#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds

[hehosts]

the academy / "that place" — run by that man, currently known as watanabe goro, that place or the academy is an academy for students between ages 6-18, with further educational opportunies for ages 18-24. from there, many students become employed either here (due to debts or desires), other academies, or individual pursuits. that man is always available to his students, current or alumni. many alumni eventually come back, even after going "their own way."

the academy exists, similarly to goro's office in main canon, in a pocket dimension. it can be located anywhere, and currently exists somewhere in japan. students of all origins are encouraged to attend, so long as they possess a gift.

aesthetically, it fits both a classic and gothic aesthetic, much like a castle, and is always shifting / changing, while remaining "the same." there is a sense that you know where you are, but something is different. the staircases, the art, the statues, the doors...there are gardens. quite a few, in fact. courtyards, dorms for staff and students, lounging areas, and expansive corridors.

have their been non-gifted students? yes. they are rare, but there have been exceptions. non-gifted students are typically indebted to goro, or someone in their life is (usually a parent or sibling), or their family has a history with the academy. many non-gifted students become gifted. not many students without "gifts" go without making deals to fit in with their peers.

what about non-gifted staff? same as the above, mostly. non-gifted staff members are typically indebted to goro, or have family that went to the academy. they might have gone themselves, they might not have. meeting goro outside of the academy is not unusual, especially for those that are non-gifted. sometimes those that have made deals or have taken loans from the traditional realm will "work off their debt" (meaning they get room and board, that's it). rarely — although it has happened — will goro just "give someone a job." they are typically staffed in traditional studies, if they are able to teach, as well as groundskeepers, working in the nurse's stations as assistants and front desk staff, TAs, housing, the cafeteria, and other positions best suited for those without gifts / non-supernatural individuals.

do students have to start at age 6? no, they transfer in at any age. transfers usually come from other academies, so there isn't much to catch up on other than how things operate at this place, as well as the traditional coming of age / fitting in with their peers. students who transfer in late from the traditional realm have a lot more work cut out for them, but it has been done. students that start at age 6 are typically well engrained in the non-traditional realm, or their parents and family went to the academy, thus having knowledge to enroll early.

how long has the academy been active? — seemingly as far back as formative studies have been a concept, if not longer.

what do students study?

— traditional studies. these are "core classes" that fall into the "traditional realm." many students have lived lives in "both worlds" or will have some experience with the traditional realm (the human world, as we know it). these classes not only go over the main foundations (mathematics, science, history, literature), but also cultural classes (as many students are from varying cultures that exist outside of their species/subspecies).

— formative studies. these are classes that are "core," "elective," or "specified" courses that are explicitly supernatural, as well as the bulk of the curriculum. for example, if your character is a shapeshifter, there are courses for shapeshifters. those would technically be specified courses. an elective can be anything that doesn't apply directly to their species / their gift / their power. caring for your familiar can be an elective. an example of a "core class" in formative studies would be a non-traditional history course.

taken positions of staff:

headmaster — the great man / that man / "watanabe goro"

security — currently headed by ji-hun, a former student. it is hard to remember a time that the academy has not been guarded by the cobra. he works closely with deng.

guidance counselor — yong-sun. he assists students in finding their paths, as well as listening to their problems and squabbles.

regarding ji-hun, deng, and yong-sun:

ji-hun's abilities: similar to what he can do in canon, but with the ability to transform into a cobra.

deng's abilities: similar to what he can do in canon, but with the ability to transform into a hyena.

yong-sun's abilities: similar to what he can do in canon, but also has the ability to tell the future. he is known as the dragon.

open positions of staff*:

* otherwise staffed by NPCs for most threads

nurses, teachers, teacher's assistants, groundskeepers, janitors, security guards, etc. any position that are a typical academy would have is likely necessary here.

goro's office — the same as it always is. there is still one window that functions the same way it does in canon. it primarily exists, and is always accessible, at the academy. however, it still "can be found" anywhere. just because he's running the academy doesn't mean he's not still running business as usual. a major difference would be that his business outside of the academy is handled primarily by him, not by extensions as usual (ji-hun, deng, yong-sun, etc).

what about ren? — what about him? he's not in this story. he's likely living his normal life, indebted to goro with no knowledge of the academy. however, there will be an AU where ren is attending as a student, given that he does (technically) have the sight.

