honkai Chapter 2: p2, a worm fanfic

Taylor awoke with a groan, her body feeling stiff and her head throbbing slightly. Probably because the voices in her head had driven her up the walls all evening yesterday.

{Look, you are unfair to her. She wasnt even real! She was made by you on the spot!}

{That doesnt excuse it. She made an oath, and that even a shade of her is willing to break it, shows me that she is not to be trusted.}

Eight. Full. Hours of this.

{Both of you, shut the hell up. We will deal with Sirins girlfriend later. It is why we left her in the Imaginary Space, along with her not having the most sensible clothes.}

{They fit her perfectly, but otherwise, I do agree with Taylor.} Why did she sound so defensive ?

{Kinda expected you to deny that she is your Girlfriend.}

{She is the closest I have come to an acceptable partner, besides, we went to the Moon together. That is far more romantic than anything you ever did for yours, no ?~}

{..LISTE-}

{SHUT. IT! We have stuff to do, and only so much sunlight. How about we go collect the stuff for the Generator while I go around clearing my head? Where do we start with that?}

She asked as she blinked into the Kitchen, looking at the clock, which signaled that it was already 10 am, and quickly began making herself toast and tea. She used to drink coffee, but after Sirin threw a fit about it, she switched to tea, which much to her pleasure and surprise, worked just as well for her. Kiana had advocated for energy drinks and soda, but was quickly silenced by both of them.

{Well, unless you are holding out on us in terms of resources, we need to start small. There are a few things that will be difficult to acquire. For now, let's go shopping in the electronics shop. I trust you have one in this hopeless wreck of a city ?}

{Hey! I have seen worse!}

{Dear, you caused -}

{Stop. We will go to the shop, and on the way there, we are going to talk about the things I deem worthy talking about. Otherwise, both of you are in time out!}

Enjoying the blessed silence, Taylor enjoyed her freshly made Sandwich and Tea, before frowning at the empty freezer. She would need to make a trip to the supermarkt when she came back. Still, she had enough time to respond to that one comment she saw.

We Need Some Space

ReignOfWest

Replied on January 28, 2011:

Heh, this bitch went after Rune to be all girly girl!

Bet she would fold against Hookwolf or Stormtiger!

Vista (Wards ENE)

Replied on January 28, 2011:

@ReignOfWest thank you for your truly insightful comment

TheRealAbyssFlower (Original Poster) (Unverified Cape)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

@ReignOfWest Apologies if I dont trust your Expertise on what is Girly and what is not. I do doubt you have any experience with any girl of any age.

That being said...

The sad kind. The really pathetic kind.

Rune (Verified Cape)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

Fucking Jackass, the flower has thornes.

Btb, @ReignOfWest, you better pray that I dont find you.

Vista (Wards ENE)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

@TheRealAbyssFlower I am still torn between thinking that PR would love you or loathe your entire existence as much as they loathe Clockblockers.

We Are Back In Time!

Taking a running leap off the roof, Taylor tugged her legs in, prepared to roll the impact force off under Kianas guidance.

Stretch out the legs, slightly bent.

Have the hips pushed back, then when you hit the ground, dont just take the impact into your knees, but channel it into a roll.

Simple enough, especially if you really didn't need to mind for injuries for the most part. It was far more about optimizing for efficiency.

{So, you sounded like you had something on your mind?}

Next, she jumped across the street, catching a lamp post before sliding it down, taking a moment to respond.

{For one, Sophia.}

{I mean, she is nice to look at ? Joking. What got you concerned ?}

Beginning to run towards the shop, returning the greetings of random passersby with a cheerful grin, while she replied.

{Well, her entire behavior was off. I know her as someone who can't stand not doing anything. I would almost describe her as high strung, constantly watching for and seeking out conflict. Yet, instead of taking shots at me, even insulting me, she was quiet.. I mean, for Christ's sake, she complimented me, or acknowledged me, or whatever.}

{If we are to presume that she is indeed a parahuman, something we could know if somebody checked, I can give a guess about her psychology. Humans are, typically, high strung if they are in emotional distress, be it anger, pain or fear. Based on your memories and observations in the past, I would venture the guess that in her case, her anger is her reaction to the fear caused by whatever Trauma she has. The moment she is not focusing on the rage itself, either by acting on it or being distracted from it by someone who engages with her, she most likely feely joy at it.}

There was a pause before she amended {Well, not Joy, but relief ? You know what I mean.}

{ She noted to you that she is not feeling angry, meaning that at the moment, she has been basically having … well, not more joy, but consistent joy, something she might have had very little exposure to before. She is basically high on being able to live a life. As for the reason for the change, again, this is entirely based on the assumption that she is a parahuman with an active shard… we might have something to do with it. She would have been the closest to us, and the only one who witnessed me when I took control. Might have garnered enough interest that it changed parameters.}

Taylor did not expect such a detailed response, nearly missing a step, but that didnt keep her from noticing the accusatory tone in Sirins voice.

