You lie awake at night contemplating the next day. Or, you suppose this upcoming day. You've spoken to Usa, the guardian rabbit spirit and have been provided with information. Lots of information, too much of it fired at you at inhuman speed making it difficult to process everything you have been told. So then you'll need to process it all.
Firstly the twelve guardian spirits had been the original protectors of the city back when it had just been a small village. They hadn't been great at their job but they'd managed. Then the fox had shown up and ousted them, forcing them into hiding and assuming their role. Why she'd want that responsibility you have no idea. Sounds like a big pain in the backside to you! And she's apparently even more incompetant than the others were. Or at least she doesn't care nearly as much.
Under her so called protection large swathes of the city have been taken over by demonic supporting or Church supporting forces. Whatever game the fox is playing escapes you. But the wider goings on in the city aren't important to you right now. At the moment you're more concerned about your own little part of it.
Unfortunately, not much of what you learnt is going to help you wrest control of Venus Mason from Usa. You don't entirely believe what the spirit was saying about protecting the pair of them. This so called protection hasn't kept them safe from your Aura or your Suggestions, Roger is even now lying in bed next to you clutching you like a teddy bear or some sort of safety blanket. You'd have much rather gone to bed with his mother, but you've decided to hang back for now.
You decided to use your left over Mana experimenting with the dream manipulation. You've explored both Roger and his mother's minds in quick order. And yes, you confirm that simply observing their dreams does not provoke a reaction. Even fiddling with the dreams is safe. It's simply the act of trying to direct their minds more towards you that the rabbit interferes. For Roger it simply redirects your efforts into ignorance and apathy. For Venus it's as you discovered earlier. Usa's hold on Venus is far stronger, possibly because she's the one in charge of the food.
Still, it's not as though your efforts are entirely useless. Encouraging Venus to relish being controlled is still worth while, even if you'd rather that control come from you rather than from a rabbit. It'll still be helpful to keep encouraging those thoughts in preparation from the time you switch her focus back to you.
The best way to do that, you decide, is to find out more about how the rabbit's power works and gain it's trust. Once it lays down it's guard you should be able to sweep the legs out from under it. All four of them. Then again it might actually be worth learning what you can from the rabbit as it might be able to provide you with a line of power that you might not have acces to otherwise.
And you have been tasked by Usa to deal in some way with a particularly nosey neighbour next door. Apparently this person works for Ina, the dog spirit who now seems to be working directly against the other spirits. You haven't been given specific instructions as to how to deal with said enemy but there's only really one way you are ever going to do that! The problem is you've left your Diary at home. Still you could pop back home to pick it up if necessary. Well, sleep first, plotting can continue later on...
Your first conclusion after you wake up and take care of your morning ablutions is that you have a lot that you want to do here today. Too much to achieve in just the few remaining hours of this morning. You are going to need more time. So you explain the situation to Venus and Roger and walk back home to speak to your mother and ask to spend the rest of the day over there. You could have just called, but your first task of the day will be to handle Usa's task and you doubt you'll be able to do that without your trusty Diary.
Immediately upon your return you are confronted by a problem. Your darling little sister clings to you like a limpet, upset that you were missing for most of yesterday and even more upset you'll be gone for the rest of today as well. She really wants to spend time with you, this is of course your own fault. Your control over her soul isn't quite complete yet but it's close, and it shows. She's quite desperate. Of course, you could just order her to stay put and she'll obey. She'll be unhappy but she can't disobey you. Or you could bring her with you, she could distract Roger for you so you don't have to waste Suggestions keeping him from getting in your way.
In the end you give up and decide to bring Lucy with you. You reason that she can spend the day keeping Roger company in his room while you run rampant elsewhere. It will hopefully mean you don't have to keep ordering him out of your way while you work on his mother. You say that, but it might just be because you don't like seeing her little face so sad. Damn it, cuteness is a powerful weapon! As an afterthought you decide to bring Sprinkles as well. You're not entirely sure why you feel like bringing the pet will be a good idea. Maybe Usa will appreciate having a friend to talk to?
So it develops into you heading back down to Roger's one hand clutching Lucy's while the other is holding Sprinkles to your chest. You also took the opportunity to retrieve your Diary. You'll most likely be using that shortly.
Venus seems perfectly content to allow you to stay for the rest of the day and even happier to see your adorable little sister with you. Roger seems more confused, but it doesn't take much convincing to persuade him to look after Lucy for you. You spend the first hour with the two of them, three if you count the pet rabbit and wait until they are truly immersed in their games before you slip away. Now you need to decide how you are going to handle your task.
This is a good opportunity, or at least you hope it is. The guy you are after works for another guardian spirit. Which means he might have some sort of nasty tricks up his sleeve or a way to call for help. But at the same time he's only been here a few weeks and he's essentially a spy. That means he shouldn't be noticed for a while. You could take your time with him, once you are sure he's fully disabled. Should be the best opportunity you've had to farm malice since you arrived here. Though you aren't an expert on inflicting pain, all of your experience has been entirely on the other end of the spectrum. Might be a nice change, though you'll need to be careful you don't accidently kill him too soon.
First thing's first then, you'll need to get into the house. You start by activating your Heightend Senses. It should help you locate him in the house. Not that it is going to help you actually fight him. Now you are in this situation you find yourself wishing you'd invested more heavily into Body. Still, you'll have to make do as you are. If you end up dying... well that would suck but you might still end up benefiting from that.
You decide to do a quick scout of the premesis before charging in. Best not to get yourself ambushed like last time. You start by walking past the house on the opposite side of the road, using you enhanced eyesight to look for open windows. Unsurprisingly, no luck. Instead you return to the house and try to see into the back garden from one of Roger's windows. You see two things of note. Firstly, the neighbour's back door is open, secondly there's a large dog lying on the lawn right before said door. Of course he has a dog! You can only hope it's a normal dog. But regardless you'll need a way around it, you certainly wouldn't want to encounter it while you are struggling with your target.
You take another look at the next door garden, is there anything there that could help you trap the dog so that it can't interfere any further? The only thing you can think of is the shed at the end. Hopefully this one is actually a shed and not another shrine or this plan won't work. If you can lure the dog into the shed and lock the door behind it...
Ok, that's a shit plan and you know it! First you'll need to somehow get into the shed without the creature noticing you. Then you'll need to hope it isn't padlocked or locked with a key so that you can actually get it open. Finally you'll need to open the door and somehow bait the dog into the shed without getting bitten or clawed or without attracting attention. Then you'll need to somehow close the door on the dog and lock it while hoping it can't just break the damn thing!
Unfortunately, you don't really see any alternatives. There's no chain or leash and you don't have a net or anything else that could be used. So you'll just have to make do. First things first, you fetch some meat from the kitchen. Maybe you can distract it with meat while you get into position. You bite back a sense of terrible foreboding and prepare to start.
