⬦ evenfall courtyard

@❛ ☼﹕seokmin l。 she has read about how they could use their powers and if anything, it amazed her. ryujin almost got herself asking the latter to show her such thing, but she stopped herself in hopes to prevent /even/ more questions. with a small laugh as if to dismiss his apology, ryujin shook her hands no a few times. "don't worry about it, i'm honestly quite used to a lot of questions, specially because i don't come out often... spring winter though– i wish, it would be amazing to have such bond with nature." ryujin's words sounded dreamy, almost. she felt a bit more relaxed now as seokmin seemed to be friendly. "what about you, though? winter witch.. i don't think i've met many. the ones i did were quite.. old." she scrunches up her nose a bit – in reality, any witches she interacted before with were quite old already, in this place ryujin never really got the courage to approach someone until now.

@❛ ☽﹕ryujin s。 Seokmin hummed at her remarks before he tilted his head. "Oh, are you spring witches then?" He asked as he turned to look at the woman next to her, not surprised at all. "Usually they tend to be closer to nature than other witches, but again, if you're not, then I can't blame you either because I'm a winter witch myself," I tell him as he chuckles. "I usually use my power on them when they are about to die, so they don't die," he explained with a small nod. "I'm Seokmin, Lee Seokmin. Nice meeting you here, Ryujin! But from which area of this place do you come? I mean, which household are you from?" he asked, curious. "Wait, I'm sorry for asking such things. I am just curious, you know. You don't have to tell me if you don't want."

@❛ ☽﹕jennie k。 almost immediately, ryujin could feel the other becoming tense and that was by far her intention – although it would be fun to finally meet another vampire who often escapes to illias too, so she could tease them about it and whatnot. what a better bond than sharing such secret? lowering her voice a little more, she speaks again. "as long as you don't rat me out to my family.. i can tell you my name, yes." despite the words coming out almost as a whisper, they held a bit of playfulness in them. she took a few seconds to try to capture more of the other's features, but the latter did a good job in remaining somewhat hidden. "i come here often, if you're wondering. which is why i.. noticed you a few times before. don't worry though, i'm not here to cause any trouble or anything."

@❛ ☼﹕jimin y。 Joshua blinked.

This response truly caught him off guard unlike the many other list of ladies and men he had flirted with back from his lifetime. Some would reply back in a similar flirtatious manner before inviting them in a secluded area, away from prying nobles and their senses. He wasn't certain if he wants to burst out laughing or ignore the question the other threw at him, but he was sure confused. "You have quite the character in you, Jimin. Maybe much for being so... imaginative."

Of course he had a witty answer up his sleeve for her next question. Before he could finally tell her another one of his tall tales, a startled look rose from his face upon the many suitors who arrived making him step back and quickly grasp Jimin's arm in a sudden rush. Thankfully enough, she took his as well, heaving a sigh of relief.

The attention proved to be pleasing, but not for good reasons with someone like him who is now considered as the highlight of tonight's topic. That's enough dancing for one night.

"You're making me do a lot of favors, little azalea..." Joshua's eyes moved to the side, almost judging her, but also thanking her in a way that she too had saved him from a crowd that could almost devour him. He gave his best smile to the small crowd of people who still wouldn't let him go.

"My apologies, my darling and I need to do something important. I'll be right back."

Once everyone left them be, he shifted his attention back to Jimin, almost sighing at how worried she was over something too normal of a vampire would have, but he didn't allow her to know all about that yet. He still walked with her to the side. "Don't worry, I can walk. Maybe, just a bit tired that's all."

@❛ ☽﹕joshua h。 He was an excellent dancer for someone who was possibly sick — that's what she'd assumed considering how cold his skin was.

Jimin had almost immediately caught onto that fact. She was a duchess and a leader which meant she needed to have excellent observation skills — a skill that her mother had burned into the back of her skull so that she could lead their people when she took over with dignity and pride, and most importantly to be able to keep them safe. Being dimwitted was dangerous, especially at a time like this.

