Shoujo 02:
Quietly tip-toes through the entryway, keeping her head tilted downwards and her gaze fixated intently on the entity seated at her desk in the center of the blinding white, sterile and desolate chamber.
Taishou B:
Hearing the soft hiss of the pneumatic door seal after the dainty, barely audible yet familiar footsteps of this visitor, she calls over her shoulder without diverting attention from her work.
You're back again so soon. What is it this time?
Shoujo 02:
Pauses in her tracks, taken aback by the sudden commanding voice cutting through the silence, along with the curtness of the salutation. Her voice trembles slightly as she responds in a soft, whispered, and uncertain tone.
I-I apologize, for taking up so much of your time recently. But there was something of importance I'd like to discuss and I was hoping you could help me clarify it? Truth be told...it's something that isn't typical for the both of us...or rather at least not for you. E-even so, we tend to operate better if we tackle issues together rather than separately. So I'd like your consultation...
Taishou B:
Firmly places her pen down on her desktop with a hard, audible clack, shifting focus away from the sprawling lines of text before her to the dark abyss outside of the solitary window in the chamber.
Shoujo 02:
Detecting slight annoyance and uncomfortable by the inordinately long pause and stillness of her associate, she reflexively grips her left arm with her right hand and takes a retreating step backwards.
You know, on second thought, we can talk about this later it doesn't have to be ri--
Taishou B:
Waves her hand over her shoulder, dismissively.
Don't be foolish. Please, have a seat.
Shoujo 02:
A-ah? Okay...Thank you...
From experience, she knew not to question the invitation. Footsteps filled with slight trepidation, she cautiously makes her way around to the front of the desk, all the while her eyes fixated on the ominous back of the white chair as it gave way to reveal the frosty gaze of incisive, icy blue eyes set in a delicate, regal face. Sleek, white hair alluringly covered a quarter of her features. Overcome with self-consciousness and embarrassment, she quickly evades eye contact and refocuses on the chair in front of the desk, taking her seat before the intense scrutiny of this austere observer.
Taishou B:
Assessing the mental state of her visitor, she takes note of the expression worn by the pale, slender, and unimposing girl. Under silky,black bangs she could make out a pair of deep grey doe eyes, with eyebrows knitted slightly in worry. Almost imperceptibly, she was biting the inside of her bottom lip: most likely a nervous tick of hers. Taking one last scan of the timid creature before her, she softly clears her throat and, with an elegant flick of her wrist, disperses the desk separating the two in a brilliant flash of golden sparks and celestial runes. There was nothing for either one to hide behind as the two sat face-to-face.
So? What is it?
Shoujo 02:
Closes her eyes momentarily to inhale deeply, sighing gently as she allows herself a small smile.
I'm afraid it's about Shounen 01 again, as well as Taishou R. You must be tired of me prattling on about them every so often, preoccupying myself with those two while we have more important matters to tend to...but as I'm sure you're aware by now, they're both very important to me.
Taishou B:
Pursing her lips ever so slightly at the mention of Shounen 01 and Taishou R, she crosses her legs and neatly folds her hands in her lap, her voice spiced with enmity.
Yes, well, unfortunately given your very nature, we must concern ourselves with those two. It isn't ideal at the present moment, but I can recognize that it's a virtual necessity when considering your long-term happiness and viability.
Shoujo 02:
Lifts her head ever so slightly upward to momentarily lock eyes, her cheeks becoming flushed from an odd mixture of nerves and embarrassment.
And I really cannot thank you enough for humoring me. So...Shounen 01. I'm beginning to have doubts. I'm not quite sure if I can love someone that is willing to sympathize with a known, toxic element as Taishou R. To be honest, it's been interfering with my sleep patterns these recent nights...
Taishou B:
Rests her cheek against her fist, narrowing her eyes.
Then you know what to do. Cut ties.
Shoujo 02:
Visibly shaken at the suggestion, she grasps for words.
W-well, sure...but you know...i-it isn't that easy and with these feelings being the way that they are, it's...(sighing softly) it's just all so very, very complicated...T-there are so many great things about him that should be taken into consideration, you know! There's more to him than his mere associations with people!
Taishou B:
Momentarily closes her eyes, contemplating the apprehensions of her companion. After a pause, she opens them, uncrosses her legs, and leans forward in her chair, gazing intently into the eyes of the girl in front of her.
