Starting fresh with a new blog; new one can be found here.
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Character: Shinza Chousokabe ♦ Region: Doma ♦ Time: Tail end of the Imperial occupancy
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
warnings: character death, mild audible gore, within a burning building
Death. A bittersweet ending to a life lived enduring countless tragedies. As the fires burned around him, death became all that he could see. The faces of his makeshift family contorted in breathless fear and pain as the crumbling walls fell around them. As the smoke invaded their lungs and claimed their final breaths. As someone they all had once called brother mercilessly charged at them with the intent to kill.
And now it was his turn. With the last of his men fallen, none stood in the way between his throne and the beast that tore down all he strived for. Whilst he had exchanged fists intimately with his brethren prior, for Shinza, he withdrew a longsword. Rationally, out of fear that the head of this estate wouldn’t go down without a fight. That she would struggle against it with all her might and change the course effortlessly. But. In the end. There really wasn’t a need for it.
Shinza wouldn’t raise a hand to Nozaki. After everything… and in knowing what would soon come to this land…
He wouldn’t fight back.
The blood-soaked Raen plunged deep his blade into his gut. Penetrating through his abdomen…the slick arid sound of his stomach being gouged as the sword stuck itself into the back of his seat. There, the sword would stay, as Nozaki made his way closer to the crippled man. His ragged breath panting wildly like a feral hound as he ripped off Shinza’s mask—making his motivations clear.
However, what occurred next, was far worse than Nozaki could’ve ever expected. It was Shinza’s true voice. Unaltered. Male. It would’ve been the first time he heard him actually speak. That anyone had, for a long, long time.
“Do you… intend to perish here with us, brother?”
And just like that, the untamed rage in the Raen’s eyes changed into something distressed. Frightened, almost. He couldn’t blame him.
“Ah… you are too late. I knew you would come. I… took the necessary measures to secure her safety long before this day arrived.” He breathed quietly—his own voice sounding unfamiliar even to him now.
Taking a step backwards, Nozaki was stunted by his words. The monster inside him not subsiding, but rather, wounded horribly by a terrible imagination coming to mind. “Right now… after all these years… I’ve finally found clarity, brother. To be one with her, was as if wandering through a valley of dark and to hear a resplendent choir of light all around with no discernable source. To feel, at once… complete, and yet ever searching. I had thought… that I had done right by you. By our family. And yet, the truth could be no further from that. My actions have led to naught but death and ruin. And to those yet living, their minds will never fully recover from this. Broken beyond repair.” Blood leaked down his lips as he spoke. Staring ahead at none but the discouraged beast he brought into this world by his hand. Who he claimed the innocence of wrongfully. Who was now little more than a maimed animal whimpering in the dark.
“You… you didn’t…” He muttered beneath his hoarse breath. The cruel gleam slowly returning to his eyes. “Tell me you didn’t, Shinza.”
With this, he would meet his end. Perhaps, he always knew this day would come. From the moment he touched that white sword, he must’ve known that this was how it would end. Giving the Raen a single nod of his head, he heard the man roar hysterically as he took the hilt of the blade once more and twisted it around inside his gut—churning his stomach around so brutally that it was only a matter of seconds before the light in his eyes died out. Knowing that in this silent confession, Nozaki would go on to live. And though it would be far from a joyous life, and instead prove to be one filled with nightmares and agony…he did not wish for any more death. His last thought… was one that went unspoken. It was an apology. To a person he was in the presence of for only a fraction of a moment. To someone he knew would hear his final words when the time came for him too…
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
warnings: mild depressive themes in first; near death scene in second
He had a confession to make.
To the man who let him bear witness to his everything, he would confess to him his heart. Ultimately sacrificing it in the process. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with Shinza now, he let spill all of his secrets. Truths about himself that he had thought long buried and dead but were yet surging strong through his veins. Of the intense hurt he carried on his back…and how he felt little comfort when Shinza gently caressed his scarred hand. He was being selfish. Something he had never permitted himself to be, he was in this moment.
Vain. Desiring his heart to be cut in two. Egotistical. Thinking that someone as radiant as the man next to him could accept him despite all his flaws. See him as a real person beyond the mask he wore even whilst he slept. This sin required two, after all. Two people that were wholly honest with one another. Cared deeply for each other. “Shinza, I—“
Feeling the mute Hyur’s palms touch at his scaled face… he closed his eyes. An envisioned a voice. For a fraction of a second, he believed that what he was hearing were Shinza’s real words. “As I you.”
“Now, let that mask become as one with your soul.” Those words were hers.
