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Pine Garden
One of the richer districts in the nexus, not because of the general prosperity of the area, but due to some of the people who live there. Nothing better exemplifies the difference in wealth and status than this district. It's split up into two distinct sections, The Hillside and the Valley.
On the Hillside is where all the wealth and power in the area is clustered. It's an exorbitant and borderline disgusting display of "prosperity". Mansion upon sparkling mansion blots the entire hill, the influence of the people living here casting a shadow both metaphorically and literally on the people living below in squalor. The average Nexus resident could only dream to live here as the property prices are higher than they'll ever make in their entire lives.
After a recent disaster known as the Blight, a large chunk of the Valley has been left devastated. What was once a sprawling collection of middle class urban residential areas have mostly been reduced to smoldering ruins for the lowest situated parts in the valley. Those living a bit further up still have functioning infrastructure to support them tho. Down where the concentration of Blight was at it's strongest, the water itself has turned toxic and the vegetation has died, there's even rumors of strange beasts being spotted.
The Harrington Estate
A Millenia old mansion belonging to the Harrington family. It's located close to the center of the Hillside and is currently owned by Chief of Pine Garden, Lady Amanda Harrington. It's pristine walls present a symbol of respect, or at least they used to be until the rumors about the current spread.
Despite what it's inviting appreance may tell you, approaching uninvited could spell disaster for you. Ever since it was raised, layers upon layers of protective measures have been added and the current mansion you see today is in fact not even there really. The actual mansion is hidden inside of a seperate pocket dimension with the house you see from outside merely being a projected image of what it looks like, the only physically existing object is the door which is the gateway in. The interiors themselves have been reinforced too in order to withstand all but the mightiest of blows as well as filled with numerous deadly traps that will bathe any intruder in the wrath of the elements.
Culture
Since the Nobles are surrounded by such extravagant wealth in every concievable form, money itself has almost entirely lost value as a means of transaction between them. All that matters are the percieved prestige you posses and the exchange of favours. Favours can be almost anything from the smallest of things to lifedebts and most of them can be traded freely within this domain
Naturally down in the Valley things are a lot different. Regular old capitalism rules the day, although the gang activity is fairly high here. Some believe the gangs are merely pawns of the nobles above, that they influence them and pit them against each other for their amusement. Such thoughts however are better not spoken in public as the eyes and ears of the Nobility reach far and wide.
Or so it used to be. The Blight has changed the dynamics quite a lot. The gangs practically collapsed as their Noble backers pulled out upon seeing the Blight take form. The Valley is now in danger of being written off as a failed investment. If that were to happen the money flow down would stop all together, but so would the influence of the Nobles. Perhaps the Valley will become its own autonomous state in the future, one much poorer than before yet free from the tyranny of those up high.
Another thing of note are the "New Nobles". Despite their 'name' these people are not actually Nobility yet they live on the Hillside. They're merely people who have acquired huge wealth recently and essentially bought their way in. It should come to no surprise that the older families look down on them and in some cases see them as even worse trash than the rabble down below, for they have dared to rise above their stations.
Politics
While you might think the Chief is the one with final say in this district, that's not the case here even though you'd actually be right ordinarily. As it stands, the true power in this District is held by the Council of Nobles. They make all the decisions and the Chief is the one who executes them. Traditionally, the most powerful Noble is the Chairman of the Council, they hold the most sway and is therefore also the Chief.
However that tradition has been challenged recently as Lord Russel's faction have gained enough power to take direct control, yet have chosen not to do so. This created a whole lot of confusion as well as uncertainty in the Council that still persist to this day. Furthermore, the rumor that the current Chief is Lord Nelson's pet only serves to make this situation even more volatile, whether it's true or not.
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Nero
3 AM
The exiled empress inhaled the cool night air, letting the silver shine of the moon reflect off her golden hair and unblemished skin as she pranced through the Valley in a red cocktail dress. She showed no sign of fear or caution while exploring the dark alleys, the only sign of her ability her effortless avoidance of every crevace between the cobblestones, not once getting tripped up by her heels.
"Ah, this is it. I so missed this, it was getting unbearably stuffy up there... Now, what treasures might i find in this box?"
Having said that, she peeked into one of the many dark alleys off the beaten path; wether it be an evildoer to fight or a lone drunk to embrace, the passionate flame in the night would welcome whatever would greet her on the other side of it.
"Humu?"
What she found exceeded her expectations indeed, her lips forming a smile of surprised delight as her eyes fell on *something different* within the shadows.
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Aruna
A dark haze spread through the alleyways, the very air coated in magic that could only come from the darkness itself. Red eyes peered from the darkness, waiting to seek out new pray. Tonight's meal was... a busty blond girl?
Emerging from the shadows, those red eyes gave way to a simple girl (https://i.imgur.com/EVMYx08.png). Staring at the blond she said, "You know what, i'm not even in the mood to eat you tonight. You can go home if you want."
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Nero
As soon as the blonde's guard went up, it was lowered again. What she found was an utterly adorable specimen of a girl!
Completely ignoring the martial words, she jumped onto the demon like a kitten on a new toy.
"My, how lovely! I did not expect finding such a treat today, umu! You said you wanted to eat? Come with me, come with me, i shall prepare a banquet the likes you've never seen! Pancakes and honey, wine and fruits, the most wonderful bread and fish, and all the garum you could ever want!"
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Aruna
The demon looked around. She had remembered to cast the spell right? The darkness had spread, blocking out even the sunlight reflected by the moon. Yes, they were surrounded by darkness, her darkness. Why wasn't she scared?
Feeling the woman's warmth, wrapped around her, the demon stared at the body caging her in its embrace. "Aren't you scared of me?"
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Nero
"Hm?"
The fallen tyrant looked back at the demoness, her smile as bright as the sun.
"Why would I be scared of you?"
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Aruna
The young demon paused, her body shaking a little bit. "What? Why would you be scared? What kind of question is that?! I am a godforsaken demon! Its only natural for you humans to be scared!"
Aruna pushed the blond away. It was strange how warm her smile was. It was oddly inviting. "Besides, I don't eat human food."
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Nero
"A demon, huh? I think i recall some of those "christian" people call me that sometime, but i don't really know much about it... I always just thought it was an insult of theirs..."
Curiously, the empress of roses eyed the demoness.
"So this is what they meant? A lot more pleasing to the eye than i thought from their tone... Umu, i see they just could not ignore my beauty in the end! So then, what do you eat?"
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Aruna
The demon was dumbstruck, dumbfounded, flabbergasted even. This was either the nicest woman in the world or the dumbest. Wait. How was she not scared? Did she say her people called her a demon too?
"Wait your a demon too?" she asked. "Odd. You don't feel like one. Also, if you are one, shouldn't you know that I consume souls? I was going to eat yours just a second ago, or at least the stressed part of it."
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Nero
"Hm? Am I?"
The busty blonde looked at herself from head to toe, comparing to the horned girl.
"I don't think so? I am of the line of Augustus, indeed."
After a second of hesitation, she jumped.
"Consuming my soul? Lass, you really should'nt do that! And on our first meeting, no less!"
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Aruna
I shouldn't do that? The words repeated in her mind. Her jaw was hanging from her head, completely in awe of this woman. That is all she wants to say after saying I would eat her soul?
"I....Who are you?" she asked. It was the only thing she could think to say at this point.
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Nero
Grinning from one ear to the other, the puny tyrant proceeded to perform an exaggerated bow.
"I thought you would never ask!
It is I, last of the line of Augustus, spawn of the line of Ahenobarbus, known the Empress of Roses and the Tyrant of Love,
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, in the flesh!"
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Aruna
Aruna's head dipped. All of it made total sense. She was an idiot.
Whatever, at least that means she is harmless.
The demon's head rose, walking towards the posing blond girl. "Aren't you a bit too... modern day to be Nero? I was alive when Nero was you know. I'm pretty sure Nero was a guy."
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Nero
"Hmu, did you ever meet me at the time? I feel like i would have remembered a beaut like you... But, well, mayhaps it was during one of my.... worse episodes."
The legendary hedonist cupped her legend-worthy mamilla, demonstrating her femininity.
"I crossdressed at times, but that that was enough for the annals of history to ignore these is a bit depressing.... Well, i have a second chance to correct the record at least in this place, maybe?"
"Modern-day, you say... Well, do you know what a Servant is? in short, the earth has me again!"
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Aruna
Aruna's eyes followed Nero's hands to her breasts, realizing for the first time just how stacked she was naturally. How did an entire society not realize she was a woman.... thats odd...
Deciding to ignore the question at this point and said, "Well, in this city, I do not think anyone would care. I have been a man and a woman, so I do not care. As for being a servant. I would be one if I had a master. Unfortunately, right now I have none."
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Nero
"Oho, you have? I need to hear *all* about that~"
The empress's thoughts were visible all over her face; not even trying to hide them, she continued the conversation unimpeded. Indeed, she had always been the kind of women that couldn't read the mood and instead would force her own pace upon everyone.
"Well, you can be a Servant without a Master if you're fully incarnated, as i am right now... Otherwise i probably would have faded out pretty soon after coming here."
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Aruna
Aruna's face turned red as she broke eye contact with Nero, staring at the ground instead. "Incarnated? I don't think we are talking about the same thing," she said, pushing her fingers together. "Why don't you just tell me what you are and i'll explain myself."
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Nero
"Hm? Very well, i shall tell you all about me!"
Giggling to herself for a bit, the imperial rose opened her mouth.... and closing it. After a few seconds, she opened it again, only to close it again and start rubbing her forehead; she seemed to have trouble putting the concept into words.
"Really... a Servant is something like.... like a familiar? It's like a way to summon high-level spirits and give them a body... Normally they are bound to the Master who summons them and need to be provided mana by them, but if they fully incarnate, they can sustain themselves.... Is how it works. Umu, that was it."
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Aruna
Aruna perked up, raising her finger and saying, "Ah so thats why you are a long-dead ruler of a long-dead country. You incarnated, so you are free? Honestly, that sounds pretty lonely. In a way, its actually similar to my situation. Perhaps in that way, we are both still "servants."
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Nero
"Lonely... I hadn't really thought of it like that..."
She playfully poked the demoness' cheek
"Are you saying you want me to alleviate your loneliness?"
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Aruna
"I said you were lonely," she said, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Huh?
She rubbed the tear from her eyes, staring at her moist fingers before returning to Nero. "Yeah... sure."
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Nero
Taken slightly aback by the demoness' melancholy, the empress calmed down her usual temperament, deciding to lead her to rest for now.
"Well, I do have an abode up the hills, i'll let you calm yourself there, hm?"
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Aruna
Aruna nodded, enormous black bat-like wings emerging from her back. With one mighty beat of her wings, a small storm of winds blew through the dark alley. The demon, curious as to what this strange girl could do tilted her head and said, "yes, that sounds nice. Can you fly?"
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Nero
"Fly? Of course not, you're so funny! But i can just keep up by running and jumping the rooftops, do not worry, lass"
The blonde laughed heartily, slapping the winged girl's back like she made the most precious joke.
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Aruna
Aruna simply stared at the girl, silently allowing Nero to pat her on the back. That blonde was still a weird one, but at least she was friendly. With a single flap of her wings, she was propelled above the buildings, shooting into the sky. The cool air gently caressed her cheek, ruffling her already loose clothing. Flying was a nice feeling.
"Very well," she said, staring down at her from the skies. "I will start slow. If this does not work, I can always travel more compactly."
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Nero
After idling a few seconds to admire underside of the flying girl's skirt, the adopted Augustus took a leap up the windowsill of the adjacent building, balancing on it before taking another leap to reach the rooftop.
"Heeey! How are you up there?"
She waved toward the demoness from her vantage point, no care in the world as she balanced on the roof tiles.
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Aruna
As Aruna sailed through the sky, Nero was rewarded with a decently shaped rear, the two cheeks shaping the snow white panties underneath her skirt.
Odd. It took a second, but the girl finally caught up. If she was that quick, why did it take so long to catch up? Looking through the hazy darkness, she realized she wasn't exactly sure where the bathhouse was. She thought it would be a little flashier than normal but it clearly wasn't, at least no more flashy than any other city building in the night.
"How about you lead the way? It is your place right? Oh.... and I have a question for you."
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Nero
"Oh, Do not worry, i shall lead the way!"
Before turning toward the hills, Nero turned back toward the floating demoness again.
"A question? Ask away, lass, it is only natural to want to know more about me after all!"
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Aruna
Aruna smiled as she watched the blond girl practically skip ahead of her. She wasn't actually doing this, but the way her body seamlessly flowed with unrivaled energy gave the feeling of a skipping school girl on her way to a birthday party.
"What does evil mean to you?"
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Nero
The hopping empress answered without hesitation, like this answer was so core to her beeing that it warranted no further thought at all.
"Evil is betraying yourself. Hiding parts of yourself, rejecting yourself, lying to yourself and the world about the choices and desires that make You; that is the one and only thing that can be called Evil."
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Aruna
Aruna turned away from the busty blond, staring at the ground. "I see... then I must be evil," she said. "I wasn't true to myself and I paid. Do... do you still want to hang around someone who is evil?"
The demon stared at the blond.
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Nero
Puzzled, the empress tilted her head.
"What are you talking about? You just told me about your regret, you were honest just seconds ago, were you not? So do not be silly, lass."
She smiled back at the redhead, her smile bright like the sun.
"Umu! You are just fine."
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Aruna
Aruna tilted her head and said, "What? How can you be so sure? You just met me."
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Nero
"Why would i doubt you? If i end up beeing wrong about you, i might regret it. If i had ignored you, i definately would have regretted it. And I do not want to regret anything. My mistakes, my failures, they're all me."
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Aruna
The demon stopped, the sound of her wings flapping in the sky being the only sound that could be heard between the two. It was annoying. This girl wouldn't have made the same mistake she did. Floating here, talking to her, she just felt stupid.
"Yeah. That makes sense...."
Why was it so hard for her to do that the first time? After all that boasting, how stupid could a demon get?
"I guess, at the very least, I am me too. You know, I think I was wrong. Your not stupid, just a weirdo."
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Nero
"Uh.... thanks, i.. guess?"
Cocking her head, slightly puzzled at the demonette's tangent, Nero turned back around, pointing toward a marble rooftop in the distance.
"It's not too far now, let's go!"
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Justice
Pine Garden, 10:00 AM
A few things hadn't gone unnoticed for Justice in the short time he'd been here, and then the day and half since meeting his new roommate. Dubious living disparities from one district to the next, but also within, and the many that took advantage of these gaps to enrich themselves, for a couple of them.
As a consequence of these, there was no shortage of industries specialized in the production and distribution of instruments of death, cold and loud and hand-portable. But these were not suited for what he wanted this morning. No, what he wanted was a place that knew personalized, custom weapons, built and maintained in a specialized environment. A place that catered to bounty hunters, to monster killers, and people like him. He had a feeling there were one or two around, and he was right.
The sign outside read "Lucky Arms", and the tanned, curly haired lady behind the counter had scratched, thick arms that spoke of decades of gun-handling and metalworking.
Justice grunted in acnowledgement, and with a metallic swish withdrew both his massive sword and his absurd gun, depositing them both across the counter with twin thunks. There was... another thing, but these were his priority for the moment.
"I need these cleaned up and maintained, and I'll take the materials to do it myself later," he said, nodding.
The lady's eyebrows arched up as she reached for the weapons.
"Not a time waster, are ya? Welcome to the shop, by the by" she said, and picked up Pity, turning it in her hand - with some effort - until she could slide the cylinder out. The shopkeep opened her mouth like she was about to gasp as it rolled metallically. "A ten-shooter? Eesh. Who even does that for this caliber..."
The rider shrugged while she observed the weapon in-between shooting him inquiring glances. She was surprised, but not too surprised - more like amazed. Perhaps he could still make good calls after all.
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Aruna
Aruna merely smiled at Nero's confusion, amused at the thought of a human ruler being so willing to so openly express their own confusion. Perhaps this whole excursion would be fun after all.
Shooting ahead like a rocket, she almost ran into the extravagently decorated walls of the house. Instead, she halted her flight path, staring up at the building, even as she floated far above the gound. The ancient architecture looked completely out of place in a modern human city, but the design gave her a strange sense of nostalgia. There was a strange akward growing period for the humans, just as they found themselves high on the power of light. Organized forces, weapons forged from the light's power, the very light itself being used to illuminate the darkness. It was pretty fun to jump into an army of them and toss them around or toy with their so called warrior pride. They were actually rather quick to flee...
"I wonder if this is a popular place," she said, thinking aloud. Her body slowly decended to the ground, each flap audible for several meters in the silent night sky.
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Suerte
9:55am
Wandering around the streets of pine guardian, she found herself thinking back to the last few days. She still couldn't believe what happened to her, or what she had done. It all felt so surreal. Meeting Vanilla, trying to learn from her, doing all of those things with her. She hadn't had an encounter that impacted so quickly since the death of her parents. Although, at least with that instance, the emotions were more straightforward. This strange city... why was everything so different...?
The cowgirl was dressed in her normal outfit, that blue top that showed off her cleavage, as well as a tight skirt that revealed her midriff and most importantly showed off her legs and ass to the world. Suerte rubbed her belly, the detail of her abs allowing the reality of her situation to sink in. She was here to stay.
At the very least, she had this moment of peace to think.
Taking a deep breath, she scanned her surroundings, looking at the people passing, the birds chirping, the sun peaking over the heavens. Even the warm breeze touching her exposed skin warmed her heart ever so slightly. There was a simple joy in breathing, a simple pleasure in being alive. The hustle and bustle of the city could not change that. There were just more people around to share it with.
Just as that thought sunk in, she caught the eye of a "Lucky Guns." The cowgirl smirked as she turned her attention to the store.
10:00am
The cowgirl walked in, keeping her footsteps silent as she intentionally eavesdropped on the conversation. A giddy warmth in her chest pushed her lips out, causing her to flash a smug grin. Looking at the man from behind, he seemed like one of her kind, a cowboy like her. "I do," she said, jumping into the conversation. "I've worked on bad boys like these since I was a lass."
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Justice
The rider's silver eyes gleamed when he turned to face the new arrival in tandem with the shopkeeper. The latter's lips curled at the girl, and she bellowed, "This is more movement than I usually get in the mornings, but I hope it's not for stealing my clientele."
The woman turned to Justice, setting down the revolver back on the counter. "I was admiring it, but it's not like I've never worked on one like this before. I can load you up with some special bullets once I'm done if you like," she said, and picked up the sword, lifting it horizontally to the counter, running her gaze over its straightness and edge.
Justice grunted in agreement, and tilting his head towards the wild-west seeming girl, asked, "You sounds like an expert in overweight firearms. What are you usually packing?"
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Suerte
"Oh don't worry hun," Suerte retorted with a giggle. "I'm not really in the business anymore, so you don't have to worry about a damn thing. However...."
A single slender arm swiped the gun, holding the weapon up to catch the light just right. "There is no point in selling him any bullets. This one makes its own. Selling him bullets when the gun is designed to reload itself kills the intuitive nature of the device. If I were still in the business, I would simply augment the weapon rather than offer to sell accessories."
The cowgirl put the gun back down on the counter, reaching to the holsters on her hip. "As for what i'm packing, its not oversized," she said, pulling out two twin silver pistols. The sheen of the silver caused them to shine in the light. To anyone who weilded a weapon, it was clear she took very good care of them, polishing them everyday to keep the metal from corroding over time.
"But a handsome boy back home used to stop by my place often and i'd work on his gun. It was a massive minigun that could rip through just about anything. My guns are more similar to yours, able to reload on their own. I made them myself."
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Justice
The woman swiped a wet cloth through the sword, taking with it part of the grisly muck clouding the edge, and set it down behind the counter. "I don't got anything as tough as whatever this is made of in stock, or I'd offer some attachments, darling," she retorted, knocking experimentally on the revolver's barrel. "But you never know when you'll need some extra firepower. Of course, if the owner's willing to leave it here for mite longer..."
Justice shook his head. "No, that's fine. Maybe I'll hear that out later," he said. The gunsmith winked in affirmation, her wrinkles deepening amicably, and moved into the back with the weapons, leaving the rider with the cowgirl.
"I was never much of a maker," the enforcer of the divine said, resting his elbow on a glass and metal display. "But I knew someone who would have been your speed, I suspect. What did this client of yours hunt with that?"
She looked to him like an ordinary human, but with a sharpness and poise that could not be mistaken for merely mundane talent. And he could not help but be drawn to the elegant lines of her pistols, and notice the enviable care given to the grip and the polished structure, overflowing with an impression of still undelible pride.
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Suerte
Suerte couldn't help but smile with pride as the woman departed to the back of the store. As the door closed, her pupil wandered to the gun still placed on the counter. The simple swipe of the wet cloth could not cleanse the gun of its character. Dirt and grime were wedged into the weapon, with a few scratches for good measure. One thing was for sure, these guns had bled for him.
"He was a bounty hunter," she said, putting one hand on her hat and tilting it back. Her gaze shifted away from the weapon and locked eyes with him as she thought back to a time before this city. "Unfortunately he was a trigger happy boy who liked to go after big pray. Monsters of the era. That is what he said the weapon was for. That man wanted to kill the monsters of the world and prove himself a hero. If you ask me, using a minigun for that is overcompensating."
The cowgirl walked past the rider and placed her twin pistols next to his, the weapons shining even brighter next to the grimy beast that was his weapon. "You might not be much of a maker, but your one hell of a shooter. No ordinary cowboy runs around packin heat like this thats for sure. Much less keep a weapon like this long enough to have it so worn down..... If you didn't make these, who did?"
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Eruraviel
Eru popped back into existance back in the bedroom she's shared the night with Amanda. She looked down, frowning at the still sleeping girl. She'd wanted to get up, do things with her, but she'd waved her off oh so rudely, complaining incoherently before going back to sleep.
So she'd decided to do Elizabeth's thing today, and get it out of the way, but she found her lover still laying in bed, again!
Eru sat down next to her before crawling on top of her, leaning over the girl's face, ears twitching in mild displeasure.
"You up yet?"
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Amanda
So the Chief of Pine Garden grunted in affirmative before sitting up in the bed. Then her head turned 180 degrees and she begun mowing toward Eru.
"Must eat brains!"
Her movement were erratical and not human like at all, like a puppet on strings, forced to play along to a tune not of it's own.
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Eruraviel
Eru shrieked, sitting up before pinning Amanda's body down, teeth chattering a bit. "Th-that was mean, Amanda..."
She didn't like undead things.
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Amanda
Clap clap clap.
The body on the bed went limp as it's strings were cut short, and a clapping sound could be heard from the doorway. "That right there was was one of my puppet bodies, I thought I'd surprise you when you came back."
She stopped clapping and continued talking as she walked closer. "I've been thinking. That your dress is quite old fashioned, you should try to dress more modern and there's an easy fix for that..." She pulled out a smartphone from her pocket and typed something in before showing a picture to Eru.
It was a picture of a regal looking blonde woman, Chief Valerie, although that info wasn't readily apparent from the photo itself.
" How old do you think she is?"
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Amanda
Clap clap clap.
The body on the bed went limp as it's strings were cut short, and a clapping sound could be heard from the doorway. "That right there was was one of my puppet bodies, I thought I'd surprise you when you came back."
She stopped clapping and continued talking as she walked closer. "I've been thinking. That your dress is quite old fashioned, you should try to dress more modern and there's an easy fix for that..." She pulled out a smartphone from her pocket and typed something in before showing a picture to Eru.
It was a picture of a regal looking blonde woman, Chief Valerie, although that info wasn't readily apparent from the photo itself.
" How old do you think she is?"
Eruraviel
Eru turned around, still shivering, her ears drooping to the point they were touching her neck. Her lower lip trembled, and she fidgeted with her dress. "My dress isn't old fashioned..." She muttered. It was the peak of elven fashion, showing off one's curves just enough to titilate while hiding enough to make you long for more.
Was it really old fashioned in the Nexus?
She grumbled to herself before taking the phone, looking at the picture carefully. After a few moments, Eru nodded. "She's probably a vampire, going by the eyes and the fact you're asking me. So, I'm going to guess a couple thousand years old."
She puffed out her chest, rather sure of her answer.
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Nero
Hopping from rooftop to rooftop, the empress arrived in front of the bathhouse only slightly after the demoness landed. Puffing out her chest with pride, the small bundle of joy started to brag.
"So, what do you think? Glorious, is it not? I invested quite a bit into having this established, fulfilling a humble citizen's dream with it too~"
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Aruna
Aruna raised her eyebrow, descending to the ground as he eyed the proud pose of the emperor. "Why does it look so different from the rest of the city? I won't pretend to understand human economics, but doesn't this level of difference look a little gaudy?"
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Amanda
"How's the cleanup going? And yeah it totally is, just take a good luck at Valerie there. She's thousand of years old but you wouldn't be able to tell from the way she dressed. She's pretty famous being one of the oldest Chiefs around...."
With a growing smirk she continued. "Would you fuck her?" Or was the fact she was undead, too much for her to get going?
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Amanda
"How's the cleanup going? And yeah it totally is, just take a good luck at Valerie there. She's thousand of years old but you wouldn't be able to tell from the way she dressed. She's pretty famous being one of the oldest Chiefs around...."
With a growing smirk she continued. "Would you fuck her?" Or was the fact she was undead, too much for her to get going?
Eruraviel
Eru crossed her arms into an X, smirking. "That's a trick question, isn't it! You're trying to catch me-ah-cheating!"
She sounded very sure of herself now. Her ears popped up as she smiled and beamed at Amanda, as if she were expecting to be patted on the head for remembering how human culture worked. "I'm going to be loyal to you, silly. If you're busy I'll just use one of my maids to relieve myself, not find some random woman."
She shuddered a little. "Plus, she's probably cold."
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Amanda
She raised an eyebrow at the sudden accusation, only to burst out laughing a few moments later. "it's not cheating if I'm encouraging you to do it. I want honesty, Besides it would be quite beneficial if you turned her starved for you, from what I' understand you'd taste quite unique, with who you are. Bottom point is, I want your opinion on vampires. As they might be useful for dealing with him."
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Amanda
She raised an eyebrow at the sudden accusation, only to burst out laughing a few moments later. "it's not cheating if I'm encouraging you to do it. I want honesty, Besides it would be quite beneficial if you turned her starved for you, from what I' understand you'd taste quite unique, with who you are. Bottom point is, I want your opinion on vampires. As they might be useful for dealing with him."
Eruraviel
Her purple eyes shimmered, and she just wore an infuriating half-smirk on her face. "If it serves my goals, then I'll pursue any path that could bear fruit, of course. Wouldn't you?"
She shifted her position, crossing her legs on the bed, wiggling her bare toes, feeling the blanket with them. "My personal dislikes holds no bearing to the pursuit of my goals."
-
Justice
If you faced anything at all worthy of being called a monster, not having your priorities straight got you killed. No amount of skill or firepower could help you if your approach wasn't in order. Justice grumbled unimpressed, but wondered if that was really all she had to say about the boy in question. "He should've gotten a rifle. But that's where his choices brought him."
To her question though, he tipped the edge of his hat up, the better to look back at those eyes.
"A veteran from my old gang," the rider said. "Made most of our weapons, and routinely threatened to kill us for damaging them, too. A bit too attached to the 'masterworks', maybe, but there was hardly anyone who could match that genius."
He left out the part where the same person was responsible for turning the still-living spines of abyssal behemoths into horrific siege machines, it didn't seem like she'd find it that nearly as important.
-
Suerte
Suerte ran a finger along the aging gun. "I probably would kill you too if you treated my babies with disrespect," she said, her voice heavy with a half seriousness. "But you know, that boy has messed up my weapons a few times and he is still alive. Honestly, the joy of creating weapons is giving agency to those who don't have any. If a man wants to fight a monster with a minigun he can. In the end men live or die by their own choices."
Suerte sat on the counter next to the guns, looking the cloaked man in those very nice eyes. Strange, she couldn't help but think they looked as worn out as those guns. "I wonder what choices you have made."
-
Justice
He stared for a moment longer than it was polite and crumbled into a chuckle. The rawest purpose of a weapon was to empower, that wasn't anything new to him, but the way she saw it struck a hole in his expectations like a stray bullet. Justice had never been good at making things. He was envious of being able to say that what one brought to the world had purchased agency for others where their own power might not them allowed them any.
"Bit early for those questions," the rider retorted. "Why did you choose to retire from gunmaking?"
-
Amanda
"That's great to here, then I trust you won't mind conducting some unsavory bussiness later on. We lack the might to just oppose head on, which leaves getting even dirtier than him as our only option for overcoming him."
She flicked up something else from her pocket, this time it wasn't device but rather a..... collar. On it was written 'Property of Amanda.' with big italicized pink letters. "Will you please put this on for me~"
-
Suerte
Suerte shrugged her shoulders and said, "I guess that garb isn't for nothing," she said with a giggle. "Your the type to keep to himself huh? Well I don't dislike that. As for me, I technically lied. I didn't retire persay, more like i've stopped doing everything related to the old me since I came to this city a few days ago, short of fighting that is."
The cowgirl's confident smile faded, giving way to a more straightlaced frown. "Honestly, I still don't know what to make of this city. I've met some good people but mostly questionable ones since I arrived. Tell me, how long have you lived here?"
-
Amanda
"That's great to here, then I trust you won't mind conducting some unsavory bussiness later on. We lack the might to just oppose head on, which leaves getting even dirtier than him as our only option for overcoming him."
She flicked up something else from her pocket, this time it wasn't device but rather a..... collar. On it was written 'Property of Amanda.' with big italicized pink letters. "Will you please put this on for me~"
Eruraviel
Eru's shadow snaked out, grabbing Amanda and pulling her closer. She took the collar and deftly put it on, her ears throbbing from embarrasment and annoyance.
"Yes, I will do anything to accomplish my goals." She reiterated once more, pulling Amanda down to sit next to her. The short elvish woman nuzzled her ear against Amanda's, tickling hers. "But don't expect me to put this on eveeeer again after this, okay?"
She wrapped her arm around Amanda's back, massaging her shoulder. "So what's this about buying me clothes. Is my fasion sense really that bad?"
Her ears twitched like the whiskers on a cat.
-
Justice
He crossed his arms in relaxed acceptance of her callout. "Long enough to know it's a mess, not long have to technically have a permanent place to stay yet. This city has my threat expectations all wired wrong. Seen anything like that, dangers making you re-evaluate your vision of yourself?"
Justice directed an inquiring gaze from her guns to her expression, but it was broken up by the door into the shop's interior swinging open, loudly pushed in satisfaction. He found Absolution presented to him. "What do you think?" The woman asked, as Justice took it off her hands.
The recent scars and charring of the most recent battle had been cleaned off, and the entirety of the simple, brutal sword expertly polished, making the patterned, complex waves along the edge shine almost like diamond. He gave it a slow, experimental swing, and it made an impressive whistle. Justice could only nod and smile thinly under his scarf.
"You know, it may be imperishable, but you should get a sheath for that. I have some enchanted, practical ones for it," the woman added, picking up Pity before disappearing again to give it the same treatment.
-
Suerte
Suerte thought back to her travels. Lily, Ezekial, Vanilla, Vanilla's boss, those cops, that woman: all different shades of strange. Lily and Vanilla were at least nice if a bit arrogant. Even after all that....
"No... the dangers aren't the things that make me revaluate myself its..."
The voice of the shop keeper cut them off. The cowgirl sighed with a sort of relief. She was a bit too chatty around these sorts of quiet types. Perhaps that is why she liked them, easy listeners, ideal conversational partners for a showoff like herself. That kind of amicability is a little dangerous.
Folding her arms she said, "You know its not a bad idea, getting an enchanted sheath. They tend to come in handy at the most interesting times."
-
Nero
"Hm? Gaudy?"
The empress took a look at the white marble, nostalgia covering her eyes in sparkles.
"I don't think so, it's magnificent, is it not?"
-
Amanda
"BUUUT IT LOOOKS SO CUUUUTE ON YOUU ^ - ^"
Her tiny smile cracked up ever so slightly and with every passing moment, it grew more and more, until she burst out into fullblown laughter. "Sa-sa-sorry, but your wiggling ears are just too much, and yeah for the record, you look really outdated. Fulll blown dresses in a casual setting is so last century, you gotta get with the times, show the lowly humies that you can be better than them at their own game...."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel blushed, blood flowing into her ears and turning them a reddish hue. They drooped a little bashfully, quivering as Eru twirled her hair with her finger, wrapping her long blond locks around her pinky.
"Well, um-I guess you're right. Last century? Really? Jeez."
-
Suerte
Suerte thought back to her travels. Lily, Ezekial, Vanilla, Vanilla's boss, those cops, that woman: all different shades of strange. Lily and Vanilla were at least nice if a bit arrogant. Even after all that....
"No... the dangers aren't the things that make me revaluate myself its..."
The voice of the shop keeper cut them off. The cowgirl sighed with a sort of relief. She was a bit too chatty around these sorts of quiet types. Perhaps that is why she liked them, easy listeners, ideal conversational partners for a showoff like herself. That kind of amicability is a little dangerous.
Folding her arms she said, "You know its not a bad idea, getting an enchanted sheath. They tend to come in handy at the most interesting times."
Justice
"As impromptu shields, or snowboards?" The rider asked, only half-bothering to hide the laugh behind it. He held up the messer-like blade, as much as five inches wide at the widest point, in front of her before slipping it into the chain. "Sheaths this big tend to be a bother for drawing."
If they could do something about that, it would be nice to not have to clean it so frequently, though. Make it less of a hazard. That'd be the littlest thing to give him a reason to actually laugh and get some drinks over, strangely enough.
Justice extended a hand to the girl. "The name's Justice. What do you go by?"
-
Aruna
Aruna took another look at the bathhouse. It did look nice, coated in marble and shining brighter than any other building. She wasn't sure she liked it, this bright light. "Yeah like overdone? It seems like it doesn't really fit in with the rest of this city."
Then again, neither did she.
-
Suerte
"Justice huh," she said, giggling as the name rolled under her tongue. She took the cowboy's hand and shook it. "That sounds like a superhero's name. Its cute though, I like it."
The cowgirl's eyes rolled down his body, as if taking it in for the first time. Justice, a name that almost sounded like a pen name and an outfit that protected his body from peering eyes. In that moment, she wondered if he lived a hard life if he ever smiled.
"Suerte. Suerte Martinez. You wanna get some fresh air? We should head over to a shooting range. Its been a while since I met a real cowboy."
-
Amanda
"Indeed, but you don't need to worry about that ^-^"
She patted Eru on the head in a comforting, and ruffled her hair playfully.
"I'll show you around and what to wear, after all the Harrington take good care of their servants~"
-
Amanda
"Indeed, but you don't need to worry about that ^-^"
She patted Eru on the head in a comforting, and ruffled her hair playfully.
"I'll show you around and what to wear, after all the Harrington take good care of their servants~"
Eruraviel
Eru stuck her tongue at Amanda. "Blleeeehhh-hearing that makes me shiver inside." She shook her head, frowning at Amanda. "Let's not play pretend about that unless we need to." She smiled at her serenely, belaying a deep-seated anger at the thought of a human owning her.
-
Justice
Justice had been used to people drawing into themselves when they probed him, retreating or threatened by whatever his poise had to say. Nanako was the first in recent times to not react that way, and Suerte was the second. Differently. Suerte was measuring first, and comfortable after. Pleasant lass, wasn't she?
"I don't get that nearly as often as I should," he said. As of late it seemed intent on coming up, though. "Maybe I got lucky. I'll take you up on that."
-
Suerte
Suerte smiled and wrapped her body around his arm, sandwiching it between her cleavage. "Lucky is my first name," she said. "Then its a date. You going to take me into your car? I hear city folk ride cars."
She looked up at his covered face. "You know the best part about the mysterious types is seeing whats underneath the mask. Honestly, it really is just nice to meet someone like me."
-
Justice
Justice chuckled. Her style was over the top, but it was faintly relaxing. Not as showy as his roommate, maybe that was why the contrast was more effective.
"Oh, I'm no city folk. I have a horse. I hope your appreciation for the classics extends to that."
-
Suerte
10:15 am
"Oh I am really going to like you," she said, looking up at him with a smile.
As they let their bodies get assaulted by the morning sun, something amazing caught Suerte's eyes. A horse unlike anything she expected to see in this city. A horse with a natural intensity that outstripped many of the men she had met. Smoke bellowed from its hooves and it scales on its mane. It almost felt like some sort of dragon horse, or maybe something that ate a dragon and gained its power. At the very least, that was the story she was writing in her head for it.
"Oh my god!" she said, detaching from Justice and running towards the stead. She began rubbing its back. "Look at you! He is just as scary as he is cute! Your a loyal boy aren't you?"
-
Justice
The abyssal beast tilted its head at the woman with a furnace-like whinny. Despite the intimidating visage, it allowed the touch without another care, and Justice found himself smirking under his scarf.
"His name's Punishment," Justice said, coming close to rub under the horse's jaw. He asked something with an obvious answer just for the pleasure of hearing it. "How about a ride?"
-
Suerte
Suerte turned back to Justice with big bubbly eyes. Before he could even blink, she was already on top of the mighty stead, her chest to the creature's back, humming uncontrollably as she rubbed the mighty beast. "Hehehehe, I thought you would never ask! This is going to be so fun!"
-
Nero
"Ah, umu, that took quite some convincing, i can tell you!"
She stepped forward confidently, waving back at the stupefied demonette.
"Well, shall we enter?"
With that, the empress stepped through the large gateway, entering the wide entrance hall.
Blue and white mosaic covered the ground, decorating it in a surprisingly subtle way as the sounds of flowing water reverberated through the building.
-
Aruna
As the demon walked through the door, she silently took in her surroundings, the water, the familiar architecture. It was warm, humid, water particles caressing her forehead and exposed breasts.
"How nostalgic," Aruna said, staring awestruck at the room around them. "I remember the old days, soldiers, strong patriotism....lower education. Tell me, as a former roman emperor, what is your goal now that you are reincarnated in this new era?"
-
Justice
That cheer was contagious, and he should have felt poisoned from it, but nevertheless Justice climbed onto Punishment behind her, and bade the steed to run with a swift pull of the reins. It half-roared, half-screeched and reared up, hooves climbing high before smashing onto the concrete and shooting off.
He spoke louder than he had to over the wind. "So you got a place for us to try some shots?"
-
Suerte
As the horse exploded forward, Suerte's lips spread into the biggest stupidest grin, reaching behind her, grabbing the cloaked man's hands and non verbally asking him to wrap them around her muscular belly.
"Well back in my hometown, we just took shots at cans in the desert, but here in the city, they have shooting ranges," Suerte yelled, her own excitement dancing across the spring winds. "Want to go to one, or do you want to do something more old school?"
-
Justice
One burly arm was around to wrap around her toned abdomen, bringing her closer to the rider's body as he scooted forward. His gravel-like voice echoed over her shoulder from behind his scarf.
"Don't want to upset the wildlife today, I think," Justice said, using his free hand to lay a hand on Punishment's neck, nudging the beast.
10:25 AM
It had taken them longer to find a shooting range and talk to the front desk than to get there, per se. But it was serviceable. It seemed that the weapons and security corporation called Armacham had no problem in capitalizing on their business in this way.
Justice had gone without ear-muffs, and leveled his revolver at the firing lines. It cracked like lightning, and five targets were blasted in little over a second, heads popped. New ones shuffled into place in moments, and he looked back at Suerte in invitation. "Your go."
-
Suerte
Suerte sighed as she felt the man's gravelly voice in her ear. "Whatever you say," she said, practically purring as she let his voice rush through her head.
10:25 AM
The entire time they interacted with the front desk, Suerte found her eyes being drawn to the outside. The sound of the guns firing were downright soothing to her ears. An intense burst of energy filled her body as she was overwhelmed with a sense of comfortability.
"Oh your a good shot," she said, watching the show. Following along with his actions, she pointed her gun at the heads and fired, flawlessly puncturing them with the normal bullets in her chamber. A mechanical noise could be heard from the barrel and she knew that more bullets had been created. "The best part about these guns is you never have to worry about filling them."
For a second, she looked at the ground, her face turning a little red. "Hey, can I ask you something dark?"
-
Amanda
"Booohoio... Can't even take a little joke I see. You Elves are just as prideful as they say apparently, maybe you should try and not be so bogged down by racial stereotype." She laughed right back at her, that serene smile was nothing but comical in this situation.
" And you do look cute with it on, but I guess you can't even appreciate compliments, geez how spoiled." Amanda shook her head with exasperated sigh.
-
Justice
Humanity's constant efforts and invention to simplify the deliverance of violence, making the efficient firing of weapons an ever more effortless task on the part of those who wielded them, never ceased to make him amazed and somber. But there was really no equal to skill, and he attentively admired Suerte's finesse with a small smile, undeniably recognizing it as the product of a harshly and gruelingly honed knack.
"Maybe the best part, they're always reliable," Justice said. "I've fooled a few rascals with it, too. They see a weapon like this, so plain compared to unearthly armaments, they assume wrongly, or they count wrong..."
The rider's story trailed off at the question, and he stared down at her strangely reserved face. "Shoot."
-
Amanda
"Booohoio... Can't even take a little joke I see. You Elves are just as prideful as they say apparently, maybe you should try and not be so bogged down by racial stereotype." She laughed right back at her, that serene smile was nothing but comical in this situation.
" And you do look cute with it on, but I guess you can't even appreciate compliments, geez how spoiled." Amanda shook her head with exasperated sigh.
Eruraviel
"Bleeee" Eru made a rude noise and stuck her tongue out at Amanda. Hah, it wasn't a sterotype if it was true. By and large, humans were short-sighted, follish individuals who fought all the time and only were capable of short-term planning, at best. What was wrong about that?
Suddenly, Eru pounced, tackling Amanda with a burst of speed aided by her wings. "I can take a compliment, of course. From you." She flexed the muscles in her ears, tickling Amanda's arms with them. "I'll let you play dress up all you want with me, okaaaay?"
-
Justice
Humanity's constant efforts and invention to simplify the deliverance of violence, making the efficient firing of weapons an ever more effortless task on the part of those who wielded them, never ceased to make him amazed and somber. But there was really no equal to skill, and he attentively admired Suerte's finesse with a small smile, undeniably recognizing it as the product of a harshly and gruelingly honed knack.
"Maybe the best part, they're always reliable," Justice said. "I've fooled a few rascals with it, too. They see a weapon like this, so plain compared to unearthly armaments, they assume wrongly, or they count wrong..."
The rider's story trailed off at the question, and he stared down at her strangely reserved face. "Shoot."
Suerte
Suerte's arm began to shake a little bit, her eyes tried to make contact with his, but blinked reflexively and turned away with each attempt. Shoot? Like he doesn't want to hear the question? Maybe this is a bad idea!
The cowgirl quickly swiped the cloaked man's gun, trying to change topic. "Y-yeah its funny. The momentum of a gun fight often comes down to the surprises you have in store. Magic weapons are nice like that." Hopefully he would take the hint and change topics. That was just plain embarrassing.
-
Justice
Justice blinked. It was true, momentum was the most vital thing to win in a shoot-out, to gain a decisive advantage where slipping or being unlucky once would put you at someone else's mercies, and hiding your real intentions and capabilities flowed naturally from it - no, hold on a moment.
He grabbed Pity's barrel and pried it gently to the side so it wasn't in the way, bending down so his eyes were right in front of the girl's face. His voice rang with curiosity and a little exasperation. "Hey. When I said 'shoot', I meant your question."
-
Suerte
At last, Suerte's gaze finally met his as she said, "Do you...do you ever enjoy killing? Like maybe some part of you gets a sick thrill out of it?" Of course, her own thrill was a sexual one, but what if it wasn't? Would it be that bad even then?
-
Justice
He took a deep breath, and his chest rumbled like a furnace. So that's what she meant, he thought as he let go of Pity and straightened up, not breaking eye contact. This was likely the part where he was supposed to draw his sword and stare meaningfully into his own reflection (he finally could, now that it was so well polished) while saying something poetic, but he sucked at that.
"A dark and personal question," Justice began, nodding. "But I do. Shedding blood in battle is a natural thrill for me. It's simple, but complicated to live with. Does the concept trouble you?"
She wasn't asking such a specific question merely out of curiosity. Maybe meeting someone nostalgic, who was like a colleague, had made her want to open up. Conversely, Justice didn't make a habit of explaining it. The last time he'd been pressed about this, it was a taunt, but now it was a vulnerable, small inquiry.
-
Suerte
Suerte took a deep breath. It was ok. So it wasn't just Vanilla, but this man as well who considered it normal. Technically she did not know much about him yet, but she doubted he was as morally dubious as Vanilla.
"Yeah..." she said, staring down at the ground again. "I love fighting. And by that I mean I really LOVE fighting. Snuffing someone else's life out is a thrill of power that is rivaled only by the greatest of life's experiences. I... just... I feel like a bad person when I enjoy it, like my soul is tainted by evil. Do you think you are evil for enjoying it?"
The glimmering eyes that stared back at him were that of a vulnerable puppy.
-
Justice
The rider only had the right to speak of himself, but if she wanted to listen, then he hoped it could help her. So he pulled his scarf down, exposing his face, clearing the shadows over his eyes, and spoke his mind.
"I'm not proud of it, but I can only try to be better within its confines. It's not something I can just cut away." He scoffed, a sound lighter than any of his interjections. "I don't think I'm a good person, don't get me wrong. I've risked my life to protect the world, and slain more than I can care to count in the process. And I enjoyed that part, but it's not why I do it."
They always had a call to make, no matter how wretched their self, of why they performed their actions. They could choose what do with their needs and their thrills.
-
Suerte
Suerte blinked as the scarf gave way to a handsome jaw and tender eyes. His features exuded a gruff beauty rarely seen these days. Most men were either too messed up from their own injuries to look presentable or just plain ugly to start with. She found herself a cutie.
The cowgirl giggled and said, "funny, you sound like a good person." She nudged the man. "C'mon tell me. Why do you do it then?"
-
Amanda
Blaaaaam.
Instead of tackling Amanda like she had intended, the elf ran headfirst into an immovable wall. An unyielding mystical force field materialized a fraction of a second before impact and violently repulsed her.
"You're not the only one with defenses in place my dear Elven Princess hehehe..." It was quite amusing to watch someone so refined make a fool of themselves.
-
Justice
"No, I'm definitely a rascal." He smirked, a little more softness slipping into his voice. "If I had to say why... because there are things greater than petty power struggles, and I wanted to do something for the world after my own abuses. And because I couldn't stomach my old lifestyle anymore."
It was that uncomplicated, when he came down to it.
-
Amanda
Blaaaaam.
Instead of tackling Amanda like she had intended, the elf ran headfirst into an immovable wall. An unyielding mystical force field materialized a fraction of a second before impact and violently repulsed her.
"You're not the only one with defenses in place my dear Elven Princess hehehe..." It was quite amusing to watch someone so refined make a fool of themselves.
Eruraviel
The elf careened into the wall, her body splaying out against it. Amanda had a nice view of her breasts squishing up against it. The girl bounced back off, seemingly no worse for the wear. She shook her head, ears twitching. "Bully!" She cried out in complaint.
-
Suerte
The words of the handsome cowboy just made her giggles more pronounced, the mild smile expanding into a stupid grin. Once again, she nudged him and said, "Sorry tough guy. You won't ever be able to convince me that you're a terrible person. Still, what was so bad about it?"
As she spoke, she pointed to the target that had popped up in front of them. It seemed he had gotten so engrossed in the conversation he forgot they were shooting.
-
Justice
This time, he returned the favor from earlier and snatched one of her guns, squeezing the trigger and blowing away the head of the target in a rapid chain of shots. Justice hadn't looked away from her.
"Marauding for the sake of marauding, destroying and calling it victory, subjugating for no reward but the pleasure of it, and the audacity to demand a home when we gave nothing to the world." He sighed.
-
Suerte
Suerte found herself staring down at her hands as she was suddenly clutching at nothing. She frowned at both the loss of her gun and the cowboy's words. "I see. Well it is rather meaningless, to do something for its own sake like killing and subjugating. Still, I think it is a good thing you changed your course. You can't take back something like
a kill, but you can try to do better."
Suerte held her hand out and continued to smile.
-
Justice
He held very still for a moment, then returned Suerte's gun with an appreciative hum. Strange. He didn't think he'd ever heard as much. It was an obvious thing, wasn't it? It didn't need to be said. But it was... nice, and he couldn't control that.
Justice realigned his sights on the targets and put his head back in the game, popping off the heads of another set. Pity was as trustworthy as ever, and smoother than it had been in a while.
"Hey, Suerte," he started, pausing his firing. His lips were still curved in a thin line. "Don't get jealous now, but how do you get someone to open up?"
-
Suerte
As that conversational thread ended, Suerte got a moment to her thoughts. The sound of gunfire echoing through the area was like a heartbeat, rattling her body to an aroused state. Her body shook with each shot, and her eyes followed his gaze, giving her the slightest insight into his aim.
Although, when he asked his question, she folded her arms over her generous chest and said, "Get someone to open up? I mean you can't make a choice for someone. People will open up when they feel comfortable. The best thing to do is just to make things easier for them to do so. People like talking about themselves, so it will happen eventually."
She was a little jealous.
-
Nero
The sound of her feet on the marble floor reverberating through the hall, the empress stopped to think.
"My goal... Well, for now, i decided i should establish a bit of home ground here; after all, I do not really know what else to do with myself."
Twirling around, she took the reminiscent architecture in.
"Decent start, would you not say?"
-
Aruna
As the two walked through the shiny marble hall, Aruna couldn't help but envy the girl's carefree nature. To start a place like this on a whim was astounding, especially with no ambition to speak of.
"It is pretty impressive," she responded, putting one hand on a marble counter. "I guess I could use a bath. I have had a really rough few days."
-
Justice
He made a rumbling, uneasy sound from his throat, drawing it out before deciding on his words. "That's why. I likely know what the issue is, and it would be less painful to deal with now." Before it faded like an old scar and it couldn't be parsed from the rest. "But I can't help if she won't talk about it."
Justice blinked, and leaned closer to Suerte, holding his chin. "Are you pouting?"
-
Suerte
Suerte's eyes widened as she felt him getting closer, that handsome face filling more of her vision. She turned her head away from him and said, "No! But I do want to know what girl you are talking about! Its only fair!"
Yup. Super jealous.
-
Justice
Justice raised an eyebrow. Then he held his gloved hand up in peace and spoke.
"I met her a couple of days ago, took a freelance job together for some quick cash. Then my job reared its ugly head, it got real bad, and she insisted on helping. It was nasty." The grim rider paused and swallowed dry. His winding hand ceased its gestures.
"Also, she's a squirrel-person. Big ol' tail."
-
Suerte
Suerte grinned and said, "So your into animal girls? Y-" As she turned back to face him, she suddenly realized how serious this was. Maybe he wanted her to open up because something bad happened to her, try to get her to talk about it.
Even so, Suerte found herself reflexively reaching back to touch her tailess butt. Maybe Vanilla could give her one of those too.
-
Justice
He gave her a look. The dubious look he usually reserved for vampire fledgelings thinking they could take him because they couldn't see through the huge silver-eyed man in a cowboy hat and old duster carrying a giant sword and an absurd firearm, as if those things weren't warning enough.
"You're quite the looker yourself, and you don't need a fluffy tail for it," Justice chuckled, covering his mouth, and clapped her shoulder while she was distracted.
-
Amanda
Amanda gave her look as if something had just dawned on her. She tried to held it on but could help but chuckle a bit as she moved a step forward, closer to the elf.
"Hey Eru dear.... Are you actually a teenager by Elf standards; cause you certainly act like one..."
-
Suerte
The cowgirl smirked, finally released her other arm, allowing him a view of her cleavage once again. As she moved to take her turn to shoot, she made it a point to knock him aside with her hips, giggling a bit as she reached for her other gun. Three shots followed her swift aim at the target. It didn't even look like she aimed that time, yet the bullets struck their target without fail.
"Are you worried about her?" she asked, her voice brimming with the confidence. She was easily flattered.
-
Justice
His gaze followed from her cheer to her expert shooting, and unwilling to be outdone, the rider repeated her feat with only a glance at his targets. Justice blew unnecessary air on the revolver, and inhaled before responding.
"I owe her for the help," he said, rolling his shoulders in a shallow attempt at relaxing them more. "But besides that, yes, I'm worried."
-
Suerte
"Handsome and loyal," she said, spinning the gun around her finger before dropping it back in her holster where it belonged. "Its good that your worried, but is this girl weak? Not weak as in of physical strength, but weak of mind?"
Part of her asked that to help bim think. The other part of her wondered what kind of girl would end up teamed up with him for a job.
-
Justice
"Flattery will get you nowhere," he rebutted, laughing. He holstered his weapon too, and leaned back against one of the dividers, crossing his arms. He stared at the ceiling, focusing on his thoughts instead of what laid in front of him.
"I don't believe she's weak. But she's young, and rushed into violence which was probably beyond her expectation, probably more callous than she was okay with, because I was there."
He was responsible.
-
Suerte
Suerte walked towards Justice, making it a point to enter his personal space. She looked up at him from below, staring into those guilty eyes with her own, glimmering with curiosity. "So she is the naive type? You don't think that it is your fault for taking her on the job right? I mean, everyone has a first job and its never pretty. Thrilling maybe, but never pretty."
-
Justice
He shook his head. His tone was like that of a weathered, old grandfather clock. "It was her decision, and it's blood on her hands now, I'm not about to pretend it's anything else."
Justice looked down, into Suerte's eyes, and poked her forehead with a single gloved finger.
"But not everyone's built the same. Mortals don't stack their scars into armor as casually as breathing. I'd sleep easier knowing how she's actually dealing with it, that's all."
-
Suerte
Suerte's head bounced back from the poke and she rubbed the spot softly and slowly. She looked at the glove for a moment, then put one hand on her hip. "Hmmm... If thats the case, why not check on her tonight? Do you know where she lives? I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but she won't know until its time to lie down and think about her actions. She could be drowning it in something else right now after all."
-
Eruraviel
Eru frowned, ears wiggling in annoyance. "Amanda, jokes should only go so far, I'm a budding young lady, not a petulant teenager. Our social customs are just a little different."
Not like she wanted to talk about her age, anyway.
-
Nero
"Umu! Thats what we're here for, after all!"
Without even batting an eye, the shortstack of Rome let her dress slide off her shoulders and land on the floor, showing off her perfectly proportioned posterior as she stepped forward toward the large bathing area.
"Let all the worry and sorrow melt away in the hot waters of these Thermae!"
-
Aruna
3:15am
Oh
The woman just stripped. She took off her clothes, just like that. At the very least, she saw why she was so proud. She had the body of a human pornstar. Still, she was pretty sure human norms related to shame meant this sort of behavior was abnormal.
Rather than strip, the clothes on her body seemed to shrink to nothing, exposing her body to the world around them. Her steps were completely silent as she walked through the halls and entered the bathing rooms. It was completely empty. Considering the time of day it made sense. Who takes a bath at a public bathhouse at 3:15am? It was a stupid question, because clearly a demon and an empress.
"Ahhh," she moaned as she sunk into the hot water. "I see why humans enjoy this."
-
Suerte
Suerte's head bounced back from the poke and she rubbed the spot softly and slowly. She looked at the glove for a moment, then put one hand on her hip. "Hmmm... If thats the case, why not check on her tonight? Do you know where she lives? I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but she won't know until its time to lie down and think about her actions. She could be drowning it in something else right now after all."
Justice
Justice rubbed his chin. "She hasn't said much the last two nights despite using me as a heater to sleep on," he said.
No wait. He shouldn't have said that. The rider stared back at Suerte, his eyebrows mildly crooking on his forehead.
-
Suerte
Suerte's hands dropped, her eyes widening for a brief moment. Then, she ran her finger along his chest. "I see.... no wonder you were asking me.... you slept with her already and you still can't get her to open up...."
She wrapped her fingers around the cuff of his cloak. She wanted to rip it off and steal it for herself. No boobs for him.
-
Justice
He contemplated her impatient, almost alarmed response for a moment, cycling through the advice and answers of the many humans he'd come to know over the centuries, in particular those who weren't frightened by him, who wanted him close.
Justice patted her hat, pushing the brim over her forehead and eyes with an out-of-practice laugh. "Do you take me for the kind who'd plunder someone's heart by charming their body? It didn't turn into that." He paused and inhaled, ruffling her head through the hat. "... you jealous?"
-
Suerte
As Suerte's face was obscured by the brim of the hat, her grip on his clothes loosened. Slowly but surely, she lowered her hand, letting it fall at her side. Once again, she allowed one hand to go back to her butt as if checking for a tail. Then, she smiled devilishly underneath her hat, before lunging forward at him, this time, not giving him a chance to poke her away. Her breasts pressed up against his cloaked chest and she looked up at him with a smile.
"Maybe you wouldn't, but I would," she said, giggling almost uncontrollably. "Although, I prefer to call it marking my territory. Now I am really curious. What was her body type? And by that I mean, how big were her boobs? And by that I mean, did you like them?"
The cowgirl looked down at her own cleavage, guiding his eyes down there as well. "Do you like these? C'mon, did you say I was pretty because of the face or the body?"
-
Justice
"It's not polite to talk about someone else when you're out with a lass," Justice rumbled. He couldn't work himself up to that mood with Nanako when that caul of anxiety lingered and solidified around her - he merely lent her his chest so she could stave off the cold of those thoughts while she didn't release them.
Right now, though, he was comfortable in his cynicism. Suerte struck closer to it, and paradoxically, he noticed it less than when keeping pace and worrying for the squirrelgirl. It reminded him less of what he wasn't. He was relaxed enough that one arm wilfully wrapped around her waist, keeping her where she was, and he let his gaze wander.
"But you've got both of those, and you know it." The rider made a crooked smile, and for a moment it exposed his teeth, before he parted them to continue. "And a good look in your eyes."
-
Suerte
11:00am
Suerte's soft hand reached up and lightly brushed against Justice's cheek. "Good answer," she said, letting herself get lost in his eyes. "But I have never been one to be all that polite. Besides..."
It was common knowledge that you could learn a lot about a man by staring into his eyes. That is why cowboys often make eye contact as they draw their guns, making their intentions clear to their opponent. When she stared into his eyes, she saw a strange sense of content or interest? At the very least, he liked what he saw.
She lowered her eyelids and her grin widened even further. "You've already struck out twice on that front."
However, the true reason cowboys stare one another down is so that they can obscure their hand movements from each other. So it was only natural that she reached down below his waist to check his weapon and what she found made her giggle. "It feels good. You know, you shouldn't have told me you didn't have sex with her, because now I want you even more. Team up with me. I want to see what those hands can do in action."
-
Justice
11:00 AM
Suerte spoke his language. Not the language of the executor, but the other one that he believed universal, the language of the outrider, the gunslinger, the frontier-walking devil. Of course he'd reciprocate when it was used for this purpose. Justice throbbed under his armor and outer layer, where she could feel out his arousal, and he dipped his head down, his breath on her shoulder.
"Alright, I'll show you ," the rider said, and his mouth slipped past her clavicle with a touch from rough lips, to nip at her chest just above her cleavage. His voice echoed again, as the hand around her waist drifted possessively to her hips, and the other brushed the ends of her hair. "Where do you wanna have this mission?"
A thought of Nanako passed through him, when his eyes were too close to Suerte's skin for her to read them. She had said, earlier that morning, she was going to the neighboring district to have fun at an arena, and he wasn't obligated to follow. The rider had taken her up on that, though he didn't plan to do anything cheerful - until now.
He had no set time to meet with his temporary roommate. And it would be disappointing for him and the cowgirl both if he wasn't in it. So he hoped the outing would do Nanako good, then set his worry aside to suckle on his... teammate's skin.
-
Amanda
"Oh so you agree to show your youthfulness, no more hiding yourself in bulky dresses, we're going on a shopping spree and I won't accept a no for an answer, not from cute little Elf princess." She snapped her fingers and pointed towards the door.
"Now get a move on, I can't wait all day for you."
-
Suerte
A deep sigh escaped Suerte's lips as she felt his touching her chest. Seeing his head dip into her cleavage made her feel warm down below. The greedy hands that pulled her closer caught her off guard, forcing a heavy yelp from her lips. "Mmmm... the mission?" she mumbled, trying to find her thoughts among the pangs of pleasure that the cowboy was sending through her body.
"In all honesty, the mission could be as complex as a political assassination job or as simple as hog-tying cattle. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that the journey is not about what you do, but who you do it with."
Suerte placed her hands on the back of his head, nudging him to plunge head deeper into her breasts. "You know I play for keeps when it comes to being a bounty hunter right? No matter how silly the job is, I want to make sure we put all of our passion into it."
-
Justice
He appreciated that resolution. It was a more open outlook than Justice could usually voice on his own, though it rang true, and it flavored her shuddering reactions and soft breaths like rare spices. The rider inhaled of her bosom, his nose rubbing her skin.
Then his hands sneaked past her hips, and Justice picked Suerte off the ground by her ass, sliding their bodies closer and making their scents intermingle. The gesture brought her gaze more level with his, and he chuckled at her. "There's better places to use your passion than a shooting range."
-
Suerte
The cowgirl smirked as the air lightly brushed the skin on her breasts, feeling a rush of aggression wash over her. The hand that pushed his head into her breasts instinctively reached for his cloak, gripping it tightly as she prepared to tear it to ribbons. Before she could act, she felt her feet suddenly freed from the ground as a pair of hands greedily gripped her ass, sinking into the tight flesh, even with the cloth of her miniskirt in between them.
"You know when i'm this riled up, I don't care," she said, meeting his gaze with a smile. Her eyes were filled with energy and a hint of bloodlust. "But you know, it would be fun to see your home."
She only wished the squirrel girl was home too. She wanted to show off her conquest.
-
Justice
Justice frowned, slightly, through the heated gleam in his eyes. Her request, although not troubling of itself, reminded him of a slight issue, namely him and Nanako's sleeping arrangements.
They'd managed to find a serviceable place with a number of freed rooms by looking around in the less-than-safe periphery between this district and one of its less composed neighbors, rather than deal with the eventually exploitative novelty of hotel rooms. The rider had insisted on the need for only a single bed between the two, as he did not need nor plan to really sleep comfortably, but contrary to her acquiescing, the squirrelgirl had wound up dragging him to sleep on it, doubling as a pillow or heater for her.
While currently distracted, he knew that Nanako was clingy by nature. Meanwhile, Suerte sounded competitive, and possible even a little possessive, and instinct told him to minimize the friction.
"In essence, it's just a place to sleep," he grunted and gave her chest a stinging kiss. "Maybe later."
Justice shifted her weight so he was firmly holding her rear and the rest of her body, now higher, and strode out of the firing range, with any real distance between them glued together. The rider couldn't help but take advantage of his position to take handfuls of her. He only separated for a moment, to climb onto Punishment's back and set Suerte in front of him - conveniently in a position where their bodies were free to grind against each other, and his arms to wrap around her again.
He tapped the steed, and it flew off. He wasn't sure where they were going, but he didn't intend to drag it out either. Anywhere that was subtle or gave them the space to focus on this would do.
-
Aruna
And so they chatted the rest of the night. It was actually rather pleasant. The water was warm and calming, taking away the stress of life, at least for that moment in time. Plus she had some time to really take in Nero's naked form. She couldn't help but start to associate that busty body with some form of human acceptance. In a way, that was all she ever wanted.
Story continues in the Vampire district. (http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,756.msg58717.html#msg58717)
-
Suerte
Suerte frowned as he kissed her chest, her body still twitching to his touch, despite her disappointment. "I feel like your just teasing me so you can get more attention," she said, folding her arms over her generous chest. Once again, no more boobs. Still, it wasn't a grievous offense, unlike having a completely normal attraction to a woman with a sexy tail. No manipulating her for more attention was only a minor offense, so she, wiggled her hips a little in his grip to give him a better feel for her ass and its considerable size.
Naturally, as she was placed in front of Justice, she took note of how close they were, smothering any semblance of space between their bodies. She found herself grinning happily as she realized her back, now with actual visible muscle, was now on display for him. In addition, her flat but featureless belly now had a detailed six pack for him to feel up.
As they rode, she kept her arms folded, relying completely on Justice's abilty to hold her in place, as well as her own balance. Her abs flexed as she used them to balance on the horse, while her arms tried in vein to keep her breasts from jiggling too much atop the horse. He was still on no boobs.
"Well, if we aren't going to your place, how about we go to a beach? I hear rich folk around here love it."
Plus she really wanted to see him almost naked.
-
Justice
"I'm sure you know all about that." He let out a growling chuckle and rested his chin on her shoulder, steering Punishment's reins. Maybe Justice was being sly, but it did not bother him one lick to answer in kind. In a game like this, leveraging what you had to throw the other person off-balance was like breathing, no different from a stand-off.
Her suggestion, though, brought an unexpected thought of how constricting clothes must have been beginning to feel for both. Justice asked, "Hmm, are you sure you can bear with it until there?"
The contours of her athletic yet full figure were obvious even through his gloves, and it set off a heat within his body that was felt even through layers of cloth and metal, passing on to her through the incessant shifting between their glued forms. The abyssal steed whinnied in displeasure, barely heard over the sound of its trotting, as if warning them against pushing their luck while riding it.
-
Eruraviel
"Shopping, huh?" Eru muttered, reaching down and scratching her pubes in idle thought. How long had it been since she'd been shopping at a market? How quaint.
"Off we go, then."
The two young ladies had quickly traveled ouside Pine Gardens into the (relatively) familar domain of Elizabeth, back in the Luscious Angel. The elf's ears twitched as they walked into the store, reaching for Amanda's hand.
It was a large department store, staffed mostly by humans who lived in the area. There were several mannequins wearing stylish dresses, chique shirts and pants, and a large assortment of scarves, shoes, and panty-hoes on display. Everything in the store looked to be rather expensive, completely out of the price range of the common rabble. Of course, the store smelled pleasant, filled with the faint aphrodisiac that was omnipresent in this place.
-
Suerte
And so, his bullet struck true, his comment hitting her right where it hurt. Suerte turned her head, allowing Justice to see a side profile of her face, but not her chest. That was still being covered by her folded arms. Still no boobs for him yet. Well maybe... she enjoyed the feeling of his strong hands gripping her toned belly. Maybe she wanted to tempt him with using those hands on her chest.
"Shut up," she said, her tone cut between defensive and giddy. "Don't think I won't get off to strangling the life out of you for being too right."
Suerte sighed, looking around for something, anything. She put one hand on the horse's neck, rubbing it with tender strokes. "Only reason I am not savagely ripping off your clothes right now is out of respect for this good stead. We could go somewhere... higher."
She was implying they go to a roof somewhere.
-
Justice
Touched a nerve, had he? He wouldn't tell her that strangling wasn't likely to kill him, if it came to that, Suerte could find out on her own. As it stood, Justice was about to touch a lot more nerves. His shoulders shook when he struggled to keep a jagged smirk away from his face, but he'd gotten the hint. "You're a savage, Suerte. No wonder you came on to me."
They sped up and turned away from the main street, leaping past traffic. The rider led the beast through an enclosed alley, to ascend the buildings from foothold to foothold, and finally raced them over the edge. Justice jumped off the saddle of Punishment with his companion, letting the steed wander off. The roof was enclosed by fence and half-darkened, cast in shadow from the larger buildings that arose in the distant periphery, the grey clouds rolling lazily through the sky.
Suerte's back hit the wall of an adjacent elevation, and she found herself pulled towards Justice by a hand on her ass as he covered her mouth. He sucked the air from her, biting and kissing her lips, his lidded stare alight on her expression. Another hand held her breasts from below, taking in her shape.
-
Suerte
Suerte's frown deepened. She knew he was smiling, that sly bastard. How dare he turn away. She wanted to see his handsome face smiling! "I came to you because I think we are kindred spirits," she said. looking ahead. "I just wonder what a kindred spirit tastes like..."
Suerte giggled incessantly as they went through the street, unable to contain the joy of riding a horse through the street. She couldn't help but marvel as they passed cars and trucks, all on this magnificent horse. When she came here, she assumed she would have to learn to fit in, start using cars instead of trucks, maybe wear some new threads. But nope, she could stay herself here, just ride along with a partner in the business.
The cowgirl's giggling stopped as the shift in mood arrived along with the rolling clouds. She turned to Justice and smiled, shifting her legs uncontrollably on the horse.
There were no more words exchanged, simply her back against the wall and a hand on her ass cheek. Suerte moaned as his lips parted hers, sucking the air from her mouth. She let him bite on her lip, following suit on his lower lip. Her hands reached for his clothes, glaring at him with the little bit of restraint she had left and silently asking, can I?
Meanwhile, a hand drifted down below the belt, back to that tasty thing he had between his legs. She began stroking it through his pants.
-
Justice
His own glare twinkled with desire and approval, and he pulled one of her hands to his belt and the other straps that secured his pants and lower body armor, helping her to set free what she wanted. The other slipped down her thigh and under her skirt, causing it to ride up as his fingers sank into her butt, roughly groping without the coarser cloth in the way. Her underwear strained against his touch.
Justice forced his weight on her and invaded her mouth with his tongue, rudely pushing it against hers without even the time for either of them to breathe again.
-
Suerte
Unable to help it anymore, Suerte began stroking the shaft that stood proudly in between his legs. Her hands struggled to grasp the entire shaft, her fingers unable to connect as she stroked it. It was strange, it wasn't as massive as Vanilla's dick and not as overwhelmingly pleasurable. She wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. On one hand, it was soooo good to feel Vanilla's dick, dare she say moreso than Justice's. No, that wasn't true. This one was more comfortable. A while ago, she was scared she would never be able to have good sex again, but clearly, she was wrong.
Underneath her skirt were a pair of white panties just a bit too small for her sizable ass. Her ass cheeks poked through, the one hand sunk slightly into her big but tight ass, his sizable hands unable to fully grasp all the woman she had back there. The tounge was the last draw. Moans seemed to erupt from Suerte's mouth, as her tounge was assaulted by Justice's.
The other hand she had already holding Justice's cloak tightened and she began lifting him off the ground to break the assault that was suffocating her. It wasn't that she wasn't enjoying it, but she wanted to fight for some dominance here. It was good to try to show a man his place.
-
Justice
He groaned into the gunslinger's mouth as her lithe, unbashed fingers moved along his hardening length. Justice wasn't immune to her respective forcefulness, and budged from the pushing, his exhalation like the air from an oven. He appreciated it. A two-sided exchange of instincts and grit, without the treacherous edge of battle-lust, it was nice for once.
The rider responded by bringing his hands to the bottom of her top, hooking his fingers under, and pushing it up in one smooth movement, freeing her volumptuous chest. He grabbed both breasts, fondling their soft but supple volume eagerly, while his knee slid up between her legs, replacing the hand moving under her skirt. It rubbed against her panties, taking advantage of how Suerte was lifting him up.
-
Suerte
It all felt like it happened at once.
Suerte's chest began shrinking and expanding along with the inhales and exhales of her breath. For the briefest of moments, the seconds within seconds, she held Justice's body aloft, only to drop him as she cried out in pure pleasure. He had pushed her voluptuous breasts up, the aggression alone enough to send sparks through her body. However, as she felt the hard warmth pressing against her panties, she couldn't help but yelp. Only once it had finally touched down there that she realized,
She was damp.
And so, he not only had drawn blood but kept the momentum of the battle going. She stared at his muscular body with the eyes of a hungry wolf who realized that the mouse she had attacked was actually just a small dog, a powerful one at that. "You know, thats another thing about me," she said, smiling. "I can't resist a good challenge. But you know, I think challenges can resist you."
The cowgirl pushed dropped down, escaping those strong sexy hands to get a grip on his greatest weakness. Soft fingers wrapped around the shaft, while soft palms made contact. She licked her lips. It was already damp with her juices. She reached back with her free hand and gave his ass a good spank just to let him know its a challenge. Then, her mouth enveloped the head, sliding down the hard veiny goodness until she reached the base. The walls of her throat squeezed lovingly on him, letting him know she was more than willing to take whatever hardships provided him with this much girth.
-
Justice
It wasn't an action of bodily comfort, nor a fling of purely physical satisfaction, but a fervent, hungry dialogue between bodies. Suerte was looking not for casual pleasure but a challenge that felt good raking her over the coals. And with a piece of his primal urges blaring in committment despite the innocuous nature of the contact, Justice was more than happy to be that challenge.
So he smirked at her words, but conniving opponent that she was, Suerte moved the chinks in her armor out of his reach, while beginning to torture his most vulnerable spot. Hard as a rock and throbbing from the welcome sensation past her lips, Justice rumbled deeply from his chest. With a lidded look down at her full, enticing figure, he reached a hand through her hair, tangling his fingers in her locks, scratching her scalp... and then pulling her head, making it bob along his shaft.
"Good, I won't let you be bored," he whispered. The rider slipped the glove off his other hand with his teeth and allowed it to fall next to her, exposing his bare, scarred and calloused hand. It grabbed her head through her pinkish hair and replaced its counterpart, knocking her hat off as he ground his shaft against the back of her throat.
-
Suerte
Suerte's began to moan, the tone of her moan rising in rhythm with every shove of her head into his crotch. Her hat fell to the ground, her eyes staring up at his glorious muscular body. That was a body that had been through things, seen people, killed people. A body that was built to be strong was built to be dominant. A body that had killed others was a body that had dominated in the past. It was only natural that hand had grabbed her head and desired control. But Justice was a smart man. Even as he grabbed her, she knew he knew the truth, even if only intuitively.
With her lips around his cock at this moment, she had the advantage.
The cowgirl smiled internally as she grabbed Justice by the ass, lifting him off the ground as she got to her feet. She used her grip on his tight ass to force her hips to thrust throughout the whole movement.
-
Justice
Justice swayed uncomfortably, whispering a hiss, and his veiny cock pulsed vulnerably in her wet mouth. The rider shrank in his shoulders and elbows, keeping his rough grasp on her head, forcing himself to recover his balance rather than overturn it. He. Was not used to this. The best he could usually hope for was a monster twice his size manhandling and tossing him like a traffic cone for a bit.
Suerte was good at this whole business. But he was older, and with age came stubbornness. He chuckled feverishly and planted his boots on the wall. His knees bent, loading like springs over her shoulders, before he released and chucked himself off, leaving his taste in her mouth.
Justice landed on his feet, and leapt back at Suerte. Instantly, his mouth found her chest, closing around the tip of one of her mounds as his rugged hand dug between her thighs, and pushed the white cloth aside, fingers probing and sinking into her pliant body. She could feel him smile and bite down, as his other glove fell on the ground, releasing his palm to rub her other breast.
-
Suerte
Just as she heard a hiss from him that caused her to shutter in satisfaction, something changed. He began to shift, get to his feet and slip from the iron grip of her mouth. She frowned at the body sailing through the air and moaned, "Aww... you don't like being my little toy?"
She could have dodged him but instead, she let him fall into her breasts, his moist mouth causing her knees to buckle and shake. A rugged hand slipped in between her legs, pressing the right button so to speak and causing her to cry out in approval. "More!"
If he wanted it so bad, he would let him have control for a moment.
-
Justice
He roguishly chuckled against the hard tip of her breast, sucking and biting with gusto. It seemed that Suerte was still looking a little down on him, but she changed her toned soon enough, and he was pleased to oblige the request.
Two fingers pushed to the knuckle into her, stretching drenched and heated walls with patient harshness. Justice's legs settled closer to hers, pushing her thighs further apart as he skillfully did his part. They were both more than ready for it, but he hadn't finished with his fun returning Suerte's favors.
Long digits curled abruptly inside, while his other hand went from fondling to pinching her bosom.
-
Suerte
"Oh..." she moaned, her body quivering in reaction to his biting. She rolled back into the wall for support, focusing all of her willpower into not doubling over with pleasure. She could feel herself dripping down into her panties. "You are good..."
She could feel him inside of her, those strong hands touching her walls. She squeezed those fingers, silently wanting the real thing to go inside of her the more he moved them within her walls. "Thats good..."
-
Justice
His hardness ground hungrily against her thigh as his fingers moved back and forth, pushing Suerte to spill even more. He looked into her eyes from his half-looming half-bending position over her. "You want it? Hard?
Ah, this was a better use of pointed rethorical questions than his usual mishaps.
-
Suerte
Suerte steeled herself, trying to get herself to move outside of her hips gyrating to match his fingers sliding in and out. She stared up at him, flashing him a smile that was equal parts loving and malicious.
"Oh don't tease me so much," she said, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Give it to me now! I need it now! If I can't have it I will get off to breaking your bones!"
-
Justice
His wet hand slipped out of her and moved down the curve of her back to hold her, and the other slammed into the wall to steady himself, deforming it in the shape of his fingers. With furrowed concentration, the tip of Justice's member left a wet trail on her leg as it moved past Suerte's underwear and stroked between her slippery folds.
The rider fully sheathed himself in her snug body, the wet slap of their flesh echoing alongside a muted crash as she was squished against the wall by his mass. He shivered, and spiderweb cracks spread from his hand piercing the brick and concrete.
"Damn," he said, experimentally, suddenly rocking his waist into her.
-
Suerte
Suerte ran her hands along his broad chest as she felt his own strong hands line her back. A drop of her slid down her thick thighs. She resisted the urge to squeeze his body, while his plunge inside of her forced her back to arch within his hands. She moaned as she pressed her chest into his during the movement, her ass pushing into the wall, causing a crack to form from the sheer strength of the impact.
"Oh you like that?" she said, staring intently at him. "Glad you appreciate it. I keep it tight."
It was a double-edged sword, her walls were fighting back against the impact. She cried out, this time in pain, as his girth forced its way through her. Her hands moved from his chest to his face, rubbing his cheek with a delicate touch.
"You are going to be a good partner."
-
Justice
Justice stared and pondered distantly at the word partner. He'd worked decently together with Nanako, and she'd stood with him despite reason saying otherwise. He was engaging with Suerte in a way that could not be called unattached. But when was the last time he'd had a partner?
The ancient warrior grew still for a moment, inhaling from the feel of Suerte enveloping him. "Mmn. Hold on to me," he rumbled.
He dragged his lower body back and his stomach burned at how she clung to every inch sliding out, until only the head was left there. Much of his armor was still in the way, despite loosened straps letting them push mail and undershirts aside, scraping slightly against her and blocking full contact of their skin, but it just made where they were fully connected more sensitive. Then Justice thrust back in, filling her in a smooth motion. He began to repeat those movements, looking out for when her breathing hitched.
-
Suerte
Suerte's eyes shimmered with worry as she looked into his. Was that too forward? she thought. Probably shouldn't talk about being partners during sex right?
Oh! He got bigger.
The feeling of him growing inside of her distracted her for the moment, the pressure filling her with greed. She grabbed his armor, her biceps and triceps flexing as she tore it off his chest, tearing it to ribbons. "Make me moan enough and i'll buy you a new one..." she whispered, leaning into his ear. "AH!"
She was cut off by the sudden thrust, her powerful hands gripping his shoulders hard enough to crush an ordinary man's bones. "How close? How close until you explode huh? I want to know!"
-
Justice
Part of the straps holding together his torso armor tore, half-undone as they are, and he gritted his teeth, hurrying to undo the remaining one. His hat fell to the ground, joined by most of his stripped mail and his discolored undershirt, next to Suerte's own hat. A few drops of sweat lined his forehead, making strands of his hair cling to it, and his stone-like muscles pressed shamelessly against her chest. Both his hands returned to action now, one coursing over her back, and the other squeezing her athletic ass.
Justice ground against her walls with each thrust, taking her deeply and thoroughly, his coarse voice by her ear. "In a little bit. You're, grrhn, good. But not yet..."
His tone was holding something back, but he playfully licked her ear and caught it between his teeth. The rider wasn't sure how long he could last. It had been a while, but that nonwithstanding, he wasn't going to be done after one round.
-
Suerte
Suerte's moans turned into groans as Justice's hands wrapped around her, those rock like biceps wrapping around her and pressing against her shoulders. She was sweating too, her skin starting to gleam in the dim light. She pushed her ass out, as if presenting it for him, smiling with satisfaction as the hand that touched it once again failed to grip the entire cheek, instead sinking into her tight but firm rear.
Still, his words concerned her. In the past, she has forced men to finish before they even get to the gate from the sight of her body alone and this guy is still going?!
"You sexy little bitch!" she said, glaring at him. Her thick thighs flexed as she attempted to squeeze him until he coughed from lack of air, or until she heard something crack. "I said all of your passion!"
-
Justice
Oh, Suerte, you snappy crook. He hacked out a groan, and shoved all of his length inside in response. His shaft throbbed and bumped against the end of her clenching body, stretching Suerte to the utmost. Justice rumbled, "Don't snap my back!"
The rider abandoned all pretense of restraint and held on to her raised, tense thighs instead, pulling those hips towards him as he began to slam into the cowgirl with carnal ferocity.
"Shit, hngh. About to," he warned, biting at her neck.
-
Suerte
The annoyed glare and frown quickly twisted into a sadistic grin as she saw him grimace with pain, climaxing with a cough. It worked though. He slammed into her, causing her to cry out once more, drowning out the sound of their skin clapping against one another. In truth, she would have and intended to squeeze more, just for the fun of it, but that sly bastard saved himself by giving her a body shuttering bite to her neck.
"Good boy," she said, content with his decision. She began thrusting herself into him more deliberately, matching his intensity with her own. Her abs flexed as her hips moved in and out.
-
Justice
Justice's tongue massaged where he bit, even as he throbbed in Suerte's core. The rider, thrusting roughly and delightfully into her, was on the edge. Panting, he asked hastily, "Inside?"
-
Suerte
The cowgirl simply giggled, pushing him out, while wiggling her hips, allowing her ass to brush his hands. She released her legs from his body, landing on the ground before ducking down and wrapping her mouth around his head, ready for her little snack.
-
Justice
Past her lips, Justice swelled and finally spilled. His hips shook, and thick, hot, salty seed pumped into her mouth, onto her tongue, all of his tension draining down his spine. But the rider didn't let it just be sweet, and grabbed her head, making her swallow more of it, shooting white strands down her throat, his whole length pulsing madly.
He sighed deeply, letting his fingers relax, looking down at Suerte's amused eyes as he himself calmed down.
-
Suerte
The cowgirl's eyes widened as she felt his essence coating her mouth. Her throat constricted, desperately trying to swallow as much as she could, quickly realizing this was just the start. She felt a hand on her head, causing heat to build in her core as her heart rapidly speed up. That rush brought back her smile, even as white streams filled her throat at an alarming rate.
With her hands on his back, she could feel when it was over. Her lips made a smacking sound as they retreated from his head, a small stream of white dripping down from her lower lip. Her tongue quickly lapped it up.
"I see that body wasn't just for show," she said. "That was delicious."
-
Justice
He dropped slowly to the floor, sitting without much care with his half-folded legs facing Suerte, his face more level with hers. His shaft twitched, dripping with her arousal and his, slumping but not softened.
"You sure know how to make a man pine," Justice laughed, reaching forward to wipe another drop of his fluids from the corner of her mouth. He shifted where he sat and patted his leg, staring invitingly at her. "But you didn't finish yet."
-
Suerte
Suerte placed a single finger on his lips. "Not now," she said. "I want to be surprised. I give you permission to ambush me later, as long as you know how to use your tongue..."
She finally sat next to him, pushing her body against his. Her breasts sandwiched his muscular arm as if she was clinging to the thought of his strength. In this case, it really was the strength of his experience that she was truly clinging too.
"Thank you."
-
Justice
The rider raised an eyebrow, but allowed her to rest against him. He huffed in acceptance, "Doesn't sit right with me, but I'll hold you to that." Spontaneously, he stretched his arm, grabbing for one of the hats, and dropped it back on her head, ruffling her hair through the top.
But his expression froze at her gratitude, and his hand went dead. He spoke, "There's nothing to thank me for."
-
Suerte
12:04pm
Suerte grabbed Justice's hat and placed it on his head in turn. "I was being selfish. I wanted it now and you gave it to me now. I needed to learn about myself a little more, so I pounced on the first opportunity."
Suerte unhooked herself from his arm and reached for her panties, sliding them up her thighs. She turned to face him just as they wrapped around her plump ass. "So, where do you go for bounties around these parts?"
-
Justice
He seemed to accept that with a quiet breath, and rose slowly from the ground while fixing his pants. Justice would've snorted, but didn't, and said, "I humored you, and enjoyed myself. You don't owe me anything."
The sound of his boots resonated as he stepped over to his discarded clothes and began the weary task of fitting himself into his mail again. His eyes wandered over Suerte putting her own outfit back in place.
"There's law enforcement offices with open bounties, but you need to get a license. Or the ones who'd rather keep it off the charters." He laughed at a joke he hadn't made like it had nothing to do with him and whistled. Punishment should be around.
-
Suerte
Suerte frowned, not at the idea of having to get a license, but because her panties were too wet. She needed new ones. While she put on the mini skirt, she watched Justice put on the chain mail, entranced by the action.
Ignoring the bad joke she said, "of course, city folk need a license to tie their damn shoes! How long does it take?"
-
Justice
"It doesn't cost them anything if you don't come back," he said, each piece of the Mail of the Fallen clicking into place. Justice settled his coat back over it and wrapped the scarf around his neck, once more covering up his face. "They don't test you, they just require registration and a symbolic sum for the privilege of trying."
An aggressive whine and a clacking sound against the roof warned them of a new presence, and Justice turned to Punishment, patting his side. It bared his teeth with a puff of smoke at him, and the rider looked down on his hands.
He'd forgotten his gloves. He coughed under his scarf.
-
Suerte
"Thats fine by me," she said, pulling her top over her massive breasts. She had to adjust it so that the cleavage was exposed just right. The annoying part was that her nipples were still hard, poking through the fabric a bit. "As long as they pay well, I don't care what the risks are. I guess the tough part is finding a client who pays enough to justify it. Though honestly, I don't really do this for money."
Suerte eyed him as he coughed, coming just within his space, but not close enough to touch. "Want a little boob hug to keep you warm?"
Then she pulled away. "No, before that, we need to test our chemistry in another way. Call that cute horse of yours."
(Continued in Little Russia (http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,740.msg58993.html#msg58993).)
-
Vega
3:00 PM
Having taken a taxi, he thanked the driver and offered him a generous tip with the same pleasant smile. On the way up the hill, he picked up a few flowers off the ground gently, and took the time to enjoy their scent. He even went so far as to gift a charming lady one of them. An offer she found quite hard to refuse.
Finally, he reached the hillside view of his villa. You could even see a lake stretching down, and the clear skies as well as the surrounding mansions and houses, each more glamorous than the next. But for now, he'd enjoy the simpler pleasures of this district. Slowly, delicately.
He opened the door. Within, his beautiful manor awaited, guarded by two maids he had chosen for their looks... as well as their silence.
"I'm home." His expression was particularly ravishing, and happy. There was no place like home, truly. The two followed him inside, as if they had been waiting for him.
In the living room, a single girl sat at the table. Even compared to the outside view, the villa, the maids... she was beautiful. Her hair was a ravishing silver, and her skin as white as porcelain. It was immaculate, beautiful, and yet imperfect. Perhaps that was why it was even more so than anything else. Despite the burns that spotted her dainty hands and face, he'd dare say she was the most gorgeous existence in this world.
"Oh, my day was quite good." He removed his overcoat and folded it neatly on a hanger. The girl had said nothing, yet he deigned to answer with a pure-hearted expression. "It was the usual day at the corrida. Nothing truly extravagant. Would you like to hear more?"
He walked to the kitchen. As if it were the routine. Despite being served by maids, he found he enjoyed doing some things with his own hands even now. Gastronomy was one of his many points of interest. As he prepared the ingredients, he was mindful that the girl's stomach was quite delicate. A simple spring soup and salad would do, with fresh lettuce, apples and nuts, as well as a light vinaigrette. Once the food was ready, the woman was brought back to the living room. He had the food set to the table, while he tended to her burns.
It must've been so painful... It's alright now. No one will ever hurt you again. He sat by her side and touched her hand, clasped it in his, and looked at her longingly.
"I met someone truly special today. Perhaps you will meet her sometime." He smiled and brought her hand to his chest, then his face. As if to feel its embrace one more time. But she was cold, oh so cold. Like a doll, beautiful yet empty. As if something was missing inside that she could never take back. And yet, he did not mind. He forgave it, she was the one woman he'd always forgive.
"Let's stay here a while longer, mother."
-
Emiya
3:30
I need to get the items to make Tohsaka's food, pick up those parts - and if that bastard tries to overcharge me again I swear I'll put a sword through his wall - and pick up groceries for myself, the white haired man thought to himself as he walked down Pine Garden's busy streets.
Avalon Repairs was closed for the day so Emiya could run the errands he needed to so he could keep business running smoothly and keep his companion fed. After that day with Amanda, the former Counter Guardian kept his head down and tried to draw as little attention to himself as possible. He even started keeping his hair down and donned a pair of horn rimmed glasses when he wasn't adopting his "Red Ranger" persona and blowing up monsters in the slums.
Maybe I should get a mask. It wouldn't be good if the elites started asking questions or worse, attempted to recruit me, he thought with a sigh as he walked to the shopping district.
-
Tsumiko
3:45 pm
Tsumiko found herself in unfamiliar territory. She'd woken up in a place completely strange, far nicer than what she was used to. She looked around, groaning in pain.
"Bluh?"
She looked around blearily, laying on the ground as she slowly propped herself up.
-
Emiya
The tall white haired man was making his way through the shops, easily maneuvering through the crowd despite being laden with bags. Emiya occasionally looked down to take stock of his groceries and parts, mentally listing everything in his head. He had his parts, the stuff to make Tohsaka's food, and the other sundries he needed for day to day life.
"Now, should I open my shop for a few hours when I get back?" he mused aloud as he kept walking.
-
Emiya
The tall white haired man was making his way through the shops, easily maneuvering through the crowd despite being laden with bags. Emiya occasionally looked down to take stock of his groceries and parts, mentally listing everything in his head. He had his parts, the stuff to make Tohsaka's food, and the other sundries he needed for day to day life.
"Now, should I open my shop for a few hours when I get back?" he mused aloud as he kept walking.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko stared at the brown-skinned man, he looked so familar. She suddenly began to feel a dull headache, not a painful one like usual, but more of a dull chattering sound. She shook her head, trying to dispell it.
No good.
The purple-haired girl covertly got up, preparing to follow him home. This wasn't stalking, no. This was intel gathering, for something!
-
Emiya
Emiya was walking back to Avalon Repairs at his normal steady pace. Reasonably fast for someone as athletic as he was, but not not at a run. However, it was a pace that a lot of normal people would have had trouble keeping up with.
So, he quickly became aware of a sound of footfalls, the same footfalls, that had been following him for the last couple of minutes. Frowning, he looked at the mirror of one of the vendors he was approaching. When he saw a familiar head of purple hair a cold knot formed in his chest.
When his keen eyes saw one violet eye and one very familiar aquamarine eye his blood ran cold.
And then there was something else, something that made it feel like his blades were pricking under his skin at the moment. His head throbbed for a moment before he gritted his teeth and shook it off.
It was a feeling he was all too familiar with.
Because it was part of "him".
He slowed his pace and turned to a less crowded street. Once the two of them were alone, he turned to face the young woman. "I really don't want to drop my groceries and I really don't like getting into fights with young ladies," Emiya said, "But I think we both have questions."
-
Emiya
Emiya was walking back to Avalon Repairs at his normal steady pace. Reasonably fast for someone as athletic as he was, but not not at a run. However, it was a pace that a lot of normal people would have had trouble keeping up with.
So, he quickly became aware of a sound of footfalls, the same footfalls, that had been following him for the last couple of minutes. Frowning, he looked at the mirror of one of the vendors he was approaching. When he saw a familiar head of purple hair a cold knot formed in his chest.
When his keen eyes saw one violet eye and one very familiar aquamarine eye his blood ran cold.
And then there was something else, something that made it feel like his blades were pricking under his skin at the moment. His head throbbed for a moment before he gritted his teeth and shook it off.
It was a feeling he was all too familiar with.
Because it was part of "him".
He slowed his pace and turned to a less crowded street. Once the two of them were alone, he turned to face the young woman. "I really don't want to drop my groceries and I really don't like getting into fights with young ladies," Emiya said, "But I think we both have questions."
Tsumiko
Tsumiko immediately ducked behind an alley when it seemed like he'd noticed her, unsure of why she'd just been tailing him without even really trying to avoid being seen. She crouched down, holding her head in her hands. "I-I'm sorry!" She cried out without really knowing why. She didn't feel entirely in control right now. "I-you just looked familar, so I was wondering if I knew you!"
-
Emiya
White eyebrows rose as the odd-eyed Sakura crouched down and held her head. He blinked as he looked down at her and noted the white bandaged arm that was disproportionate from the rest of her body. It had to have been the thing that was part of "him".
At her words he knelt in front of her and smiled, hoping to ease some of her obvious fear. "Well, look like a person I knew a long time ago who was like a sister to me. I'm Emiya," he said in a soft voice.
-
Emiya
White eyebrows rose as the odd-eyed Sakura crouched down and held her head. He blinked as he looked down at her and noted the white bandaged arm that was disproportionate from the rest of her body. It had to have been the thing that was part of "him".
At her words he knelt in front of her and smiled, hoping to ease some of her obvious fear. "Well, look like a person I knew a long time ago who was like a sister to me. I'm Emiya," he said in a soft voice.
Tsumiko
A flash of pain incapacitated Tsumiko, causing her to collapse to the ground and clutch her head as a migrane came on. "E-emiya? Agh..."
-
Emiya
"Hey, what's wrong?" Emiya said as the Not-Sakura swooned and clutched her head.
He frowned, rearranged his bags, and lifted her up in his arms. "Yare yare, I don't know what I'm doing," he muttered.
-
Tsumiko
The girl groaned in pain, writing in abject agony in his arms until she passed out from the stress of it all.
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed as the Not-Sakura writhed in pain in his arms. His medical skills were more combat first aid; or keeping himself together long enough to kill the thing he had been fighting. Whatever was bothering this girl was beyond him, but he knew she needed help.
So, he took her back to his apartment.
When he got back, Tohsaka was sitting there on the steps, his tail thrashing as he looked up accusingly with green eyes. Emiya looked at the cat and said, "What, she needs help."
"Mow," was the cat's indignant reply before trotting up the stairs.
Emiya sighed, shook his head and said, "Thank you for your support, Buddy." He put the girl on his couch with her feet elevated while he put the refrigerated items away. Once he got back, he noticed that Tohsaka was sitting on her chest and purring loudly.
"Well, at least you're attempting to be helpful," he said with a bemused smirk.
-
Tsumiko
4:00 pm
It took a few excruciating minutes before Tsumiko woke up to find herself in a strange and alien enviroment. She groaned, holding the cat gingerly, stroking hia fur, hoping he wouldn't abandon her.
Despite being in a stranger's house, she felt weirdly at home.
It was nice.
-
Emiya
"Are you alright? You gave me a bit of a scare just passing out like that," Emiya said as he watched the young lady.
Tohsaka purred and butted his head against the young lady's chin.
"So, I normally don't take girls home without knowing their name," he said with a grin.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko blushed, turning her head away. She felt an oddly vauge nostalgic longing for him. She reached up and rubbed her forehead. "I don't usually-collapse-like that either. I'm Tsumiko."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at the girl blushing as she reached up and rubbed her forehead.
"I'd hope not. Are you hurt? Do you need something to eat?" he asked her.
Girl of lies, he thought with a slight frown to himself, but didn't want to question her more at this time in case he strickened her again.
-
Tsumiko
She slowly shook her head. "Um. I don't-think so. I just have this headache I always have for some reason."
She looked up at him, her big purple eye staring at him along with her watery aquamarine eye. She gulped. "Food would be good. Can I help with anything, senpai?"
She blinked, shaking her head. She lightly smacked her cheeks. "Huh? Why did I call you that?"
-
Emiya
"That's not good if you always have a headache. It could mean you're stressed or something's really wrong with you," he said in a soft voice with a smile.
Those mismatched yet familiar eyes looked at him. One is Sakura's and the other is Tohsaka's, but the expression is all wrong in both eyes, he thought while trying to keep his face pleasantly neutral, or just trying not to scowl.
Then she said something all too familiar.
He did smirk at her and said, "The girl that you look like used to call me that and she used to help me in the kitchen too. So, yeah, it would be nice if you'd help in the kitchen. Sometimes even I get nostalgic."
-
Emiya
"That's not good if you always have a headache. It could mean you're stressed or something's really wrong with you," he said in a soft voice with a smile.
Those mismatched yet familiar eyes looked at him. One is Sakura's and the other is Tohsaka's, but the expression is all wrong in both eyes, he thought while trying to keep his face pleasantly neutral, or just trying not to scowl.
Then she said something all too familiar.
He did smirk at her and said, "The girl that you look like used to call me that and she used to help me in the kitchen too. So, yeah, it would be nice if you'd help in the kitchen. Sometimes even I get nostalgic."
Tsumiko
"Y-you know me!?!" She jumped up with a start, headache temporarily forgotten. She ran up to him, grabbing his hand. "Tell me about her, please!"
-
Archer
Archer blinked as Tsumiko jumped up and grabbed his hand, begging to be told about "her".
"Well, her name when I met her was Matou Sakura, but I eventually found out that it was actually Tohsaka Sakura. And she was a sweet girl who had been dealt a very bad hand, and helped me when I needed someone. See, I got this really bad acid burn on my shoulder when I was a few years younger than you," he said.
Archer tilted his head and pulled his T-shirt sleeve up enough to show her the scar that was still there after all of these years.
"And my legal guardian, even though I loved her dearly, wasn't the most responsible person and I might have lost this arm if it wasn't for Sakura. She came before and after school each day to help take care of me, and then once I got better she still kept coming," he said with a shake of his head.
"So I taught her how to cook and she got really good at it. And it surprised me when I found out that sweet Sakura had a competitive streak a mile wide, just like her sister."
-
Archer
Archer blinked as Tsumiko jumped up and grabbed his hand, begging to be told about "her".
"Well, her name when I met her was Matou Sakura, but I eventually found out that it was actually Tohsaka Sakura. And she was a sweet girl who had been dealt a very bad hand, and helped me when I needed someone. See, I got this really bad acid burn on my shoulder when I was a few years younger than you," he said.
Archer tilted his head and pulled his T-shirt sleeve up enough to show her the scar that was still there after all of these years.
"And my legal guardian, even though I loved her dearly, wasn't the most responsible person and I might have lost this arm if it wasn't for Sakura. She came before and after school each day to help take care of me, and then once I got better she still kept coming," he said with a shake of his head.
"So I taught her how to cook and she got really good at it. And it surprised me when I found out that sweet Sakura had a competitive streak a mile wide, just like her sister."
Tsumiko
Tsumiko felt her cheeks heating up in a strange way that she wasn't used to. She gulped, biting her lower lip in frustration. Her emotions were all over the place. It was terrible, just terrible, why was she feeling like this!?!
"Ah, I see. Sakura, huh?" She said. Matou? Tohsaka? It sounds so familar, but-
Whenever she tried to delve deeper into her memories, they faded to static, as if they were damaged somehow. She occasionally saw glimpses of other people's memories, but the impressions she had of them quickly faded away.
Tsumiko got up and marched towards the kitchen, towards the smell of the food. She looked back at him and smiled shyly. "Well, I won't lose. For some reason, I really don't want to lose to you."
-
Mira Lashi
3:45 PM
Mira had never been in a place this ritzy before - or this sleazy. Her sharp blue eyes took in the abundant differences in wealth apparent in the style of the homes furthest out. The first thing anyone saw was packed together and cookie-cutter poor housing, but up over the hill the palatial estates loomed over everything else. She scoffed at the display, sticking her hands into her letterman jacket with a sneer on her sharp young face. "What a crock of shit," she said loud and proud.
She could feel the hostility of the gangs, and worse, that were all over this poor area. They didn't matter - the first and last attempt to harass Mira ended in broken hands and knives. The young fighter didn't even have to remove her hands from her pockets before they got the point. It didn't even get that far when she passed the threshold from the poor to the rich districts, her long luxurious hair and expensive-looking earrings getting her by with just a glance.
It was only as she approached one of the houses that Mira pulled a hand out of her pockets so she could look at a slip of paper in it. "This is supposed to be the place, hmm? Nice trees." She looked up from it at the posh yard, and then cupped her hand like a megaphone over her mouth. "OI! YOU HOME, PRETTY BOY?"
-
Vega
3:45 pm
Cold water trickled down his body, washing off the sweat while perfumed soaps were scrubbed deliberately over his bare form. A hand trailed over his golden hair, and he clutched at the lock before pulling it to the side. Even now, his eyes looked at the reflection of the shower window with longing eyes. A finger travelled down his chest, running over the serpent painted over his smooth skin. Feeling every curve of his chiselled form while the soap washed all away. This felt wonderful, it was like being reborn again.
"...witnesses found the remains scattered in his own study. Once again, it seems as if the mysterious beast appeared in the home unannounced, which puts the currently verifiable death toll of this creature at 17. Police suggest not leaving your residences or visiting the slums after sunset, especially not alone. Currently, forensics are examining the latest victim savaged by the beast to find any link between him and the mysterious creature."
The radio played on the background of his bedroom, the voice of the reporter accounted the past incidents that had haunted the night streets for a while now. And it was such a grisly story to begin with. A beast who hunted at night, chasing rich and affluent leaders of the criminal underworld before feeding off their blood and scattering what was left. Such a grim story utterly lacked beauty or style, it made it seem all so detestable. Perhaps he should look into that. Just as he pondered on that, he thought he heard a voice calling out to him.
"How dull." He uttered with a tinge of contempt, of the arrogance the worthy exert over those beneath them. He smiled, and his hand trailed off and coursed through silken locks. He washed long golden hair with exotic soap and oils, all which he had bought from a trusted merchant. The merchant spoke of them bringing favour and good fortune to the one who applied them. A fitting present for a champion and a king, surely he sought to garter his favour after his victory.
But he did not wish for his company, or any company for the matter. He was perfectly happy and whole in his lonesome, undisturbed in the perfection of his body and the cool water that caressed him. Only weak, imperfect beings needed others to complete them.
So he ignored the voice, hoping whoever was responsible would know better than to prove bothersome.
-
Mira
She gave him a couple minutes to answer. It was only fair - for all Mira knew he was with some fangirl or eating lunch or something. By minute five she closed her eyes and focused, reaching out with her refined senses just to check if he was even home. The chi in this place was so... stale. Aside from the hints of corruption suggesting at magic somewhere in the area, everything else felt so trapped and regimented. What an awful place.
Anyway, her target's energy felt strong, if unfocused and unfamiliar, so Mira knew she was at least barking up the right tree. He would be up on the... second floor? It didn't take long for Mira to spot the steamy condensation on the window of one of the rooms after she circled the place a bit, so she cupped her hand again and shouted, "I know you're in there!"
And after that didn't do anything, she tapped her foot on the ground, kicked a pebble up, and flicked it at the wall right next to the glass with her finger. It bounced off with a loud thunk.
"You'd think you didn't know how to answer a challenge or something!"
-
Vega
Oh. So that is what brought her here.
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. No, no, no, no, no. This would not do, this would not do at all. He washed the soap off his hair without a hurry. Then and only then, a firm hand grabbed onto the window and opened it. She couldn't quite see him, but she could catch a glimpse of the side of his hair. He didn't even deign her worth looking at.
"Should I answer to every dog who barks at my presence? Every tree that rustles before my voice? I think not. Besides, I much prefer the sound of the leaves and the mongrels to your bleating. You will wait, my patience will run thin, but my answer will not change."
And suddenly, a well muscled arm slid from the opening, if only to wave at her to leave. But it was most fascinating, that physique was not the sort one could acquire without near fanatical training.
"Allow me to spare you the trouble, since you walked all this way. Waste your breath on another champion, I have no interest in fighting."
-
Mira
That was the first look Mira had gotten of this guy since the fight earlier. She'd been too busy at the gym to watch it earlier, or she probably wouldn't have even bothered coming to check him out. It was a pretty nice arm if nothing else, but his attitude left something to be desired. Not that Mira was being much better, she admitted to herself with a shrug. "Suit yourself! I'll be waiting."
With a flick of her hair back over her shoulders she strolled her way across the guy's yard to check out one of those trees. It had some tasty looking apples dangling from it, but were they as fake as the rest of this place? Mira hopped up on to sit on one of the low hanging branches, and picked one off to check out. "It doesn't look fake..."
-
Vega
He closed his eyes. How unsightly. He simply had no patience for the kind of fools who chased him for the sake of empty titles like strongest. He wasn't about to change that for every snivelling child who came knocking at his door. And yet, part of him did feel a little bad. She would likely wait until she grew old and ugly and withered away, or just leave if she had her wits about her. He stepped out and grabbed a towel, and began to dry himself.
Meanwhile, clouds began to darken outside. It was most fortunate that he was indoors, and she, outdoors.
-
Mira
She caught the scent of ozone hanging in the air after spending some time contemplating the reality of the apple in her hand, not quite tempted to eat it but also curious enough to consider it. It was then she realized this guy was that kind of ass. "... great."
Also, it was going to rain.
---------------
4:00 PM
Good thing Mira had some nice trees to take cover in. Not that she was afraid of getting wet or anything, but this was a nice jacket and she didn't have the money to get another right now without beating someone up for another. And she wasn't that kind of person.
A sigh escaped her. "Well, shit. I guess I'll just have to do this the hard way."
She did a side toss of the apple right at the side of his house so it exploded into bits against the brick of his chimney. Loudly.
-
Vega
4:00 pm
How unfortunate. The forecasts had only predicted a light autumn rain, but this downpour was unexpected. Now that he was cleaner, he took the time to think, reading a book in the comfort of his home. But as much as he liked to concentrate on his reading, something just didn't sit well with him. She had been most unpleasant and unsightly, and yet... such desperation was not without beauty. To be frank, since he had defeated the animal, he had no shortage of fools assaulting him on the streets for some imaginary belt.
Yes, perhaps he loathed the idea of fighting. But he did also loathe the idea of leaving a damsel in the cold rain. This was not gallant of him, he should've been the better man. So he rose from his table, glasses still on his face, and walked calmly to the door. It was when he opened it that he found, to his surprise, she was still there even under all that downpour. It... reminded him of someone special.
His tone was a bit warmer. "Come inside. I wouldn't want you to catch a-"
The apple suddenly hit the roof and his chimney, possibly damaging the bricks and causing a most unpleasant crashing sound. He just looked at her, and didn't even finish his sentence. His eyes did finish it, however, if you thought of how he was looking at her.
Cold.
-
Mira
She froze at the realization of just how bad her timing was, a single instant between the apple leaving her hand and the door opening to acknowledge her presence. Mira turned her eyes from the mess to him, and smiled awkwardly. "Didn't think you were going to come out. Sorry about the mess."
She hopped down from the branch beneath the boughs of the tree, landing gracefully on her feet and placing her hands back in her pockets. She gave him a look, since she had a proper view of him this time, and nodded.
-
Vega
But the beautiful will always remain composed.
"It's alright. I should apologize as well. It was uncouth to treat a guest so." He bowed his head politely. He guessed she was comely enough, now that he could get a good look. Her body was not the sort that was merely for show, that much was apparent. He had to at least acknowledge that much.
"Well then, will you just stand there, or will you enter? I hope you don't mean to punish me by making me wait all day now." He pouted lightly and crossed his arms.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko felt her cheeks heating up in a strange way that she wasn't used to. She gulped, biting her lower lip in frustration. Her emotions were all over the place. It was terrible, just terrible, why was she feeling like this!?!
"Ah, I see. Sakura, huh?" She said. Matou? Tohsaka? It sounds so familar, but-
Whenever she tried to delve deeper into her memories, they faded to static, as if they were damaged somehow. She occasionally saw glimpses of other people's memories, but the impressions she had of them quickly faded away.
Tsumiko got up and marched towards the kitchen, towards the smell of the food. She looked back at him and smiled shyly. "Well, I won't lose. For some reason, I really don't want to lose to you."
Emiya
Emiya watched as Tsumiko blushed, bit her lip, and what look like one hundred different emotions flickered across her face. Does she remember? he thought with a frown as he looked at her. Then she got up and headed towards the kitchen.
"Well, I won't lose. For some reason, I really don't want to lose to you."
He raised his eyebrows at that and Tohsaka looked at him with a mildly annoyed look. It was as if the cat was saying, "I lost my comfy pillows." Snorting, Emiya reached down and scratched the cat under his chin and was rewarded with immediate purrs.
"Come on buddy," he said in a soft voice before heading to the kitchen himself, the at trotting behind him like a small, feline shadow.
"Well, this is my kitchen, and I may have the advantage here," Emiya said with a smirk as he went over to the sink to wash his hands.
-
Mira
Without another word about it Mira moved swiftly through the rain, barely catching more than a few drops on her hair and jacket, and let herself into the relative dryness of the house. Her eyes immediately scanned every detail - escapes, potential weapons, the location of a kitchen or home gym. These were the most important details to process in that order.
-
Vega
Her speed was... surprising. When she stepped in, he scanned her further with his eyes, as if trying to dig for something. His gaze narrowed, but he shook his head and turned before closing the door.
"You can leave your coat and boots there." He pointed to the coat hanger by the door. It was only reasonable, it would be detestable for her to sully his villa. He smiled at her.
"Until the rain stops, you are a guest in my home and no more, please leave whatever foolish notions of a challenge you had to scatter in the rain. It isn't much, but if you have any request, Altya and Vatya will tend to your needs within reason."
Two maids, one as pale as milk, the other as pale as moonlight, bowed to her without uttering a word.
As for the mansion, it was large no doubt, but compared to the extravagant sights and absurd households on the way, it was quite humble. He understood that not all that shines is worth gold, and he found it tasteless to drink from a cup of gold when so many starved just outside. Some said the richness of the pine garden's home was no doubt a gold plaster to hide the poverty of their souls. Someone ought fix such things.
She could find a sizeable kitchen, provided with fresh produce grown by hand. A notion he had found no shortage of ridicule for. No matter, what was the worth of the bleating of mindless cattle? As for a gym, he did have a training dojo, but there was no more in sight, and it looked quite ordinary.
