Gojo rapidly twists his neck and bears baneful, bestial eyes when he sees Elska curled into the Titer's arms, "LOVE!", he shouts, raging into a fit to throw Toji off of him. "FUCK THIS!", patience dead, he uses his teleportation to appear beside Suguru.
"Gojo...be careful, she's h-"
"Fucking cunt…", Satoru seethes as he reaches down to snatch Elska from Getou's grasp with one arm and slugs the Titer with the other. Hoisting her up into his own arms, the Silver Shaman glares at the blood running down the Getou's nose and neck but smirks once viewing where Elska's fangs were forcibly ripped out.
"WHAT THE FUCK!?", Naoya collapses in tears as he kneels down next to Choso and reluctantly watches him violently convulsing. The stories he's heard of Toji's reaction to the fateful bite as well as his own instantly hints to everything the Zenin needs to know but it is of course, one of his worst nightmares. He looks up to Toji and wails, "Whyyy????!", putting together that Choso has been turned by the way his energy is beginning to alter. "Don't tell me she...there's no way she...what the fu...", experiencing tell tale signs of a panic attack, the Zenin lowers his head in anger as his left eye twitches; the fear of Choso now being dependent on her in the same way sardonically ridicules his mind, "NO, NO, NO!"
Toji's distress compels him to gauge Elska's status while placing a sympathetic hand on Naoya's shoulder to quietly say, "Look boy, I know this isn't what you wanted but it's something that was bound to happen sooner or later...", but his cousin's shining red eyes shake him with the amount of animosity they're producing.
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN?! F-FUCK YOU!", The blonde cannot stomach such a nonchalant response for it does not equally measure to Naoya's disposition of feeling like his entire world is crumbling.
Toji as well isn't okay with this but he's trying his best to maintain his wits while everyone else has seemingly lost theirs.
Genghis wipes the blood from his nose with trembling hands before grabbing Suguru's arm to make him stand, "Let me see it.", he kindly demands, checking over the severity of his pupils paired punctures. "Luckily, it's not deep like I feared…", he soothes, while smiling to Suguru. Only because of the reflection in Getou's dark eyes is Genghis able to tell that they need to be ducking to dodge an energy infused attack from Gojo. After dropping with Suguru and rolling to his side, the faux head's voice raises, "YOU NEED TO STOP THIS SATORU GOJO! WE NEED TO TALK!"
"You're pretty nimble for an old fuck, you know that?", Gojo growls in annoyance and regains his hold on Elska. His inimical eyes dart to Suguru, back to Genghis and then to all of the walls for inclusion, "Mark my words, I will fucking kill every last one of you."
Elska challenges her lover in the lowly voice, "No, my sweet Sati, you will not..." When his stormy eyes shoot down to her, she grabs his face, "I could taste it, something formidable is coming.", and then she looks over to Suguru who exhales with relief. Sympathetically, she motions her wrist for the Titer to near them but his eyes initially glance from hers to Gojo's with uncertainty. "Come here.", she commands, him swallowing air and cautiously stepping towards them. She grazes her fingertips across Getou's wound, healing the spot while enjoying the apprehension in his bottomless brown eyes.
Toji walks over to them and dips down to lean his face into Elska's but halts the notion once he realizes he's staring into colorful dashes, "Yes doll, something is coming and we need to talk about it now." His face scrunches while attempting to discern which Elska he's talking to but is left confused when she sweetly smiles and bats her lashes, flashing the multicolored warning that would typically signal shit hitting the fan.
"Then I'm for it, my beloved."
Sensing his doll, Toji cautiously bows in and gently kisses her forehead but ends the interaction quickly before turning back to Naoya who's still fuming next to his seizing friend, 'The Choso thing is going to be fucking hard to smooth over…'
Gojo backs Elska away from everyone, leaning against the wall on the opposite side next to her mutilated, anchored wing. When his eyes take in the details of the dangling flesh, his energy begins to surge, guilt cascading him over the fact that he failed to protect her yet again. His heart begins racing much faster than he's used to. The last bits of adrenaline leaking from his brain swarm his heart into action and direct his eyes down to the being himself.
"I knew Choso was a fucking problem, I TOLD YOU GUYS! I FUCKING KNEW IT!", Satoru gathers energy in his hand and aims it at the hybrid, "I fucking knew it…", but is stopped by the weightless hand that comfortably wraps around his forearm and lowers it. "Love, WHY!?", he too now is becoming emotional, feeling he's losing control of this situation involving her.
"Sweet Sati…", Elska brings his arm toward herself while looking up at him, "I told you I would turn him once he was ready..."
Satoru's eyes resentfully narrow as he recalls that conversation with the other Elska but his eyes bounce around as the muddle sinks in, "She said that, Love...", Gojo's tone soft and wounded as if this is the first time he's ever truly considered the repercussions of Elska blending.
"WHAT?!", Naoya now stands and hastily approaches them. He grabs Elska's arm and cries, "BABY WHY!? WHY AREN'T WE ENOUGH FOR YOU?!" The golden light travels over so the Zenin decides he has no choice but to regain his composure, although it feels impossible. Pulling his arm back and twisting to face away, Elska's whimpers reel his view in once more. While staring into her colorful but completely torn expression, he perceives the green and amber dashes flicker with weakening light before disappearing completely, "…Why is this happening…", his voice cracks as he can't make heads or tails of anything yet.
