My current depressive episode aside, I've noticed that I've stopped taking risks and stuff with what I write after my ASIOAF fic, which has made what I put out after World a bit stale and lukewarm (for me, personally). I've made this safe box for myself and stopped venturing outside it entirely, constraining the fun I can have with writing.
Which is why what I'm writing here is something I never thought I would EVER write. I'll start updating Fate/Shadows alongside this so dw, and if I can't put out a satisfactory number of chapters in the coming week, I'll pause the billing cycle. I owe you guys too much already.
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"See, for as long as I can recall, I've possessed the ability to traverse between all the wondrous worlds their respective deities saw fit to create-"
The infernal machine lying on the steel table between myself and what I presumed to be two policemen buzzed loudly. The grizzled older officer looked over and frowned deeper than I believed possible. In fact, any further and his thick greyed brows would begin roughly making love to one another.
I jabbed a finger through the air.
"Your blasted machine is faulty."
The faulty bulb hung above dimmed faintly, then blinked once and twice.
The two men shared a look of understanding before the older one opened his mouth to speak. The fool really thought he was going to interrupt my lore dump.
"So, as I was saying, I've been gallivanting all about these worlds with no real compass to guide me. I've made friends, stolen-... er, acquired artifacts of great importance to then auction them off, slept around most unlike a gentleman and made more enemies than I am able to count."
"...Where is this going?" The younger one ended up asking, massaging his temples.
"Silence, young one. A senior is speaking."
"You don't look that old-"
"Quiet now, or I shall take offense."
"You don't even... Fine."
His shoulders slumped in defeat. The man had more wisdom than his years would have me believe.
"So, I've seen all manner of fantastic events I never even would have considered before-" I paused and stared past the officers, at the one-sided mirror. "You really should stop looking through my luggage. Especially the phones. I've been using those as anchors."
My sound advice went ignored. I gave a shrug and continued my tale.
"As I've seen much, believe me when I say that I well and truly understand why you would attempt to question an individual like myself. What with how tumultuous your nation is presently, I can even understand why some of you have begun pocketing the gold I carry around as currency-"
I was forced to cut myself off again.
"Don't poke around that one. It can open..." I sighed, "I suppose it doesn't matter."
It wasn't like the officers in the other room were even paying attention to my incredible stories. I doubted even the ones right across from me.
"I really think you should be paying more attention to what I'm saying considering the existence of the supernatural was just recently made completely public."
The older one finally perked up. His shoulder brushed roughly against the youth beside him and made his topple onto the steel table between us.
"What do you know?!"
I raised my hands to assuage him, at which both men shot to their feet, scrambling for the pistols strapped to their sides. Confused, I looked down and realised that I'd unknowingly broken out of my restraints.
The bulb flickered again.
"Only what was in that newspaper you found me reading sadly. But please, don't let that stop you from letting what meagre power you have get to your heads." I let out a short chuckle, "Though, again, and this is the last time, stop poking that phone. I'm not certain I'm in the mood to stop what will happen if you unknowingly do manage to access it."
Why was I even warning them at this point? Of course they wouldn't listen.
"So, officers, tell me. What are these so-called Culling Games? They sound exactly like the sort of venture a man like myself would enjoy."
I made no effort to resist as the younger officer roughly yanked my freed hands behind my back before slipping the cold steel cuffs onto my wrists once again.
"You just saw me break those."
He yanked harder.
"A proper specimen, eh?"
A bead of sweat rolled down the older officer's forehead. His gun was still trained right on my forehead, and by the odd manner in which his gaze wavered from time to time, it was safe to assume he had lost someone to the sudden catastrophe that shook all of Japan.
Meh.
"I can see you're not going to tell me-"
"You're one of those jujutsu sorcerers, aren't you?!"
...
I chortled, "Aren't you a little old for that sort of term, sir?"
"Stop messing around!"
"If you think hitting me is going to make you feel better, I'd advise against it."
He gave me a hard stare, then stormed off, slamming the door shut behind him. The younger officer gave a relieved sigh and slumped into his rather uncomfortable-looking chair.
"He lost his daughter."
"I'd give my condolences but he's wearing my watch."
"Times are tough." He shrugged unapologetically.
"Fair enough."
He was unaware of how that sentiment could bite all of them in the rear end on one bad day.
"I assume the same goes for the coins you stuffed in your bag?"
"When did you-"
The older man from before returned, this time with the phone his people were fiddling around with held up. He shoved it in my face. On the screen, my group chat was open for all the world to see.
I had to purse my lips.
"Threats of violence, plans of violence, horrid jokes, sexual depravity-" He took a look, "There are only three of you in here."
"Would you believe me if I said only the depraved messages are mine?"
"Who are you people? Out with it!"
"There's surprisingly few people willing to get along with me, sir."
He then made, possibly the worst series of choices, he could have in that moment. That was, he tried to hit the call button. Only, the phone wasn't really a normal phone. I'd hooked it up to my interdimensional travel, for companions, people I held close.
The call button was to... literally call one another out.
A tear took form in the empty air beside us. The room bent unnaturally and the air wiggled, as if the world was unable to process what was transpiring within that place. Then, all went deathly silent.
A chill mist spilled from the strange tear.
She stepped out calmly.
A tall, beautiful and slender woman older than myself with long, light blue hair and an icy gaze that calmly took in the new surroundings. The woman was a ruthless and unabashedly malevolent person, the primary source of the violent texts the police officer had referred to just now.
My eyes were transfixed on her pale white, strong thighs visible through the slight gap between her stocking-like high heeled boots and the white military uniform consisting of a short skirt and a button-up shirt.
Before any words could be uttered, a rapier pierced through the younger officer.
"Much like you, I'm also someone who revels in his hypocrisy." I stroked my chin. "The sort of person to claim goodness and spout ideals while serving just myself."
The chill mist rose and ice encased the room in a flash. It broke through the mirror, and crushed the officers inside against the wall behind them.
"I know I shouldn't, but I really enjoy these kinds of situations too."
She kicked away the fresh sculpture of a grizzled old officer and sheathed her rapier against her side once again. Then, all the ice on her face melted away. Her porcelain skin flushed a deep red.
"I missed you, Teddy."
"It's Theodore. Esdeath." I felt around my coat pockets, "Teddy is unfitting."
"It's cute."
Her heels crushed the ice underneath as she took a step closer before falling into my lap. She wrapped both her arms around my neck, nuzzling her head against my neck and pressed her full breasts against my chest.
"Why didn't you just destroy the weaklings?"
She rubbed her thighs together, grinding them against my manhood.
"They were officers of the law. I'm just a wandering gentleman."
Esdeath gave a soft giggle, "But you were fine crushing me?"
"Well, you did try to put a collar around my neck after professing your feelings."
She only hummed.
I traced my finger along her back before suddenly pulling her closer to whisper in her ear.
"As a man, I couldn't just sit and take that, could I?"
The mighty and tyrannical general whose strength was uncontested throughout the entirety of the Empire in that messed up world I met her in. I still failed to understand just what joy she derived from sticking around and fighting against weak people.
When I felt her cold lips press against my neck, I pulled away.
"Besides, I do so enjoy discourse."
The grown woman pouted cutely as I rose to my feet, brushing my long coat as I made to retrieve my bag, specially prepared for such instances where Esdeath announced her arrival by brutalising the immediate vicinity.
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Hope you enjoyed.
Thoughts please.