Realistic or Modern 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐦'𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞: 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘳𝘱

[weldherwings]

we are abraham's people

the backstory.

In 1910, Moon Ji-U stood before his Presbyterian Church and declared with great vigour that we were all sons and daughters of Abraham. The room roared, exploding into songs of worship and praise. This was his crystallizing moment where he saw his future before him. Brothers and sisters, coming side by side of each other and living out the promises that their Lord had planned out for each one of them. But there was something in the way: society.

Japan had just effectively annexed Korea with the Japan-Korea Treaty, and the Japanese were starting to take the arable land. Ji-U could sense that something bigger was going to come; something much worse. So, as he stood there making his declarations, he put through his plan. They were all to sell all their belongings; sell every piece of material possession they had of this world. And that they would move into the land. They would build their own houses, hunt, grow their food, and start their own community; live the way that God had intended for them to live.

This was the beginning of Abraham’s People Community.

Over the span of one hundred years, four generations of families lived within Abraham’s People Community. No electricity, no running water, no cars, and absolutely no contact with the outside world. Those who lived in the outside world were corrupt, evil, and were not humans. Abraham’s People were the only humans left on this Earth and were replaced with the Enemy in accordance with Moon Ji-U’s teachings. That was the reason why they stayed in this town they have created for themselves.

The boys of the town spend their day at school and their free time learning how to hunt with the older men and discovering the land that they grow their crops on. The girls, however, spend their days learning how to be housewives, being educated on how to clean the house top to bottom, cook mouth-watering feasts, and how to please their future husbands. A woman’s role in the world was to bear children and to submit to her husband. The man’s role was to provide for the family and protect. This is why it was so important to whom your spouse was to be.

Every Daeboreum (The first full moon of the year; Day 15 of the Month 1), Moon Chin-Mae – the leader of Abraham’s People, which was passed down to him from his father – pairs up the selected singles within the town to be married. If you were between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-four, you were eligible. Chin-Mae has the final say in whom is matched with whom, whether people like it or not. After all, he was the chosen messenger from God. This year Daeboreum is quite special, for Chin-Mae’s only son – the future leader of Abraham’s People – was to be wed to a special someone. And once he was wedded, he would then be told all of the family secrets; to become the next leader of the people.

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© weldherwings.

 

[weldherwings]

chapter one.

the beginning of the end.

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© weldherwings.

 

[weldherwings]

the wedding.

On the first full moon of the lunar year, the Leader announces those who are wed. He calls them to rise in from their seats during the sermon, declaring that these are the lucky few who will be blessed to enter marriage. For the next week, they will blessed by their families, community, and by Mother Supreme and the Leader; all the while wondering just who their life long partner will be.

Day one. We head down to the lakes, bless our children, and baptize them. Day two. Their flowing locks are trimmed for the very first time by the man of the house, and we are consumed with pride and joy for them. Day three. They stand before the dress makers in their family, being fitted with their dresses and suits and crafted into the perfect spouse. Day four. Hands are diligently at work as they create woodwork pieces and collect wildflowers for celebrations. Day five. The men go out into the forest for two days and learn what it means to be the man of the house. The women decorate the village, inviting in the Holy Spirit to dwell on their special week. Day six. The men learn the secrets of becoming a father, while the women spend their day preparing for the feast yet to come.

And finally, day seven. Wedding day.

The community gathers in the halls of the church. There is excitement buzzing in the air; crying mothers as they embrace their daughters, and fathers giving their sons their last bit of advice they can give before they become men. The Leader takes the stage, his voice booming, echoing through out the wooden corridor.

“Daughters and sons,” he declares with velvet warmth, catching sight of those in their wedding clothes “Please make your way to the chamber. We will see your families again in just a few moments”

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© weldherwings.

 

[weldherwings]

the son.

scroll

moon do-yun.

mood
lets get this over and done with please.

outfit
hand crafted black wedding suit + flower tie

location
in the chamber

mentions
none

tags
none

moon do-yun.

The buzzing of the corridors echoed off the wooden structure. Families come to hand over their children to be wed to someone completely random. Of course, the Leader and Mother Supreme took their time to sit down and examine each candidate from afar. They took notes at any given moment of time. One wrong move and you were put to the bottom of the pile, doomed to marry someone who clearly came from a family full of sin. The chickens who refused to lay and their sheep who kept on escaping would be a clear testimony to these sinful households. And while he knew that his parents would be going out of their way to pick someone suited to him – to his demeanor, personality and every single aspect that morphed and molded him into who he was today – there was still an intense fear that he was going to end up with someone he either didn’t know, or didn’t want to know.

Brown doe eyes travelled the room in search for familiar faces, especially those dressed head to toe in wedding garments. The first to catch his attention was Nam Mina whose eyes sparkled with joy, her flowing locks pooling over her shoulders and tracing down her spine. There is was… her hair. She wasn’t to be wed. She would have to spend her days praying to God for her time to come. Her toothily, playful smile outshined any star in the constellations. It was the brightest in the corridor as she congratulated her younger sister in being selected by the Leader. Such a shame, honestly. He could feel a frown creeping to his face the more he thought about it. Mina was twenty-three – next year would be her last chance to become a wife. And from what he had gathered from the many years of staring out his bedroom window, watching her gather the chickens to place them back into their coop at the end of the night, she would’ve made a wonderful wife. He had asked his father to reconsider the list; to add Mina and to consider wedding them together. But his father simply responded “Do not fight destiny, for your path has already been determined by God, for God.”

“Are you excited?” a chirpy Gyeong asked her grumpy brother who stood with his arms crossed in front of himself. Was he excited? What an odd question to ask. His eyes tore away from quite possibly the most beautiful thing in his life and to the tired, burnt out face of his sister. How could be excited about marriage after he had seen what a state his older sister was in? Gyeong was only twenty nine and had managed to whip out five children already. Was that really all they were to do with their life? To keep on populating it?

“How is this meant to be exciting?” He grumbled, his eyes removing it’s gaze towards the corridor once more, inspecting those who continued to file into the hallway. “I’m about to spend the rest of my life with someone I don’t know. Is that meant to be fun or something?”

