Novus Dominus Tenebrarum

lcsscr-kcys‌:

THEY KNEW THE RISKS – AND PAID THE PRICE. Naomi wasn’t one to succumb to her unhealthy and volatile temper so easily. Once rage took her, wrath was inescapable. Among her frustration rooted her vehemence towards the darkness in his soul and the connection to it. Nightmare after nightmare and the memory of his wretched claws that gripped at her frail neck haunted her. Matthias was a poor man who succumbed to power as revenge against the world for it’s cruel nature. Against life itself when he could not accept his tragedy as reality.

Were she to fall, Soma would be no different from him would he? She knew so when she had bear witness to his own bloodlust at her mortal wounds. His madness and the chaos that seeped into him each time he heard a fractured form in her body. Each scream that’d escape her along the way.

And she’d assure him she’s far stronger and resilient than he could perceive her small frame.

“Then we make haste and snuff out the core of this. I’ll use Caym to scout around where these… cores could be if there are multiple.”

Risks they both wished would never accurately come to pass, a foolish hope that they had clung to with fervor. But it was gone now, and their last hope lay in one another. As it always had, along with scores of other thoughts and feelings towards her.

Yet that hope was also a way for his own downfall. With how close he held her, how much time they spent together, how much love each harbored in their heart for the other, he was sensitive to anything that happened to her. Violence moreso, a quick way for his anger to boil, his mind instinctively calling for power to right this wrong.

He wouldn’t hesitate to do anything to keep her safe.

“Mm. Hopefully there’s just one core, though it’s likely protected behind a barrier of some kind.”

lcsscr-kcys‌:

ARGUING WOULD SOLVE NOTHING AT THIS POINT. As frustrated as both of them were about the situation. About how she wished so badly this was just another dream. She’s wrong in the end, and he is absolutely right about what’s what. The anger shared would only further the process of him becoming another dark singularity. The last thing they both needed.

Gaze averted when he turns away. She knows full well he isn’t meaning to treat this lightly. Even then the thought of losing him terrified her.

“I know Soma…” Sighing, “Just that, if I’m going to lose you to this then what can I even do after the deed is done?”

If this was how they would begin traversing this infernal castle, how much worse would it get as they continued further and further? The thought alone was enough to add another weight upon his shoulders.

He wasn’t truly angry at her. He didn’t know if he ever had been. This was just both of them venting as the nightmare began anew.

“I don’t know if I’m truly lost, Naomi.” A roll of his shoulders at his words. “Not yet, at least. I certainly feel..different, but I think that’s simply an effect of the chaotic energy around this place. If it was gone...” Looking back to her. “There’s a good chance I’ll go back to feeling normal.”

lcsscr-kcys‌:

“Don’t Oh, Naomi me!” Conflict remained evident in her eyes when meeting his. The passing of his own changes were as obvious as they were. Rage was stirring within her heart. She despised the helplessness he was giving her. Making it feel like there was no helping the case.

“Hard and problematic? HARD AND PROBLEMATIC?!! It’s a goddamned nightmare I’m reliving again, Soma!” She couldn’t let her emotions distract her. Let alone get the best of her when promises were made and a mission to see through to the end. The more she thought of it and how they were wasting time, the more she wanted to get through with it before he was too far gone.

“What do I even need to do to undo all of this?”

“Then what should I do!? Let my feelings drag me further into this hell, let the pain of seeing the woman I love hurt more and more erode what little will I have left!?” Almost a snarl at his lips, hints of red seeping back into his eyes before he bit down on his lip, hard, turning away from her.

No, he couldn’t give in. Couldn’t rise to the emotions that she held close to her heart. Letting them invigorate him would only hasten his transformation.

At the expense of seeming cold, he had to hold himself back.

“A nightmare? A nightmare, Naomi? A nightmare you wake up from. A Nightmare ends. A nightmare is an endless swirl of chaos that continues to tug and pull and destroy your soul the longer you stay in it. I know what a nightmare is, Naomi. I’ve lived it more than once, and here we are again.”

