{Vocaloid} Where the Odd Ones Lie

Cocoon

Master's cart was quiet that night. The trinkets and lace swayed with the wind through the open door. The air was crisp and chill, sinking a cool feeling into the wood panelling. Fukase crept steadily on his feet, eyes watering a bit as the wind tugged him along. There seemed to be twice as many stars in the sky that night. He felt a dull, dry peace envelop him for a moment. He had been here before. But when?

He'd finally woken up, completely different from the state he'd been in. Beside him, illuminated by a dying lantern, was Mayu. She was facing away from him, sound asleep. He slowly rose from his tray, walking around to check on her. The blood staining her leotard made his heart leap. Her neck was bruised and a deep red, but otherwise she was alright. He rested his hand gently in her hair, a vague warmth greeting his palm. He bent down, resting his cheek upon Mayu's. The energy he felt between them was almost frightening. It was so familiar, yet so foreign.

"You'll be safe," he whispered silently, his words lost to the cold of the room. His words were genuine, so was his attitude toward her. His heart warmed seeing her sleep soundly. Her breath swayed with the low sound of the wind from the main room. There was a hum in his body, a mix of several emotions he'd repressed, surfacing to his mind.

He felt this was the appropriate time to find out, hoping it'd go smoother this time. His body buzzed in anticipation and nervousness. What he was doing was far from intimate. This was okay, right? He justified it in the name of curiosity and tried not to think about it further.

He slowly removed the left strap of Mayu's leotard, using only his index finger. Carefully, he moved the half down her chest, stopping as soon as he'd found what he was looking for. There, above her heart, he saw it again. A small, twisted scar. Much more delicate and precise than his own. He traced his fingers around it carefully, pressing his fingers to his own chest. The wind from the main room became warmer.

Slowly, he slipped away from her, debating whether to leave again or not. His chest was overwhelmed again: two heartbeats. He wondered if Mayu had ever felt that way. He didn't want to admit it at first, but now he'd honestly found great peace with the fact that he and Mayu were connected in some way.

He turned away one last time, startled by the metal rustling from behind him. He turned around to Mayu sitting up on her elbows. Her eyes were bright, with a soft shadow around them. She mouthed his name, and he went to her. He grasped her by the shoulders, she returning the gesture.

"The show." she said quietly. "The show. When is the show?"

A lump formed in his throat. He couldn't imagine the melancholy she'd feel if he told her she couldn't be in it because of her injury; whatever injury that might have been, he couldn't quite tell. Though, he could feel the pain she bore. He saw that it had mostly healed, but knew for certain that it was still very painful. Still, he didn't forget the reason she was in front of him in the first place. She came to be in the show, and didn't want to keep that from her. Even in her vulnerable state.

Suddenly aware of her overwhelming vulnerability, he froze in heat. The ways she looked at him, he couldn't help but feel infatuated with her. He kissed her very quickly, pulling back just as fast to see her face. She looked comforted, to his relief. An empty, sleepy sort of contentment. He felt the same, but knew he was more familiar with this than she was.

Rehabilitation periods for Fukase came more often than he'd like to admit. Waking up, feeling dazed and empty, his skin cool and moist, a dry feeling in his mouth. It was like being born, or coming back from a coma. It was got easier with time, but he knew Mayu'd only been through it once before. He was very grateful to be there to comfort her.

With their fingers intertwined, they sat at the entrance of the cart, the moist air feeling cool on their waxy skin. This was the same scenery they'd watch every night, but it felt different this time. A full feeling enveloped them gently. Mayu could feel that'd would only be temporary. Soon, the wind would change, and the sun would rise, and everything would be as it once was. But she enjoyed the sudden feeling of camaraderie. The feeling of being complete. The feeling of understanding. Whatever chrysalis her mind had suddenly been engulfed in was beyond her, but still she decided to embrace it. Someone whom once helped her, she returned the favor to. Now, they could heal together. Two parts of the same, wondrous whole. She dreamed of this feeling lasting, just like the feeling of saving Fukase's life before. She wanted to be there in their journey of healing. Whatever it was they were healing from.