It was a peaceful evening at the shop of wishes... until the front door swung open as if blown by a strong gust of wind. Outside peering in was a great flaming eyeball whose dark pupil shifted here and there. The owner of said eyeball realized quickly that he would have to make some adjustments if he were ever to fit inside this establishment. The eyeball vanished in a plume of black smoke and in crept a dark shadowy mass which quickly rose to the height of the room.
After resizing and reshaping himself, Aku stood tall and imposing in the foyer of the traditional-style house. His branchy horns nearly touched the ceiling as he stared down the hallway. There, he spotted two child-like faces peeking out at him from around a corner, too timid to approach. Aku narrowed his bulbous eyes and pointed an outstretched claw at the girls.
"YOU THERE," he demanded. "Are you the owners of this establishment? Step forth!"
The two dolls infused with artificial life do not have a lot to fear in this world or many others. After all... why should they? They were created by the most powerful witch and wizard that many worlds have ever seen or known. And those with the intent to do harm are not actually allowed inside the shop. In fact... someone like Aku would normally not be able to step foot inside. The fact that he is does raise questions and their timidness at the sight of such a fiend is reasonable. But all things in this shop are done with a purpose. And realistically perhaps worse things than Aku have been let inside. Desperate vampire hunters and their ilk.
Still, the dolls don't make any sign that they are going to answer. Instead darting further into the shop. Yuuko said she was expecting someone so if they head to where she is surely all will be well. And all will be.
Yuuko sits perched in her chair like a queen in a throne. She normally dresses or at least puts on the airs of a respectable business woman for the everyday mortal that steps inside but there seems little need to do so with this particular visitor. She puffs on her pipe, blowing smoke rings into the air. The door being thrown open did not go unnoticed. Nor did the loud demanding shouts of someone looking for the owner of this house of wishes. Rude customers... she never cares for those but then who does really...
Yuuko blows out another ring watching it mix into the heavy air as the two dolls skitter in and away from their loud guest. He'll undoubtedly follow so she's fine where she is. And when he gets closer...
"You're looking for the proprietor of this establishment?"
Her hair isn't done up and sits pooled around her. Even the garments she dons are rather plain and simple, at least by Yuuko's standards. It's a dark dress with intricately woven flames in fine embroidery with pretty matching accessories. Simple. The hour is late after all and the late hour normally means drinking which cannot commence until this situation is taken care of.
Indeed, he follows after the dolls until he reaches the room where the witch is perched regally in her chair surrounded by swirls of smoke. The moment he sees her, Aku knows this is whom he seeks. There's something unmistakably majestic about her despite her human appearance. As a magical and powerful being himself, he can easily sense such qualities in her presence. At the very least, he would show her more respect than he would the average mortal. The yokai bows his horned head beneath the doorway as he enters, then straightens once again to full height, claws clasped behind his back and looking darkly regal in his own right.
"Yes," comes his terse reply. "And I see that I have found her." He's no longer shouting but his voice retains its loud and forceful quality. The source of that mighty rasp is a broad chest, though the rest of him is markedly slender like a tall column of darkness. It lends the appearance of a long robe which flares into a tentacle-like mass that spreads along the floor and blocks the doorway. Aku eyes the witch dubiously as if making a silent assessment. Had she known he was coming or was it by simple coincidence that she'd chosen to wear flames? No matter. There was business to attend to.
"I am Aku, Master of Darkness, Shogun of Sorrow, Almighty Ruler of my dimension's Earth," he introduces himself like the large ham that he is. "However, a great misfortune has befallen me. That is why I have come in search of one who can help me lift this curse. Is it true that you are able to grant any wish that is asked of you?"
"You have." She confirms, blowing another waft of smoke to add to the rest. "I am Yuuko the Witch of Wishes. But I have many titles. Whichever you prefer to use would be just fine. There is little need to inform you of just who I am, especially when you have a decent idea of that already."
