Fandom ʚ 𝒾𝓀𝒾𝑔𝒶𝒾 ʚɞ 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒾𝓇𝒸𝓁𝑒 ɞ [ic]

[e v i]

𝓘𝓴𝓲𝓰𝓪𝓲 　　 𝓢𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓮 𝓞𝓷𝓮​

A culmination of incidents were reported to Rie by informants all over Asia or the Zodiac themselves. Their supernaturality waned. They could embrace the opposite sex and not transform. Sometimes they wouldn't. That uncertainty pushed an investigation deeper than the tip of the iceberg the Zodiacs knew of The Curse. They were summoned by Miyara Rie to Japan. The Miyara Estate had more than enough room to host nine of the Circle. She cared not for their obligations outside of the Curse -- their life as an animal, as a line to form the Circle, would always come first. They arrived at night at varying times, and their bedrooms were befitting of their status. Then morning came. Whether they were adjusted to the time of Japan or not was not Rie's concern. She would arrive shortly to discuss the issue at hand.

Nara, Japan. January 3rd, 2025. 08:43 AM. They all sit or stand at the Formal Dining Hall, talking amongst themselves what this may be about. Some of the sharper animals may know. Enzo and Dakila stand off in the corner and whisper among themselves, thicker than thieves. Mingyue and Jùn Jiàn traveled to Japan separately and remained that way. Though not her normal cup of tea or company, Mingyue sat poised between Ruònán and Chenxi. The table across from her hosted Khanh, Ruangsak & Ahreum, and Mingyue thought it was not Ahreum's normal cup of tea either. Jùn Jiàn was in his own little corner and caught Feiyao strolling in late. The Cat who he had not seen in a year. Meanwhile, Rie, Kōzō, and Keisuke remained in her quarters as she briefed them on the upcoming meeting -- and their role as honorable Miyara members.

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coded by @DeerPrince​

 

[e v i]

The God.

ミヤラ リエ

Cursed Shinshu Field

location

Rie's Study

outfit

click me!

interactions

The Boar, The Rabbit

tags

peachiepalette mizton

Kōzō and Keisuke were witness to another one of Miyara Chinatsu's trifling in the affairs of the family. Why she was present in the first place in Rie's chambers was unknown, but the two men could hear her pleading whispers. Most notably of Rie's health and appearance. Sleepless shadows lived under The God's eyes as of late, and her mother dared say what everyone could not --

But you have gained some weight.

A long sigh from The God, and then she was told to leave; they were to discuss "Circle matters". A mere human could not count the heavy threads that bound Rie to her animals. The high-strung mother left in tears, brushing past Kōzō without as much as a glance. Rie stood to greet The Rabbit and The Boar, and though she was not cold, she wrapped an oversized cardigan around her form with her signature pensive scowl. She sat again and urged them to do the same, studying their outfits and posture. Her shoulders were tense with pride, and she lifted a tea cup to her lips. Pure green tea. Chatter of The Circle deepened in her ears like an ice pick despite their far proximity.

"I suspect someone -- or more -- have interrupted the natural flow of our relation to Earth," she stated plainly. It was not as if the two men expected any pleasantries from Rie. She went on to explain.
"As you know, I have called The Circle here. The Year of the Snake is approaching, and I will not disrupt tradition. Before then, I need a few leads secured as to arm ourselves appropriately in Cebu City. You," she looked to her brother, her right hand as if he were an employee, "will keep an eye on the twins."

She looked to Keisuke, and the tautness in her lips would not allow any jokes at the moment should he wish to make one.
"You will keep an eye on Feiyao. I have already made arrangements for my own inquiries, and I do not need to be looking over my other shoulder for her petulance in distracting me," she said, a twinge of irritation on her breath. She released her tea cup and narrowed her eyes at them.

"Questions?"

 

[buckybaernes]

T

he summons to Japan was one that Jùn Jiàn was tempted to ignore. He had plenty of work to do back home, and whether the curse was fading or not mattered little to him. Even if the tug to obey god felt like an anchor in the middle of his chest, he was still tempted to pretend that it wasn’t happening and let everyone else handle it.

Then, after a brief text exchange with Enzo, he realized that this was not an event he could escape or avoid. Maybe he was attracted to trouble, in his own way. As, despite every bit of common sense in his head telling him not to go to Japan he packed his bag and booked his plane ticket anyway.

‘Who is following who exactly? ’

Having everyone gather in the formal dining hall of all places felt extra stuffy. Especially when god herself had not made an appearance. It almost felt as though they were awaiting some trial or punishment. It was either a mind game being played against them by god and her family or they were actually worried about something. Jùn Jiàn wasn’t sure which one he thought was more likely.

By the time Jùn Jiàn had arrived, thought, most people were already sat in groups. He would avoid his sister, for obvious reasons. Khanh was already engaged in conversation, so he didn’t want to go and intrude. Especially when they seemed to be having a raucous time on their own. His eyes lingered on Enzo and Dakila, tempted to go and join the pair, as he didn’t mind either of their company. But Enzo’s text of ‘follow him around’ came to mind, and he was determined not to be the one to approach first now out of sheer spite.

Deciding that he’d go and have a cigarette and wait for something to happen, he was just fishing the lighter from his pocket by the door when Feiyao snuck in, clearly late to the party. He contemplated saying nothing, after all, he was the one about to sneak out of the place. But he was bored, and it had been well over a year since the cat had reared her head. Letting out a sigh, he decided that rather than calling her out to everyone he’d be a bit kinder. He didn’t want all eyes on them either.

“You’re late.”

He said casually, still pulling his cigarette and lighter out of his pocket.

“Contemplating not showing up at all?”

He asked, knowing that he had been doing the same thing.

Looking around, he was relieved that no one had noticed Feiyao yet, and decided to make a big deal of it.

“You’re lucky Rie hasn’t shown up yet either, she definitely would have called you out.”

He joked, looking over Feiyao towards the door that let outside.

“You’ve been gone a long time.”

An obvious statement, but one that needed to be made. He sometimes wondered if Feiyao did these things because she didn’t think she’d be missed or because she wanted to be.

”Come outside and have a smoke with me.”

They could continue their conversation there.

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Chia, Jùn Jiàn

location:

reception hall

outfit:

interactions:

user 1, user 2, user 3

 

[nyxievous]

the snake.

enzo caringal

eat your young

location

dining hall

outfit

click me!

interactions

Dakila

tags

@ user @ user

A low murmur of conversation hummed through the Dining Hall, soft and steady like the distant buzz of cicadas before a storm. The air smelled faintly of wood polish and freshly steeped tea, but there was an undercurrent of something sharper—unease, maybe, or expectation.

Enzo and Dakila stood apart from the others, framed by the grand window where pale winter light filtered in, casting long shadows across the polished floor. The glow caught on the sharp line of Enzo’s jacket, a knife-edge silhouette against the soft glow of morning. His gaze swept the room slowly, deliberately. From Ruangsak's lazy sprawl to Ahreum's perfect poisture to Mingyue, dripping in the latest fashion and Khanh, who sat too at home in a place that wasn’t hers. And then there was Jùn Jiàn, alone in his corner, watchful but removed. Enzo's gaze lingered for a second longer, before he glanced back to find his brother's blue eyes on him.

"They're quieter than usual,"

Enzo muttered in a drawl meant only for his twin's ears.

"Like cattle waiting for the butcher."

His eyes flicked briefly toward the distant hallway where Rie would eventually appear, his fingers tapping a slow, steady rhythm against his arm. Each tap a metronome, counting down to something unseen.

The absence of their God and her siblings did not go unnoticed. The empty chairs at the head of the table felt heavier than any presence could. For a moment, curiosity curled at the edge of his thoughts. What words were being exchanged that required their isolation? He could guess—he always could—and his guesses were rarely far from the truth. But the allure of knowing wasn’t enough to outweigh his disinterest in figuring it out.

No, Enzo preferred the show. The sharp glances, the feigned indifference, the soft clicks of utensils against plates that filled the silence in awkward spurts. Curiosity was a weakness, and he'd long learned the art of watching without interfering.

"What I wouldn’t give for a smoke right now,"

he sighed, watching Jùn Jiàn rise and slip from the room. For a moment, something like amusement flickered in his eyes—a barely-there thought of following, of pressing until something broke. But no, he wouldn't give the man the satisfaction. Instead, he let out another long, deliberate sigh, the kind that sounded far too practiced to be genuine.

"It’s my Year soon,"

he mused, voice thick with mock indifference.

"Think Rie’ll throw me a party this time? It’d be a nice change of pace, not having to host for once. Tiring business, entertaining them all at ours."

Enzo caught his brother's expression without needing to look. Of course, his twin knew better. No one enjoyed playing host as much as Enzo Caringal. There was power in home territory. People revealed things when they weren't on familiar ground—habits, fears, faults. The Caringals always knew how to make a home into a hunting ground.

“Maybe I’ll commission an ice sculpture,”

Enzo voiced an idle thought. He tapped a finger against his chin, gaze lifting toward the vaulted ceiling as if the sculpture was already crystallizing in his imagination.

