Library

[ OPEN - no need to match length orz ]

The library was quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages and the occasional hum of Wooseok’s systems as he scanned through a digital archive. Seated at a table tucked away in a shadowed corner, the cyborg’s glowing optics cast a faint blue light over the screen in front of him. It was routine for him to come here, a habit to seek updates, absorb historical records, and expand his database of knowledge to gap the years he had missed.

Today, his focus was on a collection of personal journals from decades past, digitized and preserved for posterity. He skimmed efficiently, categorizing and storing information until a particular entry stopped him cold. The journal belonged to someone initialed B.W., which felt oddly familiar, though he couldn’t place why. The author described a family outing to a lakeside town, vivid descriptions of laughter and warmth filling the words. But it was the accompanying photograph that caused Wooseok’s mechanical movements to falter.

The image was grainy but clear enough to depict a young boy standing by the water, grinning widely as he held a small kite aloft. Behind him stood a man and woman, their hands resting on his shoulders, their faces illuminated by pride and affection.

The boy’s face…

Wooseok’s servos whirred softly as he leaned closer, the faintest flicker of recognition sparking within his circuits. For a moment, the blue glow of his optics dimmed, his mind or perhaps something deeper, grappling with a surge of fragmented memories. A field. The sound of wind catching a kite. A voice calling his name. A pang of something unfamiliar struck him, a strange tightness in his chest, and before he could process it fully, a single tear rolled down his cheek. The warm droplet startled him, tracing a path along the cold alloy of his face before disappearing into the void.

He stared blankly at the screen, his hand brushing against the now damp spot on his cheek. The world around him seemed to fade, the moment stretching impossibly long as the remnants of his humanity clawed their way to the surface. But just as quickly as the emotions surged, his systems intervened. A soft chime echoed in his mind as protocols reasserted themselves. His optics flared brighter, and the tightness in his chest dissipated, replaced by the familiar precision of his programming. The fragmented memory faded into obscurity, filed away in the depths of his mind where it could no longer interfere.

Wooseok straightened, his expression returning to its usual impassive state. The tear was already forgotten, as though it had never existed. He resumed his work, scanning through the remaining entries with cold efficiency.

Having missed over a century's worth of crucial world events, Wooseok realized he needed to update his systems with the necessary information. Unable to find an old system that was compatible with his own, he had no choice but to manually acquire the knowledge. He made his way to the library, meticulously scanning each bookshelf. His fingers brushed over the spines as he began to read, downloading historical data from the books in the history section to update his understanding of the world he had awoken to.

@† Kim Myungsoo She knew that meeting his family from what he had told her was going to be a journey and maybe a hard time - but she would just see it as another adventure to take in and maybe conquer or not. She wouldn't let this ruin or mess up the friendship that was starting to form with Myungsoo. "Hmh, okay - we don't have to do that then. I'll just be a good girl and not do anything bad or upset anyone," Yooa told him with a nod. She shrugged. "I bet it is cooler than you think - plus nowhere is boring when you have good company and are having fun," Yooa added with a smile. She slipped the books in her bag as he said that they should go. "Okay, lets go," Yooa answered him as she followed him to the train station. She also motioned with her head for Rui to get in her bag to cause less trouble or questions when they got to his home.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ Amazed is such an understatement to describe what Myungsoo is feeling this moment. He stared at her in awe of her zen reaction. Myungsoo knew that introducing Lyrielle to his family would be a perilous endeavour. The Choi clan were shunned from court, known for their unwavering adherence to tradition and strict moral code. He chuckled that quickly died down. "Oh no." Myungsoo shook his head, frowning at the idea. "Anything but treating you like a slave. I cannot do that to you." He bites his bottom lip since there is a fine line between food and slaves. With a heavy heart, Myungsoo resolved to face his destiny. "Don't expect too much. It is but a boring old room." He scrunched his face. It was the dead of the night when the clock struck once again. "We better go." He stated, taking her hand with his as they venture off towards the train station.