#* ( goro ) ♡ — ace of spades #* ( ji-hun ) ♡ — cobra in the hare’s den #* ( deng ) ♡ — the joker #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( verse ) ♡ — academy

[hehosts]

ji-hun is that man's left hand and also his 'eyes'. he started as the eyes, then became the left hand. he is considered the serpent, the jack of clubs, and has been likened to a dragon, but is most definitely the serpent (the cobra).

deng is the right hand, and also the unwelcome tagalong to ji-hun (in context of the story). he is the joker, the hyena, the tiger's tail.

goro is the head, the body. he is the vessel. he is the great man / that man. he is the ace of spades.

yong-sun is the ears. he is the real dragon, and he hears everything. he is blind ... or seems to be (physically). this does not hinder him. the details of his deal are old and unknown, even to ji-hun. whether he became blind for the position or was blind before is speculative. we assume the former. he is the jack of diamonds.

#* ( goro ) ♡ — ace of spades #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( deng ) ♡ — the joker #* ( ji-hun ) ♡ — cobra in the hare’s den #* ( ooc ) ♡ — headcanon #new character incoming #he won't have graphics for a while until i get a feel #like after writing him if i do end up writing him if there is interest #he is likely an rp character only so no comic content from him really #but he is canonically involved even if he's not shown in the manga #ill find a fc eventually but ill either add him to the deng and ji post or make him his own to hyperlink #and ill get him on the pinned maybe later #the name was a tie breaker so i went with yong-sun bc i like it #i should eventually fix ji's tag to add the dash symbol bc i made it at a time that tumblr tags did not like the dash rip

[hehosts]

❝ we're glad you could join us, ❞ says yong-sun, pushing back a long chunk of white hair. the dragon smiles, eyes closed, yet seeming to look directly at them.

❝ sit, ❞ insists the great man. he is openly smoking a cigar, uncaring as he sits with splayed posture. commanding, authorotative, he says that they ❝ have been waiting. ❞

❝ yeah, ❞ quips deng, ❝ we've all been waiting. ❞

ji-hun says nothing, staring hard from his seat. eyes flash to deng, a silent command to silence him. the hyena chortles, baring sharp teeth. the surgical mask that usually covers his lips and nose is tucked beneath his pointed chin, making a ridiculous expression at the cobra.

❝ i said sit, ❞ that man maintains. he is tired of his brood and their antics. ❝ there is much to discuss. ❞ // * out for dinner !! an open starter featuring the great man (goro), the cobra (ji-hun), the dragon (yong-sun), and the hyena (deng) !!

#* ( goro ) ♡ — ace of spades #* ( goro ) ♡ — ic #* ( ji-hun ) ♡ — cobra in the hare’s den #* ( ji-hun ) ♡ — ic #* ( deng ) ♡ — the joker #* ( deng ) ♡ — ic #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #my life is so difficult tagging this was a nightmare for me but you're welcome #i made the open featuring all four of them for that dinner i was talking about #to keep it short — it's a nice place lbr #and goro probably owns it ngl

[hehosts]

yong-sun never has his eyes open. much like seeing ji-hun (in general) is an omen of death, seeing yong-sun open his eyes / have his eyes open is considered bad luck / an omen of death / a bad omen.

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( ooc ) ♡ — headcanon #this isn't his technical fc but it's a vibe im going with for now #white eyes white hair #i never make white haired or white eyed characters for some reason it's always black hair dark eyes so #i had to switch it up #i also don't ever have long haired males? so that changed too

[hehosts]

❝ i understand you're very worried, ❞ he remarks, and he sounds almost empathic, or at least sympathetic. with closed eyes, he bows his head solemnly to her. they do not open. poor thing. his hair is tied back today, a simple, low ponytail holding back long, almost white strands. they are thick and many. brows knit, expression of his somehow finding her face, and were he a seeing man, with eyes open, he would be looking right at her. ❝ but the alleviation of your burdens starts now. you're here because of him, yes? ❞ ah, but which him? that man? or the young, new god?? likely the latter. the former has yet to get involved. ❝ speak. i'm listening. ❞ // * @setsunaid liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #setsunaid #for elise! #this can be their first meeting or one of many or one of two thus far #i left it semi vague #he gets a lot of information by both listening in the general sense #but also by luring those involved in goro's plots to meet with him and speak to him #and he is more 'kind' than ji-hun and deng #more available to listen if that makes sense as that is his role

