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Mood
Anxious, yet ready for what's to come!




Location
Main Area !











Nova Torazawa

The Tiger









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The event that used to cause an unprecedented swell of pride in the delusional, adolescent Nova years ago was upon them once more. Back then, the attention that was nearly smothering was a decent substitute for what she had lost after being torn from her family. She had a broad grin that was infectious and inspired a sense of pride in those that were born into the year she represented. Now, here stood the larger frame of an adult whose eyes had an inextinguishable glint that onlookers would mistake as a result of Nova's mischievous nature. Further inspection would expose barely restrained annoyance and a strange sense of unease that seemed to radiate from her very being. Deep breath, I can't afford to let anything trigger a transformation. It's a big day, I refuse to let them see how fucked up I am. I can't afford to lose it, especially not in front of the kids.


A deep sigh escaped her in attempt to release the tension while nearby servants averted their gaze after meeting her eyes. A simple gauge of the situation to ensure there was nothing wrong that had been done by one among them. A hand pawed at the smothering fabric of the traditional kimono that she was forced to put on strictly for appearances. Nova would much rather prefer a hakama that would allow for a greater sense of freedom. She had loosened it up to the point where the inner layer was exposed, causing the kimono to somewhat sag lower onto the obi wrapped around her waist. The servant in-charge of dressing Nova made sure to provide a Juban in the same shade of orange as the details in the kimono because she had been known to fully loosen the obi and wear it more like an expensive robe. This prevented any unnecessary skin from being show while still expending an air or royalty, albeit much more relaxed. A smaller girl beside her quickly adjusted the obi after asking permission to fix her attire. A quick 'no' doubled back from behind her closed lips as she knew that a much worse punishment would befall the girl for not maintaining the pristine aura. A grin was offered in exchange of a verbal response while shaky hands quickly adjusted what was necessary.



The garden itself was a beautiful sight to behold minus all of the open gawking. The masses that were present were always slightly different. There were those whose eyes only laid upon their designated Zodiac, some had their own personal biases or crushes, and then there were the larger clans that had produced previous zodiacs and therefore had a stronger sense of loyalty while still paying their respects to their own personal year. This was the part Nova dreaded the most. Her own kimono held the Torazawa family crest on the back, a large orange-purple tiger lily within a golden circle. She knew that her own immediate family would be there while her older twin sisters would be praying to Akane, their fellow rabbit. Unbeknownst to Nova, her nerves were indeed getting the better of her as her set of tiger ears sprouted yet remained relatively flat to her head. If not for the sleek sheen, lighter golden orange shade, and the different texture in comparison to her hair they may have gone completely unnoticed. Every step brought a twitch of an ear and a welcoming grin that resembled an animal's attempt to conceal its bared fangs.
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Nova offered a glance to those near her, Rei and Akane. It was a truly interesting line up from her own perspective even without taking their respective animals into consideration. She was unsure of how Rei dealt with these things yearly as no one was born into the year of the cat, yet he was forced to represent his zodiac through this fiasco. Whether it was a curse or a blessing, she'd never really settled on an idea of either with both having their pros and cons. Plus, Nova assumed he had accumulated his own fanbase that found a soft spot for the small cat. Akane, on the other hand, had worshippers to spare due to her idol status and popularity. Nova's eyes remained focused on the rabbit as they walked on as she wondered if another fan would attempt to make a scene like last year by confessing their undying love during the blessings. She did have to give credit where credit was due, the look on Arashi's face that was like that of a child being told to share his favorite toy was completely worth the drama that followed.









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Yori



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The crisp early afternoon air settled in around Yori's shoulders, but thankfully the sun chased off the chill as the group was paraded through Rakusuien Garden. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, and though it was the tail end of winter, the area was showing signs of the upcoming spring blooms. It was almost disgustingly poetic that they were here to spread blessings as the seasons were beginning to change.

Yori was thankful that the servants had dressed him in a classy yet comfortable outfit, figuring if he was going to have to be paraded around with the rest of the Zodiac as a public display piece, he was glad that he was comfortable while doing it. The garden itself was a powerful reminder of the beauty of nature despite its location in the city, and though the trees were mostly bare of leaves, the foliage was enough to drown out the sounds of city life outside the garden, replaced with the musical lilt of the Rakusuien's water instruments. It was also great for the media to use as cover to get their “perfect” shots, should they be so inclined.

Not that there was any reason to hide. Already, people were arriving to receive their blessings. It was always amazing to him how easily he could tell which of the group belonged to the Monkey, picking them out easily in the crowd. A couple of kids were excitedly watching him and he pulled a face, smiling as both of them giggled in response before he hurriedly caught up back into the semi formation they’d all been placed in.

Arms slightly spread for balance, Yori did his best to enjoy the moment as he bounced between each individual stepping stone in the part of the path they were on. He was careful not to fully hop between each one, not wanting his leg to start hurting this soon into the trip. They were nearing an area with access to the pond, and already he could see everyone breaking into individual groups. It had only been a couple of days since the charity party, but he hadn’t really had a chance to see any of the others during that time, too busy entertaining their guests and prospective donors. Even with the news that everyone would be required to move back to the compound, everyone had been too busy settling in before the trip for him to bother them. He was excited to see some of the Zodiac that he hadn’t been able to see in a while though.

Slightly ahead of him, Ai's pale pink hair shone in the sunlight, Koki’s blonde not far off from her. They didn’t seem to be conversing with each other, but still he bounded forward the short ways, swooping in to take Ai’s hand in his own, pressing it to his cheek, happy that he was finally with someone again that he could show such affection to. “Ai! Koki~!” his voice lilted as he happily said their names. “Can we walk together please? It’s so boring being all alone!” he whined. Out of the corner of his eye he caught some of the servants react to try and put him back into the formation they had meticulously put them in to ensure a smooth event, but he ignored them in favor of making a pouting face at the other two zodiacs.








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arashi.





































  • mood



    amused
















“They know nothing, except for the lies fed to them.”
Arashi stood, slipping his robe over his shoulders.
“Whatever they believe they understand about us is meaningless. I will not bend to those who can not think for themselves.”


TIME SKIP

In a game of chess, every piece is a pawn. Arashi was raised to be a king. Important, but not the most powerful. They wanted to be king and queen combined. Importance and power was everything to him. Now, he has come to realize that neither piece has any real significance. It is the player that holds the power with every move they make. Arashi decided he would no longer be a piece in anyone's game.

Rakusuien was a beautiful garden tarnished by the presence of the Zodiac and the press hired to capture every second that passed. Arashi stood tall, his dark haori hand tailored to his slender frame. Nails manicured, skin flawless, and not a single hair out of place. They had learned over the years that perfection was the bare minimum for a God. Otherwise, the world would swallow them whole.

As the photographers clicked away, Arashi analyzed his board. Cold eyes flickered to every piece as they positioned themselves. They watched Sorellia, a Rook, tear at her hair in frustration. Arashi narrowed his eyes. If she crumbled under the pressure, then perhaps she was no more than a Bishop. He didn't have the patience for it now.

Looking away, the God's gaze fell upon the Sheep. A frown tugged at their lips. Konishi had never been anything more than a Pawn in her entire life. Yet now, of all times, she wanted to be more than just a follower. It was time he dealt with that.

“Konishi,”
the God greeted her.
“I hear you've got it in that little head of yours to speak with the press.”
He smiled slowly.
“How do you plan on doing it? Right in the middle of our special blessing? What a dramatic surprise that would be coming from our shy, timid Sheep,”
Arashi continued with a mocking laugh.

































slow dancing in the dark



joji










♡coded by uxie♡
 







the horse

kenta
wata-
nabe








[tab=Tab]









outift: a dark purple kimono
location: near a waterfall
interactions: takumi
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Sleep had been restless for Kenta his second night back at the compound. His usually vibrant chestnut eyes now harbored dark circles, the sparkle within them replaced by a dullness that mirrored the weight on his shoulders. Despite his inner turmoil, the meticulous efforts of the servants had transformed him into a polished facade. Groomed, manicured, and concealed under layers of makeup, Kenta was presented to the world as another spectacle of the zodiac host—a show Horse, meticulously preened for public display.

