... No, that was a wise decision. Whether the demon or Monika herself, they were quite devious. I'm only glad most of us aren't effected by a woman's tears.
[Calming down, though she remains where she is for a moment, her eyes cast out into the room. It's probably strange, for her to be silent for any length of time]
Master... do you know who the demon might target next? Even if it's only a guess.
We can't allow ourselves to be too emotional when we're dealing with something like this. That's why I asked Chuuya-Red about the vote. If people were gonna have a problem voting for an eighteen year old girl, we were going to be in trouble.
[But. He doesn't have an answer to that, and his hand moves to stroke her hair idly as he thinks.]
...I don't. I just know where it might have gone, but we lost track of it when Prompto turned up dead. You heard what Nathan said, too. Prompto was more of a last-minute choice. That means here's probably something else we need to look for.
About that. [He'll take that tub and pry it open. Did Tamamo bring spoons? He can dig some up if she didn't.] I was going to go see her, too, and see what kind of information I can get out of her. but probably not until tomorrow morning.
...are you going to go? [He thinks he knows the answer, but he likes to talk these things through.]
[Surprise, she did bring spoons, as apparently this kimono has pockets or just a separate dimension attached to it. She'll hand one over to Junpei, her gaze still a little distant]
Yes. It'd be a wasted opportunity otherwise.
[Tapping the spoon to her chin]
Though I'll need to find a way to worm information out of it... sex is one answer, but given how it spreads...
[Sighing, and digging the spoon into her side of the tub.]
I'll just have to see how far my silver tongue can get me.
...just be careful with whatever you do. We don't know what it'll say or do or if it'll try to fight you. Or if it'll even be into sex. [He takes a bite of ice cream.] But. I trust you to take care of yourself and I want to see you as soon as I can after that. Can we agree to that?
... You know there is a chance I will be possessed.
[The smile is gone from her face. She's staring at Junpei, pupils narrowed on him.]
Perhaps me more than others. If I've read that demon's intentions correctly, it will see how far it can push me -- my spirt, and maybe my body as well.
The worst case scenario is someone will need to kill me, should I lose control of myself.
[....it's a thought that he's had himself. That part, of course, he does worry about. He doesn't know how to take back what's been started (especially since he's done the same thing), but he settles for not replying right away. He spoons some ice cream into his mouth to stall.]
...what does a loss of control look like for you? If you become possessed, what should I really look for?
[It's not a yes or a no. But he's asking regardless.]
I'll want to kill everyone here, most likely. At least the humans.
[He asked. She answered. Her gaze drops to the ice cream, which she's lost the taste for. It won't stop her from shoving some into her mouth, also buying time]
For you specifically, I'd either ignore you all together or try to kill you first. It's difficult to say in this hypothetical.
[That doesn't surprise him. He stirs some of the ice cream in the tub between them while he ponders on the right answer. Is there a right answer to this?]
I'm not sure which would be worse, but alright. I'll keep that in mind. [He doesn't mind being honest in this regard. But...there's something he wonders.] Why all humans? You remember I'm human too, don't you?
["What exactly did humanity do to you, especially since you chose me anyway?"]
... Circumstances what they are, I still believe you were -- and are -- the best choice for a Master. We've similar mindsets, you've proven your usefulness time and time again, and you haven't betrayed me.
[...]
Possessions tend to bring out the worst in all of us, even sentiments and grudges that have already been resolved. It's not that I hate humans. I just don't trust them. Perhaps killing everyone would be out of self-preservation.
[Sometimes he watches the tails solely to try and read Tamamo's mood. This is one of those times, and he listens quietly while spooning ice cream into his mouth.]
I have no reason to betray you. [To the other points, he's quiet because he agrees and he's happy for the acknowledge but keeps that to himself.]
...I have spent a long time seeing the worst humanity has to offer. Humans aren't perfect. A lot of humans aren't even good. But...while I would understand the reason and in some cases I might agree with that reasoning, I wouldn't hold back from what I had to do if you were possessed. You can trust me with that.
[That's all she says at first, letting a silence settle between them. There's another bite of ice cream, mechanical. She hasn't returned to her usual cheer -- or no, maybe she was never cheerful to begin with, and it's the first time she's ever been this honest.
Sometimes she can't tell, herself.]
I'll be going shortly. If there's anything you wish to discuss before I leave...
[...he feels uncomfortable, but at the same time he knows that it's probably better to know. He thinks that maybe she'd go without his permission anyway, and he has to trust her.
She turns to him, reaching up and ruffing his hair. Her voice gentles despite herself.]
I don't make habits of putting myself into situations I don't think I can walk away from. It will be dangerous, but I'll do my utmost to come back to you.
[He looks appropriately cowed, bowing his head a little as he digs at the ice cream.]
...I'm not happy, to be honest, but I know you're right and this is the fastest way to get intel and see how we can fight this thing. So. I'll wait for you.
[Yeah, they're both truly backfiring on each other IT'S FINE. It's fine? It's casual affection because she's a friend and he's not sure how else to say he cares. He puts the lid back on the ice cream though.]
