Library

@♛ Lee Kiseop The group appeared attentive, not all that threatening towards their host. Some were definitely more intimidating than others - but he told himself to take a step back, a deep breath, and keep a cool head. These people had their reasons and their cause, and given that he was letting them take over his basement, the least he could do was listen to their reasoning. 'A greater cause'. Yibin smiled weakly at he man and slowly nodded, as though agreeing. He wasn't so sure about that, but these people had their own ideals. He very much doubted people from his side of town would unite and stand together if anything other than a little bar fight broke out. They were wealthy; the rich cared for the rich, and their disdain for the unfortunate less fortunate people of the city was almost worrying at times. They have their own ideals, and their own reasons for standing to them, he patiently chided himself in his head. He followed Kiseop over to the weeping boy beside the radiator, his eyes widening some. Had they beaten that confession into him, or was it all true? The librarian shuddered as the boy continued. He wanted to step back, give the uncomfortable thoughts no more time and hide himself away upstairs again - but Kiseop's arm was locked around him, he couldn't worm his way out and make a dash for it with a pathetic excuse like 'I boiled the kettle, I need to pour a cup of tea before it gets cold'. He spared the trembling prisoner a disgusted glance as the story continued and Kiseop took a hold of him again. The man had a way with words, a way that wanted to coax the horror writhing into his stomach into rage instead. The almost ceremonial stomping of many feet made his heart catch in his throat. He should just run off, leave them to it- this was their business, not his, he was simply hosting them- but all those poor little souls taken from loving homes... Families damaged in an unrepairable way. These people almost seemed like a twisted family in themselves, they only wanted justice, didn't they? It was nothing more than that. The man's shaky breath caught again, he nodded slowly. "Al- Alright, I will. Fine, I will." Slowly, Yibin pulled back from the iron grip on his shoulders, again facing the poor wretch by the radiator. He stepped closer, hands curled into awkward fists. He'd never gotten into fights, he'd always been raised to be quiet and agreeable, something like this was entirely new, he almost didn't know how to go about it. The creature was curled up still. Quickly, before he had time to contradict himself, to talk himself out of it, he delivered a sharp kick to the man's side before stepping back. Nothing terrible, he told himself. There had been a considerable amount of force behind the kick, but Yibin was not someone used to hurting people.

@♛ Zheng Yibin Hearing steps come down the stairs, Kiseop moved back to his seat and sat down, lounging comfortably. He smiled at the guy and waited until Yibin was just a few steps away before getting up and placing a hand on his shoulder. The other people in the room watched the two, the thing in the corner included. "Yibin, my man." Kiseop have his shoulder an appreciative squeeze. "We all really appreciate what you're doing here." Someone nodded and mumbled a 'yeah!'. Another smile, another squeeze. "Trustworthy guys like you are rare, willing to put themselves at risk for a greater cause." Kiseop gestured to the others in the room. "That's what we're all here for, a greater cause, to protect our people." Another 'yeah!', louder this time. Kiseop stepped closer and put an arm around Yibin's shoulder, walking him to the corner were the beaten figure sat. The room went silent, tensions rising. "Yibin, my man, we trust you." Kiseop was studying the other's expression, trying to read his thoughts as they stood in front of the cross-dressing boy. "Let me show you what we're fighting for." He withdrew his arm from around the other and crouched down in front of their victim. Kiseop pulled the thing's head back by it's hair so Yibin could see his bruised and swollen face. "Tell him what you did, ." The thing whimpered. Just speaking looked like it would be painful. "I-I.. I'm a e-", the thing began amidst tears. It was shaking. Someone yelled angrily and it flinched reflexively at the sound. "Be specific.", Kiseop growled threateningly, grip tightening on it's hair so it's neck streigned back awkwardly. Kiseop was still looking at Yibin, he didn't take his eyes off him. "I- I- I lured children.. ah- fro- from schools here a-and sold them to-", it sniffled, "to the highest bi- bidder." One of the guys lost it and charged the abused boy. He threw a heavy punch and Kiseop released the boy's long hair just in time for the force of the punch to send the side of his head smacking against the radiator. Kiseop stooed up and put an arm around Yibin's shoulder again, a friendly gesture but also one that made him incapable of looking away. "His cousin, just an innocent child, was and killed by people like this piece of trash.", he explained while the man kicked and stomped on the cowering boy. "Okay that's enough- that's enough!" Kiseop grabbed the enraged and clearly distressed man, pulling him back. "Calm down. You'll get your revenge, I promise.", Kiseop assured him with a smile. The man was pulled back by two others and taken to another corner of the room. The boy on the floor wasn't moving, if one didn't count how he quivered. Kiseop crouched down again and turned the boy's head so Yibin could see his face once more. The boy looked disoriented and half unconscious, like he had a concussion. There was blood trickling down his forehead. "What happened to those children?", Kiseop asked, eyes trained on Yibin. No answer. Kiseop shook the boy and asked again, more forcefully. "They- ah- th- they were kept as p-pets or- or killed." Kiseop growled angrily at that answer and stood up. "See? This is what we're fighting against. Monsters." He grabbed Yibin's shoulders once more, both of them now, dark gaze staring right into his eyes. "Doesn't that make you angry? Doesn't that make you want to /do/ something? --- Those people are taking our children, our siblings, our friends and killing them." His grip tightened, his tone grew more agitated. "And the cops just let them live there, so close to all the people we love. That's why we're fighting. That's what you're supporting." He paused. The other guys in the room started to stomp their feet rhythmically. "Kick him. Shows us what side you're on. I believe in you, Yibin. We all do."

