< pavilion

@◆ ⁞ jin hyun ⁽ˢᶦᵖʲᵉ⁾ the longing that had soundlessly drained away her vitality, leaving her nothing but flesh working day and night just to get a better living, a better reputation so that her parents will never have to carry the ugly names of having a gisaeng daughter, all of that seemed to fade away when she heard his voice again, the only thing it needed to beat on once again. she hated herself for wanting this, even when reality had told her in volumes that she had to forget him, pretend that she didn't know him at all, but she couldn't put herself to do that when he really appeared in her life again. what a coward, she told herself, her countless practice at night on how to react when he saw her, recognize her out in the streets, with her eyes squeezed shut and her heart pretending to not know a thing, she thought she could do that with all that training but it still went in vain.

suddenly all that cacophony of noise contained into one, muted from their ears as she looked at him, that one glance pausing time and any other movements.

she froze at her spot when he grabbed her wrist, that split second giving her more determination than ever to continue her act, but it seems like the noble man had no means of letting go. with his strong grip, she felt herself merely floating across the ground as she stumbled with him out of the venue, the pain piercing through under her feet and in between her fingers, soon ordered to sit down when they arrived in a room. it was a smaller room located near to the place where they came from, and she looked around to only see medicine and simple decorations that made it seem cozy out of the cold night. she stared at the stubborn male before seating herself on the floor, watching him grabbing some simple medication and bandages, a weird sense of warmth arising in her chest even with how she tried to deny everything about him.

"i can do this myself," she murmurs in a soft voice, the silence between them for some reason was suffocating her along with the past she was trying to hide.

@◇ ⁞ yeonhee ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ for the span that he stood frozen in place, it seemed like time stopped altogether, building a cocoon of personal memories of tender touches and whimsical whispers. in this bubble of two beings, nothing else mattered— not the taunts about the widowed prince and the curse of not being loved that followed him forever, not the fanfare of dance and music that reverberated against the palace walls, not the way she deemed her to be a lowly maid. what mattered, in that very moment in time, was that his heart finally beat again, his lungs filled with air he couldn't seem to breathe for long and if hyun read her correctly, he could tell how her own heart beat for his like his very own did for her. two pieces of a puzzle, of a well-oiled machine or a perfectly functioning piece of invention had met again. and it was only a matter of time when it would fall apart again.

time, what a wretched thing. just like fate, it conspired against a lot of what one wanted.

she spoke, breaking their reverie or what was a secretively shared instant. lies, he knew it in an instant. but hyun knew her well enough to know that her mysterious ways were for a reason; he wanted to know, to pry and to lift those burdens off her petite shoulders but alas... he was not welcome in her thoughts. his gaze dropped in a quick once-over, his face beginning to harden. it showed in the way his jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth, in the way his gaze glazed over with cold anger even as he took it in the crimson stains and rivulets of blood that streamed from her fingers, marring her creamy skin almost enticingly. his hand reached for hers, thick digits wrapping around her slim wrist just as he cast a glance to the garden right outside the pavilion, silencing the shadows and the swords that withdrew with his motion. "let's get your wounds treated." he murmured into a soft command, beginning to tug her the same way she came from; he was familiar with the palace, enough to know where the medicine room was and how to keep his privacy despite the ever whispering walls and the eyeing windows. it was a short trip of merely a couple of steps with his grip still tight on her hand and he pushed the door open to lead her in.

"sit." he breathed, moving to the shelves to pick at jars of water, cleaning ointment and clean bandages.

