Livia smiled, shaking her head.
"Shh, it's alright dear." Livia spoke in a comforting voice. She leaned forward, wrapping the small girl in a soft hug.
"You could never disappoint me, Fia. Being scared is simply part of being human. I would be lying if I said I never once in my life was afraid." It was only natural that she felt this way, after all.
"Leading a peaceful life is something everyone wants, and something I have worked my entirely life to make sure people can have it no matter what their desires are if they want. It's not been easy, and at times I have been hurt but in the end, it is worth it." She released the small girl from the hug as she continued.
"I am not asking you to understand completely, just that you never selfishly throw away another life when you can prevent it." Livia stood, smiling softly down at the girl.
"Come now, it's late and we both should be getting to bed.""E-erm, right!" Lyssa shouted after Luna as she went inside with their captive. The demon bounced over to Selvina and Eith, giving them a slightly concerned look.
"You guys are alright, aren't you? What happened?" Despite watching, it was all a little much for the demon, no matter what Luna wanted. She couldn't handle any sort of...serious fight well. Sparring, she could handle, but in a situation like this? Well, she came for a reason...to see if she could help herself get over this, but it wasn't easy, really.
Back in the house, the assailant simply stared back at Luna, tilting her head to the side. Well, her plan had failed. Might as well have a bit of fun with these foreigners. After a few seconds of being asked a question, the assailant shrugged in a nonchalant fashion.
”Come from the swamp I was raised at and lake means murky swamp water.” Katherine said as she focused on the cold gaze.
”Never bothered to visit a murky, filthy swamp if I could help it.” The Puppeteer added.
”That said, I’m afraid I can’t be your slave. I’m already worked to death like one some days by a mutual acquaintance and I need to work my way to overcome her before someone or something else does, though I hope eternity is later today more than earlier tomorrow.” “Murky…swamp water? Either your eyes are completely blind or you are simply a mortal with only rocks in their head. My lake is most certainly not a swamp.” She replied with an almost disgusted expression.
“And I care quite little about whatever is Livia does with you in her spare time or her health. I only care about what you can do for me, human.” She crossed her legs, still staring at Katherine with cold dispassion.
“On your knees. Start with an apology before I tire of your miserable little existence and you never see the light of day again.””On my knees? I hate to say, but that’s not something I could really do. Well, not in the way you want at least.” The Puppeteer smirked before looking around the cave as she continued.
”I suppose I can apologize for making assumptions about ‘your’ lake. As I said, lakes from where I’m from were all swampy so that’s what I think of lakes in general. I’ve never even tried visiting the lake to look at it.” The woman shrugged as she finished her scan of the area, finding no real easy way out.
The pale woman frowned.
“Hmph. Perhaps if you weren’t such a fat, lazy and uncultured sow who spends far too much time spreading her legs for Livia you might actually have some inclination of the wider world.” She replied, tapping her fingers against the throne of water.
“Or perhaps you like swimming in your ignorance? Content to feign superiority when in reality all you can do is pitifully mewl like a kitten scared of its own shadow.” Her fingers stopped their tapping, and she lifted her head from where it rested on her fist.
“I will not ask again. Kneel. Grovel and beg forgiveness from Celine.””Oh my, the grand Celine the Undine wants me to grovel for her name that Rhymes with her species? Heh?” The woman couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit until she thought about what the Undine said earlie. Was she fat? She thought she was rather thin.
”Honestly, feigning superiority is hardly a hobby of mine. Though, I think the title of fat would be more fitting for you with those mounds of water on your chest. I guess I can admit you’re my better in that regard.” “That is ‘Queen Celine’ to you, and more men and women have lusted after these ‘mounds of water’ than you could ever possibly hope to imagine with your meager appeal. Be cleansed of this place, filth.”Without a single other word or changing of her expression, the Undine raised a hand. The pool of water beneath her began to bubble and churn. A large pillar of water slammed into the ceiling with enough force to cause the earth to rumble and coat the entire cavern with ankle deep water. Not seconds later, countless snake like tendrils of water rose from the pool, quickly wrapping around Katherine’s waist, arms, and pulling her into the pool.
It was such a pity Livia said she couldn’t kill her. Didn’t mean she couldn’t have other fun with her, though.
“As soon as you decide to properly show respect, I’ll let you breath nice, clean, air for more than a few seconds.”Katherine didn’t scream as she got dragged in. Rather, she figured this would happen. Really, all the arrogant women in the world and she had to confront the ones that were violent and selfish. Well, it wasn’t like she could talk. For the moment, she only really could survive the onslaught of water around her. She held her breath the best she could, though she was never the best at it. Her lungs gave out sooner than even she had expected and began to take on a little bit of water.
