Death and Filth

[FlyingPanther]

Zoku did well throwing her off at first, what with the bemused look. She figured his arrogance had lead him to assume she would just willingly take him up on his offer, and so he was only reacting on face value how he should. Closer examination proved that he was just as seemingly conflicted as he was before she had said any sort of word of defiance. Persephone was quick though, and began to see the rage build in him as he smiled evilly before speaking. It was hard to tell if she had actually been paying attention, what with her locked position of her statuesque posture and the small tilt of her head, giving her a bit of a questioning expression, if you could even really call it an expression.

Then something eerie happened.

Persephone's head snapped back and she laughed. Cackled would be more the word for it. Cackling as if nothing had ever amused her as much as Zoku's words in her life. She truely was a foolish one, yet she continued to cackle for a good minute or so, before snapping her head back as quickly as she had before, and returned to the same stoicly dead look she had been giving him before, eyes wet from tears of laughter, but other then that, her face had been as it was before she had dared to laugh. There was a malice in her aura, one that spoke of death. In any other creature attempting to express this aura, their eyes would have been narrowed dangerously, yet Persephone continued to look out blankly, and still the aura was so thick it couldn't be cut by anything smaller then an ax.

"Persephone's carrier has no real choice in the matter, for if she is killed in the process of defending herself, there will be no other carrier for the Little Death. The carrier can be owned, but the occupant cannot. Death is not owned, Death comes and goes and does as she wishes. It is the natural order of things. You will never own Persephone."

Unlike her father, she had no intention of becoming another play thing to gain power. She was to build off of her own fame. For she was death as she had so told him. Her body could be used, abused, and owned, just as she told him. Her spirit however, was that of something far more powerful then that of the body. Persephone was Little Death, and Death would submit to no one.

Persephone Arkaeib: 8

[Vyn]

For a moment Zoku was simply frozen in place, staring at Persephone as if she had gone mad. Of all the reactions, he had not expected that from her. Of course, he did not expect most of her actions, but this topped the cake so to speak. He was honestly terrified by her reaction, but years of pretending to be things that he was not had trained him in the ways of concealing his true emotions.

Zoku hadn't bothered to use such talents previously, ignoring them in favor of a rare sort of honesty. But the Opium's control was fading now and he was regaining the proper control of his emotions.

His emotions had faded now, leaving him a blank slate before her. Hollow and as dead as she would soon return to be, lacking any sort of outward emotion by the time she had returned her slightly tear-dampened eyes to him. His Smog side was not one that outsiders often saw, Zoku loathed the withdrawn sort of apathy it crafted in him, but it was helpful now.

Death was brewing in the air, crafting an aura around Persephone that was like sitting in his father's presence. Her soul had the material for great things, but her flesh was not as up to the task. It was a sad sort of thing, but it amused him, ever tightening that fascination for her in his mind.

"Such a bold thing you are, Little Death." His words were cold, numb almost, but there was something lingering in the depth of his tone. Approval? It was hard to tell. "Not many would have braved such open defiance of a Puppet Master's wishes."

His eyes scanned her figure once more, thoughtful in his silence. She would make a wonderful ally. She brought out strange aspects of himself, and he had a feeling he might be doing the same to her. She would be quite valuable to him, very valuable indeed...but would he be willing to force himself upon her? He knew he could, she had said it was so herself: her body was not as strong as her will was. It could be broken, even if she could not. But did he want to?

"Yet, as bold as your words might have been, they were justified. I have no want to own Persephone, though I do seek her alliance." His ears flicked back, his bone-ornamented tail swaying slowly from side to side. "So, my lovely death doll, will you join me willingly?"

[FlyingPanther]

It was not so much that her body was weak, so much as it was that compared to one's will and spirit, the body was the only limitation. It was that way with everyone with a strong will. One did not need such ranks as Puppet Master to prove their worth however, as was so greatly deminstrated by the youngling puppeteer, and her father, a lowly puppet. One only needed the strength to be able to carry out their goals. In the end, Persephone cared not if she was a puppeteer, puppet, or Puppet Master, she would grow strong enough to defeat anyone. No one could hide from death, no one can escape it. Everyone is doomed to it. As long as she could deliver it, that was all that mattered in the end.