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa nodded as she looked at him. Yooa had heard from Bambi and her dad that not everyone would be accepting of them or like people who came from their realms. She understood that and didn't change how she felt about him. She still wanted to see where he lived and came from - it would be fun and exciting. "What family isn't protective and overbearing?" Yooa pointed out as she looked at him. "Well technically, I am unseelie fairy - which are the dark fairies - but I understand what you mean. I'm a ball of energy, pastels, and not an undead fangtasic person," Yooa held up her hands for a second to make claws hands before catching the book she was holding and clutching it again in her arms. She turned back to a serious expression as he went on. "I will do all of that - if you want to make it easier maybe for you - I can pretend to be your slave?" Yooa asked as she tilted her head to the side. She was a bit of a scared cat and baby - but she would try her best. "With you by my side, I am sure that I will be okay!" She beamed at him. "Plus, I am excited to see what your room is like," Yooa chuckled.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ Myungsoo sighed, his pale fingers tracing the outline of her knuckles. "It's not about misconceptions. It's about how...different things can be. My family can be rather...traditional. They don't take kindly to outsiders, even less so to people from Bahamut's Summit and shapeshifters." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully and unable to maintain eye contact. "My family has a history of being protective-overbearing, really. When I bring you, they will undoubtedly see you as a curious interloper, a creature of light who doesn't belong in our dark world. They may see your wings not as a marvel, but as a reminder of everything we're taught to fear." The young vampire had no idea how to disclose their distaste for slaves and traitors like Yooa's mother, or the fairy being a slave. "One, do not speak out of turn. Two, whatever happens and whatever you're about to witness please do not fright."

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa scrunched up her nose as she gave him a look, but didn't say anything. She simply raised up a hand and rubbed her nose - her face scrunching up a bit in a twitchy nose motion. She glanced back at him as she felt him take her hand again. She waited for him to tell her the rules and what she needed to know to go to his house. She nodded as she listened to teh rules, not really surprised by them. "Okay, sounds fair. I will hold in my natural curiosity and not wander off. I will make sure that Rui doesn't either when we get there - I promise," She promised him as she gave him a smile. "Do I need to know anything else? I don't wanna be rude or anything," Yooa added to him.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ Myungsoo deeply understood that the fairy means well and for the shortest time they've known each other, it feels like he could trust her with this. He pinched her nose, a habit he cannot rid of, telling her that it was alright. Her soft hand warm on his skin that Myungsoo swallowed that nervousness, taking Yooa's hand in his. "Sounds like a plan." He said, focused on how to word the rules right. His thumb running over her knuckles as if that is giving him the courage to say the following, "No mentions of who your adopted parents are. And don't go running around the manor without me accompanying you. Even Rui." His eyes studied hers and hope these conditions are enough to sneak in Yooa inside the first barrier in their friendship - his family.

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@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa didn't mean to hurt him or anything like that - it was almost out of reaction that she wanted to let him know that she was worried and make sure in the future this didn't happen to her friend again. "Oh, sorry - did I hit you too hard that wasn't my intention," Yooa chuckled as she rubbed the spot where she flicked him. Yooa tilted her head to the side as she thought if she knew anyone. "I mean maybe I could ask Bambi if she knows someone - she knows a lot of people here in heleo," She nodded as she smiled at him. She nodded as he said that there were some ground rules. "And, what are those?" Yooa asked him.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ "Ow!" Myungsoo flinched when she hit his forehead, not because it hurt but it took him by surprise. But to witness Yooa's worry and now scolding him for letting his thirst for that long. He nodded puckering his lips then said. "I know. I know." Loving the quiet moments they shared and her insight. "Hmm. Hmm. I think we should. Do you know anyone? Because of the students in my class are vampires and shapeshifters." He said, picking the lint off his coat sleeve. When she asked about going with him, Myungsoo gulped down the nervousness that hit him almost immediately. "I mean if you want. Though we have to lay some ground rules."

