lurkingpoisons

[lurkingpoisons]

my computer crashed while i tried uploading this

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very rough sketch but do you see the vision. the unplucked eyebrows. the bags under her eyes. the chapped lips. shinobu grew out her hair because k.anae always wanted her to but that's the only stereotypically glamorous thing my s.hinobu is interested in.

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canon-divergent in the sense that, to me, shinobu would never touch makeup ever. long eyelashes and rosy lips who

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wisteria is poisonous. obvs it's more poisonous and dangerous to demons, but it's not exactly good for humans either. just thought you'd like to know that shinobu went through periods of nausea pretty frequently. nobody really took the time to understand why, apart from kanao, most just attributed it to her being generally fragile.

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and his faith in her was moving. perhaps, somewhere under that mask of joyous nature, she felt something shift within her heart for the young boy. inosuke often got an… eccentric reputation around others — especially in the butterfly estate. of course, he was well-liked, but perhaps so many got caught up in his wildness, that they forgot about his heart, beating beneath.

that warm heart — not unlike a wolf’s den, where the pups stayed and the mother kept them safe.

inosuke gave her a sensation of safety, and she refused to forgo that feeling of safety. it was rare for her to feel this way — and as she climbed carefully to his back, she finds herself deep in contemplation.

…the mention of demons snaps her instinctively back before she floated away, “oh–um.”

“...you’re so kind, hashibira-san,” her voice was soft — made of too much pride to outright argue with him. she wasn’t strong — not even emotionally — she could physically be snapped in half, and it didn’t take much to make her angry. she spent all of her life hunting, rather than killing — under the false pretense that perhaps she was saving the demons (where in reality, she just wanted them to suffer).

“can…” there’s a long pause, “can you promise me something?” it didn’t have to be genuine, but rather, she just wanted to hear it for comfort’s sake.

“will you promise me that you’ll always be like this, hashibira-san?” her voice is so quiet, “even when people make you angry? even when demons make you violent? even if...”

even if someone you love is inevitably killed by one of them?

Inosuke knew better than to mistake size for strength. He had seen ants lift crumbs several times their own size, he had seen boars stand their ground against bigger, faster predators.

He knew exactly how strong Shinobu was. She was a Hashira, after all.

"When someone in the pack is hurt, but the wound isn't deadly, the rest has to help 'em out. I wouldn't be a good boss if I left my minions out there to die!"

He crouched before her so she could climb onto his back, his arms wrapped around her legs to secure his hold. She could keep her wounded arm folded against his back.

"I could life five humans your size! No, maybe even ten! I bet demons get really pissed when they mistake you for someone weak!"

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“oh! how interesting — the demon is preaching to me,” her laughter sounds more like a cough; erupting from her lest she suffer further. a childish clap of her hands, before fingers threaten to scrape at her skin — inwardly, she felt so much pain; always circling her dead sister’s shadow, hoping one day she would resurrect her in her own self.

“and how many have you killed, miss upper moon one~? i bet it isn’t anything to gawk at!” laughter, more laughter, even more laughter. it was so pathetic.

and then, suddenly, her mask slips — tumbling to the earth and shattering at both of their feet.

“what would happen to you, i wonder,” a shadow falls over her face, “if your entire world — your everything — was killed by something entirely preventable?”

“and what if you were too fragile, too weak, to even influence the preventable death?” teeth bare into a splitting grin, “the reality is, if i was there — if i was not there — it wouldn’t have changed anything.”

and then, all at once, the mask comes back.

“until you know such weakness, my lady,” purple hues meet gold, “i’ll murder as much as i want.”

So she were correct--granted, it doesn't surprise her, in truth. The behavior were too familiar, something she's seen for centuries in the one she loves above all others.

How ironic, to meet a slayer who dons similar mask.

What a brave little slayer too, trying so hard to not shy away or hide from her, as if it were point of pride still. Kokushibō's words were true: other slayers all lost themselves to terror, either screaming and running or becoming frozen in their fright. Still, should it count as bravery if she is too disconnected from fear to feel it?

It didn't really matter.

"It's quite easy, I'm afraid; it's as clear as the stars to me."

An ever-present current, unblinking and unchanging.

"What a shame--anger can be quite useful, if it doesn't simply poison you instead," the irony doesn't escape her. How poetic. "I take it your sister were your only family left--you're slipping further."

The tremble doesn't escape her, like a thread pulled taut and threatening to snap. "You should be more mindful; tasking yourself with the job of murder will not bring her back."

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@groazei / starter call.

"i like playing dumb," a lighthearted hint of laughter from someone who towered so menacingly, "letting you figure me out.~"

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🎉

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i have so much love for s.hinobu vs the spider family she's so genuinely so mean

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and the first true emotion that slithers through the cracks is surprise — ah, she should expect such a technique from an upper moon. was it telepathy? or perhaps it was something else —

she steps back, instinctively recoiling — but quickly corrects herself to stand up straight once again. don’t let it get to you, don’t give it the satisfaction.