It was a repeated dunking. Rather annoying at first, but as seconds turned into twenty Katherine took the few seconds she found available before being slammed back into the water to cough up what water she could before going face first into the water. After a while though, she thought of something to say to Celine,
”Wa--” She managed to say before being dunked and brought back up,
”Wai--t!” She called out.
“I’m listening, filth.” The undine said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“Make it good.”Katherine took the moment to catch her breath.
”Two things really. F-first. Livia says hi. Second. . . The water’s fine, I’d suggest a dunk if you get a chance. It’s refreshing really. Better than that swamp water back home. Could probably drink this as is and not be sick for days.” She initially intended a complete mocking, but somehow it turned into compliments. Well, either way, she prepared for a nice thorough cleaning.
“Hmph. Like I need that fool of a woman saying ‘hello’ to me.” She grunted in quite a dissatisfied seeming fashion. With a dismissive flick of her hand though, she continued.
“At least you’re off to a good start, filth, but I still do not hear groveling. I live in the water, mortal. No need to tell me how clean it is. I purify all impurities within it…including filth such as yourself.” With those final words Celine dunked Katherine back in the water. This time instead of just holding her under for a few seconds, there was the distinct feeling of something tugging on her clothing before the tendrils removed all of them but her undergarments.
Katherine, of course, did not relent nor did she grovel. What was being repeatedly submerged next to keeping her pride as a headstrong individual? Still, it was getting more and more difficult to keep her breath.
After a few more tries, it was becoming increasingly clear that the woman wasn’t going to be groveling nor seriously apologizing so easily. Unfortunate for her, but entertaining for her at least. With a displeased seeming frown, the undine finally pulled the puppeteer from the water, watery tendrils tossing her carelessly onto the water soaked cavern floor, not caring if she hurt her in the process.
“You have tenacity; I will give you that mortal.” She grunted as she let Katherine catch her bearings, at least for the moment.
“So what should I do with you then? ” Celine rapped her fingers lightly on her watery throne. What should she do next, then? A simple wash wasn’t enough…perhaps something a bit more strenuous was in order.
Katherine looked toward the Undine woman after coughing a bit of water up. She was not wholly sure what to say.
”I’ve heard cleaning a person is better if you do it with your own two hands. Large appendages can’t reach all the nooks and crannies so I hear.” The Puppeteer teased a bit, hardly looking snide enough to follow up on the comment.
“And what exactly makes you think I’ll touch your filth?” She replied with a haughty huff, though…perhaps she was correct. The waters were quite clean to be certain, and could purify the most severe of taints. This woman though…well, perhaps she required a bit more of a delicate touch.
“But perhaps you are right…On your knees.” She continued. Tendrils of water sprung from the spring again, wrapping around Katherine, forcing Katherine to take a kneeling position whether she wanted to or not. From her watery throne, she gazed down at Katherine.
“Ask me to clean you then, filth.” She might just do it anyways, considering this woman’s behavior.
”But it sounds like you want to clean me. The filthy me.” Katherine goaded. She never did well with these overbearing noble types. At least typically she knew she could kill them if she needed. This one was a bit different. She was sexy, so that was an immediate out either way. Other than that though, this Undine seemed rather powerful. Wouldn’t be good to even try honestly.
“Why would someone of my status want to touch your filthy body?” Celine replied with a huff.
“Oh no, I would never willingly touch such putrid smelling mire such as yourself.” She stood straight up, looking haughtily down at Katherine who was still being forced to kneel in front of her.
“But I like to think of myself as merciful and kind.” She continued.
“I will cleanse taint from you filthy monkeys, but you must prove yourself loyal and devoted. Now, beg and prove you wish to be cleansed and I will be merciful.””Well, perhaps I like to be a filthy woman. Have you never had your way with a “filthy” person? She joked, knowing she couldn’t be beheaded at least. Not if this Undine listened to Livia at least. Well, she’d figure an out if she needed to.
“I have had worshippers in the past that allowed me to cleanse them of their impurities. Those rare few who see the error of their ways and allow themselves to be led by someone who knows what they are doing.” Celine coolly stared down at Katherine, a small twitch of the undines lower eyelid made it quite clear to anyone that if Livia hadn’t explicitly told her not to kill her, she’d already be various kinds of ‘cleansed’.
“But…disgusting, filthy creatures. That’s all you humans ever are, with few rare exceptions.” She continued, with a shake of her head.
