[voice]

[ofnovalue]

P-P-Pirates?! I scoff at the very idea! Surely we are not so gullible as to be bought in by their ilk!

Tis a trap, I'll presume. No good can come from trusting a Pirate Queen.

Comments

[ofnovalue]

... But still I worry. This Pirate Queen... the Queen of Hearts... do they intend to use us as pieces in their game?

[ritsu_kouyou]

I believe we've been pieces all along. It's infuriating.

[ofnovalue]

And here I thought I was free from suffering such a fate again...

[ritsu_kouyou]

I've always known better. Even as the head of my family, I still have to cater to the wishes of others at times when I have no wish to.

[ofnovalue]

...

It should not be this way. Death is meant to be a release from suffering, is it not?

[ritsu_kouyou]

...it is.

[ofnovalue]

-Oh, that's... right. Akiha didn't know about that.-

Apologies. This conversation grows dark.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Why are you apologizing? Such falls to us all...

[ofnovalue]

Be that as it may...

... I suppose I apologize out of habit, really.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Some see death as a boon. A release, as you referred to. I know it would be for me.

[ofnovalue]

That does not make it pleasant conversation.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I suppose you're right. No one likes to talk about it.

[ofnovalue]

Indeed.

... So on to more pleasant topics. How are you? I had to hide during the raid of the faeries, so I could not keep touch.

[ritsu_kouyou]

They caused quite a lot of problems. I'm afraid I wouldn't have remotely been pleasant company at that time. My mansion was haunted for a while.

[ofnovalue]

Oh dear... Is everything alright now?

[ritsu_kouyou]

Save for the loss of a few more recent creations from the dirt, it has stabilized and the ghosts are gone.

[ofnovalue]

And you are all well? Haunting can be... messy business.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Well enough. The memories they stirred up will eventually settle.

[ofnovalue]

I can imagine...

[ritsu_kouyou]

I have things to distract me.

[ofnovalue]

Your wizard, I take it?

[ritsu_kouyou]

...amongst others-- other things.

[ofnovalue]

... I beg your pardon?

[ritsu_kouyou]

I said amongst other things.

[No, you didn't, Akiha. You know it, which is why you're 'repeating' yourself even though you usually despise doing so.]

[ofnovalue]

... As you say, then.