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"Someone will remember us, I say, even in another time."
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[FILL] at your altar
Major Tags: only slightly implied mcd, it’s open-ended (i think).
Additional Tags: mythology references, magical elements, witch/hunter dynamic, magical manipulation?, unreliable narrator?, unbalanced power dynamics, (slightly dogboy mingyu? if you think along the lines of pavlov’s dogs lol), open/ambiguous?
Permission to remix: Yes
a/n: some gyuhan for ally! this took a life of its own; idk how much sense it makes, but i hope you enjoy! any mistakes are my own and i apologize. wc 1388.
***
This story could have begun one of two ways: the hunter finds the prey, or the hunter becomes the prey.
Mingyu does not care about either of those. For him, the story began when he first saw Jeonghan, standing waist-deep in the river, the current parting around his waist like a billowing skirt. His blond hair sweeps around the globes of his shoulders. Mingyu is rooted, unable to move.
Jeonghan — no, the man. At this point, Mingyu does not yet know his name. He soon will, though, and it will be the only name his mouth will ever worship.
The man turns around. His eyes are green, like the forest around them, like wilderness. In the hollow of his throat rests a crescent moon. Silver bows and arrows drip from his earlobes. When he smiles, Mingyu feels weightless.
“Kim Mingyu,” the man says, voice lilting. “Welcome.”
Dumbly, Mingyu nods. He still can’t move. The man smiles wider, and starts walking up the banks of the river. Instinctively, Mingyu squeezes his eyes shut. The man chuckles.
“Oh darling,” a voice murmurs over his shoulder. Mingyu jumps, eyes flying open. The man comes into view from behind his right shoulder. “You needn’t worry about that.”
He smiles again, indulgent, as though he were looking at a particularly cute child. Secrets shine from his eyes. Mingyu wants to know every single one of them. The man’s eyes warm, as though he knows.
“Come,” the man says, voice like velvet. His hair grazes Mingyu’s cheek as he sweeps by, fully dressed this time. “Aren’t you curious to know more?”
Finally unfrozen, Mingyu scrambles after him. Farther away on the banks of the river, tucked between two large oak trees, is a wooden hut Mingyu hadn’t noticed before. The man walks up the porch and pushes open the door.
“Welcome,” he says again, cryptically, “to your new home.”
Maybe Mingyu should be afraid, but he only follows, unthinkingly, like a compass arrow faithfully following north.
-
Mingyu learns that the man’s name is Jeonghan, and that he’s a witch. He scoffs in response. Something about this blatantly outlandish claim makes him feel more at ease.
“Oh please,” he snickers, sauntering around the space, taking in the jars on the shelves, the mortar and pestle, the wooden table and benches. “Witches don’t exist, do they? What else have you got? A cauldron?
“I’m telling you,” he says, lifting a finger sagely, “I’ve been hunting in this forest my whole life, and I’ve never seen a witch, so—”
He spins around. Jeonghan is a hairbreadth’s distance away from his face. He jerks in shock, takes a step back. Jeonghan’s mouth tilts up.
“Oh really,” Jeonghan says. There’s something taunting in his voice. “Watch, then.”
A flick of his wrist, and a thin knife materializes between his long fingers. Mingyu’s eyes widen, fixed on the thin blade. Jeonghan looks smug. The expression is horridly elegant on his face.
In an effort to calm himself, Mingyu laughs through his nose. “Sleight of hand,” he dismisses, walking around the table, attempting nonchalance, sliding onto a wooden bench. “Anybody who practices enough could do that. You had it up your sleeve, didn’t you?”
Jeonghan smiles. His teeth gleam, catching on the sunlight through the window panes. There’s a sliver of danger in it. Between one blink and the next, he vanishes, and Mingyu feels the silver kiss of a blade at his throat.
“Oh really,” he says again, behind Mingyu this time. There’s laughter in his voice. “Do you want to see what else I’ve got up my sleeve then?”
Mingyu goes rigidly, sudden adrenaline coursing through his veins. Jeonghan’s face becomes visible in his periphery. He’s smiling still, horrifically beautiful. His hair is golden in the sunlight.
“Ignorance is not always bliss, my darling,” Jeonghan whispers, and the blade digs in harder. Mingyu flinches involuntarily, eyes squeezed shut. Jeonghan laughs softly, breath tickling Mingyu’s cheek. “I could do so much to you, and no one would know, hm?”