Sighing, steps slow to turn fully away from her.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if there is a way to undo it fully. I hope there is, I cling to that hope that there is some way we can both get out of this...normal. It’s all I can do now. So please, don’t think that I’m trying to just sweep this away, or that I don’t care.

I care too much.”

#ic;#lcsscr-kcys

lcsscr-kcys

fateofthedarklord‌:

“How hurtful, Naomi. I don’t intend to have that promise broken.” And yet there was still a hum, crimson hues meeting hers with determination, not willing to look away as she held fast against him. “Dracula does not control me, nor will he. Our promise can still be kept without you needing to end me here.”

A sigh as their auras crashed against one another, wholly different entities that could not exist against one another in that instant.

“..Naomi. Please. I’m still Soma.”

A pause.

“For now.”

Was this part of the promise? What more could she do? The situation left her heart barren of emotion. Detaching herself when the worst does come. Nothing she can do about it either… The thickening atmosphere from their overwhelming presence could attract and repel anything. Two singulatiries in one place and the polarity being evident.

Hers isn’t holy. It never was if she communed with 72 Demons and yet she was granted wisdom eventually. Him on the other hand. He was standing before the King of Humans and true protector of them.

“That isn’t reassuring…” She is listening however. Another option better than ending him right there before the hunters get to him. There may be a way to redeem him.

“I’ll listen Soma, but remember what this means between us.” As painful as she puts it, the hurt in her heart grew. Like a small crack growing.

“I do love you. I truly do.”

“...Oh, Naomi.” And where eyes had been crimson they regressed back to a gray that she knew so well, though flecks of aurum sprinkled themselves within them. Evident of a change from the norm, but who’s to say it was bad?

“Thank you. I know this, all of this, is hard. Problematic at best, catastrophic at worst. But still..” His hand slow, careful as he raised it up, palm resting gently to her cheek as his thumb brushed gently across her skin.

“And I love you as well. That hasn’t, and will not, change.”

#lcsscr-kcys

lcsscr-kcys

@fateofthedarklord *Cont. from ask reply.

“Lost is lost Soma. Do you intend to make me turn back on my promise to you the second we stepped into that hellhole?” Glaring back into his crimson hues, not one to back down from her word let alone a promise to a lover, “If I could seal away a demon by my own will and spirit then I could with you. This is your only chance to convince me not to.”

Hand moving from his and a tilt of his head. Their two existences being together was a convergence of what both bound and separated man and demon. Chaos and order. Hope and Despair. The singularities of light and dark. A promise being a promise.

“Or is there no reason at all? Why give up on the world now?” Leaning into his ear, hand trailed up his chest and palm pressed against him. Cold… unbeating. Undead.

“I can’t promise to keep you protected forever, amore.”

A sigh as their auras crashed against one another, wholly different entities that could not exist against one another in that instant.

“..Naomi. Please. I’m still Soma.”

A pause.

“For now.”

"Is it really you?"

“…that depends on the you that you’re looking for.”

lcsscr-kcys

Oh… So that is how it is now. Lo behold her beloved had fallen to a wretched thing called fate. The singularity could only give him a look of pity, and questioning. Eyes narrowing even…

“Toss aside your humanity for power huh?” She invokes her whip to her left hand, “I’m sorry amore, I promised.”

“Mm...now now, I didn’t say that.” He hummed, so lax as slow steps brought him close, palms open at his side as he was suddenly so near.

Palm resting on the hand that held her whip.

“I’m not lost, Naomi.”

"Is it really you?"

“...that depends on the you that you’re looking for.”

The only thing that would really screw her over was if a Hollow appeared in the shape of an owl. Then there was a pretty fair chance that she would freeze up and be unable to fight it. Hollows came in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so it was a possibility. One that she never lingered on for long.

Good. The bird was going to stay over there. That was fine with her.

She smiled softly, his words dulling the slight pang of homesickness that she felt whenever she visited the living world. Though still, she wondered how much longer those memories of her old life would last. Likely not much longer, not when she had so much to prepare for.

“I’d love that. I just can’t linger for too long. Still have lots of work to do on the other side, as boring as it may be.”

Hopefully she wouldn’t be alone if that came to pass. Or that she had worked through her fear of owls through constant interaction with Az.

