Her gaze went to the furry ball behaving well on the floor. At times that it's not scheming about her face, it truly resembles an adorable pet. Of course, that is if you look past its abstract image or never remember its unsightly extremities. Similarly, if one accepts it as the hideous, scheming, delusional, and pretentious little drama queen that it genuinely is. She has to admit that Halfsie is like the perfect sidekick to emphasize her beauty like those in fairytales. Not to mention, like a freebie entertainment system she never asked for but deserved. The stunts it pulled or the act it performed greatly amused her. In turn, she will treat it so-so and accept its flaws wholeheartedly. She returns gratitude like that. She nodded her head as she revels at her magnanimity.
She then cast another glance at the black creature blinking its confusion-filled eyes at her and thought; Even if unreliable 'genes' runs through its core, she wouldn't mind at all. She has also decided that whatever happens in the future, she will cover it. Halfsie is her ugly from now on.
[But damn, that appearance has got to change.]
Halfsie: ?
The host has been watching it for quite some time. Her eyes went from annoyed, realization then pity. It is clueless of what the host is truly thinking by looking at him with such tender eyes. Anyway, the absence of warning signs calmed its paranoia that the host was up to something nefarious again. Even so, being stared at with such gaze made it extremely uncomfortable. It felt like a beast pitying its prey before devouring it.
" Host, what is it?" It finally can't stand such torment.
"Nothing. I was just thinking this guidebook of yours isn't much."
"How come?" The black cotton was confused. It honestly thought the manual is already informative. It contains essential information on what they must do.
Running her fingers on the text, she advised.
" It should at least add how to properly spoil the Heavenly Being's virtues."
" That or a list on how to behave in the mission world."
The main system can send the guide and tasker through time and space. It can be deduced that such a powerful entity should foresee the dangers entailed for its employees with such a job. Aren't they afraid to lose their agents with this lack of preparation? They didn't even bother making a proper set of rules to follow. There is even no information on what they should expect or what they can or cannot do. What they gave can't even be considered a manual guide but rather a statement of a goal.
Then she recalled that they are the pioneer in this profession. She suddenly had an idea.
" Halfsie, would you like to make a guidebook for your juniors?" She set the mirror on her crossed legs and leaned back. Her palms supporting her from behind.
" Me? Make a guidebook?" It asked hesitantly then bounced in front of the host.
" But why should I, host?"
" It will help your juniors in the future." She nonchalantly replied. Her face turned towards the 'sky' wondering the likelihood of collecting an atmosphere into her space.
The system glanced at its suspicious host. Help, she says. How can she be so compassionate?
[She must be planning something.]
Its ruby eyes squinted as it watched the host acting "normal". No way would it fall on her trap.
In reality, she's just duping the furball into making one because she is mostly bored and for other reasons. First, she wants to see it being busy in other areas instead of calculating ways to frolic. Second, she's rather curious about how it will write on the mirror tablet with the "hands" it has. She envisions that it will be an entertaining sight, so of course, she has to make it happen to enjoy such a spectacle. Perhaps it will be funnier than its frustrated look after its failed attempts to frisk, she thought.
" Host, shouldn't you do it? "
" After all, you are the foremost tasker. You should guide your juniors on how to be as perfect as you."
[A perfect devil-like deceitful villain.]
It continued in its mind. This time its abstract face completely hid the disdain it has for its host's malevolence.
[ Guide to be perfect like me.] She meditated on that notion and finds it appealing.
She liked the idea of making a list to make herself beyond perfect. Even if she is stunning as hell and has a bomb-ass personality, she can not help but crave for more. She also felt that she must at least set some reminders for herself in the future. Bearing in mind that she'll be on an endless adventure, she might as well set some rules. For the most part, she has a gut feeling that eventually she will lose her rationality or her remaining morals be dulled into nothingness.
Even if she refused to acknowledge it, she can feel that something did change in her. In her last life, she will not even consider hurting those who have wronged her. She has always believed in karmic retribution. That fate will bestow the due punishments for the sinners while she just lives with peace of mind. Now, she has a very strong desire to inflict pain on them in the cruelest way. Particularly, she yearns to enjoy the sound of their screams and the sight of their horrified face.
She sighed. She knew she is slipping away. The old her has faded drastically and she can feel herself delve deeper in defilement. As a matter of fact, she is fully aware of her increasingly distorted personality yet she enjoys the process. She feels unconcerned about it and that kind of detachment is unsettling. She must do something now while she retains a shred of her morality. She must remind her future self of the principles they need to live by and must retain it no matter what. After all, it's the only remaining attestation of her original self.
" I think you're right."
After long a reflection, she finally answered. She then sat straight and fiddled with the manual again.
Halfsie couldn't believe that the host accepted its suggestion. Before it could ask to confirm, she spoke again.
" However, this manual is only for me."
[This will be a set of rules from me to future me.]
" Tell me how to write on this thing." She glanced at the fluffball who has been scrutinizing her.
[ The host will really do it? I thought it was just a joke.]
It picked up its scattered mind and answered the host.
" It's quite simple, host. You only need to think of the contents you want to exhibit. How you have envisioned in your mind, in the manual it will take form."
" Got it."
[Such alien technology is really impressive.]
She once again traced the golden letters while imagining the contents of her one-paged enchiridion. When the golden ink started to move, she was amazed.
The cursive font in the middle of the manual exists no more. The flaxen ink transformed into glittering white as it flowed to the uppermost portion of the tablet. One by one, letters started to take shape on the heading then slowly followed by a fine print just below.
The curious Halfsie bounced on her shoulder to have a better view.
It watched with gusto as snow-colored words appeared one by one.
" Guide to become a Perfect Villain ?" The childish voice read.
[ Didn't the host say she'll make a guidebook on how to be a perfect tasker?] The black ball can't help but worry if the host heard its little thoughts of her being a villain. However, realizing that it still is alive, its anxiety was put down. It thought that the word villain is perfect in comparison to scumbag, scoundrel, or evil-doer which sounds awful. Also, she-devil just doesn't fit well with the title.
If the host heard what the pretentious creature is contemplating, she won't disappoint and will do her best to live up to its claim.
When the fine print was finally in view, the goofball asked in excitement.
" Host, your name is Eve?"
[Amazing! It must be short for Evil.]
It thought the host is truly the very definition of malevolence. Even her name is proof of it.
" Eve for Evil suits you perf-"
" From Adam and Eve."
Two voices rang at the same time. One, childish asking in excitement the other, lackadaisical to the core.
Instantly, a heavy silence filled the unending space.
If the soon-to-die furball has sweat glands it would surely be sweating buckets by now.
Understanding that it stepped on a catastrophic landmine, Halfsie began to pray for the existence of the Gods the database has shown. It badly needed divine intervention right now.
Contrary to its wishful thinking, a heavenly voice sounded.
" Halfsie, it seems you're tired of living. Do you want me to help you with that?"
The gentlest touch caressed its stiffened fur. The pair of aurate eyes had slightly curved into crescents and her ideal lips have bent into an angelic smile.
Halfsie sensed it was really about to die.
[May the Gods have mercy on my pitiful soul and send me far away from this evil creature in my next life.]
It decided to shut its eyes and wait for the end. However, Halfsie remembered it didn't have any lids.
[Curse you Eve the evil host.] It whimpered pathetically.