{Why do you want me to ally with a Parahuman so much ?!}

Surprisingly, it wasnt Sirin who responded.

{Because we lack information about Parahuman. Simple as that. Yes, we have general information, but there is tons of information we could get from a simple examination of one. As for the power, which I am sure you were going to ask for next, Sirin meant for her to become well… a hybrid or a Valkyrie. Something that was done in our world, and provided a significant boost of power. It would be interesting to see how the Shards and Honkai interact, especially since we would have a far easier time actually creating them, being agents of the Will this time, instead of fighting it.}

Jumping on top of a bus driving by, waving to the people inside with a wink to calm them down, she nodded to herself before frowning.

{You could give me that info a bit earlier next time!}

{Would have changed your opinion ?}

{No, I guess, but still!}

{Be it as it may be, we still need to talk about how we are going to acquire the rarer parts we need to make the Generator functional. We could naturally try to acquire them from an existing Nuclear Reactor, the parts are similar enough, but I dont think that it would be easy to do, much less cover up. Black Market is an option.}

Yeah… no, she wasnt going to steal a nuclear reactor. She was confident, but not that overconfident. She could maybe deal with Brocktons Heroes and Villains, piece by piece, but fighting Legend or Alexandria seemed just… out of her league. At the moment at least.

{An option we could have is to contact the PRT or maybe that one Tinker… Dragon? We could offer some technologies that are far ahead of this age that dont require Honkai to work.}

{That would however put us under the view of either the Government or the Guild.}

Taylor snorted slightly at how Sirin made the Government sound like some kind of gang.

{We cant really go down the route of the Black Market though. We kinda lack money. Actually, Taylor, do you have a mobile?}

Taylor tried to sound resolute in her decision as she jumped off the bus and began climbing up a building, using the fire escape to ascend rapidly.

(Encounter yes/no? D20…13, yes)

(Encounter roll d7… 7, Oni Lee)

{Not really- oh, fuck my life!}

Just a few feet away from her, leaning over the edge, not looking at her, stood a man dressed in a black bodysuit with, so she knew, belt and bandoleer of knives and grenades on it, and a demonic mask with leering, fanged, ear-to-ear grin.

{What should I do ?!}

{You have the drop on him. Teleport, knock out, call in, move on. }

{We dont have trouble with him. Maybe just say hi, clarify that you don't want to fight and move on.}

{Neither would be in character for Abyss Flower though..}

] Follow Sirins plan

] Follow Kianas plan

] Challenge him properly!

]Write in

I am going to fight him, but I will do it my way.}

{Ohhh~ That will be interesting.}

{I will need your help with translation though.}

Jumping up onto the rooftop, she drew the look of the masked man, him tensing, having gotten a blade and a grenade from… somewhere. He had a lot of grenades and bombs.

{Do I need to explain that you are not explosive proof ?}

{I am dealing with it.}

Raising her hands in a sign of peace, she let Kiana take over partly, her being more familiar with the etiquette needed for Taylors plan. Seeing that he had not yet attacked her, she gave him a short, polite bow, speaking in slightly accented Japanese.

"Greetings, Sir Demon. I do not mean any harm."

(Taylor Diplomacy roll d20… 18)

The demon masked man paused, before nodding silently, relaxing a bit. It took a moment for him to speak himself, a moment that had Taylor slightly fidgeting. She was surprised at his voice. It was a normal voice. One that you could hear in every shop everyday. She kinda had expected him to have a demonically deep voice, with growls and all.

"If you dont want to fight, what do you want?"

He was blunt, but that was something Taylor, now fully Abyss Flower, could deal with. Giving him a wink and wagging her finger, she corrected him.

"I do want to fight. But I want a good, fair fight. You are the sole other teleporter in the bay and thus I want to test my mettle against you."

Taylor knew that the request was an odd one. What kind of person just went and challenged a cape to an old-style duel like that. But that was what Abyss Flower was about, apparently, doing the unconventional and not only getting away with it, but doing it with style.

{Dork.}

She would forever deny that she nearly stumbled at that.

{Y-You..! What ?!}

{You know what I said.}

Pouting slightly, she focused on the man who had cocked his head to the side, most likely silently observing her through his mask. He took his sweet time responding.

"Why should I bother ? I could kill you right now."

(Kiana Reaction roll d20…16)

Just as he finished saying that, he twitched for a second, and Taylors (and Kianas) instincts screamed as her body went into motion almost instantly, summoning an Deagle into one hand while the other caught the arm of the assassin in an iron grip. In the hand of said arm was a knife.