“Content to wallow in both your ignorance and filth. It infuriates me how content someone can be with such ignorance.” The undine frowned.
“But I suppose that is moot. You will not yield, will you?””I’m not a fan of it, no. I’m not a big fan of the high and mighty royal-type really. Though your body completely is.” “Oh?” Celine’s demeanor changed slightly as she was complimented.
“Is it now, filth? Do you find the body of the Queen Undine appealing?” She had been just about to toss her out of her home. She didn’t want that filth stinking up her home…but perhaps they could come to a compromise of sorts?
“Do these ‘mounds of water’ you so mocked earlier enthrall you, filth?””Well, a compliment where a compliment is due. You have a body someone would die for, so I see no harm in saying it?” Even an enemy can take a compliment for all Katherine cared. So long as it was given for the correct thing. False compliments were stupid.
”So, I suppose you could say I was greatly interested in them.”“Oho?” Celine smirked down at Katherine.
“Perhaps if you ask nicely, I’ll let you touch them.” It was quite clear that the undine at least liked it when people complimented her. Asking, begging…same thing, really, to Celine.
Katherine had a sudden feeling of Deja Vu as she felt she went through a similar scenario long, long ago.
”Oh? I didn’t think one so clean and beauteous such as yourself would not deign to be touched by one so filthy as I.” This was outside of expectations for sure. Still, appealing to senses such as this was not hard, especially when it was the truth after all.
“Certainly…your muck and grime is enough to make even this purest of springs make a stench to highest of heavens.” The undine replied in her typical haughty manner.
“But I am merciful…and your words please me – as they should - Ask, and maybe I will even let you drink from this fountain and perhaps you will be cleansed, even a little of your filth.””I suppose a request is not a hit to pride. Hmph. Very well. O’ beauteous Undine of the Water, Celine, allow this filthy one to touch your ‘mounds’. It would make me quite happy.” Katherine requested with a small smirk. Sometimes, one needed to give ground, lure a target in to sweep them.
Sometime later…
Somehow, after multiple ‘cleansing’ attempts, the two ended up in the far back of the cave. The Undine was sitting in a chair, looking as haughty as ever while Katherine ‘recovered’. The puppeteer was thoroughly soaked in water, and was likely more than a little tired after such a vigorous purification session.
“That is enough, for now.” The Undine said, looking at Katherine.
“You have earned your reward for being a good little human.””Heh, good isn’t the word most people use to describe me.” Katherine joked, relaxing after her bout with Celine.
”That said, it’s quite late and I should get back to my room. I wouldn’t mind revisiting. . . But alas, I have a job.” The puppeteer said with a little sadness in her voice, though whether it was real or not was up for debate.
“Oh? Leaving?” Celine seemed utterly confused by the mere notion of such a thing.
“No no, my little human pet. You will stay here until Celine has cleansed you thoroughly.””Oh? It sounds like the grand Undine, Celine, wants to keep me around. Have you fallen for a filthy human in the short time she’s been here?” The Puppeteer couldn’t help but try teasing the high and mighty Undine in front of her.
“Hmph, hardly.” Celine replied with a scoff. Truthfully, she hadn’t…but the human had proved to be rather entertaining.
“I simply find you entertaining to watch squirm about.””Oh? I could have sworn you were the one squirming while I was. . . Assisting you in pleasure.” Katherine shrugged, it was a bit of a hectic time really, but she was sure it was at least both ways in that regard.
“If anything, I was only squirming in discomfort because your filthy tongue didn’t know what it was doing.””I rather think I have more than enough experience thank you. I think you’re just trying to defend that noble pride of yours. Not that I can blame you. Don’t we all?”“Pride? Is it pride if it is true, human?” Celine replied.
“I am Queen of the Undine, and I demand respect. Such is how things should be.” She rested her head on her hand as she had earlier, once again looking bored.
“Filthy humans like you have no purpose. No logical reason for taking pride in your filth, but enough useless talk. You won’t be leaving until you are no longer entertaining.””So you want to keep me as entertainment?” She has been saying that since the beginning hasn’t she? What to do. . .
”Seems we’ve come to an impasse.” She scratched her chin slightly as she attempted to think of a way to escape.
”Well, if I thought you might leave this cave I’d suggest you come with me. There’s plenty of entertaining things at the academy.”“Go…up…there?” Celine stared at Katherine for a few seconds before haughtily laughing.
“An absurd notion. Why would one such as myself even breathe the same putrid air as you mortals? You are foolish to even make such a suggestion.””You share the same ‘putrid air’ with me a ‘mortal’ right now. Not that the air is putrid here or there really. I’m sure you could get plenty of foolish people to dote over and worship you if you wanted. Though, what is it that you want?” Katherine had to ask. She really wasn’t sure of this Undine’s intentions.
