[For once, Tamamo doesn't look particularly energetic when Junpei comes calling. She'll open the door a sliver, noting who is on the other side, and then step to the side so he can enter.]
Well.
[Huffing a little, arms folded. She knows damn well what they need to discuss, but opts to start fussing instead]
[He enters the room, closing it behind them and already walking further without really knowing where he's trying to go.]
I've been a little busy. [The tone's dull though so it's...half-true, at least.] And after today I'm not sure any of us are going to have an easy time sleeping.
Of course not. Everyone will be busy screwing each other, instead.
[A little vulgar coming from her mouth, but she's not really here to play games, either. Every bit of her is displeased, mouth thinned into a line and her tails twitching with irritation]
Even I couldn't have foreseen this... To think Polly-san really did manage to summon sex demons, and pushy ones at that. I'd have her head if she weren't already on the other side.
You'd have to wait for me to be finished with her. [It's calmly said, but also he's still in a mode where he'd absolutely kill Polly himself if he could. Somehow, his feet lead him straight to the bed and instead of laying on his back he sits on the edge of it.]
We're in a pretty bad situation suddenly. [Also calmly said, but his expression is twisted into something like irritation and a bit of worry.] We need to figure out a plan to stay ahead of the things she unleashed.
[... Ah, yes. She sombers quickly, and her worried gaze follows Junpei all the way to the bed]
... I've made plans to help Wei Wuxian with talismans later. Ideally, this would help us isolate areas and keep the demons at bay, but it's impossible to know if we'll be successful.
[There's no point in getting his hopes up, so Tamamo keeps her voice even and pragmatic, even as she ghosts closer to the bed]
It... does not please me to admit it, but for now, our best course of action is to find partners.
I've been talking to him, too. You're better at this kind of stuff than I am, so you'll stand a better chance of succeeding when you look at it that way. [Helpful, isn't it? But he sounds equally pragmatic. This is kind of bad all around.
...but he's looking at his knees then.] Partners. Right. [...ahhhh.] Multiple, just to be safe. [AHHHH but louder.]
Thus, while he's mumbling to himself, ladylike discretion goes out the window and she bodyslams onto the bed, probably knocking him over in the process.
[Snapping that over her shoulder as she stares at him, and indeed, all three of her tails cock back and forth like she's part cat]
All of this fuck or die nonsense! Hmph, do I look like someone who is used to banging on someone else's schedule??
[Yanking the nearest pillow to herself and thrusting her chin upon it, voice still sour and moody]
On top of that, Master is clearly unhappy and there's nothing I can do about it! Carlos-san was sent to the void, and you have a lady love back at home!
[He has a lot to say to that, but he's watching Tamamo flick her tails irritatedly and he's stuck on a Carlos loop and yeah, sure, a banging schedule really sucks, but probably the thing about it is....he goes quiet and stares blankly at the ceiling while she burrows her face in the pillow next to him.]
...he told you about her, huh? [It's a bad scenario all around, but he's not surprised, really, that Carlos said anything about Akane. He sounds more tired than anything.]
[...it's a long, lingering pause before he starts off slowly and quietly.]
Her name's Akane Kurashiki. And she's beautiful. [Just to throw that out there, and it's maybe the softest he's been since he got into the game.] And...she's my fiancée. She and Carlos were my teammates back home when we were playing the Decision Game, and he's right, she'd probably kill both of us if we don't find a way back.
[He'll start with that, at least, though there's a moment he looks apologetic, too.] I should have told you sooner. Sorry about that.
Not in a way Junpei would understand, she assumes, and it's why she keeps her gaze steady and unreadable, to spare him from her thoughts. He doesn't need to know how lucky of a man he is, that there is someone waiting for him -- someone who loves him. The very thing that she would give her entire being to find, even as her wish continues to elude her.
Those things don't matter in the end. A contract was made between them; she need only remind herself of that]
I'm not angry, if that's what you fear. [Sighing into the pillow, her cheek now pressed into it] You're my Master while you're here, and once you return home, you will be hers again.
[Glancing away from him]
I suppose I will have to promise this Akane-san that I'll return you in one piece as well.
[There's a loud, derisive noise at that, or maybe it's only loud in the context of it's more audible than his words. There's a scowl on his face and he shakes his head a bit.]
That's still debatable. [Oh?] Akane is...very focused on her goals, and even when we get back convincing her to let me come along is going to take even more effort. It took me a year to even find her after she ditched us, and then I lost her again when we came here.
[There's a sigh.] She's not the type to quit when she's on a mission, so that means sacrificing anything to get her way. Including me.
[And yet even from the way he says it, despite the thick bitterness rolling off of his tongue, he loves her. It's too hard to hide that after being here a week and missing her more than usual.]
... Well, I can't criticize her when I'm mostly the same.
[Ditching anything and everything that gets in the way of a goal? Tamamo snorts herself, it's so very familiar to her ears. The only difference is her goals include love, she supposes, and turns her head away from Junpei entirely, staring at the wall]
If she's willing to kill for you, then she loves you. Take comfort in that.
