[ ... She looks away for a moment. She hates it but he's right - she gives up very easily. Not where her duties are concerned, of course. But when it is about her own life, she pretty much always gives up. Even if she claims she dreams of romance or an underworld filled with flowers, deep down she's given up on anything of the sort happening.
And as far as her fate is concerned, she's never even tried to fight it. Of course, she wishes she could fight it. She wishes she could think of herself first for once. But she can't do that. She's too responsible to take the risk, not when her duties are so important. The dead roaming frees, souls vanishing and never reincarnating... She can't risk that happening.
After everything she's told him. It's pretty hypocritical of her, she can't deny it. ]
... ... ... ... ...
[ But then he speaks about himself. He trails off. Mere seconds after he admonished her for giving up, so does he. She stands up and goes before him, getting down on a knee and gently taking his hands away from his face with hers. ]
You can't.
[ Her hands are cold, but she smiles sadly yet more genuinely at him. ]
I'm sorry, this is a very selfish request I am about to make... But I would be very sad if you gave up on happiness. [A pause.] So please, don't. You deserve better.
[ for once, he can't relish in getting his point across, nor could he take some invisible sense of solace in pointing out the hypocrisy of it all. perhaps, it's because just as she thinks, he's also a hypocrite. where he casts judgment, even knowing his own opinions remain unchanged.
... and should remain so. should.
in his life, such tenderness was rare. even from his own mother, though those memories remained relatively fleeting. no, perhaps it was simply easier to cast aside when all he's thought of was his survival. when she takes his hands, he doesn't pull away. instead, he watches her, as if processing the warmth of their fingers touching. actually, it isn't warm at all but he has a feeling if he recalled this at a later time, he might have thought it was.
it must be because her words are so ridiculous that they distracted him. ] It really is selfish. [ but, he doesn't feel that upset about it, really. ]
My lady, do you not think it's unfair to ask me for something so large? Especially when you have no desire to do the same?
While happiness might not be in reach, I think I could find some pleasure in claiming what's mine. [ he releases a small sigh. ] As a goddess shouldn't you be less focused on what one deserves, and just appreciate I am choosing to live?
[ She shakes her head. He's right, the goddess of death shouldn't say such things. She should concern herself in ensuring humans live and die when their time come. What they deserve, what is right for them- It is none of her concern.
But it is not the goddess speaking right now. It is Ereshkigal - who she is, not what she is. ]
You-You are choosing to survive. Living is something else entirely. Something you've been forbidding yourself.
[ She looks down for a moment. It's hypocritical, she knows. There's nothing she can say that will make this any less hypocritical. But she can at least share why she feels so strongly about this, why even though she won't fight her fate... She wishes she did. ]
I... I desire to do the same. I truly do. Not a day has gone without me dreaming of living. [She marks a pause.] I cannot do it. Not alone. Not on my own. But... Still, I dream. I try. Hoping I'll find the strength to do it. Or someone who will help me find that strength.
[ Damn it, she didn't want to cry and here she is, getting all teary-eyed. Ugh! She can't even do something as simple as comforting someone she cares about without crying. What an useless goddess she is being. ]
[ But even teary-eyed, she looks back up at him. A bit angry, but also hopeful. ]
That's why... I will not forgive you if you give up. [In spite of her tears, she looks very determined and more confident than usual.] Maybe you will not find happiness... But you must try.
[ is it such a distinction? living and surviving? enough for her to behave like this this?
she acts as if the world was over, just because he didn't have the desire to invest any fraction of his emotions in what felt utterly pointless. the reality, however was... that despite his best efforts, it may have been a simple fact that he grew fond of those around him. that without realizing it, he was excited at the prospect of seeing them, enjoyed their company, and even found solace in the kindness they projected not towards himself, but in general... simply because it was in their character.
in some ways, he can also see these traits in ereshkigal too. ]
You really are such a hopeless divine being. [ maybe this is why cults existed. just kidding, he wouldn't compare those who have lost their minds to the purity of this feeling of being comforted by someone who was, in fact, so tiny and seemingly frail. not just physically but— ]
Whether I try or not, that's for you to change. Since you went and opened your mouth and spouted all these ludicrous ideas, I think you'll need to take responsibility. I won't let you say you'll quit "teaching" again. [ is it strange how seeing her weakness and vulnerabilities like this... makes him feel oddly more put together. it's almost as if she shed enough emotions for the both of them.
he ends up using the back of his sleeve to dab at her eyes. ] Maybe along the way, you'll find your own strength. Your one shining trait is your persistence, isn't that right? [ is that her one shining trait...
