" perhaps they'll also take to me, his next of kin, offer me up in that chalice of his, and ask 'fancy a glass of sloe gin'? "

- [hidden]

the one who calls himself blackthorn

about

Name: Blackthorn
Full Name: [HIDDEN]
Other Name(s): Thorn (Shortened Name/Nickname), More TBABirthdate: 1998.01.08
Birthplace: Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Age: 27
Nationality: Korean
Ethnicity: Korean

Height: 188.5 cm | 6'2
Body: Lean
Skin: Pale
Hair: Black (Natural), Navy Blue (Current), Pink (As A Companion), Blonde (As A Companion)
Eyes: Brown (Natural, Blue-Grey Contacts (Leisure/As A Companion)Race: Human
Class: Companion
Slave Status: Available for Purchase
Number of Previous Masters/Mistresses: 2

Family:
- Unnamed Laborer Sister (Status: Unknown)MBTI: INFJ; The Advocate
Romantic Orientation: Demiromantic
Sexuality: Pansexual
Status: Single'Valued' Skills: Multilinguism (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, English), Music Performance (Strings, Piano), Massaging, Acupuncture, Embroidery, Drawing, Painting

Blackthorn, real name [HIDDEN], is a Human Companion. He has no Master or Mistress after being dismissed by his previous Master, leaving him to fend for himself rather than being sent to a Human Breeding Factory. Short on money, he can only hope someone else takes a chance on him in the Slave Auctions so he can secure a more prosperous life. Currently, he holds a position as a Massuer and Acupuncturist at the Serenity Spa & Onsen.

" A bright and gentle soul. Always talking away in that smooth, melodic voice of his whenever I asked. But it seems that his brightness has dimmed into a faint glow over the years. As if he's scared to shine again. " - The Lady Tallevast

Chosen to be a Companion when he was young, Blackthorn is many things. He's intelligent and multi-talented, able to converse well and keep his lieges entertained. Amiable, with a natural charisma that draws in those who come within his vicinity. Polite in the way where is was both admired and endearing; in the way that had guests praising his Master or Mistress for 'finding one so well-mannered'.Blackthorn is many things. But how much of it is being a Companion, and how much of it is authentically him?Perhaps in the past, he would've said it was one in the same. That the traits he was trained to have would've been the personality he developed naturally anyways. Yes, he'd be intelligent. Yes, he'd be charismatic. Yes, he'd be polite. He mostly retains those same traits, yes, but..they're shaped differently. No longer one in the same.A part of it, he knows, is his own insecurities after being dismissed. He's still intelligent. But it's in the way he amasses knowledge to survive on his own. He's still polite. But it's in the way where one avoids being perceived as rude or ungrateful; in the way any regular person is expected to be.He can't really say he's still charismatic. As a Companion, he was charismatic; he had to be. He was to be the desirable, attractive ornament that could grab anyone's attention. But he's no longer a Companion, no longer that shiny ornament. He's not charismatic; not in the way he keeps himself reserved and unassuming, wanting to blend into the background instead.But it's not that it's completely gone. The insecurity he harbours plays a big part in it. The parts of him that he deems as lost are merely suppressed; locked away in the way one does when they're unsure. As it is, he's a more quiet, mellow person; a shadow rather than a source of light. But perhaps that light can shine brighter once again.

Likes:
- art & literature
- cloudy weather
- baroque and classical aesthetics
- calming scents
- botany

---

Dislikes:
- strong, overwhelming scents
- thinking about his family
- being left in his lonesome
- bright, sunny days
- poorly written literature

Hobbies:
- reading and writing poetry
- practicing his cello and piano playing
- experimenting with different tea flavor combinations
- rearranging his bedroom every week or so
- scrapbook journaling

