!H8UfLAg.DQ 2011/07/20 (Wed) 05:47 No. 144011 ▼ File 131114085178.jpg - (267.17KB, 833x544 , prevenge.jpg)
“...maybe it wouldn't hurt to let them sleep a little longer.” you say, uncertain if it really counts as 'sleeping' when the state is induced by inhaling potentially-toxic substances.”
“Huh? Well, okay, Human.”
“Hey, kiddo? I don't wanna rush ya or nothin', but we're not getting' anywhere just standin' here, ya know?”
“Ah, right. Right. Okay, so...Medi? You coming?”
“Uh...o-okay!”
“So! Um, I would just like to say, as a preface, that I am alright, currently. Which is to say, what happened has not negatively impacted me in any long-term way that might...”
And so, the fool begins to ramble about what is certain to be yet another needlessly-convoluted justification of his idiocy, and the never-ending parade of incidents that make up what could loosely be called his 'life'.
The child listens carefully, of course, but her companion pays little more attention to it than is absolutely necessary, lest his overwhelming stupidity somehow manage to negatively affect her mental faculties. That he merits even that meager amount from her is something he should be grateful for, as far as she is concerned.
So grateful, in fact, that he should be more than willing to display his gratitude.
He need not take any drastic measures to so, of course.
She is, if nothing else, gracious.
Bowing and groveling before her while pledging his undying loyalty and devotion would be quite adequate.
And, were there any other ways in which he wished to display said loyalty and devotion...well, who would she be to refuse? Indeed, it would be nothing less than cruel for her to deny him such an opportunity.
For all the throngs of lowly beasts such as he, aimlessly blundering through their meaningless existences, what greater pleasure could there possibly be than to know your proper place in the order of things?
“...I kinda saw something shining in the alley, so I went and...”
Yet, it would appear he has yet to learn this particular lesson.
Why else would he subject her and, to a lesser degree, the beast-woman to this drivel?
An easily-distracted fool does something an easily-distracted fool would do?
What an earth-shattering revelation that is.
The only question is how the other two figure into this farcical monologue of his.
One stumbling upon him with the other, no doubt, most likely in such a way that there is some ridiculous misunderstanding that ultimately results in two or more parties engaging in fornication with each other.
How disgusting..
Their meat slapping together, coating one another in their fluids.
Eugh.
That they seemingly take pleasure in such revolting behavior is but a testament to what lowly creatures they truly are. Were they to only engage in such behaviors for reproductive purposes, she would almost concede the necessity of the act, but for recreation?
Why must such simple creatures insist on being so infuriatingly incomprehensible?
It is only out of sheer intellectual curiosity that she even ponders the reasons for such behavior. Nothing more, she assures herself.
She certainly has no interest in learning more of it. Certainly not.
Even if she were, she most assuredly would have no desire to actually witness to such debauchery.
Besides, she knows the best way to learn of anything is through first-hand experience, and the very notion of that?
It is so patently absurd, she would laugh, were that actually physically possible.
Laugh, or retch.
Perhaps one, then the other.
Even if she deigned to degrade herself in such a manner, it is not as if there were anyone worthy to-
“...and then there was another one of her, and she said she wanted to kill me...”
...what?
For a moment, she is not certain she heard the human correctly.
A quick check with the child, however, confirms that he had said what she thought he had.
Two of the bridge princess, one with a weapon, and the other expressing a desire to murder him.
Though she was listening more intently that her companion, the child is slower to fully grasp the human's words.
Little by little, though, the child's companion feels the sensation of dawning realization in her larger counterpart.
Though how the Celestial factors into the equation has yet to be explained, whatever else occurred is of little consequence in light of the single fact that now held precedence in their minds.
That woman was going to kill the human.
The human continues to ramble, offering excuses for the bridge guardian, as if it made even the slightest bit of difference.
So she possessed the desire to do it, but lacked the conviction to carry it out?
Pathetic.
It is no wonder she became what she is, if she is so indecisive in other aspects of her life.
It is purely on that principle alone that she feels anything towards that woman at all, at that moment.
What else would she possibly feel?
Anger? Whatever for?
Trying to kill that imbecile? The fool very nearly accomplishes that himself on a daily basis! It is of no consequence to her if someone else wishes to assist him in that endeavor!
It is not as if she has any attachment to the cretin. Hardly! His very existence is an abomination that she tolerates purely for the sake of the child. Were it not for her, she would not care in the least that someone wished to do him harm, nor that some harlot dare lay their filthy meat-hands upon him.
No. She is not bothered by that at all.
Not at all.
“...and then she pulled out that hammer, and the nails, and...”
Not. At. All.
She does not care.
She does not feel a thing.
Not about him.
Not about her.
Not about their little rendezvous in the alleyway.
Not at all.
In the event she were to feel something, it would not be because she was feeling it, but because of the child.
Yes, that is it. Their connection.
To see what she sees.
Hear what she hears.
Feel what she feels.
That is the only reason she feels even the slightest bit of animosity towards that woman draped upon the shoulders of the oni. It is not her feelings, but those of the child.