"Is this to your liking?"
-
Mira
The only thing that seemed to take her by surprise were the maids. Whether that was due to their existence, or simply that they looked rather professional, even Mira couldn't begin to say. She shook her head to clear it of the distraction, and made to remove her jacket. Immediately Vega noticed more detail he'd lacked before - the immaculate muscle tone in the girl's arms and shoulders revealed by the tank top she wore. The subtle sculpture of her back, or the suggestion of even more power lurking in her abdomen - that hadn't been obvious.
"Thanks for the hospitality, at least." She stepped out of her boots next, revealing her clean feet bereft of socks as they touched down on the floor. "Who'd you have to beat up to live here?"
-
Vega
"Haha! Why, do I seem like that sort of person?" He seemed amused by the retort, but appearances and reality were two game-boards of their own. Then again, he did find some genuine humour in that. Oh, if only she knew.
"No, it was nothing of the sort. This home was not bought, but built. With mine own hands, mine own sweat and mine blood. None other." He shook his head. "And what of you? Don't tell me you had a poor lady beaten for your attire. It would be most heartbreaking."
Her body seemed more than capable of such a feat. It was somewhat impressive.
-
Mira
Mira paused, and gave the place another look. Building something outside of herself was something foreign to really consider, but still if he had made this? "Okay, that's actually impressive." She grinned at that and nodded. "I don't beat people up for their stuff unless they challenge me first. But that's just how we do things in the dojos."
She felt his eyes on her now, but that was fine - let him appreciate what she worked so hard to build.
"So you're not going to accept my challenge?"
-
Vega
He cocked his head innocently and smiled. It was quite the beautiful smile to behold.
"Should I?"
-
Mira
That would explain all the girls whispering and giggling after the fight she missed. You know, when they weren't complaining about big-titted squirrels. That part had been weird.
She put a hand on her hip and tilted her head to the side. "Yeah. I want to see if you live up to the hype."
-
Vega
"So you wish to test me." He pondered for a moment, walked up to a counter in the living room, and picked up an apple. His eyes locked with the reflection on the fruit. His tone was far more serious than before. "In order to grow, one must surpass their weaker self. That is what it means to be victorious..."
Only then did his eyes move away, to look at his challenger in the eye. He took a healthy bite of the fruit. It was sweet, ripe and overflowing with juice. Its taste was victory, and glory. All which fate had decreed he would receive. Perhaps that was why that girl arrived at his doorstep as well? And yet-
"Unfortunately, I dislike battle. I could not bring myself to strike you." He raised his hands up in surrender with an amiable smile.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko felt her cheeks heating up in a strange way that she wasn't used to. She gulped, biting her lower lip in frustration. Her emotions were all over the place. It was terrible, just terrible, why was she feeling like this!?!
"Ah, I see. Sakura, huh?" She said. Matou? Tohsaka? It sounds so familar, but-
Whenever she tried to delve deeper into her memories, they faded to static, as if they were damaged somehow. She occasionally saw glimpses of other people's memories, but the impressions she had of them quickly faded away.
Tsumiko got up and marched towards the kitchen, towards the smell of the food. She looked back at him and smiled shyly. "Well, I won't lose. For some reason, I really don't want to lose to you."
Emiya
Emiya watched as Tsumiko blushed, bit her lip, and what look like one hundred different emotions flickered across her face. Does she remember? he thought with a frown as he looked at her. Then she got up and headed towards the kitchen.
"Well, I won't lose. For some reason, I really don't want to lose to you."
He raised his eyebrows at that and Tohsaka looked at him with a mildly annoyed look. It was as if the cat was saying, "I lost my comfy pillows." Snorting, Emiya reached down and scratched the cat under his chin and was rewarded with immediate purrs.
"Come on buddy," he said in a soft voice before heading to the kitchen himself, the at trotting behind him like a small, feline shadow.
"Well, this is my kitchen, and I may have the advantage here," Emiya said with a smirk as he went over to the sink to wash his hands.
Tsumiko
"I'm good at learing on the fly!" Tsumiko claimed, waiting behind him to wash herself up as well.
-
Emiya
The white haired man smirked at that and asked, "Is that so? Well, I guess I'd better be on my guard."
Emiya left the sink on for her to wash her hands. The water was already warm so she wouldn't have to wait for that. He did frown, wondering if the water was too warm. He reached over and adjusted the temperature slightly before Tsumiko put her hands under the sink.
"Heat's a weird thing for me, I wouldn't want you to burn your hands because I had the sink set on high and not aware of it," he said with a shrug.
Fire is my blood and all of that.
-
Emiya
The white haired man smirked at that and asked, "Is that so? Well, I guess I'd better be on my guard."
Emiya left the sink on for her to wash her hands. The water was already warm so she wouldn't have to wait for that. He did frown, wondering if the water was too warm. He reached over and adjusted the temperature slightly before Tsumiko put her hands under the sink.
"Heat's a weird thing for me, I wouldn't want you to burn your hands because I had the sink set on high and not aware of it," he said with a shrug.
Fire is my blood and all of that.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko shook her head slightly. She had a painfully thin grimace on her face, and Archer could see the barest hints of tears welling up in those familiar eyes. It was a very similar face to that which Sakura had always made when she was recalling bad memories and didn't want to talk about them.
"It's ok. A little pain never bothers me anymore." She took a step forward, and thoroughly began scrubbing her hands and arms, like she always did before cooking. She paused after a few seconds though to click her tongue. "For some reason, this is really nostalgic, damnit..."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as he noticed a very familiar look on Tsumiko's face. She looked both terribly stubborn and struggling not to cry. It's a look I've seen a thousand times on different Sakura's faces, he thought with a frown as he handed her a towel.
He did smile at her, his eyes closing as he did. "It's really nostalgic for me too, Tsumiko," he replied.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as he noticed a very familiar look on Tsumiko's face. She looked both terribly stubborn and struggling not to cry. It's a look I've seen a thousand times on different Sakura's faces, he thought with a frown as he handed her a towel.
He did smile at her, his eyes closing as he did. "It's really nostalgic for me too, Tsumiko," he replied.
Tsumiko
"Did this happen often? I really don't remember a thing from my previous lives, before I was spat out into this world by that-holy grail." She clicked her tongue, shaking her head before scowling. "Some miraculous wish granting device that monstrosity was."
She sighed, finishing washing the suds off her hands before turning the sink off, slowly.
-
Emiya
And there it is. Previous lives she said. Is she alone in that body or stuck in some sort of alternate reality loop? Emiya thought, wishing Rin was here.
She would have ate this up as a puzzle for to solve, approaching it in different angles, screwing it up at first before finding her groove.
He turned to face her and asked, "How many lives have you lived, Tsumiko? There's part of you that is something I know very well and that you should be dead in normal circumstances for having it, Grail mishaps besides."
Emiya held up his left hand and wiggled his fingers before tapping the bandages on her corresponding arm.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko stopped. She bit her lip and looked down at her feet, shuffling slowly in place. She reached up towards her ribbon as if to play with it, but instead pulled her hoodie up. She began taking deep breaths and looked away from Archer, away from his question.
She unconciously began to step back away from him.
This question was scary, because she didn't know the answer. It terrified her. It was such an easy question! The answer should be one, and only one!
But for her, she didn't know. All these people's lives were intertwined in the back of her head, mixed together and jumbled up. Who knew how many people she was a composite of? Not her! "I-don't know..." She finally mumbled after ten or fifteen seconds. She wasn't exactly sure.
-
Vega
"So you wish to test me." He pondered for a moment, walked up to a counter in the living room, and picked up an apple. His eyes locked with the reflection on the fruit. His tone was far more serious than before. "In order to grow, one must surpass their weaker self. That is what it means to be victorious..."
Only then did his eyes move away, to look at his challenger in the eye. He took a healthy bite of the fruit. It was sweet, ripe and overflowing with juice. Its taste was victory, and glory. All which fate had decreed he would receive. Perhaps that was why that girl arrived at his doorstep as well? And yet-
"Unfortunately, I dislike battle. I could not bring myself to strike you." He raised his hands up in surrender with an amiable smile.
Mira
The purpled-haired brawler watched Vega's every move as he spoke to himself and ate the tasty looking apple. She crossed her arms, the muscles in them gently flexing with the motion, and considered the meaning of what he said. It was all common sense to any fighter worth their salt - to strive against those who could challenge them. To challenge yourself.
But then Mira's eyes widened at his last line. She leaned forward, put her hands on her hips, and looked at him and his muscles incredulously. "A guy as strong as you, who fights as hard as they say you did, doesn't like to fight?"
She scoffed, and lifted one of her hands to wave it past her face as if she'd smelled something awful. "Don't try to fool me, pretty boy. Nobody gets as good as you apparently are without passion."
-
Emiya
Emiya watched as the young woman stopped, reach for the ribbon in her hair, stop and then pull up her hood. She looked away from him and took deep breaths, as if she was trying to calm herself. He watched her, keeping as still as he could until he folded his arms across his chest.
Then she stepped away from him.
Finally she said in a low voice, "I-don't know..."
He reached out and gently rested his hand on her head. "It's okay that you don't know," he said in a soft voice as he bent his knees to meet her eyes as best as he could.
"But, you could hurt yourself without knowing what you're doing," he said with a smile, "And . . ." The smile ran away from his face as he took a deep breath.
"If you're not compatible with that spiritually," he said as he gestured to her arm, "It will be fatal. I want to help, but I need a beginning. You said a Grail right? Well, I've been both a Master and a Servant. With a little more information, maybe I can help you connect the pieces."
And you know, make sure that Unlimited Blade Works doesn't destroy you from the inside out.
-
Emiya
Emiya watched as the young woman stopped, reach for the ribbon in her hair, stop and then pull up her hood. She looked away from him and took deep breaths, as if she was trying to calm herself. He watched her, keeping as still as he could until he folded his arms across his chest.
Then she stepped away from him.
Finally she said in a low voice, "I-don't know..."
He reached out and gently rested his hand on her head. "It's okay that you don't know," he said in a soft voice as he bent his knees to meet her eyes as best as he could.
"But, you could hurt yourself without knowing what you're doing," he said with a smile, "And . . ." The smile ran away from his face as he took a deep breath.
"If you're not compatible with that spiritually," he said as he gestured to her arm, "It will be fatal. I want to help, but I need a beginning. You said a Grail right? Well, I've been both a Master and a Servant. With a little more information, maybe I can help you connect the pieces."
And you know, make sure that Unlimited Blade Works doesn't destroy you from the inside out.
Tsumiko
"Huh?" She blinked, reaching over and touching her arm. "That's never given me any trouble, though. It's just my slightly larger arm."
And then, she turned to look him in the eyes. "And I don't know too much about those things. I just know that what created me was the grail, eight years ago."
-
Emiya
White brows furrowed as steel colored eyes widened and then narrowed as Emiya's handsome face twisted in a scowl. He stood there for a moment, letting her words sink in. Just my slightly larger arm. Just, he thought.
He tilted his head and asked, "You don't dream of swords do you? Especially really pretty ones?"
-
Emiya
White brows furrowed as steel colored eyes widened and then narrowed as Emiya's handsome face twisted in a scowl. He stood there for a moment, letting her words sink in. Just my slightly larger arm. Just, he thought.
He tilted his head and asked, "You don't dream of swords do you? Especially really pretty ones?"
Tsumiko
The girl lit up at the mention of swords. "I love them! They're so sharp, pretty, and shiny. So simple and clean, they make me feel so calm."
She seemed to be absolutely beaming as her circuits glowed and a beautiful sword appeared in her hand. Caliburn. King Arthur's sword thrummed with magical power as she handed it to Archer. "This is my favorite."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled as Tsumiko seemed to bounce back and proclaimed her love of swords.
He was about to reply to her when something impossible happened.
He felt his heart race and his chest tightened as he beheld one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. It had been a memory buried deep within him, almost completely forgotten until he saw her again. He staggered back as he looked at Caliburn once again.
Emiya's hand shook as he took it from her and it felt as if the blade warmed him as he held it. "I'd almost forgotten it," he said in a soft voice as he took a familiar stance, as if she was there again, guiding him as she had all those years ago.
He lowered the sword, handed it back to her handle first, and asked, "What else can you Trace?"
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled as Tsumiko seemed to bounce back and proclaimed her love of swords.
He was about to reply to her when something impossible happened.
He felt his heart race and his chest tightened as he beheld one of the most beautiful things he'd ever seen. It had been a memory buried deep within him, almost completely forgotten until he saw her again. He staggered back as he looked at Caliburn once again.
Emiya's hand shook as he took it from her and it felt as if the blade warmed him as he held it. "I'd almost forgotten it," he said in a soft voice as he took a familiar stance, as if she was there again, guiding him as she had all those years ago.
He lowered the sword, handed it back to her handle first, and asked, "What else can you Trace?"
Tsumiko
"Uh." Tsumiko didn't know how to answer that one! "Um, a lot? Anything I see, really... But some things cost more mana, it's really inconvenient!" She puffed out her cheeks in a sort of pout before smiling. "It's really pretty though. I dreamed about it once, and then the next morning, I woke up with it in my hands!"
-
Emiya
The former Archer nodded and as he asked, "Are swords easier than anything else?"
His smile was both sad and wistful as he looked at Caliburn. He said, "It is. And the person who wielded it was as well. Even though she was hungry almost all of the time."
-
Emiya
The former Archer nodded and as he asked, "Are swords easier than anything else?"
His smile was both sad and wistful as he looked at Caliburn. He said, "It is. And the person who wielded it was as well. Even though she was hungry almost all of the time."
Tsumiko
"Hm, was she? I wonder if I knew her." She said casually, spinning around and skipping towards the refridgerator. She was really excited. She'd never done anything fun with anyone before!
"What do you want to make?"
-
Emiya
One of the hardest things about Chaleda was running into his Saber.
And then like 100 different ones that had her face but were different in some sort of skill or personality.
Running into her as an ally was different than how he usually ran into her during a Grail War, which generally ended with him almost getting cleaved in two. Because I stand there like a goddamn potato every time I see her after she's summoned. I've got records of seeing her like that again like thousands of times, but the sight of her always stuns me.
"She was short, haughty, and blonde," Emiya answered, "And if you had, you would have remembered her."
I remembered her even though the very depths of the hell that I made myself.
He folded his arms over his chest and said, "Well, maybe we should keep it simple for your first kitchen experience. Not to mention chicken curry generally makes a good amount of left overs and it's even better the second day."
-
Emiya
One of the hardest things about Chaleda was running into his Saber.
And then like 100 different ones that had her face but were different in some sort of skill or personality.
Running into her as an ally was different than how he usually ran into her during a Grail War, which generally ended with him almost getting cleaved in two. Because I stand there like a goddamn potato every time I see her after she's summoned. I've got records of seeing her like that again like thousands of times, but the sight of her always stuns me.
"She was short, haughty, and blonde," Emiya answered, "And if you had, you would have remembered her."
I remembered her even though the very depths of the hell that I made myself.
He folded his arms over his chest and said, "Well, maybe we should keep it simple for your first kitchen experience. Not to mention chicken curry generally makes a good amount of left overs and it's even better the second day."
Tsumiko
"Mmmm." She nodded, opening the fridge and quickly pulling out the ingredients to cook the food. "This isn't my first time cooking, you know. Just, you know, with other people. And all of that."
"Hm." It sounded even worse when she said it out loud, didn't it?
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and said, "Well, then you have some skill in the kitchen so maybe we should up the ante."
He opened up his refrigerator with a smirk. It was well stocked, full of fresh ingredients of all types, all of them reasonably priced and of good quality. It was the pantry of a man who took his cooking very seriously, but was cautious with his money as well.
"What would you like to cook, Tsumiko?" he asked with a grin.
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and said, "Well, then you have some skill in the kitchen so maybe we should up the ante."
He opened up his refrigerator with a smirk. It was well stocked, full of fresh ingredients of all types, all of them reasonably priced and of good quality. It was the pantry of a man who took his cooking very seriously, but was cautious with his money as well.
"What would you like to cook, Tsumiko?" he asked with a grin.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko suddenly felt herself blush, her face heating up for reasons she didn't understand. And then, she shook her head at Archer. "N-no, I want to cook with you, but I want you to take the lead this time!"
She didn't understand exactly why she was saying this, but then felt like she had control over herself again, like the control stick had been given back to her. "But, um, well, I like um..." She fiddled with her fingers, looking down at her feet again. "I like cake. I've never eaten it, but it looks really yummy."
Plus, it was almost her birthday.
-
Emiya
He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Starting with desert? You must be some kind of deviant, Tsumiko."
Emiya did smile at her, to take the edge off of his teasing. He said, "Well . . . white cake is a good place to start and I do have all the ingredients to make a good cake and frosting. Not fondant, because fondant is disgusting and should be banned from all respectable kitchens."
He walked to a cabinet and opened it. There was a shelf full of cookbooks and he picked one up. He flipped through the pages before putting the book down and pulling his glasses out of their case from his pocket. He slid the glasses on his face and explained, "If I'm not wearing these I'll see the fibers that make up the paper and it gets distracting."
He poked to a recipe and asked, "What do you think of this?"
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko smiled shily back. For some reason, the buzzing in the back of her head felt altogether pleasant right now.
"Hm." She leaned forward, brushing against his arm. "Anything's fine. We can have curried rice and then cake."
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and said, "That sounds like a good plan. Since the cake is going to take longer to bake, I suggest we start with that first."
He felt her brush against him as she leaned forward to look in the book. Please do not get a crush on me. I'm too old to be your Sempai, he thought with a shake of his head.
"Well, Tsumiko, you should get adjusted to my kitchen. See if you can find everything," he said with a grin as he gestured to his well organized (almost to OCD levels) kitchen.
-
Vega
"Hoh? You will find in me passion aplenty. You are mistaken." He wagged his finger at her with the same sweet smile. Tsk tsk.
"To begin with, I only partook in that foolish arena because it felt nostalgic. The rushing of the bulls, the cheering of the crowds. It brought me back to when I was 12. It was nothing more than that, and it was a foolish notion to begin with. Besides..."
He smiled fondly all the same, until he cocked his eyebrow in bemusement and crossed his arms. You could see his own muscles, rippled across his body.
"Isn't it selfish? To impose your values onto me?"
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and said, "That sounds like a good plan. Since the cake is going to take longer to bake, I suggest we start with that first."
He felt her brush against him as she leaned forward to look in the book. Please do not get a crush on me. I'm too old to be your Sempai, he thought with a shake of his head.
"Well, Tsumiko, you should get adjusted to my kitchen. See if you can find everything," he said with a grin as he gestured to his well organized (almost to OCD levels) kitchen.
Tsumiko
It was rather uncanny how Tsumiko seemed to know exactly where everything was instinctually, opening cabinets simply to confirm the locations. It was as if she had more than just his arm inside of her, and was literally inside his head with how well she knew his kitchen.
"Everything seems to be perfectly in order, Archer."
-
Emiya
At her words, Emiya smirked and stood a little straighter. "Well, a craftsman is only as good as how well he keeps his tools and workshop," he said with a nod.
However, as he watched Tsumiko it looked as if she knew where everything was. He quietly watched her gather the ingredients that the cake called for. It wasn't just luck that she was getting everything on the first try, but she seemed to know where everything was kept.
Even though she's never been here before, or maybe she somehow knows how Emiya Shirou would set up a kitchen, he thought.
The girl was a puzzle and one who needed help, but he wasn't sure if he was the right person for the job.
-
Emiya
At her words, Emiya smirked and stood a little straighter. "Well, a craftsman is only as good as how well he keeps his tools and workshop," he said with a nod.
However, as he watched Tsumiko it looked as if she knew where everything was. He quietly watched her gather the ingredients that the cake called for. It wasn't just luck that she was getting everything on the first try, but she seemed to know where everything was kept.
Even though she's never been here before, or maybe she somehow knows how Emiya Shirou would set up a kitchen, he thought.
The girl was a puzzle and one who needed help, but he wasn't sure if he was the right person for the job.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko put it all down on the counter, and began to make the dough. She turned and smiled at Archer as she filled a bowl with water. "Thanks for being so tolerant of a misfit like me. I've only met one other person who's been nice to me."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at her words as Tsumiko began to get the cake batter ingredients together.
"I know a few things about being a misfit," he said as he leaned against the counter to watch her, "And I'm sorry that the majority of people are idiots."
Great, now I'm sounding like Gilgamesh. What's next, calling people mongrels? he thought with a shake of his head.
He pointed and said, "That's cake flower, you should sift it before using it for the batter."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at her words as Tsumiko began to get the cake batter ingredients together.
"I know a few things about being a misfit," he said as he leaned against the counter to watch her, "And I'm sorry that the majority of people are idiots."
Great, now I'm sounding like Gilgamesh. What's next, calling people mongrels? he thought with a shake of his head.
He pointed and said, "That's cake flower, you should sift it before using it for the batter."
Tsumiko
"Ah." She handed the bowl to him. "Show me!" She let out a girlish giggle. "I want to learn from you so I can beat you, just like her!" She flexed her arm, holding her sizable muscle and showing off. "I won't lose!"
-
Vega
"Hoh? You will find in me passion aplenty. You are mistaken." He wagged his finger at her with the same sweet smile. Tsk tsk.
"To begin with, I only partook in that foolish arena because it felt nostalgic. The rushing of the bulls, the cheering of the crowds. It brought me back to when I was 12. It was nothing more than that, and it was a foolish notion to begin with. Besides..."
He smiled fondly all the same, until he cocked his eyebrow in bemusement and crossed his arms. You could see his own muscles, rippled across his body.
"Isn't it selfish? To impose your values onto me?"
Mira
She frowned in consternation at his answer. "Then why bother staying strong? Why go through the effort to maintain that figure, or keep your skills in order, or any of that? Vanity? Habit?"
Mira shook her head at that, and moved to grab her jacket. "Forget it. You're not even worth fighting with an attitude like that."
-
Emiya
He took the bowl from her and then began to measure out the flour. Then he picked up the sifter and poured some of the flower into it. He said, "You turn this hand crank here, it'll make a fairly loud clicking noise as it lifts and separates the flour."
The sifter did start clicking as he turned the crank. White powder fell through the mesh bottom and to the bowl below.
Emiya said, "Doing this actually makes the batter easier to stir and if we were making a chocolate cake, I'd be sifting the cocoa with the flour to evenly distribute it."
-
Tsumiko
"Mmm..." Tsumiko had unconciously placed her hands on Archer's arm, leaning in closer. "Interesting."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Tsumiko placed a hand on his arm and leaned in closer. He didn't jolt or jump and he didn't shy away from her touch either. Yet, it just feels weird, he thought.
Not that his new cooking companion was touching him, but that someone was touching him all together without trying to kill him.
"It also helps make the batter lighter. With cake batter, it should be runny so the cake bakes nice and fluffy," he said.
-
Vega
He seemed unburdened by the question, and he answered it without even having to think about it. Why, wasn't it obvious in the first place?
"Because weakness is unsightly."
That was it. She was as free to go as she was free to come in the first place. "Why do you seek strength then? Is battle what brings you pleasure?" Despite her hostility, he sounded genuinely curious by what she had to say.
-
Vega
He seemed unburdened by the question, and he answered it without even having to think about it. Why, wasn't it obvious in the first place?
"Because weakness is unsightly."
That was it. She was as free to go as she was free to come in the first place. "Why do you seek strength then? Is battle what brings you pleasure?" Despite her hostility, he sounded genuinely curious by what she had to say.
Mira
Weakness...
That seemed to bring Mira to a halt, the wind coming out of her sails. At first she didn't turn to look at Vega. After a moment she asked, "What is weakness, then?"
-
Vega
"Now, I'm no philosopher... And you just answered a question with a question."
He clicked his tongue and smiled, winking at her with confidence. Faith, in his own self, his own abilities, and his own conviction. His footsteps echoed, and he turned away from her in turn. He was standing over the table of the counter, and took a crystal cup that he filled with a strong crimson liquid. He brought the cup to his lips, swirled it, and narrowed his eyes.
"Impotence. To surpass your old self, to reach your future glory. The impotence to realize your truest potential, and dying without being able to scream at the world that you are more than they think you're worth, and laugh at the hand that fate plays you. To live an ugly, miserable life unable to protect the ones you love, having to sleep amongst the rats and the scum and the filth of this world while those you scorn prosper. Alone, and forgotten forevermore. Forevermore..."
He brought the cup to his lips and drank. It had been his fifth in a day, and its taste was one he always remembered to bring him joy. And yet, he couldn't stop frowning. A swirling rage was burrowing from his very soul.
"That is weakness."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Tsumiko placed a hand on his arm and leaned in closer. He didn't jolt or jump and he didn't shy away from her touch either. Yet, it just feels weird, he thought.
Not that his new cooking companion was touching him, but that someone was touching him all together without trying to kill him.
"It also helps make the batter lighter. With cake batter, it should be runny so the cake bakes nice and fluffy," he said.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko nodded, staring at everything he did with rapt eyes. "Mhm, mhm!"
-
Emiya
"Here, get some parchment and put it in the cake pans. It'll make removing the cake easier," Archer said as he pointed to said parchment. She was moving closer to him, so he crossed over to the refrigerator, not quite sure what the "respectable distance" for him to be with this girl was.
He opened up the refrigerator and pulled out butter. "For this, we'll use unsalted butter."
-
Vega
"Now, I'm no philosopher... And you just answered a question with a question."
He clicked his tongue and smiled, winking at her with confidence. Faith, in his own self, his own abilities, and his own conviction. His footsteps echoed, and he turned away from her in turn. He was standing over the table of the counter, and took a crystal cup that he filled with a strong crimson liquid. He brought the cup to his lips, swirled it, and narrowed his eyes.
"Impotence. To surpass your old self, to reach your future glory. The impotence to realize your truest potential, and dying without being able to scream at the world that you are more than they think you're worth, and laugh at the hand that fate plays you. To live an ugly, miserable life unable to protect the ones you love, having to sleep amongst the rats and the scum and the filth of this world while those you scorn prosper. Alone, and forgotten forevermore. Forevermore..."
He brought the cup to his lips and drank. It had been his fifth in a day, and its taste was one he always remembered to bring him joy. And yet, he couldn't stop frowning. A swirling rage was burrowing from his very soul.
"That is weakness."
Mira
Mira seemed to consider his point, perhaps. She did not turn back to him as her hands balled up into fists. From the uneasiness of her breathing his words appeared to do strike some kind of cord in the purple-haired fighter. And then after several seconds the air in the room began to feel heavier. A weight pressed down on Vega's shoulders.
"How strange." Her voice was almost a whisper. "For someone like to you, someone who says those things, to be content with where he is now? You must be very confident in your current strength."
-
Vega
The young man smirked with bitter contempt. "Content? Didn't I say it already? It is quite rude to project feelings onto me. We've barely just met." How detestable, his cup was empty already. He refilled it and sipped onto the crystal glass once more. The wine gave his lips an even redder complexion, much like lipstick. Only when he licked them, did he close his eyes and think. And after that, his features grew gentler.
But the air around him was icy.
"Although, if I were to battle, I wouldn't lose to anyone."
-
Vega
The young man smirked with bitter contempt. "Content? Didn't I say it already? It is quite rude to project feelings onto me. We've barely just met." How detestable, his cup was empty already. He refilled it and sipped onto the crystal glass once more. The wine gave his lips an even redder complexion, much like lipstick. Only when he licked them, did he close his eyes and think. And after that, his features grew gentler.
But the air around him was icy.
"Although, if I were to battle, I wouldn't lose to anyone."
Mira
Her knuckles cracked like a skull with a hammer taken to it. Her voice, a rough edge cutting through Vega's ears, responded. "I don't believe you."
She turned around, and sharp blue eyes shot him right in that pretty face of his.
"Prove it."
-
Vega
For a moment, his eyes widened. He looked incredulous, so much that he turned back to look at her with that wide-eyed expression. He said no time and time again, and yet she was still this stubborn? It was almost beautiful.
"You're quite the pushy woman you know that..." He shook his head and smiled. So be it then, he might as well honour a woman who had no future.
"Fine. I suppose you came all this way. This one time, I will humour you." He blew her a kiss with a candid smile. The gliter in his eyes was as glorious as it was charming, but there was something more to it. Something different. "Consider this a gift."
He turned around, and took the first few steps to his chambers. Suddenly, for a moment, he stopped. And his tone seemed different as well.
"Wait for me outside, by the forest. I won't be long."
-
Tsumiko
The young girl followed behind him like a puppy. She followed every instruction that he gave her to a T, exactly as he wanted her to do it.
After a bit, Tsumiko brushed up against him. "Archer, what happened, in that grail war you talked about?"
-
Archer
She's a good sous chef, almost as good as Tamaneo Cat, Emiya thought as Tsumiko followed his instructions to the letter.
Until she leaned against him. His body froze and his heart picked up. It wasn't attraction persay, but it had been a long time since a woman - No, a girl, he reminded himself, a broken girl who needs help, - had leaned against him like this. She was warm and soft in all the places a girl should be soft.
He looked away and asked, "Which one? When I was a master or all the times I was a Servant?"
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko seemed unaware of the discomfort she was causing him, still pressed up against him. She nodded. "Well, yes. Anything you can tell me. I want to know what happened before me. Who created me, and you're the only lead I've got."
Her big purple eyes bored into him. Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Please."
-
Emiya
Damn it, the former Servant thought as she looked up at him with those teary, mismatched eyes.
His broad shoulders slumped as he sighed and shook his head. "Yare yare, making a man bringing up some of his biggest mistakes," he said with a half-smile to take the edge off of his sardonic words.
"So, there was this idiot named Emiya Shirou, and he had the brilliant idea that he wanted to be a Hero of Justice . . ." he began as he told her all he remembered when he had been that teenage boy all of those years ago.
He told her about Saber and the complicated feelings there, about how he failed her and how the vision of her was forever burned into his mind, even after he'd seen the depths of his own Special Hell. About, "That asshole Lancer who stabbed me in the heart because he's a drunken, Irish asshole," Gilgamesh, Tohsaka Rin and more complicated feelings, the Tragedy of Ilya and how her death haunted him to even this day, and to Sakura, the girl who had been his dearest friend in the end, and how he failed even her.
Then he told her what happened after the War, his Faustian pact with Humanity to be it's literal bitch, and iterations of him being summoned to different places, and how, until Chaldea, Tohsaka Rin was the only person who gave him any respite from being a Counter Guardian.
His tone and description when he was telling her as his tenure as a Servant was different than him telling her about being a master. It felt more academic as he was going from records he had access too and lacked emotion at points, as if he was an outsider reading someone's detailed diary.
He told her about all of his retroactive suicide plans. How he had succeeded. How most of the time he ended up dying to save Rin. He even told her how he stood there like a goddamn potato every time he saw Saber for the "first" time again.
-
Vega
For a moment, his eyes widened. He looked incredulous, so much that he turned back to look at her with that wide-eyed expression. He said no time and time again, and yet she was still this stubborn? It was almost beautiful.
"You're quite the pushy woman you know that..." He shook his head and smiled. So be it then, he might as well honour a woman who had no future.
"Fine. I suppose you came all this way. This one time, I will humour you." He blew her a kiss with a candid smile. The gliter in his eyes was as glorious as it was charming, but there was something more to it. Something different. "Consider this a gift."
He turned around, and took the first few steps to his chambers. Suddenly, for a moment, he stopped. And his tone seemed different as well.
"Wait for me outside, by the forest. I won't be long."
Mira
Finally, as if Vega had given Mira her Christmas present early, she smiled and waved to him. Her whole body language shifted to express her excitement. "Great! Don't keep a girl waiting!"
Just like that she was moving out, grabbing her boots and jacket so she was ready to head out into the rain. So what if this weird champion didn't take her seriously? She'd show him. Well, no, she wouldn't take him lightly either. It was only fair.
It took her less than a minute to find and reach the spot Vega had mentioned. Mira didn't mind the rain too much even if it left her jacket stiff and heavy. She crossed her arms behind her head, leaned back against a tree, and waited.
-
Vega
4:30
Step, step, step.
It had taken a while, if one thing was clear now is that this man was not one who rushed things. But now, he had fulfilled his promise. She could hear the sound of his heavy steps, walking wearily about these woods. Or was it the rain?
The downpour seemed to grow even stronger. This curtain was almost enough to hide his body, walking behind rows of trees with an intense glare. It was fine, let that rain wash it all away. Something about his eyes was different from before.
"This is a challenge. A challenge to overcome one's weaker self. Very well, I'll accept it." He gripped at the bottom of his frilly shirt with cold hands, and pulled it upwards. Rippled muscles and a gleaming, tanned skin showed itself more and more provocatively as he walked around her. But there was a glimpse of something else. A serpent on his chest, almost bloodcurdling in contrast to his appearance. His body moved behind yet another tree, not stopping for one second.
"In order to grow, one must entomb the frailty of your past, and crush it underfoot." Suddenly, as he emerged from the wooden pillar, a bolt of lightning cracked on the ground beneath the two. The flash was so bright, it hid the spectacular metamorphosis, if only a moment.
When it ceded, she could see him. His shirt was folded over his left arm neatly, and he stopped by right in front of her. His body now had nothing to hide, and while there was an eccentric glamour to his pose, it felt far more savage than the man who first opened his door. But most striking was the mask that now somehow adorned his face. Or had he removed his human mask instead, and now revealed his true face?
"Hrm? Isn't that right... you have done the same, have you not?" He asked her softly.
-
Emiya
Damn it, the former Servant thought as she looked up at him with those teary, mismatched eyes.
His broad shoulders slumped as he sighed and shook his head. "Yare yare, making a man bringing up some of his biggest mistakes," he said with a half-smile to take the edge off of his sardonic words.
"So, there was this idiot named Emiya Shirou, and he had the brilliant idea that he wanted to be a Hero of Justice . . ." he began as he told her all he remembered when he had been that teenage boy all of those years ago.
He told her about Saber and the complicated feelings there, about how he failed her and how the vision of her was forever burned into his mind, even after he'd seen the depths of his own Special Hell. About, "That asshole Lancer who stabbed me in the heart because he's a drunken, Irish asshole," Gilgamesh, Tohsaka Rin and more complicated feelings, the Tragedy of Ilya and how her death haunted him to even this day, and to Sakura, the girl who had been his dearest friend in the end, and how he failed even her.
Then he told her what happened after the War, his Faustian pact with Humanity to be it's literal bitch, and iterations of him being summoned to different places, and how, until Chaldea, Tohsaka Rin was the only person who gave him any respite from being a Counter Guardian.
His tone and description when he was telling her as his tenure as a Servant was different than him telling her about being a master. It felt more academic as he was going from records he had access too and lacked emotion at points, as if he was an outsider reading someone's detailed diary.
He told her about all of his retroactive suicide plans. How he had succeeded. How most of the time he ended up dying to save Rin. He even told her how he stood there like a goddamn potato every time he saw Saber for the "first" time again.
Tsumiko
4:45 pm
Tsumiko listened to Archer as he told his stories. As Archer told his stories, Tsumiko slowly began to feel woozy. She had to lean forward, holding onto the counter. She hunched over, feeling sick to her stomach as the tales progressed.
Memories began to flood into her, and the girl screamed suddenly.
-
Emiya
Emiya saw the violet haired girl lean forward, gripping the counter. She looked paler than even before and her eyes were wide and dilated.
And then she screamed loudly, causing his ears to ring.
He stopped, grabbed a wash cloth, and headed over to the sink. He put the water on it's coldest setting, let it run for a moment, and then got the cloth wet. He walked over to the girl, gently pushed her hair from the back of her neck, and laid the cloth there.
"Keep your head down and breathe. In and out, slowly," Emiya said in a soft voice, "Hold the counter and keep your head down for a moment."
-
Emiya
Emiya saw the violet haired girl lean forward, gripping the counter. She looked paler than even before and her eyes were wide and dilated.
And then she screamed loudly, causing his ears to ring.
He stopped, grabbed a wash cloth, and headed over to the sink. He put the water on it's coldest setting, let it run for a moment, and then got the cloth wet. He walked over to the girl, gently pushed her hair from the back of her neck, and laid the cloth there.
"Keep your head down and breathe. In and out, slowly," Emiya said in a soft voice, "Hold the counter and keep your head down for a moment."
Tsumiko
Tsumiko seemed a bit unresponsive to what he was doing, other than her breathing slowing down a bit. She clutched the counter tightly, but it didn't seem to be related to what he was saying.
It was fear. Her two eyes stared into space, fearfully. Afraid of something.
-
Emiya
Damn, I must have said something to trigger her like this, but how the hell do I fix it? he thought as he looked at Tsumiko as she clutched the counter. She was being unresponsive right now and in the middle of what obviously was a panic attack. Which was something he had no idea how to fix.
Emiya stood next to her and began to slowly rub her back in small circles.
"Come on, let's get you sitting down," he said as he moved to position her up right and to one of the chairs in the kitchen.
-
Vega
4:30
Step, step, step.
It had taken a while, if one thing was clear now is that this man was not one who rushed things. But now, he had fulfilled his promise. She could hear the sound of his heavy steps, walking wearily about these woods. Or was it the rain?
The downpour seemed to grow even stronger. This curtain was almost enough to hide his body, walking behind rows of trees with an intense glare. It was fine, let that rain wash it all away. Something about his eyes was different from before.
"This is a challenge. A challenge to overcome one's weaker self. Very well, I'll accept it." He gripped at the bottom of his frilly shirt with cold hands, and pulled it upwards. Rippled muscles and a gleaming, tanned skin showed itself more and more provocatively as he walked around her. But there was a glimpse of something else. A serpent on his chest, almost bloodcurdling in contrast to his appearance. His body moved behind yet another tree, not stopping for one second.
"In order to grow, one must entomb the frailty of your past, and crush it underfoot." Suddenly, as he emerged from the wooden pillar, a bolt of lightning cracked on the ground beneath the two. The flash was so bright, it hid the spectacular metamorphosis, if only a moment.
When it ceded, she could see him. His shirt was folded over his left arm neatly, and he stopped by right in front of her. His body now had nothing to hide, and while there was an eccentric glamour to his pose, it felt far more savage than the man who first opened his door. But most striking was the mask that now somehow adorned his face. Or had he removed his human mask instead, and now revealed his true face?
"Hrm? Isn't that right... you have done the same, have you not?" He asked her softly.
Mira
It was slight of hand, a motion that exploited the gaps in the human capacity for perception to create the illusion that one was vanishing and reappearing elsewhere. There were numerous such flaws in the human mind and how it processed information. The greatest masters of the martial arts knew how to exploit those flaws to create techniques such as this. Mira could not fault the precision or skill of this opponent, nor his sense of timing and style.
His body was practically an afterthought in the wake of that display. She clenched her fists in anticipation, a toothy grin on her face, as she stared down the lightning and the killer who emerged from it to face her.
"That's an interesting thought, ain't it?"
Mira's jacket came off, and she took a ready stance.
"Come find out."
-
Vega
4:31:00
The rain poured down their bodies. As she rose to this battle, he lowered his stance in kind.
The winds howled. As Vega's ominous silence persisted, another lightning bolt cracked behind her, and pierced right into a tree before splintering it in half. But it was the thunder that signalled his advance. Suddenly, before the trunk could even hit the ground, his foot cracked against the ground and immensely quick steps moved left and right, twisting his body like a snake. Despite being the one challenged, he was the one who chose to advance into her range.
The tree had barely moved by the time his left hand, formed into a washide, moved to hook in her neck while not even a hair's breath of a delay after, his other hand formed a nukite to pierce her stomach under her rib.
-
Emiya
Damn, I must have said something to trigger her like this, but how the hell do I fix it? he thought as he looked at Tsumiko as she clutched the counter. She was being unresponsive right now and in the middle of what obviously was a panic attack. Which was something he had no idea how to fix.
Emiya stood next to her and began to slowly rub her back in small circles.
"Come on, let's get you sitting down," he said as he moved to position her up right and to one of the chairs in the kitchen.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko's eyes glazed over, unresponsive. The girl didn't even seem to be hearing him anymore. Her eyes began rolling up into her head.
-
Emiya
Well shit, Emiya thought to himself as Tsumiko's eyes started to roll in the back of her head.
He carefully grabbed her shoulders and led her away from the counter and to the middle of the kitchen. Once she was in an open space, he let go of her but kept close. If she fell he was close enough to catch her, and if she had some seizure then there wasn't anything she could hit to hurt herself.
So he watched her, waiting for her to act so he could proceed with an appropriate response.
-
Vega
4:31:00
The rain poured down their bodies. As she rose to this battle, he lowered his stance in kind.
The winds howled. As Vega's ominous silence persisted, another lightning bolt cracked behind her, and pierced right into a tree before splintering it in half. But it was the thunder that signalled his advance. Suddenly, before the trunk could even hit the ground, his foot cracked against the ground and immensely quick steps moved left and right, twisting his body like a snake. Despite being the one challenged, he was the one who chose to advance into her range.
The tree had barely moved by the time his left hand, formed into a washide, moved to hook in her neck while not even a hair's breath of a delay after, his other hand formed a nukite to pierce her stomach under her rib.
Mira
Focus.
The thunder could not shake her. A hand shot up to deflect with unexpected force the strike at her neck. Splinters of wood bounced off the muscles of her back as she slid her feet to the side, out of the path of the sharp spearhead of muscle that threatened to gut her like a fish. The tree had protected the ground from becoming mud, or else she would have been stuck in place to take the blow instead.
I can't hold back against him. His technique is sharper than mine.
The faintest hint of a glowing light whispered at the edges of Vega's vision as his opponent drew upon the life energy of the world around her. It threatened to distract him as her limbs seemed to blur, after-images following their motions as she followed up her slide with a sweep to his legs.
The trunk was halfway to the ground, now.
-
Vega
A wall of muscle deflected his blow, causing the sound of their clashing bodies struck harder than any wordly thunder. "How beautiful~!" Before he could register the strange colours surrounding the girl, a leg smacked against his, and the champion was swept from the ground. Were the eyes between the mask wide from shock? Or simply love struck...
Before one could answer, before one's back could touch the earth, Vega's body sprung against the ground. Left, right, up, his body moved on all fours like a panther and struck like an arrow, bouncing against the surrounding trees. Splinters of bark and wood snapped off the surfaces, the one sign of the blur's path, but it wasn't enough. He was hiding his trajectory behind the other trees, switching and dashing unpredictably, using every cover available-
A loud crack snapped behind Mira! Before a normal person could turn one's head to notice, the falling trunk behind her had shattered from Vega's step, its purpose as a platform complete along with its destruction, and he was leaping onto her with a hand ready to pierce her!
-
Tsumiko?
Just as quickly, Tsumiko's eyes rolled back in, and her purple eye conspicuously turned blue.
Thw young woman glared at Archer as he held her. Even if feeling his hands felt really good for her.
God, she'd missed him. She had stuff to tell him too!
Still, parenting came first.
"What do you think you were doing, telling her all that at once! It was too much for her to take in! You idiot!"
-
Emiya
He frowned as he saw instead of a mismatched violet and aquamarine eye, two very familiar aquamarine eyes looking up at him.
His eyes widened and he almost let her fall to the ground, catching himself at the last moment.
"What do you think you were doing, telling her all that at once! It was too much for her to take in! You idiot!"
Emiya felt his normally fire-is-my-blood run cold.
The voice was wrong. The face was wrong. The hair was wrong. The body was wrong.
The eyes, the words, and the body language were all too familiar.
Emiya the former Archer Class Servant found himself standing there like a goddamn potato staring at a girl from his past. Or rather multiple girls from his past. How . . . how is that even possible?
So, he stood there, a good couple of heart beats with his mouth set in a grim line and staring at . . . this amalgam young woman. He shook his head and said in a slow voice, "Tohsaka?"
His cat chortled, walked over, and rubbed his cheek against Emiya's leg while purring in response.
-
Vega
A wall of muscle deflected his blow, causing the sound of their clashing bodies struck harder than any worldly thunder. "How beautiful~!" Before he could register the strange colours surrounding the girl, a leg smacked against his, and the champion was swept from the ground. Were the eyes between the mask wide from shock? Or simply love struck...
Before one could answer, before one's back could touch the earth, Vega's body sprung against the ground. Left, right, up, his body moved on all fours like a panther and struck like an arrow, bouncing against the surrounding trees. Splinters of bark and wood snapped off the surfaces, the one sign of the blur's path, but it wasn't enough. He was hiding his trajectory behind the other trees, switching and dashing unpredictably, using every cover available-
A loud crack snapped behind Mira! Before a normal person could turn one's head to notice, the falling trunk behind her had shattered from Vega's step, its purpose as a platform complete along with its destruction, and he was leaping onto her with a hand ready to pierce her!
Mira
Keeping up with his motions was difficult due to the terrain, but not impossible. Mira was swift enough that whatever attack he had in mind would be more than sluggish enough for her to counterattack again -
Oh, he planned that too.
- at just the last second, her body rising from the ground in a series of afterimages that tricked him due to the martial artist's sheer speed. His hand passed right by her ribs, only to realize they hadn't been there at that very moment! It was then that she closed the trap, her elbow and knee meeting with his muscular arm between them.
And she stabbed her fingers toward his side.
-
Vega
His expression widened, the man was pinned like a butterfly in a storm, the force alone making his arm scream. He tried pulling away, but-
"Kuh!" Her fingers slammed into his ribs with a violent crack. The taste of blood filled his throat, and his body flinched down for a moment.
But his rage filled eyes promised retaliation. His free arm swept to her face, but it was his foot that struck like a viper, litterally like a blade to cut her one free leg off. At the same time, the fingers of his pinned hand moved to slice her arm, however shallow the cut.
-
Mira
What Vega so rudely discovered was this: Mira was more durable than him. He could manage the most shallow of scrapes with his pinned hand, his well-maintained nails serving some purpose. She didn't notice it as the pain was swept away in adrenaline and energy, in the focus required for her to push his free hand aside and escape. She could have taken the hit to her leg and kept going... maybe.
Mira wasn't so arrogant as to take that risk, and so rather than be struck she sacrificed her grasp on her opponent and swiftly put distance between them. Just a meter, just enough for her to remove all openings from her stance.
Thus freed, she grinned in fierce excitement.
Vega noticed pain from his wrist.
-
Vega
Vega wasted no time pulling away as soon as the force released him, then grabbed his left wrist, if only to observe the damage. His bare chest was heaving, and his heart roared like a war drum. And yet, when he saw the marking of her hand on his body, he felt nothing. But this was bad, that woman nearly broke him. Nearly broke Vega.
Haah...haaah...hah...hahahaha.
The crimson paint on his finger was the one reassurance to his spirit. He had thought her a merely strong human, but he was wrong. What was before him was no different than the beast of a corrida. No, compared to the beast he fought earlier, this one was truly an unearthly storm of power. He had to acknowledge, respect it a little. It was no different than when he was a boy, still fresh and unrefined. His first bull was just like this, an impossible wall of speed, fierceness and power. And just like back then, he had lost the first round.
Before her, he was just a boy, laid bare. And just like back then, his heart beat like the storm.
"Fear is something that must be crushed." He lifted his mask enough for her to see his lips, resolved in a confident smile. And with that change of expression, the music of his heart changed too. He smiled. That way, he would not forget her own mortality... or his own. When it dropped back, Vega took a different stance, and swept the shirt he worse before him, as if it were a wall between the girl and him.
"Come on darling~ Shall you lead this dance?"
-
Emiya
He frowned as he saw instead of a mismatched violet and aquamarine eye, two very familiar aquamarine eyes looking up at him.
His eyes widened and he almost let her fall to the ground, catching himself at the last moment.
"What do you think you were doing, telling her all that at once! It was too much for her to take in! You idiot!"
Emiya felt his normally fire-is-my-blood run cold.
The voice was wrong. The face was wrong. The hair was wrong. The body was wrong.
The eyes, the words, and the body language were all too familiar.
Emiya the former Archer Class Servant found himself standing there like a goddamn potato staring at a girl from his past. Or rather multiple girls from his past. How . . . how is that even possible?
So, he stood there, a good couple of heart beats with his mouth set in a grim line and staring at . . . this amalgam young woman. He shook his head and said in a slow voice, "Tohsaka?"
His cat chortled, walked over, and rubbed his cheek against Emiya's leg while purring in response.
Rin
"Hmmph. It's good to know you're faster on the uptake than a certain other Shirou, Archer."
She crossed her arms, but a wry smile came onto her face. It was mischievous, catlike.
"It's good to see you again, Emiya."
-
Emiya
The cat that was the young woman's family namesake looked at Rin with narrowed green eyes and the bored disinterest that a cat could only muster. He then proceeded to twirl around Emiya's legs while purring. Almost absently, Emiya bent down to pick up the cat, feeling soothed almost instantly as the animal lightly rubbed his head against the former Servant's chin.
"I grew up, learned a lot of hard, painful lessons harder than I should have, but I was pretty dense," he replied as he stroked the cat's sleek, black fur.
He sighed and said, "It would be good to see you if you weren't in Sakura's body, Rin."
-
Emiya
The cat that was the young woman's family namesake looked at Rin with narrowed green eyes and the bored disinterest that a cat could only muster. He then proceeded to twirl around Emiya's legs while purring. Almost absently, Emiya bent down to pick up the cat, feeling soothed almost instantly as the animal lightly rubbed his head against the former Servant's chin.
"I grew up, learned a lot of hard, painful lessons harder than I should have, but I was pretty dense," he replied as he stroked the cat's sleek, black fur.
He sighed and said, "It would be good to see you if you weren't in Sakura's body, Rin."
Sakura
Her eyes suddenly turned red and she convulsed for a second, twitching. Sakura's shadow began creeping along her skin slowly. The tips of her purple hair turned a lighter color.
"Senpai!" Sakura exclaimed, grabbing him in a hug. He could feel her generous assets pressing up against him. The girl began to cry. "I thought-I thought I'd never see you again!"
-
Emiya
Tohsaka bristled and hissed as Rin/Sakura changed. Emiya let his arms go slack for the cat to jump out of his arms. As soon as the cat was free, Emiya took a stance, keeping his hands open to trace at any moment.
He had records of the woman before him. A family friend who had lost themselves, been pushed to the breaking point because he'd been an idiot. Then again, he had always been an idiot.
However, instead of saccharine threats or anger, he was suddenly hugged tight enough for the air to leave his lungs.
He gasped as Sakura held him with surprising strength, pressing her breasts against him. He looked left, then right, and to the floor to see Tohsaka deciding that this was the moment he needed to bathe. So the cat began to loudly lick himself as Emiya stood there, his hands at his sides as Sakura cuddled into him.
He lifted his hands to her shoulders and attempted to extract himself from her embrace.
"Could one of you explain what the hell is going on?" he asked in a strangled voice.
-
Emiya
Tohsaka bristled and hissed as Rin/Sakura changed. Emiya let his arms go slack for the cat to jump out of his arms. As soon as the cat was free, Emiya took a stance, keeping his hands open to trace at any moment.
He had records of the woman before him. A family friend who had lost themselves, been pushed to the breaking point because he'd been an idiot. Then again, he had always been an idiot.
However, instead of saccharine threats or anger, he was suddenly hugged tight enough for the air to leave his lungs.
He gasped as Sakura held him with surprising strength, pressing her breasts against him. He looked left, then right, and to the floor to see Tohsaka deciding that this was the moment he needed to bathe. So the cat began to loudly lick himself as Emiya stood there, his hands at his sides as Sakura cuddled into him.
He lifted his hands to her shoulders and attempted to extract himself from her embrace.
"Could one of you explain what the hell is going on?" he asked in a strangled voice.
Sakura
Sakura giggled nervously. "That's..."
She didn't really want to talk about why. She wanted to enjoy this moment for a bit more, this pure moment.
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed as Sakura still held him close.
So he lightly stroked her hair and said, "But I'm not your Sempai. I'm not the Emiya Shirou that . . ."
Tohsaka looked up at him with an expression that all but said, "Bro, you just better stop now."
So he sighed and stiffly returned the hug.
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed as Sakura still held him close.
So he lightly stroked her hair and said, "But I'm not your Sempai. I'm not the Emiya Shirou that . . ."
Tohsaka looked up at him with an expression that all but said, "Bro, you just better stop now."
So he sighed and stiffly returned the hug.
Sakura
"I know that. You're Archer." She clutched him tighter. "But you're still one I can hold, and chat with, right?"
"Right?"
-
Emiya
Goddamn it, Emiya thought towards Sakura's pleading words.
She had lost her Sempai. The one person that had been the lifeline in the sea of insanity and cruelty she had been forced into. The one person who should have seen something was wrong and done more than beat the shit out of his former best friend.
"Well, I generally go by Emiya of late, but Chaelda had multiple Servants all fighting for the same cause. So there were a lot of Archers and since that Master refereed to me as Emiya everyone else did too," he replied.
Well, everyone except for the group of Servants who had been in Fuyuki, but those old habits died hard. Even though everyone called Saber Artura, he and the other Fuyuki Servants (and Gilgamesh) called her Saber. Which became pretty confusing to poor Artura because she had two different sets of Servants from the Fuyuki Grail Wars she was familiar with.
He shook his head and said, "But yes, you can talk to me, but eventually I will ask you to let me go."
-
Emiya
Goddamn it, Emiya thought towards Sakura's pleading words.
She had lost her Sempai. The one person that had been the lifeline in the sea of insanity and cruelty she had been forced into. The one person who should have seen something was wrong and done more than beat the shit out of his former best friend.
"Well, I generally go by Emiya of late, but Chaelda had multiple Servants all fighting for the same cause. So there were a lot of Archers and since that Master refereed to me as Emiya everyone else did too," he replied.
Well, everyone except for the group of Servants who had been in Fuyuki, but those old habits died hard. Even though everyone called Saber Artura, he and the other Fuyuki Servants (and Gilgamesh) called her Saber. Which became pretty confusing to poor Artura because she had two different sets of Servants from the Fuyuki Grail Wars she was familiar with.
He shook his head and said, "But yes, you can talk to me, but eventually I will ask you to let me go."
Sakura
Sakura pushed him against the wall, burying her face into his chest. He felt her smell him. Then he felt the tears flowing from her as she held him.
-
Emiya
Emiya gasped as Sakura backed him against the wall with surprising strength. Heat filled his cheeks as he felt her sniff him. Then he felt wetness soak through his shirt as she began to cry.
He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair. "Hey, it's not fair to cry in front of me," he said in a soft voice as he traced a silk handkerchief in his hand. He backed away enough so he could gingerly wipe her face clean.
"You're safe now, all of you," he said with a shake of his head.
-
Vega
Vega wasted no time pulling away as soon as the force released him, then grabbed his left wrist, if only to observe the damage. His bare chest was heaving, and his heart roared like a war drum. And yet, when he saw the marking of her hand on his body, he felt nothing. But this was bad, that woman nearly broke him. Nearly broke Vega.
Haah...haaah...hah...hahahaha.
The crimson paint on his finger was the one reassurance to his spirit. He had thought her a merely strong human, but he was wrong. What was before him was no different than the beast of a corrida. No, compared to the beast he fought earlier, this one was truly an unearthly storm of power. He had to acknowledge, respect it a little. It was no different than when he was a boy, still fresh and unrefined. His first bull was just like this, an impossible wall of speed, fierceness and power. And just like back then, he had lost the first round.
Before her, he was just a boy, laid bare. And just like back then, his heart beat like the storm.
"Fear is something that must be crushed." He lifted his mask enough for her to see his lips, resolved in a confident smile. And with that change of expression, the music of his heart changed too. He smiled. That way, he would not forget her own mortality... or his own. When it dropped back, Vega took a different stance, and swept the shirt he worse before him, as if it were a wall between the girl and him.
"Come on darling~ Shall you lead this dance?"
Mira
Her vibrant eyes sharpened at the perceived insult. "You callin' me a bull, boy?" Mira's fists tightened, her muscles flexing across her entire body until her pants and shirt threatened to burst with the force of it. The sound of her body preparing for motion could be heard over the pounding rain coming down on them. Her hair clung to her.
And yet her grin just grew wider. "Then get a load of these horns!"
The air around her was pushed aside by an invisible force, and her body blurred into motion toward Vega. Yet this was not the mindless charge of a bull ready to be dodged. No, Vega would quickly see the avalanche of rapidly firing fists coming his way, filling his vision like a wall, were all targeted to do maximum damage to his precious body.
"Oraoraoraora!"
Every strike blasted the rain away. Not a one aimed for his face.
-
Vega
An avalanche of fists showered his silhouette. Her blur was too fast to be seen, even to his hawk-like eyes, the fists were invisible spears. It was only natural after all, her body was more potent than his own. So how does one avoid an invisible attack? How does one escape an unavoidable fate? And yet, his eyes betrayed a cold plan to overcome the mountain before him. "Useless useless useless useless!!!"
And the first fist brushed past his body. Another swerved by his shoulder. And then another, and another, and another... These attacks, stronger than him, faster than him, were like bullets. And yet, before they hit their mark, he managed to move out of their way. He managed to move out of the way of this avalanche. But it was not enough.
Once, then twice, and before long his body raged and screamed thirty times over. He could scarcely avoid destruction by a hair's breath, but he could not avoid her in her totality. The hits that would have normally shattered him with a single strike were avoided, and slammed into parts of his body that he could not protect, but failed to immediately incapacitate him, as if his slight movements were enough to lessen the impact, even by a fraction. Turning the blows away from their target, even if by a millimetre.
But his mind and body screamed and sharpened to their limit, and fought against the pain. A single misstep, and he would be crushed. But even so, he was slower, and weaker. Why did he not fall? The way he avoided these blows, it was almost as if he anticipated them. But how? Would she figure it out? And even if she did, would he manage to hold on before then?
This war of attrition screamed in the forest like a war field's cannon-fire. Even the rain was nothing to this. His eyes did not waver. Every second, he felt like his body was closer to being obliterated into hell.
-
Mira
It was official - Vega's skills were at least as good as her own. Maybe better. A relentless assault such as this would eventually wear him down, but that wasn't good enough for Mira! She didn't want to defeat someone so skilled just because she had a better body than they did!
I'm not cheating...!
Her barrage of blows ceased abruptly for precious moments, her sharp eyes taking in the positioning of his defenses with superior reflexes. Her opponent would later swear he felt an invisible force build behind Mira's fist right before finished her duck and rise. A spinning uppercut, meant to knock him by his chin into the air after punching through any defense his arms could muster.
-
Vega
He took a final, haggard step back and heaved heavily. Only when he noticed she had stopped, did Vega gasp.
Death.
The force that welled up before his eyes, faster than he could twitch, was shooting towards him without mercy. The trees surrounding him, the clouds in the sky, the rain pouring down on him. He could see none of it. His body, crushed by pain, felt like it was floating in space. The only thing that felt real in this world was the girl coming to him with her fist clenched. How? He couldn't move, she was too fast. Even faster than before, it was like she was becoming light! Her instrument of destruction came closer, closer, he tried to move away, but before he could do anything-
He slipped. His foot tried to move back, but the slightest twitch pushed the mud under him, and he lost his balance. Now, he was falling backwards, in a world that seemed to have slowed down to a crawl. The only sound the ear shattering beating of his own heart, rushing like gunfire. His mask was sent flying by the blow, and one could see a rictus on his face, half enraged, half terrified, and half overjoyed.
His back was falling closer and closer to the earth, while hers was rising higher and higher to the sky, like a sun. Her fist almost seemed to glow, mock him.
"Ahh... I see. You are truly magnificent..." Now that his mask was ripped And with every ounce of strength he had, before she could fall back down to him and finish him, his hand moved. Slowly, haphazardly, but it managed to sweep forward. All he needed to do was toss his cloth a the girl, just a little longer. Just a little bit more...
-
Emiya
Emiya gasped as Sakura backed him against the wall with surprising strength. Heat filled his cheeks as he felt her sniff him. Then he felt wetness soak through his shirt as she began to cry.
He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair. "Hey, it's not fair to cry in front of me," he said in a soft voice as he traced a silk handkerchief in his hand. He backed away enough so he could gingerly wipe her face clean.
"You're safe now, all of you," he said with a shake of his head.
Sakura looked up at him and sniffed. Her deep purple eyes were starting to get a reddish tinge to them, but it stilled there. She smiled, but it was a bit strained. Keeping control when Rin so desperately wanted to hog this unique chance was a bit exhausting.
"Mmph. The past eight years, they've been really hard, Senpai."
-
Emiya
"Eight years? You . . . still look like a teenager," Emiya said as he looked down at Sakura.
He did frown at the red starting to seep into her eyes. And the fact there are three personalities there. Sakura. Rin. And Tsumiko.
"Can I ask what happened? I need to know, so I can figure how to help the three of you," he said in a soft voice as he rested his hand on Sakura's head.
-
Sakura?
Sakura frowned, the red disappearing from her eyes as Rin partially reasserted herself, and Sakura finally let up a bit. It would be bad to be too selfish here.
She just kept telling herself that to stay calm.
A blue eye reappeared on Tsumiko's body, and Sakura's body language suddenly seemed to merge with Rin's. He could see both of them controlling the body at the same time, each with their own distinct, conflicting mannerisms.
Sakura, or was it Rin, took a step back before sighing. "Unless you have a grail, you're not going to be able to fix anything, Archer."
The girls seemed to shake as they battled for dominance. "Senpai, it's true."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked slowly at the sight before him.
It was oddly fascinating yet oddly disturbing. There were two girls he knew very well, one he failed to save and one who had saved him. At least in some versions of reality.
This is the Nexus. That Amanda Witch probably has a Grail in her basement that she doesn't know what to do with . . . Even if there isn't a "Holy Grail" there's probably something comparable in power and ability, he thought as he folded his arms across his chest with a brooding scowl.
He adjusted his glasses and said, "This is the Nexus. I would be more surprised if there wasn't a Grail or something comparable just lying around in someone's basement."
He eyed the Three-In-One, flexed his hands into fists, and said, "Just because I don't have a Grail now doesn't mean I can't get one."
To save Rin, Sakura, and now Tsumiko he would do almost anything, and he had some atrocities riding on his broad shoulders.
-
Rin
"Heh. Once an idiot, always an idiot." The girl suddenly shrugged her shoulders and chuckled wryly. She put her hands up, palms facing up and shook her head. "But that's what makes you so endearing, Emiyu-Kun."
-
Emiya
Emiya stared at Rin and shrugged. He replied, "Well, I'm stable enough to keep you out of trouble when you screw up. Or rescue you when you've screwed up."
He sighed, his shoulders slumping, and said, "And Rin, it looks like you really screwed up."
-
Rin
"Peh!" Rin turned her head away from him. He'd really hit a sore spot there. That hurt, hitting a bit too close for comfort.
But he was right. Rin seemed to deflate as her shoulders sagged. She slouched over in a very unrinlike manner before she sighed.
"Yes." She sounded resigned and sad, like she was holding back tears.
Because he was right. If she'd acted differently during the grail war, fought more for Sakura, like Shirou had. If she'd have just realized what really mattered to her, if only it had happened just a little bit sooner...
If only she'd checked on Sakura. She'd known something was wrong, but it just felt so improper at the time. Like it would have been a violation of the ideals her father had cherished to reconnect with her sister or to do anything meaningful to protect her from Shinji.
"Hehehe..."
Rin began to chuckle. No, she'd just been scared. It had nothing to do with anything that complicated. She'd just been a coward too frightened to face her own trauma. And because of that, she'd allowed Sakura to suffer in silence for a decade.
What a goddamned fool she was.
The girl looked up at Archer and frowned. She flicked his forehead suddenly, with his arm. "You made my sister cry, Senpai."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as his forehead was flicked.
With what he knew was his own arm. Which meant he literally was hitting himself. Which I've done countless times before, but I'm usually the one doing the hitting first, not the other way around, he thought with a frown.
He shook his head and said, "It wouldn't be the first time that I made Rin cry, and it probably wouldn't be the last. When she shows up again I'll apologize properly."
There, she'll like that, he thought with a nod, knowing all too well how Rin liked to have power over people. Even if it was subconsciously, she enjoyed having the upper hand. Which is why he enjoyed pissing her off so much when he was summoned by her, just he had a feeling that he always took it too far.
He leaned forward and gripped Sakura's shoulders lightly and peered down into her eyes. "Still, I'm going to help the three of you, I promise," he said, "Hell, it would be the first time I actually have a reason to fight for a Grail and not just my self-destructive bullshit."
He gave the shoulder with his arm a squeeze and said, "And besides, this is a ticking time bomb. It would be a ticking time bomb even if Emiya Shirou was the host. The three of you aren't compatible spiritually with this. Hell, at this point in time I would be leery if it was compatible with me, and I don't know how you've kept this body from being skewed by Unlimited Blade Works for eight years."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as his forehead was flicked.
With what he knew was his own arm. Which meant he literally was hitting himself. Which I've done countless times before, but I'm usually the one doing the hitting first, not the other way around, he thought with a frown.
He shook his head and said, "It wouldn't be the first time that I made Rin cry, and it probably wouldn't be the last. When she shows up again I'll apologize properly."
There, she'll like that, he thought with a nod, knowing all too well how Rin liked to have power over people. Even if it was subconsciously, she enjoyed having the upper hand. Which is why he enjoyed pissing her off so much when he was summoned by her, just he had a feeling that he always took it too far.
He leaned forward and gripped Sakura's shoulders lightly and peered down into her eyes. "Still, I'm going to help the three of you, I promise," he said, "Hell, it would be the first time I actually have a reason to fight for a Grail and not just my self-destructive bullshit."
He gave the shoulder with his arm a squeeze and said, "And besides, this is a ticking time bomb. It would be a ticking time bomb even if Emiya Shirou was the host. The three of you aren't compatible spiritually with this. Hell, at this point in time I would be leery if it was compatible with me, and I don't know how you've kept this body from being skewed by Unlimited Blade Works for eight years."
Sakura
"Hehehe, thanks~" Sakura said. "You shouldn't underestimate the power of a holy grail, Archer. My wish fixed all those troublesome problems that would normally kill me." Her purple eyes shimmered a bit as she held back tears. "Be honest. You've never heard of three people sharing a body and magic before, have you? According to all our fundemental knowledge, I should have exploded the moment this was attempted, or fused into a new person entirely, at least. You can't assume it's dangerous at this point. Now, it's just my-Tsumiko's arm."
-
Emiya
"So, how did Tsumiko-chan come about? She's not like you or Rin. Not exactly," Emiya said, shaking his head.
He frowned, let Sakura go, and folded his arms over his chest. "She's not like Ilya either," he said in a very soft voice.
Please don't say Ilya is in there. I couldn't . . . The former Archer shook the thought from his head with a scowl.
-
Sakura
"Eh-hem." Sakura looked away. "Well, that's complicated. Do you know what I was going through, Archer? Back then, and before that?"
-
Emiya
Emiya frowned as he answered, "When I was your age, not really. I knew that Shinji was an asshole, but other than beating him up there wasn't really anything I could do. And as dense as I was back then, I knew if I kept beating him up, he'd make things worse for you so I had to stop. Which is why I let you come over whenever you wanted, at least then I knew you weren't with them."
He sighed before checking the cake in the oven. It still had a little while before it needed to be pulled out. Nodding at it, he turned back to look at Sakura.
"It wasn't until I was Summoned as a Servant I got more and more glimpses. More like records I can look at. Zouken's worms and his experiments, like he tried to make you a Grail like Ilya, but he didn't realize due to their fuck-up during the Third War that would also get into you. Meaning that corruption could manifest in you when you were finally pushed to the edge. Which I've also experienced apparently."
He shook his head and said, "Apparently it was so bad at times that I was pulled from being a Servant to acting as part of the Counter Force again to keep you from potentially destroying humanity. Then there were others where I sacrificed myself to save Rin and keep Emiya Shirou alive long enough for him to destroy the Grail and save you."
-
Sakura
Sakura's expression didn't waver, but after so many times seeing this face, Archer could tell. It was obvious. She was holding some very conflicted emotions back, keeping herself in check, and pretending everything was fine when it very distinctly was not.
"Then, you know what happened. I won. I made a wish on the grail, and it granted my wish before attempting to destroy the world."
-
Emiya
"However, considering you have a version of me's arm, Rin, and a new person inside of you I don't think the wish was what you wanted," he said with a shake of his head, "Unless you have some weird kink that I'm not aware of."
He smirked slightly at the last, hoping to soften the blow of the sarcasm he couldn't shut off at this point in time of his existence.
"Your Sempai wasn't enough to save you, was he?" he asked with a guarded expression as he looked at her.
-
Sakura
Sakura turned away. "Mmph." She made a noncomittal noise. "That assumes coherent thought on my part. Rin lost, he lost, saber lost, rider lost. I made a wish to be together forever, and this was the result."
-
Emiya
He walked up to her and placed a hand on the shoulder that wasn't connected to his arm.
"So we find a Grail, I potentially get myself killed saving one of you or have to commit some minor atrocity, which I've done worse, and then you correct your wish from the Monkey's Paw mistake that it became," Emiya said to her.
He turned her around to face him and said, "So then you can be with Rin, the idiot, Rider, and Saber for as long as you want. And Tsumiko can live her life like she wants."
-
Sakura
Sakura shook her head apprehensively. "No." She answered. "You're not allowed to risk your life. I've lost enough important people to me. I've lost everything and everyone. I'm not losing you too, and I know Rin feels the same way."
-
Emiya
"Fine, I won't risk my life because it'll upset you and Rin," Emiya said with a shrug, "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to help you find a way to fix this."
I'll tell her that, and if I do end up losing my life to fix this then so be it. It's not like I'm doing anything with it anyway other than fighting monsters in the Slums and repairing stuff, he thought nonchalantly.
-
Sakura and Rin
"Liar!" The girls pointed at him, eyes blazing. Both of them had easily seen right through it.
"Senpai wouldn't give in so easily!"
"Emiya-Kun isn't the sort to casually agree to do the safe thing!
-
Emiya
Well, fuck, he thought as Sakura and Rin's voices cried out at him as their body pointed at him.
He shrugged and said, "I'm older and more cautious."
He sighed, knowing that the two women wouldn't be happy with his still pretty apparent lack of self. Or self-preservation. He was existing and the main reason he would come home is because Tohsaka needed someone to feed and care for him. Even though as a cat he was more than able to take care of himself.
"But I still need to help the three of you," he said with a shake of his head, "I know Rin's not happy with the arrangement."
-
Rin
Rin frowned. "It's not so bad as to be painful. Anymore."
She frowned, leaned back, and closed her eyes. "Tsumiko's waking up soon, Archer. Don't overwhelm her again. And don't tell her about any of this. We won't forgive you if you get hurt."
And then, the girl's eyes rolled up into her head, and Tsumiko woke up.
She blinked blearily, rubbing her eyes. "Did I pass out again? My head really hurts, for some reason..."
-
Emiya
She has a right to know, Rin, Emiya thought as Rin's persona became dormant again as Tsumiko regained dominance.
He smiled at the girl and said, "Yeah, you did. You need to be careful with your Tracing. I know it's fun and useful, but you can burn yourself out with it really quickly."
He grabbed a chair and said, "Here, sit down, I can get you something to help with your headache."
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko blinked. That didn't sound right?
She shook her head. "No, really, what happened?"
-
Emiya
The white haired man grinned lopsidedly at her and rested his hand on her head.
Emiya said, "Well, I think you got lightheaded after you traced Caliburn and eventually conked out. If I hadn't been faster, you would have just collapsed on the floor."
He shook his head as he walked to the oven. "Tracing Noble Phantasms like that isn't an easy skill; you can burn out your circuits if you go too hard too fast."
Excellent deflection, worthy to distract even Rin, he thought to himself.
-
Vega
He took a final, haggard step back and heaved heavily. Only when he noticed she had stopped, did Vega gasp.
Death.
The force that welled up before his eyes, faster than he could twitch, was shooting towards him without mercy. The trees surrounding him, the clouds in the sky, the rain pouring down on him. He could see none of it. His body, crushed by pain, felt like it was floating in space. The only thing that felt real in this world was the girl coming to him with her fist clenched. How? He couldn't move, she was too fast. Even faster than before, it was like she was becoming light! Her instrument of destruction came closer, closer, he tried to move away, but before he could do anything-
He slipped. His foot tried to move back, but the slightest twitch pushed the mud under him, and he lost his balance. Now, he was falling backwards, in a world that seemed to have slowed down to a crawl. The only sound the ear shattering beating of his own heart, rushing like gunfire. His mask was sent flying by the blow, and one could see a rictus on his face, half enraged, half terrified, and half overjoyed.
His back was falling closer and closer to the earth, while hers was rising higher and higher to the sky, like a sun. Her fist almost seemed to glow, mock him.
"Ahh... I see. You are truly magnificent..." Now that his mask was ripped And with every ounce of strength he had, before she could fall back down to him and finish him, his hand moved. Slowly, haphazardly, but it managed to sweep forward. All he needed to do was toss his cloth a the girl, just a little longer. Just a little bit more...
Mira
The one problem with this move was that its momentum carried her up a few more meters before gravity began to take hold once again. Mira turned as her ascent reached its apex, facing down to the ground she tore up with her legs and the opponent who was soon to come to rest there. She adjusted her angle so that when she fell down onto him it would be with both feet first, crushing him into the dirty! Her eyes gleamed with the excitement of finishing off such an interesting enemy...!
But that very downward push prevented her from properly avoiding whatever that cloth was supposed to do.
-
Vega
Haah...haaa.... It was done. In that instant, his expression turned into a bloodcurdling smile, like a hawk ready to bite down on his prey, and his eyes were that of a handsome devil.
"HOWEVER!!" In an instant, he regained composure, and with a magnificent sweep of his arm, he tossed the cloth. The winds carried it, the rains threatened to tear it apart, and then, his body was shielded by that wall. Yes, for that one moment, that one second, his form was invisible. Until her feet came crashing down!!
But all they found was the earth, cracked and shattered by her strength. That shape... the form of raw destruction upon the earth. Even that was beautiful when carved by her. But he had vanished. He shouldn't, but he did. And now, her feet were dug inside the earth. Was this-
"No one can escape the fate that was chosen for them." A voice suddenly whispered from behind her, and the mask emerged from the darkness. A cool breeze behind her shoulder betrayed movement...
-
Emiya
The white haired man grinned lopsidedly at her and rested his hand on her head.
Emiya said, "Well, I think you got lightheaded after you traced Caliburn and eventually conked out. If I hadn't been faster, you would have just collapsed on the floor."
He shook his head as he walked to the oven. "Tracing Noble Phantasms like that isn't an easy skill; you can burn out your circuits if you go too hard too fast."
Excellent deflection, worthy to distract even Rin, he thought to himself.
Tsumiko
"mmm, I guess..." She muttered softly. Hey eyes glistened with sadness before turning away.
[]Why is he lying? I do that every day...[/i]
-
Emiya
Well damn it, she looks like she's about to cry, he thought, And why wouldn't she? She has two people living inside of her and probably isn't even aware of it.
"Well, when's the last time you ate? It could be low blood sugar as well," he asked.
-
Mira
The ground exploded beneath the force of her impact, soil and rocks and bits of bark blowing off like shrapnel and bouncing harmlessly off her muscles. Mira's senses all sharpened as she sought her opponent in those precious moments after she landed, after she pulled that damned cloth away from her face. "What a damn trick...!"
But then Vega gave himself away, his exhaustion showing through, and Mira had a choice to make: trying to avoid the blow when her feet were already dug into the ground from her landing, or...
The bull fighter found himself striking home against muscles that were harder than iron, clenching at the point of impact as she adjusted the position of her torso just slightly so his nails slid across her side, tearing her tank top away there...!
And then, her left arm closed the gap between his limb and her ribs. Mira clenched the fight tight, tore her feet out of the ground, and shouted "ORYAAA!" as she spun him around in a tight semi-circle!
She released him into a tree.
-
Emiya
Well damn it, she looks like she's about to cry, he thought, And why wouldn't she? She has two people living inside of her and probably isn't even aware of it.
"Well, when's the last time you ate? It could be low blood sugar as well," he asked.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko opened her mouth, but closed it without saying anything. She shrunk down.
"I don't remember."
She sounded really sheepish.
-
Emiya
He frowned at her and said, "Normally I don't advocate snacks before dinner, but since you don't know the last time you ate I don't want you pitching over again."
Emiya didn't really keep things like candy or sweets around. He prided his pantry on the finest ingredients he could buy without being ripped off. Everything was hand picked by him, and he was very picky about what he spent his money on food wise.
Still, not that he'd admit it to anyone other than his cat, there were times where he would just want a bit of a Japanese pastery. Even if it was one he didn't make. He opened his fridge and pulled out his last fish shaped pastery.
"It's chocolate, and has enough sugar and fat that it should stable you out without completely killing your appetite," he said as he handed it to her.
-
Vega
His eyes widened. Once more, the vice smashed into his arm. But how!? His technique was refined, and he felt his blow striking through! Her heart should be right between his fingers, and yet that mere peasant girl-
"GUAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" A force unlike anything in the world hurled him straight into a tree. On that moment, thunder cracked once more, and just as it cried to declare the beginning, it declared the end of this duel. Splinters expoded out of the impact, and his back lodged straight into the trunk, bending it backwards with a cough of blood.
His legs trembled. He tried to stand, but it was already over. His head fell backwards, washed away by rain and defeat.
And yet, he smiled. That damn wench, he could not understand how she was this strong, but he did somehow manage to find some relief. Did she not realize? Her head was suddenly a little lighter on the left than when they started.
"Hehe... I did not lose...haha..." He let out a last breath, and his world turned black. In his hand, a gleaming earring was snatched. Even if it was not victory, it was the key that would let him attain glory. Surely, this was no end.
Only the beginning.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko's stomach grumbled, as if to agree on his point. The girl blushed.she bashfully turned away, taking the candt bar and biting into it. "Thanks..." She muttered
-
Emiya
He eyed her as she began to eat and nodded in satisfaction with a slight grin.
He looked at the timer and nodded to himself. The cake still had a few minutes before he would need to adjust the heat in the oven. Emiya looked at Tsumiko and asked, "Do you have a place to stay?"
-
Mira
She almost relaxed until the sensation of being off balance, just slightly, reached her conscious awareness. Mira reached up and touched her ear, only to find a torn earlobe slowly closing beneath her touch. She gaped at the realization, and turned to her fallen foe with a bit of her shock visible. "You took my earring."
Mira marched up to him, heedless of how much of her tank top had been torn away to reveal the bikini underneath, and scowled. "Do you realize how annoying it's going to be to pierce this ear again?" She pointed at it. "Ugh." She shook her head, and held her hand out. "Fine, come on."
She grabbed his wrist to pull him up off the broken tree.
-
Tsumiko
Still stuffing her face with food, Tsumiko nodded. "It's lonely, but I have a cozy little house."
-
Emiya
Those steel grey eyes met Tsumiko's with an expression that could only be described as a Mom Look.
"Are you sure?" he said as he continued to look at her. "If you need a place to stay, I could make room for you."
-
Tsumiko
The girl shrank back into a cower. "No, no, I couldn't impose, and anyway, it'd be dangerous. I couldn't put you at risk, Archer..."
-
Emiya
Emiya walked to the oven and turned the heat down while the cake continued to bake.
He folded his arms over his massive chest and asked, "Why would it be dangerous? I'm a big - grown man. I can take care of myself."
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko waved her hands at him, sticky as they were with the traces of chocolate. "No, no, it's just, um. People, they come..."
She stopped as she wondered if she should tell him. Would go betray her, and try to kill her too?"
-
Emiya
I don't like this. I don't like how nervous she is, Emiya thought as he looked at her.
He frowned and asked, "People come and they what? Is someone trying to hurt you?"
She probably had to deal with Enforcers trying to seal her back home, dissect her like a frog to see what makes her tick.
-
Tsumiko
"I mean, hurt seems a little soft..." She muttered. She crouched down on the floor, pulled up her hoodie, and held onto her legs, rocking a little bit.
-
Emiya
Emiya crouched on the floor in front of her and rested a hand on her shoulder. He peered down at her and asked, "Tsumiko-chan, is someone trying to kill you?"
-
Vega (Dream Side)
Ugh…
Something bright irritated his eyes. For a moment, he wanted it to just go away. His body was still, comfortable, in a sensation that felt familiar. Warm. Like a babe still in the womb. With a frown, he blocked his eyes and managed to open them, and suddenly he gasped.
Lights and bright colors surrounded a lone man. A massive tent was caging him along with a massive audience, easily more than tens of thousand eyes fixed on the stage.
“Laaaaaaaadies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! Come on, come all! Welcome to our grand show!” A massive, fat man with the face of a pig cried out to the crowds.
Ugh. When his vision grew less foggy, he began to see his surrounding… audience more clearly. Watching him weren’t people, but animals. From zebras, to giraffes, to monkeys to pigs to horses and even chicken, everyone surrounding him wore the body of a human, but their likeness was anything but. The mere sight filled him with revulsion, as they indulged in their disgusting show and ate from cattle-feed. Other than that, the ground was covered in deathly flames, and massive stairs connected a rope from one side to another. A fall from that height... no beast could survive it. Let alone the flames, so hot they felt like hell itself.
“How ridiculous. What is this farce? I-“He tried to move away, but his eyes widened when he realized he couldn’t. His body wouldn’t move! Was he drugged? Before he could realize it, the swineherd’s announcement with his guttural squeals.
“For your entertainment, we have brought you the most wondrous show! *snort* Behold, this beautiful little morsel is going to perform a walk of fire!”
That is when he realized that it wasn't that he couldn't move. He was pinned down by two figures. From each side, a woman wearing an earring gripped on his arms and kept him from going forward. Its face and body was more beautiful than anything, its purple hair of a gleam that could steal a heart. And yet, they wouldn't let go. Because he lost, he could never surpass this wall as he was.
-
Tsumiko
"Mmmnnnn." She made a hesitantly soft grunting sound. It had gotten better here, but the memories of life at home..."
Her heartrate rocketed and she began to breathe rapidly thinking about it. She didn't want to go back. She reallyd
Didn't want to go back!
"N-no, I mean, yes!"
-
Emiya
Emiya felt his chest tighten at the sight of the terrified girl before him.
The terrified girl who has both Sakura and Rin inside of her, he reminded himself.
"Hey, you're okay now. You're safe. If anyone comes after you, well, most things die when a sword goes through them at Mach 3," he said as he pulled her into a hug and stroked her back.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko shuddered violently when he touched her, as if she hadn't been expecting physical contact. "Y-es... well..."
She feared that if she verbalized it, that it would all immediately come back.
Tsumiko shook her head.
-
Emiya
Emiya pulled back enough to look at her.
He moved one hand to gently pull her hood down so he could look at her face. "Now, only if you want to stay here. If you don't want to stay here with me and Tohsaka -" the cat meowed - "then let me know. If you want to stay here, we'll get your things and I can make a room for you."
-
Tsumiko
Tsumki shuddered again. She clenched her teeth and she could barely breathe, even though she was breathing so fast!
"Mmm!" She made an affirmative sound and pulled him close into a hug, breathing in and out of his shirt after burying her face in it.
-
Emiya
"Oh, okay then," Emiya said with a chuckle as Tsumiko pulled him into a tight hug. She burrowed herself into him, much like Sakura had.
He returned the hug and stoked her hair.
"We'll go get your things after we eat," he said.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko held him close. She let out a loud stuttering series of breaths, exhaling her tension. She did it again a couple of times. "O-ok..."
-
Emiya
Emiya felt her relax in his arms as Tsumiko's breathing became more even.
"Come on, we still have curry rice to make," he said as he stood up, bringing her with him.
-
Lulu
Someplace, Sometime...
Clap clap clap clap clap.....
"Marvelous. Simply marvelous. I haven't seen a vision as splendidly twisted as this in a long long time. Oh how it makes my heart flutter with an emotion, an emotion I haven't felt for ten, nay 100, no, 1000 years and weekends. Is this what they call excitement, could it be? could it truly be? After all this time? Oh how should how I deal with it? I should gracefully make my entry.... No something more modest!"
Of course this was all within hearing range of the man who was basically chained down and forced to watch all of this dastardly spectacle. Soft steps could be heard down, like the person was very light on their feet, but was something else wrong with the quality of this sound, and that as the lack of shoes. It as confirmed but a moment later as a blonde woman in a black dress walked around and stopped in front of him, blocking his view of the pig headed man. The source of the odd sound as abundantly clear now, she was indeed not wearing any shoes.
"Hey there..... You know this is a dream right? None of this is real, None besides little Lulu here.... Yeah i'm here focus on me, you don't wanna see more of that pig do you? think happy thoughts... Today's defeat is just tomorrow's victory!"
-
Vega
His eyes sparked at the sudden presence, and he turned to gaze at the one who spoke to him. She was... strangely bewitching. That wasn't to say the woman behind him, sporting locks as bright as gold, was anything short of gorgeous. But something stirred in his heart at her sight. He grit his teeth, for then and only then did his expression turn to shock. A dream?
How ridiculous. Something so filthy and grotesque could surely not be borne from his own self. No, perhaps she was the one dreaming. It would make far more sense. Perhaps she was some insane fan who had pulled him into her vile imagination.
But she was quite adorable. Perhaps he'd forgive her this once. And besides, she did have one point: he'd rather pick a beautiful woman to a swine any day.
"Hey, woman... what are you talking about?" He asked her, not even acknowledging her name. Meanwhile, the circus music and bright colors kept dancing, as if this was still part of the show.
-
Lulu
Adorable?
Did he seriously have that as first thought? That was such an earnest reaction, picking this form was the right choice after all and she so was so happy about it.
So happy she could dance.
Or at least spin around in place before courtseing to him like very proper lady. Because she was very very proper ufufufu...
"It's Lulu mister, but I'll overlook since you think I'm adorable. Are you seriously not getting it yet tho? You're in a dream, where else would a girl like me approach. Hmm Hmm... It looks like an abstract representation of you view the world. That pig over there is your daddy right, right? And I think you're afraid of turning into him after getting your ass kicked."
-
Vega
His expression darkened, and a frown crowned shining eyes that could seriously kill.
"That's not funny. Even as a joke."
-
Lulu
She shrugged not really bothered by his glare, mortals were always like this when staring their darkness in the eye. Nothing she could do about that.
"Your dream, your rules. You could be dreaming about cute girls feeding your grapes but here we are. Looks to me like you want it"
Slap.
She lowered her right hand, the hand that had just slapped him but....
"See no pain, you're dreaming."
-
Vega
A smacking sound echoed through the tent, and silence. There was no pain, no sound, other than the drumming of his heart. Then rage. He moved without a thought, grabbed her by the shoulder and pointed straight to her chest with an accusing finger.
"You wench! Of what right do you have the audacity to strike Vega's fa-"
His enraged cry stopped short when he realized it. He moved. Surprised, he shifted his eye left and right to notice the two girls holding him down were now fading, like smoke. Their shape bulging and tearing up like clouds of cotton candy in the wind.
"I see." He calmed down, and looked at the interloper. So she was telling the truth. How.... intriguing. "And yet, I have no memory of you. If this is a dream, what dark recess of my mind could spawn a devil as wicked and charming as you?'
-
Lulu
Wench? Devil?
She blinked but the and tried to take a step back but the hand held her in place, even as it had sunk into her unnaturally soft skin that could be molded like dough. Its softness and texture was wholly inhuman, no mere skin contact from anither could possibly feel this sinfully good.
"You.... YOU call me a wench and a devil? How dare you? I just came here to help and give you a gift to realize that which you so crave and you call me that? Yeah I know my breasts are massive and I happen to really like black ok, , why are you shaming me like this Vega? Do you hate confident women do you, do you? I could write a whole book about men like you, no a whole book about you. Yes that would sell for a hefty buck I bet. Hey there! Come watch the autobiography of circus boy Vega, the never endubg failure! How's that for a joke huh?"
-
Vega
"Huh?"
He looked totally surprised at the reaction. What was once anger had washed as soon as it came, and he just apologized sheepishly.
"I called you a wench out of anger, and I shouldn't have. But the devil part was a compliment. I'm saying you're a devilish cute lady, not that you're an actual demon... Thatd be ridiculous."
He composed himself and looked away. Damn, why did that wench have to give all these useless details?
"You did slap me..." He rubbed his cheek.
-
Lulu
"Were talking inside a dream and you're calling that ridiculous, you weren't entirely wrong though, I'm not a human." She moved to the side so that he wouldn't be able to look away from her. Yet he still thought she was a wench even now, how curious., how potently dishonest.
"And I'd slap you again if that's what it took to get you out of your cage. Hate me all you want but at least be honest about it, just now you thought I was wench again for giving you all that info. But don't you see, the pursuit of useless trivia is a beauty itself."
-
Vega
"Why would I hate you?" He cocked his head innocently. His eyes were now more focused, for a moment, and drinking in the figure in front of him in a more tender manner. "Hate isn't something to feel for someone beneath you. Wouldn't pity be more appropriate? Oh, I do pity you. After all, you are so focused on a simple world you're not even looking at the bigger picture. Something I'm ashamed to admit... is my own failing as well." He took her hand, more gently than his initial action, and lowered into a light curtsy.
One by one, the beast-like audience members lit up like candles, until flames illuminated the stage like stars. Was this his dream too? To watch them burn around him?
"You're a prickly flower. How fascinating..." He suddenly rose back up and held her chin with dainty fingers. He purred and whispered, but there was no true gentleness in his smile. "Should I pluck you from the root, or nurture you with my love? Which one would you prefer? Don't bother. You can answer to your heart's content after you tell me the real reason you've saved me from this ridiculous mirror in my self. Why bother?"
-
Lulu
"Beneath you?" She looked up at him unflinchingly without blinking, it wasn't different though, since she hadn't blinked once since coming here, or maybe that was just the feeling she was giving off. Her crystal blue eyes leveled a piercing gaze at him, but it wasn't icy cold or anything. If anything it was like a playful wave from the ocean on a hot summer day.
"The only way I'll ever be beneath you is in the bedroom, and good luck with that endeavor, I didn't come here to flirt with you. You're far more intriguing than that and I can open up the way to the you that you were meant to be....as for your other question, why chose when you can have both."
-
Vega
"Because somehow, I find you refreshing. It's not often someone looks at me with those eyes. I find it... lovely." He took her hand and smiled, and with that he brought her forward like a dancer brings his companion, and took the first step over the rope. Beneath the two, fire raged, and from such a height no less! Even in a dream, it took a special kind of madman to take this first step. But the fear from before had now vanished. His heart was at ease. All he needed was to look at his reflection in her eyes.
"Someone once told me, never be ashamed of what you are. And you are a devil, the sort who'd burn a man's heart away and steal their soul. So is this it? A promise and honeyed words from a lady's sharp tongue? How quaint." He almost sounded bored. But not all was as it seemed.
"But to open the way... well well well~ Oh my darling, if you had my curiosity, now you have my attention. And perhaps, friendship. If you speak true."
-
Lulu
She took a step back, dancing to his tune. If he was moving forwards over the rope, then she was backing into the unknown without even lifting an eyebrow. No her blue gaze remained centered, warm as ever. "I would much rather steal a man's heart than their soul, souls don't even fetch a high price on the black market these days after all. And you should know that I Lulu never lie. Everything I have told you is the truth I'm a strict sense, though I leave it up to your dirty mind to imagine all the parts I left out. "
She bowed this time instead of courtseing and winked." if you are man enough for the task that is."
-
Vega
"Ah~<3 So full of mystery..." He almost laughed, of course. For every gift, a price. Nothing was truly free in this world, and he loathed charity. He devilishly spun her over the rope like a dancer, shifting his steps to keep going forward. Forward, to the end of the line. Wherever that may lead, he would not stop till he'd reach it.
Her back landed on his arm, and his eyes stared at her cool with intensity.
"And what of this task?"
-
Lulu
"That depends on you and you alone, I am merely a guide through the hellish landscapes which you must conquer." She stepped up the pace and pushed back at him just a tad bit more insistently. "Would you mind if I took the lead? I may be a girl, but I know some of the steps. Or you can keep heading on your path and one day a cliff will await you with only way way forward"
-
Vega
Oho~! He took a mere step back from her insistence, and closed his eyes with a playful hum. But his eyes betrayed his amusement, in a way quite like a young man still fresh and sharp. He released her with a pirouette, and bowed. It didn't look like it, but this was all quite difficult.
"A Vergil to guide me through the inferno, hrm? Very well, I will allow it." He raised his head and moved a hand to his heart, the other stretched out to follow her if she'd only take it. And his smile, simply delightfully devilish.
"This is quite fun."
-
Lulu
"Ohhhhh..."
Her dainty hand came forward to close over his own larger one, the black gloves she was wearing was silky smooth and sent a tiny electric pulse as she they touched. But just before grabbing his hand she changed course and trailed upwards instead, past his chest until this silk covered fingers were pressing against lips.
"Then you better be going home so that we can have a real talk unclouded by the mists of Elysium."
-
Emiya
Emiya felt her relax in his arms as Tsumiko's breathing became more even.
"Come on, we still have curry rice to make," he said as he stood up, bringing her with him.
Tsumiko['b]
"Mmmm..." She grunted, holding onto him tightly, still resting on the floor.
"Finish without me... I don't really feel up for that right now..."
-
Emiya
"Alright, that's fine. Let's get you off the floor first," Emiya said as he gently started to lift her to her feet.
"You can sit at the table and keep me company as I cook."
-
Emiya
"Alright, that's fine. Let's get you off the floor first," Emiya said as he gently started to lift her to her feet.
"You can sit at the table and keep me company as I cook."
Tsumiko
"I just want to sit here for a bit, if that's okay." She answered, huddling up and holding her knees tightly against her chest.
-
Emiya
"Are you sure, the kitchen chairs are pretty comfortable," Emiya said as he gestured towards him.
Tohsaka, noting that his person was being a moron right now, chortled before rubbing his head against Tsumiko's palm.
-
Emiya
"Are you sure, the kitchen chairs are pretty comfortable," Emiya said as he gestured towards him.
Tohsaka, noting that his person was being a moron right now, chortled before rubbing his head against Tsumiko's palm.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko gently picked up the cat, holding him in her lap as she stroked his back. Weirdly, she felt a tinge of annoyance at the appearance of the cat in the back of her head.
"Yeah." She answered quietly.
-
Emiya
Dinner was a simple yet delicious affair. The cake turned out very well and the curry rice was perfectly cooked. Tohsaka did his job and leaned against Tsumiko while doing his best motor impression. Emiya only had to throw him off the table twice during dinner.
As he cleaned up the table, he looked at Tsumiko and said, "Now, we don't have to get your things tonight if you don't want to. I can still get your room started, if you just want to rest."
-
Emiya
Dinner was a simple yet delicious affair. The cake turned out very well and the curry rice was perfectly cooked. Tohsaka did his job and leaned against Tsumiko while doing his best motor impression. Emiya only had to throw him off the table twice during dinner.
As he cleaned up the table, he looked at Tsumiko and said, "Now, we don't have to get your things tonight if you don't want to. I can still get your room started, if you just want to rest."
Tsumiko
7:00 pm
"I want... to get my things." She looked around nervously, as if afraid of a trap. She was really wondering if this was real. She was waiting to wake up, and find out she'd dreamed everything good.
It wouldn't be the first time she'd had such a vivid dream.
-
Emiya
The white haired man nodded and said, "Then lets go get your things. You just need to tell me where to go."
He noticed Tsumiko getting nervous again. He reached down to pet her head. "You're safe now. Like I said, a Mach 3 sword going through someone would be pretty much enough to kill anything."
-
Vega
The flames reflected over his eyes. Ravenous, paasionate. They weren't even looking at the prize before him, but the promise of even greater heights.
"You are an interesting woman." He said, from the bottom of his heart.
Let's meet again, o warped flower. And with that, he took a step back and plummeted into the flames, a smile etched on his face while the circus burned.
November 1634, a grand fire devoured the streets of spain. The country's greatest performing troupe was at the center of it all, and from all the performers and spectators, 63 died and 158 were greatly injured.
Among them, a boy dissappeared, never found or identified. At the time, he would've been 13.
6:00 pm.
The boy woke up, a confident smile on his face.
-
Emiya
The white haired man nodded and said, "Then lets go get your things. You just need to tell me where to go."
He noticed Tsumiko getting nervous again. He reached down to pet her head. "You're safe now. Like I said, a Mach 3 sword going through someone would be pretty much enough to kill anything."
Tsumiko
The girl just shook her head. "I can do that too. I've seen some things."
-
Mira
6:00 PM
Vega woke to a familiar ceiling. To his right was one of his maids, and to his left was a pretty face, obviously bored out of her mind as she sat next to his bed watching him sleep. Mira sighed in relief when she noticed him stirring. "Finally. I thought you were going to sleep all night."
She hadn't bothered fixing or replacing her torn tank top yet. Her muscles were obvious.
-
Vega
His eyes turned to the woman on his left. "And I thought you'd have left me lying there in the woods after beating me to a pulp. I suppose life is full of surprises." He yawned and tried to stretch, but surprisingly his body screamed in pain, and he winced before setting down, his bandaged back smooth against the bed's frame.
"My oh my, you do pack a punch. It feels like I was run inside a meat grinder. You must be lonely if this is how you... Ow, treat every man who meets you. Say, won't you be a dear and fetch me a mirror? Oh, and wine. The Sauvignon, 1984 to be precise. And bring two cups."
-
Mira
Mira scoffed, and waved Vega's request aside with a shake of her head. "You got a maid for that. Don't tell people to get stuff they don't even know where to look for."
Then she grinned down at him.
"I gotta say though, you put up a hell of a fight. If I'd been any slower or squishier, you'd have won."
-
Vega
"Hoh? You pummel me to unconsciousness, and you won't even fetch me a cup to drown my sorrows in? You grow crueller by the second..." His smile was absolutely wicked as he snapped his fingers. His maids must've tended to his wounds, so it was to be expected they'd listen closely for any orders.
It was ill suited for him to repeat something twice, such actions were oh so very useless. Useless, useless, useless...
"And you fought well." He looked at her warmly from the comfort of his bed. "Even the greatest beasts I have clashed against were a trifle compared to your strength and technique. In fact, if I knew any better, I'd call you one myself. But it is the thorniest rose that often brings the most pleasant aroma. Tell me, what was that the meaning of that shine you showed me?"
-
Emiya
The white haired man nodded and said, "I bet you have."
We both probably have seen things that would send most of the idiots out side screaming into padded rooms, Emiya thought but didn't voice it.
He did smile at her and said, "Well, maybe you shouldn't have to shoot swords at Mach 3 at people. Come on, let's go get your things."
Tohsaka jumped on the table with a loud, "MAOW!"
Emiya sighed, picked up the cat, and said, "Not on the table, buddy. You know the rules."
-
Tsumiko
The short purple-haired woman sighed. She pressed her palm down on the floor. An inky black shadow billowed out from.her hand, consuming the floor and then creeping up the wall. She reached out with her other hand. "I'll take us there, but don't let go, ok?"
-
Emiya
Emiya swallowed as he saw the all too familiar shadow emerge from the floor.
He took Tsumiko's outstretched hand, his hand coarse and unnaturally warm against hers. "I assume it would go very badly for me if I did," he drawled before swallowing the lump currently forming in his throat.
-
Vega
"Hoh? You pummel me to unconsciousness, and you won't even fetch me a cup to drown my sorrows in? You grow crueller by the second..." His smile was absolutely wicked as he snapped his fingers. His maids must've tended to his wounds, so it was to be expected they'd listen closely for any orders.
It was ill suited for him to repeat something twice, such actions were oh so very useless. Useless, useless, useless...
"And you fought well." He looked at her warmly from the comfort of his bed. "Even the greatest beasts I have clashed against were a trifle compared to your strength and technique. In fact, if I knew any better, I'd call you one myself. But it is the thorniest rose that often brings the most pleasant aroma. Tell me, what was that the meaning of that shine you showed me?"
Mira
"You don't got anything to be sorrowful about, kid." Mira crossed her arms over the back of the chair she was sitting on the wrong way, and smirked down at Vega. She pointed right to the ear that was missing an earring. "You managed to get this off me. That's more than most."
But his question, that seemed to make her confused. She tilted her head slightly.
"I think you're overthinking this a bit. I just put it all in because you showed me you wouldn't shatter the moment I hit you."
-
Vega
The young man laughed warmly. "Yes, yes! I realize that, little flower. But that doesn't bother me at all. As somebody once said: Today's defeat is just tomorrow's victory." As he said that, he opened his hand to reveal, to his surprise, that he was still holding onto that thing. Amused, he flicked it and tossed it in the air before catching it nonchalantly.
The earring was a trifle. It's your head I wanted. But oh well.
"I wasn't talking in metaphors, you know? Or did you think I wouldn't be able to notice something like that? That light that came out of your body... it was just for a moment, but something about it struck me as odd..." He pondered for a moment, without a hint of malice in his voice. "Is that also why your ear is suddenly all patched up? No matter, you don't have to answer that if you don't want to."
He paused for a moment. There was a dark chill in the air, but surely the windows were all closed. Despite that, it vanished in a moment, and Vega looked at her with the most dazzling of smiles.
"It would be appreciated though."
-
Mira
Mira blinked in surprise at Vega's question, her irritation at losing her earring fading for the moment in favor of considering it. "A light? Oh - Oh!" She reached up to scratch the back of her neck as she realized it. "You mean the chi I was drawing on. I'm surprised you managed to recognize it since you don't seem to know the first thing about it."
She clenched her hand into a fist, concentrating some of the ambient energy in this room into it the way she might when winding up for a really big hit. "Can you see this?"
Not when Vega looked at it directly, but when it was just in the corner of his eye...
-
Vega
He cocked his head and smiled innocently.
My my. Did you think I would have risen beyond the muck and the rabble if I couldn't at least do that much?[
Bur... His dark thoughts were lit up almost as immediately as his eyes. Meanwhile, His own heart beatlike a stampede. Was it from fear...ir excitedment?
"Oho! Yes, that ravishing glow. It is faint as a dream, but I can see the light from the corners of my eyes!!" He sounded joyous as a kid hearing the chime of an ice cream truck.
"Is this merely thine ability, or can one learn this power? It is.... Beautiful. It suits you."
-
Mira
"Any cunt can do it." She put on a slight bit of accent for that one, then smiled sheepishly. "Or at least, that's what my old teacher said."
Mira lowered her hand, and lifted an eyebrow in curiosity. "It would take years to learn properly, and I can't even say I've entirely mastered it yet myself. It's the first step on a path to surpassing the limits of your own body."
-
Vega
His eyes darkened. Such absurdity almost seemed to light a fire in his eyes.
"That is impossible. There is no limit before me. Only the eternal climax, ever reaching higher. And one day, even the heavens... No, God will bow before me."
He paused for a second. His smile grew with absolute conviction.
"You will teach me. That is what I have decided. You should be grateful..."
-
At Vega's Mansion
Knock Knock Knock.
A soft barely audible knock could be heard just then, but even though it was soft it was steady and determined.
"I am coming in with the drinks you requested Sir...." The voice was as soft as silk, no possibly even softer than that. Just have frail could this girl be? That was the only distinguishable feature it had, it's femininity.
Then before either of them could answer, the door swung open anyway, revealing one of Vega's maids (https://i.imgur.com/Z8qLIgQ.jpg). She was a carrying a beautiful ornate silvery tray with two wine glasses and a bottle of Vega's choice, the 1984 Sauvignon.
"I am deeply sorry for not coming here faster my lady..." She put the tray down on an a bed table and curtsied to Mira. "I hope he hasn't troubled you with his delusions." She said as she leveled an ice cold glare at him.
-
Mira
Mira's eyes widened at Vega's attitude, and she seemed like she was going to give him a piece of her mind before the knocking happened. Then her sharp eyes turned to the door, and watched the ... abundant maid enter. Huh.
Who would have thought?
Still, she smiled a bit and waved her hand in front of herself. "Ahh, well, I'm just glad you came in when you did. Thanks. My name's Mira, by the way."
-
Vega
When the door opened, no- as soon as she opened her mouth... nothing happened. He didn't seem to react to the antagonism at all. But his eyes did narrow a bit. No, rather, he closed them... and smiled.
"My my. You seem to have a particularly sharp tongue tonight. No matter, if I had know, I would have asked for a third cup. What to do..." He seemed sad and troubled by this prospect. "Oh, why don't you sit. I'll share my cup with yours. Consider this a reward, for all your good years of service..."
-
Maid
"I cannot do that sir. Sitting down and sharing a drink with you and our esteemed guest Lady Mira is completely out of the question." She said as she bowed her head while keeping a firm grip on her silky dress. My apologies for not introducing myself earlier, but I did not presume you bother yourself with someone as lowly as myself, I see now that was an error on my part.
" I'm Lulu, the head of maid of this house and I bid you welcome. You have our sincerest gratitude for bringing the Master home safely. He may be a beast in the guise of a man but he's still our master so you have our gratitude."
-
Nanako
4:15 PM
With her tasks completed, Nanako found herself wandering the streets again, eventually finding her way back to Pine Garden. The squirrel girl flitted about aimlessly, occasionally stopping to take a closer look at anything that caught her eye, but otherwise not being sure where to go next. The Citadel seemed like a fun place to visit, and it had been right next to that curious academy place. Offhandedly, Nanako hoped that Shirou hadn't gotten himself kidnapped again in the time since she'd left them, but she doubted it. It had only been a few hours, after all, not like they'd run into something out of their league again so soon.
Putting her idle musings aside, Nanako went back to looking for whatever caught her eye, wondering how she'd explain being barred from the Dojo district to Justice. That promised to be an awkward talk.
-
Maid
"I cannot do that sir. Sitting down and sharing a drink with you and our esteemed guest Lady Mira is completely out of the question." She said as she bowed her head while keeping a firm grip on her silky dress. My apologies for not introducing myself earlier, but I did not presume you bother yourself with someone as lowly as myself, I see now that was an error on my part.
" I'm Lulu, the head of maid of this house and I bid you welcome. You have our sincerest gratitude for bringing the Master home safely. He may be a beast in the guise of a man but he's still our master so you have our gratitude."
Mira
Wow, they really don't have a good opinion of the guy do they?
She shook her head. "Ahh, don't worry about it so much. He gave me the fight I asked for earlier, so I can put up with a bit of overblown ego." It didn't seem to occur to Mira that what she's said could be construed as offensive, given the smile on her face.
-
Vega
Vega closed his eyes and smiled innocently. "Oh yes, I do let my pride get the better of me sometimes..." There was a slight trembling behind his bed frame...
His fingers were literally sinking into the wall. Still, his blanket did an excellent job of concealing all that, as did his mask.
"Nonsense Lulu. You have been the one closest to me all these years, I say you are more than a servant. You are a friend. Isn't that right?"
-
Lulu
"It is quite a shame Lady Mira, his ego is disproportionate to his own innate smallness." She giggled at her her own train of thought, clearly pleased with herself or perhaps she was just enjoying him getting what was long overdue. "Don't put on such airs Master, it's not size that matter after all, it how you use it..."
-
Mira
The purple-haired brawler frowned in confusion at the dynamic here, looking between Vega and his maid and blinking repeatedly. "Huh?"
-
Vega
"Oh." His fingers suddenly reached the interior of the wall, and he realized just what he was doing. My oh my...
He chuckled, though his eyes weren't laughing. He just looked at the dumb woman for what she was: a dumb woman.
"I see. Good grief, is this really the game you want to play here? And there I was trying to give you a fair chance. I'm even playing along with you, the least you could do is follow a sane train of thought." He tried to tap her on the shoulder.
-
Lulu
The maid didn't even turn to him as he begun his very boring lecture, nor did she let him finish. Trying to grab her shoulder like that was strictly not allowed for pesky mortals like him and he would be punished for it, punished very severely indeed.
Open, O gate of heaven for thou art the righteous fury. Thine holy light shall smite the heathens and bless the true believers. May thy blade carve the righteous path.
From the heavens it came, a massive radiant blade that easily dwarfed the maid herself. It cut through his path and blocked that offending limb from touching her shoulder.
"The dream has ended, it's time for you to wake up Vega."
-
Mira
Wait, wait, wait. "Wait. What are you doing? Why are you about to try to gut him?" Mira turned from Lulu, who had been so reasonable if ever so slightly nasty, to Vega, who was kind of a prick but one she was cool with. "Why is she about to gut you?"
She didn't get up, not seeing the need to actually involve herself yet unless the blonde tried to decapitate the blond.
-
Vega
The air somehow turned even more tense.
"That is what I'd like to find out, darling." He answered sweetly, stopped short by the massive blade. Curious, wasn't she the one talking about using size to overcompensate? Despite such pleasant thoughts, his hand was trembling ever so slightly. He didn't even bother looking at Lulu, instead he just admired the make of it and his own reflection upon the metal.
"It's an exquisite sword. It's a shame really. And here I was, opening my own home to you. I suppose even I can be a fool."
He slapped the sword carelessly, and the impact formed a cut that reached about a third into the blade. He raised an eyebrow at that, and pointed at Lulu with clear intent. However, his hand did not tremble now.
"Let me ask you one question! What did you do to my actual maids? I wouldn't believe you'd have beaten them both without me noticing!"
As if he'd care about anything else.
-
Lulu
O heavens above, thy divine radiance is a blessing for all who walk the path. Thy kindness will bring salvation
Even as he postured about, and even going as far as to fight the holy judgement itself, the shining blade did not yield. No for it stood, stood for the heavens themselves and it's power was the power of all the heavenly hosts. The damage it had sustained was fleeting at best and even before he had finished levering his accusations, the divine light had filled it up once more and restored its shape.
"I believe they are in the basement, keeping your other guest company. And what do you imply by saying actual maids? Don't you remember hiring me? You were so dashing back then, when you were dancing over the fires of those who had fallen before you."
-
Vega
A sudden chill filled the air. No, it was almost like a fire. A dark determination in his eyes.
"Are they hurt?"
-
Lulu
"What?....." She stared blankly at him wondering what he was yapping about all of a sudden. So she stretched her mental threads out, entangling him in her web.
Oh... Oh heavens no, they're cleaning, why would you even accuse me of such a thing? We have a contract, and as head maid, I thought it would be bad if he got the flu and died while you were snoozing. "
-
Mira
"Other guest...?" Mira looked between them again, and tried to wrap her head around everything the two were saying, but from the look on her face she was still baffled. So she did the only thing she coudl do - stand up from her chair and stretch. "Well, this has all been really interesting, but looks like the two of you have something ya need to deal with."