"You are enough, I swear!! I don't know why...why I...", Elska sobs, her normal tone resurfacing. She lifts her hands to her face and continues to cry as the culpability completely consumes her. 'Why did I do that?! Why did I want to?!', she screams internally, breaking at the sight of Naoya's heartache. "You three are my everything…", she quietly whines. She feels Gojo lift her up more until her face is resting against his shoulder and takes advantage of the solace hiding into him brings.
"My love…", Gojo sighs to hearing the confirmation and veracity in her shattered voice. He holds her closer, trying to not lose control as it's painfully obvious that there truly is something more going on with her than he's aware. "I'm not angry with you love, I just want to understand…", he whispers before kissing her head, securing her tighter after noticing Genghis creepily eyeing her.
Toji speaks up again, "Y'all, you need to hear what I've heard before this turns into something we cannot take back or even influence." He glances over to Naoya who broods and feels his heart twinge, hoping his cousin will be in better spirits after being given the same elucidation. Compelled by reason, Toji now looks over to Genghis, "Let's do this now.", and receives a nod from the Titer. "Please, just trust me on this you two.", he pleas while addressing Naoya and Gojo.
Choso's body finally rests in place which catches everyone's attention but not as much as Naoya. Deliberation proceeds amongst the others but everything freezes for the Zenin as he studies his friend's arcadian stillness. A thousand thoughts cross his mind but none of them provide even an inkling of comfort as he sorts through the feelings of betrayal and brotherhood.
Naoya grunts, "Damn it, Cho...", deciding to remain by the being's side and goes to lift Choso up but is surprised when Getou approaches.
Suguru calmly gestures, "Believe it or not Zenin, I care for him too…", which riddles Naoya with distrust.
Naoya refuses to say anything but scoffs for acknowledgment when Getou uses his gravity manipulation to float Choso off of the ground. Blood drips from the being onto the floor and both him an Naoya notice it at the same time, leading Getou to confess, "I didn't understand in the moment what Choso was trying to accomplish...I felt I had no choice but to attack…", a qualmish persona squirming until he's able to take in the fleeting but visible understanding from Naoya.
Genghis waits for everyone to be ready to move before autonomously turning around and leading them towards a space that will be large enough to occupy them all. 'I need to speak with Amnessia to figure out what happened.', he thinks to himself while dreading that bit of information coming to light, 'I guess there's no avoiding it though…I may as well steer the storm.'
Walking behind Toji who occasionally turns around to check on Elska, Gojo throws her up in the air to playfully change her position. Anger devours Satoru but he can't bring himself to lash out on her so he secretly submits to the unknown which he's more than eager to understand. He now holds her as he would a child, her legs wrapping around his waist and her arms around his neck. He whispers, "I love you.", and relaxes when he hears her respond with, "I love you too. Thank you, Sati…"
With this change in position, Elska is forced to view Naoya behind them who tries to hide his menacing scowl but it's clear to her that he still doesn't approve of what happened. She tears up and peels her eyes away as he seemingly refuses to look at her anyways.
'My prince…what have I done?', she thinks as a quiet whimper escapes. She feels Satoru's arms tighten which gives her reassurance but she silently cries against his shoulder and mindlessly tracks the walls as they pass. Desperately wishing she could fix this or take it back she intrinsically screams, "I am so sorry!!"
Naoya felt Elska watching him but couldn't bring himself to return the gaze. He's caught in a whirlwind of emotions in regards to her and Choso both, wishing he'd taken his friends affliction more seriously. He hears her voice inside his head though cry, "I am so sorry!!", which causes him to lose his breath and stumble. He feels a hand hold him up as he staggers, "Thanks...", until he realizes that its actually Getou, "Wh-what the fuck?!"
Suguru draws in hand back, disappointment sharp on his tongue, "Just trying to help..."
"Well, fuck off.", Callously jerking away, Naoya's brain replays the voice he heard but is stuck in disbelief as his wide eyes fixate on Elska.
'Am I losing my fucking mind?!', he questions himself but there's the sudden intrusion of Toji's voice that coolly assures, 'Doll, it's okay, give it some time. Naoya will understand.'
Now uncertain of his own mental health, Naoya grits his teeth and yells out loud through them, kneeling down to one knee.
Toji turns around and quickly runs towards Naoya, whispering, "You can hear us, can't you?", and tucks his hands underneath Naoya's arms to lift him into a hug, "Look Naoya, its okay…this is normal…"
"Toji...what the fuck is happening right now?!"
Redirecting everyone's attention, Toji waves everyone to go ahead but glances over to Elska who has now tensed up in Gojo's arms and nods while thinking, 'Let me talk to him, it'll be alright doll.' She tucks her head into Satoru's neck and cries but Toji says out loud, "We will catch up in just a sec.", and exhales when Gojo, Genghis and Suguru continue walking.
"Toji, what the fuck is going on?", Naoya's shaky voice is muffled by his large cousin's chest as he's crushed with affection, "I swear to God I just heard both of you in my head!"
