And Along Came a Spider (Sakuya)

[Sayu Nakano]

Sayu was not invincible, but she was pretty damn close when compared to the average Shadows that appeared in the ruined half of the city. She was weaker than she had been when she first awakened, but, even then, she was capable enough. Her spells blasted away entire crews. If one didn't work, she could just swap to the other. On the very rare case that one rendered both spells unusable, there was always her paintball gun. A little snowball was perfect for putting down those lingering pockets of resistance. She still had a way to go before she acquired her full power, sure, but, even while in that weakened state, she was effectively unstoppable until the big nasties came out.

Why was she mentally gloating over her skills at that particular time? Well, that was simple. She'd just wiped a colony of Shadows away with fire. At times, she was happy one of them survived, just so she could Spirit Drain them dry to replenish her own reserves. Long-distance elimination was just wonderful. Nothing ever got her clothes dirty. Even in the middle of that disgusting wasteland, she was clean as could be. There was probably something wrong with her for being so pleased and chipper in the middle of a ruined city, but she really did not give a damn.

If she could have, she would have been humming to herself as she practically skipped. She was going to head back through the terminal, find something nice to eat, and then probably bathe for the hell of it. Then maybe find a pleasant game to play. Nodding to herself, she grinned. She was in such a good mood.

Nothing could possibly change that.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya had just stepped out of her den which was in fact an only slightly ruined house in these Shadowlands. As such, she hadn't changed her form. However, she felt something strange. Someone else is here. Sakuya thought, gripping her bolo tightly, and looking around. Someone hunting? she continued to mill about the area. Initially, the killer thought she would be defending herself against a boy who was wontonly killing shadows. However, Sakuya would instead find herself catching the eye of a girl with long, dark hair. She looked incredibly cute. Ripe for the taking. "I see," she murmured to herself. "She was hunting for Shadows." she continued to murmur to herself. "Yet... so clean. Pure. Heheh..." The girl was making her way back to the terminal, though. Leaving.

Nope, nope. We can't have that. Sakuya began making her moves. Having literally just come out of her den, she threw her bolo back inside her Shadowlands home and quickly made her approach towards the cute little girl, almost tripping over in her excitement. No stalking necessary for this one - this one's right in the open. "Hey, wait~ You look tired~!" Sakuya called out to her. "You look like you live far away~ Why don't you come with me for a bit?"

[Sayu Nakano]

Now, Sayu was not the sort to let her wits go in the last stretch of a journey. No, she was far too careful for that. That was why, as she continued on her way to the funnel hole out of the Shadowlands, she was more than aware of sounds behind her. Hasty movements weren't exactly easy to make silent, after all. Twirled and leveling her paintball gun in one motion, her expression was cold up until she noticed the humanoid shape and the very human words. Slowly relaxing and lowering the gun, her expression softened to an annoyed scowl. People should never being rushing after one another in a place like that. She was one thing, but she was fully aware that there were Users with firearms- the real variety. With a sigh, she dismissed her thoughts and just stared at the stranger. She looked to be a bit taller, and older, than Sayu. She couldn't really say that anything was particularly noteworthy about her, though. Well, no. There was something a bit off. Namely, there was the fact that this person was wearing a damned Japanese school uniform.

”Huh? What kind of pick-up line is that? Are you some sort of creep, or one of the radical fans?” No, really. Who the hell would stick around in a place like that- so dirty and messy- and honestly expect another person to join them? There were creepy people. There were crazy people. There was also the chance for it to be a mixture of the two, but a fan. Of course, taking that get up into consideration, the mute was leaning off towards the “creeper” side on the scale.

