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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 8:05:15 GMT -8
It was spring when the Sakura blossoms filled the entire sky of pink and white petals across the Western Lands. From Oolong City to the sea, it was a grandeur event of natural beauty, locals welcomed the spring with festivals held in their own villages, and Truffle Village was among them. Overseen by Duchess Melody of Orchestra Village, the ten thousand koku strong residents held their cherry blossom viewing ceremony with a special mushroom tea, and floral parade throughout the entire roads for all to see until it’s final destination of the Shinto shrine entrance of the village to be left out on display for the wind to carry. It was an atypical afternoon, security was on high alert as usual, Melody kept watch posts on the border walls of her domain, and she was enjoying her tea along with rice made snacks in the company of her entourage. Apart from the village council her entourage consisted of children and beast folk whom she adored whole heartedly. While she did not have the most wonderful childhood growing up to become an expert in swordsmanship, she wanted the best for the children and people who were present, and they were her only weakness that she was fully aware of. As Duchess of Truffle Village her responsibilities included being the strongest fighter in order to provide protection, making decisions in future developments, and apply methods for generating zeni for the economy to grow.
Personally there was a certain lifestyle Melody wanted to achieve and that included an ability to travel as well as indulging in fashion, food, and culture. It was a result of spending the last twenty five years mastering her abilities with a blade that she developed an interest in zeni. The entire world immersed itself with zeni and if she could find a way to amass it, she would be able to use it to grow her reign over Pig Demon Duchies in the Western Lands, and become powerful by manipulating her riches. It was the reason her parents abandoned her as a child and it became her goal to strive for something even greater than they could ever achieve. After a while, she had completely forgotten about her motivations, and tactfully made every choice to give her an edge on currency. As long as her crimes were committed outside the Western Lands she relied on her lawyers to defend that allegations against her with positive outcomes in her favor.
“My lady, there is a visitor today, who asks for your audience in...private.” Portobello, a stalk tall teenage boy announced wearing a brown hakama, his blonde hair was cut in a bowl cut, a bit nervous by the strangers request, he remained hopeful that the Duchess was more than capable of handling herself.
With a wave of her hand Melody sent the children and the beast folk to leave the throne room at once. Sitting in her royal throne lethargically she sat up properly, she was wearing a white kimono with a Sakura blossom watercolor design, and her green hair was pulled back by floral brooch but otherwise retained its curled shape that reached the small of her back. Taking one final sip of her tea she nodded at Portobello to allow their unexpectant guest in. Whoever it was, had the audacity to request a private meeting, and everyone knew that among the Pig Demon Duchies duels are made official by royal decree in front of a witness of another Duke or Duchess to challenge her position. Otherwise, she had no idea who was interrupting her festival, and her violet eyes intensely looked at the front entrance for a moment before she spoke, “You may enter now, what business do you have with me, Duchess Melody of Truffle Village?”
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 8:14:47 GMT -8
The duchess spoke, introducing herself as one who measured her value and worth by the weight of her title, yet here in this particular village, it did indeed weigh heavy. But what of one who did not ascribe any measure of importance to such a title?
Why should a lord and emperor tremble and quake as the servants who slipped past him like ghosts as they left the audience chamber, leaving him to stand there alone at the lavish entrance into the throne room?
No. Not alone.
One of the beastman servants clutched at the powerful hand that constricted his throat with a vise-like grip. He flailed and struggled, nails scraping against the golden wrist gauntlet of his assaulter in vain. Cress observed the duchess where she sat demurely upon her throne as he raised a hunk of barbecued meat he’d speared upon a stick to his lips. His teeth tore at the beast flesh, skin and gristle dangling in meaty strips from the corners of his mouth as he chewed as if he had not a care in the world.
Oddly enough, it did nothing to take from the regal air of importance that seemed to swell around him. His cape flapped behind him as he stalked forward, making the long trek down the gilded carpet as he approached at the duchess’s request.
The large Saiyan paused as he reached her. Cold obsidian eyes pierced her as they drank her in unabashedly. They were flat and lifeless, and it was impossible to guess as to what he was thinking. Then, he blinked, and glanced at the wheezing servant clutched in his hand as if he’d nearly forgotten he’d grabbed the man in the first place.
Cress tossed the meat stick with a casual wave of his hand, not bothering to finish his meal. With incredible ease he hoisted the struggling Earthling into the air with one bulging arm and held him there, setting the beastman’s feet flailing and kicking wildly about.
“He said he did not recognize my title.”
His tone was flat, void of any emotion.
“So, I’ve decided I will not recognize his right to remain alive. However… I did not come here to spark a quarrel with you, Duchess.”
He could sense her power. It swelled, filling the throne room to its brim. She was strong—far stronger than Cress could have anticipated. Fighting her here and now, while he was far from prepared to face such a powerful foe…
It was utter foolishness. So, he would play her game.
He released the man who crumpled to the ground, coughing and wheezing as the servant crawled away.
“And so, I free your servant as a gesture of goodwill. I asked to speak with you for a singular purpose… and yet, I find… I’m…”
He blinked, his voice trailing off as he stared at her.
Cress realized, all too late, he was far too little experienced in dealing with the likes of such… beauty? No, that couldn’t be it. What did he care for beauty, or pomp and frills, or festivities such as the likes that permeated this village?
“...I seek safe passage through your lands.”
