zablucia - Tumblr blog

[zablucia]

There are moments, when I'm alone, that I think of my family.

I think, "I only have one life, I should reach out to talk to them. I should try."

Inevitably, I remember: they don't.

I've felt like a black sheep of the family. For a long time. Like I don't fit in. That feeling only grew once I left home to start my own life.

I suppose that's normal. Being with people your whole life and now you have your own life to live; perspective changes, people change.

I don't know if I should keep trying, but the longer I don't the harder it becomes. Like I'm looking at a broken bridge with not enough supplies and I can't figure out how to reconnect them. The longer I take the further the two ends seem to be.

I just don't know anymore. Maybe I should try... But then, I shouldn't be the only one trying, should I?

----

The two figures sat, looking at the city below from their perch. One had her head leaning against her friend's shoulder, who had her arm wrapped around her hurting friend. Tear tracks glittered in the dull light, turning the dark navy blue sky lighter with each passing minute.

They had talked through the night, crying, laughing, and comforting until they reached this pre-dawn silence. The city below them was beginning to wake in earnest. What had been muted noise was steadily increasing. They knew it wouldn't be long until the jostling city would be full of it's usual sounds and movement. But still, they sat, motionless in each other's company.

"I think," Lexa, said softly, giving Oakley's shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Your emotions, and your mental well-being matter, more than what society says about how people should approach family."

Oakley made a sound, somewhere between a laugh and a sob. "I guess that's right. Why beat myself over something that they obviously don't have any qualms about." Though she tried, a bitter tone seeped into her voice.

Lexa gave her shoulder another squeeze. "And," she added after a seconds pause. "If you ever need to talk to me about it. I'm here."

Oakley nodded, finally relinquishing her hold on the other girl and whipped her face with the sleeve of her sweater. "Thanks, Lex. For everything."

Lexa bumped her shoulder against hers. "Of course. What are friends for?"

The two hugged one last time before they both stood, now working the kinks out of their limbs for sitting so long.

"My ass is so sore," Oakley muttered, dusting her jeans off. "And I'm freezing."

Lexa gave her friend a wide grin. "Let's solve both issues. Silver and Gold cafe should be open. We can grab coffees and sit down on their plush chairs."

"Good call," Oakley yawned. "I'll need coffee to keep me awake today."

The two set off back down the cliff, both feeling a little brighter about the day ahead.

[zablucia]

its quite tragic we learn almost nothing of link's past before he meets zelda

[zablucia]

[zablucia]

Elsamaren doodles 🥰 I love how Elsa heart eyes Honeymaren in the movie.

Elsa’s second outfit is inspired by one of Brittney lee’s designs. I’ll prob do something more elaborated with this more sporty outfit.

[zablucia]

Aleksey!

[zablucia]

remember to always chew your food properly, kids.

[zablucia]

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS 

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS 

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

[zablucia]

Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha will receive a new TV anime project titled “Hanyo no Yashahime: Sengoku Otogi Soshi (Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon)”. It’ll focus on daughters of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. The TV anime spin-off will air in Fall 2020.

Staff

Director: Teruo Sato 

Screenplay: Katsuyuki Sumisawa 

Supervisor: Rumiko Takashi 

Character Design: Yoshihito Hishinuma 

Music: Kaoru Wada 

Animation production: SUNRISE

Synopsis

The daughters of Sesshomaru and Inuyasha set out on a journey transcending time!

In Feudal Japan, Half-Demon twins Towa and Setsuna are separated from each other during a forest fire. While desperately searching for her younger sister, Towa wanders into a mysterious tunnel that sends her into present-day Japan, where she is found and raised by Kagome Higurashi’s brother, Sota, and his family.

Ten years later, the tunnel that connects the two eras has reopened, allowing Towa to be reunited with Setsuna, who is now a Demon Slayer working for Kohaku. But to Towa’s shock, Setsuna appears to have lost all memories of her older sister.

Joined by Moroha, the daughter of Inuyasha and Kagome, the three young women travel between the two eras on an adventure to regain their missing past.

