* * *
Vajra POV...
He takes the bread straight from my hand, taking a bite of it from the other end to avoid germs. For a moment, we're just crouched here and silent as we look at each other. Me and this guy are pretty similar, so I'm sure we're thing the same thing...
Can I manipulate him?
His pupils are small and focused as he stares at me, like adrenaline courses through his veins. The both of us are on edge, I can tell by the way our bodies are tensed.
"Why are you here?" I ask, looking towards him. I don't intend to tell the truth at any point in this situation, so he'll likely do the same.
"Why are you here?" He responds, redirecting my own question back at me.
Touché. Better lie, else it would be too suspicious.
"I was making sure the girl wouldn't hurt Arthur," I say simply, going with a relatively good excuse.
It allows me to garner any possible sympathy by acting as if I care for Arthur's wellbeing, as well as makes me seem more human by implying my lack of active hostility towards the girl. He ponders the answer for a moment before weaving what I could assume to be a lie.
"I was watching in case your friend attempts to hurt her," It's the same excuse as mine, only on the other side.
It's the same play from both sides and something tells me we both see through it. Which one of us reaches for a weapon first, I wonder...
"Of course," My tone is as flat as a board, as if my soul had gone stale... as if I lacked any humanity I could've been born with. "And why are you behind me?"
I likely wouldn't win in this circumstance, but I could cause enough commotion to get Arthur over here, which places him at disadvantage. At the same time, the girl likely wouldn't interfere due to her current standing with Arthur and a lack of sympathy for the boy.
"Keep your friends close," He remarks, pointing at the roof with Arthur and the girl. He then points at me, dead-faced. "And your enemies closer. I'm sure you get it. Besides, this roof is the best view."
"I know. That's why I'm here instead of a different roof," I respond, playing a game of tennis with words.
We're both simply monitoring for now, doing recon and gathering information. Two snakes lying in the grass.
"Do you think you could win twice in a row?" He questions, tilting his head slightly.
"I don't consider what happened as winning. There is no win or lose, just surviving," I state, nodding slightly.
I feel slightly preachy speaking truthfully, but it's true and my pride can't stop me from spreading such an ideal. If I spread that idea enough, then it becomes normal. Then I'll be normal and I can get anything I need.
"I agree," Surprisingly, he responds in kind. See? This is normal behavior!
Wait, no? There's possibility that he could be telling me what I want, like an echo chamber, so I lower my guard. I narrow my eyes, reminding myself to remain vigilant against manipulation.
I nod calmly, attempting to promote a normal appearance. My stance is wide and open to promote relaxation despite the fact that I'm more than ready to defend against an attack.
"Do you think you could survive in high condition twice in a row?" He re-states, constricting to the established ideal in what I presume to be an attempt to coerce me into détente.
"I do," My response to that information is quick and concise. I seem sure on survival.
He stands up and pats his thighs before stepping back, still facing me, and leaning against the railing. Distance, but no overt hostile behaviors. He faces me to prevent a sneak attack, which shows clear alertness. I can't tell if he's still mind-gaming me or actually attempting to leave.
I watch as he steps up on the ledge before silently dropping off of it, soundless and swift. He's got the skills of an assassin, no way he dies from that. I finally look back over at Arthur, a frown overtaking my face.
The girl has grabbed his chin and, from the looks of it, just finished kissing him. God DAMNIT! I MISSED WATCHING THE FUN STUFF!
I punch the ledge, slightly chipping it before standing up and heading for the staircase. That BASTARD made me miss all the drama! I wanted to use this to blackmail him! And even worse, he left before I could discuss it with him and before he could see it!
This sucks!
* * *
Arthur Ishviel POV...
I... what... wh...
I watch as she pulls her face away from mine, the moon shining it's rays down upon her and giving her an ephemeral glow. What... what did I do to deserve this?
I stutter a little, a small blush just barely appearing on my cheeks. My hand raises up to my face, lightly touching my lips in shock. I'm so very confused. I've been fighting this girl for a month and now... this?!? Like seriously! I'm VERY average (I think), so WHAT did I do to be worthy of this?
She smiles a little before looking to her right and away from me. How am I supposed to process this? I've always put off relationships and intimacy, whether in the last life and what little I've experienced in this one, so what do I do?
"T-Thank you," I say, acting like a lamb.
I feel like such a sweet, protected summer child for no apparent reason. She nods before standing up and yawning, stretching her arms real wide. She keeps looking away from me as she stretches before speaking again.
"Anyways, it's getting late and I'm pretty tired from chasing you, so I'm gonna head back to base," She says, walking towards the stairwell. Did... did I just get rizzed up?
"... Ok," I respond after a few seconds, still being stuck in my stupor.
Part of me knows that I'll never see her after this dungeon... and that breaks my heart a little. She walks off and down the stairwell, her footsteps echoing through the night. I can't help but think about myself for a while on this rooftop.
I watch as sword grandpa walks around the corner, his arms crossed and his face frowning. This... this pathetic aged piece of filth that told me to jump.
"She's just trying to manipulate you, boy. We both know it-"
"Be quiet," For once, I'm not phased by his heartless remarks and instead completely ignore it. I'm in my best mental state ever since I picked up this cursed sword.
Honestly, I'll probably get rid of it soon. It's no good for me and could use a nice date with an industrial grade incinerator. The spirit inside of it could also use some therapy... or maybe Adderall, I guess?
* * *