hollower | Appointments

[Threads continued from here or otherwise.]

[Continued from here.
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That is a-okay, captain, because Perona's doing just the same. She's actually quite reluctant to let him go, and is enjoying the warmth of his body as well as the warmth of Law's presence. She's back and he's still here. He remembers her and he missed her and she's so happy to hear that.

When was the last time Perona ever had nakama? Real nakama. She never has, and as a smile practically eats up her face, tears run down her face and she laughs and tightens her grip on her dearest friend. It takes her a few more minutes to calm down and settle the quiver in her voice, and even when she pulls away to wipe her face, she still has a tight grip on Law's shirt.]

I-I'm glad...I didn't think...I-I'd find you. Is everything alright? Did those pieces of shit treat you well while I was gone? [She doesn't want to ask how long it's been. not right now. Not anymore.]

[Pieces of shit. Perona remembers some of it. It's so selfish, but he's glad she remembers some of what bonded them together, terrible as it was. It's now a better world... but among all the bad of the old one, so much good was forged. Would he have nakama... know how precious what he was given in Luceti, without it?]

The Malnosso don't exist anymore. Everyone went far into the past. Time was changed. [He does not say we changed time because he does not include himself with those that did so.] ... the ones in charge now aren't like them it seems.

... so, I'm okay. I'm okay now. [Not perfect. Still coming to terms with what happened. But better.]

[That...wow. She should be happy about the lack of the Malnosso, but Perona really doesn't know how to feel. This new world of peace leaves too much to be desired - revenge being the most prominent. They suffered, all of them, and to just have the switch flipped seems a little too simple.

She closes her eyes, tilting her head like she was really trying to make sense of Law's words - she doesn't disbelieve him, but it is difficult to process. Exhaling loudly through her nose, she tugs Law closer again for another hug.]

...So long as you're alright, I suppose I should be happy. [But she's not. Not completely. She has things she wants to say, but ruin her reunion with her nakama? They can share a drink and more words later.]

[Murmuring.]

It's okay if you're not.

[Because he has to say it. He wouldn't dare tell Perona her feelings on the matter are invalid, whatever they may be. He avoided a lot of people today for the only reason he didn't want to be told what he was feeling was wrong. Not when he was still figuring it out for himself what exactly was wrong.

The only people he's opening up to about it are the ones he loves and trusts - or can see his own point of view.]

It's a lot to take in.

I'm not...satisfied.

[Is that what it is? Perona really doesn't know how to word what she's feeling, but it sure as hell isn't happy. Hitting the 'undo' or 'reset' button seems far too simple, and removes so much of the sacrifice and pain everyone had to endure. Does that even matter anymore? Does anyone even remember? Or care? Just because everything is 'better' seems like such a disgusting way to placate the general populace. It's easy. It's simple.

It's not enough.

Perona shakes her head, dismissing the thoughts lest she just make herself angry. Luceti's always been a steaming pile, she shouldn't expect it to change, even for the so-called better.]

I can imagine it is...but we can talk later. [She pulls back again, but never enough to let got of Law's shirt. Call it insecurity, but Perona's reluctant to remove herself from her nakama now that she has him in her grip again.] I want to enjoy the time I have with you now, so we should drink.

[That, and some alcohol might warm her up. It's freezing out here and shes not exactly well dressed for the season, even with a cot and gloves.]

... same.

[Solidarity. And that's all he'll say for now. He'll bury the feelings deep.

He just wants to enjoy this too. Be happy. Sea knows it's a rare thing.

Law's having a hard time letting go as well. He half expects her to evaporate away if he does.]

Yeah, I'd rather just spend time with you too... drinking sounds perfect. [And some food as well, that too.] You want to go out for that or do you want to do it at the house?

[Yeah. This is his way of broaching if she wants to stay with him and Itachi?]

[The question throws her, and Perona wears her emotions openly. Her wide-eyed stare at Law's face dissolves into an awkward gaze at the ground, and her fingers play with the fabric of his shirt nervously. Is that--yes, it was. It's pretty obvious what he's really asking, and Perona can't fight how her lips turn up at their corners, slowly.]

I--... [She shakes her head. He's really cute, and very sweet, and Perona loves him so much and owes him even more, but...] Law, I can't impose on you and your husband. A drink is more than enough.

It isn't imposition. You're nakama. Both of us want to have you.

[Itachi was okay was it before and Law knows in the case of Perona he will be again.

There are certain things that they understand in their marriage after all. How important Konoha and Sasuke are to Itachi and how important nakama are to Law.]

[With a shake of her head and a gentle sigh, Perona gives Law a smile. There's no point in arguing, is there? She won't get far, and it'd be nice to be close to her nakama. She never did like living alone...]

Captain's orders? Very well then...thank you, again, Mr. Law.

[Continued from here!]
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Souls?

[Holy shit. That's awesome!! And they're supposedly more vicious, too? Hnnn... ♥ So much better than what she had imagined. Perona's expression changes, and her eyes gloss over with adoration, hands clasped together. A monster that consumes souls, and she's getting to meet one!]

That's amazing! Do different souls have different tastes? How do you eat a soul? Does the victim die when you feed off them?

[Cheyenne is used to seeing fear in a person's soul after she tells them what she is. But this reaction... she's not really sure what to make of it. But regardless, she has no problem answering her questions.]

Although it is true I feed on souls, I don't eat them, so to say whether or not they have a particular taste would be inaccurate. Rather, I draw them out of the body through the use of illusions created whenever another creature looks into my eyes.

