Quests & Challenges

[color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUjU6.png[/img][img]https://i.postimg.cc/Jz6g1YPb/DO1.png[/img][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUSpY.png[/img][/center] [center][font=Gabriola][color=#AFAFAF][size=5][b]~ 11|05|2020[/b] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2928104#post_45193301]Entry I[/url] ~[/size] [size=4][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64269922]Luhan | Pt. I[/url][/size] [size=5][b]~ 11|06|2020[/b] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2928104/1#post_45203957]Entry II[/url] ~[/size] [size=4][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64269922]Luhan | Pt. II[/url][/size] [size=5][b]~ 11|07|2020[/b] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2928104/1#post_45213713]Entry III[/url] ~[/size] [size=4][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/51017546]Finn | Pt. I[/url][/size] [size=5][b]~ 11|08|2020 / 11|09|2020[/b] - [url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/qnc/2928104/2#post_45237622]Entry IV[/url] ~[/size] [size=4][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/51017546]Finn | Bio Template Coding[/url][/size] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][font=Gabriola][color=#AFAFAF][size=5]~~ Resources & Links ~~[/size] [size=4][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/2257922/1]Poisonedpaper's Art Assets[/url]

[color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUjU6.png[/img][img]https://i.postimg.cc/Jz6g1YPb/DO1.png[/img][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUSpY.png[/img][/center] [center][font=Gabriola][size=7][color=#AFAFAF]~ 11|05|2020 - Entry I - Generation ~[/color][/size][/font][/center] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64269922][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/642700/64269922_350.png[/img][/url] [center][font=Gabriola][color=#AFAFAF][size=6][i]... Welcome home, Lulu ...[/i][/size][/color][/font] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [font=Gabriola][size=5][color=#AFAFAF][i]Heaven only knows where you've been But I don't really need to know No - I don't really want to know If I'm honest with us both I already know where you're going to go. They say ignorance is bliss But is it really ignorance When I turn a blind eye Oh, lover, I know where you go. Can I stop the flow of time? Reverse it back to before we were broke I don't think I'd ever leave that place Before the world got a hold of us both. Heaven only knows where you've been But I don't really need to know No - it won't change the ending That's been written in stone Just come to bed - we can play pretend. [/i]

[color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUjU6.png[/img][img]https://i.postimg.cc/Jz6g1YPb/DO1.png[/img][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUSpY.png[/img][/center] [center][font=Gabriola][size=7][color=#AFAFAF]~ 11|06|2020 - Entry II - Generation ~[/color][/size][/font][/center] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/64269922][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/642700/64269922_350.png[/img][/url] [center][font=Gabriola][color=#AFAFAF][size=6][i]... I'm so sorry, Luhan ...[/i][/size][/color][/font] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [font=Gabriola][size=5][color=#AFAFAF] [i]Is it only in my dreams - is it only in my head? Are you lonely lying next to me When we're together in my bed? There's a truth that I don't want to see. Come on - just tell me another lie Please - just give me one more high Feed me what I need to hear Drown out the truth inside. I can't let go of you Though I know you're not mine So only for for tonight I'll close my eyes And leave it all behind. Oh, when did we lose control Of what was right and wrong When did we lose sight Of who we were inside? When did you stop calling me home?

[color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUjU6.png[/img][img]https://i.postimg.cc/Jz6g1YPb/DO1.png[/img][img]https://img.nickpic.host/aFUSpY.png[/img][/center] [center][font=Gabriola][size=7][color=#AFAFAF]~ 11|07|2020 - Entry III - Generation ~[/color][/size][/font][/center] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [center][url=https://www1.flightrising.com/dragon/51017546][img]https://www1.flightrising.com/rendern/350/510176/51017546_350.png[/img][/url] [center][font=Gabriola][color=#AFAFAF][size=6][i]... Sing me to sleep, Finn ...[/i][/size][/color][/font] [color=#AFAFAF]-----------[/color] [font=cambria][size=3][color=#AFAFAF]The soft pitter patter of bare feet on wooden floorboards rouses Finn from his peaceful slumber. The sound drew the dancer's conscious back to the present; the thin pillow beneath his cheek, the scratchy blanket slung over his waist and the humid smell of rain drifting in from the open window. His door clicked open and shut a moment later; nearly inaudible over the sound of his own breathing yet painfully loud in the silence of the room. Maybe he'd dreamt it - woken up not because of the sound of another person in his room but because of a full bladder. That was something he could solve with a quick trip to the bathroom, feet freezing on the cold floor and skin cooling as he scrambled to finish his business and slip back into the warm haven of his bed. The prospect of even leaving his bed in the first place wasn't one he really wanted to consider in his half-asleep state; they'd left the air conditioning on and the windows open in the dorm the night before to air out the heat and they hadn't expected the rain, nor the chill it brought with it. But at least after finishing his business he could go back to sleep, scavenge a few more hours of shut-eye before he was thrown into another day slaving away in the recording studio, fingers numb from guitar strings and ears tired of listening to his vocal coach nag him about his singing. If it was the sound of one of his mates, on