”You could visit at the least.”“One human is tolerable. A whole herd of the putrid things is unsightly.” Despite her words though, the Undine seemed to at least take Katherine’s words somewhat seriously.
“But what is it I want, you ask?” Suddenly, a watery tendril would wrap around Katherine’s ankle as it pulled her up, hanging her upside down in front of Celine.
“Simple, and rather obvious. All you filthy things to either die or serve. But unfortunately, that can’t be achieved. Foolish gods and demons value you creatures too much.”Of course, Katherine had an annoyed face as she was grabbed by the tendril. She’s come to expect this much.
”I’ve effectively had my way with divine and demon.” Livia was technically part divine wasn’t she?
”Either way, I can’t speak for most of the foolish humans, but I put myself on a much higher pedestal than any silly god or demon would.” Well, this wouldn’t matter much to one that wanted her dead for some reason.
”I find my own protection is better than any god or demon, that aside, why do you desire humans to die? From our time ‘together’ I swear you’d rather seduce them and toy with them.” “Livia simply said I could not end your miserable existence. I had half a mind to do it anyways, but I have deemed you tolerable…and worthy of teaching.” She replied with a cool glare.
“I was simply bored and used you to entertain myself. If humans decide to redeem themselves by serving me in such a manner, then as the benevolent queen I am, I should take them in. The rest are worthless pigs. As for why…you foolish humans simply irritate me.””If I killed everything that irritated me, we’d be down half the world population.” Katherine simply stated.
”That said, if you find me tolerable, you might have lower standards than you think. . . Considering how ‘resistant’ you probably consider me. Isn’t that part of the fun though?“Half of the humans dying off, would not be a bad thing.” Celine replied, removing her hand from her head.
“But enough,” It was clear the undine was becoming rather agitated with this entire conversation. She tossed Katherine back to the ground as she continued.
“The only things I find enjoyable is humans groveling like they should or ending their miserable existence, and I tire of this conversation.”Katherine just kind of went silent, unsure of what kind of conversation to add at this point. Instead, she took the time to inspect and admire the body of the Undine in front of her. She wanted to be sure to burn the image into her mind, in case she never saw it again. She contemplated never visiting the lake again in case of running into this type of situation.
“Your gaze easily gives away your desires, human.” Celine said from her seat. After a few more seconds of silence, she continued.
“…Do you truly wish to leave, then? Go back to wallowing in your filth when I offer salvation?””I do wish to leave, but I will admit to a consideration of staying to assist you in enjoying your assets. I wouldn’t mind kneading and playing with your voluptuousness everyday, but I do have things I must get to. I can’t very well forsake a promise I’ve made, can I? As a prideful being yourself, you must keep the promises you make, no?” After all, she’s hasn’t killed Katherine yet, despite saying she’s wanted to for a long time now and it’s a fact that she made a promise to Livia.
“Promise?” Celine asked.
“Indeed, one should keep their promises when said promises aren’t to filth. What sort of promise is this?”What sort of promise? Well, what was the best way to describe it?
”Hmm, well, Livia told me she wants me to take over as headmistress when she is done with it. Dead or retired, or whatever it is that woman decides. Doesn’t feel like she’ll die anytime soon with her looks, does it?” Katherine couldn’t help but giggle a little bit.
”Either way, I’m apparently the one she’s going to be counting on for that when it happens. Whatever happens.” It was a pain, but she agreed to it.
Celine seemed to take a few minutes to process Katherine’s words. A deal with Livia then? She was to take over this…’academy’ when the other woman died? It was infuriating, but that meant she couldn’t keep Katherine down here. She had her own deals with Livia and if she managed to upset that insufferable woman in some way then there was a good chance what she wanted would never be achieved.
Hrmph.
“Very well, then.” Celine sighed. She stood up, walking over to Katherine…and placed a quick kiss on the teachers’ lips.
“There is a current in the main pool. It will drag you out to the shore of the lake. Breathing shouldn’t be a problem for you for a little while. I do not want your stench fouling this place again once you leave.””Oh, so harsh even after a kiss on the lips.” Katherine gathered up a few articles that might have been misplaced from earlier and turned to Celine.
”Even if you wish not to see me hear again, I hope to see you again sometime.” As she walked by, the Puppeteer quickly landed a retaliatory kiss on the Undine’s own lips and jumped into the current.
”Until next time!”
Xaltwind
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Dragonfly 9
