hole-in-the-sky-library

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

Experimental Methods Meeting, 0X-XX/2XXX

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Dr. ██████████: I simply think we need to start considering the consequences of this experiment.

Dr. L. A████: And what consequences are those, Dr. ██████████?

Dr. ██████████: This has gone beyond correlation. The number of subjects who participate in the experiment directly matches the number of defectors. We’re bleeding soldiers.

Dr. L. A████: Academia is vaster than I think you imagine, Doctor. But if you’re starting to have second thoughts…

Dr. ██████████: That isn’t the problem. I’m as fascinated by these revelations as you are. But we need to discuss what is causing participants to be so much more likely to defect.

Dr. L. A████: We can discuss it. Perhaps our experimental groups need to start expanding their reach.

Dr. ██████████: Perhaps if I could understand exactly what it is, you’re looking for, L██.

Dr. L. A████: And perhaps if you continue to ask questions about things beyond your clearance, I’ll find someone else to run this experiment.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

The night is quiet. The sirens have long since gone silent, and the stars shine wordlessly down onto the city below them. Anthy watches those stars through the window of Uchiko’s home, and finds that sleep escapes her. Perhaps she rested long enough in the Kappa Kingdom to bear her along for a thousand years. One way or another, her feet itch. She knows that it’s time go again.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

The streets are empty in the wake of the screaming siren, the yellow and black warning banners fluttering in the breeze. Anthy lingers near the edge of the water, though when she looks over her shoulder, she knows that it is now nothing more than an ordinary river. Wherever it was connected to the River of Desire has long washed away, and going back the way she came is no longer an option. As it has always been.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

Experiment Log 23B

<BEGIN TRANSCRIPT>

Dr. ██████████: …and you understand the potential risks you undertake during this —

Subject 08-96: Spare me the consent form already; I’ve done this a bajillion times so far.

Dr. ██████████: You’ve done this only twice before. It’s necessary that you fully understand what it is you’re consenting to.

Subject 08-96: Look, this is important to the war effort, right? I’ll be damned if fucking ████ can do this shit over and over and I can’t. I’m just as tough as he is.

Dr. ██████████: You do realize that we don’t select you for this experiment based on your testing or dueling scores, yes?

Subject 08-96: Sure. You pick us based on how tough our brains are. Now shut up with the consent form and fire it up already. I’m ready to see hell break open again.

Dr. ██████████: …very well. <to assisting technician> Turn on the simulation.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

“You’re welcome to stay longer, you know.”

Anthy stands at the threshold, and is reminded of another threshold, one that was much harder to step over. She doesn’t meet Mabu’s gaze, but she can feel it on her.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

Yuya slept off and on for what felt like days, but probably wasn’t. He remembered coming awake briefly, hearing his mother’s voice, and Reiji’s calm tones answering her.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

It was official. Yuzu was a useless exorcist.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

“So how’s it going, kiddo?” Crow asked.

Selena grimaced at him, raising both eyebrows. He cracked a smile as he sat down in the chair that Rin had just been sitting in, leaning his elbows on his knees.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. Anthy steps through them and finds herself standing on the tracks again.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

Dear mom and dad: Ray and I had a long talk and I really needed it. …I’ve decided I’m not going to let this one mistake ruin everything.  I’m not alone.  Even if the crowd is screaming for more of my mistake, I’m not going to give it to them. I’ll show them all what real dueling is — what my dueling is.  I’m going to duel in a way that will make you guys…and Ray…proud of me.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

He is taller than her, and paler. His hair, though, gives her pause for a moment. Though she did not for a second mistake him for Utena, the shade of his hair is distinctive. A pale, cherry-blossom pink that reminds Anthy of her. For a moment, it feels like some sort of sign. A sign that she is getting closer, that she is finding her way ever closer to the one she has been searching for all this time.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

In his dreams, Reiji meets three strange kings in an endless, lonely swamp. They offer him a contract.

My piece for the Heart & Soul zine project! Really glad I was able to participate in this project with so many awesome creators!

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

She knows she has to leave the tracks. The only question is where: and when.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

A hand slammed down onto Yuzu’s desk as she was tapping her papers into place, and she looked up, blinking with surprise.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

I think what bothers me the most is how everyone just…cheered.  And I smiled and waved but I felt so sick. Is this really what they want me to do? Is this the kind of entertainment they want? If I’m going to make the crowd happy, is this what I need to be doing? I don’t know how I feel about that….I don’t know what to do. I watch the old tapes of dad and hear him talk about playing to the crowd, but…do I have to do it like this? Is this how I’m supposed to duel?

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

The station is empty — more than that, it seems to be nowhere at all.

[hole-in-the-sky-library]

At first, Yuya thought the tapping was the sound of branches against his window, and he groaned, fumbling to grasp sleep again. Then in a moment of clarity, he remembered that there wasn’t a tree outside his window to be tapping against the glass. His eyes flew open, and he sat straight up.