[October Catch-All] ♪ there once ♪ was a mighty demon king ♪

[idolatrized]

Who: Jinu and You! And sometimes Rumi. :)
Where: Across the Diadem! See individual prompts.
When: Month of October
What: An assortment of prompts for October! Jinu finds his bipa scavenging, practices his waltz, and fistfights both plants and raiders alike. Also, dance classes for those who need the practice and exercise. Among other things, maybe! Hit me up for starters any time an idea strikes you!

Warnings: See individual prompts for content warnings as well, but possible warnings include blood/violence (raiders, ugh), and potential introspection involving a history of psychological, mental, or physical abuse via fiery demon monster.


Stop me if you've heard this one before ♪.

Comments

OPEN | Around Panorama / Starters / Wildcards

[idolatrized]

[Fall starts to show its colors as September bleeds into October, and Jinu finds himself mostly preoccupied with daily routine. He hasn't particularly netted any kind of steady 9-to-5 job, but he doesn't mind the spontaneity of it all. One day a laborer helping someone move apartments for cheap, or delivering food or boxed goods from one seller to another — including the large wooden crates full of cider for that Cider Fest going on.

On one particular occasion, he can be seen waving off an offer given by a guy in a cheap lab coat on a busy Panorama street. "C'mon, just a few pints!" the guy says, adjusting his glasses, "It's well worth the money!"]

... No thanks, I'd like to keep my blood in my body.

[Besides, he has no clue what his blood would even do to a normal person. Demon, human — something in-between? He has no idea what to start quantifying himself as. Some days he feels just as unnatural as he had before the Diadem, and other days it's comforting how easily he slips into 'normal' life among other irregular-looking fluxborns and fluxdrifts.

At any rate, it's easy to find him at loose jobs that only last a day or two. If he's not there, he's haggling prices at local street markets or visiting his more enjoyed cafes or coffee shops. Or if you're someone who prefers rooftop meetings, he's easily caught on the roof of the motel he's staying at, reading books relating to dance or song or recipes he would have never thought to try.

Sometimes, he can even be caught practicing particular dance poses. If he catches you nearby or watching and you appear pleasant enough, he beckons you with an impatient hand.]

If you're gonna snoop, get over here real quick! I need to figure out this form.

[The waltzing, that is. He's practicing for dance classes he's going to be putting on sooner than later, and he needs to make sure he's properly poised for the occasion. It's a little chilly up here, but the movement keeps you warm, you know? Perfect for a tentative dance.]

[OOC: This is a sort of 'general vibes' open prompt! Feel free to mix and match and make up new ideas if it fits. You can also hit me up on plurk at simpledog if you want to ask me whether something'll work or not. Or PM me! The sky's the limit.]

OPEN | Audrey's Floral Boutique

[idolatrized]

Part I: Just a Normal Flowershop

Whoa, wait. There are actual living flowers growing in there?

[That's the first surprised question Jinu poses, when he's informed that the flowers inside the shop are actually salvageable. Call him a skeptic, but most diffusion zones feel kind of gloomy or dead or unnatural, so... this is a nice change of pace. He steps inside and — wow, it really is pretty normal in here. People milling about, trying to decide on flowers, the scent of the place drawing him in pretty quickly. But despite this he finds himself standing in front of the options with a hand on his chin and a thoughtful expression on his face.

He wants to get some to put in the apartment.

Not — you know. Not for Rumi. Not like that! It's for both of them. A little color to liven up the weird stains on the ceiling or cabinet. And the smell would be nice when you're sitting at the desk, penning new lyrics...

He says aloud to anyone nearby:]

... I don't know the first thing about which flowers symbolize what.

Which ones do girls like?

Part II: Not a Normal Flowershop

[Just as you move to enter Audrey's Floral Boutique, the doors fly open and Jinu slams into you before you can so much as blink, falling on top of you and looking like a deer in headlights — are those flower petals sticking to his hair? And is that a giant vine following him out of the shop?]