First thing's first. You throw the meat over the fence. Then you clamber over the fence further down the garden and into next door's garden. The dog seems to be busy with the meat you gave it and doesn't immediately notice you, giving you a chance to dart round behind the shed. So far so good. Now you need to work out how to get in.
A small window in the side of the shed seems to be your best bet. It's a rare moment where your small size is to your advantage. With some difficulty you manage to pry the thing open and clamber inside. Miraculously you still aren't noticed doing this. That creature must have been hungry!
You manage not to land on any sharp tools or anything hard inside the shed. Good, good. Next you check the door. It doesn't look like it's locked. You should be able to get the dog in here and then close it behind you. Now for the tricky bit. Getting it in here.
You open the door and swing it open. Now you have to stand in front of the door, bait the dog towards you and then dart out of the way. Easy, right? Nope, not fooling anyone. First you whistle and the dog finally notices you. It's heckles raise quickly as it responds to the intruder as you tense yourself ready to spring out of the way. The dog charges, barking as it does so. You only hope that the resident doesn't respond immediately as it moves towards you. As the dog draws closer you realise it really is a lot larger than you, those teeth could probably tear you in half!
You wait for as long as you can and spring to the side. Except the dog's reflexes are faster than you can even imagine. It's already turning as you move away from the door, it's head and sharp teeth still on a collision course for you. Shit! Not good! Only one option left!
In desperation you reach out with your power and cry out, a whole week of using this ability over and over again allowing the word to flow out of you with practiced ease!
'Stop!' you command it! You feel the power take hold and the creature freezes, it's momentum causing it to crash head first into the shed with a small whimper. It worked! You managed to just narrowly avoid a nasty injury!
Something tickles at the back of your mind, and you get the impression that someone or something else tried to do something. A sense of irritation washes over you all of a sudden. You get the distinct impression that one or more of your other personalities attempted to do something just now and was unsuccessful. You feel the need to sigh in relief, but you aren't in the clear just yet. You need to act quickly before the dog regains it's senses. What is the next move?
You point with your finger towards the inside of the shed, your word once again ringing with power:
'In!' you bark and the dog hurries to obey you. You quickly close the door behind it and lock it. Hopefully that should keep it from interfering any further, Now you just have to hope noone noticed the commotion.
You make your way cautiously towards the back door, activating your Enhanced Senses once more to try and pick up any noises from within. An approaching noise leads you to dart up and press yourself against the wall, crouching low as the sound of movement alerts you to a figure approaching from inside. A man strolls out via the open window, looking around for his dog. Clearly he heard the creature bark but wasn't too alarmed by it. His stance is casual and he doesn't have his guard up at all. Deciding it's best not to start a fight in the garden you dart inside the house and try to conceal yourself, waiting for a good chance for an ambush.
You discreetly watch from a window as the man glances around the garden, searching for his pet. In the end he seems to come to the conclusion that the dog is in the shed as he opens the door and begins talking. You cannot hear what he's saying but it becomes obvious that he's trying to convince the animal to get out of the shed, with little luck. Clearly your Suggestion is overriding what authority the owner has. You find the situation fairly amusing as the man eventually abandons the idea of retrieving his animal from the shed and begins to angrily trudge back towards the house.
You decide to take advantage of your small stature again and hide. It shouldn't be difficult to find a good spot. You first consider hiding in the kitchen and jumping out at him while he's making himself something to eat. Then you dismiss that idea. With your luck you'll jump out at him while he's holding a knife or something equally dangerous. No, there must be something better. Where would be the best place to catch him with his pants down? Oh...
You quickly scamper upstairs and locate his bathroom, quickly concealing yourself behind the shower curtain. There's just enough space, there's no way he'll spot you unless he's really paying attention to his surroundings. And if he's going in to the bathroom chances are he won't be. Now you just need to wait...
You wait. And wait. And wait. Fuck! You'll start to cramp up if you are hear for too long! Why did you think this was a good idea? You should have just jumped him when he was back in the house. All this waiting is insufferable! Then again you've gotten yourself used to worse. So you continue to wait. And wait. And wait. And finally you hear him coming up the stairs. The door opens and he walks in. You hear the tell tell sound of a belt being undone and his trousers hitting the floor. Then the sound of him peeing. Perfect, he'll have his back to you and won't see you coming!
You decide to hit him with an ability first, soften him up for when you go on the attack. Figuring a Sleep would be the best bet in this situation you hit him with that. He barely even feels it. Not even a yawn. Either his resistance is strong, you aren't used to the spell or he's just too focused right now but you can tell the ability has no effect at all. On the plus side, it's so ineffective he probably isn't any more aware of your presence here than he was before! So that's good, right?
He finishes his business and starts to pull his trousers up. It's now or never! You begin your attack!
He doesn't notice you, not even when you are right on top of you. The Diary hums in your grip and Wrath is urging you on. You don't give him the satisfation of taking over, but he'll still enjoy this. You plunge the diary into the man's leg. The blade sinks in with glee and he cries out as the pain blossoms within him, the injury cauterizing even as it is inflicting, the Diary hungrily drinking his blood. Somehow your prey manages to remain standing and lets go of his trousers, reaching round to grab you.
Except he's miscalculated. He's expecting an adult, not a child, he's reaching far too high, giving you the chance to pull the blade out and plunge it into his other leg. He cries out again, this time he does buckle and starts to fall. You pull the blade out and dance away as he collapses over the toilet, his legs all but useless now. He's looking over at you now, fear and surprise battling with each other as he sees you properly for the first time.
'You?' he exclaims. Evidently he knows who you are. You shouldn't be surprised. Before he can say anything more you move forward again. He raises an arm to defend his vitals but you weren't aiming for them anyway. Your next blow takes him in that same arm just below the shoulder blade. That's three out of four limbs injured, only one more. He seems to understand your plan for he swings his other limb around at you, trying to force you back. It works, for a moment, but he's weakening fast. As he swings at you again you grab his outstretched arm and pull him off balance. It isn't difficult, he has no balance right now. He cries out again as he falls and you stab him again in his good arm before kicking him in the head for good measure. With that he gives up and passes out.
First thing's first. You flush the toilet. No point in leaving that around to stink up the place. Next you get yourself some sturdy material and bind his arms behind his back. You are fairly sure he's too badly injured to resist or try to escape but no need to take chances. You doubt that you are strong enough to move him from where he is so you just push him up against a far wall and wait for him to regain conciousness. Once he does, you talk.
He isn't much of a talker, that's for sure. Not much of a screamer either, that's for sure. He didn't try to beg or plead during the attack and he doesn't try it now, either. You try asking him some simple questions but he refuses to answer. This actually suits you just fine. You are going to keep cutting him even if he does talk, so him not talking gives you all the more reason. He's certainly stubborn. He only gives up his name after the sixth cut. An investigation of his wallet reveals that he lied to you. Then again, this name is probably fake too. After cutting him a few more times and receving a couple more probably fake names you give up on that line of questioning.