@◆ ⁞ jin hyun ⁽ˢᶦᵖʲᵉ⁾ if she was to say what does such events held in the palace remind her of, it would be the endless nights in the gisaeng house that she ran away from. music, women, alcohol, all to the enjoyment of men, those laughter and gigglings brought her back to those times, one that she probably wanted to stop recalling of, to not have her goosebumps surface at the thought of men touching her all around other than the one she had allowed. hyun, was he doing alright? staring at the fancy lanterns hanging across the venue, she wondered an upper-class men like him would be invited to an event like this. perhaps yes, perhaps no, she didn't even know who he exactly was, but then she still let herself falling for such a man, someone who could see through her, treating her inequalities as equal.

with thoughts occupying, she felt herself tripping to something on the ground and then bumping onto someone, the tray of ceramic cups all toppling over to the ground before the deafening clinking sounds had her squeeze those eyes shut. she sighs, managed to help herself up and quickly lowering her head to apologize to whoever she had blindly bumped into, not even getting a chance to see the face, but his voice had her froze at her spot, somehow way too familiar with it that she had to rethink if it was the voice she had longed for. in a split second she was almost sure, because he called out her name ― and only he knew her name. that moment her survival instincts told her to run, but once she moved her feet she stepped right into one of the broken shards, piercing pain coming from the bottom of the foot and she released a small yelp.

"you- you have seen the wrong person, my lord." she staggered at her spot, about to bend down to pick up more shards and get the way out of here. she must be cursed, for how come the person that she was thinking became the person she met, she didn't care the cuts that the sharp pieces were causing on her fingers, she just had to run. no, it surely was not hyun, no.

@◇ ⁞ yeonhee ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ the pavilion was a ruckus of noise; a cacophony had picked up, consisting of drunk slurs and yells coming from men who were three kites to the wind, of music that was meant to be festive but simply sounded plaintiff to his ears and the giggles of courtesans and gisaengs all around as they danced and made merry. hyun grimaced, heavy brows etched into a frown as he lifted himself from his seat at the table with a polite excuse. a headache had begun picking at his temples, throbbing in sobering pain and he knew that if he stayed a moment longer in this folly, he would lose his mind.

a gisaeng had traipsed over to where he was, offering him a glass of sweet wine along with a saccharine smile of tempation but hyun would politely decline, as usual; while he loved wine, there were few times he enjoyed company. he was all too aware of the whispers that bounced off the walls of the palace too- maybe he is still pinning over the one gisaeng who ran away with all his gold and coins? maybe he just was not into women anymore? maybe he had killed her off? he paid them no mind. he was more than fine in knowing the truth himself. his ponder broke with a wrench when his shoulder met a rather soft frame, the sound of clinking marbleware falling to the ground and shattering in million pieces following suit. he grunted, glancing down at the wet sleeve of his clothes and had begun wiping it off when his eyes caught the visage in front of him.

he stood there, frozen and anchored to the ground. the world had stopped moving, or so it seemed. and his heart had begun beating so loud he could hear his heartbeat in his ears, the beats erratic and wild. his face had blanched into a shocked canvas. "yeonhee?" he murmured softly, willing himself to say the sacred name he'd thought to be prayer; hyun was by no means a believer but with her, he'd known what god was. albeit for a brief moment.

@◈ ⁞ go dongil ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ haerim can't exactly see the expression on her dear friend's face, but she can tell — perhaps it's one of the benefits of being the so-called sacred eye of saro. but she doesn't need her abilities to tell her that something worries her beloved friend. she can sense it in the tension in the air, in the tone of his voice, in the way his laugh almost seems a little too forced — it's the years that they've spent together that have taught her the little details of dongil's mannerisms, her palms gripping his own in a firm, reassuring hold. it's then that she finds herself laughing at his jest, despite the worry that's made its way into her mind — after all, dongil has always been excellent at diffusing the tension with a simple vex sent her way. she can't help but purse her lips, poking the man's palm with a huff. "i'll have you know that my prancing about is necessary, in order to bless the island and search it for evil spirits. if i happen to grow familiar with the island, then it is only for the sake of my duty." she hopes that her words soothe the worry in his heart, and haerim only rubs her thumb along the back of dongil's palm in slow, soothing circles, sincerely hoping that it brings him some form of respite, despite the shiver that seems to overtake the young man. "i could never be angry with you, lord dongil," she says soothingly, tilting her head as she registers his words, wondering exactly what this secret is — it seems to be something that clouds her dear friend's countenance with guilt and worry, and she can't help but wonder what kind of secret brings him so much agony. "if this secret of yours is a secret for good reason, then i hold no ill will in my heart for you. you are one of my dearest friends, go dongil, and this secret is clearly plaguing your mind— so it is with utmost confidence that i say you can trust me not to be angered. i know how difficult it is to hold something so worrisome in your heart— and so i implore you to air out your grievances. i am here to listen, my lord."