[528]
Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 8:23:55 GMT -8
It pained her to see a loyal subject be tossed around in an inhumane manner, she could feel her heart split apart as the panther beastman trembled in Cass’ grasp, writhing in pain and lack of oxygen as he clenched it’s apparent underbite struggling to break free from the assailant. It was true that anyone in her lands only acknowledged their allegiance with the Duchess, outsiders were not recognized unless they were part of the Duchies, and she held her composure although she nearly had the nerve to run her sword into this man who approached her. Taking a deep breath, apart from the smoked barbecue, she could tell this man had been traveling for a while, and she could detect Baba Yaga’s dark forest pines from the West as he drew near. While he stared down at her, from a seated position on her throne, her violet eyes barely blinked as he explained himself further asking for some kind of refuge for reasons that were not made clear right away.
“So what is your title? You ask me for safe passage yet you failed to mention your name after I offered you mine.”Melody was disappointed in him, while he looked fully capable of himself, he lacked refinement, and he was a bit brash but it was something she could forgive if he made himself useful to her. “What brings you here during our annual spring festival? Certainly Oolong City has more to offer than the rural outskirts of my farmlands. You do not...” She looked over at the bone he threw against the wall before looking back at him, “Have much of an appetite for someone who has traveled East from the other side of the continent rather than North. How do I know that you wonder? I can smell the dark forest on your person. Every local knows to avoid the demons and whispered witch craft that goes on in there...you need a full soak in a hot spring to get rid of that smell.”
The odor the Duchess picked up on was the cavern systems he hailed from being near the Dark Forest, the home of the most vilest demons, monsters, and witches. While she only held her position for a year, part of her sword training masteries involved exploring the entire Western Land continent while growing up, and she sighed from being reminded of such an awful place at present.
[406] [TWC. 1,036]
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 8:30:54 GMT -8
His nose twitched as he sniffed the air.
He could smell her at this proximity—smell the freshly laundered kimono she wore, as well as some exotic perfume befitting a duchess. It mingled with the hint of blossoms in the air as well as the various foods that had been prepared for this day, wafting into the quiet meeting hall.
Her scent was enticing.
His eyes took in Melody’s tanned complexion, the sheen of her hair, and notably, the lack of fear in her regal gaze.
She wasn’t afraid of him.
She spoke to Cress as if he were just another man seeking an audience with their duchess. She did not cower before him, nor did show any sign of intimidation despite the staggering difference in their respective sizes.
He admired her bravery.
Earthlings cowered far too often in his presence. Very few showed any measure of bravado toward Cress, and he had long grown tired of the lack of challenging confrontations.
But Melody challenged him.
He would rise to the occasion.
“Do I smell that awful?”
He raised an arm and sniffed at his armpit. He smelled no worse than usual, having grown used to the mingled hint of dried blood, smoked meat, and body odor one produced when traveling the wild lands for months at a time without rest.
“I hadn’t noticed. Far be it from me to insult you, Duchess.”
His hands slipped to the fastenings of his battle armor, unsnapping them. His cloak fluttered to the ground. He tugged and pulled off the armor, letting it clatter to the ground as well.
HIs body was a mess of healed scars that zigzagged across his bulky, muscular frame. It bore the tell-tale signs of one who had been fighting since birth.
“If it should please you, I shall bathe.”
He raised a clenched fist and pressed it to his chest in a salute of sorts.
“You may call me Cress. There are those not of this plane of existence who know and revere me as Lord Belial… but Cress will do just fine.”
[ 528 / 873 ]
Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 8:37:57 GMT -8
Melody raised a brow at Cress trying to figure out his own scent after she mentioned it and as far as she could tell people often were unable to detect that unless they were informed after being used to it for so long. If he was going to keep her attention away from the festival he needed to at least be presentable so that his scent would cease to be a distraction. It was unexpectant for him to undress himself in her throne room, she blushed, and turned her head forcefully while losing eye contact with him in the process. After the armor fell on the wooden floor boards she sighed, this stranger lacked refinement, and despite his manners she gasped at his bare visage. If there was anything the Duchess enjoyed most, it was the willpower of maintaining such a tone physique, and she was staring at him at this point shifting uncomfortably in her seat. The scars meant he was an experienced fighter, while she asked him why he needed to pass through her lands, he failed to answer as he became focused on himself rather than carry on a proper conversation. With a nod of disapproval she reached for a small bell, rang it nonchalantly, and remained silent as she waited for her servants to enter the throne room at her request.
The side of the wall opened up to reveal an outdoor deck leading to a stone garden beyond it. Four male servants wearing plain black hakamas of various races and two young human women wearing grey robes lined up outside with their gaze cast down awaiting their Duchess’ command. Melody rose from her throne and stood a mere five feet and ten inches next to Cress who kept hovering over her. This demon of a man was a force to be reckoned with but she refused to give in to him no matter what he did to taunt her. The concept of keeping your enemies closer than your friends applied to this situation and she had no desire to have the festival interrupted from her loyal subjects because of him.
“Please, escort Lord Belial to my private hot spring, provide him with a hakama, polish his armor, and prepare a spare guest room for him at once.” She turned to leave looking over her shoulder to glare at Cress, “We will continue our conversation as soon as you are presentable.”
The servants only bowed in response, a few of them took a moment to pick up the armor, and the others left to do what remained of the preparations. The two demure women escorted Cress to Melody’s royal chamber across the wooden deck outside, one of the women slid a oriental, wooden frame sliding door, with washi paper paneling; everything about Truffle Village was rustic in design. The private chamber was plain at first glance until several more panels slid open down a long hallway, it looked as if every wall opened to various rooms, some were more ornate than others with silk pattern designs, and at the very end was an open ceiling stone hot spring with boiling hot vapors escaping into the air. It was large enough for Cress to use freely and the women provided fresh towels, a hakama robe, and wooden sandals on top of a large flat stone before they disappeared by sliding all the door panels back like a shifting maze. After he was done his clothes would be laundered thoroughly and hung out to dry outside his guest room that was prepared.
