear. Will you sleep with me?"

“Do you sleep on your stomach? If not, can I?”

“ Is there a mirror in your pants…? I think I can see myself in them..”

“ I don’t suppose you know the number for the Ordinance survey?…I want to tell them I have found a Sight of outstanding natural beauty.”

“Given that god is infinite, and that the universe is also infinite, would you like a shag?”

"Hi, can I buy you several drinks"

"Are you from Tenesse? Cause your the only ten I see"

Hi, the voices in my head told me to come over and talk to you”

“ My friend thinks you’re hot, and if it’s any consolation so do I.”

“I can’t find my puppy - can you help me find him? I think he went into this secluded, romantic area here….”

"I’m not drunk, i’m just intoxicated by you."

“I thought I’d come over and say hello before you caught me staring.”

“What’s a nice girl like you doing talking to a loser like me?”

“My friends over there bet that I wouldn’t be able to start a conversation with the fittest person in the room. Want to buy some drinks with their money?”

“I suffer from amnesia. Do I come here often?”

“ I’ll cook you dinner if you cook me breakfast.”

“You’re like a cappuccino: hot, sweet, and you make me nervous.”

“Keep it quiet - but I’m COMPLETELY naked under these clothes.”

“I have a pen, you have a phone number… think of the possibilities..”

[yvoleuse-blog]

▒▒ ѕιѕтєя ∂єαяєѕт || уυяα αη∂ ѕσσנυηg

[sxxjxng]

This wasn’t real. These kinds of things didn’t happen in real life, Soojung thinks. These were the kinds of things that happened in crappy soap operas that old people watched and played during late hours of the night. And yet, try to deny it as she might, this was real and it was happening. Somehow, Yura’s words don’t relieve her, although Soojung doesn’t think they’re meant to anyway. They don’t scare her either. They just sort of leave her silent, they make her wonder. “And exactly what kind of world is that?” It doesn’t really matter what the answer is – although she still expects one – but rather (if they really were relatives) did Soojung want to be part of that world?

A mirthless laugh escapes her lips at the mention of assassins. “As far as you can remember you’re not an assassin? It must be my lucky day then!” The statement is full of disbelief and sarcasm, but can anyone blame her? “What are you then? Who are you even? Aside from a name, a piece of paper and the claim that you’re supposed to be somehow related to me, I know nothing about you.” She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air and moving backwards to put more distance between them. “You said surviving was all about trusting the right people,” she glared intensely at the female and if looks could kill then, Soojung would’ve been a murderer. “Well, I don’t trust you.”

It made sense though. Soojung hated to admit it, but Yura’s final question had given the rest of her claims more sense. No one was out to kill her, the quote implied a blood link and it was her name that was scrawled onto the paper, not anyone else’s. The facts seemed to scream at Soojung from the tiny piece of paper in her hand. She fought the urge to scream back at it in frustration. Instead, she handled the situation the only way she knew how. “Or it could all be some sick twisted joke; a lie to distract you?”  Yes, Soojung was a master at denial especially when it came to things she’d rather not face. “Besides, what would anyone gain by letting you know you have a long lost sister?”

She would have said more, but thankfully, Yura’s attention was elsewhere now, looking down at her phone. It allowed Soojung a few moments to herself, to collect her thoughts and really contemplate the situation. For some reason, she feels uneasy about it all, not because of Yura, but the situation itself. It didn’t make sense for them to be brought together this way and for the information to only turn up now. No, there was something else. A sense of foreboding hung in the air, as though a much bigger plan was in motion and Soojung was simply a pawn in a complicated chess game. Question is, was she on the winning side?

[yvoleuse-blog]

"Aren't you a real cutie?" she cooed dryly. "Didn't I tell you that my name's Yura--" Right. She hadn't been quite honest with Soojung. Instead of giving the other her real name, she had introduced herself with her work alias. Strike one. "Kim Ahyoung. See? We don't even share the same surname..." And it was true indeed. She couldn't believe how it hadn't occurred to her till now. How could they possibly be related when she was a 'Kim' and Soojung's a 'Jung'? But Soojung had a point. They knew nothing of each other. Yura had pondered upon the thought of telling her what she really did for a living but she just couldn't risk doing it just yet, not when they had so much at stake.