Mingyu trembles. His breath quivers between his lips. The blade breaks skin. Mingyu feels the sting like a shock of lightning, his eyes flying open. Blood trickles down his neck, hot and thick. Jeonghan’s eyes flick down.
“Would you?” Mingyu rasps, voice hoarse. All of his earlier bravado has morphed into something else, something that burns low in his gut. Interest and surprise flicker in Jeonghan’s eyes.
“Fascinating,” Jeonghan says, lifting the knife from Mingyu’s neck. “I’ve never met one that submits so easily.” He flicks the blade to the side, and reaches a finger to collect the blood from Mingyu’s neck. The red gleams like a ruby shard on his finger. Whatever he sees in Mingyu’s blood, it makes Jeonghan smile.
“I think I might keep you.” With that, Jeonghan’s knees hit the floor. A warm cloth materializes, and he cleans the cut he just made with dizzying tenderness. Mingyu doesn’t know what he’s supposed to think.
“Don’t,” Jeonghan murmurs, standing up, a finger trailing Mingyu’s jaw. “Don’t think.”
Mingyu flinches, eyes finding Jeonghan’s. Violation, he thinks. Jeonghan laughs.
“Darling, you’ve already given yourself to me,” he says, delighted. “Every part of you is mine. There is no violation.”
“Sleep.”
Mingyu does.
-
Kim Mingyu wakes up in love with Yoon Jeonghan.
He’s in a bed, quilt embroidered with flowers thrown over his figure. There’s sunlight through a window above the bedside table to his left. He feels pleasantly drowsy.
“You’re awake,” a voice says to his right. Mingyu rolls over and comes face to face with Jeonghan, who smiles at him warmly. Mingyu melts against him. This is right, he thinks. This is where I should be. This is home.
“That’s right.” Jeonghan’s voice is soothing. His smile is as bright as the morning sun. His eyes are emerald shards. “You love me.”
“I love you.” Jeonghan’s hand curls around his nape and squeezes. Mingyu goes boneless and weightless, like he’s on the moon. Over the moon.
Lips kiss his forehead. Mingyu’s eyes sliver open to see the crescent moon charm, dangling from the altar of Jeonghan’s throat, swaying in front of his face. Jeonghan’s voice is lilting when he says: “I love you too.”
-
Mingyu gets to love him for another year. During it, he does work around the house for Jeonghan, prepping ingredients, mixing oils, foraging plants, occasionally hunting game. Each time he does well, Jeonghan will award him with a kiss, and then he’ll walk away, never to linger, and Mingyu will follow, an arrow pointing loyally north, until he’s given a new set of instructions, and a new kiss to be earned.
Sometimes Jeonghan lets him try one of his mixtures, fragrant and fresh. They always make something bloom in his chest.
“How do you feel?” Jeonghan will ask, pushing back his hair, something like fondness in his gaze.
“Like I love you,” Mingyu will reply, semi-automatically, because that gets him the beaming smile and the kiss, and nothing else pleases him more.
“My best guinea pig,” Jeonghan will chuckle, and Mingyu will laugh with him. Anything Jeonghan finds funny, so does he.
-
The year goes by like that. One day, Jeonghan sits him down after giving him a dose of a mixture he’d been working on.
“Mingyu-yah,” he says, hands cupping Mingyu’s face, “how much do you love me?”
“To the moon and back,” Mingyu answers automatically, waiting for the kiss that’s supposed to follow.
The kiss doesn’t follow. Instead, Jeonghan’s thumb brushes over his lips gently, like he’s something precious. His eyes are soft.
“Would you die for me?” Jeonghan asks, his face open, the moon dripping from his throat. His bow and arrow earrings swing gently, glinting in the waning afternoon sun.
“Of course,” Mingyu replies, confused, still waiting for the kiss. “I’d do anything.”
“Excellent,” Jeonghan says. “Wonderful, Mingyu-yah.”
He finally kisses Mingyu, roughly, passionately. Mingyu burns in it.
Jeonghan’s hands slide down the column of his neck, trace around his adam’s apple. His thumbs dig in lightly.
When he pulls back, his lips are blood red and bruised. He’s grinning. Mingyu feels dizzy at the sight.
