THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING

Olek tilted his head, having not noticed what Tangguo was getting at until following his gaze. Was that...? No. No way! He leaned in, squinted, and then he was pointing accusatorily. That was indeed a tortoiseshell cat basking in the sun in front of his favorite bakery.

"Heyyyy!" Oop! That caught the attention of a few. He covered his lips with his fingertips and laughed behind them.

Tangguo chuckled, a soft and almost silent sound, which he wiped away with a clear of his throat. He had only been joking, so many cats look alike after all! But was that really Olek?

"My oh my... Olek is famous." Although the painting itself was not Tangguo's taste... He bent forward at the waist to read the auction information. It was included in the auction the other painting was in - how coincidentally perfect. It must have been fate. "Let's get this one, too."

Just gonna drop these here, ‘kay bye! 👋🏻

Hana shook her head. 'That's not really, like, my image, but...' Idea incoming! She regarded Haru with a smile as she suggested, 'What if you learnt one of mine and I learnt one of yours? It would be, like, a reversal, you know? Maybe we'd discover something new that we like -' not that Hana took any issue with appearing sexy - 'and it might be exciting for our fans, too!'

It wasn't... Hana's image? Haru had a hard time understanding - but of course that's because Haru hadn't intentionally curated any type of image either way, it was just who she was!

"Ummm, okay! Haru will learn from Hana first. That sounds fun!" Haru grinned, "Can Haru style Hana, too? Hana should wear something a little sexier to fit the dance!"

Munehisa had caught Kaho's protective gesture out the corner of his eye - and part of him felt bad that he had not put himself between the two groups a little sooner so that they wouldn't feel uncomfortable. The other guys were all good people - but growing up in the manner that they did, they tended to be a bit crass.

"I do not smell like donkeys!" Kaho's teasing snapped him out of it, and caused his features to scrunch up slightly in offense. But the light, even hopeful invitation that came along with it soon made his expression soften. "Well, I guess..." he turned back to his friends after a moment's hesitation, and told them that he'll join them later. (As in, probably never.) Munehisa sat there with his cheeks turning pinker and pinker in the wake of the echoing snickers and slightly inappropriate comments that followed whilst the boys left them to their own devices.

"Sorry about them... they're nice guys, they don't mean it." He glanced back at Kiyo and Kaho, begging whatever guardian entity there was that they hadn't heard too much.

Kaho's mood changes did not go unnoticed, Kiyo knew him better than anyone else by now hence why she stayed close to the other. Technically, there was nothing to worry about, a little teasing between young people, barking dogs seldom bite. And yet, she could not help but feel safe when Kaho acted this way, she always would. It was only when Kiyo had heard his suggestion and Munehisa's response that the girl blinked in surprise, a soft chuckle followed. "I understand, Mune-chan. But you see, we are a village with women only." She cleared her throat. "There's a reason for it. I do believe you, of course. Hence why I trust you the same way Kaho-chan trusts you with coming with us." With just as much mischief in her smile, Kiyo grinned and her head tilted to the side, resting on Kaho's shoulder. "You'll smell like flowers and honey, no donkey smell, you'll be a pretty lady." There was no malice, no ill intention, simple teasing between people who were comfortable with each other. Who were close to each other. And granted, she grew quite curious about the way Kaho sometimes looked at the other male. @mournus @temporalobjects

Kaho didn't believe that Munehisa would know the truth. He didn't believe he would know whether or not the other boys meant what they said. How could he? Their behaviour was only directed at women. Kaho has experienced the different ways he is treated by the same man depending which gender they were assuming he was. It's not something easy to explain, and he didn't want to cause an argument, so he merely nodded.

Kiyo's head was met with Kaho's, leaning atop hers, rubbing his cheek against her temple as he listened. "There is somewhere we can go just outside of the village, finding somewhere... private shouldn't be too difficult." Just what was going through Kaho's head? Munehisa could find out he's a man when they bathe! It wouldn't be too difficult - he'd only have to look down and see how his bathing attire was clinging to his body! But... maybe it was exactly that which was encouraging him to do this. It was thrilling, daring! What if the other did find out? How would that go? And what if he didn't find out? Wouldn't that be so interesting, too?

