janescayre | Duocaeli Inbox

[Far be it from V to denounce her choice of pets. This man has a demon cat, a rude bird, and a goopy golem as his three familiars. But it's her verbiage that really makes him wonder at her circumstances -- reviled. That's a lot to unpack in a single word; is that how the world looks upon her?

Is that one of the reasons for her, ah, demeanor? To be fair, she could simply be afraid of this large panther, for Shadow does strike an intimidating sight, even outside of battle. But for now, it's only docile, and shows enjoyment at getting all this attention!]

What, these?

[He holds up his hand, wiggling dark-marked fingers, depriving Shadow of one avenue of pets, but that's fine, because it has Fukawa to provide the rest, right?]

This is proof of our agreement. Our contract. So no, it isn't trained, more than it is... bound to me. Agreeing to listen to my commands.

That said, I doubt it would bite you otherwise! [V has no proof of this.]

Th-those are some famous last words...

[You could slap that on a headline real quick.

Still, she's easing into all this by fractions and slivers, which amass into slices. That is to say some of the trembling lessens and she's attempting to lightly scratch behind the ears. Her lower lip is being gnawed to ribbons though.]

I kn-knew you would be into some edgy crap, all tattooed up like that. [Not like she could accuse him of being a Yakuza, but the association is hard to shake. She'd never liked the bad boy aesthetic either, in real life or in books. Elegance was a far bigger draw, and a better bet at longevity in love.] After all the insanity I've seen I should have expected they were m-magical. Nothing is normal anymore.

[Case in point: a panther is nudging its head against her hands. She's forfeited the flowers in her lap. In spite of her sour words she's unable to help the niggling curiousity. It's not like she'd been a huge lover of animals or anything, they were sure to hate her just the same as people were. And she's never been invited over to someone's house socially, so her experience with other people's pets is negligible.

So it's...kind of soothing. And soft. And though her heart won't stop racing and she's sure to split her lip any second now, she's brushing the thick fur down atop his skull with a steady rhythm. She absorbs the finer details of Shadow's snout, the whiskers, the slow blink and heavy breath.

After a moment she turns her gaze back to V.]

...Is this how you p-pick up girls?

[The tattoos took the shape of their own upon garnering each contract. When he had obtained Nightmare, his final familiar, they had all but coiled and spread across his chest, arms, neck, back... Intricate and flourishing, but yes. A little edgy. It couldn't be helped; demons will be demons.

But V hardly minds it. It's quite a different look than his "whole" self, and perhaps that's a good thing. Better to differentiate, better to represent himself as something unique, like a diamond polished from the rough.]

Maybe magical is my normal.

[But he watches a little bit more as she pets Shadow. The panther very much enjoys the attention, the pets that become a bit more sincere in their effort, and V's smile widens.

But then he blinks at the question, eyebrows raising.]

What? [Shadow chuffs.] I don't know, you'd know that better than me. Is this the kind of thing that would work on you?

[Oh that earns him such a deadeyed stare.]

Well it's n-not mine.

[Stop flaunting your privilege V!

The fluster returns in much milder form this time around as she splutters.]

Of course not! [Oh, she'd stopped petting for a second. The panther is nudging her hand pointedly. Fukawa resumes her soothing work, much more diligent now, emboldened by the lack of teeth in her neck.] I'm not so easily s-swayed! Only the m-most brainless sluts would fall for such an obvious trap. I prefer — oh?

[He may never hear her preferences now. She's been distracted by the blossoms. In a sizeable circle around them, they've bloomed wide open, tilted towards the sun. It seemed even animal affection was enough to coax them open.]

Um. I g-guess we've got enough for the bees now...

[What a reply. It just amuses him, though gosh, it sure makes him wonder if his skill at "picking up girls" is lacking, whether purposefully or otherwise.]

Hm?

[He looks up and over at the blossoms, and his brows raise in surprise. They're wide open, facing the sunlight beaming above. His poetic side appreciates the sight, but he'll spare her the urge to spout a couplet or two.]

You're right. I guess that wasn't so bad after all, was it? You made two new friends in the process.

[YES HE'S COUNTING HIMSELF

If she wants to keep petting Shadow, he'll let her, of course. V will meander towards the blossoms and pluck a handful to lure the bees in.]

Grrhk—

[THE ABSOLUTE GALL OF THIS MAN.]

D-d-d-don't just sneak that in there last minute! This doesn't count!

[Though Fukawa will snag a few more blossoms for the job, mindful not to alarm Shadow on the way. She also steals a few more head scratches as she works, as this is likely her last shot at any. She's not so naïve as to believe she'll get permission twice.

Maybe someday, after a full year of completely contact free conversation and a few harrowing escapades (a regrettably common occurrence these days), they might know each other well enough to say they were tolerable acquaintances. Friendship is a deeper thing, forged in the fires of true strife and struggle, of souls laid bare before each other, every flaw and folly accepted, their thoughts intertwining, a bond eternal and incomparable.

Yes. To be a true friend to anyone is mostly impossible. It's a miracle Komaru could stand her long enough to call her one.

This "V" has another thing coming if he thinks he can just skip the queue and call dibs.]

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