InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I'm soooo broke"

Jae-Ha (cloudline) wrote in marinanova,
@ 2016-05-03 19:15:00

Entry tags:

damon salvatore, hak, jae-ha, kija, shin-ah

374 ♫ shared dream
Warning: Cut for descriptions and linked images of (child) abuse and violence.
_______

[The scene that plays out is more of a memory than it is a dream. Still crystal clear thirteen years later.

Jae-Ha is standing within a small room made of stone. The door is made of wood and there are no windows; he's almost too tall for the low ceiling. A boy is against the wall, wrists and ankles bearing thick, heavy shackles which are bolted to the wall and down on the floor via equally thick and long chains. It's obvious who that boy is: Jae-Ha, himself, around 12 years old. He's battered and bruised before another man in the room. His hair is a vivid emerald green, like Jae-Ha's own, long and wavy, like seaweed.

The man - Garou being his name - holds no reservations in laying kick after kick, punch after punch, upon the young Jae-Ha. In near-desperation he fights back, but Garou always seems to one up him. Soon he's fallen to his back, and Garou grips his right leg tight— the very leg which bears dark green dragon scales and razor-sharp claws for toenails. He sneers to the boy how the outside world would never accept someone with such a leg or the power it holds; how someone so monstrous shouldn't exist in the first place. How there's no use in continuing to try and escape.

The beating continues until Garou finally leaves, as irate as he had originally come. The boy slumps back against the wall. He fights against his chains and pulls them taut, to the point where they cut into his wrists which begin to bleed. At some point he gives up, and the tears he always bites back spill, anyway.

Jae-Ha can only watch on the entire time, his younger self and Garou obviously unable to see him. He doesn't have the energy to try and force the dream away. It happens all the time; he's grown used to let it simply play out. Maybe even apathetic.

What Jae-Ha doesn't seem to immediately notice is there's someone else in the room, having witnessed the entire thing.]

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

cloudline
2016-05-15 12:17 am UTC (link)

[The way Kija acts leaves him, to a small degree, taken aback, while all at the same not at all. It's something that's been done before, albeit initiated by Jae-Ha that time. It's different, though. He isn't swallowed whole by a gripping sense of fear. It's that his heart is jarred in another way.

So he isn't initially sure how he's supposed to react. The other part to this is he's never been comforted in this manner. Gi-Gan's acceptance and reassurance wasn't the same. She's the only one who knows about his childhood, but even still that isn't by a great deal. . . . Now that Kija has witnessed it for himself, it brings on an entirely new set of emotions.

. . .Once which Jae-Ha is trying to control within himself. He's always prided himself in his strength of will and power over his behavior. Now there seem to be fine cracks spreading throughout.

It's another long few moments before one of his arms wraps around Kija in turn. His hand bunches in the fabric of his clothing, forehead then dropping to his shoulder.

All he'd really like to do is try somehow to wipe the scene that seems to be playing in a loop. That, and to leave and hide away for a little while.]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-05-15 01:51 am UTC (link)

[It's okay, he would tell him. But he doesn't think it is words that he needs to hear right now. Simply the comfort and presence of another. To know that he is here for him. Whatever hardship it is that he's struggled through, is something that they can all overcome together.

The past cannot be changed. No matter how painful or embittering it might be. But the effect that it has on them in the present can be.

He welcomes the return embrace, and hopes that he is helping, even just a little bit.]

Jae-Ha, we should leave.

[This is a dream, isn't it? A memory at the very least. That fact should be strange, but he doesn't pay it much thought beyond that it's a fact. While he finally pulls back, his hands shift to remain on his upper arms.]

Lets go somewhere else, away from this place.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudline
2016-05-15 04:05 am UTC (link)

[Jae-Ha is able enough to gather himself again once they part. Although he does feel a little embarrassed in spite of himself. He knows it's pointless, but the emotions are there all the same.

His attention moves to the door and it draws a frown.]

So, to "change" this scene. . .

[He makes his way over to it anyway, lifting a hand up to it.]

All of this doesn't end within just this room, either.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	backoftheline 2016-05-15 04:29 am UTC (link)
	[To that he lifts a hand up to rest it upon his shoulder. If it doesn't end here, then at the very least he doesn't have to face whatever is out there, alone.] Then we can make our way through that, too. There are happier memories to linger on, and to fight toward. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cloudline 2016-05-15 04:38 am UTC (link)
	[He smiles faintly. Of course Kija would say that.] I can't be sure if they will see me this time around, but. . .yes. I suppose we really should try. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-05-19 03:17 am UTC (link)

I am with you regardless, no matter what it is that might come next.