Once everyone is a safe distance away, Toji pulls Naoya back and looks down at him. With a softened expression, he begins, "Yeaaahh, it's...umm different. We're able to communicate through thought but...", Toji sighs, "I've only known the other Elska to do that purposefully. But I find that you just have to think said thought with as well as the other person in mind." After stating it, Toji considers that her feeding from Getou and turning Choso may have awakened her to a point to where the two are truly starting to mesh, turning the corner of his mouth down.
"Why is this happening? How could she turn him? How could he do that? Why the fuck are we suddenly telepathic?!", Naoya begs for an answer that would make sense but is only met with a long huff from Toji. "Does she love Cho too? For how long?", the confidence the Zenin once felt with their bond deteriorates as he begins to question if he has any space in her life, and her in his.
Toji grabs Naoya by the back of the head and pulls him back in, embracing him to provide the comfort needed, "I don't think she has those feelings for Choso, boy. I think a part of her subconsciously knew she would need to produce strong fighters." Naoya starts to hyperventilate a bit which weighs on his conscious but he proceeds with honesty, "The King is coming for her Naoya and he means to kill the rest of us…"
Naoya gasps and slowly retracts while staring at the ground, eyes wider than usual. He opens his mouth to speak but doesn't know what to say so he finally looks at Toji and searches his eyes for any indication that this would be a sick joke but is forced to face the fact that it is not.
"He's going to try and take her back?!", Naoya doesn't mean to be so loud but the shock of this message betrays his manners. Suddenly, without much more perspective needed, he resolves to not let that happen and becomes emotionally composed, wiping away his tears. Toji slowly nods in confirmation which provokes Naoya to say, "Over my dead fucking body! She is ours…and we hers. This shit doesn't come with a return policy!", the Zenin aims his sights up ahead to the rest of the group as they begin to turn the corner. His feet begin moving before he's ready to walk, "I will not lose her to anyone, do you understand me? I feel for the guy but that is simply ridiculous."
Toji stands in awe at how quickly Naoya recuperated and allows himself a small, unexpected smirk. The giant feels astonished with how selfish of a statement Naoya made but can't help but feel relieved that it was said. He, himself has been so worried about the King's arrival and what choice Elska would make but feels rejuvenated by Naoya's territorial stance and realizes something critical. Quietly he speaks under his breath, "If we give her up then of course she would leave…but if we fight for her, she'll have reason to stay…" He jogs up to Naoya, throws an arm around him and then shares, "You're right Naoya…you're absolutely right."
Elska continues to sulk into Satoru, wishing she wouldn't have hurt the others so badly with her actions. She's positive that Gojo and Toji are both bothered by what happened too, they're just better at hiding their disappointment than her prince. When she repositions her head and looks up, she's force-fed Choso floating by Suguru, her eyes shutting into tears while remembering how eager she was to bite him. She's only brought out of her self-pity when she hears Suguru coo, "No more tears little one…", and feels her eyes blare open as theirs meet. Gojo's starts to rub her back as if he's trying to remind her that he's still there so she tucks her head into him and staves off the caring gesture from the Titer. After sharing a sigh, she mentally spirals back into her guilt until her mind abruptly registers, 'BABY! I FUCKING LOVE YOU, DON'T YOU LEAVE ME!', the voice prompting her head up until she sees Naoya and Toji jogging behind them. A wildly wide smile finds its way across Elska's face as her prince bumps into her and Gojo, dipping her backwards and planting a heavy and passionate kiss to her lips.
"Woah there, don't knock her to the floor you weirdo!", Gojo chuckles out, enjoying the change in Naoya's demeanor as he watches them make up, 'That was the quickest tiff ever!' He stops walking and feels Toji's large hand on his left shoulder and turns his head to see a proud smile across the giant's face. "That was a fast and effective pep talk, what the hell did you say to him?", Satoru asks before adjusting her again to get a more supportive hold under her back.
Toji watches Naoya intensely smother Elska as tears run down her face, almost feeling her relief radiating through the hall. "I just reminded him that she doesn't have those kinds of feelings for Choso." He has to step aside to let Suguru pass by them silently, not expressing anything outwardly at all. 'This has got to hurt the fucker…', Toji thinks, almost feeling sorry for the Titer's disposition after having tasted how much he cares for her. Toji shrugs it off though and allows Naoya a few more moments of obnoxious affection before he redirects them to continue following Genghis.
Gojo wishes he could agree about her and the being but he remembers back to the time when she divulged her clan's history to them both…and how she behaved towards Choso. Hiding his doubts he says, "That was a good call because Zenin was being super-fucking-depressing back there!", and laughs as Naoya shoots him an agitated glare. "You were!", he adds before walking forward with Elska.
"You heard me right, baby?! I love you!", Naoya nearly cheers as he follows behind them, taking her extended hand into his own. He holds it, linking them together as she beams over Gojo's shoulder with puffy eyes. The sight alone tells him that her love for him has not faded one bit and all of the indulgence causes him to think to her, 'You are my intended, my beautiful bride to b-' , but yelps with surprise when Toji slaps him in the back of the head.