She sets the pipe down on a small table beside the chair and brushes some of her dark hair behind her ear.
"What you have heard is true. I can grant any wish. So long as the payment is equal to the request, of course." Nothing is free and everything must be in balance. Such is the way of the world and specifically her magic. Powerful she may be but the chains she wears are heavy. That goes not just for magic but all aspects of her life. Everything is bound by a scale that must forever be level.
"But tell me of this wish of yours for surely a deal, of some sort, can be struck."
"Payment, you say..." Was he not special or terrifying enough to get it for free? Normally Aku could always get away with making false deals, never fulfilling his end of the obligation. But with magic involved, payment would be trickier to dodge. Maybe even impossible.
"Very well," he agrees after a brief rumble of annoyance. "But first, there is a matter I would like to address beforehand. You see, I am plagued by a mortal foe whose existence is unfortunately persistent and increasingly vexatious. How much would it take to obliterate him for good? Can it be done? Give me your honest answer."
Truthfully, the samurai is only part of the reason for why he's here. But being who he is and how tired he's become of his old foe, he's obligated to make killing Jack number one in his list of priorities. That and it's the least uncomfortably personal of his concerns.
"Yes. Payment." She confirms, unperturbed by his grumbles and grief. No one is above the rules. Not even Aku. Though there are many that think they are. Beings far lesser than this yokai even.
Oh.. but that question. It's expected and it's been wished for many times with no one actually able to pay for such a thing. The cost of taking another life is nothing so simple. Nothing cheap, surely not.
She parts her lips for a moment, taking pause, before deciding to go a different path with this particular inquiry. "I will answer you... but first I would like you to tell me what you think the value of a life is worth? One mortal life. Of the billions of humans that dwell in this world alone what does the price of one life, extinguished forevermore, cost? I'm curious as to what you're value of such things would be..."
"Pah!" he scoffs. "My sentience may span but four centuries but I have existed since the dawn of this universe. I have seen the rise and fall of entire galaxies. To one such as I, human life is short and fleeting. They are born, they die, and new ones arise in their place. I see no reason why a single mortal life should be worth little more than a leaf on a tree." What more could be said of mortals? They live briefly and then they die. Well, most of them—the ones who actually do it right. Then there were those like Samurai Jack who failed to accomplish even the simplest thing and that is where the problem lies.
"However. This particular human refuses to wither and die no matter how many times I have tried to destroy him. The fool even refuses to age as humans naturally should. Though I suppose this may have something to do with my casting him into the future and displacing him from his original timeline... Nevertheless! His death is much more valuable to me than his pathetic mortal life."
Still, there's the matter of payment. What was it the witch could want? Why couldn't she just tell him rather than ask pointless questions? Was she trying to suggest to him that one mortal life was worth another life? Aku furrowed his fiery brow as he tried to figure her out, then gave his beard a thoughtful stroke.
"In exchange for your service, I will give you... one of my top 10 slave chefs to serve you whatever your heart desires for the rest of his mortal life." Surely this would suffice. Who would turn down a lifetime of delicious food? "Now then. Back to the matter at hand. How will you bring about the Samurai's untimely demise? I was thinking death-by-lightning-strike should cut it. Or perhaps a misstep at the top of a long flight of stairs. Hit by a car? Chicken pox? Bitten by a mosquito carrying the Malaria virus?" All cheaply mundane yet very valid methods of death and there's plenty more suggestions where that came from!
"How will I bring about the samurai's demise?" She questions before shaking her head. "I will not be. One human life is not worth what you just offered me. This human mortal may be one of many but it is still a life. A life you are deeply entwined with. A life with threads connecting over time now. Do you really think a mortal life is worth what you offered me? And the cost of taking a life, any life, is heavy, heavy enough to crush a person. Meaning that the only proper payment for taking this life is to offer your own in return. Two souls so deeply bound... so vexed at one another's existence. This life that you've come to me to stamp out. Surely this life means more to you than one slave." One of the top ten at that. "No other payment will do than your own life in payment for his."
