Repulsive Beauty || Hisoka

19. On Having Her

Chrollo's perspective:

"She should be here any moment~" Hisoka said with his usual snide smile.
"I look forward to it. She sounds very impressive"
"Yes, I agree. She does have a win against me, you know." He almost bragged.
It was strange seeing Hisoka vouch for anyone, never mind spare someone he thought was a worthy opponent. This woman must be very special. If she was who I thought she was, I might understand his interest.
It wasn't another minute before I could feel her aura. It was unmistakable, being my creation as it is. The door swung open and the room filled with her bloodlust, to which I am also no stranger. She only took a few strides in and had her eyes fixed on me.
"Ahh. So my suspicions were right, when Hisoka mentioned you I wondered if it could be the very same, Tess." I said as I stood from my seat.
In a split second she had conjured two whips, coiled, one in each hand.
What an interesting choice. I guess it makes sense to pick something you're familiar with; though it's strange to see them in her small hands.
"I didn't realize you two knew each other. What a small world it is. Tess, I don't think this is necessary." Hisoka said as he positioned himself between her and I.
Did he really think I would hurt her? His defensiveness was uncharacteristic.
"It's fine Hisoka, I'm not worried. I am amused at your choice of conjuration, I don't suppose you chose whips for the intentional irony." I remarked.
Her eyes were spilling with tears, her cheeks turning red. Perhaps it wasn't an irony, perhaps it was a reclamation.
"Hisoka told me about your abilities. If only I had known how powerful you'd become, maybe I would have opened your aura nodes sooner." I prodded.
She was hardly ready at 17, but she survived her awakening just fine. I couldn't help but smile at the memory of face as it happened.
"I'm not understanding the nature of your relationship. You were friends in the past?" Hisoka asked, more to her than to me. It must be wishful thinking.
"No." She spoke.
Her whole body was quivering, like a stray dog.
"No, we were never really friends. She and I dated for several years." I clarified, finally allowing myself to drop my gaze, "You look great by the way, though seeing you blonde is a big change."
She did look very good. Her body had filled out at the hips, her chest in perfect proportion. She had really grown into her womanhood. It suited her.
"Eat shit." She spat at me.
Her audacity almost caught me off guard, but she was no longer afraid to speak to me that way. Hisoka must have picked up on my hesitation because his eyes focused on her. I can't blame him.
"Come on now, why the hostility? Put your nen away and let's catch up." I offered, gesturing to the couch.
"Nothing has changed, Chrollo. When I said I'd rather die than spend another second with you I fucking meant it."
Again with the word choice. I had seen her plenty upset in the past, but perhaps never this angry; even the day she left. Her aura reflected her raging emotions, but it was pretty easy to read her. She would still never attack me.
"I didn't intend to open any old wounds. Clearly there's no need to further this meeting, I think it would be best if we stopped here." Hisoka said lightheartedly, seemingly uncomfortable with the situation.
He must actually care for her. That's very interesting.
"I wasn't lying when I said I'd be interested in adding her to the troupe, her skills could be quite valuable. I'm sure we can put our past behind us and work together, Tess, no?" I asked as I took a few steps towards her.
I knew the answer, I knew she'd never agree to work with me, but it was interesting to see her reaction.
"I was your slave for years, Chrollo. I will never submit to you again." her voice cracked.
Slave was an interesting choice of words. She submitted to me willingly.
"Stop that. You were never anyone's slave, Tess, I loved you, and you loved me too. You had your free will the entire three years we were together." I corrected, lowering my voice to ease her.
All of which was true, depending on your definition of 'free' and 'love'. It was true enough for her to relax her nen. Her whips faded and her shoulders slouched like she might just collapse into me again.
"You do look beautiful Tess, you've changed so much since I last saw you. It's almost a shame you've moved on. Though maybe Hisoka is good for you."
Both of their auras pulsed at my conclusion, but that only tells me that I'm right. It really is a shame, I could pull her back to me in her current emotional state rather easily.
"Stop, Chrollo, please." She begged.
I know how much she's wanted to hear that from me, that she was beautiful. She always has been, but it was too dangerous to feed her worth like that.
Hisoka took the remaining few strides to stand at her side, slithering his arm around her waist.
"Chrollo I think perhaps it's time you left, seeing as this obviously isn't the meeting we all had anticipated." He suggested, but I knew he wasn't really asking, his own bloodlust trickling through the air.
"I understand," I said, walking past Tess before stopping and putting my hand on her shoulder, "The offer still stands, you're welcome to get in touch with me anytime."
I wanted her power most of all, but I would love to have her back at my heel. I doubt she'd ever agree to that, especially if I killed Hisoka to get her.
"I'll see you Hisoka. Best of luck with your relationship, truly." I offered, letting him know I disapproved.
"Luck has never had anything to do with it, Chrollo, fear not." Hisoka spat in retort, with a fake smile.
"Well. Take care." I said as I stepped out the door.
He won't stay interested in her long. She'll come back to me someday; she always did.