tunasub | OPEN POST 2021

[ and Cinnabar, as they usually are in the afternoon, is asleep. There are many factors that make them stay awake through the night - habit, anxiety, a desire to minimize damage - but it's still in defiance of their biology, and by the time the sun rises, they're exhausted, in spite of their inclusions hungrily absorbing the light. In the winter, it's even worse, with less light and more overcast skies. They've long become accustomed to the shame of sleeping through the day in a dark corner while their peers work, though, and it's no different here. They can hardly feel the bite of it.

The hut is more specifically some kind of gardening shed, by the looks of it - or, at least, it was one at some point. Now, it looks abandoned, sitting at the edge of the woods a little ways beyond the housing row. A keen eye might be able to tell that it isn't. There's a small pathway recently cleared of leaves and debris in front of it; the windows have spiderwebs in them, but they've been cleared of dust, though it's too dark to see inside.

Most notably, there's a freshly-planted sapling sitting at one of the shed's corners, making a familiar whistling noise. ]

[ The shack seems to have been recently cleaned, at least, judging by the windows. But it's too dark to see inside. And Vangeance is just about to send a few of his vines creeping under the tiny crack in the door to sense the mana of whatever's inside -- when he's interrupted by a whistling sound. One that he's awfully familiar with.

Of course, it only takes him a moment to step around the shack and spot that sapling, with the wooden birds he'd crafted. And that's all the confirmation he needs.

Cinnabar had seemed awfully cautious about being around other living beings. Of course they'd sequester themselves to something lonely like this, away from others. The thought makes his chest ache for a moment, and Vangeance is all the more glad he'd stopped before invading their privacy. Nobody deserves such an indignity, but especially not someone who already seems to hurt and careful.

So instead, he waits. He's well-accustomed to wiling away the hours in the company of nature; it's something he's found comfort in since early childhood.

By the time Cinnabar finally emerges from their little shack, they might notice a few tiny changes. A few footsteps in the grass near their shack. The sapling with the carved birds seems more lively -- it's sprouted a few more tiny buds, and its leaves are greener and fuller, though the birds are untouched. And there's the flutter of red up in the branches of a tree nearby. Vangeance, nestled up in the branches, gazing off at the darkening sky; a few blackbirds keep him company, but he otherwise seems deep in thought. ]

[ it takes an hour or two, but they do emerge eventually. They've always slept fitfully; no doubt trying to sleep through the daylight hours makes it worse. After waking up sporadically here and there, they finally give up on sleeping for the time being, forcing themself to their feet to confront the ordeal of existing once again. For Cinnabar, there's little to do here. Maybe less than there had been back home.

In that sense, the gift from Vangeance has been nice. It's something to do - caring for a plant like that. Their presence will probably kill it off sooner or later, but they've been doing their best to be careful with it, and so far, it seems okay. When they open the door, their shoes in one hand, they turn their head to glance at it, and their expression relaxes the slightest bit, nearing something like a smile, at seeing it looking healthy, before they return their attention to the ground, dumping some excess poison out of their footwear and onto the dirt. They'd fallen asleep wearing them - they're always afraid they'll step on something hard and fracture their leg if they're not on.

The brief peek into their daily doldrums comes to an end when the flash of red catches their eye - and, instantly, their gaze shoots up into the trees, where Vangeance stands out like a sore thumb in that getup of his. Immediately, they stiffen, surprised or defensive - probably both. ]

... What are you doing out here?

Edited 2021-01-23 04:55 (UTC)

[ He looks over swiftly enough at the sound of the familiar voice, and as he glances down to see the shimmer of red off Cinnabar's hair, Vangeance smiles to himself. Good to know he was right; he'd harbored the very faint worry that perhaps Cinnabar had rejected his gift and someone else had absconded with it, so he's relieved to see that worry was unfounded. ]

Good evening, Cinnbar.

[ There's the rustle of leaves as Vangeance slips down to the ground, easily maneuvering down one, two three branches until he lands lightly on the ground. He gives Cinnabar a small nod in warning before doesn't draw any closer, instead gently smoothing his hands down the folds of his cloak and picking out any errant leaves as he speaks. ]

I've taken to searching the island for anything unusual, and happened upon the your shelter. [ A nod towards the little shed. ] I had my suspicions it was yours, but I couldn't be sure. And in case I was correct, I didn't want to disturb you. I assume you rest during the day if you're able to patrol during the night.

