Moonlight

[Credit to ride-rpg] Happy Museday, everyone. In honor of it, ask a question, any question! Because I have nothing better to do than to answer your questions. … No, really. I don’t. D:

1: What does their bedroom look like?

2: Do they have any daily rituals?

3: Do they exercise, and if so, what do they do? How often?

4: What would they do if they needed to make dinner but the kitchen was busy?

5: Cleanliness habits (personal, workspace, etc.)

6: Eating habits and sample daily menu

7: Favorite way to waste time and feelings surrounding wasting time

8: Favorite indulgence and feelings surrounding indulging

9: Makeup?

10: Neuroses? Do they recognize them as such?

11: Intellectual pursuits?

12: Favorite book genre?

13: Sexual Orientation? And, regardless of own orientation, thoughts on sexual orientation in general?

14: Physical abnormalities? (Both visible and not, including injuries/disabilities, long-term illnesses, food-intolerances, etc.)

15: Biggest and smallest short term goal?

16: Biggest and smallest long term goal?

17: Preferred mode of dress and rituals surrounding dress

18: Favorite beverage?

19: What do they think about before falling asleep at night?

20: Childhood illnesses? Any interesting stories behind them?

21: Turn-ons? Turn-offs?

22: Given a blank piece of paper, a pencil, and nothing to do, what would happen?

23: How organized are they? How does this organization/disorganization manifest in their everyday life?

24: Is there one subject of study that they excel at? Or do they even care about intellectual pursuits at all?

25: How do they see themselves 5 years from today?

26: Do they have any plans for the future? Any contingency plans if things don’t workout?

27: What is their biggest regret?

28: Who do they see as their best friend? Their worst enemy?

29: Reaction to sudden extrapersonal disaster (eg The house is on fire! What do they do?)

30: Reaction to sudden intrapersonal disaster (eg close family member suddenly dies)

31: Most prized possession?

32: Thoughts on material possessions in general?

33: Concept of home and family?

34: Thoughts on privacy? (Are they a private person, or are they prone to ‘TMI’?)

35: What activities do they enjoy, but consider to be a waste of time?

36: What makes them feel guilty?

37: Are they more analytical or more emotional in their decision-making?

38: What recharges them when they’re feeling drained?

39: Would you say that they have a superiority-complex? Inferiority-complex? Neither?

40: How misanthropic are they?

41: Hobbies?

42: How far did they get in formal education? What are their views on formal education vs self-education?

43: Religion?

44: Superstitions or views on the occult?

45: Do they express their thoughts through words or deeds?

46: If they were to fall in love, who (or what) is their ideal?

47: How do they express love?

48: If this person were to get into a fist fight, what is their fighting style like?

The question asked isn’t what gets her, what gets her is the memory of what she shall go back to, and she is quiet for a time before she finally decides to answer him. “I can’t remember a time since my grandfather died…that I really liked home.” How long had it been again? How many years had passed since his death? It was then that the happiness around her had finally shattered, it was then that the abuse became great enough to crush her, and it was then that she’d learned the true feeling of misery. Many times she had stated that her life wasn’t fair, many times she thought about the countless moments in which it proved that way, but nothing had soothed the ache from the tragic loss of the one man who was her sole father figure.

               Although, the pain has ebbed some, and she can speak on it now. It doesn’t bother her nearly as much as it used to, but the wounds were not going to heal, this kind of loss was not something that could be healed. “Home is a place of silence, bleakness, and isolation…” she muses as she takes the books he offers without complaint, she knows that it will do her no good in the end, so she doesn’t bother to try and argue with him. He seemed dead set on spoiling her if just for a little while, it was nice, but she also felt like she didn’t deserve any of it. Was she a bad person for thinking she deserved absolutely nothing?

               Suffering, pain, agony—there was so much of it. Surely, she didn’t deserve even this small act of kindness, but she wouldn’t be disrespectful by attempting to convince him otherwise. Somehow, she felt it would do her no good anyway. “I wonder what it would feel like… to have a home in which I was happy to go back to.” Home was never a place that brought her excitement, unless of course, she was in another place for several days and wished to go back to her own bed. Home hadn’t been home for a while. It was why she supposed that she searched for a different alternative, why she was looking elsewhere now for work, besides the hostess club that she worked at now.

               Perhaps if she could find something else she’d be happier? The thought is strange but she is following her instinct, her instinct tells her to try something different, and so she refuses to ignore its call to her. “But…it’s not as though it’s a horrible place…it could be worse.” She could be back in that hellhole, hearing how worthless she was every day again, and failing time and time again to reconcile with those around her. Why was it that the term family, often instilled with it, people that expected far too much of you?

