“Well, that was a good converstation starter.I should probably introduce myself. My name is Monika. はじめまして.”
“It is not so often one is pleased to meet the Shogun of Sorrow. I am the last being most mortals wish to meet aside from Death itself.”
Aku eyed the woman curiously, somewhat perplexed at her existence.
“Though I suspect you are not quite mortal…”
“I can see why people wouldn’t really pleased to meet you. You are.. quite intimidating. Not like it’s a bad thing, though.”
She looked up. The demon was a lot more bigger than her, man, it’s like she was a mosquito compared to a fullgrown human.
“Your suspections are right. I am no mortal, though I would love to be one. At least mortals don’t experience how it is to be.. a simple binary code.” She glitched a bit while saying that.
“I can see why people wouldn’t really pleased to meet you. You are.. quite intimidating. Not like it’s a bad thing, though.”
She looked up. The demon was a lot more bigger than her, man, it’s like she was a mosquito compared to a fullgrown human.
“Your suspections are right. I am no mortal, though I would love to be one. At least mortals don’t experience how it is to be.. a simple binary code.” She glitched a bit while saying that.
“Oh, is that so? Do not be so eager to trade your immortal code for mortal flesh and blood. You never know when a great and powerful sorcerer may overhear your words and grant you that wish.”
The demon grinned wickedly. Certainly, a sorcerer with the power to grant, and un-grant, immortality was not far away.
A veiled figure stepped forward, carrying a large stringed instrument with her. She set the instrument down before kneeling and taking a bow, all this done in sweeping, graceful movements.
“I am the tribute. I owe a debt to a certain person and he has decreed that this is my payment. You can refuse to accept me and I will go back to my hometown. If you agree to keep me, I must be taken care of in order to perform properly.“
She could feel her heart fluttering. Her mind debated on whether or not to put on a good show or to purposely become clumsy. It was useless. She had too much pride on her talent that she has her mind set on providing everyone the same high quality performance.
“I can sing, dance, paint, and do poetry. My calligraphy is impeccable as well. Which one of these would you like to see first?“
She was bold to enter his throne room when not even his guards would dare. Bolder yet to assume he would simply allow her to leave unpunished if she failed to provide him with adequate entertainment. Judging by his look of disinterest, it would appear the yokai was perpetually irate and unappeasable.
Aku was silent for a moment as he deliberated sending her away before giving her a chance to show her talents. But as the seconds ticked by, he realized that perhaps some music might facilitate his brooding. Besides, she had brought the instrument so she may as well demonstrate what she could do with it.
“Very well,” he growled after a brief eternity. “Begin.”
“Oh nothing, I was just curious” she said with a nervous smile. However, she did have a secret but she thought it was best not tell him… yet.
Another hour past and the rain finally cleared up, despite it being still cloudy.
It was certainly an odd question and one Aku might have pressed her on if he were less tired. Instead, he fell asleep before he could give it much thought.
An hour later the yokai was still sleeping soundly. He’d grown in his sleep and was now large enough and long enough to curl around Alysa’s pillow.
The Shogun of Sorrow 