Chapter Text
Ray knocked on the door of his beloved’s room, almost twitching with excitement. He had been waiting for this moment, probably his whole life. When he got the okay to enter, he made sure to make his entrance graceful. After all, he had to impress his moon.
“Were you waiting for me, Luna...?” he asked eagerly.
Ray couldn't help but gaze at the woman in front of him. She wore a black dress with a white Peter pan collar, the upper chest and sleeves a sheer chiffon. He could make out the details of yet another tattoo across her collarbone, a bat in flight. She wore sheer tights and the Mary Janes he recognized from their first walk in the gardens. Her hair was tied back in a half updo, a large crimson bow peeking through the back. She had more jewelry in her ears than he first thought. She had simple makeup that brought out her eyes, and her lips were a supple red that matched her hairpiece. Luna looked like a gift wrapped miracle to him.
“Y-you look...so beautiful, Luna.” He gasped.
Luna looked at her feet shyly.
“Now all you have to do is take the pledge to our contract. Then we can stay here forever. It just feels like a dream. I can't believe it's actually come true... I knew it. Everything I believed in was right. I knew I wouldn't regret listening to savior. Savior told me that I can be useful if I work hard here at Mint Eye. But now, Luna, I can entertain you at least for a moment. I'm...so happy. I'm so happy I'm not sure if this is real or not. I'm so happy to see you smiling. That's why I'm afraid it will all go away like a dream...This isn't a dream, is it? I'm not going to wake up to find myself alone in my cold, dark room with nothing but computers, am I?” his voice shook as if he was about to cry.
“This isn't a dream. Trust me.” said Luna gently, taking his hands in hers. She curled her fingers in his, holding on tightly.
Those delicate hands that he wouldn't even dare to show bare. His frail spirit and the tired sad eyes.
Anybody else would have ended it all. But he didn't. Despite his suffering, despite his pain, he stayed alive. It was something to be admired. It was a reason she had decided to stay.
“I feel safe thanks to your warm hand. It assures me this is real. Please keep doing that. Hold on to me when I'm not sure what is happening......”
Ray took a deep breath.
“Luna...Like I told you before, if you officially take the pledge according to the Mint Eye's rules, you're free to roam around this place. To take the pledge, you must go through a certain procedure. But that procedure might be painful...depending on the person.”
“It was painful...for me.” said Ray meekly.
“Oh, why don't we talk somewhere else?” Ray hurried, eager to not let Luna see him weak. “I'm sure you were frustrated to stay locked in here. Let's look at the flowers and chat.”
“Okay, Ray. Let's go” Luna said as she held onto his left hand.
Hand in hand, they paced rhythmically. Down the stairs, not caring who saw.
“It’s nice that there are lights in the garden to allow people to take a walk during nights as well.” Ray would comment.
Then they were met with the fresh air of a summer’s night.
“This way, Luna.”
Ray led Luna to another part of the gardens they had not been to, and happened upon a wooden white bench surrounded by flowers. It was such a charming spot, like a page from a fairy tale. The pair sat close together, both itching to get the conversation going.
“...I don't want you to be in pain after drinking the elixir...like me.”
What was that?, she wondered. Ray continued the conversation.
“I want to come here with you during the day, but my work always takes too long. It usually ends when you would be asleep…”
Ray raised Luna’s hand to his face, taking it with both hands.
“You know, Luna, you've accepted me the way I am. You always have for the past few days. I know you struggled, and maybe for you it wasn't an easy choice to make. I've never had a chance to feel...what it's like to have someone accept me.”
He smiled shyly.
“I've been thinking about it all day long. And I thought...you would trust me no matter what I tell you. Even if I tell you something that is completely out of the rules of the world you know...you'll trust me...wouldn't you?”
His eyes were now pleading.
“Luna... Will you believe me no matter what I tell you?”
Luna sighed, thinking carefully about it.
“There will be times...I probably won't. I'm always questioning. But. I know your intention is not to harm me. Despite how I got here, you cared for me. So, I will believe in your good intentions.”
