I like you // I love you // You’re one of my best friends // You’re like family // You are family // I dislike you // I hate you // I’d kill you if I got the chance // I want you to like me // I’m scared of you // I would adopt you // I’d date you // I’d sleep with you // I’d marry you // I’m worried about you // You confuse me // You’re annoying // I pity you // I respect you // I trust you // I feel protective of you // I’d invite you with me to parties // I’d lend you my money // I’d borrow your money // You’re good-looking // I’m suspicious of you // I’m hiding something from you // You’re fun // You’re boring // I’m upset with you // You’re nice // You’re mean // I’m envious of you // You’re smart // You’re stupid // I look up to you // I think you’re a better person than me // I think I’m a better person than you // I want to apologize to you // I wish I’d never met you // I never want to forget you // I want to get to know you better

          “Nyeh...? Like I’d EVER smash Angie...” Little MISCHIEVOUS SMIRK tugging at lips, was quick to give Himiko away — She was just trying to tease them a little bit. Cuz it sounded like they were SO SURE of the answer before even asking. (Was it really so obvious she was playing for the other team & had a huge crush on Angie?) — “Is what a DUMB person would say. Anyone with eyes...And a brain...Would smash Angie. Don’t ask stupid questions.”

          “Nyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh....” Dainty digits anxiously picked at the golden buttons of her blazer. FIDGETY FEET turned inward. Pointed-toes grinding together. Body trembling. Heart hammering. Why was Angie bringing this up now...? After all the time that passed since that...HUMILIATING & EXHILARATING NIGHT? (Was it cuz she’d caught her & Miu making out?) — “I wouldn’t forget something like that...You know...? You were my first kiss...That’s kinda a big deal...” The artist had taught her how to kiss & Himiko would always be GRATEFUL for that. It was cuz of that, she could kiss Miu with any semblance of confidence. Was that what Angie was reminding her of...? Telling her that she should be INDEBTED? Was she gonna have to give handsome Atua extra blood this week...? (She was already dizzy). “I’ve thought about our kisses...Lotsa times...” That was the truth. Often while she was locked in her bedroom, tights bunched up around ankles, & hand shoved beneath her— “A-Are you mad at me...?” 

          Himiko hadn’t bought it right away. Cuz a collar was a WEIRD GIFT for a friend...Right? She & the exorcist weren’t romantically or sexually involved. They were HARDLY even friends. Most of the time, they felt more like RIVALS -- Night after night, she found herself coming back to that website. Over & over & over again. Fantasizing about how GOOD it would look on the other woman. Eventually she CAVED. & With the excuse of Christmas, she purchased it. “Nyeeeeeh...J-Just shut up and bend down so I can put it on you...”  With that, the pocket-sized mage rolled onto the balls of feet -- Pushing up on tiptoes & circling Eleanor’s throat with the collar -- Clasping it in place. BLUSHING HARDER when she heard the jingle-jangle of the bell. That sound always kinda turned her on...Cuz she thought about how satisfying it was to hear while she was pounding into---NOT THE TIME! “Y-You can think of it...Kinda like a...Friendship bracelet or something...” 

          “Nyeeeeeeeeeeeeeh...H-How unfortunate...F-For you m-mere mortals...Nnn...” SHE’S SHAKING — A LOT. “M-Makes me...A two-hundred million year old mage...F-Feel almost sorry for you guys...” This wasn’t a topic she wanted to talk about for much longer. It would be much SAFER to slip back into DELUSION.

           ＢＬＩＮＫ．ＢＬＩＮＫ．ＢＬＩＮＫ．—  Mental gears were sputtering & jamming up. Slow-minded mage couldn’t begin to comprehend where this was coming from. The thought of two people fighting over someone like HER seemed a foreign concept. Ironic, considering Angie & Tenko were constantly doing just that. (She hadn’t even noticed) — “Nyeeeh...? You don’t want me talking to them again...?” She repeated the words aloud, as if to DIGEST THEM. A bad habit of hers. Sometimes she could hold an entire conversation with someone & offer nothing but repeated statements. “Like...Ever...? That’s gonna be tough...” They were sorta TRAPPED in the academy together. “Are you jealous or something...? You’re kinda acting like it...” She’d seen girls get this way on daily soap operas when the boys they liked flirted with other people. But Himiko hadn’t been flirting with Miu. It wasn’t HER FAULT that every word outta the blonde’s mouth was sexual & vulgar & gross. “Nyeh...Miu’s just like that...I don’t even get what she said...” (She rarely did). 

          SNIFFLE. SNIFFLE. SNIFFLE. — Bruised, busted & swollen lips protruded. Brows arched sadly. Droopy eyes swimming with tears. Inside of her mouth was filled with BLOOD. She’d been pushed to the ground & pummeled repeatedly. Teeth had cut open the inside of her mouth when knuckles connected. & That wasn’t the only damage. There were at least fifteen deep bruises scattered across Himiko’s throat, chest, & ribcage. Including visible HAND-MARKS circling her slender neck — SNIFFLE. SNIFFLE. SNIFFLE. “Nnnnnn...Yeeeeeh...” Uh oh, she couldn’t hold back much longer! “I-I-I-I—” Tears spilled over lids, “Whaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!” Hands shot up in an attempt to HIDE HER FACE. But, it was too late. Himiko was a BROKEN MESS. They’d beaten her black & blue & bloody. She’d been positive she was gonna die! & Now Miu was being mean to her!

          “Blibberty Blabberty Blobbity Boo. Shibberty Shabberty Slobbity Shoo. Chibberty Chabbety Clobbity Choo~” This will go on for the next 365 days with only SLIGHT changes to the words.  (It is very clear that Himiko is making this up as she goes & did NOT memorize a year long spell.)  “Klippity Klapperty Kloppity Kloo~”