“Excuse you, when did I agree to sharing a bed with you.”
“HUH?” Aku awoke with a start. “Oh, it’s only you…”
The demon laid back down again and made himself comfortable, pulling the blanket up to his chin. “I assumed that agreement was made when we were inexplicably married.”
“Maybe. If I have a darkness, it must be subtle enough that I haven’t noticed. It could be growing if that’s the case.” she just couldn’t bring herself to care, she knew it was an issue, and while there were things she was against it was as if her mind had no energy to do anything about it.
Indifference was something she had grown used to over the years, despite it being something she knew would be a problem down the road.
“I’m comfortable around you, you’re right, I should be terrified. But I feel like the darkness and evil that resonates here is welcoming almost.” that felt gross to say no matter how true it was.
“Have you considered that you may be half demon?” Aku asked over his teacup. As unlikely as it might have seemed, he knew from personal experience that it wasn’t impossible.
“It happens more than you might think…” he added with a grumble and took a long sip.
Gaster didn’t see the black tar that rose from the earth and crept slowly towards him. The monster was too preoccupied with watching Aku, thinking this other being was wasting its time by trying to defend a human. After all, there were billions of humans. To get so angry over the enslavement of one seemed to be a waste.
“Then we seem to have something in common, at least. I, too, have all eternity to continue my work. But unlike you, I won’t waste my time over the well being of a singular human- rather, I’ll be spending my time causing their demise.”
As tired as he was of this creature, those few words snagged Aku’s interest and he couldn’t help his own curiosity. There was, after all, a particularly pesky human in his life whom Aku would like to see face his demise once and for all.
Regardless, the dark substance that had risen from the earth continued its slow and silent spread, its movements seemingly independent of Aku’s higher-level, sentient thoughts.
“I care nothing for humans as a species, aside from their enslavement and lifelong obedience to me. I shall exploit and punish them for as long as I see fit. And should they become tiresome, I shall smite them from my planet,” he said with a decisive sweep of his arm. Aside from a handful of humans, he felt nothing but disdain for them.
“For what reasons do you seek their demise?” He asked not so much to gain insight into Gaster’s motivations, but out of simple curiosity.
“Don’t know.” she answered honestly. “Its been this way since I was a child. I’ve always had monsters around me, they tell me I know why but I haven’t a clue to be honest.” she sat down arms on her knees as she spoke, casual as ever. She didn’t appear afraid of Aku even the slightest even now.
“Maybe it’s something that draws them to me. Like an illness.” she tried. “A paranormal syndrome, maybe?”
“Hmmmm… perhaps there is darkness that resonates within you,” he mused, but it was only a guess. “For a mortalyou seem unusually comfortable in the presence of supreme Evil.”
Even comfortable enough to serve it tea. It was strange. Even Azura had been leery of Aku at first and openly shared her dismay at the things he had done (which Aku largely ignored.) This human seemed to accept evil quite easily.
Alysa’s eyes sparkled, “Well I like your shape shifting powers, they’re pretty cool” She began, “Not to mention those flaming eyebrows of yours, they definitely complete your image” she continued.
Her face began to turn a little red, “In fact….. I think they make you look handsome…” she said as she twirled her hair shyly.
Aku leaned back and soaked in the compliments like a giant Eldritch sponge, a wide grin stretched across his face. This human was much better at bestowing her praises upon him than others in the past. There was no stuttering or stammering or crying or sweating profusely with fear. The compliments seemed to flow straight from her heart and out of her mouth.
He was oblivious, of course, to the subtle changes in her behavior.
“Handsome, yes! I am VERY handsome. How wise you are to notice.” The demon puffed out his chest and gestured to his pectorals his beard. “What do you think of Aku’s beard? You don’t think I should shave it do you?”
“Mm,” Casper thought about that, looking to the side. “One of them insists on talking to only me. The rest seem like they’re more driven to be my tormentors like its an instinct. I can’t really say much since I try my best to avoid them.” she answered, taking her sketchbook back.
“What is it that draws these creatures to you?” Aku eyed her as if he might be able to see the answer if he looked closer. She appeared to be an ordinary human to him, but his judgement of humans had been wrong in the past.
The girl’s eyes widened, then her expression quickly turned into a smile, “Well shoot, I guess I’m staying!” She said happily. “Oh that’s right, I forgot to introduce myself! My name’s Alysa, it’s nice to meet you!” she greeted as she held out her hand to the shogun.
After a moment spent squinting at her hand, Aku offered the tip of a claw for the human to ‘shake’. It would be much simpler, he realized, if he shrank himself down to a smaller size for this hand-shaking business, but Aku liked being large too much to bother.
“Yes, it is nice to meet you, Alysa,” he said, grinning contently. “Now then, you may begin by telling Aku your favorite thing about him.”
The Shogun of Sorrow 