NOTE: I wouldn't be surprised if this idea isn't original.

'You know...'

Cinder groaned.

'...one thing about being dead is that you miss what it's like to feel again.'

The Fall Maiden growled, pressing her fingers against her temples. I know. You haven't ceased blabbering about it.

The spirit of Pyrrha Nikos continued as though she had ignored the outburst of her host. 'I may not be able to physically feel anymore but I can sense the touch of something on your skin. Or rather, our skin.'

I hate sharing my body with you.

'You killed me. You reap the consequences.'

Cinder hissed. This was why she hated her times alone. Whenever her mind was idle, there was always a chance that the previous hosts of the Fall Maiden would take up the opportunity to pester her. If this was the price of victory, then she would have to rethink everything. Especially now that the moments of isolation that she would spend on meticulous planning and execution were constantly disrupted by these damn voices in her damn head.

'You're using too many squares, by the way.'

Shut up, she mentally seethed while ripping off and folding sheets of toilet paper off the wall of the stall she was relieving herself in.

'Rather wasteful. And don't forget to wash your hands.'

You are not my parent.

'I can act like one. Besides, you behave like a child sometimes.'

I have a higher sense of maturity.

'Fantasizing about your colleagues and co-conspirators in frilly maid dresses? How mature is that? I would say that it is a fetish.'

'She has a lot of them, actually,' chirped the normally somber Amber.

In the back of her mind, Cinder could feel Pyrrha snickering. One day, I will eternally silence you both.

'Until then,' Pyrrha retorted. 'wipe your bottom properly and flush when you're done. I can still feel the spots you missed.'

Cinder angrily cleaned up, gnashing all the way, and stomped out of the lavatory. She would have to do some research on exorcism rituals.

'You need to eat healthier,' chimed Pyrrha.

'Your diet needs more variety as well,' added Amber.

Will the both of you shut up already, screamed Cinder.

"Cinder, are you feeling alright?" asked Emerald.

Cinder brushed off the ashes of the second spoon she incinerated off the table. She could eat with her bare hands. "I'm fine. Eat."

The green-haired thief eyed her wearily before shrugging.

'Her rations are better than yours.'

'You know, I used to live off of a strict regimen inclusive of high-protein foods and mostly green vegetables.'

'Lentils and water are a good substitute to all these fatty meats.'

'Besides, you have been gaining a bit of flab on your waist—'

The Maiden slammed her fist on the table, startling her subordinate. She could care less if she burned down the dining room; she could feel a vein about to pop in her temple. Deep breathes, count from one to ten, think of Ozpin being savagely picked apart limb for limb.

"Do you, uh, need some time—"

"I. Am. Fine. Emerald. Finish your food."

'You haven't finished yours.'

I swear to anything divine that still exists out there that I will eclipse you both!

'One little, two little, three little Valeans~'

'Four little, five little, six little Valeans~'

'Seven little, eight little, nine little Valeans~'

'Ten little Valean boys!'

'And again, together now!'

Cinder twisted her pillow over her chest, eyes bloodshot and teeth gnashing at the ceiling. Enough already! I'm trying to sleep here!

'You said you couldn't sleep,' snickered Pyrrha. 'We thought an old nursery rhyme would help.'

Amber sounded maliciously mirthful. 'Having been liberated of our physical forms, we really cannot relate anymore to your idea of sleep.'

The other girl laughed irritatingly in the back of her mind. 'Ooh, if you are having a hard time getting some rest, perhaps we can try something different.'

Cinder was breathing heavily now. Just close your eyes and force yourself to sleep, Cinder. Ignore these fools. Ignore these fools.

'One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four sheep...'

"I loathe you all greatly," the Fall Maiden whispered hoarsely, her eyes bloodshot and baggy. She was able to fall asleep later on. Unfortunately, her alarm clock rang shortly thereafter in the form of a duet performed with near perfection, Pyrrha's and Amber's voices resonating in flawless harmony with every word of that stupid song.

'We'll swim through lakes and climb up trees; catch fish, bugs, bears, and honeybees~'

'Cinder.'

So much for an afternoon to herself and her tea. What is it?

'There is something I need to ask of you. And I will get my answer.'

She sighed. There was a limit to shutting out these vexing entities in her brain. Ignoring them could only go so far. And she had been having a good day today, too. Damn it. Spit it out.

'You and I both know that there are certain stages in a woman's life that are perfectly and biologically natural.'

Cinder did not feel like entertaining inquiries about womanhood especially from a lady who had probably already experienced some of it in her past life. She was sure Pyrrha was doing this to spite her. Nevertheless, she had no choice but to play along, hoping to get this over with so she can get back to her me-time because damn it, she needed it right now. Just anything to placate her stupid queries. Get to the point.

Somewhere in the recesses of her psyche, she could hear Amber's minute sniggering.

'Cinder... What's it like to be in menopause?'

That evening, Emerald found Cinder vigorously practicing her Fall Maiden powers on the Grimm roaming the area.

ORIGINALLY DRAFTED: August 23, 2018

LAST EDITED: September 3, 2018

INITIALLY UPLOADED: August 23, 2018

NOTE: Inspired by a drabble on the Discord.