Collab with [@Dane] [@Arminwraith] Reiha stared at the vial of blood as the situation suddenly entered a situation outside of her foresight. She entered the palace knowing her dear husband losing his position to be likely, she even made a series of steps to save him if Lord Michikatsu decides he should be dead but him breaking a century old tradition to reward her is not what she expects but even so, it wasn't an entirely bad thing. It just means that some roles needed to be swapped between her and her beloved. Taking a brief moment to stare at her husband, Reiha then turned to the vial before drinking the blood and bowing. [hr] Standing aside, Keodis nods once at Michikatsu, putting on a pair of shades that block out his eyes. He grabs his sword and stands, brushing invisible dust off his suit. He glances at his new charge as she downs the vial, and then starts walking towards the door. [color=crimson][i]Once more, into the breach. Just another mission, just another show. Once things calm down, maybe I can go back to what I enjoy.[/i][/color] [hr] [color=red]”I will strive to meet your expectations, Michikatsu-sama.”[/color] Reiha spoke with complete sincerity as she raised herself up and headed to her husband and that [color=red]detestable tramp[/color]. [color=red]“This wouldn't change things between us.”[/color] she reassured her husband as she gave him a kiss before departing with that [color=red] disgusting harlot [/color]. She knew they would have a long discussion on what happens next but she trusts her other half to hold things out like she would do. Guen watched as Rikyo lost everything but knowing him, the Demon Lord of The Seventh Heaven didn't even lose a single thing. Nakime strummed her Biwa and Rikyo without their knowledge was kindly sent back to Kyoto, given that the Aumshinrikyo Cult HQ resides there. Moreover, Guen is stuck with two Demons that have beef with her, not that she cares, it was under Michikatsu’s orders that they work together. For a moment, Guen was jealous of Reiha, who still had her husband. That public display of attention was something she used to have. The trip to Kyoto was long despite the technological advances, especially now that she is walking among humans. She missed a lot of things ever since sunlight became her uncaring bane but this traffic is not among those things. Especially considering who she trapped in the car with. [color=red]“I must say, your face managed to look more disgusting even under the sun.” she spoke with vitriol as she returned her glare indicating that what she is feeling is mutual. “It's been a while since we met without my beloved being around to save you.”[/color] she spat as the two of them continued the battle of wills. [hr] Keodis sighs, sitting in the front seat and driving through the traffic. Heavy clothes cover his skin, and he looks through a heavily tinted windshield that hides him from the sun’s rays. Of all the people who had to get trapped in this car, why him? Oh yeah, it’s because he can be trusted not to kill either of them. No matter how annoying either of them become, Keodis has spent years dealing with clients like them on both sides of the board. One more catfight in the back seat of his car isn’t too groundshaking. And what a car it is. An imported 1969 Chevrolet Impala 4-door, with Rolls-Royce leather seats and a top-of-the-line radio added in aftermarket. It rumbles down the Tomei Expressway, it’s Turbojet V8 engine roaring out as he nearly runs a tiny kei truck off the road. He hums along to a Bon Jovi song that plays quietly on a cassette tape, tapping his fingers on the wheel as he keeps an ear trained on the “civil” conversation behind him. As long as no one damages his car, they could do with getting some of their stress released on each other. [hr] [color=red]“I cannot wait to complete this stupid bargain.”[/color] Reiha said. Guen nonchalantly ignored any of Reiha's words as they meant nothing to her, she briefly looked at her face to face and continued reading her book, which is inscribed with the letter M, out of four swords. “Foolishness! As your mind projects to believe it to be, even after your promotion, your voice still reeks of a mourner, one who rushes to finish their contract is doomed to fail and perhaps that is something you'd waste your tears on.” Guen insulted Reiha as cold as ice, let alone her profession in the funeral parlor and it annoyed Guen seeing Reiha put on a show in her funeral parlor services for the past 2 weeks they've known each other, no doubt that she's a professional mourner but those tears were fake. “Frankly I do not recall being saved by your stupid religion.” Reiha’s face twitched at Guen's words this bitch really knows how to get under her skin but no worries, she would at least wipe that smirk off that defiant beast. [color=red]“Oh, we both know that foolish make believe is not what is allowing you to walk among us. The only reason why no one is leaping to you once the sun sets is because of the power my husband was using to protect you, power that I now wield.”