ember island

@ᶠ junhyung k。 /lets out a soft, shaky breath as you speak, knowing you're likely right but i dont want to think about it, i dont want you thinking that you're just a slave to me, because you're not, i wouldnt have done so much otherwise
/nibbling on my lower lip when it wobbles just a little, i dont want to be seen as weak, i already feel that way with the fact that you're in this position, but i rationalize that if not for me, you could have ended up somewhere worse
i want you to know--
you're more than that to me, though.
even if-- even if i have to act like that in front of my father, or others.
/swallowing thickly, i shake my head to agree with your words, we wouldnt want him thinking anything poorly of this because it could put my whole plan at risk, really i just want to help you get out of there
/but then your words have my brows furrowing slightly, and i want to argue with you over pretending, because i cant necessarily say i would have to pretend, but how do i say that to you?
/instead i stay silent after i kiss you, watching as you point to the blueberries, and i nod a little before watching you pop them in your mouth and look to me, my breath hitching slightly
no...
i've-- i've never... um-- before you, kissed me?
i never... did that.
/swallowing thickly, i let out a short laugh, then shake my head a little and dip my head, feeling a little embarrassed at the admission before i look back up at you
i was just wondering now if blueberries taste better that way.

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /looks at our hands when you hold my own in yours, frowning a little bit before i look up to your face, once again trying to understand why you'e doing this
i think acting in those freedoms would end up with me being in more trouble
and i'd like to stay out of that wherever i could manage
/mumbles quietly as i look at you, sure you might not mind me acting as a free person but the minute its more than just your eyes on me, that's when there's a problem
perhaps you need to see me as yours if i'm going to make it through this. at least for now
if you don't, your father might think you're bored of me already
and i don't think that would bode well for a slave
/the word is foreign on my tongue when i refer to myself, i almost trip up over it but its the truth, i'm a slave as long as i remain here
please at least try to pretend to want me. even if it repulses you
/lifts one of my hands to brush back some of my own hair, the long strands brushing over my bare skin and i'm grateful its a mild climate here with warm breezes otherwise i'd be shivering
/but i end up shivering for another reason, this time when you lean in and kiss me, returning it without much hesitation in me
hmm...
/looking from you i glance at the table, moving closer before i look over the fruits, not knowing a fair amount of them because, again, i used to live in the desert
...these?
/asks as i point to the blue fruits, taking a guess and hoping i'm correct, popping a couple in my mouth when you confirm i got it right
/as i eat them i watch you, clearly making a point - that if you want me you can have me, more so now i taste like your favourite fruit
if you prefer these.... are you accustomed to how it tastes on another's tongue before my own then?

@ᶠ junhyung k。 that... doesnt seem like my father.
he wouldnt have sent me out there--
/my brows furrow, a part of me wondering just what my father has in store for all of this, because it doesnt seem right, its not like him at all to toss what he wanted away
/it has me nervous, pacing slightly while im trying to think of what i can do, either to figure it out or save you in the process, because you deserve more than this
/looking a little guiltily up at you when you seem to judge me for asking you if you're okay, i look away once again, clearing my throat a little
sorry, i just meant--
i mean, i just want to make sure you're okay.
im trying, to think of something-- anything.
/heaving a sigh, i feel a little helpless in the moment, my heart is of gold and i only mean the best things but suddenly your fate is in my hands and im sure my father will be watching everything i do
/when you dop down to bow to me, i hesitate, shaking my head a little and reaching out to grasp your shoulders, trying to nudge you up, even a small whine leaving my lips
please-- please, dont.
dont do that, or say that.
/when you sit up, i collapse to the floor in front of you, honestly looking pathetic for a prince but its who i am, im such the complete opposite of my father it cant really be helped
/placing my hands over yours, i give your fingers a squeeze, flicking my hair out of my eyes while i try to think how to word what i want to say
you are... your own person, with me.
you're not "mine" and i will never see you as property.
i'll find a way to get you home.
/whispers the last line softly, and after a moment of contemplation i lean in to repay you the kiss you had given me before, my own soft before i pull away and murmur quietly
i always preferred blueberries over grapes.

