LUNA REFORMED.

             “  The hell you looking at,  four eyes ?  ”   There’s a loud click of his tongue,  red eyes glaring daggers towards the demon in disgust.   Hand moves rather quickly to his sword,  the vibrant red blade no sooner pointed at the other.     // @tsukaen·

there  is  some  kind  of  beauty  in  silence.  the  serenity  of  nothingness,  a  lilypad  floating  still  in  an  unrippled  pond.  there  is  nothing.  there  is  peace.  until,  that  peace  is  interrupted;  atlas  is  surprised  in  his  traditional  duties,  lets  the  world  slip  and  fall  for  just  a  moment.  will  the  people  feel  it,  anguish  in  the  sensation  of  something,  of  anything  at  all?  he  longs  for  those  times  of  silence  once  again.  ❝  ...you  miscounted.  ❞  no  movements  are  made  on  the  part  of  the  moon,  opting  to  bask  in  the  wistful  reclamation  of  voicelessness.  

she meets his question with thoughtful silence, the curve of a reserved smile now undone. it feels like his words are drifting PAST her (like he’s speaking to himself, to the rustling trees and softspoken crickets, but not to her.) honestly? it surprises her that he has anything to say at all. most demons are all about gnashing jaws and cutting claws, at least went it comes to humankind. “ … maybe it’s both. ” deep breaths, keep your hand at its hilt: don’t you DARE let him UNGROUND you. “ so, what? i should just run away? ” head tilts. a soft snort. “ — so i can DIE while my back’s turned? ”

what  is  she  saying?  does  she  have  rationality;  do  children  learn  that  at  this  age?  it  has  been  a  long  time  since  he  was  a  child.  it  has  been  a  long  time  since  he  felt  irrational,  the  way  this  girl  was.  did  she  not  understand  that  dying  quickly  out  of  sight  was  better  than  basking  in  the  sun,  basking  in  your  blood  and  gore.  there  was  not  a  thought  in  his  mind  about  her  somehow  living,  if  they  were  to  fight.  ❝  i  have  a  code.  you  are  too  weak  to  give  me  sustenance,  let  alone  fight  me...  i  will  not  tear  you  apart  lest  you  wish  me  to.  there  is  no  logic  behind  it  otherwise.  ❞

Gaze  is  averted  from  reprimand’s  emergence  to  its  cessation,  reticent,  but  not  without  cogent  [  even  if  she  only  thinks  so  ]  reason.  From  footpath  Yukako  stands,  movement  slowed  by  but  a  moments  worth,  wounded  leg  not  without  a  buckle.  She,  without  proper  medical  equipment,  had  to  make  do  with  what  was  available:  a  stream,  used  to  away  those  rivulets  of  blood  and  the  bubbling,  pebbles  of  blood  jutting  from  fresh  laceration.  Unluckily  for  her,  she  would  have  to  get  rid  of  the  gash  completely  to  save  her  from  this  predicament.  Petulant  Yukako  is,  with  pursed  lips  and  all,  visage  growing  lenient  come  his  second  dialogue.  Eyes  glance  o’er.  “  …Thank  you.  ”

the  two  stand  silently  for  a  moment.  the  lack  of  sound  bleeds,  finds  its  way  into  everything  like  an  inkblot  on  white  fabric.  it  is  unavoidable,  too  big  to  simply  look  away  from.  what’s  worse;  the  scream  that  breaks  the  silence,  or  the  silence  that  breaks  the  scream?  he  sighs,  inspects  the  scene  again,  speaks  quietly  without  much  reason  to  (  a  rarity  ).  ❝  ...there  is  no  need  to  thank  me,  yamagishi-dono.  i  am  simply   telling  you  what  i  think  is  necessary.  you  need  to  hear  it;  praise  is  earned.  ❞  another  sigh,  an  inspection  of  nails,  a  rustling  of  the  leaves  overhead.  silence  returns,  takes  its  place. 

