Leora Mohan dreamt herself to the underworld, where she meets a mysterious guardian called Kong Hun Jiu. After being sent back to her world, the girl faced a longing to see him again, even after his warning to forget him and her 'dream'. After summo...
Leora woke in her bed the next day, bleary eyed with a wide yawn. She glanced around her empty room, trying to remember the previous night. She tried to hide a slight smile, remembering how she and Kong Hun had gone out into the stretch of roof. She stretched, hopping out of bed and skipping over to her bedside table, where Helga had put her morning outfit. Humming a happy tune she'd heard before, she started dressing herself, before brushing through her knotted hair. Leora made her way out of her room, skipping down the halls of the manor house until she made her way to the dining room. Henry sat there; wrinkling his nose at something he read in the newspaper, whilst furiously sipping his tea; he had not noticed his sister's appearance. Leora hummed aloud, sitting down opposite her brother," Good morning to you too, Henry!" She flashed a cheeky smile at him. Henry glanced up from his paper, raising a slightly exasperated eyebrow. "My, already so full of energy?" Henry leaned back in his chair. "When am I not, in your opinion?" "Very true, my dear."
Leora glanced around, her eyebrows knitting into concern. "Is Kong Hun not here yet?" She muttered. "Kong Hun went to the village for the morning," Henry yawned, languidly; before raising an eyebrow at her," Why do you care?" Leora stared at her brother, before a spark of cherry red flush grew on her cheeks. He was right. Why did she care about the ghost? The events of last night had seemed to coil constantly through her mind and left her in a daze ever since she lowered herself onto her mattress, in a dreamlike state. Since then, it had been the only thought on her mind. "I just think... it's rude to eat without your guest," Leora muttered, absentmindedly, lowering herself into her chair. Henry hummed in response, straightening his paper with an elegant flick. "Ah, which reminds me." Leora arched an eyebrow at her brother. "Dorian and Basil will be joining us for the evening. I think I should like it very much to introduce Kong Hun to them. Do you mind?" Leora frowned, scrutinizing her brother's statement," He is not my accessory. It is not my choice whether he comes or goes. He does as he pleases." "Isn't he though?" Henry raised an eyebrow," He is your art piece, what other purpose is there aside from being a pretty picture. That, my dear Leora, is the definition of being an accessory." Leora stared at her plate, lifelessly. She'd never thought of it like that, and her brother's words sent a shiver of guilt throughout her. Upon tying him to her wish, had she become just as bad as society? Henry couldn't help but subtly smirk, seeing the fear imbedded within his sister's gaze.
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Leora stood in the studio for a good portion of the morning, staring at the easel in which the start of her masterpiece had been branded upon. Was it really as corrupt as her brother had said. She traced along the dried paint jawline, tracing each and every feature of the ghost with a mournful touch. She couldn't deny a small hint of truth in her brother's words. She had forced him here to be her plaything in art, and she felt an impending sense of doom about it. Yet, her shame made her quiet. So, when she heard the door handle push down to open; she immediately flung the cover over the piece and glanced at the person who had invited themselves in. She was ready to scold them, until she saw their face no longer in paint and her gaze ultimately softened. "Kong Hun, you're back," Leora mumbled. "Here," Kong Hun gently set a brown, paper bag in her lap. Leora stared at it in shock, quiet and serious, almost timid. Kong Hun sat on the sofa, smiling at her gently. "It's a present, from the village. I remembered what you said last night and I thought, maybe I could bring a bit of the village to you?" Leora's lips parted and she looked up at Kong Hun with wide eyes, gleaming in unshed tears at such a gesture. With delicate hands, she made her way into the bag, feeling whatever was inside. She pulled it out to reveal a packet of chalks.
"Is this too childish?" Kong Hun hummed," I was told the village was known for chalk because of a cliff nearby, isn't that neat? I knew you liked art too, so I thought of you." Leora traced the packaging, her eyes glossing over like the moon's reflection on a lake. She raised her head to look at him, studying his features. "Why...?" Kong Hun hummed, confused. "Why did you do this for me?" Kong Hun stared at her for a moment, before smiling," You wanted to see the village, so here's a small bit of it for you." Leora glanced back down at the chalks, her eyes wide. She'd be lying if she said she didn't like the gift; she loved it in all honesty. But the guilt her brother had shackled her with choked her, and when she was choked and beared down, her temper flared. She stood up, gripping the gift tightly; glaring down at him. "Why!? After everything I've done to you!?" Leora hissed," You should hate me, no, loath me!" "Leora." "I dragged you out of the underworld, don't you understand!?" "...Leora." "I used you for my own selfish-!" "Leora!" Leora froze, staring at him with wide eyes. Kong Hun didn't look particularly upset, but he didn't look entirely happy either. It sent a shiver through her.
"Do you not like the gift?" He asked, standing, holding his hands out to take it back," I don't mind. Be honest. I can get you something else." Another flash of anger trembled through Leora, swiftly tugging the chalks to her chest. "No!" She adamantly shook her head," Don't go back there! Don't do that for me!" Kong Hun stared at her, surprised. He retracted his hands, letting out a small exasperated groan as he ran his fingers through his hair. Neither of them spoke. Leora glanced down at the chalks in her trembling hands, but all she could see was the reflection of her greed and selfishness. "Clearly something's going on that you won't tell me about, so let's just drop it," Kong Hun shrugged, plopping back down onto the sofa," Let's just paint today and-" "No," Leora shook her head, furrowing her eyebrows," No painting. No modelling. Nothing." Kong Hun raised an eyebrow," Leora...?" The girl swiftly shoved the chalks onto the table and ran out of the studio, accidentally slamming the door behind her. Kong Hun watched with raised eyebrows, honestly a little lost for words. What was with her?
