you do this, you do

[nunchii]

ROOK

i.
[ most of the time, Rook is aware of where he is going and what random surface he is deciding to nap on. he has his favourite spots, out side of his hoard of pillows and blankets, and they are usually in presence of other demons, the few vampires he has decided he likes, or the bar in downtown Seoul that caters to those with magic in their blood.

this couch is in none of those places.

it smells like earth and dampness and moss first off.

second, there is way less magic in the air here and it's weird. well there is magic, a kind that Rook hasn't felt in a long while, and nothing like the static feeling of too many magical creatures in one area brings to his skin. this is... calmer. more unified.

still, he has no fucking clue where he is. not that it seems to bother him. the demon hums and sits up on the couch hair a mess and eyes half lidded, standing out if only because he is clad in just loose black pants and a whole lotta gold body jewellery.

what there are standards for demons of lust okay? sometimes he cares enough to hold himself to them. kinda.

his voice is rough when he speaks.]

Mm, where 'm I?



ii.
[ Rook doesn't need to stay. he can leave as easily as he came (but with more intention), can slide between the worlds and slink back to hell where he has whatever he needs to make eternity terrible for others. but--

and isn't there always a 'but'

he kinda likes it here. this place is weird, with the people and the place. the magic that is so different in them all but also strangely similar. how all these beings are under one roof in the swamp and have found things that so many spend their whole existences searching for.

how there is more love than lust here and well fuck, isn't that something.

so yeah, Rook could leave. Rook should leave. there isn't much for him to do here with his Cardinal. there are only so many strings for him to pull on (and yeah yeah yeah, a good demon would seduce and destroy, would ruin relationships and cause hurt but-- if you ask Rook he doesn't do that because he is lazy, not because he if soft). but he doesn't. he stays.

stays and starts bringing little pieces that he likes into the home. a pillow. a blanket. a set of dishes where none of them match but they are inlaid with precious stones so who cares. today's present is a bookshelf. complete with books. mostly in dead languages but hey, it's the thought that counts right?

Rook is in the middle of the living room (or what he thinks is the living room) hands on his hips and head cocked as he tries to figure out where the shelf would look best.

feel free to help him out.]

Ros

i.
[ the early morning, Ros has found, is the best time for him to practice much of anything in this place. sure he still goes to the underworld, still has his haunts and the shadows but--

he likes this place. these people. so he has taken to sticking around whenever he doesn't have a job that needs to be done. not because he thinks that they need protecting (they totally need protecting, almost more from themselves than from outsiders) but because he likes it here.

so early morning, when the sun is just thinking about getting up and most everyone is asleep, if not quiet, Ros can be found on the grounds outside with more than a few short blades in his hands and a concentrated look on his face.

ever since the war, ever science the adaptation of science and magic and everything, Ros has found that he cannot rely on his hound form as much, cannot rely on what he is, so he needs to adjust. needs to learn. and learn quickly (which considering he is a weapon isn't very hard at all). still, practice is necessary and, since he does not need much sleep, it is a nice way to just-- exist for a while. ]


ii.
[ if you happen to pass by the kitchen, you might notice one (1) rather confused looking hellhound who is staring at what appears to be a rather fancy looking espresso machine. the machine in question is sitting on the counter, in the middle of a hastily cleared spot, with a bag of actual coffee beans next to it while Ros leans against the table and just stares at it.

you see, he learned very early on that everyone here is quite fond of coffee (well, not all but--) so, being the being he is, Ros set out to find the best of the best. apparently this machine was supposed to be one of the best so long as you had the right beans (which he did make sure to grab) and followed the instructions (which he did not have at all). which is why he is looking confused.

because how the hell were you supposed to turn those beans into liquid coffee? the hound has no idea.]

Sage

i.
[ to say that Sage feels like shit would be a bit of an understatement. he isn't sure what is worse, death maybe? but he is certainly there. ever since the night where he made the fucking brilliant choice to let Minsu into his room (and subsequently kicked him out) the witch has been no where to be found within the confines of the house.

or even the immediate swamp.