His mental fortitude sure is strong. Did he go through a similar experience to you? It's really the only explanation you can think of to explain his reluctance to reveal anything to you. After you're into the two dozen cuts he finally reveals the reason why he is here. This, of course you knew already. Of the whereabouts of his mistress, the dog guardian, he refuses to say. Of the identities or his fellow subordinates he refuses to say. Of the reason why he was sent on this mission in the first place he refuses to say.
Eventually you stop asking him questions and just continue in silence. Soon all that can be heard is the sound of your Diary slicing through his flesh and his whimpers and moans of pain. Then even that stops. Finally, after the forty seventh cut, he breathes his last breath and your Diary eagerly sucks in his soul. The entire time he barely uttered a word to you. It would be disturbing if it wasn't so rewarding.
440 Malice obtained! 487 now in reserve!
You stare down at the body. Considering the number of times you laid into it you don't think it looks too bad. Maybe it's because there isn't a single drop of blood, the various slices across his body don't seem nearly as threatening without it. Even the ones that are so deep the bone is showing. It just doesn't seem to feel real without the splash of blood or without the red stains. Or maybe it's just you. This is the third life you've taken with this blade. The other two you could blame on Wrath. But this time you did it yourself. That should appease him for a while, right?
Wrath's position inside your head has changed, losing 5%. Sloth increases by 4% Pride (You) increases by 1%
As much as you'd like to just leave now you need to check the place over just to make sure there isn't anything here that would give you away. You haven't touched anything besides the Diary and the shower curtain so you pull it down and get ready to dispose of it. Perhaps you should have prepared gloves? Then again...
An idea occurs to you, you could use the Diary to slice off your fingertips and then unlock Regeneration with the malice you just acquired to grow them back afterwards. That way you could touch anything around the house without leaving any prints.
Perhaps the idea is a little extreme. You are so close to that all important 500 Malice it would be a shame to shave some of it off if you don't need to. Especially if you can just slice the shower curtain in half and use it as makeshift gloves. With that sorted you comb throught the house as thoroughly as you can. Fortunately it doesn't seem as though he had time to set up any internal security cameras. You do notice a camera aimed out of the window towards the Mason's house. You decide to move it away from the window and take the film. Better for the investigators to have as few reasons as possible to link this crime to next door.
Most of the search reveals nothing. However, you do find some items of interest in the man's bedroom. Three to be specific. One is a letter adressed to the man you just killed. At least you assume it is, you don't know his real name:
'G, keep an eye on the rabbit. Monitor and assess danger level. Obtain the relics if possible. Use the urn in emergency situation only! The whistle has limited uses so blow only when needed. Barry is untrained but reliable so I expect him back unharmed! Instead of a signature there is a single paw print.
In addition to the letter you find a dog whistle and some sort of small pot. Both items seem ordinary at a glance but you can sense some sort of power from them, even if it isn't a power you recognise. Naturally you take all three of these with you.
Finally you return to the body. It's best to try and hide it at least. You can't move the body as it is, but if you can cut it into more manageable pieces...
As it turns out, so long as you concentrate, the Diary will cut through bone just as easily as flesh. You can't help but wonder if it would work on other things or if something about the Diary itself allows for an exception like this. You might have to experiment later but for now you busy yourself with the unpleasant task, dismantling the body and packing it up into black bin liners, ready for disposal. Now you just need to dispose of them somehow. Perhaps you should put them in the basement for now...
You decide against it. If this man's absence is noted then the first thing the police will do is search the house. Once they do that they'll find the body no matter where in the house you hide it, in pieces or otherwise. So then, you'll have to move it somewhere else. You don't like the idea of being seen emerging from someone else's front door with a number of black sacks. That could be considered suspicious as well.
Shit, why is this all so difficult? It would be so much easier if you could just kill without having to worry about people discovering the bodies or coming after you. Nevermind, you'll have to smuggle the body out the way you came. Which meant encountering the dog again. But you'd likely need to do that anyway. You glance down at the whistle in your hand. If it operates how one would assume it should be of some use.
But can you trust a random magic item you found in your enemy's house? And you were almost killed by that thing once already, you aren't so keen to risk it's teeth again! Still, you'll need to get past it if you don't want to risk being seen.
So then, what's even more dangerous than playing around with a no doubt magical artefact of unknown power and potency? Combining it with your own of course! Who knows what can happen? Wonderful! You grip the item in hand and make your way outside. At the door to the garden you hesitate, taking a quick look through the glass to assess the situation. It seems that Barry has finally managed to extract himself from the shed and is now sitting on the lawn gazing up at the house with what you can only imagine is a dog's equivalent of worry.
His attitude changes quickly the moment you open the door and step outside, however. He growls again, clearly angry about what happened last time. But he doesn't immediately charge you. Perhaps he's wary after what happened before? Not that you care. You're hopefully better prepared for him this time. You lift the dog whistle to your lips, hoping for the best, and blow into it. It doesn't make a noise, not that you expect it to. The change though is obvious.
Barry's stance immediately changes. From aggressive, ready to attack, to at attention, it's bum slams to the ground, ears perked up and angled your way, all signs of agression gone. He fixes you with an unwavering stare and waits. A good start. The whistle has clearly done something! As to what you aren't sure. But it feels as though Greed does know. You feel him sidle up to you inside your mind, giving you the mental equivalent to a nudge in the side.
Fine, you'll let him have his way this once. You take a step back for a single moment and feel the power build up, then the two words that spill from your lips, not uttered by you.
'You're mine!' Your words slam into the animal's mind, currently rendered powerless to resist by his previous owner's magical item. The single command takes root inside Barry's brain, immediately chasing out any signs of her influence. It sits there now, an irrecoverable truth. He belongs to you now. His once sharp eyes widen briefly then the life drains out of them, leaving them dull and vacant. No longer at attention his muscular body relaxes, his tail starting to swing lazily as his empty eyes stare up at you with newfound wonder.
You still aren't sure exactly what you've done. Well, you didn't actually do anything. This was a combination of Ina and Greed's handywork. But you'll be the one to benefit from it. What you do understand is that this fierce creature that almost mauled you to death a few moments ago is yours now, and will follow your commands loyally, as though he's known you since he was just a pup and loved you all the while. Knowing this certainly gives you a rush of newfound power, even if you know that some of that wasn't your own!
Congratulations! You've charmed yourself a doggie! Barry will follow your instructions from now on at least until his former owner tries to reclaim him!
Greed's position inside your head has changed, losing 5% Sloth gains 4% Pride (You) gains 1%
Your Suggestion ability has evolved and unlocked Animal Whisperer! You now possess an ability to strongly influence and command animals. Anything that isn't already under someone's influence will be hard pressed to resist you!
You're too lazy to come up with a new name and you don't want to use Barry's old one so you'll just change it to something stupid. You doubt he'll care.
'From now on you're Dog, understood?' You say. Dog barks, his tail wagging happily. You gesture.