Though that latter idea could easily make it worse, should their interactions go sour.

It was nice to see her smile. To see that small burden of...(unease, maybe?) be lessened by his offer. She was so young, yet in charge of so much more then she should be.

It was a wonder she wasn’t crushed by it all.

“I understand. Paperwork, I’m guessing?”

#screamshiranui

She wondered what it said about her, that she could face big terrifying monsters head on without even flinching, but a tiny feather duster of a bird scared the shit out of her. Clearly she had some sort of issues to work out. Maybe someday.

The gross feeling was something she was used too, and it would go away in time. It was just something that was part of the job, and she had learned very quickly not to linger on how disgusting blood felt. She was used to seeing it, and getting covered in it.

Not exactly how she imagined spending her teenage years, but she figured there were probably worse outcomes.

“Thank you so much.” Her smile only widened as she accepted the drink, moving to an empty seat. She gave Az a slightly wary look, hoping the bird wouldn’t get any wise ideas and flutter over to her. She wasn’t sure her heart could take it.

“If I’m lucky, I’ll stay blood free for the rest of the night. It doesn’t look like I have any more orders, so I’ll probably just go back home once my uniforms all clean.”

#screamshiranui #Sorry for being so late with this ;-;

Most likely that she’d become desensitized to the horrors of such paranormal creatures through her time as a shinigami, focusing solely on the art of defeating them and offering her a sort of shield that could not be cracked by the incredulity of such things.

But such a barrier only intensified her inability to deal with the fears that a regular person of her age would fear, and the fears that hadn’t been able to be fully grown out of.

“Of course.” Az returned her look without blinking, as owls were want to do, before turning slightly to burrow his head against Soma’s stomach and nestle into a comfortable nest of sorts.

Taking a sip of his own drink, a small nod of attentive listening was made as she conveyed the hope that another blood-shower would be avoided. “Well, don’t feel like you need to leave sooner then you’d want. My home is your home.”

What would Soma do if he personally met Dracula (without a paradox happening and stuff.)?

Hmmm...it’s interesting. It would wholly depend on the circumstances surrounding their meeting.

Like, if they were to meet in the Castle, {because somehow this can happen}, most likely their meeting would devolve straight into a battle. Dracula wants to know why Soma has his power, Soma wants to beat up Dracula because it’s his fault he’s there anyway, etc etc.

Now, say they were to meet just...idk, in town one random night while Soma’s getting coffee or going on a walk or what have you. They’d probably just...talk. Of course Soma wouldn’t hide the fact that he hates Dracula to a great degree, but at the same time, he’d want to understand why he did what he did. Why he decided to go full-on vampire/dark lord/giant douche. {And maybe they talk about what a giant nerd Arikado is}

Twist of Fate

Where she would feel warmth in her heart it simply had to be put away. In a situation such as this with understanding of the risk of simply being distracted was dangerous. She had to wake herself up to that reality where in the end it was possible one or the other may die - or both. What would it be, relief, destruction or an empty feeling? Even then she would have to stay as this for the time being.

Yet a promise that should be something of a form of trust and affection altogether. She loves him, so much that even to be asked to kill him would hurt her all to much. Yet, she loves him enough that she wouldn’t risk him turning into Dracula what could be taken one way or another. All met with something out of love as simple as a kiss. She would smile, she really would in this situation.

If not him, who else was eligible in this world still to take his place? Even then she wouldn’t simply allow that to happen either. Perhaps the Castle was calling for more candidates as bait to bring back it’s former master. Yet at the same time, why did she find it so easy to kill another candidate threatening to be another one of the lesser evils in this world? It was simple: she held no attachment nor conscience to feel guilt about killing them herself.

Matthias, a man she saw as a monster all her life. She knew so little of what was the good in that man - she only saw him as Dracula. It was hard to imagine such as someone more humanly. A parent, Adrian’s father, and a husband to the Lady she held close to her heart as her last reason to find her own chance at redemption if it were the last thing she does. She could not see him as a man to be reasoned with for he lost all of it a long time ago. Just thinking about what he had done had the smallest traces of her scars to begin scarring as if they were still healing. The pain like a bad sunburn would only intensify on the scar that hid behind her bangs tracing from her hairline to her jaw.