She began circling around the room and heading for the door. "If you wanna talk later, I'll be at the dojo district."
-
Vega
"Yes, thank you." His answer to Mira was curt, but there was genuine gratefulness in his gaze. Which was more than could be said for that pretentious sow. Even wench was too good for that filth, he would rather share his house with a rotting mule than that woman. He wanted her out of his sight as soon as possible.
So he did the one thing that a sane man would do in this insane situation. He grabbed the bottle and gulped it down. All of it. Some of it dripped down his lips like blood. Of course, he entertained the notion that this was poison. But he cared not. The whole time he drank, he gazed right at Lulu.
And then he put the empty bottle down, only to wipe his lips with his large toned arm. He took his time. To hell with it, he would drink all the venom in this city if it meant being rid of her. Or perhaps it would be more amusing to force it all down her throat like a goose. He covered his face with his hand in a sort of glamorous pose, hiding a cold expression beneath a shadow.
"That was unamusing. But I suppose you must've found it fun to mock me in my own home, to make a farce of yourself before my guest and to brandish a sword before me. No matter, I'll have my fun soon enough."
He closed his eyes for a moment, and sighed. Then he laid his hand to rest, he smiled that same brilliant smile. There was absolutely no deceit to it.
"But all of this, I can forgive. What I will not is deceit. You say you did not do them harm? Good! Very good. Then perhaps we have some small future, under my terms."
-
Lulu
Lulu just stood there and patiently waited for him to finish the wine bottle and his little speech before coming up with a response of her own. But it was something unexpected, and was it really an answer?
"My work here is done."
She spun around and vanished into thin air before even completing a full turn.
-
Lulu
"Nothing compares to sweet tea in the afternoon."
The angelic maid now found herself lounging on a couch in another room of Vega's mansion. While waiting to see how long it would take them to figure out she hadn't actually left. Naturally, she'd prepared more cups for all of them when they'd inevitably show up.
Yiu can't possibly have important discussions in a bedroom after all, it just wasn't proper.
-
Vega
"...Very well." He bowed, if only out of theatrical respect. With that, he headed towards the basement...
The large, thick metal door slid open with a rumble, unveiling an underground cavern stretching downward. The cave wouldn't look out of place in a comic book or a superhero movie, what with the walls being made of stone only to be interrupted with high tech gadgetry and advanced medical facilities.
"Master! What are you doing?! Your wounds... you shouldn't have gotten up so soon!" A voice suddenly called out. It was the usually stoic and mute maid, who was just now preoccupied.tending to their precious guest. And seeing that, he understood. Of course.
Seeing as their lovely houseguest was in a critical condition, they must have panicked and headed downstairs to tend to him. While they left that opening, the vixen used this to slip through the crack and sour him with that farce. But seeing them hard at work, no, seeing them...
He smiled. This time, genuinely. "Ill be fine. Do not worry, such an expression does not suit your beauty." He walked up to the silver haired girl and raised his hand. For a moment, she seemed scared, but all that came was a gentle pat on the head. "It's alright. You have done your job, and done it well."
"...Master." Was all she could say. The other maid looked, incredulously.
For a moment, despite how much he was hurting, Vega relaxed. And the words he spoke, they were something they could not have dreamed of. "You know, I believe it is ripe time we had a vacation."
The quieter one was the first one to, shockingly, object. "That is impossible. You shouldn't waste your time with lowly maids such as ourselves. We are just furniture after all. You... this is too much."
"Nonsense. You are not just maids, property to be merely used and displayed. You are my possessions, treasures to be cherished like all else, and I promise I will not throw you away. That makes you something far more special than common rabble. And I will have you two enjoy yourselves tonight. Is that clear?"
His mind was already set. As for their guest in the room...
7:00 PM
The young man strutted up the stairs, already donning a new attire. Tight bright blue pants gripped against his flesh, accentuating his curves while his flamboyantly coloured vacation shirt was barely buttoned across his chest, the sleeves rolled up his elbows - he wielded color much like how a knight would brandish a sword. A smooth ponytail flew behind him as he walked up to the front door with a near sensual sway of his hips to his stride. He looked at his golden watch and flashed a smiled, before adjusting his sunglasses. Yes, still plenty of time...
His two maids followed behind. Their attire was only slightly more modest, at least in the color department. Simple white and bright blue. Still, there was no doubt these were marvellous dresses, tailored perfectly for them. One of them was helping a woman up the stairs, whose hair was as white as her eyes were dull. Yet that woman's smile was brilliant all the same, even as she was carried by her wheelchair. The other maid carried a strangely large suitcase, but nothing out of the ordinary.
And then, surprisingly, he came by that person by the living room, just as they were heading out. But he didn't even spare her a glance. Instead, he smiled as he played with the house keys, dangling the car key just in the middle.
You know, the one who sought me out was you. I have no need for more hindrances, get out of my house. Or don't. It makes no difference to me.
-
Lulu
"I'm terribly sorry for how I acted earlier."
A voice that sounded like Lulu's suddenly rang in his head.
"Would you like to have some tea with me? I promise I'll behave now, You'd probably be interested in what I have to offer you...." All while this voice was talking directly to him, Lulu was still sitting on the couch and sipping her tea.
"Oh and I'm afraid burning your house down won't be as helpful as you think!" This time her voice came from the living room.
-
Vega
He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Despite being dead set the moment he began, despite his resolve, something made him stop. His gaze was now travelling to that pretense maid, icy as ever. But it was nowhere near as icy as the chill down his spine. How did she...
He closed his eyes, and chuckled a little. He turned to his two maids with a look as candid as ever. "Will you two be dears and wait for me in the car? Take good care of mother for a bit."
The two looked confused, glancing at themselves with a concerned look. Just as they were about to speak, he interrupted. "Shhhh. Your voices are not to be wasted on other ears. Don't worry, it won't be long."
With that, they bowed and nodded before leaving. Once the door closed, his eyes did too; However, when he turned to Lulu, there was no trace of that gentle demeanour. It was as if that man had two sides to him. Fire and water, love and hate, light and shadow...
He sat down right in front of her, still as ice. But his gaze burned. He took a sip of the tea. It was good tea, he had to give her that, but he didn't like tea.
"What." He set down the cup tensely and just stared right through her...
-
Lulu
"Oh my, that is some good fire in your eyes, I like it. But rest assured there's no spies here, I simply read your mind like an open book, it's a bit hard to stop honestly given how powerful my ability is. Didn't I tell you so in that lets say unique dream of yours? Perhaps I didn't, I can be quite incoherent, comes with always hearing the bustle of the city." She put down her cup like him and glanced at him.
"You don't like tea." It wasn't a question. "I suppose I should have prepared something more palatable but it was the only thing I had on hand. You may want to call them in from the car as this will take more than five minutes to unpack, since I want you to have a clear a picture as possible before we proceed. Actually no, it won't even work in the first place unless you know all the details." She breathed in, it was more for the sake of inserting a pause to her monologue so that he'd have an easier time comprehending it, than a need for her to actually breathe.
"As you might have figured out, I'm not a human and my purpose here is to put bluntly, make a contract with you for my amusement but you would benefit too both immediately and in the long run."
-
Vega
His eyes should have widened at that absurd revelation. However, all he could do was look on, determined as ever. So she could read thoughts... this would explain everything. Yes, perhaps he'd test this little theory then.
"They will wait. They are loyal subjects."
I will not forgive anyone who threatens my eternal throne. Not you, nor anyone. "You say you seek to aid me for your own amusement? What a gorgeous ideal. What is life without joy, or a world without laughter? Yes, I can sympathize..." But who do you think you're speaking to? I am not some clown to be dressed in motley for your entertainment.
I am Vega. And you seem to misunderstand our roles.
"So go on? Tell me dear, why should I accept?" If you think I'm interested in a dog's honeyed tongue, you are mistaken. Or is wagging it all you can do?
-
Lulu
"And how would helping you actually realize that eternal throne make you a clown? It's your journey I want to see, the beauty of your peerless being as you reach the top, not some cheap act from a bad play."
She leaned forward slightly at the next part. "Ah yes I'm beneath you, everyone is beneath you, especially that girl who beat you up and had to carry you back home earlier. Your pride far exceeds your current capabilities, it's your biggest weakness."
-
Vega
"If you think that is the hearth of my pride, then you are a bigger fool than I thought." He answered her curtly, thinking that he'd rather have more wine. Soon. His tone seemed tired of such unsightly foolishness.
"Yes, I am worthy to stand at the pinnacle, that is no opinion but a fact. Would a mere peasant be able to master their own flesh as I have? To rise above and beyond thepitfalls of my past? I have overcome my trials, and will topple the next. That doesn't mean I am blind to the fact I am yet to reach the climax. No, I am not above that woman, who branded me with defeat. Is that what you wished to hear?"
His thoughts, his very heart was filled with fire and venom.
For one who pretends to read the hearts of men, you should know that at the heart of mankind lies arrogance. But to wallow in it without action... That is uglyness. No, I will climb. Withor without you.
-
Lulu
"No..."
Waiting for him to finish his monologue was starting to get tiresome, just how much did he love his own voice?
"At the heart of mankind lies fear."
-
Vega
Vega opened his mouth and raised a finger to object. But his expression slowly shifted, until he closed his mouth and looked at her with inquisition. Then, acceptance.
"...Yes. That must also be the case."
He closed his eyes for a moment.
"In that case, to surpass humanity is to surpass fear itself. If absolute power brings absolute peace, then only when I stand at the top can I rid myself of fear. That is what it means for me to live."
For him to be reborn as a swan was the one way to move forward. And so he did, and he climbed. Higher, and higher. Because the only thing that mattered was the climb. No, not even that. The results, only the results would live on in this world in infamy.
He poured a cup for Lulu. It was a small kindness, but one he'd offer nonetheless. He had not kicked her out so far, even if she were an enemy, he would do no differently. Yes, even now, it made no difference to him if she were friend or foe. But she had yet to show him how exactly she would be useful.
"So are you to tell me you fear nothing? After all, you claim not to be human."
-
Lulu
Lulu leaned back into the couch but did graciously accept the cup thay hax been poured for her, statngely the tea set seemed just as heavy after he poured it for her as before.
"The things I fear are beyond the comprehension of beings with a mortal lifespan, if there were words to describe those horrors, then the words themselves would bring untold calamity upon being uttered. Maybe sometime, somewhere in your journey you will catch a glimpse and then you'll understand. " The tea was just as hot as when she started drinking so she had it sip it carefully, it still made for a good closing point.
" Would you like to live forever, to rid yourself of the greatest weakness of Humanity? "
-
Vega
Ahhh~
For a moment, his eyes lit up. "Eternity..." His voice marvelled, with a hint of arousal at the thought of that very idea. Wasn't she simply precious, trying so hard to woo him over. Well, he had to respect going for the kill there and then.
"I can't say the thought has not occurred. How would you achieve that, dear?"
-
Lulu
"That depends entirely on you. Just how much are you willing to pay, how much are you willing to sacrifice?" She took another sip of the tea, it was just as hot as when she started drinking several hours before.
"Eternal life.... is one thing..... but true immortality isn't outside my reach either. It's all comes down to you. What are you willing to lose?"
-
Vega
"Absolutely nothing." He answered with a smirk of absolute conviction.
-
Lulu
"You what!"
The crushed cup fell out of her hand as she slammed it into table and shattered the tea set into a million pieces.
"Do you think this is some kind of joke? OH I WANT IT ALL! LOOK AT ME!....."
"AHAHAHAHA"
But just as suddenly she broke out in laughter.
"Amazing, the audacity, it's too much, it's sublime!"
-
Vega
"Of course it is." He answered as a matter of factly, before helping himself to another sip.
"After all, it is my own."
-
Lulu
"Ahahahhaah...."
She stood up and clapped her hands.
"Marvelous, absolutely marvelous." But even so she lowered her gaze.
"Even so, I still need something. Binding contracts don't work like that."
-
Vega
"Of course, of course. Didn't we agree to it then? You may watch to your hearts content and entertain yourself to the tale of my ascension. In return, you may experience the bliss of being a cornerstone of the mirror to my throne. As far as I can tell, this is already quite one-sided in your favour." He cocked his head to his hand and snapped his fingers. The gesture was devoid of meaning, and yet there was something mesmerizing about it.
"Did you think I would be the one to be bound? Tsk tsk, such poor manners~! O woe me..."
-
Lulu
"Surely you are jesting? I am the one offering this to you, but please do inform me as to how this is one sided for me?"
Tcswiiink....
The table was thrust aside by her sudden movement as she rapidly apprached him. Her eyes were now burning with an eternal chill.
"Never suggest that I would bound you or anyone else ever again, or I will kill you. Imortality or not be damned."
-
Vega
He opened his eyes, with an almost surprised look. His head cocked innocently at her rage, but the cold chill in his spine remained. The fingers in his hand itched.
His smile was almost too precious, absolutely dazzling. "Ah, forgive me! Aou are adorable even when you're glaring at me like that~! But I meant no offense."
But suddenly, his visage twisted into a rictus, a cruel expression masking rage and disdain. Her accusation reminded him of someone he hated more than anyone else in the world.
"I am a ruler, not a slaver. I would never strip someone's freedom from them, least of all a woman. If one was as vile to do something like that in my presence, then let them be fed to the swine and the cattle! That is the only fate for scum like that." He raised a finger and relaxed, sighing before taking another sip.
"Even so, I do not wish to be bound. I value my own freedom as much as you do yours. In that sense, I suppose we are the same. A puppet king is no king at all."
-
Tsumiko
8:00 pm
Tsumiko and Archer spent awhile longer packing the stuff that mattered to her. There wasn't too much. Most of her stuff turned out to have been shoddily projected, then reprojected when it finally disappeared. The two returned to Archer's house, and Tsumiko immediately seemed to tense up, looking around furtively.
-
Emiya
Emiya saw the tension is his new ward and walked over to her. He rested a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Are you okay?"
I need to take her shopping. She needs clothing, toiletries, stuff for her hair, and pretty things that girls like. Ribbons, some costume jewelry probably. Maybe some makeup and perfume.
Damn, I am going to have to research all of this stuff pretty soon.
-
Tsumiko
She turned to look at him with a startled look. She was a bit shocked that he wasn't doing anything.
"Don't you check for traps and ambushes when you come home?"
-
Emiya
"Not really. If someone's going to attack me in my house, then that's their mistake," Emiya said with a shrug.
Then he called out, "Tohsaka, come here buddy." Then, his cheeks flushing red, he proceeded to make a couple of kissing noises.
The cat bounded towards him and rubbed against his legs. "And if something was wrong, my little buddy would have already been waiting for me," he said as he petted the cat.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko gave him a baffled look, as if what he'd said was utterly alien and deeply disturbing to her.
"Ummm, okay... I guess..."
-
Emiya
Emiya lifted the black cat into his arms and automatically Tohsaka started nuzzling his human while purring loudly.
"If I spent all my time worrying about what's trying to kill me from the shadows I'd get nothing done," Emiya said with a shrug.
Tohsaka made a chortling sound before kneading his claws against Emiya's shoulder.
-
Emiya
Emiya lifted the black cat into his arms and automatically Tohsaka started nuzzling his human while purring loudly.
"If I spent all my time worrying about what's trying to kill me from the shadows I'd get nothing done," Emiya said with a shrug.
Tohsaka made a chortling sound before kneading his claws against Emiya's shoulder.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko's shadow suddenly shot out, sliding up Archer's shoulder and right underneath the cat's claws, extracting him from Archer's shoulder and picking him up, pulling him to Tsumiko's arms. "And I don't get clawed by cats, Archer~"
She sounded very Rin in that moment.
-
Emiya
"You know that's a sign of contentment right. He's kneading his spot to get comfortable," Emiya said with a frown as Tsumiko took his cat away from him.
Tsumiko made some adorable feline noise before kneading the pads of his paws into Tsumiko's ample breasts.
-
Emiya
"You know that's a sign of contentment right. He's kneading his spot to get comfortable," Emiya said with a frown as Tsumiko took his cat away from him.
Tsumiko made some adorable feline noise before kneading the pads of his paws into Tsumiko's ample breasts.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko giggled, holding the cat in between her mounds, letting him play with them. "I learn something new every day, don't I?"
-
Emiya
"Well, if he shows you his belly don't scratch it. When cats do that it's apparently not a sign that they want their belly petted, but that they trust you and are exposing themselves to you," Emiya said.
He was sort of proud of his random cat knowledge.
"I'll show you where his litter box is later," he said with a smirk, "Because now I'm not the only one who gets to clean it."
-
Emiya
"Well, if he shows you his belly don't scratch it. When cats do that it's apparently not a sign that they want their belly petted, but that they trust you and are exposing themselves to you," Emiya said.
He was sort of proud of his random cat knowledge.
"I'll show you where his litter box is later," he said with a smirk, "Because now I'm not the only one who gets to clean it."
Tsumiko
"I can just dump it into the imaginary abyss, right?" Tsumiko asked, stroking the cat's head affectionately. She raised her eyebrow, feeling smart about her solution.
-
Emiya
He frowned and asked, "Does the Imaginary Abyss go anywhere? I mean, you put stuff in and it has to come out somewhere. Or does it just go to this void that will now be filled with cat waste and litter for eternity?"
He pointed and said, "Well, you have to refresh the box with new litter. Even though he's fixed, he will go outside of the box if it isn't to his liking."
-
Emiya
He frowned and asked, "Does the Imaginary Abyss go anywhere? I mean, you put stuff in and it has to come out somewhere. Or does it just go to this void that will now be filled with cat waste and litter for eternity?"
He pointed and said, "Well, you have to refresh the box with new litter. Even though he's fixed, he will go outside of the box if it isn't to his liking."
Tsumiko
"It'll probably be like dumping cat litter into the eternal void, haha." She smiled at him. "That's easy, isn't it?"
She kissed Tohsaka on the head. "Good kitty."
-
Emiya
In his minds eye, Emiya saw endless lumps of cat litter and feces falling in a black and violet void. He shook his head at the mental image and rubbed his forehead. "Well, at least I'll save money on trash collecting," he quietly said to himself.
He then looked at Tsumiko and asked, "What all can you throw in that void anyway?"
He reasoned he'd still recycle scrap because that did pay, but all the other odds and ends that he paid for trash collection for could easily be taken out by the endless void.
-
Emiya
In his minds eye, Emiya saw endless lumps of cat litter and feces falling in a black and violet void. He shook his head at the mental image and rubbed his forehead. "Well, at least I'll save money on trash collecting," he quietly said to himself.
He then looked at Tsumiko and asked, "What all can you throw in that void anyway?"
He reasoned he'd still recycle scrap because that did pay, but all the other odds and ends that he paid for trash collection for could easily be taken out by the endless void.
Tsumiko
"I can put anything in there." She answered frankly, squatting down towards the floor, into her comfortable position. She looked up at Archer and smiled weakly. "So, um, where's my room? I want to um, see where I'll be staying..."
-
Emiya
The white haired man nodded and said, "Of course. I'll show you around the rest of the shop as well. You're already aware of the kitchen."
He then gestured up stairs. "Now, right now it's not much, but we could get some things to make it yours when we go shopping."
As he had said, the guest room wasn't "much". It was clean and neat with a desk pushed against the wall with a practical but comfortable looking chair. There was a twin bed pushed against the other wall, making use of all the space as much as possible. There was a decent sized closet as well, big enough for her to walk in.
-
Tsumiko
"Aaaahhhh!" Tsumiko's eyes seemed to be glowing as she took the sight in. The girl began shaking, giggling. She jumped towards the bed, catapulting herself on it like a certain Einzbern girl.
"This all is really mine!?!"
-
Emiya
The white haired man blinked as Tsumiko flung herself onto the bed before slowly smiling.
Emiya nodded and said, "Of course, it's your room. When we're shopping we can get some stuff so you can make the room yours."
Girls liked stuff like posters and he figured he could make her a vanity with a mirror. He nodded to himself and said, "And I could easily make you a vanity right there." He pointed to the corner of the room.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko rolled over, hugging a big pillow. She gave Archer a quizzical pouty-faced look. "What in the world is that?"
-
Archer
"Well, it's like a small table but there's a large mirror. Apparently girls like to use it so they can fix their hair and put on their makeup," Emiya said with a shrug.
Then he held up his hands and said, "If you don't like makeup that's totally fine. Or if you'd like to try some, that's totally fine as well." He snapped his fingers together and eyed her.
"We'll need to get you a phone and maybe a computer of your own. Well, I could build one from spare parts like mine . . ."
-
Archer
"Well, it's like a small table but there's a large mirror. Apparently girls like to use it so they can fix their hair and put on their makeup," Emiya said with a shrug.
Then he held up his hands and said, "If you don't like makeup that's totally fine. Or if you'd like to try some, that's totally fine as well." He snapped his fingers together and eyed her.
"We'll need to get you a phone and maybe a computer of your own. Well, I could build one from spare parts like mine . . ."
Tsumiko
Something in Tsumiko's eyes showed she was panicking on some unconcious level, but the girl just nodded, seemingly unaware beyond a faint sense of unease. "Um, I don't know anything about makeup. Can you help me with it?"
-
Emiya
Gray eyes widened as Emiya stood there for a moment, silent with his mouth slightly opened.
"I . . . really don't know much about it. There might be books or magazines we can look stuff up in. Or on line," he said after a moment, "That I can help you with. Putting it on, not so much."
-
Emiya
Gray eyes widened as Emiya stood there for a moment, silent with his mouth slightly opened.
"I . . . really don't know much about it. There might be books or magazines we can look stuff up in. Or on line," he said after a moment, "That I can help you with. Putting it on, not so much."
Tsumiko
"Uuuu..." Tsumiko made a noise of disappointment. "Okay. I'll learn on my own..."
She held the pillow tightly, rolling back over.
-
Emiya
"What? Just because I wear leather pants with straps doesn't mean I know how to put on eyeliner," he said as he folded his arms across his chest with a tiny grunt. He looked away.
He was also pouting slightly.
-
Emiya
"What? Just because I wear leather pants with straps doesn't mean I know how to put on eyeliner," he said as he folded his arms across his chest with a tiny grunt. He looked away.
He was also pouting slightly.
Tsumiko
"No, no, I'm not upset! It's fine, really!"
Tsumiko was definetely a bit upset.
-
Emiya
Emiya looked back at her and grinned.
"Sorry, I'm sort of new to all of this too."
His face sobered and he looked at her. "It'll be hard, but would you be interested in going to school?"
-
Emiya
Emiya looked back at her and grinned.
"Sorry, I'm sort of new to all of this too."
His face sobered and he looked at her. "It'll be hard, but would you be interested in going to school?"
Tsumiko
Tsumiko rolled back over. She stared at him with those two mismatched eyes. "Um-ah..." She bit her lower lip hard enough for it to bleed a bit, grunted in pain, and stopped. It instantly healed in front of Archer's eyes. "I don't know..."
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded at Tsumiko's words. He silently wondered how much of Rin and Sakura's knowledge passed onto her. She didn't seem to have Rin's genius, but she wasn't a slouch either.
He watched as the bite on her lip healed and he frowned. "Hey, just because you can heal yourself doesn't mean you should hurt yourself like that, okay," he said.
Pot, let me introduce you to this kettle. It is also very black, he thought dryly.
-
Tsumiko
She just cocked her head in confusion at him. "Um, why...?"
-
Emiya
"Because one thing it'll make people worry," Emiya said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
He rested his hand on her head and added, "And the fact that you can heal yourself like that will ask a lot of questions that you don't want to answer."
-
Tsumiko
"I think that's the least of my worries in that regard." She responded. "What's so unsual about regeneration in this place?"
She sighed. "But I'll do my best to listen."
-
Emiya
"Well, I sure as hell can't heal like that," Emiya said as he lifted up his shirt half way up his chest. "It would make my life easier if I could."
He was muscular, but there were white scars cutting against his bronze skin. A couple of bullet wounds, something that looked like a deep gash in his side, and shrapnel entry and exit wounds. He turned so Tsumiko could get a good look of his back as well, which told the same story as his front.
"This is why you'll never see me at a public pool. People like to ask about things different, or talk behind your back," he said as he lowered his shirt.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko looked at him with a very bitter, wavering smile on her face. "Hehehe, so that's what normal people worry about? My body's constantly changing in little ways I can't control. Worrying about stuff like scarring sounds like a dream.
-
Emiya
There, I got something, he thought with an inward smirk before he smoothed his shirt back into place.
"Changing how?" he asked.
-
Tsumiko
"I don't want to talk about that! Gross!" She shuddered, holding the pillow tight. "You wouldn't get it. It just happens, like breathing, depending on my mood."
-
Emiya
"Does it hurt when it happens?" Emiya asked.
He flexed his hand and said, "I mean, sometimes swords pop out of my body if I'm not careful."
-
Tsumiko
"Not so much. Unless it's a serious injury."
-
Emiya
Great, her power actively hurts her too? Of course it does, it's three very different types of origins and elements conflicting with each other. Sure, Rin's would be the easiest to get along with because she's an Average One, but "Sword" and "Imaginary Numbers" aren't made to mix and match."
Emiya asked, "So, your magecraft actually hurts you sometimes?"
-
Tsumiko
"You just said yours does too! Why are you getting upset, it's the same! The swords coming out of me and whatbot."
-
Emiya
"Well, it doesn't really happen anymore. I've learned to control it," he said with a wry grin as he rubbed the back of his neck.
-
Tsumiko
"It's! The! Same!" She insisted. "You can't take my magic away from me."
-
Emiya
"I don't want to take your magic away. I want to make sure that you can use it without you hurting yourself or needlessly hurting others," Emiya said with a frown at her.
"I want to teach you control, I guess."
-
Tsumiko
"Pah. It doesn't bother me."
She suddenly jumped up, standing on the bed.
"Will you get me a teddy?"
She completely changed the subject, staring at Archer intently.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at Tsumiko's sudden change in topic.
He smirked, folded his arms across his chest, and said, "Honestly, I could make you a better stuffed animal than you could buy in a store."
Then he frowned and asked, "You mean teddy bear right? Not illicit lingerie."
-
Tsumiko
She shook her head. "I don't know what that is, but I want to go to a toy store."
She squatted down back on the matress, staring Archer in the eyes, unblinking, expectantly.
-
Emiya
His grey eyes blinked as Tsumiko looked him unblinkingly as she made her request.
Ilya liked toy stores, and so does Nursery. Jack just likes knives, he thought.
"Of course we can go to a toy store. When we go shopping, just let me know what sort of store you want to go to and we'll go," he said with a smile.
-
Tsumiko
"Yay!" She exclaimed. "For real?"
-
Emiya
Emiya grinned and said, "Within reason. And my reasons are pretty lenient."
You're not getting me into a sex shop.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko threw the pillow aside. "Then let's go!"
-
Emiya
Emiya had to smile at Tsumiko's energy and excitement.
"Alright, let's go," he said before smirking at her, his steel colored eyes dancing. "Have you ever ridden a motorcycle before?"
******
He didn't know where to start, but a quick check on his phone told him were the highest rated toy store in the area was.
So, they found themselves at The House of Blinsky.
Emiya opened the door and heard a bell chime above his head.
A jovial male voice called out, "Welcome friends, to the House of Blinsky, where happiness and smiles can be bought at bargain prices. Perhaps you know a little child in need of joy? A little toy for a girl or boy?”
Standing behind the counter in front of a mass of hand made toys that made Emiya pause and admire their craftsmanship was a round man wearing a jester's cap and a small spider monkey on his shoulder. He smiled brightly at them both and Emiya turned and looked at Tsumiko with a grin.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko held onto Archer's arm, her breasts awkwardly squished against it. She looked at all of the toys silently in awe. She stared at the plush toys, intently gazing at them with longing.
"Wow..."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at the girl currently clinging to his arm, her ample breasts pressing against it.
It was easy to squish any illicit thoughts that would have popped up now, knowing both her and what she possessed. So there wasn't any trace of a blush on his tawny features and his smile was genuine. He chuckled at her childlike joy, remembering Ilya, Nursery, and Jack. Despite how dangerous they were, they were still little girls deep down.
The toymaker smiled and clapped his hands. "Ah, the lovely young lady has a good eye! She likes soft things, yes?"
The spider monkey jumped from the toymaker's shoulder onto Tsumiko's with a happy squeal before gently looking through her long, violet hair.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko suppressed an urge to jump away and flee when the monkey jumped onto her. She clenched her fists and breathed slowly, looking at the jester-man.
"Ye-yeah. They're comfy."
-
Emiya and the Toy Store
"Oh! It seems like Piccalo has taken a liking to you, Young Miss. I promise, he is a friendly, happy boy that means you know harm," the toyman said with a smile on his round face.
Emiya tilted his head at the man's archaic form of speaking and looked around. He tilted his head as his keen eyes picked up that everything in here was exquisitely hand made. There were no manufactured parts here.
He looked at the monkey and the monkey let out a small hiss before going back and chittering while playing with Tsumiko's hair.
"Everything looks hand made here," Emiya said as he looked back at the toymaker.
He nodded and said, "Yes yes, If it's No Blinsky, it's No Fun!"
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko pulled Archer by the hand, tugging on him. She took a tentative step forward, holding her shadow back from reflexively killing the monkey. "Let's-go!"
Despite it all, she still wanted to explore the store!
-
Emiya
He laughed and said, "Alright, let's look around."
As if Piccalo could sense her shadow, he screamed, leaped off her shoulder, and skittered back onto Blinsky's. He bared his teeth and hissed at the girl and Blinsky frowned. "A moment ago you were all chittering wanting to be in her hair, and now you are being fussy. I do not want to put you in the back if you keep misbehaving," Blinsky said as he shook his finger at the monkey.
Emiya frowned for a moment and looked around. There were a number of stuffed animals, but there were . . . odd ones. There was one dressed as a dapper nobleman with fangs. There was a werewolf as well. Of course there were traditional teddy bears and birds. There was even a set of plush ravens.
-
Tsumiko
The young girl seemed unperturbed by the-stranger-plushies. She ran straight towards the largest bear, pulling Archer with her. "Look, look!"
-
Emiya
The white haired man let Tsumiko pull him to the largest teddy bear.
Emiya studied it and said, "Well, it looks well made. Here, how does it feel?"
He picked it up off the shelf and eyed the price tag. His eyes widened as he thought, How does this man even stay in business? This should be worth a good three times of what he's asking for.
Then he handed it to Tsumiko.
-
Emiya
The white haired man let Tsumiko pull him to the largest teddy bear.
Emiya studied it and said, "Well, it looks well made. Here, how does it feel?"
He picked it up off the shelf and eyed the price tag. His eyes widened as he thought, How does this man even stay in business? This should be worth a good three times of what he's asking for.
Then he handed it to Tsumiko.
Tsumiko
Tsumiko took the bear, hugging it tightly. She buried her face in it, giggling. "It's great."
-
Emiya
"Then we'll get it," Emiya said with a grin.
Blinsky walked over and said, "Oh, this bear has a surprise! Well, all of my plushes do, but this is splendid!"
He reached over and there was a hidden pouch in the bear's stomach. He opened it and out spilled a collection of velvet plush organs attached to the bear.
"See, hidden surprise!"
-
Emiya
"Then we'll get it," Emiya said with a grin.
Blinsky walked over and said, "Oh, this bear has a surprise! Well, all of my plushes do, but this is splendid!"
He reached over and there was a hidden pouch in the bear's stomach. He opened it and out spilled a collection of velvet plush organs attached to the bear.
"See, hidden surprise!"
Tsumiko
Tsumiko pulled the bear away from him, glaring at the strange man with a pout. "Don't bully her!" She shouted, staring him down. Her grip on Archer's hand became painful, and her shadow began to pulsate in an agitated manner.
-
Emiya
Emiya didn't flinch when Tsumiko gripped his hand. However he did frown at the shadows that were starting to pulsate around her. He leveled his eyes at the shopkeeper and the man paled slightly under his steely gaze.
"I appreciate that you're showing off your craftsmanship, and as a fellow craftsman myself, I understand that you want to show your customer all the features of your product," Emiya said as he continued to stare the man down.
He gave Tsumiko's hand a slight squeeze and smiled at her before turning back to Blinsky.
"However, not all customers like to be walked through all the features of a product. They like to discover them themselves," Emiya said in a low voice.
Blinsky nodded and said, "Ah, yes, I apologize, and I am sorry young miss. I did not mean to offend."
-
tsumiko
She held onto her new friend tightly, glaring at him suspiciously. She puffed out her cheeks as she eyed the man, finally turning away with a hmmph.
She looked up at Archer before standing on the tips of her big toes, balancing precariously. "Is this really ok? Spending this much on someone like me?"
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled down at her and said, "Of course it's okay Tsumiko. I said it was, and plus, it's really not that much money considering what went into making it. Besides, we've traumatized the poor shopkeeper this much, the least we can do is buy it."
He rested his free hand on her head.
-
Tsumiko
Archer felt a shadow creep up his arm, and then suddenly give him a squeeze. Tsumiko looked up at him, starry eyed. Tears began welling up, and she began blinking them back. "Ah-ah!"
She grabbed Archer for a hug, burying her face into his chest.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as he felt a shadow creep up his arm and squeeze it as Tsumiko looked up at him. Her mismatched eyes were welling up with tears that she began to blink back before burring her face into his chest. He stroked her hair with a hand with a sigh.
Blinsky was looking at them with a curious tilt of his head.
"Hey, hey, it's just a bear. You're a girl, right, you need a stuffed animal," he said with a smile.
-
Tsumiko
10:00 PM, Nexus Time
Today, without a a doubt, had been the most exciting day for Tsumiko. She'd made a friend-she'd mercy killed said friend, and then she'd met somebody who seemed familar, safe, to her. She'd moved in with him, and most excitingly, she got taken shopping. The amount of stuff she had to proccess was incredible, and it was making her head spin by the time she got home. They'd decorated her room, and she'd put up Thea's rifle on the wall. She was especially pleased by Archer's promise to make a special stand for it. Finally, holding her teddy in one arm, and Archer's hand with her other, she was tucked into bed.
"Um..." She mumbled, staring into Archer's eyes with her own mismatched ones. "This isn't a dream, is it?"
-
Emiya
The former Servant blinked at Tsumiko's words.
He reached down and ruffled her hair with a smile. "No, I promise you it's not a dream. Plus you'll probably say differently when I give you your chore list tomorrow," he said with a grin.
He rubbed the bear's ear and asked, "Do you have a name for it?"
-
Emiya
The former Servant blinked at Tsumiko's words.
He reached down and ruffled her hair with a smile. "No, I promise you it's not a dream. Plus you'll probably say differently when I give you your chore list tomorrow," he said with a grin.
He rubbed the bear's ear and asked, "Do you have a name for it?"
Tsumiko
"Noh. I'm good at chores, I've been taking good care of myself." She blinked, and then shook her head. "And she doesn't yet, I haven't decided. It's a very important decision that I have to make. I have to consider my options carefully." She answered with the utmost seriousness.
-
Emiya
"And you can help me around the shop as well. Honestly, one thing I need help on is greeting the clients. I swear, if I have another young woman who brings in a toaster that they obviously broke that morning . . . " Emiya shook his head with a sigh before looking at the bear.
At least Saber Alter's not here to stalk me for food, he thought absently.
"That's true. You should give her a strong name," he said.
-
Tsumiko
She smiled. "I'll show you. I'll take over your shop because I'll be the best repairwoman!"
Hehehe~" She blinked her bleary eyes, struggling to stay awake before yawning.
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at her and asked, "Is that so? Well, that means I might be able to take it easy for once."
He smoothed down the blanket over her and said, "Get some rest, Tsumiko. You've had a very interesting day."
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko yawned again before closing her eyes. "You'll be here tomorrow, right?"
-
Emiya
He frowned and said, "I hope so. I don't think anyone's going to try to come and take me in the night. Even though it wouldn't be the first time that happened."
Then he smiled at her and patted her head. "Of course I'll be here tomorrow, this is our home, right?"
-
Vega's Mansion
7:45 PM, NEXUS TIME
Drip, drip, drip. Drops of blood ran down an unmoving finger. Cold, so cold, this whole room was cold. If only there was something to make it warmer. But this home, the woods surrounding it, this whole world was just so silent and frigid.
Amidst his bloody living room, a corpse was laughing. His brain, his liver, his heart, all had been gouged out, and he had been left to die miserably in his own home. The only reason he was still awake was the immeasurable hatred that was plaguing his dying body... no, his corpse.
"It's too bad... too bad Lu... haahaha...haa... how dare... this world... let someone like me fall..." He could not even get up, his bleeding husk was forced on the ground, impotent as he bled out and his broken organs let out their final wails.
It was too bad. But he had to thank a certain friend he made recently. An alchemist he called himself, and how reliable he had been. As his heart had stopped breathing, a signal was sent. And soon, the flames began to rise on the walls, the halls, everywhere. But they didn't stop. These flames were not natural, therefore they did not follow natural rules. And as they grew and consumed his grave and his still body, he let out a final laughter, as the home collapsed. He didn't cafre that Lulu knew of the trap, or even that it might be stopped and all for nothing. He simply allowed this, out of sheer spite. Just like 6 years ago.
Sometimes, dreams can be prophetic.
The fire was spreading across the trees and grass quickly, soon it would cover this whole hillside.
-
Emiya
He frowned and said, "I hope so. I don't think anyone's going to try to come and take me in the night. Even though it wouldn't be the first time that happened."
Then he smiled at her and patted her head. "Of course I'll be here tomorrow, this is our home, right?"
Tsumiko
Tsumiko suddenly sat up, looking at him very seriously. "If that's a problem, I guess I have no choice." She began to climb out of bed, yawning again as she did so. "I'll just have to set up a bunch of bounded fields to make sure that you're safe. Then nobody can take you."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Tsumiko started to get up.
He frowned, knowing that bounded fields would be a good defense and something he wasn't really good at creating. Yet he wanted the girl to get some sleep. "Yare yare," he said with a sigh before he started following her.
"You know, I was mostly kidding. That's not really something I have to deal with now," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck with a grimace.
It was something Emiya Shirou had to deal with when he was alive.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Tsumiko started to get up.
He frowned, knowing that bounded fields would be a good defense and something he wasn't really good at creating. Yet he wanted the girl to get some sleep. "Yare yare," he said with a sigh before he started following her.
"You know, I was mostly kidding. That's not really something I have to deal with now," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck with a grimace.
It was something Emiya Shirou had to deal with when he was alive.
Tsumiko
"But, there is a chance, right? I'll just set them up quickly, it will only take a couple of hours." She tried to push her way past him.
-
Emiya
The white haired man placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Tsumiko, you can do it tomorrow. You're exhausted now, get some rest and you can ward the place up all you want tomorrow. Just make sure that Tohsaka can get in and out whenever he wants. He has to go out and do cat things on occasion," Emiya said with a grin.
-
Emiya
The white haired man placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Tsumiko, you can do it tomorrow. You're exhausted now, get some rest and you can ward the place up all you want tomorrow. Just make sure that Tohsaka can get in and out whenever he wants. He has to go out and do cat things on occasion," Emiya said with a grin.
Tsumiko
"No, it's fine. I should have done it earlier, anyway. You never know when you'll need them, but you'll be happy you have them when you do. It never hurts to lose a little sleep and be prepared."
-
Emiya
It seems like I don't have a choice in the matter. Damn it, why do I always get involved with strong women? he thought.
Emiya sighed and said, "Fine, I'll let you do it."
-
Tsumiko
12:00 AM Nexus Time
After a couple hours of drawing fields and casting all sorts of complicated magics, Tsumiko seemed happy with what she'd accomplished and finally headed to bed. Once inside, she collapsed into a deep slumber.
-
Emiya
Emiya sat in Tsumiko's room until she fell asleep.
So which one of you is going to haunt me first, Rin or Sakura? he thought.
He hoped that at least one of them would give him some straight answers for once. He wasn't the idiot boy anymore, he hadn't been for a long time. And if he had to obliterate half of the Nexus to get a Grail to help one of the people trapped within the girl then so be it.
-
Sakura
Out of nowhere, he felt two large pillows pressing against his back. "She's quite a handful, isn't she, Senpai?"
-
Emiya
Emiya chuckled as he felt Sakura's massive breasts pressing against his back.
"I could say that you're a handful as well, Sakura," he said as he looked over his shoulder at her.
And then red filled his cheeks as he realized what he just said with her against him like that.
-
Emiya
Emiya chuckled as he felt Sakura's massive breasts pressing against his back.
"I could say that you're a handful as well, Sakura," he said as he looked over his shoulder at her.
And then red filled his cheeks as he realized what he just said with her against him like that.
Sakura
Sakura either didn't notice, or she didn't care. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled herself close. "I am, but that's besides the point." He could feel her soft, cold curves pressed against him completely. "But is she what you expected? Do you feel you made a mistake adopting her as your own burden?"
-
Emiya
He sighed as Sakura embraced him, her soft curves fitting against his hard muscles. She was cool against the heat of his body. In its own, strange way, it was comforting. The coolness was soothing with his internal forge.
Emiya found himself leaning against her as well as he studied Tsumiko's sleeping face.
"She's a girl. A girl who needs understanding, help, kindness, and some guidance so she doesn't hurt herself or those she cares about. And no, I don't think it was a mistake bringing her in," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
"She's someone who needs to be saved when the world has wronged her."
-
Emiya
He sighed as Sakura embraced him, her soft curves fitting against his hard muscles. She was cool against the heat of his body. In its own, strange way, it was comforting. The coolness was soothing with his internal forge.
Emiya found himself leaning against her as well as he studied Tsumiko's sleeping face.
"She's a girl. A girl who needs understanding, help, kindness, and some guidance so she doesn't hurt herself or those she cares about. And no, I don't think it was a mistake bringing her in," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
"She's someone who needs to be saved when the world has wronged her."
Sakura
Sakura basked in her heat, slowly stealing his excess and storing it in herself. "Mmmm, that's true. It's nice to think about what would have happened if somebody had come to save me before it was too late. But then, she wouldn't even exist."
-
Emiya
"Well apparently the me that was there had to sacrifice themselves to keep the boy alive considering Tsumiko's arm," Emiya said with a frown.
He tilted his head to look at Sakura's face.
"How does she exist though?" he asked.
-
Emiya
"Well apparently the me that was there had to sacrifice themselves to keep the boy alive considering Tsumiko's arm," Emiya said with a frown.
He tilted his head to look at Sakura's face.
"How does she exist though?" he asked.
Sakura
"...Let's go talk outside of here. We don't want to wake her up when she's having good dreams for the first time in forever."
She didn't count that thing with the little goddess.
-
Emiya
"How far can you be away from her without any issues?" Emiya asked in a soft voice.
He did move away from Sakura to rearrange Tsumiko's blanket and to make sure the teddy was in her grasp.
-
Emiya
"How far can you be away from her without any issues?" Emiya asked in a soft voice.
He did move away from Sakura to rearrange Tsumiko's blanket and to make sure the teddy was in her grasp.
Sakura
"As far as I want. I can subsist on ambient mana for a long time."
She reached down, and stroked her cheek lovingly, sadly. "Mmmm..."
-
Emiya
"Where do you want to go then? I don't want to go too far though, she might get upset if she wakes up and I'm not here," Emiya said.
He reached out and touched Sakura's hand. "Hey, she's safe now."
-
Emiya
"Where do you want to go then? I don't want to go too far though, she might get upset if she wakes up and I'm not here," Emiya said.
He reached out and touched Sakura's hand. "Hey, she's safe now."
Sakura
"You're never really safe, Archer. You should know that."
She turned around to face him. "I didn't have anywhere planned, I was thinking of just leaving this room. Do you have any ideas? As long as I don't have to deal with them, I'll be fine."
-
Emiya
Well, it's Sakura, she'd probably be most comfortable in the kitchen. If it was Rin, I'd take her into my shop, Emiya thought.
He looked at her and said, "Come on, let's go to the kitchen." He then proceeded to show her had to get there.
-
Emiya
Well, it's Sakura, she'd probably be most comfortable in the kitchen. If it was Rin, I'd take her into my shop, Emiya thought.
He looked at her and said, "Come on, let's go to the kitchen." He then proceeded to show her had to get there.
Sakura
"Haha, let's go then." She took his hand and let him lead her out. It was cold and made him feel cold as well. "I'm afraid I can't eat or cook anymore, though."
-
Emiya
"That's fine," Emiya said, "It would just be odd to not have you in the kitchen."
He blinked, being cold was an odd feeling, not completely uncomfortable though.
"Yet you can touch me," he said tilting his head.
-
Sakura
"You can touch a pot or a pan, too."
She reached out and touched his face. "This is just a puppet, nothing more."
-
Emiya
"So can you feel, or is this just for my benefit then?" he asked in a soft voice.
He found himself rubbing his face against her hand so slightly. How long, how long has it been since I let anyone touch me like this? Emiya thought absently.
He had a lover when he had been alive, but she left him. Then there was the turmoil of feelings he felt around Saber, even when her Altered Self would stalk him around Chaelda wanting food. He remembered Sakura, being in the kitchen around her, seeing her beautiful face ever morning.
It was one of those What Ifs that occasionally plagued him.
-
Sakura
Sakura stared at him with a start. She could feel Rin's jealous emenating from inside Tsumiko. She took a deep breath, and then smiled at Archer.
"I can feel enough."
She reached up and carressed his cheek. She wondered if this was unfair or wrong. Was it right for her to do this? Was it a betrayal, or was her Shirou already gone? Was this fair to Rin?
She gulped.
Nee-san...
What?
You know what!
You can't control that idiots feelings. He obviously has feelings for you, not me.
Sakura could feel Rins sadness, her loss, her rejection. That's not...
Rin interrupted her. Don't stop yourself on my behalf. I'll get him myself, and I don't need your pity.
Then, Sakura felt the link cut off as Rin shut herself away.
She sighed, and rested her forehead against Archer's. "I haven't touched anybody in almost a decade. This feels so nostalgic."
-
Emiya
"I haven't been touched like this for probably a thousand years, not since I was alive," Emiya said as he moved his face towards her hand.
She was cool; that should have bothered him. It should should have been a warning. Something to tell him to stay away, keep up his guard and not let her caress him like this.
She loved the boy, I'm just a broken blade now, he thought.
"I'm not him. I haven't been him for a long time and I can't be him again," he whispered as he closed his eyes and brushed his lips against the palm of her hand.
-
Sakura
"And I'm not that foolish, stupid little girl that I was either. What's your point?"
She leaned in, and brushed her cool lips against his. "I wouldn't be okay with you trying to replace him."
Should I just move on?
It was a secret thought that she'd been having for years, surfacing once again.
-
Emiya
"Good," Emiya said as he cupped her round, soft face before bending forward.
His eyes closed as he gently caressed her cool lips with his hot ones. One hand went to her hip while the other gently stroked the back of her head.
-
Sakura
Sakura leaned into him, pressing her chest against his. Her hard nipples rubbed against his muscles. Her hip was soft and comforting, well rounded and meaty without much muscle backing it up.
She looked into his eyes with shimmering purple. This feeling of nostalgia was overwhelming her. It was too much. It made her heart ache as she thought of what could have happened if she hadn't been controlled. If she hadn't gone crazy.
A hand reached down to the base of Archer's back, trailing down to his butt.
-
Emiya
His steel grey eyes met hers as he tilted his head as she grabbed his ass.
He leaned closer, moving so he could press the rapidly hardening ridge in his pants against her soft thigh. Emiya moved his hips slowly, teasing both of them, as sparks shot through him at the sensation. Then he reached up and started to slowly rub circles around her nipples with his work hardened fingers.
Emiya pressed luscious body against the counter before kissing her again, this time his tongue sweeping hungrily through her mouth.
-
Sakura
Sakura's mouth yielded, allowing Archer entry. She allowed his tongue unrestricted access to explore, moaning softly from the teasing. She reached down with both hands, squeezing his large, firm ass. She massaged it slowly, beginning to tease his tongue with little playful licks on its bottom.
-
Emiya
Emiya shuddered as Sakura's tongue began to dance in time with his.
Her slim fingers were on his ass, kneading and squeezing. Not breaking the kiss, he kept one hand on the back of her head and the other under the ample curve of hear rear and easily lifted her up. He sat her on the counter, pulling away from the kiss long enough to pull his own shirt up and over his head.
Then he cupped her face, his thumbs rubbing tenderly against the soft "skin" of her cheeks before smiling at her.
-
Emiya
Emiya shuddered as Sakura's tongue began to dance in time with his.
Her slim fingers were on his ass, kneading and squeezing. Not breaking the kiss, he kept one hand on the back of her head and the other under the ample curve of hear rear and easily lifted her up. He sat her on the counter, pulling away from the kiss long enough to pull his own shirt up and over his head.
Then he cupped her face, his thumbs rubbing tenderly against the soft "skin" of her cheeks before smiling at her.
Sakura
"MMmnnnn..." She responded to being placed on the counter by spreading her own legs wide. Her "dress" phased away, disappearing into her skin. The black shadow that was revealed quickly knitted together and changed to normal looking skin, covered only by her faded pink panties. The purple-haired woman reached up, rubbing the back of his hand gently.
-
Emiya
Emiya leaned forward to lightly kiss the back of her hand resting on his.
Then his steel colored eyes raked over her voluptuous form, darkening slightly as a smirk graced his handsome features. He moved his free hand down to one of her ample breasts. It's cool weight felt good in his palm and her skin was soft and yielding.
His finger began to trace around her nipple, his eyes going to her face to watch her expression.
-
Emiya
Emiya leaned forward to lightly kiss the back of her hand resting on his.
Then his steel colored eyes raked over her voluptuous form, darkening slightly as a smirk graced his handsome features. He moved his free hand down to one of her ample breasts. It's cool weight felt good in his palm and her skin was soft and yielding.
His finger began to trace around her nipple, his eyes going to her face to watch her expression.
Sakura
The woman who looked far younger than she actually was grunted softly as Archer teased her nipple. It slowly yielded to his teasing, growing fatter and longer in reaction to his ministrations. Her brow furrowed and her cheeks flushed as she tried to control the volume of her quick moans. She looked straight back at him, and smiled.
-
Emiya
Good, she can feel this. She's blushing, that can't be faked, right? he thought.
Emiya remembered this; not with Sakura, but the little moans his partner would make and the soft blush against her fair skin. Those little moans were just shooting fire through his veins, making himself even harder. His jeans were a constricting prison he wanted to free himself from.
However, Sakura deserved to have someone treat her sweetly. To make her feel good. To make her feel wanted.
Not the abuse that Shinji had heaped upon her for years.
He cleared his mind of the dark thought; Sakura would hate the fact that he was victimizing her even in his head. So he began kissing down her throat to her turgid nipple. Smirking at her, he flicked his hot tongue over it before taking it into his mouth and sucking greedily.
-
Emiya
Good, she can feel this. She's blushing, that can't be faked, right? he thought.
Emiya remembered this; not with Sakura, but the little moans his partner would make and the soft blush against her fair skin. Those little moans were just shooting fire through his veins, making himself even harder. His jeans were a constricting prison he wanted to free himself from.
However, Sakura deserved to have someone treat her sweetly. To make her feel good. To make her feel wanted.
Not the abuse that Shinji had heaped upon her for years.
He cleared his mind of the dark thought; Sakura would hate the fact that he was victimizing her even in his head. So he began kissing down her throat to her turgid nipple. Smirking at her, he flicked his hot tongue over it before taking it into his mouth and sucking greedily.
Sakura
Sakura was cold and pallid, like a corpse that had just been taken out of the freezer. She squirmed as he began to suck on her neck. "S-senpai~" She groaned again, reaching up to her other breast and beginning to edge herself. She flicked at her own nipple, squeezing it and groping herself.
-
Emiya
Sakura was cold against his skin, but that was okay. He had more than enough heat to warm her. Fire was his blood after all.
"S-senpai~"
Emiya stopped from tonguing her nipple, his eyes narrowing. He lightly bit it. Against her skin he said, "Shirou."
Then he sucked hard on the pink point while his fingers of his right hand slid down her belly down to the waistline of her pale, pink panties.
-
Emiya
Sakura was cold against his skin, but that was okay. He had more than enough heat to warm her. Fire was his blood after all.
"S-senpai~"
Emiya stopped from tonguing her nipple, his eyes narrowing. He lightly bit it. Against her skin he said, "Shirou."
Then he sucked hard on the pink point while his fingers of his right hand slid down her belly down to the waistline of her pale, pink panties.
Sakura
"S-Shirou!" She cried out. She rubbed her thighs together and then reached behind him, pulling him close. "Stop teasing me... I'm already ready, and you are too."
-
Emiya
"Maybe I like teasing you," he said as he slid his hand into her panties. He parted her folds to find her already wet. She was like cold, wet silk under his fingers and he thrust his index and middle finger inside of her.
A tiny hiss escaped his lip at the tightness around his fingers as he knew his cock was rock hard.
However, he was a close and personal friend with masochism.
"Besides, shouldn't you feel good? You deserve it," he said as he slid his fingers out of her and began to tease the little nub at the apex of her folds.
-
Emiya
"Maybe I like teasing you," he said as he slid his hand into her panties. He parted her folds to find her already wet. She was like cold, wet silk under his fingers and he thrust his index and middle finger inside of her.
A tiny hiss escaped his lip at the tightness around his fingers as he knew his cock was rock hard.
However, he was a close and personal friend with masochism.
"Besides, shouldn't you feel good? You deserve it," he said as he slid his fingers out of her and began to tease the little nub at the apex of her folds.
Sakura
Sakura shuddered at his touch, moaning softly. She didn't want Tsumiko to wake up. "I-do feel good, when you put it inside..."
-
Emiya
Sakura's little moan and how she tried to stifle it just added more fuel to his fire.
Cool lust bathed his fingers; only an idiot wouldn't know she was more than ready for him. Now, does she want me or does she just want "Sempai"? Or is she confusing us as one and the same? that nagging voice that was his self-loathing whispered into his ear.
Still teasing her with one hand, his free hand fumbled at his jeans and boxers. His length was hard as steel and throbbing. The thick head was already leaking and he hissed as he took himself in his hand.
He rubbed his aching cock along her slick slit and kissed her before thrusting inside of her, sheathing himself to the hilt in her tight, wet sheath with one hard thrust.
-
Emiya
Sakura's little moan and how she tried to stifle it just added more fuel to his fire.
Cool lust bathed his fingers; only an idiot wouldn't know she was more than ready for him. Now, does she want me or does she just want "Sempai"? Or is she confusing us as one and the same? that nagging voice that was his self-loathing whispered into his ear.
Still teasing her with one hand, his free hand fumbled at his jeans and boxers. His length was hard as steel and throbbing. The thick head was already leaking and he hissed as he took himself in his hand.
He rubbed his aching cock along her slick slit and kissed her before thrusting inside of her, sheathing himself to the hilt in her tight, wet sheath with one hard thrust.
Sakura
She grunted as the hard length plunged into her sheath. "S-Shirou~" She moaned. She thrust her hips forward, wrapping her legs around him and pulling herself closer. "Do-don't hold back!"
-
Emiya
Emiya pulled back to look at her, his gray eyes huge in the dim light.
At Sakura's words, he placed one hand on her hip and the other against the counter for leverage. Her legs closed around his waist, pulling him even closer. She smelled like her namesake, and something else. Blood, but all magi carried that scent, but there was something else. Like some dark narcotic that caused him to press his lips against hers and kiss her as if he tried to devour her.
Then his hips started thrusting in, sliding him in and out, back and forth, harder and faster until he was hammering into her with bruising force.
-
Emiya
Emiya pulled back to look at her, his gray eyes huge in the dim light.
At Sakura's words, he placed one hand on her hip and the other against the counter for leverage. Her legs closed around his waist, pulling him even closer. She smelled like her namesake, and something else. Blood, but all magi carried that scent, but there was something else. Like some dark narcotic that caused him to press his lips against hers and kiss her as if he tried to devour her.
Then his hips started thrusting in, sliding him in and out, back and forth, harder and faster until he was hammering into her with bruising force.
Sakura
Her tongue slid into his mouth. The wet, slimy mass dived in, licking the back of his throat. She moaned, loader and more sensually than before. He could feel her wet, cold hole tightening around his cock, sucking him in. She didn't seem to notice how hard he was reaming her.
-
Emiya
Emiya hissed, the normal forge of his body cooled by Sakura's unnatural chill. A normal man probably would have gone flaccid at that feeling, but it was an odd relief for him. Like a blade getting quenched after a long, hot pounding.
Lightning was starting to creep along the base of his spine, shooting through his veins. He felt himself swell even more. He was going to explode and spill in her arms as she ravaged him with her mouth.
Yet he stilled himself and would hold himself until she screamed against him and he felt that sweet collapse of her walls against him.
-
Emiya
Emiya hissed, the normal forge of his body cooled by Sakura's unnatural chill. A normal man probably would have gone flaccid at that feeling, but it was an odd relief for him. Like a blade getting quenched after a long, hot pounding.
Lightning was starting to creep along the base of his spine, shooting through his veins. He felt himself swell even more. He was going to explode and spill in her arms as she ravaged him with her mouth.
Yet he stilled himself and would hold himself until she screamed against him and he felt that sweet collapse of her walls against him.
Sakura
She thrust her hips in time with him, releasing cute little moans every time their hips met. Her breasts heaved, bouncing with each thrust of his mighty shaft.
She began breathing more heavily, mimicking the feelings she'd felt when her Senpai slammed into her for the first time.
-
Emiya
He moved away from her kiss to kiss down her throat as her moans filled his ears.
Emiya moved his right hand down her body to right above they were joined. With a grunt, he tilted his hips to get a deeper angle and so he could move his hand between them. His calloused fingers found that little nub again and began to rub around it before stroking it directly.
-
Emiya
He moved away from her kiss to kiss down her throat as her moans filled his ears.
Emiya moved his right hand down her body to right above they were joined. With a grunt, he tilted his hips to get a deeper angle and so he could move his hand between them. His calloused fingers found that little nub again and began to rub around it before stroking it directly.
Sakura
"Ah! Ah! Ah!" She cried out loudly, using some mental compulsion to keep Tsumiko asleep, unaware of the debauchery that was happening. She suddenly pulled him tight against her, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him down against her body.
Her pussy tightened as if to milk his cock as she came.
-
Emiya
Emiya felt Sakura's walls clutch his heated length and he hissed.
As she cried out, the damn within him broke. He held her tightly as he thrust harder and faster, as if he was attempting to force his way into her womb. His blood was roaring in his ears as he felt himself painfully hard within her as she gripped him possessively.
With a gasp he felt himself still before spilling his seed deep inside of her, filling her with his warmth.
-
Emiya
Emiya felt Sakura's walls clutch his heated length and he hissed.
As she cried out, the damn within him broke. He held her tightly as he thrust harder and faster, as if he was attempting to force his way into her womb. His blood was roaring in his ears as he felt himself painfully hard within her as she gripped him possessively.
With a gasp he felt himself still before spilling his seed deep inside of her, filling her with his warmth.
Sakura
His seed disappeared into the neverending void of her cunt. The hungry maw that devoured it as Sakura held him as tightly as she could. She moaned into his mouth, staring at his rugged face.
Then, she began to cry.
-
Emiya
Emiya was breathing hard against Sakura as she looked at his face.
He moved to brush her hair from her face when she began to cry.
His eyes widened as he pulled her into a hug, pulling out of her as he did. "Hey, I'm sorry, did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you? Did Rin yell at you?" he asked as he rocked her gently. "I'm sorry, Sakura . . . I shouldn't have . . ."
-
Sakura
Sakura grabbed him into a tight bear hug. "I'm happy you dolt. You never really get over your denseness, do you?"
She stroked the back of his silvery hair.
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled as Sakura pulled him close. He stroked her hair and said, "Well, you were crying right after we . . . I thought I did something wrong."
He kissed her cheek and said, "I'm better, but sometimes I am still an idiot."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled as Sakura pulled him close. He stroked her hair and said, "Well, you were crying right after we . . . I thought I did something wrong."
He kissed her cheek and said, "I'm better, but sometimes I am still an idiot."
Sakura
She kissed him on the lips, "Baka."
Sakura was very much hurting on the inside, but she didn't show it. Sakura wished things could have been different.
But, she was still happy to be where she was right now.
-
Emiya
The white haired man chuckled at that and returned Sakura's kiss.
He cupped her cheek and said, "I'll figure out a way to save the three of you, I promise."
Should have I done this? What about Rin? She's going to be furious, and despite my teasing I don't want to hurt her and I care for her too . . . And Tsumiko . . .
Great, my dick just made this a thousand more times more complicated.
-
Sakura
"She's livid. I'm not going to butter it up for you." Sakura answered quietly. She shrunk down, and her dress quickly reformed itself over her.
"She-well, I don't know how much I should say."
Sakura shrugged sheepishly. "I can't say I have a good track record of resolving conflicts."
-
Emiya
"I bet I'll hear about it in length. Or she'll do that thing where she brushes it to the side and refuses to acknowledge it. It just depends on what mood she is," Emiya said with a sigh.
Since he really didn't strip, he tucked himself back in and rearranged his clothing.
He reached out and stroked her hair. "It's fine. I can handle Rin."
-
Emiya
"I bet I'll hear about it in length. Or she'll do that thing where she brushes it to the side and refuses to acknowledge it. It just depends on what mood she is," Emiya said with a sigh.
Since he really didn't strip, he tucked himself back in and rearranged his clothing.
He reached out and stroked her hair. "It's fine. I can handle Rin."
Sakura
"Tsk. Hubris is the downfall of many great heros." She answered with a chuckle. "I'm fine with how things are. I like taking care of Tsumiko."
-
Emiya
He held up his hand and said, "I've already fallen, it's fine."
Emiya's grey eyes met hers and he asked, "Are you really okay staying tied to Tsumiko like that?"
-
Emiya
He held up his hand and said, "I've already fallen, it's fine."
Emiya's grey eyes met hers and he asked, "Are you really okay staying tied to Tsumiko like that?"
Sakura
"Yes." She answered quickly, but it sounded rehearsed. "I'm fine. I deserve far worse for what I've done."
Then, she suddenly presented a letter to Archer. It had been opened and then resealed. "Should I give her this? I-she met a woman, who claimed to be a goddess. She looked like my-dark side... I panicked, but this arrived later, and I..."
-
Emiya
Emiya was all too aware of self-loathing. It was something he dealt with everyday. He generally dealt with it with scathing sarcasm.
Sakura would deal with it with penance she actually didn't deserve.
He cupped her cheek and said, "You've already suffered enough. You deserve to be happy. So does Tsumiko and Rin. I'm pretty sure you served whatever sentence you think you deserved and then some. And I want to help you. All of you."
Then he took the letter and asked, "Mind if I read it?" As he asked the question, he pulled out his reading glasses and put them on. His glasses were actually made to dull his extraordinarily keen eyesight. With out them he would start noticing the grain of the paper and lose track of what was actually on it.
-
Emiya
Emiya was all too aware of self-loathing. It was something he dealt with everyday. He generally dealt with it with scathing sarcasm.
Sakura would deal with it with penance she actually didn't deserve.
He cupped her cheek and said, "You've already suffered enough. You deserve to be happy. So does Tsumiko and Rin. I'm pretty sure you served whatever sentence you think you deserved and then some. And I want to help you. All of you."
Then he took the letter and asked, "Mind if I read it?" As he asked the question, he pulled out his reading glasses and put them on. His glasses were actually made to dull his extraordinarily keen eyesight. With out them he would start noticing the grain of the paper and lose track of what was actually on it.
Sakura
Sakura mumbled to herself. She really disagreed with Archer on that point. How many people were personally responsible for destroying half the world?
Even Hitler or Mao hadn't managed that.
"Yeah, you can read it." She handed it to him and then sat down on the counter quietly, thinking about Archer's words.
-
Carin's Letter
To Tsumiko - not the other ones.
'I'm sorry that we had to part so suddenly before. I really enjoyed our time together while you slept. I left you this letter to thank you again for helping protect my precious follower, and to say that if you ever want to meet again all you need to do is think about me and ask. I would really like to speak with you again sometime - I think we could do a lot of good as friends! If you would rather not then I understand and I won't try to contact you again.'
Love, Carin.
PS: Um, I don't know, I just heard humans like to put PS after the end of their letters!
-
Emiya
Emiya cocked his head as he read the letter, thoughtfully studying it.
So Tsumiko does have friends, he thought as his lips quirked up ever so slightly at that.
He thought of the gun she had in her room, the one that he was going to make a proper stand for. Partly because he couldn't stand having a weapon just laying haphazardly like that; it was a huge point of disrespect to it, and it seemed important to her. Her face had lit up when he mentioned making the stand.
He didn't pry any further, but he figured he'd analyze it later to see its history and get some clue why the girl had it.
He looked up at Sakura and said, "Of course you should let her read this. If she has a friend . . . that could help her out a lot. Would-be goddess or not."
He snorted as he remembered Ishtar. "Hopefully this goddess isn't a bitch like the one I had the misfortune of meeting."
-
Emiya
Emiya cocked his head as he read the letter, thoughtfully studying it.
So Tsumiko does have friends, he thought as his lips quirked up ever so slightly at that.
He thought of the gun she had in her room, the one that he was going to make a proper stand for. Partly because he couldn't stand having a weapon just laying haphazardly like that; it was a huge point of disrespect to it, and it seemed important to her. Her face had lit up when he mentioned making the stand.
He didn't pry any further, but he figured he'd analyze it later to see its history and get some clue why the girl had it.
He looked up at Sakura and said, "Of course you should let her read this. If she has a friend . . . that could help her out a lot. Would-be goddess or not."
He snorted as he remembered Ishtar. "Hopefully this goddess isn't a bitch like the one I had the misfortune of meeting."
Sakura
Sakura clenched her fists and began to shake. Her form became a bit less concrete as her concentration lapsed, replaced by fear.
"That's what I'm afraid of! She looks evil! She looks like how I looked when I destroyed the world! How can I-how can I entrust a face like that with Tsumiko!?!"
Suddenly, they heard a creak, and Tsumiko walked down the hall, except-
She had her hair up in twintails, and was wearing a large red overcoat.
"I'm going out for a walk, I need some air after hearing-that." She sounded tired and defeated. Depressed. "Bye. I'll be back before morning."
Rin headed out for the door.
-
Emiya
"There's a Mesopotamian goddess who's a dead ringer for Rin, but is nothing like her," Emiya said as he reached out to take Sakura's shoulder.
He smiled, slightly lopsided, and said, "Tsumiko should have friends. Being over protective isn't good for either of you."
Then he heard a creak and turned to see Tsumiko emerge except, it wasn't Tsumiko.
The hair was styled in the familiar twin tails and she was wearing a long, red overcoat.
"I'm going out for a walk, I need some air after hearing-that." She sounded tired and defeated. Depressed. "Bye. I'll be back before morning."
Emiya rubbed his forehead with a sigh and said, "I should go after her."
-
Emiya
"There's a Mesopotamian goddess who's a dead ringer for Rin, but is nothing like her," Emiya said as he reached out to take Sakura's shoulder.
He smiled, slightly lopsided, and said, "Tsumiko should have friends. Being over protective isn't good for either of you."
Then he heard a creak and turned to see Tsumiko emerge except, it wasn't Tsumiko.
The hair was styled in the familiar twin tails and she was wearing a long, red overcoat.
"I'm going out for a walk, I need some air after hearing-that." She sounded tired and defeated. Depressed. "Bye. I'll be back before morning."
Emiya rubbed his forehead with a sigh and said, "I should go after her."
Sakura
The door outside slammed shut in an overly agressive manner. "Probably. I can feel her anger, her rage, and her hurt." Sakura answered, kicking her feet. She seemed to be relatively calm about the emotional state of her sister, simply staring at the ceiling quietly.
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and reached out to stroke Sakura's hair.
"It's a horrible situation for the both of you, I'll do what I can," Emiya said as he straightened up and made himself as presentable as he could. Which was making sure there wasn't any fluids staining his clothing and that everything was in its proper place.
"This is probably going to end up in a fight," he grumbled to himself as he hurried after Rin.
-
Sakura
"I'll-go with you. For moral support. She doesn't want me telling you where she is, but I'd rather go with you, if that's ok."
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded, even though he was pretty confidant he could find Rin on his own, but it made sense for Sakura to come along.
"Of course, you might want to stay out of sight though. She might not want to talk if you're there too," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
-
Sakura
Sakura just laughed. She knew Rin would know where she was at all times, anyway. They were sharing the same body, after all.
But, she walked up to Archer, pressed herself against him, and then melted into his back. He could feet her firm breasts pressed right up against him in one moment, and then the next she was etheral.
Formless as she was, he could still feel her presence. "I'll just watch your back."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as he felt Sakura press into his back. His cheeks heated up again as he felt her soft breasts against the heat of his broad back. Then she was ethereal and untouchable.
He shivered and said, "Warn a guy before you do that, Sakura."
Then he squared off his shoulders and went to find his former Master.
-
Rin
As Archer walked outside, all he was greeted by was the familar feeling of Sakura's magic, no other traces of Rin remaining.
"We're pretty slippery, when we want to be." Sakura quipped.
-
Emiya
"Well, you were really slippery earlier," Emiya retorted.
He looked around, and saw a fire escape to one of the building's nearby. It had roof access, which is just exactly what he needed. He hunched his muscles and jumped easily too it before climbing up to the rooftop.
Once he reached the roof he reinforced his eyes to sharpen them even more and began to look for a familiar flash of red.
-
And, there was no sign of her whatsoever. All that greeted archer was the cold darkness of the nigh, the people walking around by the clubs, as well as the everpresent noises of cars driving people around.
-
Emiya
Has she gotten that good at glamors? She's not fast enough for her to lose me this quickly, unless Tsumiko's body is providing stuff to Rin that Rin didn't normally have before, Emiya thought with a frown.
"Damn, I lost her," he said with a frown.
Rin's a big girl. She can take care of herself, but that's Tsumiko's body too.
"Fuck," he said, gnashing his teeth.
-
Rin
1 am Nexus Time
Rin emerged from the shadow, still grinding her teeth. She wondered if he was chasing after her, trying to make things right.
What a joke she was.
She walked into the seedy, nameless bar that she enjoyed frequenting. Nobody knew her, nobody cared to. She had cash, they had a secluded corner for her to drown her sorrows in. If people made passes at her, she destroyed them.
It was a quite simple arrangement that she found comfort in.
-
? ? ? ? ?
1:00 AM, Nexus Time
A lone man as white as paper sat on his lonesome on a chair by the corner of the bar. With an attire as black as his mop of hair, and deep sunken eyes, he seemed like something ripped straight out of an ancient tome. He amused himself by drinking a cup of tea, freshly made hot for him, and smiled placidly.
"Hrm, what a lovely Earl Gray. There is truly nothing in the world more pleasant than a cup of tea under the night stars." His voice was both as dead and morose as a ghost's, yet it carried a certain liveliness. Like that of a singer, dragging every sentence, every syllable through its own dance.
The smell of tea was starting to fill the bar. In truth, he was brewing it himself, and it smelled absolutely delicious. The patrons would have complained, had he refused to share a cup with them. Oh, but what woes, since they were working, they could not join him in his company. If only there were someone who would be so kind...
"Miss? May I trouble you?" He called out to a woman sitting by the bar counter. A purple haired maiden, who had found the same fate as he did, to sit in this very bar at this very hour of the day.
-
Emiya
Has she gotten that good at glamors? She's not fast enough for her to lose me this quickly, unless Tsumiko's body is providing stuff to Rin that Rin didn't normally have before, Emiya thought with a frown.
"Damn, I lost her," he said with a frown.
Rin's a big girl. She can take care of herself, but that's Tsumiko's body too.
"Fuck," he said, gnashing his teeth.
Sakura
He felt a cold, flat tendril rubbing his back. "There there." It said in Sakura's voice. "She'll reveal herself when she's ready to talk."
-
Emiya
Emiya turned his head to look at Sakura and said, "But that's not just Rin who's out there. That's Tsumiko's body and Tsumiko is dormant so she has no say in anything that Rin does with her body. She's putting not just herself at risk, but you and Tsumiko as well."
His gray eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists.
"So if I need to find her and drag her back by her twin-tails I will."
-
Emiya
Emiya turned his head to look at Sakura and said, "But that's not just Rin who's out there. That's Tsumiko's body and Tsumiko is dormant so she has no say in anything that Rin does with her body. She's putting not just herself at risk, but you and Tsumiko as well."
His gray eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists.
"So if I need to find her and drag her back by her twin-tails I will."
Sakura
"Hahaha, that's the Shirou I know!" She patted him on the back again. "But, wouldn't that hurt Tsumiko when she wakes up too, by that logic?"
It sounded like she was sassing him, but her expression gave something to be desired.
-
Emiya
He shook his head and said, "Tsumiko told me she heals very fast. So, by the time she wakes up she's not going to be hurting."
Emiya frowned and said, "I hope. If not, I'd have to apologize to her because Rin's being an idiot. I understand Rin's upset and hurt, but just storming off isn't going to help her."
-
Emiya
He shook his head and said, "Tsumiko told me she heals very fast. So, by the time she wakes up she's not going to be hurting."
Emiya frowned and said, "I hope. If not, I'd have to apologize to her because Rin's being an idiot. I understand Rin's upset and hurt, but just storming off isn't going to help her."
Sakura
"Yeah, but drinking makes her feel good." Sakura countered a bit defensively. "It's not like any of us actually have good management skills."
-
Emiya
Great, Rin's an alcoholic apparently, Emiya thought before running a hand through his hair.
"Well, I'll buy her a bottle of brandy and she can proceed to drink it alone in my shop," he said.
Then he realized something. His lips curved in a smirk. "Thank you, at least I know where to stop looking," he said before jumping off his perch.
I just have to remember where all the nearby bars are, he thought.
-
Emiya
Great, Rin's an alcoholic apparently, Emiya thought before running a hand through his hair.
"Well, I'll buy her a bottle of brandy and she can proceed to drink it alone in my shop," he said.
Then he realized something. His lips curved in a smirk. "Thank you, at least I know where to stop looking," he said before jumping off his perch.
I just have to remember where all the nearby bars are, he thought.
Sakura
"Oh, did that slip out?" She sounded surprised, but then wrapped herself around his neck like a scarf. "I'll just wait here. It's comfortable."
-
Emiya
"I don't think it just 'slipped out'," Emiya said as he landed, his reinforced legs taking the stress easily.
He patted the Sakura-Scarf around his neck and said, "I think you're trying to help me in a way that will lessen Rin's anger. I'd just rather you be direct and I can handle Rin. She doesn't have Command Seals to hold over my head anymore."
-
Sakura
"I don't want her to be mad at me for telling you where she is... we're not supposed to infringe upon each other like that..."
-
Emiya
"Well, I could let her know that you didn't say anything and I found her on my own," Emiya said.
He started walking down the street. He knew of a few of the local bars. Not that he ever drank, because he was silly when he got drunk, but sometimes he'd have to go shake down an informant to find out where some monster was attacking someone. Or put the fear of the Counter Force in a pimp when he abused his workers.
"Look, I can make Rin so pissed at me that she won't even realize that she was angry at you," he told Sakura.
-
Sakura
"I-I doubt that very much, Archer." Sakura answered quietly.
-
Emiya
"Nettling Rin sort of became a hobby during all of my Grail Wars. Sometimes I got her so angry at me that she used a Command Seal to 'obey her'," Emiya told Sakura with a lopsided grin and a shake of his head.
"Which, normally would have been a wasted Command Seal. However, Rin was powerful enough to make it work. If I didn't obey her I actually felt heavy and sluggish. My shoulders would even ache. Still, it was worth it to tell her that she needed to stay in the basement."
-
Emiya
"Nettling Rin sort of became a hobby during all of my Grail Wars. Sometimes I got her so angry at me that she used a Command Seal to 'obey her'," Emiya told Sakura with a lopsided grin and a shake of his head.
"Which, normally would have been a wasted Command Seal. However, Rin was powerful enough to make it work. If I didn't obey her I actually felt heavy and sluggish. My shoulders would even ache. Still, it was worth it to tell her that she needed to stay in the basement."
Sakura
"Yeah, well... She'd do a lot more than that to me if she could."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed as he quickened his pace.
Again, this is why I need to get the three of them separated. If it keeps up like this Rin or Sakura just might kill them all. Rin in her anger and Sakura in her belief she needs to be punished. Poor Tsumiko is the innocent here and she didn't ask for this. None of them asked for this.
"I don't think she would. She'd complain and rant, but in the end she couldn't go through with it," he said, his face twisting with self-loathing. "After all, she forgave me."
-
Sakura
"Heh. Right." Sakura answered dejectedly. She thought back to that climactic fight in the cavern, underneath the mountain. She thought back and remembered how Rin and her had been fighting to the death.
"I can't tell you where she is. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry."
-
Emiya
"I betrayed her to Caster, kidnapped her to provoke Emiya Shirou into a fight, and left her tied up and helpless with Shinji and Gilgamesh running around," he said, his voice flat.
Emiya clenched his fists and said, "I think I did that multiple times, but probably not as many as having to fight Berserker to the death so they could replenish Saber's prana. I know I killed him. Me. It didn't change anything, but I still kept trying."
He looked back at Sakura and said, "You gave me enough of a hint. Now I'm just going to make some bartenders' nights miserable. Damn, I should have worn my mantle and tail."
He did grin a little at that. "The Red Ranger has to keep up his appearance you know. People can't learn that the mild-mannered repair man is the vigilante who hunts monsters at night."
-
Rih Tohsaka
The purple haired woman turned to the interloper and gave him a dour look. She scanned his body, glaring at him as if he was the lowest of the lowlives on earth.
"And why are you bothering me, good sir." She answered after a full minute of glaring.
-
Horrigan and Haluth:
8:20 P.M.
With a final blare of its horn, the small cargo ship Orschwire came to a stop at the dock. Within minutes, the port crew were unloading the crates filled with expensive commodities intended for the more affluent members of the Pine Gardens district. The normality of the scene was disrupted by a pair of rather unusual individuals walking down the ramp from the boat.
There was nothing subtle about either of them: one was a seven-foot-tall hooded pile of rags, the other a bear of a man with a minigun strapped to his left arm. In the latter's right hand was a large suitcase that looked comically small next to his large frame.
Frank hated sailing. A combination of his heavy armor and near-nonexistent body fat ensures that, if he were to fall into deep water, he'd sink like a boulder. The journey was over, though. Now was the easiest part...
The super mutant gripped the suitcase handle tighter once he stepped onto dry land. A quick once-over of the port was all that was needed to locate his next destination: Warehouse 16. That's where the contact was to take the goods. "This way," he grunted to his companion before walking towards the building.
Haluth, for her part, was busy taking in the sights. She was fascinated by all the machinery in motion, the workers busying about their work. But when her master started to move, she followed. She still tried to take quick glances around her, though...
When Horrigan suddenly stopped by a door, the Deathclaw girl nearly walked into him. Thankfully, she caught herself - he would have been mad if she did. Her master's massive frame turned to face her, his eye pieces bearing down onto her. "Wait here," he spoke, "Don't move."
With that, he opened the door, squeezing in his large body through the entryway. At least Haluth can enjoy watching the people go about their work again.
-
Silana
When one lives in this place that they have, they often lose a lot of wonder when it comes to the more unusual things of this realm. This was no different with Silana, who had long lost such lustre, but in its place, was a delusion that she was the most special of them all, even if she was tame by comparison. Such were the thoughts that dominated her as she worked on picking through the boxes. Whether it was through providence, or Silana's own day-dreaming, she missed the utterly unmistakeable figures of the American supersoldier and his pet murder-beast.
Her thoughts were rather dominated by her saving the world, as she unleashed her bandaged cursed right arm and other impossibilities that had little to do with her true capabilities... which is to say, nothing like her fantasies.
"Heh heh..." Drool trailed past her lips, her eyes glazed over vacantly as she carried over a box past Warehouse 16, past the Deathclaw, and towards a gaggle of other boxes workers were stacking up. "Beware Black Recall... the hero is here... money... gold... all of it. I can feel evil in the air. No doubt they're after me. But that's fine, I am ready for it all." She muttered to herself, heedless of the valuable and rather expensive contents that were jiggling in the box she was carrying.
-
Rih Tohsaka
The purple haired woman turned to the interloper and gave him a dour look. She scanned his body, glaring at him as if he was the lowest of the lowlives on earth.
"And why are you bothering me, good sir." She answered after a full minute of glaring.
Lawrence
He did not seem to be troubled by her glare, nor did he lose patience. He just met her look until she spoke up, as long as she did. Only then, did he tilt his head innocently.
"Why are you bothered?"
-
Rih Tohsaka
The purple haired woman turned to the interloper and gave him a dour look. She scanned his body, glaring at him as if he was the lowest of the lowlives on earth.
"And why are you bothering me, good sir." She answered after a full minute of glaring.
Lawrence
He did not seem to be troubled by her glare, nor did he lose patience. He just met her look until she spoke up, as long as she did. Only then, did he tilt his head innocently.
"Why are you bothered?"
Rin
Rin turned her head away, downing a full bottle of whiskey with a single movement before turning her head away. A gold brick materialized in her hand before she slammed it down upon the bar and stood up to leave.
-
Haluth:
"-that's fine, I am ready for it all."
Through the bustle and hubbub, Haluth picked that up. Her face snapped to the direction she heard it come from, eyes eventually resting upon a woman carrying a box. Was master's contact going to double cross them? Are these people here actually enemies?
Glancing back at the door, the she-claw wasn't sure what to do. Master ordered her to stay here, and he doesn't like it when she goes against his wishes. But master also values initia-intitch- What was that word again? Initiation, that's right! If she takes the initiation, he might even praise her!
And so, Haluth decided to take the initiation, abandoning her post to stalk the woman.
-
Lawrence
His eyes narrowed for a moment as she turned her back to him. Hoh? So she really could not remember. Could I have been mistaken? No, her anima...
"You're an interesting person. To think I'd find someone so similar to that boy in a lousy tavern... fascinating." He poured himself another cup of tea, smiling.
"If you will not join me then at least heed a warning... from a friend. That body of yours will bring you nothing but misery." He swept a hand over the teacup, the tea leaves shifting like stars inside.
Despite his placid demeanor, there was no threat behind his ominous words. After all, they were no prediction, but a prophecy of a future one must not reach. A future he did not anyone to wish to reach no matter what.
-
Rin
"Fuck you." She said simply, turning her head away from the dangerous man. She'd have to talk to Sakura about him later, decide what to do about him. It seemed like he'd been stalking them for a while, and in her experience that was never a good sign.
The girl walked off towards the bathroom, intent on leaving right now.
-
Lawrence
He blinked wide-eyed as the girl stormed off... to the washroom. For a moment, he just stared incredulously. Until a bird of flame appeared from the corner of his vision, cackling madly. "KAHAHAHAH! Smooth one Lamespeare! Did you think that'd have gone any differently?"
He closed his eyes with a patient smile. The following conversation rand through nothing but his mind, weaving an imaginary dream.
"Not really. It's a shame though... I did warn her. If you can blame me for something, it isn't complacency."
Despite his smile, he seemed sad for a moment. Come to think of it, he didn't really feel like drinking tea. But it seemed his nightmare didn't find it reason enough not to look for something humorous in all this.
"Pfffft! That's a good one! You just left your old body so you wouldn't have to work hard in the first place! And now you're trying to have a total stranger bear your burdens again, just because she reminds you of - SQUAAACK!"
His hand had already grabbed the fire bird's beak, shutting it with a hateful glare. No, something was different. His eyes-
"This isn't the old world doomed to be a slave to fate. People have hope. Now please, you're hurting my ears."
That seemed to have done the trick. Outraged, the bird pulled out from its grip, this time just meekly taking to the bottom of the table and pecking at a cookie crumb.
"F-fine. Jeez. Still, are you really going to try to get her into all this? You know, time isn't exactly in our favor?"
Lawrence smiled. And so, his short dream ended.
"You won't be able to run from everything you find unpleasant. I just hope you can find what you seek. Don't die on me... I do hate bad investments." His eyes were still closed, though he was awake as ever. Talking to himself all alone, he seemed to have no intention of stopping her. "I will certainly save you."
-
Haluth:
"-that's fine, I am ready for it all."
Through the bustle and hubbub, Haluth picked that up. Her face snapped to the direction she heard it come from, eyes eventually resting upon a woman carrying a box. Was master's contact going to double cross them? Are these people here actually enemies?
Glancing back at the door, the she-claw wasn't sure what to do. Master ordered her to stay here, and he doesn't like it when she goes against his wishes. But master also values initia-intitch- What was that word again? Initiation, that's right! If she takes the initiation, he might even praise her!
And so, Haluth decided to take the initiation, abandoning her post to stalk the woman.
Silana:
Meanwhile, Silana was unaware of her recent stalker. Her mind was already drawn elsewhere as the tedium of work had left her rather mentally inert, dragged to her own little world. Her job was just that boring, inglorious, and trivial. Anyone on the dime and penny can do what she does, and then some more.
"He won't see it coming..." She promised in her muttering, imagining some foe she will triumph over. Perhaps a demon lord that she'll vanquish, or some alien overlord that she'll foil. Get a big name, all of that. "But I have no fear, for I was chosen for this...!" Silana muttered some more. "He's big... he's strong, but I have an ace up my sleeves. Yeah... my secret power. He won't see it coming, that brute..." The bigger they were, the harder they fall, she thought, already picturing the alien to be a purple guy with some golden gauntlet that she'll somehow triumph over in her mind in a place called imaginary land.
-
Silana:
Meanwhile, Silana was unaware of her recent stalker. Her mind was already drawn elsewhere as the tedium of work had left her rather mentally inert, dragged to her own little world. Her job was just that boring, inglorious, and trivial. Anyone on the dime and penny can do what she does, and then some more.
"He won't see it coming..." She promised in her muttering, imagining some foe she will triumph over. Perhaps a demon lord that she'll vanquish, or some alien overlord that she'll foil. Get a big name, all of that. "But I have no fear, for I was chosen for this...!" Silana muttered some more. "He's big... he's strong, but I have an ace up my sleeves. Yeah... my secret power. He won't see it coming, that brute..." The bigger they were, the harder they fall, she thought, already picturing the alien to be a purple guy with some golden gauntlet that she'll somehow triumph over in her mind in a place called imaginary land.
Haluth:
Now the she-claw was certain - this woman was going to attack Master! Haluth quickly checked her surroundings, making sure the other workers had their backs conveniently turned. Then she pounced on the unsuspecting woman...
A pair of clawed, scaly hands shot out from the pile of rags, one wrapping around the woman's face, the other around her stomach. Once her target was secured, the towering Haluth started to quickly drag her prey into a secluded space between Warehouse 16 and 17.
Horrigan:
With considerable effort to not just demolish the doorway, the supermutant Frank Horrigan squeezed through the opening. He quickly realized once outside that Haluth wasn't at her post...
Damn that creature.
-
Vega
He opened his eyes, with an almost surprised look. His head cocked innocently at her rage, but the cold chill in his spine remained. The fingers in his hand itched.
His smile was almost too precious, absolutely dazzling. "Ah, forgive me! Aou are adorable even when you're glaring at me like that~! But I meant no offense."
But suddenly, his visage twisted into a rictus, a cruel expression masking rage and disdain. Her accusation reminded him of someone he hated more than anyone else in the world.
"I am a ruler, not a slaver. I would never strip someone's freedom from them, least of all a woman. If one was as vile to do something like that in my presence, then let them be fed to the swine and the cattle! That is the only fate for scum like that." He raised a finger and relaxed, sighing before taking another sip.
"Even so, I do not wish to be bound. I value my own freedom as much as you do yours. In that sense, I suppose we are the same. A puppet king is no king at all."
Lulu
"Oh...Ohhhh..."
She took a half step back while averting her gaze as a faint rosy blush made itself clear.
"I...I..."
Lulu grabbed the hems of her dress and bowed deeply to him.
"I'm truly sorry for insinuating that, I like you do not wish to be enslave but it goes the other way as well. That is by far the ost horrible practice you can partake in. No what I was speaking of was bond, an agreement, a pact you may even say." Then she looked up at him hopefully.
"Hehehe... my own kind would ridicule me if they saw me now... It seems I've forgotten how protective mortals can be in their homes and I am really really sorry for my behavior earlier. But will you play listen earnestly to my proposal?"
-
Vega
"That they might." He looked at her with disbelief... only to close his eyes and sigh. "But I won't allow that. You are one within my court now, my home. If any dare to mock you, I shall strike them down with a righteous vengeance."
He crossed his legs and waved his hand at her as if dismissing her worry. To treat allies forgivingly and enemies with impunity were one of the cores of his very being. If she proved to be an enemy, he would not hold back. But it had not come to such a thing, had it? Therefore, he'd show a host's... no, perhaps a friend's mercy.
"I am sitting here, listening to you. Don't be so apologetic. If I had truly not forgiven you, we would be likely to be lying in a pool of our own blood by now..."
-
Lulu
"No!"
She looked up at him with determination in her eyes.
"I truly hurt you with my actions earlier, when that, when that was so far from what I intended. I even made you send your esteemed guest away. I am the worst, the absolute worst. So why are you not angry?" Her fists clenched even tighter.
"You should not forgive me so easily."
-
Vega
Hrm, this would not do. This would not do one bit. Self-deprecation is a pitiful thing. No matter, we can fix that.
"Nonsense. One does not earn forgiveness, it is given. And that choice is mine and mine alone."
...
"You seem sad. Should I pat you?" His smile turned devilishly smug.
-
Lulu
Lulu met his gaze with a får more calm demeanor now and nodded. "You may of that is what you wish, but be warned. The feel of my firm can be quite addicting to your kind." The softness of her form was entirely unnatural to say the least, the closest to describe it with would be like marshmallow except incredibly smooth too.
-
Vega
He wasted no time to heed her warning. Eh? "Amazing... it's like a pastry." He seemed truly shocked as he patted her head, and started poking at the bouncy flesh. Was it even flesh? He couldn't tell, it wasn't like anything he ever laid his hands upon. "What a unique experience. Oh, you might want to state your terms. I'll be listening..."
He wasn't stopping. He seemed intensely focused at the task at hand. Immensely so, to the point it was almost frightening.
-
Lulu
"Mouuuu..."
Vega was treated to the rare sight of a pouting angel, one that was struggling to stay still even as her knees trembled.
"I wish to observe.... and guide you....hmpfff"
Her face got redder and redder until it looked like she was about to explode.
"Stop touching my head so much you dummy! It's too damn hard to think. Just touch me somewhere else if you like my body so much!"
-
Vega
He paused for a second, then put a hand on his hip. "Very well then."
What a strange person.
-
Lulu
"Oh my..."
The angel's hand covered her mouth as she giggled, and her redness was completely gone all of a sudden. It was like that hadn't been true in the first place.
"I did not think you would acquiesce to my demand, can you not handle the sight of a crying girl? Fufufu... Nevertheless, as you may have figured out I am not human."
Six sets of translucent wings suddenly burst out of her back.
"I am Archangel Lulu at your service, my domain is love but also passion and lust."
-
Vega
"Fool. It's not that I care in the slightest. It just won't do if you unintelligibly fluster."
He crossed his arms and looked away. As if he'd be so sentimental.
"I don't care what you are or where you even come from. You spoke of a deal. You'd offer me immortality, is that it? What terms would suit you?"
-
Lulu
"That is entirely up to you Vega. I merely wish to see what you do it. There's får more power I could grant you at this time but do you want it all handed to you, or do you want to earn it?
She shifted on the spot, it was the natural uncomfortable feeling that overtook you when you kept standing while the one talking to you was sitting down.
"As I've stated before, my only interest is you, your soul is beautiful."
-
Vega
"Of course it is." He answered like she just said the sky was blue. He smiled and posed his head on his fist, resting from his wounds. "What do you think? And don't cheat by peering into my thoughts."
-
Eruraviel
The Next Day, October 30
8:00 AM Nexus Time
The two elves poofed into existence on the lawn of Amanda's mansion. In an instant, they had teleported from the rugged woods deep within the mystical forest to the perfectly manicured lawn of Amanda's mansion. It was a large brown building that loomed over the two women.
Sage was dressed in an ellegant backless dress with a large hat, a platinum threaded leash attached to her neck trailing down to Eruraviel's hand.
She pulled Sage forward towards the door without any further adieu. "This is the house of my fiancee, Amanda. Please, do not look down upon her for the fact that she remains a human.
-
Sage
The pseudo-elf was very still as she appeared in the flash of arcane power that engulfed her. Sage's nostrils flared, her eyed flicking back and forth to take in her surroundings. It was all too quiet, and she was all too obviously suspicious of danger. But then Eruraviel spoke, and Sage was reminded of the warm metal around her neck by the tugging around it.
"I will do my best - in honor of your judgement." Sage cozied herself up closer to the one holding her leash. "But I would have preferred to meet her in the forest."
-
Erureviel
The elf pulled along Sage, rubbing the pregnant dragon's belly. "Fufu, she's the rightful ruler of these lands, and I've agreed to be her consort. I assure you, you'll be quite impressed with her magical prowess."
Eruraviel pushed open the door and the two walked through the threshold into the opulent insides, gistening with enough wealth to make a dragon hot and bothered.
"Now, let us see if she's done with the nightly ritual of sleep humans engage in."
-
Lulu
"You wish to break your own shackles and grasp power with your own hands, do you not? I'd be sorely disappointed if you chose another path fufufu.." She giggled to herself as her angelic wings retracted into her body.
"Perhaps you will find me equally fascinating in time. But to thay extent, what do you find more appealing, my current appearance or how I appeared in your dream?"
-
Haluth:
Now the she-claw was certain - this woman was going to attack Master! Haluth quickly checked her surroundings, making sure the other workers had their backs conveniently turned. Then she pounced on the unsuspecting woman...
A pair of clawed, scaly hands shot out from the pile of rags, one wrapping around the woman's face, the other around her stomach. Once her target was secured, the towering Haluth started to quickly drag her prey into a secluded space between Warehouse 16 and 17.
Horrigan:
With considerable effort to not just demolish the doorway, the supermutant Frank Horrigan squeezed through the opening. He quickly realized once outside that Haluth wasn't at her post...
Damn that creature.
Silana:
"Bulk, they sulk, and then they bu-WEH?!" Silana's own delusional soliloquy broke. How could she, one who was closest to humans in all physical aspects, tell that she was being stalked and preyed upon, after all? Her words were muffled, and she began to panic and writhe. Her hands clutched at the clawed hands, tugging against them, with her human strength, intending to pull and pry them off her face and break away. Delusion broke free to ingrained panic, as she started kicking and elbowing whatever grasped her, heedless of how there was a disparity of strength between her and her now-captor.
The box she carried long dropped and broke upon the ground, threatening her livelihood.
Her feet trailed on the ground, tractioning on the floor hard to bring about friction. She was not intending to make this easy on her captor, on the thing dragging her away. "Mrrrphhh!"
-
Rin Tohsaka
4:30 AM Nexus Time
Rin stumbled hesitantly down the street, taking large, halting steps as her head spun from the sheer amount of alcohol she'd consumed.
"Fucking shit. Why didn't he go after me. I HAVE NEEDS TOO YOU KNOW, DAMNIT!" She yelled out into the forgotten alleyway, kicking a can of trash. It went flying fifty feet, slamming into a fence with a massive dent in it.
"Fucking shit fuck."
-
Emiya
Emiya's scowl was enough to drive cut throats and pick pockets out of his path. He had harassed, cajoled, and pleasantly asked many of the local bartenders looking for a teenage girl with purple hair pulled into twin tails dressed in a red coat. He may have threatened one with blowing up their bar, but he was certain that they probably deserved it.
They maybe into human trafficking, which means I need to look into that after I find Rin, he thought as he folded his arms across his chest.
"Fucking shit. Why didn't he go after me. I HAVE NEEDS TOO YOU KNOW, DAMNIT!"
Then a trash can came flying past him only to slam into the fence beside him, making a huge dent into it.
Emiya jogged down the alley the trash can had come from only to see a familiar figure. "Fucking shit fuck."
"You know, you use to have a more elegant way of speaking. If Tsumiko starts talking like a gutter snipe, I'll know where she learned it from," he said.
And begin Rin versus Archer the sparring match round 1,003,657, he thought dryly.
-
Emiya
Emiya's scowl was enough to drive cut throats and pick pockets out of his path. He had harassed, cajoled, and pleasantly asked many of the local bartenders looking for a teenage girl with purple hair pulled into twin tails dressed in a red coat. He may have threatened one with blowing up their bar, but he was certain that they probably deserved it.
They maybe into human trafficking, which means I need to look into that after I find Rin, he thought as he folded his arms across his chest.
"Fucking shit. Why didn't he go after me. I HAVE NEEDS TOO YOU KNOW, DAMNIT!"
Then a trash can came flying past him only to slam into the fence beside him, making a huge dent into it.
Emiya jogged down the alley the trash can had come from only to see a familiar figure. "Fucking shit fuck."
"You know, you use to have a more elegant way of speaking. If Tsumiko starts talking like a gutter snipe, I'll know where she learned it from," he said.
And begin Rin versus Archer the sparring match round 1,003,657, he thought dryly.
Rin Tohsaka
Rin twisted around, staring at Archer in shock. She hadn't expected him to find her this fast, and she wasn't in the mood to talk, really, but here she was, on the spot!
"Yeah, and I used to have my own body too. What do you want? Are you done screwing my sister's ghost?"
-
Erureviel
The elf pulled along Sage, rubbing the pregnant dragon's belly. "Fufu, she's the rightful ruler of these lands, and I've agreed to be her consort. I assure you, you'll be quite impressed with her magical prowess."
Eruraviel pushed open the door and the two walked through the threshold into the opulent insides, gistening with enough wealth to make a dragon hot and bothered.
"Now, let us see if she's done with the nightly ritual of sleep humans engage in."
Sage
The dragon let out a soft hum of approval as Eruraviel paid attention to her, but pouted in consideration at her words. "I suppose I shall have to take your word for it, for now.... oh." And then she saw all the wealth.
Sage's eyes flicked about, assessing the value and quantity of the interior of this confined human lair. She called upon the little nature she carried with her, that lived and breathed all around this place, and sought for magic below the mundane as well. "How could she not sleep upon all of this...?!"
-
Eruraviel
"Humans don't do that. They sleep in comfortable beds. Wealthy humans have nicer, more ornate beds that they use to show off their wealth and status."
She gave Sage's leash a tug. "Come on, do you just want to gawk at the house, or do you want to meet her?"
-
Amanda's Mansion
Just then a clanking noise akin to metal hitting metal cut through the air and the entrance behind them sealed up, completely cutting the house off from the rest of the Nexus.
Barriers then flared up and blocked the entrance to every other room could see.
"Who goes there?"
A deep sounding voice demanded them answer but no one was there besides them, no....
One of the statues near the entrance that resembled a medieval knight, had seemingly come to life and was moving toward them.
-
Amanda's Mansion
Just then a clanking noise akin to metal hitting metal cut through the air and the entrance behind them sealed up, completely cutting the house off from the rest of the Nexus.
Barriers then flared up and blocked the entrance to every other room could see.
"Who goes there?"
A deep sounding voice demanded them answer but no one was there besides them, no....
One of the statues near the entrance that resembled a medieval knight, had seemingly come to life and was moving toward them.
Eruraviel
Eru crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks out into a pout. Her ears twitched a bit in annoyance at the fact that she wasn't whitelisted for the automated security!
"It's me! Eruraviel! What are you doing!"
The elf pointed at herself. "Take me to Amanda!"
-
Emiya
He sighed at that and said, "And I am going to help get you your own body back, Rin."
Emiya ran a hand through his white hair and shook his head. "I didn't plan that with your sister tonight. And I'm sorry it hurt you. Am I sorry that I did? No, but I wasn't out to hurt you."
-
Emiya
He sighed at that and said, "And I am going to help get you your own body back, Rin."
Emiya ran a hand through his white hair and shook his head. "I didn't plan that with your sister tonight. And I'm sorry it hurt you. Am I sorry that I did? No, but I wasn't out to hurt you."
Rin Tohsaka
Rin shuddered, pulling herself back. "Feh." She simply reacted, looking away from him.
"Right. And that's supposed to make me feel better?"
-
Emiya
"No, but getting drunk isn't going to help either. Especially since that's not just your body. It's not just Sakura's but it's Tsumiko's too, who's just a young girl confused by what you and Sakura bring to the table. If you want to feel better go ahead and yell at me," Emiya said with a shrug.
"It wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last in the scheme of things."
-
Emiya
"No, but getting drunk isn't going to help either. Especially since that's not just your body. It's not just Sakura's but it's Tsumiko's too, who's just a young girl confused by what you and Sakura bring to the table. If you want to feel better go ahead and yell at me," Emiya said with a shrug.
"It wouldn't be the first time and it won't be the last in the scheme of things."
Rin Tohsaka
"Sakura Sakura Sakura, Tsumiko-" Rin stopped, shaking her head.
"I don't want to hear about that. Just let me drink my fill, I'm not hurting anyone, including my self."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed, knowing Rin's feelings were very valid.
His broad shoulders slumped and he looked at her.
"Can I join you then?" he asked.
-
Rin Tohsaka
"W-w-w-w-what are you talking about?"
Rin's face flushed red, averting her eyes a bit. "Well-what?"
She didn't understand why he wasn't reprimanding her.
-
Emiya
"I want to join you," Emiya said with a shrug. "Give you someone to talk to that isn't a part of you. And I don't want to leave you to drink alone. That just makes things worse in the end, Rin."
He'd honestly been expecting a fight as well, but seeing her so miserable took the fight out of him.
She's a girl who needs saving, and she saved me so long ago. At least I can do is try to help her, he thought.
He said, "A version of you saved me once, the least I can do is be your friend again."
-
Emiya
"I want to join you," Emiya said with a shrug. "Give you someone to talk to that isn't a part of you. And I don't want to leave you to drink alone. That just makes things worse in the end, Rin."
He'd honestly been expecting a fight as well, but seeing her so miserable took the fight out of him.
She's a girl who needs saving, and she saved me so long ago. At least I can do is try to help her, he thought.
He said, "A version of you saved me once, the least I can do is be your friend again."
Rin Tohsaka
She stared at him, arms trembling just a little bit. "F-fine." She answered, then turning around away from Archer. "We can go to a place that's slightly nicer than where I usually frequent, then."
-
Amanda's Mansion
Just then a clanking noise akin to metal hitting metal cut through the air and the entrance behind them sealed up, completely cutting the house off from the rest of the Nexus.
Barriers then flared up and blocked the entrance to every other room could see.
"Who goes there?"
A deep sounding voice demanded them answer but no one was there besides them, no....
One of the statues near the entrance that resembled a medieval knight, had seemingly come to life and was moving toward them.
Sage
The leash's tug brought Sage back into appropriate focus, and she turned to open her mouth before her keen senses picked up on the threat. She turned her wide red eyes to the animated suit of armor, her nostrils flaring in preparation for conflict. She did not however speak - she instead focused upon building up some of her great reserves of mana within her lungs in case she needed to melt the metal.
-
Emiya
"Well, I feel honored by that declaration," he said with a smirk.
Then he frowned and asked, "Where is it? There's certain places I probably won't be overly welcome."
-
Rin Tohsaka
"Hmmmph. You'll know when we get there, now won't you?"
She slurred her words, wagging her finger at him as she scowled. "I'll have you know I'm no lightweight. You're going to have trouble keeping up with me."
It was truly a look that did not befit Sakura's body.
-
Mansion Security
"Confirming with databank, subject identified as Eruraviel, classification: Big Boobs Elf Princess. Access level insufficient to bring others in..."
The knight's head did a full 360 degree spin before settling its gaze on the elf. "Would you like to make a call to Lady Harrington? Otherwise I will have to insist that you vacate the premises or face the consequences."
-
Mansion Security
"Confirming with databank, subject identified as Eruraviel, classification: Big Boobs Elf Princess. Access level insufficient to bring others in..."
The knight's head did a full 360 degree spin before settling its gaze on the elf. "Would you like to make a call to Lady Harrington? Otherwise I will have to insist that you vacate the premises or face the consequences."
Eruraviel
"Feh. Yes, call her." She shook her head, frowning. "Big boobs? Nothing about my dick? Really? How rude can she get, jeez."
She turned to face Sage, shaking her head. "I'll just have to bully her later in return."
-
Lulu
"You wish to break your own shackles and grasp power with your own hands, do you not? I'd be sorely disappointed if you chose another path fufufu.." She giggled to herself as her angelic wings retracted into her body.
"Perhaps you will find me equally fascinating in time. But to that extent, what do you find more appealing, my current appearance or how I appeared in your dream?"
Vega
"I truly don't care. Just follow your sense of aesthetics." He shrugged and pulled a bouquet out of... somewhere. He handed off the roses to Lulu with a small bow.
"Well then, I truly loathe charity. Consider this my end of the deal."
He detested giving things more than anyone else. And he did not want her to take anything from his. Therefore, something like this was the most obvious way to settle a deal.
A favor for a favor. There was a business card within the roses. The rest was self evident, he truly hoped he didn't need to go into details.
-
Rin Tohsaka
"Hmmmph. You'll know when we get there, now won't you?"
She slurred her words, wagging her finger at him as she scowled. "I'll have you know I'm no lightweight. You're going to have trouble keeping up with me."
It was truly a look that did not befit Sakura's body.
Emiya
Seeing Rin's mannerisms in Sakura's body was very . . . odd. Both girls were gorgeous in their own but completely different ways. It would be like comparing apples to oranges. Both delicious but both completely different.
Rin's strong mannerisms didn't harmonize with Sakura's soft curves and violet hair. Rin needed her own slim, athletic body and the bouncing raven curls that always seemed to have a life of their own. She needed those sharp aquamarine eyes.
The red doesn't work with Sakura's coloring either, he thought sadly.
Emiya tilted his head, shrugged, and asked, "What makes you think I'll drink? I want to keep you company, but I've never been much of a drinker."
It was true. He knew his way behind a bar rather easily, but he didn't like partaking. It made him feel odd, off balance, and weird.
-
Lulu
"If you say so..."
Her hair lightened in color until it attained a lustrous golden shine, and her eyes shifted to a more cerulean blue. The maid outfit gave way to a far more firm fitting black dress that exposed a lot of cleavage, and there was a lot of that now as her breasts seemed to have grown a size or two in mere seconds.
"But I won't accept that. No, I know what I want now, and that is your sincere appreciation. I will make you like me!"
-
Vega
"...Make me like you? How absurd." He shook his head at the very notion.
"A woman's beauty isn't reliant on superficial traits. What you need -" He waved his arm and snapped his finger, as if embracing the whole room. "Is style and presentation! And that isn't something you can just learn and show in one day."
And all of a sudden, he was interrupted by a ringing sound. It was like a bell, which directed his gaze to a clock at the corner of the wall.
"Oh my. It seems like the time is flying by. How convenient." He put a hand on his cheek innocently, like a coy child. His smile turned genuine and heartfelt. "Perhaps you'll get a chance to make me like you after all."
-
Lulu
"Ah but my superficial traits as you so eloquently describe it are not there by nature, they are an expression of my will and desire."
She smiled back at him as she pulled her legs up on the soffa and folded them, which left her underwear completely exposed should he chose to look. Not that she had any expectations of him peeking, the angel had genuinely done it for comfort reasons.
"Is something supposed to happen now?"
-
Vega
"Hrm." He nodded in an oddly curt way, before turning his back from her for a moment. His back was completely exposed, open for a strike. But despite that, something in his aura was shifting. No... the color of his very soul.
"In my line of work, it can prove...desirable to have a schedule of sorts. Routines can be comforting." He picked up the plates and cups from the table and began to clean. "Time is precious. Time is fleeting. And time is something our good guest doesn't have much left of."
But before then, he needed answers from him. And until he talked, he had to delay the inevitable, as much as it tore his heart asunder.
"Perhaps a woman's touch could be suited to this." He turned back to smile at Lulu, but there was a cold sort of gleam in his eye.
-
Lulu
She didn't even consider striking him when his back turned and when turned to her again she was just as relaxed as before, unlike him there was no coldness in her eyes, just curiosity.
"How gently would you like me to coax it out of him? Surely you're not suggesting some sort of seduction? Hehehe it would be quite pathetic if he fell for that."
She leaned forward slightly but not enough to actually slide out of the couch. "Maybe you could explain on the way.
-
Rin Tohsaka
"Hmmmph. You'll know when we get there, now won't you?"
She slurred her words, wagging her finger at him as she scowled. "I'll have you know I'm no lightweight. You're going to have trouble keeping up with me."
It was truly a look that did not befit Sakura's body.
Emiya
Seeing Rin's mannerisms in Sakura's body was very . . . odd. Both girls were gorgeous in their own but completely different ways. It would be like comparing apples to oranges. Both delicious but both completely different.
Rin's strong mannerisms didn't harmonize with Sakura's soft curves and violet hair. Rin needed her own slim, athletic body and the bouncing raven curls that always seemed to have a life of their own. She needed those sharp aquamarine eyes.
The red doesn't work with Sakura's coloring either, he thought sadly.
Emiya tilted his head, shrugged, and asked, "What makes you think I'll drink? I want to keep you company, but I've never been much of a drinker."
It was true. He knew his way behind a bar rather easily, but he didn't like partaking. It made him feel odd, off balance, and weird.
Rin Tohsaka
A shadow familar opened up on the wall behind her, evidently controlled by Rin. She walked forward, heading into it. "If you're not going to drink with me, I'm not interested in being around you right now. Make your choice now, before you have to find me again."
-
Emiya
"Yare yare. Fine, I'll drink with you. I forgot how difficult Tohsaka Rin can be," Emiya said with a sigh and a shake of his head.
"It's probably why Ishtar bound herself to that version of you," he muttered under his breath.
