— mᵃᵍᶤᶜ

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.
JIMIN: CHECK.
WONWOO: CHECK.
JAIJIN: CHECK.
HOSEOK: CHECK.
EUNWOO: CHECK.

[part 6]

By the time Eunwoo finally arrived at the witch doctor's place with his new friend, he had successfully disgraced his family name several times over. Looking flushed and dishevelled, he stumbled into the place with a dazzling smile on his lips. His eyes immediately fell onto a rather eccentric looking lady who wrinkled her nose in distaste at his appearance. "Look at your pitiful state..", she chided disapprovingly and immediately rose to her feet, smacking away the naughty hands of the stranger, who was reaching out to support the unbalanced Eunwoo. With some difficulty, she managed to wrestle him down into a rickety chair and handed him a cup of tea that had already been waiting for him. Eunwoo didn't think about the strangeness of the situation, he was in no mental state to form a serious, coherent thought right now. He barely managed to wave sloppily when his good friend was kicked out of the shop. The eccentric, but beautiful woman snapped her fingers a few times to get the young male's attention. "Look he- Ah! Don't touch that!" After sparing the woman a few glances, Eunwoo had reached for a skull and was currently laughing to himself as he poked his fingers into the empty eye sockets. His unruly behaviour had gotten him tied to the chair, where he sat, pouting heavily. You must know, "acting cutely" was not something natural to him. If he was displeased, he would frown like any other normal person instead of curling his lips into a small, cute pout. It seemed his intoxication had open the doors to a far more childish side of his personality. "Big sister.. are you a witch doctor?", he slurred lazily at the woman, batting his eyelashes an unnecessary amount of times. The lady nodded solemnly, pleased that she had finally gotten his attention. "So.. like.. can you perform brain surgeries too?" Apparently, her new guest became an idiot when under the influence of substances. Before he could spout any more nonsense and waste both of their time, she interrupted: "You don't remember what you did for a few hours today, right?" Eunwoo vigorously nodded and opened his mouth to say something. The lady intercepted. "I'll tell you why that suddenly happened to you. There is a voodoo doll in the swamp that is the cause of all this. If you just find it, I can help remove its effects on you." Clearly, she had spoken too much, for the drunk (and very possibly, drugged) boy's eyes were unfocused and distant. He had lost concentration. The witch doctor clicked her tongue in distaste. Honestly, if she hadn't divined through tarot reading that she would get filthy rich if she helped this sorry brat out, she wouldn't bother with him. After another 10 minutes of trying to convey the situation to the delirious male, she gave up and simply dragged him outside. Eunwoo was giggling like a fool as he stared at her hand that was tightly grasping his and waddled after her stupidly. After a terribly boring journey and several escape attempts from Eunwoo, they arrived at quite an eerie place. The priest in training found himself hiding behind the witch doctor, gripping onto her strange clothing as if it'd save him should a bear pop up and decide to snack on him.

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.
JIMIN: CHECK.
WONWOO: CHECK.
JAIJIN: CHECK.
HOSEOK: CHECK.

Wonwoo wasn't sure why their target would be at the place tat dealt with magic. Honestly, how that creep could be so fanatic and a killer in the field of hitman was beyond his understanding. No wonder he ed up my plans last one. A bitter thought, sour mouth, wonwoo swallowed the whining and cheers at the same time. I was right, an idiot would believe in such stuff. There was already two passes, he pulled out after he opened the envelope before they leave the building. "It makes things somehow easy? " Wonwoo asked mingyu, who was silrjku walking behind him. "What do you think? can magic kill a person? Should I cut my blood and let it grant my wish? or buy s voodoo doll and easily kill the enemy?" It was his first one ever visiting a magic goose. Honestly, he prefered to stay out of unbelievable words. There was no such things as magic and if there were, no one is nice enough to help others without some impossible demands.