“Doyun!” His sister gasped, bouncing her new born baby in her arms as it began to swirl in a combination of restlessness and hunger. “It’s an honour to be selected.”

He scoffed at his sister’s message. Marriage had made her more brainwashed than ever.

“Sons and daughters,” His father’s voice echoed above their heads as he stood by the chamber doors. He didn’t need to announce himself again; the moment his voice reached the ears of the many, all their heads turned like obedient little puppies. Their tales silently wagging with anticipation was deafening to his ears. “Please make your way to the chamber. We will see your families again in just a few moments”

This was it. It was the beginning of the end, wasn’t it?

Gyeong wrapped an arm around her taller, younger brother, pulling him into an embrace that he was certain none of them wanted to participate in. “You’ve got this, Do-Yun” she whispered into his ear, giving him a hearty pat on the back in the progress. I tell you what, having five kids had given her biceps of steel. Pulling back from the hug, he nodded at her; not that he agreed with anything she had to say in any of her prep talks this morning. Without a moment of hesitation, he turned at the heel and made his way to the front of the corridor. The first in line to enter the chambers; he knew if he hadn’t been the first that his parents would have something to say.

The Leader smiled warmly at his son, placing a hand upon his upper arm as he moved inwards into the chamber. Normally, this place was strictly out of bounds. It was where his father had his extremely important meetings. The only chair available in the whole room was the one that sat behind an wooden oak table. Obviously, it was the Leader’s. One of his father’s assistants maneuvered before him, using both hands to direct him to a side of the room.

“Sons, on the right. Daughters, on the left of the room” the assistant said with a scrunched up gleeful nose. He began to turn to the others that entered, repeating his rehearsed sentence repeatedly. Doing as he was told, Do-Yun made his way to the side of the room and stood; his hands clasped behind his back and standing tall with confidence. Just the way his parents had taught him all these years.

“Please, thank you – son’s on the right side, thank you. And daughters, yes – thank you, daughters. Onto the left”

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© weldherwings.

 

[junegloom]

/* ------ right side ------ */

/* ------ image 1 ------ */

mood | nervous anticipation

location | the chamber

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outfit | here

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tag | weldherwings

/* ------ left side ------ */

choi nari

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Nari's heart was beating in her ears and electricity buzzed throughout her body. Today was the day. She had quite literally spent her entire life preparing for this moment. Her parents had set their sights high, wanting Nari to be the one chosen to marry the great Leader's son and they put all of their energy into molding her to be the perfect candidate. And for the most part, they were hopeful. Nari had, after all, followed every instruction and completed every task they had set out for her. This was the moment of truth.

Honestly, it was unclear who was more anxious about the pairing. Nari, the one who was actually the one getting married, or her parents (specifically her mother).

"Nari, stay!"

Yu-Mi, the youngest, clung to Nari's leg, unwilling to give up her oldest sister. She was quite attached to Nari. After all, Nari probably spent more time taking care of her than their own mother did. Crouching down, she brought herself down to the five-year-old's eye level and smoothed the hair from her forehead away from her face, and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm not going far, I promise. You'll still see me all the time, little dove. This is the time to show everyone what a big girl you are."

That seemed to do the trick, for now. Yu-Mi was still clinging to Nari's leg, though she seemed to understand that she would need to let go.

She continued to run her hands through Yu-Mi's hair while the rest of the girls fussed over her dress and hair. As if anything they did at this point would swing the outcome in her favor. Nari even had to dodge her mother trying to pinch her cheeks. 'It'll give you a healthy glow!' Nari finally relented after realizing that her mother wouldn't stop until her cheeks were sweet and rosy. She could understand all of the fuss. She was the first of the seven girls to be getting married and she had the chance to be a part of the most favorable match of the generation. Any other mother in her position would be doing the same.

She reached to nervously twist the ends of her hair around her fingers, forgetting that it was not where it used to be. Falling between her shoulder blades, it was still objectively long. However, it was very short in comparison to how it had been the week before. Nari quite liked it, actually, and was honestly considering keeping it at this length, but it was still quite an adjustment.

Nari's heart skipped a beat and jumped into her throat when their Leader's voice cut through the din of the families chattering. Her mother squeezed her hands before pulling a crying Yu-Mi from Nari's legs. It seemed like the understanding they had moments ago had gone away. With one last glance at her baby sister, Nari moved into the chamber. She was the third one in on the left side of the table (she would have been first if it was not for Yu-Mi). After smoothing the front of her dress, she clasped her hands in front of her to prevent herself from fidgeting and she looked towards the front of the room, where the Leader's chair was placed at the head of the table.

Nari desperately hoped she'd be paired with Do-Yun. Of course, she had never even spoken to him, so she had no idea if she even liked him. Instead, she wanted to be sure all of her hard work paid off. Marrying the leader's son would not only mean security for herself but for her family as well. Surely, most girls wanted the same thing. The Leader would only pick the best for his son and there was no telling who it could be. She'd been trying her hardest not to look at him, not wanting to seem as desperate as she was and not wanting to do anything to ruin her chances.

In a moment of curiosity, a moment of weakness, Nari surveyed the others in the room. She was the tallest of the girls and taller than a few of the boys, which despite being something she was normally used to, was unnerving at that moment. Her attempt to skip over Do-Yun failed. Her gaze landed on him, albeit briefly before she turned once more to the front of the room. She had just enough time to send the smallest of smiles in his direction.

Nari did her best to stay calm, taking in slow, deep breaths. The anticipation was still killing her. All she needed right now was a yes or a no. She'd be okay either way, she was sure, though she did not want to think of the possibility of being paired with anyone else in the room.

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© weldherwings.

 

[mix.ie]

mood :

Anxious

location :

in the chamber

outfit :

mentions :

weldherwings , junegloom

interactions :

n/a

the only child

;; so-ri

The day almost didn't feel real.

When Sori woke up that morning, the sun still hadn't risen. Her nerves and doubts kept her tossing and turning all night—it was a miracle that she managed to sleep at all. She stared at her ceiling in the darkness, not particularly looking for something, but maybe she was hoping for a sign in the back of her mind of what she didn't know exactly. Then, when her eyes stung with tears that threatened to spill out and her lip quivered with a silent whimper, she knew the reality had finally settled in.