This was one of the traits Ray came to like about Luna. She was able to see the good in him, even if she disagreed with some of his ways.
“You are such an amazing person... You're nothing like those people I've known so far. I'll trust you, too, Luna. I'll trust you...more than anyone else.”
He planted a gentle kiss on Luna's knuckles.
“Luna... Don't you wanna know what this place is?”
Luna felt weightless, thrilled, knowing Ray is opening up to her and getting answers.
“Yes, Ray. I truly do.” She said sweetly.
“You're supposed to take a pledge after a special ceremony...but you also get a rundown on what this place is really about. And for this ceremony...you get to drink a specially made elixir for clean... I mean, for an orientation. Yes, that's it. And then you officially become one of us.”
Elixir. Luna never thought that word would send shivers down her spine. Still, she listened.
“But to some people, the side effect is just too strong, so it could be painful. To be honest...I'm scared that you'll be in pain after drinking the elixir. Just like me. If you're in pain, my heart will be in greater pain. We make people drink the elixir in order to show them the truth. Then they'll believe in us and become faithful followers.”
Luna was ready with a rebuttal. She had thought about how to persuade Ray out of the ‘contract’ process. She could not, and would not, participate in the cult practices.
“But you... You already trust me and believe in this place so much...even without the elixir. So I think you don't need the elixir or the orientation.”
For a moment Luna sat stunned, her words getting stuck in her tongue. Had she heard correctly? Was Ray really sparing her from the brutalities of the cult initiation? Luna almost couldn't believe what she had heard. She didn't need to persuade her way out of an unsavory situation, Ray had already decided to break every single rule of his lifestyle...for her sake. If Ray had broke through his brainwashing this way, even if it was just as an impulse, Luna had hope she could help fully de-convert Ray out of his cult mentality.
“But if someone asks you, you must tell them that you took the elixir. Alright?”
“Yes of course, my lips are sealed.” Luna said, her smile wide, making a zipper mime over her lips.
Ray thought it was delightful.
A brief silence and hesitation ran between them, then Luna asked the obvious next question.
“Ray, is it painful if you take that elixir?”
“Yes... I think the side effect is really bad for me. My head hurts, my heart throbs... It's so difficult to work while the elixir is in effect. So I used to take it a lot in the past, but now I take it only when I really, really need it.”
Luna decided to take a chance.
“But Ray...if the elixir is just hurting you, stop drinking it. I don't want you to be in pain so often. This practice is cruel, Ray. I can't believe they make you do this…” Luna scowled.
“Please understand, it's something I have to take. Otherwise I can't find paradise. But since you're so worried...I will try to take it less and less. I don't want to see you sad because of me”
He leaned closer.
“It's our secret that you didn't go through the orientation, okay?”
“Of course” said Luna, “Ray...the fact that you didn't make me go through with it...means so much more than you know. Thank you so...so much. You're taking a huge risk for my sake, and I….”
Luna sighed, trying to prepare what she would say next.
“I've been a bit dishonest with you. I...at first I acted like I was interested in you to get information out of you. All I wanted was to figure out what I had gotten into, and find a way out. But…”
She looked down at ground, feeling a sort of shame.
“Over time...I simply...stopped putting up an act around you. I anticipated your visits. I liked that you looked out for me, and I liked our conversations. Did you know, I snuck out and found your room? I wanted to see you right then but...I feared you would get in trouble. I couldn’t fathom bringing you any more pain. Somewhere along the way, I came to like you. And when it came down to it...I wanted to stay here. For you.” Luna concluded.
“Aahh...Luna, your gratitude makes my heart soar. Thank you...for your honesty. It must not have been easy for you to tell me. Just for that, Luna, you have my absolute trust.”
“And now, I'll tell you what this place is. Remember what I told you before? I told you that this place makes games. But honestly...there are more things going on in this place. One of our activities that is close to a game would be... Ah, yes. Providing delight to people tired of life, should I say? We do something fun and very meaningful at this place. The name for this place is Magenta. People here call this place Magenta, the paradise of dreams and hopes. Sounds like a world in the games, right? This is where people wounded from the outside world gather. Magenta is the only place they can be happy at.
