#to help set up a world where people won't get to that point of despair/hate

[problemswithbooks]

Ch. 363 and all I can say is, I do really want Dabi to die at this point. 

Part of it is because I’m not super fond of how Hori has written his character, but also because I don’t want anymore stupid ass pulls with his character anymore. 

I’m hoping the leaks are wrong because it is ridiculous if it’s true that he’s somehow copying Shoto’s last attack. First off he doesn’t even have the duel Quirk that Shoto has so how is what he’s doing anything similar in the first place. Second, it took Shoto a long time to learn that move and was the kind of the culmination of his character arc, so Dabi figuring it out in .02 seconds is both unbelievable and undercuts Shoto. Third it under cuts Dabi character if it suddenly says that he’s made his Quirk his own, sense his entire point was that he only used Enji’s moves because he could only focus on his revenge. 

I know people really expect him to have some sort of Phoenix Quirk but that’s just not a good thing to add to his arc. The point of Dabi is that he wasn’t the perfect heir Enji wanted and so he was tossed aside. If it turns out that he has some regeneration Quirk (which idk where he even would have inherited that from), it sort of implies that Enji shouldn’t have neglected, not because neglect is bad and wrong, but because Touya actually was prefect, and Enji really should have pushed him to his limits instead. It’s just a weird message to send, given all the build up we’ve had toward Touya needing to accept his limits and learn to see his value outside his Quirk, while Enji needs to show that he loves Touya for more then how much awesome his Quirk is. 

Meanwhile, giving Shoto the ability to heal him is also weird because it continues to paint him as perfect, and the savior of his family. It would also make Touya hate him even more because apparently there really wouldn’t be anything Shoto couldn’t do. It would fit in more with the themes Hori has built up then giving regeneration to Touya, but it still would feel forced and a Deus Ex Machina, given it wasn’t ever even hinted at.

And the issue is that unless he does get healed somehow, Dabi won’t have the time/power left for his big show of changing sides like many people think the core LoV will do (aka, helping take down AfO/protect civilians) so they can be “redeemed”. Not only that he seems to be calling on Skeptic, and giving him the signal to have AfO’s spies start killing civilians, while also burning people to death rather brutally, which means he’s really going to have to do something big to make up for that. Yet by the time Touya is convinced to change he’ll be completely burnt out (literally) so how will he even be able to help them?

 Touya’s character is just a mess at this point and I honestly think his death would make the most sense for the story at this point. I expect him to get some closure before he dies so Shoto still technically gets the win, but unless Hori pulls some crap out of his ass, I don’t see how Touya survives and gets to eat dinner which everyone. 

Which is sad for me because that means Enji’s most likely going to die too (it would be weird/shitty for the TodoFam plot if Touya died and Enji lived).   

#bnha leaks #bnha 363 #bnha critical #bnha 334 #mha #I would find it interesting if Touya dies still angry and spiteful though #still a villain trying to kill Shoto #with zero remorse #it wouldn't be good or anything #but given Shoto was so sure he could save him #i'd be interested to see how he'd handle it #if he could except he just couldn't bring Touya back even though he really wanted to #and if that same thing would happen with the other LoV memebers #that the kids want to save them #but they're just to far gone #it's way to depressing for a story like my hero #but a bitter sweet ending where they admit the LoV were to far gone #but the kids vow to never let it happen to anyone else #to help set up a world where people won't get to that point of despair/hate #that they can;t be helped would be unique #never gonna happen but i find it neat #and it's probably make more sense with the story that's already happened so far #then everyone getting forgiven and being bffs

[thenewromancer]

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)

an Analysis of the Philip K. Dick novel, as it pertains to Cyberpunk genre conventions..

Warning: Contains Spoilers, obviously..

Setting: San Francisco, 2021. Post World War Terminus. Most of the people on Earth have fled to Mars to escape the nuclear fallout that has consumed the entire planet. The immigrants are encouraged to move with the promise of a free android servant..

Characters

Protagonist: Rick Deckard

Rick is a bounty hunter. A form of the classical hard-boiled detective. He "retires" androids who have killed their human masters on Mars and escaped back to Earth.

John Isidore: a secondary protagonist. They call him by the derogatory term, "chickenhead." A man whose mental capacity has been diminished by Earth's radiation.