There had been a time when he didn't hate events like this. When left to his own devices, he liked the attention, embracing the adulation that came with being considered handsome, 'well-bred,' and a fitting guardian of the Zodiacs. Yet, now, with the approach of the gallows looming just 84 days away, the prospect of parading felt like a cruel mockery. Forced into this display, he had no desire to flaunt what remained of his fractured pride.

Perhaps, the servants would smirk and claim the Horse had finally been tamed.

The performance began like it always did every year, though Kenta now saw it for the tragedy it was. He could feel the tenseness from the other zodiacs, their stress palpable in the air, their scents barely masked by the beautiful garden around them. An instinct to protect, to calm them, pinged at him, telling him to stay alert and watch over them. He cast a half-hearted glance at his fellow hosts, almost wishing instead for someone to break - to scream. Perhaps if they caused enough of a spectacle, they'd be ushered back to the compound to protect their reputations.

Through the haze of his thoughts, he heard someone call his name, some photographer or other that had been hired to stage photo-ops. They had been herding Kenta from spot to spot like some prized stallion, demanding pose after pose to showcase him to his best advantage.

"Look this way please!" they waved, brandishing their expensive camera. "Smile and oh - you two would look perfect together! Near the waterfall if you please."

Casting a sidelong glance, Kenta pondered who else had been unwillingly drafted into this spontaneous photoshoot with him and -

-ah, what cruel fate.

Takumi.

Their eyes met for but a moment before Kenta hurriedly looked away, the strained smile he had been wearing vanishing in an instant. How long had it been since that fateful night he left Takumi, heart in pieces, urging him to forget it all, to forget him? Months? Perhaps a year or had it been more? The freshest memory was of Takumi's melancholic eyes, a silent plea in them for Kenta to come back.

"Please smile!" urged the photographer, oblivious to the tempest raging within the Horse and the Ox who now stood frozen, a mere foot apart.

How could Kenta smile when the heart he'd crushed now stood before him once more? This forced meeting was surely some cruel jest of fate, forcing open wounds neither had fully healed.





coded by weldherwings.

 
Konishi stumbled. In her innate desire to get away, her foot went sideways and she was heading down. She had moments to brace for impact, memories of when she was thirteen and had tripped over her kimono rushing back. Would the punishment be worse? She could hear the gasps of the audience.

She came to an abrupt stop far above the ground. Arashi’s arm, in a fake parody of a god’s support keeping her up. She tried to pull away, but he held fast, his grip just shy of painful. It was a reminder of the show they were putting on. Probably the only reason he cared. She turned toward the audience, her eyes catching that of the children. With her free hand she lifted her kimono, rocking back and forth on her okoboe. Her body tensed with the pain of her probably sprained ankle, but she kept a smile on her face, which grew more real as the kids started to rock back and forth as well.

Her eyes fell on one of her students, causing her to nearly stumble, but Arashi’s hand held strong. She gave him a wave, even as she felt herself crumbling further. She never wanted to be seen by her students. She was a person to them. Sure, she’d transform on bad days and let the student cuddle her, but that was just a weird quirk of Ms. Ko. She wasn’t a puppet like for these people.

Or a pawn, like for Arashi. She’d put it off long enough. Turning her head to look at him, she asked, “Is telling the truth so terrifying that you’re scared of me?” She laughed at the thought. Then she took a deep breath. She was starting to finely shake, but she kept it together. I have nothing to lose. So she said what she’d always wanted to say, here with the defense of the performance they were putting on. “I might be a sheep, but every sheep knows their shepherd. And you’ll never be mine.
 



The bridge between the Earth and the Heavens


Zhou Rui Xi








Whether by death or exoneration, this would be her last year being paraded like a show pony.

Rui Xi shot smiles in every direction, her eyes barely distracting from the wafts of burnt resin that exuded from her body. More smoky than woodsy and more of a fireplace than hearth. It should have driven away the paparazzo, but during the holidays there was no escaping their cult.

She dignified her audience with neither a bow nor a spin, having strong armed her way into a more conservative outfit. Sorellia by comparison, struggled in her straitjacket. Dramatic as the silhouette might have been and as ornate as that headpiece might have looked, it was not right for this occasion, not this period in their lives.

It was a coat of paint atop the anxiety that seeped into the hosts' hearts (the smart ones anyway). Konishi seemed especially tense as she wobbled her way around the garden, barely meeting any of the photographers before stumbling into Arashi's arms.

But Rui Xi wouldn't crack. Her pride would not allow it. She gave the press one last wave before stepping out of the spotlight, allowing another host to take the helm as she approached the pair.

"I might be a sheep, but every sheep knows their shepherd. And you’ll never be mine."

"Believe it or not Arashi, our sheep has finally found her voice." Rui Xi clicked her tongue.

It had taken a few days, but Konishi finally reached out to her regarding her plan to expose the servants' operation (and Arashi by proxy). At first, Rui Xi doubted the impact of publicizing their lives; however, she connected with Konishi's conviction (and spite). The desire to burn everything down, to break the chains that shackled them, and deliver this idolatry a sweet death was thrilling.

"You've been so consumed with yourself that you've forgotten how much everyone has changed," she smirked, "would it be so bad if we gave a press release here and now? You seem awfully confident that nothing will happen.".


mood | No
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location | Rakusuien Garden, Fukoba


tag | (Arashi) cwosont cwosont (Konishi) Lost Echo Lost Echo





/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.
 



arashi.
































“Is telling the truth so terrifying that you’re scared of me?” Konishi laughed. "I might be a sheep, but every sheep knows their shepherd. And you’ll never be mine."

"Believe it or not Arashi, our sheep has finally found her voice."


The God's eyes narrowed. Rui Xi. The dragon coming to the sheep's rescue. The strong swooping in to save the weak. It was an boring, repetitive tale. Sometimes the weak needed to learn the hard way.

"You've been so consumed with yourself that you've forgotten how much everyone has changed. Would it be so bad if we gave a press release here and now? You seem awfully confident that nothing will happen."

Arashi covered his mouth with his free hand, attempting to stifle their laughter.
Oh.
He let his hand fall and laughed freely.
“You're right, Konishi. I will never be your shepherd. I am your God.”
He smiled and gestured at the servants standing around the perimeter of the park.
"They are your shepherds. They always have been.”


“I'm disappointed in you, Rui Xi. Perhaps the years away from the compound have dulled your senses. I expected an old hag like you to know better. You've been dealing with all of this nearly as long as I have, after all.”


They sighed and shook his head.
“I do not enjoy wasting my breath, so try to listen carefully and think before you speak,”
Arashi hissed.
“Do you see the small crowd standing behind the cameras? Those are very important people. And the men and women holding the equipment? Insignificant, but not random. Every single person standing in this park is here for a reason.”


Arashi released their grip on Konishi's arm and waved to the empty, smiling faces.
“So, go. Talk to them. Let's see what the wolves do when a sheep strays too far from its shepherds.”


































slow dancing in the dark



joji










♡coded by uxie♡
 
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mood
groggy af
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Kazue Himitsu
The Rat
84 days.

His fellow Zodiacs might have found some difficulty settling into the Compound they once called home. For as little time that passed, the color in the Zodiac's faces faded as they watched their life dwindle away. His chest bubbled and writhed in pleasure. The mere eighteen years on this Earth were glorious, and as a rebirth approached, his life before spun like a pretty record behind his eyes. Most nights, he sat up and thought. What was, what could be. There was a small framed picture of Them that he held against his abdomen. The aura of His photo alone snuffed any reservations he had about losing his humanity.

The morning of their showcase, Kazue had come down with a cold. It was normal for him. Sometimes he even had to stop what he was doing (in sports) to stave off an asthma attack. For as blessed as he was in other areas, his lungs were not. The servants fretted and worried. Kazue had a good relationship with them, for he followed their directions seamlessly since he was a child. They accepted his request to wear Western clothing for the event -- a black suit with a black cloth mask for his illness. His first public appearance was the Zodiac Gala, so his face was known regardless. One servant commented this would add to the "mystery" of the Rat, the ever-cloaked youngest.

