audience: cinnabar

[cyclists]

Comments

week 0, post-trial

[cyclists]

[what's up cinnabar - it's dark again by the time that lune is able to respond to the lantern, but they seem to be hanging out in the garden, admiring different flowers. when they approach, lune will turn toward them, a gentle smile in their voice]

I had thought you did not wish to speak with anyone more than you had to.

To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?

[globs]

Did you do this?

[ this is how they're starting this conversation, evidently - with a blunt question devoid of context. They stomp over towards Lune, no longer worried about causing harm with their poison. ]

[cyclists]

[look, they had a lot of time to watch during the trial while everything was Happening]

Are you referring to the removal of your ability to harm others outside of your control?

[globs]

Of course I am! How -- how did you do that? No... [ that's not what they should ask. ] Is this - permanent? Can you make all of it go away?

[ the words fall out of their mouth before they can stop them - before they're sure if that's what they want. Without the poison, they'd just be a regular gem - one with a hardness of 2.0, perfectly useless, just when they'd found purpose. Their heart is so full of conflict; the mercury still tailing them in the air shakes and spikes in tempo with their aggravation. ]

[cyclists]

[that sure is a lot of questions, and when they speak, it's in the same, calm measured tone even as they regard Cinnabar thoughtfully]

One at a time - if it is answers that you seek, then I shall assist in helping you find them.

But first, you ought to know that the young one and I had no control over who was brought here, or how. We made no conscious decision to nullify you of your poisonous properties.

[ . . . ]

Do you wish for it to go away permanently?

week 1, post-trial

[cyclists]

[so uhhhh those pieces of crystal are pretty concerning.

but lune will actually be the one to come to cinnabar today. they’ll be able to watch the lantern float down, and then there will be the sound of footsteps approaching once it’s out of sight. lune will be gently holding the crystal piece in their hand, and there is a note of concern in their voice]

You called?

[globs]

Give me better glue.

[ very polite, Cinnabar. They speak as they get back up to their feet, picking up their arm with their remaining hand. ]

The kind in that house full of clothes doesn't work.

[cyclists]

[oh.

there's a pause at that]

... You feel no pain from this? Could you describe what type of adhesive would be best?

[lune just sounds. so apprehensive and even lightly concerned - it's a bit of a departure from their usual flightiness]

[globs]

[ they shake their head. ]

Not anymore. When it happens, it's a little uncomfortable. But we don't feel pain like animals do.

[ that's what Sensei said, anyway, and Cinnabar's observations of insect life seem to confirm it. ]

It needs to be stronger than this. Strong enough to hold stone together... At home, we make it ourselves from the sap of the trees in the Yellow Forest. I don't know the details, though.

[ that's not their job, collecting and making that stuff - they'd just ruin it if they touched it. Like everything else. ]

week 2, saturday

[cyclists]

[how does a moonlit stroll sound, cinnabar.

because here's lune waiting at the entrance of the water area, with the kelp - though it rests over a rather nicely embroidered handkerchief for the time being instead of being held immediately in lune's hand]

Shall we take a walk?

Re: week 2, saturday

[globs]

[ they do moonlit strolls every NIGHT baby.

They only gave him seaweed because they're under the impression they need to give presents. They're just really bad at it... And they look kind of surprised to see he actually has it in his hands. Huh.

But at the offer of a walk, they sigh, tired from the day's events already. ]

I need you to give me more powder.

[ sure, maybe they look pretty like this, all shiny and vermilion red, but it makes everyone stare at them and that is way too embarrassing. ]

[cyclists]

Oh? The one that you wore before you entered the ocean, correct?

[though lune at least knows more about powder than adhesives]

You are not fond of this appearance? I think it quite lovely.

[though they're mostly just curious about cinnabar's answer]

[globs]

[ the COMPLIMENTS. They choke a little bit. Predictable... ]

T-that's not it. It's just normal for us to wear it.

[ they never stopped doing it - there's something comforting about the sense of belonging it brings. Matching all the other gems, and matching Kongou-sensei. ]

... Besides, I stand out too much like this.

week 3, friday

[cyclists]

[as cinnabar approaches the sakura tree, lune will be seated beneath it on a bench that may or may not have existed there before!

lune will gesture for them to sit on the other end]

To what do I owe the pleasure?

[globs]

[ they don't sit down on it..... no surprise there. Instead, they stand a little distance away, looking as standoffish as always. ]

I need you to tell me something. Advice. Are you a human?

[cyclists]

... that is something I wonder, now and again. I do not consider myself entirely human, but I also do not consider myself something entirely apart from them either.

[a tilt of their head]

But if there is any way that I may assist you, I will.

[globs]

[ what a non-answer. Cinnabar makes a bit of a face, but they let it go. There's something else pressing on their mind. Lune must at least know humans better than they do, even if he isn't one. ]

Tell me what humans like.

[ ??? ]

week 5, friday

[cyclists]

[lune keeps getting these incredibly concerning parts of cinnabar

but they'll be seated underneath the sakura tree after everyone's dispersed, sipping tea. the piece of cinnabar's face rests beside them, along with an additional white chrysanthemum.

when cinnabar approaches, lune turns toward them]

Do you require more adhesive?

[globs]

[ their gaze is flat and sunken as they approach, and they don't even answer his question or pay any attention to the fragment of their face. ]

I want you to get rid of me.

[cyclists]

[if lune is surprised - it unfortunately does not show from beneath their hood.]

... if you would, please sit with me a moment.

[and they'll gesture to the space on the blanket beneath the tree]

[globs]

[ Cinnabar doesn't move to take the spot; their shoulders stiffen, their mouth a thin line of displeasure cutting through the red fracture splitting their expression. ]

I didn't come here to debate this with you. It's my fault that Lili -- died. I killed a person. If you don't do it now, I'll make the others do it tomorrow...

week 5, post-execution

[cyclists]

[it's some time after cinnabar sends the offering, some time after execution, that they'll finally get the inclination that they ought to head toward the sakura tree. lune sits beneath it, sipping tea and seeming to just gaze out onto the horizon

though when cinnabar approaches, they'll hold their open palm out to them - where they're holding onto the flower petal]

Did he like them?

[globs]

... He accepted it.

[ Did he like the flowers specifically, or was he just feeling validated that Cinnabar gave him something? He'd probably be happy if they gave him a piece of lint. That's the feeling they got, anyway. They'll never know now.

As ever, Cinnabar doesn't sit with him. They stay standing some distance away. ]

Give me advice. Your game's put one of my friends in mourning. How do I help him?

[cyclists]

Hm....

If your question is regarding Shess -

He has yet to come see me either.

[which is something, apparently, since lune sounds gently surprised over it]

Or is it another?

[globs]

[ they do appear briefly embarrassed that Lune guessed so quickly... then again, who else could it be? They fold their arms, haughty. ]

Like I care if he's seen you or not... That's got nothing to do with me.