“I, too...had terrible wounds when I first came here. But after the cleansing, I learned how to push behind the trauma of the past and step forward. And in the end, I was able to meet you. Everyone at the Magenta is like me. They ended up here like destiny with profound wounds and traumas. We all were born as the weaker in the world where only the fittest can survive and the stronger preys on the weaker.
Only the strong ones can survive in the outside world. Strong people like you. Do you think those born weak should live as prey until death?”
It was a loaded question, but it was one Luna knew how to answer.
“No, they have the right to live authentic lives like everyone else”
“Well…” Ray continued, “This is the one and only place for such people. People from the outside world are completely different from us... So I understand why they can't understand us. I was told that it's only logical - by their standards - that there are so many people who deny us. So that's why everyone has to live according to their rules. The strong ones live by their rules, and the weak ones live by theirs. And this is the rule we've chosen. Only those who follow our rules will get to join the 'Mint Eye' and live here at Magenta. Each of us has a role in this place. And my role is to protect the Magenta and Mint Eye's belief from the strong ones from the outside world.”
Luna could feel where this was going.
“I know what you're gonna say next...but, I want to hear it from you, Ray.”
Now he too looked down.
“So you figured it out yourself, huh? I, too, haven't been honest with you. Yes... The chatting game you've been doing...is actually not a game. They're real people. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner. I told you it's a game because I was afraid you would hate or attack us like the people from the outside world. The RFA. They're a threat to the Mint Eye...but not all people of the RFA are dangerous. There are only two dangerous people there. They're named V and 707... You should beware of them.” Ray warned.
“But...why?” Luna pressed.
“Those two hurt me and savior even before the Mint Eye was created. We came to need this place because we couldn't take the pain they gave us.”
“What happened?”
“I'll give you the details later... This story is so painful for me to remember.”
“Alright, Ray. I won't force you. But...tell me someday, please. I want to hear your story, and your perspective.”
“Yes, I will. I want to tell you everything someday…Thank you for understanding.”
Ray caught Luna staring intently at him, focused on his every word. He found it quite cute how childlike her curiosity was.
“I can tell you're just dying to ask more questions, Luna. Go ahead and ask. You make a silly face when you concentrate.” said Ray, grinning at his own little joke.
Luna huffed a little. It's true, but he shouldn't say it. She realized Ray had just teased her, and she was glad for it. Because to her, it meant Ray was comfortable and willing enough to be more open and joke around to lighten up the conversation, even if it was a difficult subject for him. So, she indulged Ray, and let herself ask.
“Alright, you got me. So...who is this Savior?”
“Savior is the one who founded the Mint Eye. You will get to meet the savior soon.”
“Why...did you target the RFA?”
“The reason why I hacked the RFA chat room was to protect this place and to save the members of the RFA. They're being tricked by V. You've seen V making secrets to the rest of the RFA, didn't you...? He's a liar. You should never trust him.”
“Ray, I disagree with you. V is not a liar. Rather, he has immense guilt for a lot of things that makes him act stupidly and recklessly. I don't think he ever meant for things to get this bad. Why is it that your view on him is so twisted?”
The mood had gotten somber.
“At first, he pretended to save me... But that wasn't his plan. He was planning to throw me into the bottom of the abyss. I realized that only after I suffering near-death...I would have lost my will to live if it weren't for my savior.”
“How do you know that’s what he was trying to do? Did you hear him say it, or did someone else convince you otherwise? What did the rest of RFA had to do with it?”
“I don't know the rest of the RFA very well....but I kind of agree with my savior. I agree that any foolish soul who is being exploited by V deserves salvation.”
“That's why we decided to make an innocent person, a person who knows nothing about the RFA or the Mint Eye, to contact them. And that person is you, Luna. A lone traveler new to the country, from a corner of the world much different than ours.”
“You had to move them in order to figure out how the RFA collects information and data. Thankfully, you've done so well, so RFA decided to hold a party. And all the data related to the party, which is the core of the RFA, started to move.
