Where the Shore Meets the Sea Pt 5

“Until then, Rozyus,” Huxian agreed, not daring to look over at the communicator. The tone in her voice at her farewell was obvious what she might want to say.

A moment later, Rozyus was gone, as if he had never been there.

Silence reigned.

“Yin-”

“Not….a fucking...word…”

Violet’s eyes shone with amusement, but her lips stayed straight, if a little pursed. “Language”

Huxian sighed “...Yes Ma’am…”

---------------------------

For the next few days, Huxian was once again kept busy with his own duties. With the plans they had come up with and the civilians that had not fallen victim to the Jiangshi now in places of safety, Hixian was able to command his people to begin the transfer of the barrier he was holding into a more permanent fixture, which would finally allow him the energy to lead his people in the extermination of the monsters, as well as free the peach wood sword, which was the second effective weapon against them (If he included himself and his fox fire as the first).

Even so, in any moment that he was able to stop and think about anything other than his mission, his mind would wander back to everything he had recently found out about Rodessa’s awakening and everyone essentially trying to strongarm him into confessing everything. He had, as promised, at least dropped the odd hint, asking her ‘hypothetical’ questions of what she would feel if she was not human and the likes, but he didn’t dare push too hard, fully aware of how dangerous that could end up becoming. Considering that she didn’t seem to like talking to him much when he brought up such a subject, he felt he hadn’t got any news from Rodessa herself since that last call.

Finally, he decided that fretting about it before extremely delicate tasks and what would essentially become a battlefield against the undead soon, he absconded to his room to rest before the ritual and dialed his partner’s number.

After a few rings, the familiar voice floated from the speakers of the communicator

“H-hello?” Ouch...the hesitance in her voice made him grimace. “Oh hey… I.. um….”

Oh, this was painful…

Deciding not to let her suffer, he interrupted her. “Hey, Ro. I wanted to check up on how things were going over there,” he said, as if he hadn’t noticed the hesitence. “It might be my last chance to talk for a little while, because we’re going to be pulling off some complicated operations - got a barrier transfer and as soon as I get my energy back we’re going Zombie Hunting.” He grinned a grin he didn’t totally feel. “How many points do I get for headshots?”

“Oh... OH!” Rodessa blinked, straightening as if she just realised exactly what Huxian was talking about, her face gaining a pinched expression. “Wait, what? I’m not gonna be able to…? Hue, are you sure that's safe? If we not in contact, then-”

“Ah, I more meant that I might be in the middle of a mini Jiangshi warzone, so I might to be able to pick up,” he corrected quickly. “I mean, is its safe and we’re in base at night, then I’ll definitely try to give some updates, but if I’m stuck out flamethrowing undead all night then it might be a bit difficult.”

“Oh...I see…” Rodessa swallowed a little, her smile shaky. “W-well then, you call me when it’s safe. And take all the right measures! I don’t want the undead as a partner, though I think your fangirls wouldn’t mind a zombie lover, especially if it were you, but still….He….heh…” The laugh trailed off, leaving the joke hanging awkwardly.

God, she was scared. Scared of that dream that seemed to leap over into reality, scared to lose the beautiful man.

“I just…” she managed shakilly. “Just...come back to me in one piece, ok? I’ll be waiting…”

She had to stop, biting her lip to stop the stinging in her eyes. She wished she could just reach out through the communicator and clasp the man close to her, but it was impossible. Damn the distance! She hated it before, but now she positively loathed it. All she could do was keep rambling in a torrent before she burst into tears and added even more stress.

“Just...be careful, ok? I’m not there to back you up...so, I hope your team’s competent enough to at least know where to point their weapons.” her hands clenched so tight her knuckles whitened, her voice darkening into a near growl. “If even one hair on your head is….There will be hell to pay, make no mistake.”

“Hey now, claws in, kitty cat,” Huxian soothed, not wanting to push so that hint of a gleam in her eyes was pushed further. “I promise, you won’t have to deal with any Zombie Hue.” He flashed her a smirk, buffing his nails against his shirt. “They can’t handle me! After all, I’m way too hot for them.”

