janescayre | Duocaeli Inbox

[Victim is a stretch, considering how she'd more or less...attempted to tackle someone before they knew what was coming. But he doesn't need to know that.]

How c-could you not — [Though, actually? She doesn't recognize him, and she's fairly sure she's been here since the inception of this inter-galactic jaunt. Maybe he's a latecomer? She flushes even more deeply and stamps her feet.] Well — I'm n-not a mind-reader! As if I could guess what goes on in that swollen head of yours!

[HUFF HUFF.]

Besides! Any y-young girl would be wary, getting led off to secluded locations by a strange man! D-don't blame me for expecting the worst!

[Swollen head?]

Swollen head? [He echoes his own thoughts incredulously, though not without his grin leaving his face.] Just because you're embarrassed doesn't mean you need to take it out on me.

[He can't blame her for being wary, though there's something to be said about the way she jumps to conclusions.]

Let me assure you: I did not bring you here with any ill intent. I didn't know these blossoms had that... particular effect. Would you like to not utilize them at all, then? Just how intimate are we talking?

I'm not embarrassed!

[So speaks the living tomato.

Though Fukawa does cow considerably at the rebuking. Somehow the lack of outrage (mild disbelief at best) makes her feel sheepish, humiliation of a different sort turning her gut. Of course he wouldn't come out here with some ulterior motive. One, that's a long con to pull when you start off trying to catch bees. And two? If he had been planning to make amorous moves, he'd probably have aimed higher. Sought out someone with bigger boobs, or a face fit for better venues than radio.

You fucking idiot.

Her thumb is quickly caught between her teeth, and she can't meet his eye any longer as she gnaws it to a raw, nervous red.]

W-well... [God. Thinking back on it now?] I guess s-something like holding hands might work. If you c-can lower yourself enough to consider it.

[She's definitely embarrassed, and V watches as that embarrassment seems to churn in her mind, morphing into something a little more motifying.

Should he salvage this? He isn't sure what there is to salvage, other than easing her concerns.]

Lower myself?

[What verbiage. Does she not see who she's looking at? He is no Vergil any longer; this is a tall, lanky, pale, goth boy who might look like a stiff wind would knock him over.

He extends a hand.]

That's not a very kind way to talk about yourself. Here, take my hand.

[God. Not this pep-talk shit again. Her dour mood leaks back to the fore, complete with a mighty roll of her eyes.]

P-please. I've never said anything w-worse than what people already think.

[Really, she ought to be suspicious all over again, since he's so amenable to the idea. Yet she knows how these games play out. These cosmic forces adore nothing more than pushing touchy-feely bullshit on the unsuspecting. That had been true of her last multi-dimensional tenure, and it was doubly true of Avisle and Crane City.

Fukawa pulls her thumb free and wipes it dry on her skirt. Then thinks better of it the last second, passing the bug net from her clean hand to her sullied one and offers him the less objectionable palm. Her hand is small and needle-fingered, the tips cold as they clasp around his knuckles. Her gaze fails to meet his own, and she even steps slightly away. Keeping distance.

Again, he's not bad looking. Just, yeah. This isn't the man she wants. And he's rather lanky for his height, not even in the svelte, finely tuned manner Byakuya-sama was. He looked lordly in his trim-cut physique, while this guy—

She frowns.]

I don't even kn-know your name.

[Hesitance even when taking his hand. V even would've taken the sullied one; he's been objected to much worse than dirty hands in his time.

His own hand, fairly big since he's so tall, and long-fingered, seems to engulf hers. He curls his fingers around her own -- not too tight, and not too loosely as to suggest any kind of disdain.

I've never said anything w-worse than what people already think. He sure could take that sentence apart. But maybe there's a time and a place, and this young woman is practically a stranger to him, so he only offers an introduction instead. That seems... proper, right? For hand-holding.]

You can call me V. And what can I call you?

That's it? [Said with some serious side-eye. She should have guessed it'd be something ridiculous, between the get-up and the tattoos. This is a man who is angling for an image and angling hard.] It stands for something r-really plain, doesn't it? Vincent? Victor? Or are you m-more of a "Craig" and too embarrassed to admit it?

