In truth, neither of them exist - but one has learned before the other. Dear comrades as they are, they are both of myth and legend. Folktale. In the course of history, there is no true place for them.
Even still, they are in front of you. Beloved - oh how dearly you love them so.
You take Iwatooshi to witness his master’s version of kindness. You watch him carefully, and adoringly. Even with the bloody scene in front of you - so famous that it has been adapted into countless plays - there is nothing but boundless fondness in your heart.
Humanity, and these feelings, are so full of surprise indeed.
As the two leave - you reflect.
Countless times, these struggles repeat. Countless times, you have witnessed this very same exchange.
Countless more, you will watch your comrades grow and grow. And come and go. ]
But no really, Rin is surprised to see something like this. He had known Mikazuki was kind, but this is an unexpected level of kindness here. To care for someone so much, but to deliver horrible news kindly instead of hiding it...what an interesting person.
"We repeatedly make mistakes and take detours. That's how we grow." That's a positive way to view a story like this, at least. But Rin does have one question on his mind:]
So they were able to keep existing, even if they didn't 'exist'?
[Somehow, for him at least, that's the most important part of it all.]
and that is why mikazuki's expression settles into a smile, pleased.]
... mm. There are some swords... whose histories are closer to myth. Not all are guaranteed to exist in every course of history, based on the choices that humanity makes.
But in these bodies, in these forms... their hearts are just as real as any other. They are given existence, because now we have new memories with them - and their new hopes and dreams.
[Rin sighs in relief. He has a lot of Opinions on existence, but ultimately he's happy to hear that these two got to keep existing. Even if he knows nothing about them beyond what he saw in that memory, he still cares a little bit.]
That's good. Even if they come from myth, they're here so they deserve to stay here.
['Even if the heart may be heavy, it is a gift.' Boy does that resonate with Rin.
[It's funny to Rin, because he doesn't think he ever explained what his lot in life is right now.]
Maybe I should learn how do to that from you. Humans and demons don't always get along in my world, they don't really understand each other. But since I'm a half-demon, I'm gonna be walking the bath between them. I'm a demon who fights to protect humans, and a human who fights to protect demons. It's all mis-matched, isn't it?
[In turn, Rin offers Mikazuki a big smile. He's right, Rin should feel pride in who he is and how he lives his life. And though he may falter sometimes, his strength has always been in how he picks himself back up and keeps going.
Which means of course it's thematically appropriate for Rin to get showered in starglitter and show off a memory!]
---
The helicarrier is crumbling to bits around them. The damage from the explosions and the fighting was just too much, and it's already dropping out of the sky. Bit by bit, every piece of the Illuminati's once-great flying base is becoming rubble in the desert below.
Rin couldn't care less about the destruction around him. He has one goal and one goal only: get the demon out of Yukio's eye, and get Yukio to safety. He's injured, and he's struggling to keep both of them on what little bit of ground he's found in the collapsing sky fortress while only having one working arm, but he's no less focused. He will NOT let Yukio die here.
"Let your little brother go."
That insidious voice- Satan himself, possessing Yukio but also communicating to Rin- it's trying to sway him again. Rin grits his teeth and holds into Yukio more tightly, but the voice still echoes in his mind.
"He too is but a fetter! And he is warping into a monster! He's even disappointed in himself!"
For a moment, Rin looks down to the unconscious teenager in his arms. His left eye is still lit up with the flames of Satan, indicating that the possession is still ongoing. Rin needs to use his own flames to force Satan out. But how can he do it right now? He has but one arm left, and if he lets go of Yukio to focus his power, then Yukio will slip off the falling helicarrier.
"Let him go."
In that moment, Yukio slips out of Rin's grasp.
Satan laughs, both surprised and elated to see that Rin's grip on reality is loosening. But Rin grits his teeth and pushes off of his perch, diving off the falling carrier and down towards his falling brother. They're high up in the sky, he has time to reach him, but it's seconds at most.
Again Satan yells at him. "You stubborn fool! You cannot help him now! So give up!"
Using his right hand- his remaining hand- Rin focuses his fire and drives it right into Yukio. The fire itself won't hurt Yukio, as Rin knows how to control what he burns. Only Satan himself will be hurt by Rin's actions. But as Rin focuses his fire onto Yukio, Satan pushes pack, forcing Rin away from Yukio. They both start to spiral away from each other as they fall from the sky.
"If you give up, it will be much easier."
There those whispers again. Demons like Satan try to corrupt the hearts of men, convincing them to give in to their wants and give up their freedom in exchange for momentary satisfaction. Rin is absolutely exhausted, and his body does want to give up. It WOULD be easier to accept defeat and finally rest.
But he won't. He can't. "My..."
He thinks of all the people who have fought so hard for him.
His mother, who gave her life so that Rin could be hidden away safely and get a chance to live.
His father, who died to keep Satan from dragging Rin to Hell once before.
The priests, who gave up their futures to help raise him in a quiet church far away from the Vatican's prying eyes.