Rodessa groaned, a mix of frustration, worry and utter unappreciation for the pun, “Cocky bastard, don’t get smug!”

Joking aside, he leaned forwards a little, his expression smoothing into something more sincere. “But aside from that, these guys wouldn’t have been sent here if they didn’t know which way to point a flamethrower, Ro. I promise you, I’ll come back to you. I always come back to you. So make sure that you stay safe where you are in the meantime. I still have to take you on that shopping spree, remember?”

“At this point, I would just settle for you being in my ar-” Rodessa’s jaw clamped shut, her eyes wide and face flushed as if she just spilled a terrible secret. She shot a panicked looked to Hue, who bit back the smile threatening to spread across his face.

“What was that, dear heart?” Huxian blinked innocently.

“N-nothing to worry about!” She laughed nervously. “J-just thinking I’m going to bleed those accounts dry! Ha ha ha! Ha! ha...Y-yeah...I…” Her voice trailed off into a mumble as she grabbed a nearby pillow, covering her face with it. “Hue,” came her muffled whimper. “Stop looking at me like that…”

“Like what?”

Face still buried in the pillow, she pointed a finger at him. “Like that!!!”

“I can’t help how I look, lovely,” Huxian chuckled. “This is just my face. Now come on, don’t go hiding yours, or your admirers will all come hunt me down for making you hide your pretty face. The pillow can’t tell me how your mission is going, after all.”

She shot him a look over the pillow case before sighing, lifting her head from the material. Her face becoming more serious, she filled him in on everything that was happening so far. Honestly, it was a bit worrying, but it seemed her small team was keeping on top of it. They seemed to be getting close to a solution, otherwise he was sure she would have been far less confident in what she was saying.

“But enough about me,” she said finally. “How are you holding up?”

Huxian put a hand to his shoulder, rolling it a little. It ached a bit from the drain, but it wouldn’t be for much longer. “Could be worse,” he said finally. “Like I said, I have extra people here, we’re going to have the barrier set up to a stable source soon, all the civilians that didn’t get killed in the first wave or from injuries are all safe now. So we’ll be getting to the best part and finishing off the invasion. We have an idea of who set the whole thing off now, so while some of us will have fun playing the real life Zombie shoot-em-up game, the ret will be breaking the curse and either sending the idiot to hell or taking him in to pay for his crimes, whichever comes first. I’m personally not that picky.”

She nodded her head, though he couldn’t quite figure out if that was in understanding or in hopes that the rogue spellcaster ended up getting obliterated.

Ah, there was the Noir he missed sometimes.

“Ah, speaking of how things are,” Huxian continued. “I have a few things for you that you might find useful. Considering the issues over here, it might take a bit longer than I’d like, but I do think you’ll appreciate them. You’re going to be meeting Master Munechika once you’re done at that temple, right?”

“That’s the plan,” Rodessa agreed, almost boredly. “Finish the Onryou casem then its a day hike up a mountain pass to get to yet another run down temple...Fun…”

“Now now, you might like him a bit better than the current Master you’re working with,” Huxian chuckled. “He’s a bit more...Down to earth than high and holy. But anyway, if I plan things right, then if I send what I have for you there, it should reach you in time. Admittedly they might sound a bit odd, but they’ll help, I promise.”

“Oh?” Rodessa blinked ‘innocently’. “A one way ticket to you?”

Huxian laughed. “Not quite that useful, though if it helps, you’ll certainly be seeing me once Munechika’s finished with you. Your training period will be over and I should have got the majority of the undead problem sorted by then.” He winked. “Don’t worry, I won’t have any undead fangirls for you to chase off.”

She chuckled, “Well? What is it?”

Huxian grinned, tapping his nose. “It’s a S.E.C.R.E.T.”

“Eck!” Rodessa threw up her hands, a pout on her lips. “You’re no fun, Hue…”

“I’m lots of fun, dear,” Huxian grinned. “You just haven’t learned all the rules of the game just yet.”