[zablucia]

[zablucia]

An Explanation of Lightning

Aiya stared down at her sisters silver-gray eyes then back out at the storm raging around them. She crossed her arms and waited for a flash of lightning to steak across the dark sky to explain it to Aire. There came a flash then a crack as lightning streaked right above their house and the five year old gasped loudly.

“It’s so loud!”

“It is,” Aiya smiled at her. “Lightning is… beautiful and scary all in one. It can cause fire but it lights up the sky all in one instant. It’s like a second,” she snapped, “and then it’s gone.”

Aire closed her eyes and tilted her head up towards the sky as though trying to imagine. “What color would you call it?”

“White definitely.”

“Can you touch it?”

“That wouldn’t be a good thing,” Aiya shook her head. “It’s really hot, it can turn sand into glass.”

“Really?” Aire gasped.

“Yeah, it’s pretty neat,” Aiya laughed slightly.

“Lightning seems cool,” Aire said sounding wistful. “Hearing it is even cooler! What does it look like?”

“Hmm… remember when the rock broke mom and dads windshield? And you wanted to feel all the cracks?”

“Yeah, I didn’t get scratched, even when mom and dad said not to cause they said it would scratch me.”

“That’s what lightning looks like. Jagged and branched out.”

“That’s kind of cool too,” she opened her eyes and tilted her head towards her sister with a slight frown. “it must be sad when it goes away. It goes bright and then away.”

“It is,” Aiya said, nodding. “But sometimes during a storm there’s a bunch of lightning.” A bolt cracked across the sky and the two girls winced slightly. 

“Definitely scary,” the younger girl said nodded and gripping her sisters hand a little tighter.

“It can be,” her older sister smiled. “Did I help?”

Aire nodded vigorously. “Yes! Thanks sissy. But, can we stay out here longer?”

Aiya squeezed her hand. “Yup. But we’ll go in once it gets cold okay?”

“Okay.”

The two girls sat safely through the storm as its thunder shook the sky and the lightning illuminated the dark skies well into the night.

[zablucia]

You ever just cringe so hard at a memory that you have to close your eyes and lie down on the floor? High school was.. a cringey time haha. .

[zablucia]

Meaning

Walking along cracked and worn cement, I glance to the side and see a river of lament.

The waters surface reflects the dark grey clouds above It’s broken only by a dead leaf devoid of love.

Though the current pulls it along steadily It, itself, refuses to budge stubbornly.

It follows me as I walk, afloat it’s grey sea. It moves much faster than I can see–

There, it’s gone, brought down by rapids…Or carried on? I break from it as it breaks from me; it has more brawn.

I depart for other worries, It departs for other merries.

[zablucia]

Someone From the Castle

Tobias had snuck up onto the roof countless times before, and it was with that familiarity that he made his way up once again. The sky was filled with stars and the moon was bright, the perfect night.

He’d been trying for weeks to catch sight of one of the people who lived up at the Quartz Castle, since his father first told him to be wary of the people who lived there. Honestly Tobias didn’t see what was the big deal. If they were all living together without fighting, that was good right?

As he reached the roof, he carefully placed his feet down where he knew the beams of the thatched roof was. He made his way over to the portion of the roof where he knew he could sit without worrying about falling through. As he nestled down into straw, he turned his gaze upward and inhaled deeply.

He loved the night. It was so quiet — no one telling him to get back to chores, no loud cries from his sisters, no braying animals. The only noises were the nocturnal animals and insects and, on still nights like this, he could even hear the soft rush of the ocean miles away.

Tobias stared up, taking in the stars above and found himself wondering again what it would be like to live in Clifton, the town that was settled in the castles shadow and what his father traveled to every now and then. “Unnatural,” his father explained it, shaking his head with disgust. “And you’ll not go there yet, Tobias. Your far too young.”

Far too young. Tobias glared up at the sky. He was nearly fifteen, that was old enough, wasn’t it? His older sister by four years went to the city once before she had refused to go back. “Never again,” he remembered Tanya saying. “One of them came flapping down from the sky and landed right in front of me. Scared me half to death. I don’t understand why the people choose to live there. And the castle. It’s creepy.”