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /glances at the clothing i'm still in, having been all done up for a man who didn't even want me, while i'm grateful for that, i just wonder and not for the first time why i'm even here when i'm not wanted - wouldn't a swift death have been best?
/sighing under my breath i lift one of my arms, the tiny chimes lining the fabric jingling soft before i let it lower again, turning my attention back to you
no
he doesn't want me for himself or his wife, so he left me to you
/its like talking about an unwanted piece of meat and i didn't realise when i sacrificed myself for my people that this was all i was really going to be worth here
/i give you a less than amused look when you ask me if i'm okay, wondering if you think i should be grateful i was at least sent back to you
i'm fine, your highness
as for how and why...
/looks toward the door where your father had strutted through before, pressing my lips together before i look back at you again afterward
i think he saw us earlier, with the fruit
he seems to have gotten the idea that you desire me, and i desire you
/looks up at you from under my light hood, trying to gauge if this is true in part for you - if your father had been right about you
/brushing my fingertips over my lips i let out another sigh, shuffling to kneel properly before i dip my head, my hands pressing to the floor in front of me
/dipping my torso down i kowtow to you, letting silence fall over the room for several moments before i speak, though keeping my head down as i do so
i am yours now, please use me how you see fit
/i grit my teeth after speaking like that about myself, slipping back up and resting my hands on my knees, keeping my face bowed down while i wait for you to say something

@ᶠ junhyung k。 /the entire time you're gone, im left pacing back and forth uneasily, wondering whats going to happen and what my father's going to do
/if anything it feels like i failed, i dont know what to do, i promised you i would save you and in the end i may as well have delivered you right to the devil himself
/it has me sitting on the cushions, head in my hands and fingers stroking through my hair while i try to think of other ways i can help, even despite my promise to you earlier
/i could always find a way to sneak you out of here entirely, get you on a safe trip back to your home, or at least as safe as i could manage, but it would surely get me in plenty of trouble by the time i got back, and that goes against what you made me promise
/looking up toward the ceiling, contemplating what i could do, i hear the announcement of your return so soon and it has me launching to my feet in a rush
you're back--
/whispers softly, it can really only mean one thing, that my father likely wasnt pleased or something along those lines, but i cant even be entirely sure
/and then suddenly you kiss me, leaving my eyes widening a little before the taste of the grape greets me, and i swallow thickly when you pull away and begin to explain what happened
/ignoring your question about the sweetness for now, my lips still tingle from your kiss, and i come to kneel in front of you on the floor rather than the cushions, looking over your features
back to me?
he's not taking you for himself?
/there's relief in my tone as i look over your face, its not perfect but it is a solution for now, something to keep you more safe than if you were with him, even if there are expectations based on what my father will likely want
how...
are you okay?

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /as you press the grape to my lips i look at you quietly, my lips parting around it slightly and i understand what you're trying to tell me without words, you can't say it can you?
/my tongue brushes over your fingers just as i'm summoned, keeping my eyes on you the entire time even when your father comes in
/i follow him obediently as he takes me through to his chambers, savouring the grape on my tongue for as long as i can because i doubt the rest of my night is going to be anywhere near as sweet
/when he asks me if i like you i don't speak, annoyed somewhat at how he thinks i'd prefer belonging to anyone at all and not just being free
/as he holds my face in his hand i look up at him finally, keeping my face void of emotion so he has nothing to tell me off for considering there's nothing to be mad at me for
/dismissed like i'm nothing more than a plaything i bow my head to the man before i leave without looking back, the door shutting softly behind me before i look down the hall
/part of me is tempted to run but i tell myself that's not going to go well considering i don't know my way around, its better just to come and find you for help
/throwing a glance over my shoulder at the closed door i stare at the guards positioned outside of it before walking on, remembering which turns to take to get back to you
/once i'm there the guards at your door open it for me once i'm announced, hearing it click shut behind me again while i make my way inside
/walking over to you i stop just in front of you, looking down at you but i know i don't need to say anything, a soft sigh leaving my lips because you must know why i'm back
/leaning in i press my lips against your own suddenly, capturing them swiftly before i brush my tongue along your bottom lip, letting you taste me
... do you enjoy the sweetness too?
/asks as i refer to the grape you made me eat earlier, whispering against your lips before i pull back properly, moving away and over to the cushions on the floor
he didn't want me
/sliding down to my knees on them gracefully i lift my hand and touch my jaw, it aches from where your father held me earlier but its not the worst i've had
...so he gave me back to you