[This is going to be a long afternoon. She sighs and concedes defeat.]

Fukawa. [There's a beat. She hadn't planned what else to ask him. Conversation is not her strong suit.]

...What's with the cane?

[Manners aren't either.]

Oh, it does stand for something. [He looks amused.] But that's a secret. You'll have to earn that tidbit of information out of me.

[Which likely doesn't help his case of being ridiculous.]

Fukawa. It's nice to meet you. As for the cane... Isn't it obvious? I'm a very weak individual.

[He's not offended. He's accepted it. It's his whole Deal.]

Uuugh. [Heaven help her. Her eyes roll to the sky.] Fine, be cryptic. You're j-just a regular Rumpelstiltskin, aren't you?

[Is that a reference he'll get? Hard to say with these interdimensional crowds.]

Really? You expect me to accept that? In a game where everyone's been hand-selected by some s-sadistic cosmic force? [Fukawa shakes her head. Pull the other one why don't you.] Ha! I bet even if your body really is weak, you're secretly some kind of mind-reader, or you breathe ice wind, or you shoot laser beams out of your palms or some k-kind of shounen manga crap like that.

So which is it?

I don't think I have enough facial hair for that.

[Apparently, he does get the reference.

But then he shakes his head.]

You should believe it, because it's true. You asked about the cane, and I told you the truth. I use it because I have a weak constitution, and it's easier for me to get around with it.

[So there!]

But... you're right. Abilities are another story. If you must know, I can summon three familiars to my side.

[The way she perks up when he catches the reference is impossible to miss. Seriously? Sometimes she felt like she was swimming in a dead sea of sunken culture. Hardly anyone ever knew what she was talking about. Then there was Zagreus, who was kind and charming (and handsome) and yet chose to LARP a greek god 24/7 for some insane reason? Not even a notable god either, basically a footnote in the Dionysus origin myths! Disgraceful.

Yet even more shocking is the immediate concession.]

Huh? [Fukawa blinks at him, dumbfounded.] You...you j-just came out and admitted it? Just like that?

[No hesitation, no lies? No insistence that he was a humble and ordinary man?

HA! She lights up with a sudden smugness. Yes, indeed, she must be mastering the art of subterfuge. Perhaps even conversation itself! The forbidden realms of social graces are being revealed to her at last. After years of being rejected, of fumbling every verbal ball passed to her, being made a mockery of, she's finally learning how to seize the upper hand for herself!]

Well. Th-that's awfully forward of you. You should b-be careful who you share that kind of information with. You never know wh-what wretched things go on in the minds of those around you. [Yes, yes that's a very well-put word to the wise. She takes a moment to bask in her newfound sagely aura.] What kind of "familiars"? Is it like shikigami, or witches from Western Folklore?

Edited 2023-06-10 22:11 (UTC)

[V can at least understand references that don't border too close on... modern. Rumpelstiltskin and others of their ilk don't qualify, but don't ask him about, say, video games.

She seems pleased, though, to win that concession from him. V doesn't have the heart to say that it's no big secret, though he will frame his sentence along the same lines.]

That's true. But I would rather be honest and perhaps, if someone is feeling wretched, to know my full potential will keep them from acting... unwisely.

[He gives their arms a little swing, given that their hands are still laced together, and then turns. He walks forward, urging her closer to the plants in question. They'll still have to collect a few!]

My familiars are somewhat unique. They used to be nightmares, haunting someone for years and years. But they were eventually banished and had nowhere to go -- they would fade without someone to latch onto.

And so, I made a pact with them. And now we work as a team.

[Bless him for playing along.]

I suppose... [That's a strategy, certainly. It also banks on the target being legitimately afraid of your prowess, or being unable to use that information to plan a workaround. Well-informed is well-armed.

It's a good thing this place seems keener to make people snuggle than kill each other.

She scuttles along after him, happy to see that some of the flowers are creaking open. Her grip shifts on his hand, a touch more tight than before. Perhaps they needed to sell it better?]

