[This late at night? It better only be Junpei, frankly, which is why Tamamo opens the door with a piercing expression, nodding once and then opening the door to allow him entry.
She snatches that coffee right up, too. Offerings for the fox goddess, plz and thank u]
[It's sweet coffee, hints of caramel and vanilla and maybe he's trying to please her just because he can. Then again whatever the fuck he's drinking seems to match, and he steps into the room.]
Try it, you'll like it. And also less of a mess. [It's been a week and he Remembers.]
[There's a smirk around the straw of his own drink because he likes winning and also Tamamo's still funny to him.] I almost brought you a burger but it's pretty late. So coffee it is.
[That. Sure. But he's already heading for his usual spot on the bed, and there's a very faint hint of alcohol on him if she catches his scent.] Sorry I'm late, by the way. But I wanted to see you. This a good time?
[The answer is par for the course when it comes to Tamamo, though her eyes briefly narrow when she catches that scent, yes. For now, however, she sees no reason to bring it up, instead following at a slower pace behind him.]
Speak at your leisure. Zero-chan likely won't be back for a while.
[He kicks off his shoes, neatly lining them up at the edge of the bed on the floor before settling down on the mattress, pulling one leg up to balance himself. He's waiting for her to join him, but there's a nod of understanding at the mention of Zero.]
It's Tuesday. Seems like you really did avoid the demon. [And he's relieved about that.] Have you heard anything new this week?
[Oh she's coming along, tails swaying back and forth behind her at a leisurely pace. She comes to a stop right in front of him, arms folded, though still casually holding onto her drink]
A few things, yes.
[...]
Who is that once-masked man, again? Dick-san? He came to visit me, you know~
[That smile is absolutely not convincing and he's starting to get the sense that he just walked into a trap? Great. It's fine, he's not nervous or anything as he settles on an awkward grin.]
Good to know, and I completely believe that. [Ahah...] Sooo...he told you what the demon said?
Yes, about what I expected. There was only a slight chance that Monika was unaware of everything happening. I suppose that poor girl felt concerned for my sake.
[A slight huff]
She needn't have bothered. The demon didn't come, and I didn't get any substantial information. It was a tie.
Yeah, perhaps so. I didn't know her that well, but Dick seemed to understand the situation better. It's probably better the demon didn't come after you. You know that.
[A vague snort at the first part. He is correct, of course, but it's becoming increasingly clear just how moody the woman is, as the smile dies on her features and she leans into his personal space.
Not touching -- no touching allowed this week for obvious reasons, but--]
According to a certain someone, apparently you were aware of the effects that sleeping with the possessed would cause. Long before I did, in fact.
[Her tails aren't just swaying anymore; they twitch in agitation]
My my, it's like everyone else sees fit to tell me these things before you.
[...ah. His face flickers through a few expressions before it settles on resigned, maybe tired and unsure. She isn't touching him and he stays where he's at, locking his eyes with hers while he thinks of what to say.]
Tamamo...[...there's really no excuse, but.] ...you know I don't have a reason to lie to you. I already told you that, and I'm sticking with it. I was going to tell you once I learned a little more about it, but then Prompto died and everything was a mess, and then everyone found out Saturday anyway.
[He chews on his straw for a moment.] But yeah. I knew. [Before he continues though, he pauses.] Who told you that I knew?
[It is, perhaps, the best answer he could have given her. Tamamo never lied; she is a very jealous woman and will carve out his eyes should he dare betray her, and that she does not sense any deep well of guilt works in Junpei's favor.
Her expression is still hard, but she pulls back an inch, allowing him his space again.]
I have no particular interest in shielding him, which is why I'm telling you. Besides, he only spoke out of an assumption that I knew already.
[And maybe it hurt to know her Master wasn't sharing secrets, but no matter. Her mood is poor, and she steps away entirely, glancing away]
[There's absolutely no question how Kagachi knew. He keeps his expression just as hard, refusing to back down even when she does pull away. The words sit uneasily with him, and somehow Tamamo suspecting doesn't really feel great.
Still, even as she pulls away he finds himself speaking up again.]
...look. I wasn't going to let someone die just because he was too proud to ask for help, alright? [He doesn't break her gaze.] When I came back to my room after the party on Wednesday, Escha and I found Dick on the floor trying to convince himself that he was fine enough to hold onto this demon that hit him twice. You heard what happens when the demon transfers. You get visions of your own death, and you can't shake the paranoia that you'll die if you don't transfer it on. You really believe you will die if you don't transfer it.
I couldn't...I wasn't going to let anything happen to him. Kagachi told me that Dick was beating himself up over something he thought he could handle, but I had no idea what it was until I saw him that night. He asked Escha and I to tie him up or make sure he never left so he didn't sleep with someone else and pass this thing on. We didn't know what else to do, so...I took it from him. We were working on borrowed time and I'm sorry I didn't say anything before, but I had to find someone else to pass it to to save him and to save myself. I picked someone I could easily convince, bribed her with money and passed it on. Prompto turned up dead the next morning.