It's okay. While you go, I have a few leads to follow up on my own. But come see me when this is over just to make sure the possession didn't pass.
[Her composure returns quickly enough, and she looks approvingly upon him lidding the ice cream. Yes good, save that for later when her appetite returns]
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[Calming down, though she remains where she is for a moment, her eyes cast out into the room. It's probably strange, for her to be silent for any length of time]
Master... do you know who the demon might target next? Even if it's only a guess.
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[But. He doesn't have an answer to that, and his hand moves to stroke her hair idly as he thinks.]
...I don't. I just know where it might have gone, but we lost track of it when Prompto turned up dead. You heard what Nathan said, too. Prompto was more of a last-minute choice. That means here's probably something else we need to look for.
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[Biting her lip, and pulling back, still with that ice cream tub in her hand. Her expression is stone, and considering]
-- It asked to see me: the demon in Monika's body. Apparently, it finds my viciousness quite enticing, and promised to behave should I visit.
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About that. [He'll take that tub and pry it open. Did Tamamo bring spoons? He can dig some up if she didn't.] I was going to go see her, too, and see what kind of information I can get out of her. but probably not until tomorrow morning.
...are you going to go? [He thinks he knows the answer, but he likes to talk these things through.]
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Yes. It'd be a wasted opportunity otherwise.
[Tapping the spoon to her chin]
Though I'll need to find a way to worm information out of it... sex is one answer, but given how it spreads...
[Sighing, and digging the spoon into her side of the tub.]
I'll just have to see how far my silver tongue can get me.
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[It is said with a deep fondness, not at all a criticism. She even manages to smile for a brief time.]
... I will agree, on one condition.
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A condition. What is it?
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[The smile is gone from her face. She's staring at Junpei, pupils narrowed on him.]
Perhaps me more than others. If I've read that demon's intentions correctly, it will see how far it can push me -- my spirt, and maybe my body as well.
The worst case scenario is someone will need to kill me, should I lose control of myself.
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...what does a loss of control look like for you? If you become possessed, what should I really look for?
[It's not a yes or a no. But he's asking regardless.]
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I'll want to kill everyone here, most likely. At least the humans.
[He asked. She answered. Her gaze drops to the ice cream, which she's lost the taste for. It won't stop her from shoving some into her mouth, also buying time]
For you specifically, I'd either ignore you all together or try to kill you first. It's difficult to say in this hypothetical.
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I'm not sure which would be worse, but alright. I'll keep that in mind. [He doesn't mind being honest in this regard. But...there's something he wonders.] Why all humans? You remember I'm human too, don't you?
["What exactly did humanity do to you, especially since you chose me anyway?"]
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[her tails sway behind her, slowly]
... Circumstances what they are, I still believe you were -- and are -- the best choice for a Master. We've similar mindsets, you've proven your usefulness time and time again, and you haven't betrayed me.
[...]
Possessions tend to bring out the worst in all of us, even sentiments and grudges that have already been resolved. It's not that I hate humans. I just don't trust them. Perhaps killing everyone would be out of self-preservation.
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I have no reason to betray you. [To the other points, he's quiet because he agrees and he's happy for the acknowledge but keeps that to himself.]
...I have spent a long time seeing the worst humanity has to offer. Humans aren't perfect. A lot of humans aren't even good. But...while I would understand the reason and in some cases I might agree with that reasoning, I wouldn't hold back from what I had to do if you were possessed. You can trust me with that.
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[...]
Well said, though.
[That's all she says at first, letting a silence settle between them. There's another bite of ice cream, mechanical. She hasn't returned to her usual cheer -- or no, maybe she was never cheerful to begin with, and it's the first time she's ever been this honest.
Sometimes she can't tell, herself.]
I'll be going shortly. If there's anything you wish to discuss before I leave...
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It terrifies him, but he doesn't say so.]
...you promise you'll be careful?
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She turns to him, reaching up and ruffing his hair. Her voice gentles despite herself.]
I don't make habits of putting myself into situations I don't think I can walk away from. It will be dangerous, but I'll do my utmost to come back to you.
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...I'm not happy, to be honest, but I know you're right and this is the fastest way to get intel and see how we can fight this thing. So. I'll wait for you.
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[Reaching up and ruffling his hair more, voice suddenly sparked with amusement. She gives a tongue a cluck]
Sometimes girls really like to hear when you're concerned about them~
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Do they? [But there's a grin.] Then consider me concerned...I don't want to see anything happen to you that we weren't prepared for.
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[She'll stop her merciless teasing to drop her hand back to her side, grinning.]
Then I have no choice but to be extra careful for your sake, Master.
[Said like it really is that easy, and all she needs is proof of Junpei's unease to keep her in line.
... She wishes that were the case, deep down.]
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You really don't. [Casual. Let him die, he actually cares more than he want to admit.] You're going soon?
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Her tails giving a small wag at the kiss, and she fiddles with her fingers, looking at the floor. By the gods did that backfire on her.]
Y-yes. Unless you require my presence longer...
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It's okay. While you go, I have a few leads to follow up on my own. But come see me when this is over just to make sure the possession didn't pass.
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As you wish. I will see you soon then, Master.
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