STORY

"Yes, he'll do perfectly." He hears those muffled words coming from behind the closed doors of the office. He's only a young child, around four or five years of age. But even then, he had already known the reality of the Night World. Humans were the bottom of the hierarchy, and only those lucky enough would have the chance at a decent living. "Much better aesthetics than your daughter had, at least." The same voice adds on, followed by the sound of papers being shuffled and murmurs he can't really discern from his seat. A short while after, the office door opens, and out step his parents with a woman following behind them."[HIDDEN]," His mother kneels before him, offering a halfhearted smile as his father stands silently behind her. "This is Jang Sohye. She's going to take care of you and train you," She gestures to the woman next to her, tall and looking down at him with a pleased expression. She's not wearing a cross, he notes. Usually the ones who come to take kids from this Human Breeding Factory are from the Church. He blinks at his mother."She's not from the Church," He tells her, confused, and it makes this Jang Sohye lady laugh for some reason."You're not going to the Church. You're destined for something much better than becoming a Laborer," Sohye grins, bending down to meet his gaze. "You're going to be a Companion."He looks at all three of them. The sparkling grin and giddy tone of Miss Jang. The stoic yet hopeful silence of his father. The saddened relief of his mother. At that moment, he realizes.He's one of those lucky few to be given the chance.The following years are spent in some sort of boarding house, training young humans to become perfect Companions. And they have him learning anything and everything. He's quick to pick up on the required languages of Japanese, Chinese, and English; even managing to tackle Thai as well. Etiquette training is a breeze through. His height skyrockets as he gets older, so he's made to practice modeling too.He's also apparently ambidextrous; able to use both hands equally. It had all the trainers excited. 'They're very delicate' one of them had told him, 'And with your long and nimble fingers, they'll be very useful'.Music seems to be his main talent. He's come to love playing the piano and stringed instruments. Whether it be his fragile hands and fingers dancing over keys or picking and plucking at strings. Either one brings him joy. He hasn't gotten around to wind instruments yet, but he's pretty good at fixing them.His other main comes out to be massaging. His hands, according to the trainers, are a blessing, as he can easily knead away any knots in a muscle. The strong scents of the oils and cream bother his nose, but that aside, he finds he enjoys it; the satisfaction of bringing someone relief, that is. It's also how he finds himself drawn to acupuncture, learning from a Child of Bast who treated one of the trainers. At some point, he can't remember when, he picks up drawing and painting too.It's like any other day in the boarding house. He and the others have been informed that there'd be several potential buyers coming by, so they should dress in their best. Then, all of them are corralled into one of the parlors and encouraged to 'act naturally' whilst performing their skills for all to see.While he switches between playing on the piano or strings, he sees the trainers lead people into the parlor, showing them around. Some of his peers end up leaving with a few of them. As he's fixing the keys of a clarinet, he hears the trainer lead more people in. These ones sound more energetic than the previous ones, more chatty. What he doesn't expect, however, is the rush of footsteps in his direction with a gasp."How are you doing that?!" A bright, feminine voice questions him. He nearly drops the thin screw and instrument, but prevents it. Another voice joins in."Calm down a bit, Nephie. You've startled the poor boy," A masculine one chides in with a slight, teasing manner. He looks up, eyes widening as his dark brown ones meet those of a jade green color. They sparkle like that of a gemstone. That train of thought continues as he takes in the woman's matching jade green hair, and the way her skin also sparkles. A Xoia? His eyes dart to the two behind. Another Xoia, his eyes and hair a lavender-violet mix, and a Celestial man in a sharp suit, a purple flower where a pocket square would typically go. The Xoia woman pouts at the Celestial."It's alright.." He ends up speaking up, drawing the attention of all three. Their stares almost make him falter, but he realizes..they're curious stares, not malicious ones. It's almost..reassuring. Clearing his throat, he looks back down at the clarinet in his hands, focusing back on his task.Somehow, it goes from him explaining how he tightened a screw on the keys to divulging into his full range of musical expertise, and more. The trio listen intently to his words, as if they were genuinely interested in whatever he was talking about. It was different than talking with his peers about his interests, no looming worry and dread about their future. It could almost be considered normal..almost.Miss Jang!" The green Xoia waves over his caretaker and trainer, a wide grin on her face. "I'll take this one!"Then the normalcy would shatter, and it would remind him that in this world, he was a product first. A slave.And so, aged 17, he was bought out, now under the ownership of one Lady Jade-Nephrite Tallevast.In the beginning of his service, he was rather..befuddled. The first thing he was taught that their bodies no longer belonged to themselves. They were taught to have skills, attract people, to keep their attention. Even how to