[He remains firmly adamant about that. In a moment where Jae-Ha's spirit could be hurt, he wont abandon him to such a time. If he's truthful, outside of his Granny, he's never had companions...friends that he could forge bonds with, protect, or be protected by.

Both are so different. Kija understands that well, but he's also never respected someone so much as Jae-Ha. Hak, too, he supposes. Even if it's begrudgingly at times. He cares deeply and he wont leave now.]

Whenever you are ready.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudline
2016-05-19 05:55 am UTC (link)

I know. You are.

[It more or less goes for him as well, albeit in not the exact same way. He had the other pirates around as comrades, and Gi-Gan meant more to him than simply the Captain of a ship and that mentioned crew of rowdy, but goodhearted men. Before that, after escaping and having traveled for quite a long ways, he had only himself. There was no one he needed (or wanted) to let in.

Things have changed an incredible amount within the past handful of months (has it really only been that little of time?). At first he left with Yona and the others because she intrigued him, but at some point (he doesn't remember when or how), the seven of them became family. "Home" is not a physical location. Not to any of them. ]

All right, then.

[Jae-Ha then moves for what seems to be the first time in this "dream." He's able to push the door open. As he had guessed, what was there to meet them both was the village elder and a sizeable group of others. They're all at the ready with their bows and arrows with their foul and critical views.

. . . Unlike within that room, it seems they are able to see both he and Kija.]

( We won't let you get away, you freak! )

[As if he'll surrender. He didn't when it actually took place, and he never has over the countless times he's had this dream.

Now, too, he's far more powerful than he was as a young teen.]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-05-21 03:21 am UTC (link)

[A freak, they say. Such ignorant fools. There's little hesitation in his steps as they move outside of the door. Smoothly he slides in front of Jae-Ha, staring at the detestable villagers, unafraid of their raised weapons.]

How pitiful. [Spoken coolly, his dragon arm lifting to expand many times it's own size into a defensive position, which could easily shift onto the offense if needed.] What I see here, is an ignorant village who has cast aside the gift of the gods. [His eyes narrow, disgust clear.] What a truly detestable place this is. Would you like to see heaven's wrath?

[Because he would be all to happy to punish who should ever attack first. His lips upturn into a grin, claws aching to find use.] It would be my pleasure to show you a dragon's true anger. [A much more deadly glint engulfs him, claws sharp, fangs visible as his hand throbs with the need to move.]

Because I cannot forgive ones such as you who would seek to harm one of my dearest friends.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudline
2016-05-21 06:37 am UTC (link)

[For once Jae-Ha doesn't especially feel exasperated by Kija's predictable choice of words. Not that he has in recent months, but even so. Actually, it almost leaves him to smirk.

He's hardly about to let Kija have all the fun, though. Unlike his friend, this scene doesn't piss him off so much as it has him wickedly amused; he definitely has the upper-hand now.]

They won't listen to you, you know.

[Garou isn't here to distract (and sacrifice himself). Sometimes it's like this, other times it's not. Just as it is with the instances where the villagers don't see him all the time.]

Shall we, Kija-kun?

[He doesn't wait. Instead rushing head on into the group. Unlike before it's much easier to avoid their arrows. There's no pausing as he begins to fight, his actions fluid and precise. Even if one or two arrows do come close, he manages to swipe them away. Although for the most part, that's more so Kija's specialty.]

Now I've really become the one to be afraid of.

[Jae-Ha looks down upon several who have been knocked to the ground, too weakened to quickly get back up. His gaze hardened yet wild. His foot comes down to crush their bows and remaining arrows. It takes plenty of self control to keep him from breaking every bone in their hands as well.

. . . even more to not just kill them outright.

Either way, it feels far too good to be able to do more than simply flee.]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-06-02 01:56 am UTC (link)

[It is a simply matter to swipe away and block the reign of arrows with his claw, but much more difficult to simply stop and disarm the attacking men, rather than seriously injure or kill outright. His claw is hardly a gentle weapon, and considering the evil that seems to penetrate the very depths of this village, it makes it all the more difficult to restrain himself.

His claw curls around the face of one of the men who's resorted to a pitch fork. His weapon drops to the ground and with a toss he's sent soaring into the roof of one of the houses. Smoothly he turns then, his claw sweeping out to knock four other men off their feet, his claw catching a fourth to cut along the chest.