They had their last moments of peace, and if she wanted it to last any longer with all the time they had in life she would gladly do so. For now, she had to set her emotions aside for his sake and at the same time hold onto what she had to protect him.

In one of her hands held a small wooden marionette. Not even dressed nor painted. Something she had been working on with given tools months earlier. Normally with her magic, the smaller sort would be best for long range and scouting the area for incoming ambush or traps… The larger ones remained obvious for fighting. If there were none she had to just gamble with her wires. Quirks of being a puppeteer yet many liabilities not knowing how to use something larger than a dagger.

Had she mentioned something along the lines on her odd obsession for puppets or magic? Perhaps so but if not, now was the best time.

“We should get going,” another pause, “I do hope I don’t surprise you much with my abilities. This may be the first and only time you get see my magic at it’s fullest if it hasn’t made it’s traces back at home.”

The sooner they finished this business, the sooner they would go back home. And by praying to whatever she could to return home together as the best. To think of the worst right now would have her expose the smallest crack in her voice and expose her weaknesses to anything that would take advantage of it.

A gloved hand rests on his shoulder. “No harm should come to us while we work together.”

A possibility, but even death was not the most discouraging options that could come about from their crusade into the heart of chaos that pulsated in front of them. The worse to him, was that she was killed. So easily snuffed out and leaving his heart yearning for something that wasn’t there anymore.

What could he do then, but follow in the footsteps of his soul’s predecessor?

For her, if he could even attempt to guess, was that he took up the mantle of evil and she was left to face him. Would she, or would she put faith that he was still himself underneath that aura of darkness that cloaked him? He hoped she wouldn’t, that she’d give up on him returning so this vicious cycle could end.

But his real hope, the one that get him clinging to some small part of happiness, was that they both leave without any lasting injury to either their body or mind.

A fool’s hope, but one he would hold close to his heart anyway.

Matthias, the one who started this all over love. That’s what made Soma unable to condemn him in his entirety, for he knew through research that Matthias had not done his work out of spite for another. He had done it out of a shear amount of love that could not be contained within him, love for the person that a higher power had ripped so harshly from his grasp because it disliked him. When that love had turned to obsession, that was when the line was drawn, where his respect turned to disdain.

Thankfully, such a line also marked the difference between Matthias and Dracula, and as such, made it oh-so-easy to hold his affections and lack-there-of for the two entities at arm’s length.

Such a broken, wanting man.

Was Soma not like him, in that way?

Almost a laugh as she attempted to instill some sort of confidence for him about her abilities, that it would obviously surprise him with what it did. Some ideas had bounced around in his head, as she’d been the one to request the materials to make what appeared to be nothing more then dolls,

“I’ll do my best not to be too dumbfounded, Naomi. And likewise, I hope you’re not too astounded by what I am able to do.”

As he spoke, whisps of white light drew themselves into a congealed ball of magic at his shoulder, solidifying into an egg of sorts, before cracking open to reveal a familiar of bone that hugged closely to his neck.

Reaching one hand up to hold over her fingers as they lay carefully upon his other hand, his free hand held it palm open wide, flames bursting from the boiling air and condensing into a sword.

“And any obstacle we find will be broken through.”

#shxdowpuppet #Hah~

Behind the closed door, she gave a shudder. Ugh, she really hoped she would never have to do that again. That was just too much! Not that Az felt unpleasant or anything, she was just not used to it. He was way lighter and fluffier then she thought.

Still, she was quick to shed her bloodied uniform and throw herself into the shower, spending a good few minutes just scrubbing the blood off her skin. Her hair was another story, but she did the best she could. She really didn’t want to waste all the hot water, and when she returned to the Seireitei, she’d shower again. Or have someone help her with her hair.

Once she was all cleaned up and changed, she returned to the laundry room to toss her uniform in the wash. She frowned at all the bloodstains, cursing herself for being so damn sloppy with her job. She really had to work on improving her swordsmanship.