Don't do it! Bad service! Bad-

[Whether the vine whips around his leg, your leg, or both, you're going to suddenly get sucked back through the doors as a large plant laughs and laughs in the background.

"Get back in here, sweetie pie! I'm sooo hungry!"



... We're gonna have to fistfight Audrey V.]

CLOSED to Rumi

[idolatrized]

[Jinu had been getting a little braver. A little bolder. How could he not?

There has to come a point where he knows ignoring an obvious situation is — ah, what's one of his favorite words? Hopeless. No matter how much he dances around it, no matter how often he waves off dreams, he knows that he's hopelessly in love with the person he's living with. He kind of knew that before she'd even invited him inside —

But it's different.

It's different, because part of him had been sure she'd have come to her senses. He was a demon who had clearly caused a lot of suffering, regardless of why. He abandoned people he loved, so who would want to be with a man who'd do such a reprehensible act? And for her, most of all, he had used her own insecurities against her. Painfully, methodically, and with no hope for a future. By all accounts — and what he'd intended — she should have wanted to never see his face again, and yet... she had still reached out to him and tried to save his soul.

That's crazy.

He has swirling doubts, though. Maybe he's imagining something that isn't there. Maybe she's just being kind to someone she feels needs it, in order to become a better person than he was. There's only one way to find out, even if it takes him some time to work up that courage.

So, he has a plan. Maybe. In progress.

First step: the flower test.

A casual Sunday morning lends to them relaxing in the room, playing music low and taking the time to quietly pen a few things in their spiral notebooks — one of the few cheap things that probably exist in the Diadem, Jinu fears. He can't really focus because he's waiting with bated breath for the delivery, but then there's a knock at the door.

A scrawny little delivery guy who probably just turned 18 smiles, flashing braces sheepishly and adjusting his cap. "Delivery for a — Rumi?"

He holds out the Flower Test in question:



There is a little folded card attached too, of course.]

[huntrlx]

[ Today is one of those really chill, lazy weekend days, the kind where neither of them has a job to get up early for, or any real tasks on the docket. Days like these don't happen often, between their differing schedules, but sometimes ... sometimes fate offers a freebie from capitalist hell, and they can hang out in their small room over a leisurely breakfast with the radio playing and casual conversation exchanged.

Rumi certainly isn't expecting visitors or a delivery when someone knocks on their door. In fact, she kind of sits up and tenses, her first thought being that someone's coming to attempt a foolish robbery on a Sunday morning.

But Jinu looks ... well, he looks a little stressed, honestly, which has Rumi getting to her feet to approach the door, one hand poised to materialize Sain-geom from thin air if need be —



— only for a brightly coloured bouquet of flowers to greet her when she opens it. 'Delivery for Rumi?' is the voice behind the petals, before a scrawny teenager reveals his pockmarked face and eagerly passes the bundle over to her. ]

For me? But I didn't —

[ She blinks at the delivery boy, adjusting her grip of the flowers with one arm while her spare hand finds some loose joolies from the side table where they've resulted to keeping their keys and other random spare things, and shuts the door in a combination of awe, confusion, and unmasked delight.

She looks to where Jinu is sitting, and then back to her flowers, still in a state of shock while her mind whirls trying to put a name to its sender. There's no occasion she can think of; this isn't Korea so it's not a fan, or a brand, or anyone from a music industry that doesn't even exist here.

They're beautiful though, and the colours all feel like her. ]

I don't even know where to put them.

[ It's said as she comes back to the kitchen table and plops them down amongst their notes and pens and half-empty mugs of instant coffee. Instantly, the table seems fuller, brighter. ]

[idolatrized]

[The moment she turns and holds the flowers he had explicitly gotten for her with his own stupid hands, he tries really hard to seem casual about it. Luckily she's not looking at him when the knee-jerk reaction happens, because he would have utterly given himself way. Like, pathetically so.



Oh jeez, he thinks, I'm really in trouble.