Taylor released a stocked breath as she realized that Kiana not only caught the arm, but also placed the summoned pistol directly against the side of the assassin. Playing it cool, she closed her eyes to the point where they were almost slits, and placed a cheery smile on her lips.

"Because unlike you, I can take a bullet to the gut and walk it off."

Despite being what was to him a life or death situation, Taylor couldnt squash the impression that the guy radiated a miniscule amount of amusement. He gave her a curt nod, and she released his hand.

"You are not the fool you play as. The flower has thorns. You could make it far in the ABB."

{Is… is he trying to recruit us?}

It was unnerving to hear even Sirin unsure of her assessment.

{I am… unsure, it may just be acknowledgement.}

Waving her hand, dismissing the gun and releasing her hold, Taylor shook her head. "Sorry, but no interest. Besides, I'm not really Asian."

"You would be if Lung decided it." The sheer blandness of tone this rediciouslous phrase was spoken in caused Taylor to actually lose her composure and to let out a small laugh. Once more wagging her finger, she simply responded "Not how that works."

Blinking five feet away, she put a hand on her hip before asking "So, interested or not ?"

(Diplomacy Roll D20 … 20, GOD DAMN IT TAYLOR)

"...Rules of Engagement?"

"Only less Lethal explosives, and I wont use guns either, blades are fine."

"Acceptable. I will indulge you in this. A moment though."

Blinking like a confused puppy, Taylor observed as the Demon mask wearing man picked something up at the edge of the roof, where he stood before. As Lee turned around, she realized that she may have disturbed the man during breakfast, given that he just picked up a bento box.

Politeness trained into her acting up, Taylor automatically offered "I can wait till you are done ?" with a small shrug of her shoulders.

{It is good to know that you recognise the sacredness of a home cooked meal.}

{Indeed.}

She chose to ignore her compatriots' fixation on food.

The man paused, before nodding slightly, sitting down and slightly lifted the mask, allowing him to eat.

Unsure what to do with herself, Taylor fidgeted around before sitting down as well, asking awkwardly "So… why the ABB ? I cant imagine it is much fun or fulfilling."

It worked with Rune after all.

"It is fulfilling.Why would it not be ? They are giving me something to depend on and a place where I am depended upon."

Taylor blinked, not having expected the answer. "But are you satisfied with them ?"

"Does it matter ? Better to be part of something where you are accepted and given something to do, than to be alone and without a task."

{What is up with this guy ?!}

{What ? Did you think everyone shared your values? Even those who have an entirely different background ?}

Frustration slowly creeping up inside her, Taylor proceeded to ask another question, one important to her. "What about the kidnappings, the Farm, all that? None of that disturbs you ?!"

There was a pause, before the man shook his head in what appeared to be amusement.

"You are less experienced than you look. The Farm is the same as Crucifixions of the E88 and the kidnappings, for the most part. They are fiction. Propaganda. We could never get away with the scale of such operations. They serve to feed the fear that drives people we want towards us, and convinces people we dont like to give in rather than to fight back. That is not to deny that it does occasionally happen."

Taylor blinked, before she blurted out. "So… like pirates then. It is more about the brand than anything else."

{That… I have no words for the comparison. But please do not forget that you are talking to scum. While it may not be as nightmarish, they still do a lot of vile stuff.}

"Indeed." The man responded as he finished the last of his meal, taking a position a few feet away.

Taylor swallowed as she summoned her sword.

~COMBAT START~

(Taylor, Oni Lee Roll initiative d20… 19, 5 Starting early on the bullshit I see)

(Taylor uses Teleport!)

(Taylor attacks! Roll d20…10, success)

(Oni Lee uses Teleport! Roll d20… 17, Impressive success, leaves behind flashbang)

(Flashbang effect roll d4-1…3, -2 to the next three rolls by Taylor)

Once more, there was the feeling in the air that reminded Taylor of an old western, before, upon an invisible signal, both of them began to act. She blinked forward first, fast enough that Oni Lee visibly jerked back in surprise at her appearance.

However, his reflexes, honed by his years of experience as a teleporter, were fast enough to avoid the follow up slash of the blade, causing the remaining clone to disperse into ash, briefly blinding Taylor, before she dispersed the cloud with her sword, only to see that her opponent left her a gift.

BANG!

"Son of a-"

{VERDAMMTE SCHEISSE!}

{Охуе́ть!}

As it turned out, getting flashbanged was still unpleasant even to a junior Herrscher. Her vision returned quickly, but was still slightly blurred, and she had an awful ringing in her ears.

{YOU JUST HAD TO CHALLENGE HIM, DIDN'T YOU?!}

(Oni Lee uses Teleport!)

