The blog where our ship can sail free~ var sc_project=10899520; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="464fa2dd"; var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://secure." : "http://www."); document.write("");
Theme: You have one chance to call someone, what would you say to him?
<< This idea has changed so much :3 let’s see how it goes
Thoughts are with ::thought as it seemed messy :/ >>
*bzzzt* *bzzt*
Gaaaahhh I have had the worst day today. I almost dying from all the work I've got. I BLAME YOU FOR NOT BEING HERE TO HELP >:(
She simply glanced at her phone and put it back. She wasn't allowed to use her phone on the job. Consequences would....definitely not be pretty. She had to focus, focus...
*bzzzt**bzzt*
I BLAME THEEEEEEE
Her eyes drifted to the phone. One more red strike and she wouldn't be able to keep her phone with her any longer. She had to resist.
*bzzzt**bzzt*
THEEEEEEE~
She glanced up and about at her surroundings quickly. Upon ensuring there was no one, she began typing a quick message back.
Don't blame me for all your problems~
She noticed a figure approaching and quickly hid her phone, switching to work mode. With a smile, she gave the usual business greeting.
"Good evening, I see you've finally made it here- oh shi"
"Using your device again I see~ Don't you ever learn?"
Her mouth turned dry. She tried to stutter out an excuse but her phone was whipped out of her hands before she could say anything.
Gone. Her only solitude.
Now she would have to survive this hell of a job without it.
Of course that demon would do this.
She looked straight at her phone. Taped to the space in front of her with the touch functions broken. At least she was able to read.
*bzzt**bzzt*
Got a lower score than last time on my tests today. Need to do betterrrrr
She took it back. There was no better torture than being able to see but unable to do anything. Hopefully she'd get the rights back for phone usage soon.
The curry for lunch was great~
Where's my reply >:O
.
.
.
It's boring when we don't get to chat.. :(
.
.
.
are you angry?
There's this brunette girl around me recently. She seems fun~
No. She had to reply immediately. This was dangerous! She tapped at the phone desperately but to no avail. The screen's touch functions were dead after all.
She panicked. She was at her job 24/7, without her phone, she wouldn't be able to communicate. She had to warn the other. To stay away. stay away.
Before it was too late.
We had sushi today! Here's pictures~
I'm so obsessed with this song recently. We both listen to it a lot!
We're practically inseperable~ still miss talking to you though.
The other was getting closer to the brunette. Getting deceived. Soon she would be forgotten. She didn't want to be.
:: That's not me. Don't get close.
*bzzt**bzzzt*
Hey. I know we haven't spoken in a while. I really need talk. I've been feeling weird lately. The brunette just seems off. She's invasive and asks weird things, it scares me at times.
*bzzt**bzzzt*
We haven't talked in a while. And I miss it. Talking with you is fun and you always manage to comfort me. When we started chatting in the game chat online, we just.... clicked. You're special. It feels like I've known you for ages.
*bzzt**bzzzt*
Please reply me. I'm starting to doubt myself. I'm starting to think that maybe you aren't real and I just imagined you for my own convienience.
*bzzt**bzzzt*
Please call me, just this once. I need to know you're real. Or this will be the last time I do this.
She stared at the phone in horror. Tapping desperately at the screen although it was a wasteful effort.
::No. No. I need this. Come on.
"You seem like you want something~"
She looked up to the figure before her.
"Please." She cried desperately. "Just this once."
The figure before her smiled. "There will be consequences. But I see you won't care. So.... alright. One call. The first and last you’ll have."
She'd never typed faster in her life.
"Hey."
"......”
"I'm sorry."
"...you sound a lot more different than I imagined."
:: And you sound exactly the same
"What, you thought I was high-pitched and squeaky?"
"No. I just- I really am speaking to you aren't I?"
"The one and only magnificent me."
"I'm more awesome than you."
:: ...you speak exactly the same too
"You wish~ sorry I haven't replied lately, I've been working."
"For four months?"
"Yeah... some technical difficulties. I missed talking to you too."
"Of course you did. Who can even resist me~"
"Ewwww~"
"I'm just so glad you're actually real."
She broke into a grin hearing this and leaned towards the phone. It was so nice to hear the other again after so long.
"Of course I'm real~ I forgive you for doubting yourself, I am too perfect after all."
"Perfectly full of flaws you mean! It's just that someone around me's been acting weird and I'm being paranoid."
This was her chance! She had to warn the other before it was too late.
"About the brunette, you really should-
The phone was swatted out of her hands before she could finish the sentence.
"Terrible! I won't let you ruin my fun."
She stared, eyes full of hate at the brunette in front of her.
"You don't like this haircut? I thought it would suit, seeing as the trends changed and all. Mortal whims are so hard to follow after all~ I'm not going to let you spoil all my fun. This was our agreement after all. You forfeit those rights to me, remember?"
Her eyes blazed with anger. That precious phone call was cut off by this...thing.
"That beautiful, beautiful hateful gaze. I can't wait to see how you'll react when I push your beloved dark-haired girl further. And it's makes me absolutely ecstatic to be amidst all this drama. I'm experiencing all my dramas in real life!"
"This wasn't our agreement."
"My, you didn't ask. You shouldn't pin this on me, really, how irresponsible. I'm not an angel. I'm a merchant. Well, you are now at least. Should I really be blamed for your faults? And now, your beloved will be toyed with by me until I see fit, she'll even come to me easier now, seeing as you hanged her call. I did warn that there'd be consequences."
"I didn't hang-"
"My, but it seems you did. And seeing as you'll never speak to her again, she'll face me even more. It was a good idea to leave you the phone after all, I never knew you would self-destruct like this!"
She...caused this? The merchant had known. They had known all along of her actions. She thought she was hiding it well, she thought she had outsmarted them. She thought-
"This is why it's fun to toy with mortals. They're egoistical, think highly of themselves and never give up."
"It's my win this time~ let's compete again in her next life!"
As the merchant walked away, she realised what she had done. She thought by agreeing, she would finally help them both and that it'd be easy to get out. But she had doomed herself to being simply a watcher, and had doomed the black-haired girl to the merchant's whims as well.
Theme: You have one chance to call someone, what would you say to him?
This is a bit short because…I have no clue what to do with this theme (can’t even come up with a nice title). I have a plan in mind and I decided to scrap everything today for a completely new one.
Also, Paradoxymoron pair, because I need people with NAMES XD
Qexyr did not know how much time had passed. There was no clock to tell the time here, only iron bars. On the cold concrete he sat, with his hands bound behind him, his once styled black hair shaved bald. He was in pain…or was he? He had grown numb to all the purple and black splotches enamoring his body behind the orange jump suit he was forced to wear.
His mind flashed back to a couple years ago when he had just finished his high school. Given his excellent leadership reputation, he had decided to pursue a course where his oratorical skills could be put to good use. The young, ambitious Qexyr had chosen journalism. Back then he buried himself under books and articles, studying them word by word. The only thing keeping him running strong, all the way to graduating in the Dean's List was his ambition to write an eye-opening article for the world to peruse.
Now he learnt it was not such a good thing to be so ambitious. He would get his eye-opening article alright, only he would not be writing it. He would be in it. As a journalist hostage.
Qexyr snapped out of his reverie when he heard the cell door creaked open. They had not touched him in days, surely they could not be trying to wring more information out of him again? He really had nothing to say. Unlike those people he saw getting flayed and whipped in and out their consciousness, he had no secret information for them to waste so much energy on him. Too bad, he's a small fish.
Fish…
Someone, a person he had learnt to be the one in charge of handling him hoisted him up by his bound and forced him to walk. Qexyr dutifully followed. He was led through maze of halls until he was outside- a first. Upon seeing dunes of sand his mind flashed to the videos he had watched as a student. A person clad in all black with his face hidden, the journalist kneeling right next to him saying a few words, and off with his head.
Great. This was the end of the road for him then.
Qexyr had spent too much time confined that he had lost all his fighting spirit. He knew it would eventually end for him, whether it was due to his body not withstanding the rough treatment, dying as a collateral damage, or dying by this. At least he went out with a bang, or a spatter of blood.
The person behind him led him through the vast dunes of sand. Qexyr hissed as the hot sand burned his bare foot, but did not say anything. True to his expectation, he saw another black-clad man with a tripod stand and a camera ready. Qexyr wrought a smile. How kind of them to allow him to make the headlines.
They were positioned before the camera and Qexyr was forced to kneel, just like in the video he had watched years ago. From the corner of his eyes Qexyr could see the hilt of a knife stuck on the belt of the man standing beside him and his heart began to pick up in pace. Unlike the video, this was real. He swore he could smell the metallic tang of blood from the knife. Or maybe he was only hallucinating, Qexyr cared not to think further.
He heard the two men speaking to each other in a tongue he could not comprehend. It seemed they were arguing about something. Then a third man joined in, this one was dressed properly with his face revealed completely. He gave a look of pity at Qexyr. Qexyr wanted to snort at that.
"You're no good." The man said in a gruff voice, in a language Qexyr spoke. "You'll die today. But we're kind so we'll let you record a message to your loved person. You have a minute."
Qexyr raised an eyebrow, inwardly cringing at the butchering of his mother language and also at the meaning of his words. So he was not so good so as to be the person to deliver a scripted gut-wrenching message to the government for the world to see. No, this was just be one of those supporting recording sent to the government to show how many 'innocent' lives were sacrificed, not that the government had many of such recordings already, Qexyr believed.