“Something dramatic. Real centerpiece material.”

His eyes slid toward Dakila, a slow, deliberate glance that carried more weight than the words themselves.

"We could make a game of it,"

he said, and there—just at the corner of his mouth—a smile began to take shape.

“See if anyone can tell who it’s supposed to be — you or me.”

 

[leviohsa]

Lý Khanh

@

khanhgoturtongue

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  00:42

  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  

  messy

  
  
  
  

  lola young

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  20:01

  
  

  :

  Jia JIa

  
  
  

  new !

  
  

  
  
  
  

  hey are you going to japan?

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  19:37

  
  

  :

  finsta

  
  
  

  new !

  
  

  
  
  
  

  itskeisuke

  liked your post.

  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

  !

  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
• 
  
  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  mood

  
  

  Ready for this to be over.

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  location

  
  

  Dining Hall: Nara, Japan

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  outfit

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  tags

  
  

  CurryFlurry Dicentra

  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  details

  
  
  

  
  
  

!

details

the tiger.

Khanh was not pleased, to say the least. One of her subordinates in the lab she was supervising made an error in his calculations so egregious that it set her team back months. All of the tests and experiments ran prior to about two days ago were null and void. All because one stupid man did not double check his goddamn algebra. The aftermath was lethal, rage entwined with frustration left a man fired and her team feeling defeated. Right now, Khanh needed to be working in the lab, the deadline for this project coming closer and closer.

Instead, she was in Japan. Somehow unlucky enough to be sitting in the stuffy dining hall at the Miyara residence. Two-toned eyes watched as the room eventually filled with all but the infamous Miyara's. It was funny, but not surprising, seeing everyone congregate into their comfortable groups. The twins, attached as usual. Jia Jia, doing everything he can to keep distance, and Ruangsak casually sat beside her. She watched him for a moment, following his gaze that was set on the Caringals. More like, one of them.

A frown threatened to tilt her lips at the sight, and instead, she cleared her throat,

"Ru, can you try and be little more subtle?"

Khanh grimaced, feeling her phone buzz with more updates on the lab.

"Fuck me, I really don't want to be here. What's taking them so long?"

Them was an obvious referral to Rie and her siblings. Khanh hated the feeling of being leashed, chained to the whims of her Goddess.

"Why summon us now if they aren't even ready for us?"

Whatever Ruangsak responded with, was subdued by a feeling of dread,

"You have got to be joking."

She muttered, watching Ahreum make her way to the table, eventually taking a seat with them both. The Tiger blinked at the woman before her, elegance and poise radiating off of her. Maybe she should leave? Jia Jia was probably still outside, maybe they could make a run for it, ignore the nagging feeling deep in her chest.

No, Khanh knew better than that. Plus, there was no running, not for the Zodiac. So, Khanh spoke up again,

"Hello, Ahreum. What have we done to be blessed with your prescience?"

Sarcasm was obvious in her voice, knowing that the beauty mogul rarely liked spending her time near her. In fact, Khanh was prepared to be completely ignored by the fickle Horse.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[Frownist]

outfit

clicky click

location

meeting room

Interaction

jùn jiàn

Tag

buckybaernes

The day was still young. The familiar warm rays rising over the distant horizon creeped through a window as Feiyao laid curled up in a dim apartment. Only the faraway murmur of city busybodies accompanying her in her slumber. The cat, hair as sprawled as a rat’s nest, arose once the sound of shuffling feet hit her ears—a rude awakening to contrast the warmth of morning.

“You need to get out of here,” a snap voice, only to be followed by the furrowing of Feiyao’s eyebrows. “Now. Before my husband comes home”

The redhead chuckled, a hand moving to clear away the stray strands of hair glued to her sweaty forehead. “Husband this, husband that. You worry too much, we had a great time.” A smile tugged at Feiyao’s lips, “Plus, I’m tired.” she sighed, “So let me go back to sleep, hm?”

“Don’t you have something to do? Anything?” The woman responded with poorly masked irritation, “Go. No more of your games.”

Unintelligible drawl escaped Feiyao’s lips as her gaze flickered away, one which was a mixture of grumbles and curses. “Fine.” She simply stated as she rose from the mattress. Moving to grace her hand upon the woman’s cheek, the cat replied, “Bye sweetheart. You know my number.”

. . .

The Great Almighty God decided that now off all times was best to hold another one of her meetings. Bright and early. Feiyao scoffed, another wasted day surrounded by the elites who hadn’t had a day of joy in their entire lives. She almost considered not showing up at all, Rie would surely go bald at the prospect, the thought alone brought on a brief chuckle.

But no—just imagining the lecture she would give was a headache in itself.

The door to the meeting space was already creaked open for the young woman to squeeze through. Slipping past, she was met with a certain voice, one she hadn’t heard in nearly a year. Her glance dashed to her right, and there stood Jùn Jiàn, lighter in hand and the usual square look on his face.

Unsurprisingly Rie and her family were nowhere to be found. Regardless of whatever schemes they were conjuring in that bedroom of hers, Feiyao supposed she had gotten off the hook for now, and it seemed the rest were too concerned in their own conversations to pay attention to the rest. He was the only one who noticed her.

Turning her attention back to Jùn Jiàn, she hummed, “Go no-show to the most breathtaking tea party ever? How could I miss it?” A tone thick with casual sarcasm, Feiyao continued, “You know how I am, Jiā. Always rushing to click our little cups together and giggle about the Caringal boys.”

Who wouldn’t? After all, this year was theirs.

Ignoring his previous comment, Feiyao’s fickle attention was caught at the idea of a smoke break. His offer was one she much needed and her response was fast, “And now you’re trying to escape too?” She jokingly asked as she began to step back outside the room, a signal for the man to follow her.

With a laziness to her stride, Feiyao continued in idle thought, “So, are you going to tell me what you’ve up to this past year? Won’t stop asking until I get an answer.” Feiyao looked back at him from the corner of her eye, with a casual tone she continued, “Don’t worry, I’ll let it go if you get me some wine. Make it fancy.”

Feiyao Lin ✽

 

[buckybaernes]

F

or as pretty of a woman as Feiyao was, her demeanor made it easy enough to see the feral cat that she was deep down. It was almost refreshing, Feiyao did not hide their nastier side from the world. Jùn Jiàn always knew to expect a verbal spat when the two of them spoke to each other.

“Mm, is that your type, then?”

He asked, throwing a glance over his shoulder at Enzo and Dakila. The pair, with their heads pushed together, scouting out the room. Both looking very much like predators amongst a sea of prey.

“Interesting.”

He said lightly, tearing his gaze away from them to rest on Feiyao once more.

As his hypocrisy was pointed out, he shrugged, giving no response. He didn’t feel the need to explain himself. Few of them truly wanted to be here. He’d never tried to hide his displeasure about the role that he played in the zodiac. Just because he was useful and Rie had plenty of work for him didn’t mean that he particularly enjoyed it. “Never said I was disappointed you were late.” If anything, he wished he wasn’t teeth-grindingly punctual to the point that even showing up late to a meeting he would rather not be at made him feel off kilter.

Walking out of the hall and into the fresh air did feel like a weight being lifted off his chest. It was only because he was sure Feiyao might want a cigarette as well that he didn’t immediately one. He at least waited until they were far enough away from the main entrance to be polite to pull out a cigarette and light it, offering to do the same for Feiyao.

As she rambled on about asking his ear, he took a long drag from the cigarette, eyes closing briefly. Once his lungs were suitably full, he exhaled away from her, watching the gray smoke shimmer through the sky and dissipate in the breeze. He contemplated pretending like he couldn't hear Feiyao, just letting her talk to herself as he enjoyed his cigarette. The thought tugged up the corner of his mouth in a brief smile. But he had invited her outside and asked about her life. If he wanted any sort of answer out of her, he expected that he would need to give something in return.

“Are you even old enough to drink?”

He asked casually, acting as though he didn’t know her age.

“I don’t break laws, I am an attorney, you know.”

Despite his stern words, as he looked at Jùn Jiàn, there was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. They both knew that was a lie.

“You know my life isn’t very exciting. I work, a lot.”

Jùn Jiàn brushed off, acting as though that would somehow sate Feiyao’s curiosity, when he knew that it wouldn’t.

“Did some investigating into people that I don’t usually, that was interesting. You might have actually been useful on that job, I could have used someone to run around and make friends with a bratty rich heiress to get information.”

That story that Enzo had been looking into had been something after all, they were all lucky it hadn’t blown up further and ended up with any of their family names on the front page instead.

There was other news about his family. But it was the kind that he and Mingyue had been keeping close to their chest. As he looked at Feiyaoi, he decided that she was not the person to reveal it to.

“Where have you been? I would have thought you were dead, but no body matching you was found.”

He said, joking once more as he took another drag from his cigarette.

“That and your bank account kept being used. If you want to run away, you should take all the money out first. That’s how the smart criminals do it after all.”

Not that he could blame her for not wanting anything to do with the shit show that was the zodiac. If he could disappear for a year, well, he couldn’t - it wasn’t worth contemplating.