(Oni Lee attacks! Roll d20…10, success)

(Taylor uses Teleport! Roll d20-2…17, Impressive Success Taylor as usual)

(Additional Attack Triggered!)

(Taylor attacks! Roll d20-2… 16, Impressive Success)

(Damage Roll 1d63… 6)

{Shut up, I need to concentrate!}

{Did you just shush me?!}

{She said– THERE!}

Taylor already teleported on instinct, perhaps a flash of prescience, as she appeared behind the Ninja just as he appeared where she was an instant ago, trying to bury a knife in her back. Instead, she swung her sword in a quick slash across his back, lacking the maximum force she could put into it, but still sending the masked man forward with a heavy cry of pain.

Breathing heavily, the ringing in her ears and the spots in her vision slightly lessened, Taylor felt a predatory smile on her, the rush of a fight, the heightened emotions causing her to enjoy the bout.

{Not bad, still could have hit harder, but you anticipated him right.}

{Thanks, but I am not sure what I did… I just acted on instinct…}

{We still have a муда́к to deal with, so focus!}

(Taylor, Oni Lee Roll initiative D20-2,D20…18,15)

(Taylor attacks! Roll D20… 20...no, please not again)

(Damage Roll! D6*2… 6*2,12... Please No…..)

Letting her instincts flow, she quickly went after Oni Lee, not letting up. Moving with speed and purpose her body was not used to, she grasped her sword in both hands, before swinging it like a baseball bat against the still stumbling form of Oni Lee , causing him to be thrown across the roof and nearly over the edge. There had been an audible cracking sound.

Taylor winced. Sure, he was a madman that had very little regard for the life of others, if his Parahuman page was anything to go by, but they had started this duel in good faith, she may have put a little too much into that swing.

(Oni Lee uses Teleport!)

(Oni Lee Reaction Roll d20… 1, son of a !)

As the body hit the corner of the roof it exploded into dust, another Oni Lee appearing in the distance, on the neighbour roof of Taylors original destination. One arm was limp and he held the other up in the universal sign of stop.

Taylor blinked, before lowering her weapon.

~COMBAT OVER~

Oni Lee reappeared on their roof, and inclined his head, his right arm still limb.

"Eh.. you okay there? I am sorry, I kinda got caught up."

He paused before the same monotone voice, although with a degree of straining to it, answered. "The arm is not broken, it is dislocated. Likely cracked. It will heal." He cocked his head, his gaze lingering on her. "You hold much power, unrefined as it is, and great instincts. You have charisma and will. Why do you act like a naive fool ?"

Taylor paused before something her mother said came to mind. She kindly remembered the times when they would talk about a text, hold an honest discussion about it.She could probably write a speech about why she made Abyss Flower a playful idealist, but in the end, wiser people write shorter letters, don't they not ?

{I mean, I haven't written any letters in years… does that mean I am wisest?}

{It is a metaphor for the ability of a person to be succinct and to the point, as many will claim to be wise, yet flounder to convey that so-called wisdom in a torrent of words as long as it is unhelpful, fool.}

{Wow! So it didnt praise me, it just called you dumb, you walking dictionary~!}

{You….Argh!}

Noticing that her companions were back to old form, Taylor couldnt help the almost contend smile on her lips.

"Well… Be the change you want to see, no ? I know what capes act like, Heroes and Villains… I do not care much for it. I do not have an agenda or something. I simply do what I think is right. " She shrugged, before beginning to hum slightly. The little spar had helped her clear her mind, and she felt her old cheer returning.

"You will not succeed."

She nodded slightly, before wagging her hand. "Maybe."

"You will have much opposition."

Putting her arms behind her head, she nodded, the smile still on her lips. "Probably."

"So why do you do it ?"

"Why shouldnt I do it ? Just because I may not succeed? Just because I may find opposition or mockery ?" She snorted slightly, hiding it behind a hand. Her glowing, poison green eyes seemed to gleam in the shadows of a passing cloud.

"I have experienced failure,mockery and bullying. I let it crush me once, never again. I will live my life my way or no way."She paused "It just so happens that I also understand that I need to be flexible in my way."

There was an flash of instinct, causing her to speak. "Is it not part of the journey, to take a leap of faith against the current?"

In the distance, a church clock struck twelve.

Taylors eyes widened as she realized that she spent quite some time with Lee, and began cursing under her breath.

"Sorry, need to go, still want to shop and I still need to find some money, maybe I can-"

Oni Lee, before she could fully comprehend what had happened, had quickly pulled a wad of bills and quite literally shoved them into her face.

Blinking slightly, she gaped at the five hundred dollar bills.

{Did… did we just mug a Yakuza Captain? I mean, that could have taken as the cutest, most polite mugging ever, but still a mugging.}

{No, we will not discuss it now! Go, get the stuff we need before they close for lunch!}

With a desperate cry and more haste than she even showed in battle, she teleported to the shop.