     a stilted   ‘   but you started the conversation!   ‘   wilts on his cumbrous smile ― a hint of fang dipping into his lower lip. another slice of skin to join the bloodletting chorus ― his own blood taste nothing but penniless on his tongue. still,   he swallows;   a viper drip down the back of his throat,   heavy.   “   you’re right.   “   even if kokushibo was wrong,   kaigaku wouldn’t dare tell the man. he removes his thumb off of the sharp edge of his sword. sometimes he thinks nerves taste heady like wine ― like he sucked a god empty and shelled.   “   i was curious,   though.   “   that’s the truth,   at least.   “   this strength makes me feel more invigorated than i ever was,   when i was a human. i was wondering if you’re the same.   “   his is an ambrosia stained baritone. good luck washing his blemish out. 

what  does  it  mean  to  be  right?  righteous,  correct,  factual,  directional,  what  was  one  to  make  of  the  various  and  confusing  definitions  of  such  a  word?  it  didn’t  matter.  nothing  mattered.  ❝  i  know  i  am  right,  for  i  am  your  superior...  the  most  important  lesson  you  can  learn  is  to  obey  authority.  ❞  he  listens  to  the  other  speak  for  a  moment.  it  is  not  that  he  cares  for  what  he  has  to  say,  no;  kokushibou  simply  has  no  more  words  to  offer  and  thus,  will  listen.  ❝  you  feel  invigorated  because  you  are  strong.  humans  are  weak...  therefore,  you’d  feel  more  invigorated  because  you  are  no  longer  weak.  it  is...  simple.  logical.  ❞  why  does  he  bleed  so  much,  seek  out  pain?  it  didn’t  matter.  as  always,  nothing  mattered.  

Compound  of  vitriol  and  fury  threatens  to  boil  with  vital  minacity.  Heavy  is  the  body  that  assumes  a  vertical  position  for  the  nth  time  [  back  straightening,  soles  of  footwear  digging  in  Earth’s  floor  –  a  fixed  procedure  drilled  seemingly  and  solely  by  teacher  and  student  combat  ],  set  ablaze  by  an  emblematic,  camouflaged  inferno.  Yukako  knows  not  which  is  worse:  Michikatsu’s  glare,  associative  with  every  negative  adjective  possible,  or  his  words,  penetrating  and  lacking  any  ounce  of  sugarcoat.  They  are  both  grating.

He  reprimands  ruthlessly,  and  she  is  left  without  option  but  to  listen  and  grasp.  Handle  of  blade  is  wielded  with  resurfaced  vigor,  taking  his  words  into  consideration,  but  not  to  where  her  pride  has  simmered!…  completely.  “  …I  understand.  ”

❝  then  show  me  you  do.  ❞  the  statement  is  not  scathing;  in  fact,  it  is  icy,  cold.  in  delivery,  he  does  not  hold  anything  back,  for  there  is  no  place  for  sympathy  and  sugarcoating  on  the  battlefield.  if  you  don’t  treat  your  training  like  a  battle,  inevitably,  you  will  treat  your  battles  like  a  training  session.  he  watched  her  with  unmoving  eyes,  taking  in  every  movement  to  see  if  she  would  fall  flat.  ❝  you  took  my  criticism  to  heart...  you  completed  the  movements  flawlessly.  the  anger  which  you  use  to  fuel  your  progress  is  a  powerful  motivator.  i  sensed  your  distaste,  and  you  converted  it  into  something  to  push  you  further.  learn  to  control  it,  and  you  will  find  yourself  with  a  great  ally.  ❞

strangers (0 of 5)

I don’t know you personally or at all. I would not recognize you on the street. I do not know your name. i would not recognize if you were brought up in conversation. you have no importance in my life.

acquaintances (5.5 of 9)

i know your name. I recognize your face. i think i understand your personality on a surface level. i’d like to get to know you more. i think we could be good friends. we have a lot of similar interests. people say we’re a lot alike. we don’t ask one another for favors often. i would not be able to tell someone if you have allergies.

friends (6.5 of 11)

we get along well. we have fun together. i like hanging out with you. you’re someone i can send memes to. i feel comfortable around you. i know some of your interests. i’m a little more open with you than other people. i keep some secrets to myself. sometimes i’m not sure what i can open up to you about. i usually buy you something minor for holidays. i like when we can go out and do something together.

best friends (7 of 13)

i could tell you anything. i call you if there’s a problem. we probably text too much. we have a great time together. we’ve got through some bad times. i can be myself around you. we have inside jokes for days. i send you songs that remind me of us. we have a lot of memories together. i can open up to you. i worry when you’re in a bad situation. i’d kick someone’s booty for you. i take insults against you personally.