Pushing the door open, wonwoo let mingyu take a look inside to see if there were any threats but hey again that would be impossible since the shop looked nothing but pleasant. The burning incense almost casting a sleeping spell as you inhale the scent. ". Don't breath, close the door. Let's wait outside for a while." He hurriedly whispered, backing away from the pavement. He knew that smell. He even used that particular one for so many times. It's a sweet fragrance, but that was to fool others. The cunning traps use this to make their victims useless, the use of volatile chemicals along with the incense to mask the odor. If they had stayed longer, the two of them would be locked out in no time. And he didn't want that.

[2/2]

[ 6 / 9 anonymous ]

Surprisingly, Jaijin was able to find the witch doctor quite easily - almost no trouble at all. In any other case he would have thought it suspicious but with the day's events piling up he didn't dwell on it too much. Glancing up at the sign, worn and faded, he looked over the words 'dark magic & voodoo' (though they held no meaning as he couldn't actually read them). He then shrugged, shoving the business card into his pocket and opening the door. A bell tinkled above his head, a signal of his arrival, and a stark contrast from the inside of the shop.

Shelves upon shelves were lined with all sorts of items. Animal skulls, glass jars, ominous jewelry - even the occasional human skull made itself known within the assortment.

As he perused the aisles without much thought he couldn't hear as something began to sneak up behind him. It moved behind a glass case, agile and lithe, cackling silently as it got closer. Nearing his back Jaijin felt eyes set upon the slope of his head, immediately turning around and coming face to face with none other than the witch doctor himself. He jumped in surprise, backing up slightly and finding himself a bit embarrassed as the man began to laugh. White teeth aligned in a perfect smile showed as the curtain of the man's upper lip pulled back. A booming laugh escaped his wiry frame, making Jaijin wonder how such a thin being could make such a big noise. As soon as it had come the laugh was over, and the man in question had a passive expression on his features.

"Have you come for anything in particular?" he asked, nearing Jaijin who was still backed into a corner of the shelves. Not understanding and shaking his head Jaijin wondered what he should do. Feeling his pocket while brushing his hand against his pants he offered an awkward smile, reaching in to pull out the business card and showing it to the man. "Ah, Darla sent you, did she? Why didn't you just say so! Come in, come in." With that the man, coming ever closer in his large hat and noisily beaded attire, wrapped an arm around Jaijin's shoulders and pulled him close. "The back room is better suited for these types of things, so let's head there."

At once he was sitting in a rickety chair, basket frame somehow holding Jaijin's muscled weight. On the other side of the table the witch doctor sat down with a flourish of his tailcoat and cane. He reminded Jaijin of a movie, and if he had a voice he would have asked 'are you going to turn me into a frog?'

"Now, what can I do for you? Some magic," he boasted, bringing his hands up and opening them to reveal a burst of flame. Jaijin's eyes widened and he leaned back. The foreign power wasn't something he was used to, much less something he thought existed. "A curse," Now there was a doll in the man's hands, long knobbly fingers striking a pin into its lifeless heart. "Or something more? Fortune? Fame? Everlasting life?" The list was endless, each word accompanied by its own mini show until Jaijin's eyes were shaking with the enormity of it all. In the end he began to shake his head, repeating 'no' in his mother tongue. The witch doctor seemed disappointed, deflating a bit before his shoulders rose once more with his smile.

"I see you're a little uncomfortable. How's 'bout a drink?"

Standing up the man walked through a beaded doorway and left Jaijin alone at the table. While waiting Jaijin glanced about the room, shying away from trophy animal heads and cross-eyed figurines. He even found that he couldn't stare long into the almost comical crystal ball at the center of the table because it put him in a state of unease. When the man returned he sat a goblet in front of Jaijin, burgundy liquid sloshing onto the table.

"Drink up." he said while sitting once more, raising his own glass in a toast and revealing those envious teeth. Not knowing how to refuse Jaijin tentatively picked up the cup, slowly bringing it to his lips while looking down at his reddish reflection. It was sweet on his tongue, ripe and tangy - just the kind of flavor he didn't enjoy. Yet, he found he didn't stop drinking, the liquid flowing over his tongue and down his throat with ease. When he pulled the rim away from his mouth Jaijin was surprised to look inside and find it empty, save for a single ruby droplet in the silver center. Looking to the man after he finished Jaijin placed the cup down. They both smiled, Jaijin a little hesitant and the witch doctor somewhat elated.

