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Secretive plotter, knowing what he knows…
Being who he is…
Seeing what what he already has…
Felt particularly unlucky today.
There were no opportunities available to become close to Kim Dokja, in way to get to know him better. Not to mention, he had limited resources, mostly because the exchange of three questions took a lot out of him.
What a frustrating guy! Somehow, Kim Dokja just knew how to tire him out, no matter in what form.
Secretive plotter rested his cheek with his free hand, a cup of wine in the other and stared into the distance.
What feels like a millennia of romantic disinterest in others was truly at its toll. He found himself wanting and longing after… essentially hundreds of lifetimes. Certain weariness was to be expected, yet the art of seduction was… a very specific, honed, practiced skill.
He’d never had to try.
The all mighty plotter, destroyer of worlds, master of several techniques and merciless killer of many…
Reduced to…
This.
As if sensing his despair, the 999th round’s Yoo Joonghyuk came in hurriedly, and quickly spoke his mind.
“You’re off.”
Secretive plotter, although a god, at the moment, was just a man.
“It’s Kim Dokja, isn’t it?”
Secretive plotter shot 999th a tired glance.
Of course he’d known. After all, Secretive plotter would just be talking to himself. It wasn’t like anyone else would understand.
“Yes. I want to…” Secretive plotter put the glass down and stared at his hands. “I want to be with him and…” and under his breath, in the lowest voice he could muster, he admitted it. “...hold him.”
“...”
“...”
“Such a simple thing.” 999th said in resignation. “I understand”
“I figured.” Secretive plotter smiled to himself. “Is it worth pursuing?”
999th shrugged.
“We have never been one to hold back.”
“Enough with the self-restraint, you say” Secretive plotter scratched his chin.
“We’ve been watching a while. Failure to execute an action will continue a stand-still.”
It was decided.That was all Secretive plotter needed to hear.
“Escort him to the beach area.”
999th nodded as he exited the quarters.
It wouldn’t be long before he met Kim Dokja again.
His lips twitched as if wanting to smile but not quite remembering how.
He drank from his cup…the wine tasted sweeter, even the smell of all the nature that encompassed their surroundings felt refreshing and new.
As if a blockage had been lifted from his body.
Although, Kim Dokja was the bearer of many mysteries, only one thing remained resolute.
The likelihood of him having another chance would require waiting. Although he was a patient man… today, he had no patience left.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
All in all, Kim Dokja really liked the 999th’s company, so when he glad that it was 999th the one who had to escort him somewhere. Unfortunately, this time he wasn’t as talkative, which made his heart ache a little because Yoo Joonghyuk wasn’t one for words and he had a nice voice, so secretly, Kim Dokja lamented not hearing him as much…
…That was neither here or there…
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
The weather was perfect and the sun was just bright enough to feel warm against the skin without overheating. They went together into the deeper part of the forest. The further they ventured out, the more Kim Dokja noticed a change in the air toward a familiar saltiness, he also realized that the soil under him started to transition into sand and that’s when he finally lifted his head, he recognized the beach. He couldn’t help but to walk faster toward it as if to check it was real. It had been a long time since he encountered such a sight.
As he marveled about his surroundings under 999th’s watchful gaze, he noticed there was someone else not too far from where he was.
A tall figure waited while standing on a small deck leading into the beach. He wore a collared, unbuttoned shirt open, exposing his muscular torso and sunglasses, so it was a bit hard to make out who he was.
Kim Dokja wanted to point this figure out to 999th. He still watched from afar but this time he moved his little hand in a “shoo-shoo” motion, encouraging him to walk toward the tall man.
Nothing about the situation seemed dangerous, but he couldn’t help to be a bit on edge. He went to him, regardless.
The man turned half way to acknowledge him. The closer Kim Dokja got to the small deck, the figure became clear as day, but the realization… somehow, incomprehensible.
“Yoo Joongyuk?!” Kim Dokja almost fell on his ass.
Secretive plotter nodded.
“You’ve arrived.”
He watched as the handsome man turned to him in full and watched as Yoo Joonghyuk… or better said - Secretive plotter took off his sunglasses to meet his gaze. He had very distinctive scars on his well defined body and a glimmer on his right eye.
“We don’t have much time.” He approached, “Let’s go.”
The human mind was truly incredible and able to hallucinate even if sober. Or maybe what presented himself before his eyes was some sort of illusion or dreamscape.
As if the man in front of him knew exactly what he was thinking, he rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers.
[A sub scenario has arrived!]
_________________________________________________________
||< Beach Scenario – Three dates with constellation: Secretive plotter >
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||Category: Sub (Personal)
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||Difficulty: ???
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||Clear Condition(s): Have a good time
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||Time Limit: 5 Hours
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||Compensation/Reward: ???
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||Failure: ???
||_________________________________________________________
‘This is new’
Instinctively, he reached for his phone, yet he stopped himself. It was just muscle memory at this point.
That probably wasn’t a good idea. Although all he had in mind were questions, Kim Dokja was truly afraid.