It's not enough to kill, but the injury will certainly need treated. It would be so incredibly easy to end it all now, though, without anyone walking away. Beyond himself and Jae-Ha, that is. Jaw tightening, he can't help but to think they deserve such a fate. But from the corner of his eye, Jae-Ha has restrained himself. With another swipe he feels his back come up against Jae-Ha's, and he speaks, voice low.]

What is it you want to do, Jae-Ha?

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudline
2016-06-02 06:09 am UTC (link)

[He's witnessed it time and again, but the way Kija can take out so many in one fell swoop is plenty impressive. It's different than how both Shin-Ah and Hak can do so as well. They can not enlarge their weapons to such a great degree.]

We leave them to suffer. Just as I had.

[He only speaks after the last one has been rendered powerless and knocked out cold.

Maybe killing them would be fine, as he's of course long realized this isn't reality, therefore meaning it wouldn't even matter if they died. It's more that he would rather all of this end more quickly.

It's about that time when the younger Jae-Ha exits the small house. Still battered and beaten, he's taken aback at the sight of the fallen villagers, but more so, of Kija. And that clawed hand of his.

He still doesn't actually see his present self. It's probably for the better.]

Where did you come from?

[The boy is wary and on edge. It can only be expected. Even though he immediately knows who Kija ultimately is.]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-06-04 03:13 pm UTC (link)

[He isn't at all surprised to watch the young Jae-Ha (about the same height as Zeno...) emerge from the hut. But what does surprise him is when his eyes immediately swivel to Kija. Feeling his gaze widen, he lifts his claw to touch his chest.]

Me? [He glances behind him, but there's no one there. The adult Jae-Ha is a little off to the side.] Y-You are addressing me? You can see me...? [Adult!Jae-Ha he thought he couldn't be seen??]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cloudline 2016-06-05 02:55 am UTC (link)
	Of course I can. But you did seem to suddenly appear. [However, no. He doesn't see his older self. Although it's not the same in turn. He silently watches both himself as a boy, along with Kija. That very boy also becoming defensive.] . . .You're here to take me away, aren't you. Well too bad. I don't want anything to do with the stupid legend. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-06-05 03:19 am UTC (link)

[Kija fully disagrees with his assessment of the legend, but even he knows there is a time and place for things.

Looking at the beaten face of his friend as a child, of course he wouldn't push.]

I did not come for such a purpose. [He doesn't know why he is here, or why he can suddenly be seen now.] I believe that you will go on to lead an adventure filled life, following the direction that your heart leads you in. I know that you will be able to discover that outside of this ugly place there is great love and beauty.

[Is he okay with this? Lifting a hand up to his heart, he bows to the child.]

Your choices are your own. This village will no longer have the power to dictate what you do with your life. [And thank goodness for that.] But should you require help, then do know that I would gladly offer it. Both Seiryuu and Ouryuu would as well.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

cloudline
2016-06-05 04:17 am UTC (link)

[He has no idea how to take in all of what Kija is saying. never in his life has he been spoken to like that. Encouragement, faith, kindness, selflessness. No fear or hatred or fury.

So he doesn't even know what he's supposed to do with it all. There's nothing he can immediately think of saying. Although, in spite of himself, for whatever reason he feels like crying. But he won't. (He isn't going to let himself).]

How do you even know all of that? Why are you telling me? No one can see the future. No one can even predict that kind of thing. Much of the world is cruel.

[His only words. One of his hands balls into a fist. It just barely keeps him from trembling.]

Obviously I'll do whatever I damn well please. I'll take what I want.

[But Kija doesn't need to be told this.

His fist curls even tighter, voice more hushed, though sharp.]

I won't let any of this happen ever again.

[He doesn't need any help from any stupid dragons.]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

backoftheline
2016-07-19 09:57 pm UTC (link)

[What can he say to a child who has experienced so much pain. It's no wonder he's so wary of such words. When one has been raised without proper love, how can they accept it so readily?

After a moment he nods gently. All he can do right now, is to be encouraging.]

I believe that you have the power and strength to do exactly that.

[Truly.

His gaze falls away from his, downward for a moment and small frown tugs at his lips.]

There is much cruelty in the world. But... there is also great beauty, too. Even when that beauty might be covered by darkness.

[He looks back up after a moment.]

So while you escape this place, fly toward the sun.

[If he can walk in the light, and look toward people who can blaze with greatness, just like his captain, he will be all right. In fact, knowing the Jae-Ha from he present, it's exactly what this much smaller version of him did.]

In the meantime, should someone still have the energy to rise and stand in your way right now- [He smirks, and lifts his large, clawed hand up into the air.] I will be happy to entertain them.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -