— bookstore

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ [] Did you get my reply here?

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ Donghun worked on the display a bit more when the other said she wanted to hang out sometime. He knew it was because she said she was new to town, but couldn't help but wonder if it had anything to also do with the fact he said he had been feeling kind of lonely. "Um, yeah, we could..." he said, "Whevever you want is okay by me, for the most part, as long as it doesn't interfere with my other job." He double checked to make sure everything was ready. "Uh, I'll go get the boxes of books," he said, rushing in the back to get them to hide the fact he had a slight blush coming on. Then that's when he stopped in his tracks remembering the new books weren't even in quite yet. Ugh. How stupid.

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ "ooh that's awesome, The Narnia books are like that for me, I just love getting lost in the world of those books." She nods. "Oh hey if want we can hang out sometime after work. being new in town I don't know many people yet." she moves to make sure to smile at him, before going back to work on the display. "I'll have to find a new book to read as I need a new adventure one. not really in the mood for a romance novel myself" She shrugs. "There I think the display is ready for the new books. And I don't blame you about the movies some are really dull, or badly made. There's a few that are watchable, but plenty that aren't"

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ "My favorite book is Green Angel by Alice Hoffman, mainly because I can read it over and over and never get tired of it. I should know, I've read it every year since sixth grade. But that's my ultimate favorite book. For other favorites of mine, I guess it depends on how I'm feeling in real life at the time. I'm hooked on this book called Eleven Paper Hearts. It's by a debuting author and I love it right now because I've been in a lonely mood lately, so reading about a romantic gesture is nice." He shrugged. "I don't really watch many movies based on books or movies in general because they make me sleepy. I'm not good at focusing on movies without getting bored." He kept setting up the display. "My first book was called Goodnight Moon and I was three when I read it on my own."

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ "ooh that's good as I was about to say I have no idea where any of these books go" Yewon says while taking the list and looking it over. "My favorite book well series is Father Gilbert Mysteries. they where quite good at keeping the suspense going with some rather good puzzles in there." she comments as she starts to put the books away. "And my first book, don't remember my very first book but first one that got me into reading would be another series The Chronicles of Narnia. it's an isekai type adventure come to think of it. but does a lot of things different then an average isekai series would. but it's still amazing in it's own way." she nods as she finishes off sorting out the books on the list, and coming back over to help with the display. "It also got made into a movie series, twice. but while the remake was much bigger budget and a big name studio they also took a ton of liberties with the plot and while the bones are still there it's not nearly as nice as the books or even the first set of movies." She shrugs. "So how about yourself? what's your favorite and first books?"

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ "Yeah, I'll go get it," Donghun said, going to the back and returning with the cart as well as a list for all these books. "Since these books have never been on the shelves before, this list tells where they all go in the store," he said, handing the list to her. He went to grab the books and neatly stack them into the cart. "So, what's your favorite book? And do you remember the first one you ever read?" he asked as they worked, wanting to keep a conversation going.

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ Yewon sighs a little at just how flat her little joke landed. "I was making a Joke. Ya know how the word shocking can both mean a surprise and what happens when you encounter lightning. ah well, but still that at least answers my question about what you are I was wondering but felt it was rude to ask. anyways I'll see ya after I look through my half." She says and then goes to check for books, there wasn't to many out of place but it still took her a while as she had to find where the proper places where for each of those books. once that task was finished. she smiles seeing him come over "Well I think I got the books put away. seems a shame to break up a good mystery. but alright uh do we got a cart or something so we can just stack up all the old books and haul them over at once?" She asks as she starts to pull the books off the display and making a neat pile next to it

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ The puns went over Donghun's pretty head. "Oh, no, it's not shocking. Alot of people in the city are like you. I'm one of the few humans left, actually," he said. "Uh, I'll take the left and you can take right," he replied, and then went looking around to make sure everything was in place. Once he was done, he went to Yewon. "So, you see that display table at the front of the store? It's got mystery books on it, but we've got to replace them with the new books we will get today. Until we get them, we can take off the mystery books and put them where they would go in the store. Then, if we still don't get in the new books, we can at least put up the display information."

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ Yewon noticed that sorta glazed expression on his face after she got finished speaking. "ooh did I start to ramble? I'm sorry I sometimes do that when I get nervous or excited." She blushes for a bit then with a slightly confused look she reaches up and feels her fox ears, then she pops out a few fox tails as well. "Ahh yea, another nervous habit, is for some of my fox features to show up. And yea I'm a Lighting Kitsune. Here I was hopping it was my rather electric personality that gave it away; hope it wasn't to shocking." she gave a goofy smile as if she was quite happy with those puns. "anyways I'll take look, and see what I can find, hopefully I won't miss any books out of place. ooh and did you want back, front, left, right? I'm cool with taking half but want to make sure I'm doing it right. "

Yewon started to get the feeling she might of started rambling again she sometimes does that when she gets really excited or nervous about something. but before she could think to much on that, the question on if she's a Kitsune surprised her, and for a few seconds she wondered how he knew, before she reaches up to feel her fox ears are showing. and gives off a nervous giggle before also popping her tails out. "Yea I am, ooh I didn't even realize those had poped out. sometimes happens when I get nervous i get more foxy. uh I can also go full fox if you want a store mascot or something." another nervous giggle before nodding. "sounds like a plan and If I find books that i'm not sure where they go I'll be coming over to ask. so are we doing front/back, or left/right?"