Look, you have some fairly strong feelings for Shounen 01. That fact is not lost on me; I feel it nearly as strong as you do. But reality does not care about feelings. You must remain focused on the bigger picture here; that is, long-term compatibility. Do you think someone that is sympathetic and close to Taishou R is a suitable match for you? Consider the old adage, that a person is the average of the five closest people to them; there's some truth in that. It's very likely that Shounen 01 shares some ideological tenets that are at odds with ours. They're not minor either; they're extremely likely to cause difficulty later for us all.
Shoujo 02:
Now fully biting her lower lip, she begins to protest
But I think that with enough time and patie--
Taishou B:
Sharply interjects, a small grin of malice betraying her lips.
Think what, hm? That you can overcome? That you love him so much that you can overlook any and all ideological incompatibilities? How incredibly idealistic. You might be able to feign tolerance for a short while, but then what? You've betrayed your conscience like that before, and know the consequences. How long until you become disgusted by the very person you admire so greatly? What's the half-life of love to hate? We haven't even addressed the authenticity of your feelings towards him; straighten out those pitiful feelings of yours before we can even discuss a possible future with Shounen 01.
Shoujo 02:
Tightly hugging her knees in her chair, she braced herself against the piercing, unforgiving words levied against her. She felt a faint ache grip the bridge of her nose and corners of her eyes, signaling the imminent production of tears. The words, stinging but true, had found their target. It made her feel uncomfortably hot; she could hear the blood pulse in her ears, accompanied by the desire to savagely lash out at her partner. Summoning all the composure she could muster, she replied with a slight tremble, struggling to force herself to lock eyes with her adversary.
It must be...so incredibly easy. To be you. To be uninterested. To be so thoroughly composed. There's hardly any risk to you because you simply don't care about anything beyond yourself; there's never anything in jeopardy. How does it feel to have that form of absolute security? Right now you're looking down at me with that condescending air of yours, chastising me for being idealistic. But let me remind you that you're not the one out there, risking vulnerability, witnessing these terrible events unfold right before your very eyes. (her voice breaking as tears make their landfall) I endure them first-hand whereas you receive a mere simulation of them through my report. You have the luxury of time, deliberation, and retrospection, I do not. Every plan and action of mine, however imperfect they might be, has kept us functioning until now. (her breath shudders as she shoots a poisonous glance from above her knees to the figure across from her) You dare not venture beyond the protection of this fortress and into the harsh realities of the world...and yet you have the audacity to berate and lecture me about my reactions to adverse conditions?
Taishou B:
Finding herself instinctively glaring back at the combative, ego-disrupting words, she caught herself and managed to take a deep breath, closing her eyes and slowly reopening them, wearing a calmer expression. After a brief pause, she wordlessly arises out of her chair and slowly saunters over to the girl gently weeping in frustration across from her, the clack of her heels reverberating throughout the empty chamber in slow, even tempo. Well-within striking distance, she pauses, crosses her arms, and bends at her waist to try and meet her partner's gaze, her face mere inches away.
Shoujo 02:
Detecting this imposing presence in agonizingly close proximity, she buries her face in her knees. Her heart and breathing rate skyrocketed. The inside of her lip began to bleed. Had she spoken out of turn? Was it wise to call out such a dangerous adversary, even if it was in her own defense? Cracking under the sensation of such unwavering focus, she ventured to peek from her cover and capture a glance of the doll-like features of this threatening beauty. Only, instead of the typical scowl or neutral expression, there was a softness she was unaccustomed to.
Taishou B:
Chuckling softly, she tilts up her partner's chin with her fingertips, to better capture her own reflection from within the clarity of warm, grey mirrors. She felt warm breath caress her cheek, a slight scent of cinnamon filled her nostrils. Turning her attention to slightly-parted lips, the source of these gentle pants, she delicately runs her thumb across their glassy smoothness, eliciting a small start from the girl. Preparations complete, she continues to plant a full, sensual kiss on her lips. The sense of victory she felt when resistance turned to acquiescence quickly gave way as awareness partially escaped her. The blinding whiteness of the chamber evaporated into the hazy darkness of deep affection; nothing else in the world existed but the warmth of the girl's lips, the sweetness of her saliva, and the burning sense of devotion she felt towards her at that very moment. Nothing more was wanted, than to spend an eternity away from the cruelties of the world, only the two of them. The stark impossibility of that reality tore at her heart. Sensing imminent hypoxia from her quarry, she slowly breaks the kiss. However, wanting to remain near her partner's innocent, girlish aura, she gracefully takes a knee and affectionately slips her hands around those of her swooning partner, still recovering from their forbidden act.