”Either way, you can't honestly expect me to tag along with a nameless stranger.” Her lips moved perfectly. As did her tongue, of course. Her cords might not have worked, but she wasn't just going to let her verbalization skills rot. So, she had zero intentions of accompanying this creep. However, she could use the chance to get some information. If this person lived out here, then there was at least some possibility for info- unique Shadow movements, points of particular interest that didn't stand out. Stuff like that.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Radical fans? Creep? The latter was one Sakuya was all too used to hearing, but the former? Ahhhh, she got it, she must be famous somewhere. No matter. Sakuya shrugged as she noticed that the girl held a firearm. Was it real, or was it fake? Well, hopefully she wouldn't have needed to find out. The voice seemed... strange to Sakuya, a little foreign. She wondered where the girl was raised, to be speaking like that. Well, no matter. Exotic voices, got some spunk, Sakuya was enjoying this already. "I dunno what it is you do if you get fans who think it's perfectly acceptable to live out here, dear~" Sakuya giggled. "But I suppose I am being rather rude, extending such an invitation without even introducing myself, hmmhm~? The name's Sakuya... Kyoudou Sakuya."

And my, do you look quite attractive, sweetheart. "Besides, what's wrong with a little bit of unwinding after a long day of hunting, eh? It's much better done with some company rather than eating alone, or something boring like that. It'll be fiiine, don't worry about it~"

[Sayu Nakano]

The strange woman began to speak. Sure enough, that was a sound argument, but there were strange fanatics everywhere, regardless of the field. She was sure some of the larger-set fans had their own special fantasies. There was a chance it was an act, but this woman seemed to not be a fan. Moreover, going by those words, it may not have been that she lived out there, but that she had a safe house of some sort. Well, that was all well and dandy, but there was a Gap for that. Either way, the stranger admitted her rudeness and finally produced a name. At least the uniform matched the nationality of the name. Either way, this Kyoudou didn't even seem to want Sayu's name in return. Suspicious. Super suspicious. Creeper scale was tipping all the way to the side. The woman went on to try to decide what was pleasant or not.

”Well, I have other things in mind. Maybe if you clean the bottom of my shoes- with your tongue- I'll consider it?” It was a bluff, and a plenty good one, she figured. Only a legitimate freak- or some crazy-level masochist- would willingly do something like that. Her lips curled into smirk at that point. ”Is my company worth that to you?” Just for good measure, she tacked the on. Yes, it was provocation, but she wasn't too worried. If this woman attacked her just like that, then she was a threat to society. If that were the case, then she'd be doing the world a favor by offing her.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

"My, my," Sakuya giggled. "Aren't you a feisty one, dear? But of course, your company is worth quite a lot, for you to have caught my sights while at the same time making me completely forget to ask for your name~" Sakuya had been teased. While she had dealt with the whole foot fetish thing before, Sakuya was decidedly more comfortable with dealing with the flesh rather than, well... Shoes. They might be dirty, after all! She had an evil, absurdly creepy grin on her face. "Though, since you asked so nicely..."

Sakuya's demeanor began to change. It was... not exactly a gruesome sight, fortunately, but her visage had changed from that of a young, perhaps developed, schoolgirl, to that of a nearly naked temptress draped with a snake, covering most of her more vulnerable parts. "I'd be perfectly willing to have licked your raw feet with my own tongue, but I would much rather leave the boot licking to my little friend here~" she giggled sultrily as she stroked the snake around her which hissed.

[Sayu Nakano]

Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Wait, just hold the train the fuck up. Was she about to agree to lick Sayu's shoes clean? Holy shit, this was a serious creeper. She was just about ready to excuse herself from that area when the woman began to change. No, not her clothes. Her body. For a brief moment, the girl was confused. Then, she remembered some of the information that organization gave her. Some Shadows actually did have human forms. So this was one of their elite sons of bitches, then? Never mind the attempted come on with the snake. Hell, Sayu didn't care what the woman said anymore. See, humans, while typically filthy, were still at least registered as worthwhile in her book. Shadows? They were just shit. And, even if one were to assume that this was not a Shadow, it was safe to conclude, from the whole shapeshifting deal, that it was not a human, either.