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa smiled as he said that he was much better. "Good, don't ever let that happen again! If you need blood then you better tell me - and Rui will get it for you," Yooa flicked his forehead in a playful and scolding manner. She blinked at him as her cheeks puffed up a bit. "I mean I can do magic and stuff - but yeah, we probably want someone more practiced and knowledgable than one," She chuckled as she looked at him. "Maybe we can ask someone at school or something?" She suggested as she looked at him. She glanced at the time as it was getting closer to dawn, so they needed to leave soon so Myungsoo could get somewhere safe before morning. She shook her head. "No, I don't have classes today," She told him. "Maybe I could come with you to check out those scrolls?" Yooa looked at him.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ He expect disgust or rather judgement when he walked out of there. His pristine white cotton shirt stained with splattered blood, the greyish skin returned to its normal paler complexion and his seemingly inflamed eyes now to its warm coffee colour. He hummed and nodded to confirm that he is up to snuff. "Much better" He said but getting a glimpse of the book in her arms. "I guess we can never be too careful. If only I know an actual mage or witch for that matter." Myungsoo scratched his head and let goes of Rui. "He looked at the library clock showing that dawn we'll be upon them. "My parents have a great collection of scrolls dating back to their time. I might be able to 'borrow' some. Do you have a class soon?"

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@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa didn't understand everything that came with being a newly-born vampire, but she knew that from what little she had read the one thing that came up over and over again - was the blood thirst. She had to figure that it was hard to control and he had done some things that he regretted - or was afraid that he might hurt her. She didn't say anything as she waited. Rui landed on his hands, shaking his little head at him. He raised up a wing and patted Myungsoo's head as he looked at him. Yooa glanced up as she smiled up at Myungsoo as he exited the bathroom. Yooa stood up as she marked her place, hugging the book to her chest. "I have found a few things - and I might have a spell and stuff we can try - pricing together from the information in this text," Yooa smiled at him as she nodded. "But I would like to maybe find another source to confirm all of this before we try it," Yooa admitted as she nodded. "Are you okay now? Should we go sit down again?" Yooa asked him.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ Ashamed yet grateful, Myungsoo looked at the painted ceiling seeing Rui encircling the crystal downlight. The helplessness consumed him as he hugged his knees against his chest. He closed his eyes trying to concentrate to block the sound of life coming from her. The faces of the people he killed from overly taking blood from them haunts his memories. He never thought of them as anything valuable since they were aware of what they’re getting into. Yet he came close to harming his friend and it’ll be hard to let it go.
Her voice sweet in his ears, stirring something rather calming in bloodthirsty nature. He reached his hands and Rui landed on them. “I look terrible huh?” He said, looking down at the blood that stained his white shirt. He picked himself up and washed his face with water and dried to get as much of the blood off his face. With Rui in his arms, the door swung opened, a faint smile on his lips. “Got anything interesting?”

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa knew that it must be hard to be dealing with his hunger around all the fresh blood. After reading the little bit that she had about vampires, she knew that this must have been hard for him. She leaned against the wall not moving away from the bathroom as she didn't want him to be alone. She wanted him to know that she was there for him. She would always get him blood or anything that she needed. She sat down against the wall as waited for him to come out. "Myungie, I'll always be here for you. If you need more blood then tell Rui and he will get it for you," Yooa told him as she nodded. She was serious about her offer and everything that she said. If he wanted it then all he had to do was say it.

"Take as much time as you need - I'll be out here waiting for you," She answered as she nodded. "I'll just be reading the book to figure out how to make you a sun ring - but still next to the bathroom so you aren't alone," She answered as pulled the book from her bag as she opened up the book again. She opened up to the page that she had stoped at as she continued to read, simply waiting for him.

@♆ Joy A wave of nervous bundled in the pit of his stomach watching your profile frown at the exterior of the building. Neglect due to financial constraints caused some decay on the exterior. This was his second home. Sun knew that the truth of the Athenaeum, it’s contents was irreplaceably priceless. His features cooled as your eyes widen, taking just a peer portion of the towers and columns of text. “This is no mere library, my lady. This is the archived value that contains every single text known to Heleo and Heleoian history dating up to the Battle of Brothers and their descension.” The vampire’s smile beamed across his face with pride. His posture was calmed by the scent of tree bark parchment, glue, and bonded leather. “Certainly,” Sun nodded as your question piqued his interest offering you a hand as he ushered you towards the Business management section. “Anything in particular you’d be interested in. Training employees, ethical tactics or operations, advertisement, revenue increase or are thinking to generalize business management?”