And as to your third question, no. The method I use for feeding here in the village is done in a way that brings no harm to the creature who offers their soul to me. However, in the case of my sisters, generally the entire soul is consumed, a process which very few creatures have ever survived.

[And then, tilting her head.] ...is this not an unpleasant topic?

[The eyes draw out the soul? Oh, that's sounds so fascinating! Perona's heart is all a flutter, and she wiggles her little fists in front of her chest with a muted squeak of delight. She even lifts up a few inches into the air, before she taps back down again with a light bounce.]

Aahn~! That sounds so frightful! Positively horrific. What does it feel like, to have your soul removed? [Is it anything like how she can leave her body and travel like a ghost?] Can I watch the next time you need to eat? Please, please, I won't get in your way, I promise!

[Sorry, girl, but your question rolls swiftly over Perona's head.]

[If she thinks it sounds so frightful and horrific, why does she keep asking questions? Humans are so strange.]

I suppose I wouldn't have a problem with it, provided you do not look into my eyes while I feed. Although I am capable of feeding from a creature without causing it harm when I do so intentionally, should you look into my eyes when I am not prepared, my illusions would reflect your worst fears back to you. That is why I wear this blindfold. It is not an experience I would recommend.

[She skipped over that first question...]

[NOT ALL HUMANS!! ...Though Perona is a rare case, definitely. She has a peculiar sense of what is 'good'. She's never been one to conform to expectations, and what would utterly terrify most excites and delights her. She is an oddity, but wouldn't change her ways if someone paid her (maybe).]

Wha-- [She stops, having her question answer. Oh lord, worst fear? That...that actually sounds terrible, and not in the good way. What does Perona fear? Well, that's simple - the fear of any Ability User - drowning. Her excitement fizzles out like a deflated balloon, and her tone is a lot more serious, eyes knitting together with a growing frown.] ...I'll be careful.

When you...feed, the person is shown what terrifies them most? Each time? [That actually doesn't sound so great.]

Oh, not at all. That is only the case when one looks into my eyes when I am not prepared. It is a "default" of sorts, and can be very dangerous for the creature who is pulled into such an illusion. [She'd probably get no volunteers if that was the case, and would have to settle for living alone in the woods or something to survive.]

For those who have volunteered their souls to me in the past, I only show peaceful illusions, or reflect pleasant memories back to them. I've been told it is actually quite an experience, though unfortunately I am unable to use my illusions without also feeding on their soul.

[Oh, that's actually kind of cute. A peaceful monster is still a monster, and Perona adores monsters of all kinds. Plus, now she has little to fear from the soul-sucking creature...which is always a plus.]

Horohoro, that's rather gracious of you. You don't know what vision you'll cause when it happens? [So kind of like a pleasant surprise for the prey and a meal for the predator. Seems less scary and more beneficial for the two parties.] You're quite different than what I had assumed when I learned you could devour souls, Miss Monster.

I suppose that is to be expected. I don't believe there are many worlds out there who contain monsters such as myself. Even in my previous world, I am something of an oddity among illusionists.

As my sisters are incapable of feeling anything akin to emotion, they are not as... gracious when it comes to feeding, and tend to do so indiscriminately.

[Just in case Perona wanted to know that there are more bloodthirsty versions of this little girl out there somewhere.]

[Oh, that gets a stirring of emotion welling up in the young woman's chest - a bubbling delight that spills over she she holds her face in one hand, breathing out a slow sigh. Ugh, hollow, monstrous, soul-stealing monster who kill. Females, too! Ah, that sounds like a beautiful kind of nightmare. ♥

Thankfully, she calms down after a few seconds, and instead of leaving is actually moving back towards a table nearby.]

I'd rather be different than just like the common rabble... If they don't like how I am, then they can all go to hell. [She's been considered an oddity herself for her tastes and her peculiar ways of dressing and acting, but that's who she is and how she will forever be. Anyone that disapproves can just into the ocean for all Perona cares.] But if you eat souls, Miss Monster, why are you here at a restaurant? Can you eat like humans, too?

[Well, if Perona is moving to stay, Cheyenne will follow -- she was the one heading inside in the first place, after all.]

Of course. Though it is less a matter of whether I can and more of a fact that I need to do so in order to live. As I said before, I do not actually eat the souls that I feed on. I still require normal sustenance to sustain my body, just as any other living creature does.

[...]

Also, I am quite partial to the pasta they serve here.

[Oh, now this is just getting more and more interesting. Perona's a lover of monsters and scary things of all kinds (as well as cuties) and normally demons only eat one specific thing...and mortal food isn't on the list from what she's read up on. But at least this means she can take this super girl monster girl out to lunch and have tea parties in the future!! SCORE.]

Oh, the food here is very good. [Now that a certain gourmet chef has come back, but details.] What other foods do you like? We could have lunch together one day!

[She has to think about that for a moment.]

I would not call myself particularly picky, seeing as I never had the luxury of being choosy. It is really only in Luceti where I have had the opportunity to eat fully cooked meals on a regular basis.

[She was in the desert before she came to Luceti this time around, after all. Cactus and lizards are not the kind of things anyone should have to depend on to live.]

Though now that I thought about, I don't believe I ever asked for your name.

[Oh dear, she never did introduce herself, did she? Whoops! Perona got so excited over the fact she was meeting an actual soul-sucking monster girl that she lost herself a little bit. Ah, she really needs to try and control herself, but its so difficult...

At least she looks pretty sheepish once she realizes her folly. There's even a flutter in her wings and a soft bit of color on her cheeks.]

Eh--th...that's right! My name is Perona. What's yours? [Calling her Miss Monster, while cute, doesn't sound very polite.]

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