"Start record in three, two…"
Qexyr stared at the lens aimed at him. Should he say some farewell message to his parents? He could hope that somehow this message would be delivered to them. Or he could try revealing something (not that he had learnt anything about the group- they were awfully confidential in things they did) so they would shut his mouth and get his execution over with. Short and sweet, no tape.
"One…"
Or he could make this the weirdest message they would ever get.
"Start."
Qexyr's lips twitched into a smirk. "Hello there. Whoever get this message, send it to Fish. That's someone's nickname, not a literal fish. Tell him that this is the Great Leader's final command: you're fired. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing now, hope you have fun, but you'll never work under me ever again."
Qexyr heaved a satisfied sigh. Yep, that's good enough, he could tell from the confused look the properly-dressed man was giving him. He turned his eyes back to the camera and tried to focus on the person recording him, ignoring the glint of the metal he caught in the corner of his eyes as the person beside him withdrew his knife.
The camera man was staring at him with such wide eyes his eyeballs would fall off his sockets. Was his words that surprising? He could see the man shaking too, the vibration on his hand transferred to the camera.
The sharp rusty instrument was drawn extremely close to his neck. The man was shouting a prayer in his tongue. Qexyr hold his breath, his eyes fixated on the slightly shaking camera. Funny how they said that your life flashed before your eyes on the verge of death. Qexyr felt nothing. Maybe it had something to do with only living for twenty five years and having done nothing significant for him to cry upon or recall with his final breaths.
But he'd remember fish. That twisted secretary of his. He bet if fish was here he would be recording every single moment, making sure that his head was constantly in the shot from when it's still on his head to when it's separated.
A slight pain biting onto his neck was the only warning he got. The cut was swift and clean.
At the same time his head fell through the air and hit the sand, the camera followed, capturing every movement frame by frame.
Title: Partner
Summary: He sets you straight when you deviate. He picks up the pieces when you break. He makes everything that is not okay in the world okay, even just for a while.
I grew up with beatings. Hangars, canes, chains. You name it and I've probably been hit with it at least once. It's a typical story. Spare the rod and spoil the child. That's the motto that my mother raised me on. And indeed, I have grown up to be a smart, successful woman bubbling with resentment for my mother. The things she did were inhumane. And I- no, I won't even think of that.
I always wanted to escape her grasp. And as soon as graduated from college, I clinched a job as a respectable business woman, grabbed my savings and left her with a resolve. I would spare the rod, and still raise my child right. After all, she was wrong.
"God. You messed up everything again. Can't you even do something as simple as this right?"
This brunette girl was absolutely frustrating. I could have forgiven her if she was an inexperienced teenager. But having such an incompetent subordinate that was the same age as me? Intolerable.
She glanced up, her eyes teary. She seemed to only shrink smaller with every second that passed.
"I'm s-sorry. I just keep messing up and I can't do anything right."
A sigh escaped from my lips. She was really hopeless.
"I'm sorry I ever had expectations for you. I'll get someone else to do them."
A squeak of desperation escaped from her as I walked away.
Useless.
Useless children are not needed in this world.
N-No. I am different.
"Once more chance. And I'll even personally teach you how to use Excel."
Waves of gratitude gushed forth from the brunette once those words escaped my lips.
Being able to delete everything after finally completing it in the longest time ever recorded? Only something the brunette could have done. Stereotypes were that blondes were stupid, but maybe brunettes were worse? Or maybe she had just dyed her hair brunette. I had walked out of the room after that mistake. Breathing the same air as her would cause high blood pressure.
Maybe she was hopeless after all.
I guess coal will never become a diamond. Just like you.
My fists clenched instinctively. No. One more try.
As I turned to head back to the room. I was met with a grinning brunette holding a printed report.
"I did it! And it was all thanks to you! I'll definitely be able to hand this in now!"
Done in half the time it originally took. Amazing.
"Let's go out for supper. My treat."
As the brunette sprinted back to the room happily to get her things, I flipped through the report. A smile spread across my face as I read the contents.
The brunette had gotten sick after the supper and couldn't come to work the next day. Having to retrieve urgent documents from her, I had to send them to her place.
As I began to knock, the door creaked open. She had left it unlocked, how careless. I pushed open the door and was horrified by the sight before me. Empty cup noodle bowls all over the room, laundry strewn over the floor, sink full of dishes. This place was a pigsty.
As I scanned disgustedly the room, she stumbled out, sporting untamed hair and mismatched clothes.
"W-what? Wh-Why I wha?" she mumbled out incoherently.
Just like a child.
"Do you… not know how to clean up after yourself?”
“N-no! I do! I forgot this week and I-”
Her stomach growled loudly before she could continue her sentence.
She couldn’t clean. She couldn’t do her work. She always needed someone to take care of everything.
“I-I’ve already recovered you know? You really don’t need to keep helping me clean up. ”
I froze after hearing that.
I never wanted you
No. No. It was different. This one needs me.
I turned around, smiled and stroked her hair.
“Don’t be silly. You don’t even know how to do your own laundry. I’ll handle it for you so don’t complain like a child. Dinner will be ready in a second, just go ahead and settle all your documents. Alright?”
She opened up as if to protest. But she crumbled into a scowl and walked away.
“Yes MOM. I’ll get it done.”
Mom? Did she just-
Don’t call me mother. It makes me sick.
Mother was wrong. As the smile spreads on my face, I know mother is wrong.
I've moved in with my child. I help with all the housework, the cooking, almost everything. We have a perfect relationship. She’s reliant on me and needs me. More than anyone else has ever had.
“Hey~ I’m leaving, alright? Please make corn soup today! I know you can do it! Love you!”
My child is truly so helpless without me. Asking for even such a thing. She could never accomplish it on her own. She can’t cook the foods she wants, can’t clean up after herself. I had to quit my job and get a small part-time job at a store just so I can look after her.
But I enjoy it. The feeling of her entirely needing me. The feeling of raising a child right. It’s rewarding.
Mother is wrong. Sparing the rod can raise a child right.
Useless children are not needed in this world.
My child was necessary.
I guess coal will never become a diamond. Just like you.
Spare the rod and spoil the child. Of course that saying is right.
Growing up, I was beaten by my parents. But I learned how to act from that. I learned what behavior got me sweets. I learnt what makes others happy. I learnt that it was never good to be the one submitting. It was best to be in control.
And thus, I learnt which poor saps were easy to target.
I mean of course, it’s usually always men. It’s easy. Batt a few eyelashes, pitch your tone slightly higher, and they’ll give you everything you want.
But when I met my steely successful black-haired superior. I immediately decided that she was mine. It was easy to tell. She never joined in when people talked about their families or parenting. Her hands shook once the word “Mother” was mentioned. She flew into a rage when someone mentioned caning their child.
She was just like me. At least, me if I didn’t learn to act.
The week’s been a blast. She’s paid for everything. She takes care of everything. Even when I go out to meet my other targets, she never questions anything.
What a good, obedient child. Learning how to play house.
Spare the rod and spoil the child? Indeed, if she acts in a way I dislike, I start acting like I will leave her, and she goes back to normal. My rod is smarter than mother’s, more of a psychological attack.
That space between friends and lovers…Nothing good can come out of it.
Note: the story's unbeta-ed because of its length. I didn't expect myself to write this long. oh well~
Theme: spare the rod
"Tadaa~"
The brunette let the dark haired girl walked past the door. The first thing the dark haired girl saw was a dinner table with two chairs. After that were two rooms, one was a bedroom with toilet inside and the other was an empty room.
"We can save more on electricity if we share bedrooms." The brunette explained as she pointed at the single queen sized bed.
The dark haired girl smiled. "Co-inhabitance." She muttered, her mouth was wide in awe.
The brunette grinned and wrapped her arms around the shorter girl tightly. "We finally get to live together!" The dark haired girl, though visibly uncomfortable at the physical contact, relented and allowed the brunette to squeeze the life out of her.
It was a situation the two of them could never imagine. The brunette did not know what possess her to buy this place with the minimum sum she made from her job and proposed the dark haired girl to move in. The dark haired girl did not know why she had agreed to the idea when she did not even have a stable source of income on her own as a university student. Yet it happened anyway.
No more sacrificing work or school just to be able to spend the day together with each other. They were now constantly within each other's distance, every single day.
"I should go and prepare for tomorrow's lesson." The dark haired girl said as she tried to pry the brunette's arms off her to no avail.
"I don't wanna~ We should go out and celebrate~" The brunette drawled, still clinging tightly onto the dark haired girl.
"Don't you have work to go to in half an hour?"
"Oh shit!" The brunette released the dark haired girl as if she had been touching hot coal, dashed into the room with lightning quick speed that the dark haired girl swore she saw dust smokes, and slammed the door right before the dark haired girl's face.
"We'll go out tonight!" The brunette shouted from behind closed doors. The dark haired girl smiled in silent acknowledgment.
Things were always impromptu between the two of them. It was as if they lost all their brain cells when they were together. So when the brain cells slowly reformed as the dark haired girl waved goodbye to her partner, she couldn't help but to think.
How long would she be able to keep this up?
"Co-inhabitance?"