@ᶠ junhyung k。 then you wont be his property.
/murmuring quietly, my brows furrow as i look down, not meeting your gaze while im trying to think of how to go about this so far
/i have an idea, at the very least, of how i can help you, and in my mind it makes perfect sense, though im not sure how to explain it to you without sounding some level of insane
/when you speak of your promise, im left blinking at you for a moment, hesitating because thats not who i am at all, i will never look after myself before someone else
/but i nod, i know i wont be able to get away with this, so i murmur my promise to you that i'll at least /try/ and leave it at that, it should be enough anyway
dont worry about how my father treats me, though.
he's a strict man and i.. i've learned to accept that.
/slowly, my lips curl into a comfortable smile as i look at you, reaching up to gently brush your hair back from your face, just to get a look at you for a moment
/after that, though, i dont say anything else, instead going on in my head with my plan, though the longer it takes for my father to decide when he wants to see you, the more it seems to fall apart
/if anything i just wanted to make my father think you werent good enough for him or my mother, something of the kind, but i panic when it seems like he's taking his sweet time
"your highness-- your father will be here shortly"
/the door opening shocks me because i was so lost in my thoughts that i didnt even hear the knock on the door, gasping before i look to the servant that had come in
oh-- oh, okay
thank you, yes.
/i turn to you, lifting a piece of fruit, one of the very grapes you had decided against eating earlier, and i bring it to your lips with shaky hands, not sure what to do
eat this, please?
grapes are sweet...
/though i dont say why, its clear that i mean because of my father, should he try to kiss you, would enjoy the taste of grapes on your tongue, and just the thought makes me sick
/as im pressing the grape into your mouth, my thumb brushes over your lips and the door opens, my father stepping inside before my hand drops and i take a step back from you
"come."
/he speaks plainly to you, and you're ushered out of the room with him, walking with him and he doesnt say a word as he leads you down the hall, hands clasped behind his back
/when he comes to his chambers, he lets you enter, the door shutting behind him before he speaks plainly, standing at the door as he looks upon you
"you enjoy my son, dont you?
ah... i suppose it was bound to happen, i left the two of you alone.
and you'd much rather be his?"
/he's got it wrong, you'd rather belong to no one, but if i were in the room i would be ecstatic because it simply means that if you were "my" slave, then you would hardly be a slave at all
/either way, he reaches up to grabs you by the chin much line before, fingers digging into your face as he makes you look at him, tsking softly and sighing
"what a shame, you're pretty too.
fine, only the best for my son anyway.
go on back to him."
/with that, he dismisses you, pulling open the door and fully expecting you to find your way back on your own, for once you step out the door shuts with him in his own room

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /your apology makes me feel worse because i know you didn't plan this and it isn't your choice, so why should you apologise in the first place anyway?
/a defeated laugh does on my tongue when you say you'll fix this, shaking my head gently before i lift my head up to look into your own eyes
if you go against him, you don't just risk my safety
you risk your own too, judging from what i've seen from your father so far. i don't think he would take too kindly to you helping his property
/points out plainly if quietly, there's no point in sugar coating things considering this isn't an ideal situation for either of us, more so me but increasingly for you if you upset him
this is what my purpose is now, right?
you gifted me to him after all
/i don't say it to make you feel bad, its just a hard truth i can't escape, i knew what i was giving up when i defended my people anyway
/without anything else to say i look toward the fruit, brushing my hand over my face where your father touched me, as if to wash away his touch
/picking up another piece of fruit i bring it to my lips, taking eating the grapes quietly while i try to push down the sickening feeling in my stomach for the invading thoughts of what your parents are like
...if i trust you, and if this goes wrong
you need to promise me one thing
/most would expect me to make you promise to put your life on the line to save me should this go south and we get caught, perhaps it would be reasonable too but that's not what i'm asking
promise me you'll look after yourself so you don't get in trouble on my behalf
it doesn't matter what happens to me
but if you could live another day and try to help someone else like me... then that would be more worthy
please, your highness
/popping down the grape i was fiddling with, putting off eating because i feel sick, i sigh under my breath and look at you again
that's all i'll request from you