> “You’re kidding, right?” 

As they walk together, he’s taken her shoulder and held her still. He stands before her, staring into her eyes with an odd expression. As irate as it is, it’s sympathetic all the same, but he clearly isn’t having the bullshit. Her words were highly contradictory and he can’t help but point that out to her. It bothers him somewhat...

> “You can’t just sit there and explain how your home is literally hell in a hand basket and that death would probably be better; then say ‘oh it’s not that bad.’ That’s literally the opposite of what you just described.”

He gives a soft sigh, his arm winding around her shoulders as he holds her to his side. He continues walking with her, perfectly calm otherwise, despite the facts he had to nitpick at. Though as he’s walking with her, he’s lost to his thoughts; even speaking them outwardly now and then.

> “I’m sure it can’t be as bad as you made it out to be.”

Having said that, he still braces himself for the worst when they finally arrive. Though, it was only the first day they’d met. He wouldn’t push too much. And he gives her a wave as she heads for the door.

> “Well regardless, you take care and don’t depress yourself to death ya hear? Hang up some bright colored posters or something; get a dog; something like that might help take the edginess off.”

He’s teasing in some regards and others he’s not. But he leaves her to her devices all the same, and returns to the job he’d meant to finish hours ago. Truth be told, catching an unruly kitsune wasn’t exactly on the level of God fighting, so it wasn’t as though he was worried too much. In fact, his job is complete with a simple lure and an icy cage that knocks the creature out within a half hour of leaving the girl.

He’s back home in moments and offers the creature and his reports swiftly. From there, he leaves to look for more work and to search for his sister. Sadly, she’s busy and he’s left to his own. 

He keeps the odd encounter to himself and thinks over what he should do. Eventually though, curiosity piques, and he uses the excuse of work to visit the realm of humans once more. And it isn’t long before he finds the familiar female. 

> “Hey there! Fancy seeing you leaving a fancy place like this.”

A flashy building with wealthy guests. What an odd place to be; but he wouldn’t question it at the moment.

The moment he mentioned walking her home, she almost made a noise that she didn’t want to, caught between a groan of dread and a whine. Though she forced it down, it was just because her house was a lonely and rather boring place, and she was quick to head to bed whenever she went back. Although she did spend some time staying up and writing more and more often, especially with the strange new encounters she was starting to have, it gave her fuel to write again. It was something…that hadn’t happened for a long time. 

Since Theo had walked out of her life completely. Her best friend from High School, who wasn’t a bitch, but had let her mother ruin their friendship because at the time she had thought Iziriyia was weird and was going to rape her daughter or something disgusting and stupid like that. Theo had been like a sister of sorts, but now she just brought bad memories forward, and even now Izzy felt a strange sort of bitter sadness over the whole ordeal. 

People were so shallow, she hated it, and she wished that they could feel what they put everyone else through. There were numerous times she contemplated asking that informant that worked for Mr. Tenjou for a job working in the Underground in her boss’s place. It was dangerous but she was tired of being boring, she was tired of being hurt, and she was tired of being left after a month or two. 

“No no, it’s fine, you can walk me home…” although at the mention of buying her a few books, feeling his chin resting on her shoulder, she felt a pout form on her lips. “Ah, but you’ve already treated me so much today, it just doesn’t seem right…” her hands were twisting while her fingers played with one another, and she dared a glance at him. “You really don’t have to do all this, I mean I’m not ungrateful for the kindness, but I- I mean this is…well you’ve done a lot already!” 

> “They’re just books. It’s not as though I’m buying you a new car. Besides, I have to use my money on something.”

He’s unfazed by her pouting; ignoring it even in favor of his own endeavors. Really in the human world, he has no use of monetary things. He only keeps it to blend with society when need be. The organization ran on completely different things without a need for funds and could support its members in other ways, after all. Like himself. However, when it came to distributing money from other realms to those that went to work there; it wasn’t like it was hard to obtain. They’d sell things from crystals to tools to get what they needed.

That said; he always kept neat things or rare things he’d find on his journeys. He’d hoard them in a vault hidden from prying eyes. And when need be, he’d pawn his own treasures he didn’t care for any more for their wealth when he wanted to do a little extra. Just like in the case of now. And regardless of how much she’d argue the gesture, he’d do as he liked anyway.

