The Change of Fate.

Goodbye and Hello.

     "Miss, have you ever been scared of death?" Lee coughed as he lay in his bed, blood left behind on the handkerchief he'd cleaned his mouth with. He knew what day it was.

     Lila had come to visit a day ago, and hadn't questioned a thing.

     Today, Viridis had come to sit with him.

     "I've never really thought about it, Lee. We Oni live for a long time, if we take care of ourselves." Viridis sat down next to his bed, watching him. She'd checked in on them from the shadows from time to time over the last ten years.

     The big payout from finishing the city had certainly helped Lee and his daughter, and he'd taken steady jobs to help keep their income up. A model employee, some of his bosses had proclaimed.

     "A long time, huh?" He reached over and patted her arm, giving her a tired smile. "Ya make sure you take care of yourself then. I hope you live to see the next generations and then some."

     "You've truly accepted you new fate, have you?" Viridis shook her head. "You are a strong willed human, Lee. Hardworking and trustworthy." Her eyes drifted to the clock on the wall.

     Handmade, excellent craftsmanship. Intricately carved.

     It was beautiful, but her eyes were drawn to the time.

     Lee didn't have much longer.

     "Has she been written into the will of your estate?" Viridis had promised to make sure that Lila was well taken care of, after all. "You haven't forgotten, have you?"

     Lee wheezed out a brief chuckle. "I did it right after we were paid for the city, Miss Viridis." Turning his head to look out the window, he shook his head. "Been rainin' for over an hour now, dunno when it'll stop. Still, it's nice to see the rain today. Good for the crops."

     Viridis sighed and turned her gaze back to Lee. "Lee...are you sure this is okay?" Something stung in her chest. Perhaps she'd developed a soft spot for this particular human. She admired his will to do whatever it took to survive. To provide for his family, even if it meant his untimely death.

     Was it safe to trust people?

     Maybe just Lee.

     He chuckled a little, taking her hand. "You worry too much, Miss. We made the deal ten years ago, and I accepted your terms. Though...you never did tell me what ya wanted in return."

     Viridis shook her head. "It's not important anymore. I was different back then." She'd wanted to consume his body, a failsafe incase she couldn't curb her bloodlust if it ever took hold again.

     Oni succumbed to a primal need to destroy and consume all in their path occasionally.