[ F-Finally!! A light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps there is still hope for him. Though she's not sure if she'd call "persistence" her shining trait. It's one of her traits to be sure, but which one would be more accurate... Dutifulness, perhaps? Or orderliness? Mhm. That's a question for another day. ]
O-Of course!
[ She smiles brightly when he uses his sleeve to dry her tears, before letting go of his hand and standing back up. The mission is successful! Why, she's so happy she literally sparkles. Nothing unusual for her. She's even letting slide him calling her a "hopeless divine being."
No divine punishment today for saying something so mean, but-- ]
You better appreciate the kindness I'm showing you today, for next time I shall be stricter than ever!
[ She says, as she's sparkling and smiling brightly. But really, that's totally a promise. Less of the sappy goddess, more of the strict and commanding goddess! If she can anyway. She'll probably have to rehearse twice as hard before her mirror to make sure she won't fail for their next lesson. ]
for a moment, he stops to think on that and the irony of it all. he half-spoke expecting her to have argued against him, to have nervously racked her brain for ways to deny him and his request. then the other half, he may have simply desired for some form of a conclusion to be reached between the two of them, and that perhaps in the process it could lift the despairing haze that seemed to cover her just moments ago.
while he may have had in no uncertain terms steeled his resolve to live no different than he had prior to his arrival here, he supposed it didn't hurt to simply attend these lessons out of ... goodwill? because she looked like she needed something to put her time and energy into? he isn't actually sure what's there. all he knows is that her smile is brighter than he expects. ]
Your reaction really makes one wonder where all that crying once came from. [ but, it's true that he was able to talk freely with her, and somehow... he's comforted just by that notion. ]
Isn't this where you should promise to always be kind? [ but he does draw his hand back, placing them back to his side as stands up, almost like suddenly remembering that he had something to do. (he doesn't)
[ He can be reassured that there are still copious amounts of lacrimal fluids stored inside her ready to burst should something make her cry. Regardless, much as she'd like to promise she'll always be kind with him: ]
W-Well, I am a goddess! And a chaotic evil one at that. [She can't help it, humanity decided that's what she is. Though in fairness, humans have no idea what she's like and just suppose that's what a death goddess must be like.] Besides always being kind wouldn't work with you. You're the sort of person who needs a strict and commanding hand to guide you in the right direction.
[ It's probably why he has so much problems. As a (future?) emperor, people are unlikely to treat him like he needs to be! It's a blessing in disguise that he's been brought to this world really. ]
But since you insist-- [She lifts a finger.] Here is one last kindness for today. You should be thankful, it's rare for a goddess to offer such a gesture!
[ And lo! She opens her arms wide only to... Hug him. Pretty tightly so!
... There are about five seconds before she realizes what she's done in the impulse of the moment and starts panicking about it. ]
he looks back at her, then ponders upon those words once more, before he simply shrugs it off. to be honest, he's found rumors and reputation to be a rather unreliable thing. whether it was the mad dog of eckhart, or how benevolent one may say the emperor or queen may be. such titles and designations were just that. mere words to define something that people didn't entirely understand for themselves. no, perhaps, they simply never wanted to understand. ]
I beg to differ. I would say I may be the type who reacts more positively to compliments and praise. [ he says with his usual arrogant manner of speaking, his chin turned up just slightly as if to punctuate his point. he's about to open his mouth again, to ask what she could possibly have in store for him. but reality isn't anything like he expects. he feels her wrap her arms around him and his eyes widen just slightly.
...
he seems to take a few seconds to process this before his hand comes up behind her, his hand placed gently on the small of her back. ] Ereskigal. [ he says her name softly, ] This isn't called kindness, but a sweet trap. [ will her embarrassment catch up with her? ]
[ He reacts more positively to compliments and praise, huh...? Mhm, she wonders. Well, she's sure he does love it whenever he gets complimented. But does that really help him if those compliments come as he's sliding back into his old ways? There's no way praise would go him any good if given after he just burned and drowned an entire family. Virtual perhaps, but a family still!
Well anyway... She's successfully comforted him (or has he successfully comforted her?), so there's no need to think about that right now. All is well that ends well, ehe! ]
[ What does he mean by that? Well, she supposes that's a sweet gesture, of course. E-Especially coming from a feared goddess like her! But a trap? Does he think she's going to kill him because she rules over death? ]
[ She immediately pulls away in a hurry and tries her very best not to scream or panic. Except she is panicking, obviously. What could it be that betrays her? The spirally eyes, the redness of her face, how erratic her movements are, the increasingly aura of sheer terror spreading around her? ]
I-I'm sorry...!!