He simply plucked the text from her and a few others he noticed her eyeing. He then walked to the cashier and checked everything out. The books were given over and the receipt was promptly crumpled and trashed so she couldn’t return the gifts. He then returned to her side with a big grin of his own.

> “ There, that wasn’t so bad. Besides, reading is good for you!”

Well, he may be a hypocrite for saying that. But at the same time, he knew it was good for others that like it, if nothing else. 

> “Though, say... Don’t think you can get away with earlier. I noticed that weird little noise you made in your throat.”

Soft as it was, he could hear it exceptionally well. And it wasn’t as though the faces she made with it were any less of a tip off.

> “What’s up? Don’t like home?”

“I can’t make any promises about that.” She playfully replied, it wasn’t hard for her to get upset sometimes, and gods did she know how annoying she could be because of her stupid insecurity. However, she is quick to forget it, it wasn’t the time or place. The moment he goes back to browsing the books, she moves to look over the other selections, and her eyes noticed an intricate little cover, it had something of a star of David but it looked far more sinister. Reading the back of the cover, she was quite unsurprised that it had to do with vampires that were living in a manor with a young woman. 

The young woman couldn’t have been much more than 18 years old, with long beautiful silver colored hair and eyes, and the vampires that stood on either side of her were quite plain in comparison for once. It made her tilt her head in slight confusion, but when she was addressed her attention was stolen from her once more. Curiously, she turned back to her companion, giving a small snicker at the comments. 

Blue irises turn back to what he is looking over, her fingers brushing over a few titles before she stops at one noticing the cover: Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. It is a manga but it immediately grabs her attention because of the cat boy on the cover who is draped over the branch above the young woman’s head. He seems a cruel character at first glance, and the typical arrogance that comes with a cat that masks his face. Perhaps, there is some hope in this small desolate shop after all. 

“This is new…” she picks up the small book, turning it in her hands, looking through a few pages, and she is surprised that she has not seen anything like this before. 

> “Wonderland huh? I guess it would be nice to jump through a hole and escape reality for a while.”

He’d noticed the book she’d picked up. Noticed the colorful covering and the figures that were peppered around. It held his interest mildly for a moment before he put away the things he’d looked at himself. He had no interest in the things here. Never a fan of sitting and reading really himself. He’d much rather watch it on a screen or see it play out before his eyes. Well, maybe she could read the tales to him some other day. He’d probably enjoy the books them.

That aside, he’d moved and leaned over one of the cushioned chairs, peering around the store as minutes passed by. His mind wandered all sorts of things from trivial to not. 

> “So say; what’s the next stop after this? It’ll be getting late soon. I could walk you home- if you’re fine with some strange man you just met learning where you live; that is.”

He’s perfectly light hearted in the things he says really. And if nothing else, she couldn’t be safer with him. But he couldn’t keep from teasing her every now and then. That said, she did seem perfectly comfortable with him. He had to wonder why that was. Most humans would have by now found an excuse to get away from him. And then there were a special few who had... other things on the mind. (Wow, humans could be disgusting!)

And then there was her. Perfectly content with even the smallest of things. And he couldn’t help but be enchanted by her carefree attitude around him. Even if it was dangerous in other ways. Well it didn’t matter right now. 

And with a shrug, he’d walked over, his chin on her shoulder as he gazed at the new item she picked up. An idea crossed him and he spoke his thoughts for her to hear.

It is actually very surprising when he scoops her up, placing her on his back, and she instinctively holds to his shoulders. The world around them melts away, leaving behind a faint cloud that seems more like a daydream than reality. It’s the first time she’s felt a sense of peace since Winter began, she hates the cold, and she hates the blanket of white that usually comes with it–even though it has yet to fall. Her memory attacks her, with images of Christmases where she was surrounded by family, but more alone than anyone else. 

It’s different right now, he was here with her, he wasn’t focused on anything else and he was taking the time to see her. The only other person whom had done that for her before him, was her friend Lucia. The world around them is chilly but it’s quiet and it makes it easy to relax. She finds that she enjoys being close to this person, even though she hardly knows a thing about him. She doesn’t even know his name yet. 

Almost as if he reads her mind, he introduces himself, and the way he explains how people remember his name causes a small smile to form on her lips. Ion…what a funny way to shorten it. It doesn’t bother her, though she knows that at best most people would give their own names, and she gives a gentle giggle to acknowledge she’s heard him. “Iziriyia, it’s pretty complicated so most people just shorten it to Izzy.” 

Though she glanced where he’d been looking a moment before, the smile remained, even if it was very faint. “You know, I think I’d be okay with hanging out again like this.” 

