Wow she made it seem so simple with those words, but she knew it wasn’t something could possibly do if she wasn’t so frail. “Did it take you long time to learn how to do it?”
❝ I had a master that taught me what I need to know. ❞
𝓨ukina reflected wistfully, the rare touch of softness that managed to intersect its way into her cadence betrayed her usual stoic physiognomy.
❝ But I want to say I am still learning. I want to say that in spite of my experience, I am still a trainee because there’s just so much more to learn. ❞
manual labor was far from his forte ( but he could definitely manage something like this. ) it was a conclusion that he reached when it was EVIDENT his words had not fallen on deaf ears && he would become a part of labor that did him no benefit other than wasting time. rewards – it made him wonder what a place like this even had to offer someone like him & if it would be worth the muscle strains he would likely endure with these boxes. luckily, he knew better than to WHINE( as it was unbecoming of him. ) if he was gonna do this, he would try to act with some charm to him. besides–it wasn’t like him–to seek anything for his effort. he could find satisfaction in the act of kindness && helpfulness rather than personal gain.
the BLEAK sky nursed his gaze once more before it snapped to proper attention to the one that had accepted his aid– a woman (or perhaps a girl? ) he could not tell her age. she looked fit &&STRONG, it almost made him envious. her shoulders seemed powerful ( and he could tell that from a glance. ) the fact she seemed content to lug this load alone said even more. not a weakling, not at all. her stoicism did not unnerve him. this environment was not the most welcoming anyways.
&& body held true as she hefted the burden into his welcoming arms – yeah, he really hoped that going far was not a part of her agenda. if anything, he would drop these. make a fool of himself && be embarrassed. not a part of the plan. however, for the moment, he showed no signs of stress or fragility.
“yeah,” he chuckled softly at her WARNING words && allowed a humored smile to flicker across his lips as he observed her through his spectacles. “I figured as much.”
❝ && you were carrying them by yourself. color me impressed and happy to be of service. ❞
bouncing delicately on his heels– he hummed with soft content deep within his throat ( and allowed a faint buzz to come forth from his core. ) now that he got a look at her, she had his attention–was it the hair ??it was a peculiar color. hopefully he wasn’t so terribly superficial. ( if ANYTHING she just seemed like a kind person && helping was the right thing to do. )
❝ Lead the way, Milady. ❞
❝ I did. ❞
𝓨ukina affirmed, statement accented by an inclination of her fuschia crown while her impassive gaze remained riveted upon the crate of parts. With a weary palm, she absentmindedly nursed her strained shoulder before a semblance of gratitude prevails━ shattering the placidity to which her countenance had acquiesced.
❝ Until you came along. ❞
Serpentine hues ascended from their point of transfixion onto the hovering male as his protruding arms transpired into a new entanglement with the leaden crate; Yukina scrutinized him, half-crescents astounded by his immediate ability to endure the burden that she willingly transferred. The youthful manifestation of exuberance from the man may have automatically been perceived as mannerly, but she continued to wonder about his exotic attire ( because in truth, it is all outlandish to her especially his demeanor, which struck her peculiarly. ) Nevertheless, before concerning herself with the potentially fruitless pursuit of minuscule details, there is another matter that refuses t cease attempting to attract the engineer’s undivided attention. She has no reason to lay importance on his incentive to assist er━ as she to him is but an unfamiliar individual among a sea of unrecognizable visages, but she cannot help but regard the nagging uneasiness anyway.
❝ ... Forgive me for inconveniencing you. ❞
Yukina confessed subtly, divulging the fact that she is not quite accustomed to placing reliance on others to be made known. Even in the midst of the frequent endeavors to which her valiant spirit fell prey, her pride triumphed; eclipsing the occasional instances with which the interlude of her vulnerability displayed. The young conductor intrepidly prolonged the contact of their eyes before receding, reverting those aloof orbs to her own rasped hands. Pivoting around, she set about to usher him down the barren path━ her short stature compensated by platform boots.
❝ I didn’t realize how much the jagged edges were taking a toll on my palms. ❞
Yukina intoned curtly, approaching the revelation that she would have dismissed his benevolent offer otherwise━ despite how enthusiastic he was to serve her. Maneuvering the crates were never a dilemma to the avid engineer, until she misplaced her gloves this morning.