“So...I'm just a pawn in some game of revenge.” Luna said, her eyes hard and intense. Her intensity could make any man shiver, Ray thought.
‘I'm so, so sorry I told you that this is a game...You're not a pawn, Luna. To me you are precious, and I intend to prove it. To be honest, I had zero expectations on the tester method. My savior told me multiple times…That since we're bringing someone outside Magenta into this...we must not get our hopes up. My savior told me to never forget that people from outside world like V and 707 can turn their backs on us and hurt us anytime. But Luna...I realized you're special. You're the type of person...who can be with us. Or rather...you can be among us without having to change your worldly ways. I'm so glad I got to meet you. Here was nothing but endless fight in my life... But now I have a haven called you.”
Luna was genuinely moved. She had a lot of bad experiences with people, her circle of friends always small, wary of meeting new people. The love she got from her friends was always welcoming and positive, and it was one she was used to. But this...this man who had suffered so much, this man who was trapped in his sorrow, this man who had given his all to her even if they hadn't known each other for long...this beautiful, pure soul...now looked at her as if she was the most precious jewel. She knew Ray had a lot of anger inside, and that he was manipulated to take vengeance. Luna was not used to it, she was not used to being thought of in such a way. She wasn't used to being a priority. Luna thought herself as selfish, reckless, and a complete loudmouth. She showed off constantly and she could be cruel without an ounce of hesitation. She could be moody and hated asking for help. Sometimes Luna couldn't comprehend why anyone was able to like her as a person. And yet...
“Luna...if you help me...just a bit more...we can save the RFA as well...Then don't you think I can live my life completely differently? You know...life with more comfort....Do you think that's possible for me? My savior told me that this fight wouldn't take forever…That this fight will come to an end...if I work hard...really hard. That day will soon come...don't you think? So Luna...please continue this game a little longer. Once you hold the party...my savior's and my goal will be complete. And after that…”
“...So that was what she made you do.”
The voice was familiar, and a tall figure came out hiding. He was striking with his mint hair and matching eyes.
“Who's there...?” Ray gasped.
“Saeran…” said the voice. “Luna, I've come to rescue you... But it appears I'm too late.”
Ray's eyes widened like a man possessed. Luna gasped upon recognizing who it was.
“...You...? How come you're...?”
The change was immediate. One minute he was calm and excited, then the next he became a complete nervous wreck. It was like a switch had been flipped, and all the damage from Ray's trauma came to the surface.
“Ugh...I knew it. I knew this wouldn't go well. No matter what I do, there will always be someone getting in my way. This happens all the time.” he shouted, voice shaking.
“Saeran...please calm down.” V pleaded, trying to calm down the distressed boy.
“Jihyun, it's you!” gasped Luna. Seeing the man face to face, she felt a huge relief. He had come for her after all. Though...she had to explain her decision. She had it explain why she would not escape with him.
“You remember my voice. I'm terribly sorry this is where we meet, Luna” V said regretfully.
“Wait...his name is...Saeran...?” Luna murmured, eyes wide, her heart racing and a sudden rush of adrenaline invaded her senses.
“It seemed he's under the name Ray at this place, though…” V explained.
Ray began to raise his voice.
“V... How did you get in here? Stop trying to torment us!”
“Please, Ray, let him explain!”
“It's all just a misunderstanding, Saeran…” V began, but was soon interrupted.
“Don't call me like that... Ugh... My head!” said Ray. He held his head in his hands, knuckles going white from the pressure.
“Ray, are you alright? Snap out of it!” Luna urged, grabbing the anxious man by the shoulders.
Ray saw Luna was distressed, he couldn't stand it. He felt the panic rise, and tried to push it away.
“I'm...fine...Luna... I'll explain about my name later. Don't believe anything that man tells you!” Ray replied, clearly not fine whatsoever.
“I infiltrated this place after determining that you're in danger...but I believe taking you out of this place at the given time is impossible. According to what I overheard...you already believe more in him than in the RFA.” said V, sounding defeated.
“Of course, she won't believe you! You're a liar...!”
This only made Luna defensive. No one wanted to listen to HER.