Weird...

It was in that moment that Jaijin noticed the other man hadn't even sipped from his drink. Why? Was there something in it? Suddenly dizzy Jaijin pushed himself up, hands slamming against the table as his vision swam. What was going on? He stumbled, ears suddenly filled with the man's laughter. He drank-- he drank from the cup.

When he tries to jab a finger down his throat Jaijin blacks out.

[ Part 6.5 ]

"Here." The contained was handed off to the witch discreetly, although really there was no necessity for that. Tired eyes trained themselves upon the lady, fingers fidgeting nervously. Was this really going to work? It couldn't have been that easy, surely? There had to be a catch somewhere. J-Hope watched in silence as the witch concocted a.. weird-looking liquid and poured the contents of the vial into the pot. By now, he had changed back into his usual clothes, but he still felt the ghost of his Master's fingers on him, in him— He abruptly ended that train of thought, not wanting to go down that road until he confirmed that the mission was accomplished. Of course, it wasn't like a notification of "Congrats! He's dead!" would pop up this instant. He just wanted to wait until the witch gave her confirmation that the deed was done.

Heaving a soft sigh, the young boy leaned back against the chair he was seated on, gazing into the distance absently. Would Myunjae hate on him for abandoning him? J-Hope had wanted to notify the man of his change in plans, but he had been running late, and J-Hope was determined to finish the mission, not maintain their alliance. He would have done whatever it took to see himself in this position.

Only a few moments later, the witch looked up, parched lips curving upwards into a malicious smile. "It is done," was all she said. Rather, was all he heard, because J-Hope soon zoned out. 'He's no more.' 'He's actually no more.' The phrase repeated itself in his mind, his inner voice occasionally screaming and sometimes whispering it. J-Hope didn't know how long he sat there, eyes glazed (with relief?) and unmoving, unspeaking. He was finally free. His master was no more. A sense of liberation washed over him in such a huge wave that it knocked the young man to the ground; it left him gasping while he shed tears of relief, joy, delight and most importantly, freedom. He was no longer chained down to the Master. He was a free man. He was free. Free.

[ Part 5 ]

There were a lot of things he was lacking in, he knew that. But if there was one thing J-Hope had a lot of confidence in, it was his skills. His Master may have been cruel, unforgiving and a plain terror, but he had taught J-Hope several things, including the arts of assassination. The question now that came to mind was how do you plan to execute an assassination on the man who taught you the first letter of assassination? All his knowledge so far was thanks to his Master; how was J-Hope supposed to outsmart his own mentor? And that was why the dilapidated building labelled "Magyk" found itself another customer this evening. He may have his skills, but to beat his Master, J-Hope needed more than that.

Taking a few tentative steps in, the boy closed the door behind him, eyes wide and alert. A haggard, stooping figure entered through the beads curtain, but the powers she contained was obvious; her eyes were alight and full of energy, like her entire soul poured all the energy into keeping her powers alive. "No need for any words, little boy. I have an inkling of what you're looking for," she spoke slowly, an enigmatic smile gracing her wrinkled face. The surprise evident on J-Hope's face must have been what evoked the raspy laugh. "Don't worry, son, I haven't read your mind. I have seen that look on several people's faces.. and your aura. It speaks to me of your intent. Simply give me a personal belonging of that person, preferably a bodily fluid, and you have the option of.. performing a magic trick of your own." The smile that spread her lips thin will continue to send shivers down his spine for days.

J-Hope stood there, staring at the witch — there was no other word in his vocabulary he could use to describe her — as he slowly formulated a plan in his mind based on her words. Initially, he had come here in search of a.. magical advantage of sorts. A sleeping potion, a charm, something easily concealed in his scanty costume. But what she was implying.. As the pieces came together in his mind, he felt even more disgusted with himself, but the chances were looking even better than before. It was now or never.