Literal nightmares, huh? So, l-like capturing a yume no seirei. Th-though I'm guessing it's not just a bunch of wrinkly old men at your beck and call. [Curious. She's hardly an encyclopedia, her familiarity with world myth is expansive but not comprehensive. There isn't an example she can whip up of a witch specifically conjuring nightmares. Just demons working to their own devices.] Or m-maybe a mare, or s-some kind of jinn?

[He laughs, clearly amused at the very imagine. Griffon being called a wrinkly old man would set him off -- and that's so satisfying to think about.]

A demon is a demon. My world operates, maybe, on rules you aren't as familiar with. They may be nightmares, but their physical forms are just as deadly as if they weren't.

[He shrugs. He swings their hands again. The flowers open up a little more!]

Shadow is a large cat.

[""""cat""""]

[Her shoulders hitch at the laughter. She nearly snaps at him but he follows up quick, and it doesn't sound like it had been at her expense. Maybe. Mostly? Even her recent social victory doesn't inspire enough confidence to judge.

It'll have to slide for now.]

I g-guess. [Her mouth thins as she mulls the idea over.] So it's another p-parallel world, of sorts. Only some things in common. There's no supernatural bullshit like th-that where I'm from.

[Except Komaru would beg to differ. As would that occult idiot, but his testimony belonged in the trash.]

Though...fine, there might be gh-ghosts. But I still think that was some sort of fluke!

[Yet she still insisted on sharing the bed with Komaru. Just in case. The possibility had been enough to spook her.]

Cat? [""""cat?"""" She squints, immediately suspicious.] A nightmare cat. Does it have sabretooth fangs or something?

[Explain.]

[He catches the way she tenses. He wonders if it's like skating on thin ice, the idea of teasing her for any little thing -- if she'd take it the wrong way.]

Ghosts... You'll have to tell me that story sometime.

[Because it sure does sound like a story!

As for Shadow... Well, he could just say it's a large black panther, but where's the fun in that?]

Why don't I summon it and show you? You can even pet it if you like.

Edited (omg i'm SORRY for these edits rip) 2023-06-15 17:41 (UTC)

[Ugh. Fukawa rolls her eyes and stoops to gather a few of the flowers. At least three look good enough to pick now.]

There's n-not much to tell. Komaru probably just freaked out because she had to carry the Chairman's head. She came back to her senses just fine after that anyway.

[Said thoughtlessly, quickly, as if rehearsed several times in her head. It's the mantra she'd been repeating to get herself to sleep in the dark, though it works far less now that she knows it's possible here.

Oh how she despises the twists her tale has taken.]

P-pet it? [She looks up from her crouch, taken aback.] B-but I...uh.

[That same old flush creeps right back in. It's as if it never left.]

I don't know if it'll — um, does it scratch? Aren't most cats temperamental?

[She'd imagine that goes double for nightmare cats. Also how do you gracefully skirt around having never petted a cat in your life?]

Not much to tell...? I somehow doubt that.

[Sorry, ma'am but carrying WHOSE head? And why?

They'll come back to that.]

It listens to me. I promise you'll come to no harm.

[And this is the part where he usually would summon it unbidden, sending the trailing darkness of his tattoos down to the ground, so that inky black can bubble up and transform into Shadow.

...But he thinks that might give her a fright, and V isn't mean. So, he waits for her permission.]

Uh...

[Perhaps she shouldn't have said anything?

Luckily he skates past her gaffe, leaving her only with the queasy apprehension of whatever might be popping out of thin air.]

...

[She nibbles on her lip.]

...

[Can she trust him to keep a ghostly nightmare beast in check?]

...F-fine. But — if anything happens I'm logging out immediately!

Of course. A completely understandable reaction, but you'll find it won't be necessary.

[It's all the permission he needs. With his free hand, V points the tip of cane to the ground just beside them. The dark markings on his skin appear to move, twisting down his arm, and pooling at the spot where he indicates.