And with them, the colours from his eyes faded. That terrible aching within his chest dulled entirely. The hurt he suffered…and that fragmentary sweet sensation…it all disappeared along with it. There was nothing to be felt anymore. Nothing. The fragile glistening of his spirit was no more. Shinza watched quietly as it expired before his very eyes. The Xaela, now no more than a featherless puppet. Whose voice would sounds just as it always did—and would say words just as similar to how he had before; whose mind was unchanged, but whose heart was now as silent as the midnight sky blanketing over their small world.
He was as he had always wished himself as. A shadow, and that’s it.
- -
Ferocious cries of war rained down from the black skies above. Mangled voices droning on as steel clashed with pitchfork and axe. Nearly crumbling over and into the muddy pools beneath his feet, Nozaki grunted through the pain. The samurai which fought against him and won, had sent him hurtling down a steep hillside with a deep slash to his abdomen. Were it not for the thick storm overhead, his grunts would’ve been easily detected by the man which almost took his life.
If he was to die here, then he wouldn’t permit anyone the courtesy of seeing the life drain from his eyes. He hadn’t regretted a single moment of it. Turning his back on his countrymen. Just as they turned a blind eye to him all his years.
Finding himself perched against the entrance of a narrow cave, he watched as the smoke plumed against the midnight clouds. Many would die tonight as a broken people fought for their freedom. He too… would certainly be amongst those numbers. Even if he was resolved to not allow himself to be counted. To deposit himself in the back of this cavern and let the beasts dine on his corpse. So that the one he cared most about would never be aware…would never know of his fate.
Before he gave way however, he heard the familiar sound of his pistol firing off. A woman’s voice echoing throughout the depths of the cave. And felt a tender touch against his bloodied chest.
- -
The gentle, hypnotic sound of tides crashing against a mountainous cliff enveloped his senses. Before himself, the Raen pictured a grand sea that had captured countless stars within its vast reaches. A shimmering moon reflecting against the bottomless blue and gifting it with the colour of heavenly white. Crickets hummed a song of night in the forest behind him—and branches crackled as prey and predator played a dangerous game together.
His tall figure statuesque in this painted scene. A heart reminiscent of beautiful memories that had yet to recede even as time made the gap between then and now larger with each passing moment. Letting linger a hand over his neck…he traced the faint outlines of the necklace hiding underneath his sheltered vestments. He needn’t sight in order to bear witness to the glory of this gorgeous world. The vision of it would always remain inside himself.
Remembering how he used to close his eyes back when he could still yet see…and instead merely listen to life surrounding him. To the words of a talented poet detailing it aloud with rich detail and immense respect. How deeply those words resonated even now.
“Who goes there?” In a nonthreatening tone, he called out to the person spying on him from the thicket. He had sensed them coming from miles away, yet he remained at ease because he knew they would pose no risk.
“Ah…” The timid voice of a young man softly began to speak up. Awkwardly making to approach the lonesome Raen standing against a steep cliff face. “I heard a woman singing. A-And I… as soon as I got close, I could no longer hear her sweet song. Please, tell me you’ve seen her? It’s dangerous out here…”
From his general physique, Nobushige could assume that the man was a farmhand. Quite built, yet not necessarily a full-fledged rancher. Noting the nervous fidgeting his feet were producing due to the steady vibrations gyrating from the grass below. “There’s no woman to be found here. You’d best return home, ere the wolves decide on a new target.” He warned carefully as the man continued to approach.
“Really? You saw her out at sea? The legends must be true then…” It seemed no different now than before. His true words reached the man none. He heard only what he wished to hear and nothing else. And without thought or rationale behind it, the farmhand turned his attention towards to open seas. Walking towards it mindlessly as if it would permit him sight of the beauty he imagined awaited out there for him. Any further, and he would’ve walked off the ledge all together. Were it not for his shadow stepping out from the shade and gripping firmly to his collar—pulling him back to safety. “H-Hey—“
Pressing two of his fingers to the young man’s brow, he sent him off to a blissful sleep. “Bring him back to where he belongs… I will return to the estate posthaste.” ‘Where I belong.’ Where the therapeutic chords of his heart lulled none to a treacherous demise.
Character: Redacted ♦ Region: Various ♦ Time: Several moons ago –> near present
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
Before that night, he interpreted the shrill humming as just that. A discordant ringing within his head that was threatening to shatter his mind with each increase in octave.