'Come here Dog, whose a good, brainless boy!' He pads over to you and you rub his head. He probably has enough power to send you flying with just a flick of his neck but now he's putty in your hands, panting and looking up at you with mindless devotion. You have no idea what you are going to do with him, hell he's large enough and you small enough that you could ride on his back with relative ease!
But the trick will be hiding him from those who will likely come searching for him.You also aren't sure if your family will be too happy to have a dog in the house, on account of Sprinkles and the guinea pigs. But keeping Dog at Roger's house will run the risk of him being spotted and a connection being made that you'd like to avoid.
You figure you'll keep him at Roger's house. It's closer and Roger doesn't have any pets of his own so he shouldn't mind looking after Dog for you. And with the control you have over the creature's mind you should be able to make sure that he behaves himself, thereby allowing him to stay indoors out of view of anyone coming to investigate. Hell, you might even be able to command Dog to use the toilet if you've left him with enough mental faculties to understand your instructions.
But for now you need to get out of here. You leave Dog where he is and begin carrying all the black sacks out of the house. Next you place one of the lighter crates next to the fence so you can start moving everything across. You had expected getting Dog across the fence would be the hardest part, but the control you've assumed over his simpleminded brain seems to have overwritten whatever natural instincts or reluctance he might have once possessed. As a result he happily jumps up onto the crate at your command then, bunching up his muscles, leaps up at the fence.
He's certainly no cat, his forelegs just make the top of the fence as it shakes under his weight, for a moment scaring you into thinking the whole thing is about to fall down. But Dog manages to gain purchase and scrambles up the fence, leaping down onto Roger's lawn without too much difficulty. Then it's a simple case of putting the crate back where you found it and climbing back over yourself. And with that, all evidence that you ever trespassed on your neighbour's property should be gone.
Convincing Roger and his mother to keep Dog for you turns out to be surprisingly easy. Roger's so excited just to see Dog that you're surprised he isn't begging you to let him keep the creature. Venus isn't as easy but once she's heard your story of how you came about the animal (all lies, of course) and after you've demonstrated Dog's outstanding obediance and assured her he'll be no trouble to look after she relents. Roger might have helped persuade her as well. You don't even have to use your abilities!
You are more concerend with the remains. You'll need to dispose of them properly or they'll start to smell and attract insects but you don't really have a great way of doing that, besides having Dog dig you a big hole in the garden so you can bury them. You doubt Venus will be impressed by that! But afternoon is now well underway and you haven't eaten lunch yet.
You still want to continue working on Venus this afternoon and maybe Roger as well if you have time. But it might be better to just immediately report your success to Usa. Maybe the rabbit will know what to do with the remains, though maybe hearing that you, a seven year old child, killed and dismembered a fully grown adult would cause it to be alarmed. You are sure you'd be! If you do report back to the rabbit today you'll need to decide what you are going to say!
You decide to deal with the corpse in the room first. Or at least start dealing with it. You aren't an expert in this particular field, you threw your first dead body into the river, you were the second body and the third was just an added bonus. So no, this is not your specialty. But you can imagine a few ways of disposing of a dead body. Cutting it up into fine slices and flushing them down a drain would be a way, but it would probably take you all day, probably longer. You could bury it but it will be difficult to get the body out to somewhere suitable with your small frame.
You glance over at Dog, your newly acquired loyal pet. Big teeth and hopefully an even bigger appetite. A plan presents itself. Put Dog in one of Roger's spare rooms, put the corpse in with him. Have Dog eat his former master, or at least all the bits that can be eaten. The rest can be stored away at any time, just the stuff that rots is a priority. So long as you make sure neither of the Mason's discover the body you will be safe. A simple Suggestion to the both of them to keep them out of the room will be sufficient for that. You can come round some time later in the week to clean up whatever Dog doesn't eat. And that will leave you time to spend the rest of the day doing more interesting things.
Some tricky manouevering and two Suggestions later Dog is fully installed in his new home with his food source ready prepared for him and no chance of him being disturbed. You at least do him the favour of removing the clothes, they should be easy enough to dispose of separately. While you are at it you give Dog some simple instructions. Fortunately, emptying his mind of anything unnecessary seems to allow him to soak up your orders and instructions like a sponge.
You direct him how to use the Mason family toilet, using his nose to push up the seat and then how to position himself so he can use it without making a mess. You are even able to teach him how to flush afterwards! Roger watches the whole affair with awe, commenting on how it reminds him of a film he watched once starring a famous actor you are supposed to know. Well Zach had watched the film once so you sort of get it. Maybe that's how you got the idea in the first place? It turns out TV is good for something!
Once you are confident the immediate issues are dealt with it's time to visit Usa and report your success. Though you are still in two minds about how to share the news with him...
As much as you'd like to tell Usa everything and see if the rabbit can't help you with your powers, you aren't really sure you are prepared to trust it just yet. Usa considers demons and their servants invaders after all so may not be especially happy to hear about your abilities. Besides, the damn thing talks too much! What's to insure it won't give you away to the next person who stumbles upon the shrine? No, you were never someone to trust easily and you certainly don't feel like starting now! You'll tell the rabbit only what it needs to know and nothing more!
As such your report to Usa is precise and to the point. You explain that you snuck into the spy's house, looking for information but he unfortunately caught you. He attacked you, tried to make you tell him who you were and why you were here but there was a struggle and he ended up falling down the stairs and breaking his neck. Usa listens to your brief report in blissful silence.
'A pity,' it remarks, 'he may have been a spy and a thief but he did still work for a guardian spirit so he must have had a pretty good character. I doubt Ina would just employ anyone for something like this. It sounds like you had a lucky break! But you did as I asked and my treasures are safe so I'll reward you as I promised. I can grant you one of my treasures except the bell or I can give you a blessing.'
You frown, but Usa is quick to confirm it won't be the sort of blessing it gave to Roger and Venus. So you consider. Which would be better? The immediate downside of a magic item is obvious. Unless you carry it around with you there won't be any benefit and if you take it to school there's a chance it will be confiscated, unless it is conveniantly shaped like something you'd actually be allowed to keep.
A blessing would be more conveniant, as it wouldn't have this problem. But it would come with it's own problems. Most obviously would be that Usa's blessing would most likely be something that the other guardian spirits and their followers would be able to sniff out. It would be essentially announcing to the rest of the city with any sort of perception that you were working with the rabbit guardian, and with the Church already planning on sniffing around you aren't sure you want that kind of attention.
Alternatively, Usa promised to give you lessons to help you unlock the dormant power it believes you possess. While you will likely need to return here on a semiregular basis to receive training sessions it might be worth seeing if you can use your reward to get some sort of advance on this training. You've seen the sorts of powers the Diary will be giving you and from that you can imagine what will be coming later on. Training with the guardian rabbit might provide you with some different avenues to explore.
