audience: shess

[cyclists]

Comments

[cyclists]

... all beings and objects are meant to break one day. It is a fact that is unavoidable.

However that does not mean that loss does not come without a price, and even if you wish to suppress the swell of emotion, that you are always successful.

[which is what lune assumes shess has been trying to do on his own]

Do you think you will be able to move on well like this?

[nonbelligerent]

You say that as if this experience is new to me at all.

[cyclists]

I do not presume that it is.

[it's not like lune is a stranger to it either but - ]

However I do not believe that repetition would naturally make the experience easier.

[nonbelligerent]

[...

he just smiles at that.]

Perhaps. But the world doesn't care about what's "easy".

[cyclists]

It does not. For all the beauty, there is certainly a lifetime of cruelty as well.

[ . . . but he turns toward to shess anyway]

And yet... I care. For you, and your peace of mind.

[nonbelligerent]

... I'm aware.

[cyclists]

... you do not need to speak or unfurl your emotions, if you do not wish to. If you truly think it would be better for you to keep it all to yourself, I will not force your hand.

[mikazuki will take a moment to sip his tea, thinking on what else to say - ]

But if there is anything I can do to alleviate the weight on your shoulders, or to help you feel less burdened - I hope that you feel comfortable enough to ask.

[nonbelligerent]

[... isn't it funny, how different people can be?

compared to being told to shut up and stop crying, or being constantly aware that any happiness he might build for himself, his clanmates can tear it apart the moment it becomes inconvenient to them, this is...]

Surely you're getting tired of having everyone unload their woes on you? There's no shortage of people with problems here, after all.

[cyclists]

[there is a soft laugh at that]

I do not know if I am in a position where I am allowed to grow tired. If I am to share in your other moments, when you delight in new discoveries, or to bear witness to your frustrations... I do not see a reason to abandon you in the difficult times.

And more personally... for a large portion of my history, I was unable to help those dear to me even when I wished to.

I suppose you could say I do not plan to remain a bystander any longer.

[nonbelligerent]

[... damn it.]

That's an unfair card to play.

[cyclists]

Ahaha - I had not intended for there to be a card, or a game.

[the worst part is that he sounds sincere]

I merely wished to express to you the reason behind my persistence, I suppose. It is not out of obligation for my role, or part of my responsibilities.

I just believe I told you once before that if you ever wished for an ear, or for someone to listen to how you feel, I am here.

[nonbelligerent]

... I'm aware.

But I think that eventually, I'd become spoiled by that kindness.

[cyclists]

[there is a raise of lune's eyebrow at that]

Oh?

And would that be such an unfortunate thing? I am rather sure that you deserve to be spoiled.

[nonbelligerent]

... Not everyone would agree with that.

[cyclists]

Oh? Then I wonder if I might be able to engage the dissenters in a discussion on the matter.

['discussion' probably more like a very polite debate but

lune will regardless reach out to gently cup shess' cheek in his hand - it's a brief touch and he doesn't linger. it's not the same way that he likes to tease axel, just to see his reaction, but just trying to ease shess into looking at him. a kind gesture and an briefly affectionate touch]

Even so, it is only you and I now, my friend.

[nonbelligerent]

[...

shess smiles lightly, though it's tinged with something wistful.]

Our time here is fleeting. Assuming things go well, we will all return to our respective places, sooner or later.

[cyclists]

Certainly so. I have a duty to answer, as do each of you. Even when I agreed to my place here, I hadn't intended for it to be forever.

[even if it's hard to think about forever in general

that said - ]

Though do you not believe that we will meet again?

[nonbelligerent]

Who can say? You would perhaps know better about the likelihood than I do.

[cyclists]

I have no reason to think it impossible.

And even if I did - I have grown rather fond of surprises.

[lune's smile grows a bit wider, though not without a hint of nostalgia]

At the very least, I hope that these troubles times are not the only ones we get with one another.

I would very much like to meet you again.

[nonbelligerent]

[so what i'm getting from this is that mikatsuru is real?]

... Well, as long as my world remains standing, I ultimately have all the time to wait.

Though it'd probably be better for you to catch me in the human realm, rather than the sura realm.

[cyclists]

I am rather fond of humans - though admittedly speaking to you has made me curious about the sura as well.

[but given the fact that lune isn't always fond of doing as told and obeying the rules, he can recognize that he is perhaps less suited to the sura realm.

it's a bit odd, to think that as a sword.

regardless - ]

Do you think you will be able to be more honest with me then?

[he's noticed that the conversation has drifted further and further away from talking about shess' feelings]

[nonbelligerent]

[can't blame him for trying.]

... No. I'd probably be less honest.

[cyclists]

Oh?

[lune can't help but look a bit amused - ]

Something will stay your tongue, I take it?

[nonbelligerent]

When you know what your position is, it's often better not to say what you really think.

[cyclists]

You certainly carry a burden with you wherever you go.

[lune can't say that he sounds too happy about it, even though he also supposes he understands]

And you still do not deign to tell me what you think now?