And then. The moment he surrendered to it, the constant sound changed drastically. He could hear a woman singing a sweet lullaby—the notes of her wondrous song reverberating against the walls of his skull. It caused him to become numb. Time escaped him completely as days began to pass without his awareness. As if the sole attendee to a grand opera, he eased into his velveteen chair—bewitched by the harmonious melody. Allowing her voice to reach his soul… where it lingered for some time longer.
The expressed emotions behind her song conveying kindness and a gentle love. A maternal spirit that yearned for her family. Of days far gone. A hymn of the purest of lights.
In the coming days, much would change. Rather than hide from the man who pursued him, he would willing leave the protection of the one who safeguarded him up to this point. Walk alongside someone he considered gravely dangerous without intent to flee. Whilst this decision was in earnest, made to ensure the wellbeing of another… deep within his heart, he no longer had any desire to continue running. With each step further, the melody grew in tone—a sense of urgency rising in her warm voice. Lyrics in a language unknown crying out from her throat as her song took on an atmosphere of loss and tragedy.
With legs unmoving, he could feel the aching strings of her heart reach out widely. Attempting to swallow everything in its path. But none other could hear her song save for him. Not even the elderly man whom pledged his life to her. She was beginning to break. Their shared clock ticked down towards a would be mutual destruction of their minds.
Finding himself once more within that lonesome theatre hidden within himself, he made to stand at long last. His spiritual legs making to approach the songstress on the stage. Her knees having given out—collapsed now on the marble flooring…singing even now with dry lungs. With each word she breathed aloud, he could feel her dying. Certainly, without action, she would expire and the walls of this elaborate opera hall would crumble around them. Burying them both within the wreckage.
He’d known it from the start. Why he had denied the truth for so long, he would give the fault to ignorance. For want to live as merely an observer rather than an orchestrator. Kneeling down beside the nearly fainted singer, he extended to her his hand. Taking her soft palm in his and granting her his strength to help her stand once more. Wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her against his chest so that she might rest…whilst he, with his own voice, continued the song.
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
warnings: mild description of murder/blood
“Really, mon oisillon, need you bother with all the palaver? Why not cut straight to the point? Or is it that you enjoy forcing my hand, rather than dirtying your own?”
It was only slightly bothersome. Having a freshly tailored coat gone to waste due to this man’s impatience. Through mine thin sleeve, I felt a warm substance ooze through the material. The qualities of which, made removing it from garb rather challenging. “No.” I answered calmly, unfazed by the situation the Elezen man made manifest with a simple lick of his sword. “It was merely to behold the colours of her soul… to determine if she truly was as devoid of art as I presumed.” Laying against my chest, a woman, barely clothed… laid breathless. Bleeding out from a clean cut through her heart. Her body growing colder with each pasting moment. With her once plain canvas riddled with the marking of death… I had no longer any qualm with keeping my hands to myself.
If only to hold her closer. Caress her face as her final expressions detailed one of shock, instead of joy.
“You seem disappointed.” The man hummed curiously. Dismissive himself as he pondered over many a thought until he reached a conclusion he could be content with. “I was only trying to help. I know how you utterly abhor such shameful acts of body language.” Twirling his sword through the air, he continued on with his musing. “Or perhaps, it was not her you were testing? Rather, have you been observing me, my little sheep? You knew from the first that this was her fate. Knew it, and yet you led her on with playful flirtations and late night dine-ins.” With a smooth motion, Seymour flicked the rapier towards the bedframe I sat against. Circling the tip of it around the lengths of my fine hair—threatening to slice it off had I acted in a manner he deemed unfit. Then again, there was no telling what was actually going on through his head. One second he could be in the mood for instantaneous dancing, and the next, he’d be coiled up on the couch with two glasses in hand. Knowing that one contained poison, and the other a sweet nectar—and depending on the day, he’d either take a swig from only one, or down them both without care. “I know my sister asked you to take my life. Yet this charade of ours grows long. Tell me… did the colours of my soul strike a certain fancy within you? Am I not someone desirable to you in death as she is? If so, then I must say, I am quite offended.”
Doing away with the sword, Seymour tossed it carelessly to the side. A loud clamour ringing as its metal struck the tiled floor. “Offended?” The way he breathed his words out—at once delighted by mine supposed interest in him, and insulted that he was yet alive—made his exact intentions hard to discern. “And here I had assumed this proved as your personal entertainment. Honestly… have you grown tired of it all so soon?” Phrasing my words as if a challenge of sorts, I invited him to delve a little further into himself for me.