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ Donghun blinked. Yewon sure did say alot of words and Donghun didn't really understand what she was trying to say. But that was usual for him. He wasn't good at following along with stuff unless it was a book. "Um, yeah, okay," he said, nodding, pretending like he understood. Donghun wasn't a deep thinker, like he previously mentioned, in fact he usually just let people do his thinking for him and he just stood still and looked handsome most of the time in life. It worked for him so far. "Oh," he then said, "You're a kitsune?" he asked. Well it made sense that the new employee would be a hybrid or something. Most people in this city were. Donghun was one of the few humans left around.

"Yeah, well usually what we do first at the beginning of the day is look around and make sure nothing is out of place. After that, then we usually unload any new products. So I'll take one half of the store and you take the other. Then when we're done we'll bring out the new books."

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ "Aww that is cute. But if you prefer me to call you Donghun I will. no reason to make a person uncomfortable." She nods "I guess since you shared yours, mine was Thumb. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first but they gave me a nice reason, still don't think that really applies here least not yet."

She says starting to fidget a little and looks for a chair and pulls one over "Ahh, well that's cool, and yea I like to do the same reading a good story will take you right out of your current situation and let you focus on the fictional world for a time. that is one of the best parts to be sure."

"Well I guess there's another way we are different I do enjoy thinking and sometimes debating the fridge logic behind stories can be fun. But you are right there is always a point where you need to stop thinking about a certain thing or it will lead to ruin, and that is different for each thing and stopping before you pass that point is the most important part" She shrugs, and you might notice a pair of fox ears pop out on top of her head but she doesn't "I've heard a lot of quotes and people referenced from that book, I think I will have to read it sometime."
The ears are perked up like she's interested in something and they are pointed your way. "And I would agree that we do need people like that. and we'd all benefit from learning to relax and not be serious all the time."

She then takes the nametag an pins it on to her dress. "That I can do, okay so what should I do first? i remembered you said we are getting in new books today I'm guessing at some point we are going to have to bring out those boxes and setup a display for them."

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ Putting Yewon's name onto a nametag using some sticky letters they have just for badges, he nodded. "I have a nickname too, but it's kind of embarrassing," he admitted, "It's Hunnie. Since my name is Donghun. People just kinda...call me it." He shrugged. "Ah, to be fair I read all kinds of books, though. I really like to read. I guess because when I'm focused on the story, my mind is focused on just that and not on thinking about anything else."

He continued putting stickers on. " I hate thinking," he continued, "Thinking makes everything hard and makes me anxious. I might not be the smartest man out there, but I've come to realize that thinking too much comes with it's own troubles. It's like Daisy says in 'The Great Gatsby', actually. The best thing you can be in this world is a beautiful little fool. That's what I feel is best for me, so that's what I am."

He handed her the nametag that read 'Yewon' on it. "Yeah, just wear something kinda nice. Honestly, the owner really doesn't care what we wear."

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ "ooh wow, well I do hope I can trust you guys so no need for the safe I think. I can just keep it under the table as well." she nods seeing him go to open up the safe. "but thanks for the offer." She says taking her purse off her shoulder and putting it under the table.

"ooh wow you even have snacks here? this is awesome my last job didn't have this. this place getting better all the time" she grins looking more excited.

when he mentions the punch card she nods and follows him over to that area, and goes and writes out her name. Kim, Yewon. And then punches in like shown and follow him over to the next area.

"Yewon is fine," she nods and rambles a bit "I mean there is a nickname some of my friends gave me and I do like that I earned a nickname but not sure I want to use it here." she says then blushes a bit realizing she probably didn't need to explain all that.

"Anyways. uh does sound like we have different taste in books. but oh well I guess. Thanks for helping me get setup in here. uh I also take it there's no uniform it's just wear something nice."ii

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ Donghun showed her some stuff in the shop then led her to the back, turning the backroom lights on. "Ah, for me, I read classic literature, romance novels, and fantasy." He shook his head. "We don't have lockers. It's just me and the shop's owner here, and we're not the type to mess with each other's stuff. So your bag is safe here. I always put mine under this table here." He pointed to it. "However, I think I can find a place for you to keep it safe." He went to a floor safe on the floor and unlocked it. "This safe has been here for years but we've never really kept anything in it. It's just....kinda here. You can just put your bag here. It's not bolted to the floor, but it's heavy so no one will mess with it. Is that ok?" Donghun put his bags under the table where he always kept them. He then showed her the fridge, where they keep snacks in the break room and all kinds of stuff.