”Aha. Sorry, but I have a solely-human policy in regards to relationships.” And, without missing a beat, she willed for her card to appear, smashing the gun into it and shattering it. To her side, a woman, with a large chest in her own right, appeared. Clad in a kimono and sporting a pipe, the woman appeared almost human until the nine golden tails spread out behind her. Sentient or not, a Shadow was a Shadow. Sayu had absolutely zero intentions of letting something as nasty as that get near her or get away. ”Tamamo-no-Mae, burn it. Maragidyne.”

It. She was no longer worried about genders. A Shadow didn't have the right to claim a gender. It was just something to be disposed of. And, Sayu's preferred method of cleaning? Purification through flames. Reacting to the mute's will, the kitsune spawned flames along her arm before swinging to the left, then the right, sending forth a massive wave of fire. It was obviously an attack intended for groups. Overkill? Perhaps. But one could never be too thorough with Shadows, Sayu believed.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Tamamo-no-Mae, burn it. Maragidyne.

I see, I see... Sakuya grinned as the blazing flames began to engulf her. However, fire? Fire didn't scare her very much. It stung quite a bit, though. The snake responded by hissing. Your resistance doesn't deter me, sweetheart. Once the flames finally subsided, Sakuya still stood, though she did seem to shake and shiver a bit, wincing from what intense burning pain she did feel from the spell. She coughed. Peh... Persona? Don't make me laugh... Trust me... I have never harbored any intention of killing you, dear... I just wanted to take you with me for some relaxation... Come on, what's so wrong with that? The demoness draped with the snake began to pace forward, she was unarmed, she sported an unusual sort of swagger, one with allure and temptation kept in mind.

It was almost as if Sakuya began to dance forward sultrily, almost... a sexy dance, so to speak. I will admit though, my beautiful cherry, that your attempt at baptism by fire was... a tad painful. If I were, indeed, a masochist, I would have most certainly enjoyed being burned~ She stepped closer and closer to the girl, extending one of her arms forward, almost... pulling a 'come hither.' Though, if the girl were astute, she would notice that Sakuya had not reacted as a typical shadow would have felt despite being burned by so much and having visible evidences of being singed like that.

[Sayu Nakano]

It was one thing for a target to take her spells head on and survive. Sure, it happened. The occasional enemy resisted or nulled one attack. She could just swap to another. That was why, despite being exceedingly disturbed by the Shadow's apparent ease at being attacked, she was still rather calm. Fire was resisted- outright nullification would not have resulted in singeing, after all- but darkness should have worked fine. When the Shadow progressed forward, Sayu naturally took a few steps backward, Tamamo matching her pace. Regardless of confidence, proximity with Shadows was yucky. And then she felt a very brief, but warm sensation, causing her pulse to fluctuate very slightly. An attempted Charm attack? She'd felt it before. It was never fun. Status-whore bosses sucked in RPGs, same as they did in reality.

”Mamudoon! Now! Drown it in darkness!” She never did understand what dark attacks worked on Shadows- the name, after all, implied darkness. Regardless, next to Maragidyne, it was her next best attack. Naturally, she was ignoring the Shadow's rambling. She was creepy before. Now she was just annoying. Again, the kitsune prepared an attack. The feminine fox took a drag on her pipe before exhaling. Rather than a wispy gray, the smoke was as black as night. Then, spreading rapidly, the darkness became a cloud that surged forward. Another attack meant for groups, but, still. Overkill was not enough kill for a Shadow.

There was no way this creeper could negate both of her attacks. The chances of that were just too slim.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Sakuya continued her approach. If this girl had not willingly accepted, then Sakuya would take her for herself. It was the only way, since she offered great amounts of resistance. She was even stepping back and trying to create distance between herself and Sakuya. Pathetic. Resistance was futile.

Mamudoon! Now! Drown it in darkness!

A dark smoke fumed from the Persona's pipe. Darkness? Darkness. Sakuya thrived in the darkness. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration. But darkness? Seriously? Was this girl stupid, or something? She was facing a demoness-cum-temptress, and had managed to befriend a snake that many considered to be basically a fallen angel. Also, her visage could be interpreted as one who warred against the ruler of the Heavens themselves. Darkness was most certainly not going to work on her. Unfortunately for this little delicacy, anyway.