In the meantime, Melody was attending the Pantera Beastman that initially crossed Cress’ path, the walls were paper thin enough to overhear her commanding voice at about twenty feet away, and while she would have practiced more caution she was more concerned for the well being of her subject. “It is dislocated, isn’t it?”
“Nothing to be concerned about, my Lady.” He howled, writing in pain when he tried to move, his voice rasp from being strangled.
“I dislocated my arm enough times to be able to relocate yours, hold still!” Melody shouted at him as she used her applied strength to fix the beastman’s arm. “There, all better, take a week off. I better not see you after that so you can make a full recovery.”
Melody was waiting inside of Cress’ prepared room, the servants would have led him here after he was done, and she was sitting down on a floor pillow over a round tea table. On her back was her sword, a small capsule corp emblem was engraved on the sheath, and it was a sign of distrust given the circumstances.
[780] [TWC 1,816]
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 8:44:07 GMT -8
He immersed himself fully in the hot water spring. The world grew muted and quiet.
The water bubbled and broiled around him, burning and cleansing him all at once. His aching muscles relaxed as his heart rate dropped to a slow, steady pulse. The beast had been soothed.
There he drifted for a few long minutes.
With his eyes closed and his senses dulled, Cress could almost pretend he was back in those dark caverns. The briny smell of the sea came drifting to him out of the annals of his long memory—the distant crash of waves against the shoreline, the taste of salt in the air, and the cry of the gulls. What would Mother say?
She would tell him to pay attention to his surroundings—reject his Saiyan stubbornness, stop acting pigheaded, and utilize this audience with Melody to his utter advantage. But how could he do that? Asking for passage was a pretense.
What he truly needed was... well, everything.
Food, shelter, and relative safety. He wanted a single night of not sleeping with one eye open for any predatory beasts that sought to turn him into prey once he fully dropped his guard. Though it grated against his pride, he would need to ask to become a vassal of hers. Not that she needed a bodyguard—how such strength could be possessed by such a weak looking woman was beyond his natural ability to grasp.
No more dawdling.
A prince shouldn't keep her waiting for too long.
A large geyser of water erupted as he burst out of the spring, the crystalline waters raining down around him. His dark hair flattened against his head as he pushed it back and away from his face. Standing at his full height, only his calves and ankles remained submerged, revealing all of his... glory... to whomever may have wandered by and seen him.
Cress snatched the bar of soap left behind for him. He brought it to his nose, gave it a sniff, then began to scrub under his arms and around his lower nether regions.
He dipped himself beneath the water again.
As he emerged a second time, the loud commanding voice of the duchess rang clear through the springs. Cress arched an eyebrow and listened intently to her words. He found it surprising that a ruler would exercise such care and caution with one of her own lowly servants.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
This woman was full of surprises.
He stared down at himself, his upper lip curling in disgust.
The hakama that was provided for him was far too small for his brawny frame. The wooden sandals felt awkward on his feet, and he found he had difficulty trying to walk in them.
He preferred his own boots and his own clothing, but it was busy being cleaned after months of heavy use.
Was all of this truly necessary for an audience with Melody? Did she truly think so highly of herself she was unwilling to hear him out until he had probably bathed? Was it arrogance, or was it the way of those who professed royalty and leadership? He sought to be a ruler himself, so perhaps there was much to learn from her.
The lavishly decorated palace inspired both awe and skepticism.
What were walls you could not bloody? This place felt boasted the fragility of a house made of matchsticks—one good shove, and it would all topple over. For this reason, when he came into his own kingdom, there would be no restrictive palace. The whole of the earth would be his throne, and the bared necks of his enemies his footstool.
For now, he needed to be amenable to circumstances.
He swept his long brown hair back into a ponytail and tied it in place with the leather cord that was left for him. He kicked the sandals off of his feet, preferring to go barefoot as a happy medium. The upper portion of his hakama dangled at his waist, his bare chest and arms visible while the lower portion of his thickly muscled half was well covered.
This would have to do.
His heavy footfalls echoed as he left the hot springs. A servant waited for him, turning silently as she led him down another series of long papered corridors to a room. The servant girl bowed to her mistress who waited inside, backing out of the room before beating a hasty retreat.
Cress stalked into the room and slid the door shut behind him.
His eyes landed on the blade that was strapped to her back.
So... he was wrong about her. It appeared she planned to address the issue with the servant after all. Cress approached the round tea table, but instead of kneeling as was proper, he sat heavily with legs crossed. He felt silly, his hulking frame dwarfing both the table and the duchess.
His eyes never left that blade.
"I must express gratitude to you—I confess I am unaccustomed to the amenities you seem to enjoy as a regular occurence."
He spoke slowly and calmly, not wanting to stir the pot any more than it already had been.
"So... thank you. However..."
His eyes never left her sword.
"I am more than a little... uncomfortable at the presence of such a weapon. Considering you did not wield it in our first meeting, I am curious as to why you should feel the need to wear it now."
A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, despite his best efforts to hide it.
Would she attack him? He was itching for a good fight.
"Have I offended you, Duchess? Will you allow me to pay recompense for my actions?"
[ 873 / 1,832 ]
Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 9:10:42 GMT -8
”The truth is, trust is earned, especially when met with adversity from… someone who preys on the weak. I am not much for bushido but I would not be wasting my time here unless I understood exactly what brought you here specifically. The hot spring, the clothes, surely you are strong enough to generate the zeni and hang around the red light district in Oolong city to fulfill all your basic needs.” Melody looked up at him with intense violet eyes while she spoke, noticing that his pupils kept looking at her sword, and in reality she brought it along with her for protection since she had no idea if he was suppressing his power level or not without certainty. “I am great at punching things but my body is conformed to the art of the sword if the need arises. It is my greatest wish, not to use it today, as it is a festival day, and my humble abode is not a proper place to unsheathe my sword.”