Iran Deckard: Rick's wife. Her moodiness and depression at the desolate state of post-apocalyptic Earth, are a major motivation for the actions Rick takes in the story.

Dave Holden: a senior detective, Rick's superior. He gets injured on the job, leaving the 6 android bounty to Deckard.

Rachel Rosen: An android spy. An original take on the classic "femme fatale" archetype.

Phil Resch: a fellow Blade Runner (android hunter) and a foil to Deckard.

The Andys

Pris Stratton: an android in the same model as Rachel Rosen. She hides from Deckard in the nearly-vacant building that John Isidore lives in.

Polokov: The andy who got the drop on Dave Holden.

Luba Luft: a German opera singer and one of the Nexus-6 target andys.

Garland: A police sergeant in a precinct Deckard knows nothing about. Also, it turns out, one of the 6 andys Rick is tasked to retire.

Irmgard Baty: Wife of Roy Baty. A naturally loving and affectionate android. Is she programmed this way? Is being kind the same thing as having empathy?

Roy Baty: The leader of the 6 fugitive androids who fled to Earth from Mars. Brave and Strong. Protector of the 3 Andys who chose to hideout instead of blend-in to society.

Plots

External Plots

Central Plot - Deckard vs. The Androids

The central plot of most successful stories is usually an external one. An Action Plot, that turns on the actions of the protagonist, not the revelation of information. Life and Death are the stakes. And it usually takes the form of a game. In this case it is a bounty hunt.

Inciting Incident: Deckard is given a case hunting 6 fugitive androids. The dramatic question is "will he catch the androids or will they escape?"

Conscious Desire: If Rick can successfully retire all 5 androids, he can have enough money to buy a real living animal, most of which have gone extinct. Since Deckard is a hardboiled detective, he also tries to act without emotion.

Plot Point 1: before Deckard can hunt the andys he has to meet with the creators of the Nexus-6 model of android, The Rosen Corporation. He has to prove the legitimacy of the methods they use to unmask an android. He uses the Voight-Kampf test to determine that their assistant, Rachel, is an android. They tell him that he is wrong. She grew up on Mars, so she feels no empathy for the questions asked. They have no relevance to her. But Deckard sees through this ruse and determines that she is indeed an andy..

Plot Point 2: Deckard meets with a soviet Blade Runner, only to find out that he is one of the andys in disguise. Polokov. A struggle ensues in Deckard's car. Polokov tries to shoot Deckard, but Deckard uses a wavelength that blocks laser guns from firing. Deckard uses a real revolver and slays Polokov..

Plot Point 3: Deckard meets with the opera singer, Luba Luft. He administers the Voigt-Kampf, but she speaks German natively. The test is ineffective. The sexual nature of some of the questions offends her (so she says..) and she calls the police. The detective doesn't recognize Deckard so they go to the station to verify his credentials..

Plot Point 4: Now we are confused.. Deckard and Resch (the other detective) go to another precinct. The strange thing is that Deckard has never heard of this precinct. Is this a dream? Worse, is it an implanted memory, like an andy would have? When they get to the precinct the sergeant, Garland, convinces Deckard of just that. He accuses Deckard of being an android. He convinces Deckard that the entire station is a sham. Every officer in the precinct is an andy. Even Resch. But Resch will deny it. Before he pulls his laser tube to kill Deckard, Resch shoots Garland in the face..

Plot Point 5: Garland was on Deckards list. They escape the precinct by putting Deckard in handcuffs and walking out..

Now Deckard and Resch go back to confront Luba Luft. They find her at an art museum where they isolate her and administer the Voigt-Kampf. But she hates Resch. She provokes him, because he has no bad feelings about retiring andys. She even accuses him of being an android. She enrages him, until he shoots her, and she dies graphically. Deckard swears he is going to quit..

Crisis Decision: Resch asks Deckard if he has ever slept with an android. Deckard says no..

Deckard calls Rachel. Because of her Android expertise, she would be an asset to retiring the remaining 3 andys. But she declines to help. She tries to talk him out of the bounty. So Deckard tells her to fly to SF and they will get a hotel, because of "situations involving android men and women.."