[END]

Where The Shore Meets The Sea Pt 4

Neither Pandora executive seemed impressed, though Huxian was sure he could see a slight shake to Alister’s shoulders that told him if he wasn’t so well trained the man would have been laughing. Violet, however, was as unamused as she looked, hands on her hips.

“The girl’s seal might be breaking faster than we thought,” she retorted. “Her eyes looked almost as if they might be a touch mystic in nature, but in the end, the mundane shell held out. Even so, it has been happening with greater frequency, for longer periods of time.”

“Yeeeeeeeees?” Rozyus drawled, tilting his head almost boredly. “And….the problem?”

“It is happening too soon!” Violet’s voice would have hissed if she had been a lesser woman. Even so, there was a touch of frustration to it.

“Of course it is,” Rozyus waved off. “That woman is the one breaking the seal. It’s been long enough, no?”

Leaning back against Huxian, the boy took the Huli Jing’s hand and nestled it into his curled locks, encouraging him to pet them. It took Huxian a moment, still feeling a tad overwhelmed by his earlier talk from Rozyus, but eventually did so. Only them, acting almost as if he were lounging in a throne, did Rozyus finally continue as if he never left off.

“Besides it only makes sense to take precautions,” He explained, nose scrunching slightly in distaste. “That...wonderful sister of yours hasn’t been playing by the rules and her plans have been set into motion faster than predicted. It’s freaking the other players out. Thus, we’re getting our Heroes in order. So, if you get a Heavenly visiter at some point, you know why.”

Violet’s eyes narrowed, her arms crossed in front of her chest. “Whom in particular?”

“The three elder gods and myself,” Rozyus explained vaguely. “The Heroes Call hasn’t sounded yet - we hope not to have to do so for a while yet, since it keeps things fair. ‘He’ has been...ah…’dealing’ with that poisonous lily of yours. Oh!” Rozyus sat up a little, tapping his fist against his hand. “That’s right...You recall an agent named Lorenzo, right? The one who defected to Phoenix? Some of your agents have managed to bring him back to the light again. You may find he proves useful.”

As one, despite them being in two seperate locations, both the Pandora Executives straightened, a gleam in their eyes.

“Alister!”

“Already done, Ma’am,” the man responded immediately, appearing to type something off screen, as if to double check what information they already gained from him. “The report will be with you as soon as possible.”

While Alister continued to check over whatever was displayed on the computer, Rozyus turned his attention back to Violet.

“Ah, while I’m here, a little word to the wise. They say that at times it can be difficult to tell who is who between twins, especially if they happen to act with the same mannerisms...That in mind, know that She might decide to play dress up to gain access to your organization. You may wish to prevent her from gaining that opportunity,” Rozyus leaned forwards. “Zucie has managed to intercept her once before, However, you know as well as I that a simple hitch to her plans will not stop her from trying again. The little bitch is….persistent.”

For a moment, silence reigned.

“...Shit.”

Ah, one could always count on Violet to decide to drop all pretense of politeness when something exceptionally dire was presented to her. Strangely, the morbid humour seemed to finally break through the troubled muteness he had descended into.

“Well, I know it was a while ago, and you may have forgotten…” Huxian’s tone was desert dry. “But I did warn you…”

Violet gracefully ignored him.

“Alister, make sure the tech department teams bulk up the security,” she ordered instead. “I want to make sure not even the edge of Leliana’s shoe enters the grounds. Should anything happens, I’ll be taking inspiration from D-class agents and report directly to you if I need anything classified,” her brow furrowed. “It is not the ideal president, however-”

“Understood, My Lady,” Alister assured her before she could spiral into concern. “I’ll begin work on both tasks immediately. In the meantime, if you require anything, please contact me.”

Hand over his heart, Alister inclined his head in a sitting bow before the section of the screen his image occupied went blank as he exited the call.