@ᶠ junhyung k。 /the second that my father speaks, i hesitate as he looks you over, clearly not fond of the way he looks at you much like you had the piece of fruit you ate earlier
/it has me shivering slightly, my own disgust masked but for me, i have years of practice, i've learned to school my expressions so well after all this time
father, i--
/my eyes are wide as he speaks of what he intends to do with you, even if its not in direct terms, and i want to shake my head, to argue with him, but a single look has me falling silent
/my fingers tremble, im genuinely terrified of the man sometimes, im so different from him and i know, i know you dont see it, you wont because these people are all the same, so why would i be different
/taking a step forward as he speaks of you having eyes for me, as he yanks your face to look at him again, i have to bite back the noise that rises in my throat, stopping myself from advancing any more because i know i'll get in trouble
/instead of thanking my father for his praise, i dont even lift my head, instead bowing it as i clasp my hands in front of me, letting him leave without another word
/as soon as he's gone, i still just stand there, unable to meet your gaze because its true, i didnt know, i didnt expect him to do what he's doing, and it terrifies me and leaves me feeling ashamed in your presence
im sorry...
/whispering softly, i cant bring myself to look at you for a long time, i cant even move, instead delving into my mind to think of something, anything, to do to help this situation
/it stays silent between us for a long time, the only change being me sinking down to sit on my knees as i think, and after a while i finally take a deep enough breath, looking over to you
i'll fix this.
i have a plan.
but i need-- i need you to trust me.
/its a stretch, i know it is, but i turn to face you this time with my whole body, leaving my hands on my thighs as i look to you with hope in my gaze
this is the only time im going to ask you to trust me, and if i mess this all up-- then you can hate me all you want.
but just this once-- /this/ time... please?

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /even though you insist you'd rather see me eat, i only have the apple and the apple alone, rolling the two pips left in between my fingers before i set them down on one of the gilded trays
/your indirect answer is all the confirmation i need that your father isn't going to be someone i like, a soft sigh leaving me while i tell myself once more that this is for the best - i saved my home another day for this
/while you seem to become panicked almost, fidgety even, i push myself up slowly and smooth my hands over the fabrics that hardly cover me, making sure they're at least in place for now
/your final words of advice are received with a simple, single nod of my head, moving away from you some distance, what i assume is expected for a slave like me when in the presence of a prince
/i bow my head and wait, listening as i hear the shuffling of fabrics and jewels, a heavy step and when i briefly peer up beneath my veil as much as i dare, i see a strapping, strong man
/you hardly look like him so i assume you take after your mother more, either way, he's intimidating and looks all the parts as a royal should
/as i'm introduced to him once you've shared your hellos and greetings i step forward when i'm told to, very much feeling put on display again
/his finger hooks under my chin and tips my head back, making the small bells lining my hood to jingle, his large hands making me look surprisingly small as they roam a little too long over my body
"a fine dessert jewel. what a wonderful gift, jin-ah. i'll be sure to put him to good use. i have no doubt your mother will be most pleased too"
/if i'm not just reading too much into this and the suggestion your father just made, i can feel bile rising in the back of my throat, burning it as i feel sickened at his insinuating words
/throwing a look over to you its not one imploring you for help, its just... disappointed, because you suggested your father was perhaps not the same good person, but you didn't warn me of this - do you perhaps not know?
"oh? unless the howlite has eyes for you already..."
/your father trails off as he catches the look i give you, his fingers sliding over my cheek before he grips my face, turning my head suddenly, painfully, to gaze up at him
"well we can change that. i'll have him sent to my quarters later. well done again"
/he praises you while his hand trails down my neck and my chest, trying to keep the obvious distaste off of my face but its hard to do so
/when he's gone silence falls between us and there's a sense of betrayal in the air, not that i trusted you much more anyway, nothing but a sigh leaving my lips as i sink down among the plush cushions and rug on the floor, the strength seeming to leave me just then