They meet up. And after some resistance from Deckard, he gets into bed. The next day they declare their love for each other. They discuss how Rick is going to quit bounty hunting. "No bounty hunter ever has gone on," Rachael said. "After being with me. Except one. Phil Resch.." This knowledge breaks the spell. Rick changes his mind. After this he makes the decision to hunt the 3 remaining andys..

Climax

The climax of any good Action plot ends with a game. In this case, a bounty hunt sets us up to expect "the capture". The showdown scene, where it's the bounty hunter vs. The fugitive.

Scene I: Deckard arrives at Conapt 3967-C, John Isidore's apartment building. Rick finds it because it's written on the bounty contract. Outside he finds John Isidore. Isidore accidentally lets it slip that he has 3 androids inside and 2 are women. As Deckard goes to enter the building Mercer appears before him. He tells Rick that even though he doesn't believe in his mission, he must do it anyway. Then Mercer warns Rick that there is an android behind him.. Suddenly Pris appears. She looks like Rachael. It seems she has the same femme fatale programming as Rachael. Pris says "for what we've meant to each other," as she dashes toward Rick. Rick now doesn't have to use the Voight-Kampf, because she attacked first. He pulls out his laser tube and kills her..

Scene II: Rick finds Isidore's apartment. He knocks on the door, pretending to be Isidore. Using the information Isidore gave him by accident to convince the Batys that he is not a bounty hunter. They open the door. Roy fires a laser tube at him. He misses, twice, then runs away to another room. Deckard kills Irmgard. He hears a scream from Roy. Is that empathy?

"Okay, you loved her," Rick said. "And I loved Rachael. And the special loved the other Rachael." He shoots Roy Baty...

Rick is successful. 6 androids retired in one day. Almost a record. But even though he achieved his conscious desire, I wouldn't say this is an up-ending story..

John Isidore vs. Alienation

Isidore just wants companionship. His affliction stops people from befriending him. Unfortunately, this subplot is a Pathetic Plot. A weak protagonist fails. Isidore takes in the andys so they will befriend him. But when Deckard kills them he ends up alienated.

Internal Plot

The real story in a multilayered plot happens inside of the protagonist. How does their worldview change?

Unconscious Desire: Subconsciously, Deckard wants to feel empathy for the androids. The fact that the androids can't feel empathy, makes it difficult. Like loving someone who you know feels nothing for you.

Exposition: We meet Rick and His Wife, Iran, and we are introduced to the desolation they feel. Life on a destroyed planet his usurped all meaning in their lives, and the lives of everyone else on Earth. We are also introduced to Rick's neighbor, and Rick's electric sheep that he owns so everyone else won't look down on him. Owning an animal has become a status symbol, and an act of empathy, because all animals are rare on Earth.

Inciting Incident: Meeting Rachel Rosen triggers feelings in Deckard. He discovers that she's an android, so he empathizes with her plight. But he also feels latent feelings of lust for her..

Plot Point 1: Meeting Luba Luft makes Rick feel admiration for the talented opera singer. Retiring her is a shame, because she adds value to the world. And she isn't hurting anyone by merely existing. His feelings of empathy turn to guilt and remorse at the sight of her gruesome death, at the hands of Phil Resch.

Midpoint: Upon receiving the payment for the first 3 andys, Rick impulsively buys a Goat. He takes it home to Iran. The arrival of the goat lifts Rick's morale. But, I think, it doesn't fulfill Rick's unconscious desire: to feel empathy for the andys he has killed. So, he decides to call Rachael Rosen..

Crisis Decision: To finally face these feelings of emptiness, Rick decides to have a tryst with Rachael Rosen. They get a nice hotel. They make love. The Revelation that Rachael is an android seductress, who stops detectives from hunting androids for the Rosen Corporation, sends Rick into despair. It drives Rick to seek revenge. He decides to hunt down the remaining andys. Including the android who supposedly looks just like Rachael.

Climax: At the final showdown scene, Rick confronts Pris. Now Rick is forced to gun down the doppelganger of someone he loves, taking us one step beyond the end of the line.

Aftermath: Rick drives to an abandoned part of Oregon to meet with Mercer. Or kill himself. It's uncertain at this point.

Mercer appears before Rick, telling him to have faith in life and hope for the future. Suddenly Rick finds a Toad! He takes it as a sign of hope. He takes the toad and goes home..