Sighing, Violet sat back, her hands raising to her temples to massage them. Strangelly, the move alone seemed to age her even as her form remained as young as ever. “Bad timing…” she murmured under her breath. “Bad timing…”

Huxian wasn’t entirely sure he was meant to hear that, but decided playing coy wouldn’t help. “Dare I ask?”

Violet sighed. “To return to the subject of before, the presence around your young lady has been becoming more...apparent,” She explained. “Even before the seal began to weaken, though it is only now that I realise the signs. Her eye, Yin...it was becoming more-”

As if remembering the topic that got sidetracked, Rozyus chuckled. “Ah yes. I did mention about that woman’s medling, but let me remind you of this,” Rozyus covered his own eye with one hand, as if mimicking the seal. “That seal was meant for a child - a powerful child, but a child nonetheless. Additionally….hm….you do truly know what my people are, do you not? We are on par with gods. The little one is not so little any longer. It is as Huxian guessed when he first noticed it - if you’re not careful, all that pent up presence will burst out of her like a broken dam, though it will be far more likely to come out in comparatively short bursts rather than a single tsunami.”

“In conjunction with her emotions?” Violet theoried. “Her eyes tend to change more when experiencing intense feelings. They keep a mortal appearance but for the glow of a-”

“Exactly,” Rozyus agreed. “She’s hot blooded. Blame that on ‘papa’. The more fired up she becomes, the more destructive that untamed, untrained and unrefined the power becomes. Stress, frustrations, anger, powerful emotions, they will all add fuel to the flames - even more so if you’re unaware of how to tame them.” His lips quirked up into a slightly condescending smile. “Your little ‘training’ is….cute, but-”

Rozyus leaned back to pull a single pin out of Huxian’s hair, sending the pearly locks cascading down his back like a silken waterfall. His smile became more amused at the sight. When he continued, his eyes were fixed upon the man, leaving no doubt as to whom he was referring to. “She needs a mystic, similar in species. Be it a god, a demon or one of our people to train her,” he explained pointedly, fingers curling around one of the white-gold strands. “Preferably someone who is incognito. If she discovers all the facts at once, she’ll run. If she ‘freaks out’, she will run,” Rozyus smoothed out the hair, almost like a gentle stroke. “...just be careful, is all I’m saying.”

“I understand,” Huxian nodded. “But I will get back to her before that happens. I vowed to be by her side when she needs me. This time will be no different.”

Interested, the boy changed his position to straddle Huxian’s lap, looping his arms around the man’s neck as he gazed with knowing eyes deep into Huxian’s soul.

“Ah, I see…” Rozyus said after a long moment. “Are you now ready to reveal your secrets? Will you rip the veil from her eyes and act? Show her who she really is? Was?”

Huxian swallowed, feeling a little pinned under Rozyus’ intense eyes. However, he forced himself to speak. “If I were to ‘rip the veil from her eyes’ all at once, all that would do would make her feel the need to run,” he reminded her. “But...if she is going to get through this with her human heart intact, then...yes. At least, what she needs to know.” He closed his eyes. “She will need the help, to be able to transition from being Rodessa, the human, to Rodessa, her true lineage. I will do my best to help her get through this. But I can’t tell her everything. She isn’t ready for all that baggage yet. But she will know what I am, and at the end of it, she’ll know who she is. As for who she was...I don’t think it is my place to tell her all that. But if she asks, if she truly wants to know….I won’t hide it from her.”

“Don’t make decisions for me!” Once again, a familiar female voice overlapped Rozyus’ as he grabbed Huxian;’s shirt. “I’m not a kid! Even if I was, I have a fucking right to know shit! Don’t leave me in the dark, it’s not what partners do...You’re my partner, not my guardian!”

Huxian, frozen, opened his mouth to interject, because that wasn’t what he was doing, he would tell her when she asked him. How exactly was he supposed to even explain all this right off the bat when he still struggled with it himself? He couldn’t just dump it on her in one go when that could just freak her out and cause her to run, either, because how was he supposed to explain how badly he failed her?

However, Rozyus, his voice now solely his own, continued before he could even get his racing thoughts in order.