"I can hear you too, you little shit.", Toji interjects, but with a chuckle following. Placing his hands into his pockets he begins to wonder how this will play out once Choso wakes up. He groans to himself at the thought of the being doing to her what he did upon his own awakening; a malicious glare forming at nothing particular while they continue their underground hike, 'This is not good…'
Finally, Genghis reaches the room they were aiming for and opens the door, holding it for everyone to enter. With commanding tension in his voice, he asks, "Suguru, could you arrange these chairs and couches in a more effective manner?", and holds out his arms for Choso to be lowered into. Walking the heavy muscular being over the window perch, Genghis gently sets him down into a sitting position. Looking down at the being he clicks his tongue and mumbles, "You might get me into more trouble yet. You're incredibly bothersome. I better address this before they're left with only your side of the story…"
Gojo watches Suguru manipulate gravity to join all of the seats into a large circle and sneers, "At least you're good for something…fucking cunt…", and aggressively rams his shoulder in passing while carrying Elska towards the couch.
"Sit in the middle if you're just going to hog her!", Naoya exclaims with his hands on his hips. He smiles approvingly when Satoru does just that but frowns when he keeps Elska in his lap. Naoya walks over to his right and plops down next to them, soon grabbing and holding Elska's hand as Toji finds his way to the left side. Feeling her soft hand makes him feel slightly embarrassed for the way he acted before but as he opens his mouth to apologize, Elska beats him to it and says, "You have no reason to be sorry, my prince…what I did was unforgivable…" His response flies off his tongue, "It was wrong my princess but I can most certainly forgive you if there's more to this.", taking a deep breath as he lifts her hand to kiss it. He repositions himself into the corner of the couch and lets her outstretch her legs over him, happily resting his left hand on her knee.
Toji notices that there are two extra seats in the circle once Suguru and Genghis sit down so he asks, "Are we expecting more?", with a curious tone.
The grey-eyed Titer now enters the room with bundles of robes and sets them on the table in the middle of the gathered circle. Toji scornfully watches as his pride has barely had time to heal from being captured and allows a scowl to rest across his rugged features with careful observation.
When Sain feels the atmosphere of the room he nervously announces, "My Name is Sain Khun." Toji's gaze is the one that riddles him with discomfort so he bows, "I apologize for my actions that day, Fushiguro. I simply needed to bring you with us for Lady Oda's sake…", squinting into the ground when he hears the hateful grunt from Toji. When he postures back up, he dutifully nods towards Elska, "We thought you would be more comfortable if you were dressed.", outstretching his arm with unfamiliar style of clothing.
"A yukata!! Maybe?", Elska leans forward and graciously grabs hold of the yellow robes and thanks Sain before orienting towards Naoya. "Would you help me my prince?", a shy smile forms for the Zenin who she honestly expected to agree without hesitation but it's only now that she notices the hatred in his luminescent eyes that are locked onto the garments.
"What kind of insulting shit is this?!", Naoya exercises the bass in his voice to a threatening low when he snatches the golden cloth from her and holds it up between himself and Suguru who sits across from him. "You think I don't know what the fuck you're up to with this?!", he snaps at the Titer but abruptly steers to Gojo in a weird way of declaration, hoping he wasn't the only one offended. Naoya specifically recalls how pissed the silver shaman was when he found evidence of Elska wearing Zenin colors.
Satoru scoffs, "I'm with you buddy…", while keeping his eyes trained on Suguru, "You fucks and your playing dress up with my love...", waiting for the wrong thing to leave the golden boy's lips. When Getou fails to react in a pleasing way, Gojo condescendingly pokes, "Are you going to pitch a tent if she puts it on?", meaning every ounce of venom. He hears Naoya bark, "Don't tell me you want her to wear this shit!?", but pays the Zenin no mind as he remains focused on Getou like a hawk ready to fly down and gouge the lungs of his prey.
Elska stands up from Gojo's lap and grabs the robes from Naoya, "Would you prefer me to keep hanging around in nothing but a blood-soaked towel?!", she asks, reprimanding the two. She completely comprehends where they're coming from but it's still a matter of mutual respect so she turns towards the Titers and quietly offers, "Thank you for bringing us clothes, we are all in desperate need of some.", before yanking Naoya by the wrist, standing him up.
"You are welcome, dear. The door on the left over there leads to a bathroom, that should suffice.", Genghis tranquilly guides as if he and Suguru haven't been at the ass end of continuous insults this entire time. He watches her drag Naoya along who clearly wishes to intimidate them all but sighs to her success as the door closes, 'That's one less intransigent for now...'
Toji shifts in his seat and cautiously picks up the largest set of robes that were clearly for him, and stands while trying to figure out how to properly wear them.
"These are a little different than the Zenin style…", he admits with frustration, finally deciding to simply don it like a bath robe, "Fuck it. It works."
Gojo peers down to his own set and decides he's not going to wear it and never moves to give the impression that he will. Elska's and Naoya's giggles can be heard from the bathroom which is frustrating but Satoru notices the slightest irritation form in Suguru's expression as well.
"Must suck to know that you'll never be able to be that for her.", Satoru arrogantly states, becoming further agitated when Getou controls his reaction, again. All Gojo can think about is how Suguru tore out her wing and then tried to force himself on her; his blood boiling to the conception of her being too weak to fight him off. He cannot stop himself from at least verbally abusing the fucker, "I guess you prefer my love being halfway dead…defenseless and unconscious."
Toji turns and scolds the silver shaman, feeling bad for having doing so all while knowing it's for the best, "Gojo, you must fucking love it when I knock your ass out. Shut it before you make things worse. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to but please quit the alpha shit until we go back home."
Elska studies Naoya while he figures out the ensemble. He drapes it across his forearms a couple different ways but then shakes his head, "No?", before flipping it around and claiming, "Got it." She can tell he's trying his best to ignore the colors so she jokingly teases, "Just pretend it's another dress, like the one I wore to the mall!", and empathetically smiles at his expression that reads that her suggestion will be impossible. Suffering from his frustration, Elska slowly lowers the robes in his hands and wraps her arms around him, "I promise you, my very being needs you Naoya. I love you more than I could ever express..."
Naoya heavily sighs but embraces her, resting his chin against the top of her head and glancing into the mirror.
"Baby! You're still hurt!", he spins her around and quivers to the small gashes from where her wings failed, inadvertently causing the towel to fall in the process. "You need feed some more…", he advises while brushing his hands up her arms, somehow still admiring how they look together in the reflection.
Leaning back into him, Elska relaxes to the feeling of his broad chest supporting her, "I'm afraid if I do right now, I'll get all goofy again. We need to find out what the Titers know, don't you think? It looks worse than it feels too. Whatever they did, it took away the pain." She shuffles herself around and embraces him once more, "Please just let them speak first. Something important is to be said, I just don't know what yet…", and listens to Naoya's heart before kissing his chest.
Naoya backs away and reluctantly holds up the under robe and lifts his chin in a way to communicate for her to raise her arms. When she does, he guides her limbs through the holes and relinquishes the fabric so she can tie the sides. While gathering the main robe, disgusted by the grotesque representation, he asks in a timid voice, "Hey, princess. You wouldn't leave us, would you?"
Not being used to him sounding so meek, she cups his face and waits for him to look her in the eyes, "Naoya, what's wrong? Why would you ask that?" When he doesn't answer she pulls him down as she raises to her toes, wanting to reassure him with a loving kiss. After his lovely hum, she breaks their meeting to reiterate, "I would never leave, I don't care what happens…", she whispers into him, "…and I will never become a Titer either.", softly laughing when a coccgrin plasters his face.
Naoya grabs her by the waist and chuckles, "Only a Zenin, right?", and starts to tickle her when she shows humorous hesitation for a response. There's a knock on the door to which he says, "We're almost done!", but it cracks open with a hand holding out a second set of large robes. "Yea, I don't think I'm wearing that shit.", but the scarred hand remains with Toji saying, "You're pants still have her blood on them, change into this or be fucking naked boy, I can't smell it much longer and not go insane."
"Thank you, my beloved…", Elska opens the door a little more to see Toji's face and smiles to him, "We'll quit messing around in here and join you guys in just a minute." Before closing it, she looks him up and down with a raised eyebrow to the yellow robes he wears that have only reminded her of horrific events prior. "You actually look quite handsome like that!", she excitedly tells him, appreciating how manly he somehow makes the robe look. Gojo can be heard in the room slinging insults which causes Toji to roll his eyes and winking before turning around to join the others.
Elska hands Naoya his Titer wear and watches him quickly figure out how they're supposed to be worn.
"Why do you seem so impressed, princess? You should know fashion is one of my strong suits.", snickering with her before getting to his knees to secure the dual obi. He notices her lingering eyes on him through the mirror and glances up to see her blushing in a daze, "What is it baby?"
Elska shakes her head and snaps out of it.,"I think I just had déjà vu…", but her voice trails off before returning, "…and this also reminds me of the first time you helped me into one of these. I was hopeless!", she giggles to stave off the eerie feeling of them having been here before and follows him with her eyes as he stands back up to tower over her.
"Yes you were!", Naoya cackles, "But I prefer you needing my help with these, it makes me feel good knowing I'm your saving grace in this area.", he twirls her around and somehow still finds beauty in the way the golden robes hug her body, even with it being the Titer's practical emblem.
"Baby…can I ask you one more question? It's not an easy one…", he feels his own presence drop as he formulates the words when her serious eyes meet his. "Do you…have romantic feelings for Cho?", he looks down at the floor towards the end, immediately regretting having asked that and feeling childish for needing to hear an answer.
Elska sighs while grabbing his hands, "Naoya, no I do not…", she brings his rough hands to her face and brushes her cheek with them before proceeding with, "The other part of me wants him though…although I don't think it's a matter of affection, more like a desire to have him as a beloved turned." She wishes that would've sounded better but is adamant about being truthful.
"What is going to happen when he wakes up, baby? You know he's going to…need you…", Naoya turns his head and shuts his eyes to the imagery of Choso ravaging her before feeding. "I can't believe this has happened…", he defeatedly states before questioning, "What caused to him to make him change like that?", he searches out loud.