When he gets home he finds Iran looking distraught. She tells him that a female android came to their building and threw their goat off of the roof. Rick knows who it was. He shows his wife the toad. But they discover that the toad is electric. Rick ends the story feeling defeated.

Type of Plot: Disillusionment Plot

Rick starts out somewhat hopeful and ends the story in despair.

A great story will contain two main plots that run counter to each other. An external plot, that the audience will focus on. And an internal plot, that creates the feeling of the story. If one plot turns negative, the other one will turn to a positive value. And vice versa. Inevitably, this story ends positively on the external, and negatively on the internal. This creates an ironic feeling, a mixed feeling that resonates.

Themes Introduced

Android Civil Rights: what does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be alive? Is it really true that feeling empathy for other beings is what makes us human? I think it's clear by the end that Androids feel empathy for each other. Just not anything else. Some humans are also like that..

Transhumanism: The consequences of playing God, is that we have to lose what makes us human to correct our mistakes. We have to lose our empathy, and destroy with impunity. Can technology really improve human life?

High Tech, Low Life: everyone left on Earth are "low life" genetic outcasts and tainted lifeforms. The upper class fled to Mars.

Nuclear Consequences: cyberpunk is a sort of doomsday prediction. In this case, due to nuclear weapons. Also, it seems, arguing against A.I. and building androids.

Corporate Tyranny: The Rosen Corporation lies and decieves to stop Detectives from destroying their products.

Cool Tech

Penfield Mood Organ: like a digital clock that you can set to feel a specific emotion.

Buster Friendly: a 24 hour long TV show, and a host who is obviously an android. Everyone on Earth watches it because it is the only show. Buster Friendly competes with Mercerism for the hearts and minds of all people on Earh.

Mercerism Empathy Box: a home appliance that connects people in an alternate reality, so you don't feel completely alone. You are transported to the death scene of a modern day messianic figure named Mercer.

Electric Pets: Deckard owns an Electric sheep. But what he really wants is a real horse. They have a catalog called "Sidney's" where you can order real animals, at a high price..

Flying Cars: because what cyberpunk novel is complete without them. Comes with a car phone..

Laser Tubes: instead of handguns. Like the one Han Solo used in Star Wars.

Nexus-6 Android: almost indistinguishable from humans. You need to run bone marrow tests to find out if they are truly androids. Their main flaws are that they cannot feel empathy, and their battery life only lasts 4 years.

Off-World Colony: not necessarily "cool tech", but this section is more about examples of characterization and tropes. In this case, rich people emigrating to Mars, and the technology it would take to get there..

Implanted Memories: it seems like Philip K. Dick distorts reality in the plot to make us not trust our own memories. Details are glossed over. Whole sections are meant to make us question what is really happening.

#cyberpunk gif #cyberpunk aesthetic #cyber punk #cyberpunk #blade runner #do androids dream of electric sheep #philip k. dick #novel #book review #books #booknerd #research #writeblr #writers #writer #writers on tumblr #writing #screenwriting

[d-noona]

MAKE OVER

Chapter 7: Fairy God Mommy

Jung Hoseok x Reader

Reader as Kang Hyeonji

SUMMARY: When Kang Hyeonji transformed herself into a striking redhead, the entire male population of Seoul stood up and took notice. But her make over was for Jung Hoseok’s benefit alone. He began to show interest in the new look but not in the way she wanted. Suddenly he was over-protective, perhaps a little jealous. It seemed that the idea of having a relationship with her couldn’t be further from his mind. The girl however wants more. So it was time for an ultimatum. If Hoseok didn’t want Hyeonji to lose her virginity to another admirer, he had no option but to make love to her himself.

After that nothing could have made Hyeonji happy, not even when Mrs. Jung returned with her still apologetic mother in tow. Amazingly, Zil was thrilled by the idea of becoming Mrs Jung's cleaner, then estatic when Hoseok explained his refinancing offer.

"Isn't that wonderful news Hyeonji?" Her mother exclaimed. "Now we wont have to have a stranger in the house. And you'll have money for yourself for a change."

Hyeonji smiled and said yes, it was wonderful. She smiled all through lunch and laughed when the four of them moved Mrs Jung's living room furniture to new spots, then have to move everything back again to their original places when the end result did not please Mrs Jung's creative eye.