She'd snapped out of her thoughts upon feeling his breath lingering against her ear, her ears and cheeks almost immediately flushing red as her heart raced — a perfectly normal reaction considering nobody else had gotten this close to her before and the first person to do that was extremely good-looking. That's what she was telling herself at least as she tried her best to remain calm.

On the outside, it looked like the pair was having an especially good time and at least more than a dozen pairs of eyes were on them.

"A duke, I see?" She smiled. "Were you trapped in a tower of some sort? Is that why we've never seen you?" She teased, raising an eyebrow at him as they danced. By now, she knew she could trust him with whatever turns they'd have to take. "Sounds like I managed to catch someone who's brand new to the party..." She paused. "Is this your first party?" She'd just started asking questions when the song came to an end, forcing her to pull back and bow before she could catch his answer.

Other suitors had almost immediately stepped in, wanting to catch a dance with the stranger — whom she now knows was Joshua. Sending a polite smile toward her people, she hooked her arm around his. "I'm sorry but we'll be right back." She was intrigued but more than that, she knew she needed to get him off the dance floor — not because he was a stranger, but because she'd felt his cold skin and she was afraid the person who could even be considered her hero would pass out in the middle of the dance floor or something.

Jimin leaned in so that her own lips were right by his ear, dropping her voice down to a hushed tone as soon as the suitors turned, disappointed that they wouldn't get their chance for now at least. "I'm sorry, but play along for just a bit more, okay? Your skin felt really cold, and I have some potions stored in my purse that could help you feel better. I'll just bring you over to the side for a bit. Can you still walk?"

@❛ ☼﹕jimin y。 Joshua hummed happily in response. Staying right in character to whatever acting drama he signed up for in the middle of his dessert feast. If he was a witch, he might even fit in with the actors on set in the theater that his citizens kept blabbering about whenever he passes by. Maybe his visit would be worthwhile after all. "Whatever my lady wishes, she'll get it."

A curious of his eyebrow was sent towards the female's way upon her question. He didn't expect for someone to bat an eye and observe for something strange in him this quickly. It made him think back to his previous visits on how not even one witch managed to suspect who he was until the thought dawned on him while he made her twirl around before capturing her grasp in his once more.

He's dancing with her, capturing her hand in a gentle yet firm hold across many eyes that would turn into sharp edged daggers as soon as they figure out who he really was.

Luckily, Joshua knew his way around the twists and turns of someone's words and threw a bit of charm in his response. He made their movements across the center slower, leaning his weight a bit, just enough space between the shell of her ear and his red plump lips.

"And I don't think I'd let you forget me either."

Joshua smirked. The nobles nearby stared at them, jealousy peaking beneath their stare and the material of their fan making him amused before whisking his "partner" away from their gaze. "You ask many questions and perhaps I can entertain a few. I live far away from here-." Joshua turned her again through their dance, just in time of his shock to settle on his face.

Of course a lot of people were staring, admiring her presence that brought great weight into the atmosphere. Not because she was any type of noble... She's a high public figure, a leader.

Just how messed up can his break get?

"I'm Joshua. A duke."

He decided to disclose his information from there. They said being mysterious was a charm, but maybe he might need more of that not knowing how Jimin is capable of.

@❛ ☽﹕joshua h。 At his response, Jimin inwardly heaved a sigh of relief. He was playing along — albeit him trying to reject her proposal of dance, he was still playing along!

"It's alright, this is all just for formalities." She beamed. "After this, you're free to head back to your cakes and strawberry tarts." She stopped towards the center of the dance circle as she turned to face him with a small curtsy — proper dance etiquette as her teachers would've put it. As a duchess, she was no stranger to being forced to take dance lessons, etiquette lessons, and probably any other sort of lessons one would imagine a noble would be forced to take. "Don't worry, just follow my lead."