It is why she feels anything at all regarding that fool, either, after all.
An unfortunate side-effect of the connection they share, and nothing more.
What one feels, the other must feel. That is all it is.
As if such a creature as he could ever hope to endear himself to her!
Indeed,. This could be nothing but yet another result of their connection.
The child's feelings towards that woman for what she did, and attempted to do, are simply influencing her companion.
Oh, and what emotions they are!
Shock.
Anger..
Hatred.
They could kill her right now.
They know they can.
The poison is already in her system, just waiting for the order to begin their attack.
It would be so easy.
No one would even suspect anything was wrong until it was too late.
Too late for her, anyway.
It is only swift the intervention of the child's companion that the deplorable creature continues to draw breath.
Silently, the two of them converse, as they do from time to time.
The child is confused, unable to understand why her companion would stop her.
Why? Why should that woman be allowed to live?!
A fair question, she supposed.
The human had shown her trust, she repaid him with an attempt on his life.
That she was unsuccessful is irrelevant, she should die for even attempting such a thing.
That one should die.
That one should die.
That one should just DIE.
She couldn't agree more.
The child's confusion is not alleviated by this admission from her compatriot.
Why, then?
Why not kill her now?
Why not?
Why, it should be perfectly obvious.
Such a thing was beneath them.
That wretch, that pathetic creature that was felled so easily by their poison was now unconscious. Helpless. Completely unaware of what was happening, and utterly incapable of defending herself in any way.
No matter how grievous her transgression, to extinguish her life in such a manner would only degrade the two of them, lowering them to to such a level that they would be no better than even the lowliest dregs of humanity.
As dolls and youkai, to throw away their pride in such a manner would be nothing less than disgraceful.
...besides, would it not be preferable to make her suffer, first?
The child does not entirely understand, but her companion does not blame her.
She is young, after all, and still has much to learn of the world.
Even among the humans, there is an understanding of the finer points of revenge. It is not something to be done in the heat of the moment, but later, where your actions are dictated more by logic and reason than by raw impulse and emotion. Though seeking an immediate result may result in a more instant form of gratification, such fleeting feelings are nothing compared to the unbridled bliss and satisfaction that can be had, if only one were to take the time to do things properly.
Like the finest poison, vengeance should be subtle. Elegant. It should not be an act, but a process, slowly and methodically building towards a grand climax. Intentional, yet seemingly accidental. Premeditated, yet spontaneous. When you begin, they suspect nothing. Yet, by the end, there should be no doubt in their minds about what is happening to them, and why.
When the end finally comes for them, they should look up and be able to see nothing but your face staring down at them.
They will gasp. They will beg for help.
But, then, it will finally dawn upon them.
'It was you! You're the one!' they will think.
You will watch as the light fades from their eyes, and their body breathes its last breath.
And, in the end, you will be left with the satisfaction of knowing that, in their final moments, they finally understood the cost of crossing you.
And it will be good..
In fact, the only thing that could possibly feel better than such a thing as that would be-
“-di? Hey, Medi! We're here!”
“..h-huh? What?”
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“I said we're back at Satori's.” you repeat to your little friends, wondering just what they were spacing out over. You know your story of would-be murder wasn't exactly exciting, what with how much of it you spent either unconscious or incapacitated, but still! Then again, you suppose you should just be glad they didn't seem to do anything to Parsee beyond glare at her for a bit.
You find it rather surprising, actually. Perhaps you should praise her for being so mature and restrained a little later?
“So, kiddo, this gonna take long?” Yuugi suddenly asks, glancing uncertainly between the entryway of the palace and yourself.
“Um, I dunno. Maybe?” you answer, not entirely sure of what business you may have left to do before you depart. Make sure Rikako is okay and ready, of course. Thank Satori for her hospitality, obviously. ...something to eat wouldn't be such a bad idea, either. “Why, Yuugi? Don't you want to come in?”
“Heh! Ah, well, yeah.” the oni woman laughs, almost nervously. “Kinda.”
“Kinda?”
“Well, yeah, y'see, we don't really get along too well, the satori and us, y'know? So, yeah, I'll just stick right here 'till you're ready, 'kay?”
“...oh.”
“Hey! It's okay! I don't mind! 'Sides, I got the sleepin' princess to keep me company, here! She's actually kinda nice, like this!” Yuugi laughs again, clearly trying her best to not look as uncomfortable as she is.
“Well...” you say, wondering what you should do. If nothing else, you know you can't just dump Tenshi on the doorstep, and Satori may even have something to help bring her around. What of the others, though?
You don't know if you feel right just leaving Yuugi out there, Parsee or no Parsee, but you certainly don't want to force her to do something she doesn't want to do.
Maybe Medicine could help keep her company? Then again, there's something she needs to do, as well, isn't there?
Hmm...
[ ] Go in alone. This won't take long.
[ ] Go in with Medi. We gotta do what we gotta do.
[ ] Go in with everybody. Why the rush?