The animals were herded to the showing grounds, the gorgeous, wintry gardens of Rakusuien. They were to walk through, have their pictures taken... and maybe their families would be there. No one would attend that Kazue would recognize. He did as he was told. The cameras followed him sometimes, as did the eyes of onlookers. He moved slowly in the line of animals, pausing occasionally to admire a shivering flower or two. The Rat stopped at a particular plant. There, too, was someone standing across from it. He tipped his chin up and saw his own reflection, a human reflection. His identical twin brother stood there with lovely sand hair and eyes of obsidian. Tall. Strong legs. Gawking.

"It's you. It's really you. I saw you on TV, and I'm-- I'm here in Japan playing soccer, and I thought I would stop by because our, uh -- hey. Where are you going? Hey!" His brother called to the turned back of the Rat. Maybe he tried to push through the crowd to touch Kazue, but he was stopped by security. Kazue shoved his gloved hands in his pockets when he made eye contact with the most beautiful flower in the garden. As always, the servants seemed to fret and panic over her. His steel gaze drifted down to her hands that held some adornment with white strands of hair caught in it. His eyes smiled in pity, and he approached her.

Stunning even in her frustration, with a rich red outfit kissed by flying white birds. Kazue found it amusing that he now looked down at the actress when he used to quite literally look up at her. He wondered if the event itself was overstimulating for her -- someone so lovely should not be confined to a snake's body perhaps -- but Kazue was convinced He would find much more use for her than the world. With black gloved hands, the Rat gently wrapped one around hers to warm it, cold-blooded creature as she was. His eyes smiled at her.

"Good morning, Princess," he greeted soothingly, his eyes drifting down to the headpiece in her other hand.
"It really suits you beautifully. Are you sure you don't want to wear it? I could hold it for you if you'd like. I couldn't bear to see you carry anything," he claimed, hoping to distract her as the servants smoothed down her hair. Negative attention from the media would make Them unhappy, and Kazue couldn't have that.

Dicentra Dicentra
♡design by neon reverie, coded by uxie♡
 










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THE CAT





mood:
wants to go home.









location:
with nova and akane










The zodiacs’ shadow trailed behind them like a forlorn stray; Clad in the same dark hues of his hair, he lingered in solemn silence at the back of the flock.

On such a momentous occasion, the Cat’s presence was an afterthought, relegated to the outskirts of the group like a stranger. Reiji found he didn’t mind today. It was in moments like these that he embraced the role of the overlooked.

Disdain however, seemed a permanent scar on his soul as he observed the way the public gawked. While the other zodiac hosts donned their best attire, Reiji donned his signature scowl at the sight. Reporters and fans alike scrambled for a glimpse of the zodiacs like they were animals in a zoo. Their cheers and fervent gestures seemed almost grotesque in their desperation to be noticed. It felt distasteful, the way the hosts were exhibited for the sake of feeding the public’s voracious appetite.

A sudden flash caught him off guard and he blinked in a daze, momentarily stunned as an assault of flashing lights ensued. It was not unusual for the occasional click to be directed towards the cat, but it was an unfamiliar experience to have this many lenses aimed at him, a revelation that struck Reiji when he realized one of the focal points was standing right beside him. With pale hair almost luminescent under the flash of camera lights, the rabbit host remained a sight to behold.

Reiji raised an eyebrow at the sudden appearance of Akane. It was abnormal for such a popular zodiac like her to be stood at the back in a public setting, especially near someone like him. He couldn’t help but wonder if Akane was in a rebellious mood, or perhaps she had stirred the ire of the servants. Concern then washed over him and he opened his mouth to speak before hesitating– too many people were still in earshot. He’d have to wait for them to pass by a more closed off section of the garden.

As they continued their walk, blue eyes settled on fiery hair next. Nova stood nearby, looking akin to a lit match amidst the greens of Rakushien garden. He almost snorted upon noticing the woman’s eyes were focused on Akane. Don’t be so obvious when people are watching. He wanted to chastise.

He paused in his observation when he noticed the animal ears on Nova’s head, keying him in on her barely concealed nerves. Instead of voicing the fact, Reiji looked at Nova with as neutral of an expression as he could assemble, all too aware of the eyes on them.

❝ Your kimono looks lovely. ❞ A compliment to soothe her worries— though he suspected the tiger preferred a loose hakama instead, like him. Reiji had foregone traditional clothing and opted for a more modern look, a long haori tied at the waist with an unconventional leather belt over his hakama. ❝ ...The accents match your hair. ❞ He offered after a beat.

Whether it was the surprise from Reiji’s uncharacteristically pleasant comment, or the comfort of hearing something nice, Reiji hoped that it would distract the tiger enough for her zodiac features to dissipate. It wouldn’t bode well for someone with the ferocity of a tiger to be seen quivering, ears flat against her head in anxiety. The public were like vultures, eating up the tiniest hint of weakness. He held back a grimace at the thought until they finally strayed far enough away from earshot.

A beat of silence passed between them as Reiji looked between Akane and Nova, before finally speaking. ❝ Why are you two at the back? Especially you Akane, you know it's bad for your shining reputation if you're seen near me. ❞



♡coded by uxie♡
 
font callfont callfont call
mood | wobbly

outfit |

interactions | e v i e v i Skryeb Skryeb
the dog
Since the banquet, Kōki relegated himself to a path between his bed, the kitchen, & a sofa. The days between last week's banquet & that day had devolved into a mass blur of rest & waking that he would've lost track of, had he been without phone or alarm. Without the routine work forced him into, Kōki had a reliable streak in recent years of treating this time as a sort of winter break; he'd called off of work until zodiac from the new year let up. With his job, it was less about calling off & more just not showing up.

That morning, he'd only barely adjusted his internal clock in preparation of the trip so forgive him if, at this moment, he nearly made Ai a walking stick for himself as drowsiness threatened to topple him over. They walked in alignment with the other zodiac, somewhat in order but mostly by association. That morning, Kōki gravitated toward Ai with ease; she was someone who he could walk in silence with. It didn't hang uncomfortably like it might've with a few of the other zodiacs.

Him personally, though he might've been in a good mood that morning... it was way too early in the day to have been woken up, dolled up, driven, & paraded. He'd need a few moments in the line to defrost. Luckily, Ai wasn't one to rush.

Kōki did wobble, though, in suddenly finding his stability jolted from under him. From his chin toward the clouds, it bowed to now see Yori having taken Ai's hand against his cheek & a hum of a laugh came from him. Yori's face at them had a habit of drawing a smile from the blond. Finding himself within unskippable dialogue, he shook out his sleeves & held his forearms as he said cheerily, "Yori."

He jerked his chin toward the crowd that had been eyeing the monkey's host, "How were the fans?" When it came to his own, he could look around but they weren't overly apparent; not to mention, in this context, he wasn't sure they could be called fans—believers, patrons? He didn't know, but there was something different between being stopped on the street & having people pray to the dog spirit within him.

With an expulsion of breath, watching it rise as it left him, he let the sky again catch his attention, "You guys hear when lunch is?"

night owl
 
With her words, Rui Xi filled Konishi with fire. It was strange to see the dragon as support. They had not spoken of why she’d erased memories. Even though she wanted to ask if they could be returned, the sheep felt it was better to work together than broach that elephant between them. No, it was better to face the world united. To face Arashi united.

Shepherds are supposed to keep the flock safe. They care. Neither you nor your servants could manage that.” She took a breath to cradle the fire inside of her. Let it shine bright enough to control the fear. “You may be my god, but I’ll never do more than fear you. And soon, I’ll be too dumb to even do that.” Would it be a relief?

It was when his attention shifted to Rui Xi for a moment, she wanted to protest the dragon wasn’t old, but she was trying to convince herself she was shaking from the cold, or anger, not fear. Besides, the protest would just draw attention to it, best ignore it as another pointless fact he was spouting.