❝ Therefore, I thank you for your assistance. I sincerely appreciate it. ❞
After all, there are those who would unabashedly perform the exact opposite. Those who would much rather do everything in their prowess to ensure that she is hindered instead of helped. Though, Yukina has grown accustomed to this volatile way of life; has acquainted herself with the unfaltering trepidation that seared through the veil of humanity. It incited the prospect of her own stoicism that only further withered her regard for reliance on others. The population has transpired into an embodiment of fear itself, a product of the perturbing atmosphere that has in its wake unleashed the fragility of existence; drawing mankind to the very edge of its essence by their ceaseless fright for impending peril.
But that’s for another story.
* * *
𝓐midst the fever of steam drenched ambiance was their destination; a locomotive site accentuated by a harrowing screech of torrid vapor. The young conductor proceeded to saunter further into the hustle of the station incessant activities, navigating through the turbulent venue. Casting a fleeting, heedful glance towards the man in tow— Yukina acknowledged her companion as their transient journey reached its inevitable demise.
❝ You may perch the box here ━ The steam smiths will take care of the rest. ❞
Gently puts a big banner with 'FREEDOM FOR HAYAJIRO' before her. "What do you think about this, Yukina-san? Is the text big enough?" [ that's it, that's the canon ]
❝ This won’t work, Ayame-san. An important awareness such as this requires more potent emphasis! ❞
what a disgusting place – not so much in terms of ACTUALLY cleanliness. it was something in the air && it made his stomach want to sour. a dark, terrifying horror of a land. not a place he would stay (but he enjoyed the unique type of isolation he could get. ) it hadn’t taken much to blend in & now he hid in plan sight. he knew some things– basic things. the whispers of gossip. nothing substantial. leaving the walls was a negative. that was the most he could decode form the whispers the seemed to follow into every alley. it reminded him a school ( but with much more tension. )
slender digits drifted from his lap to delicately push the glasses upon his features to a proper rest. how did they tell the time? it suddenly dawned on him how different this place actually was. asking wasn’t something he wanted to do in the slightest. (an unnecessary hassle. ) snapped from his own selfish thoughts && musings. hazel orbs followed a head as it traveled past his perch. she was carrying things – parts, probably. call it instinct. he knew about those metal things that came and went. the whispers of crowds told him (& he didn’t have guess who was an ‘outsider.’ )
“do you want some help with those?” keeping his mouth shut just didn’t seem to be a problem. &¬e the sarcasm. helping people seemed to be a second nature. ( no big deal. )
maybe she didn’t hear him – if he was lucky, he could fake a coughing fit.
𝒯he pungency of oil and grease mingled with the sweltering vapors of steam. A levitating perturbation incited by the grim atmosphere. A frantic smear of grime on the wall, a withering promise of liberation; encompassed within the iron fortresses lies a somber megalopolis, but it is everyone’s sanctuary.
Aragane Station is home. *
Yukina ambled along the familiar stretches of asphalt at a hustling hour, a crate of mechanic parts wedged tightly within the proximity of her embrace. The recent steam locomotive has garnered quite a damage upon its entry today, which demands for a critical mending. As a vehement apprentice, Yukina is inevitably subjected to the vital repairment fostered by the magnitude of responsibilities━ of which, mercifully, such handiwork that was not necessary out of her domain. And so Yukina trod on, the rhythmic clank of her boots against the grating providing a steady cadence for the crowd’s gush of commentary. She trod on until the prod of her nose twitched distastefully, something akin to revulsion flickering behind her serpentine oculars (as she surpassed a corner) before they transfixed back to the trail ahead.
❛ ... The alleyway reeks today. ❜
But the juncture always emanates the same stench, and Yukina had to transcend pass it in order to reach her destination. Sometimes the world was ruthless like that, casting minuscule things she could not stand into her path just so she would have to bargain with the stifling sentiment of wanting it all to diminish
Do you want some help with those?
Her trance shattered with an almost audible crash.