The dark haired girl nodded as she slurped her noodles. The boy sitting across her was looking very disinterested. Then again, everything seemed to disinterest the black spiky haired boy. The boy was not even interested to eat anything despite the bowl of noodles the girl was devouring.
"Tell me Qexyr, what do you think?" The dark haired girl asked. She slurped quietly as she waited for the boy to answer.
"Are you planning to spend the rest of your life with her?"
The girl nearly spit her soup out. "Pardon me?"
"What do you guys call it, marriage? LGBT?" Qexyr brought the topic up as if he was talking about the weather, a very extremely dull and boring weather.
The dark haired girl dropped her eating utensils into the bowl. "I don't think…" Elbows on the table, she joined her hands and placed them covering her mouth as she contemplated. The table was quiet, a juxtaposition to the noisy din of the cafeteria.
"How you you determine when someone is in love?"
It was Qexyr's turn to nearly sputter on his food, if he had been eating any. His raised eyebrows was equal to that. The dark haired girl swore she could see his ears becoming red. That, or she should have her eyes checked.
Wordlessly, Qexyr stood up from his seat. The dark haired girl sighed, knowing well that the boy would handle this kind of situation by completely abandoning it, pretending it never existed. To her surprise, Qexyr moved with his hands in his pockets to stand behind the dark haired girl.
The girl turned her head to look at the boy. "What are you-"
Her words were cut off when he claimed her lips with his.
SMACK!
SMACK SMACK!!
SMACK SMACK SMACK!!!
SMA-
"With that kind of rough treatment, it's no mystery why your comm lags a lot, brownie~." The brunette's hand was held back from delivering another deserving blow to her pc.
The brunette spun on her chair to face the intruder. Standing beside her and still holding her wrist was her co-worker, Fayel Yua, his obnoxiously handsome face smiling evilly under that brown bowl cut.
"Mind your own business you fish." The brunette retorted with another nickname and yanked her hand off his grip. She wanted to ignore the boy and continue her work. She spun her chair back to her comm and was about to begin typing when she realized she was staring at a frozen screen.
"Fuck." She muttered under her breath.
"Two hundred and I'll be yours."
The brunette twitched, trying her best not to give the boy the same treatment she had just given to her pc. Just ignore the brat and his usual teasing…
"But seriously," Fay bent down such that his face was inches away from the brunette's. Again, the brunette was very tempted to slap the boy, but decided against it for fear of committing work violence against the boss' son. She couldn't afford to lose this job.
"For someone so attractive as you, it remains a mystery why are you yet in a commitment." Fay mused.
"None of your concern." The brunette was quick to dismiss. Her effort to spin the chair away from the boy was halted. The boy had two hands on the armrests, holding the chair still.
"Seriously Fay, I-"
"Am I not good enough?"
The brunette stared at the boy as if he had grown another set of head. "A thousand years too early for me." The brunette answered curtly.
"Really?" Fay was clearly not convinced. "Why don't I show it to you tonight?"
Oh god. Why her of all people to be stuck in this kind of office drama?
"Unless you have a commitment outside waiting for you?"
"No, I-"
"Great!" Fay cheered, finally letting go of the armrests. "Tonight at 6. Meet me outside the entrance."
Why had she been so quick to say no? How about the girl she lived with?
The lives of a working person and a student seemed to differ greatly. It was as if they were meant to keep each other as far apart as possible.
"I understand. Working life is rough after all." The dark haired girl would say.
"School life seems tougher than work." The brunette would say.
It had been three months ever since they agreed to stay together, and they still had yet to go out for that celebration they had mentioned on their first day. The dark haired girl would leave the house too early and the brunette would return home too late. When sun was high in the sky on weekends the dark haired girl would be busy doing 'school related stuff' outside and by the time the sun disappeared it would be the brunette's turn to do 'work related stuff'. When the calendar was painted red for once, neither of them would be home the entire day.
Why did they agree to stay under the same house again?
"Toast!"
Two glass filled with green substance clang in the air. Then both person proceed to drink the tea.
"We finally get to celebrate!" The brunette exclaimed excitedly as she began ordering sushi using the iPad. The dark haired girl stared intently on the conveyor belt running beside her before she found a target and seized it. It was a pair of salmon sushi on a red plate.
The brunette's finger danced around the screen deftly. When they were both students, they frequented this place. The brunette knew which to order for the dark haired girl like the back of her hands. The dark haired girl prepared the wasabi and the sauce. She knew the brunette could not handle much of the green substance and only put half of the amount she gave herself.
As usual, the table was filled with assortments of sushi on colorful plates. They chattered amicably as they ate, the topic about work and school came up very often.
"They probably gave you the role of detective because you are so secretive." The brunette laughed. The dark haired girl however decided to use that to steer the conversation to a serious tone.
"I am?"
"Well," The brunette took the cue. "You're just unwilling to reveal things about yourself. Not exactly secretive I guess. More like…tsundere?"
And the serious tone smashed to shards in a drop of a beat. As usual. The dark haired girl decided to let the topic stay lighthearted and fluffy.
They ate peacefully and walked back together home. The brunette took out her keys and inserted it into the hole. She had just pushed the door open when the dark haired girl suddenly assaulted her lips.
"When you love someone, after a kiss, your heart would be beating fast. Blood should rush to your face, creating a flushed countenance. Trembling might be present due to the sudden rush of endorphin through your system."
It ended as suddenly as it had started. Before the brunette could even react, the dark haired girl walked into the house silently, as if nothing had happened. The brunette traced her lips with her fingers.
"Only I can take your breath away, brownie."
Hooboy. Thank god her breath was still there, or else she would have to choose between job and love, and she had enough drama for one life.
A kiss in the middle of the night was supposed to be romantic. But upon consideration, theirs was more of an opening to something ominous.
The dark haired girl started to return home even later than the brunette. It was not a matter of 6pm vs 8pm. It was a matter of 12am vs 3am. The dark haired girl would slip in quietly, changed into her pajamas and joined the brunette in bed. It was clearly suspicious, but the brunette decided not to ask her about it, especially since the brunette herself went home very late everyday. That would be a pot calling a kettle black.
The same thing occurred for a month straight before a confrontation take place. No, the brunette was not the one who initiated it. The brunette was waken up on one fine weekend morning. Getting up to a seated position, the brunette tried to focus her sleepy eyes on the dark haired girl standing before her. The dark haired girl was already dressed to go out.
"Won't you ask why?"
The brunette blinked at the question. It took her a minute to grow enough brain cells to comprehend what the other girl was referring to.
"It's your life." The brunette answered with a yawn.
Though the dark haired girl's face remained calm, the brunette could distinguish a trace of disappointment in her eyes afar living with her for almost five months now. Without words, the dark haired girl walked out of the room and slammed the door shut.
The brunette flopped her head onto her pillow. It was none of her business what the dark haired girl was doing at night. She was not her husband, she did not need to keep tabs as to whom the dark haired girl hang out with. On top of that, the brunette knew that the dark haired girl could take care of herself. The dark haired girl she knew would knock people out before she allowed anyone to hold her hand.
The brunette resumed her slumber.
"That flushed countenance of yours is still a pleasant vista to the eye."
"It's growing very late. I shall walk your home. I have the responsibility to ensure your safety"
"You are behaving irrationally. Nothing good will come from haste."
"One last kiss is all. I expect to see you in class tomorrow."
When the brunette heard the entrance door clicked open at 8pm, she thought it was a miracle for both of them to be home early on the same day. She stood from the dinner table to greet her partner- BAM.
A familiar dark haired figure collapsed on the floor.
The brunette immediately rushed to the dark haired girl's side. Flipping her on her back, she grimaced at the stench of alcohol. The dark haired girl had had a ridiculous amount, especially since she knew how high the girl's alcohol tolerance was. She rested her body on her laps, supporting the girl's head on her arm. The brunette tried calling her name. Nothing.
The brunette was about to carry the dark haired girl to the bedroom when she felt a hand tugging weakly at her shirt. The dark haired girl was staring at her with wide, slightly unfocused eyes.
"Aren't you going to ask me why?"
The question was surprisingly audible for someone that could not stand straight. The brunette eyed the other girl, trying to search for the answer there. She saw determination and regret and pain? The brunette wasn't sure, but she decided to play along with the drunkard.
"Fine. What happened to you?"
The brunette was not expecting the dark haired girl to grin at her, as if she had won something. The next few words she whispered nearly put the brunette's heart to a stop.
"Interrogate me."
"What?!" The brunette shook the other girl gently, trying to wake her up from whatever trance she was trapped in. Just what rubbish had slipped from the girl's lips?
"If you want to find out." The dark haired girl said with a slight slur. She seemed slightly disoriented by what the brunette had just done. "Force me."
The brunette froze as she tried to figure out the best way to do this. She had read enough adult novels to understand where the dark haired girl was going. No matter how romanticized those literature could make this seem, the brunette knew that it hurt, and she was unwilling to inflict pain to the dark haired girl regardless of the consent.
The dark haired girl seemed to sense the brunette's hesitation and yanked the brunette down by her collar. The brunette was met with an onslaught of alcoholic breeze as she breathed the air near the dark haired girl.
"Tie me up in the spare room." The dark haired girl tugged the brunette's collars to emphasize every point. "Hit me until I say the words. Do it."