“Tell me, Hue, when, pray tell, is the ‘right time’?” He asked. “You know as well as I there is never such a thing. So why not tell her as soon as possible?”

Because that would throw her over the edge and into a monster ruled by power.

Rozyus flicked him on the forehead, as if knowing he was sassing him, even in his mind. “If I were you, I would be cautious. The way she acted in the dreamscape...well, I think that says it all.”

“That was different,” Huxian murmured. “That was to help an issue she sorely needed and she got better...she adapted quickly enough.”

“To being open about our world, not about herself,” Rodessa pointed out. “Accepting the alien side of the mystic is one thing, but finding out you are a monster, beast, the real boogie man...that’s too much for a ‘normal person’. If you;’re going to be helping her to come to terms with it, though, then why not show her some details in that little thing before we went a little animal kinky in the dreamscape.”

“Animal kinky?”

Huxian froze as Violet’s voice joined the conversation. He’d forgotten she was still there. Worse, he saw the smile that crossed Rozyus’ face that looked like he had stolen it from the Fox’s own face at his most mischievous.

“Well, if you must-”

Faster than lightning, Huxian’s hand clamped over the boy’s mouth, eyebrow twitching. He knew exactly what the minx was trying to do and he was not going to let him dig Huxian in deeper just because Huxian wasn’t going to tell Rodessa the past she forgotten straight away

“I get it, Rozyus,” he scowled. “I’ll make sure to drop some hints about her true nature in the dreamscape so that she won’t find it so shocking - I was planning on doing it to help her anyway, so why not get a headstart on that too while I’m stopping a China Zombie Apocalypse. Happy?”

Rozyus pulled Huxian’s hand back to respond, however, rather than an agreement, instead he made an exaggerated gasp for air.

“So rough,” He moaned, wiggling his eyebrows. “I mean, save it for when we’re in be-”

The hand slapped over his mouth again. The boy just fluttered his eyelashes innocently in response. Minx.

“We have an audience, dear,” Huxian ‘smiled’. “I know you have a filter. Perhaps you might try exercising it?”

Rozyus made a few motions that he would behave. Eyeing him suspiciously, Huxian let go.

“So thin skinned,” Rozyus tutted. “But I understand, I get it. I’m going. I’ll be back soon enough, though,” Rozyus’ eyes lidded heavily with a knowing smile. “When we...don’t have an audience,” he breathed, running a finger over Huxian’s chest, to his neck, then over his lips in a parody of a kiss. “Bye, my love..” He nodded to the communicator. “And Violet. Until next time.”

“Adieu.”

“Until then, Rozyus,” Huxian agreed, not daring to look over at the communicator. The tone in her voice at her farewell was obvious what she might want to say.

A moment later, Rozyus was gone, as if he had never been there.

Silence reigned.

“Yin-”

“Not….a fucking...word…”

Violet’s eyes shone with amusement, but her lips stayed straight, if a little pursed. “Language”

Huxian sighed “...Yes Ma’am…”

[END]

Where The Shore Meets The Sea Pt 3

“Ah…” Huxian glanced away. “Lets just say I’ve been gifted some…. ‘heaven sent’ dreams,” he hedged. “Either way, I’ll exploit it as much as I can to keep her stable until I’m actually in the same country as her again.”

She still seemed a little bemused, but there was also an understanding in her eyes - she had obviously caught just whom he was referring to by ‘heaven sent’. Face set, determined, Violet inclined her head.

“Then that is what we will do.”

-----------------------

“So...any progression on the mission?”

A few days had passed since he had last spoken to Madam Povell. His own mission had been taking a lot of his attention. Bringing the new agents up to date, making sure supplies got to the shelters, healing the wounded and keeping the ranks of undead from getting too unmanageable. For now, they could keep them contained, but if they multiplied thanks to whoever was controlling them then they might break loose and endanger others. In the meantime, Huxian had also been directing a team of agents into tracking down the power signatures from the Jiangshi, which could lead them to the actual mastermind.

For the moment, they were on top of things, giving Huxian enough time to check on his second major concern.