{Do you think anyone saw that ?}

{No, I mean, we were on the roof, a low one to be fair, but still. Besides, it wasnt that interesting.}

(Roll 1d4 for public reaction… 4)

(Roll 4d100 for public reaction… 99,99,100,53…. God, have mercy upon my soul.)

~TIME OUT~

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Topic: Abyss Flower vs Oni Lee

In: Boards USA Connecticut Brockton Bay Capes

PlumeNOTAge (Original Poster) (Cape-Watch)

Posted on January 29, 2011:

GUYS AND GALS !!!!

THERE WAS A NEW ABYSS FLOWER APPEARENCE!

It was directly under my window! It was only sheer luck that lead me to look out at the time and grab my Cam!

Here is the Video!

VIDEO

Sorry for the poor audio!

(Showing Page 1 of 3)

Vista (Wards ENE)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

I shall steal the flowers reaction.

Zizzel (Veteran Member)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

Did... Did she just beat fucking Oni Lee in nearly under a minute ? And then mugged him ?!

Hanzoshi

Replied on January 29, 2011:

Not quite. The audio quality made it difficult, but as far as I can understand it, she basically went up to him, challenged him to a fair fight, then decided to let him finish his food first.

While she may not have mugged him, I still want people to appericate that this madlass challenged THE SUICIDE BOMBER to a spar and won.

Lee even said that the ABB would welcome her, basically.

Aegis (Wards ENE)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

I am more confused why she let him go?

Damasnokolos

Replied on January 29, 2011:

Hi, the guy living directly under where the fight happened.

First, and I hope the Mods grant me that, fuck you Lee, my ears are still ringing, but also thank you for not using handgranades.

Secondly, I asked the lady from the shop they landed on, and She overheard that AF immediately asked if he was okay, and apologized. She apparently dislocated his arm.

The lady also informed me that I should inform @TheRealAbyssFlower that you are welcome to come in. She approves of your ideas.

PrinzessinderFreundschaft

Replied on January 29, 2011:

Are we going to ignore that she can apparently speak both German and Japanese ?! Fluently ?!

HOW MANY POWERS DOES SHE HAVE !?!

On a side note... am I the only one who is reminded of MP, what with hopeful, playful nature and all that ?

Mouse Protector (Verified Cape) (Veteran Member) (Glorious Mouse)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

MY NAME WAS SPOKEN! I AM HERE!

looks at this Abyss Flower*

I love her. A bit rough, but a talent that needs to be nurtured!

I am on my way!

Rune (Verified Cape)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

... I am now glad that she apparently went easy on me.

I dont think people understand how fucking painful it is for someone to get flashbanged.

Oni Lee (Unverified Cape)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

Having been informed of the misinformations that happened here, I wish to clarify that I wasnt mugged. I was however informed that paying scary people to stay away from oneself is something that people do as well as giving them gift to stay in their good graces. She may be still a carp, but she will take the leap.

I apologize if I broke a rule or two with this post. I am new to this medium.

Zizzel (Veteran Member)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

...Did Oni Lee just say that AF scared him to the point where he gave her Money to stay away from him ?!

Also, did MP just say that she is coming to BB ?!

Rune (Verified Cape)

Replied on January 29, 2011:

reads MPs Post*

Oh God no.

End of Page. 1,2,3

~SPACE IN~

As the older man ringed her purchase up, which was, what with her increased funds, quite a lot, Taylor decided to have a talk with her friendly voices.

{So, we have time. I have to ask… Knowing what I do about the Will.. and your power, Sirin… how did humanity survive ? You could have easily wiped out humanity in most cases.}

{You are asking a question that leads to a fundamental question itself. What is the purpose of the Honkai? Well, people in Kiana and my age held that Honkai was the enemy of the world, and from their perspective, this is true. It cares little for them, not antipathy, apathy. Scientific distance. Its actual role was always that of Satan, if you so will. It serves as both tester and rival. The manifestation you saw was only a singular part of the whole. Imagine it as a tree. Each root is a different manifestation in itself, but also makes up the larger tree. But even if we are to assume that the Tree represents the totality of our planet, every instance across every conceivable universe, it would just be the root of another, larger Tree. It does boggle the mind, does it not ? The sheer scale of it ? So, indeed, why does humanity survive ? Because of one simple reason.

The Honkai as a whole do not care if they survive or not. Their goal is not total destruction in the most effective way.That is not their function, not our function. We are to test, to pressure, to push them over the edge. Naturally, the Herrschers as singular entities might desire total destruction of humanity, or just a sub group, because they are still human in parts. That is what makes Herrschers the primary right hands. They are the apex of both Honkai and Humanity. Perhaps, they are even pushed towards it since, as Oni Lee pointed out in a roundabout fashion, there is more than one kind of warfare.}

Taylor tried to hide her reaction from the clerk, but she still drew the look for a second.