“Thank you,” Jeonghan whispers, hands tightening. “Sleep.”
Mingyu sleeps.
This story may begin two ways, but it can only end in one: the hunter becomes the prey. After all, the goddess Artemis takes them all.
Re: [FILL] at your altar
and your prose!! I could scream about every line but some that truly gave me goosebumps:
- At this point, Mingyu does not yet know his name. He soon will, though, and it will be the only name his mouth will ever worship.
HELLO??!?!?!?!? OH MY GOD
- When he smiles, Mingyu feels weightless.
HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME
- He’s smiling still, horrifically beautiful.
HORRIFICALLY BEAUTIFUL THAT'S SOOOO GOOOOOD
- Kim Mingyu wakes up in love with Yoon Jeonghan.
full. body. shiver.
- Mingyu’s eyes sliver open to see the crescent moon charm, dangling from the altar of Jeonghan’s throat, swaying in front of his face.
This moment is so evocative and cinematic I can SEE it, I can see the crescent moon charm, and also "altar of Jeonghan's throat" are you INSANE how can you just say WORDS LIKE THESE
and then the last line, circling back to the opening...... LITERALLY I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS this is beautiful thank you for this gift!!!!!!
Re: [FILL] at your altar
[REMIX] break my heart for what breaks yours
Major Tags: Many Character Deaths, animal hunting + butchering
Additional Tags: same AU same tags + unrequited love conga line
Permission to remix: Yes
You said it was an open ending but when I read it there was only one ending and it went like this (2.2k):
***Mingyu is in love with Jeonghan. He’s in love with Jeonghan’s blond hair and smooth skin and bright eyes and red lips that pepper kisses on his forehead. Mingyu will go to the moon and back for him, and if Jeonghan asked, Mingyu would lay down and die for him.
Home is with Jeonghan, and Jeonghan knows best. He feeds Mingyu the best vegetables from his garden and always gives him the first taste of his latest brew. He cares about what Mingyu thinks about his creations, and Mingyu is only too glad to savour every drink and ponder over each feeling that blooms in his chest.
One day Jeonghan crosses his legs and beckons with his fingers. Mingyu strides over and drops to one knee.
“How may I help?”
Jeonghan smiles, “What’s for dinner Mingyu?”
Mingyu pauses, he was going to prepare the usual, “Stew and sourdough — was there something you had in mind?”
“It’s lacking a little substance,” Jeonghan hums, “Some meat perhaps. I am in the mood for rabbit.”
“Rabbit?” Mingyu blinks, “We don’t have rabbit.”
“Ahh, you’re so silly,” Jeonghan pokes him in the shoulder, “Mingyu, there are rabbits in the forest. And you’re good with a knife aren’t you?”
And Mingyu indeed, feels very silly and stupid. He is very good with a knife. He’s also very good with bows and arrows and other martial weapons. He’ll hunt down a rabbit for Jeonghan for dinner.
The meat is simmering in the vegetable stock, and Mingyu can still hear the frantic squeals ringing in his ears. He had found rabbit tracks by the river and followed the trail into the forest. Had spied a pair in the undergrowth and stalked the animal until he had a clear shot.
His first arrow pierced one in the leg and it released a shrieking cry, scampering away with a leg that sprayed blood across the soil. The other rabbit jumped and bolted, but immediately returned, running in desperate circles.
When Mingyu stood before them, the healthy rabbit did not move, and stood stoic over its collapsed partner. It stared up at Mingyu, and it’s clear, round eyes seemed to say, I will not let them die alone. Or perhaps it was —
I cannot live without them.
Whatever it was, Mingyu felt like it was a look he understood. From human to animal, empathy passed.
When Mingyu broke their necks and silenced the forest, all he could think about was Jeonghan’s happy smile and soft kisses.
The squeals rang in his ears as he skinned the carcass, blood running down his arms. It rang as he scraped the meat off the bone and cracked the joints into the broth. The sound continued to ring until Jeonghan bent over his shoulder, soft hair tickling Mingyu’s cheek, nose sniffing.
“That smells delicious! I can’t wait.” Jeonghan’s fingers ruffled Mingyu’s hair, “You did so well, just as I expected.”
Mingyu’s heart bloomed with pride. The noise cleared from his mind and he felt satisfied, accomplished, beloved.