As Jimin put her hand on his shoulder, she was taken aback by how fast he'd gotten into position. She tilted her head to the side slightly. It was most curious. He didn't seem like he was new to formal dancing but wait- there was something even more curious. His skin —

"I don't think I've ever seen you here before." Jimin had realized that she was far too silent from being so captured by her thoughts. She didn't want to force him into dancing and then force him into the awkward silence that was bound to happen. They were two strangers dancing on the dance floor after all. "Are you new here? Perhaps a duke that came from another land?" She joked in a hushed tone, not wanting the people around them to hear as they danced. He was good-looking, that was for sure and the other ladies around her definitely thought so too with how they were drilling holes right into the back of her head with their gaze.

"I'm Jimin." She decided it was only right that she introduced herself first. "Duchess, and the leader of the spring witches." There was still something nudging at her at the back of her mind. His skin — they were cold to the touch, almost like there weren't any signs of life to them. It was odd. Was he sick? Maybe she could offer one of her potions in return for him helping her out of her predicament. Her healing potions were one of the best with ingredients coming fresh from her garden — the perks of having a green thumb.

@❛ ☽﹕ryujin s。 Even as she lowered her hand from the outskirts of the umbrella, her skin slightly irritated from the literal burning the sun was causing her fragile exterior, Jennie heard a voice come from her side, looking over to see a woman, slightly shorter then her, but mostly eye level, calling her bold and stating she had seen the dutchess often above ground... Jennie's smile faded as her guard rose, having no clue who this innocent-looking girl was before her. But she did mention the underground, home of the vampires of the city, and seemed to piece together this was a fellow vampire. "...No, I suppose we haven't met. What might your name be?" the duchess spoke formally, continuing to stroll though she kept her eyes completely focused on the other, who didn't outwardly appear as a enemy...

@❛ ☼﹕seokmin l。 he happens to be right. if anything, ryujin shouldn't be the one questioning a /witch/'s presence in such place, but as far as everything goes, she is probably one too to him. she has thought about it before and she has read in some books too. although it's not something common, some people happen to have no magic at all. ryujin didn't want to get into such situation though, lying unnecessary. if only her curiosity didn't take the best of her – way too often. "i wander a lot.. and i'm usually very good at finding such places. full of flowers, i mean." it wasn't a lie, the smell of flowers always lured her in like nothing else. "no, not... yet. i'm ryujin by the way. you are?" this time around she's the one glancing away. ryujin doesn't have a problem with lying, she's done it pleny of times before when navigating between illias and cruor, but she never knows when one happens to be too smart. she's certain that she could be easily caught if he asked any further, so she hopes he doesn't.

@❛ ☽﹕jennie k。 mostly due to her curiosity, ryujin ended up becoming a very observant person and thus, she couldn't help but notice the woman that she often saw in illias. it's not odd for one to cover up while walking around, but ryujin couldn't help but wonder if perhaps they came from the same place. ryujin's curiosity led her to pay closer attention to the mysterious lady, to the point where she finally saw the latter's true identity. she's just like ryujin, except ryujin is a half blood and the other isn't. it's the very first time she meets someone sorta like her and her enthusiasm over it took over her usual wish of going by unnoticed. "that's bold. you come here often i see, but i don't think i ever saw you.. underground." the last word was a small whisper as she started walking side by side with said woman, a friendly and obviously curious tone in her voice.

@❛ ☽﹕ryujin s。 " well, technically it is a hidden garden so that's why I was asking you why are you here and how you know this place?" asked him as look over at the female with a questioning look written on his face. "judging from what you've said, this is surely not your first time coming here and not that I mind about it. what's your name anyway?" asked him as he continues to nurture the plants without looking at her. "my magic ?" he turned to look at her with bewildered looks but he stayed silent for a few seconds before he look at the plants, somehow he got hunches about who's the female right now but he didn't say a thing and he didn't want to accuse her for being that kind. It's not in his nature to accuse someone and he will just let it be. For now. "yeah my magic. Don't you have magic too? " asked him casually as he still didn't want to look at her.

