"Oh, I bet you must be miserable right now, aren't you? Nin isn't giving you the time of day and you have to obey everything I tell you. Aw..." Inerish taunts. Scowling and tightening my fists, I keep my focus away from her. I knew full well this is what she was going to do to me the moment she gave out that order. Nin and the other two are to wait and I need to go with her because I can make shields.
Well, Inerish, let's see how much you enjoy me being a bit too slow in my efforts to make shields. You can't do much if you're riddled with holes. I can run away and take cover, my armour will keep me safe. All you have is some shinguards and what?
They won't aim for your legs first!
"You know, it wasn't that long ago that Nin took me dancing. And he was ravenous with it. Treated me like a doll, flinging me from one arm to another and then leaving me to rest on his strong chest." she tells me, shivering in delight when Nin's muscular body becomes the focus. Unlike her, though, I focus on a different part of what she's said.
Treated you like a doll? Oh, I would pay money to see him treat you like a baby treats their toys. Smashing and bashing them about without so much as a care. Only, rather than chipping, this toy will scream and squelch. Bleed and break.
"Liada, darling, you need to cheer up. Let go, you know? Nin's been finding a fair bit of solace in me. After all, I was there for him these past five years. I was there to help him each night not just because it's my job, but because I care for him." she says and I come to an instant stop. I march up and blast hot air down her face, my talisman glowing bright with the intent of usage. She smiles, tilts her head a little and walks off.
I gave my home to him these past five years, even when his very presence actively harmed my cakesmithy. I have customers who refuse to come by when he'sthere and they are happy to tell me that. It's gotten easier over the years but there have been times where I have genuinely wondered if I need to cast him out to make sure my shop stays open. Let alone the fact he's an osibindah, the number of times he's barged in, flaring with magic and soaked in his own blood.
The marks he's left on my floor... Years of it, I was there for him just as much as she's claiming to be! I never asked much of Nin, only that he pay some rent which nearly all went back into making his room what it is now. I did my best to support and be there for him.
I gave him a home... My home.
I sniffle, pulling up my visor, wiping my eyes out of view and then slamming it back down. My fists flex some more and some old desires come to the fore. I've done it before, I've torn evil little creatures like Inerish apart before. Iderim-Ovi, blessed be His name even!
That Iishar is so, so similar to Inerish. Dark-skinned, professionally-dressed, vile creature. Oh, it won't be difficult for me to think of a face I have had no issue in tearing off. I killed the last woman of authority who felt like it was her right to torment me.
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Trapped in a harness and in that downed machine, I used the weapons she grafted into my flesh to cut her apart!
Inerish clicks her tongue, putting a finger near her lips, "Mmmmm, let me think, let me... Think. Why're you here?"
I stop and stare.
"Don't give me more of this silent treatment. I want to know why you are here in my operation, ruining it. You have no skills I can make use of, I can make use of Nin, though. I have so many ways to make use of his talents and power and all I need to do is call him in. Push a few buttons, make some calls and a new order will be printed and baked for him." she says, getting right up in my face and running a hand along my helmet. I try to smack her away but my arm falls to my side, limp and numb.
My visor comes up and I snarl while her lips come close. Those shining, purple-painted things stretch and curve. They land on my cheek and she makes sure to smother that colour onto my red skin. It darkens as my blood boils.
"I can tell you each and every time I have done that to Nin. I can show you too!" she whispers, breaking out into laughter that slams my visor shut once again. My head bobbles and I stumble a bit. My chest has a strange cold in it, something's flushed through my veins and I take a steady breath. Dragging my armoured fingers along my palms, I scratch the metal.
Inerish turns to me with a face a mocking child would wear. Condescending, pretentious and full of oneself. The 'Oh, I am just so much better than you' gaze. I prepare to charge and build up the momentum.
She raises her hand and I come to a screeching halt, leaning away from her and falling. My armour bangs loudly, reaching all the way up to and out of the valley. I keep still, staring up at her while she bends over. Her tongue clicks and she straightens out to then push me down with her heel.
I fall into the grass, scraping up some of the dirt and clogging it into my armour. Lingering against the greenery, I sigh and think. Why am I here? To try and get closer to Nin...?
We've barely been out here and I already know it's not working. It can't work, not while she's here. Not while a dead girl dictates his heart. I squeeze together a fistful of earth and drop it once I am back on my feet.
I catch up with Inerish and meekly pay attention to the power of my amulet. Inerish will need it when the shooting starts, she wants my help. I will give it and then the first chance I get, I'm going home. I'll open the shop again and throw this useless set of armour out.
I don't need the temptation it presents, the false hope that I can try and be more involved with Nin's life. I don't want to be involved with it, I want him to do what I said back on that day. I want him out of it.
No... Yes. Yes! No!?
I growl into a rumbling snap and throw my hands about. Scowling the rest of the way, I do my best to ignore anything coming out of her mouth or how it moves. The camp of the soldiers starts to come into view and Inerish's arm stops me. She briefly glances back at the position she's asked the others to wait up on.
"YOU THERE, HALT!" a sentry orders, his weapon rising to face us and soon a dozen more join in. I look beyond those opposing us and glance a little at those inside. They don't seem to care much about us but they're a little stiffer now, seeing that we're here. Inerish takes a step forward and I silently pray that someone takes that unexpecting shot.
Come on, let me see her-
"On whose authority?" Inerish begs to ask, her confidence not staggering in the face of several weapon barrels.