No one would have guessed how wretched Hyeonji felt. She was a past master at hiding her feelings, especially around Hoseok. But her heart grew heavier as the hours passed. By afternoon tea, she was exhausted with the emotional strain of pretending to be bright and breezy when inside she was shattered. Hoseok's getting back with Tinashe the following Sunday was the final straw.

His eagerness for their reconciliation had been palpable, his body language reeking of sexual frustration as he'd spoken of his time away from Tinashe. He could not wait to jump back into bed with her. Hyeonji could no longer fool herself. Any attention he'd been giving her had been the result of his boredom, not because of any suddenly selfless maturity.

"You won't forget about the refinancing," she reminded him stiffly when it came time for them to leave.

"Not at all. In fact, your mom is going to provide me the relevant papers this very afternoon. I'll collect them shortly, Zil, and have Sejin get onto it first thing this week, then I'll bring up whatever needs to be signed next Saturday." As Hoseok elaborates what he plans to have his secretary do.

"You coming home next Saturday, are you?" Hyeonji asked with a weary resignation. Normally, the thought of Hobi being around thrilled her to pieces. Now there was no pleasure in the news, only the cynical thought that of course he was coming home. Had nothing better to do till Sunday, did he?

"Yes, I've been invited to speak at a local business awards dinner on Saturday night. I'm also presenting the prizes" he says.

"How nice." Hyeonji answers blandly.

"Why don't you take Hyeonji, Hoseok?" His mother suggested. "The invitation says "and partner"."

Hoseok's instant frown was enough to turn Hyeonji off the idea, despite her stupid heart giving one last feeble leap. His eyes turned her way then travelled slowly over her. She could actually see his brain ticking away. Dear old Hyeonji doesn't look half bad now. She wouldn't be an embarrassment to take, not like she would have been a week ago.

"Would you like to go?" He asked her. "It's a black tie, so you'll need a dinner dress."

Hyeonji steeled herself to do the one thing she'd thought she would never do. Reject the man she loved. "Thank you Hobi," she said with superb indifference, "but I have other plans for next Saturday night."

His brown eyes instantly clouded a small stab of triumph lifted her spirits momentarily., quickly followed by a much stab of despair. Tears threatened and she just had to get out of there. Panic had her glancing around for her mother. "Ready to go home Mum?" She asked, determined to keep up the false gaiety to the bitter end. "I have quite a bit to do before the working week starts tomorrow."

"My working week starts tomorrow too, doesn't it Mrs Jung?" Zil returned happily.

"Indeed it does."

"Thank you so much," Zil went on, clasping her neighbor's hands with her own with rather touching gratitude. "For lunch. And...and everything."

Mrs Jung smiled and patted Zil's hands. "It's I who's grateful. I've found myself a wonderful cleaner and a new friend as well. See you in the morning Mrs Kang."

"And I'll be seeing you later Mrs Kang!" Hoseok called out as Hyeonji shepherded her mother out of the house. "To get those papers."

"What nice people they are," Zil said on the short way home. "And wasn't it kind of Hoseok to help us out with that money business?"

"Yes, it was." Hyeonji admitted, but tight-lipped.

A silence descended between the two women as they made their way inside, but Hyeonji could feel her mother watching her.

"Why didn't you say yes when Hoseok asked you to go out with him?" Zil asked once they were safely alone in the kitchen. "It...it wasn't because of what I said earlier, was it? About not being...well...pretty enough for him? Because that's not true, Hyeonji. You're plenty pretty enough. And he really likes you. I can see that now. He could hardly take his eyes off you all over lunch, and then later he..."

"Oh Mum, please," Hyeonji begged. "You don't have to lie. You were right the first time."

"No, darling. I wasn't. I was wrong. Very wrong. And I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself. I was feeling sorry for myself, and I was afraid. Yes, afraid." She repeated when Hyeonji's eyes widened. "Afraid some man would snap you up, looking as you do now, and I'd be left all alone in this world."

"But today opened my eyes there's Mrs Jung, a widow like myself, but she doesn't sit around feeling sorry for herself. Besides her writing, she plays golf and bingo and bridge. And she doesn't tie that boy of hers to her apron-strings, either. I can see its up to me to make something of my life for myself. I know becoming a cleaner isnt much but at least I'm good at it, and it's a start. I might even go to that hair dresser of yours with some of my cleaning money and become a blonde!"