She sat up and buried her face within her knees, perhaps trying to hide away from the day. Her digits found a home in her freshly cut hair, her hands shaking slightly as she pulled at her roots. It didn't feel right to have such a short length. It was unnatural. Sori didn't like much about herself, but her hair was her pride and joy even then. Its length and volume were the one thing her father had properly complimented her on, but now that was all down the drain. Now things were different.

Sori stayed like this for another hour before she prepared for the day. Critical things were happening after all.

She stood weakly at her mother's side in the church hall. Though she kept her head down, her eyes roamed curiously both at the people and things that occupied the room. Families of people she's known for her entire life surrounded her. The joy in the room was palpable, and yet here she was, feeling as if she could pass out at any minute. Despite wishing for this day every day since she was a little girl, Sori was terrified. Of course, there was no reason for her to be afraid—everything was in order, her fate had been sealed—but that didn't stop the pit in her stomach from growing and growing and growing, threatening to consume her whole.

Maybe it's because of the whispers (there were always whispers). She couldn't quite make them out, but she knew that they were mostly saying the same thing. How unfortunate that somebody's marrying her. Sori felt herself pressing more into her mother, a silent cry for help for her psyche and relief for her leg. She'd refused to use her cane at all today; now that she would be a married woman, she couldn't let her husband see any of her ailments. She had to get used to supporting herself, no matter how much it hurt.

Her mother immediately took notice and wrapped her arm around Sori's shoulder, pulling her into a hug. "This is the day we've been waiting for, Sunflower." Jimin was beaming, her smile almost bright enough to warm Sori up. "It's going to be great," she said while glancing at Sori's father. He'd be standing silently at their side for the better part of the day. Sori refrained from speaking to him too much, afraid she might ruin the mood if she said the wrong thing. "You're right, mama," Sori muttered just loud enough for Jimin to hear. "I'm just nervous." Understatement of the year.

Jimin's smile softened, and she lifted Sori's head with two fingers under her chin. "That's okay, but just know that you'll always be our miracle baby even though you're getting married," she said and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. Sori held her breath, meeting her mother's gaze for the first time today. "Always?" she asked, looking over at her father, who was already staring at her. The silence between them was heavy, but just as her father went to speak, the sound of their leader's voice filled the room. It was time.

Sori took a shaky breath but refused to look away from her father, waiting to see what he would say. She knew it was likely some thinly veiled insult, but the softened look on his face made her think otherwise. Maybe it was just wishful thinking. "Go on now," his deep voice finally said. She immediately deflated. Her mother gave her one last hug, practically squeezing the life out of her before sending her on her way. Sori was hesitant but did as she was told. She followed the other girls to a new beginning—hopefully, a better one.

Sori was one of the last girls to line up, not being able to move as quickly as everybody else. She did her best to limit the visibility of her limp, but she wasn't sure if she did it well. Not that it matters right now. She was about to get married!

Her heart drummed dangerously in her chest. It was loud enough for her to hear it, and she feared that everyone else would be able to hear it too. Keeping her head down, her hair covered her face, almost as if she was hiding. It wouldn't be much longer now. She waited with her breath held, wanting to get it over.

coded by reveriee.

 

[TheVoidQueen]

uncharacteristically terrified

ryuk hae

Of all the community's traditions, Daeboreum had always been the one Hae looked forward to. The whole community buzzing with excitement and nervous anticipation made it so her restlessness didn't feel so out of place. Aside from the communal baptism, even the celebrations leading up to the final ceremony were usually enjoyable.

Despite her appreciation for Daeboreum, she'd also worked incredibly hard to ensure that she was undesirable as a wife; that her name wouldn't be called until she was 24. She thought she'd have more time. She'd spent the past week thinking about what had become of her older sisters since their weddings. Hauen was only in her first year of marriage and already on her second pregnancy; Dae was entering year four and had three little ones. Both of them spoke only in brief and generic sentences when asked about their husbands. Marriage and family seemed almost like another chore, another obligation, another choice she wouldn't get to make.

Hae had been catatonically still since shuffling into the Church with her family. Her family. That felt like a joke now. She hadn't missed her mother's look of shocked relief when her name had been called.

She caught herself wondering if her mom was thinking about Hyo, too. She would've loved making herself a flower crown; probably would've made one for her brothers. Hyo's rebellion had been quieter and softer in nature than Hae's. Who would the Leader have selected for her if he hadn't chosen to pair her with death?

"You look weird."

Korain's voice interjected her thoughts. Blinking a few times in an effort to clear her mind at least a little, she looked over at her oldest younger brother, who was looking right back at her with an eyebrow cocked. "Don't be rude to your elders," Hae shot back, hoping some banter would bring her back down. This was happening whether she wanted it to or not - she might as well get with the program for now.

She was certain Korain saw right through her, but was beyond grateful when he quipped back: "I offer my sincerest apologies, nuna." Giving her a mock bow, he'd managed to get a grin out of her and she leaned over to give him a one-armed hug. She debated whether or not to bring up everything that had been on her mind, but decided instead to revel in these last moments of relative normalcy with her family.

Not a whole minute into Hae's brief reprieve from her spiral-to-be, the Leader's voice echoed throughout the Church, and she froze again. This was it. Korain had to physically shake her off his shoulders for her to react properly. She looked toward her mother, hoping for something she couldn't put into words. She hadn't been expecting a heartwarming parting exchange with her parents, but now that it was actually happening? She felt like she did when she was a young child waking up from a nightmare, except this time her twin wasn't there to try to calm her down and her only potential source of comfort was thrilled about said nightmare.

With a sharp exhale, Mishil grabbed her daughter's shoulders and pulled her into a hug. "Try to be good, please."

And Hae was gently shoved in the direction of the chamber, where all the other spouses-to-be were corralling. Her movements were slow, landing her a spot at the end of the line. She'd never been one to make herself smaller, especially not in front of the community's leadership. This shouldn't be mistaken for respect; it's entirely pride-based. Regardless, she wanted nothing more than to shrink into disappearance right now.