[ Sniff. Whines. W-What the heck! Why did she hug him? Well, she's totally hugged friends before, but the way he's made it sound it feels like something far more scandalous! Or is it the way she hugged him that's at fault? W-Well it was an enjoyable hug, even a really nice hug, b-but... That... It.... G-Gweh! ]
I m-mean, I-I've hugged many friends before! [She tries to count on her fingers. One, two...] T-Three at least, maybe even four, so don't you go thinking this was weird or anything!!
[ it took her a while longer than he expected, actually.
he expected the inevitable freak-out to have been instantaneous, perhaps even as soon as his lips came in such close proximity to her ear. so all he can do is chuckle at the belated exclamation on her end. ]
Are you truly here just prattling on about how many men you've embraced? You are more shameless than I thought. [ his arm that was once around her has long been brushed off when she pulled away, but he looks down at it briefly before looking back to her. ]
Do you not think it's the one who has been wronged who decides if it's anything strange or not?
[ S... S-Shameless?! How dares he! Who does he think she is, Ishtar? Why does he make it sound like there is more than an innocent expression of friendship to a hug? Y-Yes, it's a bit daring but that's all it ever meant. R-Right?
H-He's making her confused and she doesn't like it, not one bit! Noperino! ]
I-I have hugged just as many women as I have men, I'll have you know!
[ And she actually has a slight preference for women over men, so there!! Not that she'll say it aloud, of course. ]
W-W-Wronged?! [What the Kûr? He's taking it way too far!] H-How did this wrong you? If anything you should feel honored to have been the recipient of divine embrace!
[ it's clear he's touched some sort of nerve with his words. while they could have theoretically left it on a good note, somehow... this might have been better. (sorry eresh) ]
You may not know this, but the royal family can be quite delicate. Even my heart aches from being thought of so carelessly. [ except, there's nothing in his tone that suggests he's feeling any type of emotion outside of pure, unadulterated amusement. ]
Instead of an embrace, I thought you were attacking me. [ she really deserves better... ]
[ Delicate, him? Yes, she'd thought so for a moment when he'd looked so sad and morose mere minutes prior. But now, there is absolutely nothing delicate about him! Besides, she's royalty too. She's a queen, even if her domain is dark and inhabited only by the dead! ]
Attacking you?! [Is he serious?] A-Absolutely not! It was a gesture of pure affection!
[ wow, even he didn't expect such a phrase to come from her own lips, and so he can only stare at her as if analyzing her. though, any hint of depth in it seems to simmer away at how ... broken down she looks. hence, callisto lets the slip of her tongue go with just a chuckle. ] Yes, I guess that is one way to phrase it. I've called sinking my blade into someone's neck much the same.
[ he hasn't, but would he? depending on circumstance...
still with her yelling out in defeat, he takes it as his win. ]
Do you always scream like this when a conversation doesn't go your way, my lady?
[ H-He's just talking nonsense now! And yes, she often screams like that when a conversation causes her to feel too much stress and anxiety at once. S-She's doing her best, but sometimes her best isn't enough!
She turns away, her still in her hands. She needs her alone time to recover, now. ]
L-Leave my room at once, Callisto!
[ He's purposefully bullying her, she can feel it. All that after she tried so hard to help him! Toying with her delicate(?) heart like that. And he dared to call her "shameless." To make sure he gets he immediate need for privacy, she adds a few more words that will - hopefully - drive the point home. ]
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And as far as her fate is concerned, she's never even tried to fight it. Of course, she wishes she could fight it. She wishes she could think of herself first for once. But she can't do that. She's too responsible to take the risk, not when her duties are so important. The dead roaming frees, souls vanishing and never reincarnating... She can't risk that happening.
After everything she's told him. It's pretty hypocritical of her, she can't deny it. ]
... ... ... ... ...
[ But then he speaks about himself. He trails off. Mere seconds after he admonished her for giving up, so does he. She stands up and goes before him, getting down on a knee and gently taking his hands away from his face with hers. ]
You can't.
[ Her hands are cold, but she smiles sadly yet more genuinely at him. ]
I'm sorry, this is a very selfish request I am about to make... But I would be very sad if you gave up on happiness. [A pause.] So please, don't. You deserve better.
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... and should remain so. should.
in his life, such tenderness was rare. even from his own mother, though those memories remained relatively fleeting. no, perhaps it was simply easier to cast aside when all he's thought of was his survival. when she takes his hands, he doesn't pull away. instead, he watches her, as if processing the warmth of their fingers touching. actually, it isn't warm at all but he has a feeling if he recalled this at a later time, he might have thought it was.
it must be because her words are so ridiculous that they distracted him. ] It really is selfish. [ but, he doesn't feel that upset about it, really. ]
My lady, do you not think it's unfair to ask me for something so large? Especially when you have no desire to do the same?