While she spoke in a confident tone, she was still feeling rather anxious about what Cress wanted, and she hoped that whatever brought him here after traveling so far that she could fulfill it in order to continue the rest of her day in peace. After a while, his bare chest was distracting, that her eyes kept lowering to look at the entirety of his visage, either by a random scar, or his chiseled frame. It was difficult to look at him the entire time, so she looked away repeatedly, then met his eyes when she could muster it. After spending a lifetime of swordsmanship training, she never allowed herself the distraction of men, and Cress commanded the full attention of his presence in the room. In the back of her mind, she did find him attractive, and the scars gave him a bit of character intriguing her curiosity of the story behind each and every one of them.
“Where do you hail from? What are you Lord of? I know of all the Duchies in the Western lands, if you are serving one of them as Lord then why come here? I would have assumed you were from a different continent had I not been able to detect Baba Yaga’s domain all over… your person.” She gulped quietly, trying her best to keep her composure, “Is there a bounty on your head? Is that the reason you are here? Not that I care to fulfill the request, it is none of my business if the Duchies failed to capture their enemies, I see that as a sign of weakness and should be revoked of their position by death to allow someone stronger to take their place.” Melody said coldly, she was able to calm down by discussing her beliefs, and she patiently waited to hear every word he had to say apart from the show of strength he kept attempting.
[491] [TWC 2,307]
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 9:16:52 GMT -8
His smirk faltered, his face returning to its initial stony facade. Every muscle in his body coiled from reflex as it prepared to engage a foe. His eyes darkened as he narrowed them and stared intently at Melody. Each subsequent word further deepened his scowl.
This wasn't a battle in the traditional sense; this confrontation was one based solely on social convention, or the lack thereof. She had leveled an endless barrage of questions at him—as such, he found his mind scrambling to determine the proper way to answer such questions. She sought his origin, his whereabouts, and where he allegiances lay within the Western Lands.
The bit about the Red Light district drew further scrutiny from him. What was this district she spoke of? Was it something common among these folk?
Once more he could do little but curse his lack of knowledge and experience. Despite his age, he knew little of the civilized world; all of his time was spent traversing the land's steep, rocky gorges and sharp ravines, filled with troupes of roving bandits and the dens of territorial beasts as he combated man and creature alike. His life was battle, and each struggle and hardship left yet another scar upon his body and his mind.
Death and destruction honed him like the weapon he was intended to be.
But this situation required far more finesse if he were to obtain his desired results.
His confident smirk reappeared.
"What worth is that blade of yours against someone like me? I've snapped many like it before with my bare hands."
It wasn't a proud boast, nor did Cress state it as such. He spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, carefully measured for the purpose of clear and direct communication.
"I take nothing from your skill. I can sense that you're strong. Not only strong, but perceptive. These are choice qualities in a leader. You can sense dark energy on me, yes? I'm afraid you're mistaken, Duchess."
He raised a hand before him.
There was a spark, and what appeared to be black electricity danced along his fingers. Soon it erupted into what looked like a magenta flame enveloping his hand as a whole, though his hand remained unharmed. Instead of heat, the flame would give off a cold, evil vibe that lowered the ambient temperature of the sparsely furnished room a degree or so.
"It is not on me, but in me."
He clenched his fist and doused the demonic flames.
"I am a Saiyan, and at the same time, I am much more. That is all I will discuss with you, because it's about all I know of my past."
He noted the way she kept studying his chest and shoulders, and the hint of blush it brought to her cheeks. His smirk crept back onto his lips.
"I have a heritage, and a destiny to fulfill. Those that see me as Lord Belial are waiting. So, I must grow stronger. But I cannot do that without a proper base from which to train and focus. Anyone can slay a wild beast. But to best a powerful foe? It is a different matter altogether."
His gaze flickered back to her sword.
"You need a proper weapon. I can be that weapon. And I desire a place of rest where I can grow in my knowledge of the world and its customs. Perhaps we can be of some... benefit to each other?"
He stared at her fully without pretense. He was no shy commoner—he delighted to drink in her feminine curves and elegance.
"No... service... I am capable of providing will be off-limits. I would be forever in your debt, and once I should rise to claim my empire, know that you and your own shall be counted among my allies."
[ 632 / 2,446 ]
Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 10:05:03 GMT -8
Melody deadpanned at the mention of being able to break her sword, to add to the effect he displayed his prowess of utilizing demonic ki, and she had encountered enough demons at her gates to know it well. Her violet eyes narrowed at the explanation that he was a saiyan. A term used among duchies often, either as Saiyans who were removed from their home planet to be experimented on by Tuffles or descendants of a long lineage, and she personally did not understand what it all meant. There was some truth in what he had to say but it did not matter to her what his past was like, she needed to know who was effectively today, and she listened to him carefully as he explained himself. In the end, he was homeless, and Truffle Village just happened to be in his path. It was not uncommon for rounin or samurai to present themselves in order to be paid well with land and riches. Cress was different from that concept, it was similar enough that she could not ignore his offer, and she had little reason to doubt his word because he was nothing without it.
“A man is only as good as his word. It is a bit presumptions that you believe I need anything at all but if you’re offering yourself in exchange for a home then I have no reason to get in the way of forging your own destiny. Fate has brought you here and your determination is noteworthy. If there lies a benefit for what we both desire for the world, then I see no problem in aiding one another. I can only do so much alone, try as I might, allies are-- useful. However, I have been self reliant for a while and I must admit that it will take some time getting used to help in the battlefield…or any problems that need solving.” Melody admitted, she could not fathom even asking him for help at all, despite being able to accommodate him for temporary lodging. “I just need to make one thing clear, pick on someone your own size, do not blatantly abuse my loyal subjects unless you intend to cross me. There is plenty of enemies at the gates for you to take out your personal frustrations on.”