His offer is hardly balanced. How insulting to this human samurai who has run this yokai in circles for who knows how long.
"You mentioned that humans are nothing more than leaves on a tree. But even leaves serve a purpose. They collect sunlight and convert it into food so that the plant can continue to live. A tree without leaves is one that will surely die. And without a doubt humans are flawed. But then... we all are. Their lives are short so they cherish more. Love harder. Fight more valently. And maybe they will bring about the end of the world. But they will also fight their hardest, harder than I ever could, to prevent it."
She offers the yokai a very small smile. "Every tree needs leaves. One or hundreds. They all serve a purpose. They are not so worthless, I promise you."
As he listens, Aku's face cycles through a range of emotions starting with indignant wide-eyed shock. He raises a clawed finger and his jaws part as if to dispute her claims but no sound comes forth. Finally, he clenches his teeth together along with both fists, eyebrows flickering wildly, until—
"BLARGH!" he utters explosively. As appalling as it all sounds, as much as he wants to disagree, he can't say that his and the Samurai's lives are not intricately intertwined. But this doesn't stop him from fuming openly and with incomprehensible growling sounds. How dare someone point out how the Samurai's life is so important to him! How dare it be suggested that he must give up his own precious existence to erase his foolish mortal foe! How dare...
After his emotional outburst, his growling thankfully dies down to a raspy grumble. To his side he raises a hand and curls his claws in a beckoning motion. A chair, as if of its own accord, drags itself swiftly across the floor to him and the yokai seats himself across from Yuuko. His claws grip the armrests like the talons of a falcon as he shifts about uncomfortably for a moment, then slumps. This time when he speaks, his voice is softer, almost subdued as if he's finally accepted the futility of his situation.
"...I see that my efforts are in vain. The Samurai shall forever be a righteous thorn in my side." His mighty frown hangs like a wet noodle from his face. Ugh, what has his life come to? At least, for once, he was airing his thoughts to someone other than himself, even if she could not help him in any other way.
"Thoughts of him plague my mind night and day. Things I once enjoyed are no longer enjoyable and my days are filled with consternation. It sickens me to realize that my glorious existence has been reduced to these constant worries." Here, a bit of conviction creeps back into his tone. He's not ready to give in and be conquered by his fears just yet. Or ever! "I seek to place my efforts toward something greater, a distraction worthy of my time. Something that will provide me with unending companionship, loyalty and adoration. Or perhaps someone."
Alright. She lowers her head just a bit to hide a faint smile. That's not professional but it's still very funny. Such a strange tantrum. But at least he's not arguing with her or complaining or making even more wild demands. She appreciates that... Even mortal customers can get rather rude and near violent when they can't get their way.
As he sits before her she straightens up, being the attentive professional that she likes to appear as. To see someone like him so crestfallen is quite a sight. He, like her, must be quite lonely. Beings like them are fated to be that way. The long endless years make companionship of most kinds near impossible.
"It is not unwise to focus your attentions elsewhere. Crafting a legacy of a different kind is advisable. If you keep meddling in the affairs of this samurai you are only going to knot yourself tighter and tighter with the strings of fate and find yourself in an inescapable circumstance." She leans back in her chair picking up her pipe once more to craft more swirling smoke in the air. "It sounds like you're looking for a companion. Someone to rule at your side. Or perhaps just be an adorer at your side... It probably won't be hard to manipulate something like that to your whim. Finding the genuine emotion however... that will be much harder."
"Yes, I know," he says slumping deeper into his bladed shoulders. Even his horns give the appearance of drooping.
In all those eons he spent alone in the depths of space, Aku had never once felt a need for companionship. But now that he's been granted the gift (and curse) of sentience by human hands, there's a desire for something more than watching the masses cower before him. A desire for genuine respect and adoration. He had failed miserably in his attempts to endear himself to the younger generations of mortals — it was Jack they adored and lauded as their hero, not him. But perhaps if that younger generation was his own offspring... it would have no choice but to love him.