"Okay, lets get you a punch card." He filled out a punch card for her and handed it to her. "Write your full name at the top, please." He then showed her how to punch in. "Once you get your punch, just put it in this slot. At the end of your shift, you'll punch it again, then put it in this other slot until the next time."

He thought for a bit. "I'm going to get you an employee badge. Do you go by Yewon, or do you have another name you'd rather be called here?"

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ "Ahh no worries." she smiles. "I do, especially a good mystery." she follows him as he starts to show her around trying to get some sense of where things are knowing it'll take a while for her to get the layout of the place down. "Thanks for your help, so what style of books do you like?" She asks then after a pause "ooh and uh do we get lockers or something? I could use a safe place to put my purse down."

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ Donghun's eyes widened. "Oh, oh sorry," he bowed, "Please forgive me. I had no idea we were getting a new team member." He blushed. "I'm Donghun. It's nice to meet you, as well." He nodded. "Oh yeah, this place is the greatest, especially if you like reading. We always get discounts on books and we also get to write our own reviews of the books we read on a card and put it up in the store. So customers can know what books we recommend. Anyways, come with me and I'll show you around, and I'll help you clock in and get you a badge."

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ "Why thank you, and while I am excited about that. I also wanted to make a good impression on my first day." She smiles at him and nods as he gets the place unlocked, and walks inside "Thank you, ooh I'm Yewon by the way it's rather nice to meet you." She says and gives him a small polite bow. "This looks like it's going to be a great place to work."

@• ⌜ k. yewon ⌟ ᵇ Donghun drove up to the bookstore and parked his car, getting out. He got his backpack and his other bag and pulled his keys to the store out. He went to the store to see a woman already out there. Not having known they were getting a new employee, Donghun smiled at her and said, "Wow, you're here early, you must be really excited for the new books we're getting in today, huh?" He unlocked the door and the lights and disabled the alarm before quickly holding the door so the woman could enter.

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ [ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/455426581078483732/ the outfit btw ]

@• ⌜ l. donghun ⌟ ˢ Yewon is happy that she managed to get a job at the bookstore, not quite as fancy as the last job she had but still one that should be fun, not wanting to make a bad first impression she's going for a nice but comfy look in a cute royal blue button down jumper and a long sleeved white blouse, with matching tights and a pair of flats. Also despite her kitsune heritage she's in a fully human form at the moment. She also has in a black hair band to help hold her hair out of her face but not be that noticeable, getting to the store and finding it locked she waits outside, figuring she must of gotten there before the person who usually opens the store does. not a big deal she did leave plenty of time to get here on the early side as she didn't want to risk being late on her first day.

@α • ⌜ k. yuchan ⌟ ♚ Donghun landed with a loud "oof" escaping his plump lips. Dammit. He quickly went to push himself off of the ground to get up, but the second he tried, he was already being ensnared and snatched up. He screamed as he was picked up, his left slipper being left on the ground. The one guy who circled around him, whom Donghun assumed must have been their leader, gave off the creepiest vibes he ever felt radiate off a person. What a weirdo. Gross. He wriggled and thrashed to try to get out of the other guy's grasp but it was no use. Donghun always thought of himself as pretty strong, but this dude had him well beath. His grasp was like being held back by two iron logs or something. "I said...I wouldn't...tell!" he grunted, still trying to wriggle his way out, but failing and becoming tired and breathless. "I didn't mean...to....just....just let...me...go!" At the mention of being knocked out, Donghun's eyes widened once more. "N-no, please don-" And that's when a loud sound was made and everything went black.

@α • ⌜ k. yuchan ⌟ ♚ Dammit. He was so screwed. 'Well, maybe no one heard,' Donghun thought to himself, knowing damn well that they would have as loud as he had screamed. Maybe it'd be his lucky day and this was some kind of street gang that was composed of hearing-impaired people? That could happen, right? Right?! It wasn't long until he knew for certain he had been found out, though. He was frozen; it was like his feet were bolted to the ground. He just stood there, wide-eyed and shivering with his hands covering his mouth and tears threatening to fall as it felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. Donghun jumped a little when he heard someone landing on top of the lid of the dumpster.

Yeah, it was official, he was dying today. No doubts about it. What a way to go. Dying at 29 and still a too, god this was a nightmare, and certainly not what he had envisioned for his life. The only real things he had to show for his short life were the fact he was in the silver ranking and the fact that he used to be a popular kid back in high school. That and the fact he was great with makeup. He could make any face look beautiful. Great. What accomplishments. Other than that, what had his life been any good for? Nothing. He had been worth nothing. .

