WELCOME ❤ HELL

He was getting tired of dealing with troublesome people, especially the ones that made assumptions.

“Then the gods have been kind to you. Many would kill for a face like yours, and they’re all down in Hell still complaining about it.”

@onearmedhermit

“Tell me something, hermit.”

She rests the side of her head on her palm, her free hand supporting her shoulder. She bore an expression of indifference, maybe a bit too indifferent if she initiated a conversation. There were definitely some words that were going to be said, and when I say some words, I mean deep words.

“Confinement is a troubling thing, i’m sure you understand.”

Ah – if it wasn’t her again.

Quite frankly she hoped she wouldn’t have the good fortune of encountering her again. Then again, she supposed her existence could be considered punishment enough. Nonetheless, when addressed, she could barely tell whether she should have been bored or scared, given the other’s expression.

Was this so important that she had to interrupt her travels? She smiled, anyway – fine, she’d dignify this with a response.

     She couldn’t blame you for being in such a rush in walking around with no purpose in this city, besides already doing what was already being done in Gensokyo. Hecatia let out a shrug, a sigh, basically an image of disappointment. Don’t worry, she’s not too disappointed that she’d cut the chat short. It wouldn’t be a very fun outcome for the both of them.

“Ooh, nice comeback! But you’ve probably said that to a bunch of girls already, so zero points.”

Maybe he wasn’t the type to fluster easily, to Hecatia’s boredom. She was really expecting to be able to play with innocent bystanders. Well, a not-so-innocent bystander would probably be nice.

“I don’t need my plate to clutter, pretty boy. This city’s enough for me.”

“I think it’s funny how you thought that you actually had something. It’s not what you already have, rather on what you don’t have. You’re flattering yourself, boy.”

And where does he get off thinking that he could actually try and have his way with the goddess? He must be asking for a death wish, or maybe an early invitation to his cycle of reincarnation. Those are just small, playful threats, but she would have to do so in a dire situation.

@izqyoi

“And what’s a pretty boy like you doing in a not-so-pretty place?”

Not even Hecatia was above flirting with mortals, it’s a bad habit. The boys here are cute, that’s not something she could deny. It would be something that would make the other somewhat uncomfortable, but she would only doing it in good fun.

“I won’t bite. That takes effort.”

“Ooh, nice comeback! But you’ve probably said that to a bunch of girls already, so zero points.”

Maybe he wasn’t the type to fluster easily, to Hecatia’s boredom. She was really expecting to be able to play with innocent bystanders. Well, a not-so-innocent bystander would probably be nice.

She took a moment to listen to her superior’s words, and then gave a laugh. For someone to casually relate to her outlandish tale. Maybe she was just using those words to further the conversation, but the goddess appreciates someone taking her seriously for once.

“Like you cannot believe! Not only was there a sudden rush of people, but it also got too crowded.”

“Wars tend to make fresh meat real nervous about everything. ‘Guess they can’t accept that they just died or something, They make the whole process take forever, it’s like a therapy session!”

In her frustration, the goddess took a drink from her cup. Those thoughts about her own work just make her all riled up, not really the best attitude for a joyous occasion such as this one.

“I’d take a plague more than a war, any day of the week.”

“ I do think I can believe you on that “, I answer with a tone that’s just a little bit cold but never lose my smile, “ in their defense though, they don’t always realize when they’re hit. “

I suppose she’s one of those that have spent their lives sitting behind their desks. Traits even some of the one’s in the upper ranks show - the kinds that have never been in the lines themselves. Climbing ranks up such privilege is one I’d like to avoid from gaining.

Then again…. perhaps it’s only to be expected for people to act in this manner? I don’t feel particularly agitated but you can’t say I’m impressed either.  

“ Hmmm. Come to think of it…“ 

She tapped her fingers onto the table hoping to relieve some stress. It was always going to be a trying time if she was going to talk about work, but it’s kinda her way of showing how proud she is of her occupation. Ordinary people wouldn’t even compare to the things she does.

“Compared to Hell, work at the police force is fun! I don’t mind all the prank calls and the false reports, so it’s all right with me. Easy to find the bad people in this city that way, you know?