You decide you'd rather obtain something that shouldn't have too many strings attached. The blessing and the item both have their own drawbacks, especially when you aren't especially sure what the benefits will be. So instead you ask for the training boon. That should save you time, perhaps the most valuable resource you have. Usa seems content with you choice, likely as this won't put the rabbit at much of a loss. Instead, Usa imparts upon you some basic knowledge about your training and methods to speed it up that will be invaluable to you in the coming days.
Usa's training is now available when you are at Roger's house! Usa will be able to allow you to unlock abilities that the Diary won't, though until you get used to utilising this sort of power they will be more expensive, Mana wise. As the rabbit guardian Usa's two relevant specialites for you are Fortune and Concealment. You're new boon will grant you a bonus when attempting to aquire or develop new abilities under these two categories. In addition your boon will grant you a free ability immediately. You'll just need to decide what you want. Note you'll only be able to choose which category, the rabbit will be the one choosing the actual ability to teach you!
Usa has decided to teach you Null Presence! A must have for any sneak, spy or thief, Null Presence will allow you to give off an aura that will cause most normal people around to ignore you for a short period of time. Further training will increase its effectiveness in various ways! As an aura ability and one of a nature you are not accustomed to Null Presence will cost a whopping 20 mana to use at present! This can be improved in time!
Usa demonstrates to you a new ability and instructs you until you have the basics down. It is currently incredibly costly to use but in the right situation could be very effective. Once you are satisfied you'll be able to use it on your own with a small amount of competence you decide to ask Usa about the two items you found next door. You produce the dog whistle first.
'Fairly straightforward,' Usa informs you, 'Dog Whistle of Command, one of Ina's personal favourites she really produces a lot of them to give to her subordinates. Blow into it and any nearby dog will come running. You can then give them a single command that they'll obey. Each one usually has between five and ten uses, this one didn't seem to be a particularly high value one so it probably has two maybe three goes left before it'll need recharging. Good luck asking Ina to recharge it for you!' Did it just chuckle? Cheeky sod! You'll only end up in trouble with the dog guardian because of this rabbit! Though you did get a new soul, a load of malice and some cool items out of the deal so you can't really complain.
Next you produce the pot. Immediately Usa bristles:
'Put that away!' he demands, 'now!' You quickly do as you are asked, waiting for it to explain. But you aren't sure the rabbit is listening to you anymore.
'Of all the nerve, why would she give him something like that? Was he really just a thief or did she send him here to try and seal me? Of all the nerve! Outrageous! She's gone too far this time, this is far beyond her usual pranks! I'll need to get the word out to as many of the others I can reach and warn them! Who knows what she's planning to do next!' You are a bit confused but you can get a basic understanding of what the 'urn' is capable of.
Usa quickly explains that such a thing is actually capable of capturing and sealing a spirit away though the rabbit is quick to insist that it wouldn't work on it, and that such things are really only useful after extensive battles and the spirit one is trying to capture has been severely weakened. As to why anyone would want to seal a spirit away Usa is suspiciously quiet, protesting that there would ever be such a reason! Nevermind, you have a few ideas yourself.
You sit down to eat dinner with the Mason's. Lucy is of course present too, sitting on your lap and feeding you by hand with quite some glee. You let her do it, you'd rather be fed by a scantily dressed 'mature' woman but this is satisfying in an entirely different way. Roger is watching the two of you with a strange expression that can be considered jealousy. You'll really need to decide what you want to do with him. It probably won't take much more time whatever you end up choosing.
But right now it's his mother you are more interested in. You'll need your hooks to be much deeper into her if you are going to pull all this off. But right now you don't have all that many ways of doing that. Other than using Aura to increase her Obedience, or trying to layer multiple Suggestions on top of each other inside her head you're drawing up blank. But there's no way of knowing whether Usa's 'protection' won't end up messing with those as well if they become extreme enough to threaten whatever programming the rabbit already has inside of her.
No, you'll be far better off just finding out how Usa is manipulating Venus and just using that. At the moment you have your suspicions but they'll need clarifying. Firstly, Usa spoke about having to obtain it's own carrots. You could interpret that to mean that the rabbit has to leave the shrine and head into the house to pick them up, likely using the exact ability it taught you earlier. But, would an almighty spirt that's used to being pampered and looked after really make the effort itself if it had people to do it instead?
Secondly, Usa mentioned a few times that the bell sitting on the table by its statue is important and couldn't be given to you. You are fairly sure that said item is at least one of the ways the rabbit is controlling the Mason's. It would just be a question of how to obtain the thing without tipping Usa off to your intentions. Of course another option would be to just talk to the rabbit guardian again, try to manipulate it into slipping up and telling you something it likely shouldn't. Hell, it sure likes talking enough that it might be worth a try!
Perhaps a simple strategy would be best. Usa seems to like to talk, so it shouldn't be too difficult to pander to the rabbit's ego and just let it talk. Eventually it'll give something away, right? You approach the spirit after dinner as though you are considering asking for another training session but instead ask about Usa's manipulative powers and inquire how easy it would be for you to learn it. Usa is clearly reluctant to instruct you directly in these sorts of abilities which is fine by you. You have the Diary for that, anyway.
You seize the opportunity and praise Usa's ability, detailing how impressive it is to have such power. In your attempts to get him to talk you are successful. Perhaps too successful. Instead of bragging about its control over the Masons Usa instead begins ranting about the past and the various ways it utilised the power of the earth to manipulate confuse and mislead in service to the city. Much like the demons themselves, Usa has never been one for direct confrontation, preferring a more supportive role.
From bragging about the rabbit's own abilities, Usa goes on to talk at length about several of the other guardian spirits and their specialties. According to Usa the rat, Zumi, was the best when it came to espionage and moving around the city quickly while Ina always had the most followers and most loyal subordinates. You try to absorb the cascade of information, some at least circumstantially useful, most decidedly not, but find yourself unable. You couldn't care less that the snake always used to cheat at cards or that the ox could drink them all under the table. In fact you are getting the distinct impression that Usa is just like any other old geezer and just enjoys talking about the 'good old days.'
Once or twice you attempt to lead the conversation back where you want it to be. But with great frustration you find yourself frequently just on the verge of obtaining useful info only for the dim spirit to veer off on an absurd tangent! If you didn't know better you'd be sure it was doing this on purpose! Several hours of frustration later you have little to show for it but a massive headache! Only one clue emerged during all this. An idle comment from Usa about how it is possible to input certain triggers deep into someone's mind that will immediately return them to a suggestible state.
To you that sounds like more stereotypical hypnosis with the light and the breathing exercises and the counting down, etc. It is likely is a more powerful version of your own Trance ability, with the significant difference that it allows deeper suggestions and instructions that will remain within a subject's subconcious after they've been awakened. There are probably a few of these triggers for Roger and Venus, you just need to find one.
While you were talking you felt a large surge of malice from somewhere. Where ever that person is, they are very angry with you! Best hope you don't meet them in person any time soon! 25 Malice gained! 522 now in Reserve!