“...i suppose you can see through all of this, hm?” the smile returns to her expression as if it had never disappeared, “does it make me a bad person, to wear a mask like this?”

and then, laughter.

“you’re right, i don’t feel much at all — what i usually feel is anger, but nobody really likes anger — so thus, i have to bury it deep, deep down,” she points to her chest, “ever since my sister was killed by a demon, it buried whatever humanity i had left along with her.”

there’s a burning, crackling gaze held by shinobu. by even simply mentioning it, if one took time to notice, they would see her hands were quivering — veins on her forehead starting to pop out.

“but it’s okay, it makes me more efficient at doing my job.”

She can tell this slayer is attempting to prod at her, attempting to gain a reaction, but Kokushibō's manner remains rather unperturbed--offering little reaction beyond continuing to observe, to study the little slayer before her.

How interesting. She giggles and jests, and yet her eyes still detect nothing beneath the surface: still no change in heart, still no shift in blood. All upon the surface, and nothing within the depths.

Kokushibō knows exactly where she has seen this before.

"Those who fall to a slayer of this generation deserve the humiliation," she recalls well, when the corps were so powerful. To her, it seemed a mere shadow of itself--ever since they cast out the sun personified, scrubbed from their history.

Finally, a subtle tilt of her head, gaze still unblinking, "--you make such a show of your jests, and yet you feel no joy nor amusement in them. Are all of your emotions so disconnected from you?"

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and there was another half-hearted hint of laughter from shinobu. it was — it was… admittedly comforting to see how inosuke thought of her as strong (now, if only she could think the same). she tells herself she will hold onto the faith the younger slayers have in her—

and then, as the young one tears through her bandage with his teeth — a more genuine laughter bursts from her, “h-hashibira-san—?!” it was good for her to laugh, however, especially after such a colossal failure to keep herself useful safe.

“...you’re so thoughtful,” she lets the comment flow freely, before she gives a hesitant nod, “thank you. you can carry me.”

“just — just to the other room will be enough,” she continues, “i shouldn’t be too heavy for you.”

"I-I'm not worried!" The boar lied through his snout. "You're a Hashira, so I know you're strong! But if we don't do something about your arm right now, the blue nurse will kill us! She won't let me get a second helping of everything!!"

Or was it really a lie, if he was convinced of his own words?

He gave a nod and kneeled by her side, mask pushed up above his brow so he could lean in, and cut the bandages with his own teeth. It surely wasn't what Shinobu had in mind, but it was efficient enough.

"You shouldn't be walking. It'll make the broken bones shake inside your arm." He thought necessary to wiggle his own forearm in demonstration. "I'll carry you!"

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“cruel?” shinobu repeats with an innocent tilt of her head — she was clearly not bothering to hide the irony in the way she wickedly behaved. a tap of a finger to her chin, lips curling, “like they don’t deserve it…?”

and then, a skip ahead, faster than most could see — getting a little too close to the other, despite the danger that radiated from her.

“i’m sorry, that was an unneeded comment i just made — you’re justified in thinking it’s cruel,” her smile doesn’t disappear, eyes unblinking, “but i emphasize the danger that even pests can hold. if the right one attacks you, you might become a pest as well.~”

“it’s wonderful to meet you, senjumaru-san,” and then, another skip — and it seems shinobu had appeared past her, “would you like to accompany me on another hunt? i would love to have some company.”

SHARED SADISM CAN GO SO FAR ; --- how many could fall victim to the charm of the insect's venom , ready to tear apart the very core of shutara's prey . [ was she the same ? the stranger that stared at her with an all too sweet smile . ] a young woman with the intent to hiding behind a smile . ah , no matter , shutara was in little need to meddle with a human out of sheer boredom . that should be one of her graces the mortal should show gratitude to .

--- ❝ you seem accustom the the morbid as well , ❞ she began . ❝ to the point as to disrespect your victim ; --- how utterly cruel of you ~ . ❞

the sinister smile of the spider spread like its legs ' pon noticing the wiggling of a fly , watching as she neared her cautionary trap . ❝ senjumaru shutara . ❞ she decided to answer with truth , but only because she had earned said right . ❝ i come from a regal home , though that should be the least of your concern . ❞ shutara commented , eight golden arms shifting & moving to intertwined coyly .

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@whirling-fangs / starter call here.

and there was a sigh from shinobu, tending to one of her wounds caught on the battlefield — an inevitability, when she only had her speed and wits about her. she had little strength to rescue her when she met her match in a physical fight.

a tug of a bandage, before she eventually creates a sling. 