Every face in the room was familiar, but at this moment, she realized she knew nothing about them. In fact, none of them knew anything about themselves. Their lives were about to be signed away to men they barely knew, and most of the other girls looked excited. What usually would've been anger was nothing but fear. Who knew how much easier it was to be indignant about things that hadn't happened to you yet?

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• outfit
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  the chamber
• tags

  n/a

coded by reveriee.

 

[Klown]

—YOON HA-NEUL​

Had he committed to his role as a phantom, he could have avoided the present situation. His name hardly felt his own when announced by the Leader during the sermon, like something from a foreign language. Haneul remembered waiting for someone else to rise and claim the glory that came with matrimony, but his family’s searing eyes regrettably attested that the leader had in fact spoke of him.

Perhaps playing dead would have yielded better results. Cut his palm and smear his blood on a remnant of his shirt, leave a shoe scattered somewhere between gnarled tree roots. Poor Haneul, taken by a starved demon. May his soul find peace. The corner of his lip twitches into a wry smile pointed towards the windows of the hall, taunting him with a view of freedom.

“Get your head out of the clouds, boy.” A voice he’d been intentionally tuning out up until the deliberate pinch to his side, his father’s stinging fingers twisting skin from above the suit. Haneul sucked in a breath and swallowed the surprised yelp that would have earned him much worse should it have vocalized. Like strings pulled taught on a puppet, Haneul’s stiffens into a perfect line, chin tilted forward, shoulders squared, and face turned in the utmost display of contained joy. With a scrutinizing glance, Haneul’s father gives a satisfied nod before taking the space in front of him and dropping a firm hand onto his shoulder. “You’ve made it this far. Don’t ruin it.”

Haneul’s eye twitches feeling his father’s thumb dig into his collarbone as if trying to carve a hole through it. Regardless, he maintains his focus.

“I wouldn’t even dream of it.” He’s dreamt of it several times since the announcement was made.

“As it should be. Now you can prove yourself a real man.” Yoon Jinsang smiles, and it’s the most hideous thing to ever grace his face. Looking at Haneul like he’s hopeful, like a son. It serves as kindling to a fire growing rapidly in Haneul’s gut. Mangling his insides with an inflamed indignant beast that wished to spit acid into the face of the man before him. The heat gathered beneath the collar of his shirt, sticky and itchy and surely warping pale skin with splotchy red. His nostrils flare as he wills his lungs to stop mimicking the raucous beat of his heart. And before that fraying string could snap, the Leader’s voice breaks through his rage.

“It’s time!” His arm is swept by his excited mother who had been mingling with the other proud women of the community. “Why is your face so red? You’re not ill, are you?” Her cold hands cradle his cheeks, and Haneul is sickened in himself for leaning into the touch with relief.

“No, it’s just warm.” Haneul pulls his head away.

After hugging his sisters and giving Jihu a kiss atop his tiny head, the dismissal of his parents is a curt nod before he’s walking into the chamber.

His stomach writhes with each glance at the soon to be wed entering the room. He felt like a streak of red against a beige canvas. Being at the bottom of the lake would be better than this. It already felt like he was drowning, at least if he were drowning at the lake his only concern would be the lack of air and not which strange woman he would be bound to for life.

As he strides towards the right, his eyes flicker over Doyun. The son of the leader radiating nothing but perfection. Haneul would have been envious if not for the relief of a familiar face. He quietly moves to stand beside him, leaving a generous space out of nothing but his own insecurities.​

​

​

 

[Dorodoros]

There was a kind of solace he could only find beneath the moon. It was where he'd spent most of the night prior, laying beside the lake with none other than swaying trees and the shadows that danced beneath them for company. Sneaking away from home after Abraham's People had drifted into their shared slumber had gone without hitch or hassle. This was far from the first time he'd done so, after all, and yet every silent step closer to the edge of the settlement brought to his shoulders an increasingly overwhelming weight—he left believing that this time would be the very last.

So why did Min find himself back in bed before the sun even had a chance to wake?

Throughout the day, the question brought with it creeping tendrils of somber thought, luring him into a mist-strewn realm of memory. Imaginative though they often were, none of his waking dreams that week plagued him with as much persistence as those in which he'd found a place far beyond the horizon. Every time he considered his future there came with it reminiscence; often as images within his mind's eye, such as the smiling faces of his parents and friends, or the serene likeness of the lake at dawn, it's surface rippling with life hiding just beneath its surface. More rarely he'd recall private experiences: the time he'd curiously held an ear to his mother's swelling belly; teasing Doyun about his relentless sense of seriousness; recent occasions that he and Haneul practiced pitch together within the solitude of the forest.

Perhaps he couldn't help but succumb to his feelings in spite of self-indulgent claims of detachment. There was a thread of amusement to be found in the idea... but he knew he'd have missed aspects of his old life. Deny them all we might, it seemed as though hearts would forever remain truly helpless things.

"..in... Min!"

His mother's voice may have drawn his mind from its place on high, but it was his father's hesitant hand upon his shoulder that brought him swiftly back to the present. Right. Daeboreum had come, also known as marriage day and a cause for celebration to those of far greater God-fearing faith than he. Min's gaze was slow to fall from where it'd been studying the dull grain of the church's tall ceilings. He'd become so lost to thought that'd he missed the Leader's declaration entirely, and the line of to-be-weds was already beginning to disappear into the chamber.

"I know, I know-"

"Less knowing, more moving, or they'll likely change their minds about choosing you," Ji-soo spoke once more, this time waving her hands to coax her son in the opposite direction. Another might have considered her words barbed, though it brought to his face a faint brightness—he did not miss the sense of endearment she hid behind tear-veiled eyes.

Ben was far more difficult to read. The man always held his cards close to the chest, about as willing to part with words as a magician was to reveal the tricks of their trade. For a moment that seemed to last too long they eyed one another, until his father's beard shifted - the telltale sign of an impending smile - and he spoke, quiet and clandestine, "We're glad you came back."

Heartwrenches weren't something Min was accustomed to and he would forever be able to say that he was not all that fond of them. This one closed like a vice deep within his chest, and he became painfully aware of how little he told his parents that he loved them; they'd known of his leaving and accepted him even still. Briefly, so fleeting that he wasn't sure the notion had even been his own, he wondered at how difficult it would be to hug them both. Could he even remember the last time he had?