@ᶠ junhyung k。 enjoy...
/murmuring the single word i watch as you step forward and pick up an apple, the fruit juicy and plump and you seem to enjoy even just the sight of it
as long as you like it, or are comfortable--
thats what matters.
/its what matters to me at least, though i find that no matter how important it is to me, it doesnt quite matter in the long run, and perhaps thats what upsets me most about it all
/when you look up at me, my eyes widen a little and i come to kneel at the table, knowing if i dont my legs will betray me and i'd rather not unpack that right now
/instead, i reach for a berry, carefully popping in my mouth and watching the way you bite into the apple, then proceed to eat more of it, and im very thankful that i sat down when i did
/after i feel like i've been staring for far too long, the tips of my ears a bit pink, i glance away and try to occupy myself with something else, my thoughts everywhere and nowhere at once
/when you speak up i look up again, glancing from the remains of your apple to the way the fabric moves along your skin, then to your hair before i finally meet your gaze
its fine, they bring it for me but im not hungry right now, not that much.
i'd rather see you eat.
/nodding once, i hesitate when you ask if my father likes those things, causing me to purse my lips and i look away again, giving a short shrug
he... he's... it's not something i approve of.
/speaking as if i need to explain myself to you, i wonder if i feel obligated to, knowing that i dont want to be seen the same as my father but i dont doubt you dont trust me anyway
/just as im about to further explain myself, theres a knock on the door and i sigh before answering, and a servant walks in with their head bowed
"your highness, your father will be coming shortly. please be ready."
oh boy...
/pushing myself up, its clear im far more worried about my appearance for him than anything else, smoothing over my clothes and heaving a sigh in frustration before i turn my gaze to you
please... no matter how he looks at you--
he's not me, and im not him.
if you act up in front of him, it'll be worse for you, and i really, really dont want that.

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /watches you quietly as you seem to just stare at me, unable to find words to answer the awaiting people around the room just yet
/tilting my head to the side slightly it causes the small bells on my hood to jingle, making music whenever i move the slightest amount
/dips my head in thanks when you tell me it looks good on me, glancing at the women from the corner of my eye as they giggle and scurry away
/looking from them to you and finally at the food you gesture to i step closer before i close the distance and kneel in front of the table, comfortable on the rug clad floor
/picking up an apple i turn it over in my hand, admiring how big it is, so full of life and not like much i'm used to seeing from my home in the desert
i'm well and fine, thank you
just unused to wearing such fine things
/drags my gaze up from the apple to look at you, sinking my teeth into the fruit and then staring at it for several moments, blinking before i take one more bite
/amazed by how sweet and juicy it is i drag my tongue over the juice seeping from the fruit, enjoying every moment of it it seems, even forgetting myself for the time being
sweet...
/mumbles the single word before i'm at the fruit again, seemingly experiencing one this good for the first time in my whole life
/remembering finally i'm not alone i look over to you, blinking before i bow my head and mumble a small apology, quickly returning to eating properly
if this is your food, shouldn't you... be the one having it?
/asks as i set down just the seeds and stem left from the apple, having eaten everything else since there's no such thing as waste where i come from
does your father like these things?
/murmurs slowly, talking about myself and how i've been done up, wondering if you're really just getting ready to hand me over to some debauched man you call dad

@ᶠ junhyung k。 /very nearly jumping out of my skin when i hear the girls come in, my eyes are wide as i turn around to look in that direction, and when i see you my breath is very nearly knocked from my lungs
/you're different than what you were before, not in a bad way at all but its definitely not what i expected to see, not at all
/so i kind of just stand there for a long moment, admiring you but mostly i just look like im staring with my mouth gaped slightly, unable to form proper words
/my eyes trail along your figure, and i blink repeatedly when you begin to turn because only then do i realize i havent actually said anything or really acknowledged you other than looking like a fish out of water
it looks good on you.
/finally do i speak, first to you and clearly not even caring about the women who giggle to themselves and wait for their praise, though i do turn my attention to them shortly after
right.
you did a good job, thank you.
you may go now.
/sending them off, i wait until we're alone again before i clear my throat, turning my attention away from you and giving away my red ears while i gesture to the food i have yet to touch myself
if you're hungry, please eat
help yourself to anything you might want.
are you comfortable? did they do too much?
/looking back to you with wide eyes, its clear im caring more about you than any other person would, and though its genuine im sure you're uneasy about it all anyway