With her task complete, she wandered back into the kitchen, collecting her phone from the table before stepping into the next room. Fingers tapped at the screen, checking for any messages from the Seireitei. So far, there was nothing.

“Thank God…” She mumbled, running a hand through her still damp hair before turning to Soma with a small grin. “Thanks again for letting me clean up. I really appreciate it.”

#screamshiranui #They do~

Dragging his fingers through the feathers of his lovable bundle of feathers that would most likely frighten Lorna to death, head leaning back against the couch as he wondered what else he could for her. Being covered in blood for so long was no doubt going to leave an unpleasant feeling that would ultimately stick with her for a few days, and he couldn’t do a lot about that.

What he could do, though, was help her start to forget about it.

Picking up Az with practiced grace and nestling him into the corner of the couch, he made his way into the kitchen and turned the kettle on. Plucking a few other things from around the room, he carefully poured out the water and mixed in some cocoa, milk and sugar being added in right after.

Filling two cups, he brought them back to the living room and placed them on the tabletop, Az once again moving himself to sit on his lap.

When she stepped back in, he greeted her with a smile, before nodding towards the beverage before her. “Of course. I couldn’t just let you stay caked in blood for the rest of the night. Oh, I went to the liberty of making you a drink to help warm you up.”

Twist of Fate

He should not feel the necessity of asking that. No one should even after change has begun to happen. The wish for death due to such fate, was it so selfish of her to with to deny that? Then again, if she couldn’t, who would in time? She had considered and weighed her choice on what to do if he were to meet such a fate and held no resolve. He is right: the world doesn’t need another Dracula. He would not succumb to such a fate so easily either. If that was his final wish then she would grant it.

It became hard to look at him straight in the eye on his request. It wasn’t easy to accept when she had grown so close to him. There were many she would miss, even the smallest quirks.

Yet, what about her? Where would she go afterwards with a void in her heart? A piece so large she wouldn’t know what to do afterwards. The request sounded so selfish to him but she couldn’t have any say against it. Even just knowing it would eventually be a choice, it took it’s grip at her heart she would then have to throw away.

“I won’t allow you to meet that fate,” Except she could prevent it, it not exactly a promise. Something she would keep in mind at the best of her power to prevent it at all costs. Still, if that were his final wish should he fall then she had no choice, “Soma, you know how this castle can deceive all within it.” a pause, of course what else was there to add? The castle would fool her every now and then with the spirits. “Should the worst happen then you have my word.”

Perhaps she was partially at fault for not looking into something so vital that could help him. Soul Splitting - there was such a thing that would happen yet it was so hard to comprehend herself. If she had the knowledge fully, she would find the means to use it at any cost and seal Dracula away to never plague his life again.

Hazels met with his silvers, and she lets her forehead press against his confidently, “Also know this castle knows me and my past if it can even recognize me now. Should you come across something about me, I only answer to you truthfully. Many things about me are things I can never forgive myself for. So please, don’t worry too much about me.”

The past may be in the past, but it truly came back to haunt her and proved to make itself a distraction. Then if so whatever happens, it happens.

“I’ll never allow you to become that man, because you are not Matthias. You are Soma, my companion and one I’d rather spend the rest of my life with than to lose forever. You have more of what he can never have, but all that I see is shared is the experience of to love and be loved in return.” As trite as her words seemed she held true to them.

There was no want to ask, but instead a knowledge that the question needed to be answered before they made their way into the darkness before him. He wasn’t even sure what he’d do if she denied him the promise of his own peace; But at the very least, he wouldn’t allow her to stay with him. If he changed and she was the one closest to him at that moment...

He didn’t want her to be hurt.

Grey hues steadily bore into her face as she did all that she could to escape his stare. This was important, so much more important than the unease that it gave form to between them. Selfish, yes, so selfish that he wished that Julius was here to make that promise again instead of her, so that he didn’t have to hurt her any more then he already had by asking her about it already.

But he wasn’t, and she was, so what could he do?

“Naomi.” Her answer was met with a stern reprimand in only her name, both of them knowing she’d avoided answering directly by simply offering up an insistence that it would not come to pass. What she offered wasn’t good enough, because if it failed, they were stuck in the same place again.