“you don’t have to worry so much, hashibira-san,” she tries to be lighthearted despite the fact she’d broken an arm, “it’s — not as painful as i’d expected when that demon bent my arm in such a way.”

hint of pathetic laughter.

“can you bring me something to cut the bandage, please?”

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“is that a good thing?” an innocent enough question — but equally a prod at whatever humanity this thing has left in her, “i can’t read any relief on your expression — have you grown used to being seen as evil and violent, upper moon one?”

her smile does not fade, however, it does seem to grow more teasing. perhaps she was the only one gutsy enough to toy with death — or perhaps, she held a death wish.

however, at the mention of her (or lack of) strength, shinobu’s head bows forward in apology.

“it’s shameful, isn’t it?” despite everything, her teasing tone does not leave her quite yet, “i have never beheaded a demon. i’m not strong enough — all of my power is built upon a foundation of fragility.”

she then lifts her head, empty gaze meeting kokushibō’s.

“but demons are still dead at my feet, are they not~?” a giggle, ignoring the instinctive twitch of her brow, “maybe it’s even more of a disgrace... to be weaker than someone like me.~”

And likewise, Kokushibō feels no threat from the other for such a slight form can only hold so much power--she recalls mention of it, some pillar that uses poisons. The scent of wisteria lingers, unpleasant upon her nose, and she wonders if toxins replace physical strength, but...

She still holds no concern. It would take more than poison to bring upper one down.

"You hold more acceptance of your fate than others of your ilk--most tremble and cry out upon sight of me," but Kokushibō will not call it courage, for her eyes see no bravery: there seems to be no fear in the other, no racing of her heart nor freezing of her muscles. Only simple acceptance, as if her appearance is no more unnatural than the rising of the moon.

Perhaps it were boredom, perhaps it were curiosity. For the moment, Kokushibō seems content to humor the pillar: the cat observing the spider, as arm idly rests upon handle of blade at her hip. "You would be correct, though it centuries ago--you, on the other hand, seem a mere wisp. Have you ever successfully cut off a demon's head?"

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@tsukkiakarii / starter call here.

and it was unfortunate — a sad twist of fate, that shinobu knew she could not defeat a demon such as her. this one was by far the strongest she’d ever seen, immediately obvious how many humans this one had devoured. she knew her poison would likely not be enough — nor any jabs from her sword, comparable to mere mosquito bites.

shinobu lets out a sigh, and smiles politely, noting the kanji etched into the demon’s eyes.

“what miserable things we are,” a mere observation, “i know you're special, upper moon one. and yet, i know any efforts i make to kill you will be futile…”

“...i can see it in your eyes — the necessary nature of battling and violence,” she continues, before another observation comes, “if i didn’t know any better, i’d ask if you used to be a warrior.”

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@can0nize (for mitsuri!) / starter call here.

and a hint of genuine laughter flutters from her — a night spent out with a dear friend; perhaps it was the only time shinobu felt she was able to be herself. no masks, no ruses, no facades — it was only mitsuri who was able to see her, in all her ugly, disastrous chaos.

“you’re so strong, mitsuri-chan,” she can’t help but comment, “if i had as much strength as you did, i would have snapped tomioka-san in half many moons ago!”

and yet, she felt accepted. she was... glad for it.

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Angry & Irritated Sentences, Vol. 23

(Angry and irritated sentences from various sources. Adjust phrasing where needed)

"I just figured 'don't eat the evidence' went without saying!"

"I still don't think there's anything impressive or romantic about this."

"You realise I'm still here, right?"

"Nothing ever changes with you, does it?"

"I'm sure you have an abundance of questions, but I doubt I'll answer any of them."

"Must you always be such a smartass?"

"Unless you have an IQ higher than mine, I'm not interested in what you think."

"How come every time you come around, someone ends up getting hurt?"

"Don't you dare follow me!"

"You understand better than most the pain a lie can inflict."

"You used me."

"You don't believe I can do it? Well, I can!"

"I think this is a conversation for another time."

"I really don't want to have this conversation right now."

"You don't know what you're talking about. Can we not do this right now?"

"Don't worry about me. I don't want it, I don't need it. Just don't do it."

"Why would you say something like that? What kind of person says something like that?"

"Am I to take it you believe in this quote-unquote 'plan'?"

"You know what? My offer just expired."

"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to touch other people's things?"

"You're stepping over a line here. You might want to step back."

"Oh, you really love yourself, don't you?"

"That's rather petty, even for you!"

"You could have killed me! You didn't, but you could have!"

"This isn't a game."

"So now you're a psychologist too?"

"You know, maybe I'm not the problem? Maybe it's you!"

"If you want to complain about life, you're talking to the wrong guy."

"You're giving me orders now?"

"I'm awfully bored of your shouting."

"You're not lying to me, are you?"