Violet’s eyebrow kicked up ever so slightly. “That would be depending on which mission you would be inquiring about,” she asked. “Would you be talking about your...intimate friend? Her current mission? Or would you be inquiring as to your own mission? I would ask that you be a little more specific, my dear.”

Huxian shot her a vaguely exasperated look. He was too tired to deal with the usual banter he would normally be happy to indulge in. However, with undead beating on his barrier, even with a peach pill to help, he had easily dipped into grotty irritation.

“The mission your team is on,” he retorted snidely. “Ie, the one I’m not actively involved in, thus would not have an idea as to what was going on with it.”

“Temper…” Violet sniffed. “However, if you must know, those children act as if they were water and oil. Even so, they are still managing to work well enough together, at least for relative rookies. Should they both be able to overcome their own egos, they could be a force to be reckoned with. In terms of the mission itself...it’s straight forwards….or rather, it should be so…”

Huxian’s eyes narrowed a little. “Should?” he pressed.

“Nothing that you need be concerned with,” Violet assured quickly. “Though with how fast the spirit is working, there is only three members of the family left, so they are pressed for time. They must finish soon, for the safety of the family, and themselves.”

Rubbing his chin, Huxian hummed under his breath, brows furrowed. “A code 32.C7B…” he murmured. “Not ideal…”

“To be precise, 38.C12B,” Violet corrected, seriously. “This one is a little more aggressive. There have also been smaller anomalies that we need to account for. I’m told you’ve been informed of the animal carcasses? We have been looking into the matter, but beyond the Onryou situation, there’s no evidence of the mystic. I have had independent researchers and agents stationed there, just in case, however.”

“Are you absolutely certain there’s no evidence of mystic activity?” Huxian asked, pulling his laptop closer and pulling up the files that he had of the area that he knew Rodessa and her new partner were stationed. “I’ve been looking into the area myself, and there’s nothing there that fits the bill of something mundane causing the deaths. No kinds of chemical plants near the area, no radiation leaks - the village is under a barrier so that no one without some kind of mystic potential can even come close to it, so it couldn’t be the result of any kind of toxic waste dumps. It’s not enclosed enough to be the cause of any gas and its not situated near any volcanic vents either. There is literally no mundane explanation for the deaths.”

Rubbing his chin, Hixian glanced over the descriptions of the animal carcasses, both in the pandora report and from what he had recalled from Rodessa’s own descriptions. “All these descriptions liken the bodies to mummies,” he murmured. “Not in the public idea of them as the wrapped kinds crom media, but rather bodies that had been somehow preserved in some way. The main reason for the preservation here is because they are essentially dried. All fluids the body contained, all of it drained away, likely in a struggle against something considering what positions they were found in.” his eyes flicked up to Violet on the communicator. “Have you looked into anything that might drain blood or fluids from their victims? Some kind of weakened Jorogumo not yet strong enough to go after human targets? Or what about a Jubokko? There were wars all over Japan years back, either amongst mundane or mystic. Is it possible for one to have birthed around there?”

“That would be an impossibility.”

Another screen popped up onto the communicator, revealing who had answered the question. One of Violet’s most trusted, Alister, was calling from what looked like the office back in Pandora. Seeing he had both of their attention, the man tapped a thick, leather bound book on the cover. “As you have claimed, that village has a special barrier that prevents outsiders from being able to enter the area, making it a hidden village that one might liken to that of modern Shinobi. According to our records, the barrier has been in place even before the warring states period.” Alister hummed briefly. “Granted there was a brief period while the organization was being rebuilt from the ashes that it was left to its own devices so that new agents could be trained. However, even then the barrier remained intact.”

Alister steepled his fingers, resting his chin upon them as he observed the two of them. “If it were a weak Jorogumo, it would not have been able to enter the area. And if it were a Jubokko that somehow managed to form due to some abnormality, because of the severity of the situation, there would have been records, particularly as we would have swiftly dealt with the situation before it could become a problem. As it is…” he sat back, parting his hands. “There is nothing. Not even the barest hint of a record. That in mind, we can rule it out.”