"I'll.. bring it to you. Don't close up."

With that, the door opened once more, and a young boy walked out, feeling even more hopeful but appalled at himself than before.

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.
JIMIN: CHECK.

Vendetta oo3

I sat before a table that was covered with a… persian rug? The whole house was covered in dark but intricate designed blankets, like the owner of this place was a shut in with a mild obsession for weaving.

“You’s a peculiar one ain’t ya?” A sultry voice erupts from the drapes behind me. I jump slightly at the sound and turn back to see a woman. Her dreads covering her deep onyx skin and he lace bodice seemingly choking her already tiny waist line. I raise my brow as recognition washes over me.

“So you’re the witch?”

“Indeed I am, sugar,” she chuckles lightly as she makes her way to the other side of the table, but she doesn’t sit. She just stands there as she scrutinizes my form. “You’re different than those people,” the witch lifts an arm and points to nowhere. I could only assume that she was talking about the civilization outside. I found this gesture to be odd but at this point I can’t find anything odd given my current predicament.

“I am aware,” I reply as I lean back comfortably in my seat, “are you going to read my fortune?”

“No. You still got that charm?” I pull it out from my front pocket, turning over the pocket watch-like device within my palm. It was a rather odd little trinket, I wonder what charm it had within its metal casing.

“What’s in it?” I glance up but the witch wasn’t in sight anymore. She was now residing in the kitchen, pulling out a tea kettle and a few mugs.

“You’ll have to find that out yaself, hun,” she seemed to take no interest in my inquiry as she clicked the stove on without giving me a glance. Flames erupted from the metal rings and she sets the kettle above it to let the water in it boil. As the water was boiling, the witch sauntered over to the table and took her seat, regarding me with a curious smirk.

“Are you human?”

“Technically, yes.” I sit back in my seat, turning over the charm idly.

“Why technically?” She pulls out a stack of cards and spreads them in an arch across the table.

“Because I’m a lab experiment,” I open my palm and let the charm float out of my hand, my gaze following it closely as it floats above my head before averting it and it drops into my palm once more. The witch doesn’t seem concerned by the floating charm, instead she nods her approval before going back to her cards, mumbling something I couldn’t comprehend.

“Quite a trick you get there, you don’t look like a warlock though.”
“I’m not, I’ve just tapped into more of my brain capacity.”

“And how did you manage to do that?”

“Programming, bioengineering.” I left it at that, I couldn’t give away too much of myself to a complete stranger just yet. Or maybe I could, since I wasn’t just here to get my fortune read.

“Tell me what’s in this charm, and I’ll me on my way.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, sugar,” She turns over a few cards and examines them before putting them back into the deck.

“And why is that?” I lean in to peer at the cards in mild curiosity.

“You have something that I want, and I can’t let you just leave with my prize.” I didn’t understand the situation quick enough. Just before the realization clicked, her face twists into a snarl and a card flies straight for my throat. I deflect it with my wrist, causing a nasty but near painless gash.

I jump out of my seat and swipe my hand in the witch’s direction, the chair flying toward her but she’s already out of range and was now in the kitchen with the kettle red hot in her hand. Extending my arm and opening my hand, I close it into a fist and grip tightly. The kettle explodes in her hand and she wails as boiling hot water splashes onto her face.

As she’s cowering in the middle of the kitchen, I take this chance to lift her body and slam it onto the hot stove with just my gaze, the flames catching onto the fabric of her bodice and her body quickly erupts in flames.

The screeches of agony were deafening but I didn’t stay long enough to watch her skin melt off her face.