Great. The brunette could easily carry the dark haired girl to their bedroom and locked her inside, but then this thing would not be solved and she could possibly do something even worse the next time round. The brunette had to figure out what was going on with the dark haired girl before she self destruct.
Heaving a sigh, she cradled the dark haired girl on her arms and walked towards the spare room. When they were together, her brain cells always died. Perhaps after tying the dark haired girl inside she could clearly think of a painless solution for this.
"I could not comprehend your reluctance in declaring our relationship public. Are you engaged in another commitment outside?"
"I…give me time, please. I'll sort this thing out today, I promise."
The dark haired girl had planned this.
The brunette did not know when, but the dark haired girl had everything prepared. In the pitch dark room illuminated by the faint moonlight from the window right across, the brunette could see a pair of rope hanging down halfway from the ceiling, the two separated at a shoulder length distance. They were not designed to rob lives. They were meant to incapacitate a person by hanging them from the wrist.
After her eyes had adjusted to the lack of light, she spotted a black rod lying down in between the two ropes.
The dark haired girl was strategically drunk apparently.
Anyway, the brunette decided to follow through with her plan. It was not difficult to tie the dark haired girl's wrist to the ropes as the drunk girl was very compliant. The difficult part was deciding how tight the binds should be so that the brunette did not end up inadvertently shutting the girl's circulation system, but tight enough to serve its purpose. The length of the rope had been adjusted such that the dark haired girl was barely lifted off the floor with the tip of her toes touching it.
The brunette picked up the rod and stood before the dark haired girl.
"Do it." The dark haired girl said firmly.
The words prompted the brunette to turn on her heels, walked outside and shut the door closed behind him.
"OI!" She could hear the muffled shout from the dark haired girl in the enclosed room. A lightbulb popped in her head, her brain now functioning properly since they were separated by the walls.
Dropping the rod at the front of the door, she went into the room across. It's been a while since she got to sleep at such an early time.
"COME BACK!!"
"Good night~" The brunette yawned and closed her eyes, lulled to sleep by the muffled protests from the room across.
The brunette woke up to a very silent dawn. The room was dark for the sun had yet to show its face. Slipping herself off the bed, she made her way out of the room without changing out of her white shirt and black shorts, her brown hair an unkempt mess.
One, two steps and she was standing before the other room, the spare room she had not expected to be used anytime soon and definitely not for this purpose. She noticed the black rod lying innocently on her feet but pay it no mind. Closing her hand on the cold doorknob, she twisted her wrist and pushed the door slowly open.
The room inside was even darker than yesterday with the moon's faint light covered by the clouds. The light from the outside rushed inside, highlighting the only inhabitant of the room- the dark haired girl, still hung from the ceiling, glaring at her with bloodshot eyes.
"How are you doing?" The brunette asked amicably as she took a step inside. She left the door open. She could use some fresh air to replace the stench of alcohol lingering in the room.
"Put.me.down." The dark haired girl hissed. It seemed she was having a headache, probably from her drinking spree yesterday.
"I thought you wanted this?" The brunette took another step.
"I told you to hit me." The dark haired girl spat. "If you're going to just hang me here then you may as well put me down. I have a school to go to."
The brunette stopped before the dark haired girl, their height difference made the hung girl to be of the same height as the brunette. The brunette clicked her tongue in disapproval. "I can't let you down until you explain everything." She said as if she was scolding a child.
"You're twisting my words." The dark haired girl growled.
"So I am." The brunette casually answered. "So, are you going to tell me, or you'd rather hung around for another few hours?"
"You have to force me." It was not a challenge. It was a statement.
"That's why I told you to interrogate me. I would have revealed everything if I could." The dark haired girl hissed as she tried to adjust her stiff shoulders.
The brunette noticed that and put a hand on the dark haired girl's shoulder. "Here, let me-"
"DON'T!" The loud shout was uncharacteristic of the dark haired girl that the brunette nearly jumped.
"Don't touch me!" The dark haired girl's breath became labored. The brunette was not sure whether it was her or the other girl's heart that was beating very rapidly. It was definitely the dark haired girl's.
The brunette only stared as the dark haired girl tried to regain her composure. From her eyes, she looked apologetic for her sudden outburst. "I-I mean, I'm dirty and all. You shouldn't touch me." She tried to reason.
"Right…"
The incident brought another idea to the brunette's mind, one that would definitely get her friend to talk without having to resort to pain. She smiled, one that she found to resemble Fay's. "I should get you clean up." With that, the brunette walked out of the room. She did not need to see to know that the dark haired girl was staring at her wide eyed. She could hear the sound of her struggling against her binds on her way out.
The brunette returned with a bucket of water and a sponge floating on it. The dark haired girl was visibly trembling, the subtle motion made obvious due to the orange ray shining through the window. It also made visible an item that the brunette was holding in her hand, a cold metallic item that glinted at the incoming light.
"What are you?" The dark haired girl's voice was soft, a contrast to the shock her eyes were exuding.
"I can't just spray you water like that, can I?" The brunette said.
"Yes you can." The dark haired girl answered quickly.
"Nah." The brunette drawled, playing with the knife on her hand. The dark haired girl's eyes intently followed every movement as the knife spun on her hands. The metallic item was suddenly brought to the dark haired girl's sternum, its sharp tip resting very closely to the trough of her collar. "I shall begin stripping you."
The knife went down the fabric, ripping the seams one by one.
"STOP!!" The dark haired girl screamed, struggling against her binds to no avail. The brunette placed her free hand on the girl's shoulder to keep her still, further causing the girl to struggle harder.
"Stay still." The brunette was genuinely concerned. "I don't want to accidentally draw blood."
"JUST STOP! I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING SO STOP!"
The knife halted in between the junction of her breasts. The brunette kept her hands where they were. The dark haired girl was shaking badly, the brunette could feel it. She felt bad for using her weakness against her like that, but she had no choice. This should be the last.
"I-…" The dark haired girl began. She breathed in a shaky breath, her eyes still fixated at the sharp metal dangerously close to her. "I love someone else."
The brunette raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"No it's not love." The dark haired girl corrected herself hastily. "My body longed for him, but my soul wants you."
"I want you to punish me for two timing you, to make me yours by force." The dark haired girl was trembling even more. "To make me forget his kisses and gentle touches."
"But you never pay attention, so I have to initiate it somehow..."
The brunette was no longer paying attention to the dark haired girl's rambling, her mind elsewhere.
"Brownie, why won't you move in with me? I'm very sure I can provide you a more luxurious lifestyle than the one you can ever afford."
"It's not about that you rich fish. You see, I'm living with someone at home…"
"She's your friend, she'll understand."
"No. She's more than that."
"A lover?"
"No…That's you."
"I'm glad to hear that. Then you should have no problem. If your 'more than a friend and less than a lover' has financial issue because of this, then I'll gladly assist."
"I think she should be fine. She's been coming home very late everyday. I'm sure she has someone outside who takes good care of her."
The brunette slowly returned to the realm of reality upon hearing her name. She squinted her eyes. The sun had risen completely and illuminated the room with blinding intensity.
"You okay?" The dark haired girl was visibly worried, probably because the brunette was still holding the knife to her chest. The brunette quickly withdrew them and muttered an apologize.
"I'm sure I've placed the rod here somewhere." The dark haired girl continued. "Now that I've made my intention clear, could you kindly do the deed for me?"
"Do you love him?"
The dark haired girl blinked at the non sequitur. Him, as in Qexyr? Sure they had kissed and she even allowed him to touch her but love…The word triggered memories of her and the brunette together instead. Those halcyon days they spent as students, doodling on the rooftop, gorging sushi, dancing till they drop. The dark haired girl was certain her soul belonged to the brunette. "No…"
"You should." The brunette said in a monotone.
The dark haired girl kept quiet as she tried to reason why. It was quite a difficult feat with the constant pounding ache in her head. The fact that she had not gotten any sleep exacerbated it. "You have someone else outside."
The brunette closed her eyes. No. She had broken the dark haired girl's heart. She did not want to inflict any pain, and definitely not this kind of pain.
"It's fine." The dark haired girl said in a whisper. "Let me down."
No it's not fine. If they continued this way, they would burn the bridge between them forever. The dark haired girl was still someone above a friend to the brunette, that was how much she treasured her. If the dark haired girl could not be happy for her, then at least let the girl hate her. It was a much better feeling than being abandoned like a puppy…
Hate.
Pain.
The rod.
"Where are you going?" The dark haired girl asked as she watched the brunette swayed as she walked out of the room with the knife. The brunette disappeared in the light. She heard a clattering sound a moment later, and the brunette re emerged from the light, a rod in hand.
"What are you doing?" The dark haired girl was beginning to grow worried. For the seven years they had been together, never had she saw such raw emotion in her eyes. The brunette just said that she did not want to hurt her, right? Why did she look like she was going to contradict her words?
"You love me, right?" The brunette asked from the entrance, her voice dull and emotionless.
The dark haired girl was not sure how to answer.
"You have feelings for me."
That was not even a question. But the dark haired girl agreed, so she nodded once.
"That's good enough." The brunette closed the door behind her back. The door closed with a soft click. The brunette took a step towards the dark haired girl, another, then another. The brunette was three steps away from the dark haired girl. She swung the rod in the air onto the ground, making a slicing sound that was immediately drowned with a loud crack. The dark haired girl's eyes grew wide as she watched the other girl. She flinched at the loud noise the brunette made with the rod, her eyes warily eyeing her.