“Both of you dare to assume what I do or don't believe? V, I need to ta-”
When Luna tried to approach V, Ray came in front of her, blocking her way.
“Luna, stay back...! Don't ever get close to him. He's dangerous…”
“Ray, please! I am perfectly safe in this situation! Get out of my way” Luna exclaimed, exasperated.
“B-but you don't know...what he's capable of…!” He yelled.
“Saeran...it pains me to see you. I'm sure this is all my fault…” V said painfully.
“Don't say something like that! You don't feel guilty at all! I'm not falling for that this time. Never.” Ray shouted back, just as in pain.
“I'm not the one who's lying to you. Please...can't you listen to me?” begged V. His guilt only grew by the second, he desperately wanted to get through to him. However...
“Get away! Get away. Get away. Get away from me! Don't you dare touch Luna! I will never let you get away with it if you do...!” Ray threatened, wrapping a shaky arm around Luna protectively.
V decided he couldn't sugarcoat things any longer. At least Luna deserved to know the facts.
“You must be the one who hacked the messenger. You learned how to hack after your brother, didn't you...? Why did you have to go that far...?”
A brother?
“No... I'm going to beat that redhead. My savior told me that I have to...!”
Suddenly, it clicked. The photos of Luciel, the fact that they looked so familiar, as if she had seen that face before…the story about the plant Ray had raised…
“Oh my god, so he really is -”
“Luna, even though you probably noticed...I'll tell you now. You would have found out eventually, better to hear it from me directly.” V confessed.
“This boy whom you call 'Ray' and 707 are indeed twins” he began.
“It all makes sense now. The similarities…so it wasn't a coincidence” said Luna, voicing her thoughts out loud.
“I have no such thing as a brother. I threw that part away from my life years ago...!” Ray retaliated.
The pain in V's soft features were palpable.
“Saeran...You even brought a complete stranger to this...? I promised Luciel you would be safe…”
“Liar. That's all lie. Get away from me. Please...!
“Saeran…”
“Please, please get away. Just go away...from my sight!”
“Saeran…” V stepped forward, and in his hands, were two cards, each with a distinct name and flower.
“...What...is this...?” Ray asked anxiously.
V continued to plead with Ray.
“I know you were heartbroken as much as you missed him. This is what you really looked like. I hope you would keep that in mind at least.”
“No...no. Don't give me this. My savior will be so mad if I take it. You never gave me this. I did not see anything.” Ray’s voice broke, and he began to shake in absolute fear.
Luna felt anger surge through her. His supposed savior had mistreated him so horribly even mentioning her caused him to panic like a cornered animal. She had to tear down the cult, no matter the cost.
“You're shivering in fear while trapped by her side. My heart is wrenching in pain…” V said, his voice quivering, holding back a sob.
“You're going to torment us all...just like you did to my savior... You can't fool me.”
“I'm so sorry things turned out like this, Saeran…”
Ray let Luna go, his face had gone even paler, his breathing became heavier, and he had a haunted look in his eyes.
“Help...somebody...help!” He began to shout.
Luna had to stop him, before someone REALLY came. She couldn't let them catch V.
“Ray! Stop! Don't! Listen to me!” she shouted back.
“Look at me, Ray. Look at me!” Luna begged, grabbing Ray’s face forcefully.
The way Ray looked broke Luna’s heart. His eyes were misty now, his breathing labored, still trembling. She knew this. She knew what a panic attack looked like. If she didn't dry to calm him down, he could cause himself to go into shock or respiratory failure. She couldn't let that happen. Not to him.
Luna took a deep breath, and used her softest voice to speak to Ray.
“Give me five minutes with V. That's all I ask.”
Ray was about to struggle, but she stroked his face gently.
“Five minutes to speak with him. And then, when I'm done, I will send him away. And when I do, I will stay here...with you. Please, Ray. I
“Luna, please, do you know what you're do-” V began.
“Luna don't let him fool-” Ray interjected.
“Shut up! Both of you, shut up!” Luna yelled harshly, letting her anger slip for a split second. It had stunned both men into silence. She immediately regretted it.