After dinner, Jeonghan moved his chair so that he was next to Mingyu. Mingyu’s skin burned where their knees touched and he yearned to move even closer, so that he could feel more of Jeonghan against himself.
Jeonghan smiled and Mingyu watched the movement of those lips, wishing that he could feel their touch.
“There’s something important I want you to do for me,” Jeonghan tilts his head, “It’s a bit complicated but I can trust you, can’t I?”
“Yes, anything,” Mingyu replied immediately, back straight and ears open, eager to please.
Jeonghan’s eyes glittered.
“Mingyu? Is that you? Kim Mingyu?” a voice echoed across the courtyard, “Yah! Mingyu, where have you been, the whole palace has been looking for you—”
“Oh thank the gods, wait until —”
“Someone go and tell —”
There’s a flurry of movement all at once. Someone runs away, someone runs towards him and Mingyu is knocked back when a man barrels into him with open arms.
“You came back!” the man yelled into his ear, “Where were you.”
“I’m back,” Mingyu says, his mind supplies a name, “Seokmin.”
Seokmin lets out a choked sob and buries his face in Mingyu’s shoulder, “I was so worried, you just left and never came back and we weren’t sure if something happened to you or if you went over to the other side or if you were stuck somewhere waiting for us to —”
“Hey hey,” Mingyu pats Seokmin’s back, the motion comes easily to him, he wants to bend down and rub their foreheads together, the action feels halfway between a memory and a habit, like a play well-rehearsed. So he does exactly that and Seokmin’s mouth wobbles further.
“I’m here now, aren’t I?” Mingyu comforts, “How about you walk me to my room and we can catch up later?”
“What were you doing for a whole year?” Seokmin asks, “Oh, you’ll have to tell —”
“Later,” Mingyu says, rubbing Seokmin’s shoulder “Later.”
Mingyu knows why he’s here and he knows Jeonghan knows best but still, it hurts to be away from him for so long. He knows he must be patient but he can only think about Jeonghan’s smile, waiting for him after it all.
“You absolutely can’t remember anything?” a voice came from beside him. Mingyu looked over, it’s one of the court dancers, Minghao. Something in his chest flutters, like a warm breeze, but then his mind whirls back to Jeonghan, Jeonghan.
“Not much,” Mingyu lies, “I get flashes here and there, but it just feels out of reach. But I feel fine, just like my old self”
Minghao looked at him sideways, “You’re different though, to before.”
Before? What does Minghao mean, by before?.
Minghao continues, “Maybe you should visit the priests though, just in case. This doesn’t feel natural, maybe it’s something the gods have done.”
“Why are you here?” Mingyu asks, cutting through the conversation. He has something to do.
Minghao’s eyebrows furrow briefly, almost a wince. But his face smooths over again, “His highness will see you now, if you may.” Minghao steps aside, sweeping an arm out toward the open door.
Mingyu nods his head, “after you.”
“Kim Mingyu, in the flesh.”
“Seungcheol,” Mingyu breathes out. It’s Choi Seungcheol, his liege, his commander. If Minghao made his heart warm, Seungcheol sets it on fire. Mingyu wants to smile, he wants to leap forwards and capture him in a hug.
You can, a voice whispers, I allow you to.
Mingyu runs forward and Seungcheol meets him halfway. Mingyu squeezes so tightly he feels his back strain and his ribs tense. Seungcheol's hand cups the nape of his neck and Mingyu feels grounded, comforted, real.
"I'm so glad to see you," Seungcheol whispers, "When you disappeared without a word, I didn't know what to think."
Mingyu steps back, "I'm sorry, I know. There's a long story." His hand moves to the jug tied to his waist, “We should sit down."
“What is that?”
“Can’t come home without bearing gifts, you know me,” Mingyu grins, “Spiced wine from a trader’s fair in the south. Almost had to trade my horse but luckily the merchant accepted leather.”
Seungcheol laughs, guiding Mingyu to a seat, “So that’s where your armour went?”
Mingyu scratches his head sheepishly as he sets out two goblets on the table between them, unstopping the wine and pouring them two generous servings, “they were old anyway, I’ll get new ones refitted tomorrow. But first, let’s toast.”