"A progeny of my own would be ideal," Aku continues without making eye contact. This is pretty personal stuff after all and he's not especially proud to admit he has such feelings. "But alas, my team of scientists have been unsuccessful in their efforts to splice my essence with that of any mortal creature. I am a being of darkness, destruction and discord. Perhaps it's no surprise that life does not spring from my essence."
"A mortal, in theory, would do the trick if they were of great potential be it magical or devine.... perhaps even darkness themselves. Even an immortal lifespan would have to be potent in such things for any sort of growth to take place. But realistically... creating life, at the end of the day, is not so difficult."
Most creatures create. There are few in this world that cannot. And some simply will never have the opportunity.
She thinks on all of this for a few moments pondering just what can be done and at what price. Life is an easier thing to pay for. Death is the one with all the hiccups and taboo restrictions. "Is this your new wish then? If you cannot wish for a life to be taken will you wish for new ones in return? Is that the real reason that you have come?"
"If it can be done then, yes, that is my wish," he answers.
However, Aku's expression remains skeptical. He leans an elbow on the armrest of the chair as he eyes the witch across from him. No doubt she has her own very real mystical powers but that doesn't mean he trusts her not to take him for a fool.
"But there are questions that should not be left unanswered. Firstly, where am I to find an immortal individual of such 'great potential'?" That part of it alone sounds highly improbable. "And furthermore what payment do you seek for this hypothetical wish?"
These are good questions. Questions she can't quite answer just yet.
"Life begets life. The price for creating life is giving life to something else." She offers him a small smile. "There are all sorts of humans in the world. Humans that have self destructive behaviors or are incapable of truly taking care of themselves and can't create a union with another so easily. Sometimes they are given a task. If they can keep the life of something smaller alive they can be given something else. They learn responsibility and care."
She once more set asides her pipe and pushes herself to a stand. "I will be giving you a similar task." She moves silently to some drawers behind her and rummages through them for a moment or two. She returns to him with a velvet satchel and offers it out to him.
"Seeds." She explains. "Grow these seeds if you can. Breathe life and love into them. Show that you are capable of taking care of something. And grow life. In return life will be given to you. That is the payment for getting what you seek. If you properly take care of what grows the answer to who will bare this burden will become clear. For all flowers hold a meaning. And they will give us the answer we need so long as you care for them properly."
It's a simple task, no? But perhaps for someone like Aku it may prove difficult.
"No magic. No cheating with time. Any foul play and they will wither and your hopes with them. You must craft life as humans do. But if you feel yourself above such a menial task I am sure you'll find what you're looking for some other way."
How fortuitous for him that spring is starting to take root and now is the perfect time to start planting! If he needs a place to start this task the garden out back is perfect. She can also keep an eye on him and make sure he's not cheating. Full offense, but she doesn't trust him not to.
Aku leans forward to eye the satchel before his gaze turns once again to the witch. What was this? A task to fulfill? A test of his will? The No Magic and No Cheating rules are the icing and cherry atop the cake of unwanted responsibilities. There's an objection waiting at the tip of his tongue simply at the principal of being assigned such a menial task, but because this wish is something he sincerely wants, he opts to bite back his words of discontent and play along.
However, the silent look of dismay he gives her tells much more than words ever could. This is in part because he knows the seeds will die before they ever sprout since that's what happens to most everything he touches. And love? Pfeh! Just because he desires love from others doesn't mean he's capable of expressing it himself. After all, one who has never been shown love and compassion cannot truly comprehend it.
After a brief eternity of silent and intense frowning, his claws snag the satchel out of Yuuko's hand.
