- result of a caged angel’s voice suddenly set free and unleashed upon the entire universe.

❝ It’s time to try defying gravity
I think I’ll try defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I’m defying gravity
And you won’t bring me down! ❞

- acting chops were coming from a genuine place in her heart.

❝ Too late for second guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It’s time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap ❞

Her voice went higher. It soared, it boomed, and then it reached into a perfect pitch that swept the theater. The -

- needs and her freedom.

❝ Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I’m through with playing by
The rules of someone else’s game ❞

Her voice started off low and fierce, like the uncertain and boiling roar of rebellion. It did not take a genius to realize that all of these -

- the fire.

But before she did, she saw the tomboy’s smile. A smile that arose in her confidence. A wave that inspired emotion far deeper than her initial trial and errors this morning and the week before.

Luna waved back and closed her eyes, immersing herself in the character, her wants, her -

Eventually, Luna’s name was called, and it did not take long. The pitter patter of her feet could have been heard as she entered the stage from the back and stood still at the center to introduce herself.

Her words were formal. Her posture was poised. And now, she was about to be set loose into -

- first time.

- me on. ❞

Luna lifted up her dress as she made her way up onto the sidewalk, then towards the doors. But not before one more appreciative glance back at the tomboy. Perhaps she wouldn’t be so lonely…

The swinging doors shut behind her. And it would not be long before Luna took the stage for the -

- traditionally anymore.

At the sound of her chuckle, Luna actually chuckled back. It did sound quite strange, but in an even stranger way, her attempt seemed to warm her heart and encourage her even more.

❝ Yes… I believe you should be allowed in the seats. I’ll inform them you’ll be cheering -

❝ And I’ll make sure to give you a good show. It might lift your spirits. ❞

Luna offered another gaze of affection towards her friend. A part of her now decided that she wasn’t just doing this for her now. Natsuki too… deserved something bright, something happy. Even if she couldn’t experience it -

- looked of decent quality.

Luna’s eyes glistened as if seeing an amusement park for the first time. Then they returned back to the hues of her first friend, still jittery from excitement and anticipation.

❝ I neglected to mention this, but… I will also be singing today. It’s a musical. ❞

- back?

Luna’s fingers grew a bit more comfortable in their position, resting affectionately, digit against digit. A soft chuckle exited her lips in response to her words.

❝ With you there, how could I not? ❞

After a bit of walking, the two would arrive at the theater. A small auditorium that -

- be reversed by a spell, or if Natsuki would even want that in the first place. But she did know this.

She was doing more to try and be her friend than anyone else in the world. And if the girl was doing so much to support her, then what kind of friend would she be if she didn’t support her -

If listened to enough times, one could even get used to the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Maybe with enough time, she’d be able to understand. Take that pill completely.

Hesitancy, uncertainty, still flowed relentlessly through her mind. She sensed that something like this could not so easily -

- human way.

All the while, though keeping her smile straight onto her face, she spoke in the most tender manner you could ever hear from a cackling witch.

❝ I’m so happy to have a friend like you… ❞

Her cheeks were wet.

- accepted her condition, even if it was one hell of a pill for her to swallow.

This time, Luna wouldn’t take the easy way out of teleporting into the room or mysteriously appearing at random. She would walk through the park, through the trees and the nice path laid out for her, the long and -

❝ I would… like that. ❞

Luna’s fingers instinctively wrapped themselves around the pinkette’s tightly. She felt comfort in her touch. Somewhere deep within her, she could sense the effort to try; that resolute resolve.

That was enough for her right now. Without even saying a word, Miss Sonata -

-one big, sparkly smile. Fully taken in by her kindness despite all of her senses telling her that it wasn’t real. And so, Sonata pretended — with all her might — that things were going to be okay.

Just like always.

❝ Right… Best friends! ❞

- Maybe what truly scared her wasn’t how much that dull and emotionless tone reminded her of her mentor, but because she was losing yet another special part of her life to change.

But…

Luna wanted to be an actress, right?

This was her first challenge.

As Natsuki squeezed her hand, she let out -

-

But…

Not at the cost of this happening once before. And now, in some twisted joke of fate, she couldn’t cheat it and have her whole cake and eat it. It was all happening in reverse.

The memories were intact. No memory wipe. But she didn’t know if the emotion that made them whole remained.

-

A common practice in witch culture was… what was to be done when there was a problematic relationship. When the partner learned too much, began to expose too much.

Luckily, Luna thought she had avoided this. She had told off the council and successfully convinced them to leave her alone.

-

-

But when her shift in mood was addressed, she couldn’t help but lower her face, feeling conflict in her mind, but, not wanting to speak it directly. She’d spent too much time repressing her actual desires for that to be easy for her.

❝ I just…

I’m afraid.

That I will be lonely again. ❞

The way she says it so blankly… To Luna’s unique senses, it is almost akin to the goosebump-inducing feeling of being lied to and knowing that you are.

However, she can still notice something. Her genuine effort into making a smile. Luna softly nods in return and tries one herself, successfully.

-

- which was a common tick for when she was being… interrogated. Though she did try quite earnestly to appear happy on the subject. To not appear — strange.

❝ I-It is alright, I just…

I suppose I’m worried about…

…change…

…that’s all. ❞

She took two steps backwards.

❝ I-I… uh… I just auditioned for a local theater production. I want to… become an actress… ❞

She would explain with a bit more chipperness in her voice. Though a bit of hesitancy and nervousness too. It felt almost like she was facing the woman in the hallway once more. A hand was held to her arm -

- mood seemed to drop, and her smile began to deflate despite her best attempts to keep it there. Her excited voice was slowed down as well, and she coyly turned her head back to — the standard.

It was the same type of melody she associated with…

…the head witch.

❝ Oh… Just… walking. ❞

For Luna… it was much more… noticeable than usual. Usually, she heard people’s own unique melodies quite clearly. As if it were a part of their identity that she could sense and feel.

But from Natsuki now, she felt… rather unnerved. A bit frightened by the sheer lack of everything there. Her own -

- entire universe. Her eyes alight with a sort of glow and she gently lifts up the rims of her dress as she scurries towards her, not wanting the edges of her gown to be muddied by the road.

❝ Ah, Natsuki! ❞

- her good luck on what she’s currently pursuing.

It doesn’t come. How could it really? Things like that don’t just happen. But the fact that the moon’s light shines on her regardless is enough for the witch.

However, something else catches her eye. The waving of perhaps her second friend in the -

The woman opens up what looks like a small mobile phone. Her eyes are glued to it for a moment. On it are a set of dates adjacent to various ads for her local community theater.

Looking up to the sky for a moment, she holds her hand to her heart, as if awaiting a blessing from the heavens to wish -

- yin and yang of her personality showcased in what might be her first true night of freedom. When she finally makes her way to the bottom, time seems to stand still and she takes a deep breath.

❝ No more rules… ❞