{So we are simply one gigantic, sick experiment ?}

{Pretty much.}

Taking a deep breath, Taylor focused. It was utterly depressing to think about, and it made her want to curl up and cry but.. she didnt want to. She had spent so long being depressed, so long being sad and angry at the world… She admitted to herself that she did not care. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more it gave her… reassurance. There was something in the end... and Kiana was the prove you can win.

"Miss.. eh.. Flower ? Your purchase is finished, but if I may… May I make a request ?"

Blinking slightly, Taylor smiled at the kind old man, and nodded.

"You see, my niece has become somewhat …What the hell, I will just say it outright. She has a bit of obsession with you. She is ten years old. If you had time in two days, that is her birthday, I am sure that she would love it if you showed up.I am sure she will be only more invested once she finds out about your newest piece."

{I.. wah?}

{I am all for it!}

{It is rare that we share an opinion, but I agree.}

{... Okay, run that by me again.}

{This man is someone specialized in electronics and machinery, not the kind we need, but he is bound to be connected to someone. However, it would cost us maybe half a day or so.}

Taylor caught her headshake in response to Sirins point, before she asked. "What would I be expected to do ? And what is that about my latest piece?"

"Nothing much! Just show up, make a small show, nothing large, I promise and…" He blinked. "You know that your little stunt with Oni Lee back there was recorded, yes ?"

He turned his Desktop over, showing Taylor a PHO page. A page with a lot of posts.

"Shit."

"Language, young lady!"

Taylor blushed, before muttering with an awkward smile "Sorry."

She paused, and took a deep breath, coming to a decision.

]Accept

]Decline

Tammi frowned as Krieg continued his rant about her failure. He took offense to the ease with which she had been defeated, ignoring that she hit Flower with a literally god damn ton of concrete and that said Flower just managed to beat Oni fucking Lee.

Rolling her eyes,she listened in on the other conversations that happened in the room, interested in how they would perceive her interaction with her heroine.

The,Stupid Brain, the heroine.

Hookwolf and Cricket could not begin to care. Rune could appreciate that. Them and her had a tentative understanding, all things considered.They both knew that she wasn't in the Empire because she believed. Neither of them was either. Both of them were in it for essentially convenience, for survival.

She was strangely conflicted about if she wanted him to meet Flower, although only if she brought her A game. Both them seemed to enjoy the thrill of combat, and Flower was actually fun to fight.

Menja and Fenja…were boring as usual. Tammi wasnt even sure if they had brains between their ears, but they were Kaisers bitches in the most literal sense. She paused, deciding to take a small private test. She, for the first time, tried to see the appeal of the twins. They had a figure rivalling that of Flower, but… nothing. They were downright boring in comparison. Sure, they looked like warrior maids, but Flower had something about her, the air of a great predator willing to play ball.

Indeed, it was perhaps that which made Flower so… interesting. Her presence was radiant. Not only because she was great as a person, but she acted in a way that had so much more momentum and drive behind it. While she would be hesitant to compare the girl to a force of nature, she couldnt deny that the sheer presence the girl carried was intoxicating in it's own way. Not even starting on her honesty.

Rune blinked and felt the blush on her cheeks. How did she come to praise the Girl in her mind again? She briefly considered if the Girl was a Master, but knew that she was only searching for ways to justify her… crush. She was mature enough to admit the existence of one, if only a slight one.

Letting her eyes move around, she rested them on Victor and Othala. They were perhaps the closest thing she had to support, if only due to them being family. However, Victor was vastly more invested in the E88 than his wife was.

So, as much as she hates to admit it, even that pillar of support was hazardous at best. Victor was a great cold reader and likely suspected her desire to leave.

Crusader was still a bastard. Actually, scratch that. He was perhaps the single vilest individual of those present. Most others had reasons to be part of the Empire, and eventually adopted parts of the beliefs as per convenience. Justin on the other hand triggered while trying to kill his own god damn sister. Admittedly, Rune could somewhat understand, given what happened to him for the sake of the girl, but the girl was barely aware of what happened. He could have offed his parents for all she cared, but he wasnt man enough for that apparently.

He shared the trait of being an absolute bastard with Alabaster, who was his perhaps only rival in terms of how vile of a person he was.

Their most recent recruit seemed to be absent as usual. While it was never outright stated, Rune was sure that the Minion Master was basically kept as a pet mook maker rather than an actual soldier.

Kaiser made a noise, causing the room to focus on him. Rune tuned him out, instead focusing on the things she had hidden beneath her robe. While it was not a good costume, something she chose because she did enjoy fantasy novels quite a bit, it was spacious. That was perhaps the single biggest advantage.