[Even if the manner might be more a cat enjoying its favorite toy, well... even in that, Tamamo can't criticize]
I know you are, why do you think I agreed to our contract? [Hm.] I told you I was going to take this seriously because we both have things that we want. Even if the things we want don't always want us right away.
[He's well aware that Akane loves him, at least, but he's also cautious because he remembers certain events.]
...if our roles were reversed, Akane wouldn't think twice about sleeping with people to survive. She'll understand. That's not the part I'm concerned with. [...which is a lie, he is, but that's also because he's a little more sentimental than she is in some cases.] I haven't even slept with her yet and instead this is happening. Kinda fucked up, isn't it?
[At the same time, he seems to be thinking about it.] ...it's more like who do you trust enough to actually get somewhere? [The "you" is general, but if Tamamo has a list he's interested in that, too.]
[She really doesn't want to be here, suddenly, talking about someone else's love and what they'd think of this entire situation. Her thoughts drift -- like always, to her emperor, the man who cast her aside when she was outed as a fox. He would often talk about the other women of the court, as if Tamamo could not be harmed by his opinions.
Fate is cruel. Life is unfair. She winds a finger against the pillow, choosing her words carefully]
Better you trust no one, and look at it as a business transaction. Those who are eager for your business, or information -- they will continue to see value in you, and are less likely to discard you in the upcoming weeks.
[...]
Wei Wuxian seems fond of you, as does Higekiri-san. In fact, many of the people here would rather you live than die. You can choose your pick from anyone in the hotel, I wager.
And that's my reason for doing as much research as I am. [And because he's still thoughtless, he listens for all of five seconds before he turns to finally look at her.]
...what about you, Tamamo? [He's not clear on what he's asking, but the line of thought is a little easier. "What if I wanted to choose you?"]
-- What? You're asking who I would chose among this group?
[She laughs, pupils narrowed like a cat's again, both revolted and delighted that he bothered with the question.]
Not even half of you on a normal day, and yet -- didn't I tell you at the beginning? There are things that I want, and I will use any to get it.
[Humans are greedy; foxes are worse. And standards are meant to be broken and remade as the situation call for it. For an evil soul like hers, this is easy. There's no low bar to sink to when you're lonely and desperate]
So how about it, Master~? Shall we use each other to further our goals?
[Unsurprisingly, he leans into that movement and maybe someday Tamamo might catch on that despite his brusqueness in a manner of things he's also somewhat starved for affection of any kind. It's been a very long year, after all.]
If you're sure. [But he sounds relieved. ] Then...we'll use each other to stay in the game. Everyone else will be a bonus for benefits, information, and protection. Can we agree on that?
[Her hand stills, then remains where it is, half-cupped against his cheek. Some of her gentleness seeps back through the cracks of her discontent. It annoys her a little now, that he has that effect on her, but she supposes she never would have agreed to the pact if he could not reach her core in some way.]
-- Though I warn you, Master~ if you're that bad in bed, I might ditch you for someone else. ♥
[Likewise he doesn't push her away, but he doesn't take more than she's willing to give him either. It's a partnership, and even though he's still learning about her, he knows enough to accept things for how they are. It's probably easier that way anyway.
But there's a nervous laugh because, haha, fuck.]
So what you're saying is no pressure at all. Got it.
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Well.
[Huffing a little, arms folded. She knows damn well what they need to discuss, but opts to start fussing instead]
Master, it doesn't look like you got any sleep.
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I've been a little busy. [The tone's dull though so it's...half-true, at least.] And after today I'm not sure any of us are going to have an easy time sleeping.
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[A little vulgar coming from her mouth, but she's not really here to play games, either. Every bit of her is displeased, mouth thinned into a line and her tails twitching with irritation]
Even I couldn't have foreseen this... To think Polly-san really did manage to summon sex demons, and pushy ones at that. I'd have her head if she weren't already on the other side.
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We're in a pretty bad situation suddenly. [Also calmly said, but his expression is twisted into something like irritation and a bit of worry.] We need to figure out a plan to stay ahead of the things she unleashed.
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... I've made plans to help Wei Wuxian with talismans later. Ideally, this would help us isolate areas and keep the demons at bay, but it's impossible to know if we'll be successful.
[There's no point in getting his hopes up, so Tamamo keeps her voice even and pragmatic, even as she ghosts closer to the bed]
It... does not please me to admit it, but for now, our best course of action is to find partners.
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...but he's looking at his knees then.] Partners. Right. [...ahhhh.] Multiple, just to be safe. [AHHHH but louder.]
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Like at all.
Thus, while he's mumbling to himself, ladylike discretion goes out the window and she bodyslams onto the bed, probably knocking him over in the process.
She's not very sorry about it, either.]
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What?!
1/2
[Snapping that over her shoulder as she stares at him, and indeed, all three of her tails cock back and forth like she's part cat]
All of this fuck or die nonsense! Hmph, do I look like someone who is used to banging on someone else's schedule??
[Yanking the nearest pillow to herself and thrusting her chin upon it, voice still sour and moody]
On top of that, Master is clearly unhappy and there's nothing I can do about it! Carlos-san was sent to the void, and you have a lady love back at home!