"I'll break you out of this…spell." The brunette swung the rod again as if she was splitting a person's head in half, this time extremely close to the dark haired girl's hand that she could feel the blow and instinctively recoiled, chaffing her wrist and straining her shoulder even more.
The dark haired girl called out the brunette's name. It fell to deaf ears, swallowed by the walls. The brunette raised her rod, this time ready to strike a flesh.
"What are you trying to do? I get it, you don't have feeling for me. I'm not forcing you to do anything to me already. Game over!" The dark haired girl tried. It was her last measure.
For a moment, it looked like the brunette regained some of her conscience. The dark haired girl breathed a sigh of relief as the brunette lowered her hand and inspect it. "It's not a game."
The relief was short living.
"You have feelings for me." The brunette tightened her fists around the handle.
"I'm going to beat those feelings out of you until nothing is left."
A swish, a loud crack, a scream that tore her throat until no more voice could escape.
You know how we said there wouldn't be another episode?
Well, we decided to give them a bit more screentime before they die after all~
Announcer #2: OKAY so I'm broke, desperate, and need the cash so let's go! Today we have TDHTB!
The Dark Haired Girl (D): No, no, it's DHBTB!
The Brunette (B): Wasn't it DHGBG?
D: Was it?
B and D: ..............
Announcer #2: How can you both not even know your own tag?
B: How can an announcer forget his own cues?
D: Let alone refer to guests wrongly~
Announcer #2: Hey! The actual tag doesn't make sense on it's own so it's not my fault! Let's get on to the more interesting issues. So, after the last round, we of course know you're The Dark Haired Girl and The Brunette, and that you've both died plenty of times. But I'm sure we're all dying~ to know more about you both! So let's start with, how tall are you both?
D: I'm 1-
B: *pets D's head* She's shorter than me.
D: *murderous look shot at B*
Announcer #2: A-alright, don't fight. How about your weights instead?
B: I'm 40kg.
D: I'm 35kg.
Announcer #2: *loud laugh* Clearly that's a huge lie. I mean look at your waistlines....
The announcer trails off as he feels a chill run down his spine from their piercing gazes.
*whispers*
D: we know where you live.
B: we hang out on your roof all the time.
*whispers*
Announcer #2: .... of course you'd both be waaay lighter than that! Look at those beautifully slim bodies! A-ahem, alright, lets try something else. *looks at cue cards* Your 3 sizes...... oh god who the hell made these questions!?
*whispers*
D: we could always bring gasoline~ (^O^)/
B: or make you go bankrupt~~ \(owo)
*whispers*
The announcer shuffles through his cards hastily.
Announcer #2: ahaha.. I must've read that wrong! I mean- Since we've already heard from both of you what you think of the stories/deaths so far, what would you wish for if you could control the next story?
D: That's easy! I would like to not die or be killed for once.
Announcer #2: Well that's a great answer, and to that- O-oh? What's this? I just received a word from backstage saying that you should ask for something possible.
D: Wait so we're going to die either way!? If that's going to happen then I wish that at least the next story is freaking fluffy and doesn't break us apart.
Voice from backstage: Not within budget! Something else please!
D: This is a useless talk-show! We can't wish for anything!
B: I want a cat.
D: ..... what?
B: Hey, if I'm going to die I want at least something I can take comfort in.
D: God dammit you brunette. Do our lives mean less to you than a cat?
B: HEY. You're the one who reset and killed me 6 times in Dead End. You're clearly the one who values my life lowly.
D: Well clearly, of course a bottom's value is low! Plus, you slashed me too in Forfeit! We're even.
B: Okay, okay you denial-bottom. So let's both agree on something for the wish.
They both lit up suddenly and turned to stare at each other instinctively. A wide grin grew on both their faces.
D & B: LETS. GO. TO. JAPAN.
They both burst into giggles.
B: Alllllright! This is exactly what we've always wanted!
D: A trip for the 2 of us! We'll go to Akihabara's shops, visit butler cafes, eat sushi~ it'll be great!
Announcer #2: Aaaaaand that suspiciously sounds like a honeymoon! Again, here comes the juicy part that was avoided before. So what exactly are you guys to each other?
D: Frrrrriiiiieeeeennnndddssssssssss?
B: I don't think that's going to work this time.
D: You really want to tell them the truth?
B: Well~ we're not going to get anywhere else by lying.
D: Alright then. The truth.
Announcer #2: Oh my stars, I'm actually doing my job right for once! Maybe I'll even get a raise! So yes, what exactly is the answer that everyone has been waiting for? Aaaaaand drumroll please~
*drumrolls~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
*drum falls off stage from rolling~ *
B: I guess there's no point trying to hide anymore. I'm the top and she's my loyal obeying botto-
D: HEY. KNOW YOUR PLACE YOU POWERLESS BOTTOM.
B: Aww~ you're so cute thinking you can try and stand up to me <3
D: Ha! I don't even have to stand up to you! One word and you'll be grovelling at my feet.
B: Well you-
Announcer #2: FROM the past talk show, we all know that this will just escalate and since the prison locking up the rest of the characters isn’t exactly the most secure, let's just change the question! Choose. Friendship or love?
D: Well, neither.
B: Exactly.
Announcer #2: You both don't even care about those two things? But that's what your relationship is!
B: No. What we have is......
Overlapping B and D: Love/Lub.
D: You really can't spell.
B: And you really don't make sense.
D: I make dollars~
B: And I'll get a bank card~
Announcer #2: I don't have either dollars or cents right now. But please clarify. What is lobe, exactly?
B: AHEM LUB.
Announcer #2: I DON'T CARE I JUST WANT MY PAY
D: Well you see, LOBE is simply-
???: -a meaningless word that doesn't matter.
From behind the curtains walks out two familiar boys, one with a perpetual frown and spiky black hair and another smiling with a brown bob-cut.
Announcer #2: CRAP WHY DID YOU BOTH APPEAR.
Qexyr: We clearly have a stronger bond then you two.
Fay(e?) : Something you wouldn't usually admit my great leader~
B: Oh gosh.
D & B: Yaoi~
As the Paradoxymoron pair shoots a look at the both of them, a group of people can be heard approaching.
???: We're going to get our places back phin!
???: Absolutely sharky! It's our right!
???: We want our screentime!!
Announcer #2: This can't be happening. How did you all even escape!?
A Simple Merchant: Well. It's more interesting this way.
Announcer #2: How did you even get the keys?! And why is your voice already identified?!
A Simple Charming Karma Merchant: Ah, I'm afraid I cannot reveal such things to you. If you would like though, we can make a deal in the future.
Announcer #2: DON’T JUST CASUALLY MAKE YOUR NAME COOLER!
The Elegant Dark-Haired Girl: Awesome! We can do that too!
The Beautiful Brunette: We should have done this earlier!
Sushi Freak: Hey! Don't mess with my name!
Cat-obsessed Idiot: Grr... pot calling the kettle black.
The previous announcer appears, looking weak.
Announcer: D-don't. Run. Save yourself....
Announcer #2: You got locked in too!? ....THE MONEY ISN'T WORTH IT. I QUIT!
Announcer #2 runs off in the sunset, deciding finally to screw his pay (FINALLY. The innuendo you sick people have been waiting for) as the stampede of people approaches.
Authors: Ahem ahem. Once again, our weak replacement announcer has too, decided to forfeit his pay. Well, no worries as everyone in this timeline will be wiped and a new alternate dimension will arise. So see you then~
The Simple Charming Admirable Helpful Karma Merchant: To the people here who will be erased from the timeline, fear not. By simply fulfilling the criteria, you may-
The Dark Haired Girl (D): Sup. I'm The Dark Haired Girl. I tend to make crappy mistakes in every alternate timeline I'm in and seems to always meet a bad end. I'm also very antisocial. Such is my beautiful life…
Announcer: Right…What did you say your name was?
D: The Dark Haired Girl
Announcer: I'm asking your name. N-A-M-E in case the word is too foreign to you.
D: I've said it two times already. I'll say it the third time if you give me a bonus.
Announcer: ARGH never mind. And that is THE DARK HAIRED GIRL, whose hair is apparently so dark it can't be represented with a color.
D: I told you I'm-
Announcer: MOVING ALONG!
The Brunette (B): Hi! I'm The Brunette, the chirpier, more eloquent one of the two. I'm usually left to pick up from The Dark Haired Girl's mistakes. Usually I can't do shit though. Basically I'm the victim, thanks to the authors.
Announcer: You said your name was…
B: The Brunette! Sorry to ask but are you deaf?
Announcer: I'm not gonna try to argue with this one. At least this one has color.
B: My hair is gorgeous, kay? *flips hair*
Announcer: How much are they paying me for this…
Not a single cent
Announcer: Right… Let's just move on. So the two of you form this series called 'dhbtb'. The heck does that mean?
D: Dark Haired Girl and The Brunette?
B: I think it's supposed to be TBHTB
Announcer: And you guys called yourself students?!
D: We don't exactly do school
B: Yeah! We just meet at the rooftop. It can be any roof. House roof, hospital roof, your roof.
Announcer: Whoa what?!
B: Nothing~
Announcer: *takes a deep breath* relax. this is not real. this is not real.