@❛ ☼﹕seokmin l。 'cape daises' she repeated in her mind, not helping but to smile as she looked at said flowers again. ryujin thinks she should definitely look for more books on gardening – although either way down in cruor it wouldn't be of much use. the thought almost makes her frown, but she tries her best to not think about her city whenever she's up here. she gives the man a side glance when he asks who she is. this is the first interaction she has ever had with anyone from illias. she probably shouldn't have asked anything and should've gone back home the moment she saw him – but now that the damage is already done, why bother? with a small shrug of her shoulders, she fully turns to look at him. "i've seen you here before, i thought this is supposed to be a hidden garden but apparently not? either way, i really enjoy it here. how do you grow all these flowers? your magic?" only when the word 'magic' leaves her lips she realizes she might be going too far, but ryujin tries her best to keep her composure – witches probably ask witches such questions too, right?

@❛ ☼﹕jimin y。 "These taste heavenly, what did you place in this besides strawberry?"

If this was the taste of freedom then he'd be sure to savor every last bite of it and never let go. Yet, with how promising it looked like, reality will always be present to snap his head like a twig that fell off from a large tree. These new things and atmosphere he's staring at, cherishing, only served as subjects of his temporary desires that would soon wash away once he came back to cruor. Joshua could never stay in illias too long, maybe a few undetected visits here and there, and festivals. Who wouldn't love a festival?

Joshua took note of this, aiming to ask Jun and Mingyu if they could host a festival in cruor once he returns. He took one last bite of the strawberry pastry before continuing down the aisle of shops that sold desserts, only to pause abruptly by the booming voice and hand that came behind him.

It was a woman, quite short unfortunately in his eyes. He would've sent a comment her way on the spot of how tiny she was without warning, but decided to refrain knowing where he was and how he stood in illias. They will put him under restraining order if they found out that the chief in cruor is sneaking up to illias and surpassed their magical barrier.

"But, my lady, you know how much I dislike dancing with you in public. I make mistakes too often."

Joshua hates formal dancing in general. He would rather take a glass of champagne and chat with the nearby dukes and citizens nearby than to participate in such arts, but yet here he was allowing such a strange woman to whisk him away for a dance.

His so-called "mistakes" were proven wrong, gently adding his hand on her back and the other occupied with her hand while he took her around the dance floor. Joshua was now surrounded by nobles, witches in particular that bore a similar weight as he did, but entirely different than that of cruor. Did he felt intimidated? Rather cautious. Though, he mentally thanked the people from his residence who taught him how to dance.

The nobles around them gossiped. Joshua heard a few words, "new" and "dashing", but couldn't tell what they were all about.

@❛ ☽﹕joshua h。 The scent of freshly baked goodies filled the air of the plaza of illias and the sound of music was definitely a treat to the ears. Cheers and laughter filled the usually quiet streets and banners made of flowers adorned the streets leading up to the center of the plaza where the main party was at. It wasn't that often that they'd hold a festival but to honor the transition of the seasons, the nobles had decided to hold one and it was definitely a sight to behold. It wasn't the first time she was attending an event like this one but it still captivated her.

Jimin's eyes scanned the plaza of illias as she walked through the aisles and aisles of stores that had been set up outside for the festival. She smiled as her citizens greeted her, offering a small daisy to every child she passed by along with a gentle head pat. Her long black hair decorated with a simple pink ribbon fluttered in the wind as she walked, her hands clasped together in front of her. She was dressed in a simple pink dress, adorned with chiffon ruffles with golden trims and a white collar. The young witch looked like the very definition of spring herself.

"...and now, we begin the dance of the spring festival so come on up!"

Her jaw almost fell to the ground at the sudden announcement that was made just as she reached the center — she didn't know they had to dance. If she did, she would've asked someone to accompany her. She found herself standing in the corner awkwardly as couples and newly formed pairings whisked themselves onto the dance floor or rather, the dance circle that had formed in the middle.

Dashing young men had already begun to approach the ladies — all except for her. She didn't know if they simply lacked interest in dancing with her or if it was her status that intimidated them but this situation was already beginning to attract attention from the other nobles hanging around.