[hehosts]

yong-sun hair inspo

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( ooc ) ♡ — edit

[hehosts]

❝ you're late. ❞ their meetings are weekly, frequent enough to mark as routine, and always here, several blocks from shining! at a local teahouse. ❝ but that's to be expected. you were with him again, weren't you? hm. that's quite all right. ❞ the dragon knows when the cobra is near, coiling to bide his time. her affiliations are not unknown to him — he is one of them. ❝ and ... you've been preoccupied with the hosts, as i understand it. ❞ he pours her a small glass of tea. his own is left untouched for now. he had been waiting for her. one hand waves for her in encouragement to join him. ❝ come. sit. ❞ // * @fumalsamakah liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #fumalsamakah #i took it to a semi pre est route i hope that's ok!!

[hehosts]

more yong-sun hair inspo

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( ooc ) ♡ — edit

[hehosts]

more yong-sun hair inspo

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( ooc ) ♡ — edit #beauty boy

[hehosts]

blind eyes seek the stranger, extending his hand to gesture to the seat in front of him. ❝ if you're alone, why don't you sit? you seem to have a lot on your mind. ❞ the long-haired man smiles, strands tied back today to cascade in even flow down the back. bangs are swept aside briefly as if to get a better look at the person near him. ❝ i'm here all day. i'm here to listen. ❞ // * @sociieties liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #sociieties

[hehosts]

❝ you've been seeing him more and more, ❞ comments yong-sun over their afternoon tea. the teahouse is comfortable, and their seating is private, intimate. ❝ i wonder how prudent this is — for you. for him. ji-hun is a man i rarely recommend getting involved with directly. ❞ not because he doesn't like ji-hun (quite the opposite), but because he knows ji-hun; knows what he is capable of. ❝ that man chose him for a reason. he chose all of us. ❞ even deng, despite the circumstances. altogether, that man could have denied him, even with ji-hun's involvement. ji-hun. he has a way about him, something that must be captivating enough to ensnare. he is a snake, the dragon reminds himself. a cobra. it's been too long since he's had a charmer. ❝ how are you finding yourself fairing? now that you've also been in contact with that man, i imagine things are starting to ... change. ❞ // * @psichique liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #psichique #<33

[hehosts]

❝ — and this life, too? ❞ they sit nestled in a small café, several blocks away from the hustle and bustle. it is intimate, quiet, and there's been a call for rain an hour ago. his tea is left unattended, closed eyes fixated on the young man in front of him. long hair is left loose today, spilling over his shoulders. yong-sun wears no readable expression for a moment, then turning to something akin to sympathy. ❝ a curse, certainly. luckily for you, i know a man ... that might be able to help you. ❞ // * @mythcaels liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #mythcaels #for yingjie!

[hehosts]

yong-sun inspo

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( ooc ) ♡ — edit #it's not an edit but oh well #it's where i keep my precious images

[hehosts]

❝ i heard your song, ❞ he says simply. he stands still, hands pressed together in front of his abdomen with hair loose and eyes closed. an almost tender smile, canines splitting pallid lips. head tilts before he speaks again, saying that he ❝ came to listen. ❞ // * @kuroyrii liked for a starter from yong-sun !!

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — ic #kuroyrii #i based this in her modern verse i hope that's ok!!

[hehosts]

yong-sun comes off as more "kind," understanding, and wise. like ji-hun, deng, and that man himself, he can be found somewhat often in and/or around goro's office.

outside of the office, he can be found at local teahouses and coffee shops. you can invoke meetings with him by simply coming upon him at one of these places, or calling for him. he will hear you.

#* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( ooc ) ♡ — headcanon

[hehosts]

ren-goro-ji-hun panel edit

#* ( goro ) ♡ — ace of spades #* ( yong-sun ) ♡ — jack of diamonds #* ( aesthetic ) ♡ — misc #* ( ooc ) ♡ — edit