So Close, So Far
A collection of Pyron/Jun vignettes by JSF
Quotable Quotes: "As you know the only way to forcefully take a ghost is by incapacitating the shaman. And by incapacitate I mean kill."- Tao Jun, in U.S.A. Shonen Jump issue #9
JSF: Tao Jun: Whether good or evil, she still manages to stay as cool as hell.
Jun: Actually, "cool as hell" is an oxymoron.
JSF: (rolls eyes) Whatever. Let's just start the chapter.
Vignette #7: Repose
Did you know that dolphins never sleep? Part of their brains simply shut off while the other parts control their actions, so instead of sleeping they just remain in sort of a slowed down state the whole time. It's the exact same feeling you have when you lie in a hammock and feel the warm sunshine. I'm not a dolphin but I do sleep like one. That is because I am one of the living dead.
I lie in my coffin during the night time in a meditative state and collect thoughts in my head like shining silver fish in a net. They're everything from random musings to happy memories to self-advice. I never worry because the purpose of meditation is to stay calm. How do I stay so calm all night for so long? I have a secret technique.
At some point each night I slide the lid off of my coffin and get out. Next, I walk up a few flights of stairs toward a particular bedroom. Finally, when I arrive there I go inside as quietly as possible and gaze upon its occupant. She is a sleeping beauty. Her name is Tao Jun.
I always guard her every night for thirty minutes and watch her sleep. Now, while I kneel beside her bed, I see her emerald hair fall freely about her face and neck. Her breathing is soft and quiet. One arm covered by the cream colored sleeve of her nightgown sticks out onto the bedspread. She stirs a little bit and lets out a long sigh in the darkness.
Oops. Did I wake her up? I freeze and wait to see what she does. Phew…she's still asleep. That is very good. She needs all the rest she can get.
My darling Jun, if it was up to me you would always rest. You would never work another day in your life and I would do everything for you. It makes me so happy to see you sleeping peacefully. I always feel obligated to guard you and don't know what I would do if you were taken from me. I love you so much.
I glance at the clock on the table behind me. I've been here for thirty minutes, reassured myself Jun is safe, and guaranteed myself peace of mind. I'll go back to my coffin, but before I leave I have to do one last thing. Carefully I bend my head down and kiss the forehead of the woman I love. My insides get soft and I walk out smiling.
"Just stay in repose," I whisper.
JSF: * sigh * I got a sappy feeling when I wrote this. I'm not too sure Pyron would have the word "repose" in his vocabulary because most people just say "sleep" but the first word is much prettier and I couldn't resist.
Pyron: (pouts) I think my vocabulary's pretty good…
Jun: (pats his arm) There, there. Not everyone knows a lot of big, fancy words.
Pyron: Heeyyy, are you picking on me?
Jun: Yes.
Pyron: (pouts again)
JSF: There you have it folks. Tell me what you think.