But as he hissed in her ear, she scanned the group and she couldn’t help but wonder was it pointless? Or true? Who would show up to these types of things but the most faithful? She wanted to turn her head to spot Touya, the young boy from her class again, but resisted the urge. No, she would speak on her and Rui Xi’s terms, not here. She tried to make eye contact with the dragon, affirming her decision, but didn’t know those eyes well enough to read if she was understood.

Aloud, she said, “Wolves? Are they not your true flock? You’ll get bored with us as dumb animals, provided Rui Xi doesn’t just eat you, but these people will continue to worship you as I never will.” Nothing to lose indeed. She wondered if she’d ever get free from the compound after spouting these words. But if he already knew, her movements would have been watched anyway. She just wished it was a relief from the fear to speak what she'd always kept hidden.

cwosont cwosont Steve Jobs Steve Jobs
 






takumi

scroll

mood
Making awkward situations worse with bluntness

location
Rakusuien Garden

outfit
✻✻✻

tag
nyxievous nyxievous



84 days remaining. He could practically hear the ticking of the clock, counting down to their last seconds as humans. As much as the Ox tried his best to acknowledge that this just, as the kids put it, “is what it is,” he did find himself rolling his eyes at the idea of being paraded around when their dwindling months were already passing by so quickly. Surely, there had to be a better use for their time than this. Surely… their time had to be worth more.

The morning of, there was a desolate look, eyes void of any sort of gleam as he was prettied by stylists: his head falling back with each pull of the comb, eyelashes fluttering with the sweep of makeup to touch up any features. Even his outfit was picked for him, something much nicer than his normal, more comfortable attire. Much to his dismay, he arrived on the scene of Rakusuien Garden, lacking in most memories of having ever gotten there. A brief consideration that maybe he’d been kidnapped crosses his mind, though was dispelled just as fast with the clicking of cameras and people that were considered ‘important’ trying to get all of the Zodiac members’ attention.

It hadn’t taken long for someone to have pulled his sleeve, lead him to exactly where they wanted him to be and told him to pose in some manner with a familiar face. From the corner of his eye, Takumi’s gaze landed on Kenta. He caught the smile slipping from the Horse’s face just as Takumi plastered on a fake, toothless smile of his own.

Life could really be quite cruel.

Being face to face with Kenta in a moment like this was something he had both longed for and avoided ever since the night that Kenta had recounted as a mistake. Parties had been especially awkward, with passing glances and the other darting out the door or through a crowd without being seen. It’d been some time ago when he’d found himself demanding, begging for attention, trying to pry something, anything out of the person he’d held close for most of the years that they spent growing up at the compound; still, the letting go hadn’t been easy and he wasn’t sure that he ever truly had made peace. A mistake? It was such a harsh word and his heart had already sustained the injuries of ignoring any of his feelings long before their threads entwined in a new way that Takumi had reveled in, and then within in a night, it had been ripped away by careless words. How could he have ever really healed? While he no longer groveled for an inch, there was a spark that was lit by the current proximity. This wasn’t how he wanted his feelings to go out - quietly, like a match that just burned itself away - but as Takumi found himself unraveling at the seams, he also begged for the fire inside of him to stay as nothing more than a flicker. If he lost it now, it would really all be over.

As soon as the photo-op was over with, he took a step back from the man at his side, his charcoal colored eyes locking on Kenta’s. With as much calmness as he could muster, Takumi guided his partner to the side and away from prying photographers in a fluid motion. Despite the chill in his voice, the words came out so much stronger than he had intended. The flame was roaring to life, after all. “We have 84 days left, how many more of those will you go on pretending that I’m not here?”





/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */
 











Ai Koba


The Rooster










Mood:


anxious







Location:


Rakusuien Gardens







Outfit:

















Recent events led her to shut away in a dark room. She admired the Zodiacs who could take it in stride. Everyone seemed to hold their head high and suck it up. As Ai miserably surveyed the little groups of Zodiac, she found not a trace of mourning. Maybe it was there. Maybe she was so tightly bound in her own grief to really see others. She was threatened yesterday and that morning by the servants to save the tear-shedding until after the public's eyes closed. The people surrounded them in shameless interest. She took a lone path. If she looked at another Zodiac, she might cry. A deep emerald gaze trailed to their God, who seemed to be discussing something with the Sheep and the Dragon. An unusual sight. Arashi had his favorites, and they were not it. Eyes hardening, she took a step towards them until someone gently took her hand in theirs. There was a soft smack sound.

She stared into the Monkey's face, his smile valiantly fighting off the chill around them. There was a lot going on. It took too long to register. Ai felt separate from her body, a dispassionate onlooker looming over the animals. She could feel herself nod to Yori. How can you always be so cheerful? The thought passed her like a bitter look over the shoulder.

Yori.

Koki greeted the Monkey too. Ai knew well enough that they would not receive her silent glowering as rude. Too much time passed for them to not understand one another. But I should be like them. I should be strong too. As if her spirit realigned with her small body, Ai returned to the present, the now. The air was frosty and sharp. Blots of dull color blanketed the gardens. And there stood her sweet fellow Zodiacs, Yori and Koki. Beyond too precious for the lives decided of them by... by... whoever pulled the strings beyond their comprehension. And no, it wasn't Arashi. He, too, suffered. Almost like them.

Almost.

"Your face is warm," Ai commented to Yori, giving his cheek a stiff, awkward squeeze. Then, she heard Koki ask about lunch. I don't think either of you will ever change, Ai thought as her eyes fell closed. She imagined Yori in his Monkey form, swinging from tree to tree and performing tricks. Then there was Koki with his sandy fur, pawing at his Master's knee for another treat. She frowned.

How was she not crying?

"Don't know," she murmured lowly to Koki about lunch. She had not eaten much since the News, and she was worried about getting food on her outfit. Without another word, she pulled Yori by the arm to accept his request to walk together. And then she held Koki's arm in the same fashion. She could never say it, but she demonstrated how close she wanted them.











♡design by stardust galaxy, coded by uxie♡

 







the horse

kenta
wata-
nabe








[tab=Tab]









outift: a dark purple kimono
location: near a waterfall
interactions: peachiepalette peachiepalette
[/tab][/tab][/tabs]







“We have 84 days left, how many more of those will you go on pretending that I’m not here?”

Takumi's low voice sliced through the fabric of Kenta's composure, carving a searing path directly into his heart, settling uncomfortably somewhere between his chest and his throat.

For a moment, he was speechless, with only the sounds of the garden around them echoing in his ears. Adoring fans gushing over the hosts, children laughing in the background, and the gentle murmur of the waterfall near them provided an almost ironic ambiance for a conversation he hadn't expected.

I could never pretend you weren't around, not when you're the first face I search for when I walk into a room, was what Kenta wanted to say, but some truths could not be said, not now, perhaps not ever.

"It's... it's better this way," Kenta finally voiced, choking on the half-truth. He dared not meet Takumi's eyes, lest he lose himself completely in their warm depths. Instead, he looked to where Takumi's hand encircled his arm. To the casual observer, they simply appeared as friends engaged in a private conversation, unaware of the tense words spoken softly between them.

"Wouldn't you rather spend those 84 days with the people who make you happy?" he continued, the unspoken truth lingering in the unoccupied spaces between his words. And I'm not one of them. I could never be. The words felt like shards of glass in his mouth. As children they had shared everything; as men, distance was all he could offer.

In another reality, unfettered by the shackles of their roles, perhaps their story would have played out differently. Best friends turned lovers - like something out of a cliche rom-com. That night, when Takumi had confessed his feelings, lips soft and pliant against Kenta's, sharing drunken kisses and whispered sighs - Kenta had allowed himself a moment of indulgence, imagining their future together. Of lazy summer afternoons just like their childhood, hands entwined while they dozed in the sun-dappled garden. Of traveling to places perhaps even out of Japan - maybe a quaint European town, perhaps, where Takumi could immerse himself in painting, and Kenta could read to him under the shade of a quiet courtyard. Kenta could see it, could feel it, the happiness that might have come with him accepting Takumi's feelings.