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ It is fun to dream Myungsoo thought but his hunger becoming unbearable. His vision fixated on her inviting neck - pulsating as her heart pumps blood through those major arteries. Tempted and volatile, his sharp predatory teeth showing ready pounce at will. But this is Yooa. Myungsoo pursed his lips trying to hide it and nodded to express his own excitement. A day out basking under the warmth of the sun. Such lovely day to own especially with a friend. The reason why the young man escaped the scene not wanting to harm her in any way. Needless to say, it wasn’t her fault. Anyone can be as tempting as she is.

Inside the gents room, Myungsoo stumbled forward but got a hold of the basin. If it weren’t for it, he would’ve hit the cold tiles head first. He pants, looking down trying to calm the aching throb from his throat down to his chest. Burning with thirst as if drought has come to punish him. He lifted his eyes and face a mirror. To his dismay, he has no idea of how he look now. The reflection mirrored everything inside but him. It angered him since he could only base how he appears by comparing himself with one of his kind.

The door creaked and the flapping sound of Rui flying about reached his ears. But it was her heart beating that cut him off. Desperately wanting to end it, Myungsoo turned to see Rui so close with a few bags of blood. He did not hesitate despite knowing it will taste stale compared to a blood fresh from a breathing sample. He gnaw into it, it dry till the bag is all scrunched up. He took another closing his eyes. He hated himself for doing this to her as he slumped on that floor slowly gaining control. “Don’t start.” He yelled. “Rui might get mad at me.” He chuckled watching the owl circle around his head. “I’ll be out soon! And Yooa…” He said softly. “Thank you.”

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa smiled at as she looked at Myungsoo, nodding. "Exactly - some of my favorite things. Flowers, swimming or playing in the streams, soaking up the sun - you'll really enjoy it. Plus, I can make us a picnic - plenty of blood for you and stuff," Yooa smiled, thinking about it. "It will be fun," She smiled, lifting her head up as she watched him stand up. "Are you okay?" She asked as she watched him hurry off to the bathroom. She bookmarked the pages of the books that they had been reading and slipped them in her bag. She watched as Rui came back with the blood for him and some tea for her. She slipped the jug of tea in her bag as she held the blood bags in her hands. She walked over to the men's room, and knocked on the door. "Myungie, are you okay? I brought some blood for you," Yooa called out to him as she handed the bags back to Rui. She pushed the little robot dragon into the bathroom to get the blood to him. "It's okay by the way - i don't care if you need blood. You should just tell me and we always get you some. And, you should tell me if I get too close and set you off. I'm just a touchy-feely person. I'm sorry if I got too close and made you uncomfortable," She leaned against the wall next to the men's room, feeling bad.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ He observed her, adoring the way her brows knit when she seriously reads. The young vampire finding himself grinning like a goof. “Meadows. Of course. Flowers and green grass.” He said looking forward to breath in the morning freshness of nature then he pinched his nose. Blood. Fresh blood. The thirst slowly creeping in and his throat becoming dry. He weakly smiled at Rui watching it flew away. “It is. Here.” He grunt, sliding the book across Yooa and stood up covering his mouth. “Excuse me. I might need the lavatory.” The young man did not wait for her reaction and hurriedly hides himself inside the gents room.