“Aha, of course not. What I wish to see is the outcome, you understand? Whether I will permit you my life in its entirety, or if I would instead make to claim yours for mine own. I know not the answer yet. But I do not like to be kept waiting.”
Character: Redacted ♦ Region: Doma ♦ Time: Several millennia ago
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
The water was, at once, encumbering, and liberating. Against her bare flesh, it permitted her a certain freedom she hadn’t found elsewhere. Breathing easily, she allowed herself to relax within the cooling tides. Raising her leg upwards, she stretched out her otherwise handicapped limbs. She remembered the first time she had been introduced to water in this way. The way she splashed around like a fish joyfully—her form much more graceful than it was now. Still…
He had left her alone so that she might be more at ease. Alone here, underneath the hill that he was buried. If he could see her now, what would he think? Would her be just as proud of her? Would he give her his blessing?
In a few years’ time, she would return to this meadow lake… with her daughter in hand, and she would teach her how to swim. To pad through the open water like she had the whole world to herself. That she had to strength to claim anything she wished for with her own two arms. Her own two legs.
It would be spring, and the flowers would begin to bud anew. The air would be fresh with life again, and she would experience the change of seasons with her family. They’d head towards the future together full of light and love. Or so she hoped.
“a tangle of thorns is just that; were it not for the roses decorating the vines, none would be so foolish as to traverse its narrow, and plainly dangerous paths.”
Character: Honozuka Kajiwara ♦ Region: Hingashi ♦ Time: Several moons ago (set after ‘Bargain’)
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
“We’re here… now what? It’s not like the door’s just gonna be unlocked for us.” She commentated to an unresponsive audience. Hoisting the Raen deadweight up some more, she tried at the apartment door. Catching herself blinking in confusion when it opened for her easily; and without even needing to bring out a lockpick or bust it down. “Wha—…” Whose place was this anyways? Leaving their front door unprotected like that was idiotic, let alone naïve. Pushing it open all the way, she dragged the other inside with her—somewhat surprised to see the entrance kept nice and tidy and without sign on break-ins. Although, it seemed the power was cut and if it wasn’t for the lights emanating from the hallway, it’d be totally pitch black.
Setting the Raen down on the floor, she made to close the door behind them—actually locking up after themselves this time. She wasn’t too worried about him anymore at the moment. Before anything else, she needed to investigate this place further. The trained woman always came prepared however, so she already had the tools required to combat this deep black. Whilst she had no choice but to discard her armor earlier, she kept with her a satchel filled with her tools. Pilfering through her bag, she withdrew from it a chemical rod and snapped it into activation. With a blue light highlighting her immediate surroundings, she began to explore the rooms to this tight, cultured apartment.
Her immediate concern was finding out whether there was anybody else here. Peering around the walls answered that query quickly enough though. They were alone here. In a place that didn’t reek of dust or otherwise. Where, in the bedroom, the linen appeared freshly changed. Honestly, it gave her the creeps being here. But it really wasn’t like they had much choice. Taking out a lighter, she found a simple lantern she was able to light up and make the atmosphere feel a slight bit safer. Now that there was actual colour to everything that was.
“And up we go…” Lugging her charge towards somewhere he’d be able to get some rest, she managed to barely get him up atop the bed. Having to lift him up awkwardly due to their extreme size discrepancies. Once she was done, she posted herself on the ground—her back resting against the end of the bedframe and closed her eyes. When she woke next, she’d see what this place stored in more depth. She just needed a couple bells…
- -
They had supplies to keep them going for a while. A sack of coins were tucked away in a storage cabinet, along with some canned food. Whoever this place belonged to wanted the people who found it kept safe and well, was what she figured at least. There was still the matter of how the dresser contained simple garb for all sizes, but she tried to pay it little mind. Sitting atop the bed with a bowl of warmed soup kept near her side, she looked away from the man next to her. “So, you wanna talk about it?” Hugging a knee up against her chest, not particularly seeking an answer from him.
His hair had been freshly washed, and was yet slightly wet. He too, did not look her in the face. Not because he was afraid of what she might think of him, but rather… “You saw everything. Surely, you understand better than any other.” He worded calmly—his eyes rendered nearly blind now. “The truth… that only you are akin to.”
Yeah. It was something nobody else saw. Whether it was due to bias or charm, there was always a reason others were blissfully ignorant of it. But she knew it from the first. Because she understood those two better than anyone else could’ve. That soulless brainiac and his monstrous mutt.
It’s why she felt responsible, in a way. This truth he trusted her with, she had to be strong enough to endure it. Else there’d be no one by his side that’d know. To help him through it. “Mm, well. I’ll leave the soup here if you want it. I’m here if you need me.” Or feel like talking. With that, she left Nobu behind. Even if he didn’t…
She still..
