audience: shess

[cyclists]

Comments

[nonbelligerent]

Are you expecting something to kill you?

[cyclists]

I always am. I am a rather old man, after all.

[#justimmortalthings]

Though I cannot name an immediate threat, before I worry you.

[nonbelligerent]

Well, I can understand that.

[...]

That's good to know... though there's still the matter of what Tsurumaru means, in that case.

[cyclists]

... well, the information is rather incomplete.

Perhaps when they are able to accomplish their goals this week, they will be able to decipher more.

[lune will just offer up a smile]

... I assume I do not have to say - but you will refrain from mentioning the possibility of my demise to the young one, correct?

[nonbelligerent]

[he smiles back, grimly.]

You're as cruel as I am, in that regard.

[so that's a yes.]

[cyclists]

I entrust him with a great number of things - and admire him for his own traits and tenacity.

Yet similarly, I do not intend to tell Ookurikara about the possibility if I can help it.

Even so, I shall continue to hope that it does not become relevant.

[but well, lune had hopes before that they'd have ways to end the corruption outside of this - he won't bother to really express that sort of optimism again, this late in the game]

[nonbelligerent]

[...]

You and Ookurikara—and Tsurumaru—are from the same place, I take it.

[cyclists]

Correct.

I cannot say when he was able to discern it -

[that baby is a dumb bitch]

But at the very least, it has made him more amenable to my suggestions.

[nonbelligerent]

... Then I'll hope that he doesn't lose any more allies.

[cyclists]

You and I both. [lune looks over the lily again and smiles] I had nearly sent him one of these on Monday...

He likely would've burnt it beyond recognition.

[so he didn't,,]

So do keep yourself safe.

[nonbelligerent]

... That would've been terrible.

[also why did this come back to shess??]

[cyclists]

The notion behind it is sympathy - though lilies can also possess a number of meanings.

[and a bunch of them would've been fitting?]

Though I cannot say that he would have understood.

[nonbelligerent]

He doesn't seem very interested in flower language.

[cyclists]

Ahaha, perhaps it is his rebellious youth speaking.

[THE AGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM IS JUST A FEW HUNDRED YEARS

AND YET]

Regardless, I believe he is growing more and more responsible the longer I look away from him...

[nonbelligerent]

He'd probably be annoyed to hear you talk about him like that.

[cyclists]

Of course, of course.

He finds me very exhausting.

[but lune thinks it's

so fucking funny]

[nonbelligerent]

He seems to think the same of me, so that's probably why we get along.

[cyclists]

Oh?

[lune raises a brow]

Do you think our camaraderie stems from so simple a thing? Because we are both considered exhausting?

[nonbelligerent]

Well, it's one reason.

[cyclists]

And the others?

[tell him nice things, shess

he wants to be spoiled too]

[1/2]

[nonbelligerent]

[lune why]

[nonbelligerent]

[... but it's the least he can do, so here goes.]

You're composed and thoughtful, you're not caught up in interpersonal drama, and some of your... quirks aside, talking to you puts me at ease.

[cyclists]

[well.

he listens and his expression warms with each word, apparently very pleased indeed to receive compliments in return? he reaches out again gently touch shess' cheek, because for what reason would lune have to think that the effects of the week would happen to him and sol when they've already made eye contact

but as his hand brushes against shess' jaw - there is the memory.

"And that's my duty?" a man dressed in traditional Japanese garb asks.

"Yes," Lune's voice answers - though he does not look away from a pond full of blooming lotus flowers.

"Lord Mikazuki, why are you asking me to do this? With your power, you... could take both of us down with ease."

"Aren't the lotus flowers beautiful?" He asks suddenly, a smile in his voice - though the memory contains no such fond emotion. "Yasuhira, how many times do you think we've admired these flowers together? I've visited this era countless times, I've met with you countless times, and we have admired these flowers countless times. Of course, you don't remember any of this."

"I'm sorry I don't remember....!" Yasuhira exclaims, bowing low even as Mikazuki moves to stand.

"That's what I had said!" he jokes - before allowing himself a moment to laugh. The man in front of him laughs as well.
"Mikazuki."

"Yes?"

"If I fulfill my duty, the country will be safe?"

"Yes.

"That's the fate entrusted to us."

Again - Mikazuki can only say: "Yes."

Yasuhira pauses then, his gaze falling upon the flowers, "What will happen to Hiraizumi in the future?"

"It'll be destroyed. However," Mikazuki finds his sense of dramatics then, exclaiming a bold declaration and raising his voice, "it will be remembered by the people. They will remember the strong warriors of the Gold Capitol. Hiraizumi won't be forgotten for thousands of years to come."

Yasuhira pauses - before nodding. "I will fulfill my duty. Mikazuki, please fulfill yours too."

"... Yes."

"I will kill Lord Yoshitsune. As often as I have to."

Mikazuki bows his head in reverence then, before erupting into a laughter that he does not feel - hearing the irony of a man making such a promise that he will certainly forget.

Yasuhira speaks up again as he reflects, "Lotus flowers are truly beautiful. When I am gone, please offer lotus flowers at my grave."

Mikazuki's mouth finds the shape of a smile - but it does not fit the hollow feeling in his chest, even as he assures his end of the promise, "I will."

The memory ends.]

[nonbelligerent]

[... well, that's a lot. shess wasn't expecting the effects to work on lune either, and yet here they are.

the first thing he notes is the name. mikazuki. he'd been wondering. the second is the implications of what lune—mikazuki—says, and now, he's starting to understand what he was thinking, back when they talked about the importance of memories.

shess is not naive enough to believe mikazuki had a happy backstory. the world is cruel, and his life is long. still, it's sad to see; to feel what he does.]

... Lune. [...] Mikazuki.

[cyclists]

... mm, I do enjoy how my name sounds in your voice.

[once the second of surprise fades - there is only the same smile as ever, though it does not possess the usual warmth. but the tease is perfect, and the timing is the same as always.

his hand retreats back]

Though I do hate behaving - perhaps I ought to, at least for now.