In a way, maybe this made her only more dangerous. She, like death, would not be prejudice against her kills. It did not matter who they were. She was not arrogant in the same sence that the word is used for all else. She was just convinced that like her father before her, she was the personification of death, her soul, was death itself trapped in flesh and blood to feel the pains of the earth as she did her duty. All the world was her puppet, only to be shared by her opposite, life. She would grow into her name, this could be clearly seen.

She sat, continuing to give him long, dead looks as she considered his words. Eyes blinked, and her monotone 'fate' voice could be heard once again, though, which much less malice then had been felt previously. In fact, the aura seemed to have vanished just as easily as it had come. "Persephone does not take alliances with anyone. Death cannot be loyal to anyone, just as life cannot, for this would only upset the balance. Death is blind to all age, rank, breed, type, and sex. Death is not on the side of evil or good, it is just a companion to us all." her tail swished very slowly to the right, before she spoke again. "Weather or not you choose to believe it, you are in the company of death, and she will not forsake you. Persephone will join you willingly, on the grounds that she is but your company, not your property or ally, as she will never be your property, and she cannot be your ally."

Persephone Arkaeib: 9

[Vyn]

Zoku remained blank and motionless, taking in the emotionless sound of her voice. It was what had first fascinated him, that unnervingly empty voice. Slowly his bone-adorned tail began to very slowly, pleased but still thoughtful.

"Your words ring with truth yet again, Little Death." The young Puppet Master bowed his head to her. "I can say nothing against your logic."

In the company of death. Did he believe it? Yes, in his own way. In their own way, they were all harbingers of death and tragedy, there was no complexity in that logic. The personification of death, the physical embodiment of the chaos which degenerated life. He could see it in her, see how she saw death in herself.

At last emotion returned to him in the form of a devious smile upon his muzzle.

"That is all I truly wish from her. I have no want to own her, nor the need for her defense. Company will suit my just fine."

[FlyingPanther]

"There are dangers to having her company. Though one can suppose that a Puppet Master such as yourself is prepared to handle them." she seems to say this more to herself then to Zoku. Just as gracefully as she had sat down in the beginning she stood up, walking over to where he was with a lightness to her step that imitated a feather in the wind, or a ghost through a graveyard. She turned herself steadily so that her body was parallel with his, and sat once again, this time by his side.

She did not look at him, eyes staring dead in front of them, ears percked forward. A bold move, deciding to be at his side as she was. In some ways, it ment the end of her freedom, bodily freedom anyway. For as she had stated before, the body may be his, but her soul could only be but his companion, even after her body has wilted and fallen away from exsistance. Her company was now his, as it was everyone else on this earth, be it Human, Euclide, Amuni, or some other mortal being. "The carrier has agreed to be by your side until no longer possible, be it by the claiming of Persephone or an act against our companionship agreement. She shall be your companion from now on."

Persephone Arkaeib: 10

[Vyn]

"Dangers?"

Zoku's voice echoed her words, but he didn't much expect an answer. Especially as he watched the lovely Death/Music lift to her paws and alter her position, settling herself at his side. It was something of a personal victory to have Persephone seated at his side, though he doubted she'd notice the flush of pride that rushed through his eyes.

As she spoke, his gaze tilted toward her, studying her. She was as strange and as hard to understand as when he'd first heard that unnatural voice slip from her muzzle. Fate. Prophecies from a Walking Corpse, but such a beautiful carrier she was and such a fascinating soul. A smile brushed onto his muzzle, brushing back his smog-like withdrawal until a new voice entering the alleyway pushed the smile from his features.

"Awh, well isn't that cute."