But he could also see their end; the inevitable heartbreak that would come with pursuing such a relationship. Takumi would grow weary of him and leave. Just like...

Kenta's eyes wandered over towards their God some distance away.

If love faltered with the one who should have cherished them—the one Kenta thought loved him, and whom he had loved fervently—then what chance did Kenta even have with a person he could never hold in his arms?

They all had an expiration date, and Kenta knew from experience how deeply a broken heart could cut. Lovers, friends, dreams - all slipped through his grasp like sand. Left abandoned while the world moves on without him. It was safer then, to be the one leaving first, before any could break his heart further.

Takumi had moved on, or so Kenta had assumed. Yet here the Ox stood before him once more, reopening wounds long since scabbed over. Kenta does not understand Takumi's intent, only that he still feels too much, cares too deeply - a weakness that will destroy them both in the months to come now that the curse was leading them to their ends.

With great effort, Kenta eased his arm out of Takumi's grasp. He closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself. When he looked upon Takumi again, it was with a mask of indifference, hoping to conceal the feelings raging within. This next part would destroy them, but Kenta had convinced himself it was the only way - the kindest way. To cut himself free before hope could take root and bloom once more, only to wither again when Takumi left as all things must. As he left.

"I thought moving on would be easier if I left first," Kenta said, hating the flatness of his own voice. "But you won't let me go in peace, will you? Why must you keep reopening these wounds?"

Kenta took one step back, then another, putting distance between them that he felt in his soul. "Please just... let me go. Forget that night. Find your happiness elsewhere. It's... what would be best for you, in the end," he whispered, the words ash in his mouth.





coded by weldherwings.



“We have 84 days left, how many more of those will you go on pretending that I’m not here?”

Takumi's low voice sliced through the fabric of Kenta's composure, carving a searing path directly into his heart, settling uncomfortably somewhere between his chest and his throat.

For a moment, he was speechless, with only the sounds of the garden around them echoing in his ears. Adoring fans gushing over the hosts, children laughing in the background, and the gentle murmur of the waterfall near them provided an almost ironic ambiance for a conversation he hadn't expected.

I could never pretend you weren't around, not when you're the first face I search for when I walk into a room, was what Kenta wanted to say, but some truths could not be said, not now, perhaps not ever.

"It's... it's better this way," Kenta finally voiced, choking on the half-truth. He dared not meet Takumi's eyes, lest he lose himself completely in their warm depths. Instead, he looked to where Takumi's hand encircled his arm. To the casual observer, they simply appeared as friends engaged in a private conversation, unaware of the tense words spoken softly between them.

"Wouldn't you rather spend those 84 days with the people who make you happy?" he continued, the unspoken truth lingering in the unoccupied spaces between his words. And I'm not one of them. I could never be. The words felt like shards of glass in his mouth. As children they had shared everything; as men, distance was all he could offer.

In another reality, unfettered by the shackles of their roles, perhaps their story would have played out differently. Best friends turned lovers - like something out of a cliche rom-com. That night, when Takumi had confessed his feelings, lips soft and pliant against Kenta's, sharing drunken kisses and whispered sighs - Kenta had allowed himself a moment of indulgence, imagining their future together. Of lazy summer afternoons just like their childhood, hands entwined while they dozed in the sun-dappled garden. Of traveling to places perhaps even out of Japan - maybe a quaint European town, perhaps, where Takumi could immerse himself in painting, and Kenta could read to him under the shade of a quiet courtyard. Kenta could see it, could feel it, the happiness that might have come with him accepting Takumi's feelings.

But he could also see their end; the inevitable heartbreak that would come with pursuing such a relationship. Takumi would grow weary of him and leave. Just like...

Kenta's eyes wandered over towards their God some distance away.

If love faltered with the one who should have cherished them—the one Kenta thought loved him, and whom he had loved fervently—then what chance did Kenta even have with a person he could never hold in his arms?

They all had an expiration date, and Kenta knew from experience how deeply a broken heart could cut. Lovers, friends, dreams - all slipped through his grasp like sand. Left abandoned while the world moves on without him. It was safer then, to be the one leaving first, before any could break his heart further.

Takumi had moved on, or so Kenta had assumed. Yet here the Ox stood before him once more, reopening wounds long since scabbed over. Kenta does not understand Takumi's intent, only that he still feels too much, cares too deeply - a weakness that will destroy them both in the months to come now that the curse was leading them to their ends.

With great effort, Kenta eased his arm out of Takumi's grasp. He closed his eyes briefly, steeling himself. When he looked upon Takumi again, it was with a mask of indifference, hoping to conceal the feelings raging within. This next part would destroy them, but Kenta had convinced himself it was the only way - the kindest way. To cut himself free before hope could take root and bloom once more, only to wither again when Takumi left as all things must. As he left.

"I thought moving on would be easier if I left first," Kenta said, hating the flatness of his own voice. "But you won't let me go in peace, will you? Why must you keep reopening these wounds?"

Kenta took one step back, then another, putting distance between them that he felt in his soul. "Please just... let me go. Forget that night. Find your happiness elsewhere. It's... what would be best for you, in the end," he whispered, the words ash in his mouth.
 
Last edited:





Yori



scroll
















Yori grinned even wider when Ai pinched his cheek, happily adjusting to stand beside her as Ai took her place between him and Koki, now walking in a row across the path, Yori could hear the excitement from the crowd at the scene they made. When they were younger, it was a common occurrence to see any of the zodiacs that were neighbors on the wheel with one another, hugging or joining in arms as they currently were to show how close they were. As they grew in age, it was harder to get any of them to agree or even arrive to events together, so the servants eventually gave up. He could almost feel the approving gazes of their ever present guardians on their backs, but he refused to let them sour the moment.

“The fans are as energetic as ever,” Yori shrugged, answering Koki’s question, “Hopefully that doesn’t mean they’ll be causing too many incidents today. I’d hate to make a public speech reprimanding them again.” He stuck out his tongue as he remembered a time a few years back where a whole prank war had broken out in the crowd after word of his pastime at the compound was spread by a few other zodiac. While he had found it funny and endearing at first, many others didn’t and his public speech after had been slightly humiliating. He’d definitely made it a habit to make sure nothing got that far out of hand since.

The garden itself wasn’t overly large, so it was easy to make out the groups they’d separated into all across the winding paths. Like a magnet, Yori’s gaze fell towards their God, feeling something hard settle in his stomach when he saw Konishi with them. She looked to be shaking, and the arrival of Rui Xi only seemed to slap a bandage on the situation. He didn’t know what they were talking about, but Yori was sure that Arashi would handle it, for they were their God.

They wouldn’t do anything to purposefully harm any of them.

The warmth of Ai’s arm hooked around his grounded him, and he glanced over her head at Koki again. He couldn’t remember the last time they’d all been together like this. “The Tea House is open, should we check if they have anything to eat there?” he asked, raising his voice a little as they passed one of the garden’s waterfalls that lined the path. It blocked their view from the scene he had just witnessed, as well as a majority of the other groups. Ahead, the path split in two directions, and he swayed them towards the direction of the Tea House, needing the distraction either way. “If anything, the tea will be something nice and warm to drink while we wait for lunch.” He pointedly kept his gaze on his two companions now, not wanting to catch anything else that may make him want to rush to someone’s aid.








click for more





















♡design by minajesty, coded by uxie♡
 





/* ------ left side ------ */




/* ------ left side info ------ */
mood observant, nosy

location the gardens

outfit kimono

tag Dicentra Dicentra & e v i e v i


Nakano Murasaki




/* ------ right side ------ */
Being one of the eldest of the Zodiac vessels meant that Murasaki was more than accustomed to these tours. And the people, accustomed to her. Well, accustomed could easily be replaced with... bored. The Boar brought no intrigue, no scandal. The Boar was a pillar that stood tall in case the others took a tumble. Some older city officials commended her on her diligent work in her studies, but their eyes glazed over once they realize it was in psychiatric studies instead of something more worthwhile, like computer sciences or medicine.

