Joonghyuk

[bloodread]

Comments

[malewife]

[ ... He's quiet, kind of pensive over that question. It has always been his goal back then, to pull the gods down from their seat in the sky, but things have changed. ]

I have a different goal now.

[bloodread]

I won't ask. But are you satisfied with your new one?

[malewife]

[ Well, that's Akira's choice if he wants to ask or not. ]

... I will be when we bring him back home.

[bloodread]

[ It's just who he is as a person, privacy comes paramount to everything else and if everyone stayed in their lane life would be so much simpler. But, those are just the thoughts of a teenage recluse who's fed up with too many things at the young age of eighteen.

He nods though, and looks up as thoughts turn in his head. ]

Does the same go for this place?

[malewife]

[ Akira is a good boy and that's why Joonghyuk likes him, though he has never voiced it. Joonghyuk understands similar thoughts, but he also understands the desire for companionship... Alongside the struggles of it. ]

... This place is just a detour. This isn't the first time I've been sent to another world to terrorize others.

[bloodread]

I'd pay to see you terrorize whoever's running the show here. [ With a ghost of a smile. ]

But we still gotta figure that out first.

[malewife]

[ That is better than terrorizing the native populace of another world, yeah. He takes comfort in that. ]

We do and I plan to make it so this won't happen never again.

[ Big words for one person, to be honest. ]

[bloodread]

[ Akira's silent for a while, playing with the ends of his hood. ]

...I might be able to find out. Or at least figure out more than I've been able to until now.

[malewife]

[ He's curious. Niah also lifts up his head. ]

... What do you mean? [ ... ] How?

[bloodread]

...I'm not gonna ask you to trust me and I'm not gonna ask if I can trust you.

[ Both those things seem very stupid given the current situation and everything, but Akira continues talking after that disclaimer. ]

I have the ability to see the memories of blood, like a flashback. Kinda like the crap we've been seeing all week in the shards, but it happens any time I touch blood with my right hand. It was sealed here, which was kinda nice for the first day or so, cause I can't control it and it means I've had to see a lot of shit.

[ yhk can imagine how it went with the turtles. ]

...I asked the Watchers for it back and they agreed. If I can see what actually happened to these cities using my bloodmetry maybe we can actually get somewhere.

Well, that and pinning down the murderers every week too.

[malewife]

[ It’s not like they’re sharing teams, but he can’t interrupt and say trust isn’t relevant until he knows what Akira is talking about. ]

I’ve heard of stranger abilities.

[ So! They’re good. ]

It does sound like a curse if you couldn’t control it before. [ A nod. ] It does sound useful. If we come across blood in any of these locations, then it might help.

[ … ]

And, if anything, you could help others in trial if that’s what you want.

[bloodread]

If you find some, let me know. I was scoping out the canals earlier this week with a group of people and we found some blood, but that was before I got my bloodmetry back. But I haven't been able to find it again since it's like a maze down there.

[ He looks away briefly. ]

Unless there's a damn good reason for it, killers should pay for what they do. But I'm not gonna tell everyone unless I have to, cause that sounds like a great way to paint a target on my back.

...so far, I've only told you.

[malewife]

[ A nod. ]

I didn’t find blood when I was investigating the gardens, but I will let you know if I stumble upon any.

[ It’s hard to say much about the killers, knowing Angels are coming to people and making deals. ]

I’ll keep it a secret.

[bloodread]

Thanks.

[ OK now he has to ask since they're alone. ]

Did you get something back for those stickers?

[malewife]

Yes, I did. Whether it was worth it, I’m not sure.

[ He's still haunted by people hassling him about the booth. ]

[bloodread]

[ Some part of Akira is relieved. ]

What was it?

[malewife]

[ He's quiet because he's a paranoid sort, but he does eventually cough it up. ]

Lie detection.

[bloodread]

I'd trade mine for yours, seems like less of a headache.

[malewife]

The problem is that it isn't always effective. I will only get a feeling whether someone's lying or not... Almost a coinflip of a chance.

[ However. ]

It is better than seeing memories.

[bloodread]

Whatever we can use, we have to.

[ So he'll take it. ]

Mine's a gift from my father, which sums up our entire relationship, really.

[malewife]

... I'm assuming it isn't good.

[ It is a haunting ability, he thinks. ]

[bloodread]

I never knew him, and when I finally found him he was a hunk of rotting meat that was responsible for mutilating a bunch of girls before he killed them.

[ ...so yeah, for sure. ]

[malewife]

Then better you never knew him.

[ Joonghyuk is used to brutal things, so he can’t judge, but he thinks everyone can choose who should be considered family. ]

Family isn’t always about blood, anyway.

[bloodread]

[ Nod. ]

My mother was useless too, but my Aunt and her daughter are good people. Bloods just an excuse for ties, a lot.

[malewife]

... They sound better suited for you, Kijima Akira.

[ At least Joonghyuk thinks Akira is also a good person, as much as he believes that good people even exist.]