The voice was dark, though it had a strange sort of double tone to it. Like the voice that was currently speaking was merely overshadowing another, lighter voice. It was a voice quite suiting to it's owner, a Reflection mix and another child of Jiarokumo.

Kojolori stretched as he entered the alleyway, his movements full of arrogance and his eyes holding sinister amusement. His two-toned frame came to rest slowly before the strange 'couple', peering at them like insects or side-show exhibits, his enchanted ruby shining in the muted lamplight which reached tenatively into the darkness of the alley.

"I would never have taken you as one to take a girlfriend, Zoku."

This was not the usual Kojorlori, in fact it was far from it. The Script Writer that was usually present wasa quiet, dreamy sort of creature whom did his best to avoid his siblings at all costs...but when the sun went down, the cautious Script Writer was replaced with a more blunt and arrogant form.

"Though, I must admit...you two make quite the impression."

_{Kojolori: 1}

[FlyingPanther]

His question would definatly go unanswered, as after all, it seemed to her like common sence what kinds of dangers there would be in the company of death. Not only that, but another came close to them, interupting their little chat. She didn't even notice that Zoku was smiling at her. She had no need to turn her head or make any movements to have the newcomer in her sights, after all, she had been facing forward, not looking at Zoku. She watched the movements of the other, as he grew near, taking in with sharp eyes that he didn't look all that muscular, and registering that in her brain. He couldnt be a puppet master, director, or puppeteer for this reason. He must be a Script Writer or a Puppet, as the option of marionette can be largely ruled out. Persephone felt slightly proud of herself for deducing such a thing, already her powers of observation were growing keener. However she did not release any aura or any expression that would have let the two Jiaro siblings know of her little joy.

She took in the look of the other, from the way he seemed split down the middle, he was obviously a reflection, or rather part of one, and it seemed as if his night time agression was being tapped into. She did not move a muscle at his words, or show any expression on her face of annoyance, for she truely couldn't say she was annoyed. One with such a rude manner of speaking would obviously pick something such as that to say to get a rise out of another, and in true Persephone fashion, she would not allow that. No one could manipulate her. At least not without the help of a soul strand. Just as Zoku could never own her, Olori could never bring out the emotion he wanted from her with such a statement.

She just looked at him with her normal dead stance and eyes, saying nothing.

[Bleh...I appologize for the crap >.>; my stomach is bothering me so badly its really hard for me to think straight >.<]

Persephone Arkaeib: 11

[Vyn]

Zoku's entire frame tensed angrily, his ears flattening back against his skull and his hollow gaze shifting from Persephone's form to the newcomer. His eyes had narrowed into deadly slits, more furious about being interrupted than he was about Kojolori's not-so-subtle jibes.

"Be gone from here, Kojolori...you're presence isn't wanted at this time."

The Reflection narrowed his eyes, stepping a pace closer. Normally he wouldn't have dared to defy a Puppet Master, even one as young as Zoku, but the Script Writer had his night-induced aggression to lead him on. To give him the confidence he didn't possess during the day, and he was quite willing to indulge in it when he could.

"Preoccupied?" He flicked his tail, hollow eyes fixating on Persephone at last. "So, lady Death, what are you called by?"

Kojolori had been listening for a while and had overheard much of their conversation. Including Persephone's name...and her pride with her type's namesake...but there was no reason not to ask for polite-ness sake. Kojolori might have been cruel and quite blunt in this mindset, but he could still indulge in manners if the mood suited him.

_{Kojolori: 2}

[FlyingPanther]

"It might prove wise for you to learn to put a reign on your night side. Acting as foolish as you are in front of those of higher status, and with your build, is asking for trouble." her voice was the same as usual, monotone and the sound of fate itself, but with the two that seemingly knew eachother, she could prodict where this would go if the other did not back off, and so an overwhelming sence and aura of a forbodding nature seemed to fill the air like the mists of london. It rained down upon both the children of Jiaro like a harsh hail storm.