Elska depresses to the reality that she's likely going to have to sleep with Choso once he comes to, "I just know that he was in a weird state and that he gave me permission to do it…", she remembers the intensity exuding the being and again realizes that although she doesn't wish it, it was the first time she ever saw Choso as a man. A chill runs down her spine when the memories bring her to when they kissed and how undeniably good it felt, even if fleeting. "I don't have many answers right now my prince, I'm sorry it's come to this though…", she feels him hug her wholeheartedly and is overcome with ease as she's held her prince, that is, until the door now flings open, showing Satoru tapping his foot impatiently.
"Love can we move this along? I want to go home…", Gojo brutishly states while wishing he'd had this kind of quality alone time with her. He stews at Naoya and scrunches his face to the robes, "You look like you've been pissed on, man!", and laughs to the annoyance plaguing the Zenin's expression. "Love, you somehow make yours look breathtaking…", and grabs Elska to lift her up again to carry her back to the couch, "Nothing at all like piss!"
"UGH, shut up! It's not like I wanted to wear it…", Naoya defeatedly huffs as he follows behind, eyeing the bloodied towel that lays in front of the sink on the floor. 'I have to get her away from all of this. I have to protect her…', echoing in his mind as he takes a deep breath to face the full knowledge the Titers possess.
Suguru attempts to fight his immediate desire to take in Elska's appearance. He knows that if he looks to soon, his interest will be framed obvious but casually staring at the walls or anything else also feels suspicious to him.
'I have to see…', he thinks to himself as he finally allows himself the moment of pure exhilaration, never having thought a woman could wear his colors so well. He feels his lips part but quickly tightens his jaw and redirects his focus while considering how Elska could dress like that all the time if she would ever fall for him. Before caught intrusively violating her with his eyes, he rolls back his shoulders and puts on his usual affect-like expression, not wanting to give Gojo or anyone else the ammo needed to shoot him down.
Once everyone is accounted for, Genghis clears his throat and wonders where to start. He glances over to the unconscious hybrid and decides that would have to come last, after he wins them over with the information about the king. 'Will Lady Oda freak out?', he asks himself while watching Gojo protectively cradle her with stormy eyes, 'And this one, what am I to do about him?'
Erecting himself upright, Genghis begins with, "Now that we're all here and decent, I need to explain to you all, Elska's forgotten past…and what the future will bring." He waits for a moment and notices Elska's attention become fixated on him but he calmly continues, "My dear, you come from a world called Gaia, a place I spent many years and grew to love." He laces his hands together uncomfortably and exhales, "You were engaged to the King of your kind but were also a pawn by our two world's governing systems, the Elders and the Council." Genghis waits to see if there are any signs of her remembering this but continues when she continues to hold interest. "Satoru Gojo stole you before you could be wed to the King…", he feels the darkened side of Gojo emerging and adds, "…but it wouldn't have mattered. Your fate as the last true Oda was already set in stone…you would've ended up in this world regardless."
Satoru has become fidgety to the fear of her mortification but is surprised when she gently squeezes his arms that wrap around her. He comprehends its her trying to communicate that everything is alright which causes him to lean his head against the back of hers as the Titer continues to speak about him as if he's not even there. She also sends a hand through his hair, instantly calming him as he feels her nails raking against his scalp, doubly reassuring how uniquely perfect she is for him, 'My love…'
Genghis picks up, "This is not to make Satoru look bad, it is my understanding that you're already completely aware of his…darkness…" When Elska nods and even claims to love that about him, Genghis finds himself laughing through his nose in adoration while noting that her affinity for toxicity may work in his pupil's favor in the long run. He proceeds to explain, "The King, Bengill Dreyrugr, was partially responsible for awakening your genetics, although against his will. He wished for you to remain human as long as possible to keep you from the bloodlust life you've come to live but his brother, Orao Dreyrugr, assaulted you in hopes of gaining the crown from the council by starting the ritual to turn you which led to King Bengill having to complete it."
Elska blankly stares into the low table between them all as she recalls blurred memories that came back to her a while ago, one's she could never sort out. "I think…", she states as she vaguely remembers her first feeding and the fanged man in which the rich blood belonged to. His face is still obscured by haze but she can see depict dark red, voluminous hair, "…I think I remember bits about him…", she states with her eyes fixed shut in an attempt to make sense of the jumbled still-frames.
Genghis softly ushers in an attempt to avoid her hurting herself, "Don't try too hard Lady Oda, we have safer methods of this kind of retrieval, I plan to have Master Suguru help you sort your mind. He is extremely capable of navigating the stages necessary."
"Tch.", Naoya blatantly protests against Getou having such insinuating intimacies with Elska while also not trusting that he wouldn't do more damage than good, "You twats are not going anywhere near her mind, you're partially to blame for her memories being manipulated in the first fucking place!"
Toji now sits up and looks to Naoya, "That was their last leader actually…and it turns out we've kinda already killed him." The giant swivels more towards Elska now, brushing her hair behind her ear, "Doll, do you remember the Titer we fought at the mall together? That was Mugoi Kokoro. It was him that gave the mis-write orders to the Titers that were helping Gojo track you back in the day." He watches all three pairs of eyes open widely with Gojo being the first to comment.