@♛ Lee Kiseop Though it went against many potential morals, Yibin had allowed a band of thugs into his basement. They were interesting to observe, but he didn’t want to get his hands dirty. He didn’t know what he made of all the ‘East vs West’ debating. The people on the East side had never done anything to him. Once or twice, a few of the young thugs had even walked him back to the tracks after he’d taken a daring cross to offer tutoring to those who certainly couldn’t afford it. But people didn’t need to find out about that, and he wouldn’t go around telling them. Fitting to his description, he was minding his own business when the young man came up to get him. His brows furrowed briefly. As of so far, he’d had limited dealings with the people in his basement. The man that seemed at the centre of them was only an acquaintance; a friend of a friend he’d only shared a few words with. He was hesitant to follow, but he did as asked. The basement wasn’t shabby, nor dimly lit and dank like some might assume. He’d used it for storing new material when it came in, before he’d let the gang take over. Yibin’s eyes fell upon the poor wretch in the corner, trembling and bloodied, avoiding looking at him as much as he could as he approached Kiseop. He had an aura that made you want to join his cause and listen to what he had to say. What had they done to that poor kid? Was what they were doing justified? He wasn’t sure, he couldn’t decide. The bloodied face was unfamiliar to him, even in his fleeting once over of him. Quite uncomfortably, Yibin held himself as he looked at the man. Hopefully what they would need would just be quick and easy. Something he could figure out like a good host and get back to them on quickly. He could understand why his basement was a good option for them to hide in though. The library wouldn’t attract attention, he hoped. He’d been promised he wouldn’t be take down with them if something went awfully wrong, though he hoped it wouldn’t. His reputation would be tarnished, nothing more. “You… wanted to see me? Can I get you anything?”

@♛ Zheng Yibin A few weeks back, a friend of a friend had arranged this place for Kiseop's gang, a basement formerly used to store all sorts of useless crap. Kiseop didn't like the negative connotation that was associated with a 'gang', but it is what they were, taking revenge on the Eastys that ed up so many innocent Westy's lives. There were enough people on this side of the tracks who had lost family or loved ones to thugs from the East, enough people who, like Kiseop, were not satisfied with how the law dealt with matters and needed to take things in their own hands. Their primary duty was protecting their part of New Seoul from Eastys who crossed over. Sometimes they would hunt a particular person and followed them to the East, but that was not the norm. Kiseop's friend of a friend, Yibin, a quiet and unassuming but good-looking guy, if a little thin, had given them this place to use and Kiseop was very greatful to him for it. They needed a place to gather and talk away from the public eye. Kiseop was sitting on a plastic foldable chair, right ankle brough up over his left thigh and was leaning forward like he was deep in thought. A cigarette dangled from his lips, brows furrowed and lips scowling. There were some fellow vigilantes seated around him, engaged in a heated discussion. "The longer we keep him around, the higher the risk we get caught!", one voice called out angrily, and was interrupted by a sneer. "You're just scared! No one will ever find out. As if anyone is looking!" There were grumbles of agreement on both sides and finally several pairs of eyes locked on Kiseop. He liked moments like these. It made him feel in charge, even though he'd deny it if asked straight out. "We're definitely killing him. Soon, but not just yet. He's good practice for the newbies, get a little blood on their hands. We'll get rid of him soon." The topic of the conversation was huddled in a far corner of the room, cuffed to an old radiator. It had long dirty blonde hair, dishevelled and oily, and what one would guess was a pretty face underneath all the blood and bruising. It was so still one could easily forget it was even there. It wore a single heel, short skirt and a torn lace bralette that was more scrap than clothing. The guys groaned or nodded, but they all fell in line. Kiseop's scowl turned into a smile and he flicked his cigarette to the ground, stretching as he leaned back on his flimsy chair. "That being said... isn't it about time Yibin got his hands dirty? Someone go get him." The youngest in the group ran up the stairs to get Yibin, while Kiseop rose to his feet and approached the beaten body in the corner. He nudged the long-haired person with his foot. "Hey, look alive. Time to earn another day we let you live." Kiseop grinned. He loved the way it flinched and couldn't even look him in the eye. If only everyone in the East was like this one. They could wipe them out in a day.