TAEHYUNG: CHECK.
SEHUN: CHECK.

part 2

Sehun only nodded, not missing a beat as he stepped forward to accept the offered item presented to him
A shoulder brushed into his side then, making him take a step to the right and turn his head, meeting the apologetic smile of the very man he had come to kill, dark eyes flickering down to his cane.
"I'm sorry.", the man husked out, bowing his head and Sehun shook his head softly, making his voice sound faint and breathy. "It's no problem, Sir."
He didn't care for the items laid out on the counter in front of him by the dark haired male by his side, nor for the knowing smirk that started to spread the owners lips apart once more. No. Nothing of that mattered, because they were still looking at each other as if they were the main actors in a too-sappy drama on television, falling in love at first sight. It was nothing like that even though to someone looking at the scene from the outside, it might have looked at it. At a second look, people might have been able to see the disgusting truth.
The way the lanky (although in a very attractive way) mans eyes raked down Sehuns entire form, over his shoulders and stomach, to the hand that was clutching the cane and then flickering over to his crotch.
"I didn't mean to.", Sehuns target smiled almost too kindly and Sehun swallowed around the bile rising in his throat, running a shaky hand through his raven locks to tussle them a little bit more.
"It really isn't a problem. I'm sure you would have caught me if I had fallen, right?"
He really nearly did vomit at his own words and the tone of his voice, too sweet and pure to belong to him. It was as if someone else was speaking through him and when he looked back over at the owner, reaching for his wallet, the old man shook his head with a wink that made his entire face wrinkle.
"I'll take these.", the target said to the man, still too friendly and Sehun knew that he had already won this game of cat and mouse. This man had never been friendly to anyone, unless he wanted something.
"Do you happen to know any places that aren't too run over by Mardi Grass guests?", he asked, shooting a side glance towards the young surgeon, who met his gaze with a shy smile. "Clubs and stuff, I mean?"
The shop owner snorted - Sehun didn't know it he snorted at the fact that this was getting too easy, or at the question uttered - but answered nonetheless, pointing a spindly hand at the door. "Down the street Can't really miss it, kids."
"Oh.", Sehun made, shaking his head and his free hand, still clutching the purple bag. "I don't-"
"You should.", the male by his side grinned brightly, moving as if to grab Sehuns arm. "I would be happy to see you there tonight."
"We'll see.", he just replied, turning on his side to leave the shop, smirk finally breaking through the flimsy mask of innocence he had put on earlier.
This really as a little bit too easy.

[] Part 6 of Shixuns journey

part 1

People who believed in magic always belonged into the "a little odd" category in Sehuns mind. And yet, standing in the middle of a small black magic shop in the middle of New Orleans, the low thrumming of Mardi Grass vibrating through the walls, he could suddenly understand why it drew so many people in. The witch doctors shop was cramped and stuffed so full, Sehun felt like he was suffocating in a cloud of herbs and softly scented candles, eyes scanning the endless rows of strange trinkets and jars full of only-God-knew-what, a shudder crawling up his spine. It was weird, being in this shop with something else than curiosity bringing him here. The pain in his leg had grown worse since he had left the market earlier, limping his way back to the hotel and then nearly collapsing in the shower as he had gotten ready for his mission. He felt so young and so terribly old at the same time, walking with the cane he had bought in a tiny hole-in-the-wall corner shop down the street from his hotel, now carrying almost the entire weight he couldn't bear on his leg anymore. He looked young, he thought as he passed a small golden mirror, stopping only for a second to flick at his own bangs, artfully tussled and falling almost down into his eyes. He had kept his hair this way on purpose today, deliberately making himself look so young, he could pass for a College student again. He knew *he* liked them young.
But this damned cane and the pain in his leg. The dark haired surgeon had taken so many painkillers already, he felt them slowly eating up his insides, making his stomach turn as if he would throw up any second.

And so here he was, staggering through the rows of shelves, cursing his entire existence.
"Your leg must really bother you, skeptic.", a low voice muttered behind a display of miniature voodoo dolls and Sehun hated himself for nearly jumping out of his own skin. "Excuse me?", he asked, craning his neck to peek around the corner of the cheap cardboard display, spotting an elderly man, who looked up at him over the edge of a gold-rimmed pair of glasses. "Oh, you heard me.", the man smiled, looking kind and soft and yet there was a glint in his eyes that made Sehuns skin crawl. "You don't look like someone, who would wander into my shop because they believe into my craft." He waved a hand around in the air, clicking his tongue. "Or because you're looking for a souvenir."
"Huh.", the young raven head just made in form of a reply, squaring his shoulders while he wobbled a little on his legs and cane. The owner of the shop snickered, shaking his head at him as he wandered away towards the back of the shop, sliding behind his counter and check register.
"So.", Sehun started, following the man slowly, careful not to knock over any stray jars or more voodoo dolls. "Can you help me then?"
The man studied him for a long moment, graying hair glinting in the light of countless candles, the gold of his glasses shimmering just like his eyes, that seemed like they were looking into his very soul. "No."