the other hand... There wasn't the slightest chance of going back to sleep for at least the next half hour, and most likely not alone when he did. He never had the heart to turn them away though, not when they slipped into his room under the cover of darkness and the silence brought on by all of the other members' slumber, hesitantly inquiring if he was already asleep. Even if he were asleep up until that point- even if it was their whispered words that had woken him up- he always lied. If he told them the truth, they'd apologize for waking him and insist on leaving despite his reassurances that he didn't mind. He didn't particularly enjoy being woken up at odd hours, or having to give up his alone time to someone else, or being sleep deprived the next day during dance practice, but he knew that they came to him because they trusted him. Because they knew he would be there for them, no matter what had happened or what they'd done. He listened, he let them vent about whatever was weighing them down and he didn't judge. Sometimes they didn't even bother talking, but slipped under the covers beside him without a word of explanation. He hadn't turned any of them down, not when Nicholas felt overwhelmed and needed someone to reassure him, or when Sky needed to unload his burdens. Not when Suho felt lonely and wanted a warm body beside him, or the many times Kris had felt bad for snapping at him during recordings. He wasn't in the mood for Kris' whispered apologies, always so quiet and sincere and always accompanied with soft fingers threading through Finn's hair until he was too tired to refuse the vocalist's apology. He was too tired to think of reassuring words to sooth Nicholas' nerves, his body too sore to even consider sitting up and devoting his whole attention to listen to one of the other boy's rants, his eyelids too heavy to bear prying open. He just wanted to sleep for once, get more than four hours of shut-eye before having to get up and cover the bags beneath his eyes. "Finn?" The name was spoken softly, barely audible over the lull of the rain outside. Its youth surprised Finn enough to drag him the rest of the way out of slumber, enough to make him forget about the potential hours of lost sleep and guaranteed fatigue in the morning. He blinked heavily-lidded eyes open, taking a moment to focus on the shadow lingering by the edge of his bed before registering who it was. Silence rung loudly as murky confusion gave way to drowsy surprise, eyebrows furrowing as he propped himself up with an elbow. His voice was thick with sleep when he finally answered, gaze narrowing in the attempt to make out details within the darkness. "Luhan?" It wouldn’t be the first time that the youngest had sought him out; Luhan was beyond affectionate with every soul he encountered, but he’d always reached for Finn when he needed something more than games. Finn, despite the complaints from the other- older- boys, favored the younger boy over the rest of them. He hadn’t complained the first time that Luhan had slipped into his room, hesitantly asking if he could sleep with the older boy because he missed his family. He hadn’t been uncomfortable when Luhan more often than not found his way into his bed, first with mumbled excuses and later, when he realized that he didn’t need a reason to curl up with Finn, simply slipping under the covers and slotting himself into Finn’s side. Finn hadn’t turned the younger boy’s sought-out affection away, not even when in front of the other members. He’d made certain that Luhan knew he could turn to him for anything no matter what time it was- the dead of night being no exception. Luhan had many people that cared about him in his life, all that loved the boy dearly, but he always seemed to find his way back to Finn. He sought Finn out, favored him, and Finn couldn’t help but feeling that, above all the others, Luhan was his to look after. His responsibility - but never a burden. Luhan was never Finn's burden. He’d always wanted to have someone around that let their walls drop completely with him. One that didn’t mind cuddling and letting him help them with their problems, let him care without judgment. "I had a nightmare, Finn." Finn could hear the hesitance in Luhan’s voice, the boy in question's fingers picking at the loose strings fraying from the edges of Finn's blanket before he stepped closer, figure illuminated by the light thrown off by Finn’s alarm clock. Long lashes hooded downcast eyes, cheeks painted a soft pink in embarrassment as the boy dared to glance the other, lips trembling with barely contained emotion. “I can’t sleep.” Concern flashed through Finn at the vulnerable look on Luhan’s face but he kept it hidden - masked behind an emotionless façade, not wanting to frighten the other boy further. A glance at the glowing fluorescent numbers on his bedside table had Finn resisting the urge to yawn, instead rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he attempted to group his thoughts together coherently. 02:00. It really was too early for anyone to be awake- especially since they’d gone to bed only two hours ago. But the hesitance in the younger boy, the paleness of his skin and the tinge of his cheeks, the eyes wide in residual fear and the pleading look on his face- Finn couldn’t turn the boy away. The thought didn’t even occur to him as he shuffled over, making room for his friend. He was used to Luhan coming because he was cold, or lonely, or upset- but he’d never seen the boy so hesitant before, and it put him on edge. What nightmare have possibly happened within the two hours since Finn had bid the smiling boy good night to disturb him so much? "A nightmare, huh?" Finn’s voice was both rough from sleep and soft as he rolled onto his side to face the other boy and pulled back the edge of his blanket, patting the spot next to him. A shiver ran through his body at the breeze that met his skin, chasing away