@◆ ⁞ wang jaeyoon ⁽ᵍᵘʳᶦ⁾ 'i must have a wish for a death sentence...' she thought as her ears glowed red. yuri hadn't even realized that she had been observing the prince's face quite blatantly until he had called her out for it.

but his eyes...at first she had wondered if it was just the glistening of the sunlight in his face but as his gaze wondered, her hypothesis was proven wrong. the moment he questioned her, she bowed her head in urgency not only to ask for forgiveness but to hide the sudden rouge that glowed onto cheeks. "your highness i apologize greatly for my rudeness."

staring at the slabs of the wooden floor below her, she wondered what had gotten into her to act such a way. rising back up, she kept her gaze low to the ground while reflecting on her actions. 'good job yuri...' she sarcastically thought to herself. wondering how she could salvage the moment, she nervously cleared before mentioning, "i had just noticed your eyes. the color of your eyes are quite beautiful if i may say so."

@◈ ⁞ jeong haerim ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ the pitiful gaze that haerim has on him does nothing but to allow the guilt that's settled deep in his chest to weigh heavier than it had had, making it more difficult for him to ignore. after all, the lady has little to no idea as to why dongil has called for her assistance in his predicament. worse, it involves a secret that he has kept from her for quite awhile now -- far too long of a time for his liking, truthfully. "it is not my health that troubles me, my lady, for illnesses are quite foreign to me." he laughs, despite the troubles taunting him in the back of his mind. briefly, dongil leans into haerim's touch, the open palm cold yet warming his heart in ways that only a friend can. even so, his thoughts remain plaguing as much as they are doubting -- what would become of them, their friendship, once all of this will come to light? "if i could be of any assistance, i will be by your side -- however, i believe that it would not take long for you to familiarize your surroundings what with your constant prancing about, lady haerim," he teases, his hands coming to cradle the smaller pair within the as another round of chuckles leave his lips. yet, they are short and more curt, and dongil swallows the lump in his throat after he is done, lips parting to speak, thereafter, as he says, "but my worrying about this new land isn't the reason for my calling you here --" he sighs, shakily so. he merely hopes that haerim would account for the cold air for the sudden shudder that has wracked his body as well. "-- i asked for your company tonight for i have something to tell you. however, i implore you that you will not be angered by my keeping this a secret from you for years, when we both have promised to share them with each other especially when it is of utmost importance."

@◇ ⁞ chang yuri ⁽ᵍᵘʳᶦ⁾ jaeyoon was becoming accustomed to the quiet mornings the island offered, and he couldn't say he missed the chaotic routine of the battlefield that became second nature to him. at first, he never really knew what to do; his mornings were usually a rush of war councils, and without advisors surrounding him, he didn't have a day to be dictated upon. he eventually found his own solace, however, realizing that he often enjoyed a cup of tea alone outside in the pavilion after some breakfast.

he seems to arrive at the pavilion before the tea does, though he mentions nothing of it and sits by the low lacquered table to wait a few minutes. turning his attention to the sound of approaching footsteps, he nods to the maid after she bows. "that is fine, i had a quaint amount of rest." he says, narrowing his eyes just a bit as he wonders why she seems so familiar before he takes a sip of the tea.

in that moment, he can still feel the maid's eyes boring through his own, which prompts him to wonder what's so fascinating about himself that she had not even averted her gaze. usually – people would have looked away already, so what exactly had piqued her curiosity? "i'm fine but...is there perhaps, anything on my face miss? you've been staring for a while now."