-
Silana:
"Bulk, they sulk, and then they bu-WEH?!" Silana's own delusional soliloquy broke. How could she, one who was closest to humans in all physical aspects, tell that she was being stalked and preyed upon, after all? Her words were muffled, and she began to panic and writhe. Her hands clutched at the clawed hands, tugging against them, with her human strength, intending to pull and pry them off her face and break away. Delusion broke free to ingrained panic, as she started kicking and elbowing whatever grasped her, heedless of how there was a disparity of strength between her and her now-captor.
The box she carried long dropped and broke upon the ground, threatening her livelihood.
Her feet trailed on the ground, tractioning on the floor hard to bring about friction. She was not intending to make this easy on her captor, on the thing dragging her away. "Mrrrphhh!"
Haluth:
The human's struggle was futile; the difference in strength was just too much. It wasn't long before Haluth secluded the two of them behind a dumpster between the warehouses 16 and 17. Now was the time for the She-CLaw to make her master proud! "Me ask questions," Haluth hissed into her victim's ear, "You scream, die! Die!"
To legitimize her threat, she dug her claws lightly into their points of contact, drawing a small amount of blood under each finger...
"-ight, who the fuck dropped this crate?!"
Frank long learned that if Haluth were to go AWOL, he only had to follow the commotion. A foreman yelling at his crew over a box of broken perfume was a good start. "Somebody's head is gonna roll for this!" the mustached man's ranting continued.
Horrigan approached the now small crowd of workers without speaking a single word, mind already working over the evidence in front of him. The startled laborers parted, making way for the much larger brute. Despite taking a step back, the foreman found his balls, "You shouldn't be here!"
Frank only peered down onto the tiny man, whom promptly cowered back...
The supermutant then peered down the alley, judging it to be the most likely route Haluth would have taken from here. Maybe she was going through the trash like the animal she is? Wordlessly, the left the terrified workers behind, making his way to the somewhat-dark passage.
-
Emiya
"Yare yare. Fine, I'll drink with you. I forgot how difficult Tohsaka Rin can be," Emiya said with a sigh and a shake of his head.
"It's probably why Ishtar bound herself to that version of you," he muttered under his breath.
Rin Tohsaka
"Good to hear." Rin was pleased with herself, happy that she'd beaten Archer in an argument and forced him to follow her will.
It made something bubble inside the drunk woman as she waited for Sakura to set up the connection to the exit.
"Then, let us be off!"
-
Emiya
"You may not say that after you get a few drinks in me," he said with a shake of his head.
Then Emiya scowled slightly at the shadowy door in the wall. "Yeah, let's go," he said in a low voice.
-
Rin Tohsaka
Rin reached behind her and grabbed his arm, giggling drunkenly as the shadow absorbed both of them. She pressed her chest against him as they walked out of the inky blackness as quickly as they'd entered, now in a completely different part of the Nexus. (http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,740.msg61964.html#msg61964)
(Continued in little russia)
-
Eruraviel
"Feh. Yes, call her." She shook her head, frowning. "Big boobs? Nothing about my dick? Really? How rude can she get, jeez."
She turned to face Sage, shaking her head. "I'll just have to bully her later in return."
Sage
The green-haired pseudo-elf frowned in most distinctive disapproval. Her eyes refused to refrain from researching the really robotic wretch that left them behind. "A well trained hound would have been far less awful. Such a poor choice of guardian..."
-
Amanda's Mansion
"I would prefer if your guests would not insult my handicraft as soon as they enter Eruraviel, it leaves quite the awful first impression."
The armored knight then reached up and removed its helmet revealing a girl with long raven like hair and glowing aquamarine eyes.
"But I'll have to forgive you this time since you brought a really dragon with you.." She turned to Sage and bowed. "HI, I'm Amanda Harrington but you can call me Mandy for short~"
-
Sage
Sage thought to continue to voice her displeasure, that much was evident - but then she saw the face beneath the helmet. Her breath caught as even the limited senses of the elven form she wore were overtaken by the instinctive aesthetic appreciation to which the dragon was now subjected. "... I am Sage, in your tongue," she said after a moment, nodding her head with the barest measure of courtesy she could muster in light of such conflicting impressions.
She glanced to Eruraviel, but then continued. "You have quite the gift if you could see through my visage so readily. That I am impressed with."
-
Eruraviel
Eru pulled on Sage's chain. "Why do you think I've been talking so highly of her! She's one of the most impressive young people I've ever met!"
Eru looked down at Amanda and giggled. "I have tamed a dragon, and I've come to show her off." Her ears twitched as she suddenly shrank back down to her normal size. "Isn't she just the cutest?"
-
Amanda
She gave the dragon girl who had introduced herself as Sage another look over. "And should I assume the children growing inside her are yours too?" After that she made a motion with her hand and the suit of armor melted away to reveal more form fitting clothes that were still classy. It was obvious from a glance for anyone who knew anything about fashion that they'd been tailored.
"I'm sure I'll soon find you impressive as well dear Sage, Eru is a very picky girl for her harem." Her voice was just as seductive as her visage, the sweet tones were enough to send pleasurable shivers down your spine. The old runes didn't just affect her appearance after all, but your entire perception of her.
-
Sage
The dragon huffed through her nostrils in what would have been a menacing manner in any form other than a petite elven maiden on a leash. Instead, she merely looked to Eruraviel and Amanda to be rather adorable in her outrage. "To call me tamed. Hmph."
Her face red for more reasons than just flustering, Sage returned her attention to their host, drawing herself up with her pride mostly intact. The full force of the girl's supernatural allure was blunted by the fantastical resistance of the forest dweller's true nature - but even so, she could not deny that it was alluring. "Yes, she is the father."
-
Eruraviel
Eru gave the elf a light tug at her show of agression. "Here in the city, people don't flare their nostrils like that, Sage."
She reached out and rubbed her belly. "And I'm lucky for the oppurtunity to mate with you, Sage~"
-
Amanda
"It's hardly been a day..." She sighed in exasperation. The confirmation had hardly surprised her, in fact she would have figured out as much herself if she'd taken a longer look but she didn't feel like irking a dragon by staring at them too intensively, Sage might have taken that as a challenge.
"So you saw a dragon and your first idea was to knock her up, are all elves this lescheorus? And then you parade her around like you own her, someday that's going to backfire spectacularly."
-
Amanda
"It's hardly been a day..." She sighed in exasperation. The confirmation had hardly surprised her, in fact she would have figured out as much herself if she'd taken a longer look but she didn't feel like irking a dragon by staring at them too intensively, Sage might have taken that as a challenge.
"So you saw a dragon and your first idea was to knock her up, are all elves this lescheorus? And then you parade her around like you own her, someday that's going to backfire spectacularly."
Eruraviel
"Hey hey hey, it seems like you have some serious misconceptions about what happened, Mandy." She put her hand up and stopped Amanda. "For you see, while I will concede elves are extremely prone to copulation-" She turned and pointed to Sage. "She came onto me, joining me while I was bathing alone in my house! And then, we had sex, and I happened to knock her up!"
Then, she turned back, and pulled on Sage's leash. "Furthermore, she was the one who asked for this, not me! I was quite surprised she wanted to be leashed myself, you know!"
-
Sage
Sage was about to huff some more, feeling the tug on her neck as though it were some cue to calm herself and not quite feeling amenable to it this time, but then Eruraviel turned her pint-sized loveliness her way. The honey that poured into the dragon's ears appeared to placate the beast, who merely pouted instead. "I did not originally approach with the intention of seduction. It was merely a happy accident."
She let out a sigh at the continued tugging, but it did not seem overly put-upon. Then she glanced at Amanda once more. "I am not interested in answering inquiries on the matter of my apparel. Proceed as if she had not spoken of it."
Her face was quite red.
-
Amanda
"Whaaaa-"
Her mouth widened comically and her lips quivered in hopelessly adorable way. She couldn't believe what she was hearing, how could something this stupid be true, it had to be a joke, it had to be...
"Happy accident? You're not even planting trees here! How can you even.... No don't even answer that." She had to calm down, before she too got infected by whatever had gotten to them.
-
Eruraviel
"Hmm Hmm? You sound embarrased by the thought of me having elven dragonlets with my adorable Sage."
She walked over to her and elbowed Amanda teasingly. "Imagine how cute they'll be, playing with our kids, Amanda~"
She winked at Sage, giggling at the lewd dragon's embarrasment. "Do you mind showing Sage the grand tour, maybe to a room where you know we won't be monitered?"
-
Sage
"... but I do plan to plant trees here?" Sage looked between the two sorceresses and their strange mannerisms. It was very unlike in the stories the dragon had availed herself of to prepare for further social encounters with the smaller peoples. "Is this a strange human turn of phrase, then?"
-
Amanda
No no noo.....
She pushed Eru away by the top of her head. "What do you mean our kids?? I'm not even pregnant and you're the princess here so if anything it makes more sense if you carry them. But I didn't know you were so interested in the first place! And don't you know this whole estate is warded? There's hardly a room here more secure than the others."
That was a lie, but she wasn't about to bring them down to the basement.
"Either way I expect you to treat me accordingly hmpff, Just because I've received extensive training in all wifely arts doesn't meant I'm not a proper virgin ok!"
-
Eruraviel
"Non, non, non." Eru wagged her finger at Amanda. "I'm the elder here, and in elvish culture that means I'm the dominant one. Furthermore, I grow all my children in arificial wombs. I can manage their growth far better there."
She smirked. "Are you afraid of a pregnancy, Mandy? Think about the potential benefits!" She wrapped herself around Amanda's arm and giggled. "More to the point, I think with Sagey here, we can retake your district without any trouble, as we agreed upon."
-
Sage
"... humans are most bewildering." Sage concluded this, but in truth it was clear her observation would have been even more critical were it not for the shroud of allure surrounding Amanda. Sage frowned in concentration as she turned her attention away and back to Eruraviel. "Now, please explain this plan you have so abruptly pulled me into."
-
Vega
"I will explain, but I would ask we do not communicate this aloud." He made a graceful bow, despite his wounds, and smiled. "Perhaps a trip to the beach would be best to destress. Shall I hold your hand?" He cocked his head to the side most innocently.
-
Amanda
"Yes please Eru, and do make it quick. You already pulled me out from a meeting for this, all because you lack the common sense to message someone before barging in on their property." Amanda said while trying to free her arm from the overly clingy Elf.
"Or is this just another one of your erratic impulses?"
-
Amanda
"Yes please Eru, and do make it quick. You already pulled me out from a meeting for this, all because you lack the common sense to message someone before barging in on their property." Amanda said while trying to free her arm from the overly clingy Elf.
"Or is this just another one of your erratic impulses?"
Eruraviel
"Tch. I thought you humans slept more. I wanted to sneak up on you and wake you up." She shook her head. "I guess I really just don't understand your sleep cycles after all."
She held on tightly, staring up at Amanda, right into her eyes. "So, where is he?"
-
Lulu
The blonde Angel looked up at him for a short moment without responding, she blinked twice.
And then she held out her hand slowly while maintaining the most friendly aura she was capable of, in that moment, her guard was completely down. "You may. Would you rather we continue this in your mind? You did voice your displeasure with that earlier so I have been restraining myself as much as I can."
-
Amanda
"I had an early morning meeting alright! And who's he? If you mean that bastard, then he's wherever the fuck he wants to be. That guy visits his partners all the damn time and I'm not dumb enough to actively spy on him."
She glared down on the shorter Elf. "You're not seriously planning on rushing after him just because you have a dragon are you? Oh wait it's you, why am I even asking... Remember that magic breaking asshole who you had a verbal trashing contest with over at the Citadel? Lord Russel has a whole group of guys like him, a whole pack of bloodthirsty hounds, not that he even needs them...."
-
Sage
Sage's eyes seemed to light up with some measure of understanding, and at that she placed a hand over her own chest as if to better enunciate. "You seem to have a rather troublesome enemy to face. However, druid though I may be, I feel I should remind you of a most important matter..."
Her red eyes flashed their natural color, a bright glowing hue like the light of the sun, before returning to normal. "Turn the magic off, and I? Am still a dragon."
-
Eruraviel
"Fufufu. You're really looking down on me, aren't you? Yes, my adorable draconic concubine has sped up my plans, but do you really think I'm the sort of person to bet everything on one hand?" Not waiting for Amanda or Sage to answer her, she continued on, hopping back and landing upon the tips of her toes. "I'll have you know I did a reaaaalllly big favor for my good friend Elizabeth yesterday. I fixed a big problem for one of her favorite pets, so now she owes me big."
Eru winked at Amanda. "I think I'll have everything ready by the end of the week."
She beamed at Amanda, clearly expecting praise. Her ears twitched expectantly as she gave Amanda a rare, genuine smile.
-
Amanda
"I dont know if I should pity you or laugh. Alright time for a lesson in politics. Don't rely on Elizabeth. She's entirely apathetic and she's not gonna do anything until 10 years have passed at which point she'll do something arbitrary that completely blindsides you. "
Amanda sighed and shook her head.
"look I appreciate your help but what we need is someone who's physically strong, like really strong. That's their one weak point."
-
Haluth:
The human's struggle was futile; the difference in strength was just too much. It wasn't long before Haluth secluded the two of them behind a dumpster between the warehouses 16 and 17. Now was the time for the She-CLaw to make her master proud! "Me ask questions," Haluth hissed into her victim's ear, "You scream, die! Die!"
To legitimize her threat, she dug her claws lightly into their points of contact, drawing a small amount of blood under each finger...
"-ight, who the fuck dropped this crate?!"
Frank long learned that if Haluth were to go AWOL, he only had to follow the commotion. A foreman yelling at his crew over a box of broken perfume was a good start. "Somebody's head is gonna roll for this!" the mustached man's ranting continued.
Horrigan approached the now small crowd of workers without speaking a single word, mind already working over the evidence in front of him. The startled laborers parted, making way for the much larger brute. Despite taking a step back, the foreman found his balls, "You shouldn't be here!"
Frank only peered down onto the tiny man, whom promptly cowered back...
The supermutant then peered down the alley, judging it to be the most likely route Haluth would have taken from here. Maybe she was going through the trash like the animal she is? Wordlessly, the left the terrified workers behind, making his way to the somewhat-dark passage.
Silana:
The raven haired woman stiffened, wincing from the evident pain. It stung, and it hurt, those claws. She could tell they could hurt... the cold tendrils of fear coursed through her, but she pushed them back. Her struggle died down, and she was in a place where perhaps she could unleash her total (non-)existent powers! But not when claws were for her throat.
Slowly, she nodded her head, awaiting the moment her lips were free to speak through.
-
Amanda
"I dont know if I should pity you or laugh. Alright time for a lesson in politics. Don't rely on Elizabeth. She's entirely apathetic and she's not gonna do anything until 10 years have passed at which point she'll do something arbitrary that completely blindsides you. "
Amanda sighed and shook her head.
"look I appreciate your help but what we need is someone who's physically strong, like really strong. That's their one weak point."
Sage
Sage frowned in the wake of Amanda's utter lack of reassurance in the face of her dramatic turn of speech. Her head tilted in an almost feline fashion as she appeared to consider this matter, before slowly and deliberately interjecting. "I suppose I may forgive you for your underestimation of my abilities, based on our lack of experience with one another."
Her eyes flicked back to Eruraviel.
-
Vega
His eyes narrowed. "You are not to violate my mindscape in any way. But speaking to one another is a non issue. No, it might actually be preferable." He smiled. With that, they left the mansion, hand in hand. Night was soon to fall.
Continued in highway 13 (http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,806.msg62106.html#msg62106)
-
Amanda
"I dont know if I should pity you or laugh. Alright time for a lesson in politics. Don't rely on Elizabeth. She's entirely apathetic and she's not gonna do anything until 10 years have passed at which point she'll do something arbitrary that completely blindsides you. "
Amanda sighed and shook her head.
"look I appreciate your help but what we need is someone who's physically strong, like really strong. That's their one weak point."
Eruraviel
Eru threw up her hands in exaserbation. "Why don't you watch Sage and I have a spar, then? I trust your judgements, don't get me wrong, but you haven't seen either of our full physical powers. I'd like an honest judgement after you see what we're capable of."
She turned to sage and smiled. "Physical powers only, kay? They have an annoying fool who's immune to supernatural powers."
-
Amanda
"Fine fine... just follow me...."
She lead the two of them through a door into a much larger room. The design of it was completely different from the entrance hall,and you could clearly see it was meant for something like this with the large open area in the center. But it didn't make much sense for this to be right next to the entrance, not to mention a subtle shift space had occurred when they entered.
Not strange when you considered that it was a separate plane from the room they just left, one that was layered beneath it.
"You two can fight here without holding back, don't worry about breaking anything. I doubt you could even if you tried."
-
Sage
She shivered at the sensation of departing from the natural world. The druid wrapped her arms around herself as though struck by a winter chill. Her head turned this way and that, slowly, taking in the de facto cage Amanda had brought them to. It was only the sight of Eruraviel in total comfort here that allowed Sage to release the stress with a sigh. "Very well."
The sound of an explosion echoed through the chamber like a thousand bones shattering to pieces at once. Her skin tore open violently to reveal a vast expanse of smooth oaken hide, rapidly expanding to fill the space the green-haired elf had once stood in with tons of draconian fury. A thunderous roar shook their insides as a verdant canopy extended out from long wooden limbs pressing out from its back. It reared up upon its hind limbs, neck stretching in preparation for a lunching strike, and glared down with orbs of primal might set within its sockets.
'Show me your strength, Eruraviel!'
-
Eruraviel
The elven girl chucked at Sage's roar, finding it cute rather than scary. "Yes yes, give me a minute."
She shrugged off her dress, lithely slipping out of the restraining fabric and allowing the magical artifact to fall into a heap on the floor. She slipped out of her shoes and removed her stockings as well, baring her naked form to both the dragon and her girlfriend. An entirely flaccid cock hung between her legs, swaying as she hopped back and forth, stretching.
Then, her eyes suddenly flashed red, and tainted power began to emenate from her. "Releasing restraints on power; loosening restrictions."
Her skin began to melt off as her body seemed to expand. She grew larger, and, within a second, her body had burst, out of which a great purple beast emerged, dripping viscous beads of acid onto the floor, sizzling against the magical wards. Two horns burst out of her head, a tail soon following with an oozing, pointed stinger. Finally, great purple arms burst out of her back, and the demon smirked at sage with sadistic pleasure.
"Defeat me if you can, Sage!" She roared out, crimsom eyes watching Sage's soul, putting her on edge as she felt the elf's power prying into her everything.
-
Sage
It would not be the first time the elf had gazed upon this beast's spirit. That alone prevented the sensation from providing an opening.
A deep rumble echoed through the chamber as the arboreal dragon brought its great mass down upon the demon with Eruraviel's eyes with a roar. Its front limb swept across the front, immense size and power giving the attack a speed and breadth of motion that defied the expectations of the inexperienced. It had crushed many an adventurer before.
-
Eruraviel
Unfortunately, Eruraviel Lavinnia was hardly inexperienced. Hunting dragons had been one of her many specialties in her youth, and while it was really very different to be attempting to fight one in close combat from being a backline caster, one distinct advantage remained that had carried her through many, many difficult fights.
Her eyes flashed red. She saw what was coming next. She saw the telltale signes of the movement telegraphed all across her soul. She saw the intent, the speed, everything.
With surprising speed for her bulk, she rushed in towards the incredible beauty, hugging close to the ground. Her speed and ferocity far surpassed anything Sage was used to with her.
Sliding underneath the claw, a pair of her own came arcing out to rake at the dragon's skin.
-
Sage
How the elf could manage such a prescience maneuver only just occurred to the draconian druid in retrospect. It was left with a gouge across its thick wooden hide, and it screeched in shock and pain that was quickly drowned out by the adrenaline of battle. Immediately, before even Eruraviel's precognitive abilities could account for, it brought its other frontal limb toward its chest to crush the demon against its hide. It would attempt to crush her...!
-
Sage
How the elf could manage such a prescience maneuver only just occurred to the draconian druid in retrospect. It was left with a gouge across its thick wooden hide, and it screeched in shock and pain that was quickly drowned out by the adrenaline of battle. Immediately, before even Eruraviel's precognitive abilities could account for, it brought its other frontal limb toward its chest to crush the demon against its hide. It would attempt to crush her...!
Eruraviel
"Kyahaha!" She chortled at Sage. Her manic laughter filled the room, echoing off the cold stones.
She saw her intent again, the resolve to win-
"You're so cute, Sage!" Her enormous hands shot up and grabbed onto her pet's hide, attempting to lift her up. She planted her limbs on the ground, bracing herself and then trying to lift Sage off the ground.
-
Sage
Unfortunately for Eruraviel, Sage had a key advantage in this particular contest: she was much larger. As such, it was a simple matter to just lift the demonic elf up from the ground before she could heft up the dragon she was contesting. Then the second arm came around to crush her like a great vice seeking to squeeze the life from her.
'HOW MUCH CAN YOU TAKE?'
-
Amanda
Just then a roaring fire blast came between them with enough force to send both of them flying separate ways, it was powerful enough to burn even a mighty dragon like Sage.
"Enough!"
Amanda's voice cut through the stale air with even more authority that the flames that preceded it. She walked over to Eru's demonic form seemingly unconcerned with the acidic substance that the demonic girl was exuding all over the floor. The owner of the mansion then put her hands on her hips ready to lecture her fiance.
"Don't even think about using that form. I don't think you can even fully control it..." Her eyes did show her enough about the transformation, or perhaps it was more accurate to call it possession, that demon was struggling for control.
"And on top of that you really suck at close combat."
-
Amanda
Just then a roaring fire blast came between them with enough force to send both of them flying separate ways, it was powerful enough to burn even a mighty dragon like Sage.
"Enough!"
Amanda's voice cut through the stale air with even more authority that the flames that preceded it. She walked over to Eru's demonic form seemingly unconcerned with the acidic substance that the demonic girl was exuding all over the floor. The owner of the mansion then put her hands on her hips ready to lecture her fiance.
"Don't even think about using that form. I don't think you can even fully control it..." Her eyes did show her enough about the transformation, or perhaps it was more accurate to call it possession, that demon was struggling for control.
"And on top of that you really suck at close combat."
Eruraviel
The dragon's claw tightened around her-it was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. She knew that she'd be fine, that she'd win-
Then, Amanda shouted, and her heart sank. She already knew that she was having trouble making the best decisions, that she was making a foolish stand to look cool in front of her lovers, and that she was in a compromising position.
She sighed, scratching the back of her gooey head with her back claw. "So, I can't hide anything from you? It is a rather incomplete form, isn't it..." She muttered, slowly returning to her normal form.
-
Sage
The dragon rustled its wings, a motion and sound like a canopy of tree branches being moved in the wind. It rumbled in discomfort from the sudden burst of searing pain that swiftly disappeared beneath the lightest of healing magic while shaking off the arcane fires Amanda produced. Then, it craned its head to peer at the young sorceress, bright shining eyes taking her measure anew.
'Your measures are all too abrupt, young human. T'would have been but a moment's effort to request the cessation of my actions.'
-
Amanda
"Heh, of course you can't Eru dear, I'm all seeing!"
Just then, she leaned closer and gave the Elf a kiss on the cheek. "You don't need to force some brawn out, I much prefer you use that wonderful brain you have."
And then she turned her attention back to the dragon and scratched her head. "Yeah about that, I had two reason for that. First, I wanted to see how you'd react to a sudden attack. Secondly, it was a good opportunity to get back at Eru for cheating on me~"
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel returned to her normal elven form in short order, the last thing to retract into her body being the two enormous arms bursting out of her back. She shook her head, huffing in annoyance. "That always takes so much out of me..." She complained. "And what do you mean, cheating! Haven't you ever heard of a harem? Or casual sex? Completely normal! Sage is my beloved concubine, and you are my beloved fiancee! I have plenty of love to share between the two of you!"
-
Emiya
5:26 AM
She was going to consume him. Absorb him into herself, keeping him with her forever . . .
The existential dread was quickly dissolved; there was just the urge to give himself to oblivion.
And then he was standing in the center of his shop and he could hear Tohsaka hissing. Emiya gasped and adjusted Tsumiko in his arms. "Warn me before you do that," he said with a gasp.
-
Sage
There was a moment of consideration before the dragon began to retreat back into the comparatively feeble shell of the elven maiden Amanda had first been introduced to. The sound of a glade crashing as if clear-cut followed as bone and wooden hide abruptly cracked and shattered into place once more. The green-haired woman shook her head, and let out a grumble of discomfort. "Were you a true foe you would have felt the kiss of the storm for such an act." Alluring sorceress or not.
Sage turned her attention to Eruraviel, and nodded. "It is certainly a more attentive arrangement than dragon mating practices."
-
Emiya
5:26 AM
She was going to consume him. Absorb him into herself, keeping him with her forever . . .
The existential dread was quickly dissolved; there was just the urge to give himself to oblivion.
And then he was standing in the center of his shop and he could hear Tohsaka hissing. Emiya gasped and adjusted Tsumiko in his arms. "Warn me before you do that," he said with a gasp.
Sakura
He suddenly felt Sakura's cold breasts pressed up against his back. "I won't, your reaction is too cute. Let's put Rin to bed so we can spend a few hours together, just the two of us. I want to chat and have some fun."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at Sakura pressed against his unnaturally warm back.
He said, "We should talk anyway, about what happened earlier, but yeah, let's get her to bed first."
Emiya looked down at his cat who was still bristled up and hiding behind his bench. "Hey, it's okay Buddy. It's just Sakura; she's someone special to me. Please be nice to her."
Then he started to head to Tsumiko's room to put Rin to bed.
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at Sakura pressed against his unnaturally warm back.
He said, "We should talk anyway, about what happened earlier, but yeah, let's get her to bed first."
Emiya looked down at his cat who was still bristled up and hiding behind his bench. "Hey, it's okay Buddy. It's just Sakura; she's someone special to me. Please be nice to her."
Then he started to head to Tsumiko's room to put Rin to bed.
Sakura
Sakura slid behind him, gliding against the floor without moving her legs. "Sounds good."
-
Emiya
Emiya carried the unconscious girl to her room.
I really need to make a rack for that, he thought when he saw the gun there as he laid the girl on her bed.
He carefully took her shoes off and eased her out of the overcoat before tucking her in.
Once she was as comfortable as possible without him undressing her, he turned back towards Sakura. "So," he said with a smile as he led her out of the room.
-
Emiya
Emiya carried the unconscious girl to her room.
I really need to make a rack for that, he thought when he saw the gun there as he laid the girl on her bed.
He carefully took her shoes off and eased her out of the overcoat before tucking her in.
Once she was as comfortable as possible without him undressing her, he turned back towards Sakura. "So," he said with a smile as he led her out of the room.
Sakura
"Shhh. Don't wake her." Sakura gestured for him to come with her.
-
Emiya
The white haired former Servant nodded as he followed Sakura out with surprising quietness.
He looked at her and mouthed, "I have a living room, or do you want to go back to the kitchen?"
-
Emiya
The white haired former Servant nodded as he followed Sakura out with surprising quietness.
He looked at her and mouthed, "I have a living room, or do you want to go back to the kitchen?"
Sakura
She threw her arms up into the air. "I want to go out! I've been in a living room and a kitchen for almost ten years! That's the last place I want to be right now!" She exclaimed.
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at Sakura's excitement and said, "Fine, we can go out. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?"
How much money is this going to cost me?
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at Sakura's excitement and said, "Fine, we can go out. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?"
How much money is this going to cost me?
Sakura
Sakura laughed with sardonic glee. "I've been in a kitchen for almost a decade. Shouldn't you be the one taking me out to show me new and exciting things, Senpai?"
She stuck out her tongue and giggled. "I really know nothing about this city, at least in that sense. You'd be better off asking Rin."
-
Emiya
Emiya frowned at Sakura calling him Sempai again, but he held up his hands and shook his head.
"I just stay in my shop and go out and fight bad guys," he said with a shake of his head and a laugh. "Well, I know the best places to shop for supplies and food."
-
Emiya
Emiya frowned at Sakura calling him Sempai again, but he held up his hands and shook his head.
"I just stay in my shop and go out and fight bad guys," he said with a shake of his head and a laugh. "Well, I know the best places to shop for supplies and food."
Sakura
Sakura puffed out her cheeks and pouted. "Well then, let's just take a walk. You can look up some stuff to do in the early morning on your phone, right?"
-
Emiya
Emiya grinned as he realized there was some place he could take her.
"There's a local park that has a nice garden," he said, "We can walk there as we figure out something to do."
-
Sakura
She nodded, running off to the bathroom. "Sure! Just let me change!" She exclaimed.
Less than fifteen seconds later, she emerged, wearing something completely different. It was a low cut pink dress that showed off her ample assets and clung to her body in an erotic, unnatural way. She was wearing heels and he could see a hint of black stockings covering her legs. "Let's go!"
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Sakura ran off to "change".
When she emerged again he stared at her for a moment, drinking her in. It was almost alarming how sensual she looked standing there. He looked down at his jeans and T-shirt, but he really didn't have any clothing to change into to match her dress.
Emiya smiled at her and said, "You look amazing, but you didn't need to do that for me."
-
Sakura
Her ribbon disintigrated, rematerializing to tie her long locks up into a side ponytail.
"Why shouldn't I? It's one of the few benefits of my situation, so shouldn't I make the best of it?"
-
Emiya
"That's understandable I guess," Emiya said with a shake of his head and a grin. "Just don't trace gold bars out of thin air. It's tacky."
He held out his arm to her and and said, "Are you ready?"
-
Sakura
Sakura's dress suddenly morphed, reconstructing itself into solid gold thread.
"No, this is tack. Tracing gold is functional when you live your life on the run from the magus association. Don't tell Tsumiko off for it or she's feel really bad."
She stuck out her tongue as her dress returned to the normal, pleasant pink color. She wrapped an ice cold arm around his. "Let's walk."
-
Emiya
"Rin was handing out gold bars to the bartender like it was going out of style," Emiya said with a sigh, "On the run is one thing, but using it to get drunk is something else."
He pulled her closer to him, enjoying the chill of her body on his overheated form.
"Still, we need to talk though," he said in a soft voice as he started to guide them to the park.
-
Sakura
"Mmm? About what?" She asked, slowly absorbing his heat and stealing it. A cold hand reached down and wrapped its fingers around his. "Just stuff, or something specific?"
-
Emiya
"About us," Emiya said in a soft voice. "About what happened earlier tonight. I don't do casual sex, you know that."
-
Sakura
Sakura, aided by her heels, rested her head against his. "Neither do I." She answered. "This is like a dream, to me."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at Sakura resting her head against his and reached out with his free hand to stroke her cheek.
He kissed her forehead and said, "I know, but we need to be careful and I don't want to hurt Tsumiko or Rin. Well, Rin more than I already had."
-
Sakura
Sakura laughed, a hint of derision in her tone. "She may be my sister, but she can be quite the fool, can't she?"
She raised her chin, giving him easier access to it. "Tsumiko won't know about it. She doesn't know I exist, at least conciously, anyway." She added, almost as an afterthought.
-
Emiya
Emiya frowned slightly at Sakura's laugh and words about Rin.
"Yes, but she's also hurt and upset, which is making her act like that," he said with a shake of his head.
Which is my fault.
He tilted his head and asked, "So Tsumiko actually isn't aware of your arrangement?"
-
Sakura
Sakura scoffed. "Well, you'd better get used to sucking dick then, Shirou. She seems to have grown quite enamored with having one." She laughed, and pulled Archer tighter. It wasn't quite clear how much of that was reality and how much of that was trash talk. He'd have to ask Rin to be sure.
"And, no. Of course not. She's just a child. She doesn't need to know complicated things like the ghosts of her past."
-
Amanda
And the Human sorceress completely ignored the Elf's complaints, instead she seemingly pulled what appeared to be clothes out of thin air.
"I was getting this gift ready, you know the clothes we went out to get for you the other day? They arrived and.... And I'd love to see you wear them..." She held them out towards Eru while looking the other way. It was a very very frilly maid outfit, that had been tailored to fit Eru perfectly.
" Oh and Sage listen up, I'm not mad at you or anything, I knew all about the harem plans. I, I just didn't wanna look weak in front of a dragon, and I-I'm sorry I offended you ok!"
-
Emiya
Heat filled his cheeks at Sakura's crass words about Rin.
But it's mine. His. Mine. A version of me's. Like the arm. Does she use the arm?
Emiya shook his head to clear his head as Sakura cuddled up close to him.
"Yare yare, I might just have to hire her a cute blonde from that succubus owned mega-brothel," he said to himself.
He squeezed her shoulders and said, "She should learn sometime though. It's not good to keep things like that from her. You can't protect her by keeping her ignorant."
-
Emiya
Heat filled his cheeks at Sakura's crass words about Rin.
But it's mine. His. Mine. A version of me's. Like the arm. Does she use the arm?
Emiya shook his head to clear his head as Sakura cuddled up close to him.
"Yare yare, I might just have to hire her a cute blonde from that succubus owned mega-brothel," he said to himself.
He squeezed her shoulders and said, "She should learn sometime though. It's not good to keep things like that from her. You can't protect her by keeping her ignorant."
Sakura
"Let's not talk about stuff like that. She doesn't need to be burdened with that knowledge." Sakura answered quietly.
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and said, "We'll come back to this another time. Right now, I'm trying to get you to the park. They have a botanical garden there. I could easily break us in the greenhouse."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and said, "We'll come back to this another time. Right now, I'm trying to get you to the park. They have a botanical garden there. I could easily break us in the greenhouse."
Sakura
"Ara? Breaking the law, Archer? How crude~"
-
Emiya
Emiya grinned at Sakura and replied, "I've broken a lot of laws. And laws aren't always just so it's fine."
He lead her to the park with the botanical garden. He had expected the greenhouse to be closed, but it wasn't. Apparently there were a few nightwalker types that loved flowers but couldn't get out in actual sunlight to enjoy them. So the garden stayed open twenty four hours a day.
Emiya put a donation in the box and led Sakura in. The heat was instantly uncomfortable to him, so he leaned into Sakura to let her cool him. There were exotic flowers in almost every color in bloom; he didn't know what they were, but he could admit that they were pretty.
"They're not cherry blossoms, but they have their charm," he said.
-
Emiya
Emiya grinned at Sakura and replied, "I've broken a lot of laws. And laws aren't always just so it's fine."
He lead her to the park with the botanical garden. He had expected the greenhouse to be closed, but it wasn't. Apparently there were a few nightwalker types that loved flowers but couldn't get out in actual sunlight to enjoy them. So the garden stayed open twenty four hours a day.
Emiya put a donation in the box and led Sakura in. The heat was instantly uncomfortable to him, so he leaned into Sakura to let her cool him. There were exotic flowers in almost every color in bloom; he didn't know what they were, but he could admit that they were pretty.
"They're not cherry blossoms, but they have their charm," he said.
Sakura
Sakura didn't seem the slightest bit phased by the heat. She simply kept walking forward, marveling at the raw, unrestrained beauty that the flowers gave off. It gave her pangs of longing, and made her remember what she'd lost.
Holding back tears, she leaned against Archer. "It's beautiful. I love it."
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at the look on Sakura's face and said, "I'm glad."
He turned to her and said, "Maybe you could start a garden. I have this really boring back yard thing. I don't do anything with it, but apparently the soil's great here or something. Maybe you could do something with it."
-
Amanda
And the Human sorceress completely ignored the Elf's complaints, instead she seemingly pulled what appeared to be clothes out of thin air.
"I was getting this gift ready, you know the clothes we went out to get for you the other day? They arrived and.... And I'd love to see you wear them..." She held them out towards Eru while looking the other way. It was a very very frilly maid outfit, that had been tailored to fit Eru perfectly.
" Oh and Sage listen up, I'm not mad at you or anything, I knew all about the harem plans. I, I just didn't wanna look weak in front of a dragon, and I-I'm sorry I offended you ok!"
Eruraviel
The blond elf's pout melted away when she saw the wonderful costume that Amanda had gotten made for her. "It's great!" She exclaimed. "I didn't know you had a maid fetish, Amanda~ I'll gladly put this on, hoho~"
She snatched the outfit out of Amanda's hands and immediately began to put it up, using her tentacles to aid her. She began sliding right into it, ignoring the dragon and her fiancee for the moment.
-
Sage
It were as though Sage had been suddenly confronted with a delicate juvenile. Her demeanor lost its edge, and she began to smile while approaching the young human sorceress. A hand came down upon her head with great gentleness, and began to pat. "I forgive you this transgression in light of your youthful enthusiasm, Amanda."
... and then her eyes turned to Eruraviel, and she joined the human in watching.
-
Emiya
Emiya smiled at the look on Sakura's face and said, "I'm glad."
He turned to her and said, "Maybe you could start a garden. I have this really boring back yard thing. I don't do anything with it, but apparently the soil's great here or something. Maybe you could do something with it."
Sakura
Sakura chuckled. "Man, you're really tense. Did Rin get to you that badly?"
She began rubbing his back. "Only if we do it together."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and said, "Yeah, she got to me. Or rather, I feel guilty about it, and I want to make her feel better."
He grinned at her and said, "Without hurting you of course. However, I don't know how helpful I'd be with a garden. I have a black thumb."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and said, "Yeah, she got to me. Or rather, I feel guilty about it, and I want to make her feel better."
He grinned at her and said, "Without hurting you of course. However, I don't know how helpful I'd be with a garden. I have a black thumb."
Sakura
"We can learn together then, can't we~" She laughed. "And Rin too." She said quietly, twirling her finger through her ponytail. "We both know what she wants, and why it's so difficult, Archer."
-
Amanda
"That's grea-HEY!"
Amanda stammered and blushed heavily right after Sage's hand touched her head in that way. "You can't just....."
She shook her head more violently, rebelling against the affection placed on her by the dragon. "Jeez, stop treating me like a kid, I'm a fully grown adult! You mystical races are just cheating..."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel didn't seem to care about them watching her, or maybe she was enjoying it, going from her rising shaft as evidence. Or perhaps she was happy that her two lovers seemed to be getting along. Regardless, she finished putting it on fairly quickly.
Her breasts hung dangerously out of the frilly top, with the cut so low that it seemed like they were going to pop out, but never actually did. Her long blond hair was held up by a headdress, and she'd bound it in a ponytail in the back. The frilly white outfit continued downwards to a low cut miniskirt that didn't even cover her full ass. Her testicles were bound up and held in place by a matching white fabric, with her cock hanging between her legs nestled tightly within a sleeve. Further down, her legs were covered by black silken stockings, and she wore a pair of high heels that made her about as tall as Amanda.
She did a little spin and then a pose, winking at the two. "How do I look?"
-
Emiya
Emiya stared at a large pink blossom for a moment, his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed.
"It's Tsumiko's body and part of it is . . . a version of me, which is really disturbing the more and more I think about it," he said with a shake of his head and a snort. "Like that's my hand."
He looked at Sakura and said, "I wouldn't have made a move if you hadn't had a form like this, honestly. I know that seems shallow and I should have an open mind . . ." He drew off with a sigh, his broad shoulders slumping, but he wrapped both of his arms around her.
-
Emiya
Emiya stared at a large pink blossom for a moment, his brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed.
"It's Tsumiko's body and part of it is . . . a version of me, which is really disturbing the more and more I think about it," he said with a shake of his head and a snort. "Like that's my hand."
He looked at Sakura and said, "I wouldn't have made a move if you hadn't had a form like this, honestly. I know that seems shallow and I should have an open mind . . ." He drew off with a sigh, his broad shoulders slumping, but he wrapped both of his arms around her.
Sakura
She wrapped her arms around him. "You know, I thought your issues really stemmed with you being Tsumiko's guardian, Archer." She giggled.
-
Emiya
Emiya shook his head and said, "Well, that's part of it. A very large part of it. That's Tsumiko's body too. And that's what I see; this girl I'm helping and taking care of. And then I remember she has literal parts of a version of me as her make up."
He frowned and said, "Which makes me think all sorts of horrible things like, 'Does Rin use my hand when she jacks off?' or 'Does she pretend that she's jacking me off?'"
-
Emiya
Emiya shook his head and said, "Well, that's part of it. A very large part of it. That's Tsumiko's body too. And that's what I see; this girl I'm helping and taking care of. And then I remember she has literal parts of a version of me as her make up."
He frowned and said, "Which makes me think all sorts of horrible things like, 'Does Rin use my hand when she jacks off?' or 'Does she pretend that she's jacking me off?'"
Sakura
Sakura stood on her toes, and whispered in his ear. "It's her dominant hand~"
-
Amanda
"That's grea-HEY!"
Amanda stammered and blushed heavily right after Sage's hand touched her head in that way. "You can't just....."
She shook her head more violently, rebelling against the affection placed on her by the dragon. "Jeez, stop treating me like a kid, I'm a fully grown adult! You mystical races are just cheating..."
Sage
The patting continued despite objections to the contrary. "Take pride in how far you have come in as little time as you've had."
Sage did not appear to be referring to Amanda's magical accomplishments, but rather on the sight they shared together in this moment. Then again it could just be because that was the only thing on either of their minds right now.
"... I do not wish for you to go out in public in such an outfit. I would need to melt people."
-
Emiya
The former Counter Guardian groaned at Sakura's words.
He looked at her and said, "That's just cruel."
-
Emiya
The former Counter Guardian groaned at Sakura's words.
He looked at her and said, "That's just cruel."
Sakura
Sakura smirked. "Oho~ What's so weird about your hand touching your penis, Shirou? Isn't that just normal behavior for young men?"
She looked up as she hugged him, eyes glistening with curiosity.
-
Emiya
Emiya felt heat that had nothing to do with his Reality Marble flood his cheeks as Sakura continued to tease him.
He wrapped his arms around her and said, "Yes, the hand is mine and that belonged to a younger version of me, but the mind controlling both isn't mine."
-
Emiya
Emiya felt heat that had nothing to do with his Reality Marble flood his cheeks as Sakura continued to tease him.
He wrapped his arms around her and said, "Yes, the hand is mine and that belonged to a younger version of me, but the mind controlling both isn't mine."
Sakura
"Yeah, because I stole it, fufufu~ All part of my elaborate plan to make you uncomfortable with Rin jerking herself off!"
-
Emiya
Emiya laughed at that and swayed Sakura back and forth into his arms.
"No, I could see Rin performing such a nefarious act, but I see you as the one wanting to keep me for yourself," he said with a grin.
-
Emiya
Emiya laughed at that and swayed Sakura back and forth into his arms.
"No, I could see Rin performing such a nefarious act, but I see you as the one wanting to keep me for yourself," he said with a grin.
Sakura
Sakura had a smug, catlike grin on her face. She ufued once more, pressing her cold body tight against him." Yes, of course. But seeing Rin ream you would be such a sight to behold! I don't know if I could restrain my teasing even years later! Mwahaha~"
She pressed her face against his chest. "I missed you."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at Sakura's words and felt more heat fill up his cheeks.
"That's a really weird fetish, but I'm not going to kink shame. It's no worse than Gilles and his tentacles and the fact he literally made a fanfiction version of Jeanne of Arc as a Servant I guess," Emiya said with a sigh.
Then he grinned, kissed the top of her head, and held her close. "I've missed you too, Sakura."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at Sakura's words and felt more heat fill up his cheeks.
"That's a really weird fetish, but I'm not going to kink shame. It's no worse than Gilles and his tentacles and the fact he literally made a fanfiction version of Jeanne of Arc as a Servant I guess," Emiya said with a sigh.
Then he grinned, kissed the top of her head, and held her close. "I've missed you too, Sakura."
Sakura
"Reconsider fucking my sister's ass. You don't need to touch your own dick, if that's what's bugging you. She has, um, extra parts, well, let's just say she enjoys anal. You didn't hear any of this from me, by the way."
Sakura's artificial cheeks were just as pale as ever, but her unease was clear. She was fumbling through her sentences and beginning to ramble.
-
Amanda
"But Sagey~"
Amanda was inching away from the awful head patting, both trying to create some distance from the dragon and to get closer to the elf. "That's precisely why she's wearing it, so she can be seen, and so we can show her off. What's the point of having something if you can't brag to others and establish your superiority?" She rhetorically asked. The answer to that was obvious, you did it because it was for the best.
Then she reached and patted Eru on the head in return.
"You look good, but that's 'how do I look look mistress'. "
-
Silana:
The raven haired woman stiffened, wincing from the evident pain. It stung, and it hurt, those claws. She could tell they could hurt... the cold tendrils of fear coursed through her, but she pushed them back. Her struggle died down, and she was in a place where perhaps she could unleash her total (non-)existent powers! But not when claws were for her throat.
Slowly, she nodded her head, awaiting the moment her lips were free to speak through.
Horrigan:
Target sighted.
The she-claw was tucked down in the alleyway, holding onto a dark haired woman. Frank's footsteps practically thundered in the narrow in-between as he charged in, his hulking frame just shy of becoming wedged. Haluth barely had time to look up when his hand reached over the dumpster, grabbing it by the head and dragging it and its captive over the trash container.
"I gave you an order," Frank's low growl vibrated the very bones in Haluth's body.
"Master...I..." Haluth gasped, head encased by the armored gauntlet, "I heard...Heard woman plan...Attack! Attack us!"
That gave the meta human pause. His eye lens redirected to the she-claw's captive. Back in the wasteland, he would have laughed at such a notion - he shrugged off plasma rounds, what could such a small civilian do to him? But the Nexus was different, the people unpredictable and unknowable. If there was going to be an ambush, Frank intended to find out about it. The package has yet to reach its final destination; the job still wasn't finished. The contents of the case was being secured inside the designated vehicle inside the warehouse, and from here on out it's an escort job. Frank had a perfect record to maintain.
He let go of Haluth's cranium. "Congratulations, civilian, you get to join us on a walk."
As soon as Haluth released her hold, Horrigan got into the dark haired woman's face, "You try to run, call for help, anything that would even mildly annoy me, I will fill your ass with lead. Understand?"
-
Amanda
"But Sagey~"
Amanda was inching away from the awful head patting, both trying to create some distance from the dragon and to get closer to the elf. "That's precisely why she's wearing it, so she can be seen, and so we can show her off. What's the point of having something if you can't brag to others and establish your superiority?" She rhetorically asked. The answer to that was obvious, you did it because it was for the best.
Then she reached and patted Eru on the head in return.
"You look good, but that's 'how do I look look mistress'. "
Eruraviel
Eru did another spin, and her cock shot up, bouncing as she jumped. "Hoho, normally, I would be entirely against such pretensions, but since you have provided me with such a nice gift, I shall indulge you, just this once.
She leaned forward, shaking her butt at sage and showing off her large balls, while letting Amanda peer right down her cleavage. "How do I look, Mistress~"
-
Emiya
I can't believe that this is a conversation we're having. This should be absurd, and it is absurd, but this is their every day and . . .
Emiya rubbed his forehead and said, "Yare Yare, this is difficult. I'm also still amazed that this is a conversation we're having."
-
Amanda
"But Sagey~"
Amanda was inching away from the awful head patting, both trying to create some distance from the dragon and to get closer to the elf. "That's precisely why she's wearing it, so she can be seen, and so we can show her off. What's the point of having something if you can't brag to others and establish your superiority?" She rhetorically asked. The answer to that was obvious, you did it because it was for the best.
Then she reached and patted Eru on the head in return.
"You look good, but that's 'how do I look look mistress'. "
Eruraviel
Eru did another spin, and her cock shot up, bouncing as she jumped. "Hoho, normally, I would be entirely against such pretensions, but since you have provided me with such a nice gift, I shall indulge you, just this once.
She leaned forward, shaking her butt at sage and showing off her large balls, while letting Amanda peer right down her cleavage. "How do I look, Mistress~"
Sage
Sage appeared perturbed by Amanda's comments, but appeared momentarily distracted from commentating upon them by the show that Eruraviel was presenting to them. Her elven form's red eyes were fixated upon the sorceress' riveting display until the elf spoke. "... you humans have a very strange notion of what to do with treasure. Never flaunt it before those who might attempt to steal it!"
-
Amanda
"You look splendid my cute little princess." She patted her on the head again. But what really had her attention here was Sage, and there were quite a few thing that needed correction.
"Treasure exists precisely so you can flaunt it and then when they think they can have it for themselves, you deny them utterly."
-
Eruraviel
Eru continued to very dramatically shake her butt at Sage, flaunting her assets and practically inviting her to squeeze.
"And then, you harvest their corpses and utilize them to enrich yourself." She added.
-
Sage
"Only the elf between you is speaking sense to me." Sage's fingers were clenching in anticipation and desire, and it was a temptation she could not resist for long. "Destruction and looting is the only sensible response to others coveting what belongs to you, but to tempt it deliberately..."
Fingers sank into soft, pliable flesh.
-
Emiya
I can't believe that this is a conversation we're having. This should be absurd, and it is absurd, but this is their every day and . . .
Emiya rubbed his forehead and said, "Yare Yare, this is difficult. I'm also still amazed that this is a conversation we're having."
Sakura
Sakura laughed and took a sudden step back. She flexed her arm, and a comically large muscle bulged out that she was clearly fabricating. "When you have as foolish a kohai as myself, anything is possible! Hahahaha!" She laughed, she mocked herself, laughed at the self-deprication, but behind her facade of humor, she was hurting.
Even through the perfect mask of her shadow body, it was obvious.
-
Sage
"Only the elf between you is speaking sense to me." Sage's fingers were clenching in anticipation and desire, and it was a temptation she could not resist for long. "Destruction and looting is the only sensible response to others coveting what belongs to you, but to tempt it deliberately..."
Fingers sank into soft, pliable flesh.
Eruraviel
Amanda could see Eru gasp as Sage reached forward and squeezed her fat testicles. Pain and pleasure shot through her body, and the elf let out a little moan. "O-of course you should tempt it. Surely you have knowledge of how fishermen trick fish into biting the hooks--you need to use high quality bait to gain truly valuable prizes." She answered, letting out a breath of relief as Sage moved on to groping her butt.
"So, Amanda, that said--" Her purple eyes gleamed. "How useful would I be as bait, when the time comes?"
-
Sakura
Sakura laughed and took a sudden step back. She flexed her arm, and a comically large muscle bulged out that she was clearly fabricating. "When you have as foolish a kohai as myself, anything is possible! Hahahaha!" She laughed, she mocked herself, laughed at the self-deprication, but behind her facade of humor, she was hurting.
Even through the perfect mask of her shadow body, it was obvious.
Emiya
One thing that Emiya prided himself on in his "old age" was his learned ability to read people. His Servant Stats called it Eye of the Mind, and while he did use it often in battle, those observational skills he had honed came to use in other ways. He generally used it to goad someone into making a mistake in a fight, but there were other uses for it as well.
Like right now.
He pulled Sakura close and held her, resting his cheek on the top of her head. He had to bend a little to do it; he was quite a bit taller than his lover. He stroked her hair and said, "Let's leave that alone now, okay? And you're not my kohai anymore, either."
-
Amanda
"Very useful"
The moment the dragon's hands left her fiance's testicles her own took their place, but unlike the dragon's she wasn't there to cause any pain, quite the contrary in fact. She had something to her advantage that Sage didn't, and that was library that included countless spells and mantras, she would be using one of them now. Her testicles would feel tingly in just a moment as she increased their sensitivity as well as their semen production several times over. Of course this spell was meant for use on human males but she'd like to see the results of it used on someone who was already enhanced.
"And it's mistress to you when you wear that."
-
Amanda
"Very useful"
The moment the dragon's hands left her fiance's testicles her own took their place, but unlike the dragon's she wasn't there to cause any pain, quite the contrary in fact. She had something to her advantage that Sage didn't, and that was library that included countless spells and mantras, she would be using one of them now. Her testicles would feel tingly in just a moment as she increased their sensitivity as well as their semen production several times over. Of course this spell was meant for use on human males but she'd like to see the results of it used on someone who was already enhanced.
"And it's mistress to you when you wear that."
Eruraviel
"Kyah!" Eru exclaimed. She gasped as she felt Amanda's magic flow through her suddenly hot loins. The reaction was immediate. Her cock immediately grew to a fully erect state as Amanda fondled her newly sensitive balls, to its full sixteen inches, poking Amanda's belly. She could also feel Eru's balls churning with semen, growing larger and fuller by the second in her hands. "Ah-Mistress, I can't handle such bullying!" She moaned.
After a few seconds, they were each large enough to hold in the palm of her hand, and were threatening to burst out of the fabric.
"I won't be able to hold back much longer!"
-
Sage
This was what they were going to use their magic on? The question was obvious in Sage's eyes as she looked from Amanda, to Eruraviel, then down to her own hands sunk deep into bountiful elven posterior. "This appears to be a rather cruel form of entertainment!"
She sounded curious rather than outraged, and in the interests of not being entirely left out apparently decided now was a good time to smack Eruraviel's behind and see what broke.
-
Amanda
Her wife to be was just about ready to burst, not that Amanda would let her, she'd already sealed off Eru's ability climax and she held the key. "There's nothing wrong with giving her what she wants Sage, and this is exactly what she wants." She said as she glanced towards the dragon.
She wasn't quite down yet as the fertility charm had yet to run its course, it was designed to turn an average man into something similar to Eruraviel after all, so there was some more growing to be had.
-
Eruraviel
The slap sent Eru over the edge, her pussy clenching up and squirting hot sticky juices onto Sage's hand. "Ahhh! Mistress, please, this is too much!" She exclaimed. Her cock continued growing in size, thickening and lengthening until it was about the size of a bull's member. The fabric wrapped around it though, miraculously, didn't break. It stretched to accomidate her increased size, and soon, Eru's balls caught up. Each of them had swolen to about the size of a coconut, and the elf was struggling to stand up from the increased strain of the weight and her unbelievable arousal.
The head of her cock was constantly leaking precum, and the hole was gaping wide enough to stick a finger into, as if her cock was trying to come, but her balls were prevented somehow from releasing the pressure.
The elf bit her lip, holding back her moans as her pleading eyes stared at Amanda's face.
-
Thorra
Thorra flew fast, very fast. Much faster than Mothra would have preferred, she was sure, but she wanted to explore! Get places fast! Feel the wind whip against her skin.
She hoped that the tightness of her grip was providing comfort in light of her selfishness. The two quickly arrived across the city, within minutes, to the general area where her small friend lived. Thorra glanced at the brilliant, opulent wealth on the hilltop, before shaking her head. She quite simply found such brazen displays of wealth disgusting and boring.
...Unless it was a dragon doing the displaying.
"You live in the valley, right?" She asked Mothra, slowing down as she circled in the air.
-
Amanda
Her wife to be was just about ready to burst, not that Amanda would let her, she'd already sealed off Eru's ability climax and she held the key. "There's nothing wrong with giving her what she wants Sage, and this is exactly what she wants." She said as she glanced towards the dragon.
She wasn't quite down yet as the fertility charm had yet to run its course, it was designed to turn an average man into something similar to Eruraviel after all, so there was some more growing to be had.
Sage
After a moment more of observing it up close, of smelling and hearing and seeing the virulent arousal of the two women with whom Sage was currently sharing a chamber with, the dragon slowly backed away. She removed herself to a position more off to the side, tilting her head in the same manner of feline curiosity one might observe when their household pet had caught them masturbating, and watched. Taking in everything.
-
Amanda
Amanda released the massive balls from her grip and took a step back, she'd gotten the Elf exactly where she wanted her now. "Please what? Surely this isn't too much for an esteemed Elf like yourself. You should speak up clearly if something is bothering you, and for that matter."
She glanced down on the high heels that Eru, the ones that let her stand at an equal height to her.
"Take those off, it's unbecoming of a maid like you even pretend being as great as her mistress. In fact.... You should kneel before me and apologize right now."
-
Sakura
Sakura laughed and took a sudden step back. She flexed her arm, and a comically large muscle bulged out that she was clearly fabricating. "When you have as foolish a kohai as myself, anything is possible! Hahahaha!" She laughed, she mocked herself, laughed at the self-deprication, but behind her facade of humor, she was hurting.
Even through the perfect mask of her shadow body, it was obvious.
Emiya
One thing that Emiya prided himself on in his "old age" was his learned ability to read people. His Servant Stats called it Eye of the Mind, and while he did use it often in battle, those observational skills he had honed came to use in other ways. He generally used it to goad someone into making a mistake in a fight, but there were other uses for it as well.
Like right now.
He pulled Sakura close and held her, resting his cheek on the top of her head. He had to bend a little to do it; he was quite a bit taller than his lover. He stroked her hair and said, "Let's leave that alone now, okay? And you're not my kohai anymore, either."
Sakura
Sakura began to shake, and took a step back, then a step forward again. Her form began to waver as her concentration grew weaker, holding tightly onto Archer's coat.
"Yes I am. I'm your eternal kohai. Shirou's. It's one of the only things I have left, Archer. Other than my regret."
She sucked in a deep breath. "Please, don't take this away from me."
-
Eruraviel
Eru bit her lower lip, her legs trembled, along with her swolen balls and her fat butt.
She was so fucking turned on right now.
Shuddering, and after a moment's hesitation, she kicked her heels off. "Of course, Mistress! I'm sorry for being so presumptuous!" Eruraviel leaned down onto the floor and pressed herself against the stone. Her face was pressed up against the immense head of her cock, and she buried it into it to hide the flush of embarrasment this play was making her feel.
"Please, forgive my insolence!"
-
Amanda
And then the human mage simply left her Elven maid on the floor like that, as if she was a pet and nothing more. Instead she walked over to the corner that Sage had occupied and gestured for her to follow.
"Would you like to have breakfast with me Sage? Considering how early you arrived I thought you might have skipped that, and skipping the most important meal of the day is bad."
-
Sakura
Sakura began to shake, and took a step back, then a step forward again. Her form began to waver as her concentration grew weaker, holding tightly onto Archer's coat.
"Yes I am. I'm your eternal kohai. Shirou's. It's one of the only things I have left, Archer. Other than my regret."
She sucked in a deep breath. "Please, don't take this away from me."
Emiya
The white-haired man sighed and his arms tightened around her. He could feel her waver slightly and he stroked her cold cheek.
"I know a lot about regrets," he said in a soft voice with a frown, looking away from her. "I also know a lot about hatred and self-loathing."
I'm not really fit to be anyone's sempai anymore, Emiya thought but didn't say aloud.
"But, I somehow got out of it. I might go back once I die again, but right now I've got a reprieve. And I want to use that to help you," he said.
-
Thorra
Thorra flew fast, very fast. Much faster than Mothra would have preferred, she was sure, but she wanted to explore! Get places fast! Feel the wind whip against her skin.
She hoped that the tightness of her grip was providing comfort in light of her selfishness. The two quickly arrived across the city, within minutes, to the general area where her small friend lived. Thorra glanced at the brilliant, opulent wealth on the hilltop, before shaking her head. She quite simply found such brazen displays of wealth disgusting and boring.
...Unless it was a dragon doing the displaying.
"You live in the valley, right?" She asked Mothra, slowing down as she circled in the air.
Mothra:
"You live in the valley, right?"
That shook the brunette out of her daze."U-uh, yes, yes I do." Mothra stammered.
After a few seconds of circling, the mahou kaiju spotted her dwelling. "Tha-that building ov-over there," she pointed.
The building itself was rather...boring. It stood only six stories tall, each apartment above the first having a balcony which was separated from its neighbor by a divider. While it didn't have the utilitarianism of brutalist architecture, what little features it did have weren't enough to make it pop from its surroundings.
But it was affordable, safe, and most importatnly, was home.
-
Amanda
And then the human mage simply left her Elven maid on the floor like that, as if she was a pet and nothing more. Instead she walked over to the corner that Sage had occupied and gestured for her to follow.
"Would you like to have breakfast with me Sage? Considering how early you arrived I thought you might have skipped that, and skipping the most important meal of the day is bad."
Sage
The dragon's eyes moved from Eruraviel, to Amanda, back to Eruraviel, and then back to Amanda with visible hesitation. "I... suppose I would not be averse to having something. Thank you for the hospitality."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel laid upon the floor, face pressed against her own mess, still entirely unable to cum and riled up...
She took a deep breath as she stood up, wings growing and flapping, lifting her small frame off of the ground and flying over to follow Amanda. She hoped this was just part of the play. It wasn't going to end well for her fiancee if she played with her libido too much.
Clearly upset, confused, and frustrated, she just floated there, pouting with big, puffed up cheeks.
-
Amanda
"But of course, you're my guest, and a very important one at that, I'd really like to get to know you better Sage..." Before she could even begin leading them to the kitchen though, their maid came floating over.
She gave her all of one glance.
"You will have to get all of that under control if you want to eat with us Eru, and I can't play with you until later tonight. But that's a good thing, now you have a great opportunity to learn some discipline as my new maid."
-
Eruravuil
"Tonight..." Eru sounded a bit disappointed, and descended into silence. She waved her hand, and broke the enchantment on herself. The penis rapidly shrank back to its normal size, although her erection did not subside.
"Ok." She answered,
-
Thorra
Thorra flew fast, very fast. Much faster than Mothra would have preferred, she was sure, but she wanted to explore! Get places fast! Feel the wind whip against her skin.
She hoped that the tightness of her grip was providing comfort in light of her selfishness. The two quickly arrived across the city, within minutes, to the general area where her small friend lived. Thorra glanced at the brilliant, opulent wealth on the hilltop, before shaking her head. She quite simply found such brazen displays of wealth disgusting and boring.
...Unless it was a dragon doing the displaying.
"You live in the valley, right?" She asked Mothra, slowing down as she circled in the air.
Mothra:
"You live in the valley, right?"
That shook the brunette out of her daze."U-uh, yes, yes I do." Mothra stammered.
After a few seconds of circling, the mahou kaiju spotted her dwelling. "Tha-that building ov-over there," she pointed.
The building itself was rather...boring. It stood only six stories tall, each apartment above the first having a balcony which was separated from its neighbor by a divider. While it didn't have the utilitarianism of brutalist architecture, what little features it did have weren't enough to make it pop from its surroundings.
But it was affordable, safe, and most importatnly, was home.
Thorra
The goddess to be landed on Mothra's balcony after receiving a bit more direction, and finally put the fragile little girl down. She stared at the threshold, and frowned.
"Everything in this city is made for ants..." She grumbled, shuffling as she waited for Mothra to let her inside.
-
Sakura
Sakura began to shake, and took a step back, then a step forward again. Her form began to waver as her concentration grew weaker, holding tightly onto Archer's coat.
"Yes I am. I'm your eternal kohai. Shirou's. It's one of the only things I have left, Archer. Other than my regret."
She sucked in a deep breath. "Please, don't take this away from me."
Emiya
The white-haired man sighed and his arms tightened around her. He could feel her waver slightly and he stroked her cold cheek.
"I know a lot about regrets," he said in a soft voice with a frown, looking away from her. "I also know a lot about hatred and self-loathing."
I'm not really fit to be anyone's sempai anymore, Emiya thought but didn't say aloud.
"But, I somehow got out of it. I might go back once I die again, but right now I've got a reprieve. And I want to use that to help you," he said.
Sakura
"You're not allowed to die!" Sakura yelled, desperation in her eyes. She suched in a breath, staring at him. Holding him tight. "No matter what! Swear it to me!"
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at Sakura's exclamation and gently rested his hands on her shoulders. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, closing his eyes as he did. "I can't promise that I won't get old. This is a mortal body, not immortal. I will hopefully grow old and cantankerous," he said with a gentle smile as he opened his eyes.
He stroked her cheek and said, "I'm sorry, but that's something I can't promise."
-
Sakura
Sakura grabbed his shoulders, shaking her head. "You mustn't throw your life away again, Shirou! I-I-you'll leave us all alone again if you do..."
Tears streamed freely from her eyes. "Forever..."
-
Emiya
Damn it, Sakura, the white haired man thought.
She was wanting him to promise something he had no control over. He would grow old and die. Barring anything like a Dead Apostle biting him, but he was pretty certain he wouldn't survive that change and would be just a ravenous Dead.
Emiya sighed and said, "I promise I won't throw my life away. I did that once and it didn't turn out well for anyone."
-
Eruravuil
"Tonight..." Eru sounded a bit disappointed, and descended into silence. She waved her hand, and broke the enchantment on herself. The penis rapidly shrank back to its normal size, although her erection did not subside.
"Ok." She answered,
Sage
Amanda's words were all properly respectful and flattering, but for some reason they left Sage frowning in discomfort looking between them. "What manner of game is this meant to be...?" She pondered to herself quietly before taking her place next to Eruraviel again.
"Lead on."
-
Amanda
Her glare sharpened just a tiny bit as she observed the Elf's reaction. With a final sigh she had enough and flicked her fiance across the forehead. "Hey, no sulking allowed or I'll punish you for real. We're gonna have a really good time later but I don't wanna have you ruin breakfast with all this moody gloom right now. How can I have fun if I see my wife so unhappy?"
-
Eruraviel
"Kya!" She cried out with surprise as her wife flicked her forehead, taking a step back and shaking her head. She flicked her ears in surprise.
"I-well..." her eyebrow twitched. "I'm not--"
She gulped.
"I'm not used to this sort of play..." she muttered, playing with her thumbs. She smiled sheepishly, wrapping her arms around both Amanda and Sage, pulling her harem close to her. She made a happy purring sound and beamed.
"Lead the way!"
-
Sage
"Should I fear Eruraviel taking inspiration from this?" Sage did not resist the abrupt pulling by the elf. To be embraced in this manner was not unpleasant, clearly, from the way the dragon smiled. Her borrowed form's pointed ears twitched.
-
Thorra
The goddess to be landed on Mothra's balcony after receiving a bit more direction, and finally put the fragile little girl down. She stared at the threshold, and frowned.
"Everything in this city is made for ants..." She grumbled, shuffling as she waited for Mothra to let her inside.
Mothra:
Mothra almost stumbled when Thorra finally put her down. But, by god, has she never felt so happy to be on hard ground.
She took a few shaky steps to the door, taking the key out of her pocket and fumbling it into the lock. "Everything in this city is made for ants..." Thorra grumbled behind her, causing the teenager to have a polite chuckle just as a click was heard.
Mothra slid the door open, slipping in ahead of her guest to flip the lights. With a flash, the apartment was unveiled to the blonde newcomer - a small living room with a couch, a coffee table, and a small television sitting on a tiny stand. There was a kitchenette next to what is the entry door on the other side, with another door for the miniature bathroom just to the side. To the east of the living room was the bedroom, door left ajar. There was a cluttered tidiness to it all, Mothra trying to make the best of the limited space. There was a bookshelf against the west wall that had an assortment of books, magazines, and movies. With only a single overhead fan, lamps were put in place to fill in the gaps of light - all of which were currently turned off.The couch itself, while having two fluffy pillows, also was home to a plush black alligator with blue spikes.
"Well, uh...Welcome to my apartment," Mothra awkwardly said with a smile, "It may not be much, but it's home. Bathroom's over here, but it doesn't have a, well, bath...Are you hungry? I can cook somethign up real fast, i-if you don't mind instant meals..."
-
Thorra
The goddess to be landed on Mothra's balcony after receiving a bit more direction, and finally put the fragile little girl down. She stared at the threshold, and frowned.
"Everything in this city is made for ants..." She grumbled, shuffling as she waited for Mothra to let her inside.
Mothra:
Mothra almost stumbled when Thorra finally put her down. But, by god, has she never felt so happy to be on hard ground.
She took a few shaky steps to the door, taking the key out of her pocket and fumbling it into the lock. "Everything in this city is made for ants..." Thorra grumbled behind her, causing the teenager to have a polite chuckle just as a click was heard.
Mothra slid the door open, slipping in ahead of her guest to flip the lights. With a flash, the apartment was unveiled to the blonde newcomer - a small living room with a couch, a coffee table, and a small television sitting on a tiny stand. There was a kitchenette next to what is the entry door on the other side, with another door for the miniature bathroom just to the side. To the east of the living room was the bedroom, door left ajar. There was a cluttered tidiness to it all, Mothra trying to make the best of the limited space. There was a bookshelf against the west wall that had an assortment of books, magazines, and movies. With only a single overhead fan, lamps were put in place to fill in the gaps of light - all of which were currently turned off.The couch itself, while having two fluffy pillows, also was home to a plush black alligator with blue spikes.
"Well, uh...Welcome to my apartment," Mothra awkwardly said with a smile, "It may not be much, but it's home. Bathroom's over here, but it doesn't have a, well, bath...Are you hungry? I can cook somethign up real fast, i-if you don't mind instant meals..."
Thorra
Thorra shook her head, laughing. "No no, I don't really need to eat. It's mostly a pleasure thing for me." She replied, hunched down a bit so she didn't break the ceiling. She sort of crouchwalked over to the couch before setting herself down on the coffee table, plopping her body onto the couch itself. "Thanks. I'll make sure to repay you properly once I get some money.
She looked around. "Do you have one of those things that connects to the interent? There's so much good research on there for the mundane stuff!"
-
Amanda
"Ah but of course you should! The only thing better than an Elven princess maid, is a dragon maid! Your status would skyrocket far higher than your wings could ever carry you!"
Amanda took a deep breathe. Talking like that did still take a toll on her when she wasn't enhancing herself, once more reminding her that for all of her powers, at the end of the day she was still human.
"Right this way!"
She pulled them to the left through a door which lead them to an upside down corridor with doors lined up on each side. After passing about half dozen of them, one of them suddenly flung open by itself and revealed the kitchen behind it's frame.
As strange as that corridor was, the kitchen looked normal at first glance. Except for the part where every appliance was rigged with death traps that would be clearly visible to anyone with magic sight.
-
Emiya
Damn it, Sakura, the white haired man thought.
She was wanting him to promise something he had no control over. He would grow old and die. Barring anything like a Dead Apostle biting him, but he was pretty certain he wouldn't survive that change and would be just a ravenous Dead.
Emiya sighed and said, "I promise I won't throw my life away. I did that once and it didn't turn out well for anyone."
Sakura
"Mmmmm!" She buried her cold face into his chest, holding onto him tightly. No tears came out, but he could feel the small woman's shaking.
-
Emiya
Emiya felt people watching them and shot them a glare over his shoulder before looking down at Sakura shaking against him.
He stroked her back and said, "Hey, it's okay. We're here now and we're together, right? So let's just make the best of what we have right now."
-
Emiya
Emiya felt people watching them and shot them a glare over his shoulder before looking down at Sakura shaking against him.
He stroked her back and said, "Hey, it's okay. We're here now and we're together, right? So let's just make the best of what we have right now."
Sakura
"I can't help it, you scared me..." She sobbed into his chest. "I was afraid you were going to try to do something stupid for my sake! I don't want that, Shirou!"
-
Emiya
Well, I might be, but I need to do some digging first, Emiya thought but made sure he didn't voice that thought.
Instead he said, "I was just talking about that I can't promise you forever because someday, hopefully a long time from today, I will grow old and die. That's all. I'm still a pragmatic idiot."
-
Emiya
Well, I might be, but I need to do some digging first, Emiya thought but made sure he didn't voice that thought.
Instead he said, "I was just talking about that I can't promise you forever because someday, hopefully a long time from today, I will grow old and die. That's all. I'm still a pragmatic idiot."
Sakura
"Why would you grow old! You're a servant! And even if you aren't anymore, there are plenty of ways to cheat death in this city!" She exclaimed. "We'd much rather you focus on that before our situation!"
-
Emiya
"Reincarnated Servant. Meaning I'm mortal again," Emiya said, holding his finger up in a very Rin-like gesture.
He frowned at Sakura's words and said, "Yeah, and most of those methods for immortality are like selling yourself for it. I really don't feel becoming a vampire. I use to hunt them so it would be weird."
-
Amanda
"Ah but of course you should! The only thing better than an Elven princess maid, is a dragon maid! Your status would skyrocket far higher than your wings could ever carry you!"
Amanda took a deep breathe. Talking like that did still take a toll on her when she wasn't enhancing herself, once more reminding her that for all of her powers, at the end of the day she was still human.
"Right this way!"
She pulled them to the left through a door which lead them to an upside down corridor with doors lined up on each side. After passing about half dozen of them, one of them suddenly flung open by itself and revealed the kitchen behind it's frame.
As strange as that corridor was, the kitchen looked normal at first glance. Except for the part where every appliance was rigged with death traps that would be clearly visible to anyone with magic sight.
Eruraviel
Eruraviel blinked, and looked around. It was pretty normal-almost identical to the kitchen where her servants worked, down to the traps and defenses. She grunted her acknowledgement of Amanda's worksmanship.
She turned to her wife, and did a curtsy, following up the same action to Sage. "Unfortunately, Masters, I don't know how to cook at all."
-
Sage
The dragon blushed slightly at the insinuation. "How would wearing the garments of a servant increase my status...?" She asked this despite wearing a platinum collar with a cute little leash hanging from it.
And at Eruraviel's question, Sage merely tilted her head to the side. "I also lack such skills. I primarily just swallow my prey whole and melt them in my throat."
-
Amanda
"Then you will learn how to Eru, a distinguished princess like yourself should be nothing less than exemplary in performing all of her duties." Amanda glanced at Sage. "Because they would look super cute on you, and cuteness sells, just ask the Columbians"
She then put her hand on top of the short Elf's head. "I know you will make something delicious one day because I have faith in you."
-
Eruraviel
"Ufu! I'll have to try hard and learn how to cook properly then, won't I!" She did a spin on a tip toe with the grace of a ballerina, her cock bobbing with a little hop. She landed perfectly, and did a bow.
-
Sage
Sage looked pensive as her eyes traveled between the two women. She nodded, slowly, as though the false elf were considering something of great importance. "I shall look into these Columbians. They sound unfortunately familiar."
-
Emiya
"Reincarnated Servant. Meaning I'm mortal again," Emiya said, holding his finger up in a very Rin-like gesture.
He frowned at Sakura's words and said, "Yeah, and most of those methods for immortality are like selling yourself for it. I really don't feel becoming a vampire. I use to hunt them so it would be weird."
Sakura
"There are other ways. Aren't you looking for a grail anyway?"
She held onto him tightly.
"I'm not interested in a world without you, Shirou."
-
Emiya
Emiya stroked Sakura's hair and gently tilted her face to look at his.
"Yes, I'm looking for a Grail to help the three of you so you can live your own lives instead of this odd Purgatory that the three of you are sharing," Emiya said with a smile.
"Trust me, I actually don't have plans for dying any time soon, but saving the three of you are my priority."
-
Sakura
"And saving you is ours! We'll live forever. We can wait a bit longer if it means having a forever worth something!"
Sakura exclaimed. "Archer! Please!"
-
Thorra
Thorra shook her head, laughing. "No no, I don't really need to eat. It's mostly a pleasure thing for me." She replied, hunched down a bit so she didn't break the ceiling. She sort of crouchwalked over to the couch before setting herself down on the coffee table, plopping her body onto the couch itself. "Thanks. I'll make sure to repay you properly once I get some money.
She looked around. "Do you have one of those things that connects to the interent? There's so much good research on there for the mundane stuff!"
Mothra:
"Oh, d-don't worry about paying me back," Mothra said from the kitchenette, "I don't mind having guests over."
'Even if she doesn't need to eat, it is still rude for the host not to provide something for the guest' Mothra couldn't help but think, her generosity dominating her train of thought. 'Well, maybe a glass of water would be okay.'
The teenage kaiju quickly grabbed a pair of glass cups, filling them up at the sink. "Do you have one of those things that connects to the interent? There's so much good research on there for the mundane stuff!" she heard the blonde bombshell ask.
"Uh, yeah, sure, just lemme get it." Mothra jogged the short distance to the coffee table, depositing the two full glasses of water before making her way to her bedroom. Snatching a brick of a laptop from the tiniest desk imaginable, she brought it back to Thorra. "I-it's kind of old, though. Doesn't run all that fast and it takes forever to boot up."
-
Amanda
"Don't think you can dodge the bullet just because of that cute twirl." Amanda said as she grabbed Eru's hand and pulled her towards the stove. Gathering up all the ingredients didn't take long at all, and soon Amanda had several pans frying all kinds of things. She had a dragon to feed now and she guessed there would be a lot of meat for that.
"Why don't the two of you take a seat, I'll be done in a moment!" The mage was twirling around herself now, while juggling the preparations for a meal that looked more like a small feast than a breakfast for three.
-
Sakura
"And saving you is ours! We'll live forever. We can wait a bit longer if it means having a forever worth something!"
Sakura exclaimed. "Archer! Please!"
Emiya
But I don't want to live forever. I want to grow old and die like a normal person. I don't want to go back to the Throne; I want to be recycled and reincarnated, Emiya thought as he looked down at Sakura.
He frowned and asked, "Are you truly immortal then? What about soul degradation? Your body may not age, but the soul can rot."
-
Sakura
Sakura sighed. "I thought you knew what the third magic does..." She muttered sullenly. She bit her lip, and buried her face into his chest so she wouldn't have to see his reaction.
"Yes, forever was a part of my wish." She answered quietly, holding onto him, perhaps for dear life. "Now I know forever can be a very long time."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed again.
A cold knot of ice was forming in his gut. She was asking him to make a promise to her. She wanted him to pledge himself to her for all eternity.
The part that was still Emiya Shirou was urging him to do it. It would make Sakura happy. It would make Rin happy. It would make Tsumiko happy.
The part that had been Counter Guardian EMIYA and became bitter and full of self loathing was all but laughing at the situation.
"Yeah, forever is a very long time," he said in a soft voice. "Eternity doesn't end."
-
Sakura
Sakura held onto him quietly. "Forever is scary." She answered after a couple minutes of silence and agony. "There's no end to it."
In his arms, he held a terrified young woman who knew nothing of what she'd gotten herself into until it was far too late. In his arms was a scared little girl who'd been betrayed by the world.
In his arms he held a phantom of his childhood friend.
-
Emiya
Emiya stroked her long hair and said, "It's painful too. The worse torture there is."
Would eternity be bearable with Sakura and Rin at my side? he thought, Would it be bearable for them if I was by their side?
-
Sakura
Sakura stood silently, holding onto him, and said no more words. Her Shirou laid catatonic inside of her, never waking again. She held her sister, trapped inside a body that was not hers. She held the unending guilt and anguish of that fateful night. She held the envy which had lead to it.
She didn't know what she would do if he died. All she could do was simply pray.
-
Emiya
Emiya noticed that Sakura fell quiet in his arms. He tilted her face up to his and said, "I'll think about it. Please, give me some time. I just got out of one deal I made for eternal servitude. Just, please give me sometime to think about becoming immortal."
-
Sakura
It wasn't a no, at least.
She looked up at him and gave him a genuinely weary smile, the exhaustion she'd been hiding now on full display. She nodded.
It wasn't a no. She held onto that fact, and treasured it like her most precious possession.
-
Emiya
Tension fled his shoulders and he slumped lightly as he held Sakura.
She looked exhausted but she was smiling at him. Emiya cupped her cheek with his left hand and asked, "Do you need to get back and get some rest? Or do you need prana?"
-
Emiya
Tension fled his shoulders and he slumped lightly as he held Sakura.
She looked exhausted but she was smiling at him. Emiya cupped her cheek with his left hand and asked, "Do you need to get back and get some rest? Or do you need prana?"
Sakura
Sakura closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm a holy grail. I don't ever lack for prana."
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and said, "I didn't know how much energy this form took."
He rubbed his chin absently with his free hand and said, "Infinite prana resources . . . that could be useful."
-
Sakura
"Yes yes yes. Now form a contract with me so I can more easily regulate the flow of mana into Tsumiko."
She sounded excited by this very real prospect, for many reasons. "It would be mutually beneficial."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked and asked, "Tsumiko can't handle the amount of prana you produce, can she?"
The idea of helping Tsumiko alone would be worth it. Plus . . .I could be as efficient as I was as a Servant with these kind of stores. Broken phantasms, resisting mental spells by just shoving pure energy at them . . .
-
Sakura
Sakura laughed. "She's not as helpless as you think. She can, but that's why she fights in such an overly extravagant manner, throwing out broken phantasms like they're candy. She won't have to do that eveey day if you can help her out."
-
Emiya
Emiya's frown deepened at Sakura's words.
He held up his hand and said, "Wait, she just throws around Broken Phantasms like they're nothing? Even I have to spend about a minute to charge them."
-
Sakura
"Yeah. And do you have my circuits, rin's circuits, and your circuits combined and then hooked up to a source of unlimited power, Senpai?"
She poked his nose. "Boop."
-
Emiya
Emiya chuckled as Sakura poked his nose.
"Please, call me Shirou. As for the contract, I'm in. It would be useful for all of us. Plus I could track Rin when she decides to go on a bender."
-
Thorra
Thorra smiled, but she wasn't interested in the water. She quite simply had no need of things like that, except for fun. Regardless, she wasn't going to refuse her host's hospitality.
She was, however, far more interested in the computer. She took it from Mothra and began the slow process of booting it up, and took the oppurtunity to drink the water.
After a couple minutes, it had finally logged in, and she excitedly opened up an internet browser.
With blinding speed, she typed in "where are there dragons" ans pressed enter, before opening a second window and searching up a blond elf of mothra's description.
The first search gave her quite useful information. There were dragons known to both be in the enormous forests to the north and the mountains to the west. The second though, was no use at all. It was as if this Eruraviel had just appeared recently. There wasn't even a mention of her anywhere, really.
Thorra frowned. "I thought that this was supposed to get you answers to anything."
-
Amanda
"Don't think you can dodge the bullet just because of that cute twirl." Amanda said as she grabbed Eru's hand and pulled her towards the stove. Gathering up all the ingredients didn't take long at all, and soon Amanda had several pans frying all kinds of things. She had a dragon to feed now and she guessed there would be a lot of meat for that.
"Why don't the two of you take a seat, I'll be done in a moment!" The mage was twirling around herself now, while juggling the preparations for a meal that looked more like a small feast than a breakfast for three.
Eruraviel
Eru raised her eyebrow, staring in approval at Amanda's culinary talents. Her ears twitched with excitement, but she was also fidgety, playing with her dress and looking down at the counter.
It was intimidating. She had no idea how to cook for herself! She'd never even tried in her six hundred years!
"Can't I watch! I want to learn what you're doing!" She finally quipped after Amanda told her to sit down. She twiddled her thumbs, looking back and forth between her lovers.
-
Thorra
Thorra smiled, but she wasn't interested in the water. She quite simply had no need of things like that, except for fun. Regardless, she wasn't going to refuse her host's hospitality.
She was, however, far more interested in the computer. She took it from Mothra and began the slow process of booting it up, and took the oppurtunity to drink the water.
After a couple minutes, it had finally logged in, and she excitedly opened up an internet browser.
With blinding speed, she typed in "where are there dragons" ans pressed enter, before opening a second window and searching up a blond elf of mothra's description.
The first search gave her quite useful information. There were dragons known to both be in the enormous forests to the north and the mountains to the west. The second though, was no use at all. It was as if this Eruraviel had just appeared recently. There wasn't even a mention of her anywhere, really.
Thorra frowned. "I thought that this was supposed to get you answers to anything."
Mothra:
"Kind of," Mothra began to explain,sitting down next to the blonde and sipping her own glass.
Only to lightly blush again.
"T-think of it as some sort of library," she said, "And the web pages l-like books. Somebody has to put the book on the sh-shelf before others can read it. If nobody uploads information, it won't be on there."
-
Thorra
Thorra furrowed her eyebrows and curled her toes back, clicking her tongue in annoyance. "How complicated." She finally said after a moment's thought. "So it won't be easy to find her after all."
-
Eruraviel
Eru raised her eyebrow, staring in approval at Amanda's culinary talents. Her ears twitched with excitement, but she was also fidgety, playing with her dress and looking down at the counter.
It was intimidating. She had no idea how to cook for herself! She'd never even tried in her six hundred years!
"Can't I watch! I want to learn what you're doing!" She finally quipped after Amanda told her to sit down. She twiddled her thumbs, looking back and forth between her lovers.
Sage
The dragon took her seat, settling her hands on her lap and fiddling with the leash which had been left unattended. The food did smell quite appetizing, but Sage merely watched the two of them interact with her face scrunched up in concentration. She was very still.
-
Emiya
Emiya chuckled as Sakura poked his nose.
"Please, call me Shirou. As for the contract, I'm in. It would be useful for all of us. Plus I could track Rin when she decides to go on a bender."
Sakura
"Iunno. I like calling you Senpai better. It's nostalgic."
She poked him again, giggling with a big smile on her face. "Boop."
-
Emiya
Emiya scrunched his face up as Sakura attacked his nose again.
"I swear, I'm going to have to use note cards to remember who calls me what," he grumbled to himself.
-
Emiya
Emiya scrunched his face up as Sakura attacked his nose again.
"I swear, I'm going to have to use note cards to remember who calls me what," he grumbled to himself.
Sakura
"You'll have to use your smartphone, so Rin will never figure out how to find it."
-
Emiya
"Or she could blow up my smartphone, and before my contract's up. Which means I'd have to pay out the nose to buy another one," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
He smirked and said, "Those cell phone contracts are almost as bad as contracts with Humanity."
-
Emiya
"Or she could blow up my smartphone, and before my contract's up. Which means I'd have to pay out the nose to buy another one," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
He smirked and said, "Those cell phone contracts are almost as bad as contracts with Humanity."
Sakura
Sakura blinked. "Right. I'm used to stealing them."
She cleared her throat. "Just take little Tsumi on a hunting contract, easy money, easy bonding experience, gets out her latent agression, everything works out."
She clapped. "Take me home, Shirou. I'll need my real body to form the contract."
-
Emiya
"Or Rin just starts Tracing gold bars like there's no tomorrow," he said with a grimace.
He frowned a bit at the thought of taking Tsumiko on a job. "She could get hurt though. I know she can handle herself, but I'd never forgive myself if she got hurt."
At her words about the contract he felt heat fill his cheeks. "Ah, okay then. Let's go," he said, as he coughed and looked away.
-
Emiya
"Or Rin just starts Tracing gold bars like there's no tomorrow," he said with a grimace.
He frowned a bit at the thought of taking Tsumiko on a job. "She could get hurt though. I know she can handle herself, but I'd never forgive myself if she got hurt."
At her words about the contract he felt heat fill his cheeks. "Ah, okay then. Let's go," he said, as he coughed and looked away.
Sakura
"Don't baby her. She'll get really really mad about that attitude."
She sighed. "She may be only eight years old, but she's been through more than most people go through in their lifetimes. Several times over."
She patted him on the back. "Look, let her help you."
-
Emiya
"I know, but I can't help it. I just want to make sure she's safe, and happy," Emiya told Sakura as he led her back to home.
"And because she's been through so much I want her to have an easy time of it, you know."
******
Emiya was struggling to keep his heart steady and his breathing even. In his experiences with contracts, with someone like him, the easiest way to set them up was through Tantric Rites. If it had been Sakura's normal body he wouldn't have a problem, but this was Tsumiko's body with some of his parts added for good measure.
He locked the door behind them and asked, "So, how . . . how are we going to do this?"
-
Emiya
"I know, but I can't help it. I just want to make sure she's safe, and happy," Emiya told Sakura as he led her back to home.
"And because she's been through so much I want her to have an easy time of it, you know."
******
Emiya was struggling to keep his heart steady and his breathing even. In his experiences with contracts, with someone like him, the easiest way to set them up was through Tantric Rites. If it had been Sakura's normal body he wouldn't have a problem, but this was Tsumiko's body with some of his parts added for good measure.
He locked the door behind them and asked, "So, how . . . how are we going to do this?"
Sakura
Sakura suddenly vanished into a puddle on the ground, and Tsumiko awoke. Or well, her body did. She sat up in bed and rubbed her head. "Owwww..." She moaned. "I hate it when Rin does this..."
-
Emiya
"Do need some water or aspirin?" Emiya asked with a blink.
He scowled and gnashed his teeth. "I knew her drinking that much was going to hurt . . ."
-
Emiya
"Do need some water or aspirin?" Emiya asked with a blink.
He scowled and gnashed his teeth. "I knew her drinking that much was going to hurt . . ."
Sakura
Sakura waved her hand at him dismissively and shook her head. "No, this isn't that bad. It'll be gone in a bit. Crest stuff." She moaned, sitting up and holding her head in her palms. "Maybe some water would be nice though, thank you."
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and quickly went to the kitchen. He came back with a glass of water and handed it to Sakura. His hand reached out to carefully stroke her hair.
"Rin used to talk about how sometimes she would want to cut off her arm because her Crest acted up so much," he said in a soft voice as he sat beside her on the bed. He eyed her and asked, "Are you going to be up to make the contract? We can wait if you're not able to."
-
Emiya
Emiya nodded and quickly went to the kitchen. He came back with a glass of water and handed it to Sakura. His hand reached out to carefully stroke her hair.
"Rin used to talk about how sometimes she would want to cut off her arm because her Crest acted up so much," he said in a soft voice as he sat beside her on the bed. He eyed her and asked, "Are you going to be up to make the contract? We can wait if you're not able to."
Sakura
Sakura raised her eyebrow. "I've put Rin through a lot worse pain than that, you know." She downed the whole glass in one go, handing it back to Archer after. "I made her experience my training."
She chuckled, playing with her old, ragged ribbon. "This? This is nothing."
-
Emiya
Emiya froze slightly at Sakura's words before he took the glass from her.
Ice formed in his gut. He knew the animosity between the sisters was harsh, but he wouldn't have expected Sakura to put Rin through the same torture Sakura herself had been through. I need to find a way to get the three separated and have them live through the process. Then find a really good therapist for all of us, he thought.
He flexed his hand and nodded. "If you think you can go through with it, I'm ready."
-
Thorra
Thorra furrowed her eyebrows and curled her toes back, clicking her tongue in annoyance. "How complicated." She finally said after a moment's thought. "So it won't be easy to find her after all."
Mothra:
A sad smile graced Mothra's features, "It won't be."
She leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. Yeah, it won't be. Exhaustion was kicking in, the sun has set, and there's nothing they could do right now. Th.e idea of sleep was creeping into her mind. Opening her eyes, she leaned forward again and took another sip from her glass. "I-I think I'm gonna head to bed here soon. D-do you have a place to sleep tonight?"
Thorra
Thorra nodded. "Yeah. I was planning on sleeping there on the table, where I am right now."
She pointed at the hammer.
-
Amanda
"Of course you can! The faster you learn the better, and there's no better way of learning than doing it."
Thud.
She just bumped her hips into Eru.
"Relax princess, there's nothing worse than twitchy fingers in the kitchen. And we have a dragon to feed now, so you gotta learn how to handle the meat. And for that matter, you can't call yourself a proper lady if you can't even do that much."
-
Emiya
Emiya froze slightly at Sakura's words before he took the glass from her.
Ice formed in his gut. He knew the animosity between the sisters was harsh, but he wouldn't have expected Sakura to put Rin through the same torture Sakura herself had been through. I need to find a way to get the three separated and have them live through the process. Then find a really good therapist for all of us, he thought.
He flexed his hand and nodded. "If you think you can go through with it, I'm ready."
Sakura
Sakura nodded. "It's fine." She held out her finger, and then suddenly sliced off the tip, holding it in front of his face. Already, he xould see her body healing, the miniature swords working to repair her and close the wound.
"If you drink this it should be enough."
-
Emiya
"Ah, that's easier than I thought," Emiya said with a smile as he took Sakura's hand.
Then he held it to his lips and began to suck. He grimaced at the familiar, salty metallic taste of blood, but he did drink.
-
Sakura
Sakura blushed, grunting as she felt Archer lap at her broken skin, and couldn't help but remember when their situations had been reversed. She'd been soft and vulnerable, and Shirou had offered her his magic without any qualms...
And then, she remembered what happened next, and felt her body's loins stirring.
"Ah-that should be-enough..."
-
Amanda
"Of course you can! The faster you learn the better, and there's no better way of learning than doing it."
Thud.
She just bumped her hips into Eru.
"Relax princess, there's nothing worse than twitchy fingers in the kitchen. And we have a dragon to feed now, so you gotta learn how to handle the meat. And for that matter, you can't call yourself a proper lady if you can't even do that much."
Eruraviel
"O-okay! Give me an easy job then!" She bumped her hips into Amanda in return, giggling a little before taking a deep breath to calm herself. She brought the centuries of her wizard training to bear, and using that knowledge, she calmed herself down. "Sage!" She yelled, turing to face the dragon, causing her cock to smack Amanda's thigh. "I'm going to make you lots of yummy meat! So be ready!"
-
Sage
Sage perked up upon hearing her name, turning her attention to Eruraviel and watching her with slightly widened eyes. "Yummy meat, you say...?"
She relaxed slightly at the thought. "Then I shall await your efforts, princess."
-
Sakura
Sakura blushed, grunting as she felt Archer lap at her broken skin, and couldn't help but remember when their situations had been reversed. She'd been soft and vulnerable, and Shirou had offered her his magic without any qualms...
And then, she remembered what happened next, and felt her body's loins stirring.
"Ah-that should be-enough..."
Emiya
At Sakura's words, Emiya released her finger from his lips. Something sharp cut across his lip and he flinched as he tasted his own blood as well as Sakura's. Frowning, he took a look at her finger and sighed when he saw the tiny blades knitting the wound back together.
"There's a way to keep that from happening. Sure, it's good for a pinch in a fight, but not good in the long run," he said as he patted her hand with a smile.
-
Sakura
"It's fine, silly." She put a bit of mana into her wound, and quietly said a word in german...
And then, the wound instantly closed up, disappearing without a trace. "I just let it do that to form our contract." She leaned forward, pressed herself against him, and he could feel her arousal. In very masculine and very feminine ways. "Now, hold my hand, and repeat the words after me."
-
Emiya
Emiya swallowed as he felt Sakura press up against him. He could feel the heat of her real body against him, those full breasts pressing against his honed muscles. He also felt something else pressing up against him, a very firm reminder of her and Rin's mistakes.
He did hold her hand, intertwining his fingers around hers and nodded, ready to repeat her words.
-
Emiya
Emiya swallowed as he felt Sakura press up against him. He could feel the heat of her real body against him, those full breasts pressing against his honed muscles. He also felt something else pressing up against him, a very firm reminder of her and Rin's mistakes.
He did hold her hand, intertwining his fingers around hers and nodded, ready to repeat her words.
Sakura
After a few minutes of wonderful closeness, a few minutes feeling her heat against his leg, the ritual was finished. He felt their link connect and her incredible reserves of magic flow into him, instantly filling him up completely.
"She leaned forward and kissed his lips, holding his hands just a little bit longer. "I missed you, Shirou. You have no idea how wonderful this is for me."
-
Emiya
Emiya gasped as he felt prana filling him, charging his circuits. He flexed his hands as he felt the charge run up and down his body. His reserves in Chaelda had been nothing like this. Even Rin's prana hadn't been this all consuming.
She leaned up and kissed him, and he released one of her hands to cup her face and return the kiss.
"I"m glad," he said, his steel eyes glinting as he stroked her hair back from her face. He pulled her into another hug and said, "It's okay now, we'll figure something out for all of us."
-
Emiya
Emiya gasped as he felt prana filling him, charging his circuits. He flexed his hands as he felt the charge run up and down his body. His reserves in Chaelda had been nothing like this. Even Rin's prana hadn't been this all consuming.
She leaned up and kissed him, and he released one of her hands to cup her face and return the kiss.
"I"m glad," he said, his steel eyes glinting as he stroked her hair back from her face. He pulled her into another hug and said, "It's okay now, we'll figure something out for all of us."
Sakura
She kissed him again, and then a third time, eyes blazing with passion. "I know you don't want-to touch us downstairs, but at least consider letting Rin-use our other assets..."
-
Amanda
Amanda snapped her fingers and several chunks of the highest quality meat came floating in and pilled up in front of Eru. It was a varied selection ,from beef to pork and even more exotic types were present, but most importantly, it was far too much for three ordinary humans. Me
"You can start by cutting them into manageable slices of the same size, oh and no magic whatsoever, use those dainty hands of yours princess." She handed the Elf a knife and then continued. "When you're done we'll move over to seasoning, the second most important step...." The mage suddenly nibbled on the top of her soon to be bride's right ear. "That's for slapping your dick against me."
-
Amanda
Amanda snapped her fingers and several chunks of the highest quality meat came floating in and pilled up in front of Eru. It was a varied selection ,from beef to pork and even more exotic types were present, but most importantly, it was far too much for three ordinary humans. Me
"You can start by cutting them into manageable slices of the same size, oh and no magic whatsoever, use those dainty hands of yours princess." She handed the Elf a knife and then continued. "When you're done we'll move over to seasoning, the second most important step...." The mage suddenly nibbled on the top of her soon to be bride's right ear. "That's for slapping your dick against me."
Eruraviel
Eru stared intently at the bloody raw meats, and bit her lower lip. "You grill these, right..." She muttered to herself before grabbing the knife. "I know how to use one of these, you know! Just the stabby stab way, and not the-kyaa!" She moaned as she felt Amanda's teeth nibble on one of her ears. They fluttered in discomfort, tickling Amanda's nose. "It was an accident, and you're the one who got me all excited."
She twirled the knife in her hand and began to slice, mostly using her incredible strength to cut through the meat. "Would be easier-with my fingers, I think. Maybe. Less even cuts that way though."
-
Amanda
"No no no..."
She stepped up behind Eru and grabbed her arm to guide her through the right motions. "Relax princess, you're far to wound up, do it like this." She guided Eru through a much lighter sawing motion.
"Be always elegant, no matter what you're doing."
-
Amanda
"No no no..."
She stepped up behind Eru and grabbed her arm to guide her through the right motions. "Relax princess, you're far to wound up, do it like this." She guided Eru through a much lighter sawing motion.
"Be always elegant, no matter what you're doing."
Eruraviel
"Uuu..." She blushed as Amanda guided her through the process. She continued doing it after she let go, immediately picking up the pattern and following through with it at an ever quickening pace.
"You sound like my mothers." Eru complained as she finished cutting all of the meat.
-
Amanda
"Were you a rebellious little girl who didn't listen hmm?"
She let go of Eru and went on to season the meat before putting it on the frying pan. "What we're doing here is different from grilling, as you can see there's no open fire."
She flipped the meat after a while when it was starting to turn brown. "Now the last thing you want is for it get burn on either side." It was almost down now.
-
Amanda
"Were you a rebellious little girl who didn't listen hmm?"
She let go of Eru and went on to season the meat before putting it on the frying pan. "What we're doing here is different from grilling, as you can see there's no open fire."
She flipped the meat after a while when it was starting to turn brown. "Now the last thing you want is for it get burn on either side." It was almost down now.
Eruraviel
"No! I just didn't want to marry my sister!" She complained as she followed Amanda's lead, watching her movements closely. "Aelene was a huge jerk who did nothing but bully me for being different!"
-
Sage
"Did you eat her?" Sage abruptly asked, suddenly focusing on Eruraviel with a fierce intensity even beyond the unblinking vigilance she had held for most of the duo's cooking adventures.
-
Amanda
"Excuse me?"
She turned to look at the dragon girl as if she had gone mad.
"Eating someone of your own race is considered repugnant by most civilized races. I'd suggest you'd refrain from making such comments while in the company of others. It is one of the reasons why your kind are considered as beasts."
The food...
She turned around just in time to flip the mea before it was burnt.
-
Eruraviel
"But, maybe I should have. She was quite uncivilized, herself... I remember how much she enjoyed orc meat, even though I had such a distaste for it..."
Eruraviel shook her head and sighed with a tired chuckle. She sounded sad and oddly vulnerable. "It would have certainly made things less complicated..."
-
Emiya
Morning: 8:13 AM
Emiya awoke to Tohsaka meowing loudly, demanding that his slave wake up and feed his majesty.
He moved to tell Sakura where he was going only to find she wasn't there. Frowning, he sat up and idly stroked the cat's sleek, soft fur. "Okay Buddy, let's get you something to eat," he said as he stood up from the bed, picking up the cat.
He quickly made the bed and headed to Tsumiko's room. He gently rapped his knuckles against her door. "Hey, Tsumiko-chan, I'm going to make breakfast. Do you want to join me?"
-
Tsumiko
"Mmmm? Yeah, sure." She replied through the door, sounding entirely alert and awake. "Do you need help?"
In her voice, it sounded like Sakura was there, asking that question. Or perhaps it was truly Tsumiko? It was impossible to tell.
Inside the room, he could hear the clamor of her getting dressed.
-
Emiya
"I would like it if you did help," Emiya said with a smile.
He heard her get dressed and Tohsaka started digging his claws and kneading into Emiya's shoulder. He petted the cat and said, "You'll get your food soon enough. I promise you won't starve."
-
Emiya
"I would like it if you did help," Emiya said with a smile.
He heard her get dressed and Tohsaka started digging his claws and kneading into Emiya's shoulder. He petted the cat and said, "You'll get your food soon enough. I promise you won't starve."
Tsumiko
"Kaaaaayyyyy." She answered lazily, bending over and putting on her pants. She looked at herself naked in the mirror for a while, pursing her lip before projecting a loose t-shirt and throwing it on, not bothering with a bra. She tapped her legs, projection socks before opening the door, full of smiles. She seemed a little bit bouncy, in fact.
"Come on, let's get going then!"
-
Emiya
"Alright, we'll make breakfast, I'll get ready for work and open the shop," Emiya said with a smile.
Tohsaka chortled in agreement.
-
Tsumiko
With a triumphant slam, she opened the door. With a blush, she giggled. "Ehehe... So... Is this really real?" She fidgeted, looking down at her feel, and ignoring her aruosal. "I'm not still dreaming, am I?"
-
Amanda
"Excuse me?"
She turned to look at the dragon girl as if she had gone mad.
"Eating someone of your own race is considered repugnant by most civilized races. I'd suggest you'd refrain from making such comments while in the company of others. It is one of the reasons why your kind are considered as beasts."
The food...
She turned around just in time to flip the meat before it was burnt.
Eruraviel
"But, maybe I should have. She was quite uncivilized, herself... I remember how much she enjoyed orc meat, even though I had such a distaste for it..."
Eruraviel shook her head and sighed with a tired chuckle. She sounded sad and oddly vulnerable. "It would have certainly made things less complicated..."
Sage
"Civilization is something your kinds created to protect the weak among you." Sage slowly got up from her seat, but did not appear visibly upset. "But if you would prefer I refrain while in your dwelling, I shall."
Seeing Eruraviel so upset, however, broke the pseudo-elf's expressionless facade in favor of a more gentle relaxation of tension. She moved instead to be by Eruraviel's side, and place her arms carefully around her from behind. "She is gone. You are not."
-
Eruraviel
"Fufufu~" Eru brightened up considerably after that. "She is!" She pointed at the brilliant, priceless gemstone embedded in her forehead. "She's in there, being punished for the rest od time!"
-
Emiya
Emiya felt heat rise in his cheeks at the sight of part of Tsumiko (and part of a version of him if he really wanted to think about it) standing at full attention.
Don't make this awkward for her, he thought.
He smiled at her, kept his eyes on her mismatched ones and said, "No, you're not dreaming, but maybe you should head to the washroom and wash your hands before we start cooking. Or do whatever girls need to do in the morning to wake up."
Yes. That was good! Give her the out to go take care of herself without being weird about it. I'm not a complete idiot, he thought with pride.
-
Emiya
Emiya felt heat rise in his cheeks at the sight of part of Tsumiko (and part of a version of him if he really wanted to think about it) standing at full attention.
Don't make this awkward for her, he thought.
He smiled at her, kept his eyes on her mismatched ones and said, "No, you're not dreaming, but maybe you should head to the washroom and wash your hands before we start cooking. Or do whatever girls need to do in the morning to wake up."
Yes. That was good! Give her the out to go take care of herself without being weird about it. I'm not a complete idiot, he thought with pride.
Tsumiko
Her cheeks immediately flushed red, and she looked away sheepishly. "Uh. Oh. Okay. Sorry." She muttered, skulking away like a guilty dog. "Sorry." She muttered before turning the corner.
-
Emiya
"Tch," Emiya hissed between his teeth as Tohsaka gave him a sloe-eyed look. The cat squirmed and Emiya let him go.
"Tsumiko," he called out, going after her.
-
Tsumiko
She turned and stopped, nervously looking up at him, rubbing her legs together and averting her gaze from his, opting to look at his forehead instead.
"Wh-what is it?"
-
Emiya
Emiya's broad shoulders slumped as he sighed.
He said, "No, I should be sorry. You know, if you're . . . involved just let me know you need a minute. Then I'll give you all the time you need."
There! I'm already a better father than the Old Man.
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko opened her mouth, took a deep brath, then closed it. She looked away from him and ran into the bathroom, closing the door as quickly as shd could without smalling it and locking herself inside.
She needed a bit to collect herself, that was all she knew.
She slammed her fist into the wall and muttered to herself quietly, laying down a bounded field so Archer couldn't eavesdrop on her.
-
Emiya
Emiya looked at Tohsaka and said, "Let's get you breakfast. And we'll wait for Tsumiko to come back down."
The cat chortled in acknowledgement, swished his tail, and began to trot to the kitchen with the former Hero of Justice in tow.
-
Amanda
"Yes, and there's some very very strong people who take it very seriously, and since you're connected to me, anything you say or do would reflect on me in turn." Then she turned to look Eru comletely.
"Why did you put her there? Isn't burning souls like that a complete waste?"
-
Amanda
"Yes, and there's some very very strong people who take it very seriously, and since you're connected to me, anything you say or do would reflect on me in turn." Then she turned to look Eru comletely.
"Why did you put her there? Isn't burning souls like that a complete waste?"
Eruraviel
"You fool. She's not being burned." She replied vehemently. "She's being punished for past transgressions while I figure out what to do with her! She's top quality! T O P Q U A L I T Y!"
She turned to face Sage, her elf-dragon pet. "What would you do with your worst enemy!"
-
Sage
Sage blinked a few times, before apparently deciding to just leave what Amanda said alone in favor for Eruraviel's question. "Devour them, then destroy their entire brood so it cannot threaten mine in return."
-
Entheo
8:00am Graveyard
Balls of white fell to the ground, clumping as it stuck to the floor. Entheo's head tilted upward, his gaze focused on that hazy pale sky. A wind blew through the graveyard and for a moment the graves obscured by the world were revealed by the wind. Two orbs of blue and red floated around his body, following his gaze.
Two weeks....
Two weeks since we were cast into this world Entheo
Meow
Entheo stopped returned his gaze to the earth, staring at the graves he couldn't even see. The people here weren't bad, but none seemed all that happy with their deaths. That wasn't a good or bad thing in of itself, but he couldn't read their gravestones without freezing his hands. Even so he bent down to observe the graves, just before the snow gathered on their cold stone, obscuring the names once more.
"Imagine living in a country where you can't even read your gravestone... These people are probably never visited by their families."
The blue orb floated next to Entheo's leg, taking the form of a ghostly cat. It purred as it's back snuggled against his leg. Sakuyomi's orb floated next to the grave, illuminating it with a faint red glow. "Everyone will forever be swallowed by the march of time. These people simply experience it much quicker."
Entheo sighed. It was so damn cold.
-
Shinji
8:AM
It's so damn cold...
As Entheo looked around in the sky, a sudden glimpse of a man caught his eye. Dressed in a red overcoat, he looked small as an ant over the roof of the big church in the graveyard. And yet, if he cared to narrow his gaze he might notice it.
He was looking right at Entheo.
-
Entheo
The red orb morphed into the full figure of Sakuyomi Gezo. The two men stared at their target, Entho's eyes tightening to make out the small dot. "He's coming..."
-
Shinji
"...Damn."
He couldn't be more than in his early twenties. Unless... Shinji grimaced, thinking about the kind of work he had to put up with. But it was honest work. He took the contract, asked no questions, and the trail led him here. Honestly... he'd much rather go to a tavern and ask for a nice bloody sausage and a warm soup.
But glancing at the guns in his hands... he figured he'd have to repay the loan eventually. So here we stand.
He locked eyes with his target.
And suddenly, kicked off the church's golden rooftop. With that motion, he brought his whole body plummeting downwards, his head headed towards the concrete with speed growing more and more intense. The pressure of the wind, the speed... it managed to get him smiling a little.
Before he flipped his body, red coat riding under him, and slammed his feet on the ground. The floor cracked, and the two men were now on an even ground. Gun on one hand, gun on the other, it was no surprise why he'd be here.
"Nice to meet you kid." No questions, no thinking, just the feel of the coin after the day was done. He lived too long to pick sides. The only side that mattered was the boy's face now facing the end of his pistol. No smile, no joy. Only an empty feeling.
"Hope you feel the same."
-
Entheo
Entheo backflipped a few feet back, his feet gracefully landing on the tip of a tombstone. The red orb had vanished, hidden inside his chest. The two spirits merged together, forming a new one that resided inside of the vessel known as Entheo. All the knowledge, power and experience of the long-dead warrior flowed into him and the next course of action was clear.
"I take it your not here for a social visit," he said, one eye closed, the other open. In his hand he held a piece of rubble he caught while flipping. "I have to say, I didn't think i'd meet anyone out in the wilderness, but I suppose everyone has their admirers."
-
Shinji
Shinji looked surprised... but cracked a small smile. It was far from the mad one of a fiend, or one filled with malice. One might call it playful, but it was more like he was trying to say something like don't die on me.
Which truth be told was pretty cold, because without hesitation he pulled the trigger to shoot straight between the eyes.
-
Entheo
The bullet was met with a rock pelted with the flick of his wrist. Already halfway between the two positions, Entheo's fingers closed, a massive guandao forming in his grip. Eyes wide and his grin wider, he lunged at the man, intent on skewering him.
-
Shinji
A sudden blur of red and death came rushing towards him, a red cannonball. And just as the bounty charged, he dashed back like a red bullet, kicking off a trail of white snow against... Perhaps I should have asked his name.
BANG BANG BANG
Trying to keep the distance, he used that wave of snow to cover a barrage of bullets, kicking off more with each step, each movement a dance followed with the pull of the trigger. Experienced, that's how his movements flowed. But there was the feeling of death to them. A brutal, honest one.
-
Entheo
Oh so one of these... he thought to himself.
Stopping only for a moment to gain his footing, Entheo rushed forward, pulling the massive weapon back. The snow blasted upwards behind him like a geyser, a whirlwind forming around the sides of his body. The bullets sailed through the snow, each one being ground to dust as Entheo spun his guangao like a fan. The sheer wind generated by the weapon shot an enormous flurry of snow directly towards the assassin.
Through the snow, Entheo's chuckle could be heard, like a child having too much fun.