Musing briefly, she had to admit that if she went full force against AF, the fight might have gone differently. Capes do not aim for lethal force for a lot of reasons in most cases, but that doesnt mean they couldnt be nasty. In her case, her using large objects was mostly that. If she really were to go down the lethal route, she had two small knives in her sleeves.

If her ton heavy projectiles were fast for the average person, the knives would be like gunshots.Enough force to levitate multiple tons pushed into one small object.

Though, she had to admit, it was AF that gave her the idea in the first place. The way she used her telekinesis to force her to faceplant, while fucking painful, she was sure her nose should have been busted, had sparked something inside her. She knew she could affect smaller objects, bandages for example, but before, she always believed in the "Go big or go home." Approach.

"Rune!"

She snapped to awareness, looking at Kaiser slightly startled. "Yes? Sorry, might have a small concussion." It amused her how good she became with excuses.

Sadly, it wasnt Kaiser who decided to speak up. Justin snorted with an annoyed tone. " Or perhaps your head is in the gutter ?" Rune rolled her eyes, before she paused.

Why did she take his bullshit ? They were of the same rank, and she was more powerful than him. The only thing he had on her was age, and that even only a handful of years..

Truthfully, she did not know where that spark of defiance comes from, but it burned hot enough that her usual apathy to it all seemed mute in comparison.

Standing up, she looked Crusader in the eyes. She hated how fake she would need to behave, but she also craved to whip that fucking smile of his face. She could already imagine how her knife buried itself in his crotch.

She paused. That would draw attention. Attention she did not need. "Why dont you see how you fare against her? Or too afraid she will take you apart faster than she did Oni Lee ?" She hissed with venom, genuine venom at the situation she was in.

Sitting down, she nonetheless felt better.

She had felt better since the conversation with AF, she admitted.

The effect a single ray of hope, even absurd as this one, does have…

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Xasure Higeki

Jan 18, 2022

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Threadmarks Interlude : Sophia

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Xasure Higeki

Detektive der Dummheit

Jan 18, 2022

#660

"Why?"

Why was such an interesting question. Essentially the core question, really. But in this case it was no philosophical conundrum that caused this question, but a simple act.

Taylor had stood up to her, and won. Without throwing hands, but that wasn't important, not really, just because it was her preferred way didn't mean that she didn't acknowledge other kinds of power. Emma had been the perfect example of someone who knew how to use the sheeple.

She bounced a bouncy ball at her wall, catching it lazily. A lopsided grin formed on her face.

She was sure that the idea that she could ever admit that throwing fists isn't all there is would confuse more than a few people.

No, she fully understood that brute force worked best on a personal basis, while social fu was more suited to turning the masses.

It made a weird, fucked up kind of sense, Sophia thought, after all, Emma used their attacks on Taylor to find comfort, asserting, assuring herself that that was how the world was supposed to work.

The ball went back and forth, back and forth, back-

She caught it, squeezing it.

No more. She wouldn't run from her own thoughts anymore.

It was weird, but ever since that day, she had felt a monster roaring in her ear, no, not a monster, an abyss, licking at her heels, crying for her to return to it's all consuming sludge.

That was the issue, wasn't it ? She was still so afraid of losing. That was why she had been so angry. Every time she stopped to think, it was there, waiting for her.

But right now, she wasn't angry. For the first time in 3 years, she felt … relaxed.

Indeed, she had been tempted to call M/S on herself, because that feeling, that feeling of being not angry had been so weirdly fucked up.

But then she slept. The first good sleep since that event. It was as if she stepped into a new world, her perception so much clearer and thoughts so much more powerful that everything in the past seemed to be dunked into a haze.

While she may have never taken drugs beyond trying it out once,just to see if it could help her with the Abyss, she was fairly sure that has been the closest she had been to a high her entire life.

Her abrupt change in demeanor was actually enough to cause Jordon the punk to order a drug test on her during her visit to the Police station. Fuckers couldnt even coordinate that the suspect and victim of a crime went in for seperate times.

Focus, Sophia, focus. You can think about Taylor and the whole fucked situation later. Stop getting distracted.

Distraction. That is what it boiled down to. That, and impact. To see the ripple of an object hitting flesh, to witness the reactions caused by her actions.

Sophia had no problem admitting that she had been afraid, was still afraid. Her actions were always based on that, on fighting back, doing the one thing that kept her mind from the abyss.

But, if she wanted to use that opportunity, this chance, she would need to find out what this Abyss was, and the best way to do so was to confront it. And she would do it, if only out of spite. She was not going to let Taylor get absolute victory from this.