@◈ ⁞ go dongil ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ at this point, it's completely natural — the way haerim lets dongil take the lead, her arm wrapped around his own quite securely as she falls into step with him, almost a perfect synchronization. dongil is one of her oldest and dearest friends — it only makes sense for her to trust him with her life. "i'll have you know i'm quite the patient lady, lord dongil— i will wait as long as necessary for your payment." it's when they're both seated that haerim listens to her dear friend's worries with furrowed brows, her gaze intent with concern as she feels pity in her heart for the young man. "oh, my dear friend," she sighs softly, reaching up to rest her small hand against his cheek. "has your health been troubling you as of late? i'm sure the lengthy trip here was of no assistance— i urge you to rest. as you've stated, everyone here is adjusting— i'm sure no one will bat an eye if you take a moment for yourself." her voice is small as she pulls her hand away, searching to take his hands in hers. "but i understand, dongil. i, too, long for the familiarity of home. this island is too far too treacherous; the palace may be safe, but the path towards the shrine confuses me quite a bit. i understand why it is necessary for us to be here, but... i do wish we could have stayed."

@◈ ⁞ jeong haerim ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ dongil clicks his tongue at his old friend, but the smile on his face is unwavering. gently, he winds her arms around his as he navigates through the quieter parts of the pavilion, his gaze darting around in fear of having anyone nearby. "i shall give you the promised rice cakes in due time, haerim. as you are, everyone is still in the process of adjusting into this...unfamiliar environment. it might take awhile for a servant to procure the necessary ingredients for your requested dish." the change in attitude that haerim's taken is not lost on dongil that he, too, has done the same. sitting them both by one of the pillars, he cradles her hand in his, squeezing her little one in return before a sigh escapes his parted lips. "truthfully, i do not know how to feel being on this island. a part of me wishes i have stayed back and just suffered the pains of wartime alongside the commoners. i believe it would be a better escape to the headaches i know will come soon."

@◈ ⁞ go dongil ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ dongil's voice is a welcome reverbation as she navigates through the halls of the palace — and as she approaches the blurry figure in the distance, haerim finds herself taking dongil's hand with a lazy smile. "good evening, lord dongil," she hums, her voice a small lilt as she steps closer to the young man. "i expect that you will prepare sufficient payment for pulling your dear friend out of her quarters tonight, and for not greeting her appropriately. i'll have you know i was still adjusting to the palace before i read your letter." she gives the man a teasing smile before squeezing his palm, her countenance taking a more serious attribute. "there was something important you wanted to discuss, yes? your letter was quite foreboding, i'll have you know."

@◈ ⁞ jeong haerim ⁽ˢᵃʳᵒ⁾ "forgive me, lady haerim, for i have not brought anything besides myself, though you know me well enough by now that i would not let you stray away from my line of sight. rest assured, you would not be harmed today," dongil says in succession, his lips curled up in a semblance of amusement as he offers a hand to his dearest friend. the letter he had sent was curt, truly -- but, haerim needed not reply in such a way, even if he knew she was merely jesting. "lovely seeing you, by the way -- though we have shared a few nights on the same vessel and have only parted ways by the port just this morning."

@◆ ⁞ wang jaeyoon ⁽ᵍᵘʳᶦ⁾ yuri had thought her transition to becoming the head palace maid of the island wouldn't be too much of a struggle. having been taught by a wonderful mentor, she knew exactly how to divide the work force of the maids from all three kingdoms to make sure everyone's transition onto the island would be as smooth as possible. the behind the scenes work wasn't the prettiest of course ,but she made it work. the only issue that had occurred was when she had found out that no one had bothered to deliver the morning tea to prince jaeyoon. of all the people that could've been been forgotten in the confusion...

since she had the time and was already in the kitchen, she took up the task herself and made her way to the pavilion where she was told he would be. quietly making her way up the steps of the platform, she carefully lowered herself into a bow before placing the tea set tray on the floor near the guri prince. "good morning your highness. i do apologize for the lateness of your morning tea but i do hope you had a good nights rest."

focusing her attention on the teapot, she carefully poured a cup before placing it on the side table next to the royal. having worked at the anhak palace, the maid wasn't a stranger to the prince's presence, but she had never been so up close until now. lifting her gaze from the floor, she stood back up before asking, "is there anything else i can get for you?" as she waited for an answer, she couldn't help but notice the eyes of the guri prince. they were a color she had never seen before on a human and all of a sudden she had forgotten her manners on how rude it was to stare.