-
Destoroyah, ~10:00 PM:
A demonic figure sat on the edge of an eight-story-tall building, gazing at the streets below. She was a newcomer to this city, one trying to make sense of it all. Crimson hair flowed in the wind, caressing her chitinous armor and folded wings. Her face almost scowled at the people below...
During her short time here, Destoroyah came to realize that the people here are cut from the same cloth as the small, pathetic people back home. They were insects, really. Insects that live because she allows it. Insects that will die whenever it strikes her fancy.
A manic grin overtook her scowl. She had to bite down on her thumb nail just to keep from cackling. Yes, they were insects, crawling and chittering around each other. And she is now their god...
-
Shinji
Holy...
Ice, wind, oblivion. The coldness was assailing him before the snow could gnaw at him. But Shinji was nimble. Using snow as cover, he dashed back to the side and grabbed an adjacent Grave like a ledge, hauling himself up and flipping away from the snow flurry. Close. In fact, he avoided death by only an inch.
But his gaze was focused, and using his momentum, he reloaded his weapons while trying to zigzag past and behind the graves surrounding him, using them as cover to avoid him.
Click.
-
Aruna
(http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,761.msg63071.html#msg63071)
Aruna rose to the highest building she could find. The demon was not ready to head home yet. Atop the building, she found another woman pondering just as she had planned to. Coming up from behind, she said,
"I take it you come here to think as well?"
-
Entheo
Cheeky bastard....
Finishing the movement by sliding the guandao against the concrete, Enetheo created a tidal wave of rubble and snow that towered over the graves. Shooting into the air like a firework, he held the Chinese lance behind his back, ready to strike.
-
Entheo
Cheeky bastard....
Finishing the movement by sliding the guandao against the concrete, Enetheo created a tidal wave of rubble and snow that towered over the graves. Shooting into the air like a firework, he held the Chinese lance behind his back, ready to strike.
Shinji
He gave his foe an intense look as he realized too little too late where he'd s[end all that ungodly strength next. A dash sent his feet digging and cracking through snow and dirt, just in time to hide behind one of the larger gravestones. Teeth gritting, he lowered his whole body, feeling his bones rattle and his heart pound. And yet-
The sun was shining. No, it was the glimmer of metal! A moment, that's all he had to roll out of the way of the impact, and he grabbed it with all he had. But dodging that blow, while saving him from being skewered, didn't save him from the blast of ice that would have made him stumble even further. Now, a cloud of dust and snow was covering everything.
However, the red bullet didn't relent! The blur was hurling towards the spearman, moving with the lightness of the feather, but the fierceness of the storm. Charging... towards his blind spot!
-
Entheo
With his weapon already prepared, the guandao came down like a roar of thunder, the light of the metal shining as it came down in full swing. With the full weight of the enormous blade on the red bullet, it threatened to slice it cleanly in half.
He would have to do better than that if he wanted to win this little game.
-
Shinji
The slash was cruel, merciless even. Any normal person would be cleaved in half. But what about grenades?
That was my favorite coat.
That, and a whole lot of grenades. The explosion flared up like the sun, sending burning shrapnel flying everywhere on impact. That, along with searing napalm, was hurrying towards him. And Shinji revealed himself in the back, coat-less with his shotgun pointed to the target and fired volleys of devastating bullets to keep the pressure up. The 'red bullet' was a trap, and now the hunt resumes.
-
Entheo
Shit!
Fire engulfed Entheo, smoke clinging to his body even after it flew through the cloud, landing on the headstone of the grave. Considering grenades still hurt Entheo he occasionally forgot that those weapons don't actually hurt him in this form. Seeing the barrel of the gun, Entheo brought his weapon back, spinning his weapon as he did before, all while rushing the man, intent on skewering him to bits.
-
Shinji
Left-arm, right arm, thigh, shoulder, face. Each received cuts that bled him slowly, and yet he never stopped moving.
And so he danced with death, moving like a wild beast through the blades of snow. Honestly, he was lucky. If it wasn't for it, he might not be able to react to the air slashes in time. A single mistake would cause his guts to come flying out of his body. This was the kind of handicap he was playing with. Tch.
But his friend had a little handicap of his own. He noticed it, how his strikes would avoid certain parts of the graveyard. "You're a considerate guy." He aimed and fired more blasts of his shotgun. Now they approached an area dense with gravestones. Knowing that... He dashed behind a row of them, hiding behind the structures. That monster couldn't strike as he wished here.
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Emiya
Emiya looked at Tohsaka and said, "Let's get you breakfast. And we'll wait for Tsumiko to come back down."
The cat chortled in acknowledgement, swished his tail, and began to trot to the kitchen with the former Hero of Justice in tow.
Tsumiko
It took a bit of time for her to head down. As she turned the corner, two things became obvious to him.
1: She had been crying.
2:She hadn't wanked.
She smiled weakly at him. "Hey."
-
Entheo
"This is a resting place for the fallen," he said softly, continuing to spin his blade to protect himself. "I'd rather not destroy the homes of the dead."
While there were plenty of ways to finish this fight from this distance, the fact was he did not know the extent of the man's abilities. In a situation like this, the safest way to finish this fight was to close the distance. The worst part of this fight was the longer it went on, the more likely he would be to fail to protect the graveyard.
"But if you keep this up," he rushed to the side of the row of graves, attempting to approach. "i'd be happy to give you a home."
-
Amanda
Sigh.
Then with a flick of her hand, the food was gone from the stove and and in its place a feast had appeared on the table. However...
It was nothing like the food she had been preparing all along. It was far more varied and beyond anything one person could ever hope to cook by themselves in any timely fashion.
She sat down at the table and then leaned back while putting her own feet on it. Maybe this would finally trigger the etiquette sensibilities of her fiance.
"That's such a waste Sage. Just make them work for you and you get more power out of that. Sometimes saving someone nets you far more gain than just ending them."
Her aquamarine eyes then flicked over at Eru. "Top quality huh? Give me a break. The only thing top quality about your soul gems, is the comedy of burning souls for the sake of convenience. That is quite frankly disgustingly wasteful. Why don't you learn some actually useful magic instead?"
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Shinji
"Now wouldn't that be nice." He pondered aloud, moving back a row with that same trick of kicking snow up to hide his position. He took a coin from his pocket... and flipped it. He couldn't keep evading forever, eventually, he'd get skewered. And at this rate, he'd never get a good hit in. So he had to take full advantage of the target being on fire to cloud his vision with steam...
The two blurs would keep dancing across the snow covered grave. But only one would fall today.
"Heads or tails?" A voice called out around him, but it was hard to tell where he went.
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Entheo
The two figures blurred in the snow, that hole already filling with the white clumps falling from the sky. "I'll take tails," he said, squatting down.
Entheo shot back into the air, his guandao cocked back before he launched a flurry of strikes, each one extending far beyond his body. Unlike before he did not merely aim at one spot, but at every single grave, the shockwave of each strike blasting the snow away from the grave. A miraculous thing happened. Each one of the graves had their imprints visible. Men, women, children, monster, thing: they all had their names revealed to the world, all by the passionate fury of those attacks.
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Shinji
CRASH!! CRASH!! CRASH!! CRASH!!
"...Tails it is then."
Followed by the pouring rain of blows, the very earth split and shook, sending snow and dust blowing upwards and causing the battlefield to become even blurrier by the moment. And dashing forth from behind these tombstones, Shinji glared at the source of this storm. It may not see it yet, but his eyes were filled with recognition. As someone who lived many ages, he acknowledged silently that his target was one of the most brilliant he faced.
So he ran, as fast as he could, dragging his body by his pounding steps... faster and faster, avoiding the raindrops of this downpour of death.
Only for something strange to happen.
Behind the snow clouds, a red aura was enveloping his silhouette, his frame was growing slightly larger and larger. And his muscles were beginning to show through his clothes more and more. As he ran past one of the tombs, the gun in his hands vanished.
What took its place was a massive ax, rusted and rough, but whose black edge made no mistake.
It would cleave. And ripping through the cloud of debris, he leaped to meet his opponent from the side, this time accelerating even faster than a bullet, faster than sound itself. As if some invisible force was pulling Shinji in the target's direction.
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Entheo
As expected, the man dodged again, his form blurring between the graves. His steps were silent, but the steps of the snow, the patterns he had formed, the way the falling white fell on him, it all allowed him to track him. He zig-zagged all over the graveyard, slipping through Entheo's flurry, only for him to...
Entheo pay attention!
That familiar red arua came in from the side, hard and fast like a bullet. This was different from before. It was faster. The ghost of Entheo's movements appeared behind his back as a transparent Guandao was raised to strike. A crescent moon of white cleaved through the falling snow, meeting the red mid-flight. Although, Entheo himself followed the ghost in a perfect pattern, raising his Guandao and striking along with it. And so, another moon slashed into the red orb.
"So I take it that coin toss wasn't to let me go?"
-
Shinji
His ax slammed against the spear, cracking the air with the sound of metal against metal. Surprised, he quickly spun his arm in motion, delivering an upwards slash to cut against the following strike. The lone hunter and the hunted clashed in the sky, while sparks barely floated around them due to the sheer speed of the two impacts. It wasn't time that was slowing down. They were just going even faster.
"Why don't you stick around and find out?" He grinned fully for the first time, blood dripping from his forehead. He too was starting to have fun here.
But that was just the beginning, as Shinji delivered a flurry of blows, each as strong as the last. The sky, the ground, who gives a damn. All fair game when two men want to clash blades.
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Entheo
Entheo could feel it too, the sparks surrounding them, the snow that seemed no longer able to reach their bodies, melting from the heat of their battle. For each blow of his axe, Entheo matched with another blow from his Guandao. All the while, a large figure (https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/433315794852642827/664234235451670529/dynast_ripped_guandao_great_warrior_-_by_morry_evans.png?width=273&height=325) shot forth from Entheo's body and slashed the assassin with a Guandao of his own.
"Sorry but i'm not that patient," he said, flashing his teeth with that cocky smile of his.
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Shinji
The sudden ghost caught him just as he was wide open, and as the blade slammed into his rib, his vision blacked out.
When he opened his eyes, his back was cracked straight into the church's wall, right under its tallest tower. Arms stretched to the side, his guts bloody, tangled and spilled to the side, he struggled to get out of the rock. Dammit, that hurt. His vision blurred from that, but cleared just in time to see:
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Entheo
Entheo stood over what should be the severed corpse of the would-be assassin, the blade of the guandao at his throat. Of course, it was just a formality at this point. If he was opening his eyes after an attack like that, slashing his throat would just be a painful experience.
"I have to say, I did not think i'd find a zombie out here," he said, pressing the blade further into his throat. "I probably should be skewering you some more right now, but that was a lot of fun. I'd rather not kill a man with such a gentle heart."
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Shinji
His eyes looked tired... his body felt limp. Even so, Shinji managed the guts to smile and tried to grab the lance away from his neck, gripping it. "Aren't you a nice guy."
And away from all sight, with the most imperceptible shift of his finger, the coin he tossed earlier came flying towards the target's back rib, firing through like a heroic bullet to punch into him. As if the two were attracted. However.
That was just step one.
For at the same time, a burst of blood sprayed out of his mouth, as if the cough propelled the red liquid straight into the kid's eye. Step two: An eye for an eye.
And his ax was flying through the air like a boomerang, slashing through with the speed of a bullet to get in his other free hand before his strengthening waned.
And if all worked out, this brought them to step three.
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Entheo
For a moment all was still, only the sound of the axe flying through the air. Caught off guard, the blood-splattered along with his eyes, protected only by the sudden reflex to close them. While Entheo might not have been clued into the coin coming down, Sakoyomi was. As the coin came down, Sakoyomi raised his guandao, perfectly blocking the coin on the staff part of the weapon, knowing full well it was going too fast to cut. As the axe came around, Entheo turned, the guandao already raised as the blade came down hard on the axe, sending it flying into the distance.
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Shinji
Damn, guy was good. But the ax didn't fly away as it should have. Instead, it twirled around the spear's pole and spun towards Shinji's hand like a bullet!
And gripping the spear on one hand and his own large blade in the other, he used that momentum and all the strength in his body to try and strike before that phantasm's blade would reach him.
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Entheo
The blade slipped past his own, cutting Entheo on the cheek. By the time he realized what had happened, it was already too late. The assassin had already started his assault. However, the ghost had far more time to react. Already moving back inside of its host, the blade came down like a moon to earth, ready to meet the assault with a resolve to send him to the next life.
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Shinji
The impact sent sparks flying like fireworks. His bones rattled as if under a grinder. His muscles screamed.
But it wasn't enough.
With that blow, he was pushed through the rock and slammed into the church wall, breaking through and falling straight inside. The gothic interior and stained glass artwork were sights to behold. His back facing the floor, he felt like he could stare at the ceiling forever.
But he flipped back and landed on his feet, dragged back further by the force of the impact despite his footing. His ax came flying as well... until it landed in his grip. But most shocking... despite the blood covering him, he looked completely fine now.
"A man with guts and honor! I like that." He pointed at his target and smiled genuinely. "It's a damn pity."
-
Entheo
Entheo sighed, finally able to appreciate the cold winter air. With each step, he could feel his shoes crunch against the snow. His body was so warm that he could no longer feel the cold. Rather than burst through the wall, he landed on the ground and walked through the front door. As he walked up the stairs, he placed a hand on his chin.
The door flung open, guandao behind his back as he said, "You don't seem like a bad guy yourself. But I gotta know. What did I do to piss you off? You don't seem like the type to kill a guy for no reason and you even respected those people's graves. Maybe its just your good manners, but its hard to imagine such a good house guest is a bad guy."
-
Aruna
(http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,761.msg63071.html#msg63071)
Aruna rose to the highest building she could find. The demon was not ready to head home yet. Atop the building, she found another woman pondering just as she had planned to. Coming up from behind, she said,
"I take it you come here to think as well?"
Destoroyah:
"My. My, my,my,my,my~" Destoroyah could hardly contain her mirth when she took stock of the newcomer. The other woman looked like a whore, that outfit catering to the fetishes of the disgusting men below. She was a fly that stumbled upon the spider's web.
The mahou kaiju rose to her feet, bottom pair of wings locking claws to form a dress. Slowly walking towards the stranger, Destoroyah opened her mouth, "I can't say I do," she spoke in a somewhat sing-song voice, "I just arrived here just a little bit ago~."
The mouth-like pincer on the monstrous girl's tail did a quick stretch, readying for the strike. Draining this woman to a husk, snapping it in two, and tossing the bodies down to the night-crowds below would make for a good introduction to her new reign of terror - and the extra bit of mana wouldn't hurt, either! She could use it to turn the area into an even larger crater than she was planning! "Just was up here to get the layout of the city~," Destoroyah said, putting on a faux expression of confusion, "Say, you look like you know the streets, can you show me around~?"
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Entheo
Entheo sighed, finally able to appreciate the cold winter air. With each step, he could feel his shoes crunch against the snow. His body was so warm that he could no longer feel the cold. Rather than burst through the wall, he landed on the ground and walked through the front door. As he walked up the stairs, he placed a hand on his chin.
The door flung open, guandao behind his back as he said, "You don't seem like a bad guy yourself. But I gotta know. What did I do to piss you off? You don't seem like the type to kill a guy for no reason and you even respected those people's graves. Maybe its just your good manners, but its hard to imagine such a good house guest is a bad guy."
"Me, pissed off? I'm having the time of my life here!" he spread his arms out and scowled ironically.
"I come here told there's a monster hunting the graveyards. Some 'demonic god of war' scaring kids away. Good grief, some people have too much imagination."
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Shinji
"Me? No way, I'm having a blast." He spread his arms out and took a few steps forward.
"Came all this way to chase off some monstruous demon, a god of war and death... Good grief, people have too much imagination nowadays."
-
Entheo
Entheo looked around the room, taking in his surroundings. It was impossible not to consider the world when fighting someone like this assassin. "Well i'm glad its not just me," he said, tilting his head as he flashed the man a smile. "But god, demon, monster? I have no idea where you got that from!"
10pm one week prior
A boy and his mother wandered onto the pine garden graveyard. A thick fog covered the dorm for the dead thanks to a rainstorm the day before. A chill crawled across both of their bodies as they approached the center where their father had been laid to rest. Strangely enough, there was a young man who was talking to nothing, while bent down petting nothing.
"He's a nice cat right? I like to think he looks prettier dead."
The boy pointed. "Mommy," he said, looking up at his mother with a curious glance. "Who is he talking to?"
The woman shook her head. "He's probably striken with grief Jimmy. I've seen it happen all the time. That is why we come here, so we don't lose ourselves to grief like that man. I wish you could have met your father, so brave and handsome..."
The young man looked back at the mother and frowned. "Thats not her right? Wait you want me to tell her now? Dude you can pass on withou- alright."
The young man approached the mother and said, "Your husband wants you to know that he cheated on you 42 times before you were married, never actually had a job and supported your family through his suger mamma. Oh wait, I mean affair."
"You monster! You demon! How dare you! How could you even know my husband! He's DEAD! He died while you were probably still in middle school!"
Finally realizing what may have happened, Entheo laughed and said, "Well its probably a lot more malice than information. People take their life a little too seriously you know? That being said, i'd rather not kill a guy for no reason."
-
Aruna
Aruna's mouth stretched into a devilish grin as the woman made her flamboyant introduction. She could practically see her natural bloodlust as she made her stretches. Yes, this was familiar territory, monsters that simply wanted to carve their place in a world of humans. Although, she seemed more like the demons of old than the more modern incarnations. Perhaps there was some time travel involved? Although, it is possible she was merely a traditionalist.
The sound of her enlarged bicycle sized wings flapping in the wind was all that could be heard for the few seconds it took her to think. "Well I do come here to hunt when I am feeling down," she responded. "The privileged humans tend to scream and beg more than the poorer ones. Besides, the ones here have souls so rotten you tend to feel less bad when you find out you gave them PTSD."
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Shinji
He smiled and shook his head. "...Yeah, about that, you're stil 10 000 years too early to try kiddo."
He took seven more steps forward, surrounded by the colors and lit candles of this gothic house of preachers.
The great crucifix on the wall almost loomed over him, as if the Christ itself was looking down on him. As if he was being judged for his sin.
But oh well... All gods he met in past eras were the same. Besides, he was too rotten of a bastard to come begging for forgiveness.
"Besides, It's bad for business if I just quit. So what about it? What's your name?"
-
Entheo
Entheo cracked his neck. "Oh well thats a relief," he said, rolling his head around his neck. A series of cracks followed. "If our fight ends without a single grave damaged, i'll tell you my name."
Those icy blue eyes sharpened. "If you damage one, your probably not worth telling my name to."
As he stepped into the house of the monotheistic god, all he could think of was that blasted tournament. Those eyes that prayed on him like fresh meat, that aura that oppressed every battle he fought. Strange, all that pain and the thought still brought a chuckle forth from his lips. Then again, thats what it means to have fun.
"Either way, I don't need to hold back."
-
Tsumiko
It took a bit of time for her to head down. As she turned the corner, two things became obvious to him.
1: She had been crying.
2:She hadn't wanked.
She smiled weakly at him. "Hey."
Emiya
Emiya had been searching his larder to figure out what Tsumiko and he could make for breakfast. He favored Japanese foods, but Sakura was great at Western cooking. Tsumiko seemed to have talents from the sum of her parts.
Which meant she may be a better cook than me, he thought with a frown.
He was the chef of Chaelda! An altered version of Saber stalked him just for [/i]food[/i]. If there was anything he could pride himself on, it was his mastery in the kitchen.
He finally heard foot steps approaching and turned to smile at Tsumiko when he noticed her eyes were red from crying.
And she still had a . . . rigid reaction.
He frowned and said, "Tsumiko?"
-
Tsumiko
It took a bit of time for her to head down. As she turned the corner, two things became obvious to him.
1: She had been crying.
2:She hadn't wanked.
She smiled weakly at him. "Hey."
Emiya
Emiya had been searching his larder to figure out what Tsumiko and he could make for breakfast. He favored Japanese foods, but Sakura was great at Western cooking. Tsumiko seemed to have talents from the sum of her parts.
Which meant she may be a better cook than me, he thought with a frown.
He was the chef of Chaelda! An altered version of Saber stalked him just for [/i]food[/i]. If there was anything he could pride himself on, it was his mastery in the kitchen.
He finally heard foot steps approaching and turned to smile at Tsumiko when he noticed her eyes were red from crying.
And she still had a . . . rigid reaction.
He frowned and said, "Tsumiko?"
Tsumiko
"Y-yes?" She asked quietly, staring away from her surrogate father.
Looking at him felt too awkward.
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and asked, "What's wrong?"
He held up his hand and said, "And please don't say nothing. I know what someone looks like when they've been crying. I need to know if I'm to help."
-
Emiya
Emiya sighed and asked, "What's wrong?"
He held up his hand and said, "And please don't say nothing. I know what someone looks like when they've been crying. I need to know if I'm to help."
Tsumiko
Tsumiko still refused to meet his eyes when she relied "Nothing. Don't worry about it. I was just washing my face, not crying."
-
Emiya
Emiya gnashed his teeth together and said, "Yare yare. I didn't think you'd live up to the meaning of your name, Tsumiko."
-
Tsumiko
She walked quickly towards the pile of ingredients that Archer had laid out and began washing her hands. "What are we making?"
-
Emiya
Damn, she's deflecting, he thought with a frown as she walked over to the ingredients he admittedly haphazardly laid out.
Emiya answered, "I haven't decided yet. I was just seeing what I had. I'm also torn between a traditional Japanese breakfast or a Western one."
-
Emiya
Damn, she's deflecting, he thought with a frown as she walked over to the ingredients he admittedly haphazardly laid out.
Emiya answered, "I haven't decided yet. I was just seeing what I had. I'm also torn between a traditional Japanese breakfast or a Western one."
Tsumiko
Tsumiko blinked. "I don't know much about Japan. It's a wasteland where no life can live." She seemed to sadden at the mention of that tidbit. "What's its food like?"
-
Emiya
Emiya frowned at Tsumiko's words about his homeland. Even though he had traveled extensively, he still considered Japan his home. So how badly did they fuck it up? he thought distantly.
He mentally shook himself and grinned. "The best. Let me show you."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel's normally purple eyes suddenly turned blood red, and both sage and Amanda could feel their souls being violated by her eyes. The air itself got thicker and more difficult to breathe, and the palm of Eru's hand crackled with evocative magic.
"Excuse me? Are you making light of me, Amanda?"
The elf in the fetish maid outfit began to gather her power.
-
Entheo
Entheo cracked his neck. "Oh well thats a relief," he said, rolling his head around his neck. A series of cracks followed. "If our fight ends without a single grave damaged, i'll tell you my name."
Those icy blue eyes sharpened. "If you damage one, your probably not worth telling my name to."
As he stepped into the house of the monotheistic god, all he could think of was that blasted tournament. Those eyes that prayed on him like fresh meat, that aura that oppressed every battle he fought. Strange, all that pain and the thought still brought a chuckle forth from his lips. Then again, thats what it means to have fun.
"Either way, I don't need to hold back."
Shinji
Shinji smirked, and a cool aura came swooping over the boy. He raised his arm in provocation-
"I was hoping you'd say that."
-and flicked two fingers back towards him, as if to taunt the kid. Like he was telling him to come over.
And so, one of the massive tombstones had already reached an inch away from Entheo, as if pulled somehow... plummeting straight towards the floor next to Shinji. At that speed, it'd become dust!
-
Entheo
Bastard.
There was no time to think, no option to dodge. That ghostly figure once again emerged from Entheo's body intent on catching the grave with both hands. Meanwhile, Entheo rushed towards the assassin, raising his guandao to prepare an attack.
-
Shinji
Shinji jumped back and kicked one of the church benches towards the kid. Meanwhile, another gravestone tore off the ground and spun like a boomerang, coming from the side towards the church! Only the ghost could stop it in time, and considering how many there were, this should keep him busy for a while.
"What's wrong kid, weren't you having fun?" He taunted him but didn't smile. Because now it was his turn to have fun.
-
Entheo
The second the ghostly figure caught one, another flew. The ghost placed one on the ground and prepared to catch the other.
"What you think being at a disadvantage means i'm not having fun?" he asked. "Real fun..."
Now within range, Entheo unleashed a flurry of guandao strikes intended to end a lesser man. If the man did not move, he would find himself completely skewered by the weapon. "Comes from moments of suffering and joy!"
-
Shinji
Oh really. Shinji cursed. Putting all he had here, he could still only delay for now. Damn it! He's good. His body was still dancing in a storm of attacks, each capable of killing an elephant outright in one stroke. His eyes were practically darting around as he flowed with his partner all across the interior of the church, moving left, right and from corner to corner avoiding the deadly swings, staying in his opponent's direct range without ever advancing further.
Try as he might, he couldn't go back or forward, only dodge one strike at a time.
And every passing moment, more cuts started to appear on his body, until it looked like it had gone through a skin shredder. Damn, if he had to choose between going in one stroke or a thousand cuts, he'd prefer the one stroke. But everything depended on this moment. For you see...
"Would you say the same thing... to a grave robber like me?"
And in his voice, there was a certain weight that cut like a blade. He wasn't lying. Moving away from the thrusts and slashes, he showed his true colors and grinned like he was mocking the boy.
"Places like these, they're practically goldmines. Wonder how much I'll make selling off all the junk here."
-
Entheo
Entheo's face became more grave, his eyes obscured by shadow. Farther and further back he advanced, using his pressure to push him towards the wall. Strangley enough, the assassin seemed conscious of this. If Entheo lunged left, the assassin would follow. If he strode right, he would follow.
"So then, what do you do with the money?" he asked. As he spoke, the church floors began to crack. Everything aside from the graves inside seemed to be etched with spider web like crack.
-
Shinji
"Who knows? Maybe I'll get myself a pizza and a strawberry sundae while a charming lady gives me a foot massage." He stroked his chin and dashed to the left, avoiding the strike by a hair's breadth, nearly losing his eye in the process. Crap, not good. The footing was poor, but he could still manage. A spurt of blood splashed from his shoulder though, deeper than he'd preferred... and he dropped his ax, the pain loosening his hold seemingly.
Every time the kid struck, it looked like his head was getting closer and closer to getting the special split-from-the-body treatment.
"I hear they're going to dig over this whole spot. Something about a restoration project to build a casino. Who knows? Might just try my luck."
Almost there...
-
Entheo
"Well I guess you can have you fun," he said, somehow striking even faster than usual. It was astounding how the assassin seemed to avoid getting pinned. It almost felt like he preferred taking hits to losing maneuverability.
The ground shattered, debris flying everywhere. All that remained were the two fighters, standing on the last remaining platform. At last, the shroud covering those deep blue eyes had vanished, revealing a face grimacing with annoyance. "But you realize I have to ruin your fun now right?"
Finishing his flurry, he rushed forward, creating a circle with the horizontal arc of his gundao. "A man who tramples over another's fun can't be mad when someone else does the same."
-
Shinji
Just as he raised his foot and it looked like he'd dodge again, something cold and hard smacked against his back. He was cornered. And almost as if to punish him, a slash was coming with savage power to cleave him in half.
"Your life's gonna suck if you believe everything a schmuck tells you."
And without warning, his muscles grew three times their size and nearly snapped his bones, right as he smashed his foot on the weapon's pole even faster than ever and dug it into the ground. Instinct. He wouldn't try to fight a master among masters like this guy on their own terms normally. So he had to get him mad, get him cocky, and hope he'd overextend. A gamble through and through.
"Maybe I should quit this whole bounty hunter thing and become an actor." He grinned despite bleeding all over, now a whole foot larger in size, and his muscles tensed and screamed for release. Ready to pummel that bastard into the dirt.
Focused as he was, he wasn't able to pull any more graves to keep the other spirit distracted. He might have a few moments at best, maybe even less if he wasn't so nice as to put them back where they belonged.
-
Entheo
At the assassin's words he chuckled. "Oh really?"
Entheo's eyes widened as he felt his arms being yanked towards the ground. In the seconds between seconds he had to take in the man's monstrous form, he chose to let go of his Guandao, instead conjuring two swords in either hand. Two arcs crossed the assassin's large chest, forming an X on his new muscular body, at least if the man failed to react in time.
There was no time to block. Sakuyomi Gezo's experience told him that much.
"What are you talking about this is great! Its like a plot twist in a movie! Show me your true heart grave robber!"
-
Aruna
Aruna's mouth stretched into a devilish grin as the woman made her flamboyant introduction. She could practically see her natural bloodlust as she made her stretches. Yes, this was familiar territory, monsters that simply wanted to carve their place in a world of humans. Although, she seemed more like the demons of old than the more modern incarnations. Perhaps there was some time travel involved? Although, it is possible she was merely a traditionalist.
The sound of her enlarged bicycle sized wings flapping in the wind was all that could be heard for the few seconds it took her to think. "Well I do come here to hunt when I am feeling down," she responded. "The privileged humans tend to scream and beg more than the poorer ones. Besides, the ones here have souls so rotten you tend to feel less bad when you find out you gave them PTSD."
Destoroyah:
"My, my, my~" Destoroyah looked at the stranger with new respect in her eyes, "I misjudged you, stranger~. Allow me to introduce myself-"
The Mahou Kaiju did a half bow, neither breaking eye contact or losing the smile, "My name is Destoroyah. How about we go and have ... Ladies' Night Out~?"
-
Entheo
At the assassin's words he chuckled. "Oh really?"
Entheo's eyes widened as he felt his arms being yanked towards the ground. In the seconds between seconds he had to take in the man's monstrous form, he chose to let go of his Guandao, instead conjuring two swords in either hand. Two arcs crossed the assassin's large chest, forming an X on his new muscular body, at least if the man failed to react in time.
There was no time to block. Sakuyomi Gezo's experience told him that much.
"What are you talking about this is great! Its like a plot twist in a movie! Show me your true heart grave robber!"
Shinji
Two crescent moons cleaved inside his chest, spilling blood like fountains and exposing his heart. His eyes widened in shock, blood splashed from his mouth with the familiar metallic taste. But he didn't relent.
"ORA!"
Three impacts slammed against Entheo's face, rippling against his skin, muscle, and bone. It was like a machinegun, the fists struck like iron. Arms now cocked back, his muscles were rippling and tightening like a vice, it looked absolutely agonizing like cramps bulging and flowing into one another. And his arms begging for release were unleashed in a storm of blows.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORAAAAAA!!"
-
Entheo
Once again Entheo's eyes widened as his blades slid across the assassin's chest, not that he was shocked at his durability, but rather his valor. A grave robber and a dirty fighter standing his ground? It evoked Tokiyomi's experience fighting in bare-fisted brawls with soldiers and Entheo's experience fighting on the street. It was rare to find someone like this to battle.
A shockwave erupted from Entheo's face as the assassin's fist crashed into it. Although his face was pushed back, he did not waver. Eyes sharp with a desire to return his blow, the second he raised his fist, he was slammed with another round of blows. Chest, abs, face, arms, shoulders, legs: the wave of fists struck against his skin with the furry of a cornered rat fully prepared to kill a cat.
"No!" he grunted.
Tightening his fist, he endured the blows, focusing all of his concentration on his technique. Legs firm, arm pulled back, eyes closed, all while taking the full furry of blows to his body. The bruises were turning into weakpoints as he struck them once again. It was starting to sting. In that moment, the fist shot forth like a rocket, blasting straight into the skull of the assassin.
-
Aruna
Aruna giggled and said, "Sure sure. I can show you a hunting spot. What do you eat Destroyah? I live off of human souls but I know not all creatures share the same diet."
-
Shinji
He kept punching, again and again, and again, surrounded by a red aura. Each passing moment, each strike caused it to wane, his muscles to recede... and eventually, the sound of breaking bones kept pounding again and again and again. Were his strikes starting to truly damage that monster?
No.
Each following impact, his hands were shattering. His fingers cracked, snapped, and melded with one another. His hands split, ground up and welded shut. It looked like he was striking with nothing but bloody stumps, his arms, and body receiving a great shock with each passing strike.
But none of it, none of it, could prepare him for the following impact. A strike plummeted on his face, its strength and precision like a wrecking ball's... the side of his skull smashed and exposed open... his red aura and strengthening gone from his body, now back to its original size...
But he didn't relent.
The red aura shot out of his body again, his muscles screamed, the sound of shattered bones filled the air again, and with eyes glowing like red flashlights, he dragged his face against the brat's arm, despite his head being smashed, and grabbed his face with his bloody digits, his grip tight as a vice.
"ORAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" He used all the strength in his body to run forwards and drag the kid along, intending to smash his head on the opposite wall of the church.
-
Emiya
Emiya frowned at Tsumiko's words about his homeland. Even though he had traveled extensively, he still considered Japan his home. So how badly did they fuck it up? he thought distantly.
He mentally shook himself and grinned. "The best. Let me show you."
Tsumiko
"Ok!" She cheerfully said, showing off her ability at hiding her negative emotions and how much she took from Sakura. "Let's get started then!" She projected a sharp, stainless steel knife as well as a cutting board. "What are we making?"
-
Emiya
Emiya plugged in his rice cooker and said, "Well, every good breakfast must have rice. Oyakodon sounds like a good idea with a bowl of miso. That way you get protein but it's still light enough on your stomach."
He folded his arms across his chest and frowned. "Should we have green tea or black tea?"
-
Emiya
Emiya plugged in his rice cooker and said, "Well, every good breakfast must have rice. Oyakodon sounds like a good idea with a bowl of miso. That way you get protein but it's still light enough on your stomach."
He folded his arms across his chest and frowned. "Should we have green tea or black tea?"
Tsumiko
Tsumiko blinked. "Huh? Different types of tea?"
She cocked her head and frowned. "When I cook, it's fun, but it feels like I'm just following along with my instincts, if that makes sense? I don't actually know why I'm so good at it." She scratched her chin and frowned.
-
Emiya
Emiya grinned at Tsumiko's words and said, "Oh there are many different types of teas."
He walked over to his pantry and threw it open. "I have Green, Matcha, Green with Mint, Black Tea, English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, Constant Commit, several herbals, barley tea, and Liver Disaster."
He rubbed his chin and said, "Barley tea is better when it's hot outside because it's good iced."
He shook his head and said, "Of course you're good at cooking, it's a huge part of what makes you."
-
Emiya
Emiya grinned at Tsumiko's words and said, "Oh there are many different types of teas."
He walked over to his pantry and threw it open. "I have Green, Matcha, Green with Mint, Black Tea, English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, Constant Commit, several herbals, barley tea, and Liver Disaster."
He rubbed his chin and said, "Barley tea is better when it's hot outside because it's good iced."
He shook his head and said, "Of course you're good at cooking, it's a huge part of what makes you."
Tsumiko
The girl looked a bit perplexed and disturbed. "Huh..." She muttered, biting her lower lip.
Why was that last phrase nagging her so much?
-
Emiya
Emiya inwardly cringed at his careless words.
Instead he said, "So, which tea would you like to try? I think you might like one of the Western teas actually."
-
Shinji
He kept punching, again and again, and again, surrounded by a red aura. Each passing moment, each strike caused it to wane, his muscles to recede... and eventually, the sound of breaking bones kept pounding again and again and again. Were his strikes starting to truly damage that monster?
No.
Each following impact, his hands were shattering. His fingers cracked, snapped, and melded with one another. His hands split, ground up and welded shut. It looked like he was striking with nothing but bloody stumps, his arms, and body receiving a great shock with each passing strike.
But none of it, none of it, could prepare him for the following impact. A strike plummeted on his face, its strength and precision like a wrecking ball's... the side of his skull smashed and exposed open... his red aura and strengthening gone from his body, now back to its original size...
But he didn't relent.
The red aura shot out of his body again, his muscles screamed, the sound of shattered bones filled the air again, and with eyes glowing like red flashlights, he dragged his face against the brat's arm, despite his head being smashed, and grabbed his face with his bloody digits, his grip tight as a vice.
"ORAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" He used all the strength in his body to run forwards and drag the kid along, intending to smash his head on the opposite wall of the church.
Entheo
Entheo could feel his fist slam into the man's skull. That felt right. However, for the third time, Entheo's eyes widened as he felt the assassin's fingers wrap around his head, his vision obscured by the man's palm. Dragged along the concrete walls, felt the burn of his skin being worn down.
Meanwhile, the ghost emerged from his body in the form of Sakuyomi Gezo (https://i.imgur.com/vXu2wfS.png). The large muscular old man's transparent hand attempted to grab the man's face, attempting to slam him into the ground. An eye for any eye, because he spit blood in Entheo's face.
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel's normally purple eyes suddenly turned blood red, and both sage and Amanda could feel their souls being violated by her eyes. The air itself got thicker and more difficult to breathe, and the palm of Eru's hand crackled with evocative magic.
"Excuse me? Are you making light of me, Amanda?"
The elf in the fetish maid outfit began to gather her power.
Sage
Sage had been watching with a fierce intensity as the human, Amanda, escalated her criticisms to the level of unvarnished insult. It was not the human this dragon observed though, but rather Eruraviel. Her eyes were fierce, piercing, and she only looked away when her elven baby father rose to the challenge with all the malevolent might at her disposal.
Her elven form's face grew red and warm in anticipation.
-
Aruna
Aruna giggled and said, "Sure sure. I can show you a hunting spot. What do you eat Destroyah? I live off of human souls but I know not all creatures share the same diet."
Destoroyah:
"I, personally, drain the lifeforce~. They become all shriveled and scrawny after being sucked dry." The teenage psychopath explained, smile taking on a more...expressive turn.
A split second later her smile returned to normal, "Now~, now~, let's go have some fun!"
-
Shinji
The impact slammed on his face, so the phantasm was already back and shoving him straight into the ground. The blow was immense, so much that the glassshattered, sending beads of multicolored light flying all over as the precious window's artwork broke along with the ground.
Only to reveal the ax spinning towards Entheo, which was flying back towards Shinji when he first dropped it... only for him to be downed so the kid would take the hit and not Shinji. Another trap.
-
Aruna
"Life force huh?" Aruna mused. She really did sound like she was one of the old-timey demons, especially if she had such a blatant show of dominance. The new age demon felt her heart sink as she lamented that lost lust for blood. Although, there was a reason they did not engage in such behavior anymore.
Brown walls were illuminated by cozy lamps, decorated with a lavash counter top. A single man stood behind the counter, trying his hardest to stifle his frown. Three men huddled around a table. One rested their head on the table while the other two fumbled with some cards. The bartender tried his best not to look annoyed at the three men. He was pretty sure they were driving away customers. Ever since they came here, the place had been hallowed out. If only they could go away somehow......
Meanwhile, Aruna and Destroyah stood on the top of the roof. "Now heres the plan," she said. "I shall cast a spell to open several portals. You can go through the portal, land on one of them then BAM!"
-
Entheo
The ghost of Gezo, raised his arm back, slamming his meaty fist into the assassin's face, beating him like one would a punching bag. Entheo reached out and caught the axe with his free hand, all while delivering a kick to the assassin's side. Entheo's arm synchronized with Gezo's body, his arm coming back and forward with the ancient warrior until they were completely overlaid. All the while, Gezo's other arm continued to slam into the assassin's body, even though Entheo's hand still held the axe.
"Its over," he said, delivering a slash intended to slice cleanly through the assassin's throat.
-
Shinji
The earth shook like an earthquake suddenly assailed it. He just kept taking blow after blow after blow, his face barely resembled a face and his ribs cracked all over. He was getting absolutely demolished.
Yare yare daze, this brat's fist is too soft. I can barely feel this shit. Oh wait, it must be blood loss. Oh boy.
And just when he got tired of it, a glimmer shone in his eye. The moment the kid gripped the ax, the whole game board flipped. No... Gezo did!
Shinji's now thick legs had snapped into motion and wrapped around the ghost's arm that was grabbing him. With all the strength of his body, he flipped the warrior over him and reversed their positions completely, pinning his arm in a deadlock using his legs. At the same time, the ax the kid was so confident gripping immediately moved without warning, spinning out of control with ungodly speed and hurling the kid along the ride, pulling him straight into Shinji.
-
Entheo
The second Entheo grabbed the axe, Gezo's voice rang in his mind. No you fool! The guandao! Use it!
Flying through the air, the warrior let his hands fall limp, giving into the flow of battle. The guandao appeared in his hands, digging into the concrete floor. Using the momentum Entheo spun around the pole, roundhouse kicking the assassin in the face. Meanwhile, Gezo's form moved towards Entheo, eventually fading as it came closer to his body.
-
Shinji
CRACK
He expected the kid to come straight to him so he could pin him a chokehold. Instead, he barely registered the blur that sent a roundhouse kick slamming straight in his face. The impact fully smashed his face sending him sprawling back like a bloody ragdoll.
And yet, it wouldn't relent.
His body flipped and his feet and fingers were digging against the church floor. He was literally bleeding all over, on all fours more like an animal than a man... and yet the most horrific part was the fact his head and neck were completely dislocated, facing back 180 degrees.
Until it snapped back to face the brat, revealing not a man but a bloody lump of muscle and white bone... and his bleeding skull glaring right at Entheo with an expression that couldn't be described inbetween rage and joy. Or maybe it wasn't an expression, because it was a skul and skulls can't emote.
"Not bad kid. Wonder if you'll be able to do me in." The axe flew straight into his hand and he smashed it on the ground.
"But if you lower your guard, you'll be in a world of pain."
After all, this was just business as usual.
-
Entheo
In direct contrast, Entheo landed gracefully on the ground, dusting himself off. The guandao behind him vanished and reappeared within his hands. Another close call...
We need to keep our stance low this time. We cannot worry about predicting his strikes... We both remember all the street fights I have been through, its all about a slight of hand.
Screw that, we are doing it my way now.
"A world of pain huh?" Entheo said, cracking his neck. "Honestly i'm already hurting, what with the blood stinging my eyes. If your looking to die, sorry but I like you a little too much. I'll be happy to chop you up for all the trouble you've caused though."
My experience won't be able to save you this time.
Well sometimes I don't want your experince, sometimes I just want you. Back me up.
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel's normally purple eyes suddenly turned blood red, and both sage and Amanda could feel their souls being violated by her eyes. The air itself got thicker and more difficult to breathe, and the palm of Eru's hand crackled with evocative magic.
"Excuse me? Are you making light of me, Amanda?"
The elf in the fetish maid outfit began to gather her power.
Sage
Sage had been watching with a fierce intensity as the human, Amanda, escalated her criticisms to the level of unvarnished insult. It was not the human this dragon observed though, but rather Eruraviel. Her eyes were fierce, piercing, and she only looked away when her elven baby father rose to the challenge with all the malevolent might at her disposal.
Her elven form's face grew red and warm in anticipation.
Amanda
"I'm not making light of you. I'm mocking whatever fool designed a magic system that requires that requires something so disgustingly wasteful just for a cast time boost. You're not much different from a drug addict, utterly dependent on that source." She stopped briefly to take a deep breathe and then leaned back further on her chair. Utterly unfazed by the soul wrecking gaze, why wouldn't she be? Her soul wasn't even present in this room.
"It's what stops you from achieving your true potential. Why aren't you just telling the Mana to get bent, that your its master. All those formulas are...the most ridiculous and needlessly complex thing I've seen and quite frankly I think whoever was responsible is trolling you....." She fixated her on gaze on her delightful maid, taking every sinful curve with unabashed glee. "But we can fix that now and let you attain your rightful place."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel began to glow with arcane power. "That fool you speak of is me, so hold your tongue, Amanda. Choose your words more diplomatically. Why wouldn't I want to burn souls, they're an unlimited renewable resource that's incredibly easy to replenish. Malleable, and great power held within them-"
She raised her hand, and a tiny wisp of energy formed in her hand, she stared down at it lovingly. "And so much fun to play with." She clenched her fist, and the soul of a normal human was instantly destroyed, bolstering her life-force. She stared at her wife to be, and smiled. "Of course, it isn't without its flaws. I wish to unite our disciplines, and shore up each other's weaknesses with this marriage so I can reach new heights with the first human in six-hundred years who I truly care about."
-
Sage
The dragon's elfin features lost much of their intensity, the disappointment obvious in her eyes as Eruraviel's response began to play out. But she didn't say anything else yet, didn't move from her position.
-
Shinji
He looked up to the strange kid, he really did. So his next comment was nothing more than genuine.
"Godspeed."
A sudden gust of wind broke off from where he stood. Arms crossed to his shoulders as his back was arched, he looked down straight at Entheo from directly above him... and flicked his finger up.
A piece of rubble came spiralling upwards, straight towards Entheo's face at heroic strength and speed.
-
Entheo
Entheo's eyes widened as he realized what the assasin was doing a little too late. Entheo tried to step back, but his chin was smacked by the rubble, forcing him to look up at the assassin.
Your way huh?
I'm telling you i've got a plan.
Gripping the Guandao, he tossed the weapon as hard as he could at the assassin, intent on returning the favor.
-
Shinji
The lance hurled through like a bullet, but only managed to impact into the ceiling, cracking the roof above. Shinji was one step ahead, flying towards the church's massive crucifix with a force that boomed past the limits of sound itself. His feet smashed into the statues' face, and his hand tapped its shoulder. "Sorry pal."
Of course, that force caused the large crucifix to tear off the church wall, dragging down the wall like what could only be described as a surfboard he was riding.
-
Entheo
And whats your plan for that?
Instead of bothering to dodge, Entheo shot forward, zipping under the cross, just as it landed on the ground. The guandao disappeared from the ceiling and reappeared in his hands, only to be lobbed once again at the assassin.
Wing it.
-
Shinji
"Come on kid." There was clear disappointment in his tone, unsurprisingly he swayed his body to the side at the last second and avoided the throw entirely.
"You've got more guts than that!" Using the momentum that dragged his body to the wall behind him, he dragged the crucifix along to smash it on the kid's face. As it dragged along, it wrecked the church floor even worse than when they were duking it out earlier.
-
Entheo
You'll only delay things by dodging.
As the man swayed his body to one side, Entheo ran to flank the other. A sword formed in Entheo's hand, slamming the blade into the ground right under the crucifix, forcing the thing to bounce off of it like a bump. With bits of the cross exploding everywhere, he delivered a front kick aimed at the assassin's abdomen.
Come on have a little faith, we are in a place of worship.
-
Shinji
Whoa!
The cross splintered all over, leaving only half intact from the impact. He removed his pull towards the wall, and instead dragged himself along the cross's momentum. This threw off the kick, which would have followed where he was flying off to and smashed his heart otherwise.
Instead, the half cross smashed on the ground with Shinji at its helm, while the kid's kick grazed him and sent the boy up to the ceiling.
He ripped something from his stomach, and revealed another set of twin guns which he proceeded to fire at the ceiling over and over!
-
Amanda
Why wouldn't you burn a soul.... Pftttt ahahahahha....Excuse me but If you said that in the Citadel of Sorcery you'd get laughed out of every guild. Why would you ever burn a soul for cheap power boost when permanence exists. You can easily achieve similar results without wasting it, and on top of that you can stack the effects as far as you like."
Amanda caught herself and the table and tried calming down. These theories Eru threw around were completely wild. But of course the Elf was a newcome, and this place had the fortune of drawing on the knowledge of countless worlds for ages.
"The only really downside of this, is of course the part where someone murders you for trying to achieve godhood so blatantly."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel's rage smoldered, unbridiled and fierce inside her bosom. She was deeply disappointed with Amanda, especially after being so paitent with her. She'd given her a chance to apologize and mend the bridge she's so savagely burned, but now was the time to strike back.
"Even your jokes have a limit, the same as my paitence, Amanda. Hold your tongue, and apologize for such flagrant disrespect to my noble discipline. I will not tolerate such nonsense for any longer. I am your equal, and if I am not shown the respect I deserve, this endeavor of ours is over."
She glowered at Amanda, her red eyes shining with malice and displeasure. She tapped her heel impatiently, waiting for Amanda's responce.
-
Entheo
The sound of cloths tearing filled the air. Entheo turned around, already realizing he was wide open. Look out!
Sakuyomi Gezo's ghost emerged from Entheo's body, Gundao in hand. Spinning the weapon, he deflected the bullets, all while Entheo landed on the ground behind him, shielded by his friend's body. Gezo slowly walked forward, Entheo hiding in the shadow of the beefy frame of the long-dead warrior.
Glad to see you've got my back.
The voice of the ancient warrior merely grunted in his head as a response.
-
Shinji
...Out of bullets.
He didn't even notice how heavy his breath got. These were probably the toughest cookies he tried biting in two. This was getting out of hand... now there were two of them.
But even so, he aimed his empty guns at the warrior, standing still as a statue while it slowly walked towards him. A bead of sweat dripped down his forehead. Even his aim was starting to get shakey. But he still managed to stare right at his opponent. Despite all the underhanded tactics, both of them could feel it.
Deep down, there was a noble shred of good in their hearts. Maybe that's why they couldn't get along.
Something round and hard dropped from inside his pants, and he kicked it straight towards the duo.
Another grenade.
-
Aruna
"Life force huh?" Aruna mused. She really did sound like she was one of the old-timey demons, especially if she had such a blatant show of dominance. The new age demon felt her heart sink as she lamented that lost lust for blood. Although, there was a reason they did not engage in such behavior anymore.
Brown walls were illuminated by cozy lamps, decorated with a lavash counter top. A single man stood behind the counter, trying his hardest to stifle his frown. Three men huddled around a table. One rested their head on the table while the other two fumbled with some cards. The bartender tried his best not to look annoyed at the three men. He was pretty sure they were driving away customers. Ever since they came here, the place had been hallowed out. If only they could go away somehow......
Meanwhile, Aruna and Destroyah stood on the top of the roof. "Now heres the plan," she said. "I shall cast a spell to open several portals. You can go through the portal, land on one of them then BAM!"
Destoroyah:
"Ooh~?" The smile never left Destoroyah's lips.
She didn't trust her new found meal companion as far as she could throw her - and that is far. But she certainly wasn't a fellow Mahou Kaiju, and that places the skimpily-dressed horned woman below her. Well, the other Mahou Kaiju were also below her, but that's beside the point - this woman could do nothing to her. Even if the portal dropped her into the abyss, Destoroyah would claw her way back out and rip her apart. "This is going to be so much fun~!" The redhead exclaimed, a dangerous glint taking form in her eyes, "Let's do it~"
-
Entheo
Taking cover behind his beefy guardian, Entheo was able to see the big hardball form in the assassin's pants. Gezo's guandao spun faster, slicing the bullets in two rather than merely deflecting them. Is he getting off to this....?
But it was a grenade.
Oh thank god. I mean Sakuyomi a grenade!
Sakuyomi simply attempted to kick the granade back, all while Entheo bent his knees, preparing for something.
-
Shinji
Shinji sighed, closed his eyes and flicked his finger back towards him, and just as the ghost's foot was about to smash into the grenade and throw it back at him, it pulled back ten centimeters away from the ghost and its blow... and stopped it midair, as if its momentum just vanished.
Thus it burst, releasing a deafening noise and a blinding blast of pure light.
And Shinji was gone.
-
Entheo
"Oh shit... what now?" Entheo asked aloud, stopping his jump.
It seems he vanished.
The two took a defensive stance, Entheo's back to Sakuyomi's, both of their guandao's were held at the ready, prepared for an assault in any direction. Where Entheo looked right, Sakuyomi looked left.
So i'm betting he strikes from the bottom....
Do not play so much Entheo. This one is slippery.
So your getting the top then?
Yes I say he will emerge from the ceiling.
-
Shinji
"Yare yare daze..."
The two were half right, Shinji was above. More precisely, he was resting his wounded body on top of the roof, just relaxing with his arms behind his back and feet above the other. He wondered how long it'd take them to figure that out.
...Probably awhile. He'd let them simmer in their alert guard for a while.
-
Entheo
The two stood on alert guard, staring into each inch of the ruined church. Perhaps he was hiding in the rubble somewhere. It was a shame, a place of faith like this ruined from their battle. People used areas such as this to grant them comfort for their loved ones. It would probably take a lot of money to fix something like this.
He's not attacking.
He's waiting for us to lower our guard.
Entheo looked up while Gezo looked down. You don't think he's just relaxing do you?
Don't be foolish. He is probably looking for an opening. Tighten your stance. You have access to all of my skills!
Entheo looked down, while Sakuyomi looked up. What if he went to take a snack break?
Silence.
-
Shinji
Shinji reached for his pocket and for a second the sun's light gleamed ominously over something shiny... could it be... a weapon?
No.
It was apple juice.
He took the straw out, poked it in the carton box, and took a quiet sip. He was surprised it didn't get completely busted in the fight. How convenient.
-
Entheo
Oh well, we probably won't be living here after this.
So then we are going to?
"Yeah," Entheo responded out loud. For a final time, Entheo looked up as Gezo looked down. A crescent moon like arc slashed through the ceiling, all while a similar one slashed through the ground. The two had leaped into the air, delivering a flurry of these slashes to the floor and ceiling, ready to obliterate them both. "Don't you take a snack break on me!"
You fool. He's not taking a snack break! What kind of warrior takes a snack break in the middle of a heated skirmish?!
-
Emiya
Emiya inwardly cringed at his careless words.
Instead he said, "So, which tea would you like to try? I think you might like one of the Western teas actually."
Tsumiko
"Sure!" She chirped happily.
-
Emiya
"Well, I'll get the water on the stove. One thing about Western tea is that you actually don't want the water boiling. Just steaming with a couple of bubbles in it is good enough. Too hot and it scorches the leaves," Emiya said as he started to get the tea kettle.
He filled it with filtered water and set it on the stove.
"While I'm getting that ready, why don't you start cutting the chicken?" he said as he gestured to the refrigerator.
-
Amanda
Amanda raised an eyebrow, perplexed about the outburst from the elf for a brief moment and then she smiled. "There's nothing noble about the disciplines about magic, tradition is by far the greatest thing bogging down magecraft as a whole. Magic is nothing but a means to an end, a tool to dissect reality. But knowledge for the sake of knowledge is pointless-"
"No, I seek something beyond knowledge. Everything else is immaterial, you are just a stepping stone towards it and so am I, even if I have to tear myself apart and remake everything I know to be true, I will do so gladly. Over and over, no matter how many times it takes."
"Heh...." Her smiled widened into maniacal glee and her eyes turned a pale purple as swirls of incomprehensible and forbidden knowledge thought lost among the shores of time came crawling forth from beyond the horizon.
"Ah I will find it and when I do- AHAHAHAHAHHA! OH it's so wonderful, the colors, the swirling tide and the truth that has been stranded and forgotten for so long has reemerged from the depths. OH I do wonder, what will happen now. What sad tidings will he bring? Or perhaps a calamity?"
-
Aruna
"Life force huh?" Aruna mused. She really did sound like she was one of the old-timey demons, especially if she had such a blatant show of dominance. The new age demon felt her heart sink as she lamented that lost lust for blood. Although, there was a reason they did not engage in such behavior anymore.
Brown walls were illuminated by cozy lamps, decorated with a lavash counter top. A single man stood behind the counter, trying his hardest to stifle his frown. Three men huddled around a table. One rested their head on the table while the other two fumbled with some cards. The bartender tried his best not to look annoyed at the three men. He was pretty sure they were driving away customers. Ever since they came here, the place had been hallowed out. If only they could go away somehow......
Meanwhile, Aruna and Destroyah stood on the top of the roof. "Now heres the plan," she said. "I shall cast a spell to open several portals. You can go through the portal, land on one of them then BAM!"
Destoroyah:
"Ooh~?" The smile never left Destoroyah's lips.
She didn't trust her new found meal companion as far as she could throw her - and that is far. But she certainly wasn't a fellow Mahou Kaiju, and that places the skimpily-dressed horned woman below her. Well, the other Mahou Kaiju were also below her, but that's beside the point - this woman could do nothing to her. Even if the portal dropped her into the abyss, Destoroyah would claw her way back out and rip her apart. "This is going to be so much fun~!" The redhead exclaimed, a dangerous glint taking form in her eyes, "Let's do it~"
Aruna
Aruna leapt into her portal, which opened right above the bartender. Dropping down silently behind him, she placed her hand over his mouth and dragged him under the counter. Somehow, despite his screaming, there was not a single sound. She stared upward, waiting to see how the girl would approach her hunt.
-
Amanda
Amanda raised an eyebrow, perplexed about the outburst from the elf for a brief moment and then she smiled. "There's nothing noble about the disciplines about magic, tradition is by far the greatest thing bogging down magecraft as a whole. Magic is nothing but a means to an end, a tool to dissect reality. But knowledge for the sake of knowledge is pointless-"
"No, I seek something beyond knowledge. Everything else is immaterial, you are just a stepping stone towards it and so am I, even if I have to tear myself apart and remake everything I know to be true, I will do so gladly. Over and over, no matter how many times it takes."
"Heh...." Her smiled widened into maniacal glee and her eyes turned a pale purple as swirls of incomprehensible and forbidden knowledge thought lost among the shores of time came crawling forth from beyond the horizon.
"Ah I will find it and when I do- AHAHAHAHAHHA! OH it's so wonderful, the colors, the swirling tide and the truth that has been stranded and forgotten for so long has reemerged from the depths. OH I do wonder, what will happen now. What sad tidings will he bring? Or perhaps a calamity?"
Eruraviel
Eruraviel was not happy. In fact, she was the stark opposite--displeased, hurt, and unsure of what to do going forward.
But, she could see something more going on with her fiancee. The familar strings that hid her delectable soul just out of reach were thrumming excitedly in ways she doubted Amanda was even aware of, and she could feel the newly aqquired forbidden knowledge that Amanda was dangling in front of her.
It excited her, and she could feel a oh so familar tightness in her loins that signaled proximity to great magic. Her cheeks flushed, and she cast a spell, creating a telepathic bond between her and her real lover. Something strange happened. She said quickly. Give me a moment longer, please.
She leaned forward, getting right into Amanda's face, and stared seriously. Her frown melted away into an inquisitive mask.
"Tell me what happened after I left yesterday, right now. What did you see?"
-
Sage
Sage seemed ready to pounce from her seat, to strike Amanda down now to secure her escape before the mad woman could strike-!
And then she settled down, a soothing Elven voice filling her mind with promises.
Be careful
-
Amanda
"Ah but who truly knows what lies beyond the palest fog of yesteryear but the watcher in the deep. Cursed are those who forever wander in the darkness aimlessly, however!"
She shot up straight like an arrow so fast that the chair almost fell backwards.
"Unfathomable are the horrors that come before, the jester will trick you and mislead you on the path. But brave through it all, the stormy seas and the maze of history and what you find..."
"Oh yes what DO YOU FIND?"
She spun three times around clockwise and then three times counter clockwise before coming to a stop at the end of the seventh step.
"What you find is the future and the next step on the journey. OH if only I had known sooner, so much potential wasted, but we are better now."
-
Amanda
"Ah but who truly knows what lies beyond the palest fog of yesteryear but the watcher in the deep. Cursed are those who forever wander in the darkness aimlessly, however!"
She shot up straight like an arrow so fast that the chair almost fell backwards.
"Unfathomable are the horrors that come before, the jester will trick you and mislead you on the path. But brave through it all, the stormy seas and the maze of history and what you find..."
"Oh yes what DO YOU FIND?"
She spun three times around clockwise and then three times counter clockwise before coming to a stop at the end of the seventh step.
"What you find is the future and the next step on the journey. OH if only I had known sooner, so much potential wasted, but we are better now."
Eruraviel
Conquering mad wizard's towers from within is always difficult. You wouldn't understand, never having been an adventurer.
she would still be able to gain control of her
Eruraviel hopped backwards when Amanda began to spin, ready to fight her way out. Hoping she wouldn't have to, and that her lover would regain her sanity.
She clapped her hands, a perfect poker face, unscrutable and seemingly uncaring. She landed atop the tabel, staring at her. "And then what?"
-
Amanda
"And then we feast!"
She spun in reverse, repeating a phantom mirage of the familiar song and dance until once more the owner of the house was seated at the table of the feast.
"Come on, I didn't cook all of this so that it would remain uneaten and get cold. You aren't denying your host her most most generously offered meal are you?"
-
Emiya
"Well, I'll get the water on the stove. One thing about Western tea is that you actually don't want the water boiling. Just steaming with a couple of bubbles in it is good enough. Too hot and it scorches the leaves," Emiya said as he started to get the tea kettle.
He filled it with filtered water and set it on the stove.
"While I'm getting that ready, why don't you start cutting the chicken?" he said as he gestured to the refrigerator.
Tsumiko
As he turned around to tell her to begin cutting, he saw her already chopping away. "Well, um... I already was..."
She blushed, not sure why she was so synced up with him.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked and then smirked at the sight of Tsumiko already preparing the chicken.
"Good, just remember to change out the chopping board before having to cut something else," he said as he turned on the burner.
He nodded to himself and said, "I think we can splurge a bit today, since this will be your first time drinking Western tea. I'm going to use the loose leaf."
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked and then smirked at the sight of Tsumiko already preparing the chicken.
"Good, just remember to change out the chopping board before having to cut something else," he said as he turned on the burner.
He nodded to himself and said, "I think we can splurge a bit today, since this will be your first time drinking Western tea. I'm going to use the loose leaf."
Tsumiko
Tsumiko seemed to perk up at that. She turned around and a shadow continued cutting the food. She wrapped her arms around Archer's waist and pressed herself against him. "What's that, what's that? Tell me, tell me!"
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Tsumiko wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against him.
He laughed and said, "It's tea that isn't in a tea bag. It's fresher and allows more water to flow through the leaves, making a better cup of tea. Plus, it allows me to show off."
The shocked look on Rin's face when she first tried his tea was always a treasured memory of his.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked as Tsumiko wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against him.
He laughed and said, "It's tea that isn't in a tea bag. It's fresher and allows more water to flow through the leaves, making a better cup of tea. Plus, it allows me to show off."
The shocked look on Rin's face when she first tried his tea was always a treasured memory of his.
Tsumiko
"Consider your off shown." She replied, pressing her face against the back of his neck. "You telling me this feels nostalgic, kinda."
-
Emiya
His smile felt fragile, even to him. Nostalgia was something he knew all too well about. "Well, I'm glad," Emiya said in a soft voice as he patted her arms.
-
Amanda
"And then we feast!"
She spun in reverse, repeating a phantom mirage of the familiar song and dance until once more the owner of the house was seated at the table of the feast.
"Come on, I didn't cook all of this so that it would remain uneaten and get cold. You aren't denying your host her most most generously offered meal are you?"
Sage
"..."
Sage's hands were clenching into fists beneath the table, but her face was once more as impassive as a smooth cliff.
Let us not linger long in this place.
-
Shinji
Air slashed and cleaved the rooftop to bits, sending rock and rubble flying upwards like bullets. A piece of rubble caved in and fell down the church floor.
Revealing the man just relaxing. His expression darkened, the juice spilled due to the shock. The damage was already done.
"Rude."
He didn't seem to be interested in fighting any longer.
-
Amanda
"And then we feast!"
She spun in reverse, repeating a phantom mirage of the familiar song and dance until once more the owner of the house was seated at the table of the feast.
"Come on, I didn't cook all of this so that it would remain uneaten and get cold. You aren't denying your host her most most generously offered meal are you?"
Sage
"..."
Sage's hands were clenching into fists beneath the table, but her face was once more as impassive as a smooth cliff.
Let us not linger long in this place.
Eruraviel
In her mind, Sage could feel Eru's presence soothing her, enveloping her with her great intellect and making her feel together with her lover. I need her expertise, Sage. I need to find out what she's seen, and to get her eyes, so I can make her power my own and elevate myself further.
Eru sat down next to Amanda, across from sage, and gave her a look. She began eating the food, keeping an eye on Amanda at all times.
Something had happened that had changed her, and she'd figure out how to gain control of it, like she had everything else in her life.
-
Justice
12:30 AM
They left the highway and the smell of smoke behind, but the presence blood still clung to them. They abandoned their original goal, and Punishment's turns took them through tight streets and alleyways on the darker part of Pine Garden, for what passed as the suburbs at the border to the next district. Only once they were hidden between the shadows of unassuming buildings, the skies watched by spectral wings, did they stop.
A translucent crow perched on Justice's glove, and as it dismissed itself in a puff, he turned his eyes to the still-recovering spider.
"Wherever you want to start, feel free," he said. "Did your bosses even want to clear out that murder? Or was it just convenient to make it seem like that?"
-
Shinji
Air slashed and cleaved the rooftop to bits, sending rock and rubble flying upwards like bullets. A piece of rubble caved in and fell down the church floor.
Revealing the man just relaxing. His expression darkened, the juice spilled due to the shock. The damage was already done.
"Rude."
He didn't seem to be interested in fighting any longer.
Entheo
I cannot believe this...
With Gezo gone, Entheo stared at the man. The guandao dematerialized, Entheo himself sitting down on the ground. "Tell me about yourself weird zombie man," he said. "Why are you beating up kids in graveyards?"
-
Shinji
Somehow, he managed to glower, grunt and sigh all at once.
"Weren't you paying attention? I was sent here to get rid of a monster haunting the graveyard, all paid by the district. Seeing as you're just a snot nosed brat, I decided there's no point to it. But I can't just quit."
He got up like a tired teenager out of his bed, sour and annoyed. "Oh well. Looks like you beat me, so no complaints from my employer."
-
Justice
12:30 AM
They left the highway and the smell of smoke behind, but the presence blood still clung to them. They abandoned their original goal, and Punishment's turns took them through tight streets and alleyways on the darker part of Pine Garden, for what passed as the suburbs at the border to the next district. Only once they were hidden between the shadows of unassuming buildings, the skies watched by spectral wings, did they stop.
A translucent crow perched on Justice's glove, and as it dismissed itself in a puff, he turned his eyes to the still-recovering spider.
"Wherever you want to start, feel free," he said. "Did your bosses even want to clear out that murder? Or was it just convenient to make it seem like that?"
Spidey
He was dumped on the ground with the grace of a turnip. So much for the hospitality. And worst was... he deserved all of it.
"I can't believe I've gotta spell it out. Well... you're half right I guess."
He stretched, his arm going past his face and over it... and the expression that showed itself was almost completely different.
"Yes, it's true. We've been chosen as the lambs to throw in the slaughterhouse. The fact is, the boss has decided we can't afford the time to wait for a culprit. We've been chosen as the convenient scapegoat to draw the ire of the organization, and as long as it can focus its anger and hatred towards something, it will be too occupied to worry about silly things like infighting. As far as everyone's concerned... You're the one whodunnit. Which makes us both accomplices. That way, suspicion won't be drawn. Isn't that just convenient?"
He glanced at Suerte, then back at Justice... and then the ground. To make things worse, he had no choice in this, he lacked the freedom to oppose the boss directly. That is why...
"Of course, if you knew that from the getgo, you'd just refuse the job. We still need to find out the real culprit, so your name can be cleared. We just need to find the actual killer while avoiding getting killed ourselves... But I don't want that. Even if after I die, I'll just get rebuilt, I'll still lose my memories. I won't be me anymore. So I was hoping for a different outcome. One even the boss couldn't see coming."
He tilted his head and gave both an innocent expression.
"What if we just killed them first? They're just NPCs, it's not like they matter. As long as we work together, no one has to die."
-
Entheo
Entheo merely chuckled. "Like I care about any of that," he said, waving his hand in front of his face as if to shoo the thought. "Life is short. Well... for most people. I suppose for you its longer huh? But even then, there is always a way to die. C'mon why are you really doing all this? You can tell me."
Entheo smiled at the lazy man, leaning forward like a child waiting to be told a story.
-
Suerte
The cowgirl found herself rubbing the adorable hellhorse, rubbing the creatures main. Normally interogation scenes were easy for her. All she needed to do was channel her natural lust to kill and most talked without her even having to reach for her holster. After that battle, she just couldn't get herself to do it. Maybe she was just tired of seeing herself in her victims or maybe she had just lost her lust for violence. Either way, she knew she wasn't any help here. At the very least, she could stay out of her partners way.
"You think he is telling us the truth this time?" she asked, raising her eyebrow at Justice from atop the horse. "We've already been fed one story and he's a pretty good storyteller."
-
Justice
The rider leaned against the nearest wall, keeping his arms close to his body. He expected a scheme, but the impatience on display was galling. Not even a day, and they were ready to blow such powerful assets on pretending they had dealt with the issue, even at the cost of infighting? Some demons he knew would have let them have their fun first. If the scapegoats found the true culprit, they would only be saving themselves work, and reaping two angels in a single stroke.
If they could do the actual reaping when the time came, that was.
"Don't know. Not in a very trusting mood," Justice said, rolling his neck. His eyes came to rest on Spidey. "I know I told you to value your identity, but your reasoning is crooked. You want to work with us so no one has to die, but your plan is to kill them first because it doesn't matter if they die."
In a sick, familiar way, he could relate. And that was one thing he didn't want to be reminded of.
-
Aruna
Aruna leapt into her portal, which opened right above the bartender. Dropping down silently behind him, she placed her hand over his mouth and dragged him under the counter. Somehow, despite his screaming, there was not a single sound. She stared upward, waiting to see how the girl would approach her hunt.
Destoroyah:
Meanwhile, Destoroyah's portal popped he rout right behind one of the men sitting at the table. The attack was so swift it was almost instantaneous...
She wasted no time, reaching out with her left hand and grabbing hold of the occupied chair, immediately tipping it back causing the man to fall over. At the same time, she manifested her Variable Slicer in her right hand and swung. A bright, red light and a low hum was all the warning the other two men still sitting had before being cleaved in half. The startled survivor at her feet was only coming to his senses when Destoroyah buried her sword right next to his head, "My. My, my my~," she said, a sinister smile forming.
The mahou kaiju's tail shot out, snatching the unfortunate man up in it's chitinous jaws. It promptly slammed him into the table, snapping it in two, only to lift him back up and slamming him onto the flooring. All the while, his very life was being drained from his broken body, causing him to visibly age.
Once Destoroyah finished him off a couple of seconds later, she tossed the desiccated corpse into a wall...
-
Amanda
The slice of mear she picked dangled in the air in front of her as she turned to look at her cute wife.
"Erururu~"
She shoved the food into Eru's mouth before climbing onto her lap. She locked Eru's ear while pressing her soft forms against hers.
"I only berated you because I love you Eru. I want you to be even better than you're now so we can reach even greater heights together. Heheh.... You wouldn't believe what I saw earlier. That man was like a shard of previous world yet-yet so much more."
She beheld Eru's beautiful with a hasty breath." it's unfair that you're so cute. Your breasts are way too round and that waistline... Are you using magic?"
-
Amanda
The slice of mear she picked dangled in the air in front of her as she turned to look at her cute wife.
"Erururu~"
She shoved the food into Eru's mouth before climbing onto her lap. She locked Eru's ear while pressing her soft forms against hers.
"I only berated you because I love you Eru. I want you to be even better than you're now so we can reach even greater heights together. Heheh.... You wouldn't believe what I saw earlier. That man was like a shard of previous world yet-yet so much more."
She beheld Eru's beautiful with a hasty breath." it's unfair that you're so cute. Your breasts are way too round and that waistline... Are you using magic?"
Sage
The dragon tilted her head at the change of pace, watching with obvious curiosity as Amanda climbed all over Eruraviel. Then, she finally spoke up again. "She reminds me of the tales I once heard recited of lethal Drow maidens."
Carefully imitating what she had seen the other two do, Sage made tentative attempts to utilize the provided utensils. It was... not the most graceful effort. "Ruling beneath the earth, possessed of great beauty and fearsome Abyssal might, siring generations of offspring upon their many brides."
-
Aruna
A human would gaze upon such a site and be scared, but Aruna merely found herself thinking back to her younger days. Watching this woman feed reminded her of the enthusiasm she once had for the hunt. Everything was so complicated now.
Rising from behind the counter, the human in her left hand, she said, "Oh you must be hungry!" she said. "I did not expect you to consume all three so quickly. I need humans alive in order to feed on their souls. Have you eaten recently?"
-
Eruraviel Lavinna
Eru's guarded expression morphed into a joyful smile as Amanda climbed into her lap. "Mmmph!" She exclaimed as the food was shoved into her mouth, and then she let out a soft moan. So good... She told Sage as she chewed. Eat, eat, eat. She wrapped her arms around her wife's back, grunting as her thighs and butt rubbed against her heat. It ground up into Amanda's panties, and grew large enough Sage could see the head poking against the table.
Still, she was pretty mad about being berated so unjustly, and pouted a little as she hugged her sane-again wife. "Be nicer about it next time, you dummy. You almost made me cry." She leaned in and nuzzled Amanda's nose. "Show me everything you saw later, ok? You have magic that can do that." Eruraviel pressed her chest up against Amanda's and giggled. "You'll catch up."
Sounds like you have some interesting drow.
-
Amanda
She grinded down on the hard length, it felt so good pushing up against her wettening nether lips and she had to make a conscious effort to stop herself before she made a complete mess here.
"Oh, that sounds like you know some interesting drows there Sage. I can't say I disagree. I really like the idea of my Erururu having her stomach completely bloated and full of my half elf offspring....But I don't think she would approve." The raven haired girl pouted as her dreams seemed so far away.
-
Sage
Sage blinked several times, slowly, as if greatly confused by what Amanda was saying. Her eyes then proceeded to flick between Eruraviel and Amanda rapidly, her fingers tensing and relaxing as if she couldn't decide what the appropriate response was. "I... was under the impression Eru would be filling you with offspring, not the other way around, yes."
You mean you do not?
-
Eruraviel
She kissed Amanda's full lips again, stifling a moan as she felt Amanda rubbing against it. Her throbbing heat pulsed into her lover even harder, and she had to resist the urge to push Amanda down and make love to her then and now. Hard and rough, to get revenge for earlier.
"I don't mind letting you fill me up, if I'll be doing the same to you, silly." Eruraviel muttered. "We both have spare bodies to use if being full and ready ever ends up being inconvenient, Mandy~"
No. They're prudish jerks, who cover themselves up and value chastity.
-
Amanda
The mage grinned as the Elf spoke, she waited until Eru was right in the middle of monologue before she grabbed another piece of meat and shoved it inside Eru's mouth.
"Eruru's hips are wider so it makes total sense for her to carry them. Especially since she's my most adorable maid."
-
Sage
It was at once arousing and discomforting, and the flush on Sage's face as she awkwardly beheld the open display made that all too clear. Rather than linger on the feeling she instead returned to consuming the meal Amanda had placed before her, focusing especially on the meat. It felt like it was ready to melt in her mouth, and she let out a soft growl from her throat.
Our worlds must be very different.
-
Shinji
A small red tint appeared around his ears. "Hey, I was completely serious."
He looked away and crossed his arms. "Won't be able to feed my dog if I just quit a job. But this..." He finally got up and wiped the soot off.... whatever remained of his torn up clothes. "Yeah, no, it's clearly way over my paygrade. I'll take the defeat, much better than feeling your ghost glare at me from above."
He smiled sincerely and held a hand out to Entheo.
-
Entheo
"So it really was for yourself after all," he said, still smiling at Shinji. "Well then how about we rob some alive people instead of dead ones huh? Most living people throw away their food anyway. We can get your dogs some scraps no problem."
Entheo looked out of one of the many holes in the wall. "Besides, I think its time for me to move."
He never took the man's hand.
-
Shinji
Shitty brat...
His eyes were covered by a dark shadow. He just stood there, his hand offered to the empty air. He just stood there like a statue. The only movement was his smile twitching.
And then he sighed, shoulders drooping and arms lowered in exasperation.
"See, this is what I mean. You can't just rob people like that. That's the whole reason you get people sent after you and this happens."
His tone was a bit concerned, and he looked right at the kid with serious eyes.
"Just come to my place, I'll cook you up something."
-
Justice
The rider leaned against the nearest wall, keeping his arms close to his body. He expected a scheme, but the impatience on display was galling. Not even a day, and they were ready to blow such powerful assets on pretending they had dealt with the issue, even at the cost of infighting? Some demons he knew would have let them have their fun first. If the scapegoats found the true culprit, they would only be saving themselves work, and reaping two angels in a single stroke.
If they could do the actual reaping when the time came, that was.
"Don't know. Not in a very trusting mood," Justice said, rolling his neck. His eyes came to rest on Spidey. "I know I told you to value your identity, but your reasoning is crooked. You want to work with us so no one has to die, but your plan is to kill them first because it doesn't matter if they die."
In a sick, familiar way, he could relate. And that was one thing he didn't want to be reminded of.
Spidey
He stared right into the pale rider's eyes with a strange intensity unseen before.
"Then what is your choice?"
-
Eruraviel
"Mmmph!" Eru complained, squirming on Amanda's lap. "M-meat! It's so juicy~" She said as she swallowed. She licked her lips and blushed. "You're not bad on that front yourself, you know... Elves don't have litters, and it's hard for us to get pregnant..."
-
Aruna
A human would gaze upon such a site and be scared, but Aruna merely found herself thinking back to her younger days. Watching this woman feed reminded her of the enthusiasm she once had for the hunt. Everything was so complicated now.
Rising from behind the counter, the human in her left hand, she said, "Oh you must be hungry!" she said. "I did not expect you to consume all three so quickly. I need humans alive in order to feed on their souls. Have you eaten recently?"
Destoroyah
"Recently, actually," Destoroyah said with a smile, leaning her weight onto her implanted sword, "But if there's food in front of you, why pass it up~?"
-
Amanda
"That julmust mean they weren't determined enough to fuck your naughty little womb into submission." She tugged at Eru's cheeks playfully and looked over her shoulder at Sage who was seemingly too eager to just enjoy her cooking and ignore.
But she wouldn't let her dear guest get away so easily.
" How many loads do you she can take before she's knocked up for sure? I take it you're the expert on breeding here."
-
Sage
"She is a different sort of elf than I am familiar with." Sage admitted, whilst doing her best to ignore the heat in her face and concentrate on her food. It was really good and she wasn't one to mix the two pleasures together. "But I would estimate... six."
-
Eruraviel
"Six! I'd be knocked up all the time! I could easily take ten loads and be fine!" She complained vehemently, slamming her fist on the table. "I only ovulate once every ten years!"
-
Sage
And only then, did the dragon turn her eyes to Eruraviel again. She held her elven form's hand out with a grasping motion. "That could be corrected. Nature will abide."
-
Amanda
"But Sage sometimes you should just let nature run it's course..." Her hands trailed up Eru's hips and brushed past the Elf's abdomen, right above her womb.
"I bet I could get you pregnant in just one load Erururu." it looks like her bride had never thought of putting permanence on her seed and homing for the ovaries. Amanda smirked at her short maid. She wouldn't just get knocked, it would happen instantly every single time she ovulated.
It was the ultimate prank.
-
Eruraviel
"Uuuuu..." Eru moaned, wrapped her arms around her fiancee's neck and pressing her chest up against Amanda's belly. Looking up at her, she could see how much fun Amanda was having bullying her! She wasn't even trying to hide it!
Eru blushed, big purple eyes looking up at Amanda as if she were a puppy. "No way, but if you really think you can, let's make a bet. If you fail, I get to impregnate every single one of your bodies. Fufufu~"
-
Suerte
A corpse with bodies killed by a force beyond human, a mob desperate to bring the killer to justice. This man, so terrified of their threat yet clearly with regenerative properties. Why did he lie to them? He clearly knew the assassin's were coming, that much for sure. They also tried to kill him but...
What was going on?
-
Shinji
Shitty brat...
His eyes were covered by a dark shadow. He just stood there, his hand offered to the empty air. He just stood there like a statue. The only movement was his smile twitching.
And then he sighed, shoulders drooping and arms lowered in exasperation.
"See, this is what I mean. You can't just rob people like that. That's the whole reason you get people sent after you and this happens."
His tone was a bit concerned, and he looked right at the kid with serious eyes.
"Just come to my place, I'll cook you up something."
Entheo
Entheo tilted his head and said, "Are you sure about that? Your murdering kids in graveyards to get food. You sure you want to feed me? Besides, whats a little robbing to a child killing grave robber huh?"
-
Justice
Justice's expression, even hidden behind his scarf and the strangely deep shadow of his hat, roiled with intensity. But it was too accepting to be called a glare.
"I'll make a choice when I actually know what we're dealing with. You're already compromised, so don't jump your gun. Think about what you can do while you have the opportunity, and how to open up the doors that look closed to you now."
-
Shinji
"Are you dead?"
-
Entheo
Entheo shook his head.
-
Amanda
"But Sage sometimes you should just let nature run it's course..." Her hands trailed up Eru's hips and brushed past the Elf's abdomen, right above her womb.
"I bet I could get you pregnant in just one load Erururu." it looks like her bride had never thought of putting permanence on her seed and homing for the ovaries. Amanda smirked at her short maid. She wouldn't just get knocked, it would happen instantly every single time she ovulated.
It was the ultimate prank.
Sage
Meat in mouth. Chew. Observe. Swallow.
Repeat, until a question occurred.
"What do elves call their parents? Mother, father? Would you both be the mother, or would Amanda be the father and you the mother?"
-
Amanda
"Eru would be mother since she will carry it, and that would make me the father hehehe... I'm happy you're enjoying my food Sage, you're much more polite than our Elven maid over here where when we met and that's why...."
Her hands brushed past Eru's magnificent tits and gave them a gentle squeeze before carrying on all the way up to Eru's face and her ears. Her very sensitive ears that the Amanda's fingers were all to eager to tease.
"That's quite the bold demand for someone who's about to be a mother. Our child will be growing in your stomach soon you should prepare yourself for that Erururu.... But Sage has been a good girl so I think it's only right that only she will get the privilege of taking me instead of you~" The black haired girl looked back at Sage with a grin as she raised her hips and then shook them slowly in a way that she knew was just irresistible, especially when combined with her charm. The charm that she was now focusing all of on Sage.
"Me pushing down Eru of all people this easily turns you on, doesn't it?"
-
Shinji
"Then quit moaning." And with that, he walked away. Damn kids, this is why he was no good with brats. Wether he'd follow or not, he couldn't care less. His choice.
-
Eruraviel
"Nnngh~ Amanda would be the father, if you put it in human terms. We don't make distinctions like that." She moaned as Amanda kneaded her full chest, her pert nipples pressing against Amanda's hand. "Quite bold of you, thinking you'll manage to knock me up when I was fertile just last year." She retorted, face beet red from the feeling of her sensitive ears being fondled.
-
Sage
The dragon paused in her steady eating, which had continued previously throughout the entire explanation of how families were structured in such a case as this. Air pushed audibly through the cute little nose of Sage's elven form, and her eyes became fixated on the temptation presenting itself to her. "... your charms are commendable indeed."
She shifted in her seat in such a way as to suggest at a very obvious source of discomfort, which only became more obvious as she turned her eyes back to Eruraviel as well. "Though I find the position you have placed the father of my new children into unsettling, your offer is... yes."
-
Amanda
"Then what are you waiting for? My tight pussy can't stuff itself, surely you don't wanna be known as the dragon that got cold feet?"
Amanda was ignoring the Elf below her as she wiggled her hips and made sure that Sage was getting a good show. "If you promise to close your eyes and not peak, I'll show you how Erururu."
-
Amanda
"Then what are you waiting for? My tight pussy can't stuff itself, surely you don't wanna be known as the dragon that got cold feet?"
Amanda was ignoring the Elf below her as she wiggled her hips and made sure that Sage was getting a good show. "If you promise to close your eyes and not peak, I'll show you how Erururu."
Eruraviel
She squirmed underneat amanda, wishing she had Sage's viewpoint, but also enjoying her position underneath. It was quite the conundrum, really! "Sage, I have both parts! Is it really strange I enjoy both dominant and submissive positions?" She quipped, closing her eyes and wiggling her large ears. "Show me that you mean it, Amanda~"
-
Entheo
Finally standing up, Entheo happily trailed behind him. The blue spirit of his beloved cat reappeared next to him, following with the soft swish of his tail. It purred as it rubbed against his leg.
"Well its been a while since i've had a meal indoors. I guess I don't mind."
-
Amanda
"Then what are you waiting for? My tight pussy can't stuff itself, surely you don't wanna be known as the dragon that got cold feet?"
Amanda was ignoring the Elf below her as she wiggled her hips and made sure that Sage was getting a good show. "If you promise to close your eyes and not peak, I'll show you how Erururu."
Sage
"You have a very different idea regarding how my kind go about mating than is reality." That being said, Sage did indeed rise from her seat and make her way over the table toward Amanda's exposed rear. At first she grabbed firm hold of the sorceress' hips, staring down at her and Eruraviel with fearsomely focused eyes that were ready to consume prey. Then she paused, awkwardly, as the tip of her big, thick, veiny elven cock pressed up against those welcoming folds only to be obstructed by clothing.
"... clothing is inconvenient." Sage grumbled under her breath at this, and casually pulled the offending article away so she could try again. This time with perfect aim!
-
A-702
The spider stared up at Justice blankly. For a second, it's almost like his words were shining on him, and for the first time in a long time, there was something other than darkness in his heart. Perhaps it wasn't to confess or come clean that he truly wanted. The spider simply wanted to be judged.
And he smiled, genuinely, and couldn't help but laugh a little. It wasn't malicious, or even a wrong kind of laugh. In fact, for the first time, he sounded like his own age. Only then did he stop and look down, a flash of remorse on his face.
"I like you. You remind me of... someone I used to know... a hopeless idiot like you."
And with that, only slightly more healed up than before, he managed to stand on his two feet. He gripped the bottom of his shirt and raised it up, showing his childlike body.
"But the world is cruel. You're not dealing with people or even human beings. If I had one word to describe my boss... it'd be the devil himself."
..ard Project. Specimen A-702 The blood from the gunshot he suffered covered the tattoo on the bottom of his breast only slightly, but the barcode still showed. But even more ghastly were the countless scars on his body. Even freshly manufactured, he was tested for performance like all the rest. The marks of the experiments done on him were more ghastly than any carrion from hell. It was pure, human malice.
"I can't disobey their orders. You know that, right? If it comes to that, we might have to kill each other. So if you're not going to kill... don't die on me okay?"
He managed to smile a little. If it was about doors, there was only one he could take. A gate sending him straight to hell.
-
Amanda
Amanda was happy she'd already reinforced herself prior to shoving down Erururu or esle Sage's tough grip would have definitely bruised her. Even so, she couldn't stop the moan climbing from the depths of her throat as she felt the thick shaft spread her dripping wet folds apart.
She didn't think the dragon would actually do it, it was just a taunt, honestly!
But now she had to eat her own words as her folds was speared by something way thicker than she was used to taking, was every single one of them as freakishly big as her fiancee?
"Hey watch it, those are expensive!"
-
Eruraviel
"Yes! Mate with her! Claim her! The elf encouraged her pet to rut with her wife. "Fill her up and make her carry your children!
She reached up, ears twitching, and grabbed Amanda's chest, sinking her fingers into her mounds. "Aren't you going to claim my pussy? Or was that all bluster and bluffing before?"
-
Sage
The human was so tight. Under normal circumstances this might have given the dragon some pause, instilled some sense of hesitation and sensitivity which encouraged Sage to take it slowly after that initial push and give Amanda time to adjust. There were a lot of ways she could have done this differently. But of course, she didn't.
"Should have taken them off!"
Instead she gave into her instincts, into the urging of Eruraviel, and into her own petty jealousy as she stared down from above at Amanda so intimately pressed against the real elf in the room. She gripped tighter on Amanda's hips and started to mercilessly surge forward, trying to get the thick, veiny, throbbing length that she'd customized with her 'owner' the night before to be uniquely her own.
-
Justice
Justice couldn't manage even a chuckle, but his eyes were softer than a moment ago. "I'm the naive one? Now that's new," he said. "Things as terrible as devils and more powerful have tried to kill me and failed. Why would I kill you when you're neither as dangerous nor as damned, and you've felt their selfishness from the side of the victim and not the abuser?"
The rider rolled his shoulders, letting his ancient bones crack with relief, and rested a hand on the spider's shoulder. "If I have to kill you, well. I'll be sure to send your corpse some company."
-
Suerte
"Same for me," Suerte said, pushing up her cowboy hat to flash those brown eyes that thirsted for blood. They stared down at the boy from atop the horse, with no smile or bubbly tone to hide their intensity. "Nothing more thrilling to me than that moment where a person so full of life becomes a worthless husk. I have a very loving relationship with death. I don't mind meeting the devil."
Normally she would be much more playful, but she wasn't in the mood.
-
Spidey
"..."
He blinked at both, but right now he was staring at Suerte in disbelief.
"Dude that's fucking edgy."
-
Justice
He winced, resisting the way the crumbling atmosphere tickled the corners of his mouth under the scarf. "Everyone has their kinks. So Spidey, do you have a hole to hide in, or are we going to have to pack you in a lead suitcase?"
-
Suerte
"Yeah your right," Suerte said, looking down on the spider from atop the horse, her gaze appearing condescending. However, she descended from atop the horse, landing right next to Justice. "I am so edgy I have a bullet that can cut you in half."
That mechanical noise filled the air as Suerte grabbed hold of one of her twin pistols from her holster. With her free arm, she sandwiched those big arms in between her bigger breasts, running her hand along his chest. It was strange. She heard that line from Vanilla too, but she wasn't ready to trust in it. After all, it made sense a succubus sex worker would be ok with everything, but a fellow cowboy? The sadness that weighed so heavily on her lifted.
Unfortunately, her panties were a little wet.
She stared down at the boy, pointing the gun at his forehead. "I've said it once and i'll say it again. How about you put your faith in us? I don't care what the organization is, we will discover the killer and I will kill the killer. But if you can't be honest and helpful, its going to get us in trouble."
She grabbed a handful of Justice's top within her palms. "If he doesn't want to help, I don't mind putting a hole in him and taking you over his corpse..... I think I owe you a reward for being so patient with me...."
Really, she just wanted to say thank you.
-
Spidey
The kid had only one thing to say to this whole thing. Really, only one thing.
"Ok boomer."
With that, he jumped on Justice's shoulder... surprisingly lightly and patted him. "The suitcase sounds awesome. And if I do get shot and die horribly, just take me and dump me in the trash. We're in this till the end partna."
-
Justice
"The ass to sympathy ratio in this group will be something to remember, I see." The rider rolled his eyes. He looked to Suerte with patient, faint amusement, and to Spidey with unwavering calm.
"You can think about that for later. With our attackers' haste, I doubt we'll have much breathing room in the near future, and I don't have anything like a hideout right now. If we're lucky, maybe we can make a move while they're regrouping. What do you two say?"
-
Suerte
All the cowboy gave her was a bemused grin and all Spidy gave her was a meme. Clearly her antics needed a new angle. This next bit she was sure would give more of a solid reaction.
"I can always buy us a place to stay," she said slowly, just so she could savor Justice's reaction. "We can buy out a mansion or two and use the combined land to build a base."
-
Spidey
The spider's eyes sparkled.
"Do you mean... a secret HQ!?"
He looked ready to jump up and hug the big boobed lady.
-
Justice
Justice's expression was unseen, but an astonished wheeze sounded swiftly under his scarf.
"Did you have that much payout this whole time?" Justice blinked, and his belt clinked when he adjusted it. The thought of having an ID again and channels for that kind of cash was momentarily tempting. "We're not going to get a custom job projected and made in a usable timeframe, no matter how you cut it. Got any friends who could throw us a bone on the down-low?"
-
Suerte
Suerte giggled, rubbing the back of her head with her eyes closed. " No bones, no people. I'm a lone cowgirl who makes her own money on her own time. But yeah I kind of just do this bounty hunting thing for fun and professional fulfillment. I don't actually have to work to make money anymore...."
She opened her eyes and her face turned pink. "Anyway, we can also get a big ol field for Punishment here."
Suerte began rubbing Punishment's mane. "Who wants a big ol field! You do! Thats right! You get a big old field!"
-
Spidey
"OMG! That's its name!? That's seriously badass!" His eyes sparkled even more at the mention. "That's a friggin' cool horse, did I mention it? Cause it totally is. But..."
Shit. He didn't consider it until now.
"Guys, we should like, totally go to the grocery store, like now. It's actually super important, a matter of life and death even. It doesn't matter which one, as long as its the closest one." His expression suddenly turned serious all of a sudden, an ominous shadow creeping over his face.
-
Justice
Justice reached behind his ear to scratch the messy hair that peeked from under the cowboy hat. It was more awkward to have his style complimented so earnestly than dreading recognition or ignorant dubiousness. The steed in question, for its part however, rumbled against Suerte, swaying its body as if demanding to be groomed.
"What's at the grocery store? Missing your daily calcium intake?" An eyebrow rose in Spidey's direction.
-
Suerte
The cowgirl seemingly ignored the conversation, brushing the horse's mane with her hand. Her thoughts drifted to that skirmish with the assassin, how she almost died. The worst part was that Justice warned her not to go, but she was so arrogant. For now, the only issue was whether or not Spidey would be honest this time.
-
Spidey
"No time to explain! We must march onwards and upwards!" He pouted, frustrated at how Justice of all people could make such an oversight. "If not, I'll go there and catch up to you. But it's super important."
-
Justice
He did his best impression of War's scowl, humming like an impatient mountain. "Alright, but hurry with it. Let's use the main roads for now."
As Justice gripped Punishment's reins, his ghostly birds flew on ahead.
-
Spidey
15 Minutes Later
At the Grocery Shop
The gunslinging trio (or duo + a spider) marched onwards, and finally entered the shop. They stood out like sore thumbs, surrounded by what could only be described as the most normal looking normal people ever in comparison.
But soon, they were met with the most soulles, heart wrenching display possible. In millenia of hell, no eyes could look as empty, joyless, and lifeless as the one who met them.
The greeter.
"Hi, welcome to No Frills, how can I help you today?"
Truly, retail was a hell worse than pandemonium.
"No matter what you do, don't make eye contact..." Spidey whispered to Justice, loud enough to be heard anyways. Right now, spidey feared for his own soul.
-
Justice
If abyssal spiders burst from the floor and tried to eat them at this point, the rider wouldn't be alarmed, but as far as he could see, the store seemed pretty pleasant compared to the first few circles of Hell.
"I can't say if this is suspicious or Spidey is just weird," he whispered to his gunslinging partner.
-
Suerte
"I think its both," Suerte whispered back. "Then again, why is she talking like that? Its so.... robotic."
The cowgirl couldn't help but wonder what they were doing here of all places. They needed to plan their next move, not go shopping. She wasn't a teenage girl anymore. While shopping could be fun, this was just a waste of time, especially considering more assassins could be coming.
-
A-702
He wasted no times, hurrying to the fruit and vedgetable aisle. With efficiency and speed, he hurried and looked through the harvested produce...
When he quickly returned to Suerte and Justice in less than 10 seconds, with huge bags full of carrots and apples. Wait, he couldn't mean.... unless...
"Feels shitty to just freeload on your pal like that. He's part of the team, right? This is the least I could do."
Holy shit though, these bags were huge! ANd spidey... actually was pretty good in his selection. All of the apples and carrots were perfectly ripe, plump, well sized, and looked so tasty it might get even them hungry.
He looked absolutely earnest about this.
-
Justice
His eyebrows rose in skepticism, but soon fell back to straight lines as Justice contained himself. The steed would be much happier with a live chicken, or maybe a cat, than any sort of fruit, but Spidey didn't need to know that. "I'll make sure Punishment enjoys some."
Before they left, however, Justice cast a cautious glance around them. "I have an idea, but it's purely a short-term hideout."
-
Suerte
"But Juuussstiiiiiiiice," Suerte said, hugging the man's arms with all her might. "We could make like a justice league. A JUSTICE LEAGUE of bounty hunters!"
-
A-702
The spider looked shock beyond belief, then kind of troubled.
"Shit, I thought we were the suicide squad."
-
Suerte
"Are you ok Spidey?" Suerte said, pulling away from Justice for a moment to place a hand on Spidey's forehead. "Its not healthy to think so low of yourself. Besides, we don't have to be tossed out criminals! We can be robin hood esk heroes!"
The cowgirl pictured herself filling a middle aged man in a mustache full of holes. It was a good image, very very good.
-
A-702
Spidey blinked at the sudden contact, but ended up blushing. "...Fair point, the movie kind of sucked."
-
Justice
"They made films of those?" His shadowed face furrowed, but quickly he rolled his eyes at them. "Still, you're putting the cart before the horse, not that Punishment would pull it even if you asked."
-
Suerte
"Wait Justice," Suerte said, once again hugging his arm. "If we aren't making a hideout ourselves, where are we staying?"
Now that she thought about it. Suerte had no idea where Justice lived.
-
Justice
"Hrmmm." He brought a hand to the rim of his hat, and adjusted it as he searched for the right words. "It's not breaking & entering if there's no breaking, let's say."
-
A-702
"Isn't that the fun part though?" He raised an eyebrow at Justice.
-
Suerte
The cowgirl giggled and said, "Oh so we are robbing someone? You two are naughty boys. Whos house!?"
-
Justice
"Nonsense. We're just taking up temporary residence. If it bugs you leave a bill in the mail when we leave." He shook his head, and Punishment bristled in response. Justice ignored it to pat its neck. "I don't know who owns it, but it has no surveillance of note, and no one living there. It'll suffice for now."
-
Suerte
"It doesn't bug me," Suerte said with a giggle. This bad boy side of him was kind of fun. "In that case lead the way. I might buy us a bed though."
-
Justice
1:00 AM, Nexus Time
Justice brought them to the foot of the hills under the cover of darkness and the guidance of spectral vision. They stood now behind one of the streets that formed the edge between the rich and debauched, and the helpless and weary flocks. A low rise office, windows sealed with bars and silence and layered doors locked, rose as they stalked around to the back and stopped in front of a utilitary but equally secure and fully metallic door.
Justice dismounted, signing for silence across his scarf, and walked towards the door. One moment he was translucent, and the next he was gone behind it.
-
Suerte
As the trio arrived, Suerte yawned. She rarely had to do stake out operations thanks to her luck, so sleeping late nights wasn't something she was used to anymore. Following Justice's lead, she dismounted and hid behind Punishment, a hand on the butt of her gun.
Oh, she thought watching him vanish. Neat little trick.
-
A-702
Zzzz....zzz...
The kid was taking it easy, just taking a drooly nap over the back of the horse. He hugged it like it was his new best friend with a big grin.
-
Justice
A moment later, the Rider unlocked the door and let them in. Punishment shook Spidey off, and Justice caught him like a sack of vegetables, hauling the young man off as the creature skulked away on its own.
Inside, Justice flicked the lights on. "This used to be the home office for a gang, but as far as I can tell, they had to vacate in a hurry." They walked past half-shut doors and scoured cabinets, and shoeprints faintly staining the corners towards the exits. Ignoring a pockmarked and bullet-riddled wall to their right, Justice stepped into a common area and deposited Spidey on the couch.
-
Suerte
"Oh this is a lot more fun than my idea," she said, looking around the office. She ran into the center, examining the ceiling before returning to the foot prints on the floor. "Its pretty cozy. All i'd say this place needs is a dessart and we would be back home!"
For the first time since that incident, she really felt like she was back home. Maybe they weren't all super close yet, but in this moment, Suerte did not feel so alone.
-
Justice
Justice sighed and refilled his old lungs with air, sinking into an old chair. It squeaked dangerously, but he relished the action, as if he could finally untangle the weary knots from his body.
"Not much in the way of provisions," he responded, tossing his hat onto the doorknob. Eyes drifting towards the ceiling, he rummaged through his coat's pockets for something. "But I'm low maintenance."
-
Suerte
The cowgirl held her hand out of the window. Lucky for her, an apple fell out of the sky and landed in her palm. Still smiling, she walked over to bullet ridden holes in the wall and ran her hand down it. "Me neither," she said, taking a bite out of the apple. "But aren't we a little exposed?"
Suerte wasn't really worried about herself. Thanks to her luck, assassination attempts were almost never successful, but she couldn't necessarily protect the others without distributing her power.
-
Justice
"Less exposed than out in the streets." He shrugged, finally digging out a small flip-phone. Justice typed methodically, eyes flirting between the screen and the room's windows. "It's not likely anyone who has it out for us will prioritize searching a recent already compromised location. This will have to do for the moment."
-
Suerte
Suerte sat down on the battered couch, tipping her hat back. "Justice? Is this a silly man thing? Ya know, we don't call men gold diggers, just whipped. Are you worried about being whipped to a wealthy cowgal?"
She glared at the cowboy. It was clear she was testing him.
-
Justice
He clicked 'send' and loosed his scarf, answering the challenge in Suerte's eyes with an utterly nonplussed click of the teeth.
"Sugar mommas are the opposite of good at hiding," Justice said. "Nothing to do with my sexual preferences that we're being hunted by maniacs."
-
Suerte
Suerte smiled at his response. It was nice to have a man who wouldn't even flinch at her little games, made it fun. The fact is, she had a thing for tough guys. Puffing her cheeks, she said, "Aww c'mon Justice. If you wanted that, all you had to do was ask. I could make us a little secret cave or something."
She leaned in on the couch, giving Justice a better view of her already prominent cleavage. Meeting his challenge, she pushed her hair back and continued. "I never said it was a sexual preference thing honey. I wondered if it was a man thing, an ego thing."
-
Justice
He huffed through a rough smile. "No, it's a sex thing. When men make waves about their ego, it's because they're trained to defend insults against their performance. Or statements they're accustomed to reading as insults. Timeless complexes."
The rider leaned back and calmly enjoyed the view, putting his phone away.
-
Suerte
Suerte resisted the urge to go over there and attach herself to him again. No, she had to stay in the couch in place. "You saying you have a complex hun? If I praise you and your performance, will it go away?"
She leaned in a little further, licking her lips as if she was preparing to bite into some food.
-
Justice
"I mostly meant humanity." He shrugged. "But angels and demons are just as bad in their own ways."
-
William
"Then lead the way. I wish to see if this wife is as charming as you." He sounded quite smug right now, and the way his hand came down to stroke the top of her head was possessive yet comforting as his magic carried his affection with every touch. No that wasn't the right word, it was reassuring, asserting that he would solve her issues in turn.
Eruraviel
Eruraviel's hair was softer than the finest spider-silk. His fingers ran easily through the cloudlike locks which ran all the way down her back. The tips of her ears trembled with delight.
"Fufu, of course!" She replied quickly, perhaps too fast. She was eager and excited from the events leading up to this. It felt as if her dreams that she'd been following for the past hundred years might finally bear their first fruit. All the suffering, pain and damage she'd endured so farpointed towards this moment.
She'd unlocked the power of the gods. ZEKE's pathetic paths were nothing in comparison-useless and ill equipped, misused to an incredible degree by the undead brute. With this power, she could take herself even further beyond her own limits, and finally take the first step towards apotheosis. Being able to help Amanda claim revenge and destroy her abusers was simply the icing on the cake, polishing this perfect day even further so it would shine brightly in her memories forever.
She took ahold of his hand, closed her eyes, and the two winked out of existance, returning to the entrance of her wife's mansion. Instead of her usual clothes, she was now wearing a tightly fitting maid uniform. She rapped the back of her hand against the door, making sure to let go of William's hand before Amanda opened it.
Humans always had such strange issues with physical contact and jealousy, and she didn't want to ruin this day.
-
Outside Amanda's mansion
"Interesting mansio-"
William's response to seeing the mansion in question was cut off as the door opened and he was struck with an even more overwhelming sight. The girl who opened had raven black hair and was unlike her wife unmistakably human, however her presence was even more striking. Everything besides her perfect form greyed out when compared to her brilliant radiance.
He blinked and his eyes narrowed as the work of the spell was broken by his will. So it was magical charm, but the potency was far greater than any he had come across before and even as he saw through the workings, the effects persisted. She still looked heavenly.
"Really Eruru? First a dragon and now some mage pretty boy? I thought you were into girls." Amanda was the first to speak and she raised her eyebrow at the sight of the new guest Eruraviel had brought alongside her.
But as she glanced over him again her eyes gradually widened until-
"You-You're... connected to that cancerous blob man!"
"Oh so you've seen his current form... He used to be quite the handsome knight once upon a time, how the mighty have fallen indeed. But that's besides the point... How were you able to figure that out so fast girl? I've only existed in this Nexus for mere hours."
-
Eruraviel
"Hmmph! If the boys are cute and have tight butts, then what's the difference?" Eruraviel shrugged while Amanda realized the true reason she'd brought him here. Her eyes twinkled with devilish delight the entire time. It was rare fun to see Amanda truly surprised and out of her element, especially as a result of things she'd gone through.
"And regardless, I didn't sleep with him, or anybody else. You must have a dim view of my tremendous intellect if you really think that I only pursue what my prick desires, Mandy. No, he's here to help us take back what belongs to you."
-
At the Mansion Entrance
Amanda blinked, the flat look she was giving her wife to be was quite astounding even by her own standards. This went beyond flipping her hair and lecturing her, she was truly lost for word.
So she turned her attention to to the pretty boy. "How much Moonshine did you give her?"
William shook his head and snorted at the lame accusation but-
"I don't know she came to me dressed like that. Is she normally that perverted or just desperate since she has to compete with you?"
"Whaaa-"
What was going on? She thought Eru was just messing with her but this guy managed to turn what Eru said into a backfiring insult for the Elf and compliment her in just one sentence.
-
Eruraviel
The elf flipped her hair, and her clothes reverted to their normal state. "Hmmph. I thought you'd appriciate me wearing the outfit you so kindly gifted to me." She didn't seem to be at all perturbed about the insinuation of being a pervert, nor embarrased about so brazenly exposing herself. She ignored the backhanded insult to her and simply chuckled instead.
"Yes, her body is quite a work of art, isn't it?" She quipped with a quick clap. "However, we have more important things to discuss than flirting." She looked carefully at Amanda, trying to glean whatever she could about her wife from the thin lines connecting her puppeted body to her true soul.
Truthfully, she couldn't tell anything about her. It was rather exciting. "I think it would be best to discuss this inside."
-
Mansion
"Then why are you still standing there? Usually you just barge in like you own the place-"
William took that as a cue to push Amanda aside as he entered the house like a true conqueror. Amanda shut her her mouth and sent an annoyed glare at Eru, wondering why'd she brought someone along who might be even more pretentious than the Princess herself.
"Oh sorry, you made it sound like barging in was the tradition, so I couldn't help but partake in it myself, old habits die hard I guess." William almost laughed out, he was clearly amused by the situation.
-
Suerte
"Humanity?" she asked, pushing her hair behind her ear. "I didn't take you for a philosopher Justice. You say that as if it doesn't apply to you. Are you included in that?"
-
Justice
Justice scooched on the chair and propped his feet on the table between the seats. A sardonic glint came from his eyes.
"When you've lived this long and you think about what you do, you might as well be," he said, muffling a chuckle between words. "I said mostly, didn't I? But I'm not so self-sufficient I can afford to worry about my ego on the job, unlike some. That goes double here in the Nexus."
-
Suerte
Suerte blushed, remembering that she did in fact have an ego she put on full display to the world, from waving around her assets to her cocky attitude. But... it was that cockiness that let her grow, in a strange way. The moment she realized this, the red from her face faded and she folded her arms over her chest, straightening her posture. No boobs for Justice in this moment.
"And whats wrong with ego during a mission? A battle is a clash of egos and being good at that is our job."
Then again, that's why they failed to capture the assassin. She only lived thanks to her own determination, not her ego. "Does that mean you are able to maintain an egoless professional face Justice? C'mon. I know your not that professional."
-
Mansion
"Then why are you still standing there? Usually you just barge in like you own the place-"
William took that as a cue to push Amanda aside as he entered the house like a true conqueror. Amanda shut her her mouth and sent an annoyed glare at Eru, wondering why'd she brought someone along who might be even more pretentious than the Princess herself.
"Oh sorry, you made it sound like barging in was the tradition, so I couldn't help but partake in it myself, old habits die hard I guess." William almost laughed out, he was clearly amused by the situation.
Eruraviel
"Hmmph! I only did that once! Do you want help with this or not, Mandy." She crossed her arms and then shook her head at Amanda. "You should be thanking me for going out of my way, honestly."
-
Justice
"Nothing's wrong with it. There are folks that thrive by feeding theirs." He shook his head, and after a second where nothing passed behind his gaze, patted the ornate metal of Pity where it rested off his belt. "I didn't ask for your resumé and I can't claim I don't condone workplace relations. I'm not winning any employee of the month badges."
-
Mansion
"Alright, that's enough bickering ladies." William said as he took moved closer and put a hand on top of Amanda's head. "Your wife just wants what's best for you, so don't be so hard on her okay, someone as cute as you should smile more...."
"Hey! You can't just touch me like that, Y-you wanna get friend you I-idiot....." Amanda burst out in embarrassment and turned her face away from them.
"And that goes for you too Eruraviel...." He continued while paying no mind to the owner's embarrassment. "You're a great Princess, but maybe you should have the courtesy to properly introduce us before you begin squabbling. It's quite frustrating to watch as guest."
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel bit her lower lip. She'd never really liked social decourum, and she was quite annoyed at Amanda. Here she was, doing her a huuuuge favor only to get reprimanded and talked down to!
What was that about! Was this a joke?
She grunted in responce to him while her ears erratically trembled. "Amanda, this is William. I've hired him to help you" She followed after him with a single gentle hop right next to Amanda, poking the base of her back. "Stop acting so weird about him, silly. He's already taken by another woman."
-
Mansion
"What do you mean Erururu? He's totally flirting with us!" Her were burning with shame, this two pronged assault left her unable to even think about how she could have thrown them both away with her command of this land.
"She's right." William kept patting her head nonchalantly, her reaction just made it too good, it reminded him of her.
"Just because I like my maid doesn't mean I can't add this delectable girl to my harem."
-
Eruraviel
In a flash, Eruraviel had her arms wrapped around Amanda's neck, floating in the air behind her. She rested her chin atop Amanda's head and glared at him. "Unfortunately, she's taken. I won't let anyone lay a hand on her, never ever!"
-
Mansion
"Eru..." Amanda stammered, she hadn't expected the sudden show of affection and claiminf of her, it was really charming but...
"Hey, why was it okay for you to take that dragon but I can sleep around?"
Then William cut in with his response to the challenge. "You should join too Eru, the knowledge I possess makes that lump of meat you were so interested in studying look like a joke..."
-
Mansion
"Eru..." Amanda stammered, she hadn't expected the sudden show of affection and claiminf of her, it was really charming but...
"Hey, why was it okay for you to take that dragon but I can sleep around?"