Sage has, despite knowing better, been in the darkest parts of the swamp where the sun barely reaches and humans haven't been in fucking centuries (okay, maybe they have, but shhh) with no real point to it all but to just get out. be alone. away.

maybe to punish himself a little bit but, that is neither here nor there.

the magic in this part of the swamp is thicker, is heavier and seeps into his bones and makes it easy for him to forget about fucking humans and their brilliant smiles, or their soft mouths or--

(such a soft and fragile thing, the human heart is witchling. careful.)

Sage doesn't really forget anything, but he does manage to push more magic into the wards and finds a small patch of fungus that he can most certainly use in potions so not a total loss. still, when he trudges back into the house, covered in swamp and a little paler than usual, he isn't so sure that is a good win.

the witch leaves the ingredients he found on the kitchen table (along with a note stating not to eat them because he really doesn't want to deal with that, thanks Ten) then makes his way to the washroom to clean himself off and then to his room to get dressed. and if he comes out wearing sweatpants that belong to Ros for how huge the are and Minsu's shirt, well--- shut up.

he is then making his way back to the kitchen for coffee. because jesus fuck he needs that. ]



ii.
[ inhale. exhale. inhale. exhale-- you can do this!

Sage isn't usually a nervous person. not even a little. but-- standing outside Minsu's door with a basket full of fresh berries (that cost him more than he would like to admit but worth it) and a new frying pan, the witch is nearly shaking with nerves.

what if Minsu left? what if he hates him? what if he tries to smack him upside the head with the frying pan and just--

Sage knocks before his mind talks him out of this.]

... Minsu? You there?

Comments

ros, ii.

[squelch]

[ A certain nosy Nelly is wandering through the house on the hunt for, honestly? Who knows what he's on the hunt for. Stuff. Could literally be just about anything you can imagine. Thumbtacks or popcorn or silly string or maybe a body willing to help him haul some water inside. Anyway, he's on a mission, so he almost walks past the kitchen a little too quickly to spot the caffeine-related drama that is currently playing out inside.

He actually does make it most of the way past before doing a kind of slow-mo double take, leaning backward and coming to a halt just past the edge of the doorway, but with his head peeking around the side. ]

Ros? [ He turns, putting his hands on the door-frame and peering in properly. ] Um, what're you doing? [ Hello, we have intense curiosity, Houston. ]

[spott]

[ usually Ros is quick to greet whomever it is that he comes across in the house, but today he is a little bit distracted. very distracted? whatever, point is he huffs before looking over at Ten and all but pouts at him before gesturing to the coffee machine and bag of beans.]

Trying to will this into submission?

[ no not really. well kind of. if he could do that he would but he knows that he can't will the coffee machine to work. so--]

I know everyone here loves coffee, so I got a machine? [ he gestures to it. ] But I have no idea how it works and it didn't come with instructions. So....

[ another long sigh before Ros really does flat out pout at Ten.]

I don't know how to make it work.

[squelch]

[ Ten inches his way into the room, peering at the machine. ] Oh, I've seen one like this! [ "Like this." That could truly mean many, many things. So many things. Numerous, endless things. One hesitates to even speculate, honestly.

He tilts his head back and forth as he looks at the machine from what he deems a reasonable distance. He's not got his nose stuck to it, anyway. ]

It was really nice of you to get everyone something so nice, Ros! [ he says, grinning up at the other while he continues his examination.

Hands-off. No worries. ] I wonder if anyone else knows how to use it. [ And yet, he looks so curious to try it himself somehow. ] I bet we could figure it out though!

Two heads are better than one! [ He flashes a V sign. ] Now, where does the water go....

[spott]

[ the pout flickers into a smile at the reassurance and Ros finds himself grinning back and rubbing the back of hie head a little at the comment.] You guys are all so nice? So--??

[ that makes sense right? you got presents for the people that were nice to you in your life? or that were something like important and family and-- whatever. he just wanted things for them.

if only he could make it work.

still the fact that Ten says that he has seen a machine like this before makes him think they can totally figure this out. well that Ten can. and that-- well that's a start.]

Umm, I think in the hole at the back? There was some kind of tank beneath the flap. I think. Maybe? I just don't know where the beans go? And how do they go from whole bean to coffee??