Her unblinking dead eyes did not move from looking upon that of Kojolori's face, continuing the deadly eerie stare. "She is known as Persephone, and the carrier known by nothing but its purpose. Now that she has endulged you, it would be best for you to leave. As she said before, only trouble will come with your presence."

Persephone Arkaeib: 12

[Vyn]

Olori's attention was focused upon Persephone, fascinated by her bold words and the fate-like sound of her voice. You didn't encounter ladies like that everyday, especially not in Jiaro's theatre. Jiaro was far more interested in physical things than the depth of one's mind or the quality of their company, a trait which Zokumenoji didn't entirely appear to have adopted. An eye for physical beauty, but a taste for far more. Her commentary made him grin, for he knew exactly what he was doing in tormenting Zoku; pushing limits he couldn't touch when the sun was in the sky.

The magnitude of her aura only seemed to increase the violence brewing around Zoku, but the young Puppet Master did not yet move to attack, or even further acknowledge Olori. Instead he focused his empty orbs on Persephone, listening quietly to the familiar introduction with a vicious grin upon his maw.

"Yes, Olori... It would be wise to take her advice. Father would not be pleased to know what a fool you are when the sun sets."

The Reflection mix turned a cold eye upon Zokumenoji for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and flicking his gaze back to Persephone. "Hm. If that is what you wish, than I shall be on my way now. Good evening to you, Persephone." His gaze turned toward Zoku, sneering momentarily. "I will see you later then, brother." None of the usual affection attached to that word was found in Olori's statement, but the hollow spite that the night-afflicted Reflection spat was a bit much -- even for one of Jiaro's brood.

Zoku could not --would not-- restrain himself any longer: No Puppet Master, young or old, would stand and take such disrespectful commentary from a Script Writer. Abruptly he sprung forward, the action so sudden that even the keen-eyed Kojolori expected it, and abruptly the two youths were toppling to the grime-caked alley floor, Zoku perched atop the Script Writer and sneering with savage distaste.

"You need to learn to hold your tongue, Olori." Zoku had never been fond of the arrogant side of the Script Writer's personality, his day side was far more in accordance with the 'proper' Script Writer mentality. However, because of his intelligence, Jiaro had not allowed Zoku to take his anger out on the handsome Reflection mix. "I won't take your disrespect for much longer, regardless of what Jiaro says." The furious Puppet Master drug his razor-sharp nails into Olori's shoulders, delighting in the whimper of pain which escaped the younger male, feeding the more sadistic qualities of Zoku's personality.

Olori had been aware of his foolishness, but he had pushed Zoku like this before, and never had the male snap at him like this. Zoku was usually more impassive, uncaring...more Smog than Annihilation. However, Kojolori had no calculated Persephone's presence into his plans, a rather large mistake on the Script Writer's part.

_{Kojolori: 3}

[FlyingPanther]

Persephone watched and noted the interaction between the brothers, unblinking and unmoving. Her muscles ached horribly, yet she made no motion that showed as much. After all, whatever pain the carrier felt was of no consiquence to Persephone, so long as in the long run it was still usible for its purpose, there was no need to readily aleeve it. After all, a little aching never disabled anyone, just made one aware of ones own exsistance.

She did not dip her head or show any sort of goodbye, despite the fact that Olori had been 'kind' enough to give her some sort of salutations. In a way, it was his appology for being so rude before in her eyes, if she didnt say anything as he left. However, he would prove to be more foolish then she had originally thought. Having the last word with a puppet master was never ok, at least not ok if you didnt have the muscle to back it up. And jabbing one last needle into a puppet master wasn't exactly einstien's way of making a good exit from a potentially dangerous situation. So it was not a shock to her that Zoku would attack his own brother once his back had been turned.

Had see been less stoic she might have shook her head at the way they so stereotypically played out their roles. It was strange that at such a young age she was able to already pick appropriate labels for others and predict how the world would unfold around those labels, however, she gave little attention to this. After all, she was death, and death was wise beyond all years, death had been there before the beginning, and would know all up until beyond the end. She would have been suprised if she hadn't known what she had known.