[/color] she spoke getting closer to Guen as the car stopped moving. [color=red]“Power that I can pull out, anytime I want.”[/color] Guen didn't smirk at all but that almost made her laugh on the inside, nonchalance as always as she continued reading her book. “Power that your Creator can pull out anytime, if that's what you meant. Michikatsu only chose you to spite your pathetic husband, and to rustle the aspirations of the Consorts, thinking that they could be something more than mere breeding tools and desperate housewives. You speak of power that you do not possess, just as Ubuyashiki-sama can pull out my privileges, in other words, you and I are nothing but mistresses, clinging to power.” Guen dissed Reiha by showing empathy and how they're alike. [color=red]“Keep that my husband away from that dirty mouth of yours! Don't you dare to compare what we have to what you and your pathetic dead husband pretentious little lie. I mean you're working with the people who killed him, some devoted wife you are.”[/color] Reina answered back anger rising as the fangs on her teeth began to show. She and Guen are nothing alike in her eyes, she is just a nuisance to crush. Guen’s eyes glared at what Reiha just said, that is something she couldn't deny, her disillusionment with the Demon Slayer Corps. The air around them became visibly cold, the windows of the car started freezing as the glass was about to crack and shatter. She raised her voice a bit. “That goes the same for you, you're working with someone from the faction that killed many of your kindred. Devotion? Don't make me laugh, Reiha. If you're truly devoted to your husband, you would have eloped with him, in the name of love. Yet here we are, two simple women, who cannot act upon our love, solely because our husbands are superseded by their employers. You and I are not so different, in the end, we are just flowers, married to the job, just as the bees work hard to extract pollen for their Lord.” Reiha let out a dismissive scoff to Guen and that is why the two of them are different and why she is a better woman than this harlot. [color=red]“A good wife will follow and support her husband's ambitions, no matter how foolish it may be. Like letting you stay alive and live under our roof for some relic of the past. My husband's wishes are the only thing stopping me from speaking for your demise.”[/color] Reiha warned Guen as a ball of blood appeared between them before flowing back to Reiha's bleeding ring finger. [color=red]”Which is why as a good wife, I will swear that if you ever thought of reneging our terms or harming him. I will kill you, my husband's or my lord's wishes be damned.”[/color] she spoke as the finger healed, content now that her terms are settled. Guen silently nodded at Reiha’s conviction. “Very well. Our terms remain until it's over. Part of the terms included more innocent sacrifices, so your husband not only regains but also surpasses his previous power. Is it not?” Reiha scoffs at Guen's words like a brat who asks a foolish question. [color=red]”What, getting cold feet? You knew what your offer entails, if you have no intent to follow then kill yourself and end this farce unless you want me to do that for you.”[/color] Reiha answered as she returned to her seat knowing that Guen won't back away now that is too deep in her scheme. And that is why her inevitable betrayal is just a matter of time. They both knew that. “Not at all. Isn't that the trick question? That's how I got your attention, the more deceased ones pile up, the more you're active. Big words for someone who is unable to kill themselves, you could say the same thing that I'd also do it for you instead.” she said so coldly. Guen finally came clean of her treacherous and heinous acts. [color=red]”Made up yet? We’ve still got about 2 hours to go before we make it to Kyoto proper. So, you know. Try not to kill each other, have fun, and DON’T DAMAGE MY SEATS, or you’re paying for them! They’re about 1.8 million yen, so choose wisely.”[/color] [color=crimson][i]At least this gives me an excuse to check up on the venues over in Kyoto. Once I figure out where I’ll be standing on this particular shitshow, it’ll be time to pull as much as I can under an umbrella so it doesn’t get caught in the splash zone.[/i][/color] [color=red]“For now.”[/color] Reiha answered as she stared at Guen, not that she will admit it but said gambit was brilliant. She would dare say that such a move is something she would expect from that clever hag but would rather not praise the enemy. [color=red]”If anything happens I will pay for the damages with my own money.”[/color] she spoke before looking out the window enjoying the sun that she haven't felt for years. [color=crimson]”Lovely. As an aside, how does the sun feel? I… don’t remember anymore. Held my arm over a flame to think of it, but… I don’t think that was quite right. It is warm, right?”[/color] “You look stupid, Keodis. That won't do.” Guen handed Keodis a package. “You'll thank me later.”