Still no reviews, huh? Some readers you are. How am I supposed to tell I'm getting better if no one who reads this can tell me its good or bad? Oh well. I don't own Contemplating Reiko or any of Jhonen Vasquez' characters. That would be cool, though, right? Im thinking of switching the fiction rating to teen, that way I can get more readers. Once I get to the real fun stuff, ill switch back. Kay?
Pepito was stood in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on the beloved standard for children's refreshments ( Pbj's!), pausing for a moment to clean the work area, he reflected upon the overall strangeness of the characters he had just witnessed. 'Mr. Mouryou had seemed like such a nice man, why would dad fret over someone like him? And that Reiko girl, she blew me off for Todd. What was her deal, she could have at least introduced herself to me. I'm afraid I will never understand girls…' He concluded, placing his hand on the doorknob.
Hearing a sudden torrent of noise, he quickly jerked his hand back. A strange flood of demonic laughter, muffled screams, and metal hitting wood filled his ears. Quickly grabbing the knob, he flung the door open, reveiling the source of the camotion.
Standing before Pepito was Reiko, clad in a full pirate costume, wildly swinging an oversized ax at Squee, who was currently and distressfully bound to the ceiling fan, by a bedsheet , spinning out of control.
" What the hell do you think your doing, girl!!! What are you,crazy?
Pepito strode over quickly, snatching the ax from Reiko. "Who gave you permission to use my ax, huh"
"It was just lying there," She shrugged "I thought it would be fun for my game."
"What game are you playing that involves tying my friend to a cealing fan and swinging an a 5th century battle ax!!!"
"House," said Reiko innocently
"House?"
"Lizzie Bordens House" she elaborated
"Oh, well, that just make sense doesn't it," Pepito said sarcastically.
A noise from above interrupted the demon to demoness banter, as Squee treid to draw attention to himself by yelling into the sheet/gag around his mouth.
"Oh, right, almost forgot about you up there, chum." He said embarresed, reaching up to the ceiling fan and dropping Todd hard on the floor.
"Ow, watch how you drop you jerk, I'm uncomfortable enough as it is, with miss crazy demon chick playing pinata with me and an ax.." Todd said irritated.
"Yeah well, you know what," said Pepito sounding hurt, "maybe if you hadn't let an 8 year old girl tie you up in the first place, we wouldn't havwe been I this situation."
"Well, what kind of kid just leaves their ax collection out for…" Todd paused, "Actually, what kind of kid has an ax collection anyway.
Reiko was looking on, her sharp features curled into a malicious grin of amusment.
"And what are you smiling about," Pepy started, noticing her wide grin. "That wasn't funny, he could have really gotten hurt!"
"I laughed," she said,nonchalontly."And besides, I thought I was here to meet new people, not get blamed for every little thing that could have happened."
Squee slapped his head in exasperation. "You know what, lets just forget about it. We got the terrifying part of this visit out of the way early, okay? Lets just sit down, relax, and start over."
Pepito looked irate for a moment, and then sat down on an oversized plush steak cushion with heavy thud. Reiko followed his example, and plopped down next to the trey of peanut butter sandwiches, pausing to shove one into her mouth. "mmm…" she sighed in content.
"Well, in the interest of keeping things here calm and interesting, let's go around and introduce ourselves for real this time." Squee said, with an air of authority. "We'll start with you Reiko. Tell us something about yourself."
Well, for starters, my name is Reiko, Reiko Mouryou. I enjoy playing pirates," she continued, indicating to her pirate costume, "Donuts, cooking, and spiders .I live with my three sisters, all of them older than me. I was nervous about coming to this part of the country, but I think I'm going to like it here as much as I did at my old home."
"So you live here now?" Todd said, suppressing the urge to shudder violently.
"That's right. My father has expressed an interest in a local band in this area. He says they have a lot of great potential, and wants to be their promoter."
"What are they called," Pepito interjected
"They are an alternative rock band, called Just The Happy Madness, or JTHM for short."
Oh, I've heard them before. I saw them live at Café le Prick last week! Pepy said enthusiastically. "They rocked!"
"Yes, well, apparently father agrees. Enough that he took me and my sisters away from our home for 2 years tom move us out here, to nowhere land." she said, sounding bitter.
"That's a little sad," Squee said sympathetically." Alright, time for me to introduce myself. My name is Todd Casil; my hobbies are English, creative writing, and talking with my pet bear schmee. "This is schmee," he said, holding up the delapidated teddy bear,"For a long time, he was my only friend in the whole world. He helps me not to be scared when the world seems like a terrefying place to be. I live with my parents, although im beginning to think parent isn't a very good word to discribe them. Parents are kind , caring, protective people who support you and show you unconditional love. I don't think I have any of those."Squee said depressingly.
That's kinda sad too, Reiko said, more to herself than to Squee. "I like the name Squee, better, can I just keep calling you that?"
" Sure, why not, everyone else does."
Reiko grinned widely, and tilting her head back to insert another peanut butter sandwich.
"Guess its my turn now," Pepito said nervously. "Well my name is Pepito San Diablo. My interest include torturing the souls of the damned, using my share of demonic influence for personal gain, and collecting vintage weapons from various eras. I also love playing video the Last Legacy series of fantasy RPG's.
"Well, see, now aren't we happier that we got to stop and meet each other like this," said todd, wiping his brow of sweat. 'Man, that was close. If we kept fighting like that, who knows how much damage would have been done. Thank you, advanced guide to therapy.'
Meanwhile
"Well, it has been a pleasure catching up with you, Mitsuga. I appreciate you asking me for permission to work in my territory, but it really wasn't have history, you and I, and it would be a shame if the only thing that brought us together was simple business."
"I agree with you Diablo. What is territory between friends, eh? And I really appreciate you setting us up with such great real estate. My daughters are thrilled, for the most part. And such a powerful location. It's thrumming with supernatural influence. I can't thank you enough. "Well," the very tall demon drew himself to his full height, "I really must be going. Thank you for your hospitality."
He trekked up the stairs, pausing once to take a drag on his cigarette. Crossing the hallway, he reached out and opened the door to Pepito's room. Poking his head inside, he said, "Reiko, dear, we are going now. Get your things together, don't forget your little costume."
" 'Kay daddy," she said enthusiastically.
"I should probably be going too" Squee said sullenly. "If I sneek in, maybe they won't notice I'm home."
"Do you need a ride young man?"Mitsuga asked suddenly, extending his hand out to the boy.
"Actually, that would be kind of welcome, as long as it isn't to far out of your way."Squee said surprised
"Nonsense boy, its freezing rain out there."Mitsuga said kindly.
"Well, alright."Squee said tentativly. "I live at 776 Helstrom avenue."
"Did you say Helstrom avenue? Well, this works out perfectly!"Reiko said excitedly.
"What does?" Pepito asked confused at her enthusiasm
"Well, this is convieniant" Mitsuga mused. "We're going to be seeing a lot more of each other, young man, after all…
We're neighbors!!!" Reiko finshed, flashing her wide grin.
A/N Well, another chapter up for you. Sorry it took so bleeding long, but life sort of got in the way, stabbed me in the chest with a knife, and left me in a rainy gutter to die. I'm back though, so hopefully you haven't abandoned me. Updates, will become more frequent upon receiving more reviews. Those of you interested in submitting ideas through your reveiws should feel free. The next chapter will be a little shorter, I think, and will be told form Johnny's point of view. Cheers!