While happiness might not be in reach, I think I could find some pleasure in claiming what's mine. [ he releases a small sigh. ] As a goddess shouldn't you be less focused on what one deserves, and just appreciate I am choosing to live?
[ ... and he always has, for better or worse. ]
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But it is not the goddess speaking right now. It is Ereshkigal - who she is, not what she is. ]
You-You are choosing to survive. Living is something else entirely. Something you've been forbidding yourself.
[ She looks down for a moment. It's hypocritical, she knows. There's nothing she can say that will make this any less hypocritical. But she can at least share why she feels so strongly about this, why even though she won't fight her fate... She wishes she did. ]
I... I desire to do the same. I truly do. Not a day has gone without me dreaming of living. [She marks a pause.] I cannot do it. Not alone. Not on my own. But... Still, I dream. I try. Hoping I'll find the strength to do it. Or someone who will help me find that strength.
[ Damn it, she didn't want to cry and here she is, getting all teary-eyed. Ugh! She can't even do something as simple as comforting someone she cares about without crying. What an useless goddess she is being. ]
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That's why... I will not forgive you if you give up. [In spite of her tears, she looks very determined and more confident than usual.] Maybe you will not find happiness... But you must try.
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she acts as if the world was over, just because he didn't have the desire to invest any fraction of his emotions in what felt utterly pointless. the reality, however was... that despite his best efforts, it may have been a simple fact that he grew fond of those around him. that without realizing it, he was excited at the prospect of seeing them, enjoyed their company, and even found solace in the kindness they projected not towards himself, but in general... simply because it was in their character.
in some ways, he can also see these traits in ereshkigal too. ]
You really are such a hopeless divine being. [ maybe this is why cults existed. just kidding, he wouldn't compare those who have lost their minds to the purity of this feeling of being comforted by someone who was, in fact, so tiny and seemingly frail. not just physically but— ]
Whether I try or not, that's for you to change. Since you went and opened your mouth and spouted all these ludicrous ideas, I think you'll need to take responsibility. I won't let you say you'll quit "teaching" again. [ is it strange how seeing her weakness and vulnerabilities like this... makes him feel oddly more put together. it's almost as if she shed enough emotions for the both of them.
he ends up using the back of his sleeve to dab at her eyes. ] Maybe along the way, you'll find your own strength. Your one shining trait is your persistence, isn't that right? [ is that her one shining trait...
maybe just in callisto's bdsm-trained eyes. ]
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O-Of course!
[ She smiles brightly when he uses his sleeve to dry her tears, before letting go of his hand and standing back up. The mission is successful! Why, she's so happy she literally sparkles. Nothing unusual for her. She's even letting slide him calling her a "hopeless divine being."
No divine punishment today for saying something so mean, but-- ]
You better appreciate the kindness I'm showing you today, for next time I shall be stricter than ever!
[ She says, as she's sparkling and smiling brightly. But really, that's totally a promise. Less of the sappy goddess, more of the strict and commanding goddess! If she can anyway. She'll probably have to rehearse twice as hard before her mirror to make sure she won't fail for their next lesson. ]
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for a moment, he stops to think on that and the irony of it all. he half-spoke expecting her to have argued against him, to have nervously racked her brain for ways to deny him and his request. then the other half, he may have simply desired for some form of a conclusion to be reached between the two of them, and that perhaps in the process it could lift the despairing haze that seemed to cover her just moments ago.
while he may have had in no uncertain terms steeled his resolve to live no different than he had prior to his arrival here, he supposed it didn't hurt to simply attend these lessons out of ... goodwill? because she looked like she needed something to put her time and energy into? he isn't actually sure what's there. all he knows is that her smile is brighter than he expects. ]
Your reaction really makes one wonder where all that crying once came from. [ but, it's true that he was able to talk freely with her, and somehow... he's comforted just by that notion. ]
Isn't this where you should promise to always be kind? [ but he does draw his hand back, placing them back to his side as stands up, almost like suddenly remembering that he had something to do. (he doesn't)
but, maybe he does smile back. ]
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W-Well, I am a goddess! And a chaotic evil one at that. [She can't help it, humanity decided that's what she is. Though in fairness, humans have no idea what she's like and just suppose that's what a death goddess must be like.] Besides always being kind wouldn't work with you. You're the sort of person who needs a strict and commanding hand to guide you in the right direction.
[ It's probably why he has so much problems. As a (future?) emperor, people are unlikely to treat him like he needs to be! It's a blessing in disguise that he's been brought to this world really. ]
But since you insist-- [She lifts a finger.] Here is one last kindness for today. You should be thankful, it's rare for a goddess to offer such a gesture!