Finally an answer was wrought from her lips, though, the horrible answer that he didn’t wish to force from her, but needed to all the same. Some of his burden was lifted at that second, the smallest curve of a smile on his lips.

“Thank you, Naomi. I’ll do my best to not make you live up to that promise.” Another promise, sealed with a kiss.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Even if he suddenly became privy to something she’d decided not to share with him, he doubted it would cast into doubt their entire relationship. Skeletons in the closet were a universal constant, no matter how pure someone seemed to be. If she’d done some unspeakable things in her time, then so be it.

Her past did not define the woman he’d come to love in the present.

Smiling wider at her assurance of the differences he held to the one that was to cause for their dual suffering, a small tilt of his head down provided the barest sign that he understood. “I have no qualms being close to Matthais, Naomi. A man driven by love...you could say I’m already like him, in that regard. But I know the limit of what can be done, where he did not. Dracula, however..he was born when Matthais died, and I shall revile him as long as I live.”

#shxdowpuppet

Twist of Fate

Like a cruel prank, fate had decided to play it’s trump card while it could. They stood before a being that had once fallen to nothing but ruins only to rise once more in the dead of the night by word of mouth and no way would they let one or the other go without each other. For what purpose lies within and to avoid it was a coward’s way out. To Naomi it would be, she had thought of fleeing at first. Hardly having the heart to step through the gates back into the hell once more and relive such terrible memories. Then again, the sense of security was only temporary that she had enjoyed it while it lasted. Her insecurities had lessened, walls were put down yet there was so much the other did not know of her where there were still doors that had many locks. Some where only she had to distribute the keys.

And within, would there be a truth that would shock him? This was likely a first and only time in event he would see how her magic worked. As if any strange dolls moving about near her wasn’t enough of a hint.

When she heard for the first time, a sense of dread came over her. She was not sure how to properly react that the shock had rendered her into a deep though without responding. What steps to take, how to pursue the goal and how to avoid meeting an unfortunate end (as if she’d let that happen.) Eventually she had come to the conclusion that no longer should she let anyone live in fear. No longer would she have to let the other constantly worry about what he does and how he’s judged. It’s not just they’re doing this out of duty. She’s doing it because she would rather live a peaceful life as much as possible.

She could feel her heart pounding against her rib cage and bit her chapped lower lip. She was more horrified for things to have come this way. Overwhelmed by an unseen force so tangible it was almost like the curse Dracula had cast upon all those who entered the castle would take many again and stir them insane. The darkness and chaos itself was enough to nearly consume her sanity and rise paranoia back. Having seen so many she was not so ready to face them again. To fight for survival once more and take on all of what the horrors within. Memories beyond that would have her lose herself in the madness and trauma were already distracting her just by looking at the gates where time and again had brought it to age. They were not alone individually this time followed by a promise. Should they separate, she would always find her way back.

There was no need for paranoia. She did not live in such a place no longer, it had fallen and she was left to wander the world…

Faintly she could hear beyond the gates a faint growling and the wind began to pick up as if it meant to push both of them beyond the gates. The Italian swallows hard before turning her gaze to her companion. One whom she gladly spends her life with until the end. She was stiff on the edge about what she is unprepared for yet it had to be done. Both had gone through hell and back in the same place that changed as it felt each time it rose.

“Are we ready?” Already her voice had reverted to it’s old monotonous state, had it been so long her voice was often heard with a range of tones until now. Perhaps a force of habit for her when she felt so overwhelmed and threatened. Only since then it was the obvious of the Castle appearing, nothing felt right that forcing a smile would make it harder for her, “Will you be alright?”

How silly of her to show such concern with constant vigilance in mind.Both of them should be as overwhelmed by the presence of the castle as any normal human being would be. The difference being they had experience.

A prank, or a nightmare. What could differentiate the two was only that which the ending notes of the action in question would either bring them despair or annoyance; And here, the former was surely to instill itself into their minds for years to come.

That is, if they were able to survive that long.