This Yoo Joonghyuk, as the secretive plotter, seemed too much of a wild card.
[How i nterest ing]
Kim Dokja swallowed hard as he heard the fourth wall echo in his mind.
✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
Most people don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, but this was close. Internally, it wasn’t as if he was threatening Kim Dokja.
Maybe, in a way, he was. But he didn’t specify the details of the sub-scenario, he kept it as vague as possible. Plus, he wouldn’t force Kim Dokja to do something he didn’t want to do.
It just was that… this is the easiest way.
“Pick three things to do, the scenario will update accordingly.”
Kim Dokja looked pensive and seemed like he wouldn’t push back.
“All we have to do is go on a date? That’s it?”
“Simple, isn’t it?”
“We get to know each other and get close and intimate?” Kim Dokja drew his fist to his hands as if realizing the purpose.
“Even if I wanted to go to Karaoke?”
He almost wanted to sigh but refrained from doing so and snapped his fingers. The layout of the beach turned from open and breezy into a smaller room, with dim, colored lights with a bright TV in front of them.
Their clothes changed as well. Kim Dokja seemed to wear his formal work clothes while his own turned into a tight black shirt and blue jeans. As casual as possible.
“Looks like I just met you after work.”
“Do you usually go to Karaoke?” He really wanted to know. “Do you miss it?”
Kim Dokja seemed to be taken by surprise but answered as he quickly grabbed the remote on top of the little table to sort through songs in the tv while sitting down.
“I had no one to go with. I went by myself sometimes but not a lot.”
The memory didn’t seem to do what he intended. He didn’t know what laid behind Kim Dokja’s past or how he got to where he was.
…He wanted to know.
“What song do you want to sing?”
“Ah, hang on, I’m looking for it.” Kim Dokja patted the seat for him to come sit next to him, and he obediently went.
He couldn’t help but to stare. Kim Dokja had an enigmatic type of charm, it was melancholic and his soft, pleasant features made him look more docile than what he actually was. Yet, he reminded him of a fox.
It wasn’t much longer before a string of guitar echoed in the dolby surround stereo in the room.
In what seemed to be a very deliberate effort to hide his face, he saw as Kim Dokja stood and began.
Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner
Sometimes I feel like my only friend
Is the city I live in, the city of angels
Lonely as I am, together we cry
Kim Dokja’s voice was not bad, he hit the notes where he had to.
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
…
As he heard Kim Dokja continue to sing, he paid attention to the lyrics. He thought that maybe there was a message somewhere.
It was really abstract.
When the song wrapped up, Kim Dokja sat next to him and handed him the microphone.
“Your turn. What will it be?”
The microphone was still warm from Kim Dokja’s touch and he cherished it. Yoo Joonghyuk got up to go in front of the tv. However, this time, instead of hiding himself from Kim Dokja, he faced him and let one of the softer lights illuminate his face.
“This pick might seem unlikely… but I enjoy it.”
The upbeat drums came up softly. The look of shock coming from the man was… cute.
Yoo Joonghyuk took a deep breath. He probably won’t do that great, but he’d do it.
"Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick
The one that makes me scream", she said
"The one that makes me laugh", she said
And threw her arms around my neck
In a way, he was surprised he knew the lyrics like the back of his hand and he was able to recite them so well.
I kissed her face and kissed her head
And dreamed of all the different ways I had
To make her glow
Why are you so far away, she said
Why won't you ever know that I'm in love with you
That I'm in love with you
You
Soft and only
You
Lost and lonely
You
Strange as angels
Dancing in the deepest oceans
Twisting in the water
You're just like a dream
You're just like a dream
There was a feeling he had forgotten through the many regressions. He felt it occasionally, but it was rare.
As it most of what happened to him were works of his own doing.
And in times like this, seeing Kim Dokja watch him in such awe and with such a range of distinct emotions.
It wasn’t that he was a good singer. It may be just that he meant every word. He was sure he was even mostly expressionless but… it couldn’t be helped.
This wasn’t the time to have regrets or to think that there was anything to change from this very moment.
Right now, he was grateful.
Grateful to himself - that he pursued this opportunity.
Grateful to Kim Dokja for showing him this part of himself.
And Grateful, for once, that this was possible in this ruined world.
You
Soft and lonely
You
Lost and lonely
You
Just like heaven
The soft light illuminating him faded and they were in a simple dark room.
As he went to hand the microphone over to Kim Dokja again, he wished for the lights to remain off, with just the soft hue of the silent tv screen in the room. It was… intimate.
He sat as close to Kim Dokja as he could.
“Did you like it?”
A soft hum answered him.
“Yes, yes. It was very nice.” Kim Dokja cleared his throat, looking like a cat who had just eaten a particularly full meal. “Shall we pick the next spot?”
He straightened up a bit, allowing for more room between them.
“You’re picking, I’m following.”
“Tsk. Me again? Where to?”
“Anywhere.”
“That’s not as helpful as you think, by giving me so much agency… It feels strange…”
This felt like a pivotal moment. He allowed for more lights to come on and illuminate the environment, simply because he didn’t want to miss any frame of the Kim Dokja in front of him.