"Very well! I will plant your seeds," he growls and rises from his seat. With a wave of his hand, the chair is sent racing back to its former place in the room. "Then you will see for yourself how they refuse to grow and the burden will be on you to rethink this foolish gambit." That's right, he's a failure and he'll prove it! You'll see! Aku turns to face the doorway and pauses just short of storming out.
"And just where shall I plant these seeds?" Because her yard is definitely the place he has in mind.
She meets his unhappy stare and doesn't back down for a moment. He'll do it. He'll do it because he has no choice. And she knows it. Because the possibility is worth it even if you know you might fail. And maybe he will. But she'll give him as many seeds as he needs to get it right. If he does it the first time will he have learned anything? Maybe. But it is through failures in which knowledge is truly gathered.
"If blaming me for your inability to pay for your own desires is what will make you happy then by all means... blame away. It won't actually change anything."
She moves past him never minding his huffing and puffing and shows him to the back door in which she slides open. "You may plant the seeds anywhere in the garden so long as you don't undo what is already planted. Consider the soil. Where the sun shines. Where the rain may fall. Too much and too little of one thing will ruin your work. Take as much as you can into consideration. And you may try as many times as you like until your wish is able to be granted. Grow life. Get life in return."
She has years upon years before the promised day arrives. Before that boy appears on her doorstep and before the promised children arrive. There is time to do this song and dance. Seasons upon seasons... She suspects, in time, he can get what he desires. After all... he's here right? That's all according to fate.
No, blaming her would NOT make him happy. At this point in his existence, Aku isn't entirely sure if anything will truly make him happy. But he's willing to do whatever it takes just to try.
Once again the demon lord bows his head as he steps out onto the back porch and casts his sights toward the garden. Glowering, he considers for a moment where he should plant the seeds. Soil. Sun. Rain. Not too much, not too little. Pah! What does it matter? Then, satchel in hand, he leaps from the porch as an arc of darkness and into the garden.
Not much is growing yet except maybe some tiny shoots here and there. Aku picks a relatively bare spot that has nothing but dead leaves and a few weeds covering it. On this spot he breathes a gust of fire-breath to clear it and destroy the weeds. Now then, onto the planting. He drags his claws through the soil like a rake and then tosses the seeds into the ruts soon after. Having had plenty of time to observe early man till the soil (often before splitting the earth beneath the man's feet and dragging him into it), Aku knows well enough how it's done even if he's never planted anything himself. He goes about it somewhat carelessly but it gets the job done.
After covering the seeds, he raises his claws skyward, arms outstretched. There's still one last thing he needs to finish this and the clouds shift overhead, gathering above the shop and growing darker by the moment. Soon a light but steady rain begins to fall.
"The deed is done," he speaks at last. "Hey... What kind of seeds are these?" You know, just out of curiosity. Not in case he needs to cheat or anything.
Yuuko watches him work with mild amusement and interest. Aku certainly has an idea of how this all works so that's a positive in his quest. She had a thought that he might throw the seeds on the ground and walk away so color her impressed. Ah... she glances upward as he wills the sky into a storm. That's... that's a little bit like cheating but she'll give it a pass. He can just as easily fill a pail with water but... it's fine.
"It's a mystery for now. Whatever they bloom into will provide us with the answers we seek. All flowers mean something... and when yours bloom it will point you in the direction of the person who will help you create what you most desire."
The witch turns away from the outside, desiring to go back in and continue her evening uninterrupted. "Come back as often or as little as you like to care for your seedlings. No one is going to do it for you." She pauses and glances back at him, wanting to make sure he doesn't forget. "I will know if you try and cheat."
Aku growls under his breath, his shoulders drooping. He hated doing things the 'honest' way but if the witch truly had a way of knowing if he cheated, then he would have no choice.
In the coming days and weeks, Aku returned every so often to check on the patch of earth in the garden and water it if the soil felt dry. For the longest time it seemed as if nothing was happening and each time he left, he looked more and more disappointed. There was irritation, yes, but there was also a growing sense of despair that he would never recieve his wish. He almost considered not returning at all until one morning he arrives early to find the tips of tiny green shoots sticking up from the soil. Aku blinks as if his eyes deceive him and moments later, he bursts in through the back door of the shop, grinning excitedly.