[ true magic.

and yes, Ros has a million ways to kill a man but doesn't know how to make coffee. what of it. ]

rook; i.

[incendiaring]

[ Kwang hasn't been around the house for very long, himself. In a way, he only planned on being a passer-by; staying around for a little while, soaking up the sun and the untold amounts of love and care that permeated every inch of this house, and then take off again, like a migrating bird.

He didn't think Sage's invitation meant forever, anyway.

So maybe he hasn't been around long enough to meet everyone who lives here. Or maybe this guy's new, too. But there's something about him - when Kwang walks into the living room, his eyes fall on him immediately, a knot in his stomach suddenly tightening.

Magic comes in all forms and shapes, and sometimes, it's hard to make sense of it. But demonic magic? Kwang could taste it at the back of his throat, just like bile. He crosses his arms over his chest, surprised at the itch on his back, how much his wings apparently want to burst out.

Not indoors. Never indoors. ]

If you don't know where you are, you should leave.

[nunchii]

[ it takes Rook a moment to focus on the voice, still rubbing at his eyes and trying to make sense of where he is beyond oddly comfortable couch. when he does finally turn enough to see the speaker, the demon finds himself smiling just a little bit. there is something familiar about the other in a way that he can't quite place at the moment but allows Rook to just-- huff and drape over the arm of the couch instead of getting up.

the other didn't exactly seem friendly but he also wasn't trying to murder him so-- napping more it is! ]

Mmmm, but this couch is comfy! And clearly something summoned me here or I wouldn't have woken up here.

[ there. that's it. that's how he ended up here. there were still a few witches out there that had the power and know how to summon and deal with demons, that must be why he was here.

tipping his head, Rook cracks open one eye and raises his brow.]

You seem familiar. Or something. Have I slept with you before?

[ small talk with a lust demon, this is it. ]

[incendiaring]

[ The most infuriating thing about this guy - this demon - is how nonchalant he seems. How little he cares, apparently, to be here in the vicinity of someone who obviously isn't happy to have him around.

Kwang's jaw clenches. Someone summoned him? But who?

He doesn't necessarily knows everyone in the house very well yet, but that seems slightly off. He swallows thickly, fighting the itch on his back when the guy asks if they've slept together. His tone is - well, not quite offended, because it's not like he's never slept with a demon, but. Displeased. ]

No, we haven't. Believe me, you'd remember. And I don't fuck demons.

[ Anymore. ]

[nunchii]

[ giving a fuck about, well, anything, takes way to much energy and Rook honestly is not about that life. if it were sex related, yeah okay maybe. (like he has a choice then, thanks to his Cardinal). he is just as happy to sleep 23 hours a day and live in a perpetual state of almost awake as he is having great sex.

happier, actually.

so yeah, Rook doesn't look like he gives two fucks about waking up in a place he doesn't know surrounded by magic that is unfamiliar. there is just an amused curl to his lips as he watches the other shift, look uncomfortable, but not in the way that Rook is used to. usually people are attracted to him right away, part of what he is, and while there is a flicker of that here-- most of it is just defensive.

with a low hum, Rook lets his head fall to the side, face smooshed against his arm as he closes his eyes.]

Mmm, would I thought? I mean you rather pretty but, doesn't mean you're good.

[ wait, he needs a blanket. Rook sits up rather suddenly, and blinks as he looks around until--

ah. yes. good.

the demon lays back down, curled up, and drags the patchwork blanket up over him as he does.]

Take it that means you aren't the one that summoned me here then. [ a yawn. ] Actually, dunno if I was summoned, doesn't feel like it. Maybe I sleep travel?

ros; i.

[gunflowers]

[ Myung doesn't see many early mornings. Usually, he's fallen asleep a few hours prior, and so he misses most sunrises, too exhausted from whatever happened that night, be it work or one of his housemates, to even stir as the sun hit his face. But this morning? This particular one, he does, actually, see the sun come up, because - well, shit, look at that, someone pulled an all-nighter, not even realizing it.