Upon hearing the other's revelation of not trusting her, a soft sigh made its way past those red, plump lips of hers. Just what more would it take to convince her? Hell, Yura almost felt that it was a waste of time to be stuck here in this mess of a situation. Almost. There was still this unexplained nagging feeling that tugged on her heartstrings and a small voice whispering, echoing in her head, stating that the girl who was distancing herself from her was in fact, her real sister. Either it was all her selfish thoughts' doings or simply basic instinct, she wasn't able to shake the thought off. And if there was one thing that she could rely on the most, it was her instincts. They had never been proven wrong, nor had they ever fail her so why would it start now?

She didn't want to inflict any more distress on Soojung's now troubled mind but she couldn't just discard the content of the message she had received just a minute ago. It didn't matter if it was her life on the line, but now another person was involved and this person just might be her long-lost sister. If anything were to happen to her -- God forbid it -- she wouldn't be able to live with herself. Of course, she had done many terrible things in the past but she wouldn't hurt an innocent person, what more to say if they were family. "I don't know, okay? I don't know," was all she could muster as a reply. She was beyond clueless and the unsettling feeling that had begun to creep into every sulcus of her brain wasn't helping either.

Another round of silence befell them as she contemplated on either to walk away from this place on her own or reveal the new message to her. As she opened her mouth to speak, her ears detect the faintest sound of the doorbell chiming in the distance, indicating that someone else had entered the shop. By now, she was certain that worry was evident in her eyes as she shoved her phone into the girl's hand. Her hazel orbs began scanning their surroundings for any possible escape route-- just in case. One could never be too prepared. In the heat of the moment, she had forgotten to look out for the excited chatter of the couple back in the display room. But currently, all she could perceive was the sound of silence-- only to be broken by slow, heavy footsteps pacing back and forth. How sure was any of them that it might just be another customer?

"We need to leave right now." That wasn't a suggestion. Her tone was hard, like the expression she wore on her face. Turning to face the girl who presumably was her sister, she looked her right in the eye as she whispered, "In my world, if someone tells you to run, you run."

[yvoleuse-blog]

[text] Is “head down ass up” an appropriate way to say good morning?

                    ———- ”Aяє уσυ ƒυcкιηg кι∂∂ιηg мє?”

                    { Ｙura was practically howling in

                     her room as she read the text. }

[ text ] Yes.

[yvoleuse-blog]

[text] I think I got married last night?

[ text ] ~(-.-~)

[ text ] You’re drunk.

[ text ] Go home.

[frommemetoyou]

SUPER TEXT LIST! (Texts From Last Night Inspired)

[text] Are you lost?

[text] NO! That was a typo

[text] Did you buy it?

[text] I think I’m a mermaid

[text] I know it’s 3am, but come over and cook for me. 

[text] Too lazy to booty call, so have this text instead

[text] Need to bury a body, it’s urgent.

[text] Are you sure there’s no monsters?

[text] It was an accident.

[text] lol fuk da police

[text] send me a picture and i’ll be home quicker ;)

[text] DO NOT READ THE LAST MESSAGE IT WASN’T MEANT FOR YOU

[text] Well maybe I broke my tongue!

[text] Please tell me you’re free today! I’ve got some big news today.

[text] Got a spare ticket, do you want to come?

[text] Do you have a spare mankini I can borrow?

[text] Is fancy dress allowed at the wedding?

[text] I was using my old baby blanket as a makeshift skirt because no pants

[text] We were banging then all I remember is coming down hard and smashing my top teeth off his forehead… I just rolled off and tapped out. 

[text] Like alphabetically, I’d say a t?

[text] I’m sorry if throwing up in the back of your dad’s car ruined our friendship :(

[text] there is absolutely nothing wrong with two grown men staying up all night singing karaoke and drink out of juice cartons. don’t judge me.

[text] I found a door knob in my purse this morning, I hope whoever it belonged to doesn’t need it today.

[text] Do you know where I am?

[text] My wedding is in 5 hours and I have no idea where I am. Help!

[text] We played Rock Paper Scissors to see who would get a piggy back ride home. I’ve never been so broken.

[text] Is “head down ass up” an appropriate way to say good morning?

[text] That is definitely not healthy, in fact I’m not sure it’s legal to send that sort of picture?

[text] There isn’t enough cookie dough ice cream at home, so I’ll be heartbroken tomorrow instead.