The two guests give him a judging stare.
Announcer: OK! I'm ready for this shit. *clears throat* You guys 'dhbtb' have starred in 13 stories so far. Tell us what you think of that.
D: I've said it before. I keep on making stupid mistakes and I'm screwed. If not, the fate will screw me.
B: And while she's constantly screwing herself (Announcer: AHEM) yep I'm not paraphrasing, I'm busy finding ways to remedy them. But fate treats me like crap too. So here we are.
Announcer: Your death tally is actually pretty low though. Darky there died in 4 stories, bruey here died in 5 out of 13. That's not even half. Compared to our previous star paradoxym-
B: Did you overlook that two titled story The/Dead End? I died six times. SIX. That makes a total 11. ELEVEN.
D: I got killed by you twice, Two Taps and Forfeit.
B: Ignoring that last crappy piece, it's not like I don't kill myself! I did, a lot! Grasp, Unprepared, Easter_Egg: RESET (Announcer: What's with that way of speaking?) . That's three out of five. So I'm justified.
D: You hurt me too in Blind.
B: That's 3-3. We're equal!
Announcer: Such math prowess…OKAY!
The guests give him an annoyed look.
Announcer: You guys are no easy job. And with no pay too.
The guests raise an eyebrow.
Announcer: Stop doing the same thing at the same time!
B: I-
Announcer: And NO don't answer me on that! Next! *takes deep breath* What kind of relationship do you guys have actually?
The guests threw each other a look.
D: Frrrrriiiiieeeeennnndddssssssssss?
B: Yep. That.
Announcer: Finally something juicy! *pumps fists in air*
The guests raise an eyebrow again.
Announcer: *Totally ignored them* You guys called yourself 'lobers' or 'lub', which in my supposedly deaf ears sounds pretty close to LOVE. What do you have to say to that?
D: It's Lobe
B: No it's not. It's lub, not ear lobe.
D: But if you take the fissure out from the middle and attach the two roundish and flattish part together you would get a heart shape which in my opinion is closer to LOBE than it is lub which has no meaning. Therefore I reasoned that *rambles on*
B: Mr Announcer, can we move on to the next topic? Once she starts argument-ing we'll never hear the end of it.
Announcer: So much for juicy topics… It is implied in some stories, let's see, Silence and Too Much, that you guys are just friends. Then there's also In Search of a Happy End and A Simple Merchant's Story (gosh those are a mouthful) that you guys are more than that. Elaborate on this?
D: …And as I have theorized before on the circular disk that has the centripetal force of …
B: As she said before. Frrrrriiiiieeeeennnndddssssssssss. That's what we are. Or TBHTB.
Announcer: 'dhbtb'?
B: No. TBHTB.
Announcer: Whatever. I'm done with this shit.
D: … In contrast, the volume of hydrochloric solution needed to dissolve the concentrated 1,2- diaminebenzene is….
B: *Smiles innocently*
Announcer: I'm so done with this entire shit. Before we end, any last words?
B: Look forward to more of us? :3
D: …Hence that concludes my presentation. You were saying?
Announcer: ALRIGHT! FINALLY I FRE-
(?): JUST A MOMENT ANNOUNCER-SAN!
From thin air, two teenage boys appear. The one that has a perpetual frown has spiky black hair and the one that is smiling has brown bob-cut.
Spiky(?): So you're the one that has been replacing us. I challenge you to a duel here against me, the great leader!
Bob(?): And you probably don't know us so I'll take care of the introduction. This great leader here is Qexyr Smugvold and I'm Fayel Yua. You can call me Fay or Faye. We're the Paradoxymoron. You know, the title?
The two girls give them questioning look.
Announcer: Haven't seen you guys in a while.
Qexyr: Damn straight! We only appeared in a remake where I fucked my secretary over (Announcer: AHEM!!) and one where I was a robot. The great leader does not deserve anything less than the spotlight.
Fay(e): Agreed, I guess. Though I'm more concerned about our lack of presence nowadays.
Qexyr: We'll fight, here and now.
D: Do you know them?
B: Nope.
D: Must be ghosts then.
B: Yep.
Qexyr: Don't get smug just because you're pushed by the authors now.
D: I think that's you.
B: It's in your name after all.
High Five!
Fay(e): Getting too cocky for a bunch of newcomers, aren't you. You have 13 stories. We have 27 stories with a multi chapter one, three with sequels and a remake. Don't tell me you don't have that?
B: And that matters why?
D: Doesn't matter. I've always wanted to try street fighting. Come on.
Announcer: KEEP THE BLOOD BACKSTAGE! They actually pay me to keep the carpet clean you know! And lord knows you guys have a reputation for dying a lot. ALL OF YOU.
Qexyr: Be honored that the great leader is kind enough to entertain your requests. Enjoy your glorious times, for this will be your last.
D: Can you stop with the pretentious speech and just fight?
Fay(e): Well I guess I'll take care of the side-kick?
B: YOU SAY WHAT!? DARK HAIRED GIRL I'M THE TOP. SWITCH!
D: You want the top? Fight for it.
B: Ha you can't even handle a fraction of my strength! You'll crumble to pieces. Give up and I'll let you go easy.
D: As if you have enough power to make a fraction of your strength above negligible.
The two men stare at the girls having a cat fight.
Fay(e): Let's jump into the fight, the great leader~ *drags Qexyr into the cat fight*
Qexyr: What? Hands off me!
Announcer: I TOLD YOU TO KEEP THE BLOOD BACKSTAGE! DRAW THE CURTAIN CLOSE!!
Nothing happen. The cat fight still continues consisting of four people inside.
Announcer: They won't even pay for crews?! *walks to draw the curtains close himself*
(??): OBJECTIONS!!!
Announcer: What now?!
Two girls with suspiciously similar get up to The Dark Haired Girl and The Brunette, only with glasses jump into the set just before the curtains are shut.
(??): I'm Auphin.
(??): And I'm Azue.
(????): We're SharkyPhin! The original girls chara in Paradoxymoron. And we're-
Announcer: You guys are not even regulars in the story. The cat fight has enough people inside. Don't bother.
Auphin: We shall not go down without a fight!
Azue: Let's go Phin!
Auphin: Right behind you Sharky~
Now the cat fight consist of six people. The announcer has decided to just leave it be and screw his pay (AHEM NO, get your mind out of the gutter) when he sees a bunch of people's silhouettes from afar.
Announcer: NOT THE MUSINGS TOO! *RUNS AWAY*
Authors: Ahem ahem. Since the announcer decides to forfeit his pay, I shall continue in his stead. And that marks the end of our talk show. If you look forward to another episode, don't bother, cause these people here will probably be dead. See you in an alternate dimension~
The word 'forfeit' was not in my dictionary. It never was. It never would.
As a counter puncher in tennis, it was my job to return every single shot. Every.Single.One. My opponent always had so much glee in their eyes, toying with me, watching me dance frantically across the court chasing after a single green ball; From the left to the right, from the back of the court to the net.
That was until they realized that all the shots were returned successfully, without exceptions. Then it was no longer a one sided power play, not like it ever was.
Shots flew back and forth across the net again and again and again. I ran here and there and returned the shots, each one of them. When would this rally end, surely the question nagged in the opponent's mind, begging to be answered. The desperation to end this physical torture, the longing for a relief from this mental game. The question could not be ignored. My opponent was too weak to ignore them.
The ball hit the net. It was my point. I threw my head back, laughing. Every single one of my joints were creaking in pain from overexertion, from the dashing and the hitting and the jumping. The match was far from ending. It was a laugh of misery, I recognized it well. It hurt. It was painful.
'I can end it all for you. Just say the word, and it will be all over.'
I would not say the word. No one could make me, not even my own body.
It started with an introduction.
"I'm _____" What was his name again? I could not recall. He shook my hand.
Next was a date.
"I think the club could use some of this, don't you think?" He asked. I was not listening.
Then he moved on to gifts.
"It's just for fun." He reasoned. I threw the gifts away.
His last attack was a direct confrontation.
"I love you." He said.
I wanted to reply. No, no I could not. Not my honest answer.
'Say it, lil girl. Let me have your lil brunette friend, and I'll let you go'
"I don't." My voice croaked.
That vile word had no place in my life.
Had I been wrong all this time?
It hurts…
My vision was blurry. The concrete was cold. My body felt cold. I could feel the crimson liquid soaking into my shirt, my dark strands of hair. Unpleasant. Familiar. Disgusting.
It hurts!
Years might have passed, but could not get rid of that vile stench from my body, no matter how much soap I use, no matter how hard I scrubbed. Even if I peeled off all my skin, it persisted there, choking me, threatening to take me helplessly again. That…that vile word was my only safe key, one that locked those stained memories from haunting me; The one thing that convinced me that I had been strong, and I should remain strong, for someone.
'Such a good little girl. For your friend, yes?'
Now that someone was towering over me, standing there, admiring the art she had created.
That someone used to visit this house. There would be dolls and cooking toys and make up.
And there was him. And there was frenzy and pain and cries. All mine.
'Yes, take it. Take it all, for your brunette friend.'
Was all that I did in naught? Why had she looked so vengeful then? Why had she swung the blade to my abdomen?
Should I have let him take her that day instead?
"I should have given up…" A derisive cry escaped parched lips. My voice was raw. I was once again, helpless.
