cw: abuse, forced captivity

January 1887 — The Menagerie

Things seemed to have happened quickly. He had been trying to find a warm place to sleep for the night but had ended up attacked which had resulted in the curse activating. His assailants had run off and Ki-Se had retreated, still in his more bestial form. He had found a spot outside a pub and turned back to normal as the soft music being sung inside soothed his pained soul. Then a man had appeared, who had seen but did not seem afraid.

He spoke of a warm bed every night, warm food in his belly and people who would be his friend. The most delicious temptation of all: the man promised they would find a way to break his curse if only he would come with him. This was the first time Ki-Se had met someone who was even aware that it was a curse.

But then the man had kept making Ki-Se uncomfortable and Ki-Se kept biting him as a response. What happened next had been a whirlwind of pain and he had woken up inside a large cage. There was a chain attached to something a shackle on one of his ankles that wouldn't budge no matter how Ki-Se tried. Long, matted, dark hair hung over Ki-Se's face as he took in his surroundings outside the cage.

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The following 2 users Like Ki-Se Jeong's post:2 users Like Ki-Se Jeong's post
   Eun-Ho Rang, Seojin Jeong

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italics means he's speaking Korean

graphics by fox!

Jin wasn’t sure how many more misfits Abeoji was planning on taking in but the house was starting to feel even more crowded and asphyxiating than before. Where it had been an adjustment when Ahn-Bo moved in and then Taesu-ah, now there was also Jae-Hyun (who Jin still couldn’t get much of a read on) and… Ki-Se. Darling, dreadful, perfect little Ki-Se. (Or so Abeoji liked to say.)

Jin had only seen him come in a few days ago. He didn’t make a habit of poking around in Abeoji’s business affaires, especially when he had reason to flinch every time he was approached about them. But this had been more overt. This had been in the light of day like a sack of grain being dumped into a cellar. Jin felt for the new arrival perhaps more than he had some of the others. Or in a different way at least. That didn’t mean he wanted to be the one to bring him meals though.

Forcing himself over the threshold to a dark hanok on the furthest side of the Jeong compound, Jin approached a large cage. There was some curiosity behind the exhaustion and weariness in his gaze as he hedged closer to the restless looking mass. He looked almost more animal than human. Jin set the tray down on the outside of the bars. He wasn’t sure exactly how to pass food through and the boy - Ki-Se - he had to keep reminding himself, looked… feral. Did he even know how to use chopsticks?

“Annyeonghaseyo,” Jin greeted, voice low and soft even in the stillness. “I’ve brought your meal.” He nudged it a bit closer. A part of him wanted to offer help but Jin knew better than to get involved. He’d be sooner flayed if he unlocked that cage and tried to tidy the other up. Besides, Ki-Se didn’t exactly look like he’d appreciate it either.

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Ki-Se Jeong & muse song

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

A man was approaching. No, a boy. Couldn't be much older than him, if he had to guess. Ki-Se watched the other intently, seemingly not even bothering to blink (not that it mattered with how his hair was shielding his face from view). His meal. The other worked for the man or something then? Ki-Se growled at the other boy, his hands snaking out of the cage to defiantly knock the tray over. Perhaps a mistake for he was starving. But he didn't trust the food to not have been tampered with.

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The following 1 user Likes Ki-Se Jeong's post:1 user Likes Ki-Se Jeong's post
   Seojin Jeong

At Ki-Se’s reaction, Jin frowned, hard. He hadn’t exactly expected the little one to spew grateful thanks or even say anything at all, but he hadn’t expected— that. Maybe he should have. Putting himself on the other side of those bars, what reason did Ki-Se have to trust him? Or anyone in this house for that matter? He knew better than to think Abeoji was all smiles and plum blossoms.

Jin sucked in a small breath as he took in the other’s appearance again, this time in detail. He looked worse for wear, and that was putting it mildly. Jin wondered if anyone had bothered to treat any of his wounds or whatever else might be painful and limiting. He’d been on the other side of Abeoji’s temper before; it was never pleasant. Righting the small table and waving his hand to collect the few bowls that had scattered, Jin let out a soft sigh. “If you’re not hungry, that’s alright,” he murmured gently. “But you have to at least drink something. Everything will be worse if you don't, trust me.”

He lifted one of the bowls and refilled it with water from the tip of his wand which, miraculously, Jin had on him this time. Taesu had passed it to him on his way in here from where it had rolled under the hanok steps earlier today. Jin held the bowl out not quite through the bars, but close enough. “Jebal.”

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Ki-Se Jeong & muse song
* please

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.

The others face was gentle which was hard to trust. The Mans voice had initially been gentle and kind. Then he had hurt him. But the same could be said about a lot of people he had met in his life so far. Still, he was a little awed by the way the other had simply waved his hand and the bowls became gathered. What was that? Some sort of magic? The same kind that had Cursed him? Or the kind that had sometimes came from him when he was younger?

The other then used some sort of stick to make water. He took the bowl from the other, uncut nails curling around the bowl. He sniffed at the water, pushing his curtain of hair to the side so that he could peer at it better. It seemed to be clear water. From a stick. He sipped at it before downing it, the water cooling against his throat.

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The following 1 user Likes Ki-Se Jeong's post:1 user Likes Ki-Se Jeong's post
   Seojin Jeong

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italics means he's speaking Korean

graphics by fox!

Jin did not miss the way Ki-Se’s expression - or what he could see of it at least - changed slightly at his use of magic. It was curious, but not very telling. He was glad the other had taken the water at least and seemed to drink it. If a gentle smile tugged at his cheek, Jin didn’t notice.

“I’m Seojin,” he introduced, feeling a little rude that he knew his new brother’s name but the same had not been reciprocated. “But you can call me Jin, if you like.” There were so many questions Jin wanted to ask this newcomer but he didn’t think Ki-Se had the capacity now, or maybe ever, to answer him, and so he kept them to himself. Instead, he chewed on his lower lip, self-preservative instincts warring with his desire to do something helpful to the poor boy. Jin wanted to offer to tidy him up so badly. It couldn’t be comfortable to sit in here all askew. He’d been told to bring Taesu clothes when he’d arrived. Jin didn’t understand why the same was not offered to Ki-Se.

“Would… you like a fresh durumagi?” he finally resolved to ask. Jin had a few of his own, and maybe they would be a bit large for Ki-Se, but surely it had to be better than whatever he wore presently. Not that Abeoji had thought so. Jin’s skin prickled at the risk.

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Ki-Se Jeong & muse song
* Durumagi is a variety of po, or overcoat, in hanbok, the traditional Korean attire. It is a form of outerwear that is usually worn as the topmost layer of clothing over a jeogori (jacket) and baji (pants)

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* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.