It wasn't about keeping it a secret. It was about trying to understand everything before telling you myself. I don't like presenting half-ass theories with missing information. [As she may have noticed in trial on Saturday. He had suspicions about Monika early on, but only brought them to light when the time was right.] I get it if you're upset but I'm not apologizing for what I did. It worked out in the end.
Tamamo would have let Dick die, or at the very least had hung the failure over his head to use against him at a later date. She doesn't trust humans. She barely likes them. Never has it been more clear than in this moment, her gaze faraway but allowing every word to seep into her head.
For the first time, she wonders if she has made a mistake, and coerced an innocent man to play the part of her Master.]
I'm not upset.
[Yes she is; if there's a difference in her demeanor, it's that she's hiding like a fox in a burrow now. Her expression is soft and blank]
What you did was admirable -- or at the very least, clever. Dick-san seems useful. It wouldn't do to have him die so early.
[There's no point in acting like anything but what she is, she convinces herself: vicious, and unfeeling. If Junpei is disgusted, well. It would not be the first time someone was.]
[He watches her quietly, looking at her tells and also her tails and maybe that's the reason he frowns ever-so-slightly.]
...you don't have to lie to me about it, but I get if you don't want to say it either. [About being upset. He just doesn't know why.] He's...a good person. But also useful. [Likewise, he tries to convince himself that it was a pragmatic choice and kind of fails miserably. Sometimes his heart is too soft for its own good. And maybe that's why he stays where he is, trying to read her expression and only showing something calm rather than disgust.]
Hmph. I said what I said; I won't be repeating myself, either.
[Voice turning flippant suddenly, and her head tossed back. It's more of her usual fanfare, though she still doesn't bother looking Junpei in the eyes. Her gaze remains elsewhere -- far away]
And as I've told you before -- I have no reason to nitpick your judgments so long as they also benefit me. If that continues to remain true, then I will leave you to your own devices.
[It will, in theory, be the last time she comes after him for not telling her shit first. Junpei is a big boy. They're just using each other. A deal is a deal.]
Just don't get yourself killed, Master, for your kindhearted gestures.
[He doesn't like it. Whatever just happened, whatever Tamamo's thinking, he doesn't like that she's more or less shutting herself down to him. She's disappearing to a place he's not sure how to break into and it's more pragmatic than they've been lately.
He understands that they have a deal to use each other, but...he doesn't have to like this outcome. He hears the words she says, feels them kind of punch him in the gut in an uncomfortable way--
--and he does what a stupid, desperate man would do and reaches out to poke her square in the forehead.
Of course he knows what that'll do. But he keeps his face emotionless. ]
I don't die that easily. You of all people should know that. [But if she looks closely...there's a ghost of a smile. It's the sign of someone who thinks he's clever.]
Eeeeeeeeeiii!! Just for that, I'm ripping off your pants and chaining you to the bed!! You don't get to leave until you're a mountain of putty in my hands!
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She snatches that coffee right up, too. Offerings for the fox goddess, plz and thank u]
Hmm, trying to expand my horizons, are we?
[She notes it's not ice cream]
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Try it, you'll like it. And also less of a mess. [It's been a week and he Remembers.]
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And predictably, her face lights up once that sugar rush hits.]
Ah, but you humans are truly geniuses when it comes to food~
[Blink and you'll miss it but half of that drink is just gone now]
The gods are so boring in comparison, always going on about ambrosia or slayed cattle or other such nonsense. This is true heaven, neh~
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[That. Sure. But he's already heading for his usual spot on the bed, and there's a very faint hint of alcohol on him if she catches his scent.] Sorry I'm late, by the way. But I wanted to see you. This a good time?
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[The answer is par for the course when it comes to Tamamo, though her eyes briefly narrow when she catches that scent, yes. For now, however, she sees no reason to bring it up, instead following at a slower pace behind him.]
Speak at your leisure. Zero-chan likely won't be back for a while.
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It's Tuesday. Seems like you really did avoid the demon. [And he's relieved about that.] Have you heard anything new this week?
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A few things, yes.
[...]
Who is that once-masked man, again? Dick-san? He came to visit me, you know~
[...]
Something about a message from Monika-san.
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Nightwing or Dick, yeah. What'd he say to you?
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[The tails begin to pick up speed, back and forth. Back and forth.]
And that apparently you knew, hm?
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I didn't know anything until after you and I already spoke, Tamamo. Dick didn't tell us until Sunday.
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[Her tails still flicker back and forth, eyes narrowed. There's a smile on her face, don't worry.
... Or maybe.
Worry a lot.
She has strategically placed herself between him and the only door to freedom, so.]
If I were truly mad, you'd already be dead.
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Good to know, and I completely believe that. [Ahah...] Sooo...he told you what the demon said?
[Oh look. A subject change.]
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[A slight huff]
She needn't have bothered. The demon didn't come, and I didn't get any substantial information. It was a tie.
[Eyeing him again, now slurping at her drink]
... Ah yes. There's one other thing, Master~♥
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[But. Hm. Still not off the hook, huh?]
...what's the other thing?
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Not touching -- no touching allowed this week for obvious reasons, but--]
According to a certain someone, apparently you were aware of the effects that sleeping with the possessed would cause. Long before I did, in fact.