No matter how hard I had tried, how stubborn I had been, all for naught.
I might as well say it.
"I should have given you up."
That person turned her back and walked towards me.
SLASH!
SLASH!SLASH!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!
Piece my lips together and you would find a smile. How satisfying, that vile word.
'You have such a good friend, lil brunette. Thank her. Thank her for whatever you’re feeling now. It’s hundred times more than hers. THANK HER.’
My my, you’re finally here, I was getting quite tired of waiting.
Now let’s get started, shall we?
<< I am but a simple merchant, what can I do for you today?
Theme: Forfeit
by Sharky >>
What exactly is the afterlife? Is it an eternal paradise where people live with their loved ones forever? Does there exist a hell where people suffer for their sins? Or is the theory of reincarnation true, where people get a second chance at life?
The answer is, it all is true. Upon death, the deceased are led along a long path. Everyone travels for a day and night, walking along the same long road to reach the eternal gates where they shall be thus judged and all their deeds will be weighed. They'll live accordingly to whatever deeds they have done, the good to live happily, the bad to work jobs and the even worse to... well, we'll save that for next time.
Once the spirits want or need to move on, they'll reach reincarnation. All the accumulated karma will matter there. The next lives will be lived either fortunately or horribly all depending on their deeds till that moment. Of course, the evil will definitely have a horrible time ahead of them.
But, there is a certain way to escape this. Simply speaking, that is us.
Good evening. I am a karma merchant.
It's hard to happen upon us. Usually we'll only appear before the very desperate. The very needy. Or the very greedy. Someone like you. To those that satisfy such criteria, a forked road will appear upon nearing the judgement gates. If you wander down that rocky path, you'll probably happen upon me or one of my fellow merchants.
So now that you know how exactly you got here, let me explain what exactly we do. Well we - sorry, I in this case - take all your bad karma off of your shoulders. Completely and fully. You'll live in the eternal grounds blissfully, without a worry for your next life. This also comes with the perk that you'll be able to choose what species you would like to be next! Isn't that wonderful?
.... what? What's the catch?
Well, you indeed are a clever one aren't you? Of course you would be wary, you poor thing. Living through every life without ever being with your beloved. You both are always separated one way or another. When you were both dogs, you got sent to the pound. When you were a gazelle, she tore out your throat. When you were a shark, you became shark fin soup in front of her! My my, how terribly delightful!
Why that face my dear? The most beautiful one has yet to come, hasn't it? I see you were finally both human this time round, just like the first time you both met. Yes, yes, you're both girls too! How lucky you are that same-sex marriage is legalized this time round! But oh- how horrible horrible horrible that he would have that you're both siblings. After all, it's never meant to be, is it-
Dear customer, do not make that face! You could be one of the guards of hell right now! Maybe you should have made that face when your religious father found out and locked you up. Or maybe when he began to-
Now now now, you can't hurt me, you may stop trying now. I'm so sorry about making light of your situation, it's just that mortal disputes have become so interesting after all these decades, like soap operas if you must compare it. I almost don't want to make a deal with you.
Don't worry, I am a professional after all. Let me extend my offer. You fulfill all the criteria. You're desperate to be with her. You're needy for it. And most importantly, I love that burning greed of yours. The fact that you won't be satisfied with her just knowing of your existence. That you want it all.
I'll make you a special offer. I'll give you a guarantee that you'll live the most happy loving life possible with her in the next round. In exchange for something else.
I want you to forfeit your right to reincarnate. You've peaked my interest in human affairs and I would love to go and dabble in them for the next few centuries or so. So you'll forfeit that right to me. You'll take my place and be a karma merchant, until I say so.
Wouldn't you want that? To be able to stroke her soft black hair. To be able to look into her dark orbs and see only you. To grow old with her and always be by her side?
You've got nothing more to lose. Well - just your right to reincarnate anyway. So what do you say?
(that has to be the longest title I've ever used XD)
by Phin
Theme: Hypnosis
I found a prince charming in school today.
He had gorgeous brown locks that went past his shoulder. His stature was a perfect balance between muscular and thin and he had a very healthy complexion.
We met each other in the library when I accidentally dropped the book I was returning. That had been the first time the brunette prince saw this dark haired girl. His eyes twinkled in glee as he helped me pick up the book. Our hands accidentally brushed each other, but he did not mind.
My heart was beating uncontrollably. As I exited the library, I clutched that hand to my chest. We did not even exchange our names, but that was alright.
"Hey."
The brunette approached the dark haired girl sitting in the library.
"Do you want to go for lunch?"
The dark haired girl shook her head. "I'm going home. I have something to do."
There was a sport event held that day. As if by fate, the brunette prince was paired with me for three-legged marathon since both of our supposed partners were sick.
The brunette prince was very athletic, I could not keep up. I stumbled and fell, but the prince charming was there to hold me. "Did you get hurt?" He asked. I shook my head. We continued, and by miracle we managed to take first place!
"Good job." The brunette prince praised as he pet my head. I leaned into his touch, savoring every second of this moment.
"Shall we go for a celebration? Just the two of us?"
I looked up in shock at the offer. Did the brunette prince just ask me on a date?
"Absolutely!"
"Are you staying back for club?" The brunette asked.
The dark haired girl shook her head. "Sorry. Something urgent at home."
I was on my way home when I saw the brunette prince exiting the teacher's room. He looked devastated. I braved myself to show my concern.
"Is everything alright?"
The brunette prince forced a smile. "It's aright. You don't need to get yourself tangled in this."
But I refused to listen to his words. I grabbed both of his hands. "Let me help you." My determination was clearly reflected in my dark orbs. Thankfully the brunette prince realized it. He took me to the rooftop where he told me his problems. Apparently he had a tough decision to make: his club, or me.
"The club members refused to accept me hanging out on regular basis with you." The brunette prince explained. "I'd like to stay in the club, but if it means I can't meet you then I may as well quit."
"Don't!" I yelled. "Don't quit the club because of me. We can still meet outside school."
The brunette prince contemplated over my words in silence. Then he turned to me with a beaming smile. He had reached eureka. "Actually, why don't you join my club? They have no reason to keep us apart if we're in the same club."
"That's a great idea!" I exclaimed happily and hugged him tight.
"You've been avoiding me." The brunette stated.
"I am not." The dark haired girl defended.
"I never see you after school anymore." The brunette reasoned.
"I have things to do at home, alright?" The dark haired girl snapped and left the classroom.
"Is everything alright at home?"
The brunette prince and I were sitting on a bench in school, looking at the garden. I looked at him. "What makes you say that?"
He sighed. "I never see you after school anymore."
I averted my gaze. "Oh…that."
He surprised me by snaking his arm behind me and grabbed one of my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. "If there's something troubling you, you can tell me."
I blushed at the intimacy. "Don't worry. It's nothing big."
"It's the last day of the year. I still never see you after school." The brunette said.
I turned to the brunette. "Sure! Let's go!"
"Go where?"
I gave a confused look at the brunette. I was quite sure I heard 'Shall we go out, for one last time?'.
"I already have plans this afternoon. Perhaps some other time?"
'I have plans already, but I'll cancel them, just for you.'
"I just want to say goodbye."
'We'll do something fun before we say goodbye.'
I blinked my eyes. The brunette touched my shoulder. "You alright?" She asked.
'You alright?' He asked.
I jumped out of my seat and rushed home. As usual, shoes off, open drawer, take bottle, drink some pills. Then I slumped on the bed, let the chemical took its course.
'Let's draw together' It was the first time the brunette girl had spoken to the lonely dark haired girl.
'It's a date!' The brunette girl had beamed brightly when the dark haired girl tried to ask her out.
'I…I don't think we should.' The brunette girl had pushed the dark haired girl away when she leaned closer.
The brunette prince had locked her lips with the dark haired girl.
Where's the hypnosis? the pills. sleeping pills=hypnotic pills
Hypnosis performed by amateurs, how far could it go?
And today’s headline news! I meet deadlines. Enjoy!
~Sharky >>
BH: "That was cheating! That was totally cheating and you know it!"
B: "Hmmm....oh? What's that I hear? Sounds like a sore loser whining~"
BH: "This. Is. Total. Bullshit. I'm going to uncover your stealthy rotten sneaking in the next part."
B: "Objection! I call for a case of false charge your honour. Also, case cannot be followed through with as sequel disc cannot be found."
The black-haired girl stared disbelievingly at the brunette. Surely the other must be joking, how could anyone lose the disc when both discs were in the same package?
As if reading the black-haired girl's thoughts, the brunette quickly jumped up, backing away.
B: "Buuuuut, this gives us a perfect opportunity to test out hypnotism! I knew you'd definitely be interested to try it out, so I created a chance for you! Aren't you thankful?" the brunette squeaked out unconvincingly, fluttering her eyelashes rapidly.
The black-haired girl smacked the other on the head, going on about the danger of amateur hypnotism. She knew there were risks, and didn’t want the other facing them.
A glare and another smack later, the situation ended up with the brunette lying on the sofa and the black haired girl sitting at her side.
BH: “Alright, relax your muscles and focus on your breathing-”
B: “Where’s the swinging pendulum?”
BH: “That’s not how it works so just keep quiet and listen to me you forgetful goldfish.”