(whispers) You really need to stop that bad habit of yours, you know...(subtly smacks her lips at the taste of iron and cinnamon)
Shoujo 02:
Dizzy at the act that had transpired, she struggled to bring the form of the kneeling figure before her, as well as her mental facilities, back into clarity. Relaxation had set in deep into her body, as she was sunken into her seat, unable to resume proper posture. Her mind was oscillating between moments of near-lucidity and fuzzy pink noise. She felt warmth, such comforting warmth. In her stupor, her mind diverged in several directions. Had she nearly suffocated? Had she been drugged? Was she dreaming?
(groaning weakly) ...Yes...I'll work on that...
Taishou B:
(lovingly caressing her hand) Please do. I expect great things from you, ▒▒▒▒▒▒. Marvelous things. Please don't let me down by regressing to old, bad habits.
Slowly, she raises herself up off of her knee, letting her partner's hand limply slide out of hers. Taking a small step away, she admired her handiwork. The petite girl lay sprawled in her seat, notebook and pen dropped to the floor, knock-kneed, head lolled to one side. Flushed cheeks sat below half-lidded, blissful eyes. Her chest deliciously rose and fell in quick succession as she panted for breath. The spectacle tempted a faint smile to betray her lips. Quickly, she turned away and leisurely strolled to her window, holding her hands behind her back, feeling quite pleased with herself.
Shoujo 02:
With her partner now at a safe distance, her breathing pattern calms and the dreamy haze that clouded both mind and vision gradually dissipates. Taking note of her disheveled appearance, she smooths out the creases in her skirt and tucks her hair behind her ears, righting her posture. Kneeling down to retrieve her pen and notebook, she eyes the ominous silhouette at the window. What trick was played just now? It had passed just as quickly as it came. Racking her brain to recollect if her partner had ever made her feel this way before, she comes up short. The beginnings of unease starting to take hold, a cold sweat breaks her skin. She gathers her notebook and bag under her arm and begins to move towards the door. However, upon standing, she feels her breath catch in her chest. Something was not right.
Taishou B:
(still glancing out her window) Thank you for consulting with me tonight. I apologize for being short with you earlier.
Shoujo 02:
(shakily taking steps away) No, thank you...(she clutches at her chest, struggling to inhale as deeply as she can) I-ah...I really appreciate the time you make for me. I know just how busy you are and...
her voice trails off as she concentrates intently on reaching the exit, a wave of extreme apprehension now seizing her consciousness, drowning, diverting all thought to a singular mantra. Get out. Get Out. GET OUT. GETOUTGETOUTGETOUTGETOUT.
Taishou B:
Of course. You know I'd always make time for you. However I'd prefer it if you'd refrain from bringing up Shounen 01 or Taishou R again. I don't care about them....
Shoujo 02:
The request fell to background under the strain of compounding fear, now fully realized as panic. Adrenaline coursed through her veins, racking her from the inside out. The once-before brilliant whiteness of the chamber now appeared dim, as her vision both narrowed and greyed. Fixated on the exit, she dared not look back, for looking back would mean certain death. All that mattered to her was the safety that existed beyond the chamber containing the eldritch horror that had just kissed her. A foul wave of nausea made her swallow hard. She couldn't stand being in the chamber with it for a second longer; her entire being rebelled against the very proposition. Just a few more steps, a few more steps and she'd be clear of this crushing dread. Her limbs became heavy, resisting commands to move, hijacked by a freeze reflex. Had her body already surrendered? Had she died? Impossible, she didn't feel as if she sustained any bodily harm. Then why this paralysis? Why won't you move? I need to go NOW! Work, goddamnit! WORK! With one last strenuous, desperate surge, she screamed at her quadriceps to flex, flinging herself out into the corridor.
Taishou B:
Turns her attention to the open exit, softly sailing the words out after her partner.
I love--
Shoujo 02:
The pneumatic door seals behind her with a comforting hiss, cleaving her partner's parting sentiment in two. Gasping on her knees, she violently arches her back and vomits onto the floor's cold, glassy, white surface; the encounter proving too much for her body to endure. Overcome with exhaustion, with the acrid smell of bile burning her eyes, she collapses to her side, uniform dirtied with her own detritus. Recounting what had just transpired, she curls up and began to cry bitterly, each and every sob shaking her broken body. Somehow, in some way unknown to her, she felt less than before; she couldn't help but feel that at some point, within that chamber, she lost a part of herself. Something very important to her, never to be recovered.
[end transmission]