What Tobias would give to have a chance to go there.

“You’re out here again, are you?”

The voice made Tobias jump to his feet. Fear gripped him as he teetered on the edge of the roof then slowly his body began to fall.

“I got you,” the voice sounded again and Tobias felt someone grip one of his flailing arms. A gust of air blew past him and he looked up to see a girl staring at him looking exasperated. “I swear you humans spook far too easy.” 

She had dark raven hair, pale skin, and even in the dark he could tell she had bright blue eyes. It was then he noticed the bat-like wings protruding from her shoulders, flapping on either side of her as she lowered him to the ground. His feet touched ground and she landed next to him then squinted into his face. “Are you hurt?”

All Tobias could do was stare at her, dumbstruck. The girl seemed off somehow. She was lanky and, even though she looked much younger than he was, she was a few inches taller than him and the way she talked didn’t match her appearance at all. 

She frowned then waved a hand in front of his face. “Hey, you okay?” 

“Are you from the castle?” his asked, surprising even himself.

She tilted her head. “Yes.”

Elation and a little fear welled up in him at the same time. Now that he actually saw someone in front of him, he didn’t know what to say.

“I’ve seen you there before,” the girl said, pointed back at the roof. “Was it just to spot someone from the castle?” He nodded and she sighed. “Well, no one usually comes this way. All the foot and air traffic goes on in the south. No one comes here much,” she made a line through the air with her hand. 

Tobias just stared at her and she sighed again and her wings stretched out on either side of her. “Whoa, don’t worry,” she said hastily, folding her wings tight to her body. “Sorry I scared you. As I said, humans spook too easy.” 

“Do you really come from the castle?” He asked again, hardly believing his eyes. Tobias’ father never mentioned that there were children who lived there too.

The girl frowned at him. “Yes, now don’t ask again. It’s rude. If you want to sit and talk for a bit, go ahead,” she gestured at the grass.

Tobias hesitated for a second then sat down in front of her. 

“I can feel your thoughts moving about a million miles a second,” she said, frowning. “Go ahead and ask.”

“You can read my mind?” He gasped.

“I try not to, but you're thinking too loud.”

Tobias didn’t know what to make of this, so instead, he decided to ask a question. “Is it true that ghouls, skin-weavers, and humans all live in Clifton?”

“Yes,” she said, tearing up the grass.

“What are you then?”

She paused and glanced up at him. He saw something like anger in her face but she soon relaxed. “That’s rude,” she replied. “Wouldn’t a nicer question be ‘what’s your name?’”

“What is your name then?”

“Bryn.”

“I’m Tobias.”

Suddenly, Bryn leapt to her feet and stared out into the distance as though she had heard someone call her name. “Crap,” she muttered. “My mom is looking for me.” She studied Tobias for a second then added. “If you’re out here tomorrow night, I can come back and we can talk some more.” She paused. “If you’re not rude.”

“It’s rude to call someone rude,” he said, scowling at her. 

Bryn glared back then looked back over her shoulder. “I got to go.” 

Tobias watched with some amazement as Bryn’s wings unfolded again and she braced herself against the ground then launched herself up in the air. 

‘Tomorrow night! Don’t forget.’ He heard her voice ring in his head as he watched her speed off.

He stood there for several long minutes before he turned back to go inside his house, a grin spreading at his lips. All those nights and he finally met someone! And tomorrow she was coming back! But Tobias knew better than to tell his parents, in fact, he wasn’t sure if he should tell anyone. No one much liked the ghouls and skin-weavers, but, honestly, Tobias didn’t see what the big problem was. Bryn didn’t seem so bad. 

All he could do, Tobias told himself as he crawled back in bed, was hope that she would come back the next day.

<to be continued>

[zablucia]

Numb

Reader Warning: Contains blood and gruesome imagery that may be disturbing to some readers. 

----

"Do you regret it?"

