❝ An offer from you is the equivalent to being held at gunpoint by a thief; I have no choice but to listen. ❞ Justin felt saliva drawing cobwebs on the surface of his tongue. He felt disgustingly comforted by the maternal radiation, its hexes sinking deeper into his skin. ❝ My Lord won’t be pleased to hear of this. ❞
Lord Death. Yes, yes. Justin brandished the cherished memories, centering his disturbed focus onto the white mask and comical appearance. He couldn’t bear to acknowledge his own existence, Justin felt so distorted when peering upon these images. Like a picturesque drawing, lacking dimension, lacking life. He much preferred his status as a Death Scythe over his status as a human being…
「 He was nothing but a tool, but he liked being used. 」
Justin inches away, breaking the grasps that intimidation possesses. His muscles seemed stiff, like it had been left out in the laughing sun to dry. Something akin to childish curiosity emerges from deep within his abyss, the vacancy where a love-filled childhood should be commands for Justin to slip into the spiderweb. It wants for the “loyal” fly to willingly yield into the trap.
Yet, was it a fly or was it a facade sleeping in Arachne’s threads? Justin had sensed his consciousness tip several times, nearly finding his hands wrapped in roses. Somebody bumps into him, and he hears their neck cracking only to awaken in static. Somebody breathes too close to him, and he can taste the sweetness of red wine on his silver-tongue.
How many times have Justin begged for forgiveness? He’s been toeing the line of betrayal for so long. There’s nowhere else to go, and Justin doesn’t want to walk backward, even if moving forward meant…
…
Ever since Arachne’s return, he was bathing in her madness wavelength, the silver strings it reached all the way to Death City; knocking on his door, replacing the silence in his house, the delusions made itself his roommate. IT FELT NICE TERRIFYING. It’s been difficult to sleep, difficult to eat, difficult to THINK, because of her intensity. Right now, Justin wasn’t in perfect condition.
She must’ve known that.
A strange self-consciousness sought refuge in the hollowness of Justin’s bones, as if Arachne was observing his every move, even his breathing pattern… If his anxiety is correct, then that’s exactly what she’s doing. That cunning witch could probably look at a crack in the wall and discover the answers to the universe. Justin, on the other hand, heard the universe suggesting that he volunteered himself to her as an answer.
「 An answer to what, though?」
Justin grimaces in distaste, the words tumbling out faster than he can cease: ❝ What do you have that Lord Death cannot give me ? ❞ What’s your offer?
「 And will you grow to hate him, too? 」
Her eyes twitch and the white webs that decorated them dim to a dark shade of jade at the mention of Lord Death. Disgust filled her lungs, invisibly choking her at the thought of that FOOL. She did not like this feeling, yet it thrilled her adrenaline. Words could not describe the disdain Arachne felt towards that man, only the subtle clues she left in her actions.
〈 Your Lord is a scoundrel. He may not be pleased with me, but is he pleased with you, O' Faithful One ? 〉
She closes her eyes and lightly sighed through her nose, relieving herself from the toxicity that lurked in there. Lord Death means NOTHING to her. Not anymore. The only thing she had in store for him was an unseen wrath and profane words a graceful woman such as herself wouldn't say out loud.
Arachne opens her eyes again, dark webs reverted back to ivory as her features quickly calm down like the ocean waves after a chaotic storm. Her attention goes back to the young Death Scythe when he pried a question at her like a pirate eager to find gold in a treasure chest.
WHAT DID SHE HAVE THAT DEATH DIDN'T?
The smile she wore inched slightly wider, adorning her with a passionate leer. That's all he had to say in order for her to KNOW he's taken a step into her web. Justin was apart of the play now, all Arachne had to do was join in on this charade and recite her script aloud just as she prepared.
❛ I can give you more things than your Lord can even IMAGINE. ❜ She answers simply, the confidence in her tone reflected her composed posture. Arachne knew well that Justin worked hard. She knew how well rewards are earned for doing so, and the spider had a little GIFT for him. ❛ I can give you more than just an EFFORTLESS praise for following orders. Surely you want more than just something as simple as that, hmm ? ❜
Heeled feet slowly grace themselves closer to Justin, circling around him as Arachne never looked away in case he might inch away AGAIN. They come to a halt when she returned back to being in front of him, a serious attitude and expression pulling the curtains over her avid look of Act One.
❛ What has Death given you that has benefited you ? ❜