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa would never judge him - his past would never define him. She would always be her friend. She went back to reading as she turned a few pages, sighing to herself as this book had a lot of different jewelry - but none jumped out to her to the amulet or piece that they were searching for at the moment. Her eyes lit up. "Yes, we gotta! I have so many places that I can show you! You'll love the meadows!" Yooa beamed at him just thinking about all the places that she could show him and take him. She mumbled to Rui to get some blood bags and some tea for herself. She didn't mind his ticks or habits as everyone had them. It made him a bit more human less a vampire. She smiled at him as she rested her chin on his shoulder, her cheek brushing the side of his face as she read over his shoulder with him. "Wow that sounds so romantic and right what we are looking for! We don't have to find some magical amulet because we can make it ourselves! We just need to magic and spell that she did!" Yooa smiled at him.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ Guilt twisting his guts, Myungsoo lowered his head for not being forthcoming to his friend. For despite the leash they have them on, the young vampire manage to do whatever he wants, leaving a pile of bodies for his elders to clean up. His worry lies if Yooa will think of him as a monster. No. If she’ll ever be her friend. He smiled and sniffed. “Ah. Once we get this day-walk ring then we’ll go for a hike up the highlands or the sea.” A wishful thinking of a man who lives under the glorious night. He sat at the table reading, but his tics becoming erratic as he kept scratching his head and shaking his left leg. His eyes shaky as he browse through the pages. “Oh! Here!” He turned to her and panting. “It says that there was once a witch who fell in love with an Old One.” He pulled his earlobe and pointed at the passage of words. “During that time her coven was on the hunt to kill every bloodsuckers and they were after them when they are out during the ungodly hour. To avoid being seen, the woman created a totem, a necklace for her beautiful lover to wear to be able to see each other.”

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa shrugged her shoulder. "I probably shouldn't do anything that I want to be honest - it could get me more trouble than it is worth. But, maybe you should try it sometime. It wouldn't kill anyone for you to let loose and do you what you wanted for once," Yooa nudged him a little with a small smile. She shrugged as she looked at him. "I am really glad that you are my friend too! I like to explore nature too - the forest and fields are like my second home," Yooa beamed at him. She gave him a look with a small shrug. She watched him as he approached her with the book. She looked at him as he was flipping through the book then closed it snap shut. She noticed his eyes and wondered if he needed some more blood or something. "Are you okay? Do you need me to get you some more blood or something?" Yooa asked him as she watched him take her hands. She followed him to sit back down. "Alright, and keep reading this book," She told him as she sat back down at the table. She opened the book back up as she started to read again.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ "How nice it is to do anything you want." Myungsoo said, secretly acknowledging that he might have judge Yooa's parents based on the talk of his elders. Seeing the lovely Yooa's actions spoke volume of how wrong his parents are. He hide it beneath a smile and thought of his own interests. "I see. Well I'm glad to be your friend. I'm never a fan of reading. But it sounds like a handy thing to be into. Though I do love to hunt and explore the nature. Hard to appreciate it now that I can only walk around at night." He blinked to see her looking. "Heh. It's not that bad." He replied. A soft laughter ring from his lips to see her adorable scare. He walked as she approached him, opening the books to skim the pages. "Witches and spells. Could be." Myungsoo turned his head and his eyes fell on the woman's lips. For a moment, he could hear her heart beat and the blood rushing through her veins. He slammed the book to a close to cut the nasty thoughts in his head. With bloodshot eyes, he grinned. "I'll read this. Come." He grabbed Yooa's warm hands, trying not to grip her tightly then sat at the table where the lady seated a minute ago.

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa shakes his head at his comment. "No, not really - I mean protective sure - but not strict. I can pretty much do anything I want," Yooa answered as she looked at him. She blinked as she shrugged. "I like reading - the pictures are nice, the stories are fun. Plus I was alone for a long time - books are nice when you don't have many friends to talk to," Yooa answered him. Yooa gave him a look. "What do you mean by 'yes and no' - it is either they did or didn't," Yooa shook her head at him. Yooa had been reading the book that they found earlier, marking a few pages to show him later or that were of interest that they could look for - mostly about musings about some heirloom that would protect the nightwalkers from the day time. She jumped a little in her chair as she heard her nickname. She marked her place in the book before standing up and making her way too him - the book in her arms. "secrets of the salem witches - I mean, it could have something. It is a magic book right?" Yooa asked him.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ “Oooo..are your parents strict?” Myungsoo wiggled his fingers, tickling Yooa’s side and chuckled. “That’s good then.” He beamed puckering his lips before smiling. “You appear to read a lot Yooa. Nerd?!” He yelled, glaring at her in a childish manner sticking his tongue out. “Well yes and no.” The young vampire smirked while Yooa took the book from him. His eyes checking her beautiful features and clicked his tongue. “Of course.” He said secretly eyeing her backside before returning to his task. The man kept browsing through the archives from the history of the first vampire to how vampire ‘procreate’. None of them books jumping out of him as important till he stumbled upon the Secrets of the Salem Witches. He crouched down peeling off the book from the bottom shelf and run back to Yooa. “Twinkle toes!” He screamed from a distance, waving the book. “Look what I got. Whatcha think?” His actions earned few glares and a loud warning from the librarian to pipe it down.