"Yuuko!" His serpentine form flies from room to room in search of the witch. It doesn't occur to him that she may not even be awake at this early hour. "YUUKO!"
Yuuko is most certainly not awake at this particular hour. Him bursting into her quarters where she passed out only a few hours ago is not a pleasant experience for her. The witch holds her head as she slowly sits up needing a moment to process just what and why this is happening at this hour.
Aku is it?
She scowls a bit. He's been coming and going, which is all well and good, but he's mostly kept to himself up till now. She's had no problem with that arrangement. Why this had to change right now is beyond her.
"What... could possibly be so important...?" The witch slowly rises from where she'd been sleeping and takes careful and somewhat steady steps towards him. Because as tempting as just pulling a blanket over herself is she now has company. And as the owner and proprietor of this business she does have a responsibility to customers... even if that customer burst into her home and woke her up her duty is irrefutable.
Careful steps are important, especially as a rush of solid darkness whirls around Yuuko. Suddenly, the demon lord is standing right beside her with fangs bared in a smile much too bright and cheerful for this world. It's a wonder that his face is even capable of emoting such an expression.
"They are ALIVE!" he announces joyously with claws raised and arms spread. "But you must see it to believe it!"
Aku can see that Yuuko has just awoken and is only barely awake but he can't be bothered to care. This news is MOST important! Of course, if the situation was reversed and he'd been the rudely awoken one, he'd put a swift end to whoever dared to disturb him from his nap. The most he does to dial himself back is shout in a 'softer', slightly hushed way.
"And if you can see it then I'll know that my eyes do not deceive me!" Because apparently he isn't sure if he can believe it himself yet. One of his arms remains extended out in front of them while his other hand hovers behind Yuuko as if he means to lead her through the house and into the backyard.
There are a dozen and a half things she'd prefer to do than go outside and look at the ground. She'd like to put on something that isn't slipping off her shoulders. She'd like to run something through her hair. She'd like a drink of the alcoholic variety. A quick smoke from her pipe... literally anything else.
A customer is a customer though...
So... not even bothering with shoes or even another word she moves to go outside and into the crisp morning air.
Now, if this were any other time of day she'd be much more interested and intrigued at the state of things. She honestly thought he'd be at this for years and years but to have something start to sprout at his very first attempt? This wish of his must be a very longed for desire. And she truly is impressed even if the early hour does not allow her to be so.
"Alright... show me."
Not that she doesn't trust him but... she doesn't trust him. Yuuko knows where the seeds are planted and presumably so does he since he's come here quite frequently but just in case. The witch doesn't want him pointing out any other sprouting plants and claiming them as his own.
If Yuuko's hair is a mess, Aku doesn't notice. And if her clothes slide off, so be it! The important thing now is that she set eyes on Aku's latest achievement. As they near the garden, he leaves Yuuko's side and heads straight for the patch of dirt he's been cultivating for the past several weeks. He's pleased to see that the sprouts have not vanished like a mirage and are still there. Tiny. But there.
Beaming at his unexpected success, the yokai takes his place beside the tiny sprouts and gestures grandly to them with both hands as if to present a great gift to the witch.
She leans down to take a look at the sprouting flora. There it is. In all it's green glory. Well... She's actually quite impressed.
Yuuko nods a bit and turns to face him. "That certainly is life. But your task isn't over yet. It needs to continue to thrive and once it blooms it will give us the answers you seek in regards to who will be able to carry that which you greatly desire. Until then... continue to look after your creation. But..." She offers the demon a smile. Despite the rude awakening and hangover it's still rather kind. "Know that I'm quite proud of you."