As she looked upon the quarrel though, she could not help but react slightly fustrated. Zoku could kill his brother without hesitation, she knew this, she could see the fire in his black euclide eyes, and she could see the fear in the others. What angered her was not that Zoku could kill his brother so easily, and it was not that Zoku even would kill his brother right now, it was that Persephone was upset. Persephone knew. It was not Oroli's time. It was not time for him to feel death, or even an ultimate suffering of death around him of someone he cared about. It was not his time at all. And for Zoku to defy the laws of death....

was a grave no-no.

"Zoku, If he has learned his lesson, it would be wise to let him go. It is not his time yet....she says so." her voice was forboding, yet still in her manner of speaking. The words were lethal. They were not just the words of a young child saying 'you better not', they were those of a powerful adult saying 'or else....'. She knew that Zoku would not be able to completely grasp what she said without feeling anger, and wanting to rip her appart for her insubordination, for this was a natural feeling for a puppet master. But she hoped that he would not be foolish enough to underestimate her, to underestimate Persephone herself. Persephone and her Carrier would not be foolish enough to medel in the affairs of a puppet master on a regular basis, or even really ever. That is unless it steped into the realm of Persephone. For Persephone would be topped by no mortal or immortal other then possibly Life. This was the law of exsistance.

Persephone Arkaeib: 13

[/size]

[Vyn]

Zoku's fur bristled notably, his hollow eyes narrowing more violently upon Olori. It wasn't his time... It wasn't his time... It made him want to tear the boy's throat out and make it his time. His claws dug deeper into Kojolori's shoulders, causing the younger male to whimper pathetically. However, those painful claws sooth withdrew as Zoku pulled back and slowly back-stepped toward Persephone.

Zoku's sleek body was rigid with tension, craving to spring forward upon the Script Writer as Olori scrambled to his paws and darted out of the alleyway; trailing blood, but alive.

Slowly the Puppet Master looked toward Persephone, his gaze burning with fire and violence. He wanted to hurt something, someone. He slowly stretched out his patchwork frame, glancing away from her hollow stare. "So, then, why don't we find someone with a thread I am allowed to snip?" If he was now bound to the rules of fate, then he would play his part well. He needed to release his violence out on something, might as well find something that was nearing 'its time'.

_{Kojolori: 4}

[FlyingPanther]

She watched the forseen reaction of Zoku like a house cat might look into a pool of goldfish, feeling his need to swim to his own current, but making sure a paw was always there to block him. It seemed he was far less foolish then she imagined him to be though, in terms of treading on Persephone's turf. She looked closely at the obvious tension in his muscles, slightly mesmorized, they gave off an aura of great need while Zoku himself was obviously beyond fustrated. She silently appresheated the fact that he respected her wishes so easily, well maybe not easily, but he certainly didnt have to give it up the hard way.

She watched Olori scamper away like a scared rabbit, blood dripping from his wounds. Hopefully he will have learned his lesson, not to mess with his brother, or any sibling for that matter with a higher rank or any other euclide, and to keep his night side undercontrol. But she had seen euclide under the same circumstances who were foolish enough to try again. So she only hoped that he had learned his lesson.

When Zoku spoke to her she turned her head ever so slightly to face him, blinking a couple times. At length she spoke, "You and she could do that, yes, but in her opinion that would be letting your anger control you. Not everything needs to live, this is a fact that she knows all to well as I am sure you do to, but it is a fact that not everything needs to die. Death is a balance that must not be exacted when one is not in a balanced mind frame. Learn to take hold of your anger and harness it, you will be all the wiser and stronger for it."[/color] again, sage advice, though if he asked again to go hunt, she certainly wouldn't hold him from it. At a young age it was hard to grasp something like that, and especially in the moment of anger you don't want another person telling you to harness it. So she expected some fustration, and probably some rather rude remarks at her expence. But at least she had told it how it was.

Persephone Arkaeib: 14