service their masters in a more intimate setting. He was prepared for much worse.And yet..all The Lady Jade-Nephrite would ask of him was to talk with her. To let her watch him draw or paint, to teach her how to play the piano. Mundane things, really. It was polarizing."Jade-Nephrite only recently descended to Earth," The Second Lord Charoite told him when he questioned him and The First Lord Hyssop. "Usually, a Xoia breaks off around the thirteen year mark, but she broke off at the twenty year mark. It's only been about seven months of her being here on Earth.""But wouldn't it make sense to ask Lord Hyssop about the Earth? He's far more knowledgeable than I am," He countered, fixing the pearls around his neck. She loved accessorizing him with these."She does," The First Lord Hyssop confirmed, nodding his head with an amused smile, "But she feels bad about bothering Charo and I, even though we've both reassured her it's okay." The Celestial walks around him, taking a look out the manor window. "Between me managing two upscale restaurants and a speakeasy, as well as Charo preparing to open his own business, Nephie doesn't really have anyone to talk to and indulge in her curiosities. She hasn't made a whole lot of friends yet either."He thinks over his words, a contemplative expression on his face. He thinks back to when the Tallevasts came to the boarding house, the way Jade-Nephrite so excitedly ran up to him. He recalls the way that while he talked to her, both Charoite and Hyssop were looking at her. Looking at her with fond expressions, like seeing something finally click in place and make sense. He turns back to the Celestial, who's already looking at him. The amused smile is still on Hyssop's face, but it's also fond. Like the way he looked at Jade-Nephrite that day."I'm not trying to influence your opinions or anything, but I just wanted to give you some context," He tells him. Hyssop and Charoite dismiss themselves a few minutes later, leaving him to his thoughts. Essentially, Jade-Nephrite both wanted and needed a friend. And a part of him..relates to that.The following years are actually rather enjoyable after his conversations with his lords and his own realizations. Jade-Nephrite becomes his confidant, and he to her as well. He enjoys showing her his art, bringing her into the experience whenever she requests. He doesn't mind talking about anything and everything whenever she asks him a question. It's through their shared time that he develops a new hobby and interest: scrapbook journaling. It was probably at that moment that he and Jade-Nephrite truly became close.He gets closer to the lords as well. Him and The First Lord Hyssop bond over their shared love for classical music, often playing pieces together as a piano and string duet and frequenting music stores together. The Second Lord Charoite shows him the jewelry he has made and introduces him to metal work, making necklaces and bracelets for them all. He meets the fusion of Jade-Nephrite and Charoite: a delightful being known as Cat's Eye Apatite. Their colors are a mix of purples, blues, and greens, reminding him of peacock feathers.For six years, he services Jade-Nephrite, Hyssop, and Charoite; the beloved Companion of the Tallevasts. For six years, all is well, leading up into the seventh year. And yet...He's coming from helping some of the maids shop for more linens when he hears it. Long, wailing cries, coming from the main foyer. He doesn't hesitate tossing the pile to the nearest maid before bolting into the manner, heart racing against his chest. That's Jade-Nephrite crying in there That's his mistress in despair, in pain."Lady Jade!" He bursts into the foyer, making a beeline for the Xoia. She's sobbing, her hands covering her face and she takes in shaky breaths, voice sounding wet. "My Lady, what's wrong?! Why are you crying?" He's almost in front of her when a hand lands on his shoulder, preventing him from going any further. He immediately turns, taking in the burly man dressed in black..several of them actually, holding..his belongings packed up? "Who are you? What is happening here?""[HIDDEN]," He hears the First Lord Hyssop speak, sullen with a subtle anger brewing in his undertone. He's never heard the Celestial sound this way before. "You've..you'll no longer...be servicing Nephie.."The words pierce his heart like a bullet, as if he'd been shot in the chest. What..what did he mean? what did he mean he'd no longer be servicing Jade-Nephrite?! What-"You'll be servicing me instead," A new voice cuts through, and the burly man step aside to reveal a tall man, walking forward gracefully into the open space. "I bought you from them, or rather..I stole you from them with a huge sum of money," He gives him a calm, almost pleased smile. "You're my Companion now."And so, freshly after turning 24, he's purchased- no, stolen, from the Tallevasts, and now under new ownership. Reminding him once again that before he is human, he is a product. A slave.The man who's now his Master is an Alchemist; a Lord Credence Telluride. Physically, he appeared a similar age to that of The First Lord Hyssop; a man in his late twenties to early thirties. His hair was a dark pink, almost maroon color, similar to a fig fruit. His eyes, however, were what caught his attention. They weren't a glimmering galaxy like Hyssop's, nor were they a vibrant green like Jade-Nephrite's or soothing purple like Charoite's. No, they were an intense, cobalt blue. Dark and deep, like an ocean where what lies beneath the surface is a mystery. They were not cold eyes, no, but they weren't necessarily warm ones either.Already, it's much different than being in service to the Tallevasts.