Darkness... You wield a power of darkness? Such a beautiful sight, ma cherie... Sakuya grinned, soon closing the distance between her and the girl once the smoke had disappeared, having effectively negated the dark magic. At least, when you attempted to kill me with fire, it did actually hurt... Sakuya maintained her composure, soon doing a bit of a jig before whirling around and behind the mute, the distance between her body and the girl's own in minute scale.

Sakuya began to whisper sweet nothings as she attempted to capture the girl in an alluring embrace. Quickly, if the girl was able to resist, she could easily shake Sakuya off. Let me help you ease your pains.

[Sayu Nakano]

If one thing failed, try the next. If both things failed, there was always a last resort. Despite the fact that she was officially becoming nervous, she was not entirely without hope, even with the Shadow right behind her. Despite the warmth provoked by the Shadow's attempts at seduction, she felt more as though she were freezing- fear gripping her. In what could only be declared a clumsy, frantic dive for freedom, the girl shot forward and away from the devilish Shadow. Fire was resisted. Darkness was entirely useless. Tamamo was already fading, as willed by the mute. Having her out would just give the Shadow twice the chances of doing something to her.

Sayu had already decided that victory was unlikely. She needed to escape. Still tightly gripping her phone with the left hand, the girl shakily twirled and leveled the paintball gun with her right. Now the Shadow was between her and rest of the way to the terminal. She didn't need to damage her enemy at that point. She needed to immobilize it. Lowering her aim towards the Shadow's feet, she released a small volley. Three quick shots of cryo-filled paintballs to one foot, then three to the other, Sayu honestly had to hope for a bit of grace from some thing up above.

. . . and, to think, about ten minutes ago, she was as happy as could be.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

As to be expected, the girl shot away from Sakuya, twirling around and pointing her gun. Sakuya soon realized that she pointed the gun downwards, towards her feet. Before Sakuya could react, the young girl had pressed the trigger several times. Paintballs flew out and at her feet, and while Sakuya was sure they would sting, what ended up hurting more was the impact of the balls hitting her naked feet moreso than what seemed to happen afterwards - the paintballs appeared to coalesce into some sort of cryogenic substance. Soon, Sakuya realized that the girl attempted to freeze her in place with the gun so she could escape. Upon this realization, the shadow had a mischievous grin on her face. She wiggled and gyrated her hips sultrily, treating the mute's attack as a naughty prank. Ohhh~ How naughty~ You're freezing me to the ground?

Sakuya had pointed one of her fingers down at the frozen substance around her feet and watched as icicles from her own fingertips impacted the ice trapping her feet, causing them to crack. It seemed to be a variant of Mabufula. But, I can use the power of ice as well~ How cute~ Freeing herself from the icy snare, Sakuya approached the girl once more, swaying her hips and trying once again to ensnare the girl in her embrace. Come on, dear, it's just for a while...~ Take it easy~?

[Sayu Nakano]

And there was no god to smile down on her. Not surprising, either. Sayu was never a believer, and a believer in need was not a believer at all. Her fires were borderline useless. Her darkness was just a mist. Her gun was rendered practically a joke. Her escape attempt was cut off. How could things be worse? Well, that was pretty simple, actually. See, that one thing that this Shadow just loved to do- flaunting her figure and all?- seemed to have finally taken effect. Why? That was something that Sayu would have loved an answer for. Her body grew hot with the proximity of the Shadow. It tried to hug her, but, fortunately, she escaped that. Not by intention, though. Having been stopped in her tracks, the effects of the Charm attack brought the girl to her knees. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing ragged, and her mind was slowly being filled with thoughts that should never have been there. Even if the Shadow wasn't going to kill her, what was going to come was questionably just as bad. No, for Sayu, it was worse. It wasn't just dirty. There was a Shadow involved. She had to do something.