But the line was nearly gone, so instead, his lips quirked up into a half-grin. "Someone has to keep you two on your toes."

Without looking back, he fell into step behind the very last boy in line, head bowed and gloved hands pocketed. He heard the voice within the chamber call out directions, heard the shuffling of figures filing neatly in, even watched as the feet of the boy before him veered right, but his stride still took him to the left. See, as far as Min was concerned, they may as well have been wrapping shackles around each of their ankles right then and there, and he personally wished for one last dose of freedom before the locks were bound. It wasn't until he'd brushed shoulders with one of the young women that he peered up, greeted by a gasp and eyes wide with shock. Her expression paled when compared to the assistant's, however; Min was sure he'd never seen someone bristle with such rigid severity. The man was brimming with the urge to speak - no doubt about rules and traditions and blah, blah, blah - so Min spoke first.

"Oh..." His voice was a near-whisper, laden by a faux veil of confusion that concealed his impish nature. "You meant our right..." He was quick to mouth a silent 'sorry' and be on his way, sauntering across the room to stand beside Haneul. There he settled, deliberately lax and loose to contrast Doyun's formal rigidness, waiting alongside the rest to hear their names called with all the ceremony of a drawn-taught noose.

the tricked

min.

• aaaaaaaaa
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♡coded by uxie♡

 

[weldherwings]

the son.

scroll

moon do-yun.

mood
hahahahahahahahaha im going to die from this arent i hahahaha.

outfit
hand crafted black wedding suit + flower tie

location
in the chamber

mentions
Nari, So-Ri, Hae, Min and Ha-Neul

tags
junegloom Dorodoros TheVoidQueen Klown mix.ie

moon do-yun.

One by one, sons and daughters began to fill the silent room.

The tension within the chamber was thick, and each breath became painfully noticeable. The men moved to one side of the room and the females to the other. When Ha-Neul came and stood by his side, Do-Yun had to push away the forming smirk that was itching to creep upon his face. It was nice to know that he wasn’t going through this situation alone; that his friends were also about to meet the same fate as he. At least it meant he had someone he could actually properly talk to once this was over and done with; for things have remained forbidden for so long, he was eager to get his tongue moving to express his concerns and worries to those he held close to him.

Once all those who were to be wed were within the chambers, two assistants came and closed the double doors. The chattering that filled the foyer was now dimmed into a murmur, slowly becoming softer as the families were instructed to come into the chapel to find their seats. And finally, there was silence once more. The Leader stood with a wide grin on his face, flattening down his robes as he readjusted his posture, strolling down the middle of the room. “My Sons and Daughters,” he began, twirling ever so slightly to see all those within the room. “What a glorious day the Lord has blessed upon us. He is smiling with glee, and he is proud of each one of you. You are going to become real men and women of God. Men, you will provide for your household and women, you will nurture our next generation.” A wild toothy grin spread across his face at the mention of the next generation, his eyes twinkling with delight. “Before I head off into the chapel to meet with Mother Supreme, I’d like to say a prayer over you all.”

Eyes closed, head bowed, hands clasped. The room didn’t hesitate to follow suit.

“Dear Heavenly Father. We honour and glorify you. Thank you for blessing us with children, and thank you for the wonderful opportunity into holy matrimony” The Leader’s voice was bold and confident, echoing in the room with authority “We pray for your blessings upon each son and daughter here. We pray for the men to rise up as strong warriors of Christ. We pray for the women to explore the riches of love through sacrificial movements. And we pray a blessing upon our women’s wombs, that we will see many children flourish and Abraham’s family may continue to grow. Just as you had with Sarah and Abraham, you pointed to the stars and declared it was the number of children they would have; that they will build a nation from their offspring. Lord, we pray for you to bless us with those promises. Amen”

“Amen” The sheep responded to their Shepard.

All eyes were back on the Leader and his glorious white and golden robes that dragged along the pinewood floor. “I shall see you in the Chapel. Marcus will be taking over now” The Leader announced, firmly gesturing towards the ‘Sons, on the right. Daughters, on the left of the room’ man who stood there with too much excitement bottled up. Without another word, the Leader ventured towards the back door, followed by an assistant, and left the room.

“Sons and daughters,” Marcus announced, grabbing hold of an open book and lying it flat upon his palms. “The Leader and Mother Supreme have worked long and hard to select your spouse. When we announce your names, please meet in the middle, take the other's hand, and walk into the foyer.” At the mention of the ‘foyer’, the assistants were back once more to open up the double doors. “Okay, then –” He dramatically cleared his throat, before looking down at the book in his hands. “Kim Hyun-Woo and Alexandra Mofflin” The first names were announced. Like they had been trained to do so, Hyun-Woo and Alexandra took shy strikes towards the middle of the room before Marcus. Their hands met, entwining to create a bond before they turned to the vacant foyer and made their way. Just like that; they were to be wed. Marcus continued on with the list; Jason Kempt and Rebekkah Howard. Lee Sung-Ho and Song Eun Ae. Paul Greene and Min Kyung-Soon. Chwe Minho and Isabella Scott.

It continued on until there were the remaining six in the room. Moon Do-Yun, Choi Nari, Nam So-Ri, Ryuk Hae, Cheong Min and Yoon Ha-Neul. As his hands remained in front of him, Do-Yun couldn’t help but trace the fine lines of his palms with his small pinky finger. This was it; his destiny was right before his very eyes. And it was spoken into existence as he heard Marcus announce the final names.

“Moon Doyun and Choi Nari”

Ba-dam. His heart gave a firm thump.

That was him. It was him. Do-Yun gulped, reminding himself to maintain the composure his parents had drilled into him all these years. Licking his dry lips lightly, he made his way towards the middle of the room to meet his wife. His legs felt like jelly, wiggling and waving with every step closer he got. Once before his bride to be, he offered his hand for her to hold. Dear Lord, he thought to himself I pray my hands aren’t sweaty. Because, obviously, it wouldn’t make for a good first impression, right?