"Serves that cunt right, he should never have fucked with us…"
Suguru now chimes in, "He was all I had growing up after Master Genghis was murdered by your hand, Gojo. That aside, I wish I would've been wise enough to exercise the difference between right and wrong on my own but alas I failed to do so and became the monster Kokoro wanted me to be…a ruthless ruler." Getou hangs his head in shame but is bewildered by the compassionate expression on Elska's face; feeling that she believes him and might even be letting go of more reservations.
Gojo darts his eyes to Genghis while trying to recall ever having met the man previously, 'Would I really be the type to forget a kill?', he ponders heavily while accepting the fact that he was solely responsible for countless Titers perishing in the past. He tries to hide his confusion, not wanting to give them anything they can work with so he ultimately decides to come back to these thoughts later.
Genghis continues, "Yes, this is all true. It was one of the worst days of my life. Also a conversation for another time.", he awkwardly exhales before skipping to the next part to save them all from additional turmoil, "To make a long story short, King Bengill has vowed to bring death to us all and to retrieve Elska. I fear there is no reasoning with him as he slowly fell into madness after she was abducted." He pauses for a moment, supplying his convoluted lie with emotion before looking Gojo in the eyes, "His biggest grudges lie with the Elders…and with you Satoru Gojo." Genghis feels the maliciousness radiating off of the silver shaman but stands his ground and staves off showing his own discomfort.
Gojo maniacally cackles with Elska in his arms, "I'll just have to make sure that everyone I kill this time, stays dead.", and feels his self-control fading to the idea that, that bastard, king or not, would be dumb enough to truly enact said plans. It isn't until Elska begins to whimper that he's pulled out of his fantasy of exploding the king from torso to limb, "Love?", he asks worriedly, wondering if she could be leaning against Benghill's demise, thrusting Satoru into anxiety.
"This is all my fault.", she begins to quietly tear up. "If I'd never existed, everyone would probably be fine…", but lifts her head and locks eyes with everyone except Satoru who's behind her to show that she's not pitying herself but rather stating the obvious.
Toji grabs her hand and determinedly interjects, "Doll, if you do not wish to go with him, we will fight for you. There's no question about it. If you want to stay here...with us...then that will be what happens." He brushes his thumb over her knuckles while admiring Elska, no longer feeling selfish for harboring these thoughts.
The door opens to a young woman with long braids who interrupts and says, "Did you ever consider avoiding this bloodbath by simply going with him, though? Sounds like a whole lotta problems for dick preference.", but she's met by horrifying glares as she moseys over to the last open seat next to Genghis.
Genghis slowly turns his head in her direction and narrows his eyes, "I understand that you're upset with me, Amnessia, but please control yourself. You know as well as I do that Lady Oda surrendering wouldn't solve anything. I promise blood will spill regardless of what preferences guide her to do."
Gojo clenches his jaw in response to the woman's horrid words, already wanting to separate her head from her body, "And who the fuck might this tramp be? How dare you suggest that and think I wouldn't melt off your tongue?"
"My name is Amnessia.", infuriated with Temujin, she adamantly annoys, "Simply Amnessia, to you, psycho."
Satoru's arm twitches with the innate desire of decimation but he shakes his head with with an audaciously eerie cackle instead.
Amnessia tunes in to the stark power difference between herself and Satoru. Of course, his reputation proceeds him but actually feeling the scales of obscurity in person instantly has her regretting her attitude. After shakily inhaling to try and perfume her fear, she nervously eyes around the room until they wander to the hybrid, causing her to jump out of her seat, "What the HELL is he doing in here?!!!! Another psyc-", she shrieks but binds her lips in order to conceal her offense to Satoru.
Genghis, slumps in his chair and rubs his temples, sighing to Amnessia's terrible introduction, "And I haven't even gotten to the part about the army…"
Naoya leans forward, inquiring to the female Titer, "How do you know Cho? And what makes you think he's a psycho?!", he feels it in his bones, there's a weird connection between the two of them that beckons questions.
"Look. I was ordered to distract the hybrid from Elska but I didn't know he would turn into a whole fucking maniac after getting some kitty.", She now turns toward Genghis and angrily folds her arms, "Did you know he was a damn virgin, Temujin? He didn't know up from down! Some boyfriend you are for even doing this! What was I thinking?!!"
Naoya's jaw drops as he darts his eyes back over to the hybrid, "Did you…", astonished, he cackles in disbelief and is even intrigued by absurdity of the boyfriend remark, "Oh my God...Cho's a man, now?"
Genghis runs hands down his face as his stress levels reach a new high, "I will be completely transparent with you...", he momentarily squints his face from culpable vexation, "I indeed asked Amnessia to look after the hybrid but only because he was becoming too familiar with Lady Oda. It's dangerous for her to feed from him but even worse now, he's going to be dangerous when he wakes up. I was only trying to deviate his path and help, I swear…"
Gojo shifts Elska over so he can see the Titers clearly, but singles out Amnessia, "So you're telling me, you fucked Choso and he in turn became an aggressive fuck machine?! I at least agree with him getting too close to Elska, so for that effort, I'm actually not mad.", Satoru stretches his arms out and then cracks his knuckles together, "However…because you tried to take control of that situation, he lost it and went after her which resulted in him being fucking turned…" He amplifies his presence while glaring at Amnessia and Genghis, not being sure which one he desires to disembowel first.