The Duchess relaxed, placing her hands on the small table that was useless for someone like Cress to even use, “You mentioned… growing your knowledge of the world and its customs. It seems you are not familiar with the ones involving the Pig Demon Duchies. I cannot blame you for skipping out on a basic education in order to train, as I have done the same. I grew up in Orchestra village, a neighboring village a couple of miles northwest of here, Duke Glacier is the master swordsman who trained me since I was five years old. Today is our sakura blossom festival to welcome the spring season, the villagers rejoice in having a day off from their duties, and I am expected to meet him and another neighboring Duke from the north for a drink of sake. At it is tradition to toast to the new season with our neighbors in order to strengthen out bond over our neighboring territories. I would ask you to join me in this meeting so that you can learn something from it.”
[566] [TWC 2,873]
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 10:11:17 GMT -8
He bristled at her statement.
Was that what she thought of him? He was little more than a problem solver—hired muscle to take care of that which Melody deemed beneath her station or far too trivial to bother with?
He wanted to show her the truth of the matter. Smash his fist against one of the support pillars and send a portion of her palace crumbling. Only then would she understand the truth of the matter. Only when her life crumbled to pieces before her very eyes would she recognize the role Cress wished to play in her kingdom.
He was no one's servant—no hired companion to be ordered around as she saw fit.
"Perhaps you misunderstood my intentions." He gripped the edge of the small table. The wood splintered beneath his crushing grip. "I never said I was your weapon. I simply stated I was a far more effective solution than your blade. Can it determine its own trajectory once swung? Can it discern the enemy's prowess as it parries and blocks another?"
He scoffed.
"No, it cannot. I am a living weapon. I need no guidance or direction, nor do I need permission to crush any fools that oppose me. Perhaps, duchess, you would do us both a service to remember that."
His fingers released the table. Deep imprints had been left permanently etched into the wood, tiny splinters surrounding each finger indentation. Sometimes his foolish pride got the better of him.
She finally addressed the issue of his harming her servant. At this, Cress scoffed with a roll of his eye.
Servants weren't meant to be pampered. They were nameless fools—warm bodies fit only for the task of attending to each and every command of their master. He'd heard the way in which she cared for the injured soul. Not only had she fixed his injured arm—the very arm he'd dislocated with a simple yank—but Melody had proposed he take some time to heal.
Would she pay the fool while he tended to his injury? If Cress were the master of this palace, he would have snapped the servant's neck and tossed his carcass to the wolves.
There would be no room for weakness in his kingdom. For that simple fact, irregardless of the help she provided him, it would weigh heavy on his mind to simply allow his own empire to overrule and crush hers.
For a weak kingdom could not stand. It was only as resilient as its master.
How long could a ruler who showed compassion commanded the respect of her people? Respect waxed and waned based upon a ruler's choices, and whether or not he pandered to the people. But fear? It was commanded, else they forfeit their lives. Humans were cowards, the whole lot of them.
And there was no master they feared more than death.
It would do no good for him to point out these facts. He could tell from her sharp tone and fixed glare that the duchess was unwilling to compromise on this particular matter. And, so, he would choose not to force her hand.
"Then let the enemies at your gates tremble at my coming." He raised a hand in the air. "I vow to never harm another servant of yours again without provocation, and even then, I shall seek your permission first."
A smirk touched his lips.
"Granted, Duchess Melody, you certainly reserve the right to stand in the place of the accused and settle the matter... yourself."
His insinuation was clear. Her power bristled beneath the surface, and she had yet to fall for the bait. He wanted to see it with his own eyes, but perhaps another time. Becoming a vassal of her village needed to take priority.
She seemed to relax at that point. Perhaps she believed him.
He reached forward and grabbed the kettle, pouring them both a cup of tea. He watched as the dark liquid sloshed against the inside of his cup. Cress picked it up, and as was his custom, brought it to his nose to give it a sniff.
He never trusted his eyes. Ears could deceive him.
The heart, above all things, was the worst offender. Even now, it thrummed against his ribcage at his proximity to Melody. Her power set him on edge and he wanted to fight her. At the same time, her beauty stirred anxiety in his gut—each time his eyes fell upon her own, his breath hitched in his chest and he could not exhale until she broke her gaze away from his own.
They were playing a game—a silent conversation embedded within the verbal one.
He wanted her.
Her power, her domain. Her touch upon his skin.
Cress pushed those thoughts aside and took a sip of his tea, forcing himself to focus on her words.
It seemed this was a festival to celebrate the changing of one season to another. If Cress were honest with himself, a small part of his interest was piqued to behold such camaraderie, especially between bordering kingdoms. He learned she was from another nearby village, and had received formal training at the hands of a grand swordmaster.
His eyes drifted to the sword on her back once more. Perhaps it wasn't as useless a tool as he previously believed.
Her offer was an intriguing one, and it would serve his purpose.
"From the sounds of it, you seem to have made up your mind."
He drained the last of his cup and set it back down on the table. It was bitter to his tongue, yet undeniable in its effects to aid his digestion of the poorly seared flesh of the boar carcass he'd been feasting on for a week when he arrived in Truffle Village.
Some things were hard to swallow, but that did not mean it would not benefit him in the end.
"Your invitation is far too kind for the likes of me." He inclined his head in a show of false humility.
What need did an emperor have for humility?
"It would be my honor to accompany you. I do desire to learn of your land's customs, and what better way to do so than to see its leaders first hand? Though, might I propose a question? Consider this the first of many."
He folded his muscular arms over his barrel-like chest and arched a single brow at her.