How could someone like her not have any suitors?

In the heat of the moment, Jimin found herself walking around and acting as if she was looking for someone — although, that was partly true. She was trying to find someone, anyone who looked nice enough to play the part of her partner. She'd pay them back with the newly brewed potions she'd made back at home and maybe some of her own freshly baked pastries if the potions weren't enough for the favor. After all, after today, they were sure to make headlines in the gossip column of the newspapers.

Her eyes landed on a dashing young man she'd never seen before near the dessert table and lo and behold, he didn't seem to have a partner of his own! She hurried over to him, plastering a smile over her face as she put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"There you are! I was wondering where you'd gone." Her eyes were filled with the silent message of 'please, please, please play along with me.' as she looked at him. "The dance is beginning! We're the only ones left out here." She grabbed his arm. "Come on!" She didn't bother waiting for his reply as she pulled him towards the dance floor with a gentle yet firm tug, a gleeful expression plastered on her face to mask her uncertainty.

If he pulled back and exposed her, it'd be over for her reputation and that was a fact.

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@❛ ☽﹕ryujin s。 Seokmin had a few times noticed the presence of this one girl, who often wandered around the garden. What makes things weird is: how does she know this little garden exists? To be honest, not many people in Illias know about this garden unless they are chefs, gardeners, or farmers since the place is quite far from the town and it's actually a heaven to these low-class families like his. There are plenty of fruits, flowers, and plants around, and Seokmin was one of the good spring witches that he helped out to nurture the plants and let them live using his magic. It was in his natural habits that he really fell in love with nature, and he loves them a lot. noticing there was another figure in the garden, Seokmin turned to look at the female with furrowed eyebrows. "Well, they are. It's cape daisies. It's going to be available throughout the year. May I know who you are, miss? I don't think I've seen you around."

(( OPEN STARTER ))

Jennie had been sneaking to the upside of the world for many years. She never stayed too long in one place, and with her speed she was able to move about practically undetected. The risk was more than worth it, so the precious resources cruor was completely void of- sunlight. Though not a half blood nor human any longer, Jennie couldn’t stay out for very long. She wore long dresses and sleeves, dressing as a simple labor, hair without its curls, simply braided back, an umbrella for general protection. She couldn’t help but grin, stretching out her hand from under the umbrella, watching the light reflect on her ever so pale skin. It stung like crazy, and yet, this was where she remembered she was still herself. The pain kept her alive. The girl rubbed her painted pink lips together, attempting to maintain her composure as to not bring suspicion as she walked through the main courtyard of ilias.

@❛ ☼﹕seokmin l。 she's been gaining a dangerous amount of confidence lately. ryujin knows she shouldn't wander around illias, but she has been doing so for a few months now and each time she comes back to the city, she feels even more curious about it. she doesn't talk to people, she tries her best to stay hidden, she's pretty sure she's gone by unnoticed each time she pays up a visit. but to read books and to watch them from afar didn't help with her curiosity over the witches at all. she's specially curious about a new found garden, there were so many different flowers and plants blooming, was it all due to the witches' magic? ryujin couldn't help but to feel a little bit envious. the few plants she tried to grown underground didn't turn out the best. ryujin silently walks her way through the many flower paths and she might or might not have coordinated her timing, but this particular day she isn't surprised when she catches a glimpse of another being at the hidden garden. her curious eyes have seen the man a few times before, but ryujin would always walk off or hide – even though she knows he has seen her too. today though she has mustered up enough courage, and maybe dumbness, to at least say hi. the man seemed harmless and he seems to enjoy the garden as much as she does. as long as she doesn't reveal who she is, what could possibly go wrong? she's careful on her approach though, trying to get closer without being abrupt. her gaze remains on the flowers as she stops walking, now only a few feet away from the familiar figure. "are they like this throughout the entire year..?" well, that sure wasn't a 'hi', but it was definitely a question out of genuine curiosity.