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[junegloom]

/* ------ right side ------ */

/* ------ image 1 ------ */

mood | nervous anticipation

location | the chamber

/* ------ image 2 ------ */

outfit | here

/* ------ image 3 ------ */

tag | weldherwings

/* ------ left side ------ */

choi nari

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Nari bowed her head and closed her eyes when the Leader began his prayer. However, her stomach began to turn when he started going on about the women producing children. The very thought was terrifying to her. She secretly hoped she wouldn't end up pregnant soon. Now that she was about to be married, she was sure it was only a matter of time. Hopefully, it was not any time soon.

Nari would never forget just how terrifying it was when Yu-Mi was born. Her mother was wailing in pain, all the blood that apparently wasn't supposed to be there, the doctor was terrified himself. All she could do was stand there and hold her mother's hand while the people with experience rushed around trying to stabilize things. She never wanted to be in her mother's position. It took weeks longer for her to recover.

Before she knew it, the prayer was over and she stammered out a hurried (but half sincere) 'Amen'.

The Leader then disappeared to the Chapel and now it was the moment of truth. Nari would be finding out who she would be spending the rest of her life with. And she'd be finding out if all of her hard work paid off.

She could barely hear Marcus over the nervous heartbeat that flooded her ears. Nari watched him carefully to make sure she did not miss when he called her name, especially now that they were nearing the end. The anticipation was killing her as each couple met in the middle and filed out of the room. So far, she was glad she wasn't paired with any of those men, but the waiting was brutal.

There were only two names that have yet to be called.

"Moon Doyun and Choi Nari"

It took a moment to register even though it was the only possibility left. She did it. She was marrying the Leader's son. A weight disappeared from her shoulders as she let out a shaky breath. Nari smoothed out the front of her dress as she willed heavy legs to carry her to the center of the room to meet Moon Doyun. Her parents were going to be so proud. Proud of her. This was their plan from day one and she had succeeded. Years of nonstop work had finally given her an answer. The result she, and probably most other girls in that room, was hoping for. Nari had been given the opportunity for an easy life for herself and her family with this position.

Looking up at him, Nari gave him a shy smile. Not knowing if she was supposed to greet him or say anything at all, not knowing if she could even manage to form words at that moment, Nari stayed quiet. Her mother didn't need to pinch her cheeks earlier, she could feel them burning on their own. She took his hand and her stomach flipped. This was the first time she'd ever had contact with a man that was not her father. She had to contain her grin, forcing it to stay a content smile.

Now it was time to get married.

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[TheVoidQueen]

maybe not the end of the world, not sure yet

ryuk hae

She was coming back into herself, slowly. Watching the giddy, nervous expressions on the faces of nearly everyone else corralled into the room was feeding the fire. Her back was straight as a rod and her head high before the Leader had made his way to the center of the room and begun the spiel she could only assume he'd given all the previous to-be-weds. "You are all going to become real men and women of God," oh yeah? And what exactly had they been before? Imaginary figures bending over backwards to keep this community running?

She held onto that spark for dear life, not wanting to let this process get to her before it'd really even begun. Maybe she could convince whoever got stuck with her not to have kids. She doubted the Lord had much to be proud of when it came to her, anyways. What's a little more disappointment?

Her head was so loud she would've missed the cue to pray had it not been for everyone else in the room falling into step. Hae forced herself to listen to the prayer, to the words coming out of the dearly beloved Leader's mouth, to the blessings being bestowed upon them all. He sounded so sure of himself when he said "We pray for the men to rise up as strong warriors of Christ. We pray for the women to explore the riches of love through sacrificial movements." As if telling the men to use their women as step ladders was perfectly fine. Women only existed to serve the family and give up everything for others' sake.

Hae had always been disgustingly selfish.

Relief washed over her when the Leader exited the room, though it didn't last long. Now it was actually it. The beginning of the end or whatever. It really felt more like the end of the beginning and the start of ruination.

As Marcus ran through the list of soon-to-be spouses, twitches of anxiety kept coming back to her. Realization that Moon Doyun, the Leader's son and heir to the throne, was one of the remaining potential partners almost sent her into a fit of giggles. She knew, of course, it wouldn't be her but entertaining the idea provided enough entertainment to distract her.

"Yoon Ha-neul and Ryuk Hae."

Oh. The exorcism guy. He'd never really seemed like much, but if an exorcism was deemed the only potential solution to deal with him, there had to be more to him than met the eye. He had to be hiding something, and if he was, then he sure knew how to keep a secret. Maybe this would be interesting.

She took confident, bouncy steps towards the middle of the room and extended her hand, looking her future husband straight in the eyes with a wicked grin.

• .
• .
• .

• outfit
• location

  
  

  chamber
• tags & mentions

  Klown | Ha-Neul
  
  Moon Do-Yun

coded by reveriee.

 

[mix.ie]

mood :

Embarrassed

location :

in the chamber

outfit :

mentions :

n/a

interactions :

Dorodoros

the only child

;; so-ri

So-ri picked at her nails anxiously. The urge to lift her hand and rip off each nail with her teeth was strong, but she holds herself back. She has to be perfect, things have to be perfect or else.

She was barely listening to the musings of the Leader, honestly, far too in her head to pay proper attention. Plus, it's not like she could hear him much anyways. Of course, he decided to stand on the side that she couldn't hear from. It was a bit annoying, but the least of her problems. What she could hear sent shivers down her spine. The Leader's deep voice made her straighten her back. She could recognize his voice from a mile away, ironically enough. Something about him had always made her anxious. His eyes alone were enough to make her drop her head in fear and never raise it again.

"Amen," she mutters, her voice just barely above a whisper as she lifts her head up once more. Marcus takes the lead now, and she knows that it's time. She takes a shuddering breath and tries to swallow the lump in her throat that made it hard to breathe. She clasped her hands together, her grip making her knuckles go white.

One by one, names were called out and the room emptied. So-ri did her best to remain calm, but it was hard to do with her heart pounding in her chest. She feared that it would jump out at any moment, revealing her fears to the hall of her peers. If she could even call them that. 23 years of her life had gone by and she hadn't made one friend in this community. Everybody just avoided her as if she would rub off of them somehow. So-ri's existence was a lonely one, but maybe that could change now. With a husband at her side, maybe things could be different.