Had feelings she had to sort out privately. Some space would be nice. She knew she couldn’t leave the apartment, but she just needed time to breathe.
Character: Honozuka Kajiwara ♦ Region: Doma ♦ Time: Midway through the Imperial occupancy
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
It was the least she could do. That kid had been through a lot, and if it relieved her in any way by playing with her hair, well then, she’d let her do whatever she wanted to it. “Heh…you’re making my hair feel all oily. What’s that you’re using?” Cocking her head back a bit, she tried to see what it was the younger Roe was applying to her short hair. After all, she wasn’t really expecting an answer back from her. The little lady could barely speak the new tongue, instead using a more ancient dialect only the old man seemed to be able to translate some.
Sighing when she couldn’t see anything of substance, she rolled her shoulders and eased into the chair. She’d been there when they first found Bethsheba. Seen her in that state. It felt good whenever she saw the girl smile, even if only for a moment. She was starting to grow taller than her too now…
Feeling the young Roe apply more of that strange goo to her locks, Honozuka closed her eyes and let those magic fingers get to work. She too needed a break from it all sometimes. In a way, it was mutually beneficial to them both. Just when she thought Beth was finished however, she felt the girl’s palm press to her shoulder, silently telling her to remain still. Doing just that, she breathed slowly with her eyelids kept shut and waited. And waited. And waited…and waited some more. Until she finally got fed up and started twitching her knee in restlessness. “Can I move now?” She asked, trying to keep her tone from sounding too frustrated.
Fortunately for her, Beth made a soft sound in acknowledgement. As if she understood what Honozuka was trying to communicate in some part. Reopening her eyes, she let out a breath of relief as she stood up and began to stretch out her legs. Felt like she’d been waiting around for bells, and she didn’t even know why. “So, ya going to show me what ya did?” Smirking coyly at the young Roe, she waited for her to pull up a hand mirror just like she always did. This time however, there was some delay. She could see that Beth was acting shyer than normal—her eyelashes fluttering some in nervous agitation. “Come on, it can’t be that bad. Lemme see!” So long as the lass didn’t make her look like some clown, she’d be fine with it. Never let her down before, so why’d she start now?
Grabbing at the mirror from Beth’s lap, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Of course, Beth tried to claim it back before she was able to see it, but she was too late. Honozuka held it up to herself and saw everything that was done to her hair. She was blonde. Her mouth widened in surprise at the shocking sight, but the more she looked, the more she was impressed by it. And suddenly, she even found herself howling out a hearty laugh. “Fucking hells girl, this is great!” Clapping a hand onto Beth’s back, she beamed with delight at talented stylist. “Always hated that darned black.”
And stunned by Honozuka’s alarming reaction, Beth found herself speechless… taken aback by all the praise she couldn’t translate. Even so, she did manage a small smile when all was said and done. She made the right choice, it would seem. As Honozuka kept that colour for years to come.
Character: Nozaki Matsugen ♦ Region: Doma ♦ Time: Tail end of the Imperial occupancy
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
warnings: a brief note of violence
“I did this for you, my child. To teach you a lesson. You can’t run away from this. None of us can.”
The way her slimy hands coiled around his cheeks wasn’t something he could forget so easily. Every time he closed his eyes, he could feel it even while awake. Growling through his dirty ale, he struggled to keep his eyes open. Not even allowing himself to blink as he slammed the mug down on the counter and demanded a refill.
But it wasn’t just closing his eyes he needed to avoid. Any sort of darkness pulled him back into that horrid memory. As the bartender stole his mug and made to serve him another, the lights went. Only for a sparse second, but that second was all that was needed. His shoulders tensed with a mix of fear and rage as his breathing became low and hot. And just as a new mug was placed before him, filled to the brim with cheap booze, the lights went once again. He hadn’t even noticed the chatter in the background commentating on how it wasn’t just this bar. These blackouts seemed to be happening all over.
Planting his palm against his brow, Nozaki grimaced in disgust as he reimagined those devilish hands wrapped around his face so. Back then, he hadn’t even the strength to fight back. If he did, he would have sunk his teeth into her cheek and tore out her jaw. Picturing that sort of monstrous revenge and worse, it nearly almost managed to calm him down some. He needed more. That rancid ale wasn’t cutting it for him anymore. The dryness in his chest ached for something far stronger to quench his thirst.
That bitch took everything away from him; and now she wanted his forgiveness. His thanks.