As you now have 500 Malice in Reserve you can afford to unlock a level 2 ability. Currently you only have Mind abiliites to choose from until you upgrade the other categories
Your Suggestion has been upgraded. It will now be possible to impart stronger commands and it will be more difficult for your victims to resist them! It is still unadvisable to use this ability on anyone who is likely to have magically aided resistance but most regular people will certainly find it diffuclt to refuse you.
After a mixed day of immense success and intense frustration you depart from Roger's house with Lucy and Sprinkles in tow. You have already made a loose agreement to visit again with Roger and Venus essentially extending an open invitation to come and visit, giving you a wider variety of options during your evenings from now on. You feel as though convincing mother shouldn't be too difficult.
Having been bed-blocked last night by Usa's meddling you are looking forward to returning to a place where you can sleep while holding on to a warm and mature female figure. You let yourself into the house and find your mother in the living room. However, she isn't actually alone.
'Ah,' she says, by way of greeting, 'the two of you are back. Good, I was getting worried! But hey, look who is here!' She gestures to the second person in the room. A person that your mother seems to think you should recognise but you certainly don't. And searching through Zach's memories indicate that he didn't know this person either. Lucy's confused face betrays a similar confusion. The young woman before you, however, is not confused.
'Zach, Lucy!' she greets you warmly, 'it's been so long! Come and give your older sister a big hug!' You check again, just to confirm. Yup, this is the first time any of you have learnt that you have an older sister!
Suspicious, this is way too suspicious! Even though you know that it doesn't stop your treacherous body from moving forwards on it's own. Fucking traitor! You are not even sure who is responsible for this one. Still you give a subtle instruction to Lucy to stay where she is for now. Your 'older sister' is smirking at you now. Way too suspicious! You descreetly Enhance your senses. Ah! You know exactly who this person is now! You aren't sure what she is hoping to gain from this game but no reason why you can't take advantage of it as well!
You walk up to the newcomer and hold out your arms. With a twinkle of mirth in her eye your 'older sister' leans down to receive you. You get a good feel. A good feel. Yup, this is what you've been missing out on. If only you'd ended up in a body mature enough to properly enjoy the soft sensations you are feeling right now. Then the moment is over and you step back. She doesn't seem upset, she was probably anticipating you'd take advantage.
Next she looks expectantly over at Lucy. Your little sister looks instead at you with her big brown eyes. You give her a nod of encouragement to let he know it's okay. She seems nervous, reluctant but she approaches regardless. Your 'older sister' embraces your younger sister. You can't help but notice her hands go much lower down then when she was hugging you. Fucking pervert! You glance at dearest mum, but she's just sitting there grinning foolishly like this is completely normal. You cough and Lucy manages to pull herself away and moves quickly to hide behind you. The stranger masquerading as your family simply smiles.
'I've been waiting,' she tells you, 'come,' and with that she turns and heads up stairs. You sigh and follow her, Lucy trailing behind you, a little hand clutching the back of your shirt. She leads you into your mothers room, essentially your room at this point and then turns to face you. At which point her form warps and changes back to how you remember it.
Aria smirks again:
'Well, having fun?' she asks.
'Clearly not as much as you!' you retort, matching her smirk with one of your own. She laughs.
'I am not so sure about that,' she comments, 'I'm sure you enjoyed yourself you little perv! That was my human form, I don't like to be seen in public so I don't use it very often but I'm quite proud of it.' You contemplate her words. Odd for a lolicon perv like Aria to pick that particular form. Then again, you reflect on her human form and compare it to the Aria you see before you. Yep, Aria's human form is much more well developed. Not that such a thing is necessarily better of course. As an individual who died a virgin, twice you can appreciate many different female forms. So long as they are 'legal' of course.
Aria frowns slightly as she perhaps gleans something of your thoughts. But she seems to prefer not to step on that particular landmine. Though, of course you'd be the one who ended up suffering for it. Instead Aria moves on, sitting down on your mother's bed and making herself comfortable.
'I initially planned to come visit you yesterday,' she continues, 'but you weren't here. I didn't expect you'd be gone all weekend! Naughty of you to keep a lady waiting!' You remember that Aria seems to respond well to a bold and confident attitude.
'That wouldn't have been a problem if you'd let me know ahead of time,' you point out, 'I'm happy to make time for you but I need a bit of warning first.' Aria giggles.
'Oh yeah,' she says, 'you wouldn't say that if I was your mistress, would you? She'd say something like 'you should prepare yourself everday in case I summon you and be grateful when I do!' She does a pretty terrible job at immitating your boss's harsh, superior tone. You aren't going to tell her that though, she could still kill you fairly easily. Aria's eyes narrow.
'Still you have a point,' she conceeds, 'I'll make arrangements in advance next time. You have been busy though. I know you aren't likely to get much help from your mistress but I'm surprised you'd try to supplement your demonic power by seeking the aid of a guardian spirit! Though I should say that you shouldn't expect much from the rabbit! Usa's reputation isn't great, poor fool's spent the last century just hiding! I'm not sure how useful it will be for you!
You frown. So she's aware of where you've been. That's troublesome. Has she been watching you, making arrangements to have you followed? No, more likely she discovered you weren't at home yesterday and learnt from Elisa where you went. It'll still be awkward if she takes offence at the idea that you'd be seeking help from someone else. Still she can't be trusted and she must understand that you are suspicious of her. Hell she may well have tried to kill you by marking that crystal! Perhaps this would be a good time to bring that up?
You decide to play the game the way she clearly is and hold you cards to your chest. You shrug.
'A man in my position needs as much help as he can get,' you reply, 'Usa happens to be nearby and in a position to offer assistance and advice. It would be arrogant not to take advantage of it, right? In the same way I'm seeking your help and assistance, right?' She seems to accept this, or at least she can't find fault in your reasoning. You grin.
'Thank you for the crystal, by the way,' you continue, 'it was most helpful. You must have had it for a while though, it still smells like you, after all!' A single eyebrow raises for a moment before she smiles smugly at you.
'Oh?' she teases, 'I didn't know you were into that! You naughty young man! Is there no depravity you won't sink to?' This comment irks you somewhat.
'I don't think you have the right to criticise my tastes!' you retort, a bit sharper than you mean to be. She laughs.
'It's in a demon's nature to push the boundary of decency,' she explains, 'breaking taboos and exploring the darkest depths is normal for us. Once you understand that you'll truly be one of us.' You contemplate whether to push her further on the crystal thing. The two of you are dancing around the issue but you'd like something out of her! It will be difficult to build any sort of meaningful relationship with her otherwise.
'Might be difficult to do that if the Church hunts me down first,' you joke. She giggles.
'If you want to hand me your last will and testament I'll at least try to remember to read it! No promises about anything else though!' He face becomes serious all of a sudden.