“Do you prefer not having to pick?”
A long pause was established.
“Lately, each time I’m forced to pick, I seem to only pick what’s best for me. Should it always be that way?”
He noticed a certain bitterness he was unfamiliar with. He also couldn’t agree with that statement. Keeping in mind Kim Dokja’s record and how he managed to die yet return. Seemingly selfless choices as they were for a greater good, but maybe there were all a means to an end…
It may not be appropriate to jump to conclusions, but he really wanted to ask.
“Kim Dokja, do you want to be taken care of?”
A soft, pink glow spread all over his face. And just like that, Kim Dokja avoided meeting his eyes again.
“D-don’t be ridiculous!”
He had to pick a place, any place on his behalf.
“Back to the beach we go.”
Before there was any time for protests, they were back at the beach where they started, in the water. Both with surfing suits on and on top of boards in the ocean.
But something was different.
“It’s nighttime!” Kim Dokja exclaimed and marveled as there were several bright stars across the space.
“This is my forest and its surroundings. This is what it should be. A sanctuary of sorts…” he mustered.
Kim Dokja said having agency felt strange.
And for him, having someone to talk to other than himself felt strange as well.
“So we just surf?” Kim Dokja blinked, having some trouble steading himself, sitting on top of his board.
Yoo Joonghyuk went to him.
“We don’t have to. Hold onto me.”
Without hesitation, Kim Dokja held carefully.
“It’s better if you hop on my board, let’s go back to the forest and figure out something else.”
It didn’t seem like the water was Kim Dokja’s most comfortable area. He seemed nervous and was holding onto him with a certain force that didn’t seem natural.
This was not to mean Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn’t take advantage of the situation.
“Do you know how to swim?” Yoo Joonghyuk asked.
“What if I don’t?”
It was cute to watch him be honest.
Yoo Joonghyuk pulled himself away gently.
“I will show you how. You don’t have to be afraid.”
Once he said that, he got off the board, they were already by the area where their feet could reach the bottom. He helped Kim Dokja off the board.
“Maybe I should pick next eh?”
“Maybe.” Yoo Joonghyuk echoed as he checked the timer.
“We only have half an hour left?”
This time it was Yoo Joonghyuk’s turn to be surprised.
“Went by quick.”
Kim Dokja sighed.
“Here, let’s just…”
Kim Dokja took his hand, pulled and walked in front of him, toward the shore. He watched as the moonlight shone on Kim Dokja. His black hair not quite wet but not dry either and the tight suit highlighting all the right places.
Kim Dokja sat on the sand and laid back.
“Here, it is time to just…” Resting his head with both of his arms, Kim Dokja layed on the sand. “...Look at the stars until the timer for this scenario goes off. Three dates with secretive plotter because we went to three different places, right?” he snapped his fingers. “Just like that.”
They both smiled, genuinely. Yoo Joonghyuk was like a moth to a flame.
He felt himself relax and laid right next to him.
“This was, I think the hardest scenario so far.”
“How so?”
“I ended up showing you a lot of myself. Not wanting to, but not being able to do otherwise either.”
He liked that answer. Yoo Joonghyuk was intently staring at him from the side. Kim Dokja was focused on the stars, so even if he noticed, he didn’t act like it.
“I wonder if I really met the requirements. Will it be enough? What do you think?”
This time, Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the countless stars in the sky as well.
“I think it went well.”
From the corner of his eye, he saw Kim Dokja was facing him this time. Propping himself upward, he met his eyes.
“I’d like to do something like this again.”
Right before the timer went off, Yoo Joonghyuk took a deep breath and with a swift movement of his hand, he paused the counter from reaching 00:00:00.
“It doesn’t have to end.”
“But it does.” Kim Dokja said, sitting up. “We can’t stay here as things are. There are people we must go back to.”
It was something he needed to hear. It was fun to play a simple man for however long this lasted.
The 999th’s round Yoo Joonghyuk came to see them, with a stern look.
“Kim Dokja, can I ask you something?”
“What is it, 999th?”
“Do you prefer I tell you or not tell you what will happen next?”
A nervous chuckle followed.
“What is it?”
Secretive plotter held Kim Dokja’s hand and Kim Dokja let him.
Very intentionally, Yoo Joonghyuk let himself bask in this warmth and pulled what seemed to essence from him.
“I’ll make a kkoma only for this memory. Come retrieve him if you’d like once we reach the end of the scenarios.”
“Wh-”
And just like that Kim Dokja became unconscious.
Yoo Joonghyuk held a small Kim Dokja, separate from the one passed out on the sand, the size of a small keychain that seemed to be sleeping.
“This mini kkoma is not going to be responsive.”
As usual, it was just 999th stating the obvious, and there he was playing along.
“How could it? When this is only what five hours of memory can provide.”
“You almost did something you would have regretted.”
Something inside him turned, but he had no energy to argue.
“You’re right.”
This time, it was secretive plotter the one who carried Kim Dokja and put him to bed.