Ah, how heartwarming. She didn’t expect that he would easily accept her into his own home, despite his feelings of unease. He certainly looked displeased at the prospect of her presence within the building, maybe that was the source of those feelings… Maybe she can use those to her advantage?

In any case, she gives thanks to the man in the form of a nod before entering. Despite the city having little to no sources of light that could pass through the windows, the room was well lit. It was perfect for reading, or for admiring the mentioned merchandise around her. She couldn’t help but get curious.

Even with blatant warning, she placed a finger lightly on the item. Nothing wrong with a gentle touch.

Hopefully that is, if he’s got anything to say about it. He’s got the look that would obviously have something to say about not doing something he said.

“These objects seem to be of different worlds… What is this place?”

“The antique store, Kourindou. Also, don’t touch my merchandise.”

“… Unless you plan on buying, that is.”

     Already he was regretting this. She looked young, but he really hoped he wasn’t dealing with a person who didn’t listen and just did whatever they felt like… like Marisa.

Though, he could at least tolerate Marisa because he was so used to her, anyways.

That said, many of the objects the store ranged from breakable curious, to what looked to be junk and electronics. Jewelry, Eastern curios, and various others odds and ends clogged the room– and a mix of dust and incense in the air made the place feel older than it actually was.

“As you can see, there’s not much room, and the only bedroom here is mine in the back. … I’m fine with you using that room,” the man exclaimed, not really fine with it at all but gesturing to a curtained doorway near the end of the room beside his desk, “But please don’t make a mess. There’s also a bathroom and kitchen back there as well, but please do not touch my food.”

     Not like he had much right now, anyways. But with that out of the way, a pause followed, giving time for the other to digest his words. … She was least wasn’t being rough with anything.

That, he supposed, was something to put him at ease.

Staying just the night would be quite boring if she wasn’t able to do anything exciting with her time.

“Don’t worry yourself about feeding me, you can keep your food to yourself.” A smirk on her face. Goddesses like her don’t need to eat much to sustain themselves. It was given that they already have a lot of energy in the first place, but food was a nice extra boost to her boring lifestyle.

“Why don’t I offer my information of these items to pass the time? You don’t seem to have an idea as to what most of these things are, unless you can prove to me that you do. Take it as a test of skill.”

With Hecatia, your God is meaningless.

“One doesn’t really need a bed to get some sleep, you probably know that.”

For someone who barely acknowledges her own home and decides to wander off out onto the different areas of the city, she had to learn how to deal with sleeping on the ground. It was difficult getting around like that. Her body definitely started to feel some things, so she needed a proper rest.

“Your uncertainty bothers me. You’re not sure if there even are any hotels, or if they’re nice ones. It’s only for one night and i’ll be gone. Probably will come back on better terms, but let me in just once.”

She’s going to have to account for him if he continues to keep twisting his faux-truths. Lying is a serious crime and selfishness is just a condiment for his lack of compassion towards this poor lady. 

     She’s pretty direct, although he supposed anyone would be. And really, even if it’s just for one night, he doesn’t particularly like the thought of having someone he barely knows occupying his store with him in it. Especially when he got such an ominous feeling from this person.

… Thinking about it, say she was particularly strong. If he declined, he might in turn come to regret not letting her stay the night and she may eventually come back to take revenge, somehow.

It was possible. You never knew, with the people in this place.

At any rate, his options were relatively clear. Let in a stranger of whom he knows nothing about, not let her in and face the possible consequences later, or to be just a decent person and to relax.

… He sighs, loudly, and opens the door fully for Hecatia. Option A it was.

In any case, she gives thanks to the man in the form of a nod before entering. Despite the city having little to no sources of light that could pass through the windows, the room was well lit. It was perfect for reading, or for admiring the mentioned merchandise around her. She couldn’t help but get curious.

Even with blatant warning, she placed a finger lightly on the item. Nothing wrong with a gentle touch.

Hopefully that is, if he’s got anything to say about it. He’s got the look that would obviously have something to say about not doing something he said.

For a second there, she thought she was back in Hell if she was able to see someone so dark both inside and out. With only a glance, the goddess assumed this one to be full of angst and such.