[text] Not sure if I took a nap or went to another dimension

[text] ABORT MISSION! ABORT MISSION! HE IS A TRIPLET, WE DONT NEED TO FIGHT OVER HIM WE CAN HAVE AN ORGY INSTEAD

[text] No no don’t leave me, who’s going to walk me home

[text] She wheeled me home in a trolley and sad she loved me, I think I win.

[text] My dick just got serenaded.

[text] I ate the whole wheel of cheese. Help.

[text] I’ve been hiding under the bed for the past 20 minutes, and now they’re getting into it and it’s a little too late for me to jump out and surprise them. So expect a live sex updates

[text] The fridge is fully stocked. I’m either hallucinating or this is a miracle

[text] I need you to help me clean the house because I have visitors in less than an hour???

[text] Your brother is at the front door- WHAT DO I SAY?!

[text] It’s all fun and games till someone says you’re so pretty they could punch you and they, you know, punch you

[text] I’m in A&E but I don’t really know why

[text] Went to bed with a 10, just about woke up with a 2 and a half

[text] I think I’m officially a homewrecker because his wife just walked in screaming and he said it’s not what it looks like. I mean what else could it look like? I wasn’t trimming his hairs with my mouth?!

[text] My night ended with me crying in a gutter, I hate you.

[text] He’s decorated the toilet with his urine. I never want to see him ever again, tell him he has 2 minutes to get out of our house.

[text] Don’t talk to me! You tried to trade me for a glass of wine and a cigarette!

[text] I promise I’ll get everyone to jelly wrestle with us xox

[text] I am armed with a crown, a sash and a bouquet of flowers. Don’t test me.

[text] I think I got married last night?

[text] I think I got married on impulse last night… and after looking a second time, I don’t think i’ve made any mistakes.

[text] My mouth tastes like poor choices

[text] I didn’t let go of the mechanical bull, but they had to pull me off because… it was rough just the way I like it and I think that showed?

[text] If I say it was accidental you’ll just say I’m lying

[text] There is an alarming amount of glitter in my… everywhere

[text] You’re my hero

[text] You’re the worst thing to ever happen to me, thank you

[text] Have you ever had a good idea in your life?

[text] Are we going to end up in the hospital again?

[text] It’s not a good night if I don’t end up crying into your mother’s lap.

[text] Mark my words, your dad will be my sugar daddy, he’ll marry me and you’ll have to call me momma bear and I will interrupt your sex life with condoms and condiments.

[text] I’m may be allergic to nuts, but not his.

[text] She high fived me out of pity

[text] You walked in wearing nothing but a beekeeper mask

[text] You just walked in, rated their performance, dragged in three other people to clap for them, then walked back out.

[text] You kept calling me baby Jesus and trying to see what wise men had to say about my hair…

[text] I am a responsible adult. I tied up my hair before I puked

[text] I am a responsible adult, I brought home a lost kitten and let it shit in your room

[text] I accidentally talked myself into a threesome, when did I become so smooth?

[text] It may or may not have been your sister…

[text] It may or may not have been your brother…

[text] If you’re not coming over with food, don’t come over at all

[text] Call me and get me out of this conversation NOW. My co-worker is talking to me about her birds having sex again…

[text] IM NOT TALKING TO YOU UNTIL YOU MAKE A PROCLAMATION YOU LOVE ME MORE THAN TACOS

[text] Buy me a helicopter, I will give you the last slice of pizza. pls. this is important. okay maybe the crust?

[text] Let’s never forget the time I met you while you were running down the street naked and in handcuffs.

[text] I tried to put lipstick on my eyeballs, help.

[text] I told her my cum counts as protein shake and she sent a text to my gran saying I ate her cat.

[text] If you don’t fuck me hard, rough, and senseless the minute we’re alone in your room, I’m returning you to the boyfriend store

[text] I accidentally sexted your mum, I’m sorry xox

[text] There can only be one screw up per family and I was here first. Get your shit together bro

[text] I feel like you’re pretending I didn’t bail you out of jail last night for trying to staple a cushion to the top of their car so you had a “comfy place to sit”

[text] You climbed the fence and then started crying because you were scared of hamsters, I really don’t know what you took, but you need a babysitter.

[text]  I wish we could all take a bath together. Not in a “let’s fuck” way. But in a relaxing drunk in the tub sort of “let me wash your hair” way.