“Sorry. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout. I'm just...” She didn't even want to finish that sentence, immediately turning her attention back to Ray.
“Ray, you have to breathe slowly, okay? Just focus on my voice. That's it, good. Steady.”
V watched in awe as Luna took the frightened boy and worked him through his panic.
Luna’s voice was like a soft blanket.
Ray’s tremors lessened, and his breathing slowed. Until he was able to speak again.
“You...you'll stay? You will? For me?” he managed to whisper.
“Yes. I promise I will. Just...let me take care of this. Let me protect you!” urged Luna, gentle but firm.
“....fine. Okay...I trust you, Luna...five minutes…”
“Hang tight. Sit back down, I will make sure he keeps his distance. You can turn around, you can tune us out. I won't be long, okay?”
Ray only nodded in acknowledgement.
Luna approached V, this time with no one to stop her.
“Luna......I'm terribly sorry this is how our encounter turned out.” said V sadly.
“I don't regret it. Not one bit. At least I got to meet you...V...no, Jihyun...will you hear me out? I have a proposition for you.”
Luna was now face to face with the mysterious man from the messenger. He towered over Luna easily, and in turn Luna admired him without words. He was even more breathtaking in person.
“...Okay. I'll listen, Luna. Always.” V said.
“You and I...we both have the same objective, I think. We both want what's best for Ra-...Saeran. You want to repair the damage you think you might have caused, and I want to get him out of this fucking cult. Because I feel like one of these days, if he stays, he might die. This thing...they’re giving him. It's deteriorating his health, I see it and even he himself told me. I won't let that happen. I won't just stand around and slowly be destroyed by this horrible place. I want to get out, but I want to take Saeran with me. Can you agree to this, Jihyun? We work separate, but towards a common goal. You do whatever you need to do, and I will do my part from the inside. Does this sound fair?”
Where there would be hesitation, there was certainty. Where there should be distress, there was hope. Luna had made her decision, V knew, and no one in the world could stop her now.
“Yes. It does sound fair, Luna. I'm glad we can come to an understanding. However, I still fear for your safety. I heard everything that took place between you two. I suggest it would be better to pretend nothing happened in the chat rooms. For Saeran's sake.”
“Agreed. I will do just that. There's no need to drag any others into this.”
V sighed with relief, a sort of self comfort rather than acknowledgement.
“And as for my safety...I will do...everything in my power to help him.” Luna said.
“Luna...do you...have feelings for him, by chance?”
A deep sigh from Luna.
“...How I feel, it's complicated. However, I think soon I will discover that for sure. I still want to protect him. I'll even use force, if I have to.”
Then, Luna reached into the collar of her dress. She pushed up a small object from underneath the fabric in the chest area. V was about to ask what she was doing, until he saw the blade of a knife had appeared.
“I'm armed. No one else knows it. And if the situation calls for it, I won't hesitate.” She said, showing the switchblade to V so he could get a good look, then retracting the blade and putting it back under her clothes where it would be concealed.
“I think...I might have underestimated you, Luna. You manage to surprise me more and more” V said.
“ And as for this savior Saeran speaks about...I will expose them.” Luna promised.
“Do...do you know who it could be?” V asked, hoping deep down, she was still in the dark about that.
“I have a vague idea, call it a hunch. But I have no proof, so I won't jump to conclusions.” Luna stated.
V felt more sure now, and knew that this was all he could do for now. There was no reason to stick around for long.
“You already see the truth. That is enough for me. Though we are leading different paths, our goals and minds are one. Thank you, Luna. I hope we meet again…”
“Yes...we will meet again, we must.” Luna said sweetly, and went over to embrace the man. This was another lost, pained soul that was tormented by grief and guilt. Luna hoped to find a way to help him, too. V trembled under Luna's touch, feeling a warmth he had never felt before. It was as if his mother had come back to him, in that moment.
Luna soon let him go.
“Now...Go! Get outta here! Don't let them catch you. And you BETTER take care, you hear?” She shouted.
Without another word, V bolted out of the gardens.