Oh, well. He wanders to the kitchen, gets himself a cup of coffee, before walking back into his room - the piano room, with its huge windows and excellent acoustics, when he spots the tall (so tall) form of Ros, outside.

Curious, Myung walks back out of his room and pads, barefoot, to the grounds surrounding the house, the sounds of water lapping at the deck soft and rhythmical. With his coffee in hand, he walks around until he gets to Ros, who seems to be... training? With daggers? ]

You know, I always thought yoga was better suited to sunrise workouts.

[spott]

[ the movements, which had been fast and precise, slow ever so slightly when he hears someone approach. but Ros doesn't stop, keeps moving against imaginary targets and maybe, just maybe, missing his pack just a little bit. ]

Yoga is great for sunrise workouts, if you need to work on flexibility or strength. [ a jab before Ros drops and rolls from an imaginary attack, getting back up smoothly and flashing Myung a wink. ] Which we all know I don't need.

[ is he flirting? that might be something he is doing. he has gotten better at it since hanging out here, and it is a little bit like a chase to him. so naturally, he loves it. the hound finishes a few more flourishes, moving with the grace of someone who has spent their whole existence fighting before he stops and stills.

he cocks his head and, flipping one of the daggers over to hold the blade, holds it out to Myung.]

Wanna try?

[gunflowers]

[ Myung didn't think for one second that he could have snuck up on Ros, but he's glad he didn't - these things look sharp. He buries his nose in his mug for a second, his beanie barely hanging off his head as he looks at Ros. For what it's worth, Myung probably looks like he just woke up, white t-shirt a little rumpled and too big for his frame, sweatpants hanging low on his hips, eyes small and feet cold on the deck.

He snorts at Ros' words, raising an eyebrow. ]

You sure don't. [ One would know from experience. Experience that makes the tip of his ears a little pink, hidden under his beanie.

God, but Ros is beautiful. Even like this, doing something that is, technically, violent, he is all grace and fluidity, and Myung's mouth goes a little dry at the sight. He startles out of that train of thought when Ros addresses him again, holding out a blade for him.

He reaches out for it with his free hand, putting his mug down on the ground for a minute. He looks at the weapon, considering. ]

Never did try out throwing weapons. The only blade I know to work with is my butterfly knife. How am I supposed to do it?

[spott]

[ as far as Ros is concerned, Myung looks adorable. could look better if it was his shirt and not... whomever it is but hey that is probably the possessive asshole in him.

the smile on Ros's face is blinding and amused when Myung agrees with him. he likes Myung, for someone with such a history there is still so much of him that is good, and the hound-- well he knows to treasure that. which he plans on doing. and if one of those ways is by teaching Myung how to use a blade like this, well-- so be it.

the hound is eager in how he moves closer, something almost childish lighting up his being at the thought of being able to teach Myung something. at being able to be close. of course, he steps in close and stands so that the heat of him seeps into the thin fabric of the shirt the other is wearing.]

Butterfly knife? That-- sound either pretty or deadly, huh. [ he knows how to use most weapons, but he doesn't need them and he sure as fuck doesn't know what they are called. but if you gave it to him, he could use it.] If you know how to find the centre of the blade easily, and know how to consider it like an extension of yourself, you are already so much farther along than most.

[ a pause as he toys with another blade.]

Wanna finish your coffee first though?

sage; i.

[gunflowers]

[ Spotting Sage in the house these days is like spotting a unicorn, aka? It feels impossible. He's disappeared, a while ago, and Myung isn't sure why, or how, or anything else. He's sure... he's sure something must have happened. But he doesn't know what, and he doesn't know what to do about it, either.

So when he does spot Sage in the kitchen, dressed in nothing that really looks like it's his, Myung stops dead in his tracks, and just stares, for a moment. Sage looks... wrecked. Tired and potentially ready to snap, and Myung walks over quietly, stopping when he's close enough to touch but doesn't do it, giving Sage the choice. ]

Hey. You look - well. You look like you're ready to punch someone. Or pass out. Are you - d'you need to vent, or something? Or punch someone, for real? I know a few guys.