[ And lo! She opens her arms wide only to... Hug him. Pretty tightly so!
... There are about five seconds before she realizes what she's done in the impulse of the moment and starts panicking about it. ]
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he looks back at her, then ponders upon those words once more, before he simply shrugs it off. to be honest, he's found rumors and reputation to be a rather unreliable thing. whether it was the mad dog of eckhart, or how benevolent one may say the emperor or queen may be. such titles and designations were just that. mere words to define something that people didn't entirely understand for themselves. no, perhaps, they simply never wanted to understand. ]
I beg to differ. I would say I may be the type who reacts more positively to compliments and praise. [ he says with his usual arrogant manner of speaking, his chin turned up just slightly as if to punctuate his point. he's about to open his mouth again, to ask what she could possibly have in store for him. but reality isn't anything like he expects. he feels her wrap her arms around him and his eyes widen just slightly.
...
he seems to take a few seconds to process this before his hand comes up behind her, his hand placed gently on the small of her back. ] Ereskigal. [ he says her name softly, ] This isn't called kindness, but a sweet trap. [ will her embarrassment catch up with her? ]
1/8
Well anyway... She's successfully comforted him (or has he successfully comforted her?), so there's no need to think about that right now. All is well that ends well, ehe! ]
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... A sweet trap?
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? ?? ? ?? ? ?? ??
?? ???? ? ?? ?? ? ???
? ? ?? ? ? ?? ??
? ?? ? ?? ? ? ???
??? ?? ? ?? ?? ?? ???? ?
? ? ?? ??? ?? ??? ???? ? ?? ]
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W-Wait... ]
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8/8
I-I'm sorry...!!
[ Sniff. Whines. W-What the heck! Why did she hug him? Well, she's totally hugged friends before, but the way he's made it sound it feels like something far more scandalous! Or is it the way she hugged him that's at fault? W-Well it was an enjoyable hug, even a really nice hug, b-but... That... It.... G-Gweh! ]
I m-mean, I-I've hugged many friends before! [She tries to count on her fingers. One, two...] T-Three at least, maybe even four, so don't you go thinking this was weird or anything!!
[ Panic levels: extreme. ]
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he expected the inevitable freak-out to have been instantaneous, perhaps even as soon as his lips came in such close proximity to her ear. so all he can do is chuckle at the belated exclamation on her end. ]
Are you truly here just prattling on about how many men you've embraced? You are more shameless than I thought. [ his arm that was once around her has long been brushed off when she pulled away, but he looks down at it briefly before looking back to her. ]
Do you not think it's the one who has been wronged who decides if it's anything strange or not?
[ what puts someone in a better mood than...
bullying. ]
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H-He's making her confused and she doesn't like it, not one bit! Noperino! ]
I-I have hugged just as many women as I have men, I'll have you know!
[ And she actually has a slight preference for women over men, so there!! Not that she'll say it aloud, of course. ]
W-W-Wronged?! [What the Kûr? He's taking it way too far!] H-How did this wrong you? If anything you should feel honored to have been the recipient of divine embrace!
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You may not know this, but the royal family can be quite delicate. Even my heart aches from being thought of so carelessly. [ except, there's nothing in his tone that suggests he's feeling any type of emotion outside of pure, unadulterated amusement. ]
Instead of an embrace, I thought you were attacking me. [ she really deserves better... ]
1/3
Attacking you?! [Is he serious?] A-Absolutely not! It was a gesture of pure affection!
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I-I mean, n-not that kind of affectionate of-of course...
3/3
Gwaaaaah!!
[ Defeated. ]
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[ wow, even he didn't expect such a phrase to come from her own lips, and so he can only stare at her as if analyzing her. though, any hint of depth in it seems to simmer away at how ... broken down she looks. hence, callisto lets the slip of her tongue go with just a chuckle. ] Yes, I guess that is one way to phrase it. I've called sinking my blade into someone's neck much the same.
[ he hasn't, but would he? depending on circumstance...
still with her yelling out in defeat, he takes it as his win. ]
Do you always scream like this when a conversation doesn't go your way, my lady?
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She turns away, her still in her hands. She needs her alone time to recover, now. ]
L-Leave my room at once, Callisto!
[ He's purposefully bullying her, she can feel it. All that after she tried so hard to help him! Toying with her delicate(?) heart like that. And he dared to call her "shameless." To make sure he gets he immediate need for privacy, she adds a few more words that will - hopefully - drive the point home. ]
Villain! Scoundrel! Devil!!
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