[ A pause as he straightens up and properly looks to Cinnabar with a faint smile. Polite as ever. ]

I do apologize if I startled you. I promise you I wasn't deliberately looking to invade your privacy.

[ Cinnabar watches his descent carefully, as if he's some wild beast come out of the woods that they aren't entirely sure how to handle. In a sense, to them, he is. They're still not sure what to make of him. The mask might be weird, but combined with his politeness, he's completely impenetrable. Not that they're suspecting him of anything nefarious. No - they're still just having a hard time acclimating to such plain and basic kindness, and their cynical mind can't help wondering if it's all fake.

Though it's become somewhat harder to doubt him. Very briefly, their eyes flick over to the sapling with the carved birds again - and then straight to the ground. That little puddle of mercury they just poured out sure is interesting!! ]

... Well, you found something unusual, [ they reply dryly. Despite the previously-mentioned concern about breaking their foot on some unseen rock, they idly scuff some dirt onto the mercury puddle just to have something to focus on that isn't Vangeance. ] It's fine. I was just surprised to see you during the day.

[ he's really wearing some crazy colors, isn't he? he stands out a lot. it's harder to tell at night. ]

[ He laughs gently at the dry response, brief and low. ]

I suppose I did. I was wondering what to do if I'd stumbled on something related to the Administrator. Whether to examine it myself or seek company from someone else, or if it might pose a risk -- so it was a pleasant surprise to realize it was only a friendly acquaintance.

[ Note: 'friendly acquaintance,' not 'friend.' Because something tells him Cinnabar would balk at the latter. And Vangeance doesn't draw any closer, either. Because as much as Cinnabar treats him with caution, the reverse is also true. Though Vangeance worries less about any underhandedness or malice, and more that he might inadvertently scare Cinnabar off.

So he only gives his usual, genial smile -- friendly without being too intimate, warm but maintaining a certain distance. And though his gaze does briefly fall on that tree and its little birds, he notices the way Cinnabar quickly looks away, and decides not to mention it. Instead, he settles for: ]

I do prefer working during the day. But I've been having some sleepless nights lately. [ A small tilt of the head. ] Are you about to embark on your patrol?

[ the Administrator, huh. It would probably behoove them to look into that, too. It's obviously suspicious. But Cinnabar has never been the type. If there are answers, they're sure someone better-suited to being the hero will be the one to find them. ]

Waiting for the moon. It's still early. [ the sun's still setting, and there are still people milling around. case in point: there's one in front of them. They continue on in a neutral tone. ] ... You aren't the only one who can't sleep.

[ not sympathy, just a frank answer. true, their sleep schedule is backwards, but they're also nervous being here. They've gotten good at ignoring it, but it's insidious, creeping into their thoughts when they're still - the fear of being alone, stranded here, not knowing anything at all. After so many years, Cinnabar had liked to pretend they were numb to the strain of isolation; little did they know that they'd end up here and feel the sting of it more strongly than ever. ]

[ Vangeance only gives a small cant of the head at first. He's already gotten the sense that Cinnabar isn't the type to speak frankly about their intentions or desires, which means he needs to read between the lines. The last thing he wants to do is say something insensitive to someone who already seems to wary. ... aah. That wasn't sympathy, was it. ]

Mm. I suppose it isn't surprising that this sort of place would make for many restless nights.

[ He gets it, in other words. He gets why Cinnabar might prefer to wait for nightfall before getting started.

There's a longer pause before he continues. ]

Cinnabar, I wonder if you'd permit me to ask about your homeland? [ His tone of voice is relentlessly calm and gentle. Not particularly enthusiastic, lest he sound invasive, but just a little curious. ] Of course, I understand if the subject is too painful to speak of. I wouldn't wish to exacerbate any feelings of homesickness.

[ so he's going to linger, then. They shift on their feet slightly, feeling a bit of unease bubble up from inside. Of course, they could always just say no - but Cinnabar is caught between wanting to flee and wanting company, as they often are, and, much like the last time they met in person, they can't quite bring themself to just shut him out. It's true that they find him hard to read, but it's also true that he just doesn't feel that dangerous to them, as suspicious as he appears. ]

Fine. What do you want to know?

[ they're not homesick, not exactly, even if they miss the other gems. It's a complicated topic. But not so complicated that they can't talk about it. Cinnabar doesn't exactly have any secrets. While they continue speaking, they drop their shoes on the ground, stepping back into them. ]

But don't get your hopes up. There isn't much to say about it.