'You don't need to worry about the Church,' she says, 'they really aren't as scary as they seem at first glance. Just so long as you avoid facing them directly it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, it's not like you can actually die, right?' Her grin worries you. Fuck, did she really set you up like this just for her own amusement? You wouldn't be surprise if that did turn out to be the main reason. All the more reason to take advantage of her while she's here.
'Don't face them directly,' you repeat, with scepticism, 'and how am I supposed to avoid that? If they show up at my school again I can't just hide in a locker and hope they don't find me.' You could, of course, just skip school but that would likely create its own issues, not to mention setting off a big red flag for the investigators. Aria still doesn't seem worried. Well of course not, it's not her hide on the line.
'And don't tell me not to worry again,' you press her, 'that High Priestess is bad news! I'm not sure even you would be a match for her!' Iris's face freezes and for the first time she allows concern to cross her face.
'The High Priestess? Silver hair, military looking uniform?' You nod. Now she's frowning.
'What was she doing there?' she mutters almost to herself, 'that wasn't part of the plan!' You eagerly seize on her slip up.
'Plan,' you repeat, 'what plan?' So you were right! She did set you up intentionally!
'The plan where you shut up for two minutes and let me think!' She snaps at you, before going back to her contemplation.
'It's fine,' she concludes, 'High Priestess Viala is one of the worst of the bunch but even she can't just pull people off the street anymore! The Acolytes are under a lot of pressure at the moment, their zealotry has earned them a lot of backlash from the ignorant masses and the government is starting to push back. It helps that most of us demons are currently laying low while we search for the Diary. Without solid proof the Church won't be able to do anything to you.
'And the High Priestess won't be attending a simple investigation herself, it'll just be one of the rank and file. And they should be easy enough to fool.' You aren't entirely mollified, but the worst of your fears have been eased. Your brain is already working overtime. If the investigation really isn't something to fear perhaps there's a way to use it to your advantage.
You take a moment to consider the Church. As much as you'd like to avoid them that seems unfeasible, considering the power and influence they have within the city. The stronger you grow and the wider you cast your own net the more likely you will be to clash with them. You have big plans and you can't afford to stick your head in the sand like Usa clearly has done. So long as you continue with this path the servants of the Church will continue to oppose you, simply for what you are. Which means you really only have two options.
You can strike against them, strike them as hard as you can until they don't have the power to impede you any further, or you can usurp them, use them for your own ends just as you will use everyone else. It will be dangerous; these people will be highly resistant to your usual methods. But if you can 'convert' key members of the local branches you'd be able to move freely. And then, maybe in the future the entire organisation can be under your control without a soul knowing about it! Now that would be an achievement!
But that much power and influence over those who should be your mortal enemies would likely put you at odds with your fellow demons. If they find out you seek to take control of the Church, they'll likely try to take a piece of the pie, or seek to stop you out of fear of what you could then do with that power. So, you'd be best masking your true intentions and hiding any of your converts from Aria and the others. Best they still believe you are deathly terrified of them all. But that doesn't mean you can't still prod Aria for information about how to go about corrupting the Church officials.
'Alright then,' you say, more calmly, 'so let's say they send in one of the grunts. How do I outwit them?' Aria shrugs:
'Shouldn't be difficult,' she replies, 'your soul isn't corrupted enough for anything but the most sensitive of analysis to pick up and you've stopped carrying my crystal around with you wherever you go so the scent isn't present on you anymore. Though feel free to have a good long soak in the bath if you don't believe me!' You consider.
So long as an investigator can't sense demonic energy on you, they could only draw a conclusion based on the available evidence. Other than the small change in your classmates' attitudes there shouldn't be anything suspicious at school. You could probably just keep your head down and everything would be fine. But that feels like a wasted opportunity, when you could instead be using it to stick your foot in the Church's door.
'And the investigating priest or priestess,' you continue, 'what powers will they likely have?' Aria shrugs again, already seemingly bored with this particular conversation.
'Hard to say,' she responds, unhelpfully, 'some of the rank and file are just regular people with a few defensive blessings, others have a lot more power. Some focus on fighting demons directly, other provide support or work on their defensive capabilities. Others still prefer to channel their power into purification, directly attacking the source of our power. Not that many of them among the Acolytes, however.
'They do still cooperate with the other two factions though, so it might not even be an Acolyte who shows up! How about this? Take a picture of the investigator when they show up and I'll give you more specific information once I know who we are dealing with. Alright?' Her attitude indicates that as far as she is concerned this matter is settled. Best not to push her any further.
'Could you tell me more about Usa and these guardian spirits?' you ask, changing the subject as she likely wishes. Aria still doesn't seem impressed.
'There isn't really much worth saying about them,' she dismisses, off handedly, 'unlike divine power, which originates from the heavens or demonic power which originates from our world, spirits, like all terrestrial beings, draw their power directly from the Earth itself. It's usually a slower method but it's more reliable and more consistant. In addition they are able to rapidly draw on this energy in emergency situations giving them an advantage while present here on this mortal plane.
'I mentioned before that the Guardian of the city is probably about as strong as the Demon Lord? Well that's really only because the Lord wouldn't be able to use much of his power if he was to descend to this plane. The atmosphere and enviroment isn't really suitable. She'd likely only hold her own against him as a result of having the home field advantage. If she ever attempted to travel to the demon world to do battle with him there she'd be royally trounced! It's the main reason why most of the more powerful demons don't bother leaving our world very often, it's not really suitable for us.
'The twelve guardian spirits were a big deal in their time, but most of them are just a joke now. A few like the dog, the tiger and the monkey have continued to remain active and solidify their power bases but most of the others have gone into hiding, like that rabbit did. A few still harbour thoughts about one day challenging the fox spirit and retaking their former positions but it will certainly be an uphill struggle for them. Even all twelve of them couldn't beat her and she's properly imbeded herself now. I'm not sure they stand much of a chance even if they do get their act together.
'Still, we should be grateful for their incompetance, right? Thanks to that we can move around in this city with much greater freedom. Though if you want to know how to suppress or assert your domination over a spirit my advice is it probably isn't worth bothering. Their natures are fundamentally different from our own, they aren't like humans that can be pushed one way or the other. You'd require something much deeper if you wanted to properly corrupt a spirit. Though perhaps it's just beyond my knowledge.'
You strive to prevent the stab of irritation from presenting itself on your face. As much as she clearly looks down on Usa and regards the rabbit as unimportant, Aria bears at least one clear similarity with it. Both possess a startling and frustrating ability to provide you with a large amount of information while neglecting the parts that you actually want or need. Aria must realise you are only asking the question because you want to know how to subvert Usa's power for your own goals but she seems to delight in teasing you by holding that vital intel tantalisingly out of reach. You are at least more willing to believe that she at least is doing this on purpose.
You could press her further on this but you decide not to. You still aren't sure you can trust her answers, after all, and it isn't as though you are keen to commit yourself to struggling against Usa. You'd much rather wait until the rabbit has taught you as much as it is willing to do so before you make any major moves against the spirit. So perhaps you'd benefit from asking about something more important, possibly?