And from that darkness, a form rises. It coagulates into the shape of a large black panter with red eyes, tail swishing, head tilted up to take in its new surroundings. It looks at Fukawa with curiosity.]

Meet Shadow.

[Sounds a lot like, "Don't worry I won't hurt you."

Nevertheless, he has her rapt attention as he points the cane and his tattoos shift. As if pushing something out to the tips of his fingers. Not any kind of spell-casting she's seen before, and a curiously artistic one to boot. It almost makes her forgive the excessive ink.

And from all this razzle dazzle comes a form too big and too terrible to be tame.]

AAH!

[Fukawa forfeits his hand as she falls flat on her ass, staring down an apex predator with no glass and no railings to save her.]

Haaa, haaa— [oh god oh shit oh please. Her arm has flown up to shield her face, as if that might do any good.] Y-y-you liar! That's n-not a cat, that's a jungle cat!

I didn't lie! A cat's a cat.

[Shadow is just a very big cat.

It barely flicks an ear at her reaction. V has no choice but to let go as she fumbles away, and he shakes his head, smiling faintly.]

Looks can be deceiving. It might be a massive predator, yes, but it's tame unless you happen to be an enemy. And you're not, so try not to have a heart attack.

[Shadow decides to sit, mildly. V gently pats its head.]

See?

Lying by omission is st-still lying!

[Class trial rules, bro.

Her eyes follow his hand as it pats the enormous beast's head. Her shoulders have nearly melded to her ears, and she's crushing the stems of the few blossoms she's already picked.]

Th-this is absurd... [Her free hand scrapes through her scalp as she seethes, eyes wrenched shut.] The only pet I've ever had w-was my Kameko, and sh-she was a stinkbug...to think I have to leap straight to exotic animals, b-before even touching a kitten...

[grumble grumble hiss hiss, long groan.

At last she squeaks an eye open and reaches forth with the most reluctant hand. Aiming high, avoiding that formidable jaw.

She makes contact with the top of its head.]

eeee—

[HELP]

[He's from a different video game where such silly rules don't apply!]

You had a stinkbug as a-

[As a pet? But you know what, her valiant display of, ah, questionable courage cuts off his words when she makes a high-pitched noise that makes V screw up his face just a little. But the smile's still there.

Shadow doesn't so much as move, even if its ears flick back a little at the noise.]

Come now. You can do better than that.

[V reaches out and scratches under Shadow's chin. The large cat-demon tilts its head up, pressing a little more against Fukawa's hand, content.]

[I was going to be like THEY'RE NOT SILLY then i remembered it's a trial presided over by a psychotic robot bear.]

Yes! [Immediate and sharp. She shoots him a glare with gritted teeth.] K-Kameko was my friendsect! She was the only one who knew wh-what it was like to be completely reviled...

[Okay well Komaru and that lackadaisical woman both had given her a bit of a talking to, and she had conceded that Kameko was maybe sort of a regular bug who felt no connection to her, and that the world wasn't so cruel that her only friend had to be a bug. Still, she has to defend Kameko's honour here. It's the principal of the thing. She's a perfectly acceptable pet to have. Some people kept those giant hissing cockroaches around, so why not a lovely mild-mannered stinkbug?

Fond memories of her darling invertebrate aren't going to buoy her through this though. "Shadow" juts its head up against her palm and she squeaks anew, muscles seizing. V scratches beneath its chin, right close to that infernal mouth.

And yet, all it looks is content.

Gently, gutlessly, and with no small amount of trembling, Fukawa's hand moves as if ensorcelled. She strokes with the grain of the fur (she'd read about this much) and the beast chuffs. An ear flicks.]

Aah, uhm...

[She repeats the motion. The fur is forebodingly soft. Another stroke, more firmly than the first two.]

I-I-I, haha, ha...I've l-looked death in the face before, b-but. Um. [A crisp patina of sweat has beaded along her forehead, but goddammit she is trying.] Did you t-train him to be like some kind of pampered house pet, or does he listen to you because...

[She makes a fiddly gesture towards his tattoos. You know what she means.]

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