♱͟ʰᵉ ℜₑₐ̳ₚₑᵣ.

@rosendeath    ): what do you mean!

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @6THEYES ，  i'd rather not.

but they both must've been happy if they loved each other,  right?  i just don't get why the cursed spirit killed her..  i was hoping they'd have a good ending...

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  ❲he listened,  apathetic.  yet a feeling of dread simmers within.❳ ⠀prices are meant to be met.  i'm certain the consequences of it had caught up to them,（..）humans are hypocrites.  trust what you must,  li hua.

it's just the same version of the story they told me when i was little.  the one about how a woman and a cursed spirit fell in love,  only for her to tragically die by the very curse she loved  ( ... )  i'm always told to believe that all curses are bad just like in that story,  but i don't think that's always the case..

mhm,  i'll be sure to do that!  but i don't think i will in the end  [  her cheek rested against the area where seiryū's chest was as she huddled closer to him with a content smile  ]  you make for the perfect pillow to lay my head on.  so i don't think there's anything really to complain about

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  i see..  you're free to tell me of your discomforts. ⠀❲lethargic,  the cursed spirit’s hand settles just above the curve of her spine..  eyes coming to a close.❳ ⠀it's relieving to hear you aren't opposed to it.

no no,  i actually like a lot!  [  maybe she had responded too quickly to his question-  that's at least what she internally thought as she looked at seiryū with slightly widened eyes as if her own words surprised her  ]  um,  what i meant to say was that i'm comfortable like this and don't mind it at all

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  ❲seiryū was surprised,  how thrilled she was,  instead of being terrified.  she was really peculiar in her own way,  it's as if she..  does not care what happens to her.❳ ⠀i have given it some thought.  before we proceed,  i must let you understand the gravity of the circumstances this may pose.（..）a binding vow often requires a cost.  the larger the sacrifice,  the better.  thus the vow creates compensation.  cursed energy rewards restrictions,  if someone were to limit themselves,  their output increases,  their technique sharpens and the effect becomes absolute.（──）if you are to break a vow from me,  you will die.  the miasma will consume you. ⠀❲his fingers intertwined with hers.❳ ⠀are you certain that you still wish to do this?  are you  ..  not afraid?

( ... )  huh..?  [  a look of shock could be seen on her face as she blinked at seiryū.  it was as if she was trying to register the other's words in that moment.  but she later gasped in realization as she finally understood what the cursed spirit meant  ]  wait,  you're actually being serious?!  hold on,  i was ready to accept that you'd never agree to this!  [  her other hand covered the oncoming smile despite the clear excitement that shone in her eyes  ]  oh,  and the part about the pact!  um,  what exactly is it..??

  ⠀།  ︲   ᆢ⠀ @tunedsongs ，  ❲gently taking her hand to his grasp,  seiryū then began.❳ ⠀do you remember?  i have not given an answer to you concerning of the binding vow.（...）today,  i've made up my mind..  and i shall accept.  however,  once the pact settles,  you must be mindful of what must you lose.

the ravenette's teary eyes looked in seiryū's direction as he spoke,  only choosing to solemnly nod her head in response〝  give yourself some credit,  you're just as kind too..  ＂ she said as her teary visage was wiped away thanks to the other's help〝  ..i don't feel like i'm not cut out for this kind of responsibility,  but i have no choice but to follow the wishes of my family.  i don't want to fail them and their expectations of me.. ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  you cannot save everything in this world lihua,  no matter how precious or fickle it is.  " ⠀for it even failed to save someone,  but that feeling had a hurtful depth to his accursed soul.  why was life so fleeting?  how could..  anyone endure loss?  it often comes unpredicted. ⠀"  don't diminish yourself and your duty from this.  it does not make you any less of a person,  and this is the truth.  " ⠀with an exhale,  he pulls back from the embrace and instead cupped her cheeks to wipe away the tears. ⠀"  i hope for you to realise and see the kind of person you are..  "

〝  sei... ＂ she managed to utter out in a wobbly tone before the waterworks came bursting.  her held back tears and sobs erupted brokenly as she buried her face into the crook of seiryū's neck〝  how can i be considered a sorcerer if i can't save people... ＂

a dramatic gasp came from her as if offended by his words〝  i have friends,  a lot of them as a matter of fact﹗  they're uh-  just busy﹗  yeah that's it﹗ ＂ she was quick to sputter out before she pushed at seiryū's back to have him move towards the rink

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ estranged,  the cursed spirit agrees.  after all⸺it signed a contract with her,  so therefore she's the one in charge.  except that this wss quite..  ridiculous. ⠀"  i'm starting to think you lack friends.  "

〝  don't worry,  i just so happen to be better than average at this.  so i promise to catch you if you fall﹗ ＂

〝  you say that,  yet you're not stopping me~﹗ ＂ her tickling continued as she also let out a few giggles herself〝  who knew that a curse as poweful as you could be taken down by a few tickles.  consider this a weakness of your's i'll be exploiting from now on﹗ ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  if you dare to try,  you will witness how i'll make you regret it.  " ⠀the threat is given,  and yet,  she truly dared to come so close  ..  enough to achieve her goal on making its lips curl⸺he had obviously refused it.

〝  i've seen you do it before,  so it shouldn't be that difficult to do it again ＂ she reasoned with a mischievous expression on features,  her fingers wiggling menacingly in seiryū's direction〝  maybe if i get you to laugh it'll work,  so come here sei~﹗ ＂ li hua spoke in a sing-song tone as she inched her way closer to the other

〝  i'd like to consider it a tactical retreat actually﹗ ＂ li hua was quite proud to say that wasn't she-  but a smile still made its way onto her face at hearing seiryū's words,  her hands ruffling up his hear with a cheeky laugh〝  and alright,  i will if it puts my bodyguard at ease.  wouldn't want you to be growing anymore white hairs from stress,  aside from the ones you already have- ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  yes,  you were so strong that you chose to run away..  "  ⠀they were used to it,  but who can say she's to blame?  those who were about to attsck her were quite a lot. ⠀"  the next time you venture so carelessly,  at least let me go first.  " ⠀its arm held her perfectly still,  while he guided her back into the alley they originally came for.

li hua's slight squirming in the other's hold breifly stopped after she had adjusted herself to sit along the curve of seiryū's arm〝  you worry too much over me.  i'm strong enough to handle my own in a fight﹗  well,  one's that aren't involving direct combat at least ah hah.. ＂

〝  oh..  my condolences.. ＂ the sudden shift in atmosphere caught her off guard,  but she still made sure to try an comfort the spirit〝  she must've really cared for you right﹖  seeing that you still keep memory of her and all ＂

⠀⠀  ৎ ﹡    ៹⠀ @tunedsongs ꓹ ⠀ "  it was only one person.  and yet..  i lost her,  because of my own doing.  " ⠀solemnity heard,  as the mere memory of it ached the spirit.  a haunting echo,  one where he refused to fully hear again.

〝  you've been alive for many eras right﹖  i just wanted to know if you met any worthwhile companions during those times ＂