Daechwita

2

The day of the selection came. There are 8 candidates standing on the main square of the palace. Each of them is holding up their plaque. They have their heads down in a bow. All of them look like proper scholars, except for 1. A tramp at the back, in sloppy clothes. Curious the ministers descend from their steps and walk between the candidates towards the tramp. "Min Yoon Gi?" They start to whisper among each other. Yoongi is shaking. Half from nervousness and half from anger. He knows what they are whispering about. He clenches his fists around the plaque. They retreat and step back up to the high ground.

"Such fine young men arrived here at this early hour to be in the selection of the new king. To each of you will be given a quarters that you'll share with another. You will get training and more. It is not allowed to kill your competition. If however you do die of a natural cause, your family will receive your body." Jimin trembles. He knows that they don't care about that rule. It is common in these times to be cheated on and poisoned, or killed. It is just a disclaimer so they can wash their hands in innocence. Hoseok thinks to himself. The man continues. "The tests will be in the physical as in the intellectual way, and in the end the people will chose their ruler. All those who survive, will be trained and skilled enough to become the new King's entourage. Or, if the king pleases so, or thinks they might do a coup d'état and are a threat, get rid of them." Some of the men are visibly shaken up by this. They look at the competition and are trying to make a judgement of character. So, we can either befriend each other, or kill each other during the selection? Taehyung seems to think. The man in front coughs. "For the rooming arrangements, come forward and draw a stick. The ones with the same character will go to the respective house." Every man draws a stick. "Please make your way to your house. You have 2 hours of free time before you are expected to gather in the main hall." The man coughs as to end his talk and retreats in the Hall of Abundance. Seokjin's and Jimin's father retreat too.

Seokjin walks to the house of the Turtle. He is followed by the tramp looking guy. Namjoon is heading for the house of the Tiger, followed by a handsome looking man. Jimin walks to the house of the Phoenix. A young lad follows him, wearing fine fabrics of high class. Hoseok walks to the house of the Dragon, and is followed by a bit nervous lad.

Yoongi lays down on his bed. "Dibs." Seokjin looks at him with contempt. He sighs and places his luggage on the other bed and starts to look around the house. Eventually he breaks the silence "I am Kim Seokjin, son of prime minister Kim" The tramp doesn't open his eyes and just waves. "It is common courtesy to introduce yourself..." Jin grumbles. The tramp gets up and is right in front of Jin's face. "I am Min Yoongi. One of the last king's bastards." Jin is horrified at the roughness this man in front of him possesses. "W-well, Yoongi, nice to meet you." Yoongi walks back to his bed and goes to lay down again. Jin took that as a don't-talk-to-me-anymore attitude and decided to ignore him from now on.

Namjoon drops his armor and swords at his bunk. The handsome guy is looking around the house. "It's not that bad. I am Kim Taehyung, from the royal Kim family." He holds out his hand. Namjoon looks from head to toe at this fragile looking man. "Kim Namjoon, son of first general Kim." He shakes the hand but Taehyung's face is tormented at the crushing of his bones. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know my own strength... If you find things broken around the house, it's a high possibility it's because of me." Namjoon smiles a dimple smile and scratches behind his head. Taehyung looks at his tortured hand and then at the big hunk of muscle that suddenly looks very innocent and cute. "I-I'll keep that in mind." Taehyung smiles a box smile too, no longer scared or intimidated by this big hunk of cuteness.

Jimin is out of breath and coughs as he leaves his luggage at a bed. The young lad places his stuff too and immediately goes to his roommate to let him take a rest on the bed. "Do you want some water?" He asks, and the fair skinned, fragile looking man looks up to him. "Y-yes please." Jungkook grabs a can and luckily it was already filled with water. He pours it in a cup and hands it to Jimin, who gratefully accepts it. "Thanks..." He says after drinking it. "What is a guy like you aiming for the throne for?" Jungkook takes a seat next to Jimin on his bed. "My father... wants me to be of use..." "Still, you are in no condition to enter this competition... What cruel person is he?" And Jungkook seems to get a thought. I bet half of the people who are in this contest, don't even want to be in it.... 

Hoseok holds the door open for his roommate and smiles happily. "Guess we are in it together, no?" He is cheerful and bubbly. The roommate sits on the bed, and is shy. "I am Jung Hoseok, son of a famous professor." The roommate nods and in a very small, light voice answers. "I am Lee Sa Hoon." "Sa Hoon?? Nice to meet you." The roommate installs a curtain immediately around his bed. "I am sorry if it comes over as rude, but I quite like my privacy. Sorry." Hoseok looks at how he partitions the room with the curtain. Funny guy, this roommate of mine...

They all gather in the main square again. Except for Jimin and Jungkook none of the others have been social with the others. They get a tour of the palace and the main things they need to keep in mind. They get the week schedule and the way of how they will be tested. After that the ministers leave again and leave them by themselves. The 8 young men are standing in the square, awkwardly. "Guess we will be spending some more time together. Should we get to know each other?" Hoseok starts to break the ice. "I know the most prominent people already, but who's family are you guys from?" Seokjin asks and points at Jungkook, Sa Hoon and Yoongi. Jungkook smiles his bunny smile. "I am son of the famous Qing merchant Jeon." Taehyung whistles between his teeth. He bought a lot of stuff from the Jeon merchant company. This guy is stinking rich! Yoongi grins a half smile. "I am Min Yoongi, bastard from the late king." There is a wave of contempt and shock going around the rest. Yoongi smirks, expecting this reaction, enjoying it even. Be shocked, I am taking what is mine... Even if I have to go through each and every one of you. His eyes look scary. The nervous Sa Hoon is still looking at the floor and has wide clothes on, looking fat. "I-I am Lee Sa Hoon... My family has a lineage from 3 kings before the late king." What a weird little guy... Seokjin seems to think. It is about time to start their lunch and they all make their way to the mess hall.

They barely talk during lunch. The ministers are looking over the young men. "Who do you think will be the next king?" One asks at Minister Kim. "I am guessing that either Namjoon or my son will have the biggest chance." Minister Park looks at his only son, who is eating very little. He clenches his jaw in annoyance. Such a weak kid... I swear if he doesn't get the throne, he can die here for all I care, getting killed by them. Instead of coming home and bringing dishonor on my family. Jungkook puts some extra food on Jimin's rice. "Please eat more..." Jimin smiles and takes the bite from Jungkook. Jungkook is worried about this sickly boy. Yoongi looks at all the dishes. Rich bastards... the palace has it all. With just my portion alone I could eat with my family for a week... He starts eating, first feeling guilty towards his family, but he starts to eat more and more since he has been starving. Taehyung looks with disgust at the scene. Dirty bastard... He eats with class and grace. Seokjin starts to talk to Namjoon. They are having a good conversation. Jin is already going for his goal of judging who has the biggest chance on becoming the king. Sa Hoon is eating quietly and Hoseok is chatting with Jimin and Jungkook too. After lunch they will get some military training. Something no one is looking forward to, except for Namjoon.