But focus. Focus! He watches her with raised eyebrows as she moves to plop them down on the table, and immediately feigns interest as if a toootally unaware third party. There's a small card tucked into the top that he slyly swipes before she can grab it — it's good to play up the usual mischievousness, right? It just says 'from your secret admirer', mainly because every time he tried to think of a sincere or sweet message his tongue would immediately tie.]

Who'd you go and impress now?

[huntrlx]

I didn't impress anyone —

[ Truthfully, Rumi still looks like she's in just a little bit of a daze, her retort lacking its usual bite, until she notices Jinu leaning in to pluck something from the top of the bouquet.

She blinks.

A card? Oh, yes, that's definitely a card, and it'll have to solve the mystery — ]

Does it say who it's from?

Part I I'm double teaming you

[godjr]

[ Jack was excited to see the flower shop since he had much the same thought. He didn't think anything green was around outside of Acreage, and even then it was supposedly very specific to farming. Something nice like flowers was unexpected. He didn't question it though outside of going 'interesting' because he wanted some for Rowena. He thought it would be nice to surprise her with some, since she's always doing nice things for him.

He wasn't paying much attention to anyone around him before he heard the question and recognized Jinu's voice. Jack brightens right away, a smile easy for him to find for his would-be demon friend. He's still working on it, and this seems like a way he could prove his worth.]

My mother would say that it's the intention that matters more than the flowers themselves. Women like to get flowers because it means you care about them, so it could be a single daisy, and it means a lot.

[idolatrized]

[Jinu's brow creases with deep contemplation, because of course he's overthinking everything that could possibly be thought about flowers and gifting them. He wouldn't call himself a perfectionist, but... getting things just right the first time, without screwing up? That's —

... Okay, maybe that is a bit of a perfectionist mindset.]

Your mother was a wise woman.

[A nod. He could imagine his own mother saying much of the same, and indeed she'd been content with anything Jinu would bring her, especially as a child. But when you're a family that can only thrive on the smallest gifts, every small offer is huge in your heart.]

The girl in question is used to getting bouquets a lot. Big, lush bouquets.

... I guess I just want to make sure I leave a good impression.

[godjr]

She was. She gave the best advice.

[ Okay so Jack only has some examples of that, between what he learned in the womb and her private message to him, but he still believes it's the truth. He has a copy of her only words to him here in this world, and sometimes he sits with it and just rewinds and listens over and over.

The flowers are very beautiful, and Jack understands where Jinu is coming from, because he knows he could bring Rowena a single one and she'd be pleased with him, but he wants it to be something nicer than that. He wonders if Jinx would like them ... probably not.]

Okay, but she's gotten them from other people. These ones will be from you, so that will make them special.

[ Jack feels confident about that, but he gets it.]

I think maybe pick the flowers that make you feel like she makes you feel. The ones that feel like her.

[idolatrized]

['Was', huh? Then his mom has likely since passed. He won't ask, will let it come up naturally if the guy wants; Jinu's a private person more often than not himself, so it just feels like the right thing to do, to not pry about something potentially sensitive.

No matter how nosy he is.

Touching a finger to his lips it thought, he considers his options.]

Purple, then. Purples, and golden colors.

... What about you? Are you here to get flowers for someone?

part ii.

[mercykills]

[Okay, so call Wolfwood curious. Flowers are so rare back home as to be basically confined only to old books or geoplants, so hearing there was an actual flower shop here does eventually draw him in.

At least, it was drawing him in before Jinu rudely comes flying out of the door and right on top of him. Wolfwood hits the ground with an aggravated squawk and is getting ready to punch him in the head--]

The hell do you think you're-- shit!!

[Only to stop abruptly when a - thing? A green rope thing? -- comes eeling out the door and whips around both of their legs. The sudden drag back inside the shop towards some godforsaken laughing nightmare is a far bigger concern. Wolfwood flails and twists as much as he can, grabbing hold of a flower pot as he gets hauled further into the shop. He snarls past Jinu's head at the creature:]

Fine, eat this!