the lingering traces of sleep, but he ignored his discomfort and waited patiently for the boy to slip in. Asking the younger boy what had upset him so much seemed almost insensitive- maybe it was too early, maybe Luhan didn’t want to talk about it– but he'd always trusted Finn in the past. “What was it about?” As if he’d been waiting, Luhan crawled onto the bed, all hesitation gone, and slipped under the blanket. He quickly drew the covers up to his chin, cutting off the breeze of cool air and sealing in their body heat. Cold feet pressed into Finn’s calf as the younger boy pressed against him, slotting himself into the hollow of Finn’s chest and curling his fingers into the front of the older boy’s shirt; holding on as if he were scared that Finn would disappear if he let go. The younger boy sighed softly as he settled, pressing his forehead against Finn’s collar bone, body trembling with the aftershock of whatever horror he’d witnessed in his dreams. "I dreamt that... Suho got in trouble and was about to get kicked out. You took the fall for him... and you left..." Luhan mumbled into Finn’s neck, dark haired head nuzzling its way under the older boy’s chin. The whine in his voice didn’t escape Finn’s notice- and neither did the pause right before the younger boy had admitted his dream. “You left me.” “Luhan...” His hand wandered to Luhan’s hair, threading fingers through the soft strands in a soothing motion as his other hand rubbed reassuring circles on the younger boy’s back. Luhan’s words stuck in his mind, swirling around as he contemplated them- he'd been terrified by the thought of Finn leaving. He knew he should feel bad, want to comfort the younger boy and reassure him that he wasn’t going to leave him, but a fuzzy warmth spread through him instead. Luhan cared so much about Finn that losing him terrified the younger. Finn cooed softly, pulling the trembling boy closer and resting his chin on top of Luhan’s head. “I won’t leave you.” Silence followed Finn’s words, Luhan’s fingers tugging on the neckline of Finn's muscle shirt were the only response that Finn got. What felt like minutes passed without an answer from the younger boy, other than the soft breath against Finn’s throat, the fingers clinging to his shirt and the beat of Luhan's heart against his chest. Cold feet pressed their way between Finn’s shins, seeking warmth and sending chills up Finn's spine- yet he didn’t dare move in fear of upsetting the younger boy. He began to worry that he’d said the wrong thing, that the silence was Luhan’s disappointment and maybe he should have pushed the younger boy away in order to look him in the face and reassure him that he wouldn’t leave- but Luhan shifted against him and cleared his throat, voice coming out quiet and scratchy. “Would you sing me to sleep, Finn?” Finn’s eyes widened in surprise, breath catching softly. He wasn’t the best vocal in the flat- not even close. He wasn’t embarrassed by his singing, just aware that he wasn’t as good as the others. He didn’t have the nicest voice; he couldn’t go as high as some of the other boys, and he couldn't hold a note properly for long. Sometimes it took days of practicing the same line before Kris deemed his recording good enough to publish, and that was during a good week. His specialty was his acoustic guitar- something that he did well, that he’d play for Luhan anytime- not singing. There were better vocalists that Luhan could have gone to if he’d wanted a lullaby. Yet there he was, asking Finn to sing to him. The older boy wasn’t sure whether he should feel proud or embarrassed by Luhan’s request, considering the very real possibility of embarrassing himself or not singing well enough for the boy’s liking. "Suho is a better singer than I am." Luhan’s fingers tightened their hold on Finn’s shirt, voice tight with stubbornness. "I don't want Suho to sing to me, Finnigan. If I had, I would have asked him to." Another rush of warm fondness chased away Finn’s insecurities, prompting him to press his lips to the crown of the younger boy’s head before resting his chin on top of it and letting his eyes slip shut as he began singing. He sung one of the lullabies his mother had sung to him when he’d been young, voice steadier than it had ever been as it blended with the soft pitter patter lull of the rain and the sound of the wind brushing against the wall. It wasn't a happy lullaby- not by a long shot. His mother wasn't a very happy woman, in the end, with what his father had done. But it was the lullaby that she'd sung every night to Finn for years- he knew it better than he knew the back of his hand. And, this way, he was sharing a part of himself with the other boy. A part of himself that none of the others had heard. By the end of the song, Finn could hear Luhan’s breath- feel that it had evened out, had felt, throughout the song, as the other boy’s body relaxed in his arms and his conscious drifted into the realm of dreams. He was hesitant to open his eyes himself- wanting nothing more than to slip into sleep with Luhan and let his mind rest. But he had to know that Luhan was, in fact, asleep. A pause, before Finn’s lips drew up in a fond smile, fingers brushing back rogue strands of hair from the younger boy’s forehead before he withdrew his hand, dropping his arm around Luhan’s waist. Sometimes Finn forgot just how tired the other boy was, surrounded by cameras and strict schedules and expectations. Luhan was handsome and talented, there are no arguing that. He was upbeat and full of energy- an endless supply of hope and faith in the world around him. But even he got worn down some nights. Finn was glad that Luhan chose to be there with them, despite it all. They wouldn’t be the same without him; wouldn’t be as full of energy, or affection, or love. Luhan worried about Finn leaving, but everyone would get along without him. But it wouldn’t be the same without Luhan. “Good night, Luhan.”