audience: cinnabar

[cyclists]

Comments

[globs]

[ They don't move away from his hand when he approaches and holds out the fragment of their face, their eyes simply following the movement. Maybe they're too tired. Or maybe they want someone to comfort them - maybe they don't want to be alone, and even Lune's company is enough. ]

You barely know me.

[cyclists]

[that manages to pull a soft laugh]

Though hardly from a lack of attempt, I assure you.

[lune's been doing their best to comply with the things that cinnabar asks of them, at least]

Even so, I see that I have been falling short of your expectations. I will continue to try.

[globs]

[ they're silent for a few seconds. The droplets of mercury on their face slip down their cheeks, joining together at their chin into a silver ball that falls to the ground. ]

... You shouldn't bother.

[ their voice is a sigh. ]

I'm sure I'll be gone soon. Someone will destroy me - or maybe I'll actually leave this place. You'll have wasted your efforts.

[cyclists]

All beings are meant to meet their end one day. That should not come as a surprise to either of us.

[it's not the same way that a human cries and lune knows that, but it feels like the gesture might be more important than the practicality of it. their free hand is gentle as they try to brush away some of the mercury that gathers by cinnabar's eyes]

However I am of the opinion that just because relationships are fleeting, that does not mean that they are not worth the effort.

I intend to carry every memory with me, until I too will meet my demise.

[globs]

[ their whole body still tenses up at any contact, like a wild animal, but they don't have the strength of will to bother slapping his hands away. Too many other things are on their mind - and if Lune wants to dirty his hands touching their poison, they don't care. Let him. He's not their friend. Their red eyes stare back at him, simultaneously wary and yielding. ]

You'll suffer.

[cyclists]

[somehow, despite everything, that manages to get a smile to curl beneath their hood. it is not particularly soft, but it does sound the slightest bit wry when they speak again]

I am hardly a stranger to suffering.

To suffer only means that there is something that your heart holds dear.

[globs]

Don't talk like I don't already know that.

[ they're tired of suffering. This is just another way of looking for escape. ]

[cyclists]

... even if you do, it seems as though you regret finding that happiness in the first place.

[globs]

... I'm tired.

[ but by now, they sound more melancholy than panicked, at least. ]

[cyclists]

Tired of the monotony of suffering?

[globs]

Tired of waiting for it to end.

[ so, yes. Their head droops. ]

[cyclists]

And have you only suffered in the time that you were brought here? Or was the kindness that you received too little?

[globs]

[ that makes their hackles rise a little. ]

Is the kindness of one or two people enough to make up for watching so many others die? Including one of the kind ones? Including one that was partially because of me? Maybe for you. Don't act like I'm "ungrateful" when there's so much more misery than anything else.

[cyclists]

My questions were sincere - it is easy for even the most sincere warmth to be drowned out amidst a harsh winter.

[it's not like lune is in the habit of judging]

It is not easy for anyone to be in this situation, and I do not mean to suggest that it is something to be grateful for. Even so, the paths in front of you are to persist and to hold onto the moments that you find dear, or to be resigned.

I hope that you will be able to find your footing for the former.

[globs]

If trying to persist and hold onto the things I care for means others will get killed, then I'd rather disappear.

[ that's how they've always been. ]

... I don't want to hurt others. But I can't be sure that I won't. Every moment here is another moment that "Corruption" could take me, anyway...