"Should we go gather our things to get ready, then?"

240412 ©️ ghdwndll

"ah, it's good one of us has a proper sleeping schedule," he hums. taesun is used to venture, go out when he lacks sleep. it seems as if there is always something to see or do, company to keep. not that he has any complaints about the one he finds here now. "if you offer it so kindly, how could i reject it?" a quick nod is given as he shifts his weight a little to pay proper attention to the younger.

Oh. As soon as Taesun confirmed he'd take one Kaili regretted offering. Now he had to unravel his arms from around the other and pull himself away to make tea... unless...

A hand laid. "In my hand there's a tea with a cup and saucer from within our kitchen cupboard, exactly to your taste, made using the ingredients from the kitchen in the house we're in." Kaili said it, and so it would be! He smiled as what he described appeared in his hand and he gently set it down for the other. "Do you think it will help you sleep?"

Saima couldn't help but deeply endeared at the sight of Jin-su purring in response to the petting. It was just so delightful to see him respond so well .. and they didn't mind giving him attention in the least.

"Ah, I see. How has the practicing been going then?"

They noticed the way Jin-su say before Saima, they smiled back at Jin-su before looking at Jong-su.

"Seems like he has been coming along quite nicely. "

Jong-su couldn't keep his smile down, either. He loved his son deeply, and this was something very obvious, even to strangers. It was clear just by looking at his face. His expression changed greatly when looking at Jin-su.

"Hmm. Jin-su still has trouble staying in human form. That's his natural form, you see. In particular he struggles with hiding his ears. I don't suppose you know anything about shapeshifting that might help here?"

@mournus

"would you like some blood? i have holy and unholy," noel begins as she plays perfect hostess for her newest guest. haru. when farrah had attended their family dinner gleefully yapping about her newest best friend turned love interest, her siblings had differing reactions. serghei was pissed. a vampire, of all things? the eldest stood from the table and cursed up a storm before stepping out for a cigarette. he had raged for weeks. noel, however, was intrigued by little haru. such a fascinating creature he was. all sparkle and sweet emotion with very little grit.

plus, how could noel let his big sister date someone he didn't know? how could she intertwine herself without their input? how could she

"please sit. make yourself comfortable." haru seemed neurotically tidy, which noel appreciated. she had quite the aversion to dirt and germs, and didn't mind having haru sit on her expensive roccoco furniture. @mournus

Haru couldn't help but pout a little - even through all of her nerves of meeting someone so close to Farrah. She knew to be grateful... but Haru preferred blood still in the person!! If Noel wanted to offer blood, Noel should offer Noel's blood!! They knew that was bad, though. Paion had made that very clear. So, she tried to be good...

"Umm... Haru... will have holy blood, please!!" The vampire couldn't see memories or emotions from blood after it had left the body, but just in case, Haru would go for the holy blood to avoid any potential bad visions.

The blond nodded and moved to (carefully) sit down. Haru decided to ensure he was a little more modest for this meeting. He had been fretting over what to wear since the plans were made. In the end, he'd settled on a way oversized pink button-up to sit over wide white knee-length shorts which looked like a skirt when standing.

Anxious, Haru toyed with the ends of the pink ribbons dangling from bows in their hair. "Noel has a very pretty home! Noel is so beautiful too and must take so many good pictures here~~"

"I'm ready!" Abaddon cheered, waiting for Jeremiah to come out of the bathroom. She wasn't all too sure what this surprise he told her about was, but she was excited, she loved surprises! She couldn't wait to see it!

And the wait was absolutely worth it! He actually got the superhero costume from the book he had gifted her? That was amazing! "Please help, over here!" She played along, finding it hard to hold back the smile that appeared on her face. Now, if that wasn't the best surprise in the world, then she didn't know what was it.

"Oh no, a fair maiden needs rescuing!" He made a trumpet sound and went into a stance as if ready to fly. He sent his voice low and booming. "This sounds like a job for JJ!" Jeremiah had always believed his surname beginning with J meant his name was a perfect fit for a superhero.

Jeremiah scurried forward and bent, going to scoop Abaddon up and carry her over his shoulder. "Fear not!!"