'You said that the dog spirit was still going strong?' you prompt her. Aria's smile widens.
'Ah yes,' she teases, 'I do believe I heard it mentioned that you went and pissed off the dog spirit! Bitch deserves it anyway, I reckon, she's spread herself out way too thin, got her people all across the city spying on and gathering information on all the major players around. A real nuisance, she more than any of the others seems reluctant to accept that her glory days are well and truly over. She'll probably send someone else to find out what happened to her agent, but she's probably too thinly stretched to respond in any meaningful way at the moment.
'Though I will say that when she does come she'll come in force! Loyalty is a strong creed in Ina's group and that loyalty extends both ways. You make an enemy of one of them you make an enemy of them all, so you are right to be wary of her. My advice, finish with the rabbit and its servants as soon as you can and then bail. It won't take her long to figure out her former comrade had a hand in her man's disappearance. And you shouldn't expect that coward who only knows how to hide to shield you from her. My guess it'll sell you out the second Ina so much as looks menacingly at it.'
You resist the urge to sigh. Great... another looming threat on the horizon, like you don't have enough of those already!
You've gathered as much infomation as you are likely going to get from Aria. You are rapidly beginning to wonder if there's much point in asking her anymore, considering she seems just as prepared to keep you from learning anything truly meaningful as everyone else you've met. Still she's being at least marginally helpful and she doesn't actually need to tell you anything. Now time for something possibly more tangible.
'Just out of interest,' you say, 'what would I need to do to earn another Soul Brand?' Aria's eyes light up and she laughs maniacally.
'Oh dear,' she declares, after her laughter has died down, 'someone is keen! Taking your darling little sister's soul for yourself isn't enough for you? How positively beastly! But you'll have to wait, I'm afraid. Only one Soul Brand can be in place at any given time. Once you've finished with this little treasure then we can have this conversation.'
You glance down at Lucy, who has been listening to your conversation with wide eyes this entire time. You could have instructed her to leave the room while you talked but you decided not to bother. Your grip on her soul is so strong now you doubt she can react unfavourably, assuming that her five year old mind can even understand what you've been discussing up until now. And this feels as good a way as any to slowly get Lucy used to the idea that you are different. She probably will never need to know that you aren't really her big bruhba but she will need to come to terms with a lot of other unpleasant shit if she's ever going to be of any use to you.
'I am aware of that,' you answer, placing a hand on Lucy's head and rubbing it. Instantly she's oblivious to anything else as she begins to hum in delight at the attention.
'I'm actually almost finished with Lucy, which is why I thought I'd ask, so that by the time I can meet your price I'll be ready to start immediately.' Aria scoffs.
'Yeah, yeah,' she responds, 'good one. No point trying to bluff me, kid. You don't seem to realise exactly how long it takes to corrupt a human soul. It isn't as easy as you want to make it out to be, believe me!' You resist the urge to gape at her! Wait, what! Is she serious? It really has only taken you a week or so to fully corrupt Lucy. You estimate that if not tomorrow she'll definitely be ready the day after. You wouldn't consider that a long period of time.
'Exactly how long does it normally take?' you ask her. Aria snorts.
'Some of our best experts can fully corrupt a soul after a few months. An amateur like you should be lucky to have her finished within a year! Understand? If it was so easy to taint human souls we'd already own this damned city by now!' Urp... The hell? You really don't understand. Does it really take that long? Certainly not for you! Is it because of the Diary? Is that the reason why you can do it so much faster?
Regardless this could well be an opportunity! Your ability to corrupt souls seems to be much better than anyone else's in the demon world. There must be a way to take advantage of it! Although this might also be dangerous. You are supposed to be some newbie idiot, after all. If you are going ahead with this you'll need a good excuse, otherwise you might end up facing some difficult questions you do not want to have to answer.
You consider the various benefits you could obtain if the other demons found out you have the ability to quickly corrupt souls. You could sell your services to the highest bidder! They would all come crawling to you with souls they want corurpting. You'd practically be able to name your price! But then the realistic part of your mind chips in.
These are demons, not regular people. The moment word of this gets out some big shot will barge in and force you to work for him. Either that or your boss will find out and quickly drag you back into her lair. You'd spend the rest of your life churning out souls for her. Fuck, and it would be such a great way to earn the resources you need, too! You just need someone more reliable. Aria can't be trusted. You need to find someone who is, if such a being even exists in this society of freaks, crazies and backstabbers!
So you laugh, admit you were just fooling around, drop the subject and begin to wrap up. The night is moving on and it's about time for bed. Aria as well seems to decide that you've been talking for long enough. You aren't entirely certain but you feel she looks disapointed or dissatisfied. Perhaps she was expecting for you to ask her for more help collecting souls. It would have provided her with more of the entertainment that she clearly craves. You aren't even really sure why you didn't ask her for more help. You sure as hell have no other way to gather up ten souls by the end of the week! But you also had a lot of questions you wanted answering and by the time you were finished the time had slipped away. Maybe you will get another chance? Or maybe you are boned...
'One last thing,' Aria says as she prepares to depart, 'I mentioned you to my associate, Soprano, the one I told you about before whose territory is north of mine. He seems interested in you and mentioned he might have a job for you. I've told him to expect you, you'll find him at the old Myskin Theatre. Might be a good way to get some good income. Though I must say that if you are put off by my tastes, should we say you'll likely not appreciate his either.
'He's usually harmless and a generous employer but you should probably try not to endear yourself to him too much! He might end up wanting to keep you!' She cackles again, amused by a joke only she understands and then she's gone, flying out the window in her raven form. You are so perplexed by her final words you only just remember she hasn't lifted the spell she's placed on your mother. Is she going to start wondering where her eldest daughter has gone? Crap...
A snort of amusement draws your attention towards your bed. A small creature is perched on your mother's bed, watching you with an expression that seems to appear to be disinterested, but you can see the mirth there as well.
'You have an eventful life, young man,' he tells you, in a voice far deeper than you would expect from a creature no larger than a cat, 'so much excitement isn't good for a mortal's body.' Your mouth opens, then closes again. Is this a dragon? It certainly looks like one. A very small one, but a dragon nonetheless. And what is it doing in your room?
'No need for alarm, boy,' the creature continues, 'I won't be here for long. Just dropping something off.' It makes a gesture with one claw and a silver bracelet appears in front of it.
'Your Mistress asked my Mistress to drop this off for her,' he explains, 'she said it should replace your other one, as well as storing any valuables you care to keep hidden. Try to look after it, yes?' You open your mouth to ask a question but you aren't sure exactly which one to ask. By the time your muddled head has reached a decision the creature is gone, leaving the bracelet behind.
You have been granted a magical storage braclet! It will store your souls for you as well as up to six other items! It has also been enchanted to make sure it cannot be detected so there's no risk to using it. Who knew your boss could be so generous? (Let's be honest it probably wasn't hers anyway!)