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /once more you surprise me (and make me more suspicious) when you suggest that no one should come and cause me trouble when i'm bathing, having expected that much to have happened at least
/bowing to you before i leave to keep your servants happy i'm chided about not doing it properly, sighing under my breath as i'm led out and away
/i'm dunked into a fine bath built into the floor, oils and milk poured into the bath and myself being scrubbed from head to toe several times until the women are pleased with their job
/a light perfume is dabbed on the insides of my wrists and just on the underside of my jaw, my eyes still hidden behind my hair until one of your servants tries to cut it
no
/shakes my head as i hold her wrist firmly, the woman huffing and instead compromising to braid it and give my fringe a slight trim instead, that of which i agree to
/i wait for her to finish, my long hair coming together in a single braid that falls over my right shoulder, my unusually light hair catching the sunlight that comes flooding in and making the strands look as if they were woven of starlight and gold
/i'm then draped in fine silks and satin, a veil hanging around the lower half of my face while a woven hood is attacked to the top of my hair
/bangles, flat shoes, a glove reaching up most of my left arm and plenty of accessories later and i have the women stepping back to admire their work
"goodness, he looks finer than any desert jewel i've seen"
"he's stunning"
/turning around i look at myself in a mirror, there's more clothing technically, sure, but somehow this feels somehow more than when i was just almost
/i don't hate it - not if it will keep people around me happy and out of my hair, so instead i just thank the women before being led back to you
"your majesty, the howlite is ready"
/the announce before i come in, head bowed and eyes on the floor until i come to a stop in front of you, bowing again before i finally look up, showing you for a first time those unusual milky white eyes of mine
your majesty
/i speak with a thick accent but its good enough for you to understand, bowing to you before the women wait for you to praise them, whispering for me to do a circle so i do so, holding my hands out at my sides before i place them on my hips when i'm done, waiting for your verdict

@ᶠ junhyung k。 dont thank me.
or-- well, you shouldnt have to.
its not fair to you.
/my brows furrow and my nose scrunches just a little at the thought of you thanking me for being a proper human and treating you the same, frustrated but i wont say anything about that
/instead i end up sighing, the weight of it all resting on my chest while i look over you, admiring you because the people arent wrong, you're beautiful and i think its more than just what /they/ see
i'll try to help...
/the words are whispered but likely lost as quick as they're said, the commotion as the servants come in with food and the like, leaving me flustered for a moment
/frankly im not hungry, i cant be right now and its frustrating, and i run my hand through my hair while trying to brush off the servants who insist on me eating
i--
you may take him, only on one condition.
be gentle with him, and if anyone tries anything, tell them the prince has orders that no one but you are to aid in cleaning him.
/my gaze is hard when i direct it to them, my jaw clenched, and its so different from how i look and react to you, i cant be bothered to be nice when i know most others arent
/their words have me frowning, even daring to roll my eyes at their comment about me, but then you're ushered off and im left alone with the food that i dont want to eat, figuring i'll just save that for you when you return
/the entire time you're away im pacing by the door, mostly silent as i try to listen for any signs that could be going wrong, peering out every once in a while just in case, though by the time you're being brought back im back inside and pacing a little more nervously than when you had initially left

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /not having expected you to comfort me when you place your hand on my nape, i frown and force myself not to flinch away, especially when you almost feel cold compared to my own temperature
/as we're left alone i still don't speak, feeling you looking over me again before you come even closer and i tense, not out of fear, just knowing i'll fight if you turn into a snake
/my fingers visibly flex when you move behind me and begin to undo my shackles, swallowing as i feel the weight leave me and i let out a soft sigh
/bringing my hands around i rub over my chafed wrists, they're not as bad as my neck though which is still glowing red from the treatment earlier
thank you
/speaks at least, my voice is soft though and barely above a whisper, though i must not be mistaken for being weak for it though i doubt you are considering you saw what i could do earlier
/a servant comes in but a moment later, a couple of them with trays laden with drinks and food no doubt for you, one of them commenting on a bad smell
/lifting one of my arms i sniff at myself, recoiling at the scent because i've not been able to bathe since being captured from my home and god knows how long ago that was
"your majesty, might we take him for a little while? he'll need to be cleaned before he's presented to your father anyway"
"he'll at the very least come out smelling better"
/there's the implication that "savages" like me live like this normally and it grates on me, but its about as much as i expected from the "civil" people of this world
/bowing my head to you i walk over to the women, they look surprised and step back a bit but i stop near enough by that its obvious i'm agreeing to being cleaned up, god knows i want to actually do it because i hate smelling
"who knows, we'll maybe get to see his actual face"
"yes! i heard he's a howlite, they're meant to be beautiful, right?"
"but not more than our prince of course!"
/the pair giggle before prodding me to move along, promising they'll keep guards with us at all times in case i try anything