"Oh Mum!" Hyeonji exclaimed, a burst of very real joy dragging her heart back out of the doldrums. "You've no idea how happy you made me, hearing you say that."

"Do you forgive me for saying those awful things to you, my dear? I didn't mean them, you know."

Hyeonji couldnt help but relent. "Of course, I forgive you," she said gently. "I love you Mom."

"Oh Hyeonji," her mother crude, and threw her arms around her daughter.

Unfortunately , it was not the best of time for Hyeonji to be hugged. Her mother's display of affection tipped her over the edge on which she'd been balancing for several hours., splintering the brittle control which she'd been holding in her misery. Her shoulders began to shake as sobs racked her whole body. "Oh my daughter," her mother groaned, and hugged her even more tightly. "Dont cry, darling. Please dont cry. Oh, you make me feel terrible. If only I hadn't said those awful things, you would have probably gone out with Hoseok when he asked you. It's my fault!"

"No, it isn't," Hyeonji sniffled when she at last pulled out of her mother's arms. "Hoseok only asked me out because Tinashe's trying to prove some point or other and she's refused to have anything to do with him for a month. But come next Sunday they'll be back together again, as thick as thieves. Who knows? If she plays her cards right he might even ask her to marry him."

"What rubbish!" Her mother pronounced firmly, startling Hyeonji. "Hoseok is not in love with that flashy bit of goods. No man in love with one girl looks at another girl as he looked at you today."

Hyeonji was dumbfounded. "But I...I didn't notice him looking at me in a special way..."

"Then you're as blind as he is, my girl. You made a big mistake refusing to go out with him next Saturday night. Now listen here; when he comes over to pick up those papers, you tell him you've changed your mind and you'd like to go after all."

"But...but..." Hyeonji stammered.

"NO buts. You said he's not getting back with that Tinashe till Sunday. Make the most of what time you have!" Zil pushed Hyeonji with both her arms on her waist.

"I was just going to say I don't have anything to wear," Hyeonji smiled weakly.

"Well, that's easily fixed."

"How? Hoseok's accountant can't get us anymore money immediately. And I'm not taking the cleaning money you earn, Mom. No way. One hundred dollars wouldnt be nearly enough anyway," she added with a sad sigh. "A dinner dress, complete with shoes and bag doesn't come cheap these days."

"Would five hundred dollars do?"

"Five hundred! But where?... I mean..." Hyeonji surprised at her mother.

Zil smiled her pleasure at her daughter's surprise. "You're not the only one who has rainy-day money stashed away, my girl. Come this way."

Hyeonji followed, fascinated, while her mother led her upstairs and into the master bedroom where she proceeded to lift up the mattress and draw out a battered brown paper envelope. She opened the flap and tipped the contents out onto the patchwork quilt. Notes of all sizes fluttered down, mostly fives, tens and twenties.

"I used to hide this is an empty washing powder box in the laundry when your father was alive. But now its safe enough out here. I know there's at least five hundred dollars, maybe more." She gathered the money up and pressed them into Hyeonji's hands. "I want you to buy yourself a dress which will knock Hoseok's eyes out!"

Hyeonji hated the wild rush of elation ehich flooded her heart, for she feared she was setting herself up for a disaster of monumental proportions. No matter what her mother said and no matter what dress she brought, how could she seriously compete with Tinashe? It was like comparing a nice little house wine with a top brand french champagne. Tinashe's extravagant self fizzed sparkled. She was special-occassion lady whereas she, was the common, everyday, value for money variety.

When Hoseok looked at her he only ever saw a familiar face. And everyone knew what familiarity bred. Contempt. Never chemistry.

Or was that how he'd seen her in the past? Dared she hoped that her new look had evoked a new appreciation? Hyeonji had told the truth when she'd said she hadn't notice Hoseok looking at her differently today. But after his news about Tinashe she'd been too upset to notice anything, and had avoided Hoseok's eyes as much as possible.

Could her mother's observations possibly be correct, or was she just trying to make her daughter feel better? She'd been guilty over her earlier less than generous remarks. Hyeonji didn't want to keep her hopes up. And yet, something was stirring within her soul. Something she'd never felt before. Something rather wicked.