Thrain looked up at the young boy leaning over the cot above to stare at him open mouthed. "Go to sleep, boy," he grumbled in his low tones.

"But do you regret it?" The boy insisted, leaning even more precariously forward. Thrain eyed Cade, taking in his young features. The older man snorted; the boy was truly the face of innocence. But he considered the question as the boy waited, being unusually patient.

“Yes,” Thrain said eventually. “Go to sleep.”

"You do?" Cade sounded shocked as Thain rolled over, turning his back on the boy. "But why? I can't see how you would ever--"

"Do you love that girl, Treista?" The older man asked abruptly, remaining on his side.

There was an awkward pause then, "Yes."

"Do you care if the people in this town are slaughtered by Zureigh?"

"Of course," Cade’s answer came shocked but determined. "We can't let the innocent people--"

"Did you love your family?" Thrain asked, talking over Cade.

Silence came then a pained answer. "Of course... You of all people should--"

"I don't," Thrain said flatly. He turned now, slowly, to stare at the boy with dark, lifeless eyes. "I feel nothing towards these people, towards anyone. Even you," he let a tone of cruelty seep into his words. “There is nothing that I care or feel for. Can you understand what that means?” 

He reached one hand out and saw the boy flinch, but Thrain only placed his hand gently on the top of his head and, with a jerk, pushed the fourteen year old back into the bed above. 

Cade, someone who usually didn’t like being pushed around, said nothing. Thrain let a small humorless smile tug his lips upward, deciding to drive his point home. “I could kill you, and feel nothing. I would kill your little lass, and feel nothing. I could slaughter this entire town, and feel nothing. I care not for the people of this town, your family, your love, or what you call vengeance.”

Thrain settled back into his bed, trying to find what he knew was a comfortable position. He thought the conversation was over, but the boys voice sounded above in a quiet whisper.

"Do you not care about a warm bed?"

"No," he said.

"What about hot food?"

"No."

"What about if you're hungry?"

"Is this what’s really troubling you from what I said earlier?"

"Do you care that I'm bothering you?"

"No."

There was another shocked pause. "My father always said not to ask so many questions because it would annoy my elders."

"Your father was correct," Thrain replied. "Asking far too many questions would annoy anyone else, had they no curse upon them."

"Is there no way to break your curse?"

"No," he repeated. "Now, go to sleep. You need it."

"....alright," came Cade’s reply and the room fell silent once again.

Thrain lay quietly for a few moments waiting to see if Cade's unending questions would start up once again. After several long minutes, however, he could hear the boys slow even breathing.

The mercenary let his body relax, knowing, rather than feeling, that he would need the sleep. Shortly thereafter, he feel asleep and awoke in a dream.

----

A scream tore through Thrain’s throat. 

He was kneeling in the blood soaked earth, holding what remained of his darling Naomi in his arms. Thrain’s mind was reeling. He didn’t understand. He had only left that morning, had held her in his arms, kissed her lips, had told her he loved her. She had smiled then, laughed then. He could picture her beautiful face as she waved him down the road.

Now he stared into her torn and ruined face, her body broken. Crumpled. Pale. Lifeless. 

He clutched her closer as his eyes swept around the burning building before him. Thrain saw other tattered bodies, illuminated by the fire that was quickly burning his life away. Another broken cry escaped him as he noticed his daughters, Nao and Willow, and sons, Rain and Julian just as broken and unmoving as the love of his life. He stared at the blood soaked dirt beneath their bodies. A screaming sob escaped him and he dropped his head, sobbing his lament with only the burning world around him.

He remained there as the sun first peaked over the mountains. Thrain didn’t move as the crows came, avoiding the man with the beating heart, too intent on the corpses. The only change came when the sun began to set on the other side of the valley.

Smoke seemed to rise from a distant peak, then slowly and steadily drift towards Thrain. The man didn’t even blink as the black mist swirled around him, coiling up in front of him, and formed a humanoid shape. The figure was tall and featureless, though it seemed to stare down at the man as though it had eyes.