[muskeg]

[ the coffee is taking too long to brew and Sage might fold his arms and bury his head in them on the counter while he waits because, god, he is bone tired. maybe spending that much time and energy in the swamp doing magic wasn't the best idea. but also, it was the best idea. better than other ideas at least. still he is really fucking out of it, and he should try for food but--

food means cooking which makes him think of Minsu and-- nope not yet.

when he feels someone approach, the witch pulls his head up something almost defensive flickering across his face before it softens when he realizes who it is.

yeah you're gonna have one super tired witch faceplanting awkwardly against your shoulder there, Myung.]

Can I punch myself? That never ends well. [ a huff before he tips his face up, wry smile on. ] I like your second option though, punching someone sounds excellent. After coffee.

[gunflowers]

[ If Myung's surprised that Sage leans into him almost immediately, well, he kinda shows it, mostly with a tiny noise of surprise. He doesn't let it linger, though, reaching up to cradle the back of Sage's head with a hand, thumb pressing at the base of his skull, none too hard.

Sage is obviously Not Okay. And sometimes, when you're Not Okay, not talking about it, and letting it all out in a physical way? That's the way to do things. At least it is in Myung's world, who releases everything he doesn't know how to deal with on his piano, or through punches and kicks. ]

Okay. Punching it is. You sure you up for it?

[ he's not going to push Sage to talk, that's not his style. But he makes sure that the offer to listen is there, in his eyes, when Sage looks back at him. ]

sage - ii

[minsu]

[the food hasn't been very good at swamp house lately. oh, minsu still makes sure that they have something, because even in the midst of this...whatever it is, he still sees that as his responsibility, his part for the house.

it's just been a lot of cereal and pasta. sandwiches. that sort of thing.

he's been desperate for sage to come back. the more days that pass, the more minsu questions if the witch is gone for good, and he can't physically stand the thought of that. it sends him to his bed, legs drawn up so that his six foot frame becomes more like four.

when he hears sage's voice, he thinks he's drifted off and dreaming - it wouldn't be the first time. but he sees a little light shifting under his door, and someone is definitely there, and that has minsu up and out of his bed.]

Uh - just a minute!

[he looks like shit. there's darkness under his eyes, and he's lost a couple of pounds, and he hasn't washed his hair in a few days. but he doesn't want sage to go away, so he opens his door in spite of all of that.]

[muskeg]

[ if it makes you feel any better Minsu, Sage doesn't look much better off. sure he has showered, hair still a little damp and frizzy around the ends giving him a mint halo of sorts, but he is paler than normal and smaller (or maybe that is because he is wearing your shirt still) and looks like he hasn't slept in a week. which he hasn't but not the point. seeing Minsu like that when he is usually so fucking full of life makes his stomach twist and oh fuck wow-- he really fucked up. big time.

for a beat Sage just stands there, mouth hanging open a little bit.

he is such an asshole, fuck.]

Uh, shit. I -- [ well fuck words. Sage snaps his mouth shut and instead holds up the frying pan and basket of berries. hopes that Minsu gets what he can't say. there is a sorry stuck in his throat, but at the same time he feels like it isn't enough, that he needs to say something more and-- well he is shit with words when it matters. ] I got these for you.

[minsu]

[it doesn't make him feel better at all to see sage looking small and bone white. and yet he can't stop himself from noting how cute he looks with baby bird hair, or how that's his shirt on sage's body.

(it was just an accident, the first shirt that he grabbed. minsu won't let himself get his hopes up.)

so for a moment there's just awkward silence, two broken halves trying to figure out if and how they can become whole when sage goes and holds up his offerings. his eyes go to the berries first and widen.]

Where did you get these!

[because he knows how hard it is to get fresh produce, especially something as rare and fragile as berries. minsu looks at them longingly every time he goes to get food for them, wishing that he could buy something like fresh berries for the plain oatmeal that they have to eat sometimes, or to put into muffins for breakfast. but for the same price, he can get enough canned goods to last them for a week.

minsu blinks a couple of times, holding the basket in one arm and the frying pan in the other hand. he leans closer with concerned eyes, lowering his voice.]

You didn't sell your body to the man with the eye patch, did you?