And, even though Murasaki was still clearly young, the general public much prefers the looks of effervescent 20-somethings. Saki didn't mind in the slightest, her gloved hands sat neatly in front of her as she slowly strolled the private gardens, letting the rest of the group drift off ahead of her. Her outfit's muted colors, despite them being her lucky colors, meant it would be easier for her to blend seamlessly into the background.

Straying from the pack allowed her to catch the sight of Kazue, seemingly tending to Sorellia. If the scrambling servants surrounding the idol wasn't an indicator that something was wrong, then it was certainly Kaz's hand placed on the blonde's. It seems a fire was threatening to spread, and they were all dousing it the best they could.

Saki debated with herself on whether or not she should intervene, but, with the rest of the group leaving, she found it best to stay behind with these two. Brown eyes watched the servants through her glasses, feeling their stress radiating off of them.

"If I offer to address her hair, will you leave?" The group looked at each other skeptically, before deciding to succumb to the Boar. "Leave me the brush, will you?" One of the servants nodded, handing Saki said brush before leaving the secluded area of the garden. With a sigh, The brunette turned to the idol and gave her the brush, knowing full-well that she wouldn't dare let Saki touch her platinum locks, no matter how dismal they looked.

"Hopefully they'll be off your back for a while. They're so bothersome." Murasaki's voice held an unfamiliar tone of irritation that quickly dissipated as she continued, "Do you guys mind if I sit with you for a bit? It's so nice here without the commotion.." To those who didn't know her, or her antics, she would seem spacey, warm brown eyes gazing up at the swaying cherry blossom branches as if searching for something.

However, she was very much grounded, taking a seat next to Sorellia before getting any kind of response. An intrusion that neither of the other zodiacs would be halting any time soon. "You know, they picked such a peaceful place, and ruined it with a public ceremony... what a shame."



/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.
 






Akane
















mood.


Playful, Focused






location.


The Gardens


















After the events that went underway at the charity gala, feelings of grief and helplessness faded, until all that was left was the rage sitting in the pit of her stomach. The meddling servants were met with swift anger of an irate idol. One who knew that the servants would do well to bend to her will every once in a while.

These elders terrified her, but no feeling could trump the anger she was left with, alone in her room. How dare they ruin something that was supposed to be hers?

It was for this reason that she did not bother talking with the others. The Rabbit needed space until the tour began. Time to regroup, and remember what she was meant to do.

What was she meant to do?

The question lingered in her mind for days, until she pushed the empty feeling away. Multi-faceted superstar Hana Akane knew what her purpose was. It was her fans, and her art, above all else. Being a rock for those who looked to her for guidance. To those who idolized her.

At least, that's what her Agent told her.

So, with time to compose herself, away from those who were actually facing their problems, the white-haired woman was able to delude herself, at least for a little while.

✦✦✦​

"Remember to just be yourself, Mrs. Hana. The people love you, so no doubt this will be a smooth tour. Call me if you need anything." The sound of Akane's long-standing agent resonated with her as she hung up the phone, deciding to keep it in an inner pocket of her extravagant red and white kimono that had been tailored specifically for her.

To appear humble to spectators, she kept herself further back in the group, but not too far as to be lost in the pack. It was a perfect middle ground, and it certainly helped to have Nova and Reiji near. She could deny it all she wanted, but their prescience slightly lessened the tightness in her chest, and it let her keep her composure.

"Akane! Over here!"

"Look this way, Miss Hana!"

"Do a spin for us!"


There was something comforting about these familiar commands, simply being art to be admired. It left Akane more than willing to oblige, flashing the passing crowds with a bright smile and words of reassurances.

Once the last of her nearby fans eventually left the area, Akane was brought back to reality by the sound of a less-than-thrilled Reiji,

"Why are you two at the back? Especially you Akane, you know it's bad for your shining reputation if you're seen near me." The Rabbit couldn't help but smile again, but this one was not nearly as forced, and much more playful.

"Careful, Reiji, you're starting to sound like you care about me." Turning so that her back was no longer facing him, she continued, "The audience gathered here isn't interested in silly tabloid headlines. Nor are they that interested in you..." She paused, making a face before realizing how that came out, "...No offense."

She meant that being the Cat meant being overlooked, especially when standing directly in the shadow of The Rabbit. However, she couldn't lie and say that this was the reason she stood with him. No, her intentions were much more selfish.

Ruby eyes looked over at Nova, who remained silent. The notion that she hadn't uttered a word was no good. Akane knew she'd need a distraction soon.

Lowering her voice in a joking manner, Akane leaned over towards the Tiger, "What do you think? Should we ditch him? Our reputations are on the line, after all." Maybe it was the fact that her life was fleeting, or she was feeling rebellious, but her sweet idol facade was fading quickly with every sarcastic comment she made.

Well, the cameras were gone for now... and white rabbit ears were on high alert. Surely she'll be allowed a small break.






♡coded by uxie♡
 



The bridge between the Earth and the Heavens


Zhou Rui Xi








Arashi's laughter scattered like knives, each blade sailing past Rui Xi's kimono until finally, a reminder of their time together struck the dragon's maw. Old hag? She was more than some old hag. She was one who lapped the sorrow from his cheeks while Saki stitched the wounds left by his deadbeat parents. She could have been the teet that nourished him into a benevolent god. But Arashi was no longer her god nor her brood. He was the cuckoo that was plopped into her life, siphoning the remaining eighty-four days of her life.

Her mouth was overburdened with insults, pretentious metaphors, and confessions from long ago. He danced the line between public darling and vindictive god, unable to resist stoking the heat in either zodiac host. There was no time to remove herself and prevent the messiness of their past from polluting Konishi's-their message.

"The media knows no gods. They worship only scandal and a paycheck." Rui Xi met Konishi's eyes with her own. "Konishi, the longer we wait, the less time we have to act as humans. Act while we're still free to walk with the rest of humanity."


mood | No
scroll

location | Rakusuien Garden, Fukoba


tag | (Arashi) cwosont cwosont (Konishi) Lost Echo Lost Echo





/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */

© weldherwings.
 



arashi.
































It was becoming abundantly clear to the God that logic and reason were not sufficient. Konishi and Rui Xi seemed keen to rely on misplaced spite and pride. Arashi did not know how much clearer he could make the path forward. He could not afford to continue wasting time on those content to blindly stumble around in the dark. He would no longer play into their hands.

“You two are thinking like pawns,”
Arashi spat, grimacing.
“Speaking your silly words of defiance against your cruel God, the villain of your pathetic little story. Open your eyes. You were there. I saw you. You know how far they're willing to go.”
He stared at her, eyes burning with contempt.
“You did nothing before, and you are stumbling around like a blind lamb now. You are too content with the idea of becoming livestock.”


They turned to look at Rui Xi and sneered,
“You're no better. You think I should be frightened. In three months, you'll turn into a dragon and swallow me whole. I have no intention of becoming your meal, Rui Xi.”
He shook his head.
“Because whether either of you like it or not, you're mine. You always have been. And I have no intention of letting them take more from me than they already have.”


Arashi took a step back and clasped their hands behind them.
“I learned all that I needed to know. Speak up, my sweet Konishi. Tell the world how mean and scary your God is, how hard a poor sheep like you has had it here. You're thinking too small to ruin my plans. You've made that clear.”
They bowed, and offered a smile sickly sweet.
“Enjoy the gardens.”


































slow dancing in the dark



joji










♡coded by uxie♡
 






takumi

scroll

mood
Please don't lose i- Oh, I lost it.

location
Rakusuien Garden

outfit
✻✻✻

tag
nyxievous nyxievous



His anger was beginning to simmer, a boiling pot that was rattling the lid while on the stove, a warning that things were getting a little too hot for comfort. Be careful when lifting the lid, someone might get burned.

"Wouldn't you rather spend those 84 days with the people who make you happy?"

A blank stare followed Kenta’s question, followed by a furrowed brow chuckle as Takumi scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’re such an idiot. You’re one of the ones who has made me the happiest.” And tore me apart the most. The last words lingered in Takumi’s head, recalling the years of loneliness he’d spent without his best friend. Even without the label of lovers, he would’ve been content to stick around with Kenta at his side as just friends. However, it seemed that the term ‘just friends’ always came with some complications – a warning label rather than a simplicity.