[He throws the flower pot as hard as he can right into the plant monster's ugly-ass mouth.]

i'm so sorry wolfwood baby 1/2

[idolatrized]

[The moment Jinu slams into Wolfwood, he recognizes him immediately.

That said — ]

Wormwood?!

[ — he did not remember the name given to him. It's been months, okay? And frankly, maybe it's deserved for the fact that you were gonna hit him in the head, even if he did absolutely barrel into you-

Ah, we're being yanked back through the doors.]

[idolatrized]

[No time to dawdle! The moment the flower pot goes sailing and hits the creature in the head, Jinu immediately vanishes in a cloud of pink smoke. The vine creature shrieks her disapproval, looking immediately at the lone Wolfwood on the ground with what is maybe betrayal; it's hard to tell what her very rigid face is doing.

"I can't believe such a handsome young man would be such a horrible, no good dog! Throwing something at a gorgeous beauty like myself! It's an honor to be eaten by someone as gorgeous as me!" The vine yanks Wolfwood closer, but Jinu reappears and lands on top of the creature's strange, mushroom-covered head before plunging a clawed hand into one of her... eyes?

Yeah, that's an eye. It has eyelashes. Gross.

Wailing in a distorted voice, she tries to catch him with some of her vines, but he quickly vanishes again to land near Wolfwood's leg; she's already charging at them again as he slashes at the vine wrapped around Wolfwood's leg.]

top 10 anime betrayals

[mercykills]

[Wormwood? Jesus christ. He's about to snap back at Jinu when the guy - vanishes. Wolfwood goes rigid with surprise before he diverts his attention back to the hideous thing that's still got its tentacle wrapped around his leg.

And then it

talks

to him. Oh, this is his eternal punishment for his sins. This is actually hell and how he's going to suffer. Being eaten by a plant thing that's trying to hit on him.]

Well I'm not honourable, you ugly piece of-- fuck!

[He's yanked forward again and he's really starting to regret not having any bullets left in his gun when Jinu's suddenly clawing at the creature's eyes. This is shocking enough, but Wolfwood's training kicks in and he's adapting as fast as he can. He flings himself over onto his side and grabs at the leg of a nearby chair, hauling it with him.

Jinu's reappearance accompanied with slashing is welcome. The plant creature shrieks even louder as her vine starts shredding apart under Jinu's claws. It loosens then - enough for Wolfwood to kick back out of reach and roll back up onto his feet.

He then takes the opportunity to throw the entire chair at the creature's face next.]

OPEN | Diffusion Scavenging | cw: blood/violence, likely npc death/injury

[idolatrized]

[And so it goes. He spends a portion of his time out in the diffusion zones, if only because he's garnered some particularly exciting finds. A cassette for Eddie, a spare tire for the truck, a questionable paper bag with some rumpled joolies in it... to name a few things. Finding little treasures is rewarding enough that it outweighs the potential dangers. Perhaps you're someone out looking for some valuables of your own, and cross paths with him? Perhaps you've just decided to tag along as someone who has met him out in the great wide world of the Diadem. Two heads are better than one sometimes, right?

Or Four fists are better than two, depending on what's going on.

It leaves for the potential of raiders, of course. Jinu has seen such people before in his time — a long, long time ago, actually. Bandits were exceptionally common, especially after the war had ended. Back when he was fully human, they would always be a quiet potential threat along any roadside. Everyone who struggled to get by had their close calls, but it was the middle class who really had to worry.

At any rate, raiders or general dickheads were a given.

Like today.

A gaggle of raiders had cut him off in the middle of scavenging through an abandoned shed teeming with cheap but collectively valuable supplies — some things for first aid kits, pens and pencils, a jacket not yet taken out of the plastic. "The math ain't mathing," one of them says. Some kind of head leader with rock-like shell that covers his arms. "Don't try to fistfight a dozen armed men, kid. Just let us split your melon open and get this over with."