@ᶠ junhyung k。 /the steam from your lips doesnt make me flinch one bit, the heat coming off of you not a surprise and frankly it makes me sad, knowing you have to do this to defend yourself
/frankly i would rather release you and let you go home, but there's still some level of fear toward most other people that has me acting the way i do
/so i dont scold you when you breathe fire to the men who had captured you, my hand resting lightly at the back of your neck and i can feel the difference in our temperatures, my own skin clearly cooler than your own
its okay.
/murmuring softly, i stare toward the men who had antagonized you, my gaze hard before i look to you and once more it softens, a small sigh leaving my lips as i lead you with me
/its not long before we're essentially alone, and i listen to what the girl says before opening my mouth to protest, but you're following the suggestion before i have a chance
please... it's okay.
leave us be for now.
i'll be fine.
/giving her a pointed gaze, i dismiss her with a gesture of my arm, and only when we're completely alone in the room we're in do i turn my attention to you entirely, letting out a soft sigh once more
/looking over you, i tuck the corner of my lips into my cheeks, not sure what to do at first before i take a half step closer, only wanting to make sure you're comfortable
you dont need to bow to me, please dont.
let me get your hands free, okay? can i do that?
then you can relax for a bit...
/only when its clear that you'll let me do this, i reach out to brush my fingers over your wrists, gently as i work on your shackles, taking out the key i had been given when you were handed over to me, and i carefully undo what has your wrists bound
i'll have to put them back on when father comes...
but then you can have your hands in front of you, and it'll be easier, right?
/my tone is a little hopeful, the facade of cool, calm and collected falling and now its clear im just a kid who wants whats right in the world, the almost pout on my lips proving that im worried over everything in front of me right now

@ᶠ wookjin j。 /it doesn't matter to me who buys me, anyone willing to buy someone is as bad as the next, it means engaging in a life being made into a commodity and nothing else
/it speaks volumes when i hear that its a prince who has bought me, seeing your feet before i ever see your face, watching you from behind my hair as you come close
/surprise rushes through me when you order for my collar to be removed and the muzzle, keeping still as i wait for it to happen anyway
/steam coils from the corners of my lips as everything is undone, well, aside from the shackles keeping my arms behind my back
/frowns when you mention your father, tilting my head before i flinch at your outstretched hand at first, more smoke curling out from between my lips, like i might blow any moment
/instead i get up, keeping my eyes hidden behind my hair as i get up, bowing my head towards you as if to gesture that yes, i'm listening and i'm ready to go
"consider yourself lucky, howlite"
"you've made us very rich"
/whipping my head around i breathe fire at the two men's feet for good measure, watching them hop from foot to foot as they avoid being burned
/smirking to myself i shut my mouth and return to walking behind you, feeling people watching me but i'm still not bothered because why should i be? they don't know me
/the journey back to where you're staying isn't long thankfully but even when we arrive i stand silently, stoic and strong but entirely an enigma
"you should really bow to the prince... but i suppose his majesty will let it pass"
/your female companion tells me, my head shifting in her general direction before she shifts away a bit, feeling uncomfortable around me it seems
/instead of arguing i remember your big eyes and your kindness so far, though i believe it'll change any moment now i figure this much won't harm
/bowing my head to you i do so deeply, keeping that stance for several moments before i finally straighten back up wordlessly, seemingly waiting for your next command

