" we won't actually have to choose a side...right? "
[ ateez pirate au // book 1 ]
an ongoing story that shows the issues the ateez boys have to go through on their way to pirate kings. old, familial problems from their pasts become bigger issues t...
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chapter 7 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 ———
Hongjoong had believed education and schooling weren't difficult.
He remembers being taught by his mother and older brother about grammar and language, alongside some dialect and bartering skills. Being a small family, education wasn't an issue. He didn't have to work or find money once he began to pursue a life of thievery and pillaging. He wasn't quite sure how his family obtained money to sustain the three of them, but some faint memories lingered in the back of his mind.
Hongjoong tapped the piece of charcoal against the wrinkled paper. His legs were numb and back stiff, alongside his drooping eyes and constant yawns. The seat wasn't cushioned, only made of some slick oak wood with numerous sweet spots for splinters to thrive. His weak hand met his eye as he begrudgingly rubbed away the unfaltering need for sleep.
His mentor loomed over him, a displeased frown quite prominent on his face. The coat clung to man's wide shoulders, broadening his frame. His blonde hair was sleeked back into a tight bun in the back, out of his face, not including the baby hairs that weaved their way front and center.
"Hongjoong...," Suho, his mentor, grumbled out. He put a hand on the table in front of Hongjoong, his charcoal-covered, slender fingers lightly rubbing off on Hongjoong's paper.
Joong lifted his tired eyes to face Suho, not bothered by the obvious disapprobation that Suho's aura gave. He could barely face his mentor's hard gaze before continuing to write down more music notes from the lesson. He copied whatever Suho had also written down, not caring to understand what each note meant. Hongjoong was satisfied with his knowledge of music theory and whatever music notes he had already taught himself. He wasn't compliant with learning more. Suho gave a deep sigh before continuing the lesson.
Hongjoong decided he didn't like to learn.
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Five weeks had passed by in a breeze.
Suho had finished all of his teachings on his immense knowledge on music creation and playing, leaving Hongjoong in a great state of relief. The buildup was too much to handle, and Joong was finally glad to on a break.
However, this meant the "real deal" was upcoming.
A prominent shiver shook his bones on the spot as he gripped at the yellow-ing paper in his hands. He ran a hand through his chocolate locks as the stringy fly-aways tangled around his fingers.
You are welcomed to King Park Chanyeol's Masquerade Ball, the paper read.
This is a formal invitation from the King himself.
Formal attire is required. You may only bring two extras.
July 18th.
The ball starts when the town's afternoon bell rings and ends when the midnight bell is rung.