(That is if this wasn't a mistake. If her name being called at all was a cruel joke put on to give her hope right before she's given away as a sacrifice. She doesn't think she fears anything more than that.)

"Cheong Min and Nam So-ri," she just barely hears.

With her head still down, focused on her feet, So-ri doesn't move. She doesn't acknowledge her name being called at first, not even recognizing it as her own. It takes a few moments, but when the silence of the hall stretches thin her head slowly lifts to see Marcus staring her down. Confused, her eyebrows knit together slightly before the realization hits her. Immediately her face is set ablaze and her eyes widen. She almost wants to point to herself and utter a quiet me? in response. Instead, she jerks forward and nearly stumbles over her feet as she goes to the middle of her room where her husband-to-be stood.

Her hands shook violently as she reached her husband. A million and one thoughts rushed through her head at once, but regardless she couldn't help but feel relieved despite her unceasing anxiety. It was real. It was all real.

So-ri could barely look up at him as they stood before each other. Her eyes darted from his own down to his chest where she stood eye-level, and back up again. She didn't quite know where to look actually. She could barely contain her smile, biting the inside of her cheek so as not to break out in a full grin. As they clasped hands, So-ri is so sure he could feel the goosebumps shoot through her body. She was practically glowing with how red her face had become.

"This is the first step to the rest of my life," she thinks to herself. "Better not mess it up."

coded by reveriee.

 

[Klown]

—YOON HA-NEUL

The air in the room felt stagnant. Void of any real life. Or maybe that was just Haneul refusing to breathe. His lungs feeling too small and too unwilling to expand for any amount of air. He thought they would plague him with such for the entire ceremony until Min waltzed into the room like it was a day as any other. He gawked while the other saunters towards the girls and stands with an air of nonchalance that Haneul was both envious and amused by.

At his disingenuous apology—disingenuous to anyone not privy enough to care—Haneul’s hand comes up to his mouth to catch the laugh that nearly burst out of him, disguising it as a faint cough before standing at attention again. Breathing and smiling.

As the names are called, he glances at each couple curiously. Tallying how many days their idyllic happiness will last before they realize how they can barely stand each other. Much to his chagrin, he’s reminded of the unfortunate talk of what happens between a men and women during their wedding nights and feels his stomach churn unpleasantly at the thought.

Moon Doyun and Choi Nari are called. Haneul feels his hands go clammy as the list shrinks ever smaller. He watches his friend link hands with his wife. His heart turns skittish in his chest, and he discreetly wipes his sweaty palms against his pants.

Yoon Haneul and Ryuk Hae.

Oh. The resident troublemaker. Haneul had heard endless bouts of gossip from his mother about Ryuk Hae and her family. Ostensibly wild and unladylike. Whatever that meant.

He stepped towards the center of the room, Hae’s confident gait appearing to widen the corners of Haneul’s smile. There was a spark of something kindred as he took her hand in his. If her reputation preceded her, Haneul looked forward to their union.

 

[weldherwings]

the wedding.

Hand in hand, all those to be wed stood anxiously in the foyer. For most, it was the first time holding hands with someone of the opposite sex. The nervous tension filled the atmosphere. Each son and daughter patiently waiting with a ball of nerves in the pits of their stomachs for their time to finally come. Once the last couple was announced, Marcus moved along to the front of the line. “It’s time” he said cheerfully, looking upon the young adults with a warm smile. “Good luck… and congratulations”

Two large wooden barn doors swung open. The Chapel, built on sturdy foundations and blueprints of an old barn, was filled with the community. Mothers, Fathers, brothers and sisters all turned their heads towards the opening doors and rose to their feet. The ceiling was covered and entangled with vines and dried wildflowers; not something that you would see every day in the Chapel, but only for special occasions like these. The women had spent their spring collecting the wildflowers and dried them out for this very moment. The wind whistled through the cracks of the wooden panels, cheering on each couple as they began to walk down the aisle.

The couples were encouraged to move to the front of the altar where the Leader and Mother Supreme sat on wooden carved thrones. They watched carefully as the couples walked hand in hand towards the front, a warm smile upon their faces. Filling up the front of the altar, the couples knew to stand in file. Three rows of ten couples, standing hand in hand and waiting patiently for the Leader to speak. The congregation stood patiently, fearing to make any movement or sound before being told to do so. Silence filled the room once the sound of feet shuffling had come to a cease. The Leader pushed himself from his throne and stood before his people. His eyes danced along with the couples, flickering to and from each person.

“Sons and daughters,” his velvet voice rang “We are gathered here today for something truly remarkable. Like Abraham was called to be a Father of many, we are also blessed to live life as his offspring. We have been called to go forth and create nations, rejoicing in the goodness of our God.” His speech continued on for another ten minutes, declaring the mighty name of Jehovah, and praising Him for all his riches in the world. No one dared to make a sound as he spoke; even the newborn children were still as stones. Finally, after ten minutes passed, he began to talk to the couples. “It is time to continue expanding our nation. Will you turn to your partner and take each other's hands.” The sound of feet awkwardly shuffling filled the room with the couples turning to one another, holding both hands this time. “Look each other in the eyes. Sons, repeat after me”

“I take thee to be my wife,” the Leader began, followed by the echoing of manly deep voices “I will protect and provide for our family. I vow to be a strong warrior of Christ and the source of our family’s teachings. As Jehovah as our witness, I will never stray from God nor our family.”

A deep exhale was heard throughout the congregation. “Now, daughters. Repeat after me” The Leader declared. “I take thee to by my husband. I will keep our family name strong and bold through our offspring and vow to follow your ways and teachings. As Jehovah as our witness, I will never stray from God nor our family”

As the voices died down, the Leader gazed upon the couples with a warm grin. “We have made our declarations, and we have thanked our God who provides for us. Sons and daughters, you are now husbands and wives. Let us seal our vows with a lover's kiss; a contract that only the Devil will attempt to tear apart. ”

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[weldherwings]

the son.

scroll

moon do-yun.

mood
ok. at least she's cute.

outfit
hand crafted black wedding suit + flower tie

location
in the chapel getting married

mentions
Nari

tags
junegloom

moon do-yun.