Then William cut in with his response to the challenge. "You should join too Eru, the knowledge I possess makes that lump of meat you were so interested in studying look like a joke..."
Eruraviel
"Of course you can have a harem! But that doesn't mean that you're not my number one woman, and I won't accept being anything less than that either!" She exclaimed before tightening her grip on Amanda. She pulled her a bit closer and pressed her chest against her back, only directing her attention to William after thouroughly asserting her dominance. "Ah, that wouldn't be so bad." She replied. "But Amanda here is a little bit shy. Releationships are way more fun when you can spice things up with a third.
-
Suerte
The cowgirl lowered her arms, granting visual access to her cleavage once again. "Well you can have my resume anytime," she said. "I'm an open book and I want to know you more. We are partners after all."
-
Mansion
"Let me goooo!"
A massive hand of the arcane itself forced them apart and pushed Eruraviel into a wall. She turned to her fiance with a furious glare, her patience finally having boiled over. "Stop asserting your fucking dominance at any given point. Do you know how infuriating it is? It's like you're looking down on me. This ends now!"
"Looks like you got some issues to work throu-"
"Shut up pretty boy! I'm talking to my wife.""
-
Eruraviel
"Guh!" Eru found herself forced firmly up against a wall-the arcane fingers held her tightly against it, allowing no fantasy of escape. Pinned against the wall, she chose to quietly glare at Amanda wordlessly. Her ears stood still-drooping ever so slightly with disappointment, and perhaps a little bit more. Her glare momentarily focused on William as he made his quip before returning to Amanda, at which point it softened a hair.
"I didn't mean to act superior to you." She quietly said, forcing out words she rarely spoke. "I apologize."
Her gaze then hardened, staring directly at Amanda with her brilliant purple eyes. "However, I'd like you to stop disparaging me-I know I'm inexperienced at this, but it doesn't justify making fun of my life's work." She glanced at William for a moment before returning to Amanda. "Can we go and talk somewhere privately, Amanda?"
-
Justice
His eyes flickered to the side with a grimace, but he turned them back to her. "That so. Don't mind if I take the initiative then. Are you feeling alright after that, partner?"
-
Suerte
Suerte turned her head away. "I feel good.... I feel the most alive I have in a while...."
This was tough. The cowgirl said she was an open book but she didn't know how he would react. What happened should have been traumatic, scarring and in a way it was. The fact of the matter was those moments of struggle would be imprinted on her for the rest of her life, even if the memory faded. However, somehow she felt a bit more whole. But she was always like this, getting off to the things that should be terrible.
The moment she was done speaking, her pupil's locked on to Justice's.
-
Justice
"Is that all?" He returned without pause. More years than Suerte could imagine living weighed behind his silver irises, saddled by responsibility and discontent. "Then why do you speak ruefully?"
-
Suerte
"Because... I'm not supposed to be happy," she said, looking away again. This time she did not turn her entire head, but merely her brown pupils. "I almost died Justice. You literally said don't die after telling me not to go alone. I let my pride get the best of me and I almost died. What happened on your end anyway? I saw that.."
Suerte licked her lips.
"...Giant form so I thought something happened. Its why I rushed over."
-
Mansion
"Life is about progress Erururu... And I'm gonna make you even greater. Your biggest weakness is that you already think you're on top, But I guess beating that mindset out of you will be really hard with how long you've lived..." She sighed before continuing. "And no we're not going somewhere private. You brought a guest here on official business and as Chief of Pine Garden I can't just ignore them to elope with you. I have a hundred and more duties to attend to besides scheming with you, it's a delicate balancing game and you're kinda acting like a 12 year old with a super weapon."
William remained quiet to the side as the owner of the house monologues to the Elf.
"But most importantly, I'm the Chief here. And I won't have anyone, not even you act like they own me in my own home, in front of my guests." She calmly walked over to where Eru was pressed and slammed her hands onto the wall on either side of the Elf's face. The Height difference seemed to magnify many times over as Amanda loomed over her with a furious demeanor.
"DO YOU GET THAT?"
-
Eruraviel
Eruraviel felt small crushed under Amanda's overbearing presence. Her ears began to droop lower and lower throughout the lecture, and by the end, she was blinking back tears, doing her best not to cry.
"I-yes, I get it." She replied quietly, her lower lip trembling. Tears began to stream down her face and she shook her head. "I'm just trying to help as best I can, Amanda... You don't need to yell at me..." She shook her head again and recomposed herself. "I'll do my best to learn, okay?"
-
Mansion
Amanda leaned forward and then pushed Eru's face up from under her her, forcing the Princess to meet her gaze. "I know you will, that's why I love you silly"
"Aww, you really are cute together, it would only get better if two made it more steamy, make out with her and shake those hips babe!"
"H-hey!"
Amanda looked behind herself with a reappearing flush spreading across her face. What was he thinking just blurring out stuff like that? Urgh, she was way more used to guys just nodding dumbly at her or being way more composed and serious, this was ridiculous?
"Dont call me babe like that , gross. I can't believe it... It's not like I.... I don't even know how to shake my hips like that ok! I let my charm do the work..."
-
Eruraviel
The elf stood on her toes and kissed Amanda on the lips. She was releived-she didn't really understand relationships, they were scary, she didn't like fighting, and she hadn't been in a position of weakness for several hundred years, truly. Never since she'd lost her friends in that fight with the demon. She chuckled at William's comment and shook her hips at Amanda. "Your charm doesn't work that well on me, so you'll have to learn. I'll teach you all sorts of ways to use your seductive body even better, Mandy~"
She wiped her face clean of her tears and giggled, putting on a face of happiness. She shook her hips again, swaying them in just the way to make her entire lower body jiggle. "Like this. Try copying me."
-
Justice
"Just stacks of nonsense trying to trip me." He exahaled heavily, the lines of his face twitching. But the impulse disappeared with a quick shake. "You say it made you happy, but right now, you're distraught. Have you stopped to think why? And you have one thing wrong. I trusted you to come back alive, and you did."
-
Suerte
Suerte's eyes watered a little bit as she stared at Justice. After the craziness of the police attack and the loneliness of city life, this was the sort of solidarity that she sought, the trust of a partner. She almost forgot how it felt.
"Your not mad? Well I suppose we just met. It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I had died."
-
Mansion
"No."
Amanda gave her wife a flat look and shrugged.
"Maybe we can discuss that business now." William chimed in from the corner.
"Yeah I've been wondering that too, why did you bring him here?"
-
Justice
"No, it wouldn't," he said, and the shadows on his face untwisted. "But I won't simply forget someone who fought by my side."
-
Suerte
Suerte grinned at that answer, standing up from the couch and leaning her head in oh so slightly. Her brown eyes widened, not even hiding the fact that she was staring at him. It was as if she saw him as a different person all of the sudden.
"Your a lot more honest than I thought you'd be," she said with a giggle. It was clear his answer cheered her up a little bit. "Good. When I die, spread the legend of Suerte Martinez to all you hear."
Suerte looked at Spidey. He had fallen asleep. "Before I asked you to be my partner. I suppose I should be honest with you. I am not a bounty hunter because I need the money. I just like the thrill. I enjoy the challenge, the conflict, the simple but powerful struggle of life and death that makes me feel alive. Perhaps even more than that I..."
Suerte's face turned red and she looked away. "I really like killing people. Are you ok with that too?"
-
Eruraviel
"Well, you asked me to find someone strong and fast. So, here he is." She replied, staring at Amanda with a cocked head. Her ears twitched a tad in irritation-irritation at herself, that she wasn't strong enough, and that she had needed to go ask for help to solve this problem. "I'm not strong enough, so I went and found someone with real strength-someone stronger than with just magic. Feh."
The elf turned her head and sighed with a rather defeated expression.
-
Justice
The rider's features lit up with a chuckle. He wasn't exactly attached to his journals, but in no way would he forget to write about her. He reached forward and flicked a finger at Suerte's forehead. "You're more transparent than you think you are. But let's see... what you like doesn't determine what you'll do. We, thinking, philosophical beings, have the privilege to temper our instincts. To choose how to satisfy them."
-
Suerte
Suerte took another step closer, getting within arms length of Justice. "But I've killed people before? I don't belive you Justice. No way are you this non judgemental. Well... maybe you are. Tell me something. Why do you fight?"
-
Justice
"I fight because I was made for it," he answered, before taking in air. A cavernous hum made itself heard from deep within his chest, imbuing the words that followed with gravity older than Man, old enough to have worn itself down to pieces and still swallow worlds if unleashed.
"I fight because I'm good at it. I fight and kill because I swore; and I swore service to answer for the hollow massacres that my hands aided, which stretched until stars ran dry. And what I do beyond that, I do so that death and gloom are not the only legacy I leave when I am reduced to dust by the Creator's will, or some trick of the universe."
-
Suerte
Another step, the woman within arms length of Justice. Those curious brown eyes fluttered, her hands behind her back. "So do you struggle against your fate or your instincts?" she asked, her voice drenched in a sort of curious thirst. Her southern accent made the word instinct ring through the room. "Is that why you don't mind my lust for death and destruction, or are you just fighting fate?"
-
Justice
He considered the terms, stroking his chin with a gloved thumb. "If fate exists, then fighting its course is how you will find it. You're mistaken to think I'm unbothered, but judging is another thing altogether. You've slain and destroyed, but how many were hapless? How many were clean, if not in conscience, then in what they did to live?"
"I fight of my own will so that nature does not determine the whole of me", he said. "I think you and I resemble each other."
-
Suerte
The cowgirl rested her back against his chest, reaching up to caress his chin. Turning her head to the side, those brown eyes drifted over his face. "We are partners," she said in agreement. "I said I would be transparent here. I chose you as my partner because I was lonely.... this city, its so big... scary, different. And its law enforcement.... I mean in my world it was all bounty hunters but.... those riots weren't natural. I'm sorry."
She kissed the underside of his chin. "How... would you feel then if I told you I was an agent of fate?"
-
Justice
Was Suerte so desperate for acceptance, so wanton for forgiveneness because she didn't know who could give it to her and stay even without change, or was she naked in conflict now that she was surrounded by faces that would never let her say it was normal? On the best of days, Justice wasn't sure if his purpose was redemption or coping, so how could he say?
But still he responded with a hum and a twitch of a smile. "You don't seem like the knitting type."
-
Justice
Was Suerte so desperate for acceptance, so wanton for forgiveneness because she didn't know who could give it to her and stay even without change, or was she naked in conflict now that she was surrounded by faces that would never let her say it was normal? On the best of days, Justice wasn't sure if his purpose was redemption or coping, so how could he say?
But still he responded with a hum and a twitch of a smile. "You don't seem like the knitting type."
Spidey
"Someone called?" The kid suddenly popped up with a pink sweater freshly knitten. It looked absolutely cutesey and adorable...
And made just right for Justice's size.
-
Suerte
"I can knit you a whole web, end the entire purpose behind your fight against fate," she said, turning around and backing up, staring into his eyes once again. "What would you do if you suddenly had fate on your side?"
Suerte glanced at the sweater spidey was holding, before retuning her gaze to Justice.
-
Justice
He winced at the shameless shade of pink of the immaculately knit, painfully wholesome piece. There would be no questioning when and how Spidey even managed to produce it. "I am not wearing that, but love the vibe."
"Nothing would change," Justice continued, turning to Suerte. "At least for now. There's nothing I want in particular. But I'm curious. If an ally could give me that boon, I would ride lighter without a shadow of a doubt."
-
Spidey
So cool... He gripped the sweater even tighter and grinned like a dumb kid watching a badass anime scene. Or a romantic soap opera. He was super into those too.
-
Suerte
Suerte smiled at him. "Seems I chose a good partner then," she said. "But I knew that. I already care for you. I'm too soft, too quick to adore. My dear foolish partner, you are stuck with nothing short of a storm of fortune and passion."
The young cowgirl walked over to spidey, swiping the sweater. "Well if you won't I will. Our cute little buddy worked hard on making this sweater. So I will wear it if you won't."
-
Justice
"If I had to choose, I'm fond of untamed weather. But it's my luck that storms don't bother ghosts." Justice's rough face curled with humor, and he extended an arm in the air.
Misty feathers bloomed over it with a shrill coo, and dry fluttering gave way to bunched, unblinking birds. Not crows, but memory of what might have been those talkative corvids, filtered through a haunting caul. Justice whispered something unearthly to them, and they set off with in a whistling rise, disappearing through the shut windows.
-
Eruraviel
"Well, you asked me to find someone strong and fast. So, here he is." She replied, staring at Amanda with a cocked head. Her ears twitched a tad in irritation-irritation at herself, that she wasn't strong enough, and that she had needed to go ask for help to solve this problem. "I'm not strong enough, so I went and found someone with real strength-someone stronger than with just magic. Feh."
The elf turned her head and sighed with a rather defeated expression.
Mansion
"I dunno about that, my strength is wholly derived from magic." William cut her off.
"Wait you mean this guy actually impressed you with your crazy standards and in so.."
"Hang on-" He tried interjecting but failed as Amanda continued with her newfound firmness.
"....little time, what did he do?" She asked with more and more confidence building up. She was starting to regain control of the situation again and that was how she liked it.
-
Eruraviel
Eru planted her hand atop her chest and smiled. "Fufufu. Do your eyes not see it?" Eruraviel asked Amanda. "He's traveled here from another world, and constructed a fascimile of a soul directly out of magic. He also brought friends-in a powerful soul gem, preserving their integrity-and the souls contained are oh-so-incredibly interesting."
She waved her hand, and Amanda felt Eru trying to send her an image-a full impression of what she'd just found within the gem.
-
Mansion
Alas her passive defenses deflected the mental imagery away before it reached her, Amanda wasn't even aware that Eru had attempted to use such a method to communicate. She glanced over him again and her eyes told the same "What do you mean? He's clearly made up of divergent laws, the world is attempting to reject but can't. How is that not more fascinating than storing a soul in a bottle?"
"Ohoho.. so you saw that too, pretty impressive little miss land owner. But I still haven't heard the true reasoning for being brought here and my time and patience are both running thin."
"My wife likely thought you could deal with an usurper that's plaguing my rule but looking at you, you're the most vulnerable to one of his top men. The Magic Null, seeing how it flows through you, being near would be really really bad for you." She shook her head as she felt a headache beginning to rise up.
-
Mansion
Alas her passive defenses deflected the mental imagery away before it reached her, Amanda wasn't even aware that Eru had attempted to use such a method to communicate. She glanced over him again and her eyes told the same "What do you mean? He's clearly made up of divergent laws, the world is attempting to reject but can't. How is that not more fascinating than storing a soul in a bottle?"
"Ohoho.. so you saw that too, pretty impressive little miss land owner. But I still haven't heard the true reasoning for being brought here and my time and patience are both running thin."
"My wife likely thought you could deal with an usurper that's plaguing my rule but looking at you, you're the most vulnerable to one of his top men. The Magic Null, seeing how it flows through you, being near would be really really bad for you." She shook her head as she felt a headache beginning to rise up.
Eruraviel
"Yes, exactly! Of course that's interesting, but you haven't seen what else he brought!" For whatever reason, the connection had been interrupted, but that was of little consequence. It felt as if it hadn't even succeeded in connecting, meaning Amanda's defenses had probably just blocked it. She turned to William and flashed a toothy grin. "Honestly, if we weren't friends, I'd be interested in seeing just how you got yourself to work."
"And, well-he's clearly not useful against him, Mandy." She replied, turning back towards Amanda. "He'll require a special touch, from someone less magically inclined. Perhaps one of those who fights with those guns which humans have created. Mhhh..."
She tapped her foot and reached out to rub Amanda's back.
-
Mansion
Amanda begun grinding her teeth as she felt the hand caress her back. Seriously that Elf, she was trying to take this meeting seriously and she was being all affectionate, what was wrong with her?
"Those guns... Seriously... They've been around for longer than I've been. TWENTY TIMES OVER!" She waved her arms in utter defeat.
"She's right... This version appears to have come align with the era the previous one inhabited when I first arrived. The weapons you speak of have existed for centuries which is not an inconsequential amount of time even for the immortal races. Are you secretly admitting to being a luddite princess Eruraviel? Or is this too the choice of the Void?" He smirked at the thought and then continued.
[/i]"Make sure you don't end up more out of touch than HIM."[/i] The image of Zeke flashed through her mind alongside the stream of his thoughts.
-
Eruraviel
"Pff-what? Of course I'm not! I know how to use all the essential things! My world had nothing of the sort, and I only got here a couple years ago!" She protested, shaking her head vehemently. "It's only natural they seem new and exciting to me! The humans I knew of wouldn't be able to put together a simple five year plan, let alone a weapon as powerful as that!"
She glared at William, and then Amanda, moving her gaze rapidly back and forth. "Now how in the world could I sink that low! Don't jest about stuff like that!"
-
Mansion
"A few years ago, unbelievable..." Amanda muttered to herself.
"Oh but I'm very serious, not knowing about such base cornerstones of an era when you're playing your game is almost criminally ignorant. The fall happens quicker than you'd think and it's subtle too, believe me I've been there." William's thoughts were not in jest, and she was in desperate need of guidance before it was too late.
-
Eruraviel
"Stop treating me like an idiot! I know about guns! I did my research! They just feel a bit novel to me still, is all!" Eruraviel exclaimed in a huff. "I spent most of my time in the forest as well! Rushing into an unfamilar society would have been the stupidest thing I could have done!"
-
Suerte
Suerte smiled at him. "Seems I chose a good partner then," she said. "But I knew that. I already care for you. I'm too soft, too quick to adore. My dear foolish partner, you are stuck with nothing short of a storm of fortune and passion."
The young cowgirl walked over to spidey, swiping the sweater. "Well if you won't I will. Our cute little buddy worked hard on making this sweater. So I will wear it if you won't."
Spidey
"R-really!? You mean it!" Stars lit up in the spider's eyes. "Erm.. I mean... I'd have to get your measurements again though. I tailored it to fit his size and all, package included." He looked away and flustered a bit.
"Is it okay!? I can make it really good! If you've got any design requests, I'll take them! Oh, but you gotta let me film it though, for posterity purposes! I gotta add it to my portfolio."
-
Suerte
"That is a sweet answer partner," she said, nodding to that strange bit of poetry that came from his lips.
"As for you, your a pervy little kid, but I don't mind." She leaned in and whispered the information in his ear. Then she pulled back and looked at Justice. "If we are staying here, lets go out and grab some materials. It doesn't hurt to have more toys to play with. Also, what are you doing?"
-
Justice
"Just some information gathering," he said. Following his memory, the spectral familiars were now headed to where this whole mess had started, to stick their eyes where they weren't wanted but any movement back and forth might warn Justice of another incoming threat... or the compromised move they needed to fire back.
The rider would know when they did, so for now he was free to look out for his partner and their ostensible sidekick. If he was offput by the casual request of the young man, he didn't show it as he crossed the room to pick up his hat.
"You sure put 'easy-going' to shame." He chuckled. "If we have to go out, we should make sure no one is left without backup. Punishment can be our fourth for an even split."
-
Spidey
The lil kid got all red and fuzzy, and just looked away. "Geheheh...."
Suddenly, he twirled and posed dramatically. "Well well well! Don't forget about me! I might not look like it, but I'm plenty capable in a fight! Hmph!" He flexed his awe inspiring muscles, making extra sure that SUerte could get a good peek.
-
Aruna
A man fell to the ground, his life ended before he could even process what happened. Ross Baldwin, a man known both for his particular taste in woman and the ludicrous amounts of money he used to purchase them. Although it wasn't officially prostitution, it didn't need to be. Desperate free cat girls had a hard time in this district and to say they lacked status was an understatement. Just finding work was hard, let alone finding a place to stay. Imagine how much power a man could have by offering a solution to all of those things. Yes, it was easy for the man formally known as Ross Baldwin to make these women completely dependant on them. Maids, cooks, whatever profession he could think of, they all essentially lived in his house and did whatever he said.
It was a sort of dream, one that ended without the man ever having to wake up. Aruna shifted into the man known as Ross Baldwin, taking on a new human alias for the first time in recent memory. All of the man's assets, all of his connections, they would all be Aruna's. He reached into the man's jacket and picked out a wallet. In his free hand, he held his soul, his memories. The orb vanished into nothing, stored within Aruna's body.
"Ugh. Modern humans have so many locks. Its going to take time to figure out his passwords. We can figure out a way to release the girls, get some peace and quiet in the house."
-
Lulu
"Whaaaa- why would you throw adorable Catgirls onto the street, How cruel! And they're maids too. You should at least call on the Head Maid and explain what has changed. Don't tell me you were expecting me to clean all of this huge house by myself!"
Lulu floated down behind him and pulled him into a hug, showing her generous assets against his firm back. The demon might have been too overwhelmed to notice earlier but her body wasn't just really light it was also heavenly soft.
Her hot breathe tickled his ear as she drew even closer.
"Besides, they say Catgirls give the best blowjobs..."
-
Aruna
Aruna's entire body tensed up as he felt her breasts press into his back, every single muscle becoming tight from sheer tension. Angel of another world or not, it was hard to not feel himself be on edge with that massive presence just behind his back. Although thanks to that weird way her presence radiated calm, he never got the urge to defend himself. Thats why when he felt those massive things pressing into his demonic back muscles, the only thing that came from him was a satisfied growl.
"I'm not just going to throw them onto the streets," he said, his pupil darting to the edge of his eye, to look at her pretty face. "I'll see if we can't get them out of this district, maybe get them somewhere that they can survive easier, more independently. Although, I suppose if they decide to stay, it wouldn't be too bad to be pleasured by them. I hear they can take a lot of punishment too. But then... why do you care about that?"
-
Lulu
"Why...Do....I....Care...About....That?....."
She breathed in deeply and her grip on him tightened. This was unacceptable to the highest degree. How could he be like this? Could it be that... No, that was impossible, there was no way. No way that he didn't know about their limitless charm, their cute ears and tails, the way they purred every sentence and the way they moved...
Her breathing got shorter as she got worked up just thinking about them, flashes of pleasure flew through her body as her now hard nipples rubbed against his firm back until the Angel had to let a growl of her own.
"Be-BECAUSE THEY'RE THE CUTEST CREATURES IN THE WHOLE WORLD!"
-
Aruna
Aruna's eyes melted into his face, remolding to the back of his head just so he could see her behind him. He could feel his demonic heart beating faster as he felt her nipples harden on his muscular back. His breath synced up with hers as he felt the tension in the room increase.
"I see," he said, his voice completely deadpan. "I had no idea you had such fondness for a mutated bred of humans. I mean humans like cute weak things that they can manipulate because they lack power of their own, but why would an angel care about cat girls? "
The eyes on the back of his head returned to the front side of his face. "I suppose it doesn't matter. For now, we should just look into them, see which districts suit them best. Then, we can offer them a life better than this one. If they chose to stay, I won't stop them."
-
Lulu
The Angel found herself pouting around this man a lot. Was he really that unaware about the power of cute things? It made her more than a little bit sad still....
"Please don't do that it's creepy."
She was of course referring to the totally weird and creepy eye shifting that he was doing, it almost made her flinch away. "They have their own little district but that's nothing more than dictatorship in disguise... Those poor things, maybe you'd understand the feeling better if I showed you it.
She reestablished their mind connection and sorted all of her feelings about them, how their cute wiggle of their ears and tails made her heart flutter and want nothing more than to cuddle with them and protect them against all those bad things. And finally the joy as you slowly coaxed them into unleashing their inner sluts....
-
Aruna
"Creepy?" Aruna asked, tilting his head. "Is it really that bad?"
Passion was infectious, capable of being passed through people like a disease. Just from seeing someone else's passion, if it feels genuine, it can inspire one to take it on for themselves. So when Lulu flooded him with her genuine passion for these catgirls, he couldn't help but feel something himself. The cute little paws, the adorable overbite, the soft little bodies, even the carnal desire that flowed smoothly through every action, especially once they gave into their lust. Every single aspect flowed into his brain all at once.
But this flooding of information, it just reminded him of the chains, that vision, her promise. He took a deep breath and thought to himself. Not yet... i'll save her for the end of the day.
Aruna raised his hands to his face. Thats right. He was still in the body of the man he just killed. If he was going to maintain camouflage, he would have to maintain the appearance of a scumbag like him. Chains emerged from his forearm, wrapping around Lulu again. Instead of drinking her lifeforce, he detached the chain from his body, letting the tail slump at his feet.
"You'll be my new favorite maid girl," he said. "I have to keep up appearances you know."
-
Spidey
The lil kid got all red and fuzzy, and just looked away. "Geheheh...."
Suddenly, he twirled and posed dramatically. "Well well well! Don't forget about me! I might not look like it, but I'm plenty capable in a fight! Hmph!" He flexed his awe inspiring muscles, making extra sure that SUerte could get a good peek.
Suerte giggled at Spidey's cute little display. It was always nice to see a man proud to walk the path of strength. It sort of reminded her of a friend back home. Finally she turned to Justice and said,
"You tend not to worry about too much with fate at your back. Where to then partner?"
-
Lulu
"Maid, me? Aren't you bold." She took a step back while chuckling at the thought, it wasn't a real laugh though and you could clearly hear just how forced it was.
"What makes you think I'd crawl at your feet? A force slammed into his mind, and right after she grabbed hold of him and forcefully turned him around as she floated up to meet him face to face.
"If I choose to pleasure you that's my business but I will never be beneath you and I'll never be your pet. And just because I like kinky role play that doesn't I'll ever see you as my master..... Alright with that out of the way..." Her face suddenly brightened up like a switch had been flipped and the tense mood disappeared entirely.
"What sort of maid outfit would you like me to wear? I'm sure there's some storage around here for them..." She spoke out loud this time and continued on as if that mental conversation hadn't even happened.
-
Aruna
Aruna's eyes widened as he felt himself jerk towards the angel, even spinning around just so she could shoot daggers into his eyes from her own. Although he kept his human face unchanging, he could feel his heart sink, no slammed by the force attacking him psychologically. His heart didn't sink, it jumped.
That face again. How could she look so vulnerable? An angel was in his presence and blushing from the idea of an intimate act with him....
"Well don't worry," he said. "I don't think i'd ever force you. Different kind or not, I don't really want to pick a fight with an angel. Besides, the only ones I consider beneath me are animals, including the humans."
The chains around Lulu despelled as Aruna realized she'd need space to change. Wandering around the room, it didn't take long to find a closet with all sorts of fetish outfits. It seemed this man shared Lulu's love of kinky roleplay and was more than willing to make the women he exploited dress in them. The demon wearing human skin took the black cloth in his hand and examined it.
"Truth be told, i'm more concerned with finding an outfit that fits you. Its rare for a human to have such proportions and those that do are prized. I suppose ideally it would be best to have an outfit that is pristine but revealing, one that communicates your sexual superiority as well as status within my circle. But don't worry its just a mask for the catgirls and the public. Outside of that we are just an angel and a demon living together. Consider our whole persona just one big kinky role play session."
Aruna pulled one outfit from the shelf. "Can you shapeshift, perhaps reduce your breast and butt size? Otherwise we may have to find new clothes."
-
Lulu
She landed back down on the floor with a barely audible thud, her bare feet looked almost cleaner than the pristine floor beneath, such was the magnificence of a Angelic being. Even with her wings and halo hidden, there was an otherworldly presence to her that gave away her inhumanity.
It looked like the supply of costumes was even greater than she'd anticipated but they were all inadequate for the reasons he had laid out. And while his comment on Humanity did rub her the wrong way it was nothing compared to the suggestion he had made to remedy the wardrobe problem.
"Absolutely not, while it's true I could change shape to diminish my assets would be to defile my purpose. My body is a temple to fertility and anything less than this is unacceptable. You will have to make the clothes fit me."
-
Aruna
"Apologies," he said with a sigh. "I didn't mean to offend you."
The demon groaned, running his arm along the cloth. This thing would barely cover her torso thanks to those massive breasts, let alone her entire body. Perhaps the answer was those catgirls themselves...
Aruna pulled out the phone he swiped from the body earlier. After unlocking the homescreen, he noticed an app with a catgirl paw as a logo. Opening it, he realized it was used to page the catgirls. Each one under his employment had a different function, a different specialty. In the notes there were different tags to mark unique skills. Blow jobs, tit jobs, unique noises made when pleasured, even specific sexual preferences.
Aruna's finger floated to a catgirl who specialized in knitting and paged her. It wouldn't take long for her to show up according to the notification that popped up after her profile picture was clicked. With that task done, she tossed the phone to Lulu.
"There. Hold to that for a while as an apology, at least until we get you outfitted. More lovely catgirls for you to adore."
-
Lulu
"Hehehe...."
The angel sounded almost manic as she furiously scrolled down the phone app and took note of all the catgirls. "Ohhh..... I see..." She nodded to herself, completely absorbed with this activity or so it seemed until she suddenly addressed him. "I'll make you see the light in time Master Aruna...." Then she was immediately back to gawking at those adorable catgirls as minutes passed by.....
"So many to compete with, I'll have my work cut out...."
Really she was getting quite anxious for the fitting now, there was a lot she'd have to live up to as the "favorite".
-
Kristine
"Nyaaa!"
The catgirl (https://imgur.com/weHKBKV)burst into the room. Her master had called her into the bedroom, so he was either asking her for a favor or actually asking her to do the job she actually trained for. Either way, it was going to be a long day.
She crawled forward on all fours, her tail swishing back and fourth. "Hello myaster! How may I service you today!?"
Aruna
Aruna had been sitting on a chair in the room, legs folded over his knee. He pointed a finger at Lulu and said, "Make something big enough to fit that girl. She's too thick for these outfits."
Kristina (again)
The catgirl looked up at the man with surprise. Was he seriously just asking her to knit? He brought her up to the bedroom just to ask him to knit?
-
Suerte giggled at Spidey's cute little display. It was always nice to see a man proud to walk the path of strength. It sort of reminded her of a friend back home. Finally she turned to Justice and said,
"You tend not to worry about too much with fate at your back. Where to then partner?"
Justice
"Shopping. Didn't you say you wanted to grab supplies?" He said to Suerte, before turning to the young man. "Best you keep in though, seeing as you're a loose end. Would you rather I stay? I'm sure Suerte can handle Punishment's temper if need be."
-
Spidey
"Pfff. WHatever suckas. Well, Ill just go for a quick number one and meet up with yall." A suddenly shady grin crept up his face, a dark shadow of very unclean intent. "We're going to rock this!" He gave them a thumbs up and shifted away while standing compleeeetely still. Just baaacked away...
In a dark corner of the hideout
Heh. So it was there after all. He noticed it as they dragged him through the hideout when he got shot, but he wasn't sure if it was an hallucination. But there it was. He had been looking for years for something like this. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"Keheheh..."
Lovey Dovey Maidey In Love - Deluxe 2003 edition! This wasn't just your average run of the mill porno mag. This was a collector's item! This was the stuff of legends! And he found it right there, right in the corner of the hallway.
"Ohoho! I wonder who will it be this time! Alice? Maya? Sandra? Ohoooo! I just can't wait to turn the paaage!"
He twirled his fingers with a crazed expression, but checked back and forth to make sure he wasn't being watched or followed. No, he hid carefully, right in the corner of the ceiling. Right here, no one would look for him.
He fliiiiiipped a paaaaaaage! And yet-
"Huh? Blank? The hecc?" He raised an eyebrow and stuck out his tongue, flipping more pages. No way! The special edition was... empty?
He turned it upside down back and forth, and stared at it with confusion. He kept flipping pages until he noticed something on the corner of an empty page.
(https://i.imgur.com/6Nn4ucD.gif)
"What's this...?"
If.
He turned another page. For some reason, his spine started to feel cold.
You.
H-hey. What the heck was this? Was this some kind of sick joke? H-he was just a kid. This was supposed to be a fun magazine. Why was the writing all red and ominous like that?
Open.
Sweat started to drip down his forehead.
The.
Sweat started dripping from every pore of his body.
Next.
Spidey started shivering and curled up a bit.
Page...
(https://i.imgur.com/6Nn4ucD.gif) (https://i.imgur.com/6Nn4ucD.gif) (https://i.imgur.com/6Nn4ucD.gif)
His fingers started to shiver. He was just about to flip to the next page.
On the other side of the hideout, where Justice and Suerte were talking, the two could hear a faint... gunshot.
(https://i.imgur.com/5KbbDcd.jpg)
-
Kristine
"Nyaaa!"
The catgirl (https://danbooru.donmai.us/data/sample/__miqo_te_and_alice_final_fantasy_and_2_more_drawn_by_srm_chi__sample-c1ba46d03f5f041d17eea3619b6e5965.jpg) burst into the room. Her master had called her into the bedroom, so he was either asking her for a favor or actually asking her to do the job she actually trained for. Either way, it was going to be a long day.
She crawled forward on all fours, her tail swishing back and fourth. "Hello myaster! How may I service you today!?"
Aruna
Aruna had been sitting on a chair in the room, legs folded over his knee. He pointed a finger at Lulu and said, "Make something big enough to fit that girl. She's too thick for these outfits."
Kristina (again)
The catgirl looked up at the man with surprise. Was he seriously just asking her to knit? He brought her up to the bedroom just to ask him to knit?
Lulu
"Ehhhhhhhh!"
She turned on the "master" with a shocked look and it looked like tears were about to burst out of her heavenly blue eyes. "W-what? Master..... Please tell me you aren't calling me fat...." Her mood seemingly soured by the second as shadows gathered over her face, but then she noticed the catgirl come crawling in a lightened up like a light bulb.
Lulu skipped over to her and kneeled in front of the absolutely adorable being. her gloved hands sought out the soft and fluffy ears of the catgirl which she begun scathing with much enthusiasm.
"You're way too adorable!.... Hey, am I too fat?" She suddenly asked the catgirl.
-
Kristine
Kristine became transfixed by the large mounds floating in front of her face. Knowing her master, thick probably meant the things in front of her that were making her feel inadequate.
"Y-yes," she said bluntly. Although that was a sort of lie. She wasn't too fat, just fatter than her in all the most envious ways. "But... who are you? Myaster she's knew and not a catgirl. Who is this?"
Aruna
Oh shoot she's getting a little suspicious.
"I'm pretty sure I can call you whatever I want," he said, lazily waving at her in a get moving motion. "And as for you, it doesn't matter. Get knitting."
Hopefully that was meaner.
-
Lulu
She did look a little downtrodden at being confirmed as fat but Lulu seemingly got over it at their master reaffirmed the set of orders to the catgirl. The blonde nodded in agreement and stopped scratching the cute catgirl's ears.
"You heard master. You should take my measurements and make me an outfit befitting the new head maid."
-
Aruna/Kristine
Aruna approached Lulu from behind, slapping her on the rear and leaning in to whisper, "No need to look so down. Your fat in all the right places. There can't be anyone as beautiful as the angel of love."
Kristine looked at Lulu with a tilt of her head. A new head maid? Like her new boss? Those new thoughts faded as she felt the girl stroking her ears. A purring noise filled the air, becoming more and more intense as she continued to pet her.
"So your the nyu favoriate?" she asked, pulling two clothes together. Her arms to stich things together at a speed no human could possibly process or follow.
-
Lulu
Lulu's back straightened as she felt her ass get slapped. She hadn't been prepared for it whatsoever and rumbled forward onto the ground in front of the catgirl. While she didn't quite feel like it now, she had to keep up the act for the maid who was making her new uniform.
"Mhm... Master won me in a game and he chose to assign that to me." Lulu had stopped scratching the girl's ears since falling but nevertheless she pulled herself back up on her knees whole keeping in mind to have her ass raised in case he wanted to touch her again.
"Please don't call me fat that's way to embarrassing. I'd like it more if you talked dirty about my assets than that...." Her voice reached Aruna in his mind so that the maid couldn't hear them.
-
Aruna/Kristine
Very well. he thought, intentionally in case she was listening.
The catgirl held up the cloth, pressing the stitched together outfit against Lulu's chest. Even this new outfit wasn't big enough to completely cover her cleavage. But perhaps that is what their master wanted. Returning to her work to make the final adjustments, her arms once again became a blur, stitching and restitching the fused maid uniform.
"Well I admit I love catgirls but these huge tits are worth almost as much as my mansion," he said, reaching around to grab one breast. The other cupped her ass in his hand. "Plus, she's a cutie with a grand presence. Its only natural she become my favorite. Oh and did I mention she has a huge ass? She has a massive spankable ass."
And so, he gave it another smack, enjoying how those cheeks rippled at his touch.
Though he was acting like a smartass, the calmness of her presence finally broke through the natural anxiety of being near an angel. If she really was this bothered by being called fat, then perhaps she really did not mean him any harm. After all, it would have been simple to retaliate while he was putting on his little act and end him. However, she didn't, after he made her feel fat. An angel of his world wouldn't do that.
Better? Even within his head, his voice was snide.
-
Lulu
Smack.
The loud sound of his hand hitting her spankable ass reverberated throughout the room, while there was a lot of give to her round cheeks, after his hand sank into it to a certain point it bounced back almost like a softball. But that wasn't what was racing through her mind right now. No, it was something completely different, his words.
She blushed furiously and found herself unable to look anywhere but on the floor as her raging emotions blew up a storm inside her.
"Thank you for opening up....... You have no idea what that means to me...." Her inner voice sounded just as embarrassed and vulnerable as she looked in that moment.
-
Aruna
Opening up huh? I was just lowering my guard again like a fool, he thought out loud, unsure if she was still listening. The voice in his head was solemn, but with a hint of yearning. I think... i'm happy you care. But.... I feel like I should be happy that i'm making an angel happy.
Kristina's head darted to the busty woman, then back to her master, then back to the blonde. Something was happening but she wasn't sure what. Was the spanking really that good? Her face got really red.
"Myaster its done!" she cheered, genuinely happy she didn't have to pleasure him today and that she got to do her job. "Here you go miss head myaid!"
The demon wearing human skin stood up. "Well then, how about you change into them. I need my head maid to look the part."
For a brief moment, his eyes flashed. To gaze upon an angel's naked body. It wasn't unheard of. After all, an angel in its naked form was pure, far beyond the sexual standards of humans, sometimes even demons. However, in this context......
"Lets leave her in my chambers," he said, grabbing the girl by the back of the collier and dragging her out.
"Myaster? Your leaving her in your room?" she asked, perplexed.
"Shut up and lets go," he said, dragging her towards the door.
-
Lulu
"Aww Aruna... I was looking forward to showing off my naked perfection to both of you.... how mean." She had no choice but to go with a mental outburst as she couldn't just oppose an direct order publicly. Thus she bowed and waited for them to leave before letting her old dress fade away.....
A few minutes later the new head maid left the room and was now dressed the part too. The maid uniform she now wore had far more frills that her previous dress but it also hugged her waist and hips much more tightly which made it only that much clear just how inhuman her proportions. Her breasts were fully covered unlike before but they were hugged so tightly you could easily see the shape of both of them and it somehow made them look even bigger.
"Master.... I've never had clothes this form fitting before... But they feel so good!"
-
Aruna
Later..
When Aruna's human eyes landed on that form, his entire world sunk into the ground, along with his heart. This single image imprinted on his mind could never leave. An angel was dressed up as a human servant. Yes, it was an angel that was different from his angels, but an angel nonetheless. This woman was presenting herself to him sexually in a subservient human form. The denizens of the dark had long tried to dominate the oppressive light, including Aruna himself, but never in his wildest dreams could he imagine this.
"Ummm..... your welcome?"
"You like it myaster? I'm really good at making clothes when you use me right!" she said, standing up. Her tail wished back and forth, her canine eyes beaming with pride.
Aruna's pants were tight. This entire plan was a mistake.
-
Lulu
Already stunned Aruna? I haven't begun actively seducing yet teheee-" Her thought speech wmigjt jostle him back to awareness or so she hopped, it wouldn't do to have the master be a gaping fool after all.
"It looks like master is pleased, Thank you so much!"
The angel suddenly threw herself at the catgirl and pulled her face right into her impressive breasts. Of course they hadn't lost any of their unearthly soft bounciness so the girls whole head soo disappeared into the valley between.
" Thank you thank you so much, you have no idea how important that was for me. Hey master.... Can we reward her for such a wonderfully good job?"
-
Aruna
The cat girl yelped, her face literally being buried inside the blond's massive rack. She couldn't hear what the two were talking about anymore, the breasts blocking out even her enhanced cat hearing. Aruna took the time given to him to take in a deep breath and sigh. Thats right. I am the human known as Ross Baldwin...
"I don't see why not," he said. "What do you have in mind?"
-
Lulu
"I think you have an idea master~" As she spoke out loud, another melody was played for mind and it showed an scene unfold that the Angel thought he would enjoy. Images of her and the catgirl competing to earn his favor among others were shown to him.
"I need to know how capable the girls are if I'm gonna manage your harem silly-" Her teasing mental voice continued from that vision. It wasn't until she was done with it that she finally released the Catgirl from her heavenly valley to let her breathe. Of course with how long she'd been in close contact, the poor girl had been bombarded by her relaxing aura, it wasn't unusual for even other girls to look at her with adoration after such great exposure.
-
Aruna
It was a nice vision indeed and the demon in human skin smirked at the thought. There was a time in history where Aruna spent time as a demonic overlord. Surround by human women, even the half demon children he spread through his seed, at least while he was in the form of a man. After a while, he took the form of a woman to avoid dealing with the problems of human birth. However, having the woman fawn over his whims, desire his very affection, flinch at his power. It was fun while it lasted.
"Very well," he said, his form shifting. The slim form of the middle aged business man became more sharp, jagged. Horns grew on his head, those human pupils turned red and his body grew out of his clothes, ripping them to pieces. Aruna had transformed back into his male demonic form.
But if this goes wrong we will have to kill her. he thought. He meant it when he said he was determined to keep a low profile.
Kristina grabbed hold of Lulu's breasts, pulling herself out of her cleavage. Her face was coated in sweat from being inside of the head maid. Turning around, she let out a small gasp, then turned back to Lulu. "Look out! A dyemon! Myaster! What happened to myaster?"
"He's dead. I killed him and am assuming his identity."
-
Lulu
"Don't be a scaredy cat Kristina. Our new master is a kind and most wise master. I think you'll find serving him to be way more rewarding than before. Besides..."
Lulu caught the slippery Catgirl in another tight hug as she leaned in closer to whisper. "His fat demon dick comes with a bunch of perks you'd never find in a fat slob of a human."
-
Kristina
The catgirl's ears bounced when she heard the word "perks." The catgirl's lips curled into a devlish grin and she nodded. "I always hated the old myaster," she said, licking her lips. "He always did as he pleased, looked down on us catgirls and thought of us only as toys. I nyever thought i'd do my job to a demon but I don't mind a nyw myaster."
Aruna sighed. "Well then its time to decide. You can leave the mansion and I can use your old masters resources to find you a new job, or you could stay here and work for me, guard my secrets."
"No I will stay," the girl said, closing the hand already around Lulu's breasts, squeezing ever so tightly. "Even if I leave, I could run into someone worse. Besides its....."
The cat girl dug her head into Lulu's breasts. It became clear that the only reason she yelped before was that she was started by the girl's surprising strength. It was oddly... soothing for her to be in between them.
"Nyce here."
-
Lulu
"Heh... While I do like all the attention on my first day here, you should stop hogging my cleavage or you'll make your new master jealous Kristina." She gently pushed the eager catgirl away and tried to get as composed as she could.
"As the the head maid I will be your direct boss, do you have any other skills besides sewing? If you want to continue working for us then you'll need a broader set of skills, which might include combat. Besides being the head maid I am also Master Aruna's harem manager, and being a demon his appetite can be quite demanding. So I have to make sure you can handle it."
-
Aruna
"I cyan fight," she said, not really listening to the prompt. She squeezed again. "Human masters find us more eyndearing if we have a cute specialty, but I can fight, organize, and hunt. Most of us are specialized."
Aruna folded his arms over his chest. "You know i'm not really that bothered by two girls rubbing up against each other. Its pleasing to the eyes."
-
Lulu
"Is that so?"
Instead of pushing Kristina away this time she did something completely different and appeared to embrace it only for the two of them to disappear a moment.
And then the two of them fell on top of Aruna, She pushed him down and let the two of them land on either of his legs.
"See Kristina, this is how you topple a demon hehehe-""
-
Aruna
Aruna's eyes widened as Lulu's form suddenly materialized on top of him, sending him plummeting ass first onto the ground. If it weren't for her naturally calming presence, he would have instinctively sent spikes through their bodies. Instead, he wiped the flash of shock from his face and merely attempted to push both off of him, his palms resting on each of their respective stomachs to shove them off.
"Not right now," he said. "I still have to deal with the rest of the staff."
"The rest of the staff?" the catgirl said with a tilt of her head. "The old myaster kept a list of his regulars on his phone, but most of us are contractors."
"For now leave. I will call you back inside when you are needed."
The girl got to her feet, bowed and walked through the double doors. After watching her leave, he turned around and faced Lulu. "Do you think we can trust these catgirls? They seem rather fickle."
-
Lulu
"Seriously?"
Lulu floated up and gave the fallen one an annoyed glare as she huffed. "You need to stop being so suspicious and enjoy life more. And have you already forgotten I can read their minds? That girl was pretty excited about the change in management, but if it comes to that....." Her small frame floated closer and her expression softened. She wasn't really angry at him but his constant hyper suspicion was starting to get on her nerves.
"I won't let any of them harm you Aruna."
-
Aruna
Aruna scoffed, before his entire expression softened. This whole interaction, this whole pact, everything about this didn't make any sense. He still couldn't wrap his head around it. This warm feeling given to him by an angel of all things. He said the only thing that made sense.
"Thanks...."
He wanted to protest, tell her that she wouldn't understand what it was like but somehow, it felt wrong. He was just happy to feel whatever this feeling was. Instead, he snatched the phone from her and made a call. It was time to redecorate. The entire place would need to be redesigned from scratch. By the time he was done with her, this mansion would be different.
Silence.
Aruna had asked Lulu to wait inside of his quarters while he made the call. After all, he wanted to surprise her a bit, not let her in on the details. While she could just read his mind, it was the gesture that counted here and he wanted to make sure she knew that. More importantly, he needed a second to himself.
All he had thought about at this point was how dangerous she was, trying to figure out a second angle she was pulling, what she truly wanted, but he never considered what she could offer. His goal was to hunt the graces, someone more familar with holy power could help with that. After all, did he really think he could take the light with his own power? He had grown stronger yes, but the light, it was said to be leagues beyond demons. No, he knew it was. He could still remember the power that once nearly struck him down.... Thats why he had to familiarize himself with it. The demon known as Aruna had to know what it meant to hold all that power, all that holiness, the light itself.
The door creaked open and the sound of claws scraping against the ground filled the air. Aruna was in his full male demonic form, although his wings were no where to be seen, because he had no intention of flying away from this. Every muscle in his body was an inch or two bigger, not to make himself stronger, but to silently signal his intent. He wanted to take charge here.
"We have a lot of time...." he said, his demonic eyes soft as he gazed at her. "That feeling from before, drinking your life force. Can I do it again?"
-
Lulu
"Oh you done now?"
The heavenly angel sat up on the bed she'd been resting on ever since he'd left her there. She figured he was trying to make some surprise so she didn't read his mind to see what was going on. Now that would have been boring ans she wanted some exciting fun too! Otherwise she'd go against hr own preaching and that's a big no no....
"Of course you can... Take me whenever you desire Aruna heh..." She couldn't help but put in some sexual puns here and there. Especially now that he'd just left her alone in a room like this, she was getting really bored... It's why she begun stretching right as she saw him, both because her limbs was getting sore but mostly to give him a show. She exaggerated the movements to give him an even better view of her curves. With how tight the uniform was she didn't really need too but it would be completely against her nature not to play this out to maximum gain.
"But the power you truly crave can never be yours.... Not unless you force me and that's when it's the most delicious."
-
Aruna
Aruna's blood red eyes lingered on Lulu's body like a lion stalking its pray. It was like she was a piece of meat to him. By now he was halfway across the room, closing in on the bed. "I don't know whats going to happen to me. If I lose myself I need you to stop me. But... i'll take comfort in knowing your holy power is above mine. I can lose myself..."
Aruna flashed his teeth, something growing between his legs. The beding began to shift into a dark portal and two chains emerged from it, wrapping around her breasts. They squeezed ever so tightly, being as snug as possible on her chest. The other chain went around her legs, squeezing those as well. The base of the chains connected into the portal, sapping every ounce of life energy it could drain.
"Ahhh..." he said, with a deep breath. "It feels... so good. And.. you won't die right? I can take all I want?!"
-
Suerte
"Oh of course! I can handle the adorable little hell horse...."
Suerte froze. A strange forboding feeling crept into Suerte's belly. She turned around only to realize Spidey was gone. The strange feeling, it was butterflies in her tummy, a clawing at her core, but also excitement. This strange combination of guilt, excitement and genuine worry was a difficult one to put into words, but it was simultaneously exciting and uncomfortable at the same time.
The familiar crack of a gunshot filled the air.
"Thats probably him," she muttered.
-
Lulu
"Whoaaa..."
Lulu tugged the chains a bit but they didn't give, she'd have to really try to break out of this, and with their drain effect she wouldn't be able to teleport either, at least her arms were but more importantly was the way he'd tied her and what he'd forgotten....
"I told you already take as much as you want, I'm too full.... But you fail on the fetish bonds.... My arms are still free see" She held up her hands to demonstrate.
"And you didn't even put a leash on me.... You sure you're a demon?" Lulu titled her head and was seemingly not even minding her vulnerable position.
-
Aruna
Aruna's muscles began to fill with holy light. His biceps pulsating with the Lulu's raw unfiltered holy power. A dark aura began to leak from his shoulders and back into the air, filling the room with his presence. He smiled at her comment, flashing her his demonic fangs in response.
"What do you think I am, a human?" he said, now looming over her, his red gaze fixated on her hips before moving to her chest. "I prefer to go slower, take my time. I'd rather not run amok from getting too high on this power.... To have an angel at a demon's mercy is unheard of. I want to savor it."
The chains around her legs retracted. He wanted her to be able to stand, or at least try to. Aruna's palm covered Lulu's face, his claws digging into the back of her head as he clamped down. Lifting her tiny feet off the ground, he grinned, simply enjoying the feeling of holding her helplessly in the palm of his hands. Then he slammed her into the ground next to the bed. It felt so good to remove an angel from their throne.
-
Justice
The rider rolled his eyes. "For fuck's sake." Stomping in the direction of the sound, he hefted his own gun. There was a time and a place for ambushes in a recently acquired temp hidey hole, and this was not it. Was Spidey bugged? Was he just unlucky?
He kicked a door open without checking for how close Suerte was. He might shoot the troubled young man himself if that sound wasn't it. That he was thinking in puns now was probably his fault, come to think of it.
-
Lulu
"EHH!"
The Angel yelped as she was suddenly slammed into the ground head first. It was all spinning, the whole world, everything. She shook her to make the world come to a stop and got up on her knees.
"Owwiieee.. That's so mean Aruna." Her face fell into a pout as she complained, the faintest traces of tears were welling up and trailing down her cheeks.
-
Aruna
"Don't cry," he said, softly placing a single extended nail along her cheek. "I am merely granting your wish."
This.... was way too cathartic. His hand on her face, slamming her into the ground. It was like he was slamming the very embodiment of the terror into the very concrete. More mana seeped into his muscles, expanding them slightly. It was as if the holy energy was commanding him to grow. This desire to grow, to dominate, it was different from the demon one.
A hand came down onto the crown of her head, pushing her into the floor like a hammer pushes a nail. Each step he took caused the ground to shake a bit, almost as if a truck were passing by. Once again looming over her, his demonic cock was thrust into her throat.
"I hate how much i've grown to like you over the short time we've known each other," he said, pulling her hair so that she would be forced to look up at him. The light was forming a strange pattern, lines etched into his upper torso. Dark clouds seemed to seep from his body, spreading across the room. It was as if his very presence was beginning to spread. That darkness swallowed up the furniture, preventing it from being seen. He was subconsciously casting haze. "In demon culture, we hurt our lovers to show a willingness to share the burden of pain. Human's adopted this practice but often use it to abuse their fellow humans... For them its a way to let out their feelings of powerlessness. I can't tell... I can't tell if I am hitting you like a human or demon!"
A fist slammed into her gut. The feeling of his strong demon arms sinking into her soft belly felt was indescribably satisfying. It was like punching an abusive god. How could this be real?
-
Lulu
"Guuuhhhhh..."
It was with with a blurry vision from her tear filled eyes that she was forced to look up at him with. His shape was only vaguely recognizable, but she didn't need to see him to know who it was. The rich taste of demon musk deep down her silky smooth throat would give it away any time. If her skin had been soft to the touch then her insides was smoother that softest of silk, an indescribable sensation to mortals that would tickle every nerve end of his shaft with both the texture and the faint hum of divine power that flowed directly into his cock.
"Enjoying my throa-aaagh!" Her projected thought was cut off by a mental scream as his fist sank into her stomach fully until the entirety of his hand was submerged and surrounded by her flesh. The direct mental link between them had revealed even more than the roleplay from before. Unlike his previous actions, this hit had truly caused her pain.
-
Aruna
It felt so good.
The demon placed a hand on the back of Lulu's head, prompting her to continue sucking. It was the hand of the grace. That moist throat wrapped around his hard demon shaft felt so warm. God, angels, light, demons, devils, humans, fire. He told himself that he wouldn't think anymore, that he would just do, but what was this? Could he really say that this is what he wanted?
The palm glimmered, his body now officially becoming a spotlight in this room of darkness. The more he shined, the more the world around him darkened. The chains wrapped around those delectable breasts and that plump torso continued to suck the energy out of her. He wasn't just glowing anymore, he was shining.
"Of course. Its truly an angelic feeling..."
He wanted more.
Lifting her up by the back of the head, he walked her over to the edge of the room and slammed her face first into the wall. He wanted to feel more pain, his pain. To beat her down physically just as he had been so many times. No, he just wanted to feel strong.
Employee break room
"So the myaster is dead?"
"Ny- yeah!"
The catgirls were huddled in a circle, each one in a lodging chair. They were all furry of course, with little mouse toys attached by strings. A carpet was in the center of the room. "These are kind of nice.... are you sure its ok?"
"Don't worry, the nyu myaster is nicer than the old one!"
Aruna: Master's quarters
More....
Aruna let out a growl as he penetrated her pussy from behind with his demonic cock. The shining light radiated from him in the form of intense ever growing darkness. Nothing could be seen anymore, not even the walls Lulu's head had been slammed through. All he could see was the ass in front of him as he slammed his hips into those jiggly cheeks.
-
Spidey
What they saw... the visage they witnessed...
Was Spidey standing over a guy in a black trenchcoat and a ninja mask with a calm, focused expression. The man just laid in a pool of his own blood (https://i.imgur.com/Y6pGDRZ.png) and was difficult to recognize. Still, there was no mistaking the sight of A-702 pointing the empty glock at the meat carcass.
"Knew it. He was hiding inside the magazine." It almost didn't make sense. His calm and collected expression was unlike anything before.
(https://i.imgur.com/4MyvqUY.png)
He shot him in the head again for good measure. Then-
"Oh! Drat, didn't notice you guys!"
-
Lulu
"AAAAAARUNA-"
Lulu moaned and begged for him to do something but all that came out of her mouth was some unintelligible squeals of pleasure and vague moans of his name. Her pussy was desperately clamping down on the thick intruder but for the first time in a long time, she couldn't toy with her partner. His nature, no the power he stole from, it was messing up her body and she was losing.... Losing control of her form, and her body was becoming his to play with as he desired. Then her feet were slowly rising, first up on her toes and eventually they came off the ground completely as she begun floating.
Being this true to her nature made it impossible to suppress her Angelic traits. She pushed back against him wildly and drove her head out of the wall to reveal a brightly shining halo, it's brilliant shine was enough to even pierce the darkness he spread.
"Too much...... It's toooo much.... ARUUUUUNA-"
-
Aruna
A fapping noise filled the room as Aruna's hips continued to slam against Lulu's cheeks in a rhythmic pattern. Harder and harder he went, growling and groaning as he felt her clamping down on him, the tightness of an angel.
It felt so good, to dominate an angel like this. A demon was born into a world of losers, ones subjugated by the angels. To think he could hold a dominating position over such a goddess, even sexually.
Then he saw it, the halo. The angel and that face of pleasure that he was giving her. The light engulfed the room, swallowing even his own darkness, or rather the darkness created from stealing her essence. It was too bright.
A steam of tears poured down his demonic eyes. With a roar, he retracted the chains from her torso, wrapping them around his own arms and legs. Tighter and tighter he squeezed until his limbs snapped off.
NO! NOT AGAIN!
All he could think of was Asmeal. If he had done this earlier than... well he wouldn't need to chase the graces. Those demonic eyes searched Lulu's face. With the chains gone, he continued to thrust, to give her a different kind of affection. He still slammed her as hard as he could, but he didn't take anymore lifeforce from her. The demon merely looked for something, anything, any form of love that she could offer him, any sign that she had feelings, that she existed in the same way he did. That is what those eyes searched for, a sign that he was doing the right thing.
-
Suerte
Emerging from the door with Justice, the cowgirl sighed with relief as her brown eyes touched the corpse, then moved to Spidey. Turns out he wasn't in danger. Seemed like he was more of a man than she thought too. He would grow into a fine young man if he kept up this.... bloodlust.
She shook her head and said, "Well well, guess we got lucky. Another assassin down. From now on we should try to capture these guys alive, see if we can trace them back to the killer."
-
Justice
He really wanted to ask. He shouldn't. It was like a scene out of a comic, Spidey's austere face contrasting an utterly bizarre explanation, with the expired proof for them to see. Justice had to focus on more concrete things if he wanted to make it through these mood swings without his composure eventually popping like a balloon.
"Depends on your definition," he said. Just to be sure, he jabbed the body with his boot once or twice. "But this definitely tells me useful things. They either have a way to track us, or means to come to us in disregard of our efforts to hide. Spidey, are you bugged? Something from the cloning process?"
-
Spidey
"E-erm... I g-guess so." He glanced away in embarassment. Goddamn it, that one was good. With a nonchalant shrug, he kicked the corpse sideways so his face would turn away from them. "Usually, they pop killswitches in us in case we start bugging out. My model doesn't come with them though."
That was a lie, but expertly so. There was a smidgen of truth in it though. He didn't have the killswitch on him.
"Well, they could have bugged Suerte too. Didn't she get shot in the heart or something? What if something got lodged in there to act as a transmitter?"
-
Suerte
Suerte's eyes widened. Then, a frown fell on her face, her brown eyes becoming harsh. Those pupils drifted downward, avoiding either of them. Her mind drifted back into that moment, being shot in the chest. To think she made the same mistake again, relying on her luck too much. They were being tracked the whole time.
"Let me check," she said with a cheeky glare. "No peaking boys."
Turning around, she reached into her shirt and found... nothing. Perhaps she was doing a bit better than she thought. Turning back around to face the boys again, she said,
"Nope, not there."
-
Justice
He rolled his eyes away like a gentleman, as she desired, but when that turned up nothing, he frowned from one of his companions to the other. "One of you check my armor," he commanded, stretching his arms out as one would for measurements.
-
Spidey
"E-eh!? Arent you too excited about this!?" He glanced away for a second. "I-its fine. I have experience with bodies."
Almost like it was second nature, he started patting down the armor. "Wow. Those are some nice muscles. You must be a popular dude..."
He wasn't blushing.
-
Suerte
And just like that Spidey was squished between two people of the wild west. "Wow these are some nice muscles, you must be pretty popular with the ladies..." she said, her voice trailing off as she felt him up. His obliques in particular were fantastic. She was a little jealous too. I mean she had to have a magic succubi give her muscles but he got them naturally.
"Oh right, the thing.... Well I can't find it with your clothes on so...."
Reaching for the bottom of his shirt, she pulled upwards, revealing his stomach at the very least.
-
Justice
The rider was alarmed at how quickly Suerte loosened the straps of his armor, but he wanted to think that with his eons of experience, he wasn't showing too much of it. "Listen, I'm flattered," he said, to both of them. "But the only place I was shot was the left arm."
-
Spidey
But the drooling spider kiddo wasn't paying attention. Instead, he just stared at the abs with pure admiration. "Ooooh..."
-
Suerte
Even if the rider was showing it, Suerte wouldn't notice. Her eyes were too busy soaking in that deliciously built body. Suerte's tongue slid across her lips, popping as she reached for the holster on her belt. Gripping the butt of the gun with a stress filled strangle hold, she pointed the front into Justice's abs.
"I know, but time for a trust test," she said, looking at him dead in the eye. It was still a smoldering look of passion, but there was a hint of killing intent buried in there. "Is any part of you made of magic? Are you in some way, magical hon?"
-
Justice
"Define magic," he said, giving her a look like he'd had this discussion before. "Are angels and demons magic? Are spellcasters? Witches are most certainly magic, but they're not made of magic. Hrrm. Close enough, but before you fire away - is it still going to hit like a regular bullet? I'd appreciate a less vital area to test that, if so."
-
Spidey
A gun was pointed straight at the abs he was ogling. For a second, he jumped out with a spooked "Eeek!", but something about the spider's eyes was pointed at the weapon. She was pushing it against that man's muscles, to test something... his vision got all blurry for a second.
Shooting someone for a test? Even out here, people were still trash.
"Cut it out, now." Strings lashed out in the blink of an eye, zipping and slamming against the walls and ceilings with a threatening lash. The storm of strings hurt no one, but the surroundings were severed as if a wild beast rampaged about. "A test? You'd shoot someone for something like that!?" His expression was undescribable. No, maybe it was best if one didn't describe it.
Even if he was here, just now he felt in that white room again.
-
Suerte
The cowgirl pushed a lock of her hair back. The sound of cogs grinding against one another filled the room as a click filled the air. "Don't get too smart with me handsome," she said, pushing the barrel of the gun in. "You don't want to get me too excited. Is that your final answer? This bullet is antimagic. If it hits you, it might be able to dislodge or damage any magical tracking device in your system. If you were conjured or otherwise sustained via magic you will die."
The strings flowed through the entire area, the cowgirl and her partner in the epicenter. The young woman did not even flinch as each one missed her. A single strand of hair fell from her head, sliced off by the powerful string.
Those hazel eyes widened as she turned to Spidey. "Sorry.... I," she said, scratching the back of her head but still poking his abs with the barrel. "I'm not the trusting type.... I mean i'm a cowgirl and we live alone and...."
-
Spidey
"Don't give me that shit! You can't just hurt people just because you're curious!" His sharp eyes darted about like a cornered animal. "It's people like that... just like that...!!" His hand clawed at his face for a second, and the kid's body was just a bit paler and sweating. His eyes, his face, all was hidden out of sight. Out of mind.
But suddenly, he let go of his face and looked at her like nothing happened. "Uh, why're you looking at me like that?"
-
Justice
Justice swallowed a combative breath as the strings screeched and shuddered to a halt, none of them touching him. There was a familiar look to the warning scars they left around them, but he kept that to himself. Reaching out, he laid a gloved hand on each of Suerte and Spidey's shoulders. He squeezed hard enough that they could focus on him over anything else.
"Take it easy. We're already in danger, taking risks isn't something we can avoid," the Rider said. "I'm not made from magic, it'll be fine. Riders are just plants, if anything."
-
Suerte
Suerte dropped her arm, letting it fall to her waist. "No-no, the boy is right," she said, looking away from Justice. "I was planning on shooting you to test your integrity. If you were lying I was going to..."
The cowgirl's face turned red. She was going to get off to his body becoming lifeless and limp before moving onto another partner.
"It doesn't matter. That was disgusting of me. I have another way of looking for tracking devices anyway."
-
A-702
"Man..." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, shifting his look back and forth. "Look, it's whatever. Just don't do that shit. I know you're a bounty hunter or whatever, but it's messed up to just hurt people just to test a pet theory."
He held out a hand to Suerte, awkwardly, but with the best smile he could muster at the moment. "We cool?"
-
Justice
He scanned the turbulent thoughts that flashed through their faces before letting them go. When was the last time he had to deal with complexes like these? Justice thought he was used to it, but the burdens his siblings carried for all the eternities they'd known each other were nothing to the fickle and sensitive scars of mortals.
The rider sighed, pulling his scarf over his face. "Spidey. Integrity is important, but don't jump to conclusions. I don't want you to tell my partner she's doing these things on a whim," he said. His silver gaze trailed to the girl in question. "Suerte. I'm putting my trust in you. Put yours in me, and don't get distracted trying to test it."
-
Suerte
Suerte slid the barrel of the gun into her holster and took a deep breath. Reaching out her hand, she glanced at Spidey then Justice. "Yeah.... partners. Sorry. Never again will I ever doubt you. But... I have to ask. Why do you trust me so much already?" she asked. The hand that shook Spidey's quickly went to his forehead. "And you, are you alright?"
-
Spidey
He squinted a bit - but nodded his head affirmatively at Justice. "Er... sorry..." He rubbed the back of his fuzzy hair meekly.
And then, something strange happened that almost made his hair stand straight. The cute lady t-touched his f-forehead.... so embarassing.
"Wha! Wha wha wha wha wha wha whaaaaadayam-m-meean?!" He almost flinched at the sudden touch, red as a beet and holding his forehead as if to shield it from her hand.
-
Aruna
The demon in human form sat in a comfy chair, his legs kicked up over the desk in front of him. The chair was the type with back support, wheels and the type of cushion that would make someone fall asleep. The room was vast, filled with books and decorated with a shelf of fine wine. On the side of the room there was a fireplace, a table and three chairs.
A door opened, jet black cat ears bouncing up and down. Sharp cat eyes darted left, right, down and up before locking onto Aruna. The catgirl wore a long flowing dress that clung to her large breasts. They were a few sizes smaller than Lulu's but still rather large. White whiskers extended outwards, becoming invisible the more the stretched out past her cheeks. However, if you weren't looking for those, you'd see brown freckles dotting those cheeks. As she came closer, she stared at the ground, pressing her fingers together. The long tail behind her flickered back and forth.
"So.... I heard your our new master in.... uhh... your.... hmm... you are taking his identity."
-
Justice
He had an answer for Suerte's inquiry that skipped right over thinking to wait in the back of his throat. But with Spidey's reaction, a lenghty, dry snort was what came out. "We're going to have problems if you keep losing your wits like chicken feathers. Get your head in the game, you can toss it to pretty girls later."
Or pretend to, Justice mused for no one else, as much as Spidey needed to pretend so that they wouldn't think past the crust of his troubles. Maybe so he didn't have to.
The rider rolled his neck and stopped his gaze at the body by their feet. He said, "I can let Punishment clean this one up. That a problem?"
-
Suerte
Suerte glared at Justice for a moment before returning her attention to Spidey. She would remember that. "You suddenly got so grim. Plus I was scaring you right?" she asked, pulling back her head to looking into his flustered face. She squatted down, looking up at him from her new position beneath him. "You've been through a lot these past few days and I told you to trust me, let me and my partner take care of this. I'm sorry. I'm not all there myself."
Suerte took a deep breath. "Don't worry. We will find the killer and we will be there for you.... as best as we can until then."
-
A-702
"Eh! Y-yeah, yeah..." He glanced for a second at the dead body lying there and scratched his neck a bit.
He'd been feeling it a while, but now it wasn't even worth it to hide it anymore. He had a bad feeling. The sort of chill when danger looms and approaches. Looking at Suerte and Justice both, he said:
"You know, if someone managed to find us here, doesn't there mean there'll be more?" What was this feeling he had that chilled down his spine? ...Right, that must be just that. But if that was the case then-
"You're not going to feed the guy to a horse, are you? Even for me, that's kind of messed up. Shouldn't we give him a proper burial?"
The bad feeling wasn't going away. Soon, even they'd feel it...
-
Justice
Justice shrugged, but his glare seemed to have taken to dissecting the problem in question, and didn't falter to the the spindly young man's unease. "It's a risk to leave it, and like you said, we don't know how they found us, or when," he said.
Something was out-of-place. He could feel the hairs of his nape standing on end, like the faint flow of air through the sealed building was threatened.
"We might have to put off that shopping trip."
-
Suerte
Suerte looked at Spidey, then back at Justice. With a blink and a smile she said, "Oh yeah... danger... sure! But we should still clean up the body first."
The cowgirl began imagining how Punishment would eat the body. Maybe it would be like a snake.... It sounded so cool!
-
A-702
"E-eh..." He scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed fluster. Would that be really fine then? It was important to take one's chances, but not every opportunity was worth jumping into. Well, it's not like he had a choice in the matter. His senses were telling him all he needed to know. But they couldn't predict just how dire things truly were.
With a nervous chuckle, he just shook his heads there. "Yeah, I guess..." He picked himself off and shifted a bit to the left-
BOOM
"Ga-" Blood hacked from his throat and liver as a cannon pierced his slim body, shooting through the wall as if it were made out of paper. Debris and rubble exploded everywhere, and he was blown back with a bloody cough. Shit, so soon!? Strings came flying like razor bullets and grabbed the nearest thing, the body, and hurled it at the shattered wall just as more bullets shot forward. Just enough to act as a human shield and cover the entire area in giblets and minced pieces of meat and string. "Run!" He yelled out desperately, hacking blood and trying to cover his wound.
Were they being attacked so soon!?
-
Justice
Again. One time was suspicious, two were indicative, and any more was utterly damning. Why were they worth this much trouble, after they'd done their best to keep them out of the loop while they set them up for a fall? What were these expenses and relentless pursuit in silencing them even worth?
He got a very distracting sense of dejá vu, but not enough to slow him down.
Absolution swished out of the chain under Justice's touch before the shockwave settled. The bullets that didn't burst against his armor bounced off the flat of the ancient blade, and he lowered it like a fan below his gaze which swept smoldering through the smoke. A blazing beam from a glaring silhouette cut the air with a thrum that left only silence in its wake, before the Rider slid on the floor towards their wounded man.
"Next time, fucking say something," he grumbled.
-
Lulu
"He isn't your master yet but he will be if you sign the new contract. We don't want any slaves, just obedient maids who are dutiful and can satiate Master Aruna's demonic needs. Unlike before you'll get paid and even time off, there's just one thing that's absolutely needed.... "
The angel was also present here of course, her body was perched atop the desk in front of Aruna like a work of art, which considering her stunning beauty wasn't far from the truth. She was back to wearing the black dress from earlier since Aruna had completely ruined the maid outfit earlier when he went wild on her. Not like she regretted a single moment of that, it felt wonderful and that outfit was too stuffy anyway. Her assets needed to be out and free to breathe, indeed her impressively deep cleavage and her equally breathtaking ass were both on full display for them with how she was leaning on the desk.
"If you don't think you can take a fierce pounding from his massive bitch breaker of a dick, then you should leave."
-
Suerte
Suerte placed a palm on the top of her cowboy hat, pressing it down against her fair flaring up as bullets sailed passed her. Somehow, every single bullet missed her body without her even having to move. Hands reached for her holsters, drawing her twin pistols. She pointed the guns in front of her, firing into the void. This was technically just suppressing fire, but if she got lucky, she might be able to hit the assailant or something.
"Get him somewhere he can heal," Suerte shouted, licking her lips. She looked towards punishment. That is where she had her sniper rifle. It was time to stop playing around. Killing was fun, dying not so much.
-
A-702
The kid was already blown open, coughing and hacking blood and gore in the most painful way imaginable. A massive piece of lead had concussed straight into his liver. Even for a monster like him, no kid should have to bear this kind of pain.
"There's no time... we've got..." He grits his teeth and bit on his arm, twisting his face. In pain? Surely, evidently. It's not like his expression was visible anyways.
It's not like anyone could see through the blood-filled gaps, just what kind of expression was he making? Not even Justice. Not even himself.
"To kill this motherfucker!" Strings rushed out and circled around Justice, shielding him from further fire as they swirled and lashed about.
The Assaillant
"...you two...!? Why are you..." As the smoke cleared, the attacker's eyes widened and wavered for just a second. A titan of metal stared face to face with another, yet the giant's voice wasn't a friendly one. "But the data only said..." But it didn't matter.
Wielding a massive minigun on one hand, and a flaming chainblade on another, the cyborg glared at those in this room. Their retaliation had blown apart many of his comrades. He barely managed to shield a fraction with his body, his wounds minimal in comparisonhe smell of burnt metal - but even though it looked grievous it was but a cut against a machine man. A searing red gash, sizzling with. That was the price for its comrades. The pressure and the grinding of gears didn't betray the surging hatred. Only when he glanced at his dead friends did he steel his resolve.
"I see." Change ammunition grade to Disaster Type IV - Anti Armor Shellshock. He pointed his weapon at the three, its whirl the only warning of the hail of death to come. Bullets that could pierce armor as if they were RPG rockets. Would this be enough?
This ends now. "Death to traitors."
Brother... are you watching?
-
Aruna
The catgirl pressed her fingers together, her face turning red. "I-I mean I am stronger than most humans so.... probably. I-I have healing magic too so I can heal myself and you if things get rough... I just... don't want to have to fend for more work, or return home..."
Aruna remained silent, expecting Lulu to talk on his behalf. It was an old trick, the overlord simply watching the subjects, speaking only when emotions reached their peak. Indeed, if someone had true power, actions taken must be deliberate. That is what authority was in the demon world. The angel was taken with these catgirls. He would let her direct them as she saw fit. It was the least he could do for the simple joy of her kindness so far.
Nyla stared at Lulu's breasts before returning to Aruna. He was still in the form of their former master. She couldn't help but wonder what he really looked like.
-
Lulu
"You're mistaken Nyla..." A sweet feminine voice whispered in the back of her mind. It sounded like the blonde angel and Lulu was indeed staring right at her.
Then Lulu spoke out loudly. "I'm not worried about the roughness, it's his sheer size that will ruin you, and I hope you have some method of staying tight because I won't have any loose girls under my care. Master deserves a top notch harem..... On that note, Why don't you show us your glorious form Master, Nyla here is interested in seeing it."
"Yes, I am reading your mind, we can't have anyone with silly notions of revenge around...." The voice in her head returned.
-
Aruna
Nyla squealed, her entire body stiffening at the thought before relaxing. She had seen the now dead master naked before but the thought forced her to stifle a drool. All she could picture right now was the form the one known as Aruna was displaying but even that was enticing.
Yes. I am more than confident in my healing abilites. They regenerate everything, even down there. My pussy is as tight as a virgins, she sent back. In contrast to her outer voice, her inner voice was bursting with pride.
Aruna stood up, groaning a little as his face melted away to reveal those demonic eyes. Horns grew on his head and the out of shape rich boy body became a bit larger as it filled out with muscles. The clothes materialized on his body stretched until they were ripped apart by the growing muscles. Two tails sprouted from his behind, as well as two wings on his back. The light that sprouted during their sex had faded, the only evidence of them were these tattoo like lines across his chest and arms.
"Satisfied?"
The catgirl's eyes widened. "He-he really is a demon."
-
Justice
Justice pulled Spidey to his feet, hand hooking below his armpit, arm locked around the shoulders, twisting his body to shield the vitals that weren't yet crushed, breathing out a contemptuous and weary cry. "Fool, save it for yourself!" He wedged his blade into the floor and took aim with Pity from a crooked angle. The suppressive fire was fine in Suerte's hands. He let himself squeeze the trigger an unnatural stretch of time, and the retribution that built in the bullet waited.
But for Punishment, that steady beast they wondered after? The steed appeared on a explosive trot that scattered the dust from around the corner, launching blood into the air as it barreled over bisected corpses. It didn't rush to its rider or Suerte, but ran with locomotive-like certainty, glistening maw parting like a groaning engine unfolding from a million forces too strong for it, spilling trails of oil onto the sky.
It clamped around the enhanced hand that held the minigun and tried to crunch it like dessert. Justice's cowled face lit up. "Ah." He loosed the shot at a leg that didn't have where to escape.
-
Suerte
There was a boom as Suerte rushed forward, generating a massive cloud of dust in her wake. Running alongside the trail of oil, she pointed one gun towards the sky and the other forward. That familiar sound of cogs grinding filled the air, drowned out by the sound of the horse and even the assailant's weapons. The hail of bullets landed all around the cowgirl, every single one missing their target.
"Such a good horse," she said with a giggle.
Three shots were fired. A bullet sailed into the sky, exploding as it soared past the buildings towards the clouds. Jet black droplets came down from that, falling down around everyone. A flame coated bullet sailed into the sky, lighting the oil and subjecting the world to a rain of hellfire. The other was a simple bullet, bouncing all around the enemy until it would land in the perfect spot, the very clip that loaded the gun, jamming it. That is, provided nothing stopped the trail.
The horse was a quick one, it would take more time to close the gap.
-
Lulu
"Oh my sweet kitten, you haven't seen anything yet-"
Lulu's wings unfurled and she floated over to the cat girl just to hug her and rub her cheeks against Nyla's. Their massive breasts pressed against each other but with them so close it was easy to see that Lulu's were in fact a bit larger.
"And why does Master get all the cooing, he isn't the only one with wings here...." The blonde sounded a bit put down, because she was feeling that way. Her nature made her seek praise from all people.
-
Nyla/Aruna
"It was-sn't about the wings," Nyla said, turning her head away as Lulu pressed her breasts into her own. "But they are very nice...."
Aruna lowered his eyes. "Your looking away from your new boss. The angel your touching is in charge of you catgirls from now on. I don't trust humans, so since I know you guys can fight you'll function as my own personal military force in addition to the duties you normally preform. Naturally, your pay will be several times larger than your old masters. You deserve at least that much."
"Th-thank you," the girl said.
-
Lulu
"She's so cute master! I just wanna hug her all day!" The blonde Angel only let up on the hug so that she could scratch the Catgirl's fluffy ears. "That reminds me..." She glanced over at Aruna. "How many more of them do we have to interview?"
-
A-702
Wha wha!
"No way! First she fires an oil bullet, but what could it possibly..." The spider zipped back, eyes wide, only to shout with a gaping expression as the inferno rained down on them. "FIRE!? OH, I SEE!! THIS WAY, EVEN HIS FIELD OF VISION WILL BE CLOUDED! HE NEEDS TO STEP BACK, OR HE'LL BE SMEARED BY FIRE!!!" Strings shot about to limit the giant's movement, caging the area so he couldn't run as he saw fit.
But he wasn't moving at all. Why would he do something like that?
The Assaillant
Kh...! The blur rushed at him without delay. This beast wasn't in the data! "Get off...!" He grit his teeth and took a step back as the fire and action pushed him away. His body was being coated in fire, swirling and lashing over his field of vision.
There's no mistake. The tapes... the bodies... I know you are the killer. But why-
With a wince, his knee shuddered from a sudden impact. The giant of metal was being overwhelmed, the shot rattled his posture and caused him to trip on one knee. All while the beast gnawed at his weapon, chewing and nibbling at the metal. With these distractions, even he couldn't see the bullet bouncing all over the room.
A-702
"HE'S REELING!! HE'S REELING!! WITH THIS UNFETTERED ASSAULT, NO ONE COULD STAND A CHANCE!! THIS METAL GIANT IS ON THE ROPES, THERE'S NO WAY FOR HIM TO KNOW WHAT'S COMING NEXT!"
Shit... I need to hurry. I can't just let them die. No, I won't let them die.
The bullet slammed and whammed and rippled all over until it came gnawing at the cyborg. And yet-
The path of this battle couldn't be foreseen.
The titan's arm crashed into the ground. An ungodly impact to shake the room to its foundations. With a swing of its arm, he overpowered the horse as if it were a child and slammed it against the bullet - straight into the ground with the strength that could only belong to a hero. The ground cracked all across the arena, and with a slam of its metal boot, it shot across the burning heap of mortar like a cannonball. Straight towards the spider.
Would they be able to capitalize on this distraction!?
-
Aruna
"Well there should be one more," he said, glancing towards the door.
Almost on cue, the door swung open. "Good lord, I thought it would never be over..."
The girl had a towel pressed to her curly brown hair. Two cat ears emerged from the long curly locks that went all the way down to her large but firm rear. Her eyes were emerald green, her pupils in a sharp line like a tigers. The girl's washboard abs could be seen in the office light, complete with those lines that drew the eyes to her crotch. She wore leggings that covered her thick muscular legs.
"I wanted to see if the new master would be worth working for but this... this is more than I bargained for. An angel and a demon? Is it even worth the money? The only thing shadier than an actual rich asshole is a literal contradiction dressing up in a rich asshole's skin. What the hell do I get from working for you?"
Aruna sighed. He didn't miss the times of old, having to assert his dominance like this, but he knew no better way. "Mind your tongue," he said, motioning for Lulu to deliver the proper "punishment."
-
Justice
Punishment trashed under the retaliation, and its furious moan was a match thrown into a flammable cloud. Justice's eyes and ears, skin and tongue filled with irritation, as the blood haze that pervaded every strand of him became a synaesthetic combustion. In disregard of his mind, his left hand wrenched the sword from the floor. The rest gave in and followed suit. He didn't have to think. There was danger, and his spirit felt every sign of it. He barely had to move. The enemy was coming right for him, and it would only get through over his body.
A bursting tower of devastation replaced the Rider, shoving Spider to the ground behind demonic wings, and met the cyborg's charge weapon to weapon with a horrible screech. He fell a booming step back, which sundered all that remained of the walls out from it and rendered their footing into cracks.
It was nothing but a miracle that he had the presence of mind to speak the same instant. "Jackass, they're making to dispose of all of us." With a jerking motion, Justice crashed their foreheads together, and his unextinguishable glare bore into the man's eyes.
-
Suerte
"PUNISHMENT NOOOOOOOO!"
Suerte's eyes, filled with sadness, quickly hardened into rage. The flames still falling all around them were reflected in the fury illuminating from her eyes. Her face scrunched up before softening into one of a killer. Pulling out her twin pistols, the sound of cogs turning was drowned out by the horses screams.
Ice, salt water, electricity: these bullets came down on him like a perfect storm, sailing right into his metal armor. The sniper rifle attached to the horse conveniently landed at her feet. Her foot slammed into the butt of the gun, sending it spiraling around her body until the trigger conveniently surrounded her finger.
Bang.
The final shot was fired. An explosive sniper rifle shot, aimed right at the head. Suerte licked her lips as she savored the thought of the man's body becoming limp. In her mind, she paid the horse back several times over for the pain inflicted to it.
-
The Assaillant
Damn.
Like the gust of a cannon, the cyborg turned to finish the bug off, but soon more bullets came - along with that man.
BLAM!!
The titans clashed, and the room trembled as if a tornado was rippling through. But if the impact didn't stun him, a sudden surge of thunder certainly did. And the sounds of war shook the earth with unbridled passion. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAaKr4hIgB0)
"...disposed? Speak for yourselves, traitors." A growling voice rumbled like the booming of broken gears. The burning skull met the metal monster's, and their eyes glared at each other. "I was saved by that man. Me and my brother... but you...you...!"
His eyes shot at Suerte and the spider. Water, ice, salt, the assault rattled him to the core. Sparks flew out from its body, its grit teeth, its bestial snarl... only for a final bullet to end it all.
Its skull was exposed, the metal plating on his temple gone with a spew of blood. And for a split moment, there was no light in its eyes. Until they glowed a brimming crimson. The thunder, the ice, the cracks, and dents on his body...
What was brought to an end was his mercy.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!" And with a swirl and bob of his hips and shoulders, a sudden uppercut warned of a barrage of punches, boxing strikes shooting forward with the footwork of an unstoppable brawler. These rockets came faster and faster, like an avalanche that threatened to swallow Justice. At the same time, the chain ax was kicked away - straight towards the kid. Even with its brains leaking, it refused to stop.
A-702
"This is bad..." Spidey literally hung by a thread, blown back and forth by the wind their exchange was generating. "Incredible! He's getting back up! Even with a fatal wound, he won't go down! He-"
The sudden weapon shot straight at him before he could finish the narration! Ever the damsel in distress, he squealed and flinched - but once it cut one of the strings in front of it, a sudden wall of strings erupted from the ground, piercing the weapon like a shish kebab on a stalagmite.
"This won't do... this won't do one bit..." Still hanging on, he bit his nail and started sweating, watching the assault with horror. "Suerte, can you hear me!?"
-
Lulu
The blonde Angel skipped over to the more defiant Catgirl, her big assets bouncing every step of the way and it looked like they would burst out of her dress at any moment. Yet that moment never came, as her dress proved more than enough to keep them in, despite it's flimsy appearance. At first she thought about a verbal reprimand but then she envisioned a much more fun way of getting to her.
And those exposed abs made it all so sweeter.
Her finger suddenly poked at the the Catgirl's belly and trailed up and up, as if Lulu was drawing some intricate path for her, and indeed it was a path. Her smirk widened as her finger went higher and higher before coming to a halt somewhere between her bellybutton and her chest.
"This is how far up Master will go inside you, you tough enough to handle that kitty?"
-
Ferra
The fit catgirl glared at the angel, pushing up chest to chest. Although, Lulu couldn't see much thanks to the sports bra, other than some modest cleavage. However, she would be able to feel her hard nipples poking through the fabric. Ferra lowered her tiger like eyes and glared at the creature.
"Are you kidding me?" she asked, flipping her hand in a circle before laying it out so her palm was facing the sky. The other hand went to her hip, jutting it out to the side. "Every time our old master ordered us to fuck I had to make sure I didn't snap his puny dick in half while he was inside me. I should be asking you that. Are you tough enough to handle me, hell even Nyah over there?"
The catgirl shook her head as if to say, keep me out of this. Although she did not actually say anything, instead choosing to shutter in the presence of the tension between the two.
-
Lulu
"Hoh...
Lulu pushed forward with her true might and let her finger push into Ferra's midsection. Her smirk didn't fade whatsoever as not even her muscles could prevent her from pushing in. A normal human would have died from this pressure but the Angel trusted that this girl could handle at least this much.
"Don't you dare insult Master's amazing dick like that. He's even more powerful than I am." The final statement was accompanied by a tightening of her fist and-
Smash.
Her fist was driven right into the girl's gut.
"insult him like that again and I will personally deliver you unto a werewolf hunting ground..."
-
Aruna/Ferra
The amount of pressure coming from her poking was surprising, it even forced her abs to flex on reflex, embracing the finger jabbing. "Even more powerful than you are? Who ca-"
The smack that came from Lulu's fist ramming into her firm abs sounded like a truck slamming into the side of a car. Ferra's entire body folded over her fist, air being forced out of her mouth. She stepped back on pure instinct, falling to her knees as she gasped for breath. She looked up and her entire body shook with an instinctual fear. Sweat fell from her brow.
"O-ok so s-so you hit a little harder than I thought. I'll bite."
A scent would begin to enter Lulu's nose, slowing her movements if nothing was done. It was her special ability. Ferra wasn't just a mindless athlete. She was also a biologist who learned how to color her own scene with unique substances. The towel against her hair rubbed in some of those substances and when she struck the catgirl and folded her body like that, she should have gotten a wiff of her scent. Over time, this would weaken her physically too, but for now...
The demon chuckled, his sharkteeth visible to all in the room, that wide smile gazing upon all of them like pray. Although, internally, all Aruna could think about was how silly that statement was. The idea that he was so much more powerful was still an absurd concept, even after what he did to her in the bedroom. A sort of rod emerged from his crotch, becoming bigger veinier and filled to the brim with the remnant's of Lulu's life energy, the veins glowing with radiant energy.
"There is no need to defend it Lulu, I think it speaks for itself. But the fact that you would dare show this disrespect to your employer, to your master, begs for a preview of what should happen if you did fall under my employ. Although what I should do is make sure you don't exist this mansion with my secrets."
The catgirl's eyes widened, but she could already feel a familiar feeling down below. This rush of fear was mixing with the natural arousal of both of their erotic bodies. Although she was confident that she was the most powerful in the room earlier, she wasn't sure after that punch. Those cat like eyes darted to Lulu, then Aruna. Unbeknownst to her, Aruna's actually intended to wipe her soul of the memory of what who he is and their meeting if she turned him down, using this more as a scare tactic to assert their power to the ones who decided to stay.
-
Lulu
She could sense the supernatural compound that invaded the air as the girl fell before her, however the girl had made one miscalculation, one that would render that completely pointless.
The blonde simply kicked her side to turn her onto her back and then stomped onto those abs with her bare foot.
"Scent based abilities hmm... too bad for you I don't need to breathe." Her foot dug in deeper, even so it was impossibly smooth, her skin was softer to the touch than a baby's.
"Although Master.... You needn't be so hasty, I believe this one doesn't know the power of a real dick and must feel it first hand."
-
Justice
He pulled his head to the side just in time to avoid the uppercut, but the barrage that followed was overwhelming. Or it would have been, for anyone who wasn't a Rider cloaked in the fullness of their destructive glory. Countless jabs, hooks and straights barreling forward, too quick and clustered to avoid even with his instincts blaring, breaking against his chest, slamming into his jaw and shaking his skull but for a critical few that he parried and turned into glancing scrapes.
Justice was too numb to pain this blunt for it to stop him, however, from reversing the grip on his sword and loosening it in the air so he could grab it by the middle of the blade. Caustic vapor spilled as the blade pressed on his hand.
He rumbled, "If it was him, then your bosses knew the whole time and kept it from you, simpleton!" One of the cyborg's fists smashed onto his brow, and as it did he swung the burning, heavy hilt of Absolution under the arm, against the side of his head.
-
Suerte
Suerte's eyes widened in perfect sync with her moistening crotch. Two men duking it out, throwing all of their passion together in a show of power and brawn. A hail of bullets, the sheer strength of her partner, that man had endured them all. This wasn't a mere assasin, but someone fighting for something personal. She had enough battle experience to get a sense for that. The cowgirl was torn. On one hand, there was nothing sexier than seeing all that passion being snuffed out. But this man, this opponent, to take out such a wonderful man was a true crime that was hard to commit.
Sniperifle still in hand, she took aim at the man's skull. Justice wouldn't have to worry, with her luck and aim, the bullet wouldn't affect him at all. A clean shot and a profound pleasure. That is what would be in her immediate future.
The shot was fired, the crack of the gun echoing through the entire area. Flew into the monster's head, exploding just as before. Maybe he was able to survive the first shot, but what about a second? Then again, why bother letting him. Suerte threw the gun into the air, drawing her pistols from their holsters once more. Opening fire, she rained down a volley of bullets on the two fighters. Each bullet somehow missed Justice, flying past him before bouncing back into the man.
"Go on sweetie, Justice needs your help," she said, flashing him a cocky grin. "We need to restrain him before he dies. Can you do that?"
The truth comes first.
-
The Assaillant
Why... why aren't my hits connecting... why won't you break!? WHY!? As its flurry of punches slipped through the rider's guard, he was shocked by its endurance. But it was its words that truly shook him. A swing of the blade's pommel came for him, but he avoided it hitting his temple by swaying back at the right moment - only for it to crash into his jaw instead, cracking it open like a melon.
The rider miscalculated one thing. Until now, that man was utterly convinced that all three were complicit. What he knew, the story weaved for him and the one weaved for them were completely different. But at this moment, the metallic warrior understood that. There was a chance to end this bloodshed and uncover the truth. For a moment, there was a light at the end at the moment.
CRACK
However, a sharp bullet crashed once more against his skull. And that door to the truth closed once more. Blood and metal crackled and splashed to the side, and the warrior let go of the blade as it flinched to the side. Met by a hail of bullets, the blood that splashed from its head clouded his vision. Or was it rage? Resentment? Pain? Regret? With its nervous systems damaged like this, talking and moving were growing even more difficult. But it wasn't enough. This was nowhere near enough to put him down.
So that...is what he told you guys? Sorry, but I'm not going to hold back... You can apologize to my friends in hell.
No. Right now, his body wouldn't waver. The hail of bullets crashed against him - but bounced off and flew away from their dazed target. He couldn't see with all these distractions. But because of that, he pointed his massive minigun at Suerte. The massive weapon swirled and started churning for a moment, warning of impending doom even against this rain of shots.
A-702
"Got it! Be careful!" And with that, he dragged the broken chain axe and zipped away, moving across the chaotic room in order to reposition while the metal man was distracted.
-
Aruna/Ferra
"keh!"
Ferra was flipped onto her back like a pancake. Opening her eyes, she was greeted with the short girl imposing her thick body upon her. Impossibly soft feet pressed into her hard abs, caving to the girl's sheer might. From this angle, she seemed as tall as the building that housed them, her gaze cast down upon Ferra. In this moment, sweat began to form on her brow. She grabbed the foot, squirming under her heel, trying desperately to escape.
I can't die here.
"I suppose thats fair," Aruna said, walking up behind the angel. Ferra watched Aruna's claw like hands clap against the angel's plump cheeks. "What do you say? Let me inside or ill show you the door..."
"Whatever!" she said, finally ceasing her squirming under the angel's feet. "Prove you've got more than my weak old human master! I can take it!"
Aruna cupped Lulu's breasts from behind. "Can you heal her after we are done?"
-
Justice
The titan that was Justice clicked his shadowed and blazing teeth. It was foolish to hope to find some sense in the situation when they were already at the stage of killing blows. Ignoring it would leave a bad burn in his mouth, but he couldn't keep this up for much longer. If the Rider wanted this nonsense to stop, he had one, maybe two shots at it.
He flashed his glare at the cyborg in haste, and his ray of death cut the body of the minigun before it could finish revving, sweeping into the sky. "WHO gave him the orders? How was your side so prepared to track us down and remove us?!"
Justice swung again at the cyborg's knees with the threat of destroying his footing entirely.
-
SENATOR ZEKENATÖR
Target located. Lock-on engaged. Blazblue...activate!
"THINK FAST!!"
Its presence was hidden until this moment. Until the very planets aligned! A burning star suddenly crashed through a wall, its feet pointed straight at the demon with a rocketing fury beyond full speed. Was this a bird? Was it a plane?
With the burning flames of hell and heaven's stars, his form and current shape were a mystery. But there was no mistaking him or his wicked grin.
No! It was ZEKE, unleashing a surprise dropkick just as Aruna got comfortable feeling up cuties.
-
Lulu
"Master don't just!...." Th blonde Angel squirmed as her funbags were manhandled by the demon, the interview was going along swimingly if not for-
Think Fast huh?
No it wasn't her that should be thinking fast. That grotesque mind could be felt coming a mile away, not like she acted up on it. If he diesred to jump them like this then it would serve him good to be jumped in turn.
CLANG
"YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE TO THINK FAST!" Her angelic voice echoed throughout the minds of everyone present, like a stereo turned up way too loud.
Indeed, right before the rocket plummeted down on them, a giant sword had torn his path asunder, It's sturdy light proving itself a match for even the deepest of darkness.
She looked up at him with a pleasant grin, if something murderous could be pleasant.
"How dare you attack my Aruna so brazenly? He is under my protection and I will not allow something as deranged as you befall him!" If her mental voice had sounded angelic, then her was the real deal, it's clear luster was something so much more, something heavenly.
-
Suerte
"i'm afraid..."
The minigun opened fire and yet again the hail of bullets sailed past her, as if each and every one of them missed. It looked almost as if she sailed through them. In reality, she was merely standing in the perfect place, in between every single bullet.
Taking aim with her sniper rifle, she lined up the barrel perfectly with his chest. Even without luck, this shot would be near perfect.
"Hell doesn't like me too much."
The shot was fired. Another bullet sailed into his skull. "Yield. We promise not to kill you, unless you make it too fun."
-
Aruna
It happened before he could even really register. A flash of light. On instinct, he froze up, flinched. However.....
When he opened his eyes, he saw it. The light, not just his light, but the light of an angel was clashing with the fake demon's darkness. To think he would be on the other side of this light. It was Ezekiel again. He had dropped by to say hello. Guess this just goes to show i'm not perfect, he thought, briefly musing to himself what it would be like to consume Lulu's telepathic powers. This is why such indulgences are foolish.
Chains emerged from the ground where he would have landed. Two spikes emerged from the wall for good measure, threatening to skewer his arms like kabob on a stick. "Oh hello Zeke," he said with a grin, his demonic teeth flashing. "I'm glad you dropped by. You took something from me. I want it back."
Aruna flew backwards, her mouth moving so fast it was blurry. No words came out. The chant had begun. He sent a few thoughts to Lulu. I don't know your combat skills yet but be careful when your close to him. Oh and one more thing. He can absorb magic.
-
Zeke
His foot and the blade impacted, and all of a sudden the flames vanished with a sharp explosion of sparks. The dark man was thrown back- but shockingly, the man's leg wasn't cut. Something inside his clothes kept the sword from reaching flesh at all! Yet that was not nearly as surprising as his appearance.
-!
The masked man was shocked at the speed of their - no, her retaliation. He backflipped to land, but unlike before, the chain's timing was much improved. They snapped around his limbs cruelly. And immediately, spiked slammed into his arms. But his darkness already flared, and soon Aruna's armaments melted and tore into the void. Revealed in that miasma was what could only be described as a ninja.
"A shinobi must always remain vigilant. Thou hast learned well, young student."
With a dramatic hand gesture, he bowed politely at both. Unharmed, yet pressed back nonetheless. Then and only then did he address the other lady.
"I didn't come to fight, dummy. And goddamn it, you messed up Aruna's training. She ain't going to learn squat if you just pamper her all the time. :-\ " He chatted her up like he totally knew her. What was her name anyways again? Lizette? Lucera? Lu...Lu... hrm, no, couldn't put his finger on it. He thought he heard it once or twice, but it could just be his mind playing tricks on him. He had been doing a lot of thinking lately!
There was no possible explanation for this ridiculous getup. None in the slightest. Or was there...?
-
The Assaillanr
"-!" The slash and the sudden impact rattled its brain. This must be how he felt. Big brother... you were pushed against the ropes like this too, right? As the colossal body approached the floor, it slowly came to recognize the rifle pointed its way. He came to recognize death.
He refused.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"
The palm slammed against the Rider's face before the cyborg hit the ground, and with a desperate hurl, he threw him straight against the bullet. The impact would launch him against the wall - and the gunslinger.
Bleeding, broken eyes still tried to scan all of his surroundings. Even as his wounds cracked and spewed more viscera on the ground, his stance lowered and the cyborg panted weakly. What did he see? Just what could he have witnessed that had thrown him into such a rage? The pain of losing one's own blood. The despair of losing one's family. Even now, it still wouldn't stop hurting. It wwas clear that he had little fight left, courtesy of the two.
A beastly howl pierced the air, and the entire room shook as the titan charged at them like a monster. Its haymaker threatened to turn both into pulp, all while ripping every string in its way.
Where ARE you!? Where are you hiding? You bastard. I'll tear you apart!
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
-
Lulu
"Thine strike may have taken more than a mere soul from this place. As their guardian I shan't permit it, least of all by quistonable strangers such as thyself!" She almost felt like shaking her head at the warning Aruna had given but such an action wouldn't be appropriate now, she had to welcome their interloper first and foremost before she could move on with her work.
"Your intentions are as irrelevant as your posturing." She stepped, no stepping was for mere mortals, she floated towards him, half a feet above the floor at the pace of a casual stroll.
"Every breath you draw is an insult to propriety. Spare me your theatrics and I may spare whatever remains of your pathetic life."
-
Aruna and the Gang
Aruna's body vanished. Smell, taste, sound, sight: she was completely invisible to all senses. The only one that would be able to track Aruna was Lulu thanks to their psychic connection. A voice echoed through the room, seemingly coming from the sky above the roof. "I never remember appointing you as my teacher. You have a lot of gull showing up here after you stole what is mine," the voice said.
Aruna's arms morphed into blades. A blade would enter his heart through his back, hoisting him off of the ground. "I noticed you stole my dagger yet you didn't show it off in the tournament. If your going to borrow something from your friend, I'd want it to be something you actually need. Since you don't i'd like it back. summon the dagger."
-
Zeke
His dark eyes glowered and shimmered in front of the holy presence. So that's a genuine article huh... The demon vanished, but he smiled behind the mask. "Ah, so we're friends now. Then I'll play with you a bit."
And as the claw pierced his back, it bounced off against something hard and crystal-like. Zeke didn't even react or turn around.
"Nova."
It wasn't Zeke who spoke, but the armor. Or rather, the organism it emulated. But now, even it was burning to ash before the undead sun.
-
Lulu
"Are my eyes deceiving me?" The blonde Angel came to halt outside of the intruders direct range. She blinked again while the draft from the sun made her dress flutter enough to reveal what she was wearing underneath. Not that the Angel seemed to be paying any mind to this, she was far to distracted by the spectacle taking place before her.
"Did my Lord truly advance upon his foe with the most commonplace ploy? A trick so meager not even the most pitiful child would dance to its tune. How deep must the desperation of one man be for such travesty to occur?"
-
Justice
He closed his mouth and stifled the groan of being hurled rather than risk biting his own tongue. Justice dismissed the elongated shadows and crackling stature of his most dreadful shape, twisting in the air. He managed to only strike Suerte at the shoulder, sending them both tumbling to the ground rather than painfully barreling away.
With a click of his teeth he strained himself to his feet before the haymaker could arrive. Already swinging his sword, now with the lethal blade extended, he cloaked himself in devastation again and aimed in messy haste at the cyborg's neck.
-
Aruna and the Gang
The catgirls stood wide eyed. The fight was moving a little quicker than they were able to keep up with. It wasn't that it was literally too fast so much as there was a lot happening faster than they were able to think and perceive. Something came in and drop kicked their would be master, then he dissapeared and something struck his attacker. The angel girl was now mocking him, as if it was Aruna himself who did it.
"Aaaaahhhh!" The two cat girls cried out in pain as their skin burned. Their was a sizzling noise, as if their skin was being toasted on a cast iron pan. A dark portal opened under them, causing them to sink into the ground, away from the battle. They would popped out on the outside in the front yard.
Smoke bellowed from Aruna's body as a searing pain flowed through the demon's entire body. Aruna flew backwards, using a portal teleport into the basement of the building Forget the clean stealthy route. That was the old way. Spikes emerged from every inch of the walls and ceilings not occupied by Lulu. They came at high speeds, threatening to skewer Zeke right then and there. On contact they would suck the magic from his body, hopefully diluting the power of his magic somewhat. Although he was unsure how effective this would be.
The endless fire grows, consuming all.
Carved from the endless void, I yearn for power!
As my body grows stronger, I find freedom!
As I find freedom, I yearn for salvation!
Light, oh so absolute in your power,
Feel the weight of everlasting darkness!
The blade of darkness materialized in Aruna's hand. It was time to stop playing around.
-
ZEKE
Poor things...
Zeke didn't pass a glance to the burning catgirls. His gaze perked up with a raised brow at the Archangel drawing closer. With the armor now burnt away, she could see the smug smile he was sporting, and those lazy, tired eyes of his. It's like even when thinking of their pain and acknowledging it, he felt nothing at all. Only pity.
BLACK HOLE!
The moment Aruna flew back he followed her with a burning dash even through the forest of spikes. A wave of his hand opened the gate to the void, but he has pierced a handful of times before the darkness fully swallowed all of them. Yet even those burned and melted away as they approached him, and shattered into burn bits the moment they touched him. Pushed back by the assault and drained of his power... made him only charge forward even harder. I'll swallow it whole!
Yet as his gauntlet shot forth to reach through the portal, it just bounced back and crushed the wall behind it. That forced him to pause for a second.
Not bad. You're pretty cute too. Now that his ninja armor was all burnt up, you could tell his sly smile as he glanced back at the Archangel smugly.
The endless fire grows, consuming all.
Carved from the endless void, I yearn for power!
As my body grows stronger, I find freedom!
As I find freedom, I yearn for salvation!
Light, oh so absolute in your power,
Feel the weight of everlasting darkness!
Much better.
And so the dark sun's flames waned and faded until what was left was their molten surroundings, now hardened again into odd shapes and formations. A dozen of so of black butterflies twirled and tore from his fingertips, flying away into the creases and shadows of the building to seek the demon.
Go on my sweet children. His thoughts whispered gently. Even among the shadows, various animals began to bubble, emerge, and sink back - wolves, crocodiles, deer, bears... a handful at best to roam about and find Aruna. Soon, they'd find and surround her.
-
Suerte
Suerte's shoulder rolled it to the side, making Justice's body flop behind her. Leaping over the man, that familiar sound of cogs turning filled the air above the cyborg A bang signaled the fired shot and the bullet that sailed into the man's skull was a blunt bullet that struck like a hammer.
"Be careful," Suerte said, "Don't do anything too reckless!"
She threw the sniper rifle into the air and pulled her guns from her holsters. Another gear turning sound filled the air. As she made her decent, she fired another hail of bullets. In a stroke of pure luck, every single bullet struck a previous injury. These bullets were designed to paralyze an opponent. However, given how strong he was, it was likely to only slow him down.
-
Lulu
"Too slow!"
Come Forth, Oh Blades of Final Release!
It shattered, the big shiny blade besides her shattered into seven symmetrical blades, a symbolic bond from long ago. The one who is seven, and the seven who are one. As her slim arms spread out to grasp the world so did these blades in kind. But not to embrace, they had a far more somber purpose. They were the ultimate tool in her arsenal but also the final one.
Thusly they spun, faster and faster. She had been waiting and now those very same blades surrounded him in all direction, to blockade the advance of his shadows. And the sound they made was the sound that heralded the end of his shadow animals. None would escape her all seeing mind.
"STAY AWAY FROM ARUNA! Like a sledgehammer her voice smashed his mind without letting up. Every syllable was a migraine inducing blow that would split your skull open again and again. And through it all her unblinking blue eyes pierced him like frozen daggers.
-
Aruna
Crimson eyes looked towards past the ceiling into the study where he had left them. A demon's sensory capabilities were similar but different to a humans. Rather than just track someone's physical features, a demon's five senses evolved to track souls. With a soul as powerful and large as Lulu's it was impossible not to keep track of, even through these walls. It was a massive presence that was hard to miss.
To think that Zeke had grown so powerful. He was practically just showing off at this point. Even so, if the fake demon wanted to come into his home, he would at least show the basic respect. As he stared up at her from below, he couldn't help but flash back to his brief time with Lulu. All he had done so far is display his disgust for her kind, only accepting her so long as she provided a meal for him, yet she fought Zeke without hesitation. Perhaps she was only considering her definition of happiness and prosperity, but she was genuinely trying to make him happy, in all aspects of his life. He still didn't trust her, may never really be able to, but she deserved his basic respect. A demon and angel can coexist. Nay, a demon and angel can become friends. Light and dark were two sides of the same coin. His current existence was proof of that.
"I'd appreciate it if you not flirt with my woman," Aruna said, his voice echoing through the room.
A portal opened up at the end of one side of the room. Gleaming like a bright star, Aruna shot across the room, sword of darkness in hand. Although, it too gleamed with the light of the grace, threatening to cleave Zeke in twin before escaping into another portal. The closer he got, the more his already burnt skin screamed.
"A false demon like yourself knows not how to treat a woman of her caliber. NOW FALL!"
A dark haze flowed through the room, coating Lulu in the power of darkness. It filled her body with power, enhancing her strength, speed and durability far beyond what it was capable just mere moments ago.
-
ZEKE
Hoh? - Woah! His poor brethren were slaughtered on the spot the moment they were born, shredded by blades that suddenly zipped and circled everywhere to surround him. Wait... no way! Why aren't they coming back into my world?
Lulu
"STAY AWAY FROM ARUNA! Like a sledgehammer her voice smashed his mind without letting up. Every syllable was a migraine-inducing blow that would split your skull open again and again. And through it all her unblinking blue eyes pierced him like frozen daggers.
AKH! The dark collective was pushed back by the archangel's brilliant will, cleaving the unity apart with its splendor. No, it was something else entirely - but it hurled him back all the less, forcing him to quake on one knee while clutching his head. Not....bad... Black foam bubbled from his throat, the man was now curling up in pain on the ground. Barely standing, trapped, and now suddenly illuminated by Aruna's blade. The final judgment that ripped from the ceiling, a weapon that once claimed his life. And for once, his tired dead eyes looked awake.
How long were we fighting this Aruna... did this power cause us to blackout?
His arm shot upwards, clashing with the sword of light. The hardening under his gauntlet was the only shield that saved his vessel from the fatal attack. "YOU'VE MUCH IMPROVED!! TO THINK YOU'D RESORT TO THE SAME ANSWER AS US!!" Even pushed back, his mass of shadows laughed at their bonds, dragging the vessel along as always. And just as it looked he was about to fall straight into the jail of swords, his body dropped upside down and flipped back at her with a hand on the ground, delivering a crescent kick from an utterly unorthodox position.
-
K-925
We didn't have a place to be in this city.
Without power, without guardians.
Every day was another day in hell.
But brother never gave up. He always fought to protect me.
When we were scouted by the Boss, he gave us a choice.
We fought for that man. We killed for that man. It didn't matter to us how many lives we trampled on as long as we lived another day.
But the children... somedays, it was too much.
The burnt bodies. The nightmares.
They said they weren't humans. They were just programmed to have those memories. But their tears... why did they feel real?
Their hands still grab at me when I sleep.
But as long as I protected my family, nothing else mattered.
I just wanted to be useful to you... brother...
"RHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!" Bullets hailed and bounced everywhere. Impacting against his exposed flesh, the gaps in his armor, everything. He hoisted his other arm against his skull, desperately running against the current of death. Even when his entire armor was covered in blood, he made one final dash with his arm extended to smash what was in front of him with blind abandon.
His fist smashed against Justice's reinforced skull. A strike with all his rage. His pain. His sorrow.
It smashed through the punisher's armament.
But it would be his final strike.
"Kh...ghkhrr...aghhh.." Blood splattered everywhere, spraying over the ceiling like rainfall. Justice's sword was hilt deep inside the cyborg's neck, straight into its lungs and guts. Quaking, he gargled a pool of blood messily. Yet his eyes wielded nothing but rage against Justice. No. Justice could see it. How many dying faces had he witnessed after all? How many cursed their killer? Surely too many to count.
But this one wasn't it. His rage burnt elsewhere... until he fell to his knees, the shadow of defeat looming over him. "garhh...da...mn...kh...!"
-
Justice
His skull cracked, despite the colossal mantle he wore. Justice felt boiling blood spill down his brow, clouding his vision as much as the shock that sailed through his nerves, all the way to the tip of his fingers. He forced both hands to tighten again around the handle of Absolution when it grinded to a halt, starting to serrate the vertebrae.