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Chia, Jùn Jiàn

location:

reception hall

outfit:

interactions:

user 1, user 2, user 3

 

[CurryFlurry]

R

uangsak groaned as his mother pushed him from behind, he simply nodded agreeing with everything she lectured him on as he packed his belongings. It had been roughly a year since he last visited the main estate. But he didn’t entirely mind, being summoned just felt like a drawn out vacation to him nowadays. Though he couldn’t help but wonder why the summons felt a bit more urgent than normal. With a toothy grin he waved off his parents' concerns, stopping by a few shops to buy some “gifts”. He chuckled to himself, imagining the amused expressions of his ‘relatives’ when they unwrapped said gifts. They were sure to scrutinize his choices and question his life decisions, but Ruangsak welcomed the playful banter that often accompanied these gatherings. Plus it was just fun to see their reactions. With a content sigh he boarded his flight, he was going to miss the warm tropical weather of his hometown.


Winters always felt different in Japan.


Upon arriving at the Miyara residence everything went as smoothly as it could, yet disappointment sunk within him when his eyes scanned the entrance of the estate. Being greeted by Rie was perhaps a luxury amongst the other Zodiacs, maybe some even dreaded being spotted by the woman. But to Ruangsak it was more of an expectation- No, his right. God favored him, far more than the rest of his fellow zodiac. His fists clenched knuckles turning white around the handle of his suitcase. Perhaps from anger, or more so betrayal. One thing was certain was that her absence on his arrival was noted.


When he had entered the dining hall the tension between the fellow Zodiacs was already so thick, it felt as if he was treading through water as he made his way through the room. His eyes instantly locked on Khanh as she sat by herself, with a wide smile he waved at her. Squeezing through the delicate furniture trying not to knock over the overly detailed centerpieces decorated the already stuffy dining hall. Taking his seat happily at her side. His eyes scanned the room briefly dusting over the familiar faces as more and more people poured it. Jiji stood off to the side in his typical fashion, the temptation to call him over to join his table was there; just not enough to actually make him speak up. Golden hues danced around searching desperately, his brows furrowed in confusion upon seeing that the Miyara’s were nowhere to be found. None of them. He sighed, resting his chin against the palm of his hand. His fingers tapping against the tabletop mindlessly. Sure, perhaps Rie was busy. But he had always made an effort to bother Keisuke whenever he was back in town. To see him also absent felt, odd. Perhaps the heads of the family planned some grand opening for them, he laughed under his breath as he leaned back in his chair.


His eyes lingered on the Caringals twins a bit longer than he had hoped for, his eyes almost gravitating towards Enzo. No matter how hard he tried to look away or glance in another direction he kept finding himself drawn in that direction. It didn’t help that from where he was seated that he was in direct line of sight to the man. He jumped a bit in his seat, startled as Khanh called out to him. With a guilty smile he let out a warm laugh rubbing the back of his neck a bit flustered.

“Come on now Khanh you know it’s not like that-”

He winned. He reached out draping his arm over her shoulders as he pulled her in closer to him, tilting his gaze down at her with a smug smirk on his lips.

“Already complaining about our lovely hosts? And only five minutes upon sitting here, what is that a new record?”

He teased playfully, flashing her a toothy grin.


Though his attention was fully pulled away when Ahreum sat across from him. Completely obscuring his wandering eyes from the Caringal family behind her. He slowly retracted his arm off of Khanh’s shoulders. Shifting his weight as he leaned against the table, a bit jealous of the seating arrangement. He almost asked Khanh to trade places with him. Ahreum was the embodiment of elegance, luxury and class all wrapped up in a beautiful package. And he wasn’t immune to her charms, in fact he often bought into it. Complimenting her was easy, and she never seemed to mind any of his advances in the past. Though he couldn’t say he wasn’t a bit surprised to see her willingly sit with them. He turned to Khanh, locking eyes with her for a moment before looking back at Ahreum with a sweet smile.

“Blessed is an understatement-”

he muttered under his breath, clearing his throat he adjusted his posture. Reaching his hand across the table he offered his open palm to her flashing a smile that radiated confidence.

“Did you receive the gifts I sent you a few months ago? I figured it wouldn’t be enough, had I known I'd be in the pleasure of your company today I would have brought a gift.”

He couldn't hide the shy grin creeping onto his face.

“Right, Khahn?”

he quipped before turning his full attention back to Ahreum.

“But really, I should have brought something more for today. I don’t want to be remiss in my efforts to honor such a lovely guest.”

The Rooster

Somsri, Ruangsak

location:

reception hall

outfit:

interactions:

Dicentra leviohsa

 

[e v i]

the monkey.

Dakila Caringal

Nardis

location

dining hall

outfit

click me!

interactions

Enzo

tags

nyxievous

The imprisoned in the Dining Hall did little to earn his interest but one stubborn flower who bloomed among the weeds. Every instance of looking in her general direction was marred by that pile of raucous muscle and copper hair. Dakila should focus on what mattered, the voice parallel to his own melting the ice of envy in his ear. Rie was an entitled and demanding black cloud in their lives, but she was fair. She normally gave The Circle plenty of time to prepare for a meeting, not that she wished to see most of them beyond what was required. This was unlike God, an impromptu get-together -- and that the pompous Miyara family made them wait. That, too, was unusual. He could feel Rie in the other room, the warmth of the woman's spirit. How all the animals wished to cozy up to her fire.

Dakila wanted nothing more than to snuff it out and bite the cold for the rest of his life. He made one hard and long blink, and his blue eyes reappeared intrigued at his brother's musings. It was an unspoken (omg nyx do u remember unspoken ahaha see what i did there?? i'll delete this i'm so sorry) incentive for the brothers to not dwell on what-if's when they would soon find out.

"What I wouldn't give for a smoke right now."

An extra pair of eyes watched The Dragon slip out of the door.

"I told you to quit that entirely," he chided, his stare sharpening to a fine point at the place where Jùn Jiàn once stood entertaining the company of The Cat. Another long blink, and he refocused to his feet. Dakila was tired and unaccustomed to the cold. Cebu City was warm all year-round, and the only time he saw snow was during travel. When his brother sighed, he sighed for Dakila too. And he brought forth the upcoming year. There was a childish excitement that fluttered in his stomach wholesomely for Enzo. He reserved about a month of deep thought and consideration for what to gift him. That would be in private. Something only they could see with their own eyes, something uncursed. The last Year of the Snake was the age of sixteen for both of them, and his gift was measly (though Enzo argued the contrary). Now as a loaded adult, he followed a fine rule for his twin: no expense spared.

He cast a side glance to Enzo. When the corner of his lip upturned, Dakila's own conspiratorial grin blossomed. His hands stayed sheltered from the cold in his pockets.

"It might be revealed, then, that people see who they want to see," he quipped back. A Rorschach test. Of course Enzo knew that already to be true. Dakila imagined The Rooster and The Dragon's disappointment that when he turned around, he was not Enzo.

"Do you suspect we will be in Japan long? We should be home, planning. I think I'm looking forward to your year more than you are," Dakila said light-heartedly, looking ahead at no one in particular. His tone was kind, but only Enzo knew the depths of desires to keep one another in their reach.

 

[Dicentra]

The Horse.

Ahreum Seo - 서아름

Flavour of The Month

location

Miyara Estate; Dining Hall

outfit

click me!

interactions

The Tiger, The Rooster

tags

leviohsa CurryFlurry

Bring the luggage. Get on the private jet. Land in Japan. Go to the meeting.

Bring the luggage. Get on the private jet. Land in Japan. Go to the meeting.

Ahri repeated it over and over in her head. Yet, as she settled into the palatial leather seat of the jet, sipping on a glass of sparkling water, it hit her: she forgot step one. Dammit.

Well, at least she’d remembered step two. Step two was arguably the most important - not because it got her to Japan, but because of the private part of it. Ahri had tried the public airport once. Never again.

The experience was a disaster from start to finish. Even with access to the exclusive lounge for card members, the drinks weren’t worth the hassle. First class, though better than coach, still lacked the space she found adequate. And TSA? That had been the final straw. Removing all her jewelry, piece by painstaking piece, while the line behind her grew longer and the murmured complaints louder, had been nothing short of a nightmare. Ahri wore a lot of jewelry.

It was like every time she went through the metal detector, she discovered yet another piece of jewelry she’d forgotten she was wearing. A ring tucked under a cuff, an anklet she hadn’t taken off in years, or even a hidden clasp on her belt that somehow managed to set off the alarm. By the third trip through, the TSA agent was looking at her like she’d done it on purpose.

But like, as if! She had far better things to do than stand around watching some random stranger handle her precious necklace as if it were a cheap trinket, tossing it into a plastic bin like it wasn’t worth more than their entire lifetime of salary. She’d had the necklace professionally detailed afterward, of course - there was no telling what kind of scratches it might have endured in the process. Honestly, so inconsiderate.

There was one more perk of having a private jet: personal wifi. And with personal wifi came the ability to text her assistant uninterrupted, no matter how high she was flying above the ground. And yes, her texts relied on wifi, because Ahri used an iphone - something of an anomaly in Korea, where Samsung reigned. People often told her to switch to Samsung, praising its features, durability, and dominance in the market. But Ahri wasn’t interested. It wasn’t about productivity or efficiency. The truth was simpler - she liked the “i” in front of “phone.”