“I haven’t felt this much despair in quite some time,” the figure said, tilting its head. “What happened to cause such a delectable sensation?” They turned and took in the blackened fields and the ruins of the house. “Your family was slaughtered while you were away,” they concluded, looking back at the man. 

After a moment they squatted in front of Thrain, leaning closer as though to get a good look at his face. “I thought I felt the horror and pain, but didn’t think anything of it until I felt you.” The figure didn’t move for a long moment then came a whispered hiss. “I know who did it, you know.”

For the first time, Thrain’s eyes seemed to flicker. The figure seemed to tense, as though in anticipation, but the man showed no other indication of life. 

A huff came from them and they allowed their body to fall back to sit on the ground in front of the man. They crossed their legs, placed their elbows on their knees, and fists on either side of it’s blank head. “They’re no fun when they’re broken,” they grumbled. “I was really looking forward to a treat.” Then they jerked and sat up straight, as though struck by an idea.

“I can give you a gift, human,” They said. The figure extended a hand and touched a rather long and almost claw-like finger against the man’s chest. “I can take away the pain. You won’t feel the thing that broke you, and you can pursue those who ripped apart the woman.” It’s hand dropped to hover just over her opened chest.

His eyes flickered again. Thrain looked up at the figure with deadened eyes and three words passed through his dry lips. “Take it all.” And the figure, with a mouth unseen, grinned wickedly.

---

Thrain opened his eyes and, for an instant, could feel the echoing stirs of the emotions he once felt, years and years ago. The man looked up as the door opened and Cade walked in, already dressed and carrying a tray of food. “I got breakfast,” he said, placing the tray on the rickety table. “Even if you don’t feel hungry, your body still needs to eat.”

“Don’t lecture me, boy,” Thrain said, swinging his legs around and getting heavily to his feet.

Cade rolled his eyes. “I’m going to check on Treista and the horses, but I’ll be right back.”

Thrain watched as the door closed then waited a moment longer before he reached into a pocket and pulled out a small token. It was a severed, blackened, and shriveled finger. A cord was strung through the dark bone protruding from the skin. Thrain stared at it for a moment, the grim emblem that marked him as a follower of the Demon God, taken from the woman he once considered more precious than life itself.

With a slight sigh, he tucked the token away and turned to his food, returning to the numb life he had and will always live. 

[zablucia]

A Meeting

Reader warning: May contain themes people find upsetting. 

----

The woman was sitting at the top of her apartment building. She liked it there because it was silent, but the traffic far below her left a white noise that helped block out the daily stress and anxiety.

It was moments like these that she thought about them. The person taken from the world so unfairly. Unjustly. Cruelly. Horribly. No one deserved to be taken from the world like that, and unbidden regrets flashed through her mind. 

She should have spent more time with them. She should have asked if they wanted to go see a movie, go bowling, or just for a cup of coffee. Even the simplest things, like, sending a small message of “How are you?” She could have done that far more often than she did.

“So much lost,” she muttered to herself, feeling that dull ache in her chest that, even after four years, remained. And she knew it would stay like that. Things had been easier, had become easier. But that pain would still be there.

“An interesting place to hide out,” the woman jumped in surprised and turned around. Someone had crept up to the roof behind her and she hadn’t heard. It struck her odd because the door that led down to the rest of the apartments below always creaked.

A teenaged boy stepped out of the dark, hands raised. “Sorry! Didn’t mean to surprise you.”

“That’s alright,” she said, her frantically beating heart slowing. As she stared at him, a sense of unease gripped her. His clothes were all black, apart from the blood red t-shirt she could see poking out from underneath the zip-up hoodie he wore. He didn’t look intimidating, but that sense of unease increased. She told herself she was being a little ridiculous, but thinking of her lost friend only increased that unease. She glanced over and felt a slight reassurance that the baseball bat she’d brought with her was still beside her. Couldn’t ever be too careful.

“I come up here to hide too sometimes,” he said. “Get’s too loud at home,” he rolled his eyes.

The woman nodded. “I understand that.”