[Her tails aren't just swaying anymore; they twitch in agitation]
My my, it's like everyone else sees fit to tell me these things before you.
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Tamamo...[...there's really no excuse, but.] ...you know I don't have a reason to lie to you. I already told you that, and I'm sticking with it. I was going to tell you once I learned a little more about it, but then Prompto died and everything was a mess, and then everyone found out Saturday anyway.
[He chews on his straw for a moment.] But yeah. I knew. [Before he continues though, he pauses.] Who told you that I knew?
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[It is, perhaps, the best answer he could have given her. Tamamo never lied; she is a very jealous woman and will carve out his eyes should he dare betray her, and that she does not sense any deep well of guilt works in Junpei's favor.
Her expression is still hard, but she pulls back an inch, allowing him his space again.]
I have no particular interest in shielding him, which is why I'm telling you. Besides, he only spoke out of an assumption that I knew already.
[And maybe it hurt to know her Master wasn't sharing secrets, but no matter. Her mood is poor, and she steps away entirely, glancing away]
Worry not; I won't be taking your head for it.
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Still, even as she pulls away he finds himself speaking up again.]
...look. I wasn't going to let someone die just because he was too proud to ask for help, alright? [He doesn't break her gaze.] When I came back to my room after the party on Wednesday, Escha and I found Dick on the floor trying to convince himself that he was fine enough to hold onto this demon that hit him twice. You heard what happens when the demon transfers. You get visions of your own death, and you can't shake the paranoia that you'll die if you don't transfer it on. You really believe you will die if you don't transfer it.
I couldn't...I wasn't going to let anything happen to him. Kagachi told me that Dick was beating himself up over something he thought he could handle, but I had no idea what it was until I saw him that night. He asked Escha and I to tie him up or make sure he never left so he didn't sleep with someone else and pass this thing on. We didn't know what else to do, so...I took it from him. We were working on borrowed time and I'm sorry I didn't say anything before, but I had to find someone else to pass it to to save him and to save myself. I picked someone I could easily convince, bribed her with money and passed it on. Prompto turned up dead the next morning.
It wasn't about keeping it a secret. It was about trying to understand everything before telling you myself. I don't like presenting half-ass theories with missing information. [As she may have noticed in trial on Saturday. He had suspicions about Monika early on, but only brought them to light when the time was right.] I get it if you're upset but I'm not apologizing for what I did. It worked out in the end.
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Tamamo would have let Dick die, or at the very least had hung the failure over his head to use against him at a later date. She doesn't trust humans. She barely likes them. Never has it been more clear than in this moment, her gaze faraway but allowing every word to seep into her head.
For the first time, she wonders if she has made a mistake, and coerced an innocent man to play the part of her Master.]
I'm not upset.
[Yes she is; if there's a difference in her demeanor, it's that she's hiding like a fox in a burrow now. Her expression is soft and blank]
What you did was admirable -- or at the very least, clever. Dick-san seems useful. It wouldn't do to have him die so early.
[There's no point in acting like anything but what she is, she convinces herself: vicious, and unfeeling. If Junpei is disgusted, well. It would not be the first time someone was.]
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...you don't have to lie to me about it, but I get if you don't want to say it either. [About being upset. He just doesn't know why.] He's...a good person. But also useful. [Likewise, he tries to convince himself that it was a pragmatic choice and kind of fails miserably. Sometimes his heart is too soft for its own good. And maybe that's why he stays where he is, trying to read her expression and only showing something calm rather than disgust.]
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[Voice turning flippant suddenly, and her head tossed back. It's more of her usual fanfare, though she still doesn't bother looking Junpei in the eyes. Her gaze remains elsewhere -- far away]
And as I've told you before -- I have no reason to nitpick your judgments so long as they also benefit me. If that continues to remain true, then I will leave you to your own devices.
[It will, in theory, be the last time she comes after him for not telling her shit first. Junpei is a big boy. They're just using each other. A deal is a deal.]
Just don't get yourself killed, Master, for your kindhearted gestures.
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He understands that they have a deal to use each other, but...he doesn't have to like this outcome. He hears the words she says, feels them kind of punch him in the gut in an uncomfortable way--
--and he does what a stupid, desperate man would do and reaches out to poke her square in the forehead.
Of course he knows what that'll do. But he keeps his face emotionless. ]
I don't die that easily. You of all people should know that. [But if she looks closely...there's a ghost of a smile. It's the sign of someone who thinks he's clever.]
1/3
And her entire body seizes automatically, flooded with an urge she knows only too well]
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Ha--- hahahaHAHAHA! The boy thinks he's clever!
[Just uproarious laughter after the shock has settled, Tamamo bearing her teeth as she finally turns back to him.
She looks downright murderous]
Do I look like someone so easily sated? Well, do I?!
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beating the absolutely crap out of him with it]
Eeeeeeeeeiii!! Just for that, I'm ripping off your pants and chaining you to the bed!! You don't get to leave until you're a mountain of putty in my hands!
[Smack smack smack smack--]
Degenerate! Cheater!!
You're lucky I'm too horny to kill you now!
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