For the gates before them were both new and old; A reminder of his past and of his future. He could not leave them to stand tall for others to step into, or for creatures of the dark to exhume from in hopes to finding prey when the moon shone high within the dark sky. Different from his old experience with the castle, for he was no longer stuck within an eclipse, instead it manifesting on the land as a ‘concrete’ existence, if it could even be called that.

Why was it back? For him? For another?

Or for no reason at all?

If it was the latter, his fears would increase at the thought of complete randomness dictating when the castle would show itself again.

A quick glance was offered to her as she stood before, mind subconsciously noting how they reacted so differently to the forces of chaos that carpeted them in its vile embrace. Where she made movements, teeth biting at her lip as her eyes took it all in, he was still. Not even a blink as silver hues flicked across the surreal scene. Memories relived in those few seconds of contemplation, buried hands within his coat tightening from fists to loosening as control was forcefully retaken from writhing mass of fear that bubbled up within his mind. Fear for the unknown, the known.

Fear for her. That he wouldn’t be good enough to keep her safe.

They both knew of the dangers, and yet, both rose to fight it together. Why had he let her come along? Even as that thought ran across his being he knew the answer.

She wouldn’t have let him go alone.

And in that same way, he wouldn’t let her go it alone either.

“...” He couldn't answer her in that instant, eyes staring at her for a minute, before returning forward. Was he? Could he adequately say that he was ready to traverse a castle that had told him that he was no mere human? That had released his secret for him to understand and come to terms with over the lingering years of his life? And what if that same knowledge was used again to corrupt him?

What could he do then?

“..I don’t know. I fee different already...and we’re not even in the Castle yet.” Different as to his chest being much heavier then it should, his soul crying out to that tantalizing flow of Chaos that rode out from every crevice of the castle like a foul stench, caressing and brushing against him in hopes of finding its old master.

Oh how he wished he could promise that it wouldn’t find it.

Turning to her, his arms found their way across her shoulders as he pulled her close, forehead resting gently against her own, a seriousness he rarely showed glinting in his eyes.

”I know it’s not fair to ask this, Naomi, but....I need you to be ready to kill me at any time. This world doesn't need another Dracula, and I don’t wish to become it.”

#shxdowpuppet

Fear coursed through her veins, and she very nearly froze with Az in her hands. Oh god, what was she thinking!? What possessed her to pick up an owl!? Oh right, she wanted to shower and wash her uniform. Right, she just had to focus on that and not think about how strange it felt to be holding Az. He was really soft but also really light and, oh man he was moving what was he doing? Nuzzling her?

Later she would realize that the action was meant to be comforting, but in the moment, it only made her squeak again. Focus….focus!

Az was very gently placed upon the table top, next to her small pile of treasures that had been emptied from her pockets. If Az wanted to play with any of the junk that was in her pockets, that was fine. She didn’t care about it right then, she just wanted to get cleaned up. When her hands were free, she grabbed the pile of clothes that had previously been his nest, and then darted off to the bathroom, almost slamming the door behind her.

#screamshiranui #Mhmm~#I'm proud of her

Az was rather indifferent to his change in placement from hands to the table, at least outwardly, wasting no time in burying his face beneath his wing and running his beak down his feathers. Akin to the silent treatment, but more professional.

Or maybe he just had a pressing itch. Whichever.

Peeking up when she was gone, he spread his wings and glided through the house to find Soma again, settling into his lap when he did.

“I see you enjoyed yourself, Az.” Did it make him a bad person for trying to help his friend stand up to her fears? He liked to think it didn't.

Then again, he wasn't overly familiar with having his friends pet that he was deathly afraid of wait for him when he least expected it.

crystarium-rose

Some Kind of Study

crystarium-rose

Once more did the goddess get nervous, still being in the presence of the students within the school. Clearing her throat, Lightning simply shook her head, playing along with him. “It’s no issue at all. Please, Let us go and eat dinner together.” Slowly blinking, the savior grabbed his hand, eagerly pushing him out the door.

As they walked off the school grounds, Light released his hand, turning to him and her expression changed. Eyebrow arched, hands on her hips and eyes of blue glared towards him. “Are you pleased with that part of the show?” Her tone was harsh, arms shifting to across her chest.