cyclists | audience

[when lea is summoned to the garden, lune is seated on one of the benches within it. the amaryllis sits neatly on a tray, along with a tea pot. there is one full tea cup waiting for lea, as the other one is already in lune's hands.

they sip from it thoughtfully before turning to lea as he approaches.]

Mourning... shyness... pride... It is impressive how many emotions a flower may convey.

But it would be remiss of me to neglect the obvious intent behind this offering.

[thoughtfully, not without concern]

How are you feeling?

[ lea looks up at the sky ]

Better before I realized flowers had so many meanings. [ the answer would seem to be "good enough to joke", but lea lives off in denial even on in his best days. but he comes to settle next to Lune, though he doesn't pick up the tea just yet. ] You guys kinda both got the brunt of it from everyone, huh?

Do you believe so? [thoughtful, musing] Rather.... I believe the young one suffered far greater than I. He is without question doing his best and even so, he feels frustrated with his own ability to communicate or provide the answers he wishes to find...

It weighs heavy on his heart.

[their hood turns to axelea]

And if there is an ire in my direction, it is only deserved.

I am surprised you are not more upset with me. I would not blame you if you wished to act out in anger.

[ Lea seems almost wryly amused at Lune's description of Sol's issues, which is a very weird stance to have. But he only hums a bit. ]

Yeah, Sol does seem like the kinda guy who'd demand answers if he was on the other side of things. No wonder he's beating himself up.

[ he tilts his head at Lune's surprise ]

Ignoring that I'm not sure why you think you'd be more to blame than anyone... why would I do that?

[ . . . hmmm. Lune watches Axel for a moment.]

Indeed. You will care for him along with me, won't you? I believe that he would benefit from your presence.

[they can both take care of babey.

but also,]

Loss is difficult. You may not wear it on your face now... but it is alright if it still rests on your shoulders.

I worry only that you might be hiding it for the sake of others.

Yeah. 'Course I will.

[ there's no hesitation about taking care of babey,

but he immediately waves off Lune's concerns otherwise ]

For others, huh? Nah, that's not me. [ if he hides it for anyone, it's for his own sake, though that's not where he's going with this. ] I'm not hiding anything, but I'm not gonna take it out on other people, either, unless you wanna tell me you put that corruption in her in the first place.

I did not.

[that's incredibly easy to deny and lune does not even hesitate.

but they'll look over to Axel thoughtfully, as if regarding him and his answer, appraising. it's still the blackness of the hood, impossible to tell what they might be thinking.]

... I have seen many go through grief and frustration in my time, lashing out over smaller grievances than the loss experienced here.

Your steadfastness is admirable.

I wouldn't really call it that.

[ which should surprise no one, but he does continue instead of just denying: ]

I've [ what was it lune said? ] carried loss around before, and I can't say I handled it that great back then. But it didn't bring me anywhere. All I did was cause a lot of trouble for a lot of people who didn't deserve it.

Ah... and you have since tried to redeem yourself from your past mistakes. Is that it?

[what with all their talk of retribution... lune thinks that they have some idea of what axel means now.

but still.]

I do not believe that I will rescind my statement. You are growing well, even if I wish that you did not have to be tested this way to begin with.

You an' me both, Lune. [ it's wry ] Pretty sure I can handle it. I already told Sol, I'm gonna figure this whole thing out.

[ that's a whole lotta confidence when he knows sweet, sweet fuck all ]

[well.]

Is that so?

Then I hope you do not mind if I ask you to allow me to lend my assistance where I can.

[idk, lune's pretty for it]

[ he grins ]

I was kind of hoping you'd say that, actually.

Oh?

[they sound a little curious at this, though a smile is evident in their voice]

Have I been tricked?

One hundred percent bamboozled. Now you've agreed to help me out without me even asking for help.

Ah. How deceitful you are.

[well they don't sound that bothered either for some reason]

But friends are meant to help one another, aren't they?

You always have my aid if you desire it.

... Yeah. They are. Thanks. That goes for you too, y'know?

[ but he points at lune after going all dork soft ]

An' next time, I'm gonna have a flower that doesn't have a weird double-meaning. Got it memorized?

No? I rather enjoyed the game.

It was amusing to think that you might be shy to approach me. I haven't had that reaction from someone in some time.

Hey, I didn't say I wouldn't keep sending ya flowers. Just that I'd do some more research first.

[ all of this just flies a million miles over his head ]

But I'm not shy. C'mon, you've met me.

[ stares at the camera like i'm on the office ]

[there's another laugh]

I wonder what I am to do with all these flowers... They would have quite an interesting conversation all together, you know?

They might have quite a bit to say about you in particular.

[ a second of genuine concern: ]

Wait, do these flowers talk?

[ thIS ISN'T WONDERLAND, AXEL ]

[without missing a damn beat]

Indeed. They have a great number of secrets to share if you listen closely.

I kinda feel like I shouldn't be picking talking flowers.

They're rather happy to be chosen, I imagine. What is the purpose of beauty if not to catch the eye of a well-intentioned heart?

[ ....... okay. ]

You didn't mean literally, didja.

[ 😌 ]

It would be quite fun if I did.

week 0, post-execution

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