"oh yes I'm fine, sorry for laughing I'm just grateful to have the honour to meet such a fearsome and omnipotent being, truly this lowly servant is extremely happy for this occasion." Subaru said sarcastically with his mouth curled in contempt and his hands behind his head as if he were some pretentious young man.
he did know that what he did was the equivalent of challenging a deity into a fistfight, except this deity, could beat him to a pulp without even lifting a finger, he knew all that, but he'd be dammed if he let her take control of this conversation, the witches didn't play nice -this totally was not about echidna- and he decided neither will he.
Pandora chuckled lightly in response, the effect slightly unnerving Subaru, but he quickly masked it with a scornful grin, she didn't seem to take note, or more likely she made a point to not respond to his harsh words.
"you truly know how to make a lady flush mister Natsuki, such praise from you is making this maiden's heart flutter madly, how do you feel about that mister Natsuki?" she smiled at him sweetly.
"cut the bullshit pandora, what the fuck do you want from me? and don't bother pretending to play cute, your act won't work." Subaru spat, crossing his arms across his chest and scowling at the witch, who only smiled back.
She then set her cup down on the table in front of her. "if I offended thee then please pardon this humble maiden, I merely yearn to have a polite discussion." She said.
Subaru scoffed 'who does she think she's fooling with cutesy act, does she think she can convince me to join her club for the mentally ill with some lip service, that's never gonna happen.'
"polite conversation my ass, what's with the 'mister natsuki' don't call me that, I don't want to hear my family's name coming out of your mouth. call me by my name." Subaru replied back with some venom.
"my apologies mister... I mean Subaru, I shall call you by your name forthwith and forthward, please forgive this maiden's misconduct, I didn't not aim to offend."
The witch responded calmly.
"yeah yeah whatever, just cut to the chase, what do you want to talk about." Subaru said waving his hand dismissively.
The witch seemed unbothered by his indelicacy but continued nonetheless, "I am here to propose an agreement of sorts, a simple trade of knowledge, to gain insight into you, to learn the truth behind your...ever intriguing and peculiar existence." She explained
Subaru grimaced. "why would I tell? and also You already have all you need to know about me, with your gospel." He spat out in unusual apathy.
the witch shook her head "we both are aware that the gospel is a manifestation of my authority, and you Subaru appear to be entirely exempt from its influence." The witch remarked.
Subaru raised his eyebrows, "you're telling me that your authority of Vanity, the one that echidna claimed could rival the witch of envy, doesn't work on me?" His brow furrowed in disbelief.
"yes." She admitted plainly.
Subaru felt a laugh escape his throat but he tried to keep it contained.
"wow that is really something" Subaru chuckled, "so what's stopping me from snapping your neck and going back home?" he inquired with a wry smile such a horrid topic that even he was startled by such a display of cruelty.
vollachia changed him, that's what he concluded, and he really didn't like that conclusion, but he would rather not delve into those wretched thoughts no longer, for he didn't have the bravery nor the time to face them.
"what's stopping you? you say well honestly, nothing really, other than the fact you're in an unfamiliar position, that is extensively further away from your home than you might reckon, oh and that my authority doesn't allow the sweet reprieve of death, at least not eternally, to put it simply I can come back from the dead." The witch said with a chuckle.
Subaru's mind went blank ' she can come back from the dead. huh...are you fucking kidding me! why did I have to share the same ability with her! of all people! how does it work? is it the same as RDB? does she feel pain? Does she feel the same as me? does she feel lonely like me? Wait! wait! wait! get yourself together Subaru! this is not the time for rambling like a madman! she's a witch! last I looked for comfort in a witch she almost made me sell my soul away! need to focus and find a way back home for let's play her little game for a little longer.' He scolded himself internally.
That is until finally widening his eyes when a single thought crossed his mind 'does she know about it?' it being his ability return by death, he wasn't sure she hasn't brought it up explicitly, it would be best to test the waters. rather than jump to conclusions.
He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure, "Is that why you want to talk? because you think we're similar? that I would sympathize with your situation? and maybe even join your cult?" He questioned sceptically.
Pandora looked bewildered and answered back, "I am not quite certain what you mean by 'similar' or 'sympathize with your situation' I can only speculate that you hint that we both have an authority, I do know that authority of yours, the authority of envy I suspect it being, nonetheless I am not sure of its inner workings nor its capabilities, would you please elaborate on your point this humble maiden is honestly perplexed." The witch finished with her right eyebrow lifted slightly, which looked needless to say very cute.
Subaru's mind went completely ballistic, and not because she looked like a cute confused kitten, his thoughts were more profound than that 'she doesn't! she doesn't! she doesn't know!' ...or maybe less profound and more like the rambling of a mad man, Subaru didn't know whether he felt delighted that she couldn't use the knowledge of his ability to coerce him, or miserable at the fact that he might lose the only opportunity for someone to understand his pain, to truly understand what he went through.
He was startled out of his internal monologue when the witch spoke again "please excuse this ignorant girl for not comprehending your words, may I assume that your authority is the reason mine doesn't affect you?" She asked
Subaru shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly "I guess, why would you ask?" He retorted in a bored tone.
Pandora sighed in defeat, "fine, the fact that you refuse to elaborate on your authority is leaving my curiosity unfulfilled, but it is reasonable if you choose not to share such private details with me, as I have not exactly earned your trust yet. Now that we have acquainted ourselves, I will waste your time no longer, I shall begin this transaction by demonstrating what I could offer, which consists of knowledge about the authorities I compiled in my lengthy and desolate life, the witch cult's schemes, secret bases, and the location of the archbishop of Lust Capella Emerada Lugnica." She stated while folding her right arm behind her back and placing it on the table,
Subaru raised an eyebrow, deep in thought 'I thought she was the leader of the witch-cult why woul- but was shortly interrupted by her "and last but not least, news about your parents, I'm sure you miss them, their son has been misplaced for months, after all, they must have been distressed, how cruel of you envy." she said the last part in a nearly inaudible whisper.
But it was entirely trivial for Subaru, he stopped listening the instant she mentioned his parents, and his head was plagued with nothing but remorse and longing.
how cruel indeed.
\Author's notes
i would like to state that English is not in fact my first language, nor my second, nor my third so please be nice, and don't hurt my feelings.
actually scrap that getting hurt is such an amazing sensation, it almost, make it worth living, almost.
~quote of the day~
"To perceive is to suffer." ~ Aristotle
ah~ i couldn't agree more mister Aristotle. I don't think I can take this much pleasu- i mean suffering any longer.