The Rider had killed too many to count who were spilling with hatred for him. But to very, very few of them had he promised something, if not literally, then in spirit. In death there was no longer anything but failure, and the millionth notch of dishonor on his epiphet.
Visage furrowing like crumbling coal, Justice pushed the blade the rest of the way through, and drew a hissing arc into the air. The rightfully furious cyborg's head toppled after it.
-
Suerte
Suerte's landed on the ground with a fall so gentle it barely made a sound. A tongue slid across her lips as she watched the man's head fall. Suerte's entire body was quivering. Legs shaking, pupils dilated, a finger ready to peel off her top. The sniper rifle fell to the ground in front of her, somehow landing in the perfect spot to pick it back up if she so desired. However, she couldn't stop staring at Justice's glorious form.
The barrel of the gun was still pointed at the man's body. "Justice... darling you carried yourself with such.... masculinity but... lets not be too hasty. Most things i've fought in this city recover quick."
Despite advising caution, the cowgirl couldn't help but get closer. That look of absolute determination, that cry of anguish, the damage he was able to inflict on her dear Justice: that was a man's man, well worth respect. That is why it was so much hotter that they killed him.
Suerte took a deep breath, grabbed her hat and placed it over her chest. Still keeping the gun pointed at her body, she bowed and said, "You were a good man. I could see it in the way you fought."
Then she turned back to Justice. "Now... should we bury him, or should i dismantle his body?!"
-
K-925
The sudden whirl of gears broke the calm relief the two felt.
"You..."
Impossible. Inconceivable. But even in death, his tenacity didn't end there.
The beheaded head coughed and hacked, bleeding onto the ground. Even the rider's mercy was refused. Or rather, he wouldn't accept mercy until he entrusted this. His final will.
"...argh...you really..."
What was he trying to say?
-
Justice
He was turning towards Suerte, titanic form slowly blowing away like ash, but none of the tension had left yet. The ingrained caution was still there, but he knew a closing strike when he made one. That was likely why, when the augmented man still spoke, he didn't appear rattled. He held back his words to his partner, and crouched to a knee near the head which struggled to speak.
"Hey," he said, inviting. Waiting to hear. The only disturbance was the sound of Punishment approaching, huffing, cautious.
-
Suerte
Suerte smiled, glaring down at the head. "Go on hon, say your piece," she said, her pistol still aimed at his body. Her trust was in Justice to handle the head. Hopefully that wouldn't bite her. "Its time for me to send you to the afterlife."
She already said her respects. Now if he acted she wouldn't hold back in getting herself off.
-
A-702
"...kh...ta...the...the tape... I couldn't believe my eyes... all of us... we were tracking you to make sure you wouldn't betray us." Bleeding from every orifice, the dying limb hacked and coughed with corpse-like eyes. Yet there was a sudden chill in the air.
"We couldn't believe it... when we found it... more than one... don't you get it?! More... and...the killer...!"
There was something strange about these events. Even this battle. Every time the three were attacked, the first one to receive lethal force... the one where the fire was focused! But that mean't-
"You're not saying a goddamn word. Now die."
CRASH!!
A massive fist of strings suddenly erupted from under the tiles and the ground, splitting it apart... and clutching at the holes Suerte opened up in its skull. The huge prosthetic jammed its fingers in its head and churned its brain matter in an instant, pulping the head like a watermelon before slamming it on the ground.
Standing a few feet away, Spidey stared at the now pulped remains of that man with that same expression as before.
-
Justice
One moment the man's lingering will was crushed. The next, Punishment had rushed like a bullet, grabbed Spidey's arm between its teeth, and slammed him to the ground. Justice turned around, back in his original size, and took out Pity, aiming it at the young man.
"Then you'll talk for him."
-
Lulu
Lulu squeezed, her hand balling into fists as she felt the power course through her. It filled her up completely and more and it almost felt like she would burst.
But not quite.
It was not like receiving HIS blessing so she wouldn't unleash her full Celestial Form. However, the flux of foreign energy was enough to cause a shift in her avatar.
And thus she took a new step forward as the change went through.
"AHHHHH, I Haven't been empowered by the Dark in so looooooooooooong- Aruna, you're filling me up sooooo gooooood-" And as she spoke her new FORM (https://i.imgur.com/TGWKt6Z.jpg) emerged.
ZOOOOOOOOOOM
CLIIIIIIING
She dissapeared in a flash and in the next moment her armored boot slammed into Zeke's back with bone shattering force and sent the abomination back to the sky from whence he came.
-
Suerte
Suerte turned to Spidey. "Hey! I was going to do that!" she said, pulling her other gun from its holster. Suerte sensed Justice's hostility and turned her hazel eyes to Spidey, ready to attack given the first signal. Truth be told, she didn't want to fight him.
-
Aruna
Light clashed with darkness, Aruna's shining blade slamming against Zeke's dark will. Just as before, Aruna put everything he currently had into that strike and just like before, Zeke was ready to return that, a kick ready to punish him for his brashness. Except this time....
"AHHHHH, I Haven't been empowered by the Dark in so looooooooooooong- Aruna, you're filling me up sooooo gooooood-"
All Aruna saw was the boot slam into Zeke's back and his form blurring as he shot up into the hole from whence he came. The light on the sword faded, Aruna's arm ceased its glowing. "You look beautiful in that new form. Had I known my magic would have this effect on you, I would have used my magic on you rather than bothering with the servant's clothes."
It was strange, standing next to her like this. It reaffirmed his realization, that it was stupid to treat her like he used to treat any other angel. There was no need to be afraid of her, no need to give her such unnecessary mistrust. In this battle, she had served him as well as any fellow demon would. In many ways, she was one of the greatest allies he ever had in a fight. "I just want you to know, I'm sorry for how I treated you. If you do betray me, it will be because you are another creature, not because you belong to the light."
With the blade at his side, he stared at the sky. "So in your travels, have you learned the meaning of companionship?"
Yes. Humans consider their ability to cooperate something of their design. But the ability to hunt and fight in packs was something of demon origin. It was discusting to see a fake demon like Zeke pervert such an idea. He scoffed at the thought.
-
ZEKE
Don't get cock- AKH!
His smug grin soon turned into the dumbfounded expression of a doofus. An impact later, he was face to face with the clouds. His shock couldn't even be hidden anymore. Only when the air boomed against his body did he realize what happened.
What just... Face to face with the sun, his dark eyes suddenly smiled.
Bystanders didn't even get to see it. The melting building was suddenly assaulted by a comet - a constellation zipping back and forth at ridiculous speeds like a ricochet - blowing its foundations to smithereens until it started to crumble away.
"Angel and demon - fighting together for a brighter future. Looks like you've gotten something through that thick skull of yours after all." A familiar voice chatted away at the two. It didn't harbor any hatred or killing intent towards them. Despite that, there was no mistaking who had ripped the pillars of this tower to burnt bits.
Which erupted from the ground like a volcano right behind Aruna, pouncing at the demon to run it through with a punch! Except what flew out was a toe kick straight at her neck instead!
"You better treat her right, or I'll kill you." It didn't have any killing intent in the slightest. Then again, he wasn't the type to think or hesitate about this kind of stuff.
-
A-702
"Tch-!" His body was suddenly slammed by the shadowy horse, causing the boy to hurl out a discomforted gasp. The next thing he saw was the barrel of the gun.
But the spider's web had already been weaved. So he just stared at the man straight in the eye and smiled tiredly.
"Hey, isn't that kind of cold? Pointing a gun at your partner like that?" What's the big idea, Justice?
-
Justice
"What are you afraid he was going to say, Spidey?" Justice leveled the gun, aligning the barrel with the wiry man's forehead. "The murder. Was that you?"
-
Lulu
WOOOOSH
"Don't speak such nonsense! Return what you have stolen and leave or else you will be the one to die by my blade!"
Said blade had cut his path short once more, materializing just in time to block not just his kick but all of him. The blade was just as massive as before if not even bigger except now the edges were shining with a black light.
Predicting him wasn't hard really, even with the rocketing movements he was making following him was no problem. Not when she was filled to the brim with such sweet power. He couldn't hide from here even when he dove out of sight, she would find him just as easily.
POP
SMASH
That movement was way too fast, she hadn't even blurred over, one moment she was standing there and the nex- No it was the same moment, she'd just been standing yet her foot crashed into his head from above.
Only as time seemingly resumed it's normal pace did the other her standing next to Aruna fade away as reality caught up to her rapid displacement.
-
Suerte
Suerte stared at Spidey. This conversation, to think he was the enemy the whole time. At this moment, Suerte wasn't processing if he was the killer, but more if she was willing to kill him. For one, he was a little young for him. Flirting with him was fine, touching him sure, giving him a peak not a problem but killing him was a little too intimate. Besides that, she liked him. The idea that he would no longer be in this world was just too sad.
Spidey. Please don't be the killer....
-
A-702
"Heh. You don't look surprised. Then again, I lost my cool earlier. Did you suspect me then?" He stared at Justice straight in the eye with a cool and collected expression.
Like a cold, cold thing that hadn't sought warmth in years. A killer? At the very least, he didn't hide the fact he had taken lives before. And yet, he sighed.
"But no. That's not it at all. Whatever that man saw, it was enough to incriminate all three of us. I didn't want him to confuse you into having us suspect one another."
Despite all that good talk of not suspecting one another, the gleams on the ground soon revealed spikes made of strings hiding in between the tiles, stretched to pounce like arrows at any moment... pointed at the gunman. Had he weaved this too while the two were fighting? ...All in case he was attacked by Justice? If so, then why?
"You should be able to tell. I don't have any grudge or bad blood with you two."
Truth and lie. Lie and truth. Truthfully, he hadn't exactly lied to them in the first place. But every good lie has a bit of truth in it as well.
So was he lying? And if so, where did it start? And where did it end?
-
Justice
"None of you are any good at subtlety," he said. There was no discomfort in his stance, despite the blood still clouding his right eye. "You don't need to harbour ill intent to use others. And drop your trap. Those won't kill me. You know that. I'll put a bullet in your skull first and then Punishment will eat your face."
-
Suerte
Suerte took a deep breath and lowered her gun. "Its alirght Justice. Didn't you hear what he said? He doesn't want to hurt us. That was just to protect us," she said, holstering her gun. "Cmon Spidey don't get in the way of interogation scenes like that. We have to find someone else to capture now."
Suerte turned to Justice. "C'mon put your gun away."
-
A-702
"You should listen to her yknow? She's got the right idea. Besides, you told me I should value myself more." He raised a brow at Justice's remark... and laughed. A tired, almost surrendered laugh. "It's easier if I show you. Better than giving your pony indigestion here."
Despite all that, he looked like there was no difference if he lived or died. Not anymore.
He won.
-
Justice
He thought about it, turning over every accusatory doubt behind his unflinching eyes, clicking his jaw and rolling his teeth against each other. After a long, heavy second, he cast a look at the infernal steed and sent it a curt shake of the head.
Punishment growled like an elephant-sized ratel and dropped Spidey's arm, while Justice holstered his gun. Sighing, he offered Spidey a hand. "No more detours."
-
Suerte
Suerte held out her arms and walked towards Spidey. "Sure but give me a hug first," she said, smiling at him, finally wrapping her arms around his lower back and pressing her breasts into his face. "I think we both need one."
-
Aruna
Aruna slipped into the portal beneath them as the fell, once again arriving in the basement. He could see them, smell them, hear their souls screaming. Yes that was what his soul senses allowed him to do. It was time to wait for the right chance to strike. Lulu would carry his burden of battle and he would down the beast known as Zeke when the chance provided itself.
"Well I hate to admit it, but i've been taking her for granted until now...." he said, Aruna's voice echoing through the half built remains of the building. "I didn't think you cared so much about my wellbeing. This mean you've learned to find the human within that collective mind of yours?"
Zeke was right. The angel and demon working together... it was truly something amazing. Why did he close his eyes to this for so long?
-
Spidey
"Yeah." He picked Justice's hand and accepted it with a warm expression. Then, he dragged him closer to Suerte...
"This is kind of embarassing, even for me. You know..." FOr a second, he looked away and flushed.
Only to initiate the group hug.
-
Zeke
Oho! The impact's recoil blew him back a few feet, but what rattled his shell wasn't the feeling of flesh against flesh. He didn't even see it. No, it was just like her. Maybe even faster. Before he could react, a boot crashed on his skull and brought him on his knees, face down on the floor. His body looked limp...
Yet it turned its cracked head to look up.
"I guess that's one way to put it." He looked away in embarrassment while a piece of his coat opened its maw to talk for him. Thinking about his humanity made him flush a little, it wasn't the sort of thing he was just going to boast nilly willy.
Which was why he then turned to the angel.
"What makes you think I even have it, missy? I had to deal with the vampire king's gluttonous appetite for fashion. A trinket like that is worth a hefty price... put two and two together." He tapped a finger on his temple while smiling smugly. Indeed, he wasn't lying.
A dark aura seeped from his core.
"Shame, it made a pretty good armpit trimmer. But I guess that's what that sword's for now, huh." He stretched and readied for their offense. If she was this fast, then it wouldn't be all that hard to adjust his timing. He'd have to go all out this time.
-
Justice
"Oof." He grumbled. His voice was casual again, not impressed with the rusted yet impossibly sharpened enmity of millennia, but he accepted the embrace only in a consciously mechanical fashion. Coldly, or perhaps warily.
-
Suerte
Suerte finally pulled away from the hug, smiled and said, "Alright Spidey. Go on. Now that the tension is gone and we are square, tell Justice what he wants to hear."
-
Lulu
"Oh is that so?" Her eyebrow rose slightly at that answer, it was quite bizarre coming from this creature and she would check it shortly. Meanwhile her blade subtly turned around behind him until the edge was pointed towards his back.
"Then I will just have to see for myself."
In the moment the full brunt of her mind slammed into him like a battering ram. She could be more delicate but she didn't really care about well being anymore. She would verify the truth by going through his memories, starting with the most recent ones, and she would find it, even if she had to grind his memories out of him one by one.
-
Aruna
He knows something Lulu. He knows more about me than me. We need to detain him.
Aruna stood firm, watching the battle. The key to a battle like this was wait until it was the time to strike. Quality not quantity, waiting for the critical point to strike. Aruna began quietly chanting, preparing a special spell to help Lulu if she needed it.
-
Zeke
Zeke just shifted cooly from the point of the blade even without looking at it. No, he could see it. Just in his own way. "Nice try, but it won't - GHRKAAAAAAAGHKHHH!!!!!!"
But he couldn't see this coming.
"Too deep...too fast... gkhhhkkkhrrrrrhhhh!!! Arkhhhhjgkck..!" His coat sparked and changed shapes again and again rapidly. His shadows, his organisms, his very innards... it was as if it were a living breathing darkness that had just been electrocuted over and over again. Whatever he wanted to say didn't even sound like conscious language any longer, let alone human intonation. He fell on the floor with eyes that threatened to roll back and forth like pinball machines, and a black foam that started rippling from every single hole in his face.
Just kidding.
He clawed at the ground, gasping and smashing his face on the floor. Once. Twice. He slammed his skull on the ground as if to get her away. I truly...dislike... peeping toms. And by the third slam, a sudden explosion burst him forward to beat the life out of the angel, desperately propelling him forward to rip her to shreds. He wasn't so bold as to plan something to take this telepath down. Instead, he opted he'd probably figure something out on the fly while he kept her busy. But the splitting headache he was feeling wasn't a lie. Such formidable mental prowess...
Get. Out.
-
Lulu
"Whoops."
Lulu slid to the side and out of the way from his charge, the energy buildup made it all to predictable, especially when she was already reading his thoughts.
"Hmm lets see now..." She said as she begun pulling out his most recent memory of what he had done before he had come here. Meanwhile the glowing sword shot after him and was ready to skewer him the moment he slowed down.
-
Aruna
Aruna's voice echoed through the portals. "Zeke, i've called you a false demon before, told you about the burden of fused minds. Ironic isn't it? For one who wants to impose his will on the world suddenly is having his will crushed by another. Last time you attacked me in a human alley way and took me captive, humiliated me, but we came to an understanding, you even helped me find my way. Don't worry. I won't be such a bad host."
Steel walls emerged from the ground around them, encasing the two in an air tight box. Within the darkest void, there was no escape from the light. Even then, you could hear Aruna's voice through the steel, but at this point it was a mere whisper. "Would you accept that outcome as natural selection or would you fight that fate?"
"Lulu, can you tell me what he knows about the grace? What is his game? Why did he help me? This information is as precious."
-
A-702
"I'm afraid it's not something anyone wants to hear. But fine." And with that, he let go.
"Follow me."
Continued in the slums. (http://darksidemoon.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,746.msg66001.html#msg66001)
-
ZeKEBAB
Zeke was wide-eyed as his arm swung at empty air, but before he could tell her form in the corner of his vision, the blade punched straight into his gut and slammed him into the wall. A pained gasp ripped from his throat, and the pain shot through his whole being. This wound was different - it felt real. Just like that vampire's weapon... but without the protection of a battle within a match. This was a true fight to the death.
Sweating and squirming in pain, he tried to pull the sword out of his gut and cast a spell - only for his magic to flicker away. At that same moment, walls of iron smashed through the floor and caged the two. And that damnable demon's whisper...
"Aw, thanks for the hospitality. It's so wonderful getting to play with the two of you that I might puke." He sweated and experienced the struggle firsthand. But even with the cards stacked against him, even with his this weapon lodged into his core and killing him inside, even with the angel shoving her way into the recesses of his mind-
He smiled heroically and denied them the satisfaction. He wouldn't surrender.
Earlier today
I guess that's it huh. Well, whatever, I had a great time. Nothing in this place gets me more satisfied than the feeling of fists colliding. And so, ZEKE just walked among the city's sidewalks, taking a bit to breathe in the city. A shame the vampire king just ditched him so coldly, but eh. He'd live through it. Maybe I should let Aruna know about the brat... and that other thing. It'd be bad if the cute little demon gets blindsided already. I bet she's just fooling around unaware of anything. I wish I could be that blissfully ignorant.
As he enjoyed a quiet stroll, he noticed something sticking out.
HAYABUSA'S VENGEANCE - A tale of PASSION, ROMANCE and BLOOD THRILLING ACTION!!
"Heh. What a waste of time." Was this what humans referred to as a cinema? Oh, right, he heard that a lot of romantic intrigues pop up in those places. Man, now he really regretted not dragging Val there. Maybe he should get Serana and Joseph some tickets. It might actually be fun.
5 Minutes Later...
"Have a taste of my folded steel, brother!" *clash* *clang* "No! It is you who shall die! Witness my technique!" *slash* "Aieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!"
Staring wide eyes at the multicolored screen that blared all these cacophonies, Zeke blushed through the whole thing. This emotion, this intrigue... he was absolutely hooked! Was this another expression of individuality - just like fashion? Humans were truly fascinating.
Oh my god, can I do that?
Maybe he should look for one of those so-called ninjas. They looked like worthy adversaries. Or maybe...
Gritting his teeth and his every muscle, he fought to tear the sword out of him.
-
Lulu
With a flick of her hand, the shining sword slammed sideways and threatened to pull Zeke into a corner.
"No, not that. Earlier.." She pretty much ignored the movie visiting experience it wasn't relevant to what she was searching but it revealed some clues. That's why she pushed further in and looked for his last memories together with this so called Vampire King.
" His mind is truly disgusting, I feel dirty just looking at his recent memories..... I don't want to look deeper..... Please." Her thoughts came to Aruna yet she sounded meek, all her usual bravado was gone as she pleaded with Aruna to not have to expose herself a second longer than needed.
-
Aruna
Aruna's eyes widened. I understand. I apologize. I suppose we must do this the old fashioned way.
Sinking into his portal, he emerged from the ceiling, landing on the top of the box without making a single sound. Still holding his dark blade in hand, it began to glow, its overwhelming glimmering light obscured by the cold steel trapping both inside. For a moment he looked at his blade. So you can't do everything huh? Or perhaps.... Ezekial has it, the power of a human...
Then lets cut off his limbs....
The glowing blade of darkness, now coated in light, grew to the size of three men. Aiming for Zeke's arm, he thrust the blade into the box, severing the limb. "So you refuse to accept your fate so long as it happens to you huh?" the demon said, its voice still muffling into a whisper from the steel. "That sort of spirit will make it hard for me to interrogate you, but that just means I will have a challenge to match the conquest of the so called heroes of old."
-
ZEKE
Damn! Not even an inch of respite! Pinned by the blade that churned him from the inside, his reaction to Aruna's sword was far too delayed. It was only the hardening he applied on his limbs prior that saved his limb, but the blade still lodged next to his bone painfully. It was like a demon's fang, nibbling and slowly sinking into his massive arm through the hard exterior.
"Haaah.... kh.... Has asking nicely not even come up in that skull of yours? Cruel bastards..." He flexed his muscles to try and pin the demon's sword inside the hardening, all without stopping to try and dislodge the angel's blade. But that tenacity wasn't shocking. No. It was the intensity of his glare... pointed straight at the one outside the box. Even as his thoughts were being violated, even as his mind was splitting, even as the whole world raged against him and cursed his existence.
He was still smiling.
"Even if your fate's set in stone, you still have a responsibility to do everything you can. That's what it means to be a man." His shadows bubbled and took the shape of birds... only to melt and crash into one another as their life waned immediately. Behind him, the sun was setting through the wrecked hole he appeared in, overshadowing him slowly through gorgeous orange rays.
Was this the end?
Uria pulled back their hand slowly, a slight grin on their face as they received the slightest information from his network. "You're so... fat. Fatty uncle. You take up all those dreams, and bonds, and people and shove them all in your mouth! If you keep eating like that, then one day you'll get your fingers on someone else's plate. Then they might punish you..." There was a cruel glint to the brightness of their eyes now.
"You better be careful! Or someone might reach in your belly and yank everyone out. Then they'll stuff you in a chest and push you right into the bottom of the sea." They laughed, and it wasn't so much a threat as a warning.
If you keep going like this one day you'll lose, and there won't be any more story.
I'm not going to die. Dying is the one thing I'm horrible at. I can't die... I have to get to that place no matter what. I want to see that other side no matter the cost!
Hella cute....
"EEEEEH!...Are you even trying?" Valerie huffed and tapped her right in annoyance, her red eyes sharpened just a touch as fearsome pressure crashed down on the man who had belittled efforts so.
"You- You.... You little rascal.... Do you have any idea how much effort I put into getting the colors to match, Huh DO YOU? HELLA CUTE MY ASS.... I wanted to impress you alright! And you just stand there nodding like a dummy and repeating what I said earlier. DID YOUR BRAIN TURN TO MUSH FROM ALL THAT MUD???"
I... I want to do fun things, unpleasant things, annoying things, even they're all just painful to deal with. If I'm going to struggle, I'd rather do it my way.
I want to live my way, no matter how damnable it is.
But I don't want to do it alone.
"See? It's much better to smile like that! Looks great on you too! Besides, when you're hurting, it's always better to have a good laugh. Sure, crying your heart out helps, but to smile and laugh is simply beautiful. Tears don't suit you, so..."
Being alone is painful. Being alone is annoying. Why? Why? Why!? Why am I always the one who's left behind!? Why...
Why didn't I save them?
...wait. Why am I thinking that all of a sudden? Who'se... what memories are these?
Smiling, he waved goodbye and disappeared in an infernal explosion. In that one instant, there was anger. There was fear. There was sadness. There was regret. There was hope. There was joy. There was despair.
He accepted them all, he accepted who he was and what his life had amounted to. And so, the pirate vanished amidst a wave of destruction.
No... that's just father. But I'm me. This is me. He can't be me. I am only myself, belong to myself...
A skeletal fist slammed on the counter, nearly toppling the wine over. His hand was only clenched harder than his teeth.
"No." He growled, and for a second the flames coating his body burnt, hot enough that even the man near him might feel its burning fire. "I will not give up on what is rightfully mine. If death is to plunder anything from me, I will simply have to steal it back. That is what it means to be a true pirate. Do you understand!?"
I want to journey and thrive eternally! Quit complaining! You rascals should be grateful you can pave that way to my dream! You're just aliens, you're not even from my world!
"Hah! Then again, if you're not going to come quietly, I guess you are asking for it after all. But relax, if you do kick the bucket I'll make a toast in your honor nonetheless." He added with the same friendly tone as always.
"It's time to sing the most wonderful song..." The pirate grasped his head and the flames flickered with teeth grinning so widely you could almost make out his battle-hungry face. "A song composed of your death screams!!"
I never changed.
But that damnable tower... it took everything from me.
Zeke looked down. His feet stood over a mountain of corpses. Some he recognized, others... were probably friends. Others nothing more than a reflection of his warped self. Moving his consciousness again and again and again had warped and split his mind... but even so, he kept fighting. Even if I'm a bastard, my ambition is just as good as anyone's. I'm... we're not losing to those bastards any longer! We will overcome our fate our way. I will clutch at my eternal paradise with every fiber of my being!
So I'm not dying. Father... begone from my world.
"I promise I'll come back, you can bet my soul on that. Cause I'm the strongest pirate of the seven seas. And this is a promise I ain't breaking."
Oh, and totes sold the knife. Did it for a mountain of cocaine too.
I won't die.
"We're not going to lose... to some second rate slaves of God." ZEKE... the collective itself grit its teeth and fought on to deny the two with everything he had. Unable to remove the blade from themselves, they ripped themselves out of it, severing a chunk of their side and bursting with the full power of their body - to burn and activate their magic.
To escape the cage and shatter it with power beyond their limits!
-
Lulu
"What did you say?..."
Any thoughts of informing him, of informing Aruna that she'd acquired the information fled her mind as that being, no creature uttered such blasphemous words. Her mind grind to a halt as a white hot fury ignited from deep within.
"HOW DARE YOU?"
Her voice echoed through all of their minds as her mental restraints crumbled and all her anger poured into both of them. It wasn't something that could be comprehended with words, or even with imagery. No it was nothing but pure unfiltered emotion, her glowing rage and it was all laser guided on one thing.
SLAVES.
This...this.... this couldn't be allowed.
The Angelic blade swelled with power until it cracked and burst apart. But instead of fading away, it was being eaten from the inside by something, it exploded violentl, pushed apart by something BIGGER growing from within.
The true Blade of Reckoning.
No.
Streaks of darkness perverted it's form and it's purpose had changed. No longer was it a tool of justice but rather-
Lulu appeared in a burst of speed that eclipsed even what she'd been capable a second ago, she grabbed the it the new sword and swung it at the heart of hers, no their anger...
It wasn't her blade anymore, it was their blade now, a blade fueled not by justice but vengeance.
-
ZEKE
I see it. I see it now. The origin point. It's so clear...haha...hahahahaha! His grin lashed out wildly as he exploded backward with the power of the sun. He never even experienced this speed himself - and yet...
SWISHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
For a split second, breaking out of the box slowed him down. And thus, slashes flew forward with unparalleled speed to kiss him all over with a furious slash. This massacre of wounds was nearly fatal, and with that weapon... certainly, enough to put him down like a dog.
My magic... it's gone...!?
Each of these wounds was certainly deep. The light was cut with one strike. Then came others. Without his flames, his speed and maneuverability was short lived, and before he knew it-
His body fell even further away. Or rather, her slash cut and pushed him out of the way. Enough to delay the inevitable by a meager amount. By turning his gravity and body absolutely limp, he executed this strategy to avoid the worst of her strikes. The tension of death was about to sink deep in his heart at any moment. But with how damaged he was by this weapon, his time was running out fast.
Don't be so mad... over bedroom talk...! Without being able to perceive her, he'd try to unleash as many organisms as he could... as a cloud of ink-like beasts that would cover everything and conceal him once and for all. But beyond that...
He wasn't concealing his thoughts. On the contrary, he was sending them directly into Lucy, flooding her with more and more.
A slave to passion, a slave to light, a slave to love, a slave to the beyond... this whole world... all of us... we're nothing but PIECES on a CHESSBOARD!! I can see them... the strings that chain us and bind us to their control. But I can't reach the Gods even now! I cannot even perceive what's beyond this prison!! That is why my people fell to that thing.
AND YOU'LL FALL TOO, BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE WAY OF MY DREAM!!
-
Lulu
"Shut up, shut up, shut up...."
SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!
Raven wings fluttered as the black angel dissappeared from this only to reappear right in his way, blocking Zeke's escape completely.
"SHUT UP!"
SMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!
It wasn't her sword that met him but rather her boot, in her white hot fury even something as simple as swinging her sword to finish him was beyond her and she lashed with the first thing that came to mind.
Filth like him deserved to be stepped on and ground to dust.
-
Aruna
"Lulu wa-"
It was too late. Aruna was blown backwards as the heat overwhelmed his body. He let out a hissing sound as his blood literally began boiling from the heat. The tension from the sheer force of their wills clashing was thick enough to cut with a knife, but powerful enough that a knife would only be able to scratch such a thing. Falling into the floor, he let his portal take him back into the safety of the basement. That entire room was mush. It was only a matter of time before the entire place would be destroyed.
Slave... he had a lot of gull using that word. There was mere moments. As long as they were in the mansion where he had portals set everywhere, he could still act.
"STOP!" he yelled, chains emerging from every postal. The total number of chains conjured into that room came in the hundreds. The dark chains shot into the sky, gathering more and more as they went until there were thousands of chains. Compared to the two it was like a dog chasing a jet but perhaps by the time it reached them, there would be too many chains to break.
-
ZEKE
The back cloud erupted. This should be enough to lose her, yes! HOWEVER!!
Agh!
A kick worthy of a destroyer! Being ripped straight into the sky, he was helpless to the Archangel's wrath - even as it teleported to flick him back with an ungodly blow. Shards of crystal exploded! His spine, his core, his every being was rattled to the core by the impact! Mercilessly, the blow blew him back the way he came and annihilated the hardening that was left on his back.
No. Not back where he came. Left was right and right became left! He completely lost the notion of space and time as he was hurled away, away from the chains, the world... everything. The chains seeking both of them shot through the cloud of dark organisms as if it were nothing, and kept approaching them. But the speed of this brutal curb stomp was simply too high level. He could not see the ground, and the ground could not see him.
For a moment, his presence was gone. Even his thoughts were as quiet as the dead seas.
SPLASH!
Wha!? He slammed into a cloud in the sky, drowning in water particles for a moment. What emerged from the cloud was his limp body, losing speed and beginning its inevitable descent. S-shit! Where did they go!?
-
Lulu
The raven haired angel's wings ceased their flapping as she came to a halt. She saw his form blast away into the clouds and it was then, it was then that her clarity resumed. Now that the target of her fury was no longer in visual range she realized her folly...
"Aruna!"
POP.
She reappeared next to him but she didn't look at him, she didn't need to since she clearly knew just how injured he had gotten frö. This exchange and most notably how she had failed.
She fell to her knees before him, in fact her face met the floor as she bowed before him.
"I.... I.... I let him escape... And I didn't listen to you...." Lulu raised her head to look at him, revealing the tears that were trailing down in her cheeks....
"I'm an angel of love not hate... So... WHAT WAS THAT.... I threw away everything all to.... I don't deserve to help you...."
-
Aruna
Every time that fake demon showed up, Aruna found himself lying on the ground barely able to move. The demon was was on his ass in the corner of the basement, a hole created where a ceiling once was. His body was still steaming, his skin simmering from the heat. What was that? He expected that from Lulu but Zeke wasn't that strong last time. If Lulu wasn't here he might have....third
"Lulu I.... No don't cry," he said, lifting his arm to wipe away her tears. His arm began glowing with a feint light glow, her warmth spreading to his entire body. That energy that he so greedily took earlier spread through his entire body. The burns became much less severe, the pain shrinking into nothingness. It felt like the physical equivalent of a lover's embrace. "It was a tactical mistake on my part. I shouldn't have made you do that to start with. Then, I made a rash decision. I knew full well the power of an angel going in."
Aruna let his hand fall to the ground, the adreniline of the battle leaving his system. Now that the battle was over, he simply could not will himself to move any longer. "You know i'll tell you something personal i realized recently. I thought the light and the dark couldn't coexist, couldn't be one, that the differences were just too vast. But light, darkness... its two sides of the same coin. Do you think maybe love and hate are that way as well? Lulu?"
Wings emerged from his back, one a bat like demonic wing, the other a feathery one glimmering with light. Soft eyes gazed at the angel, looking for an answer. At this moment, he wished he too were a telepath.
-
Lulu
"Just shut up..." She raised her head and then slowly crawled on top of him to let her aura really si k in and close his wounds, the closer she got the better.
"You're really embarrassing yourself.... Me liking you have nothing to do with Light and Dark, I like you because I enjoy being with you, do we need a bigger reason? And I really liked the way you claimed me earlier, you were so full of passion. Did fucking me feel so good you changed your views on my kind? Heh... "
-
Aruna
Aruna's body had pretty much completely healed. The burns had vanished and his blood had completely ceased its boiling. The only thing that remained was the steam radiating from his body. "Maybe, but every time I see the cold grip of death, I can't help but blabber on. Even the slightest touch crushes the mask I wear and tosses it aside."
Aruna raised his hand, letting it touch her impossibly soft cheek before running it down her torso. Those breasts, that belly, those hips, faces she had made that he created with his own special brand of touch; that came to mind as he let his hand explore her body. "No... not embarrassed, but when we finished, as I bathed in the afterglow of the sex, I realized I used you. You were an avatar for my hatred, a vessel of characteristics that had long since terrorized me. Even if you betray me in the end, I can't deny you've saved my life today."
The demon's sharp red eyes began to lose its glow. If he were in his human form, he would be crying from pure catharsis. "But you've tortured me with the possibility that an angel and demon could live in harmony, yet proved they could fight in harmony. I have to accept that the anguish inside of me, the light that drives me forward is merely my own anguish. To tell you the truth Lulu, I don't want you to like me just because you enjoy spending time with me. I want to be loved because there is something worth loving, even despite my mistakes."
THe long demonic hand that was exploring her body settled on her back, drawing circles with his palms. "What I am trying to say Lulu is, i'm sorry too. I'm sorry for rejecting your love. whether it bites me in the back or not, I want to see the outcome."
Perhaps maybe if even he can learn, perhaps the world could follow. And so he smiled at that thought, he's demonic teeth flashing a devious grin. But she would be able to tell it was nothing short of genuine elation.
-
Lulu
Flick.
"Don't badmouth yourself like that..." The angel frowned a and flicked his forehead in annoyance. "I wouldn't be your girlfriend if you didn't have any value. I'm far too selfish for that. You see I've been using you too, the emotional turmoil within you is quite delicious to feed on, but I really hope you stop putting yourself down.... And for that matter in my world, this kind of relationship isn't even strange, different species intermingle all the time.
The angel suddenly smirked and crawled further forward until they were face to face. "I wonder if we had children would they be as grumpy as you or as sweet and perfect as me?"
-
Aruna
Aruna said nothing, instead covering his forehead from the flick. It hurt like a bitch. He should have deactivated that spell but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Well given that we are both selfish, probably the worst kinds of brats," he said, chuckling. His hand drifted from her back to her horns. They were sharp, strong. He could sense his own magic intermingling with her own. The demon horns were symbols of their people, signs of their everlasting determination. "They really do look good on you Lulu, these wonderful horns suit you so well, so does this forthright confession. We will have to do something about your modesty though."
Aruna chuckled, sighing with pleasure as he felt her presence sooth his mind. "Demons and angels, light and dark, we've been enemies for centuries. We cohabited, but the balance of power was always shifted in favor of the light. Demons are monsters to be vanquished, at least according to them. You know, in my world, a demon is just someone who draws power from the dark and studies under the creatures banished by god."
Aruna's fingers wrapped around the horns, pulling her up ever so slightly. "Turmoil, the very burden of living. I don't mind it all that much Lulu to tell you the truth. When i'm so at peace like this its...."
"Its hard to want to do anything."
"Lulu tell me, did you ever love another demon like me?"
-
Zeke
"Blah blah blah. Jesus christ you stickler, a gorgeous woman opens her heart out like that and you're still stuck on that war of yours? No wonder you're so grumpy all the time." A jokingly sassy tone echoed around the two. But that was... impossible. Didn't he just gets punted kilometers away?
BOOM!!
As they could turn their glance, the comet already crashed on the ground a few dozen feet away from them - causing a massive burst of flame to crack all over the street and erupt around the trio. The shadow that emerged them was hurt here and there... but no worse for wear. Or rather, he still refused to go down.
What was that madman's deal anyways?
"Missed me yet?" Its smug grin gleamed over the dark flames like the moon.
But before he knew it, the condensed water of the clouds he hit came crashing down on his head, smacking and splashing him all over.
Ow.
-
Lulu
"Oh look it's the ant."
SWOOOOSH.
With a wave of her hand The giant sword manifested behind her and cleaved through the burst of flame, no not just cleaving through. It killed the fire itself before it could even reach the streets and then tore straight through the remains of the room right at the insect himself.
She turned her head around to gaze at him with smug superiority, somehow managing to look down upon his feeble actions even from her position on the ground. Of course that was the natural outcome, no matter how low she went he would always be lower.
"Apologies for the brutality earlier, it's hard to hold back my strength when I step on an ant so I don't crush it."
-
Aruna
"Stuck on the war? You say that as if its over, when we both know its still going on. In fact, we are both preparing for the next great battle," he said, putting folding his hands behind his head and staring at the sky. "Light and dark are forces that clash endlessly with one another and in different ways."
But the fight has evolved. Aruna continued to flicked the horns on Lulu's head, as if to check their authenticity. The truth was that the days of angels and demons fighting for the supremacy of their domains was long over. Now it was just people fighting for themselves.
"I swear, I can never seem to kill you. You remind me of my old tyrant days, back when I used to rule over the humans. The cockroaches never seemed to be able to be put down."
And that is how he ultimately lost in the end, their perseverance and his lack of understanding.
"I shall give you a choice. IN truth it may be more annoying to put you down than to simply tell me what you know about the graces. If you release your knowledge of the light to me, i'll let you live. Otherwise your too dangerous to be left alive."
-
ZEKE
The sword shot forward with the strength of a rocket, crossing the distance in an instant. But unlike before, he managed to slightly shift his center of gravity and deflect it by a bare breath. The sword slammed between his forearm and his neck, and the impact blew him away a few feet - but it avoided pushing into him nonetheless. No, he must have moved before the bullet had left the chamber. But even from this distance, prediction alone shouldn't-
Unless he was starting to evolve this very moment. No, not this moment. Ever since he fought that woman in the arena.
Haah...haah...that's...right... kh...
"My, my, my. That's just cruel. If you were going to crush me, a hug would be way more painless..." A smug voice echoed past the wounded man. A dozen animals emerged from his shadows. Among them, a three-eyed raven - the same that spoke earlier. As far as the vessel was concerned, even the spot on his neck and arm where he tried to deflect the sword throbbed. Yes, his eyes weren't so casual anymore. They looked annoyed.
A sudden sneer shot through the air, cackling at them - once again, a different voice.
"Khaha! Idiots! Whether I give you answers or not, I can tell you just want to shish kebab me. You can't just - CHKWAKWAKWAHHHH!?"
The buzzing was annoying. So the iron grip of the vessel's fist closed on the brid's neck. Softly. Tightly. Without the slightest restraint. The void was silenced. And this time, he spoke.
"Fine by me."
"________________"
He smiled, way more relaxed than earlier. No, it was the same smile that man had in the arena. But if the birds were Zeke and the man in front of them was also Zeke, who were they talking to right now?
Either way, if Aruna had any questions, now would be the best time to ask away.
-
Lulu
"I would never hug someone as disgusting as you tchh..." She sneered and turned her attention back to her beloved who was giving more attention to the horns she had grown than she deserved. It was a strange sensation but not an unpleasant one and were they not so occupied with this unwanted company she would have taken what she craved from Aruna by now.
"My touch is only for the people deserving of my love like sweet Aruna here. And I doubt he even has anything to share, he looks like a joke who will never amount to anything, maybe we should just let him go? He wants something by being here and denying him that would be the most fitting punishment don't you think?"
-
Aruna
"I'm not so arrogant as to think a creature that has defeated me twice is worth letting go without a price," he said. "Why did you help me on my quest? Why are you so interested in seeing me grow in the power of the light?"
The amalgamation that was Zeke was a wild card that could uproot him in the long term. However, if there was anything their battles had proven it was that he was impossibly hard to kill. Killing a man was easy, but killing Zeke was like killing a country, there was always some sort of straggler that kept him alive.
The hands fondling her horns dropped to the ground as his red demonic eyes focused on the human known as Zeke.
-
Zeke
The dark beast blinked for a second there, wide-eyed in surprise. Out of all possible things... she'd ask the most obvious one? Jeez, when she put it that way.... well then...
He put a hand on his hip and smiled.
Because I like you.
He didn't even pay a glance at the Archangel any longer. What a fool. Nobody deserves love. It's something given, by choice. The fact she'd utter such foolishness meant she understood nothing about it. Then again, he'd expect nothing else from a mere soldier of God. And yet...
He was happy they both got this far.
-
Lulu
"If that's how it is, stay silent you silly little man, you've lost all hope now, too bad..."
SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH
Lulu behind massive sword in hand moving to slice him apart over and over with unrestrained fury. but it wasn't glowing hot anymore, no this was the more refined and chilling move of death itself.
And not even emotions can stand this chilling light for it destroys all, even your very hopes and dreams.
"YOU WILL DIE!"
-
Aruna
"Nonesense, you don't love me, only yourself, or what 'yourself' even is. Just because we share an understanding doesn't mean I accept all of your feelings! Flippant, trite, fragile: those emotions are what i'd describe you as. What does a mass of human desire need with affection, friendship or love?" he asked, finally standing up to face the man. The blade of darkness extended, doubling in size as it was filled with light.
"Before you die, tell me why! Why do you feel these things?!"
Aruna's voice cracked, booming through the very sky above them. Aruna's arm shined with a blinding light that rivaled the brightest star.
-
ZEKE
Dying, huh? If only it were so easy... then I wouldn't have to disappoint you.
And a blade of death shot through the air. With grit teeth and a pained expression, it smashed on his ribs and cut him down with such force, his shell cracked all over the blow with a final gasp. Hurled to the side, he fell haphazardly at a speed even he couldn't overtake.
Beyond that speed, a kick smashed straight towards Lucy's jaw. How?
[DRUNKEN STYLE]?
No.
[CAPOIERA]?
No!
[CUSTOM MADE]
YES YES YES YES!!
Seeing through her attack's nature, he shifted his center of gravity and used the momentum like a whip. This way, he could deliver this blow exactly while falling. You might liken it to one of those training dummies that attack you as you hit, the spinning ones. That too, he took from a ninja movie. It was nothing short of a miracle, an impossibility that a man of his power simply couldn't replicate. A fighter who knew as much as the basics of close quarters would see through it and dodge it barely. It was a strategy that would never work on a monster like Valerie, let alone an Archangel, one who rules over miracles.
But Zeke didn't plan. He gambled. And thanks to his struggles, he refined his movements to grab onto this miracle. This was perseverance that could only belong to a mortal. Could Lucy face it head-on? After all -
Isn't... it obvious? I'm only... human...!!!
And so, the blow rushed to connect with unparalleled vigor, reaching for the divine territory of their power head-on! Using this opening, he would go all out and strike with all he had to turn the tables. To assault her with claws, kicks, punches, elbows, rocketing blows and everything at his disposal.
-
Lulu
SWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISH
The kick split the air with his unyielding determination, the determination that would seize a miracle eve from the jaws of defeat. Such was his determination yet-
It could never reach her.
Not because of some divine intervention bending his attack out of the way, not even because she narrowly dodged it by moving at just the right time. In fact she didn't move at all. There was a much simpler explanation for it.
He was in the wrong place.
The length of his leg could never match up to the length of her blade, not in this form at least. That one miscalculation turned his whole comeback upside down.
"Begone!"
And the moment his kicked passed the halfway, yes the very moment it became apparent that it would miss, her sword moved on it's own accord interdependent of her arms. It followed Zeke's momentum and was going to use it to pick him up and hurl him away.
"Aruna let it go. It is what it is. You'd do a lot better if you learned to accept things at face value."
-
Aruna
A small chuckle filled the destroyed ruins of the mansion. Then it grew into a low bellowing laugh. Eventually it evolved into the cackle of a maniac.
So you've accepted yourself then?
Aruna's body, arm, blade and wings shining with light, flew beside the clash, his red demonic eyes making contact with Lulu for the briefest moment. The demon's muscular back stood in the path of the man being catapulted into the sky. The second the shockwave from the strike was felt, Aruna's back would open up, allowing Zeke to pass through. A flurry of slashes carved by the dark blade of shining light would slice through his body, threatening to cut him into ribbons.
"I hurt you because I took you at face value, but my values, yet now the angel of love says I should take Zeke only at face value. Thinking deep or shallow, I wonder when that sort of thing is appropriate. Perhaps that is my true folly."
The demon never once had to utter another word. The demon of light and dark were connected to both. The shadow of Zeke and the Light of Lulu, their minds both came to him. Was this coincidence or fate? If it was fate, then perhaps that is the one force greater than even the gods.
-
ZEKE
What?! The lack of impact against his foot was the only warning he got that something went terribly wrong. But even if he wanted to regret it, he had no time before the gigantic blade smashed straight AGAINST HIS VERY BODY!! It dragged him away, sealing every power at his disposal.
The ground is the sky... the sky is the ground... where am I... this laughter...
But not his body.
It pivoted on the sword as he flew towards the demon, moving unorthodoxly to brace his vessel from the impact and use the blade as a platform. And just as Aruna's sword slashed at him a couple of times, he kicked away from the sword despite the gash that it opened up - and unlocked his magic to blast away straight past the demon. He avoided the full combo, but just for a moment, the gaping abyss and Aruna's gaze met.
And the abyss looked back, with something utterly unseen sleeping inside.
(https://i.imgur.com/xchGHSo.png)
And it spoke.
"Mael is alive."
And with a burst of light, the comet boomed to fly away
-
Lulu
"Mael?...." The Angel scratched her newly grown horns in confusion, well not entirely in confusion as they were feeling pretty itchy but definitely it was definitely a big factor, probably.
Her sword stopped chasing him as she watched him begin to fly away.
"Aruna stop. Leaving him be will bring more truths to light in time."
-
Aruna
Aruna's eyes widened, then he fell to his knees. The glow on his arm faded and the light from his wings disappeared into the void. "CURSE THAT MAN! What in heaven?! He.... he is alive?! How... how would he know that?!"
The demon turned his head towards Lulu. It wasn't that he hadn't heard her, but the full weight of her words, the ones that she kept piling on his back, finally caused him to collapse under their weight. All this time wasted pondering the way of the world and to what end? The realization he made back then, the pointlessness of light and dark, the inaccuracy of a binary world, he had still acted on it. Why? Because in the end, the feelings controled him more than the logic itself. Indeed it was only in that moment of desperation that he broke free, but he went right back to it.
Enough was enough.
Red eyes turned towards the angel. "I think its about time I told you where I got this power from."
-
Lulu
The angel stopped fiddling with her newly grown horns and turned to him fully for second, she appeared to be thinking about something, weighing the ups and downs of what to say next.
"I don't care."
She approached him with a much calmer disposition than she had expressed just mere moments ago, her rage was finally cooling off now that the annoyance had been dealt with. But that merely lead her back to the previous frustrating situation, the person that couldn't accept themselves and therefore kept running.
"Your powers aren't what defines you Aruna, You're the one who does..." She had closed in all the way one close enough to touch, to feel... Her gentle aura embraced, even so as his magic still coursed through her there was a rough edge to it. Perhaps it was the remains of his inner conflict made manifest.
"Where you got your powers from doesn't really matter, it's what you do with them that does."
-
Aruna
"Yeah.... I realize that now."
Aruna reached out and wrapped his palms around her hips, pulling her into his body. The warm aura enveloped him, his heartbeat slowing with each passing moment. The adrenaline of the fight gave way to a unique calm. It was the kind that came from a sunken heart dragged down by the day's accomplishments and struggles, but one undeniably proud. "I wonder if you've ever tasted the power of darkness before. The horns came from my magic right? I wonder if you manifested the kinds of horns we have. Many female demons shapeshift powerful but sensitive horns."
As he awaited her response, his lips began to move. A darkness flowed from his body and into the ruins of the mansion. The debris became pitch black, before growing and morphing. Some bits flew into others, while some matter simply grew and changed shape. The basement ceiling began to stretch, eating up the dust and debries lying around. Bookshelves were completely restored, although the books were no where to be found. Bathtubs were crafted from mana, while walls were rebuilt with the scattered matter.
The truth was that the real reason he needed the foolish human's money was to buy the land, not the house. So long as he had the land, he could do whatever he wanted to the house without violating human laws and thus keep the bigger fish away from him.
"You know, when I brought up my powers, I wasn't just talking about me. They were gifted to me, or rather thrown on me. I've accepted the responsibility of collecting the scattered pieces of that man and I carry his power as a part of me."
If he is alive, maybe I should give it back.... he thought to himself.
-
Lulu
"I haven't yet but...."
Her own red eyes shimmered with bare restrained passion as Aruna pulled her close by the hips. She barely had any time to enjoy the way his hands sank into her soft skin before she was pushed into him. Lulu could feel the subtle desire in his grip and she gasped out loudly as her body made contact with his, first her full breasts got squished against his muscular chest. The Angel squirmed in response, appearing to want get away yet only making it so she rubbed up against even more so.
"We could fix that when you fuck my throat... And you can hold onto my new horns now, since you'd need a lot of leverage to get your fat cock all the way down, don't you think?"
-
Aruna
Palms pressed against her hips, his long demonic fingers sinking into the very edge of her perfectly shaped ass. Those impossibly soft breasts pressed against his chest rubbing every inch of it as she squirmed in his grip.
"Well I will admit it is nice for wrestling," he said, flashing a shark toothed grin. A hand slid down her belly and between her legs, dancing along her folds ever so slightly. Each movement was deliberate, calculated. A quick touch was followed by his finger sliding in along her inner thigh. "You must be tense from the battle. Let me help."
Aruna's black demonic mouth pressed against those soft angelic lips. His own magic rushed from her body into his, the haze spell being sucked right out of her body.
-
Lulu
"Haaah..."
She gasped into the kiss as her hips jerked forward by his touch. Her folds were drenched, so wet infact that a clear liquid could be seen trailing down her thighs. It was the rush of battle but more than that, it was the feeling of his essence coursing through her that had put her in this state. And now she wanted to be with him for real, as close as possible and truly them come together.
But mixing his essence with her, and infusing her with his power had spiked her aggressiveness and she would have none of this.
"Aruna..." The angel actually growled his name in a threatening way. She pushed him back with sudden aggression and shoved him against one of the newly rebuilt walls. "Stop teasing me like this or I'll rip your dick off and fuck you with it okay."
-
Aruna
Oh hell on earth..
The growling inspired something primal in him, a desire to destroy her with the great tool betwen his legs. With his fingers already between her thighs, he peeled apart her fishnet stockings. Her panties dropped to the ground, split in half by the claw like fingernails of Aruna, all with a simple flick. Two hands glided up her smooth belly, resting on her breasts. With a gentle squeeze, he lifted her off the ground by her generous breasts. One hand moved to her crotch, while a long tongue snaked from his mouth, entering her folds and splashing her essence all over his demonic face.
"As you wish my dear Lulu..." he said, his demonic eyes flaring with anticipation.
A simple flick between her folds became a rapid flicking along her angelic clit, faster and faster until the demon had achieved superhuman speeds.
-
Aruna
A crimson flame lit an otherwise pitch black room, shadows from the light flickering with the fire's form. The demon was in a leaner version of his demonic form, less visible muscle, but still a masculine build. His horns could be seen from the back of the couch, as well as the sculpted lines of his back. Red eyes glowed even in the presence of fire, while a shark tooth grin cast its judgement into the flame, into the past few hours.
It had been a while since he had time to simply relax on a human couch. The seat cushion gave way to his firm butt, letting him sink into it as the heat from the fire enveloped him. To his side, the guardian angel he never asked for sat. Still, looking into the flame, it was hard not to be satisfied. A force like fire only reminded him of his own potential destruction without her.
"With the apologies out of the way, I think its time I gave you a reward," he said, turning his head to the side and cracking his neck with a quick rotation. "I have some pent up energy still from earlier and I think I know what will be a good present."
-
Lulu
"Oh, and what might that be?"
The Angel was sitting beside him on the couch and leaning onto him with her smaller frame, all of her delicious curves pressing into him with clear lustful intention, yet the Angel hadn't made a move yet.
"Your Angel is a very needy girl, if you start giving her stuff she won't stop taking and taking...." As she spoke, one of her hands traveled up his thighs and grabbed his balls in one swift motion. A somewhat unintended function of her life force restoring aura was causing a strange sensation to spread through his balls with every squeeze. This function though initially unintended, was still very much appreciated since some locally applied amounts to say a man's balls would super charge the semen production to many times the normal amount.
And that was precisely what was happening here.
"It's also my job to make sure these are drained." Lulu had to struggle to not show how much she was enjoying this torturous tease of her Demon, with just a few gentle squeezes of her hands, she could give him the equivalent to hours upon hours of blue balling... And it only got better with each squeeze. Normally she wouldn't use this too much, but for some reason she was feeling particularly sadistic today....
-
Aruna
The delicate but purposeful touch of her soft hands along his thighs would have been enough to get him to grow, but that touch did something to him. The shaft just above the balls she was fondling began to grow, rise, extend into a thick barely graspable rod, something Lulu would only barely be able to enclose her hands around. He could feel those soft breasts pressing into his body, forcing a relaxed groan from his demonic lips. The natural aura she projected practically multiplied this effect, causing his muscles to relax in response to her touch.
"You know, one of my favorate human phrases is that you shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you," he said, one hand reaching for her horns, the other for her breasts. Both hands squeezed with his full strength, unable to practice any restraint. His thighs were shaking with anticipation. Aruna refused to give into this little game of hers and relinquish all sexual power. "I don't want to hurt you again you know."
Demons already produced much more semen than regular humans. The effect caused Aruna's balls to swell on her grip and his now hard dick to twitch. When he did cum, it would be the most he ever had in his entire life. Still, he couldn't let himself cum too early, not before he finished her off himself. He would have to play the long game here, feel out what makes her feel good and go for the kill.
After all, it was time to give back to her.
-
Lulu
The soft flesh of her tits welcomed his touch and his fingers sunk into them readily. but even with hands as large as his, her breasts were still a bit too big to all fit in a single grasp. The touch to her horns had a different effect on her though, unlike her breasts which was met with mild encouragement, Lulu didn't show much reaction to having her horns grabbed.
Her hand kept pumping at his balls as she chose to address that. "Why are you grabbing my horns like that? Did I miss something when I transformed? If I did I could fix that now...." She looked at him in interest, fascinated by the odd response to her touch.
-
Aruna
Aruna's greedy sharktoothed smile widened as he watched his hands become engulfed in the soft pillows on her chest. His hard almost sharp demonic hands had only the dough like tension of her boobs to fight back against his hands. Red demonic eyes narrowed, staring at the angels face with a glance that almost seemed to be photographing her within his own mind.
"There is nothing wrong with your body," he said, letting the hand on her horns slide down to her cheek. "Even a shapeshifter shouldn't talk like that. You see, some demons choose to make certain body parts sensitive during sex, create other secondary sex characteristics. Wings and horns are a favorite."
The hands continued to shake, but started to steady. This talk was giving him a little time to collect himself.
-
Lulu
"Ah so that's what it was hehe... Wait just a second." Lulu closed her eyes and she adopted a look of intense concentration for a few seconds, then she opened her red eyes and met his gaze with joy. "There all done, I haven't done that with horns before but lets see how that goes..."
As she spoke the Angel scooted back a bit and leaned forward to place her upper body on level with his crotch but more importantly his aching length. "Gotta lube you up now before we really get started..." The hand that was caressing his balls moved up to the base of his shaft and grasped it, her fingers could barely encircle his girth but it was enough for her to hold it steady as she got closer and delivered a kiss to the tip of his cock.
-
Aruna
Every muscle on Aruna's body visibly tensed as the soft hands wrapped around his shaft. Curious hands that had been retracted while Lulu changed the properties of her body sprang forward once again, grabbing the horns in both hands.
"Some demons even hold the bodies of their enemies on their heads just before sex to prove their worth, but personally I found that a little macho," he said, squeezing them with a twist of his wrist and a decent but not overwhelming amount of pressure. "I meant what I said however. The way you make your body so soft but tender is incredibly sexy, such a creative consistency. I could play with your breasts alone for hours."
With her horns in hand, he squeezed as he pushed her further into his dick, prompting her to take more of it in.
-
Lulu
"Aaaa-"
The was cut off as his dick was forced into her mouth to plug her up. Her cheeks bulged out as it went further and further without much resistance, eventually pushing past the entrance to her throat.
Meanwhile the Angel's back arched pushing her head siwn further and her ass up,her voluptuous form looked more and more seductive as her pose become more and more sexualized. Her back was now curved at an angel that looked at home in doujins, but would likely a kill a mortal woman, Lulu however looked in spit of it.
"Arunaaa... More, I love your taste so much shoo gooood..." The spiking pleasure from her horns was so intense that eventthe thoughts she projected were scrambled.
-
Aruna
The demon's hand retracted from her head and slung over the back of the couch, his head draped back in a similar fashion. The sharktoothed grin flipped into a open gaped frown, with vacant red demonic eyes. The cock twiched in her mouth, erupting with his essence and coating her tongue with a river of white. One could be forgiven for mistaking this for Aruna finishing early, but this was actually merely precum.
If Lulu's thoughts were scrambled, Aruna's thoughts were a mush. Damn it woman. If you talk dirty like that then I can't.... think? Even so, he managed to clear through the haze and send back, Then.... your... going to love when it goes in and grows.
Thats right, he had to stay in control. If not for having control then what?
-
Lulu
The moment he told her about how how he was going to grow his dick, was the moment the Angel went into overdrive. She plunged down the rest of the way on his shaft until her lips met his groin, but even so she kept pushing her head down, showing her want and need for more. With a slight shift of her hips, her dress that had been caught on the curve of her ass suddenly slid past it to reveal what could only be described as a booty sculpted by the gods.
Of course the positioning of her outfits were completely under her control so it was no accident that her dress had slid up now, it was perfectly timed to the pace of the blowjob she was giving him, so that he would have the best visual stimulation. This time she was going to prove that he didn't need anyone else when she was here...
"What makes you think I can't shrink parts so small you can't get out Aruuuna?" True to her words as she finished speaking, the entrance to her throat shrank until it was too small for his thick cock head to pass back through
-
Aruna
The demon's head popped up from its relaxed position, his red demonic eyes staring at the massive plump ass, practically begging to be stared at. She went so far down, he could feel the moist warm muscles of her throat wrapped around his shaft. Then it happened. Those muscles squeezed him, all of him, only his balls which sat on her tongue were safe from the ever shrinking throat.
That sounds like a challenge.
The shaft expanded in her throat, even as it shrank to accommodate him. He knew she didn't need air, so there was no need to hold back either. The already large cock expanded, pressing into her throat so much that he could see the outline of his shaft at the bottom of her throat. A clap rang through the room, spreading into the halls and echoing through the entire mansion. Aruna's hand had clapped down on Lulu's exposed right ass cheek.
It was the sexual equivalent of a counter challenge. How much can you take?
-
Lulu
The angel squealed, or she would have if her throat wasn't so utterly filled with his monstrous cock. In the end she ended up squirming as the vibrations of her denied outcry rippled up her throat and added a new layer of massages to his shaft.
But most importantly her red eyes observed him with unrestrained glee, giving away the fact he was doing nothing but playing right into her hand. "Slap my ass all you want Aruna but I'm gonna wring you dry over and over again. This is just the warmup, I'll show you true heaven soon enough hehe..."
-
Aruna
Those red demonic eyes widened, his head retracting from her challange, taken aback from her sheer intent. A groan escaped his lips, not of pain, but pleasure. What he gave her came right back to him. She was basically mocking his mistake.
Well then I won't stop, he thought, a hand coming down even harder on her plump cheeks, slamming her ass into the couch with the full weight of his strength. In his other hand, he suddenly held a remote, pressing the button to force the cushion below her to vibrate. If he was doing this right, her crotch would be in the perfect spot to feel the full force of this trick.
A hand reached for her head, grabbing her by the hair and attempting to pull her off of his dick. His demonic lips curled into a childlike smile as he eagerly awaited the sound of her pleasured shock.
-
Lulu
"Auuuughhh.."
The muffled moans coming from her might be words or it might not be, but her enjoyment was undeniable. Her throat quickly yielded before him letting go of his massive length with an audible pop. However...
The angel only reveled in the feeling of the vibrating seat and willingly grind down on it herself as if mocking his attempt to surprise her.
No she was definitely mocking if the smirk was anything to go by.
"I see the poor little demon needs his toys fufufu..."
-
Aruna
Aruna's red eyes flashed as a disappointed frown formed on his mouth. Those long muscular arms reached out to grab her horns, yanking her down so that her soft breasts were hanging just above his crotch. Pressing them against his dick, he enjoyed the humming of the couch as he thrusted into them.
"I just enjoy toys," he said. "Human contraptions are so creative. Besides, don't act like you don't enjoy it."
A moment of reprove. Although, this sort of attitude was a little hotter than he expected. It offered him a moment away from escalation, not an opportunity to cool down.
-
Lulu
The angel shivered, having her newly made sensitive horns grabbed like he was doing was mind numbing and her body heaved much harder from the pleasure spearing right into her brain than what the vibrating ever could.
Even so, lust was her domain and you couldn't render her unconscious with it. She would merely soar to even greater heights.
She grabbed her massive breasts and wrapped them around his equally massive throbbing length. It's hardness was only matched by the softness of the hills that enveloped it.
"I just find it amusing that you are so desperate that you rely on toys like that. It's okay to not win Aruna, all that matters is feeling good..."
-
Aruna
The head peaked out of the top of her cleavage, the massive veiny shaft still as large as it was when it was inside of her. With his hands still wrapped around her horns, he pushed and pulled her to guide the pace of the strokes.
Aruna didn't respond to her comment. He could mention that the competition in the bedroom is a hallmark of demon affection but in truth he didn't want to do that anymore. It was his demonic pride that has lead to all his mistakes so far. In this moment of intimacy, the demon would allow himself to feel vulnerable.
"Feel good huh," he said, letting his mental control over his lust fade away. In that moment, he erupted, pumping a fountain of white directly into Lulu's face.
-
Lulu
Lulu blinked.
Then she blinked again. Her stroking stopped, as she the angel merely sat there in abject confusion as she was sprayed all over by the stream of white. The remains of her clothes, her massive cleavage, her hair, her face and even her horns were quickly coated in the flood Aruna had unleashed. The coaxing of his balls that Lulu had done earlier is what enabled this, letting him cum many times more than his regular loads. It would without a doubt be the biggest of his life and it wasn't even over yet, but already the scene before hm was utterly perverse, like something born out of a perverted fever dream.
"But... I wanted you to hold out longer...."
Her surprised expression gradually sank into a disappointed frown, the Angel wasn't done playing with him just yet but he couldn't hold out long enough for her. "I wanted to play more..."
-
Aruna
The demon tilted his head. "Why are you acting like its over? You can read my mind right? Then you know I can adjust my biology. I can go multiple times in this form."
Indeed, Aruna just needed time to marinate in those words. Although he said that, his once intensely hard dick shrank before the angel's eyes. Flaccid and tiny, almost non existent was the best way to describe the thing in front of her. The demon stared at Lulu and said, "Make it grow if you want more."
Aruna looked down at the couch. It was still pristine, aside from the vibrations. The demon pressed released Lulu's horns, pressing the button on the remote and turning off the couch. Legs spread and arms resting along the back, Aruna's demonic glare pierced Lulu's supple body. "Now how do you like it? We demons like it rough, but I always thought the human desire for gentle touch came from angels. Is that true in your world?"
-
Lulu
"If you're gonna get limp then there isn't much even an angel such as myself could do for you..."
The Angel had begun licking off the white cream from herself, slowly consuming it an display that was most erotic, even so her lips were drawn into a smirk like she was making fun of him somehow and that only became more apparent as she spoke again.
"To think a demon would be so lacking in virility that they can't get it up after one measly time, perhaps your toy collection contain those pills older human men use to get it up hmm?"
-
Aruna
That confirmed it. She wasn't listening to him, just teasing him for the sake of it.
"Thats disappointing," he said, standing up from the couch. "To think the angel of lust won't even tease me with her body."
Despite his words, he was growing right before her eyes. Indeed the sight of her alone licking his juices was enough to get him hard. The length grew to its original size, an above average girth, capable of filling up any woman to the brim.
A hand reached covered her face and slammed it into the couch, splitting it in half. Strattling her, the demon looked into the angel's now demonic red eyes. His length pressed against her thick pillowy thigh, the head just barely scratching the lips of her pussy. "Then I guess i'll just tease you for a bit myself. I'll wait for you to ask for it, no beg for it. The angel of lust loves dick right?"
-
Lulu
"Oh my... It seems you have me at a disadvantage here boy... But is that truly how it is?"
Her smirk didn't leave her her face no if anything her amusement soared as the demon walked right into her trap, and did exactly as she wanted him to. Tugging the strings here was almost too easy.
"Aren't you the one who is trapped? Unable to escape your own mounting lust...." She said while spreading her legs willingly to make it easier for him to go forward when he felt like it. "Of course I love dicks, but why should I beg when you're gonna take me eventually anyway. Let's see how long your will can hold out before your need to fuck me grows too strong, I'm guessing real soon cause I'm the best you've ever had and you need more..."
-
Marc
7:00 PM
VROOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A red arrow of death soared to the skies, burning its engines with unmatched speed. As it zoomed from rooftop to rooftop, its red-haired pilot cheered and pumped up his fist - totally oblivious to the poor girl's plight behind him.
"Wohooooooooooooo!"
And with a fina leap over a rooftop, the motorbike blocked off the sun itself, only to come crashing down on the road with insane speed. And as it zigzagged accross the streets, it dodged every vehicle in its way with dramatic flair. He howled at the top of his lungs, enjoying the thrill of the speed even when he dashed against the traffic.
This couldn't be...! A technique like this was unheard of, let alone in a place like this. But there was no mistaking it. Was this what they called...
(https://i.imgur.com/Ckgrf67.gif)
"Yahooooooooooooooooo!"
He dodged the incoming cars and burst up in the sky before taking another turn. Were the laws of common sense and driving sensibility simply beyond this man? And how did he keep his drink in his gut at this speed? There were Nexus sanctioned Thrill Rides with less G force than this mindblowing display. Now driving straight, he was approaching the rich hillside - and more importantly, what looked like some kind of palace.
No, if you looked at it from a distance, you'd recognize it was more like a large high-class cabaret club.
"Hehehe~! Enjoying the ride missus?" He turned his face to grin at the partner clutched behind him.
-
Neptune
"Leeeet's seeee..."
The purple haired girl yawned as she stretched her arms, she wasn't even holding onto him and was simply glued to the motorcycle by her legs. "You're wasting a lot of time with these unnecessary tricks and driving against traffic just gets you a lot of unwanted attention. Hmm.... could add a jet booster and some retractable wings to this if you wanted a real flight... Other than that it was pretty average, I got a bunch of crafts that I could program to drive like this if I wanted. What?"
She was smirking as she looked back at him. "Were you expecting some fearful admiration or some shit, sorry pal but I've choke slammed uppity werewolf customers in the past, your ride is just that a ride, get some upgrades if you wanna impress me. And by the way, you totally should have told what place this is, now I don't even have time to dress up, although I hate dresses anyway hah, so I guess I should be thanking you."
-
Marc
Marc laughed heartily at that. God, a werewolf? She was a lady after his own damn heart. "Aw, how heartless. Unfortunately, I'm too cute to fish for compliments, just being myself here. You're talking about the kind of guy who likes to live every day thrillingly." He gave her a smile and a wink before turning back to the road, but swerving back to safety - more for her sake than anything.
"You see enough things, and even stuff like this won't bother you much anymore. You gotta know how to enjoy crazy dumb stuff like this once in a while." His eyes were focused on the horizon, but not necessarily at what was ahead of him. Well, it's not like she could see that unless she checked the mirrors.
Probably.
"And don't worry about being a crowd-pleaser, it's actually a male cabaret. Though I guess it is kind of popular with some guys as well. Ladies need entertainment too you know? Pleeeeenty of money to share and an appetite for caviar! Hihihihihi! Oh, but no weird stuff behind the scenes, so no need to be flustered. If you want I'll lend you a suit. Pretty sure I have one that'd fit."
-
Neptune
"Thanks but no thanks, and hearing that there's no weird stuff is just disappointing, didn't you say you were a risk taker ehh?" Neptune declined his offer, although this did kind of annoy her. "Although I thought you were gonna show me the actual business and not the front, how disappointing and beside that, what kind of suits do you even have that'll fit me? I'm sure you've noticed how top heavy I am..."
-
Marc
Marc raised an eyebrow and laughed. He was fond of that brutal honesty. It's the sort of thing he liked better than a stab in the back.
"Nah, let me rephrase that - anything other than the care package is up to the host's discretion." He answered her with a casual shrug, picked up some speed and drifted off to the elegant palace of neon lights. "And it's not something I promote, a lot of the workers are regular people. Rich men have their mistresses, but they still have a face to protect. If you push your luck, it's not just your safety that you could be dealing with, but others as well. That is why this is juuuust a cafe where women can spend some time in good company."
Yeah, he was fine taking risks for himself, but his boys were a different matter. There was no need to recklessly play with their lives. Relationships outside of work obviously happened, but they were just that - relationships. He wasn't going to jeopardize the safety and livelihood of his employees by putting a -come here and get your puss stuffed- sign. Men and ladies of the night played a game, and the rules were no secret.
"Most just want someone to listen to them, spend time with them... you know, just whatever makes them feel valuable and loved. You'd be surprised how lonely the rich can get. Aaand you're not that big girl. If you can get a fat guy in a suit, we can totally manage you."
The motorbike finally stopped by the parking lot. A turn of the key was enough to turn off the engine, and he took off his helmet casually.
"I'll show you the business alright. But a side is just as important as the real deal, and a valid source of income. Only amateurs neglect their fronts, it makes it too obvious. That's why I incorporate both as my base of operations. There's other spots around, but they're not as flashy."
-
Neptune.
Sigh..
Neptune got off the bike and faced him, she looked far more annoyed than before, her eyes were even glowing a bit with that purple light from earlier.
"Man you don't know the first thing about fashion do you? Of course a fat guy is gonna fit into because you just get a larger size, but that's not the same thing as having tits, it's gonna be really restrictive on the top half and I'd have trouble breathing, unless you gave me a bigger suit but I'd drown in that and that's totally a silly look. HOWEVER..."
The glowing light in her eyes intensified and the blacksmith stepped closer to him. "What do you mean not that big? Are you that neck deep in demon puss at the PP? I really didn't think you were a big shot playboy like that after how little interest you've shown in me, but I guess I was wrong, so how big do you like them?" She really only wanted to get a better feel of him, he acted like he didn't care about girls but then he dropped odd comments like that, it made it hard to read him, and nothing annoyed her more than people who were hard to read.
-
Marc
Huh... I guess it would be hard to breathe. Touché, touché... He put a finger on his chin pensively, as if he had to put a whole lot of thought into it. Or maybe it was just to tease her. One or the other.
Probably both.
"I said they weren't that big, not that I didn't like them." He grinned cheekily at his partner, with a good friendly slap on the shoulder for good measure. "Cheer up hun."
He totally just dodged the question.
-
Neptune
The purplehead shook her head at the way he tried to dodge that one. "I see I see... Don't think I didn't notice you worming your way out there, but I know how we can solve this in a fun way." Her annoyance evaporated as she thought about just how good this would get him, she had him completely now
"Then why don't we play a little game here and place some bets. Since you're such an expert on size why don't you guess what cup size I have with one attempt. If you win I'll lower my price to half, but if you lose I want you to tell your boys that I beat you at your own game... "
-
Marc
His eyes widened a tad bit, and he couldn't help but almost guffaw. Ah, wouldn't be fair if he had too much fun with her though. But see, there are some things a guy just can't help. Sometimes, your body'd rather do the talking for you.
Nep probably couldn't have pictured that his smile would get this imposing. His teeth flashed like he was some kind of demon wolf. He seriously looked like he was about to eat someone, but his booming laughter was as genuine as it got. After all, you can't survive the Nexus underworld without strength.
"Woooow. How bold! It's good that you didn't pamper me on the ride then. That'll even the odds a little."
And this girl was strong.
"I like it." Marc winked at her with arms crossed. "And I know it's not just for show. A businessman profits on the trust he earns. Going back on my word is something I just can't do."
-
Neptune
"I was counting on that, I have my pride too" She grinned and leaned forward just a tad, her large chest moved as well, bouncing slightly back and forth but overall it gave him a better angle to look down her cleavage. "See I knew you were interested, I'll make sure to pamper you at the most embarrassing moments from now on alright. So even if I lose, you'll go down too hehe.."
The ferocious smile he wore only egged her on more, she wanted to take him down now. "But we both know you're gonna lose here, because now you're playing with the real deal and not some magically inflated balloons. This is one ball you won't put in the basket.."
She stepped forward until they were almost touching...
"But give me your best anyway, I so wanna see the real you."
-
Marc
You think that'll take me down? "Oh? I wouldn't be so sure." After all that excitement, he was way calmer than her in that respect. He looked down at her, but not down on her. "See, if you didn't spill the beans there, I'd have been in real trouble. I mean, you're a mage aren't you? I hear changing bust size is as easy as breathing. But if this is the real deal, then you can't use that to bluff anymore."
Because they were both businessmen, they couldn't afford to be caught lying. He had to respect her. She tried to face him head on rather than try and psych him out. He'd probably have given a way smaller number if she just kept her mouth shut, but he could tell.
The real deal, huh. Okay then, easy peasy.
"D... no, E cups. Am I right or am I right?"
He winked at her cheekily.
-
Neptune
"Hmpff... Of course they're the real deal."
Bounce.
She crossed her arms under her breasts making them bounce slightly up, before settling down in a position that only enhanced their apparent size. "Everything about me is! The only magical thing I'm wearing is my hair clips and they only protect me from magic. My hair and eye color aren't normal yeah.... But they come from my Origin. I haven't modified anything.... Wait did you think I was using magic to boost my looks?" Her gaze softened just for a moment, however.
"Don't think I didn't hear you squeak out that D tho, you lose heh."
-
Marc
"Hey, no fair. I totally had it in the bag." His expression soured a little, with his arms still crossed. No, he was totally pouting and it was actually adorable. It wasn't supposed to count, but she totally had him by the balls. Clever girl.
However.
"I was distracted by your eyes. They're seriously adorable."
He totally said it with a straight face. It's the kind of embarassing thing you only say if you mean it.
-
Neptune
"Nice once thanks, I might actually have believed it if I wasn't paying attention. Don't think you can worm your way out of this one, and you were so close too I almost feel bad for you."
Her victorious grin wouldn't be broken by his pouting, it was just a lame attempt to get off free. "The only thing you're distracted by is the realization that you had a real smoking hot babe riding behind you all along and you didn't even take advantage of it. So I guess this means you actually lost twice... Although you did recruit me and that's like 3 wins in one, so you're still ahead..."
Her energetic behavior endured and if he was gonna be so down then she'd just have to cheer him up with something. "I'm surprised you think I'm small, just what kind of crazy shit are you used to?" Oh yeah cheer him on by never letting him escape once she hooked him.
-
Marc
"You might have believed it?" He chuckled jovially and put a hand on his hip. He was carefree and took teasing with a good laugh, and that was why the words he said with the same friendly banter were so surprised.
"Neptune, I can't accept this. We're partners, and as entrepreneurs, we work in trust. What good is our collaboration if you lack faith in my word?"
Despite his casual demeanor, there was a palpable uncertain feeling. No matter how good of a fisherman she was, she was dealing with a shark. One wrong tug and the catch would soar in the air and gobble her up whole. And right now, the catch was dangerously close to her chest. It was one thing to observe his form, but this close she could tell how seriously build his muscles were.
"I don't say things if I don't mean them. Now, how am I going to make you pay for this disrespect? Aaaany suggestions?" He grinned at her cheekily. Wait, was she actually in trouble or not? He came down on her ear and whispered flirtatiously. "Guess I'll have to work you to the bone."
-
Neptune
Why is he getting so close? He's clearly not thinking of sexual favors or he'd be more upfront with it, I got this close to him in the first place anyway. Judging by his build and the power hidden beneath he'd beat me.... Then if I can't get away I'll just have to press on. Having made up her mind Neptune grinned smugly and responded, she still had him on the hook after all.
"Words lie but actions don't. And I'm not about to suck your dick just because you want blind trust. Blind trust kills and you should know that. Now you could force yourself on me, pretty sure you'd kick my ass if I resisted, but that's not a good way of getting me on your side. I'll work way better if I actually like you... And you're getting there but don't push it. I'm not your subordinate or call girl or whatever..." She breathed in and out to calm down. "That being said most things are negotiable with me so if you want anything I hope you'll ask for it more directly.."
-
Tsumiko
Tsumiko woke up the next morning, tucked tightly into bed. She didn't really know what to do, exactly. After all, if she got out of bed, she was going.to mess up the covers, and it was so cozy and warm underneath them...
She really couldn't believe this wasn't a long dream, and didn't want to do anything to interrupt it.
Inside her head, a foolish woman with raven-black hair and aquamarine eyes sat alone inside the mansion of her creation. She squatted upon the floor next to her bed clutching at her forehead, looking down at the floor and groaning. Right now, she was still in bed, marveling at her new life. She could handle the hangover right now. Even if it hurt, she could still manage to do her job and hold it back.
But, as soon as Tsumiko began her day, moving around, and god forbid, fighting...
Rin groaned, collapsing down onto the ground. "Uuuggghhh... I fucked up..." She'd drunk enough last night to kill a few grown men, only saved by their magical crests and their natural regenerative powers. "I'll have to-apologize to Sakura... and Archer..."
Sakura hummed merrily in the kitchen-Shirou had been out late dealing with Rin, and she was only too happy to help him a bit with the chores. She glided along the floor as a shadow, washing dishes and preparing breakfast for both of them.
-
Emiya
Emiya scowled at the alarm clock as he was awoken to beams of sunlight filtering in from the blinds. The alarm had been shut off on purpose, and not by him. Sakura did it, he thought with a smile as he ran his fingers through his thick, white hair.
It had been a late night. Rin had taken control, poor, broken Rin that he had no idea how to fix. Tohsaka, you're supposed to be the reliable one, the one who helps me from being an idiot, not the other way around, he thought with a shake of his head.
Just he had no idea how to fix this. This wasn't some battle against himself in his head. This wasn't fighting Gilgamesh, or worse, Saber.
Moonlight filtered in and haloed on blonde hair and dull steel armor. Eyes to shame the finest emeralds met his. In that moment, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen or will seen, and the image of the blonde maiden in plate would be burned into his head even after a thousand years in Hell.
He stared up at the ceiling and sighed. "I couldn't save her either."
A chortle replied to him and there was a soft thump on the bed before loud purring assaulted his ears and soft fur rubbed against his hand. He looked up and smiled at the black cat before rubbing its ears. "Thanks, Buddy," he said as Tohsaka curled upon his chest and settled there.
He heard noises in the kitchen and smelled food being cooked. Of course, Sakura's in the kitchen, he thought with a wry smile before he gathered up the cat and headed down to the favorite part of his home.
-
Emiya
Emiya scowled at the alarm clock as he was awoken to beams of sunlight filtering in from the blinds. The alarm had been shut off on purpose, and not by him. Sakura did it, he thought with a smile as he ran his fingers through his thick, white hair.
It had been a late night. Rin had taken control, poor, broken Rin that he had no idea how to fix. Tohsaka, you're supposed to be the reliable one, the one who helps me from being an idiot, not the other way around, he thought with a shake of his head.
Just he had no idea how to fix this. This wasn't some battle against himself in his head. This wasn't fighting Gilgamesh, or worse, Saber.
Moonlight filtered in and haloed on blonde hair and dull steel armor. Eyes to shame the finest emeralds met his. In that moment, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen or will seen, and the image of the blonde maiden in plate would be burned into his head even after a thousand years in Hell.
He stared up at the ceiling and sighed. "I couldn't save her either."
A chortle replied to him and there was a soft thump on the bed before loud purring assaulted his ears and soft fur rubbed against his hand. He looked up and smiled at the black cat before rubbing its ears. "Thanks, Buddy," he said as Tohsaka curled upon his chest and settled there.
He heard noises in the kitchen and smelled food being cooked. Of course, Sakura's in the kitchen, he thought with a wry smile before he gathered up the cat and headed down to the favorite part of his home.
Sakura
As he came down the stairs and into the kitchen, he was greeted by a lazy wave of a tendril which sprouted out of the top of the blob which happened to be cooking him breakfast, preparing several dishes simultaneously. "Fufufu." It laughed with Sakura's voice. "Like this, not even you can keep up with my elite cooking skills!"
It slowly began to coalease into a more familar form, and a purple-haired young woman emerged from inside of it. She tilted her head and smiled. "Good morning, Senpai. I cooked all the food this morning. You were pretty busy last night dealing with my useless sister." She walked over to the cabinet and picked out a glass, filling it with water before offering it to him. With the ease which she was moving around the kitchen, she'd probably spent the entire night familiarizing herself with it.
"Have some water. I'll bet your head hurts."
-
Emiya
"Well, a lesser person would complain that you're cheating, but I'm confident of my technique," Emiya said as he took the water.
Tohsaka the cat gave his person a look that pretty much said, "You're full of bullshit, you know that right?" But the house panther kept purring contently in Emiya's arms.
Emiya took a long draft of the water and frowned. "She needs help, I just don't know what to do with her," he signed, broad shoulders dropping.
-
Sakura
Sakura walked behind him and rubbed his back with her cool, slender fingers which seemed to sap the heat right out of him. "If the answer were so simple as to be found within a night, Rin would have figured it out herself."
She shook her head. "She seems to be having a hard time of it. With her hangover, I mean." Even as the purplehead comforted him, her feet melted off into the void while tendrils busily finalized their breakfast. "And a lot of other stuff, too..."
-
Emiya
"Is the hangover going to affect Tsumikio?" His grey eyes widened with panic and then narrowed with anger. He leaned into Sakura's cool touch, easing the heat that always seemed to radiate from the forge within for the moment.
"I know," he said in a soft voice with a sigh. "A big chunk of that 'other stuff' is my fault."
-
Emiya
"Is the hangover going to affect Tsumikio?" His grey eyes widened with panic and then narrowed with anger. He leaned into Sakura's cool touch, easing the heat that always seemed to radiate from the forge within for the moment.
"I know," he said in a soft voice with a sigh. "A big chunk of that 'other stuff' is my fault."
Sakura
The tendrils wrapped around his torso and she pulled herself close. "What are you talking about? You're not the same archer who fought in our grail war-you can't think stuff like that. The only way to move forward is to look ahead and take one step at a time, you know?"
She wrapped her arms around him and contented herself with the knowledge that now, at least she could do this much. "I don't know. Usually it doesn't, but... She seems to have drunk a whole lot last night. Way more than usual."
-
Emiya
Emiya wrapped his arms around Sakura and shook his head.
"Yes and no, about being the same Archer in your Grail War. Depending on when it happened, I may have 'records' of your Grail War and the version of me who fought in it. I like to keep myself aware of my battles; sometimes it's hard because there's a lot of clutter here."
He tapped the side of his temple with his finger.
His frown grew.
"She had drank enough to kill several full grown men. Luckily Tsumiko's body can regenerate, but the poison's still in her system."
-
Emiya
Emiya wrapped his arms around Sakura and shook his head.
"Yes and no, about being the same Archer in your Grail War. Depending on when it happened, I may have 'records' of your Grail War and the version of me who fought in it. I like to keep myself aware of my battles; sometimes it's hard because there's a lot of clutter here."
He tapped the side of his temple with his finger.
His frown grew.
"She had drank enough to kill several full grown men. Luckily Tsumiko's body can regenerate, but the poison's still in her system."
Sakura
"I'm having her sleep in a bit. She'll be down in half an hour, probably." Sakura replied quietly, calmly. Too calmly, as if this was just normal to her. "And regardless, the you who is here now wasn't there. It's as much my fault as it is anyone's, Shirou." She held him tightly, as if she were holding on for dear life. "I was the one who did all this, you know." She said quietly.
Ding. The timer went off, and the shadows turned off the heat silently. She simply stood there, holding onto him and pressing her face into his hot back.
-
Emiya
"I know, but I want to help you fix it," Emiya said with a shake of his head. "And you should want to fix it. The two of you have been punished enough."
He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "Timer's done, you don't want it to burn."
-
Emiya
"I know, but I want to help you fix it," Emiya said with a shake of his head. "And you should want to fix it. The two of you have been punished enough."
He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "Timer's done, you don't want it to burn."
Sakura
"It's off. Just a little longer." Sakura squeezed into him, squishing her chest against his back before it slowly began to shrink. He could feel her facsimile of a heart beating against his back. "I'm already happy-I mean, I get to do this sort of thing with you now, right?"
-
Emiya
"Good, I'm glad that you're happy," Emiya said with a smile.
He squeezed her hands and laughed. "It's sort of amazing how you can do this."
-
Sakura
Sakura squeezed his hand, and within the moment it would take him to blink, the food had appeared upon the table, fully plated. She squeezed it again, before finally letting go and doing a small spin. "I'm not exactly human anymore, but it's not all bad. Being a shadow monster has a few perks here and there, you know?"
She rushed around and grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the table. "Come on, eat. I want you to rate my cooking!"
-
Emiya
"You know, I honestly don't know what to do. No one's told me to eat something of theirs in a long time. It's mostly people asking me for food. Like in Chaelda," he said with a shake of his head.
Then he scowled and said, "Saber Alter asked me to make her Spam. Spam Sakura. Just the idea of it was insulting."
-
Sakura
"Hehehe. You're such a food snob, Shirou. Spam is actually pretty nice. We've had to eat far more questionable things than that." Sakura sat down at the table across from him and began to hum. There was a full arrangement of bacon, toast, rice, rolled egg, and grilled fish. His plate was beautifully set up with a smiley face drawn into it.
Sakura, however, just sat there without a plate, humming merrily to herself and ready to watch him eat.
-
Neptune
Why is he getting so close? He's clearly not thinking of sexual favors or he'd be more upfront with it, I got this close to him in the first place anyway. Judging by his build and the power hidden beneath he'd beat me.... Then if I can't get away I'll just have to press on. Having made up her mind Neptune grinned smugly and responded, she still had him on the hook after all.
"Words lie but actions don't. And I'm not about to suck your dick just because you want blind trust. Blind trust kills and you should know that. Now you could force yourself on me, pretty sure you'd kick my ass if I resisted, but that's not a good way of getting me on your side. I'll work way better if I actually like you... And you're getting there but don't push it. I'm not your subordinate or call girl or whatever..." She breathed in and out to calm down. "That being said most things are negotiable with me so if you want anything I hope you'll ask for it more directly.."
Marc
"Eeh?" He blinked flatly at her, totally confused in every way possible. He didn't back off out of fear, but just the overwhelming heap of words coming out of the lady's mouth. "Girl, I'm just saying I'll make you work extra hard. Do you lose your marbles at every guy who teases you?"
He poked her forehead gently like she was a dummy. Despite that, he laughed heartily at her guts, totally impressed by how far she was going.
"Listen, the streets are no different than a battlefield. You're absolutely right not to believe a shady man's every word, but comrades need to be able to trust one another. We're partners, I've got your back no matter who's up against you, and I hope you'll have my back if I'm in trouble. So if we're going to work together, we need to be honest with one another and expect honesty. That's the difference between being six feet over or six feet under, capiche?"
He talked like he had some experience in this kind of thing. Should she press that more or let it go?
-
Emiya
"I am not a food snob. I just take pride in what I prepare, that's all." The former Servant pointed his chopstick at her. "If it's in war time or something, yes, I have also eaten worse. I can tell you horror stories about my stint in the Middle East, but in a time like this? Yes, I am going to shun Spam and process meat in all of its forms. Unless Lancer's involved, then I will serve that Mick bastard one."
Emiya smiled at the food and then looked at Sakura and her lack of plate. The smile didn't exactly run away from his face, but it did falter slightly. Her Otherness was a state he was going to have to get used to.
Just, what can she feel in do in that shadow body? he thought with a slight frown.
-
Emiya
"I am not a food snob. I just take pride in what I prepare, that's all." The former Servant pointed his chopstick at her. "If it's in war time or something, yes, I have also eaten worse. I can tell you horror stories about my stint in the Middle East, but in a time like this? Yes, I am going to shun Spam and process meat in all of its forms. Unless Lancer's involved, then I will serve that Mick bastard one."
Emiya smiled at the food and then looked at Sakura and her lack of plate. The smile didn't exactly run away from his face, but it did falter slightly. Her Otherness was a state he was going to have to get used to.
Just, what can she feel in do in that shadow body? he thought with a slight frown.
Sakura
Sakura pretended to ignore his reaction-she was different from what he was used to. She knew that. She also believed that it would get easier after a while. After a few awkward seconds, she replied to his previous statement. "Fufu, I'm sorry to tell you that Tsumiko absolutely adores it. It tastes decent, and it can keep forever." She nodded as if she were an ancient sage imparting great wisdom. "Yep. Non perishables really are great."
-
Emiya
"If you have no other choice, they're acceptable," he said as he began to ate.
He smiled, nodding his head, and said, "You haven't lost your touch, Sakura. It's delicious."
-
Sakura
"Ha ha ha! Of course I haven't" Sakura puffed out her budding chest, beaming with pride. "I wish I could show you my house! The kitchen's always full, and there's always plenty of yummy food inside! Anything you can imagine!" She beamed, but Archer could see through her facade-she was hurting inside, as much as Rin, maybe more.
Suddenly, they heard a crash from Tsumiko's room. Sakura looked alarmed for a moment, but then reached over and placed her palm atop his. "Don't. She's fine. Just getting dressed."
Tsumiko
She'd waited for a good while to stumble out of bed. She was still extremely tired, her head had been throbbing on and off, and most importantly, she'd never slept in a bed like this. It was so neat, comfy, with tucked in sheets and blankets! Both! Even more, it was raised off of the floor in a real wooden frame! Just the thought alone was enough to get her excited.
But, eventually, the young child had begun to grow restless. As nice as it was, she was getting hungry, and didn't want to feel lazy by wasting the day away in bed. She yawned, and sat up, leaning back and stretching her arms above her head. "Ahhhhhhnnggh..." Her yawn turned into a grimace of discomfort as pain shot through her body. She could feel her circuits going wild, purging something from her body, but beyond that?
"Maybe I'm feeling a bit under the weather..." She grumbled her way over towards her chest, crouching down to find something to change into. On her way down, a pang rushed through her head and she slipped, losing her footing and crashing down onto the hardwood floor.
"I'm ok!" She called down the stairs after a few long moments. "Don't worry!"
Not living alone was going to take some getting used to.
-
Neptune
Wack.
She waved her hand in front of herself to try and deflect his silly poking. Although this time he had gotten on her nerves for real. "Oi... If you call me girl one more time, I'll bust your balls so hard your grandkids will feel it."
Thump.
She did actually whack him across the chest although it lacked any real power. "You talk about us being partners an shaving a special bond of trust but you don't even use my name, it's Neptune, call me Nep if you'd like or even Purple I don't care, just girl is nooo... And for the record, I can only make new stuff when I'm motivated, but sure there's other ways we can find for me to contribute."
-
Emiya
"You don't have to hide . . ." Emiya said as he heard some ruckus come from Tsumiko's room. Automatically, he started to stand up when Sakura placed her hand over his.
He frowned and said, "Are you sure? If her body is having to purge everything Tohsaka pumped into it last night, she's going to feel very ill."
-
Emiya
"You don't have to hide . . ." Emiya said as he heard some ruckus come from Tsumiko's room. Automatically, he started to stand up when Sakura placed her hand over his.
He frowned and said, "Are you sure? If her body is having to purge everything Tohsaka pumped into it last night, she's going to feel very ill."
Sakura
Sakura shook her head again, now taking a hold of his hand more tightly and pulling him back towards the table. "Rin's dealing with nearly all of it. She'll probably just have a mindheadache all day."
-
Marc
Oof, that's the lightest friggin hit I've felt in my life. I think a baby has more strength than that. Marc didn't let that discourage him though. "Sure, lady girl Nep!" He grinned at her and spread his legs wiiide so she could get a good hit in.
Only to shut them fast immediately after. "Actuallynonevermindpleasedon'tdothat." He put his hand up and turned blue with sweat. That's right.
"Ahem, anyways... That's fine, fine~ Man, you really are a fan of kicking a man's heart down. Do you get a thrill out of that? It's fine, more thrills on the way for you cutie." He winked and dragged her in, into the doors of paradise.
The doors opened, revealing a myriad of aromas flowing through the air. Expensive perfumes, fine drinks, and delicious food flowed freely, enough to permeate the very soul. As the golden lights and velvet halls surrounded them, men were tending to the customer's every need and desires, while gorgeous plates walked across the club. As the jazzy music played around the two, Marc snapped his fingers with a groovy gait, inviting Nep in with an indulgent fun that he couldn't not be having.
"Welcome to the grand! Don't worry, I've paid for your tab already, consider it the VIP treatment. Ever had french cuisine?"
-
Emiya
"But if she needs to rest, she needs to rest. She shouldn't be pushing herself," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
He sighed and allowed himself to be ushered back to the table.
-
Emiya
"But if she needs to rest, she needs to rest. She shouldn't be pushing herself," Emiya said with a shake of his head.
He sighed and allowed himself to be ushered back to the table.
Sakura
"Please. If that girl wants to go somewhere, can you actually stop her from doing it? As much as she likes you, it's only been a day. And she can teleport." The small chested woman raised her eyebrows and grinned. "S-senpai-do you want to go on a date with me? Go out and see the sights?"
-
Neptune .
"!!!!!!"
It was too many, way way too many, the purple haired girl flung herself at Marc and hid behind him, all the bravado from earlierwas gone and she was trembling? Yeah she definitely was, Neptune hugged his back and buried her face as much as she could while her body trembled.
"Too too way too many, get the people away awaaaay..."
-
Marc
He watched his surroundings a bit, making sure that everything was operating smoothly. He'd probably inquire the employees a bit later, just to make sure the day was going well. Well, that could wait. Besides, everything looked like it was moving smoothly. But... A sudden warm, fuzzy thing latched at Marc's back, surprising the little old soul out of him for a sec there. "Hm? Not a crowd lady, Nep? I thought after all that gutsy talk, this'd be peaches."
He should probably tell her if she was going to hug the owner like that, there's no way all those people wouldn't stare at her. "Um, just keep your face there. It'll be fiine, totally."
This was kind of cute. Oh man, to hell with cute, it was adorable!
-
Neptune
"P-please...."
She looked up at him with fluttering eyes, if you looked closely and weren't distract by the vibrant purple beauty, you'd be able to see the tears in the corners of them.
"D-don't---Don't let go-"
Everything was spinning, up was down and down was up. As the people got louder and closer it got worse and worse. She didn't lean onto him as some form of romantic confession, no he just happened to be closest thing she could grab so as to not fall over from vertigo.
-
Marc
Oh man, that wasn't cute. This wasn't cute at all.
"Oui, oui. I get it." He closed his eyes patiently and waved some signals at a worker in his line of sight, sending him the code to prep up a VIP room for them ASAP. Man, this was rough. He didn't think she'd get this upset, he was actually getting concerned that she might be getting sick or something.
"Relax, just focus on your senses. I get it, it's scary, but it's not dangerous. Deep breaths, just focus on my breathing and try to keep its pace." He wrapped his arm to comfort her a bit, since she asked and all. "It is kind of noisy though. Should I cover your ears until we get somewhere quieter?"
-
"Please. If that girl wants to go somewhere, can you actually stop her from doing it? As much as she likes you, it's only been a day. And she can teleport." The small chested woman raised her eyebrows and grinned. "S-senpai-do you want to go on a date with me? Go out and see the sights?"
Emiya
Emiya blinked at Sakura's request and then smiled.
Then he noticed that her breasts were smaller, by several cup sizes. And he smiled at that too.
"Must be convenient to change your form at will. Not that I mind," he said with a smile and a shrug.
-
Emiya
Emiya blinked at Sakura's request and then smiled.
Then he noticed that her breasts were smaller, by several cup sizes. And he smiled at that too.
"Must be convenient to change your form at will. Not that I mind," he said with a smile and a shrug.
Sakura
Sakura gulped. She was no longer the scared little girl she had been last time, damnit! She would going to step forward, and seize this oppurtunity with her own hands! She clenched her fist and nodded before leaning in, staring up at the taller man. "Senpai, will you go out with me?" She asked him again.
-
Emiya
I shouldn't tease Sakura . . . Emiya thought before he frowned at her determination.
He would have teased Rin. He would have gently teased Saber. It wouldn't be right to victimize her, or treat her as such, he thought. He had teased Sakura in the past. He had some foggy memories of that long ago. It wasn't anything malicious, not like he could be with Rin, who gave more than she got when pushed.
"Where would we go?" he asked as he tilted his head thoughtfully. "I don't like eating out overly much . . . I have a feeling we'd both criticize the cooks at any restaurant."
-
Emiya
I shouldn't tease Sakura . . . Emiya thought before he frowned at her determination.
He would have teased Rin. He would have gently teased Saber. It wouldn't be right to victimize her, or treat her as such, he thought. He had teased Sakura in the past. He had some foggy memories of that long ago. It wasn't anything malicious, not like he could be with Rin, who gave more than she got when pushed.
"Where would we go?" he asked as he tilted his head thoughtfully. "I don't like eating out overly much . . . I have a feeling we'd both criticize the cooks at any restaurant."
Sakura
Sakura stepped forwards, and pressed her less-than-abundant chest against his own. She wrapped her arms around him and smothered her face against his chest.
Despite that, he could hear her voice with perfect clarity. "We can go to the beach..." She muttered. She hadn't thought too much beyond this moment, and was squealing internally. For a moment, Rin and Tsumiko's troubles were forgotten as she allowed herself to squeal in bliss. "Or maybe, we'll go see the mountains! I've always heard they were really big!" She suddenly lifted him up with supernatural strength and spun around once before placing him back down. "We're living in a completely fantastical world! There's so much to do, so much to explore!~"
-
Emiya
Emiya gasped as his 200 lb frame was picked up with the ease of a rag doll and spun around by the seemingly petite violet haired girl. Then he laughed at her enthusiasm and stroked her hair back from her face. "Well, we could see a movie, or to the beach . . . I think there may be a hot springs somewhere here . . ."
The idea of pressing Sakura to wet, warm wood while filling her from behind was a distracting one.
-
Emiya
Emiya gasped as his 200 lb frame was picked up with the ease of a rag doll and spun around by the seemingly petite violet haired girl. Then he laughed at her enthusiasm and stroked her hair back from her face. "Well, we could see a movie, or to the beach . . . I think there may be a hot springs somewhere here . . ."
The idea of pressing Sakura to wet, warm wood while filling her from behind was a distracting one.
Sakura
"Let's go to the hot springs, then." She replied with the biggest smile he'd ever seen her with. "We can leave Tsumiko a note-she knows how to take care of herself, and I'll make sure she doesn't do anything too foolish." Sakura replied. "Rin too." She whispered.
-
Emiya
Emiya tensed at Sakura's words before nodding.
"How long can you be away from Tsumiko? Or will I be your anchor, sort of like a Master and Servant?"
-
Emiya
Emiya tensed at Sakura's words before nodding.
"How long can you be away from Tsumiko? Or will I be your anchor, sort of like a Master and Servant?"
Sakura
Sakura puffed out her cheeks. "I can go wherever I want! Our body has like, a crazy amount of mana!"
-
Emiya
Emiya shook his head and said, "I know you have a crazy amount of Mana. That's not what I was questioning. The mana's only part of the equation. A Servant can be given a ton of mana, but without a Master, or being incarnated like I am now or like Goldy was by the Grail, the World will eventually crush their existence. If they are bonded to something that was there, like their Master, the World considers them acceptable and lets them continue to exist."
He flicked her forehead with a whisper soft touch. "You were a Grail, you know."
-
Emiya
Emiya shook his head and said, "I know you have a crazy amount of Mana. That's not what I was questioning. The mana's only part of the equation. A Servant can be given a ton of mana, but without a Master, or being incarnated like I am now or like Goldy was by the Grail, the World will eventually crush their existence. If they are bonded to something that was there, like their Master, the World considers them acceptable and lets them continue to exist."
He flicked her forehead with a whisper soft touch. "You were a Grail, you know."
Sakura
"I am a grail, you mean?" Sakura retaliated by flicking right back at his forehead. "If I recall properly, I won the grail war." She replied with a wry grin that held a hidden melencholy. "But that's in the past now. We're here together, now, and you don't need to worry. Don't make me worry about you, either."
-
Emiya
"I'm careful," Emiya said, smirking at her retaliation. He reached out and took her cool hand.
"I'm going to worry no matter what, and you'll worry about me. That's just who we are."
-
Marc
Oh man, that wasn't cute. This wasn't cute at all.
"Oui, oui. I get it." He closed his eyes patiently and waved some signals at a worker in his line of sight, sending him the code to prep up a VIP room for them ASAP. Man, this was rough. He didn't think she'd get this upset, he was actually getting concerned that she might be getting sick or something.
"Relax, just focus on your senses. I get it, it's scary, but it's not dangerous. Deep breaths, just focus on my breathing and try to keep its pace." He wrapped his arm to comfort her a bit, since she asked and all. "It is kind of noisy though. Should I cover your ears until we get somewhere quieter?"
Neptune
"Nah just... just get me out of here."
She did as he asked and breathed in-
Breathe out.
It wasn't helping much, but it was something, still....
"Do you have more private room?"
-
Marc
"Oui oui ma chère!"
His feet spiraled like a roadrunner, kicking dust across the golden halls and velvet carpets - all with the straightest face you could muster on a sorry french mug. Mon dieu! This wasn't his specialty at all. It wasn't bullshit, kicking people in the teeth was the usual job description, feelings, and pampering people wasn't his forte at all.
But she wasn't looking that great. Partners gotta help each other, you know? Especially when it's partners in crime.
"Oh, by the wayyy.... how do you feel about cake."
Only a crook could say the silliest things with the most serious of expressions.
The VIP room was a gorgeous little decor of crystal, velvet, and gold, as opulent as the rest. Well, it didn't really hold up to the real deal, there were places elsewhere even crazier than this. But in its own way, it had its charms.
And a table filled with desserts. Were they conjured up? Delivered? No, there was a stack of boxes... it probably meant all of these would have to be delivered. As soon as he set her down and tended to her, he moved to that table in the same room and started inspecting each dessert meticulously, going so far as to weigh them and inspect the fillings to make sure they contained what was necessary.
Until he glanced at the lass.
"Hungry?"
She'd probably be able to tell... there was a magic source in each cake. Contained, compact, and volatile. The containers on Marc's side clearly had some sort of sealing markings, concealed as regular decorations, but they were clearly second rate. They might fool a magic sensing dog, but some of the weapon detectors would and could go off if he wasn't careful. That must be why he was checking the contents so meticulously. If one weighed too much, well...
"Ugh, these *chew* mana cores are the cheap stuff. Barely *gulp* worth a dime in the underworld. The other families in the district don't take too kindly to our territories, so attacks are a regular occurrence. This is actually one of the few neutral zones, since it's so popular with the nobilty." He chewed on a strawberry shortcake like it was a pizza. "And who could blame em? The stuff here's delicious. Seriously, you've gotta *munch* try the pudding."
He licked his fingers over the frosting, seriously addicted to the stuff. It was kind of adorable, like the kind of thing you'd expect a little brother to do while pretending to work hard.
-
A-702
"First humans... old world... what's with all this lingo. Is it some kind of code?" A lone spider rubbed his temple and the headache throbbing in it. How long had he been sitting in this room, right under the premises the three purchased. He didn't really mind leeching off Suerte and co, it was honestly comfortable.
But surrounded by computer screens, his fingers kept typing and trying to hack into the different data encryptors. There were piles of coded information and top secrets taken from that CHEIRON base, some which couldn't be sold. Since he had to act as lazy as possible, he couldn't possibly (not try to) disappoint Justice. But if no one was looking, well, it was fine to work a little. But just a tad.
This was personal after all.
He'd been at it since the morning, ingesting cup noodles like mad, trying to make sense from the information and the protected databases. A lot of the names sounded familiar, but they didn't ring any bell.
"What the hell? I don't understand anything." He sighed and smashed his head on the keyboard, defeated. The bulbous monster floating in his bunker purred and circled around him, its one eye prying inquisitively. It almost sounded adorable, if it wasn't drooling all over the place. Just what had they done to his big sister? Something about inheriting the promised land? Human potential? New forms? It just didn't make sense. He didn't get it.
His sharp glance shifted at her with a sad expression. She probably still understood human language. He hoped she did.
"Do you?"
-
Marc
Continued From Columbia
Marc and Val had a nice relaxing bike ride across the city, filled with turbulence and passionate breezes hitting them under the moonlight. And yes, he loved every second of it. 'Till he ended up in front of a nice villa by the top of the hillside. It was a cozy place, with a rustic but homely feel and a nice luxurious pool. The sort of place you don't just get in a day without hustling. Especially not cleanly.
And of course, the view was nice. He picked the spot so he'd wake up, mast up, and greet the breathtaking sights any time. So yeah, a nice place.
But not as nice as the lady behind him, hehehe.
"Wooooow. La vache, c'est top!" He gawked at the place like it wasn't his, grinning from ear to ear as he fixed up his foulard (A scarf, but sexier and french. Kind of like him.) and dismounted.
"Nice crib, eh?" He gave Val a cheery glance. It was honestly a bit embarassing, he didn't think he'd end up showing it to her of all people. But it was also kind of nice.
-
Valerie
"Hmmm...."
She didn't say anything more, but after a second or two had passed in silence she walked over to him and got up on her tip toes to meet him face to face. "Hmm... Is that French persona thing an act to hide your crushing loneliness?"
Then she kissed him on the cheek and pulled back. "You know there is no need to feel like that anymore, I do not intend to let you run off again this time, talent like yours in invaluable and I will nurture it until you reach your full potential... And until you decide to become my apprentice I will be staying right here, in your spectacular villa, it cannot really compare to my Castle though." The blonde vampire just knew that boasting about her own stuff would draw out more of his competitiveness.
-
Marc
"Oi, wit are ye talkin about mate, a've got naw idea wit ye're on about." Marc suddenly retorted with a downright perfect scottish accent, so well practiced you litterally couldn't tell if it was the real deal. Yeah, even so... he looked back at her in total genuine confusion, hands in the air - but too late to stop her smooch on his old cheek.
A french act? Rude. He had no idea how a king could be this rude, if it was even legal. But she was pretty...
Heh.
Marc looked away and smiled perversely, blushing a little.
"Anyways, you don't need to point out obvious stuff. I'd feel pretty bad if my villa was fancier than your castle, milady, so bad I might actually cry." Thing is, he wasn't sure if he was blushing because he was into it (it was still kind of perverted, dick or not, she still felt like family) or because he was boozed up.
Probably into it.
"Unfooortunately, there's a little detail you're forgetting, ma chèrie. Your castle can't possibly be more spectacularly cute than my villa. Becauuuuse..." He booped her back on the nose. "We're here. Hehehe." And with that, he returned the smooch on the cheek. "But what's this about me being your apprentice? You've got some awful jokes you know?" He crossed his arms and pouted a little.
-
Valerie
The Vampire King pouted back in turn, then launched herself at him. There was no way she'd ever let him think this was aere joke, so she'd prove it with her actions, in a way that would make it perfectly clear what she wanted. Her lips met his for a true kiss and she shoved her tongue in forcefully, it was all the passion she could muster in the moment.
And then the moment was over and she broke the kiss, however, she still kept him in her clutches. "My interest goes beyond just being ground pounded by you. You have some real potential that I want to discuss with you, We can have that talk now or after I have drained your balls completely dry of your delicious cum, the choice is yours Maaaarc~"
-
Marc
"Mhfhhh? Hmm, mhhh." He was surprised at first when her hands grabbed onto him, but the heat from Val's kiss sparked something inside him. It felt great, like electricity coursing through him. He liked to play rough, even holding onto her after a bit, but this was his weakness in a way. He was such a romantic, even when he eased into it, his small moans were getting adorable.
Their bodies touched, and for a moment that felt like an eternity, he pulled back. The only thing that separated them was a glistening trail of saliva.
"Ah... woah, slow down. I like you, not just your ass." He said that, but he returned the kiss immediately. His hand trailed on her golden locks, gently taking in the silken warmth while they embraced. This was probably the best french kiss Marc ever had.
So he wasn't treating her to anything less than the best kiss in hers.
The choice was obvious before she even asked. He was a man the same way she was a woman after all. Or maybe he learned more than just how to punch and kick from her.
-
Valerie
"Mhhhhmmhmhm I seee..." She enjoyed the warmth of the embrace the overflowing affection. He was totally smitten with her wasn't he? It was almost too easy, but that would just make the next part oh so much sweeter. To truly reel in your pray, you first have to dangle the bait in front of them and then you have to deny them it.
That's why she pulled away from the loving embrace.
"Yeah you are right.... But we should put business before pleasure, ruining you would be far too easy after I conquered you in bed. Now take a seat my apprentice, controlling your lusts will only be a small step on your journey." She motioned for him to sit down as the vampire wore an absolutely devious grin. Driving men crazy with desire was probably her favorite thing to do.
-
Marc
Eh? Aww, just when he was getting into it. Oh well. "Sure, sure. You know what they say, mi casa es tu casa." He had a cheeky smile on him, even when she pulled away, but he looked away and coughed a bit. He wasn't flustered, not at all.
"Can't talk for an ancient vampire, but life's too short not to indulge in it a little. That's my motto anyway." Arms behind his head, he hopped on one of the benches by the pool to relax.
"So, you want me back as your student that badly?"