Tinashe had called her a sly piece. Maybe she was right, Hyeonji thought with a steeling of her spirit. Because I am not going to go quietly, Tinashe, darling. Neither am I going to let you have Hoseok back without a fight. Come Saturday night, I'm going to use every female trick in the book.

The trouble was...she hadn't read that particular book yet. She would have to depend on her feminine instinct. The front doorbell ringing startled both of them. "That'll be Hoseok," Zil said urgently. "Now drop that money and go down and talk to him while I get those papers he wants. Tell him you've changed your mind about Saturday night, and ask him what time he wants you ready by. Be cool, though. Not overly eager."

Hyeonji shocked at her mother "Mum, you sneaky thing!"

"Well there is no point in being easy. Any girl who looks as good as you do can pkay a little hard to get. Besides, men never want what they think they can have, gratis. They like a bit of a challenge."

Hyeonji went down stairs shaking her head. Who would have believed that within her own shy reserved mother lurked the makings of a femme fatale? Heaven knew what would happen if the Kang widow became a blonde!

Hyeonji summoned up a pleasant smile to answer the door, resolving to watch this time for any sign that Hoseok looked at her differently in any way.

"Hello there again," she said. "Mum wont be a minute with those papers. Look, about next Saturday night Hobi, that was rude of me to dismiss your very nice invitation out of hand. I know what its like to go to these things alone..."

She didn't actually, because she's never been to an awards dinner. But Hyeonji had never lacked imagination. Just think of all those times Hosoek had made lover to her in her mind. Unfortunately, she began thinking of one those times right at this moment. It was her favorite scenario where Hoseok was concerned. He would bring her home to this door after a serious date and there would be much kissing and panting on the front porch. When she finally unlocked the door, he would push her inside, then scoop her up into his arms and carry her upstairs to her room where a three-foot bed was no barrier to true love.

Her mouth dried as she thought of their naked bodies blended tightly, writhing together. Her brown eyes glittered as they began unconsciously to rove over the object of her desire. Before they reach his waist, Hyeonji swallowed then cleared her throat. "Er...could I possibly change my mind and say yes?"

He stiffened. He actually stiffened. Why?

"Is there a problem with that?" She asked airily, even while her heart was thudding. He stood there frowning at her. The atmosphere on that doorstep was suddenly charged with a quite alien tension. Hyeonji didnt know what to make of it except that she found herself holding her breath.

"Hobi?" She choked out.

He seemed to have to shake himself to answer her. "No." He muttered. "No problem. I'll look forward to it."

Hyeonji had to be careful not to let all her breath out of her lungs in a rush. "Fine," she said with a small smile. "Well, where is this dinner and what time should I be ready?"

"Its being held down at the League's Club, in the Admiral's Quarters. The dinner starts at eight. Pre-drinks at seven thirty. I'll pick you up at...say...seven?"

Hyeonji nodded "I'll be ready. And thanks again for helping us with the finance business."

"My pleasure." He answered.

But it didn't look as if it was his pleasure. Not at all. He hadn't smiled once since she'd opened the door. Hyeonji could not make head or tail of his mood, except that it was obvious he had mixed feelings about taking her to that dinner.

She prayed his reluctance was because he'd begun to feel things for her which he found confusing, and not because Tinashe might get jealous if she ever found out. Her mother's arrival at that point steered the conversation to a less stressful grounds. Hoseok left a couple of minutes later and as Zil closed the front door she threw Hyeonji a questioning glance. "Well? What happened? You both seemed tense when I came down."

Hyeonji shrugged. "I don't really know. I told him I changed my mind about the dinner, and he agreed to take me, but not with great enthusiasm. To be honest, I think it worried the heck out of him."

"Well that's better than indifference, Hyeonji."

Nodding her head Hyeonji agreed "That's what I was thinking."

Zil patted her daughter's back "Only time will tell."

Chapter 08

Masterlist

#BTS #BANGTANSONYEONDAN #BTSJHOPE #JHOPE #HOBI #JUNGHOSEOK #JUNGJOSEOKXREADER #BTSFANFIC #BTSROMANTICFANFIC #MAKEOVER