"..." The auctioneer looks between him and the papers he has given, an expression of doubt on his face. Blackthorn remains quiet, waiting for the man to speak. He’s fresh from his previous Master’s service, so here he is; back for his auto re-entry. The only reason he’s here in person is to update any outdated info.Just by looking at his face, he knows what this man is thinking. It's so easy to see in his expression, his whole demeanor. He clears his throat, his coal colored eyes meeting his own coffee ones. "..27 for a Companion...Don't think many would go for ya, t' be honest," He says, voice hoarse and gravelly. The smell of tobacco lingers in the air the longer his mouth remains open. "More likely t' buy ya as a Laborer. Realize that, right?""I've not been trained as a Laborer," Blackthorn replies, voice low and tone steady. "All my areas of expertise are aligned with Companion skills, which I've been trained in as a child. I was a Companion, twice before," He adds, gesturing to the papers he has given. The auctioneer holds up a hand, silencing him as he sets the papers down."'M aware, but ya noted that the previous Master, The Lord Credence Telluride, has released ya," He counters, pointing to a certain section in his papers. "Weren't sent to a Breedin' Fact'ry either. 'M just sayin', your chances of bein' bought as a Companion are low," A cough follows his words, and Blackthorn can feel the smoker's breath just blowing onto his face. Clearly, the auctioneer’s trying to get him to change his class to Laborer. It makes him want to laugh. Humans are the bottom of the food chain, so why even bother? Selling him as a Companion makes the auction more money anyways. And it all comes down to the money, doesn’t it?"I'll take my chances," His voice is firm, with no room to argue. He levels the auctioneer with an indifferent expression, daring him to challenge him. The air is tense around them, the silence thick, before the other relents, looking away with a rumbly sigh. It makes Blackthorn relax slightly. He knows he's won this battle.The rest of his re-entry and processing is a blur, and before he knows it, he's on his way home. Pulling up the Slave Auction website on his phone, he reloads the page, waiting silently as it does so, before pressing on a button labeled 'New Bids'. And at the top of the list, he sees it. A sense of anxiety briefly overtakes him, but he shakes it off. “Let’s see how it goes this time..” Pocketing his phone, he lets out a soft exhale, and resumes his walk home.

REGISTERED
RACE: HUMAN
SUBSPECIES: COMPANION
NAME: BLACKTHORN ([HIDDEN])

CONNECTIONS

The following individuals may appear as NPCs in Blackthorn's posts through interactions and/or flashbacks.

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species || connection

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