His classmates, who fought tooth and nail to help Rin survive exorcist school.
Those in the game he played- a game which feels distant now, even though it was just a couple weeks ago- who kept him alive week after week when Rin thought he would be killed or voted out.
Ochako, and Hua Cheng, and all the other Watchers who listened to Rin and gave him every tool they could to make it through that game.
Xie Lian, who saw the demon in Rin's heart and embraced him instead of giving into fear.
Allen, who faced down that same demon and decided to stay by his side regardless.
Tsurumaru, who gave his life in the hopes that Rin would win the fight for control over his own body.
And Yukio, who sacrificed so much- even his own life- time and time again to keep Rin alive.
The same Yukio falling just feet away from him right now. The same Yukio that Satan is trying to tell him to give up on.
The same Yukio that Rin grabs onto with his right hand.
"My salvation has always been the people who never gave up on me."
And then he moves what's left of his left arm, extending it towards Yukio's face. And as he does that, a new arm grows out of the flames covering his arm, new skin glowing under the pale blue light. That new hand is what focuses Rin's power onto Yukio's face, letting Rin hold onto Yukio and use his power at the same time.
"So I can't give up either."
The two brothers are lost in a burst of bright blue light, fire consuming the area.
And moments later, the scream of Satan can be heard as he burns away from Yukio, finally freeing the younger brother of his influence.
mikazuki blinks momentarily after the stardust clears, and he smiles to himself as he turns to rin and places a hand on his shoulder. maybe he needs to be steadied, but mostly mikazuki simply wants to support him]
[He does need to be steadied, coming out of those memories is a little disorienting. But It's overall a good memory, even if it had been a hell of a fight at the time. A culmination of months and months of training, practice, and a stubborn refusal to let his little brother destroy his own life.
He finds himself smiling up to Mikazuki, a little sheepishly now because he feels shy about his past being shown so blatantly.]
It was kinda embarrassing to say it out loud like that though.
[They were heartfelt words, and those are always the ones that make him shy later.]
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timeasmymeasure
week 3, monday
Date: 2022-06-27 10:47 pm (UTC)[it's a greeting and then it's a rain of stardust. BAM.
”A priest who tells lies, is like the walker’s cicada. Rather hard to find, right?”
As with all things, it begins with a lie. A beloved two: Iwatooshi and Imanotsurugi.
In truth, neither of them exist - but one has learned before the other. Dear comrades as they are, they are both of myth and legend. Folktale. In the course of history, there is no true place for them.
Even still, they are in front of you. Beloved - oh how dearly you love them so.
You take Iwatooshi to witness his master’s version of kindness. You watch him carefully, and adoringly. Even with the bloody scene in front of you - so famous that it has been adapted into countless plays - there is nothing but boundless fondness in your heart.
Humanity, and these feelings, are so full of surprise indeed.
As the two leave - you reflect.
Countless times, these struggles repeat. Countless times, you have witnessed this very same exchange.
Countless more, you will watch your comrades grow and grow. And come and go. ]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-27 11:27 pm (UTC)But no really, Rin is surprised to see something like this. He had known Mikazuki was kind, but this is an unexpected level of kindness here. To care for someone so much, but to deliver horrible news kindly instead of hiding it...what an interesting person.
"We repeatedly make mistakes and take detours. That's how we grow." That's a positive way to view a story like this, at least. But Rin does have one question on his mind:]
So they were able to keep existing, even if they didn't 'exist'?
[Somehow, for him at least, that's the most important part of it all.]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-28 03:41 am (UTC)and that is why mikazuki's expression settles into a smile, pleased.]
... mm. There are some swords... whose histories are closer to myth. Not all are guaranteed to exist in every course of history, based on the choices that humanity makes.
But in these bodies, in these forms... their hearts are just as real as any other. They are given existence, because now we have new memories with them - and their new hopes and dreams.
Even if the heart may be heavy... it is a gift.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-29 03:55 am (UTC)That's good. Even if they come from myth, they're here so they deserve to stay here.
['Even if the heart may be heavy, it is a gift.' Boy does that resonate with Rin.
And then he smiles.]
You're pretty good at giving advice, you know?
[Our wise jiji]
no subject
Date: 2022-06-29 05:39 pm (UTC)[the praise makes him laugh a little, but it's not without fondness]
If you believe so, then I am honored. It is a joy of mine... to walk alongside those human and non-human alike as each of you find your footing.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-03 03:35 am (UTC)[It's funny to Rin, because he doesn't think he ever explained what his lot in life is right now.]
Maybe I should learn how do to that from you. Humans and demons don't always get along in my world, they don't really understand each other. But since I'm a half-demon, I'm gonna be walking the bath between them. I'm a demon who fights to protect humans, and a human who fights to protect demons. It's all mis-matched, isn't it?
no subject
Date: 2022-07-03 07:42 pm (UTC)[there is a hint of amusement in mikazuki's voice as he gives rin a smile, amused]
On the contrary, you are a remarkable young man. I admire those like you...