After all, “I” was Ahri’s favorite word.

But she didn’t. Not because being late for the meeting was an issue - no, she was absolutely certain they would wait five hours for her. That wasn’t the problem.

The problem was that she didn’t want to spend another second on the plane longer than absolutely necessary. Horses, after all, didn’t like heights. And while she wouldn’t admit it aloud, something about being suspended in the sky left her feeling more vulnerable than she cared to acknowledge.

"My kindness knows no bounds." Ahri declared with a dramatic sigh, leaning back in her plush chair as though the weight of her generosity was simply too much to bear. She lifted her hand, admiring the glint of her rings under the cabin lights, before adding, "I deserve the Nobel Peace Prize."

After her jet touched down, her assistant had arranged for a chauffeur to take her to the meeting. The ride was short and pleasant. Her mood, however, was not, as she opened the doors of the Miyara estate to see who was sitting next to whom. Ahri scanned the seating options, each one worse than the last. The assortment of faces and potential conversations was enough to make her want to turn around and board her jet again. Eventually, she chose the least annoying seat available and gracefully slid into it. Settling in, her lips curved into a pleasant smile as she turned to greet the person beside her. Her eyes met Khanh’s, who, true to form, fixed her with a glare so fierce it could cut. The sharpness of her expression complimented the way she was clearly straining not to roll her eyes. Ahri’s smile didn’t waver; if anything, it widened, even if she didn’t like the way Khanh’s glare declared war. Or, maybe she did? Did she?

“Charming as always, Khanh." She said, her words dripping of honeyed false sincerity. "Consider it an early birthday gift."

Ahri’s gaze drifted around the room. Some were engaged in whispered conversation, many maintained an assessing look, and others were eyeing up prey to eat in the night. Oh, and several were annoying. "You're welcome."

It didn’t take long for Ahri to notice Ruangsak’s arm casually draped around Khanh’s shoulders, and she’d be a liar if she said it didn’t sour her mood - a small, but sharp flicker. She had never been fond of certain people having the capacity to hold any kind of attention for others. But just as quickly as the bitterness settled in, it was lifted by the sweet balm of candied words. Her head tilted slightly, her lips curving upward in a smile, as she allowed herself to bask in the gentle, flattering tones. For Ahri, it was always easier to ignore annoyances when someone else was smart enough to remind her just how much she deserved the spotlight.

"Ah, yes, your gift." Ahri answered, placing her right hand in his. She tilted her wrist just enough to catch the light, showcasing the bracelet he had given her. White diamonds sparkled against the silver lining. Most people assumed gold was Ahri's preference - it was, after all, the most expensive and ostentatious. But in truth, she preferred silver. It suited her style better. It wasn’t a detail she shared often, just another small secret kept tucked away, known only to those she favored. And she particularly liked Ruangsak’s smile.

"You could get me something, actually.. Perhaps a glass of wine from the servants? My neck aches from all the hard traveling." Her eyes drifted to Khanh, who was glancing at her phone more often than not. "Maybe one for Khanh too? She seems.. cranky."

 

[leviohsa]

Lý Khanh

@

khanhgoturtongue

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  00:42

  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  

  messy

  
  
  
  

  lola young

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  20:01

  
  

  :

  Jia JIa

  
  
  

  new !

  
  

  
  
  
  

  hey are you going to japan?

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  19:37

  
  

  :

  finsta

  
  
  

  new !

  
  

  
  
  
  

  itskeisuke

  liked your post.

  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  

  !

  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
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  mood

  
  

  Ready for this to be over.

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  location

  
  

  Dining Hall: Nara, Japan

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  outfit

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  tags

  
  

  CurryFlurry Dicentra

  
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  

  details

  
  
  

  
  
  

!

details

the tiger.

The raven-haired woman didn't try very hard to focus on the conversation, and by the time she heard the two before her converse, she was gone. Instead of listening, she grabbed her phone, scrolling through the updates provided to her by her subordinates. She let out a quiet sigh, after reading a text indicating that all they could do now was wait for the outcome of their latest trial.

Great. Now she was subjected to listening to the flirtatious flattery.

Khanh's lips were a straight line, her features clearly unimpressed with the way these two spoke to each other. A Queen and her subject. She nearly cringed, until attention was brought back to herself.

"Oh, cranky is one way to put it... I think a better way to describe it would be... impressed? You always get Ruangsak to find new ways to grovel before you."

Her gaze flickered to her much larger, much friendlier friend sat beside her, a slow grin lifting her features.

"Well, go on then... Be a good boy and fetch us some wine!"

Watching Ruangsak shapeshift to those around him was always interesting to Khanh. He had a knack for knowing and adapting to people that the Tiger simply couldn't get down. Sometimes, she admired it. Other times, she resented it. And, right now, she found it humorous. It was like a switch flipped in real time. She wondered if he had a switch for her, too.

Looking back over to Ahruem, Khanh decided to lean back into her chair,

"I know you don't give much of a damn, but not everyone feels privileged to be summoned abruptly by their God. Some of us have real problems to attend to."

She only half-meant the words. Khanh knew that Ahruem was a business owner. An entrepreneur with problems of her own. Yet, the words slipped out in a bitter sigh before she could salvage the sentence. She knew how much Ruangsak admired Rie, respected their roles within The Circle.

But, she was tired. Annoyed. And impatient. Her posture remained relaxed, hands finding their way into the pockets of her beaten (deceivingly expensive) leather jacket.

"Don't worry about me. You two just keep talking. Please, pretend I'm not here."

A small voice within her hoped that Ru would actually get her wine. Maybe he would know. Or, maybe, she was screwed.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[nyxievous]

the snake.

enzo caringal

eat your young

location

dining hall

outfit

click me!

interactions

Dakila

tags

@ user @ user

Enzo hummed a low, thoughtful note, his breath coiling in the cold. Hands buried in his coat pockets, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his gaze trailing the door where the Dragon had slipped away. Voices echoed faintly from the hall, too distant to make out but loud enough to linger. He watched that door for a beat too long, eyes half-lidded, before looking away.

"Quit entirely?"

he echoed, his voice soft with mock surprise, the barest grin tugging at the edge of his mouth.

"You sound like Mother."

His eyes flicked to Dakila, sharp but fond.

"If it were that easy, I would've done it already."

He tilted his head just slightly, the loose, lazy motion of someone fully aware of his own contradictions but unbothered by them. Besides, there was something satisfying about filling his lungs with poison. It was what he was known for after all.

"It would be a good test then, wouldn't it?"

Enzo's reply came soft but certain, gaze flickering in amusement.

"Though, I suspect our dearest Ahri would only see herself in the sculpture."

His eyes cut toward the table where the Horse, the Rooster, and the Tiger sat in their unlikely congregation. An odd trio, their dynamic crackling with mismatched energy. Enzo could feel the push and pull of their personalities from where he stood, but they didn't hold his attention for very long.

"Planning, huh?"

Enzo’s gaze trailed off, following nothing in particular — or maybe following everything at once.

"We’ll be here as long as she wants us here,"

he muttered, the word she carrying all the weight of the Miyara name. He glanced back at Dakila, eyes laced with meaning.

"But I have a feeling it might be longer this time."

A flicker of something crossed his face then, a quiet, thoughtful shift beneath the mask. He didn't say it, but Dakila would know. It had been weeks since one of his schemes hadn’t gone exactly to plan. Not a complete failure, but close enough to have his instincts bristling. His words hadn’t hit like they used to. Persuasion had always been second nature to him — a whisper, a glance, and people folded like paper. But not this time. He still wasn’t sure what had gone wrong, but it hadn't left him since. It clung to him like the aftertaste of something bitter.

Had it happened to any of the others? Or was it just him and Dakila?

If it had, then this sudden summons made a lot more sense. And if she knew, if God knew… well, that was a whole different problem, wasn’t it?

He exhaled deeply, his breath a long, winding ribbon of fog, and for a second, he just stood there, unmoving, watching it unravel into nothing. Then his gaze shifted, and he glanced back at Dakila, his expression falling into something quieter, something close to sincerity.

“Don’t overthink my Year, Daki,”

he said, voice low but steady.

“I don’t need anything flashy.”

His smile mirrored his twin's as he added,

“I just need you to be there.”

He let the weight of that hang between them for a moment, heavy but unspoken (hehe evi see what i did there), like the cold pressing into their coats. Then, Enzo leaned back on his heels, his grin sharp and wide again, like a trap ready to spring.

"But if you must spoil me,"

he added, flicking a hand through the air with careless grace,

"I wouldn't say no of course."

He intended to do the same for the Year of the Monkey after all.

Another pause. Quiet. But the quiet between them was never empty.

"Should we join one of the tables?"

Enzo asked.

"Say hello to old friends?"

His eyes flicked toward the congregation of familiar faces, but his feet didn’t move. He stayed right where he was, the pull of the crowd no match for the ease of standing next to his brother.