But as he stands there, his eyes zero in on a guitar one of the men is plucking from the pile in the shed — Not just a guitar. A korean lute.

A very familiar one.

Instantly, he snaps his gaze to the grizzled leader in the front.]

Put everything down and leave.

[His words are of course ignored.

Their leader raises an old crossbow instead. Anyone in the area would be appreciated as back-up — but whatever happens, Jinu'll make do.

He kinda has do.]

OPEN | dying king with a crumbling crown

[idolatrized]

[And so, Jinu has the one single possession that he's managed to keep since he was a little boy. It had only cost him a black eye and a few scrapes; for the raiders involved, it had certainly cost them far more than that.

The bipa is almost exactly as he remembers it. Every little chipped piece and worn space on the wood grain is seared into his mind after so many centuries of its companionship. The only new concern is the missing two strings, but that's fine. That's easily fixable. Some saved up joolies and a touch of polish, and it'll be looking just as it should.

He finds a safer space on the side of a sun-bathed road on the outskirts of Panorama to sit on the tailgate of his truck, cradling the bipa in his lap to inspect it. He plucks one of the two intact strings and soaks in a familial sound that transcends centuries. It takes him to a distant, forgotten world.

('Play me a song, my Jinu,' his mother would softly request.

'Of course, eomma.' And he would play slowly, hopeful to impress her even though his fingers were still too small and fragile at that young age.)

It's strange, he thinks, how conflicted this old bipa makes him.

To have it means to face the most human part of him. To embrace people seeing it, asking about it, hearing something he had only ever associated with a past he could never hope to return to. Shames he can never unmake. If he hadn't had this bipa, groveling for scraps in the streets to evade starvation for a few days, weeks, months more... would Gwi-Ma have laid his eyes on him? Was he still allowed to resurrect pleasant memories with it, when he can still sometimes hear the drunken laughter of the king's patrons beyond the sounds his fingers and voice made?

He thinks too much. He should know better by now. He reminds himself, scolds even:]

Second chances.

[As the weeks in October carry on, Jinu does finally purchase the missing pieces. It's not cheap, but it's worth it.

The sound of all four strings in harmony... he can't help but appreciate the twang as it carries through the air. He sits on the railing outside of his and Rumi's shared hotel room and carefully tunes his bipa with experienced hands.

Then he plays. Just the tips of his fingers harden and shift into sharp clawed points. A replacement for the finger guards he has yet to obtain. The sound is bold and strong and floats with a very different kind of grace than his usual modern, poppy music from the vintage radio player.]


(Click image to play on Youtube.)

[thetruefocus]

[ Charles has been busy lately as he's working on several projects after having gone to Kolliery for a time, but he's never someone who misses out on opportunities to 'stop and smell the roses.' In this case, it's stop and listen to the beautiful music. He's on his way to visit his boyfriend, but Erik can wait a few minutes so he can take in the moment. He tilts his head to get a better look of who is on the railing and smiles.]

Hello Jinu.

[ The young man who helped him gather the meat fruit. Charles saw him mention dance lessons on the forum, but obviously, that is not something open for him, but he thought it was a lovely idea. He remembers that Jinu is 'something else,' but he's unlikely to pry. He likes people to reveal themselves to him on their timeline whenever possible.

He wheels closer to the railing and listens to the notes in the air. It's a very distinct sound, and a very distinct instrument.]

That's a bipa, isn't it? A Korean lute.

[ There are an endless amount of facts that Charles is aware of given his well-traveled and educated life. He settles into his chair, clasping his hands in his lap.]

[idolatrized]

[Jinu had been in a bit of a trance, the kind you fall into when muscle memory takes over and the strings fall into their proper order — the song he plays is one that he'd practiced long after his time in the king's palace. He had often had so much time on his hands between Gwi-Ma's enforced visits to the human realm, it was impossible not to try and fill his days with music. It could at least keep the voices out of his head sometimes, then. Not as much as he'd have hoped, but sometimes. Now that he's not constantly at war with his memories and feelings and the taunting echoes of his failures...