The boy seemed to hesitate for a second. “You don’t mind if I sit do you?” He asked pointing at an empty spot a few feet from her. “I just need a break for a bit, clear my head, then I have to get back.”

She contemplated for a second then nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

He grinned at her, walked over, then plopped down with an exhale of breath.

After a second silence, he spoke up. “I’m Az.” 

“Steph,” she said, feeling stupider by the second. She should really leave, but something was holding her in place. She’d been up here countless times before, but never before had met anyone. It was kind of nice to just be next to someone, listening to the noise of the city and staring up at the light-clogged sky.

“You know,” he said, again breaking the silence. “I miss the stars.”

She looked at him, he was staring up at the sky with a wistful look on  his face. “You’re not from the city?”

Az shrugged. “I come here pretty often, but I prefer the country, or out where there’s not very many people. But I barely get the opportunity to visit out there. The stars are so vivid. It sort of feels like you can get swallowed up.” 

“I’ve never been to the country,” she said staring up and trying to imagine the sky filled with countless stars, only managing to remember vague images of the pictures she’d seen. “I’m guessing it’s better than the pictures.”

“Absolutely,” he said with another contented sigh. 

The two sat there in silence, she even closed her eyes and let the odd sensation of silence and noise wash over her. It was very late at this point and as she contemplated going inside, he spoke again, making her jump. She had nearly forgotten he was there.

“You know, I was kind of worried you were going to jump.”

“Jump?” She asked, looking at the edge of the building in front of her before shaking her head. “No. I wouldn’t do that,” then after a seconds pause. “That’s a really weird thing to say.”

“Is it?” He asked, looking over at her. “You never really know what’s someone going through. And you had a really depressed look on your face when I showed up.” 

“Yes, well... I was thinking of something depressing...” she said, looking back up at the sky.

“Want to talk about it?” She looked at him with a brow raised. He shrugged. “Sometimes telling a complete stranger your problems helps.”

She continued to stare at him for a few more moments then looked down at her feet. “Today is my friend’s birthday. They would have been 22 this year.” When he didn’t say anything, she continued. “They were... murdered.” Still he was silent, though she didn’t really expect him to say anything.

“It’s the worst, and fucking sucks,” she said, more to herself. “It’s hard to know how to talk about the whole incident. Sometimes I want to talk about it, but what do you even say? And what do I expect people to say? You can’t really say anything when someone tells you their friend was murdered. No one really expects that.”

“I appreciate the honesty,” he said quietly, then rushed on as she gave him a look. “I mean, you could have said anything was bothering you and I wouldn’t have known any better. You seriously didn’t have to tell me shit, but you opened up, and I can’t help but appreciate that. As weird as that sounds.”

“Yeah,” she said, not really knowing what else to say.

“You know,” he said, again breaking the silence after yet another pause. “I’ve known life is fleeting for a long, long time, but the strength of people has always astounded me. No matter what comes across someone’s path, they will keep on moving forward to live, and grow stronger and wiser afterwards.

“Sometimes traumatic events have terrible, terrible impacts on someone, and sometimes, people come out of it for the better, others worse. But no one reaction is right or wrong, I think. You’re all just living one day after the next, doing your best. And those choices you make can cause ripples that influence the rest of your life, and impact other people. Someone who gives a grieving friend a comforting word, a hug, and kiss - that means the world to you, and gives you that strength to keep moving forward. 

“You could have chosen to jump and end everything to stop that pain you’re feeling. To prevent yourself from feeling that in the future. Completely rid yourself of the worries you go through every day and any pain you’ll feel in the future. But you haven’t. You’re choosing to live, just as so many others in your position have chosen to live. It’s a remarkable and incredible choice that has always inspired me. I am always so proud of how far everyone has come in their short lives, but,” he added like an afterthought. “I’m also glad to be the end of many others.”

She finally looked at him, startled and a little weirded out by everything he was saying. What she saw sent a bolt of fear through her. He was still sitting there, but what looked like a phantom was surrounding him; a hooded figure with, what looked like, a long black scythe resting on his shoulder. But she blinked and he was gone.