Hells if he gave her what she wanted. If she was going to plant another trap, he wouldn’t walk so easily into it this time. He’d make her curse the day she underestimated him again.
| What Monster from Folklore Protects You: Nobushige |
Succubus/Incubus - - ( ❀ )
Temptation is the sweetest of poisons, my dear. Breath it deep into your lungs and allow yourself to surrender to your desires, if only for the night.
The incubus, or it's female counterpart, succubus, is a type of demon that tempts its prey in darkness. Though it typically is, it does not have to be sexual in nature. These demons have an uncanny grasp on manipulation. The mask of a pretty face conceals the horror lying beneath, talons curled, ready to pounce. They coerce their victims with sweet words and hollow promises, lulling them into a false sense of security. They whisper in the prey's ear, subtly guiding their movements like a seasoned puppeteer until the moment arrives to strike. Then they disappear without a trace, leaving behind their broken victims, merely a shell of the person they used to be.
You aren't necessarily evil. After all, what is good and evil but simply a construct of the human imagination? You have a way with words and a silver tongue to boot. Perhaps you are an author or a singer. Maybe the subtleties of both verbal and nonverbal communication just come naturally to you. There is no denying this: you are highly intelligent. No, I don't mean in the academic sense. Though that could be true as well. Your intelligence spurs from your guile. It is your wit that connects the incubus/succubus to you. It is intrigued by your mannerisms. It would simply be a shame to see such an interesting human go to waste. Just be careful how you treat others so you don't make unnecessary enemies.
You never know when the hunter might become the hunted...
—————————————————————————————
tagged by: @seascrapes
tagging: @miss-balentine, @kindlyuplander, @starfish-ffxiv, and anyone else who wishes to
Characters: Orange; Honozuka; Nobushige ♦ Regions: La Noscea; Doma; Ilsabard ♦ Times: Various
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
warnings: descriptions of violence in second story
It was going to be a big day today! He’d been given an allowance from Red’s mother to pick his best friend out a gift for his upcoming party. When he heard that Red had never had a nameday celebration before cause he didn’t know when it was, he felt a burning resolve within his chest to make sure it was he bestest one ever!
He was accompanied by Red’s older sister today as he meandered through the market stalls, hoping to find something perfect for his one and only friend. Bethsheba was pretty quiet, but Orange didn’t mind at all. She was merely here to watch over him was all. And she accomplished just that, never straying in the slightest from her task. In fact, she kinda seemed rigid in her movements. Almost like a machine. Giggling quietly to himself at this simple thought, the young boy in the silly hat bounced around the streets.
After a while, he finally found something that he knew that Red would love immensely! Upon paying for it, he kept it tucked safely in bag and held close to his chest. That was when Bethsheba kneeled over and stared at the other goods the vendor had in store. Mouthing something wordless as if she meant to communicate something aloud. Shaking his head, he couldn’t quite understand what she was trying to get at, so he poked at her shoulder some to get her to look at him. “What? Y-You’ve… You’ve gotta speak actual words.” He told her to her face, hoping she’d get it.
Instead, she just tilted her head at him in confusion. Just when he thought she was a lost cause to him, she managed to speak something comprehensible. “I… gift, Red too.” Her accent was still really funny to him, but at least her intentions had gotten across to him this time.
“Sure… I’ll help! But you gotta buy us some ice-cream afterwards. We c-can get Red’s favourite flavour too, okay?”
Rapidly panting through bloodied lips, Honozuka was barely able to keep her eyes open as punches went flying left and right. Laying back against the wall, she clutched onto her steel sword for support—the strength in her arms failing to do much beyond. She’d nearly gotten herself killed tonight. Cornered by those thugs and beaten within an inch of her life because of a stupid deal gone wrong.
If it hadn’t been for Nozaki showing up when he did, she’d be dead by now.
But maybe then, it would’ve spared her from the sight she was forced to witness in full.
She never really understood why he’d earned that title for himself until she finally saw it in the flesh. That red-hot rage in his sharp eyes… the horrible roar he let out as he recklessly charged full speed ahead into a crowd of armed goons. The hideous, yet brutally honest intent to kill surging through his pulsating veins with every well aimed punch.
His shadow, lurking in the corner of the room with a linkshell held up to his mouth as he instructed his bull exactly where and how to strike.