It's pretty nice.

He looks up at his name, fingers stilling across the fret.]

Yeah! Or, well — this one leans more Chinese. [Because he's old as hell. But anyway.] But yeah. I was... I guess a professional player for a while. Played for rich families. Politicians. People who could afford expensive seats.

[It's not a lie, more so a vague reconstruction of the truth, really.

But... he wonders if it matters, to even hide how old he is. Maybe he shouldn't.

Maybe it just doesn't matter here.]

[thetruefocus]

With one of those?

[ Charles knows his history, and that it would be very unlikely this would be played in modern day. And perhaps he would have guessed Jinu could come from the past, but no, he seems like a very modern person in the way he talks and acts. So either he's just very good at adapting, or there's a much bigger story here. He taps his fingers on the arm of the wheelchair.]

And about what year was this in, if I may ask?

[ He asks permission because he has a feeling the answer might reveal more than Jinu would put out there intentionally. But he's not above a tiny little prod here and there. As Jinu is already aware, Charles doesn't have to ask questions, but he chooses to. He wants to learn people from their own mouth, not from their minds. That's a firm line for him.]

You're very talented. Did you find that here?

OPEN | Dance Classes

[idolatrized]

Notes

This is a fast and loose top level, no pressure! Feel free to handwave your character's attendance, or start a thread before or after the lessons are completed. The lovely Rumi will also be around to tag in alongside Jinu in prompt one if you're up for a three-way thread during or post-lesson! If you want to split off and have multiple threads with other characters, feel free! No limits babyyyy.

If you want samples of the kinds of individualized moves you could learn: Jinu's dancing style / Rumi's dancing style.)

Dance I | KPop Modern Dance (Jinu and Rumi)

[Anyway, to hell with all of that serious stuff above this one!

Did you decide to stop by the dance classes being hosted in a large abandoned parking lot in Panorama?

(What? Like hell was Jinu going to spend money to make money.)

Only 15 joolies a person for a full lesson, guaranteed knowledge of some kind of dance move, no matter how stiffly you start out dancing!

And not only is Jinu here and prepared to deliver some lessons bi-weekly, but he does so with the charismatic smile of a fresh-faced idol who knows just how to get the little middle-aged fluxborns out and ready to partake in their puffy jackets and tall hairdos. Are they there to actually dance, or just ogle the young buck showing them how to do the moves? Who's to say. Jinu's not about to question it when they're paying customers.

Just smile, wink, and perform as needed.

The first hour in the lesson focuses on dance-pop moves... predictably those you'd find in Korean pop bands, if not a little reminiscent of N*Sync or Backstreet Boys.

Rumi (introduced to them all by Jinu as 'kpop royalty herself' — smugly) is also on the scene and prepared to give guided steps as a fellow teacher and his dancing partner. She's just as graceful and deft with her movement if not more so than him, especially with the years of performing she has on him in this particular occupation.

Between him teasing her and her making faces at him, the teamwork in which they lead each repetition is probably hard to miss. In fact, dare we say — they're pretty close to each other sometimes? Maybe that's just what co-workers do in dance class. Totally normal, the way he glances at her with that cheeky little smile.

The small purple music player they're getting their music from doesn't seem big enough to give them some oomph with those little speakers... but despite this, the sound resonates well with the crowd. Perhaps even instills them with a subtle eagerness to dance despite any reservations earlier? Either way, welcome to dance class! Good for the glutes, great to unwind, and you'll be a hit at parties someday.

Rumi and Jinu barely break a sweat by the end of the dance lessons. They speak with certainty as they count through the beats, the footsteps-]

Left foot, slide, then step back, one and two, and one and two—!