Yes. Entirely different worlds. Master Guai spoke almost only of the dark. His style of magic, his feelings, his views on life, even the music he made and performed on stage. He was one with the land of the dead, and hopelessness coursed through his veins.

Olek's words were extremely touching. As the familiar of someone always in pain, someone Tangguo tried daily to comfort, hearing this practically confirmed Tangguo's very purpose for existing. "Thank you. Sincerely."

The other seemed satisfied with the conversation ending there, but Tangguo was not. Someone who knew Tangguo as well as Olek would likely know the spider rarely offered more to a conversation without being asked, was to the point and kept things short. This, however, he could not swallow down.

He moved with the other, "A person does not have to be happy all of the time. Emotions do not define us, they're merely a symptom of existing. Who we are remains no matter how we feel." Words meant specifically for Olek, but he hoped the way he worded them made them easier to process. Still... "I am not your friend just because you are a happy person. Angry or sad I will enjoy your company, and I would never like you less."

Olek only wondered briefly if their masters would get along. He had a suspicion the answer was no, simply for the fact that Bo didn’t get along with most anyone. Forced pleasantries were the bane of his existence, but so too were blatant emotional displays in public. Then again, he never once complained about Olek bursting into laughter on any busy street. He was the exception that made the rule, and Guai in all his pessimistic shade would leave a bitter taste on the Etherite’s tongue.

No matter. He had no intention to force their interaction. For both their sakes, and for their familiars’ sanities.

His attention was pulled from the next painting as Tangguo spoke, watching him intently as he listened.

“They don’t have to be hopeless, either,” he countered, tone remaining light and open to friendly debate – if that was how this was defined. “It’s… It’s what you let in and what you let out. Right?” The spider was given a playful nudge with his shoulder. “Olek can be sad. I can… I can be angry! But I don’t… I don’t want a welcome mat.” Did that make sense?

An interesting thought had it been shared. Guai also didn't really get along with anyone. Perhaps two negatives made a positive. Or a catastrophic failure in which Guai's immortality came in handy.

Olek's response had Tangguo lightly laughing for a moment, his expression amused and endeared. It did not last long, of course.

"Yes. A good analogy." He took a deep breath and looked at another painting. A street. With bikes and shops bustling. Tangguo wondered if this was all the same artist, the styles so different every time. A cat sat laying in the sun, in the very corner of the canvas. It looked strikingly like... "I didn't realise you were a model." A tease.

Tangguo always led with an open mind, he took in Olek's words and considered them, not just for face value but also what they could mean for Olek himself. It was the little kitty standing before him who needed reminding of the light, wasn't it? Olek, cheery and sweet, even he has to find reminders and put in effort to be how he is.

"I did not say everyone has darkness and pain, I don't believe everyone has such darkness within them. I do believe that speaking about happiness is easier and more acceptable than speaking about difficult experiences. The world is full of things trying to make people happy, what is there for those who find comfort in the shadows?"

The familiar's laugh was silent, but moved his shoulders and tightened his cheeks. "We live in different worlds! When my master was young, no one could talk about the dark. Smile, be quiet. Don't make waves. It's all Olek sees now. No flashlights."

But, he squeezed the spider's shoulder. "You're a flashlight." He moved his hand away, tucked them both at his back and moved on.

Yes. Entirely different worlds. Master Guai spoke almost only of the dark. His style of magic, his feelings, his views on life, even the music he made and performed on stage. He was one with the land of the dead, and hopelessness coursed through his veins.

Olek's words were extremely touching. As the familiar of someone always in pain, someone Tangguo tried daily to comfort, hearing this practically confirmed Tangguo's very purpose for existing. "Thank you. Sincerely."

The other seemed satisfied with the conversation ending there, but Tangguo was not. Someone who knew Tangguo as well as Olek would likely know the spider rarely offered more to a conversation without being asked, was to the point and kept things short. This, however, he could not swallow down.

He moved with the other, "A person does not have to be happy all of the time. Emotions do not define us, they're merely a symptom of existing. Who we are remains no matter how we feel." Words meant specifically for Olek, but he hoped the way he worded them made them easier to process. Still... "I am not your friend just because you are a happy person. Angry or sad I will enjoy your company, and I would never like you less."