Naoya rubs his eyes and releases an exasperated groan, "This is so fucked…", he states with abhorrence. "Cho wasn't ready to do anything like that, how could you force it on him!?", he starts to feel remorseful for his friend, understanding that he had an adverse reaction to being put in a situation where he was likely afraid. "You fucking Titers…"
Gojo now raises his voice as he's nearly had enough of this shitty little get-together, only wanting to teleport out of here by this point, "You're wrong, Zenin. I think Choso was faaaar past ready. I warned you of this before Naoya and I was fucking right. He had his fingers in Elska for fuck's sake!"
"WHAT?!", Toji and Suguru sound off in unison, soon gawking at each other before turning their heads away.
"EVERYONE STOP!", Elska now stands from Gojo's lap and balls up her fists by her side. She walks over to Amnessia and glares down, "Why would you do that to him?", but when she's met with silence, she becomes further frustrated and finally snaps. Before anyone can gather what's happening, Elska is toppling over Amnessia, punching her and bearing fangs as they hit the ground. She expects the pretty Titer to put up more of a fight but when she doesn't, Elska feels the lingering trauma coursing off of the girls body.
"I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT!"
"YOU FUCKING HURT HIM THOUGH!", Elska grabs the woman's throat and squeezes hard, listening to soft crunching as her neck slowly crinkles from the force. A part of her is screaming for her own body to stop, that repaying this Titer girl with pain isn't the answer. Elska dances with dichotomy for something about Amnessia charms her presence to quickly darken and soon enough, Elska is practically growling as she thinks to rip the woman's throat out.
Toji hastily runs up behind and pries Elska off of Amnessia, falling backwards onto the table with Elska thrashing in his arms. All he hears is his doll screaming, "LET ME KILL HER, LET ME KILL HER, LET ME KILL HER!", but he keeps his hold until she finally tires out, absolutely loving her ferocity but fearing what that abrupt switch meant, 'The usual signs weren't there…'
"No love…I have a better idea…", Gojo stands up to take in the display of Amnessia wheezing and smiles, "She can be responsible for Choso's new appetite once he wakes up, since you two were so keen on literally creating this miserable cluster fuck.", he turns to Genghis, "This is nonnegotiable."
Suguru hastily walks into the bathroom to dampen a couple of towels and comes back to give one to Elska. He looks at her hands and sees the split knuckles from where they met with Amnessia poor bones and finds himself torn by her unpredictability. He can't help but agree with Elska, knowing that Choso should never have been messed with but he also cares for Amnessia like the sister he never had. Without any words, he turns to Genghis and glares with disapproval before going over to Amnessia herself.
Genghis shamefully rips his view away from Suguru and sighs, addressing Gojo, "Your terms are fine but the issue remains that when he first wakes up, he will need to bond with Elska…", fully foreseeing that Gojo's hopes may get shit on. Regardless, he shakes his head slowly as he observes all of his guests' demeanor drop, "I just said he will be dangerous when he wakes up. If he does not bond with her, it will not go down well. He'll simply be too strong to control otherwise…"
Elska spins to Naoya with teary eyes, waiting for the inevitable rejection while sinking into Toji as she absentmindedly stares off again, wishing things were not so. "Why did I have to turn him…why did he consent after experiencing that with her?", she asks the universe.
"It's because he has feelings for you…", Naoya's voice sounds as empty as it feels, "Why didn't I see it before?!" Comprehending that there is likely no getting around Choso sleeping with Elska now, he turns his head up towards the ceiling and shouts in frustration as he's split between what to feel. His lover being plowed by his best friend irritates every shred of sanity he possesses, the darkest parts of his heart yearning to end the being and have it be over with, although he resists this temptation, not even being sure where it originates from. His agonizing shouting morphs into an inhumane shriek though and he doubles over onto the floor as pain shoots through his back. "AHH WHAT-…", he cries while trying to figure out where it's coming from but soon feels his skin and muscles stretching in the scapular region and seconds later, he's met with relief as large jet-black wings erupt from him, sending feathers everywhere while they uncontrollably flail.
Toji releases Elska as they both watch in awe. Naoya's wings aren't as massive as Toji's but they're close.
Elska catches a stray feather and admires how silky they are, noticing that in the light, they reflect a deep blue hue. "My prince…are you alright?", she rushes over to him and helps him stand but its all for naught as the wings continue to flap, knocking them both off balance. There's only one thing Elska can think to do in the moment to help calm him down. When she pierces Naoya's neck, he melts into the floor beneath her, moaning to the bliss even while uncomfortably pinning the aggressive feathers into the clay flooring underneath them.
Gojo claps his hands together, "Thatta boy!", and playfully nudges Toji and pleasantly shivering to the view of Elska straddling Zenin, enjoying the sight thoroughly. He bites his lip and for the first time ever, wishes to have wings and fangs of his own; wondering what color his feathers would turn out to be and how he would love to feel like the center of Elska's world once again.
'My love, won't you show me your violet violence as well?'