"Why not use this opportunity to subjugate these... Dukes? Just as you surmised my strength, I have surmised your own as well. I desire to see you unleash your true power. Crush these fools, and rule all of this territory. I will stand by your side as the commander of your forces and crush any who object to your rule."
He felt it stir—the evil that lurked in his heart. The thought of committing such a heinous act caused his pulse to quicken.
Should she commit such an act...
"The weak are fit for little else than to be trod upon. Why not do them a favor and put them out of their misery? Or is that contrary to the customs of the Pig Demon Duchies? Perhaps I have much to learn indeed."
[1,209/3,655]
Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 10:32:57 GMT -8
It became clear that Cress harbored the need for blood of the battlefield, he desired to be in the thick of it, and he boldly demanded her to remember him as being sharper than any blade; as a total stranger she could only take heed of his words at face value. If he wanted to challenge her in a fight, he would have done so from the start, rather than drag her along under false pretences. A slight smile crossed her face, “A living weapon? I have been told I am lethal with a blade but I am more than that. Surely you have other talents? ” Melody seemed hopeful, she was interested to know what his interests were apart from being a blood thirsty mogul, and had no idea of the torment he had been through to be fueled by so much rage. The more she thought about his choice of words, the more she became concerned, she already noticed similar signs of murderous intent in her long time rival Icecap, who was born five years after she began her sword training, and has been doing everything in his power to challenge her every single day save for today being that it is a festival.
The vow not to lay hands on her subjects eased her heart slightly, she half expected him not withholding that promise because he seemed short tempered, perhaps that tactful attitude of his imaginary war would allow him refined control if it ever came down to it. Melody was quick to respond to the instance of villagers accused of stepping out of line, “Treason is punishable by death. If the person is a minor, the punishment is exile, children are free to make mistakes, and must learn of the consequences that brings to become better people.”
Perhaps this statement would allow him to reflect on his own childhood and the mistakes he made to shape the man he is today.
The tea being served broke away at the tension in the air, the allure of being so close in proximity felt like a gravitational pull by simply looking into his eyes, and it was human instinct to feel exactly the same way about him that he felt about her. In the back of her mind, it was utter nonsense, she had no interest in a relationship of any kind to cloud her thoughts with. The bitterness of the tea would quell such a ridiculous notion, she breathed in the steam as brought the cup close to her lips, and indulged in the hot liquid for a moment; tasting the natural flavors of nature in a single drop.
Regardless of the reasoning behind his passionate choice of words, he was playing along with her, and he was willing to accompany her to meet the neighboring Dukes. The idea of challenging her former master’s position crossed her mind the day she met him, she resented him for turning away orphans such as herself, and being the youngest she nearly starved due to his lavish lifestyle that brought her near the brink of death.
“War. Has changed far from a battlefield between the strongest. Among the Pig Demon Duchies, wealth is the greatest influence to turn the tide of the competition, and while I am responsible to the oldest village since Oolong first reigned supreme; it was never my intention for that to be enough. I train every day to become stronger in my physical prowess. I trust the town council has the same desire for us to surpass ten thousand koku, I diverted zeni into funding new projects in order to grow economically, and with steady growth I will eventually have enough power to overcome the neighboring villages. I would keep the present lords to control the lands, however, I cannot be in two places at once. Simply pillaging the land does more damage than good and that is not my main goal. I have every desire to control the Western Lands and my final feat will be Oolong City the most formidable foe of all. With redlight district haboring prostitution and gambling casinos my rural farmlands are nothing compared to the zeni those businesses bring.” Melody looked away to stare at the floor with a quivering brow, the level of filth of the City had on full display disgusted her, but even if she did control Oolong City she would have to allow such sinful practices to continue if she wanted to remain in control.
After a beat, she was able to meet Cress’ gaze with newfound confidence, “The duchies only allow leaders to be elected by inheritance or challenged for being unfit to rule by an authorized duel. I have been fortunate to have Duke Glacier’s recommendation to remove Duke Trumpet from his former position over Truffle village which the duchies collectively approved. Murdering these fools will not automatically allow for control of their lands, a single economical strike is what I decided on, their greed is what will allow me to take control. I bet my life on it.” It was apparent that she was not against the idea of killing her opponents but the act was not beneficial without the approval of the duchies.
“Our meeting is simply a mutual agreement to retain our lands, as long as there is peace, there is nothing to concern ourselves with. It is only a matter of time until I can purchase the lands with an offer they cannot refuse.” Melody smiled genuinely, it was her desire to achieve so much, with what little time she had left in her lifespan. “At the rate of economic growth at present, it is not enough, and the village council has recently brought my attention to lost relics which will speed things along. We will look for them together.” It was not made optional to the half demon, she was involving him whether he wanted to or not, as it served his best interests for becoming equally if not greater in power as the Duchess.
[1,004] [TWC 3,877]
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 12:43:54 GMT -8
He should have known she would concoct some excuse as to why she could not subjugate her enemies.
The corner of his mouth twitched as his lip threatened to curl into a sneer of disgust. Cress did not allow himself to show such displeasure, and so his mouth became a thin hard line instead.
It would do no good to insult the Duchess—not after she had given him exactly what he desired. His goal was accomplished, but his ultimate desire was far from completed.
Still...
To hear Melody speak so lowly of war and battle, it grated against his pride. Where was her own pride? Was she truly satisfied with using diplomacy and tactics to achieve her goal? He supposed it was better than if she had no ambitions to rule at all. So, on that note, he would defer to her.
"It isn't that your plan doesn't carry merit. I would only suggest this, as an outsider unfamiliar with your ways: consider the manner in which these Dukes and their territories scheme against you. You are a woman, a mere Earthling. On top of that, your strength is undeniable. It is an insult to some."
He let out a derisive snort.