Luna sprinted back to the bench, hoping Ray hadn't gotten any worse. He was panting a little, but he didn't sound like he was lacking air.
Ray's attention snapped to Luna as soon as he heard her footsteps.
“...Is he...gone?” he gasped.
Luna sat next to him.
“He's gone, right...? Luna, you're safe, too, right?”
Ray was looking down, not daring to meet Luna's gaze in fear of what she might see there.
“Yes, he's gone. Don't worry. I'm safe, too. See? I'm okay. Not a scratch”
Ray began to sob.
“I...I'm too weak. I hate myself... I really hate myself...Maybe it's impossible... Maybe I can never...make you ha…”
Whatever he was gonna say next was muffled by strong sobs that shook his whole body. This time, Luna embraced Ray, letting his head rest on her chest. She ran her fingers through his hair, and then down his back, stroking him as if she were comforting a child. Ray clung onto her for dear life, desperate for consolation.
“Shhh, darling. It's okay. I'm here.” She would murmur to Ray as he cried in her arms.
Luna spotted a figure running towards them. It was a woman.
“I heard shouting, is everything alright?” asked the believer, concern written all over her face.
“There was a situation with a trespasser” Luna was quick to respond, “but I already took care of it.”
“Oh, is that the case?” said the woman.
She happened to be out in the halls of the mansion when she could hear voices from afar. Wondering what was happening, she went to investigate. Nobody else was around, so made haste, being on the opposite end of where the voices came from. The shouting had stopped, and she struggled to hear anything else. So she figured the shouting came from outside. By the time she reached the gardens, she was greeted coldly by a strange woman. She didn't recognize this strange woman, who was now holding onto one of the elites of Mint Eye. She had heard the rumors of a newcomer in Magenta, one who was on a special mission, the one that was nicknamed “songbird” by the residents.
“Thank you for your concern, now” Luna, “if you don't mind, we want to be alone”
The believer was about to protest, until she made direct eye contact with Luna. She was glaring sharply, directed straight at her. She was dubbed the songbird of Magenta, but seeing this person up close, she looked more like an angry hawk who could strike at any moment. The sheer anger in her expression gave her goosebumps, and her crimson scowl reminder her of the vampires she used to read about.
“S-sure, of course. Sorry to...i-interrupt” said the believer, and left in a hurry, feeling like SHE was the intruder instead.
Luna was glad she was able to scare off the woman, for she didn't want anybody else to go near Ray and cause a scene that would stress him out even further. In fact, in this moment, she would fight off anyone who tried to bring any harm to the weeping boy.
If Ray had noticed what had transpired, he didn't show it. He only hugged Luna tighter.
She silently wept with him.
They remained together like that for a while, Ray crying, Luna whispering words of comfort, wanting nothing more than to bring Ray the solace he deserved.
With his sobbing having come to a sudden stop, Ray slowly let go of Luna, gently separating himself from her.
“Uh..no. Forget that. Forget...what I said” Ray whispered.
“But, Ray…” she mumbled, not wanting to let go.
“I'll walk you to your room...Luna.”
Then he took a look at Luna. Her eyes had gotten a little red, and he could see the shine of where her tears had not completely dried down her cheeks.
“I understand...even if you hate me...because of how pathetic I am.” Ray said miserably.
“I...I...d-don't hate you” Luna said, stuttering. Why did she stutter? It only made her look weak...it could make Ray feel at fault...
“Please calm down in there, and let's talk again...once you feel you're up for it…”
Luna could no longer argue with him. She simply nodded, feeling the exhaustion rain down directly on her senses. Ray looked exhausted too, his stance listless and devoid of emotion.
“I'm sorry I couldn't protect you....Luna.” were Ray's last words as they both left the gardens, walking in silence until Luna was safely escorted back to her room.
Luna wanted to say something, anything, but she could no longer find the words. Her bravado had ran out, and her energy was depleted. Luna didn't even remember Ray leaving her behind in that dark room, her kicking off her shoes, stripping down to her undergarments, and crawling under the covers, drifting into a troubled and deep sleep.