[Hanako] Chapter 11: Relationships

Throndir · April 16, 2019, 02:23:36 AM

Like before, there was a momentary pause from Falah. But the two words soon made its way out.

"My father."

Asta · April 16, 2019, 02:33:06 AM

Hanako inhaled sharply through clenched teeth. She probably should have expected something like this, but it stung none the less.

"How, why, and what have you told him?" She asked, trying to keep a measured tone.

Throndir · April 16, 2019, 02:46:37 AM

"I have not yet reported to him." Falah replied back in her monotone voice.

Asta · April 16, 2019, 02:51:11 AM

A small relief, but it didn't allay the larger problem.

"Did he send you here to spy? How did you plan to contact him and why... why would you do this?" Hanako asked. The last question in particular stung a little as she asked it. It was unpleasant to think that after taking such care to help her, Falah could stab her in the back like this. She looked over at Kari from the corner of her eye, half expecting to see her with a smug expression.

Throndir · April 16, 2019, 03:13:59 AM

The valkyrie only began to glare even more towards Falah. Her eyes burned with a clear hatred. Whether or not it was unfounded, it was easy to tell that the valkyrie had something against demons. Kari noticed your glance however.

"Mine blade is only stayed for thy power, hero. This valkyrie knoweth that tis a hard thing to resist after all." Kari said. "But if tis were a weak thing, forsooth, she would not be standing."

Like last time, Falah took a moment to answer. However, instead of answering, her eyes started to clear, and her face was strewn with shock and fear. Her eyes moved towards you, looking towards you pleadingly as tears started to form around her eyes. At the same moment, her hands reached out towards you as well. But Akime had been watching Falah closely, and the moment she reached out, the swordswoman had her blade out against the demon girl's neck.

You could tell that Falah was attempting to resist the mind-control, but with the blade up to her neck she chose not to move further. A moment after that, Falah's eyes glazed over again, then in the same monotone voice she had been using, continued.

"My father did not send me here to spy. Once I was free to move around, I would have tried to find a way to contact him. I did this because I wanted father to accept me back, and to welcome me back home."

Asta · April 16, 2019, 03:26:43 AM

Hanako knew what it was like to seek acceptance from an uncaring parent. Even years of hardening herself to their indifference and scorn couldn't rid her entirely of the base desire to be wanted and loved by a her parents. Despite that though, the betrayal stung deep.

She sighed. "I can't say I don't understand why, but I'm disappointed. You know this isn't something that can be overlooked. If your father knew what we were doing here, he would come down on us and slaughter everyone here to the last child. Were you really so ready to throw away the kindness I showed you? My friendship? I know you aren't stupid, you know that of all the people in this mansion my head would be the first one they took off."

She looked at Falah, and for the first time since coming to this world, Hanako wasn't sure what to do.

Throndir · April 16, 2019, 03:34:24 AM

"I would never throw away your friendship." Falah replied back immediately in her monotone voice. "I would have tried to help you get away. And Trudy."

"Praytell, would thou have been fine with the rest of us being killed?" Kari, who had been silent for the last few questions finally spoke up again.

"No, I don't want anyone to die." Falah continued robotically.

Asta · April 16, 2019, 03:48:14 AM

"You have to know that neither of us would have left everyone here to their deaths." Hanako said, and for just a brief moment asked herself why she said that.

That was awfully gallant of me... and uncharacteristic.

"I don't know exactly how mistreated you were where you came from before, but I want you to take a minute to really really
think hard about if betraying us would have really made your father accept you. Then I want you to answer this, knowing that this is probably the most important question you will ever answer."

She looked into Falah's eyes, pleading that she would answer correctly. "Are you still going to tell the other demons where we are and what we're doing?"

Throndir · April 16, 2019, 03:58:35 AM

This time around, Falah was silent for a long awhile.

"I." Falah randomly said, but she was silent again. Kari raised an eyebrow and looked towards you, confused with the girl's short response that didn't really make any sense.

"How doth thou power works?" Kari asked as she moved back to watch Falah. "Truthfully, it compelled me to answer the truth... Speaketh to thy arbitrators, demon." Kari said, not quite realizing it only worked for questions due to your last active command. "Thou hero has asked her question. Tis in thy best interest to answer it."

She was yet again silent for another long period of time.

"I don't." Falah said again, her eyes still glazed over.

"Hmm?"

Another few more moments, and finally, Falah answered.

"I will not tell them."

Asta · April 16, 2019, 04:23:29 AM

"Ever?" came Hanako's short reply. She had to be sure, absolutely certain without a shadow of doubt that Falah wouldn't betray the people Hanako had come to protect. Everyone's lives depended on it, and even though Falah might not be aware of it hers did as well. There was no questioning that Kari couldn't be kept from killing her indefinitely, Hanako knew there were limits to her powers and probably wouldn't be able to stop her many more times.

Throndir · April 16, 2019, 05:40:04 PM

"I will not ever report to my father with how I feel right now." Falah replied.

Asta · April 16, 2019, 07:59:34 PM

It was a very specific way to word the response, and Hanako knew deep down that eventually Falah might change her mind and betray them. Once their position became less critical though, it wouldn't be as much of a threat. For the time being however, she was satisfied. It went without saying that Falah would have to remain under pretty close watch while they were still at the mansion but the girl didn't need to know that. That just left one more issue...

"Well, there you have it. What do you have to say?" she said to Kari.

Throndir · April 17, 2019, 01:12:12 AM

She eventually moved her attention towards you, having no more questions for Falah. "Mine trust isn't so easily earned. But thy power is true. If thou demon stands against thee, surely you shalt be able to deal punishment. If thou is the hero then thou must haveth the blessing of the goddess as well."

"But... be wary of keeping demons in thy midst. I hath been fooled only once in the hundreds of years I roamed mine world. Dost thou know what came of it? Mine capture, my enslavement. Ne'er again."

Asta · April 17, 2019, 01:16:25 AM

Mmmm... that's something I'll need to pry about later I think... Hanako thought.

"So, just to be clear, you aren't going to attack her and if I let you out you wont go around trying to kill anyone here yeah?" Hanako asked, eager to see this issue resolved for a variety of reasons.

Throndir · April 17, 2019, 01:49:12 PM

"Tis not a promise I can make. A hero mayeth be the natural enemy of the demons. But the rest of thy companions... Tis a different story. Their reason, tis one that they maketh themselves. Wary the guile of human nature lest they ensnare thee."

"Forsooth I shalt promise thee that as long I see not demon followers herein, mine blade shalt be stayed."