Chapter 58

'How do I look,' she tugged down the edges of the top she was wearing and examined herself curiously in the ice block mirror she'd created.

'Like you always do,' he sighed. 'Like someone who's about to do everything they know they shouldn't in order to do what they believe is right.'

'Perfect,' she turned towards them, 'and you can wipe that look off your face now Pitch; Kashmana had every right in pulling you away from them.'

'I thought you wanted me to distract them,' Pitch shot her a sour look as her features reverted to her own.

'I did, but only when I needed you to gather them all together. But it looks like Jo's taking care of that for me after all.'

'You could have told me.'

'I know,' she shrugged, 'but I still like to have my fun with you.'

'You know I'll help you no matter what,' Kashmana fixed his gaze on her, 'although you know I can never approve of…'

'I know,' she cut him off, 'I'm not asking you to. But I did what I did for a good reason; you have to believe that much at least.'

'You always have a good reason little bit; no matter which you I'm dealing with, you always have a good reason.'

'In other words he means he has blind faith in you and your multiple personalities,' Pitch rolled her eyes.

'And he's not the only one,' she narrowed her gaze on Pitch, 'you'd follow me no matter what also, right? That is the nature of the bond we've formed, isn't it?'

'You tell me,' she met and held her gaze for a moment. 'Of course, we both know you need me.'

'Perhaps,' she turned, 'but not as much as you need me.'

'So what's your plan now,' Kashmana gave a nervous cough. 'I assume you're going to go to them and start…'

'Soon,' she interrupted, 'I've other matters to attend to first.'

'Such as?'

'Oh that much should be obvious even to you Kashmana,' Pitch snorted, 'for every action there is a consequence.'

'You're not honestly…'

'As if I have a choice,' she cut him off. 'Pitch is right, I've made my bed and now I must lie in it.'

'You don't enjoy this.'

'No one said I had to,' she lowered her gaze, 'I act how I must act. But before I do what must be done we must decide upon your parts in all this.'

'Our parts,' Pitch frowned, 'I thought you just wanted me to distract them for a while.'

'Well the meeting will distract Jo for long enough for me to do what I have to do, but that doesn't mean I don't need the pair of you still. And I'm also hoping to bring my sweet guardian in on this too, if I can convince him.'

'So what do you need us for,' Kashmana frowned.

'I need you to help me train them; we have to get them ready.'

'I'm not going to help you help them to fight against her father,' Pitch rolled her eyes, 'we haven't been able to survive free for so long by rocking the boat you know.'

'I know Pitch and normally I wouldn't ask something like this of you, but for once you need to stop fighting so hard to be the honoured favourite and actually take action here.'

'Because it's convenient for you?'

'No because it's needed by all of us. You know as well as I do what the beast will do when Ni finishes making his attempt; so you'll actually be doing this out of loyalty to him.'

'You really think you can fool me with that?'

'I'm not trying to fool you with anything Pitch and you know it.'

For a few moments she pouted. Then, after moving her head in a more thoughtful manner, she eventually sighed and rolled her eyes.

'Alright,' she pouted, 'I do know you're telling the truth, but that doesn't change facts. I wouldn't be comfortable appearing to oppose him like this.'

'I'm not asking you to fight against him Pitch,' she took hold of the other girl's hands and firmly met her gaze. 'I just want you to help me train them. And they don't even have to know that's what you're doing if you don't want them to.'

'Yeah,' Kashmana taunted, 'come on Pitch, what are you afraid of?'

'I'm not afraid of anything,' Pitch glared at him, 'I just don't want to end up like the other three.'

'I don't think it's possible for that to happen now Pitch,' she reassured her, 'and even if they try I'll defend you. We both know they won't argue with me.'

'I'm sure they'll have a good go at trying though,' Pitch huffed, 'but I suppose I have no other choice here.'

'There's always a choice Pitch and neither of us will think less of you for backing out, it might even convince my guardian to help if you do.'

'We won't think any less of her,' Kashmana smirked even before she'd finished speaking, 'you could have at least consulted me about that.'

'Kash,' she glared at him, 'at least try to make yourself useful.'

'Fine, fine,' he held up his hands defensively, 'I won't think any less of the notorious Pitch Black for not helping you.'

'And that actually sounded like you meant it,' Pitch laughed.

'That's because he did mean it,' she shrugged, 'or at least he better have.'

For a few moments Pitch mused thoughtfully, before turning away from them.

'I need to think about this for a while, okay?'

'Sure,' she nodded, 'take all the time you need; we're not in any kind of rush just yet.'

'Hence why you've taken the time to have this conversation with us, rather than appeasing the beast.'

'I can't say I'm looking forward to the prospect too much,' she gripped her chest, 'I never thought I would have to do anything like this.'

'Well at least you understand the concept of give and take,' Pitch studied her for a moment. 'You know it might help you control the beast.'

'I'm not looking to control the beast,' she shook her head.

'You should,' she smirked, 'someone should be able to control that beautiful masterpiece they created. They've always wanted someone who could control it and I know for sure the Dead Lover would have no problems if that person was you.'

'And I told you I'm not comfortable with that.'

'Ugh, give me the version of you who would be,' Pitch rolled her eyes, 'you might be more intriguing, but at least she has a spine.'

'Don't talk to her like that,' Kashmana balled his hands into fists, 'everything she's doing right now takes a lot more guts than a she-demon like you will ever understand.'

'Whatever,' Pitch rolled her eyes, 'I have a decision to make and you,' she turned her gaze towards her, 'you have to appease the beast.'