As Kenta pulled away, Takumi could feel his breath catching in his throat, choked down with panic. He wasn’t really losing him, was he? Right now? Now this just wasn’t fair. The Ox had mostly made his peace with the changes that were to come: he had sat in patience with the curse whenever things went awry, and he had waited - for the most part - as calmly as he could for this reunion of his former best friend and the first that truly had his heart, for it all to be taken away?

Moving on? Takumi’s mind flitted to Sorellia. Things with her had been, and still were, real – but in a different way. Sorellia with her courage and her emotions so big and wild that he not only related to her in a way, but drew strength from her; but Kenta had been the peace, the longing and the kindness. While he had often heard it was true that you never forgot your first love, he could now see that it was the truth.

He was sure his chest was splitting open. While Kenta had focused on the probability of another person leaving him, Takumi was suffering from something akin. He himself had been left by the one that was so sure that abandonment was inevitable. The situation was laughable, in its own twisted way. Instead, he could feel his emotions trickling over, the lidded pot bursting with steam.

“How do you know what’s best for me? Why are you so okay with leaving me? Stop making it sound like you’re doing this for me when you’re just running away like a coward.” His voice had raised slightly, though it was still easy to drown it out amidst the bustle of the photographers, waiting to get a glimpse at the ever-exciting group of Zodiacs. For now, they were in the clear. Taking a step towards Kenta, Takumi’s hands curled to fists and his fingernails dug into the soft flesh of his palm as he tried to keep himself together. It was a dangerous game to toy with his emotions, and the closer they got to returning to animals, the more he felt at risk of becoming like his petulant, choleric self of his youth.

And yet, a turn of events occurred when the first tears fell. Not often a crier, Takumi had felt the prickling behind his eyes in place of the startling anger that he had been expecting. A hand swiped quickly over fluttering eyes, wiping the salty tracks as they came.

“If you couldn’t return my feelings… Even if it wasn’t me– You didn’t have to leave.”




/* ------ credit -- do not remove ------ */
 













sorellia







ソレリア - THE SNAKE


There were many things that Sorellia appreciated in this world, and her preferences leaned heavily towards tangible treasures—jewelry, fame, and fortune. People, however, were not high on her list of favorites. Despite basking in the limelight, her patience with others was far from abundant. To her, it was a transactional relationship: they utilized her for entertainment, on or off-screen, and in return, she utilized them to amass notoriety and wealth.

The select few with whom Sorellia genuinely enjoyed spending time were limited to Takumi, Kazue, and, well...

She sighed as Kazue placed his hand against hers, a contrast to her cold skin that brought comfort. It cooled her anger almost instantly. The last thing she honestly needed was more people in her face, but Kazue was an exception. He always was. Sorellia had a lot of fans—people who followed her, chanting her name, asking for pictures, wanting an autograph. But Kazue was different. He was a genuine fan of hers — a friend.

His reassuring voice and honeyed words had a calming effect on her. The grip on her hair ornament loosened, and the strands of her hair fell gently to the ground. She gazed down at the discarded piece, a sense of disappointment lingering. What was the point of her usual tantrums? What was the point of anything, especially when they were bound to transform into animals soon? She gathered the loose strands that clung to the ornament before handing the hair piece over to Kazue.It was a silent plea, a request for him to fix it for her.

Once her heart had steadied, she shifted her gaze toward Murasaki. The quiet and mature zodiac was almost the complete opposite of Sorellia—studious and not one for fame. In fact, Murasaki was often the least mentioned in any articles about the zodiac signs. There was a part of Sorellia that felt envious of Murasaki's quiet lifestyle, but a larger part of her was annoyed by her perceived arrogance. Despite no one knowing or caring about her, Murasaki carried an aura that bothered Sorellia. It was inexplicable. Maybe it was jealousy. Contentedness with oneself that Sorellia would never have.

As Murasaki handed her the brush, Sorellia passed it on to Kazue, a silent command for him to brush her hair. It wasn't an obligation; she considered it a privilege. The three of them sat alone in the room, the servants gone. The actress gazed out into the open garden, where flowers of all colors and shapes flourished together. It struck her how the flowers, despite their differences, coexisted in harmony. If only the zodiacs could do the same. Yet human hearts, including her own, were so fickle. Emotions tended to complicate things. Perhaps, once they all became animals, they could find a simpler harmony.

As the notion of them turning into animals occupied her mind, she unconsciously bit down on her bottom lip to stifle her thoughts. The prospect of such a transformation loomed large in her mind, and she had to physically restrain herself. She couldn't allow this idea to consume her; she wouldn't let it.

"A shame." She echoed. “With the little time we have, this is what we're constrained to do. I should have aimed higher, become more well-known. Perhaps then the servants would have put in more effort to prevent it. Or perhaps that's just wishful thinking."

Another stretch of silence ensued. "You two appear calm despite everything. Aren't you afraid?” She posed the question, yet it resonated more like a desperate plea for reassurance.







coded by weldherwings.



There were many things that Sorellia appreciated in this world, and her preferences leaned heavily towards tangible treasures—jewelry, fame, and fortune. People, however, were not high on her list of favorites. Despite basking in the limelight, her patience with others was far from abundant. To her, it was a transactional relationship: they utilized her for entertainment, on or off-screen, and in return, she utilized them to amass notoriety and wealth.

The select few with whom Sorellia genuinely enjoyed spending time were limited to Takumi, Kazue, and, well...

She sighed as Kazue placed his hand against hers, a contrast to her cold skin that brought comfort. It cooled her anger almost instantly. The last thing she honestly needed was more people in her face, but Kazue was an exception. He always was. Sorellia had a lot of fans—people who followed her, chanting her name, asking for pictures, wanting an autograph. But Kazue was different. He was a genuine fan of hers — a friend.

His reassuring voice and honeyed words had a calming effect on her. The grip on her hair ornament loosened, and the strands of her hair fell gently to the ground. She gazed down at the discarded piece, a sense of disappointment lingering. What was the point of her usual tantrums? What was the point of anything, especially when they were bound to transform into animals soon? She gathered the loose strands that clung to the ornament before handing the hair piece over to Kazue.It was a silent plea, a request for him to fix it for her.

Once her heart had steadied, she shifted her gaze toward Murasaki. The quiet and mature zodiac was almost the complete opposite of Sorellia—studious and not one for fame. In fact, Murasaki was often the least mentioned in any articles about the zodiac signs. There was a part of Sorellia that felt envious of Murasaki's quiet lifestyle, but a larger part of her was annoyed by her perceived arrogance. Despite no one knowing or caring about her, Murasaki carried an aura that bothered Sorellia. It was inexplicable. Maybe it was jealousy. Contentedness with oneself that Sorellia would never have.

As Murasaki handed her the brush, Sorellia passed it on to Kazue, a silent command for him to brush her hair. It wasn't an obligation; she considered it a privilege. The three of them sat alone in the room, the servants gone. The actress gazed out into the open garden, where flowers of all colors and shapes flourished together. It struck her how the flowers, despite their differences, coexisted in harmony. If only the zodiacs could do the same. Yet human hearts, including her own, were so fickle. Emotions tended to complicate things. Perhaps, once they all became animals, they could find a simpler harmony.

As the notion of them turning into animals occupied her mind, she unconsciously bit down on her bottom lip to stifle her thoughts. The prospect of such a transformation loomed large in her mind, and she had to physically restrain herself. She couldn't allow this idea to consume her; she wouldn't let it.

"A shame." She echoed. “With the little time we have, this is what we're constrained to do. I should have aimed higher, become more well-known. Perhaps then the servants would have put in more effort to prevent it. Or perhaps that's just wishful thinking."

Another stretch of silence ensued. "You two appear calm despite everything. Aren't you afraid?” She posed the question, yet it resonated more like a desperate plea for reassurance.
 