> “Just don’t be upset if it takes me another millennia to get back to you.”

Of course he’s joking after all. He’d never make a lady wait of course. He’s been taught well if nothing else. And it seemed to be working. She was smiling. Giggling even! And he couldn’t help the hum that left his own lips as he moves around her. Though as he turns from her, picking up a book of his own, he’s reminded of his duties and his job. 

Of course this is dangerous. And of course... if they found out, it would be bad. But he’s careful to keep her close. He’s cautious of letting chaos find them. And the thought lingers constantly on his mind. His eyes are always flicking back and forth subtly one or twice. To those around him; if they somehow noticed, it was as though he were searching for something. Maybe he’d dropped something or was looking for the next place to visit. But to him, he is scouting his prey and enemies. 

He smiles and he treats these fragile creatures kindly. But he is still a beast himself that could crush them in his claws. What would they think, if they knew that? Maybe one day he’d experiment. 

> “Ah? Hey, what’s this?”

But for now, this was fine. And as he lifted a rather silly looking comic, he lets worry melt once more and turns to her with a grin. It seemed they’d spend the rest of their evening just looking at silly comics together. And he was fine with that.

> “Alright, Izzy; so what do you prefer of these? Something raunchy or... huh! This looks actiony! Oh... and then there’s some romance shit here too-”

“I am not into that!” She huffed, though it was half hearted at best as he really didn’t care either way, she knew he was just kidding around after all. Otherwise, her reaction may have been far more shocked, although when he brought up the fact they looked good together, that earned an entirely new expression altogether, one of complete confusion. Pretty is hardly the last word she’d use to describe herself but she already knows that a lot of people do not share her sentiments; she’s been taught to hate herself from an early age due to the years of abuse–but she will move on from that. 

Quietly, she allows him to take her hand, and she gives not a single word of complaint. A small smile creeps onto her features when he calls to the two baristas that are left behind, it’s actually a relief to see someone that acts normal, and for more than one reason. It had been a while since she was able to do anything like this with anyone else aside from Lucia–but Lucia always felt bad when she treated her–sometimes it was difficult. 

She understood why of course, but it didn’t change the fact, and after a moment she came back to reality; listening as he stated that they might be able to find something she likes in the bookstore. It’s a calm and relaxing moment, she’s grateful for it, and silently grateful that this person decided to hang out with her–even just for a day. “Maybe, there’s gotta be something interesting there at least.” She’s content, even if she’s still slightly embarrassed about the comments he had made. 

It was just a joke though, something not meant to be taken seriously, and after a moment her eyes are wandering from shop to little shop as they walk around, her interest going back to other things in the peace of the night. “The lake is so beautiful at night when they light up the town fountain….” she really enjoyed watching it glow a bright ember in the distance, even with the passing of cars she found her peace undisturbed. Relax. She could actually relax! How long had that been? Far too long clearly. 

The stroll is quiet. It’s peaceful. It’s overall something he’s not used to. A simple stroll with a girl at his side like normal people. She doesn’t expect him to carry the world on his shoulders. She knows nothing of what he is rather. She’s just a human. And he’s just some guy she met. And together, they’d just some odd strangers that happened to meet on a cold rainy day. Yet, here they are, oblivious to the world and its woes. Simply smiling... Simply enjoying their life, if even for a moment. 

And that’s when he gets the idea. He steals her away and pulls her onto his back. The impromptu piggy back earning a grin over his shoulder at her. 

> “There! Now you can see it better! It almost looks like a fire on the water’s surface. Just... minus the death and destruction.”

He doesn’t care either way. She’s warm and he’s distracted by her presence. As he carries her, he’s absolutely calm. And maybe even, much less of the he that he knew before. He can smile. And he can play. Like he’d done before and forgotten. And as they walk the streets, they’re seen as nothing more than what they are. No forbidden pair nor risk to the world, just some stupid friends who made everything into a joke. And to think... they’d only known each other for some hours.

> “Ohh... some of these places have some cool stuff. Maybe another day we can come by together and check it out. I always did love window shopping, after all.”

That said, he pauses before a big building. A store with a massive label and a sign outside listing specials from a smaller section within. He leans just a big to look it over, then gives a hum as he bends and walks inside; careful of the passenger he’d carried along. The massive store is lined with shelves of books and comfy couches all around. A cafe to a corner and service off to another side. In the far back are magazines, more comfy chairs and the like.

And of course, the moment they’re in, he sets her down. For her sake more than anything. But as they stroll through, he’s quieter in how he speaks and gentler in the way he approaches her.