“I’m no expert on Japanese yokai,” Huxian admitted. “But with the string of murders the Onryou caused, could that have attracted anything that might have a similar lust for blood or body fluids? Or could it even be a mystic creature from another country that decided to pay a visit?”

Alister closed his eyes in thought, “While plausible, it is unlikely that is is the relative of my lady and myself,” the man admitted. “There are not enough humans in the area, and those that are there have mystic blood within their veins to varying degrees. Even those with weaker amounts give their blood a….shall we say….Acquired taste to it, akin to rotting meat. As said, plausible, but highly unlikely.”

“Then maybe it is that 1% chance,” Huxian snapped, “or something else with a taste for body fluids, because those animals are not dropping dead minus all liquids randomly!”

Taking a deep breath, Huxian sat back, rubbing his temples. “Sorry….sorry. I know, I should watch my temper, trust you all and focus on my own undead issue. It’s just….maybe its instinct, but even thinking about that gets my hackles up….”

“...We’ll keep looking,” Alister promised, tone professional as always, but Huxian’s sharp ears could pick up the more gentle undertone of a man who understood Huxian’s stress. He continued, “It is entirely possible that it could appear once the Onryu is gone, Or it may never become a problem. Still, we’ll do our best-”

“Unfortunately, with Phoenix rearing its ugly head as well as the issue with Miss Hunter’s seal, a few mummified animals its not particularly high on our priorities, especially considering our resources,” Violet interrupted. “Should things get ugly, we’ll send in the girls. Until then, I will assign the young demon huntress and some of the more seasoned mages and priests to apply charms, but I would rather not exhaust resources until they are truly needed,” her voice softened a little. “That’s all I can promise for now, Yin...It’ll have to be enough.”

“I know…” Huxian murmured. “I understand. As long as it doesn’t cause complications that could get them killed by showing up in the middle of their battle, or when they’re not ready…” He sighed, rubbing his hands over his face, before finally nodded. “I’ll trust you. It’s all I can do right now.” He bit his lip. “Even with the complications, you think they can handle this, right?”

He was the one who had been suggesting the crash course approach because of their limited time. Even so, he wanted to be sure that he hadn’t essentially helped to joint sign a death sentence.

“It is what their first case is for,” Violet pointed out, even though the expression on her face was decidedly knowing in a way that made his skin crawl. “Have faith in your lady friend and her new partner. Rumour has it that they are both quite skilled.”

If a look could be akin to anything, Huxian’s would have been as flat as paper. “Are you ever going to drop that?” he snarked.

“Why would I do such a thing?” the humour in her voice was practically palpable. “Pardon the bluntness, but why not seduce her and cease mooning? It has been….six years since you found her, has it not? Since then, she has had a string of lovers in order to catch your attention and within the dreamscape you have been having questionable advances to each other, yet you still have not made a move? Forgive me for saying so, my fox friend, but at this point I am on her side in this matter.”

“Agreed” came the chuckle from the other line. “Truly, you should be careful, friend. One of these days you might lose her to another man. He’s still out there, you know.”

Huxian bared his teeth. “Butt out!” he snapped, arms crossed in a way that seemed more like he was hugging himself for comfort than posing a defensive front, anger melting into a troubled expression. “...You know it’s not that simple…” He looked away. “What is with everyone….you two….goddesses….those stupid visions...Why is everyone so interested in this? Why does no one get why its not as simple as just going ‘Oh, hey, forget the fact that I’m the direct cause of one lover dying, that I’m lying to you about what we once were after you convinced me to try despite my guilt only for misery to come and then your memories got wiped and that I might keep comparing you to things in the past despite the fact you can’t remember any of it because I’m a complete selfish asshole who will either bring more misery to you by being a walking curse, or something else will happen because every goodam life you’ve ever lived you’re destined to be with each other and be doomed to hell because each time we end up causing each other’s demise.” Huxian put his head in his hands, voice cracking. “What do you all want from me here?”