❝ ... ❞
Yukina bristled at the raised in a query, ceasing mid-stride— pivoting a chin over the slim peak of her brawny shoulder in an endeavor to espy the origin of this cadence. She is rattled by the proclamation despite her stoic expression and peered onward incredulously, discerning the sight of a svelte man. It is quite an unusual predicament that has presented itself to the forthright engineer, and it is only natural for the immediate surfacing of an abundance of inquiries to transpire within her. Though, despite that, Yukina chose to quell her inner queries and beheld her guest. He clad in a distinctive attire, and he was the first around to ever proposed an assistance━ such altruistic mannerism that is sparse in a personage, let alone a stranger. She established a conceding nod.
❝ If you’d be so kind. ❞
Not one to suppress her acquiescence nature when it comes to an offer that is more than capable of alleviating her overworked appendages ( from maneuvering these jagged crates all day ), Yukina squandered no time at all in approaching the generous passerby. Narrow abdomen heaved fervently, her shoulders were taut with strains as she gingerly proffered the crate against the man’s opposing thorax.
her upper torso was raised before yukina’s inquiry of her condition. cold sweat soaked her skin but, no expression was there to paint her reaction to her nightmares. her mind was still hazy from the illusionary reality. she didn’t react to yukina placing her appetizer in her hand; holding it as though she was some kind of coat hanger.
❛
it’s fine… ❜ tone was soft but, it wasn’t exactly positive at the same time. holding the flask with both hands, she stared at it; wondering about such thoughts that would damage her cheery mood. a kabaneri, she was manufactured into one by him. does that make her a manmade monster ?
❛ yukina… i’m not a monster, am i ? ❜ when she said those words, she remained descended, with eyes avoiding eye contact. her hair acted as a curtain for the end of her play, her facade that she had tried so hard to hide her troubles with. ❛ i mean… i could just become a kabane at any time… killing everyone on this train… ❜
Yukina… I’m not a monster, am I?
Mumei’s lament hung heavy in the frigid air, plunging Yukina into a stupor of bewilderment with traces of hesitancy infringing on her typically unflappable stoicism. She felt her stomach leadened, her heart tightened the somber sentiment skirting around its desired effect and imbuing her with an inordinate sense of liability. Whatever radiant promise the evening had previously held has dissipated and the stark turn in events throttles her, beckoning her into untreaded waters.
Monster?
Yukina’s lips furled inward, furrowed brow plummeting against perturbed features as she fixated her despondent gaze upon the younger’s dejected form. She permitted the deafening silence to encapsulate them for another moment, curling around her and Mumei’s emaciated contours like phantom feline tails.
mon·ster
ˈmänstər/ (noun.)
a threatening force; deformity, one who excites horror by wickedness and cruelty━
❝You are far from it.❞
Dour cadences countered the fleeting veil of quietude as the engineer finally vociferated her unyielding belief. She could sentient the fragility of the moment, but nevertheless understood where Mumei’s insecurity derived. Mumei, ever since she embarked the Koutetsujou, has posed as everyone’s strength. She was compelled into utilizing the prodigious ability she wields as a means to hedge the lesser.
With her bony shoulders, she braced the weight of the world.*
But Yukina has never once doubted Mumei’s intentions, not when they uncovered that she sustenanced on blood. Not even in this startling moment. To her, to everyone━ Mumei isn’t just a solider, she isn’t a monster. Mumei is optimism, she is innocence; a lingering tact of chaste that hasn’ yet been marred or blemished. She is cherubic, she is stubbornness, she is candor; and all in all
❝ You are Mumei. ❞
Yukina affirmed. Her voice strove towards fond sternness, but her expression is calm and knowing; belying her gelid tone.
❝ And if it ever comes to a point where your grip on sanity falter, he will fix you. ❞
Time: 7:45pm Location: The Koutetsujyo's deck Destination: Yashiro Station
❝ 𝓦e took minor damage to the water tank. ❞
Yukina concludes the inspection, breath remains captive in the catacombs of her chest as she regards her superior with a pellucid gaze.
❝Suzuki-san will be attending to the reduction of leakage, but we won’t be able to commence until the mending is complete. ❞
Her brow corrugates, bracing to a beat of contemplation; pertaining the possibility that their state of inactivity could be prone to an inevitable peril. The engineer cants her head, scouring the surrounding area; impervious gaze sears into the purportedly limpid landscape.
❝ 𝓟lease have the Bushi be on guard while the Hayajiro is idle, Ayame-sama. ❞