Dance II | Waltzing and Private Lessons (Jinu)

[The second half of the lesson requires a partner, and if you don't have one then Jinu will step in. He's gotten particularly good at the one single classical dance he'd learned this month — just enough to provide anyone the proper basic waltz for any ballroom experience.]

Don't worry. You'll be moving like royalty at a wedding in no time.

[It is a pretty romantic and fancy kind of dance, honestly. The hand on the back, the sway of both people in unison.

He doesn't mind whether he's the girl or guy in the pair, just so long as his customer gets the chance to practice their moves. Or maybe you're someone who needs a little more than just an hour twice a week to master the craft? He's more than happy to offer private lessons for those struggling in public with their lessons. Don't hesitate to call.]


(Click to view Youtube video of dance!)

somewhat wildcard-y

[carmesi]

( wanda is not here for dance lessons, but she was a little curious about what exactly all of jinu's talents are. she saw as much in the rave, with his singing, but was he also really a good dance teacher?

wanda leans in by the fence of the parking lot being used for the dance classes, and during a break, notes jinu approaching. before he can even tease her or try to get her to join in the dancing, wanda just turns her face to him, and says— )

She's cute.

( rumi, that is.

it's impossible to ignore the chemistry between them, and how there might be something more. but! who is she to say? she's only observing. )

[idolatrized]

[Jinu is definitely making a beeline to her to convince (maybe tease) her into joining in, so her chess move here is exemplary. Watch as he chokes on his own tongue before he can get a word out to bug her; truly, a master class in redirecting someone in two words.

The response is maybe too immediate:]

She's bossy and mean.

[Which sounds. Completely unconvincing. And does not dispute Wanda's comment in the slightest.]

1. An Zhe [& Lu Feng!] for Rumi~ (but of course Jinu can come too ~_^ )

[littlemushroom]

[[Exercise... did not agree with the mushroom. Perhaps the mushroom did not agree with exercise. Whatever the case may have been, dance classes were not things that would have normally piqued An Zhe's interest.

Dance classes run by Jinu and Rumi, however, were entirely different. That was a bit more curious, and supporting his friends was always going to be a good thing. He could just watch, he figured. It'd be nice to see them be cute together. (They were cute together.)

When he'd mentioned going to Lu Feng, the man had given him one of those Looks. One of those Looks that said he did not believe the mushroom was going to do any such thing. Yet he'd still taken An Zhe there, and An Zhe could not parse if it was because he wanted to see the mushroom make a fool of himself or because the lessons were taking place in a random parking lot.

Which was fine! Because he wanted to introduce him to Rumi! (Since Jinu was already. Ah. Acquainted. Ah. Hm.)

What was less fine! Was that now he was staring at his feet very hard as he tried to figure out which foot was going where because oh he was actually participating? Oh? Oh????]]

[huntrlx]

[ He is participating! Which makes her beam a little with pride. It's always nice to pull someone not exactly privy to things like this out of their comfort zone, enough to realize that the activity is actually a lot of fun.

She waves in An Zhe's direction, motioning that she would be with him in just a second — as soon as she'd finished helping her current student with her posture on the second verse of their current working song.

And then when she finally makes her way over, she notices the taller, slightly broodier man standing off to the side. She'll give her friend a big smile first. ]

An Zhe! I'm so glad you decided to join us. It's a little unorthodox, doing this in a parking lot, but it's actually been working out.

[ She glances back at Lu Feng, and a few possible guesses as to his identity pop into her mind. ]

And will your friend also be joining?

[lufeng]

[Well well well. An Zhe is participating, fancy that.

Lu Feng was content to simply hang back at a reasonable distance, keeping an eye on the mushroom... for his safety? For his humiliation? Who knew for sure, Lu Feng wasn't about to tell, and he wasn't exactly champing at the bit to interrupt this friendly meeting either.

Not that he's going to completely ignore being addressed, either. He levels an even look at Rumi, answering in a tone that carefully sounded neither interested nor dismissive,] It seems like you have your hands full with students already.