B: “…”
BH: “Good, now take a deep breath in, and out. In. And out again. Now continue doing that but now focus on the ceiling light as well. Let your eyelids relax, grow heavy. Relax your body part by part and let yourself sink in.”
BH: “My every word is pulling you deeper and deeper, making you more and more relaxed.”
The brunette in front of her looked as if she were peacefully asleep, sending the black-haired girl into a panic. Did she do it right?
BH: “R-Remember back to the last day you played the sequel of Shark Bashers, when was it?”
B: “Friday, last week. April 8.”
The black-haired girl rejoiced, giving a silent fist-pump of joy. She had done it! It was almost unbelievable!
BH: “Alright, after you ended the game, what did you do in the next 5 minutes? Do you still remember?”
B: “I ejected the disk and kept my controller. But then I got hungry and went to get some chips from the top drawer of my wardrobe.”
The black-haired girl groaned. Curse her friend and the bottomless pit she called a stomach. She walked over to the wardrobe and slid open the top drawer. Biscuits, cookies, sweets, disc, bread, cookies…wait disc! She removed the disc from the drawer and walked back to her friend. This experience taught her that one, her hypnotism skills were awesome and two, her friend had a snack shop in the top drawer.
She looked over to the brunette, about to wake the other up but then stopped. This was a once in a lifetime chance! She couldn’t possibly waste such a good opportunity… a devilish smirk grew on her face.
BH: “In the last game that we just played, did you cheat?”
B: “Yes. When you went out for a drink, I added boosts to my character.”
Great. Payback time.
BH: “Tell me an embarrassing secret of yours.”
B: “I wetted the bed till I was 13.”
The black-haired girl covered her mouth, barely able to contain her laughter. This was priceless. But it wasn’t enough, the brunette needed to be punished more!
BH: “Tell me a bigger secret. One that you wouldn’t want to tell others.”
B: “I have a twin.”
The black-haired girl was in shock. A twin? The brunette never mentioned it before.
BH: “Tell me more.”
The brunette kept quiet, not responding to the prompt. Was she too soft perhaps?
BH: “Tell me more about it.”
B: “When my mother found out she was pregnant, the doctors told her that she had twins. My parents were ecstatic. Buying two of everything, matching outfits, chairs – the thought of having twins was a wonder to them. They even came up with similar names for us. We were to be a perfect family.
But then a few months later, she went back to the doctor and was told that… there was only one left. My twin had died. And been absorbed by me. We were a case of vanishing twin syndrome. And that’s why my mum hates me. She says I’m a demon child. That absorbing them was akin to eating them. That she can’t bring herself to love me.
My mother can’t get over the loss of my twin. She says she feels a sense of emptiness, of unfulfilment that she could only mother one child. She cries often and tells me she wanted to at least hold the body of her dead child. And I was the one who deprived her of that chance.”
The brunette’s body shook as she said this, her skin almost going pale white. The black-haired girl grabbed her hand hastily, gently stroking it to ease the other. “….why didn’t you tell at least me?”
B: “When I let it slip before in school the others they- shunned me. Everyone treated me the same as mother did. I was avoided, bullied. People looked at me with disgust. Even I feel that way. I’m disgusting. I absorbed my own sibling. Even I don’t feel like I’m worth something. Vanishing twin syndrome occurs when one twin is already dead but I can’t help but doubt, what if I caused it? What if I am, a demon child?
So I’m afraid to let anyone know again. You’re so cool, smart, amazing even, and you make me like myself more. I’m beginning to accept that it’s not my fault and that I’m allowed to be alive but … they’re haunting me. I-I’m afraid that once I tell you the same thing will repeat again and I- I“
The brunette shot up, hyperventilating, her body trembling and skin already ghostly white. She shivered and curled up with her knees to her body. The brunette flinched when the black-haired girl stroked her back, and was close to tears, suffering.
BH: “Deep breaths, deep breaths. Breathe with me alright? In, and out. In, and out.”
But the brunette wasn’t listening. It was as if she couldn’t hear the black-haired girl, and was trapped in a world of her own. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused, unable to reflect anything.
The black-haired girl moved to hug the other, whispering to the other in a soft soothing voice. “You’re alright. You’re with me now. Stay calm, stay calm…”
B: “I told you. Oh god I told you. You’re going to leave, you’re going to hate m-”
BH: “I didn’t know cheating in a game was that serious.”
The brunette’s began to reduce to a normal pace. She shifted out of the hug, lifted her head and shot the other a confused gaze. “C-cheating?”
The black-haired girl gave a smile. “Yes, I do indeed know that you cheated in that last game. You really are a dirty, dirty cheater. I knew your skills could never beat me! And you were so~ nervous that you even broke out of my hypnotism! You cheater!”
The brunette hesitated at this, wiping away her tears. “N-no. I must have told you something more serious. I know something is wrong. I can feel it and I can’t be wrong about thi-”
“Well, you did indeed tell me the serious matter of you being a baby bed-wetter. Maybe you felt so embarrassed about that that you broke out! Hypnotism doesn’t always work fine, you know? Sometimes people wake up in cold sweat and of course, your resistance probably added to that, so of course you woke up uncomfortably!” The black-haired girl claimed in a teasing tone, shooting a grin at the other.
The brunette moved to position herself more steadily. “r-really? T-that’s all?”
The black-haired girl covered her mouth, giving a loud exaggerated gasp. “Scandalous! You have more dirty secrets like that? What is it? Did you poop yourself till you were 10 years old too?”
“N-no!” the brunette gave a slight giggle. “M-maybe you would, but I wouldn’t! ”
“Awww don’t worry! I know you’re a defenceless little baby who can’t defeat a big girl at games. So I’ll go easy on you and comfort you now. I’ll even let you win later, I can’t bully a little child after all~”
The brunette stood up from the sofa, laughing loudly now. “I’m not afraid of someone like you! I’ll go to the kitchen and be right back! Then I’ll crush you even without any help!” She walked off after those words, still swaying a bit in her movement.
The black-haired girl’s smile faded from her face. She hadn’t expected to hear something so serious. The brunette was always so happy when they were together that she thought the brunette never had any troubles. If the brunette had said anymore…she was too afraid to even imagine the consequences. She had hurt her best friend. The situation before was dangerous, and she could only keep it a secret from the other at the moment. If the other found out, who knows what would happen to the her?
She steeled her resolve. She would keep this a secret. At least until the other was ready. Until then, she would have to be by the other’s side, and prevent the other from falling deeper.
“Also, I lied when I said I wetted the bed!” the other yelled from the kitchen.
************
>> easter_egg: RESET found
>> --- diverting from DEAD end.
>> Reboot new path.
************
She thought the next feeling she would feel was the cold blade of the knife slicing through her flesh.
Instead she felt a hard smack towards the ground, accompanied by pain surging through her side.
She opened one of her eyes, peeking out just a bit, perplexed by what had just occured. It shouldn't be possible for her to feel pain now.
Her friend laid in front of her, still as a statue..... but how? They shouldn't be able to see each other in this cycle, let alone speak. As she opened her mouth to say something, she finally noticed.
her hair, her eyes, her arms, her guts, her lungs, her blood.
but where was the dark haired girl's torso?
Screams and shrieks filled the air as the brunette gazed blankly at her best friend.
.
.
.
the reset. where was it?
======================
The next few months felt surreal. She went through the hospital, the funeral, the therapist, the gazes of pity. But she was only waiting for one thing. The reset.
It happened every time, right? It was always the same thing. Her black-haired friend resetted, they spent time together, they were torn apart and the cycle continued. It was always like that. It had to be like that.
So why was she alone? She waited for the breaking railings, the sudden illness -hell even for the illogical swinging blade to fly towards her. She never thought she would, but she prayed to die. But the harbringer of death didn't come to her, never even showing as much as its cloak.
For the past months, she never felt anything but emptiness. But as an idea came to her, her cold dead heart came to life.
I'll just have to do what she did.
A smile stretched across her features. She would build a time machine.
She was a useless being.
A worthless existence.
Scum.
How could she ever hope to reach her friend's genius? Ever since her last resolve, she had worked and worked and worked. Studied, read, slaved over any material she could find. All fueled by the hope that she could meet her friend once again.
Deep inside, she had expected this outcome. Hoping to build a time machine without the basic science foundation her friend possessed was near to impossible. It had already been over a year, waiting longer might render a reset permanently impossible.
As she flung her notes off her desk, she cursed her own incompetence. Why did this cycle leave her? Her friend didn't deserve to die. The black-haired girl had skewed the cycle, and now she just couldn't reset the same way.
Was she stuck with this end?
The glint of the scissors on her workbench acted as the reply.
===============================
It was simple theory.
Say for example, the time machine was the system.
Her friend was always the brain, so she had powered the system. But when a system's brain is gone, things would definitely stop working.
With her trembling hands, she plunged the scissors' blades into her abdomen.
If her own previous deaths could be counted as an auto reset, then she would just have to carry out a different one now that the system couldn't work.
She dragged the blades to the other side of her abdomen, snipping the scissors as she went.
One that she could do.
She fell to the floor, writhing in pain. She had to make her death similar as the intended end, just to make sure. She wept in pain while pulling out her organs -she wasn't sure what exactly.
A more primitive solution.
Tears obscured her vision as she began fading from reality. She raised her tool and with one last stab, it was done.