- (3.5 of 13)

you make my heart race. i can’t stop thinking about you. i worry i text back too quickly. every touch is a sign. sometimes i wonder what kind of person is your type. i send you songs that remind me of you. i keep dropping hints about how i feel. you make me emotional. i want to tell you how i feel. i like when you let me stay over. i think i’d be happy so long as you’re happy. seeing you with other people makes me jealous. i can’t tell if this is a date or we’re just hanging out solo.

sister/brotherly (6 of 15)

you drive me crazy. we’re on the same level. you take over all my hobbies. you nag me too much. i’d die for you. we jinx a lot. we have inside games. we play too many pranks. sometimes our fights can get a little intense. i feel relaxed around you. i can be myself around you. we take care of each other. you steal my food right from my plate. i steal your food straight from your plate. if one of us is sick, we both are.

- (1.5 of 13)

you make me happy. we have everything in common. you are always on my mind. i can’t get enough of you. we sleep on top of each other, not next to each other. we buy everything in pairs. talking about you is like word vomit. people seem a little annoyed at how in love we are. our relationship should have books written about it. we’re always making memories. i can’t wait to do all our ‘firsts’ together. sometimes i get cold feet. i hope we’ll be together forever.

- (3 of 18)

you take all the blankets. you ate the last of MY snack. we get into tiffs but work it out. i can be honest with you. you know everything about me. we can be a little naggy towards each other. i feel safe around you. you are always on my mind. everything i do is for us. ‘we’ seems to suit us best. people say we fight like a married couple. we are married. we have children together. we reminisce while making memories. i’d die for you. i can’t imagine my life without you. i love you for your flaws. i’ll love you forever.

- (0 of 12)

i miss what we had. we used to be good friends. my memories feel tainted now. i think about texting you a lot. i wonder how you’ve been. i don’t like the idea of you getting with other people. i’m already seeing other people. we have a child together. we’re legally separated. we broke up. my family wants us to get back together. i put you on blast with all my friends.

enemies (2 of 11)

i hate you. you make my skin crawl. you are my antonym. seeing you makes my blood boil. i know you’re no good. you thwart my every move. i know your trying to hurt me. i know you’re talking shit about me. i’ve never felt this way about anyone else. i could kill you. i will kill you.

result: (35)

pay  credence  and  reverie  to  the  hierarchy  you  serve.  bend  one  knee,  prostrate  yourself  in  a  pregnant  pause  of  judgement  to  wonder  beneath  the  eyes  who  see  in  all  directions.  not  two,  nor  six,  but  all:  the  irises  of  god  speak,  lips  hiding  in  the  inky  hole  that  mask  an  intention.  sing  a  bitter  and  jaded  ode  to  the  dissenters,  pray  for  their  demise  and  weep  stinging  sorrows  (  make  sure  your  inner  joy  is  contrasting  and  heard  )  that  they  too  could  not  see  the  light.  ❝  do  you  think  your  opinion  on  him  matters?  the  gospel  you  teach  to  those  that  visit  you...  is  poisoned.  you  attempt  to  wretch  and  spit  out  the  seed  planted  within  you.  it  does  not  pain  me  to  watch  your  punishment  for  flying  to  close  to  the  sun...  to  god.  ❞

a cloud draws from between tifaine’s lips, exhale cutting through the cool evening air. she appreciates the peace, THE CALM, until a foreboding voice interrupts it all — sends CHILLS down her spine. when her gaze rises, she regards him like a statue: tall and sturdy and intimidating. hand resting against sword hilt tightens its grip, but nothing more (this ISN’T a fight to rush into, demon or not.) instead she chooses to reply, to assert some semblance of confidence, lips twitching with a half-attempted smile. “… i’m not fragile.” a pause. “… i mean, i’m AT LEAST more of a branch than a twig.”