 

[ven]

T

he opulent flavor of wine washed over Mingyue’s tongue, smooth like velvet, rich and sharp. It was the one good thing about these reunions. They spared no expense, especially for beverages. Thank god, as it was her only method of getting through these events. The other zodiacs were far more palatable by the time she found herself three glasses in.

Dark brown eyes cast lazily across the room, silently searching for the one person she wished to avoid. Jùn Jiàn’s presence remained elusive, and for that, Mingyue was grateful. They hardly talked and the little conversation they had was stiff, professional, and devoid of familial tact. Did he think he was better than her? Was that it? Was he with Rie? Had she chosen him over her again? Bitterness grabbed her heart, lurching it in a painful twist. Mingyue’s wine glass came to her lip once more—she emptied the glass.

She needed a distraction, something to pull her from her thoughts that were sure to spiral. The overwhelming whirlpool of emotions, fueled by her and festering thoughts, would engulf her, holding her captive under its binding pressure, stealing the air from her lungs until she suffocated.

Chenxi sat to her left, and for the first time in a long time, Mingyue felt grateful to someone other than herself. It was seldom she used the term friend, but he managed to be the closest to it. Still, Mingyue held him at a distance, the same one she kept everyone at, save for Rie, who managed to break her walls down without even trying.

Mingyue’s shiny, black stiletto nails pinched her wrist as she forced herself to remain grounded. While she considered Chenxi a friend, she’d rather die than break down in front of him. The added weight of Ruònán, who also shared their table, further cemented the fact that she had to keep it together. No one would respect her if they thought she was weak.

“Seems Rie is taking the approach of building intrigue and mystery,”

she mused, voice honeyed and light. Her words betrayed her tone and Mingyue could only hope they mistook the flash of her insecurities as annoyance.

“Are you guys riveted? Hanging off your seat in anticipation of whatever magnificent plan our wonderful God has devised?”

“Ruònán it’s been quite a bit since we last seen each other. I hope you are faring well.”

"What good is there in loyalty?"

Chia. Mingyue

location:

Formal Dining Hall

outfit:

interactions:

buckybaernes Shadow Alpha

 

[mizton]

the hare

miyara kōzō

I

t'd been Kōzō to follow his mother into their God's room.

By habit, he'd never been one to play guardian. Another, for his sister's sake, might've placed a hand at his mother's shoulder & walk before her to dampen such an unwelcome arrival. Instead, when they'd arrived, it was his mother to front his arrival & for Kōzō to poke his head from behind her with a lax smile. A wave, as well.

It was his wrist that limply rose toward the woman's shoulder that narrowly avoided his own on her way out. An honest, though impassive 'mother...' called to her retreating form as Kōzō, in half-hearted piety, turned to watch her leave. With a shallow expulsion of breath, the man turned back toward the scene that lay before him: a cross-armed Rie & the younger cousin that stood beside himself.

Sitting when motioned to, his eyes followed Rie's when she examined her company—first Keisuke, then himself. His chin met his collarbone for he himself to lay gaze on which black robe had been laid out for him that morning: today, the barely-there argyle pattern.

Maybe it was the growing number of thoughts circulating the compound's paths & chambers, from assistants & increased staff of the like, but Kōzō—uncharacteristically—idled there to scrutinize his attire. His brow flattened to a unamused, half-lidden glaze over his eyes, abstracted in the practice of visually tracing such a design. Had there always been a pulled thread by his breast? A bleach speck at his collar?

When he'd been addressed with a 'you,' Kōzō's neck & back straightened slowly. With a close-eyed smile, he affirmed:

"It'll be done."

& it would be. Rest assured: manners permitting, the two that Rie had mentioned—the Caringal brothers—wouldn't leave his sight for as long as a hare's vision was nearly radial.

To speak of that vision, he took to studying the demeanor of Rie before him. Not a person in the world could faithfully presume what thoughts danced behind eyes like his, though countless have tried. For someone like Kōzō, who—save for the circle—possessed the faculty to read the minds of all around him, such a thought was respite. There was no use for guesswork when it came to trusting his sister; there was only do or do not & Kōzō opted often for the former.

"Hm... There's none from me. Or—well,"

started Kōzō, when prompted for questions. With a slowed gait around first his cousin & then Rie, he asked,

"For this morning's address, would you like for me to open? Say it & we'll head out onto the floor first. I'll begin when you're ready.

"Cousin, questions?"

outfit:

location:

rie's room

tags:

e v i , peachiepalette

 

[Shadow Alpha]

T

he same invitation that more than likely induced a fear of dread or looming boredom was one that ignited a flame of excitement within Ruònán. Being one that was less than excited to have to travel with her family, her brothers couldn't help but find the complete 180 change in her personality to be funny. Her parents were encouraging and raining down praises as they assumed she had become this bubbly because she would get to dutifully play the role of The Dog and represent her family as best as she could.

Her brothers knew better, this was an excited fervor driven by a deep childhood love that never waned. Ruònán had always viewed God in a less than platonic way and made it very clear with her flirting. Some of the more dedicated fans of Rie would often refer to her as "God's loyal Dog". Little did they know about the extent to which she hounded after Rie. Ruònán was essentially a live wire by the time her plane landed, and she was greeted by a crowd of paparazzi and loyal followers that had known about her trip. She offered them a all a wide, toothy smile followed sticking out her bluish tongue in what had become a signature pose of hers.

The security detail, one that seemed quite useless with Ruònán being in a similar field, tried to maintain a respectable perimeter. Ruònán honestly didn't give a damn about that or any invisible line that was supposed to separate the Zodiac from the public. She waved, spoke to, and indulged in the variety of pictures that they requested of her. It was all simply fun for her as she indulged in their admiration.

"Honey, I'm home and I know you've missed me greatly", Ruònán's voice bellowed throughout the entry way of the dining hall. The humans amongst them that had earned the right to work under Rie all turned in unison to tell her off but their blood chilled instantly. Before they could utter any type of reprimand, they immediately recognized her as the Dog, one that never shied away from the public eye and often reveled in it. She sauntered in and stopped before her fellow zodiacs that had gathered. Her voice echoed and she could only hope that it managed to reach the ears of Rie.

Ruònán bowed deeply at the waist before making her way to her own seat where Mingyue sat between her and Chenxi. She signaled for a drink to brought to her as her attention shifted to Mingyue's uncomfortable shift in energy. The Dog was aware that not everyone took as much pleasure in these official gatherings as she did, but it was always an interesting sight to see. "That woman could spew the most twisted words to leave us in suspense with a horrible plan and my tail would still wag for her. The aura of mystery really increases her own appeal, so at this point I'd be down for whatever. As far as how I've been lately little mouse, plenty of fun conquests and interesting familial duties that keep me entertained. Being hired as a personal bodyguard for any attractive woman is like a bonus, one my parents wished that I wouldn't indulge in as much. How about you two? It's gotta be hard living the life of a lawyer. Meanwhile, me and my cousin have been living our best lives fighting or chasing after a ball. It seems we managed to get off pretty easy in the job department since it's not as emotionally demanding right Chenxi?"

THE DOG

Lánfēi Ruònán

location:

Dining Hall

outfit:

interactions:

ven , buckybaernes

 

[Frownist]

outfit

clicky click

location

~~

Interaction

jùn jiàn

Tag

buckybaernes

Feiyao smiled, a short, breathy exhale leaving her nose. “Old enough? Hm, cute joke.” she raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement in her eyes as he rambled on, “Right, I forgot most of you tools are fossils.”

The young woman watched as Jùn Jiàn lit her cigarette, not hesitating to snatch it from his hands when the task was done. A single inhale, followed by a brief silence from her—rarely didn’t she show any appreciation, but she felt a tinge of gratitude that she could unwind before Rie’s sudden, uncalled-for, meeting. In fact, the thought alone annoyed her. She didn’t really care for extravagant meetings. Especially extravagant meetings that didn’t come with wine. They all ended the same.

Her breath visual in the cold air, Feiyao slightly tilted her head to the side as Jùn Jiàn‘s words began to hit her ears. He rambled on about his job and what could’ve been—always the case with these types—the past, the past, the past. Feiyao maintained her usual tone but her response was as frank as could be, “You know I don’t like to be held down. Plus, I clearly wasn’t going to get anything out of that whole deal. It’s just Rie trying to piss you off.” Another huff of her cigarette, another roll of her eyes. “Forgive and forget, Jiā. That’s why you all are always so cranky. Focusing on what didn’t happen.”

A silence reared its ugly head, but this time, Feiyao decided to let him change the subject. “I’ve been here and there, wherever the wind blows. Not important enough for your ears..” The cat dodged the question in her usual tightlipped fashion, a quiet chuckle following at the man’s final comment, “A lawyer giving me tips? I didn’t know you were such an upstanding citizen. I’ll write a note.”

Another fleeting smile, another drag of her cigarette. As Feiyao’s eyes cut forward to the scene ahead of the two, she spoke with a smoother tone. “You seem as disinterested as ever, dragon. Didn’t expect you of all people to think about me, huh?” She scoffed, “Just can’t get enough of me. Can’t say I blame you, I can’t get enough of me either.”