This individual had all sorts of mysteries surrounding him, especially regarding his lack of interest in conversation. Behavior like this could only be considered rude. Well, time to push the conversation.

“There are no ‘bits and pieces’ to share. What is left of 'pieces’ is this horrid form of mine… My story is too long to only give the very minimal.” he crosses his arms; claws tapping against them.

“On second thought, maybe not! You don’t look like you got the time to be yammering about your own life’s story. I didn’t do anything to earn it, like you said.”

Whatever mysteries this being had were all textbook in Hecatia’s eyes. It’s a formula that she has to go through every time in every world she visits, and it’s all in the way life twists the knife.

A being born from two entirely different species. Not really surprising for someone who has been through many worlds where things could get stranger than that, but she was still shocked. This man she has never met before carried a familiar air, and it was one she was most familiar with.

The choices she could make were endless. She could either befriend or bewilder him. Not even I could tell what her next move should be, as capricious as she is.

“You can do more than just help me, mister man.”

She’s not going to give him a chance to escape her presence. This kind of aura… it’s nostalgic.

“May I stay the night? I got lost wandering around this part of the city…”

     Oh God.

“Hm? Ah… ahh… well. That’s certainly a shame. Er… but you see…”

“Unfortunately, my store only has one bedroom… for myself. So, I’m afraid even if I did let you in, there wouldn’t be any particular place for you to stay.”

     It was a half-truth. The building wasn’t all that big, and outside of the storefront there was only a hallway, bathroom, kitchen, bedroom… and his underground storage room. But, there were still plenty of spots for a person to lay down– and he was accustomed to sleeping at his desk, anyways.

He wasn’t going to tell this strange person, though.

“One doesn’t really need a bed to get some sleep, you probably know that.”

For someone who barely acknowledges her own home and decides to wander off out onto the different areas of the city, she had to learn how to deal with sleeping on the ground. It was difficult getting around like that. Her body definitely started to feel some things, so she needed a proper rest.

“Your uncertainty bothers me. You’re not sure if there even are any hotels, or if they’re nice ones. It’s only for one night and i’ll be gone. Probably will come back on better terms, but let me in just once.”

It wasn’t her gaudy headgear or her freaky t-shirt that really made him nervous. No, he wasn’t sure what it was. … It was an incredibly familiar feeling, however. It felt as if he were speaking to that gap youkai, of all people. Another whimsical person with a concerning presence to them…

Really, he was thankful youkai ignored him, for the most part.

But he’d rather deal with some inconsequential person than someone who made him feel this uncomfortable! And he didn’t even know why it was like this. Really, now…

“… I was closing for the day. Can I help you?”

     Bluntly asking the staring Hecatia a question while standing right at the foot of his shop, the door halfway open, he wondered if he could just slide in quickly and be done with this.

The choices she could make were endless. She could either befriend or bewilder him. Not even I could tell what her next move should be, as capricious as she is.

“You can do more than just help me, mister man.”

She’s not going to give him a chance to escape her presence. This kind of aura... it’s nostalgic.

For a second there, she thought she was back in Hell if she was able to see someone so dark both inside and out. With only a glance, the goddess assumed this one to be full of angst and such.

This individual had all sorts of mysteries surrounding him, especially regarding his lack of interest in conversation. Behavior like this could only be considered rude. Well, time to push the conversation.

Ah, it was one of those people. Those who try to connect themselves with the other world even if it may lead to irreparable consequences. He still looks human as far as she could tell, maybe a bit too human. Well it wasn’t her problem anyways. This city has severely limited her responsibilities.

“More fresh meat. Those scientists can’t ever get enough, it looks like.”

“ Fresh meat? Nothing meat here besides me barbecuing your ass if you wanna fight. “ He said, wondering what this chick wanted with him, especially with a comment like that to him. His hands in his pockets as he looked and glared her down. 

His attitude was something that she wasn’t surprised by. In fact, his whole look was the perfect description of a Japanese delinquent. His uniform, hands in his pockets, that youthful glare, and the way he spoke those words without feeling anything but anger. This was going to be fun.