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa chuckled as she glanced over at him, nodding. "Alright - but I can't be responsible for anything that happens to you if you do sneak in. Besides I am a night owl so you'll probably sneak into me crafting late night or making little night light sparkles while I read," Yooa shrugged as she watched him do this little uppder body dance. "By your response - I get the feeling I'm the first girl to give you permission to sneak in their room, nerd," Yooa a little with a laugh as she looked at the book with him. "But honestly, I am glad that you would be my first - I think my dad would like you," Yooa turned her gaze and focus back on the book that they were looking at. Yooa gently took teh book from him as she flipped through a few pages, skimming over the words on the page. "I think this book could be promising - it mentions a few times about the sun rings," Yooa tapped out the mentions. "I am going to go sit down and read - maybe you can try to find another book or a few that mentions the sun ring?" Yooa nodded to him. She walked over to table not far from him. She sat down as she started to read.

@❇︎ Yooa ¥✔ Myungsoo couldn't agree more to Yooa's words. For the young vampire himself wasn't particularly proud of things in his past either. Not even now that he is immortal. He had no right to judge anyone and it was one-sided story from a grieving family. The vampire frowned knowing the bitterness that runs deep in their hearts. But they cannot blame them either. All that is important to the young man is to experience life out of poverty and have a purpose. He weakly smiled and nodded. "Fine. Now that I have your consent, be ready to be woken up late at night." Myungsoo let out an evil laugh, doing a small dance with his upper body. "Well, I am honoured to be your first." Words that the young man had no time to filter burst out as they stared at the book. "Have you found anything interesting?"

@† Kim Myungsoo Yooa could tell by the air that it was hard and saw to talk about this. She didn't comment on that about him being a doctor and it is different this time. Yooa nodded as it sounded like they thought Bambi was the evil one and bad one for taking away his brother - but that isn't what she knew of the other's character. She knew that people did things they didn't like from their past or things they wouldn't do now. But, without knowing everything she couldn't make any judgments. Not that it would change how she felt about Bambi. She loved the other a lot and would always see her as her mom and someone she could go to even if the other didn't know that as they hadn't spent a lot of time together without Taemin being there. She nodded hearing his next statement. She assumed that people had more than one partner in their life - that wasn't surprising. "I am sure that is a lot more to the story than either of us will ever know," Yooa pointed out with a nod. "And maybe it isn't our place or important for us to know - people's past doesn't determine who they are now," Yooa added. She wasn't trying to defend or take away anything either of them did in the past - but simply stating the past always didn't matter to the people in the present. It wouldn't affect them.

She nodded as she shrugged. "We aren't little kids - you know. We are both adults. I am pretty sure I can have people over for a sleepover - boy or girl doesn't matter," Yooa told him with a nod. "True, we probably won't. But it will still be fun. I can still make snacks - or well, have plenty of blood bags for you in multiple blood types. Do different blood types or from different people taste different?" Yooa wondered, glancing at him then chuckled at his wink. "You'd be the first one to sneak in my room," Yooa stated. Yooa had hovered to a higher shelf, checking the books up there. She glanced down at him, lowering herself back on her feet as her wings came to a rest as she landed. She glanced at the book, waving dust away from them as the book was opened. "Yes, a ring would fit into the category of an amulet - plus in some of the fairytales that I read vampires are called old ones," Yooa read over his shoulder a bit. "We should read this one for sure," Yooa told him.