(⠀⠀just a number⠀⠀)

(Art by aimeryaa 🌻🌻🌻)

"And getting to live here is being human, or something close to it--I think," That was debatable, but it still felt right to say. She'd gotten to experience so many good things here, so she'd always be grateful in the end. Firefly finally turns to look at him again, but her eyes flit away just as quickly. "And…I guess you could call our meeting a miracle," she can already feel the flames rising, red dusting her cheeks that she hoped he couldn't see. "But sometimes miracles only happen once. So if I met you again, I think I'd call it fate."

❝ Then you'll make a wager with me, ❞ he proposes, unwavering in every word spoken. ❝ I want it to be you. ❞ for... what, exactly? because, if he were to meet his end, it should be at the behest of one who truly believes wholeheartedly in something so inherently human? he can hardly give proper reason, though there is still a held confidence which nestles itself into his chest, making a home deep amidst the cage of his ribs. ❝ 'Will I feel differently when I experience what this city has to offer?' I bet you my soul. That nothing will change from as I am now. ❞

"But I have my own studies as well! If I don't keep up with everything going on involving my oshis. Otherwise I would be doing a disservice to all of them as their biggest fan!"

❝ You should keep that mentality. I have witnessed others who have slacked off to the point of their detriment. ❞ and to the very ending of their life, given how far they have strayed and, further still, which particular rules were broken. but that was nothing this girl needs to know, not inherently. ❝ It never hurts to strive to be like those you look up to. But it seems like that is something you already keep in mind. And it doesn't hurt to take up your own studies so long as it doesn't harm the ones tasked upon you as priority. ❞

many would rather suffer their thoughts in the warmth of their home than out in the woods. it makes her an outlier to such. " Are you here to investigate the legends of this place? Or are you looking for the famous flower? If so, you're in the wrong spot."

❝ Is that what you are here for? ❞ he returns the questions with one of his own, partially curious as to her own means of being here. ❝ You seem to know the spot, at least. But no. I was drawn here to get away from that lively city, ❞ he admits, uncaring if she were to know that much of him. strangers need not be privy of anything to one another within their own boundaries, the reaper having always made his stance known of how little or more someone needed to know of him. ❝ The legends here are probably what brings in most visitors. I am not actively seeking anything. If I happened to cross its path, it would be a coincidence. ❞

"Though, right now I would like something to eat. Do you wish to join? I have no qualms about treating others. After all being generous with money when one has it, is looked at kindly."

❝ It is, ❞ he agrees, though that, too, begs to question what motives the blond may have with stating something so blatantly. what a curious mortal this man was, the way he carries himself more than human, yet still in a way that doesn't feel natural. ❝ I will join you for now. It's not as if there is much else in this place to tend to aside from one's own needs. ❞ work was non-existent in this place to him, something akin to a fleeting dream with the lack of death.

Unless someone managed to strike it big. Which some were lucky enough to get...

❝ Do you usually ask strangers what their career is after just a few minutes of talking? ❞ while he speaks in earnest, it wasn't intended to be mean despite how it might come off, the man usually an intimidating force just by his usual demeanor. ❝ ... for having only part time jobs alongside your studies, you seem to work hard yourself. What are you even studying for? ❞

Her sight lingered upon the man whilst his speculations sounded themselves. "were that the case, it would beg question as to where they were contained when the city was a wasteland — and that all the most disconcerting possibility they could hold us, or others, in such a space with no knowledge of those here". An uncomfortable pause lingered. "That said... there have been experiments where they have suppressed our memories and allowed believe we were born of this land. It's well within their power to have brainwashed an entire population".

❝ Then it's possible they have brainwashed you all to believe they are locals, too. ❞ whether or not such a thing was true was to be seen, merely a fleeting theory without any substantial proof. ❝ Could gradual integration be their goal? In time, making those brought here comfortable until they may as well call this place their home. ❞ it settles uncomfortably in his stomach, truthfully, how similar it all feels to the realm of reapers as he has only just become to know it.

"Compared to the joy of the first moon landing, to the eternal joy of desserts. I would say that it is one of the best marvels of human creativity. Long term , is it something that people would spend for, more then other great inventions known to humans."

❝ That would depend on one's perspective, ❞ he soon adds, arms crossing over his chest as he tilts his head slightly to the side. ❝ People would likely spend on things like that. But if you asked everyone, would their answers all be the same? I doubt it. There are those wanting breakthroughs to contend illness. That would take more priority to them than a slice of cake, wouldn't it? ❞

"There nothing wrong with splurging a bit and eating some cake on the sides. Experiencing the wonders of human creativity when it comes to deserts is what makes life worth living." treating people to random snack dates is always something he been doing, having no other plans right now...for now.

❝ I've had cake before. ❞ he says this pointedly, wondering if the other thinks he might not have with how he speaks. why the other had treated him, of all people, is a mystery to him, especially since he had been reading a book on his lonesome until that moment. maybe it was just a case of all mortals being as nosy as that reaper's human lover. ❝ But calling something as simple as dessert a 'wonder of human creativity' might be stretching it. At least when you compare it to more notable things humans have created. ❞

the guy of all time (gift for a friend)

"If that did happen then how'd you think then? Surely that relationship status you had prior would change."

❝ I would think it was natural that they'd be doing their job with the right amount of effort. I'd see them as an equal as long as they continued. It's as simple as that, is it not? ❞ to him, at least, though he can already imagine the bright-eyed, bushy tailed response she was about to weave for him in regards to the other person's perspective...

"Longer than seven years. When we were first brought to this isle, it lay in ruins. at the culmination of a trial demanded of the Stars, the city was erected in one fell swoop. Perhaps as a demonstration of their power over this domain — despite that timeline, the island possessives extensive history, and the civilians don't bear any knowledge pertaining to our version of events. As far as they are concerned, this has all existed far longer, as one would expect of their homeland".

❝ It's likely a controlled power over this place. They seem to act like gods, but if that were true, then they wouldn't need to bring us here to enact that power. ❞ or so he deems logically, figuring they must be in a specific environment that allows them to throw their weight around without any retaliation. ❝ Has it ever occurred to you that they're lying? Or, perhaps, have been brainwashed into believing they are locals of this place? Maybe this place doesn't have as an extensive history as people are fed to believe. Given we were brought here against our will, we haven't a clue about how they've come to being this state beyond their words. And with our 'overseers' not communicating, it's more than likely they're trying to hide something far deeper. ❞