-
Valerie
The answer he got was a good ole head chop delivered with much love and care. "Idiot... I do not wanna see you use idioms like that. It is unsightly. You know you will live far longer than any other human,so how dare you dangle their own mortality in front of them like that? You barely looks older than a teenager, and you are 38 now. Surely you must have noticed it by now?" Of course she was referring to the fact that he was aging far slower than everyone else around him.
"But more importantly..." She leaned down while patting his head, this position made her chest dangle right in front of him, only restrained by her thin shirt, was she even wearing a bra? From the way her nipples could be seen through the fabric, the answer to that was probably not.
"You're far too cute when trying to hide your embarrassment, and leaving that behind is out of the question. So yes I want you back."
-
Marc
Aie, one chop to the coconut later, he was squinting like a little kid. Grunting, Marc ruffled his messy red plot of hair, only for him to open one eye...
"Oh hush you grandma, that's because I eat my spinach every day." He blushed a bit and wrapped an arm around her back, holding her in an affectionate hug. "Of course I'm cute. And I don't blame you for missing me, I guess I missed you too. Hearing your voice this close feels sweet, you know?"
For a moment, he was happy to just be there. If only she didn't make such a troublesome request. If only..
"Buuut, I don't think I can just go back to the dojo." He looked at Val's red eyes seriously. "I'm grateful, and you've got a place in my heart. But I gotta make room in there for booze, money, and the boys I've got depending on me. It's not like I was ever smitten with the idea of punching bricks for life. Martial arts are just a tool for me. You can't have an easy lifestyle here if you can't protect it, it's just common sense."
-
Valerie
"If I really have a place in your heart then you could at least listen to what I am saying, instead of letting it go in one ear and out the other, you idiot..." Valerie sighed sadly, his stubbornnesswwas bringing even this old vampire granny to pout like a child who isn't getting her way. That was how she felt right, but he was the stupid one not her! Definitely not her, that she was sure off. The only comforting thing was the hug, which she fully enjoyed, she even pressed herself against fully to seek his heat. The warmth of another was a supreme lure for a vampire as old as her.
"I never said anything about taking you back to the dojo. I said apprenticeship, we can work this out without removing any of those things you care about, I am not just flexible in bed...You do still work out right? I could train you then, I.... I could stay here if that would inconvenience you less... And I will pay for my expenses, I could even cook for you... Just please do not just throw your potential away." Valerie started throwing out suggestion after suggestion. She did it because she didn't want to be a failure anymore, who only trained mediocre students. She'd failed so many in the past but she wouldn't allow herself to fail here.
-
Marc
He stared at Valerie in totally dumbfounded disbelief, as if everything she just said shook him to the core. No, he didn't even consider what she said as possible until now. To say he never thought of it was an understatement.
"Can royalty like you even cook?"
It was kind of surreal.
-
Valerie
Hehehe... How cute of you, I love that look on your face." The blonde giggled a bit more as it was so easy to surprise with just mundane knowledge of her life. Did he really think all she did was meditate and look for people to fuck? It was quite an amusing thought, but right now she had an apprentice to set straight.
"I studied it since I was a little girl at the great court, even went to a top class culinary school. Of course I passed without trouble as was expected of royalty but I never truly excelled at it. And I really do prefer baking over cooking, there is just something fun in throwing together the wildest cakes and seeing your guests enjoy it. Oh and the sugar too, it is like alcohol to my Kind. Ooops, should not have said that, it is supposed to be a secret, so please do not tell anyone..."
-
Marc
"Wooooow! So let me get this straight, rum cakes are like getting plastered at the power of square, huh? That's just... pfffft!" He tried to contain a giggle, but laughed it off. He just imagined Valerie in some over the top chef apron, working on 100 dishes all over the place. It was just, just...
"Hehe, no wonder I'm getting drunk off you. You're too sweet for my own good." He pondered for a second... thinking on what she just said. No matter how you cut it, it wasn't a bad argument. She was convincing, yeah, with two pairs of well shaped arguments to boot...
"And I guess it wouldn't be too bad, I could use a maid at my place. Aren't you going to miss your castle though? You could always bring them over or something! We could have a slumber party with my boys too!" He grinned and kissed her on the cheek over and over. "Can we? Can we? Can weeeee?"
As cool as Marc played it, you could say he was still the same brat at heart. He looked at Valerie with two big puppy eyes.
-
Valerie
"Okay okay stop, whatever it is you are imagining that is not how it is. And Emilia is mine, she will stay at the castle wnd away from your greedy hands. But more importantly..." She glared at him with her vampiric slitted eyes, or at least she tried to, but even to him it should be obvious that she wasn't actually mad.
"You dare tell a king to lower herself to being your mind, I will not debase myself so. If you wish to see that then how about you beat me in a fight first and then we can see if I feel like granting you your wish. You really should not be so demanding of your friends, I am not your servant buuut... If you would not be opposed to being your public girlfriend. If you made the stuck up nobles believe you were courting me that would certainly boost your standing." This was as far as she was willing to go,iif he didn't take this offer then he'd be a lost cause. She'd never actually lived together with a man before so this was a slightly exiting prospect. But even more exciting would be sticking it to the human aristocracy who'd tried to suck up to her for centuries.
-
Marc
Awwww. His puppy eyes blinked, and for a moment there they got as sharp as they were aloof. "Woah woah, haha. Is that so... my, what... panache." He looked up in embarrassment like a cute clueless kid. "You make it sound like that was my villainous plan all along. I really just want a cute blonde cosplay harem."
He looked away and scratched his fuzzy stubble a bit, before turning a sly smile at Valerie - and a poke to her nose.
Wow. Even the nose was cute and bouncy.
"Ahem, regardless... I suppose I'm not too bad of a deal. But are you really fine with that? Going out with a bad boy scoundrel like me?" Amber eyes fluttered, she was on top of him for a while now. He leaned closer and snuggled with her a bit. "If people see us like this, all sorts of rumors could pop up... you might just have to put Baddest Girl In Town to your new list of titles, right after Woman I Love the Most."
-
To whom it may concern,
The dearest patron, demonic and most esteemed lady of this fine castle. Here you will find the due payment for our previous transactions, as well as for the newest acquisition due later today. As promised, 45 crates of solid gold, exactly 666 rubees, 13 sappphire wands, 7... chaos (was this correct?) emeralds, ten tons of prime wagyu beef, 3 elephants and a pony.
Truth be told, I can't fathom a pocket large enough to fit the ponies, but someone in the administration level seemed quite insistent on its necessity. Even a king must know when to be generous to one's subjects, but what is something even greater than that to do? Well, I wasn't about to relinquish your kindness, thus I found it in my heart - and credit card, juuuust enough to cover a few extra ponies. The 11 additional ones will be transported shortly. You can raise them, ride them, donate them to charity, put them in today's soup... truth be told, I care not. I simply wish to thank you for your past hospitalities, and that warrants the extra effort. Not that it was much to begin with, something like this would be trivial to me. Except the emeralds, I'm still unsure what exactly the notes meant to say. And since when did you employ a doctor... Robotnik? Quite the strange name.
Either way, as promised, our terms were met in full. Now, as agreed, I would kindly request your cutest maiden to assist me at my behest. My household required laborious tending, and my bones are oh so aching for -
Unfortunately, the rest of the note was illegible. In fact, a pony was in the middle of chewing it up.
Not that it'd need a signature. Only one person in the city had a handwriting this delicate and adorable.
It started with V. Ended with ega, which was one letter away from the massive ego you'd need to send something like this in the first place.
Lily
Ding Dong.
What kind of cruel machination was this? What devilish architecture was behind this abominable design?it had to have been intentional, the door bell was just out of her reach unless she went up on her tiptoes and she refused to fold to a door in such a way. Which left her with only one option, an Almost as embarrassing option.
Ringing the door bell with the heart shaped tip of her long and flexible tail. She shuddered, partly from the shame of using her most noble appendage like this but mostly because the pressure to the tip of her tail was enough to make her knees tremble from just how insanely good it felt.
She clenched the hand that held what remained of the letter and it was the reason for why she was here. As ridiculous as it appeared, a contract was still a contract and he had requested a maiden be delivered to him. Since they currently had no true virgins working for the Palace, that left her as the least experienced Succubus and therefore as the most maidenly.
Soothing the aches of whoever had sent such an extravagantly ludicrous gift would at the very least prove to be really interesting. Not to mention that completing a contract of this scale would boost her standings a tad.
-
Vega
Hmm.
A certain someone watched the girl struggle with two marbled eyes full of mirth and curiosity. Of course, he was enjoying it - had to be. But alas, all things are beautiful for they are ephemeral in their beauty. Like fireworks, or the flashing smile of a damsel. Only one thing was absolute, eternal.
His brilliance? Of course, but that went without saying. Nay, it was the joy he felt teasing adorably cute succubi.
Which was why just as her time was at her direst, just as the despair and darkness swept her heart for the climax... he too swooped in, freefalling from the tree he was hiding in gracefully as an acrobat, and landing perfectly on his feet without making a sound - right behind the adorable redhead.
"Hello there."
-
Lily
"Eeeeeeh!"
Her tail shot up straight, pointing like an arrow into the sky as she jumped in surprise. The moment she landed though she turned on her heels and faced whoever had leapt down "You-you.... You saw nothing okay!" She stomped the ground hard enough for it to crack and huffed in annoyance.
This embarrassment absolutely could not and would not be spread anywhere. She breathed in deeply, once, twice, and even three times before she calmed down and her tail went back down to lazily flap behind her. "Are you... Are you master Vega?" There wasn't a hint of anger or irritation in her voice, as if the past few seconds hadn't even happened.
-
Vega
Vega smiled and laughed warmly. My, she truly was cute as a button, he'd have expected no less from Elizabeth. "Oh yes, that would be me. And I'm terribly afraid I've seen every bit of it."
Truth be told, he wasn't. He wasn't even sorry.
Not phased in the least by the crack she caved on the floor, he stepped forth with a lithe suave swagger and offered his hand. "But please, no need to call me that, just Vega will do. It's a pleasure, and I trust the travel wasn't too troublesome? I can have some tea made if you'd like."
-
Lily
"Noope~" Lily shook her head and bowed, while pointedly ignoring the offered hand shake. "We at the Pleasure Palace take our services very seriously, and it is completely improper for you to shake hands with me or make tea for me. If anything that task should fall on me to serve you tea. Being professional maids is only one of the many services granted to someone as important as you Master Vega"
The short redhead only now came up from the bow. "Unfortunately most of your reqest was swallowed by one of the ponies and I'm terribly sorry but you'll have to inform me what you want Master. With your level of generosity you can demand almost anything." The flushing of her cheeks and the twitching of her tail was the only sign that she was flustered by his words. Well that and the heat she was giving off, being next to her right now would be like basking in a perfectly heated sauna.
-
Vega
"Pft." Vega stifled a chuckle before it got to escape his lungs, but he had to cover his mouth for a moment.
Ponies? My god, ponies. Okay, yep, I did do that. Ahhh, how I wish I could've seen their faces then.
Yet his amusement was short lived, as the warmth soon took over, something he appreciated visibly. Beaming like the sun, he flicked his licks back smoothly.
"Ohoh. My. I can't tell where the air starts and my skin begins." Vega basked in what was basically the perfect temperature. "If you put it that way, I can't possibly object. Very well, I would enjoy tea made by a high rank succubus very very much. Oh, and afterwards, I will have you escort me to a most important mission. I require new clothes see, and I'd love your company in this ordeal."
-
Lily
Her flushed cheeks darkened to an ever rosier red and she glanced away for a moment before the tension seemingly evaporated from her form. But most peculiar was the feeling of the heat that surrounded, it stopped merely being there and now it felt like it enveloped him in an very heartfelt hug.
"The...the heat you're feeling is my essence, it's part of me. I'm not just a Succubus, I'm an Elemental too. I-if you want to bask some more in me you'd have to follow me to the kitchen master, since I can only extend it so far." Her tail was swishing back and forth behind her, not unlike an excited dog.
She wanted him to come, she wanted it so much it almost surprised her. Her time at the Tower had left her simply craving this more sensual affection.
"You don't have to of course, I was just saying in case you wanted to..."
-
Vega
Vega's expression turned sterner, like an iron mask. Yet how could something so hardened and cold be so beautiful?
"Indeed. I don't have to. Contractually, there is no obligation for me to do anything."
That's when the smile returned, or maybe it never left. Its as if her warm aura was enough to melt the coldest of ice. "And yet I will. In fact I'd love to. Ah, but on one condition. If you could carry me there, my feet are oh so very tired. Fret not, the door is unlocked."
And without warning, he glamorously fell in her arms like the hapless petals of a cherry tree. But there was something sinister brewing. An evil behind this intent.
With her arms occupied, the only limb that could turn the knob... was her tail. Such cruelty was something that would make a demon king blush. But its not like there wasn't anything she could gain out of it either.
Maybe because of how close they were, but if she was sensitive in any way to other people's life forces, she'd be able to tell how young the man was - not even in his twenties. It was practically a cornucopia of youth and vitality, something totally unlike the baseless rumors of a feared assassin, or the reputation he had of an experienced performer. But even if she weren't, there was one thing she could tell for sure.
Even a vessel this immature was overflowing with desire and ambition.
-
Lily
Oh he was so full of desire and so in tune with what he wanted, it felt great just being near him and the closer he got, the better it got. Despite their great size difference Lily caught him gracefully and lifted him with no disturbance whatsoever. There was no unsteadiness in her grip, however he did take up both of her hands.
Which presented a problem once she skipped over to the door. Lily bit her lip as her tail extended and coiled around. With how sensitive it was was, deliberately wrapping it around something and applying pressure still made her knees tremble. She would absolutely not show her master how good it felt. And she definitely wouldn't moan.
And then she moaned as the door slid open, her attempts to keep crumbling under the raw onslaught of emotion. At least she wasn't falling over anymore. A few months ago this would have had stumbling over. Still her steps were a bit shakey as she carried him in. Closing the door behind them with her tail forced another moan out of her.
Actively using her tail was still too much for her, and she hoped he wouldn't make her do it more, but her hopes weren't high. And she still didn't know where the kitchen was.
-
Vega
Was he enjoying this?
Absolutely.
"Oooh! Muy bien! You're so strong, my cute red devil." He pecked her on the cheek with affection. Nothing but a small dainty kiss - nothing so passionate as you'd expect. But heartfelt, in its own small way. He'd be lying if he said he didn't find her hold pleasant, it truly was like being in a warm place. What a dangerous thing, two bodies this close. It all it made his heart throb in all sorts of excitements! And with a serene smile, he basked in it.
By now they were already indoors, surrounded by his glorious abode. That's when those unexpected words escaped him, sweet as nectar.
"And admirable. I'm no fool, even I can see when someone puts their all into a task. Even if it's your job, you're going above and beyond commendably. Such commitment... it deserves a reward, no?"
WHOOOSH! And with the grace of an acrobat, he slid off her hands with a backflip like a ninja, sneaking behind her before lifting her off the ground by the waist.
"Don't you dare tell me no miss. I've bought you under contract for the day, and I shall do what I please with my own proprietad. You do realize telling me something is improper just makes me want to do it more, right?"
-
Lily
Lily blinked. She wasn't used to clients that wanted to pamper her. But such a thing would happen sooner or later, and that time was now. She came to a stop as he leapt out of her arms and didn't react as moved behind her to pick her up. She felt him grab her by the waist, she relaxed her stomach as much as she could but he'd still undoubtedly feel the incredibly hard layer of abs, and the fact that she'd weigh more than you'd think a girl her size would.
It was a bit hard to keep her tail in check so it didn't whack him. But she had learnt one trick to use on a client who felt like doing something like this to her. Her tail begun fanning him, giving him a gentle breeze to offset the hear created by her. Adding another layer to the experience, after all he hadn't ordered her to stop and she didn't want him to feel like he'd wasted his things on an inadequate service.
"Actually Master, you've paid enough for a week of my service. Oh and my name is Lily, but cute red devil has it appeals too hehe..."
-
Vega
"Uohh! What a nice gentle breeze." He chuckled coyly to the fanning, pleased beyond description. Her muscles weren't bad, he could tell she was trained.
"I'm quite lucky then. To acquire exactly what I wanted, and for a whole week too. I'll make sure to make the most of every second, starting wiiith..."
And as soon as he got to the kitchen, he set her down and plopped himself down on a chair majestically. "The tea. Two cups please, there's some black tea over there. I trust your brewing skills are second to none, since you offered so boldly."
And that's when his smile turned the brightest.
"Indulge me for a bit, what did you think when you came to my home? Walking our opulent pine gardens, surrounded by the city's neon lights. The contrast took me by surprise, I must admit. And worry not, I don't care if your opinion differs from mine. I'd rather you be as honest as possible."
-
Lily
"I was thinking you were one of the typical rich scumbags who takes pleasure in deflowering young maidens. That was certainly the image your request presented. But it turns out I was wrong, you're more interesting than that. I'm a little bit disappointed too, we're usually called upon for sexual favors, hiring a Succubus Lord isn't cheap..."
Lilt answered without hesitation as she moved to fill two cups with water directly. Strangely she didn't boil the water first, but the why was answered quickly as the water in the cups began steaming. Her own power was far better than some water boiler, she'd could easily reach and maintain the perfect temperature for black tea which she did. Her tail then extended to snatch the tea which she put into the cups. Thanks to her efforts this had taken half the time it usually would, and it would taste even better.
She turned around and offered him the tea as requested. The uniqueness of the brewing didn't end here, not only was the tea being maintaining its heat, the cups weren't warm at all. And since she was done brewing, her tail went back to fanning him, while she awaited his response.
-
Vega
He gratefully nodded when presented with the cup, inhaling its fragrant aromas with an enrapturing smile. "Haha, I do get that a lot. But my time is my own, why rush? When presented with a fine vintage, you ought to savor every sensation to appreciate its complexity."
He twirled the black liquids in his cup lovingly, inhaling its rich aroma. You could tell he was stealing glances at his reflection inside before taking a small sip - and lighting up immediately.
"Oh my. This tea is excellent! Evidently every penny of mine was well spent, how simply stellar!"
He simply had to take another sip. Then another one. And another one. With enough restraint, he managed to set the half-empty cup down with a satisfied sigh.
"Pwahhhh~! Anyways, I just can't find it pleasurable to mate with someone I hardly even know. Getting it over and done with would be ecstatic, yes, but it'd be no better than masturbation. I want more than that, and I trust your skill in that regard. Please, tell me more about yourself Ms. Lily. I'd... appreciate it very much."
-
Lily
"Oh my is that just a lucky happenstance or did you figure out my secret?" As there was no readily available sear around and he had asked her to tell a long story, she absolutely refused to stand up. It was most impolite to ask a of a lady like her and that's why she took the most obvious step and sat down on his lap. Between the heat she was radiating and her weight, there was just the right amount of pressure on him for it to be exquisitely pleasing.
"I'm much older than I look, was born about 400 years ago or so. I've seen things you could only dream off, and the people I've killed. Oh there's so many off them, but I remember the face every one of them made as I snuffed the life out of them. Some of them refused to give up, those were they really interesting ones.... Yeah I killed and killed until someone decided I was charge and then I suddenly had more money and influence than I knew what to do with."
Her pulse increased as so did the heat just a notch as she leaned in closer. "And despite getting all that, I just kept doing what I did best, but bigger and better... hehe sounds pretty dumb when I'm so small doesn't it? But that's right, I'm the biggest monster in town, what will you do about thar Master?"
-
Vega
How bold, for her to sit on his lap without asking for his permission. Not that he minded, it was all as he intended. In fact, the heat was even more pleasant from up close, stroking his body and relaxing his tired muscles. "Oh... is that so..." Since she was so close, Vega's own face inched closer to Lily's. It was as if he was a moth, drawn to her flame. No, more like a bee drawn to an exotic flower. Before his lips could part hers, his answer escaped them.
How exciting.
"If what you say is true, I ought to strike you down, as the pinnacle among all men. Only I can have that honor."
What a beautiful thing.
No, not just the heat. Her honeyed voice, her sweet tale, it was enough to make his heart throb. The thought of her body being washed with blood, making beauteous flowers out of her enemies, it was all tantalizing. She could practically taste how his desires were growing. No, she didn't even need that to tell, because something else was growing far more vigorously. Would his hand touch her? Would he choose to kiss her? For a second, the future seemed so uncertain. They were close enough that anything could happen.
The first thing she felt were her cheeks stretching gently. Before she knew it, they were being pulled apart like play dough that he played with playfully.
"You're quite cute for a grandmother."
His words were as sweet as the tea she made him. He closed his eyes and smiled at her like the sun.
-
Lily
She looked at him with her radiant eyes full of love and affection, her body was completely relaxed and leaning onto him like he was the love of her life. Her guard was completely lowered as everything pointed to her utter trust in him. But then she spoke. "If I wasn't bound by contract I would choke you with your own dick for that Master." Her voice was as relaxed as her posture and oh so perfectly sweet voice, but her words carried a venom from beyond this word.
"And you just admitted to liking gilfs, don't think I don't feel your dick getting hard, are you gonna cum from just a bit of teasing? How adorable..." He was the one who had asked for complete honesty and she wouldn't honey her words at all if he was gonna give her that freedom.
-
Vega
If he was bright as the sun, then her words must have carried a cloud. His expression... was still calm. No, calmer. "Is that so, what a curious thing to say. Do you mean you'd first tear it and jam it into my throat, or rip it off to strangle me like a noose?" He looked at Lily straight in the face in a seriously disappointed manner. "Forget it, assuming that was you trying to threaten me, it was a poor attempt. And it was a joke, it wasn't all that funny."
He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Oh, and bringing her closer to his embrace, but that went without saying. Even if she risked burning him, he was the sort of man who'd take everything in his hands, and never let go.
"What *is* a gilf?"
-
Lily
It wasn't too hard for her to reign the heat in so that it was highly pleasing for him. Her master was clearly enjoying their closeness though and indulging him was becoming quite easy. "You told me to be honest Master, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, don't hesitate to punish me in the future if I offend you." The threatening undertone disappeared as she addresses him with boundless cheerfulness instead.
"Oh and a Gilf is a granny you'd like to fuck. By hiring a succubus like me and then expressing delight over it you've already admitted it many times over. I quite like people who are honest with what they want, you're quite impressive. Not many can shrug off my threats." Since he had pulled her so close it was an easy affair to lean what little distance was left to have her lips meet his. It was a quick kiss, only lasting a few moments but it contained all of her genuine interest in him.
-
Lily
It wasn't too hard for her to reign the heat in so that it was highly pleasing for him. Her master was clearly enjoying their closeness though and indulging him was becoming quite easy. "You told me to be honest Master, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, don't hesitate to punish me in the future if I offend you." The threatening undertone disappeared as she addresses him with boundless cheerfulness instead.
"Oh and a Gilf is a granny you'd like to fuck. By hiring a succubus like me and then expressing delight over it you've already admitted it many times over. I quite like people who are honest with what they want, you're quite impressive. Not many can shrug off my threats." Since he had pulled her so close it was an easy affair to lean what little distance was left to have her lips meet his. It was a quick kiss, only lasting a few moments but it contained all of her genuine interest in him.
Vega
"I see." Suddenly, Lily's mouth came for his, the two intertwined for a moment that felt all too short - but the ephemeral affection made it all sweeter. "Mff, mhmm, mwhaah...! Haha, you're a good kisser."
He couldn't stand losing, not even to her.
The sudden moment she broke off, he swept in to counterattack. His kiss was just as short, but deeper. Passionate. He wanted her to understand just how serious he was about this, even if he had to tongue-fuck her brains out to do it.
And like hers, his kiss ended far too soon. But when it broke off, his smile was all the brighter. "Well then, we should go hmm? I'll give you discretion on which store to pick, I trust your judgement. I always wanted to try that 'cosplay' thing people talk about these days."
-
Vega
"I see." Suddenly, Lily's mouth came for his, the two intertwined for a moment that felt all too short - but the ephemeral affection made it all sweeter. "Mff, mhmm, mwhaah...! Haha, you're a good kisser."
He couldn't stand losing, not even to her.
The sudden moment she broke off, he swept in to counterattack. His kiss was just as short, but deeper. Passionate. He wanted her to understand just how serious he was about this, even if he had to tongue-fuck her brains out to do it.
And like hers, his kiss ended far too soon. But when it broke off, his smile was all the brighter. "Well then, we should go hmm? I'll give you discretion on which store to pick, I trust your judgement. I always wanted to try that 'cosplay' thing people talk about these days."
Lily
"You can't just tease me like this without consequence. But fine I'll go along for now." She remained seated in his lap, far to comfortable to let go of such an excellent seat. He'd have to force her up if he wanted her to move. Truthfully she wanted him to kiss her again like he just did, there was so much passion in that, and nothing got her fire going harder than that.
That's why she defied him like this, to see what he would do. Would he kiss her again? Lift her up with his strong arms, or would he get raunchy and spank her. She was hoping for the last one, the most entertaining clients were the ones that didn't hesitate to discipline her, despite her great status. That showed real guts and determination.
"Is that cosplay for you or do you want to see my perfect form in different sexy outfits hmm? And before I forget, do you want the maid treatment or the girlfriend treatment? I can do both splendidly, and you won't be dissatisfied with either choice." That was bad of her, she should have asked earlier instead of just assuming.
-
Vega
"Hoh? Or else... suffer what exactly?" His eyes gleamed curiously, suddenly he tilted his head in a quaint manner. But even that icy way of teasing her gave way to a small nod... and a wry smile. Didn't they say the kindest of smiles often hide the most chilling malice? Ah, but that's just some widow's tale. Surely she thought she was safe, that she had the upper hand - and perhaps genuine power over him. How wrong, how very wrong. On his lap, her weakness was exposed.
He wasn't gentle enough not to take it.
He grabbed it boldly, with his own clasped hand. That damnable appendage of hers, one that caused him no small grief months ago. Yet fingers started toying with it lovingly, gently, stroking it as if she were his cat.
"And of course I want to dress you up in all sorts of embarrassing outfits. I enjoy seeing you squirm and struggle very much, why normally I'd have you as no less than my girlfriend. But... if you wish to be so stubborn, I could drag you there like a dog instead." He yanked it harder this time, like a rope. Her earlier reaction was fascinating. This was nothing but healthy curiosity, no? He loved her in his own way, he really did.
But after all, even if he smiled until now, the time where she was at her worst was the time he felt at his best. "I really like you, Lily. You're the best." He smiled even now, as if to ask her shall we go now?
-
A Good Hour Later
"Aw come on, it'll be fiiine. You'll be fiiine. You big strong lady, I promise you won't have to worry one bit. You did almost crack my coconut to the curb back there anyway, so no fuss okay?"
A motorbike ride later, they were already in front of his mansion, more of a humble office really. The memories he had of the place were enough to make him teary eyed, so if she found it it too pretty to look at, she could always look at him a little more or something.
A headpat was all it took for him to skip a beat in front of the front door, and knock on it galliantly...
" ♫ Shave and a haircut, two beats~! ♫ "
Before slamming it open with a dramatic grin!
"Coucou ma chouette~!!!!"
Now that his cozy place was exposed, there was only one question. Who could he possibly be talking to, and why did it smell so much of pudding and welded metal?
-
Vega
"Hoh? Or else... suffer what exactly?" His eyes gleamed curiously, suddenly he tilted his head in a quaint manner. But even that icy way of teasing her gave way to a small nod... and a wry smile. Didn't they say the kindest of smiles often hide the most chilling malice? Ah, but that's just some widow's tale. Surely she thought she was safe, that she had the upper hand - and perhaps genuine power over him. How wrong, how very wrong. On his lap, her weakness was exposed.
He wasn't gentle enough not to take it.
He grabbed it boldly, with his own clasped hand. That damnable appendage of hers, one that caused him no small grief months ago. Yet fingers started toying with it lovingly, gently, stroking it as if she were his cat.
"And of course I want to dress you up in all sorts of embarrassing outfits. I enjoy seeing you squirm and struggle very much, why normally I'd have you as no less than my girlfriend. But... if you wish to be so stubborn, I could drag you there like a dog instead." He yanked it harder this time, like a rope. Her earlier reaction was fascinating. This was nothing but healthy curiosity, no? He loved her in his own way, he really did.
But after all, even if he smiled until now, the time where she was at her worst was the time he felt at his best. "I really like you, Lily. You're the best." He smiled even now, as if to ask her shall we go now?
Lily
"You can't juuuuuuust-" Her tiny hands clutched at his clothes while she shoved her face into her chest to try and cover up the moaning. Stroking her tail like that was illegal, absolute villainy. Someone as important and cute like her shouldn't get bullied like this, it was completely humiliating.
But then he tugged on it and the rest of what said was just filtered away by the numbing pleasure that enveloped her. She couldn't reply to him like this, not when her whole body was trembling like an unsteady tree in a storm. "Master please staaahp... it's new so it's reeealy sensitive- Bullying a Princess like this, it's unforgivable you here me. I'll whoop your ass so hard when I get better."
-
Vega
His eyes gleamed with joy and bliss, genuine for the first time. But if she thought his happiness would bring her mercy... No. He brought his hand down harder, stroking the whole length until his fingers reached the base of the trembling appendage.
"Oh, apologies, it's hard to make out your mewling when it hardly sounds like human language... I've had such an exhausting day, my hearing's a bit tired see. Kick my butt was it.. ?"
And he pulled again, running the whole tail down - root to stem over and over, until he reached for the tip one more time.
"Oh my cute red devil, sorry but that's not going to happen. Besides, I don't believe in queens, kings or their spawns. Come, now."
And with a firm grip, he rolled the tip over his wrist as it were a dog's leash and got up. He was walking with no regard for her poor fate, to the point she'd probably get pulled painfully if she did not follow.
-
Lily
If he'd thought she was unitellbefore, then the groans and muffled sounds she now let out didn't resemble speech at all. The heat around her soared higher yet it wasn't uncomfortable, no it just felt like an even more intense happy blanket hug. It should have been scalding but it wasn't. Her joy translated into her Astral self snuggling with him and getting real cozy. That was until he pulled her tail hard and got up which made her fall down on the ground with a yelp.
She tried stumbling after him but her movements were far more sluggish now than they had been before, and frankly she couldn't stand at all in her current state. Not only was she surging with enough arousal to make her pant like an overly excited dog. The spreading weakness made her crawl on all fours like one too. All so she could keep up with him.
-
Vega
Ahh, the heat felt amazing. There was no beauty in trampling a field of pure flowers - that's what he'd have thought under normal circumstances. Perhaps if she weren't a demon, if she weren't related to that woman, if she didn't admit being some kind of noble, he may have had a few qualms about this 'walk'. Right now, seeing her like that only made even Vega's expression show a little pity. Only that. "I'm sure you're a proud lady, but if this is her doing... how scary, I best watch out huh." He thought aloud absentmindedly, stroking the tip without even really thinking about it at this point.
When the two reached the door, just has he clutched at the knob and turned it... Vega stopped.
What kind of demon possessed him, to do something so foul? And what madness could make his heart stir such joy while doing it!? No, this couldn't... must not do. An impulse brought by the charming demonic presence, that's what it was. A plot of hers to make him lose his wits and bring him to ruin. This must've been her plan, how clever. He squeezed tightly in frustration, incredibly tightly.
"Oh, that's no good. I can't walk out like this, as much as I love it... tsk." His smile was outright sadistic when he turned to look at the panting dog, and for a moment his grip turned far looser.
He squatted gently and patted her head with genuine affection - and perhaps, some form of love. He'd forgive it, just this once. "Listen, I'm going to let go at the count of three. If you could avoid taking revenge on my self outside, I would be very appreciative - lest we may humiliate ourselves in public. That... wouldn't do."
He smiled and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Can you do it for me?"
-
Lily
"I aaaaah~" Lily collapsed onto the ground and become nothing more but a moaning mess, she twisted and turned like a pig taking a mud bath before coming to a stop on her stomach as his grip on her tail loosened. She looked up at her him, her master, and blinked. Once she blinked to get her vision to focus, and then she blinked again to get her mind to stop reeling. Had he said something about revenge silly Human, there was no way for her to hurt him, not while-
"Mastaah- I can't hurt you while the contract... I'll stomp on your balls when it expires." No lies here, just as he demanded. She wouldn't make a promise to never hurt him, nor could she lie about it either. "And I'll have my revenge unless you treat me better. I took this job cause it sounded interesting, but you're just being an abusive asshole. A Succubi's tail is her pride, and you're trampling all over mine."
-
A Good Hour Later
"Aw come on, it'll be fiiine. You'll be fiiine. You big strong lady, I promise you won't have to worry one bit. You did almost crack my coconut to the curb back there anyway, so no fuss okay?"
A motorbike ride later, they were already in front of his mansion, more of a humble office really. The memories he had of the place were enough to make him teary eyed, so if she found it it too pretty to look at, she could always look at him a little more or something.
A headpat was all it took for him to skip a beat in front of the front door, and knock on it galliantly...
" ♫ Shave and a haircut, two beats~! ♫ "
Before slamming it open with a dramatic grin!
"Coucou ma chouette~!!!!"
Now that his cozy place was exposed, there was only one question. Who could he possibly be talking to, and why did it smell so much of pudding and welded metal?
Luthien
The elf had already finished bawling her eyes out and almost breaking his bones in her youthful tantrum in front of the crowd of spectators. Whatever good impressions they had of her strength and power had been marred by her youthful enthusiasm and childish peaks of emotion.
By now, she was nuzzled up against him, ears flickering against his back in a rather seductive manner—and her soft curves were wrapped tightly around him, with her snake pressed eight up against him as a result of the ride.
Further, he could feel her inhuman body—beyond the obvious, her musculature was hard like steel, and her heart was as hot as a force, heat emenating throughout her core as if she had a miniature sun encased inside of her. Her soft breasts shielded him from the worst of the heat, but it was still like sunbathing on a hot summer's day.
She didn't respond, not until he got up, at which point she hopped up onto the top of a nearby lampost and looked around at his house from her perch, balanced precariously upon the tips of her toes.
"Fascinating, the sorts of buildings humans live in..."
-
Vega
The moment she mentioned it being her pride, he let go of it as it were a burning hot coal. He rubbed the hand and looked down with a hint of pain, like a scolded youth.
"Apologies ma'am. I had no idea... I was under the impredsion it felt nice."
And yet why...?
"Hmph, how foolish of me. Allow me to make up for it. Do you enjoy ice cream?"
Why did it feel so... happy? No, best not linger on such thoughts, kill them if he must - and damn it all to hell. He gave her a headpat, the cute granny that somehow made him of all people feel bad.
-
Lily
"It only feels good when it's stroked and gently squeezed, pulling is very bad..."Lily finally managed to get up into a sitting position and fr there up on her legs.
Shuddered at the thought of that though... "Ice cream is cold and terrible, if you wanna bribe me you should go for the hot and spicy stuff, something with a real bite that would kill a weakling.. hmpfff and headpats are cheating, I'm not gonna like you anymore just cause you do that you hear? I'm too old for that trick!" But it did feel really good.
-
Luthien
The elf had already finished bawling her eyes out and almost breaking his bones in her youthful tantrum in front of the crowd of spectators. Whatever good impressions they had of her strength and power had been marred by her youthful enthusiasm and childish peaks of emotion.
By now, she was nuzzled up against him, ears flickering against his back in a rather seductive manner—and her soft curves were wrapped tightly around him, with her snake pressed eight up against him as a result of the ride.
Further, he could feel her inhuman body—beyond the obvious, her musculature was hard like steel, and her heart was as hot as a force, heat emenating throughout her core as if she had a miniature sun encased inside of her. Her soft breasts shielded him from the worst of the heat, but it was still like sunbathing on a hot summer's day.
She didn't respond, not until he got up, at which point she hopped up onto the top of a nearby lampost and looked around at his house from her perch, balanced precariously upon the tips of her toes.
"Fascinating, the sorts of buildings humans live in..."
Marc
"..."
Aie, did I really just say that?
Mark blinked and looked at the door... sadly for a moment. Not that Lu could see that anyways, so he wiped off the frown off his mug as quick as it appeared and scratched his head awkwardly. "Oh well,It's too bad Lu! I wanted to show you off to my associate, but it looks like my home-cooking will have to do." He cheered before turning to glance at the newcomer.
That's when he stopped.
He staaaaared at the elf for a moment.
"Did you just jump on that lamp post?"
...
-
Lily
"It only feels good when it's stroked and gently squeezed, pulling is very bad..."Lily finally managed to get up into a sitting position and fr there up on her legs.
Shuddered at the thought of that though... "Ice cream is cold and terrible, if you wanna bribe me you should go for the hot and spicy stuff, something with a real bite that would kill a weakling.. hmpfff and headpats are cheating, I'm not gonna like you anymore just cause you do that you hear? I'm too old for that trick!" But it did feel really good.
Vega
Vega stopped, aye... but not because she asked him or anything, oh no. He put his finger on his chin and seemed deep in thought.
"So you're admitting you're old. How curious."
And with that, he snapped his fingers dramatically - the sound as loud as the crack of a whip. "And that won't do at all, head patting privileges are non-negotiable. And your hair is really nice too, I must ask, do you use some special shampoo?" He puffed up his own locks playfully as he said that, but his question was anything but a jest. Taking extreme care of one's grooming was a sign of pedigree, and he wanted to keep up with the best ways to take care of himself impeccably - at all times.
"Ah, don't worry. We'll have plenty of time to discuss that, and worry not - your request has not fallen on deaf years. In fact, I know a really nice place. Follow me."
And with that, he hurried off, grabbing something with a firm grip, something even more scandalous than her tail. Without hesitation, he was firmly holding her hand.
"Pwahhh~! This is the place."
It didn't take very long, no time at all. Or perhaps commoners do have some merit, the expression always holds true: time flies when you're having fun. But where could he have taken her? The streets weren't nearly as clean and orderly as the ones in the hill, though it was no pigsty. A noble frequenting the backstreets was simply unheard of - scandalous, even. Some rumors said it was enough to bring ruin to lesser families, and yet Vega of all people didn't seem to mind. He walked these streets as if he knew them by the back of his hand, and brought her 'there'.
The sound of knives hurriedly chopping in the background, metal clanging against metal, impossibly hot oil sizzling filled the busy atmosphere. The scent wok hay soared in the whole shack with the thick, pleasant aroma of burning hot spices.
"Smells nice, right?"
It certainly did. It smelled pretty good. But of all places a spaniard noble would drag a princess to, a traditional chinese hot-pot place was the last you'd expect. He pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb, despite seemingly knowing all the folks as if he were a regular.
-
Marc
"..."
Aie, did I really just say that?
Mark blinked and looked at the door... sadly for a moment. Not that Lu could see that anyways, so he wiped off the frown off his mug as quick as it appeared and scratched his head awkwardly. "Oh well,It's too bad Lu! I wanted to show you off to my associate, but it looks like my home-cooking will have to do." He cheered before turning to glance at the newcomer.
That's when he stopped.
He staaaaared at the elf for a moment.
"Did you just jump on that lamp post?"
...
Luthien
The view upwards he had of her was nothing to scoff at. Her chest trembled as she swayed atop the metal rod, beads of sweat gently running down her body only to be reabsorbed by her skin, and the steely musculature of her legs which hinted at her superhuman physicality.
She looked down at him and made an o with her mouth. "Am I not supposed to be up here? I'm sorry." She hopped back down next to him. "I didn't damage it, promise. You don't have to worry. I just thought I'd be able to get a better look from up there than down here."
-
Marc
Marc gulped in shock, shook and shooketh by the reaction. "U-uh? No no, don't worry hun. It just made me feel pretty tiny having to look up so high." He booped her on the nose casually. "Mwaha! Wahaha! You see, I have plans for tonight. I will teach you all - about the ways of my people." He crossed his arms and nodded wisely, like the theatric old man he totally wasn't - he was in his golden prime and no one was going to tell him otherwise.
"But first, dinner! I'll let you know I make a mean stew - and don't you dare say no. You kicked my ass thoroughly, so It's only fair I kick your taste buds straight to flavortown."
With that, he took his fancy suit off with a straight motion, revealing a perfectly dandy white apron with "Le shef." written in snazzy pink. "After you, milady." He bowed like a gentleman and waved to the entrance of his abode.
"I'm invincibleeeeee!"
It was a war zone.
Ingredients were being swapped and mixed intensively, chopped with surgical precision before being mixed into his gigantic concoction. The smell in the air was outright kickass, there was no better way to describe it.
He let her with a collection of instruction guides and books in his living room - since he'd be done in a few minutes tops, he figured she might find some of the history books and novels interesting. Not like he was a huge reader, but... ah, well, it was a long boring story.
He dipped a finger in the boiling mixture and licked the tasty stew. "Mhhh. Nah, needs a bit more salt."
...
...
...
[To the player - what book tickled this kid's curious radar fancy? Choose: ]
Great forests and lakes - history of the riverways (Punchline edition).
Streetlights and offices, a guide to official fixers and bounty hunter organizations. (A fancy golden signature, handmade: Lake's Office)
Hustles and bustles - Top 10 ways to get rich quick! (There were a ton of bookmarks on that one)
Pine Garden Families - Famed mages and wizards - record encyclopedia (It looks pretty used and worn)
-
Vega
Vega stopped, aye... but not because she asked him or anything, oh no. He put his finger on his chin and seemed deep in thought.
"So you're admitting you're old. How curious."
And with that, he snapped his fingers dramatically - the sound as loud as the crack of a whip. "And that won't do at all, head patting privileges are non-negotiable. And your hair is really nice too, I must ask, do you use some special shampoo?" He puffed up his own locks playfully as he said that, but his question was anything but a jest. Taking extreme care of one's grooming was a sign of pedigree, and he wanted to keep up with the best ways to take care of himself impeccably - at all times.
"Ah, don't worry. We'll have plenty of time to discuss that, and worry not - your request has not fallen on deaf years. In fact, I know a really nice place. Follow me."
And with that, he hurried off, grabbing something with a firm grip, something even more scandalous than her tail. Without hesitation, he was firmly holding her hand.
"Pwahhh~! This is the place."
It didn't take very long, no time at all. Or perhaps commoners do have some merit, the expression always holds true: time flies when you're having fun. But where could he have taken her? The streets weren't nearly as clean and orderly as the ones in the hill, though it was no pigsty. A noble frequenting the backstreets was simply unheard of - scandalous, even. Some rumors said it was enough to bring ruin to lesser families, and yet Vega of all people didn't seem to mind. He walked these streets as if he knew them by the back of his hand, and brought her 'there'.
The sound of knives hurriedly chopping in the background, metal clanging against metal, impossibly hot oil sizzling filled the busy atmosphere. The scent wok hay soared in the whole shack with the thick, pleasant aroma of burning hot spices.
"Smells nice, right?"
It certainly did. It smelled pretty good. But of all places a spaniard noble would drag a princess to, a traditional chinese hot-pot place was the last you'd expect. He pretty much stuck out like a sore thumb, despite seemingly knowing all the folks as if he were a regular.
Lily
"I am old to the perspective of a human like you, but comparatively I'm more like a 16 to 17 year old in human years.... And don't think some delicious food will be enough to sway me hmpfff..." She tried to look away from him, but actually looking away from him would be rude and she could be rude to the master, leaving her doing some half asked in between thing.
But as much as he stood out, she arguably did so even more. The skin tight suit hidden only by a trench coat and more notably the long tail with the heart shaped tip that swished behind her, really did give away where she was from. Any reputation loss from visiting this place would be inconsequential next to the rumors that would arise from him being seen on a date with a succubus. Those services were quiye known to be exceedingly expensive and not something anyone who'd just gotten their hands on a modest fortune could ever enjoy. This was a luxury for the truly rich.
"Master just so we clear here, food can't really sustain me, it's just delicacy to me. I need other things for that.."
-
Marc
Marc gulped in shock, shook and shooketh by the reaction. "U-uh? No no, don't worry hun. It just made me feel pretty tiny having to look up so high." He booped her on the nose casually. "Mwaha! Wahaha! You see, I have plans for tonight. I will teach you all - about the ways of my people." He crossed his arms and nodded wisely, like the theatric old man he totally wasn't - he was in his golden prime and no one was going to tell him otherwise.
"But first, dinner! I'll let you know I make a mean stew - and don't you dare say no. You kicked my ass thoroughly, so It's only fair I kick your taste buds straight to flavortown."
With that, he took his fancy suit off with a straight motion, revealing a perfectly dandy white apron with "Le shef." written in snazzy pink. "After you, milady." He bowed like a gentleman and waved to the entrance of his abode.
"I'm invincibleeeeee!"
It was a war zone.
Ingredients were being swapped and mixed intensively, chopped with surgical precision before being mixed into his gigantic concoction. The smell in the air was outright kickass, there was no better way to describe it.
He let her with a collection of instruction guides and books in his living room - since he'd be done in a few minutes tops, he figured she might find some of the history books and novels interesting. Not like he was a huge reader, but... ah, well, it was a long boring story.
He dipped a finger in the boiling mixture and licked the tasty stew. "Mhhh. Nah, needs a bit more salt."
...
...
...
[To the player - what book tickled this kid's curious radar fancy? Choose: ]
Great forests and lakes - history of the riverways (Punchline edition).
Streetlights and offices, a guide to official fixers and bounty hunter organizations. (A fancy golden signature, handmade: Lake's Office)
Hustles and bustles - Top 10 ways to get rich quick! (There were a ton of bookmarks on that one)
Pine Garden Families - Famed mages and wizards - record encyclopedia (It looks pretty used and worn)
Luthien
Luthien's nose wiggled at the devious poking finger. She shook her head and fluttered her ears in discomfort. "If it's not a problem, why bring it up..." Luthien complained. "But please, I'd be um, honored, to know the ways of your people!"
So she followed him inside, utterly and completely unprepared for the warzone she would find inside. She could barely follow the movements, even with her enhanced senses, and she had absolutely no idea what he was doing or how he was doing it!
Luthien grabbed all four of the tomes with her shadow and opened them all up at the same time, scanning through each book individually at the same time.
-
Vega
"Ooh? And what could that be? Oh, don't tell me. I love surprises." He clasped his hands and leaned forward with a charming smile. "And how quaint, that makes us pre~tty close to the same age! I've turned 18 earlier this year myself, hohoho~!" He laughed cutely before moving forth with grace and deftness, taking a gentle hold of Lily's hand.
"To the wonders of youth. Know this, a life without luxury... ah, the mere thought is chilling." His smile caught the glances of other patrons when his lips brushed on the warm skin princely. "Ah, but back on track, I do recommend the Jiu gong ge - if you don't mind seafood that is. The spice levels are totally off the charts, most don't even last a minute. It's flavor is pretty great too." He slid the menu in front of them so they could read it together, close enough to be a legit couple. When the china-girl waitress came along, he tipped her like a regular - and she bowed.
"What will you have for today sir?" She asked with an earnest, honest tone that spoke of some experience.
"Oh! Well, we should start with the sake of course. Whet our appetites with the good stuff, I'll accept no less for my darling and I. I'm way too parched today." Probably because of the heat. He looked at his contracted GF like a kid who just got caught in a cookie jar. "I normally don't drink in business transactions - today's a special day though. I feel this will help us be more honest with eachother. Soooo, what do you say? Drink's good for you too?"
-
Lily
Lily inched closer to him as he put the menu in front of them, they were a couple as far as she was concerned and she wouldn't shy from displaying her affection for him. She made of a point of finding the order he had recommended on the menu and decided on her course of action next. "I'll have the Jiu gong ge, extra spicy. And I'd love some sake too, I'm gonna be really hot once I get start digging in, and I wouldn't want my passion to consume you."
"Let's not make this a drinking contest though, I'd hate to see you under the table already on our first date Master~" She was still clinging to him even though they had finished looking at the menu. Lily hadn't been on a date like this in a long long time and it was getting kinda exciting, enough for her to already consider to sweep his past actions under the rug.
-
Luthien
Luthien's nose wiggled at the devious poking finger. She shook her head and fluttered her ears in discomfort. "If it's not a problem, why bring it up..." Luthien complained. "But please, I'd be um, honored, to know the ways of your people!"
So she followed him inside, utterly and completely unprepared for the warzone she would find inside. She could barely follow the movements, even with her enhanced senses, and she had absolutely no idea what he was doing or how he was doing it!
Luthien grabbed all four of the tomes with her shadow and opened them all up at the same time, scanning through each book individually at the same time.
The Great Riverways
The great divide was once a greater mass of water, cutting across the entire city with no hope of crossing it. Legends say that the former 'Devil of all Seas', Megicula, still lies dormant within the depths of the gash. With her curses, she caused men, women and children around nearby villages to swell-up like balloons and twist inside out, until beasts of water emerged to drown out the lands. Some even gained a mind of their own, and kept themselves hidden. Others bid their time and reemerged over the years as powerful sea beasts, causing disasters and mutations to those unfortunate enough to be touched by their poisonous waters. Even now, some claim to follow the fallen demon's will.
But that can't be so. Even one of the four would never reemerge once drawing out the true ire of the Chief of all Chiefs. The legendary battle was of such scale, it twisted and warped the great divide itself. Now, another scar runs across the Nexus. A line drawn from a single punch.
A punchline.
Noble Families
Since the Nobles are surrounded by such extravagant wealth in every concievable form, money itself has almost entirely lost value as a means of transaction between them. All that matters are the percieved prestige you posses and the exchange of favours. Favours can be almost anything from the smallest of things to lifedebts and most of them can be traded freely within this domain
Naturally down in the Valley things are a lot different. Regular old capitalism rules the day, although the gang activity is fairly high here. Some believe the gangs are merely pawns of the nobles above, that they influence them and pit them against each other for their amusement. Such thoughts however are better not spoken in public as the eyes and ears of the Nobility reach far and wide.
There are many different families, each ancient and prosperous in its own right.
Many portraits were circled over and marked. Whoever originally owned the book had done a hell of a lot of homework. Unfortunately, it made that book the hardest to parse.
Fixers and Offices
In essence, think of Fixer work as specialized, almost in the same vein as a spec ops group. The job of a Fixer is seen as an escape from a boring and dull lifestyle, since you get the chance to make a name for yourself and earn a large profit. Still, the life of a Fixer is filled with plenty of dangers. Not only do you run the risk of dying, but even large offices deal with syndicates and illicit organizations regularly, and strife between fixer offices isn't unheard of when dealing with interests of opposing parties.
Fixers are mostly a demand in the Backstreets, due to the high mortality rate and crime, but they appear in the Gardens and wealthier districts as well. Fixers often work as security for Corps, intel-gatherers, and hit men. The number of tasks and services providable are all-encompassing, but they mostly settle on similar hiring processes for consistency's sake.
Fixers work by signing contracts with their clients, this is proof of the deed done so that Associations or Offices can confirm that you did the work. Otherwise you won't get paid for it, completed contracts means more recognition for a Fixer's career, which will rise them through the ranks.
Due to the nature of Fixer work, social bonding isn't typically common. Seeing a dead colleague who was once your friend ends up messing up your focus and drags you through depression. As a result, veteran Fixers often focus on the task at hand, pushing away any sentimental thoughts. But while it's generally looked upon, it isn't unheard of for love to bloom on the battlefield. Who knows, if you join our office - you might just find the one! Bwahahaha!
...As a Fixer, you're bound to the Office or Association you work for, few if any have the chance to perform free-lance work, as every machination is tightly bound by contracts to offices and corporations, involving some that deal exclusively with forming said contracts - and the citadel, who uses its mysterious sorceries in order to tighten their grip in exchange for commissions with the higher grade offices.
To become a Fixer, one must obtain a "Fixer License" from the Association. To get the license, you'll have to meet the physical and mental requirements. After that, you should join one of the Offices. You can also strike out and take jobs on your own, but your very unlikely to make headway, as having the reputation of an Office boosts your chances for jobs considerably.
As Luthien flipped through the book's pages and scanned the intel diligently, something suddenly fell from one of the mercenary guide's pages. It was a photograph, however old, it didn't show its age at all. 12 people were crammed in one picture, some grinning and goofing around, others looked more stern, a few were panicking and trying to keep everything in order.
Surprisingly, Marc was something around the middle/right of the picture, kneeling while a tall blonde lady pinned him down in a painful-looking hammerlock, laughing while the poor man tried to keep it together. The picture was even signed with a buncha names and small notes. A large one scrawled over the photo too, witht he same golden ink the book was signed with.
Welcome to the club kiddo.
"Hm? Page turners, aren't they?" Marc's voice suddenly mused, riiiight behind Luthien.
-
Lily
Lily inched closer to him as he put the menu in front of them, they were a couple as far as she was concerned and she wouldn't shy from displaying her affection for him. She made of a point of finding the order he had recommended on the menu and decided on her course of action next. "I'll have the Jiu gong ge, extra spicy. And I'd love some sake too, I'm gonna be really hot once I get start digging in, and I wouldn't want my passion to consume you."
"Let's not make this a drinking contest though, I'd hate to see you under the table already on our first date Master~" She was still clinging to him even though they had finished looking at the menu. Lily hadn't been on a date like this in a long long time and it was getting kinda exciting, enough for her to already consider to sweep his past actions under the rug.
Vega
"All right, it will be here shortly." The waitress bowed and stepped off to the kitchens. Back to Vega, he was absolutely enjoying himself, and the close contact was just the cherry on the top. "Haha, not happening dear. I've yet to see someone who's kept up by the eighth bottle." He chortled with smug satisfaction, inviting the challenge boldly. No, more than arrogance it was confidence, and that kind of confidence was the drive for him to follow up his words with actions.
He followed up with a kiss, full of the brim with passion, not too long nor too short - enough to convey his feelings earnestly. When he broke off, his hand clasped with hers.
"I want more... so much more. This world is just too small for me. And yet, desire seeks eternity. Seeks deep, deep eternity..." His eyes narrowed, but his smile grew. "I've long grown tired of baubles, but you intrigue me. I want to learn more about you." His fingers locked with hers lovingly. "But I am no selfish man. Why not play a game to learn more about eachother? Hrm... yes, feel free to ask me any question you like, any at all. I will return with an answer, and a question of my own. And lying is strictly off the table, ufufu."
-
Lily
Lily blinked and touched her lips where he had so brazenly kissed her, that was unexpected. This man was just filled to the brim with passion, but that wasn't a bad thing. No on the contrary that was her favorite kind of man. "Have you ever thought about obtaining power thar actually matches that ego of yours?"
Seriously, claiming that the world was too small for him when he wasn't even top dog. It was admirable but also pitiful. This man was either a complete moron or someone worthy of her attention. But it all depended on his answer now. She grinned as she anticipated his response, both outcomes would be satisfying in their own way. Was he a fool? Or did he understand the true only thing that truly mattered? The redhead was eagerly awaiting his response, so much so that the restaurant around them faded away to nothingness in her mind.
-
Vega
If he ever genuinely looked surprised, this was about as close as it got. But even his wide eyes soon washed off to reveal a smooth smile. It wasn't just his lips curling up, but his whole expression. Perhaps, even his soul.
"I am." Not a thought, not a hope, not even a dream. Fleeting beauty like that will burn to nothing before decisive actions. An answer like this only needed the slightest pause for dramatic effect, he didn't even hesitate to state that fact.
Such was his nature after all. Nature, that meant he didn't even need to reflect on something like this. For a man like him, no matter how high, there was nothing but the climb that mattered. To gain, to grab, to grasp, with the unwillingness to let go of anything. Everything he did was for that goal.
There was nothing but the climb.
"Why do you think I came all this way?"
-
The Great Riverways
The great divide was once a greater mass of water, cutting across the entire city with no hope of crossing it. Legends say that the former 'Devil of all Seas', Megicula, still lies dormant within the depths of the gash. With her curses, she caused men, women and children around nearby villages to swell-up like balloons and twist inside out, until beasts of water emerged to drown out the lands. Some even gained a mind of their own, and kept themselves hidden. Others bid their time and reemerged over the years as powerful sea beasts, causing disasters and mutations to those unfortunate enough to be touched by their poisonous waters. Even now, some claim to follow the fallen demon's will.
But that can't be so. Even one of the four would never reemerge once drawing out the true ire of the Chief of all Chiefs. The legendary battle was of such scale, it twisted and warped the great divide itself. Now, another scar runs across the Nexus. A line drawn from a single punch.
A punchline.
Noble Families
Since the Nobles are surrounded by such extravagant wealth in every concievable form, money itself has almost entirely lost value as a means of transaction between them. All that matters are the percieved prestige you posses and the exchange of favours. Favours can be almost anything from the smallest of things to lifedebts and most of them can be traded freely within this domain
Naturally down in the Valley things are a lot different. Regular old capitalism rules the day, although the gang activity is fairly high here. Some believe the gangs are merely pawns of the nobles above, that they influence them and pit them against each other for their amusement. Such thoughts however are better not spoken in public as the eyes and ears of the Nobility reach far and wide.
There are many different families, each ancient and prosperous in its own right.
Many portraits were circled over and marked. Whoever originally owned the book had done a hell of a lot of homework. Unfortunately, it made that book the hardest to parse.
Fixers and Offices
In essence, think of Fixer work as specialized, almost in the same vein as a spec ops group. The job of a Fixer is seen as an escape from a boring and dull lifestyle, since you get the chance to make a name for yourself and earn a large profit. Still, the life of a Fixer is filled with plenty of dangers. Not only do you run the risk of dying, but even large offices deal with syndicates and illicit organizations regularly, and strife between fixer offices isn't unheard of when dealing with interests of opposing parties.
Fixers are mostly a demand in the Backstreets, due to the high mortality rate and crime, but they appear in the Gardens and wealthier districts as well. Fixers often work as security for Corps, intel-gatherers, and hit men. The number of tasks and services providable are all-encompassing, but they mostly settle on similar hiring processes for consistency's sake.
Fixers work by signing contracts with their clients, this is proof of the deed done so that Associations or Offices can confirm that you did the work. Otherwise you won't get paid for it, completed contracts means more recognition for a Fixer's career, which will rise them through the ranks.
Due to the nature of Fixer work, social bonding isn't typically common. Seeing a dead colleague who was once your friend ends up messing up your focus and drags you through depression. As a result, veteran Fixers often focus on the task at hand, pushing away any sentimental thoughts. But while it's generally looked upon, it isn't unheard of for love to bloom on the battlefield. Who knows, if you join our office - you might just find the one! Bwahahaha!
...As a Fixer, you're bound to the Office or Association you work for, few if any have the chance to perform free-lance work, as every machination is tightly bound by contracts to offices and corporations, involving some that deal exclusively with forming said contracts - and the citadel, who uses its mysterious sorceries in order to tighten their grip in exchange for commissions with the higher grade offices.
To become a Fixer, one must obtain a "Fixer License" from the Association. To get the license, you'll have to meet the physical and mental requirements. After that, you should join one of the Offices. You can also strike out and take jobs on your own, but your very unlikely to make headway, as having the reputation of an Office boosts your chances for jobs considerably.
As Luthien flipped through the book's pages and scanned the intel diligently, something suddenly fell from one of the mercenary guide's pages. It was a photograph, however old, it didn't show its age at all. 12 people were crammed in one picture, some grinning and goofing around, others looked more stern, a few were panicking and trying to keep everything in order.
Surprisingly, Marc was something around the middle/right of the picture, kneeling while a tall blonde lady pinned him down in a painful-looking hammerlock, laughing while the poor man tried to keep it together. The picture was even signed with a buncha names and small notes. A large one scrawled over the photo too, witht he same golden ink the book was signed with.
Welcome to the club kiddo.
"Hm? Page turners, aren't they?" Marc's voice suddenly mused, riiiight behind Luthien.
Luthien
The brown elf held the three books up in shadow tendrils, rapidly turning the pages faster than any human would be able to read. Her eyes darted back and forth between the three manuscripts with almost machine precision.
Lu shrugged. "Not really, but learning about the human world is part of the mission my mother gave me. The information in them is interesting enough, I suppose." She turned to look at him. Her ears fluttered as she engaged in eye contact with the tall human man. She had to crane her neck to look up at his face.
"Would it be rude to ask you about the picture? It looks like you were having a pretty good time."
-
Vega
If he ever genuinely looked surprised, this was about as close as it got. But even his wide eyes soon washed off to reveal a smooth smile. It wasn't just his lips curling up, but his whole expression. Perhaps, even his soul.
"I am." Not a thought, not a hope, not even a dream. Fleeting beauty like that will burn to nothing before decisive actions. An answer like this only needed the slightest pause for dramatic effect, he didn't even hesitate to state that fact.
Such was his nature after all. Nature, that meant he didn't even need to reflect on something like this. For a man like him, no matter how high, there was nothing but the climb that mattered. To gain, to grab, to grasp, with the unwillingness to let go of anything. Everything he did was for that goal.
There was nothing but the climb.
"Why do you think I came all this way?"
Lily
"Because you were dazzled by my radiance and now you want to charm me... few men would pay so much for a girl and then just take them out for dinner." The comforting heat spiked, she had liked his answer and it was further proven by the way her tail was happily swaying behind her.
"But you've barely made any advances either. Do you actually want to fuck me, or did you hire me for a different reason?" While her gaze was inquisitive, her tone was more accusatory. It was kind of strange, a few months ago she would have been relieved by this treatment, but now she felt somewhat offended by his lacking want for her.
-
Vega
"Yes, you're quite radiant!" He booped her teasingly with his nose, and if he had a tail, it'd probably be wagging happily too. You didn't even need eyes to tell just how joyful her answer made him. "Ah, but that's not the only reason. Humans are complex little things, our wants and desires are often as free and branched as the rivers. It would make you happy, no? If I were to take you with all my passion here and now? Alas... it would make me happy too. And if I were to blindly chase happiness without enjoying the little things, I wouldn't find joy."
His eyes narrowed when he said that last word, even as he smiled. "The labor we delight in physics pain, a friend told me that. I think... as long as I act in a steadfast manner towards my aims, I can enjoy the little pleasures and skip over the burdens before me." He reached for Lily's hand sincerely.
"See, I want for us to have a long, fruitful friendship. Because I can tell there are things you want too. Should we not help each other? I seek something any man does. Joy, my friend. And the only thing that'll give that to me is victory."
That is why he was here. That was also why she was here.
"I had a feeling if I paid enough, I'd have an audience with a demon of some status. Someone who could look at me with honesty and courage. That's why I feel comfortable being honest in turn. If I were to beg for power, or some unnatural contract, the power wouldn't come for myself... it'd be worthless. But if someone with some form of strength and skill were to aid me... to nurture me... why, I would be quite elated! Haha."
He toyed with his hair coyly.
"Would you know such a person? I figure even a prostitute has her fair share of connections. And if my hunch isn't mistaken, I feel that someone I seek is closer to me than one might think."
-
Marc
"...Yeah, I sure did. Nice find by the way, didn't think I kept it there." He smiled with a small sigh and picked it up - even if just looking at that made him feel kind of old. No, maybe his eyes looked old when put next to that. Didn't people know better than to snoop? Nah, actually, he shouldn't blame her too hard for looking at his embarrassing pictures. If he cared so much, he'd have done a better job putting them somewhere else.
Mission though... hm, well, his hunch was right after all. He put a hand on his hip and pouted casually.
"I figured as much. Well, even if you're a homunculus, it's not like most of the information you'd get here is all that unique. I'm just a washed-up martial artist slash mercenary." He smiled a little when he said that. "But you're pretty cute. I figured even if it's for someone else's sake, I don't mind lending a hand. Besides, I might have an idea of who your mother is now."
He stretched a bit. "So what do you want to know? Humans are a pretty broad subject, I don't think some lecture will cut it."
-
Vega
"Yes, you're quite radiant!" He booped her teasingly with his nose, and if he had a tail, it'd probably be wagging happily too. You didn't even need eyes to tell just how joyful her answer made him. "Ah, but that's not the only reason. Humans are complex little things, our wants and desires are often as free and branched as the rivers. It would make you happy, no? If I were to take you with all my passion here and now? Alas... it would make me happy too. And if I were to blindly chase happiness without enjoying the little things, I wouldn't find joy."
His eyes narrowed when he said that last word, even as he smiled. "The labor we delight in physics pain, a friend told me that. I think... as long as I act in a steadfast manner towards my aims, I can enjoy the little pleasures and skip over the burdens before me." He reached for Lily's hand sincerely.
"See, I want for us to have a long, fruitful friendship. Because I can tell there are things you want too. Should we not help each other? I seek something any man does. Joy, my friend. And the only thing that'll give that to me is victory."
That is why he was here. That was also why she was here.
"I had a feeling if I paid enough, I'd have an audience with a demon of some status. Someone who could look at me with honesty and courage. That's why I feel comfortable being honest in turn. If I were to beg for power, or some unnatural contract, the power wouldn't come for myself... it'd be worthless. But if someone with some form of strength and skill were to aid me... to nurture me... why, I would be quite elated! Haha."
He toyed with his hair coyly.
"Would you know such a person? I figure even a prostitute has her fair share of connections. And if my hunch isn't mistaken, I feel that someone I seek is closer to me than one might think."
Lily
"You can stop with he impute hand holding if you you truly wish for my aid..." Lily responded as she quickly pulled her hand back. The audacity to hold her so intimately, in such a mundane fashion, it was insulting. Playing up the romantic side of this when he paid for her services was nothing short of farcical, and she would laugh at him were she not contractually obliged to treat him with respect.
"I hate people who dally and are coy with their words. You clearly have observed that I move like someone used to fighting and you are correct in your guess-" Lily moved closed the final distance between them as she spoke, and finally claimed the most comfy seat in this restaurant, his lap.
"I dare say my skill with blades is second to none among my sister. I can probably teach you a thing or two on how to decisively finish of a man after you get up close on them.."
-
Vega
"Oh... I quite like your hands though... they're soft and pretty. For this, I will have vengeance." He pouted as she sat on his lap, looking quite disappointed. Immeasurably so. And despite that, there was some relief - as if he was glad he didn't have to worry so much about keeping face.
"And make no mistake, I am not playing coy. To be honest, the implication makes me upset. My mother taught me a nobleman should present his words as freely as his wealth, for language is a sign of pedigree and pride. But... you have a point, running my mouth all day is quite tiring." Luckily, the sake soon came to parch his tired chords. He downed the first cup surprisingly quickly, with the eagerness of old emperors swallowing their last poison.
Since her hands were apparently off-limits, and the tail was a no-go, he leaned over and enjoyed more of the comfortable warmth.
"Affection, playful words, ambition... who cares really? I simply wish to continue living as myself and follow my desires. Right now, I want to enjoy a scalding meal with a demon princess. Tomorrow, I want to gain more power. After that..."
He shrugged like he wasn't sure himself. Maybe he didn't think about it yet. "I have to wonder though, what do you want? It's hard to believe someone as strong as you would need Elizabeth's services all that much. If the things I've heard are true, you have enough skill to carve your own path, you could easily create your own faction stronger than the great five. So why the servile act?"
-
Lily
"Oh and where have you heard those things? Perhaps I'm just a little demon princess with a fancy for slashing.." Lily's darted out to fill his cup with more sake before wrapping itself around the cup. The heat from the drink made the redhead gasp as the pleasurable feeling surged through her. Even so, she raised it up for him so that he may drink without any work. After all she was here to pamper him.
"And don't presume I need her serviced, her place simply serves as the optimal place for me to act out without having to worry about appearances, and if I occasionally have to pamper cute lads like you, then that's acceptable. I do like trating good boys to a drink and you've been good right?" And what a treatment he was about to be given, once the spicy food arrived her heat would get real intense, well if he could withstand that without squeeling like a pig then she would consider him for some special tutoring.
-
Vega
"That I can't say, client privilege and all - though it's cute to see you honest about where you stand." He patted the little demon like the smol bean she was. She admitted she was tiny, she absolutely did, and he'd have no greater pleasure than rub it in.
Buut he raised an eyebrow at the second half. "Though to be honest, hearing good boy coming from you sounds like a threat. You wouldn't be thinking up some nefarious plot, would you?" He took the cup from her tail himself, after all while he liked being pampered, he could drink his own ale - and sipping from someone else's hand was simply unacceptable to him.
-
Lily
Now that her her tail was free from the burden of pampering him, it quickly twirled around and grasped a cup for her. Without even looking at the drinks she poured her own cup and brought it around to down it in a single gulp. It simply wouldn't do to fall behind on the drinking, that's why she quickly poured a second cup and downed thar as well. All go this she did with a vi fident grin.
"All we Demons do are nefarious plots. As for this one, I was thinking about whether or you not you liked being stepped on, few would acquire someone like me unless they have a fine taste for femdom, although you seem more like type who gets off on domination reversal. Perhaps you intend to have me show you my true prowess tomorrow, so that you may overcome me at my greatest hehe..."
-
Marc
"...Yeah, I sure did. Nice find by the way, didn't think I kept it there." He smiled with a small sigh and picked it up - even if just looking at that made him feel kind of old. No, maybe his eyes looked old when put next to that. Didn't people know better than to snoop? Nah, actually, he shouldn't blame her too hard for looking at his embarrassing pictures. If he cared so much, he'd have done a better job putting them somewhere else.
Mission though... hm, well, his hunch was right after all. He put a hand on his hip and pouted casually.
"I figured as much. Well, even if you're a homunculus, it's not like most of the information you'd get here is all that unique. I'm just a washed-up martial artist slash mercenary." He smiled a little when he said that. "But you're pretty cute. I figured even if it's for someone else's sake, I don't mind lending a hand. Besides, I might have an idea of who your mother is now."
He stretched a bit. "So what do you want to know? Humans are a pretty broad subject, I don't think some lecture will cut it."
Luthien
Luthien furrowed her brow and scowled. She shook her head rapidly and fluttered her ears in a clear show of annoyance. With a clenched fist, she turned towards Marc and then stood on her toes so she could look at him directly in the eye.
"I'm not a homonculus. I'm a person, the same as you, fully flesh and blood."
-
Marc
"Oh. Sorry maa'm." He looked down like a scolded kid, as far as apologies went it didn't get much more genuine. "The stunt you pulled there was pretty similar to some combat models I faced a few times, so I thought it might have some connection. My bad for assuming, seriously."
He slacked uncomfortably for a bit. "Soooo... vodka, wine, rhum, gin or sake?"
-
Marc
"Oh. Sorry maa'm." He looked down like a scolded kid, as far as apologies went it didn't get much more genuine. "The stunt you pulled there was pretty similar to some combat models I faced a few times, so I thought it might have some connection. My bad for assuming, seriously."
He slacked uncomfortably for a bit. "Soooo... vodka, wine, rhum, gin or sake?"
Luthien
"Well, you should be. Just because I wasn't born from my mother's womb doesn't make me any less of a person." She made a hmmphy pout, then flipped her purple hair in an exxagerated manner. It was obvious she was just being a bit of a tsundere, and while she was mad, that she'd accepted his apology. "A homonculus is a tool to be used, while I'm an elven lady with my own autonomy and worth. Confusing the two is a pretty big deal."
"Wine, please. I'll have to enlighten you to traditional elven spirits."
-
Vega
"Ah, my tastes... they're a bit embarrassing actually, it's kind of vexing." He looked away with a tiny blush. "I like to think my tastes are pretty normal for my age though..." He toyed a bit with his hair, grinning like a kid on a date - before gulping down another shot of sake. If she thought he was going to lag behind, she was sorely mistaken, and he'd show her just how serious he was about this whole thing.
And speaking of which, the timing was just perfect. The waitress soon came to the table with the massive platter carried along with a cart, a blood-red concoction practically still boiling with 100 spices, each more intense than the last. Looking at the seafood and vegetables sunken into the deep crimson oils, their fragrance was nearly as striking as its appearance. It was as if they were looking at a bunch of food simmering in a volcano!
Vega's eyes turned all kinds of starry, and he genuinely jumped up in a bit of excitement, holding himself still by the knees.
"Uwaaaaa~! It's the especially spicy deluxe Jiu Gon Ge hot pot! Simmered with a base of specially selected organic spices, grown specifically for their tangy undertones and deep intense spiciness! Even a small local restaurant like this became known in the underworld for creating such a dish, its spicyness is downright brutal!"
It looked and smelled like a fiery death, the murder of 10 000 incinerated young fish. It was lovely.
...He soon composed himself, coughing aloofly before looking away at the opposite direction.
"Um, if you want, you can have the first bite. I'll feel bad if I hog the whole flavor of this legendary dish. I will not be told I am not generous."
He was practically salivating.
-
Luthien
"Well, you should be. Just because I wasn't born from my mother's womb doesn't make me any less of a person." She made a hmmphy pout, then flipped her purple hair in an exxagerated manner. It was obvious she was just being a bit of a tsundere, and while she was mad, that she'd accepted his apology. "A homonculus is a tool to be used, while I'm an elven lady with my own autonomy and worth. Confusing the two is a pretty big deal."
"Wine, please. I'll have to enlighten you to traditional elven spirits."
Marc
Marc already had two bottles in each hand, tightly clasped, and squatted down to assert dominance, bottles raised in the air. "AW YEEEEEEAHHH!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!"
He couched discreetly to the side, as excited as a kid on Christmas and barely trying to contain it, only slightly.
"Ahem, I mean, that'd be lovely! Oui oui!"
Wait, no. He had to bring the big guns for this. He quickly darted to the side of the kitchen and came back with something big. Somethign thick. Something humongous.
(https://i.imgur.com/G4WeNQt.jpg)
"I'll let you know I'm a professional alcoholic."
-
Marc
Marc already had two bottles in each hand, tightly clasped, and squatted down to assert dominance, bottles raised in the air. "AW YEEEEEEAHHH!! LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!"
He couched discreetly to the side, as excited as a kid on Christmas and barely trying to contain it, only slightly.
"Ahem, I mean, that'd be lovely! Oui oui!"
Wait, no. He had to bring the big guns for this. He quickly darted to the side of the kitchen and came back with something big. Somethign thick. Something humongous.
(https://i.imgur.com/G4WeNQt.jpg)
"I'll let you know I'm a professional alcoholic."
Luthien
Luthien cocked her head, staring unblinkingly at him with an inscrutable upwards curling of her lip. She reached down and slid a finger into the back of her panties, pulling the fabric out of her crack and readjusting her junk.
Then she giggled. "You're a bit of a dork, aren't you Marc?"
Then, with blinding speed, she made a swipe for the bottle, unwilling to lose to him in anything!
-
Vega
"Ah, my tastes... they're a bit embarrassing actually, it's kind of vexing." He looked away with a tiny blush. "I like to think my tastes are pretty normal for my age though..." He toyed a bit with his hair, grinning like a kid on a date - before gulping down another shot of sake. If she thought he was going to lag behind, she was sorely mistaken, and he'd show her just how serious he was about this whole thing.
And speaking of which, the timing was just perfect. The waitress soon came to the table with the massive platter carried along with a cart, a blood-red concoction practically still boiling with 100 spices, each more intense than the last. Looking at the seafood and vegetables sunken into the deep crimson oils, their fragrance was nearly as striking as its appearance. It was as if they were looking at a bunch of food simmering in a volcano!
Vega's eyes turned all kinds of starry, and he genuinely jumped up in a bit of excitement, holding himself still by the knees.
"Uwaaaaa~! It's the especially spicy deluxe Jiu Gon Ge hot pot! Simmered with a base of specially selected organic spices, grown specifically for their tangy undertones and deep intense spiciness! Even a small local restaurant like this became known in the underworld for creating such a dish, its spicyness is downright brutal!"
It looked and smelled like a fiery death, the murder of 10 000 incinerated young fish. It was lovely.
...He soon composed himself, coughing aloofly before looking away at the opposite direction.
"Um, if you want, you can have the first bite. I'll feel bad if I hog the whole flavor of this legendary dish. I will not be told I am not generous."
He was practically salivating.
Lily
"There's something missing." The redhead looked upon the served dish with abject disappointment even though she took his suggestion to heart and went for the first bite.
She was correct, there was indeed something missing here.
"You really think this is especially spicy? It's just a regular meal."
She'd just taken a bite into the volcanic pit of destruction without hesitation, and nothing had happened. Not on the first bite that was, she gulped down some more sake in between going for more. That's when her warning came true.
With each bite their seat got hotter and hotter, all her doing of course. She wiggled atop his lap as her engines got going. It wouldn't be wrong to say that she was grinding her fat butt against him, because that's exactly what she was doing. The more she ate and the more she drank the shorter her breath got and the warmer her body became.
"There's nothing embrassing about liking something this refreshing!" She was beaming in joy, it was definitely the happiest she'd hecer been in his company.
-
Vega
His joyful expression mirrored Lily's, this might just be one of the few times he was genuinely happy. After all, he hardly ever got to come to this place as of late, and never really got to share a meal with anyone - let alone his favorite dish. Even if the heat was starting to crawl back up and the grinding was quite scandalous, he didn't mind at all.
"Now now, are you implying what I think you're implying?" He started digging in as well, greedily taking a bite after another from the scalding hot-pot from hell with an elated expression. To those around them, it looked like two demons feasting on some kind of hellish cadaver from the underworld, feasting on its fiery remains.
"Are there, *munch* spicier foods out there? *gulp* Well then, I wouldn't mind you cooking for me." The rise in temperature wasn't nothing, but he didn't mind at all - still... it was enough to push him to taking those extra shots of sake himself. This only got his own body to grow hotter. He took a spoonful of the broth this time, drinking it avidly. "Uwaah, sho good..."
-
Lily
"Oh so that's your angle, you wanna stuff me so hard I get fat. And then you'll void the deal by saying I'm not attractive enough. Jokes on you we Succubi only put on where it counts. All of this spicy mix will go right to my thicc butt and make it even juicier." That was a total lie, no amount of eating could ever hope to replicate her gains.
Of course she was still enthusiastically grinding on his lap, eating more only made her more excited. "But you're right about one thing, the food I make is even spicier tha this. No one serves food that hot so I had to learn to cook, I guess as your girlfriend as should take the opportunity to cook for you."
-
Luthien
Luthien cocked her head, staring unblinkingly at him with an inscrutable upwards curling of her lip. She reached down and slid a finger into the back of her panties, pulling the fabric out of her crack and readjusting her junk.
Then she giggled. "You're a bit of a dork, aren't you Marc?"
Then, with blinding speed, she made a swipe for the bottle, unwilling to lose to him in anything!
Marc
"Huh? What could possibly put that idea in your coconut?" Marc stood on his toes and loomed over the purplehead, grinning like a kid before tossing the bottle up aloofly. He caught it and moved it away nimbly. "Woah woah, life in the city isn't a race, trying to be numero uno's just going to get your hands full of trouble. If you want my advice, you're best sticking to the flow and enjoy the little things. You never know when they can slip off your hand."
That's when he tossed her the humongous bottle her way.
"Oops."
-
Lily
"Oh so that's your angle, you wanna stuff me so hard I get fat. And then you'll void the deal by saying I'm not attractive enough. Jokes on you we Succubi only put on where it counts. All of this spicy mix will go right to my thicc butt and make it even juicier." That was a total lie, no amount of eating could ever hope to replicate her gains.
Of course she was still enthusiastically grinding on his lap, eating more only made her more excited. "But you're right about one thing, the food I make is even spicier tha this. No one serves food that hot so I had to learn to cook, I guess as your girlfriend as should take the opportunity to cook for you."
Vega
"Oho! Please, you.. mhh... are making me sound... like quite the villain." He dragged a mouthful of spicy food with his chopsticks, playfully going along. "I may not have been born a noble, but as part of the council, I ought to represent my peers with some respect to our creed. The sanctity of a contract is a stronger bond than any faith, I wouldn't besmirch it with such a scheme."
With that said, it was quite the predicament. His body was starting to heat up, and it made him feel feelings most vexing. If he thought he'd want to kiss her that badly, he'd have thought up a different spot. He wanted this moment to continue, to hold her a bit longer, to love and be loved in turn. But he held it back, tormenting himself over the desire he couldn't - mustn't fulfill.
How he yearned to show his true self.
"I'd very much like to try it sometime." His smile was as pure as the sun, while his voice was soft and sweet as flowing honey. "And you called me your boyfriend just now, haha! Oh, my dear friend Lily. I thought something so scandalous would upset me, but instead I feel joy. How odd. Would you call me that more?"
-
Marc
"Huh? What could possibly put that idea in your coconut?" Marc stood on his toes and loomed over the purplehead, grinning like a kid before tossing the bottle up aloofly. He caught it and moved it away nimbly. "Woah woah, life in the city isn't a race, trying to be numero uno's just going to get your hands full of trouble. If you want my advice, you're best sticking to the flow and enjoy the little things. You never know when they can slip off your hand."
That's when he tossed her the humongous bottle her way.
"Oops."
Luthien
Perhaps to Marc's dismay, Luthien grabbed it with the blinding speed and grace which typified all of her movements. A gentle sheen of the heat held within covered her body in glistening sweat. It didn't seem to bother her, though. She popped the cork off and brought the oversized bottle to her mouth, swallowing gulp after gulp without any seeming intent of stopping. Plus, the booze rushed down her chin and covered her full mounts with sticky alcohol.
Once she finished drinking half the bottle, she tossed it back at Marc, a small shadowling corking the bottle. She swayed with a lazy grin and a half slouch. "Hic!"
-
Marc
"Bro...hic" He rubbed the back of his head, half shocked half fascinated. He reached for his pocket to get another flask, looked at it, shrugged -
And started gulping it down greedily too himself. A few glugs later, he emptied it completely. "Woooooooooooooo! So, the elven alcohol... still interested to learn! Pleeease? Please please please please please please please please!!"
He looked at her like a cute puppy.
-
Luthien
"Bro?" Her eyelashes fluttered in interest and confusion. The term was fascinating...
"Later, uh, bro." She replied, wiping off the liqour from her chest. "I don't have anything on me, so we'd have to go home."
Luthien then soumersaulted over Marc and landed on the counter behind him in a sitting position. She crossed her shapely legs and leaned back, propping herself up with a lazy grin. "So tell me about you. What exactly do you do, other than being really strong and a wiley fighter?"
-
Marc
"Woah." He took a gulp from another nearby bottle. "You're asking the big questions now." And another one. "Pwah..." There was a small, suspenseful silence. Not because he had to think too hard, but because he wasn't going to NOT be a little dramatic when he was already... how many drinks in? Not like he counted.
"Well, like you saw on that book, I started off as a mercenary in a PMC for a few years. Me and my team mostly dealt in security, and I did a few odd jobs here and there, mostly contracted work here in pine garden. One of our big jobs was actually dealing with the fallout of a big disaster that nearly wiped off this district off the map, believe it or not! I dare say I was a pretty kickass and famous guy." He took a chair and offered it to Lulu, before grabbing one and helping himself.
"Well, some things led to others, and the job didn't really work out. After the blight, a lot of the old fixers moved to other fields or retired, and most of our members went MIA or ended up doing their own thing. As for me, a washed-out grade 9 fixer - through and through. Now I'm what you call an aspiring entrepreneur working in a booming economy. I manage a good handful of local businesses, and those I don't, I keep regular communication with."
-
Luthien
"Ohhhh?" The elf hummed out with a serious, somber tone as her mind whirred. "So basically, you're a small time mobster then." Luthien grinned. "One who wants to move up in that world? Or perhaps you were just being modest?"
She rapped her fingers against the fine wood of the bar. "Curious..."
-
Marc
"Eh? What gave you such a terribe, terrible idea? Do I look like some kind of bad guy?" He raised an eyebrow, bemused by her answer if anything.
-
Luthien
"I mean, isn't that all relative?" Luthien grinned. The temperature of the room began to raise as she got excited. Her internal furnace pounded inside her chest with a lively passion. "If people's lives are getting better, does it matter of you profit off it?"
Then, the elf hopped up, and poked Marc's forehead.
-
Marc
He blinked a bit when she poked him with those sudden words, but all it drew was a cool accepting sigh. "Hmm, hm. I suppose so, you won't find a place in this city that doesn't profit off someone in one way or another. If you disagree, well... chances are you're being exploited yourself. It is what it is."
He poured another drink, this time in a cup so he could offer it to Lu before helping himself. "Pwah... that's the stuff. Anyways, the point is I'm a perfectly normal business all things considered. I mean, I've never harvested anyone's kidneys, turned elvenfolk in the flesh markets, bombed nursing homes or any of the crazy shenanigans some of the... other flavorful entrepreneurs find profit in nowdays. Honestly, that stuff never sat right with me, code of chivalry and all. But the city's the city. Even Yamada's gotten tired of policing everyone and everything, not that I blame him. Last thing I need is to deal with some madman wannabe trying to become the next God in our list."
He raised a toast to her.
"Which, luckily for me, means the insurance and security market's ripe with all sorts of jobs. At least enough to provide for a sizeable team, with benefits and job protection included. You'd fit right in, honestly. You've got the muscle to do a lot of good in this part of town."
-
Marc
He blinked a bit when she poked him with those sudden words, but all it drew was a cool accepting sigh. "Hmm, hm. I suppose so, you won't find a place in this city that doesn't profit off someone in one way or another. If you disagree, well... chances are you're being exploited yourself. It is what it is."
He poured another drink, this time in a cup so he could offer it to Lu before helping himself. "Pwah... that's the stuff. Anyways, the point is I'm a perfectly normal business all things considered. I mean, I've never harvested anyone's kidneys, turned elvenfolk in the flesh markets, bombed nursing homes or any of the crazy shenanigans some of the... other flavorful entrepreneurs find profit in nowdays. Honestly, that stuff never sat right with me, code of chivalry and all. But the city's the city. Even Yamada's gotten tired of policing everyone and everything, not that I blame him. Last thing I need is to deal with some madman wannabe trying to become the next God in our list."
He raised a toast to her.
"Which, luckily for me, means the insurance and security market's ripe with all sorts of jobs. At least enough to provide for a sizeable team, with benefits and job protection included. You'd fit right in, honestly. You've got the muscle to do a lot of good in this part of town."
Luthien
Luthien tipped her glass with a gentle clink. The young elf wore a boozey half-smile. "Hehe. I hope you're telling the truth about that, Marc. Because I'm really starting to like you~" Luthien winked in a definitively adult manner. "What sort of compensation are you offering? I reckon I must be a pretty valuable find in the-ahem-security field."
-
Marc
"You could say that." He pointed a suave finger at her and winked, before laying back and twirling his nice cool glass. "Money, mainly. A stable, profitable income with benefits, vacation and full compensation. Connections and networking, with the opportunity to make a name for yourself. A place to belong to. Friends for when you need them. You'll be provided your own lodging, tools and vehicles to represent our company."
He leaned forward a bit and smiled welcomingly.
"My secretary makes a mean turkey-ham sandwitch."
-
Luthien
The tanned elf crossed her shapely legs in an attempt to be seductive. Instead, she hiccuped, and glowed with the brilliance of the sun for a moment in embarrasment. "Ahem–that all sounds very nice. I'm actually out here to do some networking for my mother. To make connections, as well as to find myself within the walls of this city." Lu flicked the tips of her ears with some degree of interest.
She leaned in and smiled. "If that would be acceptable, I'd have to say this young elf is interested."
-
Vega
"Oho! Please, you.. mhh... are making me sound... like quite the villain." He dragged a mouthful of spicy food with his chopsticks, playfully going along. "I may not have been born a noble, but as part of the council, I ought to represent my peers with some respect to our creed. The sanctity of a contract is a stronger bond than any faith, I wouldn't besmirch it with such a scheme."
With that said, it was quite the predicament. His body was starting to heat up, and it made him feel feelings most vexing. If he thought he'd want to kiss her that badly, he'd have thought up a different spot. He wanted this moment to continue, to hold her a bit longer, to love and be loved in turn. But he held it back, tormenting himself over the desire he couldn't - mustn't fulfill.
How he yearned to show his true self.
"I'd very much like to try it sometime." His smile was as pure as the sun, while his voice was soft and sweet as flowing honey. "And you called me your boyfriend just now, haha! Oh, my dear friend Lily. I thought something so scandalous would upset me, but instead I feel joy. How odd. Would you call me that more?"
Nanako
After a quick wash to clean off the blood and viscera, Nanako still wasn't feeling clear. Fortunately, she had a much surer thing for clearing her head. That was how she'd wound up in this Pine Garden restaurant, ordering the biggest bowl of mapo tofu they had.
As she looked around the seated patrons, the squirrel girl did a double take as she spotted Lily, then looked over to her companion. He seemed really familiar, but she couldn't quite place his face. The hair, however...
Vega too? Wonder what they're doing here...
Upon closer observation, however, it turned out to be markedly obvious. A smile played out on the squirrel girl's face as her tail swished faster behind her. It didn't take long for her mapo tofu to arrive, her ears perking up at the scent wafting from the bowl as she carried it over to their table.
"An eating contest, huh?" the squirrel girl sat down next to them, pulling an unoccupied chair over with her tail, "Hope ya don't mind if I join in."
-
Lily
"Master, if I called you that too much I'd be spoiling you tehe-" She did however snuggle closer, and she did let up on grinding her butt on his crotch as she noticed the squirrel girl sit down next to them and proclaim that she too wanted to join this eating challenge.
"Look girl, you may throw a mean punch. But I'm part Elemental Succubus, and this guy here is so focused hes had me humping him for the past 15 minutes and he hasn't even popped a boner once, what chance do you think you have of beating either of us huh?" She didn't want to deal with sending this knuckleheaded girl to the hospital in the middle of their date.
"Are you that mad I knocked you out with a pebble?"
-
Vega
Vega shrugged, far too focused on ingesting every last inch of the spicy concoction and sweating like an intense inferno - despite all that he seemed utterly unphased, and didn't show any pain at all. In fact, he looked like he enjoyed it.
"Oh, it's you. Sur- wait, a *pebble*? Pffffffffffffffft! I.. pfftt... pfftwahahahahahah! Oh my god, oh god! Really? Is that true Lily? My... ohohohohoho! A pebble. A pebble! I just, I... hahahahaha!" He rubbed his temple and snuggled with the smol demon, but if anything it was more of a distraction to keep himself from guffawing any harder at the squirrel-girl. The alcohol may have helped a bit, his mood was exuberantly great. But why wouldn't it be? "Sure, sure. Aaah, gosh, just imagining it made my day. You're paying for your meal though, this isn't a charity."
A pebble.
And that's when a daint finger trailed down her back with a pleasurable stroke - almost touching her tail's base, but trailing around the thin line where the back ended and the appendage started. "Now then... who exactly do you think you are? I can sing my own praises just fine missus, but if you talk on my behalf again I will tie you up and hang you upside down the tower whence you came. And that is an irrevocable promise." He said that with unmistakeable affection, to the point it didn't sound like a reproach at all - but an excuse to spank her thick butt right in front of everyone.
Its not even like it was beneath him. Any who dealt with him long enough knew he tended to be quite eccentric when it came to his pleasures. He gulped down another shot of sake greedily and laughed. "Ahhh, life is too short to bore yourself with restraint. Wouldn't you agree, friend Nanako?"
-
Luthien
The tanned elf crossed her shapely legs in an attempt to be seductive. Instead, she hiccuped, and glowed with the brilliance of the sun for a moment in embarrasment. "Ahem–that all sounds very nice. I'm actually out here to do some networking for my mother. To make connections, as well as to find myself within the walls of this city." Lu flicked the tips of her ears with some degree of interest.
She leaned in and smiled. "If that would be acceptable, I'd have to say this young elf is interested."
Marc
"Of course it's acceptable, you silly goose! And don't sweat it, I figured it had to do with something like that." He took a friendly swing down his drink and grinned amiably, before folding his hands together in front of his face. He was deep in thought for a moment.
"However, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like a small favor in exchange. It's no biggie, but I'd like to meet that person you speak of so much. Would you let me see her today? I'd like her blessing to proceed with this business transaction."
-
Nanako
The squirrel girl gave Lily a strange look when she brought up a thing about a pebble, thinking back for a moment before figuring it didn't really matter much whether that had happened or not. Not with Vega laughing up a storm about it.
"I don't see any pebbles around here, just our spoons," Nanako shot back, "And we're using them to eat, so let's see how this goes."
"And yeah, of course I'm paying my own way here," the squirrel girl continued, turning to Vega, "I came here for a competition, not charity, so come on!"
With that, she started on the bowl of mapo tofu soon as they started with their dishes.
-
Marc
"Of course it's acceptable, you silly goose! And don't sweat it, I figured it had to do with something like that." He took a friendly swing down his drink and grinned amiably, before folding his hands together in front of his face. He was deep in thought for a moment.
"However, if you wouldn't mind, I'd like a small favor in exchange. It's no biggie, but I'd like to meet that person you speak of so much. Would you let me see her today? I'd like her blessing to proceed with this business transaction."
Luthien
Luthien's ears trembled with mirth; she began to laugh at Marc's demand. "Heh. Hehehe—I'll see what I can do. You're acting like I can just order her around. I believe she's busy right now, but I can promise that your proposals will at least get heard." Luthien replied with a wink and a cheeky stuck-out tongue.
She stretched her arms out and cracked her knuckles. "Whether she agrees depends both on what you can offer and what sort of impression you make."
-
Lily
The rising heat was the best indicator that his teasing affected her, more so than her attempt at a composed look. A look that was then completely ruined by how happily her tail swishing. "You know who I am master, I will continue to speak my mind no matter what and if I think you deserve praise then I will praise you. And I'll keep praising you no matter how harshly you punish me. Now be a good boyfriend and kick her butt!"
She turned her attention to Nanako and eyed her quickly. "A competition has bets, what are you even bringing to the table? You aren't that smart, I guess you're strong and you got a smoking bod, but you're nowhere near as hot as me of course~"
-
Luthien
Luthien's ears trembled with mirth; she began to laugh at Marc's demand. "Heh. Hehehe—I'll see what I can do. You're acting like I can just order her around. I believe she's busy right now, but I can promise that your proposals will at least get heard." Luthien replied with a wink and a cheeky stuck-out tongue.
She stretched her arms out and cracked her knuckles. "Whether she agrees depends both on what you can offer and what sort of impression you make."
Marc
"Ah, then I better try to look the part of a reliable handsome devil..." He rubbed his temple. "Hey, since you know her, you must have a bit of advice! Sooo... I'm all ears!" He hopped right next to her with his chair glued to his butt, and sat riiight next to her.
-
Vega
His beauteous eyebrow twitched at the challenge. Wordlessly, he leaned closer to the massive bowl and ate spoonful after spoonful of the hotpot. Elegantly, silently, but with no mistake, he picked up the pace and started eating - looking at Nanako right in the eye the whole time.
The intensity of his look was like a pair of searing stars.
He started eating even faster
-
Nanako
Nanako's eyes were drawn to Vega's as he stared at her. Whatever Lily said just then faded away as she found herself drawn in by the man's silent challenge. Without a word, Nanako answered in kind, downing spoonful after spoonful of mapo tofu. She matched him spoonful for spoonful, the spice burning at her in ways she hadn't enjoyed in a while, each mouthful encouraging her on to the next.
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Lily
Sigh.
"You two are like children, fuck the spoon, and fuck table manners. If you want to win you have to assert your dominance, like this."
She didn't even fill her bowl, no she did something far more shrewd, something simple mortals like them would never in a million years think off...
She cast away the notions of eating from a bowl and just grabbed the burning hot pot filled with the even hotter sauce, turned it upside down and dumped all of it, every single drop down her mouth.
It was oh so simple and that's why it was so delightfully devilish.
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Vega
But something stopped him, or someone rather. He stared incredulously as she grabbed the entire bowl, with shellfish included, and ingested the entire hellish concoction. His mouth gaped open, and for a moment, he stared wide in disbelief.
"Excuse me?"
He was paralyzed for a moment. When he spoke, it was without the usual candor. If Lily was warm and brazen, his tone was cold enough to chill.
"I misjudged you, I apologize. To think you'd be so bold... how putrid." Without caring for her body sitting on his lap, he got up with a disgusted expression and even took a towel to wipe whatever filth would be caught on his hands. "Manners are everything. And whatever power is gained by forfeiting aesthetics is no strength at all, but the brute expression of a mad beast. Mother would never stand for such a thing."
He wiped his hand and shook his head in disapprovel. "I'll have to think on what manner to make you pay for this. But know that vengeance will be mine."
And that's when his expression turned brighter. He looked at her tail, this time with affection. He smiled. "But congratulations on the victory nonetheless. Now, where shall we head?"
-
Nanako
Driven as Nanako was in the competition, even she had a double-take as Lily chose the most direct solution and downed the whole hotpot in one go. The squirrel girl paused with another spoonful of mapo tofu halfway to her mouth for a long moment, then went back to eating. Already, she found herself thinking about what the Elemental might lay out for her stakes on the contest.
The squirrel girl's tail swished lazily behind her as Vega switched from scolding to praise again, and her curiosity was piqued all the same.
"Welp, certainly one way to win," Nanako admitted, "Guess I owe you something too, if ya don't mind me sticking around."
-
Lily
"Ohoho.." Lily haughtiness peaked as she was dropped by her current master, such simple movement couldn't make her fall though and she landed on her feet. More importantly his inexperience was flaring up in a rather worrisome manner and ut fell on her to educate in the ways in which he had gone wrong.
"It seems you still have much to learn master, if you cannot find the ephemeral beauty in the lives of beasts, then can truly claim to be a connoisseur of it?"
The redhead was completely spotless, not a single drop of the hot pot had been spilt not was there even any need for her to clean herself. It was elegance worthy of the finest of families, yet it was displayed in such a shocking manner.
"True strength is knowing how and when to surpass the little box society has placed on us, and in doing so soar free like the birds." Her own tail swisher behind her now that she was no longer seated and it was matching the pace of Nanako's, creating a symphony that told her that she hadn't forgotten about her.
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Vega
Vega looked at the burning daemon intently and his eyes fluttered for a bit. Were they the words she spoke, or was it the way her elegant form carried herself, uncared and unburdened by her surroundings? For a second, a mere moment, his world was challenged by an outsider. It was naught but a sickening sensation that made him retch to the core.
"I see. I'll... keep your words in mind."
To soar free like a bird, there would be no greater beauty. The man smiled and nodded, even if her point of view had been so contrary to the beliefs he spoke of - the one's mother ingrained into him - he felt like he could be forgiven.
Haha, goodness me. It seems I have much to learn.
He never cared how much he had to dirty his own hands. From assassinations to underhanded jobs, he did everything to survive and thrive. To grow and mature into a more perfect self. There was only one act that still perturbed him at the time, a kill dealt for no reason at all.
And yet, her words resonated with his heart at the time. Like the dear friend he met a month back, it made him feel like everything was alright. For his own sake, anything was alright. Like when Lily talked about her past feats, his expression and manhood showed the closest thing to true, genuine joy he'd ever shown.
"I think hiring you may be the best decision I've made yet." He then turned to the curious beastgirl from then. "But oh my, I must admit I'm curious as well. Since it is my dear girlfriend that turned out victor, even I'm not sure what she'll claim." He then turned his gaze back to Lily, expectantly perhaps. But mostly with curiosity and fascination, and a feeling he couldn't quite describe yet.
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Nanako
Nanako finished off the last bits of her mapo tofu as Lily said her piece and Vega took it in. It seemed obvious to her, the benefits to living freely, but she supposed she couldn't blame him for not getting it. She'd probably had entirely different experiences from the man, in that regard. Well, it wasn't really her place to tell him to embrace one or the other, he could make that decision for himself watching them.
"Hm, even you don't know? How exciting~" Nanako smirked, popping up out of her seat to join them, tail swishing excitedly behind her before she noticed Lily's tail doing the same. Moving on a whimsical impulse, the squirrel girl's fluffy tail suddenly struck out, tangling up with the little Elemental's new tail as she gave the redhead a curious look, anticipation already building with everything she'd said.
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Lily
"What I want is si-ah!"
As she took a step closer towards her master, a wonderful fluffiness wrapped around her tail. Pleasure shot up her spine and she stumbled right onto Nanako, her flat to the floor stopped by her sturdy frame which she leaned against for support. The fur was exquisite and it felt so much better than just having a hand stroke her tail.
It was more than she was ready for all of a sudden. But getting so close to her would let Nanako feel the full brunt of the addicting heat she emanated, the warmth mixed in with her Succubi attraction aura to create a feeling akin to finding a heated cabin in the middle of a snowstorm. The longer they stayed like this, the more appealing the redhead would become to Nanako.
"I've decided, you, I want you. If you barge in out date then you'll just have to help me entertain Master."
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Vega
"Hm. Very well, I'll allow it." He put a finger to his chin as if he had to think about what to do, but the truth was... his mind was already made ten minutes ago. With a dramatic snap of his fingers, he stepped forth - grabbing both their waists boldly as he began to step out of the restaurant. His curves almost seemed to pop out of his clothes, even next to the two new companions. But the devil's warmth was his to enjoy, he'd keep grabbing it greedily until his bones turned to coal.
A sly look turned to Nanako, shimmering like the stars. "Ah, I'll let you know though, the cat ears..."
The doors to the massive clothes shop were opened with fantastic glamour as if he had waited for the entire (albeit short) walk just to deliver on the punchline.
"Are non-negotiable!"
It was a fantastic establishment, practically a castle, with crystal and silver lining its cool interior. It was perfectly air-conditioned. Too well.
Vega was clasping his shoulders theatrically, shivering with teeth chattering. "So how about we heat up the place a bit?" He was playing it quite cool for a man who looked like he'd get a chill.
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Nanako
Nanako giggled as Lily was cut off and stumbled, before swallowing hard as the little succubus pressed against her. The heat and the chill left her wanting more and more, an arm coming around to pull Lily tight against her. Before she could get a solid grip, however, Vega stepped in, smoothly placing himself between them, the squirrel girl's curves on one side, Lily on the other. Stranger still was what he said.
"Cat ears?" the squirrel girl perked up, squirrel ears wiggling curiously.
"What do you mean non-negotiable?" she asked, now that he'd finally deigned to finish his sentence, pointing to her head, "Ear space is at a premium already."
Still, the silver and crystal castle of a clothing shop was interesting to say the least. Nice and brisk, though a bit strange for a clothing shop. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but she was already looking through whatever she could see from here.
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Lily
Lily's waist was thinner all around than Nanako's, an obvious result of the height difference, the other girl was more than half a head taller after all. But even so it was just as toned and muscular as the Squirrel girl's. Most of her body was firm like that though, with the exception of her ass and thighs.
An order was an order though and the redhead wasn't about to disobey her master. Well some things were crossing the line though so she would only follow one of the orders now. Doing anything more would both be morally wrong and absolutely overworking a small girl like herself. The Blazing hells above would have to lend their aid.
Thus she confidently stomped down on the ground and set the air alight with her power. Her essence spread across the room and heated everything, no matter how good the air conditioning, this building was turning into a sauna and not even the magical interference from the Squirell Girl would stop her, for she wasn't the target, the air was.
"Let's cut right past this bullshit Master, if you wanted to see cat ears you'd just get a fucking Catgirl. They're pretty cheap around here. And our little Squirrel here made me really worked up, so unless you want me to bury your whole damn career I'm not doing this. I'm not changing into anything cute for you now, fuck that. What you really want to beat Vanilla isn't it? That's the real reason you hired a Succubus right? Well guess what, to do that I need you to beat her up. She's a similar type of fighter, so she's the perfect test dummy for you."
-
Vega
The smoldering aura swooped over his hair like a hot blowing wind, and if he were surprised at all, he'd probably show it. Unfortunately he wasn't all that surprised, he just watched over his expensive watch with a relaxed expression. "Wow, you really don't want to wear cat ears huh?" He was utterly unflinching, and he put his hand on his curved hips sassily as he shook his head. As hot as that girl was, his heart was as cold as ice. Her way of speaking was anything but beautiful, and if she thought her argument would melt through him... well, he'd wish her the best of luck.
He smiled like a demon.
"Unfortunately, you're only half right. I told you, people are complex. Humans are perfectly capable of wanting more than one singular thing. Now quit whining and put on the kitty costume." His eyes were practically burning like red suns when he said that.
Then he rubbed the back of his head, boyishly confused.
"Anyways, wouldn't you be a better match? I've watched some camera footage of your fights, if you and that woman were engines, I'd rate you around the same when it comes to physical specs. Miss Squirrel there is... uh, don't mean to be rude here... well, have you ever seen a drunken gorilla strapped to a rocket?"
Honestly, he only saw it once. It's the closest thing he could think of, really!
-
Nanako
Nanako blinked in the face of all the heat Lily was putting out, quite enjoying the sudden warmth after the brisk chill of the air-conditioning. She zipped over next to Lily she as spoke, on the other of her from Vega, and looked over the cat suit curiously. When the topic of fighting came up, she looked between the two, then frowned at Vega when she found herself compared to a gorilla on a rocket. Then she thought about it for a moment, grimacing a little as she realized a lot of her fights did come with some heavy collateral damage, after all. Even so, there were some things that just shouldn't be said.
"Hmph, well that was pretty rude, all the same," Nanako shot back with a pout, tail swishing rapidly behind her as she crossed her arms under her chest, inadvertently framing her chest with arms as she locked eyes with the blonde, "So what are you gonna do to make up for it? You gonna fight, or are you gonna try and stick cat ears on us?"
Come to think of it, wonder if this place has catsuits. Those skin-tight ones.
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Lily
"Such determination,I love it, that means you're up for this challenge. Now pas it and I'll gladly put on your kitty stuff and meow for you myaster~"
Lily stepped up next to Nanako with her own tail swishing in tune with the other girl. And she didn't need to frame her assets for them to be on display, the skin tight suit made sure that all of them were on display. Her aura was flaring up again too, not the heat but the demonic allure that would be sure to ensnare these two deeper and deeper the more time they spent with her.
Then with a flick of her wrist a sheathed Nodachi was tossed to Vega, it was as tall as Lily and as beautifully crafted as the most exquisite blade Vega would have ever seen, no even more so. These materials simply didn't exist in the Nexus. "Pull it out all the way without succumbing and you win."
-
Vega
"Hehe, you really want to kill me. How fuuuun ~ <3" He cracked his knuckles and stretched his neck with a smug smile, eyeing Lily intently - then focusing his gaze at the ornate blade. Its craftmanship was marvelous. He observed every detail with curiosity, fascination, and a childlike wonder. Of course, his eyes soon narrowed. This was so simple, so innocent, so convenient. It must haver been some sort of devilish trap. But could it really be a trap As the thought ran through his mind, he couldn't help but chuckle slightly. But slowly, gradually, the small laughter grew and grew, until it became a burning beacon, a pyre of thunderous laughter that rang through the empty castle-like shop.
Yeah, definitely a trap.
"Hahahahaha! Lily, oh how I adore your deviousness. But if I couldn't do at least that much, I'd shame your precious pride as a daemon. I'll show you that there is no one else worthy of standing before you and the heavens. If you set your mind on something, even certainty will bend to a miracle!" He posed glamorously and snapped his fingers, the echo rang through all the halls of this castle-like shop with a beauteous melody. "But you knoooow.... I truly hate being ordered around. Just because a prize is deliciously tempting me, doesn't mean I'll just bite the bait like some fish."
He put his finger on his chin and looked down, as if absorbed in some thought. But alas, his answer came as natural as ever, with a soft laughter that rang like the most gorgeous of bells. "If I vanquish you so thoroughly you won't be able to stand, I'll give you no choice but to use that blade against me. That is the one solution to your trial."
It was an insane answer, but her question was insane to begin with. No, in the first place, no one in this room was truly sane in the first place. And with a sly smile, he first pointed at Nanako.
"But first, I do owe our friend here at least some attention. Fine, fine... I'll fight her first - after that, It'll be your turn. Lily."
He never said he refused the first trial in the first place. He just said that to tease the beast! But now... there was no turning back!
-
Nanako
As Lily's aura pressed in on Nanako more, the squirrel girl sidled closer to the little demon, her tail swishing a little faster with excitement. The reunion of their tails was inevitable, really, the squirrel girl's wrapping around the demon's tail and entangling it in that fluffy warmth just as the spade tail wrapped around the squirrel girl's tail, binding tightly against the fluffiness like warm slik ropes. For a moment, Nanako imagined being bound tightly by it, the sinuous length wrapped tight enough to squeeze and leave her short of breath.
She shivered quietly as she watched Vega examine the sword, laughing as he teased Lily and she wondered what he was playing at. For that matter, why hand him the sword, anyway?
Still, those concerns were quickly banished as Vega to go along with her earlier offer to fight her instead. She gave Vega a curious look, tail still entangled with Lily's for a moment, before starting to pull away with clear reluctance.
"Oh? You sure you want to be fighting a gorilla strapped to a rocket in these close quarters?" Nanako shot back with a pout, grabbing her jacket and tossing it away to leave her usual fighting outfit.
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Lily
"Hmpfh-" Lilyy stumbled a half step forward, her words choking in her mouth from the sensation of her poor being so viciously assaulted by floof once more. It was a cruel strategy but even so she wouldn't let it distract her from the impudent brat that was her master.
How dare he?
At least a small mercy was granted to her as the Squirrel girl threw away her jacket and revealed just how slutty her battle uniform. She could have been mistaken for the Succubi here even with how much skin she was showing.
"I see, for all your talk you're just a coward like all the rest Master."
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Vega
"Hahaha~ I just like seeing your face twist in all sorts of indignation. Don't take jokes so seriously you cute red devil~ <3" He blew her a kiss while skipping about the floor, walking with dramatic hops all around before coming up in front of Nanako, only a few meters away. "Well, I say that, but there are times when a man needs to take things a little seriously. It's not like challenges fall on deaf ears, you know?" He grinned with disarming friendliness, eyes closed shut with an adorable innocence.
"And I even took the trouble of renting the whole place out, so we can do whatever we want without being worried about interruptions." The moment he said that, he opened his azure eyes - and a small faint ember lit up. Frigid, like a hunger, restrained just enough one might miss it. There was an audible clack when he unbuckled his belt, and almost as if by some magic, the lights of the store started flickering and changing up - then focusing on them like some sort of arena. Suddenly, he whistled and tossed his pants back. A flick of his deft fingers unbuttoned his shirt, and without hesitation he flipped all garments back to reveal his glamorous body.
Curves of toned muscle, shaped like an effigy to mankind's honor. Even when bare to the brim, nay, because it laid bare - its beastly beauty was fully appreciable. The skin-tight fight boxers hardly contained anything, leaving Vega's entire being exposed to see.
"Let's have a fair match without holding back, okay~?"