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She burns herself out with that, heaving a sigh and burying her face in the pillow, though her voice carries out from it, tired and quiet]
What a worst-case scenario...
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...he told you about her, huh? [It's a bad scenario all around, but he's not surprised, really, that Carlos said anything about Akane. He sounds more tired than anything.]
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[...]
Only that there's someone waiting for you to return, and that Carlos-san best bring you back alive if he wants to keep his head.
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Her name's Akane Kurashiki. And she's beautiful. [Just to throw that out there, and it's maybe the softest he's been since he got into the game.] And...she's my fiancée. She and Carlos were my teammates back home when we were playing the Decision Game, and he's right, she'd probably kill both of us if we don't find a way back.
[He'll start with that, at least, though there's a moment he looks apologetic, too.] I should have told you sooner. Sorry about that.
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Not in a way Junpei would understand, she assumes, and it's why she keeps her gaze steady and unreadable, to spare him from her thoughts. He doesn't need to know how lucky of a man he is, that there is someone waiting for him -- someone who loves him. The very thing that she would give her entire being to find, even as her wish continues to elude her.
Those things don't matter in the end. A contract was made between them; she need only remind herself of that]
I'm not angry, if that's what you fear. [Sighing into the pillow, her cheek now pressed into it] You're my Master while you're here, and once you return home, you will be hers again.
[Glancing away from him]
I suppose I will have to promise this Akane-san that I'll return you in one piece as well.
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That's still debatable. [Oh?] Akane is...very focused on her goals, and even when we get back convincing her to let me come along is going to take even more effort. It took me a year to even find her after she ditched us, and then I lost her again when we came here.
[There's a sigh.] She's not the type to quit when she's on a mission, so that means sacrificing anything to get her way. Including me.
[And yet even from the way he says it, despite the thick bitterness rolling off of his tongue, he loves her. It's too hard to hide that after being here a week and missing her more than usual.]
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[Ditching anything and everything that gets in the way of a goal? Tamamo snorts herself, it's so very familiar to her ears. The only difference is her goals include love, she supposes, and turns her head away from Junpei entirely, staring at the wall]
If she's willing to kill for you, then she loves you. Take comfort in that.
[Even if the manner might be more a cat enjoying its favorite toy, well... even in that, Tamamo can't criticize]
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[He's well aware that Akane loves him, at least, but he's also cautious because he remembers certain events.]
...if our roles were reversed, Akane wouldn't think twice about sleeping with people to survive. She'll understand. That's not the part I'm concerned with. [...which is a lie, he is, but that's also because he's a little more sentimental than she is in some cases.] I haven't even slept with her yet and instead this is happening. Kinda fucked up, isn't it?
[At the same time, he seems to be thinking about it.] ...it's more like who do you trust enough to actually get somewhere? [The "you" is general, but if Tamamo has a list he's interested in that, too.]
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Fate is cruel. Life is unfair. She winds a finger against the pillow, choosing her words carefully]
Better you trust no one, and look at it as a business transaction. Those who are eager for your business, or information -- they will continue to see value in you, and are less likely to discard you in the upcoming weeks.
[...]
Wei Wuxian seems fond of you, as does Higekiri-san. In fact, many of the people here would rather you live than die. You can choose your pick from anyone in the hotel, I wager.
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...what about you, Tamamo? [He's not clear on what he's asking, but the line of thought is a little easier. "What if I wanted to choose you?"]
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[She laughs, pupils narrowed like a cat's again, both revolted and delighted that he bothered with the question.]
Not even half of you on a normal day, and yet -- didn't I tell you at the beginning? There are things that I want, and I will use any to get it.
[Humans are greedy; foxes are worse. And standards are meant to be broken and remade as the situation call for it. For an evil soul like hers, this is easy. There's no low bar to sink to when you're lonely and desperate]
So how about it, Master~? Shall we use each other to further our goals?
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Uh, yeah. That's...sort of what I was asking. Do I still count even knowing what you know about me?
[Does he meet her standards anymore? He doesn't seem bothered if he doesn't, but he'd rather make sure she gets taken care of regardless.]
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[The blade's edge in her voice disappears.]
You are my Master, and I am duty bound to protect and serve you, in any way that will be productive.
[Finally glancing back to him, and staring for a moment. She reaches out and draws a finger against his jaw, eyebrow arching]
If anything, the matter is made much simpler for me. I have a clear way to keep you from harm.
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If you're sure. [But he sounds relieved. ] Then...we'll use each other to stay in the game. Everyone else will be a bonus for benefits, information, and protection. Can we agree on that?
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[Her hand stills, then remains where it is, half-cupped against his cheek. Some of her gentleness seeps back through the cracks of her discontent. It annoys her a little now, that he has that effect on her, but she supposes she never would have agreed to the pact if he could not reach her core in some way.]
-- Though I warn you, Master~ if you're that bad in bed, I might ditch you for someone else. ♥
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But there's a nervous laugh because, haha, fuck.]
So what you're saying is no pressure at all. Got it.
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