@ᶠ junhyung k。 /having been told to attend one of the auctions, especially to see if there was "anything worthwhile" as i had been told, i was reluctant to go but there was nothing i could do about it
/these types of things arent what i like, i've expressed that time and time again, but it was only so many times i could handle a slap to the face for talking back
/so today, i was sent off, and there was no back talking and no arguing from me, instead complicit silence as i stepped onto ember island
/it was purposeful lateness on my part, i didnt want to see them parading people around in shackles like they were prizes to be traded and sold, even though thats exactly what it was for them
/so when i finally step out, i hear commotion and just vaguely see fire off in the distance, i wonder if there's something going on that can be helped, but its over quickly
i dont like this...
"i know, your highness..."
/the girl at my side smiles a little sadly as she nudges me forward, she's one of the people that has seen the gentle side of me, the side that hates all of this but has to deal with it
thank you...
/murmuring softly as im greeted once im in the vicinity, i scrunch my nose at the way i see them treating you and looking over you with a gentle gaze, knowing there's nothing i can do and it pains me
/after getting some sort of description of you, of who you are and what you're like, the bidding starts and i end up standing by so close, needing to watch you and know what's happening
/i stay silent for most of the bidding, up until it seems like its coming to a close and then i cant stop myself, blurting out a ridiculously high number for the bidding, catching the attention of everyone participating, and no one says anything after that
/the bidding is over, im the "winner", and im offered the chance to see you up close after you're "mine" now, and i take that opportunity with a small nod and i step up to you
/my eyes look over what i can see of you, your muscles showed off and your eyes hidden, and i speak quietly to the slaveholder
take off the collar.
"your highness--"
i said take it off, and the muzzle, too.
/with shaky hands the man obeys, quickly stepping away from you as if you'd attack at any point, but i step forward, looking at you with wide, gentle eyes, searching your face for a sign of something normal
let's go, yeah?
we'll get you cleaned up, for my father.
/though i cant seem too gentle right now in front of these men, i reach out hesitantly, wanting to guide you away from this whole situation, every part of me begging and hoping that you dont react to me the same way you have these other men

@ᶠ wookjin j。 "why are we bringing them to ember island again?"
"because one of the princes is here, if he likes any of the slaves then we'll be able to charger higher"
"right right, though i don't think anyone will buy this one"
/chains jangle as i'm yanked in one direction suddenly, lurching forward and growling with my lips curled over my teeth, baring them like a wild animal
"he'll fetch the highest price, he's one of the howlite nomads. they're rare to even see in your lifetime let alone capture"
"ugh, i don't care. the quicker he's sold the better, every time i look at him i still feel like my hair is on fire"
/smirks behind my long hair, waves falling around my shoulders as i puff out a little smoke for good measure, sure enough seeing the two men flinch back out of fear i'll do something to them
/lifting my head i watch the people we pass by in the small town on ember island, marched through like no more than cattle as i'm brought to be shown off and sold
/i'm the only one from my home, having been caught while driving off these human traffickers but to keep my home safe - its worth it, but that doesn't mean i have to like what's becoming of me instead
/i make a show of it too as i'm forced onto the makeshift stage, grunting as the metal collar around my neck chafes against my skin, rubbing it raw
/it feels as if all the people here on holiday have shown up for this, people whispering as they point and look at me, mostly its about my unusually light hair and beauty
/described as a howlite, a white one no less, people don't believe it so to show it off i'm shoved at the back of my legs, kneeling down with my arms bound behind my back
/a hand finds its way into the back of my hair and my head is wrenched back, my long hair swept away from my face and my jaw held as my eyes become clear to see
/they're unusually pale as well, its where my people got their name from as our eyes resemble that of white howlite, almost appearing blind but i'm anything but if my glare is something to go by
/having had enough i breathe fire at the man who holds me so harshly, thrashing about but i'm quickly restrained and a metal muzzle is put over my mouth to stop me from fire bending the same way
/growling in annoyance i hear the bidding begin and despite my behaviour just now, plenty of people are willing to buy me, the pretty slave barely clothed and wild - as if i could ever be truly tamed
"your highness! welcome, welcome. won't you take a closer look? you have my word that your safety is ensured"