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Nova Torazawa

The Tiger









It was an interesting situation to be in. Nova could feel her face smiling in response to the calls of the zodiac-hungry crowd. She could see their mouths moving in an attempt to harness all of the Tiger's attention. She wasn't the type of zodiac to avoid the spotlight that came along with the position, but she also didn't make any extra effort to be in the public eye. Before they were put into the ultimate compound lockdown, there was a rather large amount of customers that would crowd her restaurant to be in her presence. Apparently, they saw her as one of the more flirty and friendly zodiacs. Considering how antisocial her fellow feline tended to be, Nova could see how they came to that conclusion.

Reiji's voice managed to pull her out of an unnecessary trip down memory lane. Hearing his level tone and unusual compliment allowed a genuine smile to appear across her face as she turned to respond. ''Aww thanks for the compliment Rei-Rei, no one else has the audacity to perfectly adorn orange the way I do. Such a difficult color to pull-off, and one that causes me to stick out just enough to draw attention to our little trio. You look pretty nice in your official strutting attire, looks a hell-of-a-lot more comfortable than this constricting garb I'm in.'' Her hand toyed with the neckline to get rid of the remaining stuffiness and ease into the present moment.


Nova felt someone approach her side resulting in her slightly jumping away. It was Akane, clearly in a much more playful mood than her or Reiji seemed to be. She could only imagine what kind of anxiety-riddled scent she was giving off for both of them to try and raise her spirits. Another deep breath had to be taken in before she held her head high and offered the two a rakish grin. Nova dramatically placed one hand on her chest and another on Reiji's shoulder to bring him closer for another layer of dramatics, ''How could you Miss Akane, attempting to leave out our precious and beloved Cat? And what would your adoring fans think if they saw us alone and unsupervised? Oh the scandals that would unfold surrounding the innocent bunny in the dangerous clutches of the wild yet charming tiger.'' Her hand shakily covered her mouth as she shook her head in a manner akin to that of a judgmental aunt finding out that her niece was gallivanting through the streets with her knees exposed while unwed.

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the dog
Distant chatter caused a twitch in one of Kōki's ears, one he simply scratched at in his interest to stay in the present. To look past Ai's soft pink hair was to meet Yori's warmth & anticipation for a question asked just now; to cast a downwards glance was to land upon the aforementioned soft pink landing & equally downcast head with attention towards the ground before the three.

With respect to the moment, Kōki let Yori's words linger as he too took in whatever moment had Ai with a sigh about her. The dog's eyes closed as he breathed in chill air that threatened visibility when he again exhaled.

"Think they'll let us?" asked Kōki with a nod towards the herding servants around all the Zodiac wherever the walked. Finding little interest in letting them keep him from something in his stomach, he went on, "Let's find out."

& with that, Kōki took a step towards the the little tea house & tugged along the hooked arm of Ai.

night owl
 
Konishi stood a little stronger as she met Rui Xi’s eyes. It was strange, even now she could remember she hated the dragon as much as Arashi and the servants. It was she after all who really took her parents. But she was just as much of a pawn as Konishi herself was. It still hurt, but she could cling to the other’s strength to do this. As long as she was human, as the other reminded her.

It was interesting Arashi reflected her thoughts, calling them pawns too. As if all she had to say was to complain about him. Then he referenced then. That time she’d skipped school, wanting to hide from the world and not able to find a place to do so. She’d seen them wrestle with the man, injecting him with something that sedated him near instantly. That was when she’d pitied him. It was also when she learned he wouldn’t keep her safe. “Is that why you became one of them?” She asked, her voice serious, curious. “Because you couldn’t protect yourself from them? How could you be our god then?” Maybe he too was a pawn, who just held himself to loftier ideals. She still was going to speak.

At the next section of reporters, she stepped forward, away from the other Zodiacs. She didn’t look to see if Rui Xi stepped up to support her, she liked to pretend without the illusion being broken. “Excuse me.” Her voice was tiny, and she had to try again. “Excuse me!” And suddenly she was the center of attention. Probably more than just the reporters. Did all of the Zodiacs know her plans?

Hi.” She gave a little wave, “I know most of you know me, but my name is Miura Konishi. I rarely use my last name, since I lost my parents.” There was the expected awww, which she paused to let pass. “You see, I’m not sure how much you guys know about a Zodiac, when they’re found.” She looked up, her doe eyes large behind her glasses. She couldn’t tell if the reporters were at all interested, so she hurried up. “At 13, we’re taken to the compound. My parents loved me. And I especially loved my little brother, Minato.” She smiled, truly, happily for the first time on camera. “The compound was different. One of the worst things was the punishments. Not to me, but even watching another was terrifying. So I wrote to my parents. Talking about the abuse I was seeing.” She purposefully didn’t look at Reiji, even as her lips trembled keeping tears behind as she remembered. “The servants took me back to my house and made me watch as my family’s memories were erased. It was awful seeing their faces, desperate as the servants held us apart, then blank.” Here, she looked back up, “I know you probably don’t believe me. But I doubt they managed to cover everything up. I was in too many things in school. Too active as a child. Maybe you can find me.” She hugged herself. “I just want to tell my parents, Miura Kaito and Kairi, and my brother, Minato that I love them.” The tears were falling down her face, but she stood tall. “It’s okay if they don’t remember me as their daughter.” She knew Minato would recognize her as his student teacher. “I’m most likely going to be stuck as a sheep for the rest of my life, unless we break the curse in 3 months. So I couldn’t wait any longer. I don't want to talk about my fellow Zodiacs, please respect their privacy. They can speak out if they want to...hopefully. Thank you.” She bowed and stepped back into the group of Zodiacs. She looked back up when she was safely in the group, watching the cameras, and realizing the red lights were off. Her heart fell, but she glanced at the other onlookers, maybe they cared? Some of them claimed the sheep as theirs?

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Kazue Himitsu
The Rat

The Zodiac who he could embrace besides Takumi approached before he could even see her. There was a quiet dignity about her. With her practical way of dress, the way welfare sewed her into this Earth, Kazue felt she would blend better in his home country. He might have told her that once or twice jokingly with his arms wrapped around her. As the years passed, she was smaller and smaller to him. In true eldest fashion, she took hold of the situation and shooed away the servants. In a humorous chain, the brush was passed to Sorellia and wordlessly to the Rat, as was the hair ornament previously. His fingers weaved through the item, pulling out a few strands of snowy blonde hair.

Of course no one objected to Saki's request to stay with them.

"You know, they picked such a peaceful place, and ruined it with a public ceremony... what a shame."

His eyes, more scrupulous than usual, narrowed down to the woman's frame. She stared almost longingly at the wind-kissed trees. Over the years, he learned she was the same level of threatening as Rui Xi -- maybe even more, since she was not so forward. He was polite and sickeningly sweet at times to her. And vague. Something Sorellia refused to be. He started on her hair with gentleness and respect of the task. Women of Sorellia's status were careful with their hair -- of course it was a privilege that he may touch it. He worked carefully, just as Ai showed him one time. He started in the middle and gently worked his way down to detangle.

The Snake lamented that her level of fame was not enough to prevent their fate. They were, after all, imprisoned to Japan. Arashi numbed the ache for his homeland.

"You two appear calm despite everything. Aren't you afraid?"

Kazue's hands moved further up on her head to brush through the detangled silk strands. A closer look granted him some sort of commotion outside. He only caught a glimpse of it, given they were a little farther away than the tour. But he saw Konishi speaking to cameras. For the briefest of moments, her bespectacled eyes were emboldened. She was loud, but he could not catch what she said. Rather, he observed the spectators -- looks of pity, looks of horror. His brushing paused over Sorellia's hair. Silence pressed the room. Of course the Boar basked in the silence -- one of her tactics.

"I fear few things in this small life of mine," Kazue told her truthfully. His accent thicker, the sentence worded oddly. For once, he was sincere. Isn't that what you want, Murasaki? He finished once her hair was smooth and without knots. The Rat placed the ornament in her hair and clipped it to its previous position. Normally, he would have lightened the mood with I fear most of all never seeing you like this again, Princess -- but maybe his facade was melting like snow.

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