Had she not felt her heart pounding out of her chest with fear that she could’ve easily been next—Nozaki so blinded by fury that he might not be able to recognize her there anymore—she would’ve passed out on the spot. Coughing up a pool of blood, she gritted her teeth as she lost what little balance she had left; crashing down straight into her own vomit. This dastardly smell, and the violence… she had firmly believed herself strong enough to handle it all before today. How mistaken she had been.
Since their first night, he found himself plagued with sleepless nights. Donning a silk robe made of the finest of whites, he walked slowly towards his one room of isolation. And there, gazing into the bathroom mirror, he saw his own empty reflection staring back at him—through him, almost.
That shrill humming was becoming louder now. Every evening, he discovered it grew in volume more and more. And currently, it beat through his skull with a vocal range strong enough to pierce through bone.
Is what he would’ve thought it capable of, had he the capacity to feel pain. Alas, however, he could not.
He only knew how troublesome it was to attempt rest when such an incessant sound prodded at him constantly. What the song allowed for instead, was a moment of self-reflection. Gazing into his own eyes, he was able to consider things he hadn’t the time for otherwise.
Slowly, he had begun to process what it was that he should feel towards the situation at hand. Whether he should, within his mind, discern these acts of so-called love as something pure or loathsome. When he himself felt nothing by them. Made instead to feign an emotion he did not understand whilst watching another who claimed to understand them so well. Even though he truly knew that the one he married was a kind and honourable soul who cared deeply for others… he could sense something akin to revulsion grow within himself.
A revulsion that certainly would’ve fostered regardless of the person he belonged to. A type of disgust that would in time, alter the course of his morality forever. If allowed to prosper, that was. Deep within himself, a decision was reached. A decision that hid itself from even his own mind as it was deliberated, and ultimately, confirmed upon to be the only cause of action available to him. A choice that he would not realize was his own until it was far, far too late.
Character: Mikhail Nao ♦ Region: Thanalan ♦ Time: A few moons ago
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
He’d gotten better at reading. While he wasn’t super good quite yet, he was able to follow along with his mom’s recipe book whenever they practiced baking together. Today, his mom was out on business—and the sitter she hired to look after him had fallen asleep on the sofa. Figuring that now was his chance, he hurried over to the kitchen and pulled out his mother’s favourite dessert book. Fortunately, this book also had plenty of pictures for him to look at, so he simply picked one that appeared tasty enough and went from there!
First things first though! They always had to start with a big bowl to put the ingredients in! So he found the biggest one he could find and set it down on the counter. He was still too short to see over it, so he figured that instead of getting a stool, he’d just take it to the floor instead. Now, sitting down on the hardwood floor, Mikhail got to work! He had to be quick, before his mom got back and the sitter woke up, but he also wanted to do it right. Luckily for him, lots of the ingredients were stashed in the lower pantry door next to him which made everything much easier.
Whilst he could read out the names of everything he needed, he still wasn’t very sure what the numbers meant. His mom always told him to be careful with the flour however, as it was a very tricky ingredient to use. And it could easily make a big mess if used recklessly. That’s why he only used a little. Until he realized that once he added the other ingredients, it was far too wet to be correct. “Hmm…” He thought he’d maybe put in too much sugar, and that was okay… but what he had in the bowl was impossible to work with.
Licking his fingers, he begun to consider his options. He could try baking it like this and see what came out afterwards, or add more flour and hope he doesn’t ruin it completely. Either way, he was sure his mom would appreciate the effort. After all, he was a good boy and would clean up after himself once he was done! In the end, he decided to add a bit more flour until he was satisfied with the consistency. Even if it did stain his new shirt with white powder, he wasn’t too bothered by it. Humming to himself a little tune, he rolled the dough into big circles and set them onto a long tray. Just as he placed them into the oven, he heard a click sound from the door. His mom was home!
Rushing to the door to greet her, the tiny Raen hugged his Hyur mother with open arms! “Mommy, you’re home!” Happy to see her son after a long day of work, she hugged him back and pat at his head some. Before she could speak, Mikhail started asking her how her day was as he dragged her inside. And before he knew it, they were talking about all sorts of stuff! That was, until his mom caught wind of something burning in the kitchen. Immediately, she rushed to the oven and dealt with the situation. Opening up a nearby window to let out the smoke and extracting the tray of charred cookies from the stove. “Oh no... I forgot…” He frowned sadly at the sight of his cookies gone black, but once his mom sat the piping hot tray down atop the oven, she shook his head and gave him a slight smile. Whispering the heat away with a secret spell as she reached down for a cookie and took a bite from it—a loud crunch sounding from her mouth.