Feiyao Lin ✽

© reveriee

 

[CurryFlurry]

R

uangsak’s grin beamed from ear to ear, almost every tooth and sharp canine on display as he smiled in Ahreum’s direction. He leaned forward, elbows on the table and chin resting on his hand. His eyes gleaming with mischief. He couldn’t help it, after all she was simply divine, and every single part of him wanted nothing more than to please her. It was all for good fun anyways, nothing serious. He leaned forward, giving her his rapt attention. His thumb caressing her hand casually, as if to allude to something more than just hand holding. Yet at her request he could only blink a few times. He raised an eyebrow at Ahreum

“Wine?”

he drawled, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. It doesn’t take long for Khanh to chime in as well. He could only offer them a short laugh.

Oh, they were serious.

He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms above his head in a lazy yawn. The movement causing his shirt to rise slightly. As he turned his gaze towards the servants that stood in silence off to the side, wasn’t it too early for wine. He contemplated the thought for only a brief second, his desire to please being stronger than anything else at the moment. If they wanted wine, he’d happily serve them wine. One butler at their service. He winked, pushing his chair back and standing up

“Well, i’ll be right back, don’t have too much fun without me”

It doesn’t take long for him to make his way across the room. He sauntered over to a few servants that had been focused on preparing something, draping an arm around their shoulder he flashed them a smile. He leaned in a bit closer, a broad finger pointing towards a bottle of wine on a table. From how it looked, it seemed as if the wine was to be sent out probably after their ‘meal’ but he knew Ahruem, if she wanted it. He’d be more than happy to provide it. With a bit of sweet talk, and while also being one of the esteemed guests at the estate. He managed to nab a bottle rather quickly, in fact the servant popped open the bottle and practically shoved it into his hand with a few glasses. Clearly flustered. He stifled a laugh, flashing them a cocky smile.

“Thank you~”

he purred, turning away as he made his way back to the table.

As he made his way back he had caught wind of a few conversations here and there, his gaze turned towards the door that Jiji and Feiyao had slipped out of. He could only imagine the conversation that unlikely pair was having. As much as he tried to avoid it, tried to keep his focus glued to the table where Khanh and Ahreum sat. He couldn’t help himself, like a moth to a flickering lightbulb he glanced in the directions of the Caringal twins once more. Straightening his posture as he strode past the pair, perhaps hoping to draw their attention. He was sure he wouldn’t but, a part of him wished that maybe he’d even been spared a passing glance. He felt as if he had to hold his breath when he walked past, letting out a sigh of relief as he moved along. Feeling foolish for even letting his mind entertain such a foolish thought.

When he returned to the table he let out a toothy grin as he presented his prize. Placing the glasses down in front of them respectfully. Pouring them all a healthy glass, right to the brim just about to overflow. He smiled, sitting one in front of Khanh. And as he turned to Ahreum, he placed hers delicately in front of her.

“They only had white, hope you ladies don’t mind”

He returned to his seat, letting out a content sigh as placed the bottle at the center of their table. Lifting his glass in the air as he looked at the rest of them with a smirk.

“To us, maybe we’ll all be trashed before our lovely hosts join us today”

He laughed out his roaring laugh that filled the air with a warmth around them as it echoed inside of the dreary dining hall. Tilting his head back he downed his glass letting out a satisfied groan, reaching back to the bottle as he filled up another glass as he looked forward. The glass pressed to his lips as he caught glimpses of the other Zodiacs around them. God, he wished he just switched seats.

The Rooster

Somsri, Ruangsak

location:

reception hall

outfit:

interactions:

Dicentra leviohsa

 

[peachiepalette]

S

tanding in the hallway, no one had complained of his appearance, but the second that Keisuke had set a tentative foot into Rie’s chambers he was met with a barked command from the God. The force of her words practically blew his perfectly styled hair back from his face. ”SHOES OFF.”

’Eugh.’ So that’s how it was going to be. How it always was. Perhaps the man should have known better than to trifle with his God, especially in a time of distress for her, but what could be done now? Keisuke’s lips pressed into a thin line in response, as if he might have something to say, though no sound came out as he dutifully took off his shoes as requested. Now that he was within Rie’s chambers though, the Boar twitched and squirmed, waiting for her interaction with the fourth body in the room to end.

“Ugh, body-shaming is soooo 2000s,”

the blonde murmured under his breath, his arms folded tightly over his chest. Little wooden soldiers. God’s good little toys, standing guard. Kozo and he were the pictures of the perfect family as they did as they were commanded, waiting patiently while his aunt finished her tirade inside Rie’s room. Or, they could have been perfect, if it hadn’t been for Keisuke. He was slouching, as he often did, her shoulder curled in on himself as if to make himself smaller. Less noticeable. Of course, he couldn’t hide from Kozo, nor his responsibilities with the oncoming Circle meeting, but he could certainly attempt to make himself less noticeable to any of the servants, and even Chinatsu didn’t spare him a glance as she brushed past them on her hurried way out.

His time for being invisible was coming to an end. Under the gaze of the God, he did his best not to shrink back and instead uncrossed his arms, standing tall beneath her scrutinizing eyes. Yes, she was watching, always. Even as they sat, Keisuke kept perfect form. The Boar had nearly been last in the animals to come forth to God, but being last to Rie-sama was unacceptable, no matter how much he longed for escape. Therefore, he was under her thumb and listening with careful ears.

There was a routine often performed when the Miyara trio got together, these events held a certain kind of rhythm that everyone played their role perfectly creating, but this time was different. High-strung and not in the mood for Keisuke’s usual antics, Rie had proven herself a formidable opponent in this round. He had only opened his mouth to speak - it had only been open a second! - when his cousin’s strong glower had his blood turning to ice. Immediately, he snapped his jaw shut again.

Clearly, she would have none of his foolishness.

Nearly impossible to match Kozo’s level of kindness, the ease in which he accepted his assignment, the blonde could only give a dumbfounded shrug.

“Noooo, no questions.”

Of course he had questions, but one that he was willing to let slip from his mouth. His tongue was laced with poison, his mind full of arsenic as he considered Rie’s concern. There had been a definitive slip in the Circle, one that tasted like sweet, sweet victory oncoming. Alas, he had never been shown a vision of his own freedom. There was no need to get attached to the concept just yet.

It was with a zoned out gaze, one focusing on the back wall that Keisuke finally spoke in regard to his task,

“She’s going to steal my wallet again…”

"to be a star you must burn"

Miyara, Keisuke

location:

Rie-sama's Chambers

outfit:

interactions:

e v i mizton

 

[buckybaernes]

A

bsolutely decrepit.”

Jiajia agreed, tone flat. It would not be a conversation with Feiyao if she wasn’t finding something to nitpick and complain about. He simply brushed it off, lest he be like the poor souls who still rose to the bait and became worked up by her. He swore she fed on those reactions, like some sort of emotional vampire.

Not only that, but he’d not even gotten to take a second drag before the cigarette was snatched from his fingers. Narrowing his eyes at the cat, he took out another cigarette and lit it, the same as the first. In the moments of silence they had, he enjoyed his cigarette and the reprieve from the oppressive atmosphere inside. Feiyao may not be who he expected to find some amount of solace with, but he would not look a gift horse in the mouth. A break was a break and he had an inkling that they were not going to have one for a very long time after this.

“Rie doesn’t have to do anything to piss me off.”

Jiajia countered.

“Maybe she was trying to punish you instead?”

Rie already knew how to push his buttons, and it was by keeping him close and necessary. Sending Feiyao didn’t change that. In fact, if the choice was between having Feiyao was the world’s most disastrous employee but never having to come to Rie’s beck and call, or the way things were now, he’d pick the former every time without exception.

Rolling his eyes, Jiajia took another long drag from his cigarette.

“I am not cranky.”

He said pointedly, although he was in a bad mood after being dragged here against his will.

He gave Feiyao an annoyed look as she proceeded to not answer his question. It wasn’t surprising, but it was still frustrating.

“No where that taught you how to carry a conversation, unfortunately.”

He murmured under his breath, not trying to keep her from hearing it at all.

“Some people in this family need to think ahead, unfortunately, it seems Enzo and I are the only ones who do. I’m just looking out for you.”

Feiyao didn’t want him to, and he knew that. But they were bound together, whether they liked it or not. And as much as he did not get along with some people in The Circle, he was not so cruel as to let them drown if they were asking for help. Though, he wondered if Feiyao would ever take an outstretched hand when offered. She seemed more likely to bite the hand that fed her than accept it.

Mulling over her words, Jiajia continued to slowly burn down his cigarette.

“Maybe I’m not as disinterested as you think, then. Ever considered that?”

He offered in return, turning his head to look down at her. He let out a chuckle at the idea of Feiyao not being able to get enough of herself.

“You sure about that? Seems to me like you’re running away from yourself more than anyone else.”

Jun Jian offered as he finished his cigarette and put it out against the sidewalk to stop it from burning.

“But maybe I am getting too philosophical.”

He said, leveling Feiyao with a knowing look.