His rant cut off at the feel of a smaller form climbing into his lap and he froze as the floral scent wafted to his nose, accompanied by a very familiar chuckle. “Wow… Well, you have one thing right - you’re an ass. A stubborn ass. An ass who is the one I love with all my heart. The one I would gladly lay down my life for over and over again-”

“I don’t want you to do that for me!” Huxian yell. “I don’t want anyone to die for me!”

“I would do it, though,” the aspect of his lover interjected. “As do you, for me. As I said before…”

The voice became overlaid with that of another familiar voice, this time that of the child he once took care of. Somehow feeling like a balm over fraying nerves.

“Kitty...you know I notice...you’re blaming yourself for a hurricane. Things happen sometimes, and, no matter what we do, sometimes it just ends bad. But not all of the time. Remembering is fine, normal, but dwelling on it until it consumes us? No. No, it’s not right…Sometimes, even when it feels wrong, you gotta take action when the time is right”

Huxian snorted, slightly watery. “If it feels wrong, how do you know the time is right?”

A teasing smile curled on the boy’s face, though his voice remained overlayed with that of the child’s. “Dummy, you’ll never know! But if you wait too long, you’ll miss your chance. Silly Kitty, don’t you know that?”

“It’s still not that simple,” Huxian sighed. He understood, logically, but just because people kept pushing didn’t push facts aside, no matter how much the overlaid voice insisted he wasn’t at fault (Because he was, he always was-)

A hand pressed against his cheek, cutting off the spiralling thoughts before they could hit that dark despair in his gut.

“You should stop being so hard on yourself,” the boy insisted gently. “Hm….if it makes you feel better, I’ll be home soon. Though, if you can’t wait that long, know we’ll never really be apart - that’s a promise! And...you know...I might get lonely too. I need my teddy tail and snuggles and kisses - I’m gonna miss that the most! If it gets too hard for you, too, you gonna visit me, too, right? I’m not too far away.” Ne leaned against Huxian’s thigh, nuzzling against it. “All you need to do is call, and I’ll come running. I’ll kiss and hug you and fluff you all you want until those lonely, scared thoughts go away. That’s my job! As your Ro!”

His heart clenched, even as the urge to yell faded. “Rozyus…”

“Ahem…”

Almost jumping out of his skin, Huxian’s head whipped up to see that both Violet and Alister were both waiting.

“As...adorable as you both are, Master Rozyus,” Violet started once their attention was back on the communicator. “May we carry on with the meeting? Hopefully, you may shed a little light on the situation?”

The boy hummed, his voice becoming his own once again, even though he didn’t bother moving from Huxian’s lap. “Honestly, I was only here to getta booty. You know, ride that good dick til you can’t walk the next day kind of lovin’.”

Rozyus shot Huxian a heated look while the man himself was a mix of awe at how bluntly he said it, and even the tiniest bit flustered, because that came practically out of nowhere after that gentle speech from before.

“Oh, and to see if my husband was alright, of course and what not,” he added almost as an afterthought, blinking innocently in a way that might have worked if it hadn’t been the follow up to a borderline crude comment prior. He sighed. “But no...as usual, I’m drawn into doing work…” He commented dryly. “Well, out with it. What do you want?”

Neither Pandora executive seemed impressed, though Huxian was sure he could see a slight shake to Alister’s shoulders that told him if he wasn’t so well trained the man would have been laughing. Violet, however, was as unamused as she looked, hands on her hips.

“The girl’s seal might be breaking faster than we thought,” she retorted. “Her eyes looked almost as if they might be a touch mystic in nature, but in the end, the mundane shell held out. Even so, it has been happening with greater frequency, for longer periods of time.”

“Yeeeeeeeees?” Rozyus drawled, tilting his head almost boredly. “And….the problem?”

“It is happening too soon!” Violet’s voice would have hissed if she had been a lesser woman. Even so, there was a touch of frustration to it.

“Of course it is,” Rozyus waved off. “That woman is the one breaking the seal. It’s been long enough, no?”

[END]