Her phone was still tightly gripped in her left hand. Her right, still holding the gun, slowly rose, trying to point the gun at her temple. It wasn't a real gun, but those balls with cryo-fillings were essentially her weakness. If she shot herself in the head with it, certainly she could have at least inflicted enough brain damage to go into a coma? Her hand shook. It was an effort to raise it. She didn't dare look up. She was terrified. She just. . . needed to point that gun at her head and pull the trigger.

. . . that was seeming like her only bet at that point.

[Sakuya Kyoudou]

Just like that, Sakuya observed the behavior of the girl before her - she crumpled to her knees; she was flushing profusely, and her breathing appeared to indicate that she had finally succumbed to Sakuya's "feminine wiles." Sort of. It was her strange magic. Soon, Sakuya saw the phone in the girl's left hand. She ignored it for the meantime. However, the paintball gun she held in her right hand... Sakuya saw how her hands shook with the weapon, and she was trying to raise it. Sakuya kneeled down to her level and simply yanked the paintball gun out of her hands. This? What did you plan on doing with this toy? You couldn't possibly be thinking of wanting to...? But that's alright, dear. Where we're going, you won't be needing that. I'll show you what a real toy's really like.

Just like that, the Shadow managed to lift the kneeling girl into her arms, gun still on her person, and began to carry her, much like a groom would carry his bride, to her home in the Shadowlands. It would be such that when the mute became slightly more conscious of her surroundings, she would have found herself in the refurbished Shadowlands villa of Sakuya, an unusually clean, but dimly lit place. The lighting was mostly candles, and there were tons of giant tanks of clean water that clearly came from the inner city. The home itself was a little spacious, but not so much. Any holes that were in the original building were plugged with giant planks.

Sakuya took the girl to her room, which was the master bedroom of this villa, and there were... numerous amounts of questionable instruments. And in the center looked to be a comfortable bed that somehow managed to stay clean despite being in the middle of the outside. It was on this bed the girl was placed. And Sakuya approached her. Welcome to my happy place, dearest.

[Sayu Nakano]

Sayu's heart stopped when he sole means of escape was taken away. Her gun gone, the girl could only clutch herself and her phone. It was her voice, after all. The Shadow scooped her up. The girl was filled with conflicting feelings thanks to the Charm. Attraction and disgust waged war within her for dominance. This thing was unclean. On top of that, it was a Shadow to boot. Her mind dredged up the tentacles from the massive school girl from before. Her stomach turned. She was going to be sick. Struggling to push away from the demonic entity, the girl's right hand weakly pushed against the Shadow's shoulder. Even with her gloves on, she could not stand the thought of touching it.

Her struggling did, however, prove futile.

Of course, her core was chilled with terror once more when she realized where she was and what she was dealing with. The Shadow had what could possibly have been a safe house, there, in the ruins of the wasted chunk of the city. It was passable- about as passable as a messy kid's room- and borderline relaxing compared to the outside. Still, Sayu could not relax, considering the circumstances that brought her to that place. And once they made it to the actual bedroom, the mute had zero doubts (as if there had been room for any to begin with) as to the Shadow's intents. She recognized a number of the things in the room from her research for songwriting. She was placed down upon the bed, and the Shadow welcomed her.

But Sayu couldn't just sit there and let it happen.

Still inflicted with Charm, the mute weakly crawled to the opposite side of the bed. Her breathing was ragged, but there was no whimper of any sort. When her hand slipped, causing her body to drop from the bed. It caused her to gasp during the fact, but, despite the loud and almost visibly painful crash, there was not a sound that came from the girl herself. Her phone bounced away before finally dropping a good distance away. Meanwhile, her body, having planted itself into the floor face-first, slowly slumped to the side before the girl began to pull herself across the floor.

Escape, while important, had filtered to her second priority. Before that, she had to get her phone back- had to get her voice back. Her heart was beating far more quickly than she was used to. There was little room to doubt that whimpering would have been heard, had the girl a voice to whimper with.

She just needed her phone.

Then, an escape.