“Any thoughts on why Rie called us all here?”

He had his own suspicions, but he was curious what the other Zodiac were thinking, suddenly being summoned. He’d want to go and pick Enzo and Khanh’s brains about it, too, if he had time. Rie and her closest family were certainly taking their time in getting here, so he suspected he’d have plenty of time to do so.

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Chia, Jùn Jiàn

location:

reception hall

outfit:

interactions:

Frownist

 

[e v i]

the monkey.

Dakila Caringal

Nardis

location

dining hall

outfit

click me!

interactions

Enzo

tags

nyxievous

Any whispers Dakila heard were merely quiet guesses, and Enzo had a more reliable and accurate stream of information. The eldest's fingers always pulled more strings to bring truth to the surface and sculpt it to something presentable. He was intrigued but not as much as he was annoyed. The Caringals had the brunt of the planning on their shoulders for Lunar New Year, and every second was wasted in Japan. He insisted with the family that he wished to take a more aggressive role in the planning that year. It would be perfect. They would be perfect. Not for the obligatory masquerade for the scrupulous eyes of God. No, for something she could not see nor touch: his love and loyalty for Enzo.

He pushed up his glasses. Without them, he could not see Ahri. Another private smile to himself, one not quite even for Enzo even if his twin caught it.

But I have a feeling it might be longer this time.

"As do I," he said quietly. There was an incident he told Enzo of, but that was many months ago. The information remained with his twin and his twin alone. At his work place, a young patient, a little girl, wrapped her arms around him when he crouched down to speak to her. Dakila naturally implemented a no-touch or no-hug policy at his pediatric office, but children did not understand sometimes. The world froze around him. The breath in his throat paused. But no transformation. None. Just a hug and an uncomfortable pry of her little hands. I like high-fives better, he told her, and that was that. Enzo did not need to tell him his abilities too, were waning. Somehow, Dakila could tell. He laughed softly -- "but if you must spoil me" -- and thought he might give Enzo the world if he could.

Should we join one of the tables?

Dakila took his hands from his pocket and stared down at his side. His hand. Then Enzo's.

Say hello to old friends?

"I recommend staying with your oldest friend," he lilted, the dense implication unspoken (omg nyx i just couldn't resist this is so funny). Both of them sensed an unwelcome change, and they needed to be extra cautious in who they entertained. A part of him was selfish (and hypocritical, for he wished to entertain a certain someone), and he knew his brother did not need to be told how to conduct himself. Dakila simply added another warm layer of warning and support to brave the cold politics of Japan.

 

[e v i]

The God.

ミヤラ リエ

Cursed Shinshu Field

location

Rie's Study

outfit

click me!

interactions

The Boar, The Rabbit

tags

peachiepalette mizton

She was silent to The Rabbit's gift of reprieve, her eyes shifting to Keisuke who she could have thrown any hard object at. Shoes off! Rie barked without missing a beat, as if she sensed any insubordination teasing the standards she upkept for them. That was a new low for her cousin, and she ignored it when he tried to speak up in her defense.

Kōzō used to barrel against her expectations of him with gritted teeth and gawdy accessories. Now as she looked at her brother, she found nothing to pick apart. Rarely did he seem frazzled, as if the universe gifted his birth to the Miyara family to quell the frayed threads of Rie's sanity. In recent years, he stood beside her and only refused one command from The Circle: to make her life harder. The offer to open was sweet, and she normally would have accepted, but this was different. After a time, she shook her head and stared intently at her nails.

"Not this time. Remain at my right side. When they are dismissed, keep an eye out for the twins. You are not obligated to speak to them this morning, but do be diligent in observing them during their stay here, for however long that may be," she said with a tail-end bitterness. Both her brother and cousin were well aware Rie did not want all those guests in their home. She liked her solitude, but this was unavoidable. She turned to Keisuke, and she suddenly stood, walking close to him. She could see his past self, a whining and flailing toddler, now a grown man who looked down at her. She sensed it -- the questions in purgatory on his tongue, the red hot resentment over her control. She almost eyed him suspiciously, unhappy with him for a reason she did not express. Rie hummed and smoothed down a wrinkle on the shoulder of his sweater.

"You are a member of the Miyara family and hold a coveted position as The Boar. You will conduct yourself accordingly and not let some -- outsider -- give you a hard time," she commanded, her hand falling to her side.

"Over the next few days," she addressed them both, "I will be conducting interviews. I trust you will keep The Circle entertained and looked after. Now, let's go. And posture," she reminded Keisuke with a harsh snap. Rie walked to the door and slid it open, expecting her family to follow as always.

 

[buckybaernes]

A

lways an early riser, for Chenxi, being up at and at the banquet hall at this unusual hour was not a hardship. Dressed more formally than usual, in jeans and a button up that didn’t see much use, he had plunked himself down at one of the circular tables in the hall with a breakfast sandwich in hand. He was curious about why they were all being gathered, but he was not champing at the bit to figure out why, unlike some other zodiac in the room.

When Mingyue arrived, he lifted a hand and waved her over. Resisting pulling her in for a hug, as he eyed her nice clothing and then the remnants of crumbs on his hand. He did side-eye her when she went and poured herself a glass of wine, casually checking the time on his phone and then looking at her once more.

“A little early.”

He teased.

“Are you preparing for something bad to happen? Are you okay?”

He did worry about her, and if she knew more than the rest of them, or if she was just not having a good time. MIngyue wasn’t the kind to share when she suffered, it had to be pried out of her. Chenxi felt guilty, he hadn’t checked in on her often enough, if she was in this state.

Before he could get an answer, Ruonan arrived in all of her glory, and Chenxi couldn’t help his grin as he turned to look back at his cousin. She entered with such confidence and charisma that he couldn’t help but be excited to see her, even if he wasn’t sure what they were all doing here.

“You’re drinking too?”

He asked, dismayed, looking at his glass of orange juice.

“Should I be joining you for any reason?”

Chenxi wondered if he had missed some sort of memo about day drinking in the invitation. He was more than happy with his breakfast spread out in front of him. Which was what he settled in to finish as the two women began to talk about Rie and her plans. His eyes ping-ponged between the two of them, obviously interested but making no movies to interject in their conversation.

“I kind of wish she had catered a whole meal for us, considering how early we’re here.”

Chenxi said, obviously unbothered.

“We’ll find out what she wants from us, she can’t keep us in suspense for that long or people will start leaving.”

He said with a laugh. He liked his fellow zodiac, but many of them were impatient and busy people. They could not sit around at Rie’s beck and call, or rather would not do so. It was even difficult for Chenxi to get time off now as well. He was expected for games and practices not long after this.

He nodded along as Ruonan spoke about their jobs being easier than Mingyue’s, of which he could definitely agree.

“I love my job. Honestly, I’m sad to be missing practice to be here.”

He admitted, smiling warmly at the pair as he wiped his hands off on a napkin.

“Nothing emotionally demanding about basketball, other than the regular highs and lows of winning and losing but - at this point that’s just par for the course.”

He explained, leaning back in his seat and looking at the two women.

“

It would be nice if we could be called here for something good. Like a new vacation home or her deciding to refurbish the main house.”

Chenxi said wistfully as he picked up his glass of orange juice.

“But that’s probably a pipe dream, huh?”

He asked, unable to contain his laughter.

"I'll be your mirror (reflect what you are)"

Lánfei, Chenxi

location:

banquet hall

outfit:

interactions:

ven Shadow Alpha

 

[e v i]

𝓘𝓴𝓲𝓰𝓪𝓲 　　 𝓢𝓬𝓮𝓷𝓮 𝓣𝔀𝓸​

Rie entered the Dining Hall, flanked by her right hand and scolded cousin. She walked to the front, the pull of The Circle's energy coarse and intense. She needed no announcement, as she was sure her energy reached them too. Warmth. Resentment. Love. Ice. She swallowed that suffocation and tightened her posture.

"You are all here because I suspect one or more of you are meddling with the natural order of our existence," she said plainly, not one for frilly pleasantries or small talk. It started to slowly sink into the room -- bubbling, thrashing, volcanic anger. Her eyes started to shift, to glow bright red. It was as if some higher power overtook the woman. From some tables, she tasted the fear.

"Until I gather enough information otherwise, you will all stay here. I will be conducting inquisitions in arbitrary order. When you are called upon, you will dress appropriately -- no sleepwear or loungewear -- and report to my study. This will stretch for days, weeks, months. Our servants are skilled and can anticipate your every need. Any greater concerns about your stay will be reported to my brother," Rie stated. An eyebrow rose, anticipating a challenge from The Circle that would never come.

"For those of you disgruntled that your lives are interrupted by this, set your sights on your proper priorities!" Rie barked, her anger intensifying, The Circle's discomfort swelling.
"We're The Circle, and our existence serves a great purpose here. When I find out who is meddling with that balance..." Rie's tone lowered, and a silent threat hung from the gallows in the air.