She moves away from the soon to be flowers and takes to take a seat on a the porch to her home. There's only so much standing and moving around she can do in this state. "I know this is simply a means to an end for you but... what are you hoping to see spring out of the ground? Any prospects?"
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unspeakablyevil) wrote2017-11-10 02:58 pm
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After resizing and reshaping himself, Aku stood tall and imposing in the foyer of the traditional-style house. His branchy horns nearly touched the ceiling as he stared down the hallway. There, he spotted two child-like faces peeking out at him from around a corner, too timid to approach. Aku narrowed his bulbous eyes and pointed an outstretched claw at the girls.
"YOU THERE," he demanded. "Are you the owners of this establishment? Step forth!"
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Still, the dolls don't make any sign that they are going to answer. Instead darting further into the shop. Yuuko said she was expecting someone so if they head to where she is surely all will be well. And all will be.
Yuuko sits perched in her chair like a queen in a throne. She normally dresses or at least puts on the airs of a respectable business woman for the everyday mortal that steps inside but there seems little need to do so with this particular visitor. She puffs on her pipe, blowing smoke rings into the air. The door being thrown open did not go unnoticed. Nor did the loud demanding shouts of someone looking for the owner of this house of wishes. Rude customers... she never cares for those but then who does really...
Yuuko blows out another ring watching it mix into the heavy air as the two dolls skitter in and away from their loud guest. He'll undoubtedly follow so she's fine where she is. And when he gets closer...
"You're looking for the proprietor of this establishment?"
Her hair isn't done up and sits pooled around her. Even the garments she dons are rather plain and simple, at least by Yuuko's standards. It's a dark dress with intricately woven flames in fine embroidery with pretty matching accessories. Simple. The hour is late after all and the late hour normally means drinking which cannot commence until this situation is taken care of.
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"Yes," comes his terse reply. "And I see that I have found her." He's no longer shouting but his voice retains its loud and forceful quality. The source of that mighty rasp is a broad chest, though the rest of him is markedly slender like a tall column of darkness. It lends the appearance of a long robe which flares into a tentacle-like mass that spreads along the floor and blocks the doorway. Aku eyes the witch dubiously as if making a silent assessment. Had she known he was coming or was it by simple coincidence that she'd chosen to wear flames? No matter. There was business to attend to.
"I am Aku, Master of Darkness, Shogun of Sorrow, Almighty Ruler of my dimension's Earth," he introduces himself like the large ham that he is. "However, a great misfortune has befallen me. That is why I have come in search of one who can help me lift this curse. Is it true that you are able to grant any wish that is asked of you?"
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She sets the pipe down on a small table beside the chair and brushes some of her dark hair behind her ear.
"What you have heard is true. I can grant any wish. So long as the payment is equal to the request, of course." Nothing is free and everything must be in balance. Such is the way of the world and specifically her magic. Powerful she may be but the chains she wears are heavy. That goes not just for magic but all aspects of her life. Everything is bound by a scale that must forever be level.
"But tell me of this wish of yours for surely a deal, of some sort, can be struck."
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"Very well," he agrees after a brief rumble of annoyance. "But first, there is a matter I would like to address beforehand. You see, I am plagued by a mortal foe whose existence is unfortunately persistent and increasingly vexatious. How much would it take to obliterate him for good? Can it be done? Give me your honest answer."
Truthfully, the samurai is only part of the reason for why he's here. But being who he is and how tired he's become of his old foe, he's obligated to make killing Jack number one in his list of priorities. That and it's the least uncomfortably personal of his concerns.
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Oh.. but that question. It's expected and it's been wished for many times with no one actually able to pay for such a thing. The cost of taking another life is nothing so simple. Nothing cheap, surely not.
She parts her lips for a moment, taking pause, before deciding to go a different path with this particular inquiry. "I will answer you... but first I would like you to tell me what you think the value of a life is worth? One mortal life. Of the billions of humans that dwell in this world alone what does the price of one life, extinguished forevermore, cost? I'm curious as to what you're value of such things would be..."