[ He blinks at that before exhaling softly, just shy of being a gentle laugh. At the same time, leaning back against the tree he's standing before; it keeps his body language from being too invasive, he thinks, and might lessen the pressure that Cinnabar is feeling. ]

I'm not seeking any information in particular.

[ Vangeance gives a soft hum in thought as he glances off into the foliage surrounding them. And while it's not really in his nature to speak to frankly in most situations, he gets the feeling being forthright might help put someone like Cinnabar more at ease.

There's the quiet 'thunk' of his helm as he rests his head back against the tree, keeping his gaze shifted aside. ]

... It's simply that I felt I've been far too ignorant about the ways of those other than humans. And perhaps it's somewhat crass of me, but our drastic differences made me curious. What kind of place you come from, how your days are spent, what kind of landscape you're accustomed to. What kind of life you live.

[ A pause before he offers Cinnabar a small smile, meant to be reassuring. ]

I'd be grateful for anything you'd be comfortable talking about.

[ At least he's honest about his curiosity. It might have irritated them from someone else, but, again, he's very polite and straightforward, and Cinnabar does feel a little bit like they owe him for the present. They can't hold it against him. They're curious about humans, too - they just aren't brave enough to ask people. (And there's something admirable about wanting to rectify one's ignorance, too.) ]

Anything. [ a small huff. ] That's not helpful.

[ and they're not a normal gem, anyway. How unfortunate that the only one Vangeance can ask is Cinnabar - as if they could tell him anything about what kind of life their people live... if Cinnabar was honest about themself, it would just be humiliating. Despite their dismissive response, though, they continue after a small pause. ]

... We live on an island in an endless sea. Me, fourteen other gems, and Kongou-sensei. It's green in the summer, and snowy in the winter. The insects and plants disappear. But they come back again every year, because they can make more of themselves. [ a pause. ] ... We aren't like that. Gems don't die. But if one of us disappears, there's no guarantee we'll be replaced. So we have to work hard to defend our home.

[ It's a rather obtuse answer, and not the most detailed. But still, he can glean some unsaid information from those curt words. Vangeance gives a tilt of the head in thought as he replays Cinnabar's voice in his head. ]

... an island. [ Idle words to fill the silence while his mind races. ] It sounds quite pleasant if you put it that way. My homeland does border the sea, but it's quite far from where most of my work takes place and I've only seen it once. I can't imagine being surrounded by such a sight at all times.

[ -- they don't reproduce, then, if Cinnabar differentiates between the gems, and the insects and plants. And there's a difference between 'death' and 'disappearance.' Gems can be incapacitated, then? Or perhaps there's simply a limit to how much 'death' they can endure. And this 'Kongou-sensei' probably isn't a gem? What kind of relationship does this person(?) have with the gems, then? And what is he? Not to mention -- ]

But I take it your life isn't entirely idyllic, if defending your home is something you speak of so plainly. [ His tone of voice remains calm. Not dark, not pitying, because he somehow doubts Cinnabar wants that kind of simpering sympathy. But it's just a touch more careful than usual as he continues: ] May I ask what exactly you must defend yourselves from?

[ What kind of people(?) would invade an island, one that sounds so isolated and self-sufficient, and why? Already, there's an ill premonition prickling at the back of his neck, and Vangeance hopes that it's wrong. ]

[ seeing the sea only once is pretty hard to imagine for them. It implies the existence of a piece of land so big that there's a point in it where the ocean disappears from the horizon. Kongou implied that there used to be land like that in their world, too. Provided the things they've learned about their ancestors, they suppose that only makes sense - Vangeance probably lives on a world somewhat like that.

They were expecting him to ask that next question, though they were purposefully vague enough that he could have asked almost anything; it's the most important thing to learn about the way the gems live, after all. Cinnabar only buries the lede because they don't want to be pitied for that, too. ]

The moon. The ones who live there come during the day to try and take us away. Gems who go there don't come back.

[ their brow furrows a little bit as they say it, but they decide it's true enough. they're not sure what came back was really that gem anymore. ]

It's been going on longer than I've been alive. [ they pause, then fold their arms, closing their eyes with a small sigh. ] Before you ask, we don't know why. Not really.

OPEN POST 2021

van-kun...

heart fingers at cinnabar

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