Nara, Japan. January 3rd, 2025. 09:02 AM. After the announcement, Rie made eye contact with The Dog, and her impatient fingers snapped for Ruònán to follow. The begrudgingly dutiful Boar found Feiyao and Jùn Jiàn near one another with the scent of smoke overshadowed by the intensity of Rie's anger. Presuming it was Compound matters, Jùn Jiàn took the opportunity to slip away and find himself at a table where servants began wheeling out breakfast carts. He was alone until Enzo slithered his way to a chair. They had much to talk about. Ahreum left her table in a huff, going outside to likely make a phone call that she would be unavailable for awhile, and Dakila followed with a small box in hand. Khanh noticed Mingyue pour herself another glass of wine as her stare fixated on the vacancy spot Rie left. The Tiger decided to go over and join her, and she grabbed Nangnoi in the process before plopping right down beside The Rat. Ruangsak sat at the table alone for a time, his face imperceptible. The good-natured Xixi, who figured he would speak to Dakila later, wanted to catch up with The Rooster. They were sat an earshot away from The Snake and The Dragon, and the view of The Horse and The Monkey was visible through the window. The Rabbit decided to sit down and join them with his signature serene smile.

​

​

coded by @DeerPrince​

 

[nyxievous]

the snake.

enzo caringal

eat your young

location

dining hall

outfit

click me!

interactions

Dakila -> Jun Jian

tags

@ user @ user

"I recommend staying with your oldest friend." Enzo’s lips curved into a faint, secretive smile at Dakila’s words. His twin was right—staying close was a sound strategy, especially now, as the air practically crackled with tension as various eyes lingered, watched, assessed.

“Very well,”

he murmured, his voice soft but sure, the words almost swallowed by the moment the atmosphere shifted. The heavy oak doors to Rie’s chambers opened, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop.

The force of her anger struck like a physical wave, sharp and searing, and though it took him aback, Enzo didn’t flinch. Instead, instinctively, he stepped closer to Dakila, as if his presence alone could shield his brother from their God's wrath. Rationally, he knew it was futile—this was anger they would all feel, sooner or later.

"...meddling with the natural order of our existence..." Enzo exchanged a glance with Dakila at Rie’s accusation, his slender brow arching in a silent question. His gaze then swept the room, sharp and assessing, taking in the subtle shifts in posture, the flickers of defiance in the eyes of the Circle. Interesting. He wouldn’t put it past any of them to disrupt the delicate balance they were all sworn to uphold. But the mystery of the culprit eluded him, and that bothered him more than he cared to admit.

Or perhaps, he wondered, these were the ramblings of a God going mad...

Rie’s next words snapped his focus back to her, his gaze narrowing slightly as she laid out her plan. Keeping them confined to the compound was a bold move, but also a risky one. If it were Enzo, he’d have preferred subtlety, catching the culprit unawares rather than cornering them in plain sight.

Desperation, he thought, watching the crackling red glow in her eyes. Was it fear that drove her? Fatigue? Whatever it was, it was clear she was slipping.

As Rie dismissed them, the room erupted into quiet chaos. Some of the Circle moved with purpose, preparing for the disruption to their lives; others clustered in groups, no doubt forming alliances or whispering theories. Enzo lingered for a moment longer, his hand brushing against Dakila’s shoulder as he murmured his farewell.

“Keep up the charm, Daki. Maybe Rie will let us go home earlier,”

he said lightly, though the weight of caution hung between them. He didn’t need to tell his twin to stay vigilant. It had always been them against the world, and that wasn’t about to change now.

As his attention drifted to the room, whose table Enzo joined was something he pretended not to put much thought into. It appeared as though he had casually taken a seat at the same time as the Dragon, but the truth lay in the calculated precision of his movements—he slid into his chair just as the servants began wheeling out breakfast, the very picture of nonchalance masking his timing.

Other eyes followed him as he moved. The Rooster’s gaze lingered the longest, a quiet yearning that sought to capture his attention. Yet whether Enzo deliberately ignored it or whether the Dragon's presence eclipsed all else remained a mystery, even to himself.

All he could wonder about was, who had won the game between them this time? Perhaps it was a tie.

Or perhaps they had both lost, unwilling to admit it yet too captivated to end the play. The faintest ghost of a smile touched Enzo’s lips as he settled into his chair.

“Good morning,”

Enzo greeted smoothly, his gaze locking onto Jun Jian’s. He leaned forward, plucking the cigarette from the corner of the Dragon’s mouth with an ease that bordered on intimate. Bringing it to his lips, he took a slow, deliberate drag, exhaling a shroud of smoke that lingered between them. A sly grin teased the edges of his mouth, a faint challenge flickering in his eyes.

“I hope you don’t mind sharing,”

he murmured, his tone light.

“At least this way, it’ll be finished quicker...”

he added, eyes glinting in amusement.

“...and we won’t be accused of disrupting the natural order of things,”

he echoed with a quiet laugh. Then, with a lazy elegance, he held the cigarette aloft between his index and middle fingers, waiting for Jun Jian to take it back.

 

[buckybaernes]

G

od being angry was not a surprising thing. Jun Jian saw her for what she was, and he had faced the brunt of her emotions countless times due to his refusal to fall in line the way that she demanded. Yet, this time felt different, her agitation clawed at his throat, icy and sharp. This did not feel like her usual rage, hot and passionate, but something different altogether. It made Rie a wildcard, and that was a dangerous thing.

At her accusation, his eyebrows crept higher on his forehead. Disrupting the natural order of things? It was a lofty accusation, though probably not an incorrect one. He was certain they’d all done things to mess with the order, purposefully or otherwise. Yet, this was not the reaction to the usual rebellion that Rie had. She’d never brought her anger and accusations out in such a grand display such as this. Jun Jian’s eyes narrowed as he contemplated what that meant. The most reasonable conclusion was that something had happened, something large, and Rie was scared. But of what or who? Now his eyes really did seek out Enzo, searching, knowing that he’d make the same connection if anyone would. He had to talk to him.

Only for his eyes to snap back to Rie when she announced that they’d all be staying on the compound until further notice. His lips curled down in clear displeasure, lips tightening around the cigarette as he took a deep inhale. A dozen immediate problems arose that he’d need to take care of if Rie tried to imprison them here. His annoyance began to bubble up at the thought.

Briefly, his gaze landed on Feiyao.

“Looks like you’ll be stuck with us for a bit longer than usual. I hope you packed extra clothes.”

He offered, letting out a sigh right after.

Walking further into the room as the clattered of voices and cart filled the air, he took a seat at one of the now vacated tables. His eyes swept the room, landing on the spot where Enzo had been. It seemed he didn’t need to look for him, though, the snake sliding into the chair next to him a few heartbeats later.

He refused to comment on who won their game. He’d thought of Enzo as soon as Rie began to speak, and he knew that was a practically a loss in itself. Yet, Enzo had taken a seat next to him. All that really mattered, though, was that Jun Jian found himself pleased and admittedly relieved for the snake to be by his side. Even if his eyes flashed with annoyance as the cigarette was pulled from his mouth.

“Good morning.”

He greeted, folding his arms on the table and leaning towards Enzo, watching as he gleefully took a drag of his cigarette. The flicker of challenge in his eyes drawing him in so easily. He watched as the smoke filled the surrounding air before disappearing. A brief smokescreen around them and from the rest of the world.

Enzo’s words made the corner of his mouth quirk up in amusement, and he reached out and took the cigarette back, fingers briefly bringing before bringing it to his lips without hesitation. Not breaking eye contact in the process.

“Somehow, I doubt that this would be the first time you’d be accused of such a thing.”

He teased, smirking at Enzo as he let the cigarette dangle just in front of his lips.

“Have you been messing with the natural order and not inviting me? I thought we were each other’s dates to important events.”

He said lightly, the words meant to sound teasing, but there was an obvious curiosity to his words. This was a mystery to solve, and he was going to solve it. Likely by bringing Enzo along for the ride. The man’s penchant for dropping problems in his lap for him to figure out had somehow become a highlight in his life. Rie brought up this one, but it was just another problem for them to solve in his mind.

He offered the cigarette from his mouth to Enzo this time. The gesture casual even as he let his hand hang in the air between them.

“Had you heard anything about this before now? I hadn’t.”

He admitted, reluctant and a bit annoyed with himself for having not. He had been busy with his own work and life, living at arm’s length from most of The Circle and definitely from Rie as much as he could. Which meant that whatever was happening, it was news to him. He wasn’t a fan of surprises like this, especially when they uprooted his life so much.

“If it got so bad, I wonder why she waited until now to deal with it?”

He murmured, keeping his voice low as he leaned into Enzo. Let the Circle know they were talking, but not about what.

“Do you plan to stay?”

They both had real jobs and responsibilities. Unlike some of the people here. Which meant being stuck in Japan and god forbid the compound would be a real problem. His mind was already working on what to do, with Rie speaking with Ruonan they could probably slip away and get on a plane off the Island easily enough. Yet, that would mean leaving this particular mystery behind. Jun Jian wondered if either of them could do that.

“We could slip away now with everyone distracted...”

But a part of him knew that they’d both want to get to the bottom of this.

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Chia, Jùn Jiàn

location:

reception hall

outfit:

interactions:

user 1, user 2, user 3