"So I've been working on my new video over the weekend and I really think it's coming out great. I had so many cool ideas, it's positively packed with ominous symbols and stuff. Can't wait to upload it."
Two girls were slouching on armchairs in one of the calmer edges of Arisugawa's Locket. Their appearances, clothes that had been outdated three decades ago and long hair that covered most of their faces, implied that they were not bothered by the impression given to other customers, but it wouldn't take one very long to figure out that they were actually enjoying the fear with which everybody avoided eye contact.
The Caucasian girl absentmindedly perforated the cake in front of her with her fork.
"That's nice Sadako... You must show me sometime," she added after a break.
She looked up when the cake was suddenly pulled away from her.
"Look," Sadako said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I don't care if you have a bad day. But don't you dare spoil my evening here with your brooding."
Her mouth showed something resembling a smile. "Okay, what happened?"
- "Some bastard reported abuse on all my youtube vids."
Inspired by the works of her friend Samantha had been using the pseudonym of WellGirl2 to publicize a number of videos. By now this had grown to be one of the most bizarre and artful collections on youtube and few things would tell the casual viewer that the creator was a little girl, except maybe for her fascination with horses. It was one of the unearthed treasures of the site though, as there were very few living persons to have watched them, but Samantha considered this to be a bonus to their quality, for true art must be kept from the plebeian masses.
As she spoke now her face had quickly lightened up with anger; she seemed to have been waiting for the question. "Such an asshole. Zero-rated them as well. I can't wait for the week to pass!"
- "What did they say the reason was?"
- "Apparently they are witchcraft and an affront to humanity."
There was a short silence as the Asian girl pondered this. "Is that actually reason enough for deletion?"
Her dialogue partner snorted. "You should know better about this than most."
Smiling she exclaimed: "Oh I'm in despair. This world that holds an unwavering grudge against sorcery and necromancy has left me in despair!"
Sadako was about to answer, when a movement to the right caught her attention.
Carrying a bold smile in her face like a banner, a blond woman was approaching them. Seeing that she had been noticed she indicated a bow.
"Samantha and... Sadako, I presume? I am Jaheira."
Sadako's eyes twitched, then she also displayed a sweet smile. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
By now Jaheira had reached the table. With a gesture that could be interpreted as 'May I?' she pointed at a chair, but didn't wait for an answer before sitting down.
"I have been asked," she began, "to relay a message to you."
Samantha was very quiet, the other two exchanged glances that might best be described as predatory.
"Is this another pathetic attempt at getting us out of the Locket?"
- "I'm afraid it is. You seem to scare people here, and very much so."
- "But apparently we are not scary enough." Sadako made a face. "Are they really offering an adequate compensation for you to risk your life like that?"
Jaheira grinned. "Actually, yes." She turned her face to the crowd and a yellow haired girl, catching her eye, started waving grinning widely before getting drawn out of view by another, obviously embarrassed girl.
"Those two promised to give me a ride home if I take care of this."
- "How sweet. And what about us? What do we get for complying and not, for example, kill you?"
Jaheira played with a locket that hung in her face. "You don't have to forget about the club altogether. On Mondays and Fridays there are the so called danger nights, where you'll be as welcome as everybody else."
She gave Sadako a sharp look. "And by the way, I doubt your evil eye will work on me."
Her dialogue partner slowly opened the mouth to respond, but Jaheira continued: "So either you choose to leave those people the space they deserve, or I may decide that balance be best served by destroying you."