"Perhaps, if I were a piteous fool, I would also feel insulted. I do not. An emperor has no time for such petty squabbles. Make no mistake—this clandestine effort of yours for the sake of the people's approval might prove to be fool's errand. I say crush them while you have the chance or you may never get another. I've lived long enough to know that even when the land is ravaged by war and pestilence, with enough time, it will restore."
He decided he'd said enough on that particular matter. She was the one who understood the land's customs and the expectations of its people. It was something he would need to learn if he were going to rule with an iron fist.
She did not seem swayed by his words once she spoke after a measured silence. The whole ordeal seemed to trouble her greatly.
He shook his head, turning his gaze away from her for the first time.
What rubbish! Caring for others only bred weakness in the heart. Was that not what Mother had taught him? The cruel demoness had beaten him to the brink of death relentlessly, day after day, decade after decade. Yet it wasn't until his first genuine attempt to kill her failed that the lesson she sought to instill in her son began to dawn on Cress.
There was no room for weakness. Melody was bound only by her own morals and desire to uphold old traditions. Yet at the heart of every tradition resided a single man or woman who sought to influence the will of others.
No one would influence him.
"I see... I must confess, duchess, that your ways are strange to me."
He lowered his crossed arms and stared at his scarred hands.
"My life has been nothing but pain and struggle. Fight to survive, or be slaughtered like the rest. Perhaps there is merit to your underhanded tactics—I have seen greed fell more than one despot before."
In the end, what would it matter? All of it would be his some day.
Yet as he grew to know Melody more and more, Cress realized there was hesitance on his part when it came to the thought of conquering her territory.
He chalked it up to gratitude that he could now call her village home. Gratitude, and no other trivial emotion...
And then she said it. He fixed his stare on her.
She did not appear to be jesting with him. That would serve her well in the future. Cress did not like being toyed with or deceived. He was a man of his word, and he expected the same from others. Yet it did not answer the most important question.
"Are you... deciding to trust me?"
He stretched his long arms high above his head, growing stiff from sitting so long in one place. It was a surprisingly languid maneuver considering the man easily carried several dozen pounds of muscle attached to his frame.
"Trust is earned, not given. That is what you said to me at the beginning of this meeting. Yet you would entrust me with news that is vital to the long term survival of your village. You are either foolish, or quite the gambler."
Abandoning his pillow, Cress turned and stretched out upon the tatami mats beneath him. Hands behind his head, one leg folded over the other, he gazed up at the ceiling above his head. The hot springs had relaxed him far more than anticipated; coupled with the tea he drank, he was beginning to feel lethargic. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this relaxed.
Something about Melody put him at ease.
"Nations who refuse to go to war... strange powerful relics that can turn the fortunes of an entire village... the Pig Demon Duchies is a strange place, indeed. Very well. You clearly are leaving me no choice in the matter. I will help you find these relics, yet if you still choose not to crush your enemies, I will find myself sorely disappointed."
[ 882 / 4,537 ]
Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 13:21:59 GMT -8
”My presence is an insult to some?” Melody laughed finding humor in that possibility, being a formidable woman had its merits, “Even so their opinion has not been brought to my attention. I remain unchallenged and I will only continue to push through my limits to no end.”
Her violet eyes narrowed at his understanding of what it took to restore growth after the land has been ravaged, “You clearly are unfamiliar to what it takes to grow anything from the earth. After a while a land becomes barren after overuse. Even that succulent boar you were stuffing your face with, would have lived elsewhere, if it were not indulging on truffles that grow in our territory...giving you nothing else to eat. That is a problem is it not? Leave managing the lands properly to its maximum potential to me.” She propped her elbows on the tea table and raised her hands to her face with curled fingers pressed against her cheeks, “I do enjoy a good roasted boar that has feasted on a diet of truffles. It has a nature’s spice to it.”
The mention of his dark painful past was something she could relate to without knowing any of the details, she lowered her hands back on her lap after her short lived daydream, and reflected on his words for a moment, “When will the pain ever end? I ask myself this question all the time, occupying my days with a myriad of tasks set by the council, and it is still the fuel that motivates my ambitions. With every success I feel less burdened and I feel a fragment of myself peel away at the change.”
Melody met his gaze about her ability to trust him forthright, “The task that is set before you is how you will earn my trust. I have no fear of the outcome that brings. Come what may, I will face it head on, and I feel we get along already. Don’t you?” She smiled at him, he had so much potential, but words were just words to her; action would seal their fate. “Zeni is what I live for, I am a gambler in that sense, but I actually do not gamble currency, I invest it. Which is why I am investing in you.”
The Duchess chuckled sweetly at Cress’ desire to crush her enemies, “I will do everything in my power, to make sure I am not a disappointment, and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me if I lose in a fight. I can promise you that I will learn from it and become even stronger.”
A servant kneeled down outside the guest room paper paneled wooden sliding doors, a boy’s voice sounded off, it belonged to the same individual who had announced Cress’ arrival, “Preparations for the sake spring ceremony are now complete, my lady. Do you wish for anything else?”
“Good. Could you send over more clothes for Lord Belial? The clothes that were brought do not fit his frame, surely he should be given more options before we meet with the Dukes.” She mused.
“Certainly, I will do my best.” Portobello got up and ran off to do her bidding as swiftly as possible.
“Say, do you desire the title of Count or Earl? Which do you prefer?” She crawled on her hands and knees across the floor to draw herself near Cress and pulled the right sleeve of his hakama out of his tied obi belt. “The silk will wrinkle if you tuck the sleeves away, it will have to remain under running water to smooth it over, and become stiff as a result which is not comfortable to the original texture. Also, bearing your chest may be unbecoming if everyone else is wearing clothes...unless you like being the center of attention…” She chuckled softly as she smoothed his loose sleeve over between her hands on instinct. There was a reason the villagers adored her, she had a motherly nature to rule over them, and in return she protected everyone with her undeniable strength.