“I know you, and you know me well,” Seungcheol grabs a goblet and raises it to the ceiling, “to your return, Mingyu, and to the damn-good story you’re going to tell me.”
“You better down the drink Seungcheol,” Mingyu picks up his own goblet, “Slow drinkers ride slow horses.”
Seungcheol scoffs with a smile, but they click their drinks and as Seungcheol moves the cup, he throws a wink at Mingyu over the rim and then he's throwing his head back in the way Mingyu knows so well.
As Seungcheol gulps down the wine, Mingyu watches, watches as the peak of his throat bob with every swallow. Good, very good. The wine is sweet and tart on his tongue but all Mingyu can taste is Jeonghan's kiss, Jeonghan's smile.
Seungcheol finishes his drink first with a satisfied smack, "Bloody fine wine this is, pour me another and get started on your story."
"Perhaps I would be better suited to tell it," a lilting voice carried from the window.
Seungcheol spins around "Who -"
It’s Jeonghan, elegant and backlight by the moon. He steps forward and floats to the floor, his wispy robes fluttering around him like a thousand butterfly wings.
"Remember me, Cheollie."
"Jeonghan," Seungcheol gasps, his hand bolts to the sword by his side, legs already in a battle stance. "GUARDS," he bellows.
"Oh, they won't be coming," Jeonghan states, "no one will."
"What?" Seungcheol exclaims, "Why - what did you do."
"I didn't do anything," Jeonghan strides forward until he was next to Mingyu, "It was all Mingyu, wasn't it."
"Yes Jeonghan," Mingyu answers. He had done what Jeonghan wanted him to, and poured the contents of certain vials into the palace drinking wells. It was very hard! He had to find it in the dark.
"Good boy," Jeonghan purrs, "Well done."
Mingyu's heart soars. He's a good boy, Jeonghan said so! The time spent apart was worth it because Jeonghan is happy with him.
"What did you do to my people Jeonghan," Seungcheol hisses, "What did you do to Mingyu."
"Your people," Jeonghan scoffs, "You should ask instead, what I have gained. Your people are my people now. I have an army that will die for me."
"You can not force my men to bend to your nefarious will."
"There's no forcing around here, isn't that right, Mingyu?"
Mingyu nods earnestly. Jeonghan is always right. But he’s getting confused with all this back and forth. What was done to him?
“How do you feel?” Jeonghan asks him, fingers curling through his hair.
“Like I love you,” Mingyu replies — and like all the times before, this gives him a beaming smile and a kiss. Except this time Jeonghan’s head does not turn when he kisses Mingyu’s forehead. His eyes are on Seungcheol.
"I am very kind," Jeonghan says, "you will find this is an army that loves me. They will gladly do what I say, and servitude will be the source of their own contentment."
"There is no honour in your methods," Seungcheol spits out, "I am the only one you want, there is no need to involve my men. What happened on Aeaea was only between us.”
“No need,” Jeonghan threw his head back and laughed, “When you sailed after making so many sweet promises? No need to involve your men? What is yours will be mine.”
“I did not promise you anything beyond what was already in the past,” Seungcheol says, “I was never yours Jeonghan.”
Jeonghan strides forwards, “You will be mine, Seungcheol. In fact, you already are.”
“No,” Seungcheol looks at the jug on the table, the empty goblet. Mingyu sees the moment Seungcheol’s eyes change, harden.
“Yes,” Jeonghan raises his hand towards Seungcheol, “Come to me, Cheollie.”
Seungcheol is still, and then slowly, he takes a step towards Jeonghan.
“Yes!” Jeonghan exclaims, “You love me now.”
Mingyu can hear the glee in Jeonghan’s voice. But there’s another voice inside him, one that says no, no. And deeper then, is another voice, one he can not hear.
“I … love…you,” Seungcheol drawls, shuffling towards Jeonghan.
No. Mingyu knows Seungcheol.
No. Mingyu loves Jeonghan.
And Mingyu said that he would —
Mingyu starts bolting across the room before anyone moves. He is behind Jeonghan just as Seungcheol moves his hand and he is pushing Jeonghan away just as Seungcheol brings the dagger up and deep into his chest.
Seungcheol’s beautiful eyes widen, “No. Mingyu, no!” His hand jolt open and he grabs Mingyu’s shoulders, “No no no, Mingyu, not you.”