For you have the heart that can understand more than just one world, and the capability to be a bridge between those you love.
Hold your head high, Rin Okumura, for who and what you are.
me, having to write this out since it changed slightly for CRAU
Date: 2022-07-03 08:43 pm (UTC)Which means of course it's thematically appropriate for Rin to get showered in starglitter and show off a memory!]
---
The helicarrier is crumbling to bits around them. The damage from the explosions and the fighting was just too much, and it's already dropping out of the sky. Bit by bit, every piece of the Illuminati's once-great flying base is becoming rubble in the desert below.
Rin couldn't care less about the destruction around him. He has one goal and one goal only: get the demon out of Yukio's eye, and get Yukio to safety. He's injured, and he's struggling to keep both of them on what little bit of ground he's found in the collapsing sky fortress while only having one working arm, but he's no less focused. He will NOT let Yukio die here.
"Let your little brother go."
That insidious voice- Satan himself, possessing Yukio but also communicating to Rin- it's trying to sway him again. Rin grits his teeth and holds into Yukio more tightly, but the voice still echoes in his mind.
"He too is but a fetter! And he is warping into a monster! He's even disappointed in himself!"
For a moment, Rin looks down to the unconscious teenager in his arms. His left eye is still lit up with the flames of Satan, indicating that the possession is still ongoing. Rin needs to use his own flames to force Satan out. But how can he do it right now? He has but one arm left, and if he lets go of Yukio to focus his power, then Yukio will slip off the falling helicarrier.
"Let him go."
In that moment, Yukio slips out of Rin's grasp.
Satan laughs, both surprised and elated to see that Rin's grip on reality is loosening. But Rin grits his teeth and pushes off of his perch, diving off the falling carrier and down towards his falling brother. They're high up in the sky, he has time to reach him, but it's seconds at most.
Again Satan yells at him. "You stubborn fool! You cannot help him now! So give up!"
Using his right hand- his remaining hand- Rin focuses his fire and drives it right into Yukio. The fire itself won't hurt Yukio, as Rin knows how to control what he burns. Only Satan himself will be hurt by Rin's actions. But as Rin focuses his fire onto Yukio, Satan pushes pack, forcing Rin away from Yukio. They both start to spiral away from each other as they fall from the sky.
"If you give up, it will be much easier."
There those whispers again. Demons like Satan try to corrupt the hearts of men, convincing them to give in to their wants and give up their freedom in exchange for momentary satisfaction. Rin is absolutely exhausted, and his body does want to give up. It WOULD be easier to accept defeat and finally rest.
But he won't. He can't. "My..."
He thinks of all the people who have fought so hard for him.
His mother, who gave her life so that Rin could be hidden away safely and get a chance to live.
His father, who died to keep Satan from dragging Rin to Hell once before.
The priests, who gave up their futures to help raise him in a quiet church far away from the Vatican's prying eyes.
His classmates, who fought tooth and nail to help Rin survive exorcist school.
Those in the game he played- a game which feels distant now, even though it was just a couple weeks ago- who kept him alive week after week when Rin thought he would be killed or voted out.
Ochako, and Hua Cheng, and all the other Watchers who listened to Rin and gave him every tool they could to make it through that game.
Xie Lian, who saw the demon in Rin's heart and embraced him instead of giving into fear.
Allen, who faced down that same demon and decided to stay by his side regardless.
Tsurumaru, who gave his life in the hopes that Rin would win the fight for control over his own body.
And Yukio, who sacrificed so much- even his own life- time and time again to keep Rin alive.
The same Yukio falling just feet away from him right now. The same Yukio that Satan is trying to tell him to give up on.
The same Yukio that Rin grabs onto with his right hand.
"My salvation has always been the people who never gave up on me."
And then he moves what's left of his left arm, extending it towards Yukio's face. And as he does that, a new arm grows out of the flames covering his arm, new skin glowing under the pale blue light. That new hand is what focuses Rin's power onto Yukio's face, letting Rin hold onto Yukio and use his power at the same time.
"So I can't give up either."
The two brothers are lost in a burst of bright blue light, fire consuming the area.
And moments later, the scream of Satan can be heard as he burns away from Yukio, finally freeing the younger brother of his influence.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-04 01:18 am (UTC)mikazuki blinks momentarily after the stardust clears, and he smiles to himself as he turns to rin and places a hand on his shoulder. maybe he needs to be steadied, but mostly mikazuki simply wants to support him]
... you did well.
no subject
Date: 2022-07-04 04:27 am (UTC)He finds himself smiling up to Mikazuki, a little sheepishly now because he feels shy about his past being shown so blatantly.]
It was kinda embarrassing to say it out loud like that though.
[They were heartfelt words, and those are always the ones that make him shy later.]
no subject
Date: 2022-07-04 10:30 pm (UTC)Every now and then, it is a wonderful thing to be a little embarrassing.