Taking a deep breath, Sophia recalled the first rule of meditation. One of the Wardss shrinks had tried to teach her, and it was a useful skill. The trick was not to not think, but to think about a repeating process. She never managed it, but maybe now…

A deep breath in, feel the air rolling down the airways, spread into the lung, and then exhale, in and out, in and out.

As the abyss crept closer, she shied not away from it.

It had all started when she was twelve. She had been somewhat of a wild child to be entirely fair, growing up in BB, especially in the lesser neighborhoods, forced you to either become hardcore enough to survive or plain enough to be overseen. It was different for the teenagers, much more complicated, but for younger ones, it was simple enough. There were only two sides to it all.

It caused her mother some headaches, but she tried to keep it limited. They fought, yes, but she was still her mother. Family matters, it should matter a lot. She was her Ma after all, the one who was always there for her, even if she fucked up.

Introducing Steven. Steven was…well, he appeared nice, for once. He still does. Perfectly polite, of good standing, of good money.

She would lie if she said she had been happy for her mother, but she was also not against them as a pair. She cared not too much, if she was going to be honest. Her mother had lovers and partners, neither stayed for long. She was pretty much done with the concept of a new father, if she cant have her own back.

It was a surprise that he was invested in getting involved with her as well, most others did not care for her and even preferred to ignore her, which she was just happy with.

She found it absurd, but once he argued that it would mean much to her mother if they got along, she gave in, figuring that she owed it to her mother to at least try.

Worst mistake of her life.

At first it was small things.Things like posture, how she held a fork, her articulation of specific words, things most wouldnt care to point out or to correct, but he did so with an honest expression of eagerness. One that matched Kid Wins when gets into one of his tinker highs or whatever they were called.

It was also were the Pattern emerged. He would convince her that it would make her mother happy, proud, or something along the lines, and he would tell Ma that it was for her own good, that a punk wouldnt prosper in the Bay.

Manipulative Jackass.

It soon escalated, she recalled. How she dresses, her interests, her actual choice of words, all was criticized and changed to fit the image he wanted to see in her. The image he wanted Ma to see in her, the image she wanted to become for her ma.

She had noticed that something was wrong, early on even, but she did not say anything. How could she justify destroying the happiness of her mother only because she felt a bit uncomfortable ? And he had only good intentions, he told them so. Suffering a bit for a better life was only reasonable.

She wasnt sure if it was some kind of fucked up version of the Sunken-Cost Fallacy, but in the end, she couldnt even blame her kid self because she had no concept of someone being manipulative in that way.

However, it were not the changes that were the issue, no, it was solely the feeling of it all. Piece by piece, she felt less like herself. She felt awkward in her own body, doing things she would have never have done if she was not told to act that way. It was like a performance, only in that she was unable to feel comfortable as her character, so instead she muted herself.

If her self could not be changed, then it needed to be smothered, put down again and again until it either fit or it quitened down.

Naturally, it was not that kind of decision, it was a progress, an unwilling one. Each time she set a border, told herself, "This is how far I go", she broke it, and did it anyway. Each attempt at resistance was broken.

In the end, she felt inhumane, uncomfortable in her own skin, drowning in a mud that tried to make her one with it. A cog in the system that Steven has built for himself.

The only reason she came back from the brink was the shock as she heard him whisper into her ear that she was his perfect daughter, knowingly doing it all to her. She did not break then, no, but she felt as if her skin was ripped open, every fiber burning, her breath rapid enough that her heart felt ready to tear apart.

Like any scared twelve year old would do, she ran to her mother, making a stuttering, shamed confession. She expected her to help.

Perhaps it was simply an unlucky moment, but her mother took the side of Steven, telling her with such disappointment in her voice that she thought Sophia had grown up a bit and shoved her into her room.

That was the moment she broke. The moment that her mother pushed her away instead of protecting her, both physically and whatever else.. She didnt say that she approved of what Steven did, but she made clear that whenever Sophia acted out that she disapproved.

And Sophia acted out a lot after this event,having gotten her power, a means of escape in many ways. But she also got the anger, the hatred fueling her mind and action. She pushed and pushed, went out with a crossbow, but while her mother often disapproved, she never did anything about it.

But that is not the only reason why she acted out. Where Emma acted to confirm the worldview, Sophia acted, indulged in the rage, because if she didnt,the mud would come once more, she would be a perfect daughter again, and she would not allow it, even if she had to sacrifice parts of her, she would still be Sophia at the end of it all. She would not lose to him.

Now, however, that rage was gone. The hatred still burnt strong, but she had lived with it for the last years. Now that it was gone, she couldnt escape her thoughts and her imagination. The what ifs of her situation. What if she had spoken up earlier, what if she had tried talking to her mother again, what if Steven was not some evil mastermind, but perhaps just someone who was sick?

What if, instead of being right, she was sick ?

Why?"