[674] [TWC 4,571]
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2019 13:29:27 GMT -8
At once the servant scurried away. He couldn't help but note the urgency in her servant's tone and movements; they seemed eager to do their master's bidding. He tilted his head back, turning the room upside down as he watched the man disappear. Was it the same man as before? Not much time had passed, but Cress wasn't even positive he remembered what that particular servant looked like. He vaguely remembered fur... and that was about it. He couldn't be expected to recall every face he battered and bullied, now could he? He was an emperor.
Emperor... one who ruled an empire. That was his destiny, cultivated in him for decades. The heir of two kingdoms. So, when Melody suggested two titles to him, he cringed at the thought. "What is an earl, or a count? Some sort of title? Tch. I have no need of either. I am the son of two empires, and some day, I'll unite this world under its one rightful ruler." For what other reason was he born, than to fulfill his destiny? "However, I am... amenable to whichever grants me a portion of your territory."
She crawled toward him then, and he shot up to a seated position. The hairs on his arms bristled, and his power level spiked sharply at her approach. It was his battle instinct—an instinct finely tuned over decades of never-ending conflict. How many had tried to end him over the years? How many lives had he stolen as a result? All he knew how to do was fight and kill; Cress was a natural born war machine capable of great swaths of destruction and he knew he was only scratching the surface of his potential.
But she did not seek to attack him. It was the opposite. Melody dug out the tucked sleeve from his obi and stroked it, smoothing the wrinkles and providing an impromptu education on the nature of the silk of his hakama. "W-What—?" How strange to hear such words from the mouth of a warrior. His brow furrowed as he watched her. Now he felt tense for a different reason entirely—her tone was soft, almost motherly. It tugged at a place deep within him—a place that often sought to be loved and nurtured. Cress didn't like it at all. He hopped to his feet and paced away from her to the opposite side of the room.
"Why should I care what happens to this robe? I plan to discard it the moment I deem it appropriate. I'm more than capable of killing a large beast and wearing its skin, if I should so choose—it would be more preferable to something as foolish as this." Despite his harsh words, he made a mental note to properly fold and store the hakama when he did remove it. "So... when should we prepare? I plan to wear my own armor for the occasion."
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Melody
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Post by Melody on Nov 21, 2019 14:25:05 GMT -8
“Both are the same title, it is a matter of preference, and it is directly below mine.” Melody clarified, “You will be given land to do as you wish. We can go over the specifics of what you plan to build there some other day. It is important that you understand what that kind of responsibility entails.”
When he explained there was a rightful ruler, she assumed he was speaking on her behalf, and she smiled at him while hovering over him still smoothing over the fabric. After a while he became nervous at her touch, completely unaware that she was indirectly getting into his personal space, and soon enough he escaped her grasp. He was across the room now, he was not accustomed to the fashion style of the Pig Demon Duchies, and she wondered what exactly went on in his mind to resist. “Well part of being a ruler, involves enjoying refined meals, clothing, and leaving a strong impression with these luxuries. We can try something else for you to wear then… for appearances sake. Duke Lancelot, of Tundra Village, is bare chested but that is covered by the fact that he is a rabbit beastman with fur. He is also the undefeated champion of the Ice Block Academy so he wears the belt. Clothing defines a man’s worth if done properly.”
Melody stood up on her feet from the floor slowly, as the kimono she was wearing limited her movements, and the long sleeves almost reached the ground. The silks used in her outfit, had dainty patterns, and embroidery throughout. It was something that took days if not months to create which held significance to how she carried her regal appearance.
“Well, just like how you took offense to my sword earlier, wearing your grandiose armor would carouse the same attitude among the Dukes. As far as I could tell, it is not comfortable in a relaxed setting, if you feel insecure without it, I will gladly provide you with a different armor that can be worn under a much more fitting hakama from my personal armory. So, it is up to you, and you can also keep a sword as long as it remains sheathed during the meeting.”
Everything she had decided for him was testing his honesty, she knew that very well from past experience, and she did not fear him no matter how many times he tried to intimidate her. If there was anything she hated the most were fictional stories, Cress had been telling her many lies, as she found them to be a waste of her time to listen to, but rather than question him she wholeheartedly believed that the truth would prevail no matter what. The moment Melody discovered the truth for herself will inevitably ruin his plans. The Duchess clearly stated that treason resulted in death and she was going to keep that promise if he crossed her any point. Lies were not important at present, she already told him she did not care for his past, and she wanted to see him as the man he kept claiming to be.
Portobello arrived, in the same fashion of kneeling by the door, speaking loudly through the sliding doors which Melody opened, looking down at him with a knowing smile.
“I brought over what you ordered, my Lady.” He announced as several servants lined up against the wall holding a different piece of clothing, all finely made, among them were a pair of leather boots, cloth shin high boots with open toe sandals, and several different robes that were slightly different from the hakama. One of which was a kaori coat and kosode set.
The teenage boy stood idly by, wearing a sigil to cover his face, he was training to be a witch to support his household after his parents passed and carried on the responsibility to raise his younger sister Morel ; who left the throne room before Cress arrived. Melody supplemented the siblings income in exchange for being her personal assistants in order to pay for the land tax for their small rice farm. Eventually Portobello’s witchcraft would become his primary occupation after he had mastered it and cease to be of servitude but he was taking his time as he rather enjoyed the Duchess’ company.
“You want to learn about our culture? I will teach you the most basic one: proper representation. Now quit wasting time and choose something.” Melody reminded Cress.
[744] [TWC 5,315]
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