[yvoleuse-blog]

▒▒ ѕιѕтєя ∂єαяєѕт || уυяα αη∂ ѕσσנυηg

[sxxjxng]

For the first time in a very long time, Soojung actually feels fear rip through her core and eat at her. She doesn’t know what to think or say. Her first impulse is to deny it saying that she wouldn’t have a sister she didn’t know about and that she wasn’t from that kind of family, but her stomach churns and as if there’s someone else in her head, the million dollar question echoes in her ears, 'But how much do you really even know about your family?'

The words stab her, whether it’s Yura’s words or her mind’s own words, she doesn’t know all she knows is that either way they hurt. “It’s impossible. How could I –? How could you be –? How could we –?” The words flow out continuously like blood from an open wound and yet all of them stay unfinished because it didn’t matter what the question was, if this Yura person was telling the truth then the only answer that mattered was the one on the piece of paper that she held out to Soojung. The piece of paper she was terrified to take.

With a resigned sigh, she reaches out for the paper with shaky hands. It’s either now or never, she figures and being who she was, she’d rather not beat around the bush. There was no point in prolonging it. Taking the paper from the female’s hands, her eyes wander from the girl’s face and then to the crumpled piece of paper. A simple quote was written along with her name and the flower shops address. She could feel her brows furrow, partly in confusion and partly in frustration.

“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Her glance was less threatening now, but her gaze remained accusatory. “A quote, a name and an address don’t mean I’m some long lost sister.” For years, she’d been at peace with her family situation. She’d been able to live with the fact that her parents simply didn’t want her and all of a sudden this person comes along to ruin what little peace she’d managed within herself. Soojung felt the need to lash out at Yura for worrying her, for scaring her but most of all, for giving her hope. But the anger doesn’t come, not like it usually does. Instead, Soojung feels hollow. 

[yvoleuse-blog]

She asked all -- well almost all -- of the right questions; questions that even she herself had no answers to. The confused look on the other's face was probably mirrored on hers as well for she was just as clueless and yet for some unknown reason, this was something that she couldn't afford to let go as if it had somehow become the glue that kept her sanity intact. For once in her life, she finally had someone else and she didn't want to be robbed of this feeling even if she dreaded to face the truth of how they were related.

And she also had every right to be angry. Hell, she would have been too if they were to switch positions. All of the things she brought up were valid; it was just a quote after all. It didn't signify anything. But of course, Yura had her reasons to hold on to it and be convinced that she wasn't just being delusional. "In my world, you need to trust the right people to stay alive." If her words had managed to scare her, that had never been her intention.

Why? Soojung had forgotten to ask that crucial question out of all the others she had thrown at her direction. She didn't ask why Yura received the letter. She didn't ask why the address of the flower shop was written in that letter. She didn't ask why now. Or why her. Yura's mind however was working itself to its burning point to figure out the answers to all of the why's that the other had left out. Perhaps they had been focussing on the wrong things after all.

She tried to consider all kinds of other possibilities that the cryptic message might mean. Although the quote was indirectly referring to kinship but that could most likely be a veil to something much more malicious. What other connotations could the quote possibly hold? "That letter," she began, index digit pointing at the piece of paper in the girl's hands. "was directly addressed to me. As far as I remember, I am not an assassin for hire so why would anyone send me that?" Because in her world, the only thing that blood was associated to was death.

"Let's suppose I was wrong. Do you have anyone in mind that wants you dead?" Just then, her phone buzzed, indicating an incoming message. She whipped the cellular device out and swiped the screen to read the text. 

[ Unknown ID ] You have a tail. Get out of there now.

Well this was getting interesting.

[yvoleuse-blog]

▒▒ ѕιѕтєя ∂єαяєѕт || уυяα αη∂ ѕσσנυηg

[sxxjxng]

With the flower shop, Soojung never quite knows what to expect; each day is always different from the previous, but surely, she can always expect good things. Because that’s what this flower shop was, it was a good thing in her chaotic life – her safe haven. It was the place no one knew her past, where no one knew what kind of life she lived. Here, in her place of refuge, she was known as Krystal.

The rest of the day went on quite slowly; a few customers had come in but nothing really out of the ordinary or all that interesting. Soojung was managing the counter today which, in her opinion, was probably the worst job in the shop. It allowed very little mobility, sitting all day in the crampy chair with very little desk space, not to mention being counter-girl entailed nothing at all related to flowers, which had been the main reson she’d taken the job. And just when she thought it couldn’t have possibly gotten worse, her day hit rock bottom.