Strange, Mingyu does not feel pain. But he does feel sleepy. His knees buckle and he feels an arm curl around his back.
Seungcheol whips to Jeonghan, “Save him.”
Jeonghan sounds stunned, “Impossible, I saw you drink. That was my strongest concoction.”
“Save him, Hannie, damn it!”
“I can’t,” Jeonghan stammers, “I don’t, I never —”
Mingyu is gently lowered down to the floor. His eyes are heavy so he closes them. He can hear Seungcheol’s foot stomping and Jeonghan’s choked gasp.
“Cheollie - please,” Jeonghan wheezes, “You love me, don’t you?”
“I did, once,” Seungcheol’s voice is hard, “I do not now. Love potions and erotic spells won’t work on a child of Aphrodite.”
Jeonghan sucks in a breath, “No. Back on Aenea —”
“I’m sorry, I could not tell you. It was my curse.”
“For me to fall in love with you?” Jeonghan laughs, “Was any of Aenea real?”
“That’s why I left,” Seungcheol says sadly, “It was not fair.”
“You loved me though?”
“I loved you,” Seungcheol affirms, “So I will make this painless.”
Mingyu hears the swish of a sword, and the soft crumble of a body. He feels the floor vibrate under his fingers and he wants to reach out, to feel a touch, the warm press of soft lips, the curve of a smile ready to spill praise. But Mingyu is so, so tired.
The last thing he feels are lips on his forehead, and then, he sinks into silence and darkness.
Re: [REMIX] break my heart for what breaks yours
SEUNGCHEOL CHILD OF APHRODITE. i love how you took the implication that jeonghan had snared multiple others before and ran with it and seungcheol and this whole twist was the result. so cool. op your brain! also, i’m curious: what happened on Aeaea? any connection to circe and odysseus?
also the repetition of “jeonghan knows best” (*sings mother knows best under my breath*) and the hints of dogboyisms re: He had done what Jeonghan wanted him to, and poured the contents of certain vials into the palace drinking wells. It was very hard! He had to find it in the dark. this made me chuckle haha.
and the final twist!!! i had to reread it several times before my brain caught up. did mingyu do it on his own or did jeonghan make him! also this: Seungcheol whips to Jeonghan, “Save him.” / Jeonghan sounds stunned, “Impossible, I saw you drink. That was my strongest concoction.” it’s interesting how sc’s demand was that jeonghan save mg, but jh’s first response was that it’s impossible sc wasn’t under his spell, implying that mg was never his first priority. so cold and godlike. AHHH. op thank u so much for this remix. it’s brilliant and you’ve added so many layers to this plot and world!!
Re: [REMIX] break my heart for what breaks yours
yes aeaea!! I wanted to drop a location bc I love that trope ("just like budapest") and I wanted that connection to circe because witch x hero parallels to jeonghan x seungcheol. In my head it was a similar story, witch falls in love with hero, tries to get him to stay until hero realises he has a true love back home. but the situation with jeongcheol is complicated by the fact Seungcheol is cursed as a child of aphrodite (mini helen) and jeonghan's own love may not have been 100% genuine, ahhh, I had thoughts but left it ambiguous because it's fun thinking of ways to fill the gaps painfully :')
I LOVED the pov of bewitched dogboy Mingyu, that was also so fun to write and came so easily. happy 17hols <3
Re: [REMIX] break my heart for what breaks yours
It is so cool how you handled the remix - it felt like layering, with the addition of seungcheol + references to whole other lives and stories that complement the original plot and characters. You both did such a great job with the fantasy world-building. Mingyu looked over, it’s one of the court dancers, Minghao. Something in his chest flutters, like a warm breeze, but then his mind whirls back to Jeonghan, Jeonghan. you know this made me go bananas hahahah. A hint of gyuhao which might've once been possible but has since been smothered by jeonghan's meddling triangulation crimes? DELICIOUS. The allusions to a Circe-esque jeongcheol backstory are super enticing too... selfishly I am hoping there are more and more remixes in this universe. Entranced!Mingyu's POV was one of my favorite parts. It's so jarring to feel his detachment toward his previous life... also of course Mingyu's heart soars. He's a good boy, Jeonghan said so! The puppy-isms!! Yes!!
Excited always to read your writing. Thank you for sharing this!!
Re: [FILL] at your altar