[look, he gets propositioned for produce all the time. it's a thing.]

rook - 1

[hoodwinker]

[what in the fresh hell.

jiho can only stare at him, mouth slightly agape, eyes trailing over the pants, the obnoxiously golden body jewelry. it's all so much that the normal reaction that jiho might have to a stranger in the house is lost.]

Who brought you home?

[jiho needs to talk to them.]

[nunchii]

[ actually he is from the older part of hell, but it's hard to tell sometimes. he has aged really really well.

with a hum Rook turns slowly and blinks, crooked smile appearing on his face as he runs his fingers through his hair. it doesn't tame the nap hair at all, but Rook doesn't much mind; he looks good no matter what.the movement makes the bangles and chains around his wrists clink together, the gems catching in the low light.

Rook pays no mind to the fact that he is wearing millions of dollars worth of gold. please don't try to kill him for it. ]

Mmm? Dunno? I kinda woke up here. Anyone into summoning demons?

[hoodwinker]

[demon summoning. jiho turns on his heel and heads straight for sage's room.

of course, it doesn't take him long to find out that the witch didn't summon him. neither did anyone bring him home. so when jiho stalks back into the room, it's with purpose.]

Get out of our house.

[it's hissed through teeth, a quiet sort of fury. jiho steps onto the edge of the table, and for a moment he's sort of towering above rook - and then he's gone.

in the next breath, he's suddenly behind the couch, one hand pressing at the demon's body, and the other plunging a sharp blade at his throat.]

rook, ii.

[chamsae]

[ Bird likes to keep an eye on everyone in the house. Not in an obtrusive or nosy way, but just as a kind of desire to know everyone's here and safe. You know the Weasley's clock in Harry Potter?

That's Bird.

So, as they meander around the house and try to discern that everything is okay - it seems not, because there's been some disruption between various couples and other relationships consisting of more than two people, which Bird does not fully understand yet - wandering through the room where Rook is observing his bookshelf was bound to happen eventually.

And here they are. ]

That bookshelf is new, [ they say, helpfully. ]

[nunchii]

[ Rook is aware of the chaos that seems to be happening in the lives of those that reside in this house. too aware actually and he hates that there isn't anything he can do at all to help these people. well there are things that he can do but he is pretty sure that no one would appreciate it. orgies only solve things in hell. and really, Rook wants things to be good for these people he likes them and, yeah okay, he is a romantic. that is why being a demon of lust is a fucking punishment for him.

so, Rook got a bookshelf full of books and maybe people will read something and remember that there are more important things in the world that not being with the person that you clearly fucking care about.

the demon hums at the statement, still looking at the bookshelf like he isn't sure it works there.]

Mmm, it is. Thought it could be of some use here. What do you think, the wall or the far one?

[chamsae]

[ If Bird could climb into Rook's head, oh, the questions they would ask and see answered. So much insight is lost to them in this particular situation.

They are the sort of person who would not even know to offer an awkward head pat if someone came to them and was very sad. It's all very... mystifying. And so is this. Magically appearing furniture. They need a moment to orient themselves.

When they have successfully found their feet, they turn their attention to that question with relentless focus. As such, their expression changes, and their face with it. From a bright-eyed young woman to a slightly older gentleman. ] You should avoid letting direct sunlight hit books.

They could get damaged. [ They have a mug at home that says "world's best clerical assistant slash nitpicker."

Oh, as an aside, Bird would agree with the assessment about finding things to focus on other than heartache. They can say this because they've never experienced a broken heart. ]

rook ii.

[seafoamed]

[ since arriving at the house, kai had formed quite an extensive listing of things to do and explore. the current day, his eyes landed on the living room and he eagerly made his way there, stopping in the doorway of it when he arrived because of someone already being there. did they also have a list of things
to explore?

an adventure list, maybe! ]

Hi there! [ kai greeted, moving inside to try and figure out what talk, dark and handsome intended to do. eyeing the bookshelf clued him in. ] More books! How nice. You should probably put it over there out of the way. Some people like to dance in here.

[ by some people, he meant himself. ] Do you like reading a lot? [ the important questions. ] I'm Kai, by the way.