An unfamiliar face came in. Soojung could tell she wasn’t here for the flowers, seeing as how she barely gave the plants a second look. It almost seemed as if the female was looking for something or someone. She’d approached Soojung’s desk and the moment she spoke, Soojung could feel the blood drain from her face. She stood up sharply and in the calmest tone she could muster, she asked the female to follow her into the back. She didn’t bother looking back to see if the stranger was following, she was too preoccupied by her thoughts. How did this stranger know her name? She’d gone through great lengths to keep most of her identity hidden, not because she was running from something, but because she was running from herself. This place was her harbor. At least it was supposed to be.

Finally arriving to the tiny room at the back of the shop where they usually kept stocks, she turned abruptly to the stranger, her eyes glaring accusingly at her. “Who the hell are you and how do you know my name?” With the words that had just come out her mouth, ‘Krystal’ felt more like a mask than an identity. The truth seemed to have surfaced and reared its ugly head – its name was Soojung.

[yvoleuse-blog]

Her hazel eyes stare right into those of the younger girl before her. There was something familiar about those eyes but she couldn't quite put a finger on it. Had they met before? Surely she would remember such occasion, but she could recall of none at that brief span of time. Part of being an excellent grifter is the ability to pick up unspoken signs, signs that are so slight that only a seasoned con artist could detect and use it to their advantage. And Yura, being one of them, was able to note how the colours had left the girl's cheeks bare.

Gesturing for Yura to follow, she fell into step with her and headed out back. She didn't quite know what to expect, let alone inquire further questions regarding her suspicions. Yes, she probably had come to a conclusion but she didn't want to let the cat out of the bag just yet. Surprisingly, the scent of flowers got even stronger the further away they got from the display room. Perhaps back here was where they keep the various types of flora, cool with just enough stream of sunlight to keep the flowers alive and fresh.

The silence that clung to the atmosphere surrounding them was least to say unnerving. In fact, Yura was feeling quite the contrary. She was somehow excited, but she couldn't deny the bitter resentment that clawed at the chambers of her heart, asking to be let inside or perhaps out, where they would lash out at the poor girl. Not one to let her emotions steer her better judgement, she pushed those thoughts aside when they finally arrived at a small, enclosed space-- a sorry excuse for a storage room.

What she didn't expect though was for the girl with the petite frame to whirl around and shoot her that murderous look. She had simply asked for a person, not to escort them to some maximum-security prison against their will. Instead of getting all worked up by the accusing manner of the inquiries, she reproduced the letter she kept in the safety of the back pocket of her jeans and handed it to her. She was fully aware that the other might bombard her with even more queries later on so she braced herself for what was to come when she finally uttered those what would be life-changing words, "I'm Yura and I think you're my sister." 

[yvoleuse-blog]

syntsuo

----- "Iт'ѕ α cяυєℓ ωσяℓ∂, ιѕη'т ιт?"

❂-; She muttered to no one in particular as she took another drag of the cigarette between her lithe fingers, only to exhale the toxic smoke in long wisps. Three clean months meant nothing to her now.

[ariotingvine]

▌flowers and mud;— yr&dy.

[ariotingvine]

He followed her gradual moves that passed through his peripheral vision and spread out before his view. Having gone out of his way to avoid her as she changed, the deity felt deserving of a clap to the back and gave himself a congratulatory ghost pat. Though of course the congratulations involved no actual movement but an internalized gesture instead. It would do for the moment. Considering the feelings of other in different stages of undress was uncharacteristic of his usual nature.

But it appeared most of this morning was uncharacteristic to his instincts.

As she settled herself somewhat uncomfortably on the edge of the very much unmade bed— his eyes briefly fell to her bare knees. Before slowly moving over the expanse of her exposed legs. Rest assured he had seen much more earlier, and could only go on to assume just how much of her he had seen and felt of her last night— there had been always something about bared sections of a form. The remainder disguised beneath useless fabrics of clothing, in this case, a tight fitting dress that left little to the imagination. Shame really. He loved his imagination. Another day he would let his thoughts wander, but for the time being he slowly neared her instead. The hardwood cool under his heels as he let them slid over the sheen of the surface.