there  was  an  attempt.  celestial  beings  do  not  laugh;  the  stars  do  not  chuckle,  find  irony  in  the  livelihoods  of  terrestrial  such.  there  is  no  humor  to  be  found,  the  ironclad  demeanor  of  the  moon  steadfast.  the  lunar  being  has  been  reformed;  funny  bone  replaced  with  a  katana.  ❝  is  it  ignorance  you  possess,  or  is  this  perspective  tied  to  youth?  ❞  a  short  pause,  yet  there  is  no  catching  of  breath.  ❝  your  status  and  garb  betrays  your  confidence.  do  you  hold  no  self-preservative  traits?  ❞

❝     truthfully,     i  would  have  waited  many  more  centuries  just  to  see  you  again.     ❞     400  years,     this  very  moment  has  withstood  time  for  400  years.     no  longer  was  there  a  distortion  of  physicality  on  him:     no  seething  glare  from  eyes  that  held  no  semblance  to  his  brother’s  own,     no  gnashed  fangs  bared  as  the  edge  of  his  sword  dipped  into  his  throat.     and  in  the  same  unreadable  fashion  that  was  so  common  a  theme  to  yoriichi  in  life,     there  was  no  sense  of  disappointment,     of  anger,     of  grief  or  resentment     …     no  demon  nor  slayer.     just  a  man  who  so  dearly  missed  his  only  brother  and  refused  to  go  on  unless  he  were  to  hold  him  one  last  time  hand  in  hand.     but  among  the  unearthly  air  of  absent  emotion,     there  was  one  feeling  that  undoubtedly  stood  out  from  this  mysterious  lacking     —     peace.     a  tranquility  that,     in  it’s  perplexing  way,     presented  itself  with  a  sadness  mothered  close  against  it.     a  nurtured  sadness  that  would  read,     ‘there  is  no  longer  a  battle  to  withstand.     our  time  here  is  finally  done.’     even  in  life,     yoriichi  had  already  come  to  terms  with  it,     this  inevitable  end,     so  he  stands  there  and  slips  into  a  smile  all  too  familiar  and  yet  rare.

there  is  no  point  in  succumbing  to  sorrow  when  something  has  been  understood  and  acknowledged  for  so  long.     …     how  ever  unfortunate  their  roads  as  brothers  turned  out  to  be  in  life,     they  were  here  now,     together.     and  that  is  all  that  matters.     ❝     i  would  not  have  minded,     brother.     i  did  not  mind.     ❞     his  hand  lifts  and  extends  at  the  ending  of  heartfelt  words,     a  motion  that  is  so  careful  and  graceful  in  its  humble  way,     now  residing  motionless  with  palm  patient  to  be  held.     ❝     …     i  will  always  wait  for  you.     ❞

as  the  moon  wanes,  the  heart  waxes.  o  eclipse,  rest  your  eyes;  the  cavaliers  will  arrive  on  the  horizon,  sunlight  glinting  on  the  shining  armor  that  once  plagued  you.  leave  your  flames  at  the  door,  for  the  damsel  has  since  been  rescued.  there  is  no  need  for  your  anger,  as  it  has  long  been misplaced.  recognize  your  spot,  your  role,  your  fit  in  the  world.  bask  in  your  no-longer-dependent  independence,  let  your  soul  shine  without  resting  beneath  the  flashlight  of  those  evil  eyes.  the  nazar  can  stay  on  the  hearth,  for  the  only  stare  that  will  hurt  you  now  is  the  one  in  the  mirror.  there  are  no  mirrors  in  heaven.  ❝  for  so  long,  we-  no,  he,  made  me  forget.  my  childhood,  my  worldview,  even  my  most  basic  of  aspects.  and  yet,  no  matter  how  much  i  scrubbed  myself  to  the  bone,  i  could  not  escape  your  presence...  that  is  how  i  thought  of  you.  i  was  misled  to  believe  you  were  a  stain,  ❞  pausing  for  a  moment  to  reflect  on  his  own  words.  when  was  it  that  i  spoke  with  such  emotional  abandon,  such  verbosity?  it  felt  freeing,  the  canary  freed  from  the  cage  it  had  held  the  key  to  all  along.  ❝  now,  i  realize  i  was  my  own  stain,  my  own  plague.  yoriichi...  after  400  years,  i  am  complete.  we  are  complete.  ❞