The simple word hit Sehun like a fist in the throat, making him stop in his tracks and bite his tongue, a frown etching itself deeply into his face, making his eyebrows furrow.
"And why not?"
"Because it's not your body that's causing you pain.", came the slow and utterly amused answer, as if it should be obvious to the surgeon, who stood there rooted to the spot as if hit by lightning. "I think I can help you with something else, though."
It was in this very moment that Oh Sehun started believing in magic (well, kind of, but he would forever deny it, really). The door behind him swung open just then, the tiny silver bell above it chiming gently and a gush of noise and cold air brushing into the little shop, making the hair in the back of his neck stand with goosebumps.
"Welcome.", the owner smiled, suddenly an old friendly man again that could pass for anybodies grandpa all too easily, accent heavy on his tongue that hadn't been there before.
The man who had just entered the shop didn't even spare him a glance, but his dark eyes lingered on Sehuns form just a tad too long - and really, what were the odds? He couldn't help but bite his tongue even harder, trying to reign in his smirk, that threatened to curl his slim lips upwards almost cruelly. He nodded at the man, once and short, innocent smile plastered onto his mouth to hide the sinister thoughts suddenly clouding his mind.
"Boy.", the owner called out to him suddenly, making him look back over his shoulder to where the man was extending a wrinkly hand, holding a purple velvet bag, clinking with something made of glass inside. "I guess this is what you're looking for?"

@jeongguk j. 〈 jeon |H| TAEHYUNG: CHECK.

[ 8 ]
“Take a seat, why don’tcha. What have we here? Ah–” The man looked nothing like what the cartoons painted. He was old, so very old, with wrinkles that caught dust and an ungraceful antiquity about his features. Sagging jaw, bushy brows, missing teeth, but Taehyung keeps tight lipped.

Not only because he doesn’t speak English well, but because he was genuinely frightened.

“I saw what ye did, I did,” He understood that though, like the man spoke perfect Korean, perfect Japanese, Taehyung could take his pick. His bottom drops in the seat and he sighs in relief at the pain that was lifted from his leg, if only for just a moment. “Now .. I know why ye did it, too, but what brought ye here? I’m a Doctor, not a Miracle Worker. Or a thery-pist. If ya want that, go down to ye church and repent to ya holy lord.” His arms lift high above his head and he shakes them, the sagging skin dangling under his arms and yellow stained nails curl to point at Taehyung.

“You be missing something,” And then he’s reaching in his pocket.. And pulling out a doll. Taehyung feels his body rise and his eyes widen at it, a tightness suddenly in his throat. But as soon as the doll is pressed safely into his palm, he’s .. at ease. “Go, before I feed you to the gators.”

Taehyung opens his mouth, but he has the old man suddenly /there/. Suddenly staring him in the eye, breath harsh and crisp against his face. His nose scrunches as he attempts to not smell his breath;

“Ya don’t want to ask me for anything. When I say go, ya go. I know you can understand me.” Taehyung nods slowly, and stands up even slower, like he was afraid that he was going to push a bone into him. “I enjoy my peace,” It wasn’t until the witch doctor snaps his fingers that Taehyung feels a release on his lips, like the man had planned to keep him silent..

Like he truly did know.

He was in a daze as he left the swamp, wandering through the bayou with the doll held protectively in his pocket.

A therapist.. At the church?

Was it funny to say he didn’t believe in God ..?

But anything, right? He already tried praying. Might as well go to someone that preached that they could speak with the lord in the sky.

OPEN.