Not usually one for veils and shoving things between lines, her straight forward was most certainly appreciated. Even though her resigned look gave way to the clear exhaustion their predicament had presented. Her reveal, despite being slow, drew a slow grin over his refreshed features and he wordlessly tightened the towel knotted around his waist. Perhaps any other situation wouldn’t have called for clothes, but the uncomfortably taut presence between himself and the annoyed woman before him forced him to bend towards his sprawled jeans. He tugged the too-expensive material on under the towel as he spoke. Words easy.

"Well, Yura. It’s a considerably good thing to finally have a name to the face. As for this venture of yours, I don’t see why not. Vague as my memory is, with the help of some backtracking here and there— I’m sure we can find the poor fool who supervised this union." As he made quick work of zipping and unraveling the towel from his now jean clad waist, he felt it smart in more ways than one to leave out the fact this wasn’t the first time the god had found himself in a similar situation. His marriage to Ariadne, the  undoubted love of his life had been profoundly spontaneous but far from regretful— in between of course, throughout the dizzying years, he had recklessly wound the ivy around a few more fingers. All impulsive and less sincere than that of his one wife’s union. He had laughed and eventually disintegrated the unions— no feelings hurt.

Freely moving about now, he picked up clothes lobbed the night before and tossed them into the hamper. He quietly picked out a flannel button-up instead that hung from his closet’s door and stretched it around his shoulders. He glanced her way, raking his look over the stiff propping of herself on the bed’s edge.

"Here’s what we shall do. Help me fix this bed, we shall grab a quick bite from the kitchen for I’m famished— can I say the same about you? And we shall head out. The bar isn’t far from here, a few blocks." As the suggestion sounded from his lips, he kept a light grin and rearranged the mussed sheets as he worked to spread it out on the bed. He called on a few of his vines to gather the pillows that had gone missing and return them graciously onto the mattress.

His idea was reasonable enough. It would be hard for anyone to resist, even a bitter beautiful woman unhappily married to him. 

[yvoleuse-blog]

Yes, sure. Talking was easy but did he know where exactly they should start looking, or in this case backtracking? A nauseating wave of panic washed over her for a fleeting moment at the thought of her having to ask every single bartender if they remembered seeing her leaving in the arms of this sick man to say "I do". She was supposed to be subtle and having to do all this questioning felt like a huge mar in her reputation. Word of this should never be allowed to leave this place. She wouldn't allow it.

Instead of coming up with a smart comeback, she remained lost in her thoughts. An image popped into her head as she tried to place herself in last night's recent events. Her memories were finally kicking in now. Besides tracking the god down, it appeared to her in that brief flashback that she was downing a shot of tequila like it was orange juice and she was laughing her head off. Just how many shots did she have? She cringed internally when she recalled that she was fitted snugly in his arms. The horror. Even if that piece of information could assist them, there was no way in hell she'd be telling him that.

She was already planning out her next course of actions to raid the bar when he spoke again, this time though his words made no sense whatsoever. Did he just-- Surely this man before her realised that there were more oppressing matters at hand than fixing the bed. Like finding the solution to remove the stupid ring off her finger, for instance. But before she could utter a word of protest, her own stomach betrayed her by letting out this low grumbling sound, resulting in the rush of colours into her cheeks. There went her pride out the freaking window.

"Fine," she agreed albeit reluctantly. Getting up, she grabbed the sheet and aligned them simply-- as in flipping it over the bed, letting the corners fall just enough to cover the edges of the bed. She didn't even bother to tuck it in. Obviously, she was really 'in the mood' to fix a bed which did not belong to her and God knew how many other discovery and exploration of the human anatomy had taken place there.

It was infuriating enough that she-- what was today's date? Shit. She had a meeting to attend in -- she glanced at the clock on the wall -- three hours but here she was, stuck with the task of bed-making at the moment. What was next? Homemaking? She was too caught up in this mess of a situation that she had completely forgotten about everything else. If only she hadn't acted on rash impulse the night prior. None of this would have happened.

"Could we get this over with quickly?" she demanded, impatience distinctly visible in her tone. It was her best trait and also her weakness; how dexterous her fingers were. Her hand moved faster than her mind could register the action. A pillow flung itself towards the god in the flannel shirt, an annoyed huff escaping her lips. Was he just going to stand there and watch her make the bed on her own? Some brilliant idea he got there. She could be on her way down to the bar if it hadn't been for this. What a fucking waste of time.