That's when he heard the whisper, and he looked upwards (he really regretted that he did) to see that the person was wearing a creepy mask. Oh why did the most psycho group of people in the whole damn city have to be the ones he stumbled upon tonight? 'Let me just go back to the store and get my bag, even though I can easily leave it there until morning' Donghun thought to himself, 'Stupid idiot. Idiot. Idiot.'

"I'm so sorry," he cried out, tears falling now, "I swear I won't tell anyone, I promise." And with that, he took off for the head start that he was offered. He had gotten pretty far pretty fast, but as the universe would mess with him, of course something bad had to happen now of all times. he was in bedroom slippers, the kind that are floppy when you walk. Also the same kind that are easy to slip out of if you were to, say, RUN from something.

And that's exactly what happened. He ended up flying right out of one of his shoes and tripping and falling.

@α • ⌜ k. yuchan ⌟ ♚ Donghun shouldn't have been out at this time of night. If he had any sense he would have been home in bed. But the thing was, that was what he /originally/ had planned, but as life would taunt him, he ended up having to go out. Earlier that day at the bookstore, he had been working his shift, and apparently, fool that he was, he had left his bag in the employees area and didn't get it up before closing. He was the type to always keep his car keys in his pocket when he was on the job, so this wasn't a problem. And when he got home, he recognized that the only keys on him were the car keys, the keys he had been given to lock the bookstore, and that's it. His house key was in his bag. And he thought long and hard about it (after panicking for five minutes) and realized he left the bag at the store.

No big deal, he could just get it tomorrow. He had a spare key to his place under the mat so it was all good. At least, that was until hours later when he realized his phone was in the bag. Which had his work schedule on it. And, idiot that he was, he hadn't emailed it to himself or stored it in the cloud. So he had no idea what time to come in tomorrow. he also used the phone as a secondary alarm too, since getting up in the morning was always something he wasn't good at. He had a bad tendency to just hit the snooze button a million times instead of waking. But, worse of all, his ID and stuff was in the wallet in the bag. Which, it was in the bookstore. The closed down empty bookstore. No one would bother it. But STILL. The realization that his credit card and ID and phone were not with him made him nervous. Luckily, he had the key to the store in his pocket, as he had closed up shop that night.

"It'll be okay," he told himself, "I'll drive to the bookstore real quick, hope I don't get stopped, because me not having my license on me isn't gonna be good, and then I'll unlock the store, run in, get my bag and lock up and leave. I can do that. Easy."

So that's what he had set off to do., Running outside to his car in his sleepwear (not a stylish look, he'd never do that again, eww what a fashion faux pas), he got in and drove to the store. He got out and started heading towards the backway, feeling that'd be the best option. As he walked, he thought about it, there was an alarm...but he /did/ know the code. But then again, was doing this at night really right. Just because he had /access/ to the store doesn't mean he should rightfully just barge on in in the middle of the night. He checked his watch. It was 1 am. Okay, well, it doesn't mean he should rightfully just barge on in in at the start of the morning, then. But still, his bag was there. But still...

Just before he could turn back and just go on back home (he could just come back to the store right when it opened. That way he'd have his bag and if his shift started first thing, he'd already be there, so it'd be fine), that's when he saw something he probably should not have. There was a group of guys in the alleyway. Donghun was just at the entrance to the alley, but luckily it seemed none of them had seen him. He quickly hid behind a garbage dumpster and peeked around it to see what was happening.

Maybe they were gangsters or something. But he saw one guy who looked like he was about to pass out being held by another guy. Then there were some other guys, and also one guy had a knife and had cut the victim's throat. Donghun's eyes widened and he turned away, not being able to look at it anymore. He was too scared to move because what if they heard him? All he could do now was pray that they'd be gone soon, and that they'd leave via the other exit of the alley and not towards the direction he was in. He could overhear the one guy with the knife talking. Something about questions. And DRUGS. Oh god, he really shouldn't be here right now! He could hear something about "losing your life" and then he heard alot of horrifying sounds that he didn't even want to imagine what could be happening. Maybe if Donghun was really quiet, he could just book it now. No, not safe. Maybe his best option was to still hide and wait for them to leave. Oh god, how stupid was he for coming out like this? Any normal person would have just left the bag at work, knowing it would have been safe there anyway. He trembled. All he had to do was stay silent.

That's when he felt something run over his foot. He was in a pair of bedroom slippers, so whatever it was touched the skin on his foot! And it felt furry and gross. He shouldn't have been curious enough to look, because that's where he messed himself up. But he looked down. Only to see a rodent there. It scared him so bad, he involuntarily let out a shriek, giving himself away. Well, guess he was dying tonight, huh?