“Mm, chocolate chip, my favourite.” Salvaging what she could of the situation, his mom then made to sit him down and talk to him about how she appreciated the effort, but that he shouldn’t attempt to play with the oven when there wasn’t an adult supervising over him. That he could’ve gotten hurt, or worse. Nodding his head in understanding, he nuzzled his head into his mom’s lap. Happy that she was home and everything was okay. Whilst she wasn’t too impressed by the sitter’s laidback demeanor, she too was glad that her son had a smile on his face, and that she was finally home at long last.
hosted by: @sea-wolf-coast-to-coast / challenge information
“Ah… You know, my dear, it is quite impolite to sneak up from behind someone.”
Humming curiously, the Raen raised a hand onto the table afore them. Reaching frivolously for the hand of the body laying atop it. “Hmm…” Delicately, they stroked along the pronounced spines of its backside and observed their structure. Unsatisfied, the Raen turned their gaze elsewhere—towards the dark figure hiding out of sight. “It is fascinating, no? How something so simple could catch his attention in such a way…” Laying the hand back down limply, they gestured for the shadow to come closer. “But surely you’ve known all along, haven’t you? You watched him closer than any other, have you not?”
As the man made to approach, the Raen’s garnet eyes twinkled with sweetness. “Of course.” The other stated clearly. Minding none as the ever so familiar appearance of the Raen spoke to him in an unusual voice and demeanor. Ietasu maintained a balanced posture and empty expression even as he came up close to the impostor. And when he felt a hand grab at his collar and pull him down in uncivil interrogation, he managed to keep up the façade.
“I wonder… when was it that you regained your heart, child? That pain inside you has returned, despite my best efforts to sever it from you forever.” Face-to-face with those all seeing eyes, the Xaela, had he been anyone else, would’ve cowered and broke down before them. But those flashing rubies scared him none. “Do you wish for me to cut it away again? You’ve been so faithful that I wouldn’t mind gifting you this trite thing. All you have to do is say yes, and I’ll split heart and soul once more… no strings attached this time.”
The offer in itself was gracious. It had in fact, been something he wished for the moment he felt the ugly stirrings within his chest ache for the first time in years. And yet, his mind was already decided on. “No. I do believe it will serve a purpose later on. I will bear with it until then, for that reason alone.” Seeing her smile so at his resolve made him feel ill inside. All of this was wholly his fault. For being so weak back when his choices were still his own. For consigning his heart off to the devil so that ‘he’ could survive a touch bit longer. That was why he turned the offer down this time. He still had a duty to protect the true life within the Raen vessel.
“Very well then, my dear. Let’s see just what you are willing to sacrifice everything for again, shall we? Bring to me my mask..~” Rising from their seat, the Raen made to fetch a surgical apron. Stretching onto their hands tight white gloves as Ietasu brought over to them an onyx blinder. What happened afterwards would not be an act of Hers. It would be the actions of the young child he himself had raised, and failed.
The piano is an exceptionally expressive instrument, one that can bash out a party-starting boogie-woogie and then deliver the fiery passion of Rachmaninov with barely a pause to wipe the sweat off the keys. It's also a real challenge, not least if you want to play in a place where there isn't one. Becoming proficient in one style won't necessarily get you closer to mastering another, but the act of learning is a meditation in itself. Especially something flash and happy like a Scott Joplin rag.
BOLD ANY FEARS WHICH APPLY TO YOUR MUSE.
ITALICIZE WHAT MAKES THEM UNCOMFORTABLE.
the dark. fire. open water. deep water. being alone. crowded spaces. confined spaces. change. failure. war. loss of control. powerlessness. prison. blood. drowning. suffocation. public speaking. natural animals. the supernatural. heights. death. dying. intimacy. rejection. abandonment. loss. the unknown. the future. not being good enough. scary stories. speaking to new people. poverty. loud noises. being touched. fame. peace. steady life habits. routine. being looked down on. responsibility.
tagged by: @seascrapes
tagging: late to the party, so anyone who wishes :)
| Nobushige Matsugen |
BOLD [REDACTED] WHICH APPLY TO YOUR MUSE.
ITALICIZE WHAT MAKES THEM ADVERSE.
the dark. fire. open water. deep water. being alone. crowded spaces. confined spaces. change. failure. war. loss of control. powerlessness. prison. blood. drowning. suffocation. public speaking. natural animals. the supernatural. heights. death. dying. intimacy. rejection. abandonment. loss. the unknown. the future. not being good enough. scary stories. speaking to new people. poverty. loud noises. being touched. fame. peace. steady life habits. routine. being looked down on. responsibility.
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