Her hand in his own felt like it was meant to be.

A jigsaw puzzle that had finally come to completion after so many years of critical pieces had been missing. Doyun’s eyes remained gazing down at their hands as they perfectly intertwined together, the warmth radiating despite the cold winter temperatures. The silence between them was thick; Doyun didn’t know what to say. This whole situation was just awkward. He was meant to spend the rest of his life with this person and yet didn’t even know what her favourite colour was, or if she was a morning person. His whole life was now to meld with hers to create a family together. He was now going to have to provide for both of them.

As they waited in the foyer for the brief minutes, a thousand questions ran through his head. He wanted to ask Nari questions about her to see what he was getting himself into. But, at the same time, he was fearful that he already knew her answers. He knew that his parents would’ve picked the best for him. He knew that she would be the most obedient out of all the women; that she was knowledgeable and rolling in the favour of the Lord. But then, he also knew what it meant. That she was happy with this marriage. That she wanted to get married. That she wanted to spend her life mothering his children. But overall, it meant she was just like his sisters; brainwashed. His stomach flopped at the thought of being stuck with someone who didn’t speak her own mind. Someone who was well, fake.

Marcus stood before them and after speaking to them, the doors began to open. All eyes were on them. Move, legs he had to mentally scream at himself, prompting the movement in his muscles. Even though the pair of them were at the back of the line, it was obvious that the other couples were preparing the room for them to come through to the front. Obviously, they thought that they deserved the best spot in the house; upfront and centre, right in front of his Mother and Father. As the Leader rose to speak, Doyun struggled to listen to his message. All he could concentrate on was Nari’s heartbeat through her fingertips as their hands stayed by their sides, entwined. He had yet to speak a word to her since Marcus announced their partnership. Well, it seemed that the time had come to finally talk.

The Leader instructed the couples to turn to each other; and just like magic, all of them followed suit. Doyun slowly followed along with the herd, taking hold of Nari’s other hand with his own. Come on man… Let’s just get this over and done with. For the first time, his dark brown eyes gazed up and met Nari’s. And for the first time, it was like he was properly seeing her. Her deep brown eyes with chestnut undertones. Shoulder length silky locks. Her plush downward-turned lips. Soft, ivory skin with next to no blemishes. At least his children were going to be good looking, I suppose.

“Sons, repeat after me”

“I take thee to be my wife,” Doyun repeated as his Father began to go through the vows. Unlike the Leaders, whose voice echoed and boomed no matter the setting, Doyun’s was soft and soothing. His Father’s was often compared to the trashing wind and waves, while Doyun’s was the subtle autumn evening breeze. “I will protect and provide for our family. I vow to be a strong warrior of Christ and the source of our family’s teachings. As Jehovah as our witness, I will never stray from God nor our family”

It was like a great heavyweight was lifted from his shoulders. A deep exhale slipped past his lips, and he waited in anticipation for what was coming next. It was Nari’s turn to say her vows. Listening to what she had to repeat… There were some things he didn’t quite agree with but… it was said and done now. Her vows were exchanged, and it was coming to the end of the service. To finish it all off, each couple was expected to ‘seal the deal’ with a kiss. Doyun could remember watching his sister’s weddings; he would wonder what it would be like to kiss someone. Heck, how to kiss someone too. And what did it feel like? He had been nervous as hell about this whole kiss. That was until their all-male camp out in the lead up to the wedding. After hearing what was expected of them for tonight and for the rest of their lives, in order to have children, he… he was more nervous about that.

So, just as his Father announced, it was time to kiss. Doyun was hesitant at first. He had seen so many other people kiss (all of them were married couples also), but he had never thought about just how to kiss. So, he was going for it. Hands still entwined, Doyun leant down and closed the gap between the pair of them. His lips captured hers, but only for a second or two, before he pulled back and looked back at her once more. There we go. That was it. His first kiss. Their first kiss. It… well, it wasn’t as scary afterall.

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.

 

[junegloom]

/* ------ right side ------ */

/* ------ image 1 ------ */

mood | nervous anticipation

location | the chapel

/* ------ image 2 ------ */

outfit | here

/* ------ image 3 ------ */

tag | weldherwings

/* ------ left side ------ */

choi nari

/* ------ main textbox ------ */

Nari's thoughts were absolutely racing through her head. This was it. This was what she had spent her entire life preparing for and she had been given the best match she could ask for. So, why was she so nervous? Nari should be relieved, happy with her match, and ready to start this next chapter of her life.

And she was happy with her match, it was just the uncertainty of what was going to be her new life. Who was Doyun really? What was he like? Would he like her? Too many questions flowed through her mind far too quickly. Trying her best to put them aside, Nari did her best to focus on what was happening around her. The feeling of his hand entwined in hers.

She fell into step with Doyun as they made their way into the chapel. Of course, they'd be right up front with his parents. Attention like this is something she'd need to get used to. The whole congregation would be paying attention to them from now on. Was she ready for that? Probably not. She had a lifetime of smiling through discomfort to fall back on. First, she focused on the Leader's commanding voice, going over the vows they were meant to say. Doyun didn't need her to manually focus on his voice. It just drew her in as he repeated his vows to her.

Her turn. She took in a deep breath.

“I take thee to by my husband. I will keep our family name strong and bold through our offspring and vow to follow your ways and teachings. As Jehovah as our witness, I will never stray from God nor our family.”

The words were harder for Nari to say than she thought they would be. She was quiet, far softer than she normally spoke, nearly stuttering on the word offspring. Nari knew she was expected to have children, especially considering who she was marrying. It still just struck fear into her core. However, she thankfully got through her vows without stumbling. And with a kiss, she will officially be married to Moon Do-Yun. She said a silent prayer that her hands have not gotten sweaty from the nerves.

Nari's eyes closed as his lips met hers. Before she could even really process what was happening, it was over. The idea of kissing grew stranger and stranger the more she thought about it, but she was pretty sure she enjoyed it. Maybe it was too quick to tell, though it was not unpleasant. She supposed she had the rest of her life to figure out how she actually felt about it.

As he looked at her, and she back at him, her lips twitched into a barely-there smile.

/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.