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"However. This particular human refuses to wither and die no matter how many times I have tried to destroy him. The fool even refuses to age as humans naturally should. Though I suppose this may have something to do with my casting him into the future and displacing him from his original timeline... Nevertheless! His death is much more valuable to me than his pathetic mortal life."
Still, there's the matter of payment. What was it the witch could want? Why couldn't she just tell him rather than ask pointless questions? Was she trying to suggest to him that one mortal life was worth another life? Aku furrowed his fiery brow as he tried to figure her out, then gave his beard a thoughtful stroke.
"In exchange for your service, I will give you... one of my top 10 slave chefs to serve you whatever your heart desires for the rest of his mortal life." Surely this would suffice. Who would turn down a lifetime of delicious food? "Now then. Back to the matter at hand. How will you bring about the Samurai's untimely demise? I was thinking death-by-lightning-strike should cut it. Or perhaps a misstep at the top of a long flight of stairs. Hit by a car? Chicken pox? Bitten by a mosquito carrying the Malaria virus?" All cheaply mundane yet very valid methods of death and there's plenty more suggestions where that came from!
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His offer is hardly balanced. How insulting to this human samurai who has run this yokai in circles for who knows how long.
"You mentioned that humans are nothing more than leaves on a tree. But even leaves serve a purpose. They collect sunlight and convert it into food so that the plant can continue to live. A tree without leaves is one that will surely die. And without a doubt humans are flawed. But then... we all are. Their lives are short so they cherish more. Love harder. Fight more valently. And maybe they will bring about the end of the world. But they will also fight their hardest, harder than I ever could, to prevent it."
She offers the yokai a very small smile. "Every tree needs leaves. One or hundreds. They all serve a purpose. They are not so worthless, I promise you."
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"BLARGH!" he utters explosively. As appalling as it all sounds, as much as he wants to disagree, he can't say that his and the Samurai's lives are not intricately intertwined. But this doesn't stop him from fuming openly and with incomprehensible growling sounds. How dare someone point out how the Samurai's life is so important to him! How dare it be suggested that he must give up his own precious existence to erase his foolish mortal foe! How dare...
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"...I see that my efforts are in vain. The Samurai shall forever be a righteous thorn in my side." His mighty frown hangs like a wet noodle from his face. Ugh, what has his life come to? At least, for once, he was airing his thoughts to someone other than himself, even if she could not help him in any other way.
"Thoughts of him plague my mind night and day. Things I once enjoyed are no longer enjoyable and my days are filled with consternation. It sickens me to realize that my glorious existence has been reduced to these constant worries." Here, a bit of conviction creeps back into his tone. He's not ready to give in and be conquered by his fears just yet. Or ever! "I seek to place my efforts toward something greater, a distraction worthy of my time. Something that will provide me with unending companionship, loyalty and adoration. Or perhaps someone."
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Alright. She lowers her head just a bit to hide a faint smile. That's not professional but it's still very funny. Such a strange tantrum. But at least he's not arguing with her or complaining or making even more wild demands. She appreciates that... Even mortal customers can get rather rude and near violent when they can't get their way.
As he sits before her she straightens up, being the attentive professional that she likes to appear as. To see someone like him so crestfallen is quite a sight. He, like her, must be quite lonely. Beings like them are fated to be that way. The long endless years make companionship of most kinds near impossible.
"It is not unwise to focus your attentions elsewhere. Crafting a legacy of a different kind is advisable. If you keep meddling in the affairs of this samurai you are only going to knot yourself tighter and tighter with the strings of fate and find yourself in an inescapable circumstance." She leans back in her chair picking up her pipe once more to craft more swirling smoke in the air. "It sounds like you're looking for a companion. Someone to rule at your side. Or perhaps just be an adorer at your side... It probably won't be hard to manipulate something like that to your whim. Finding the genuine emotion however... that will be much harder."
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In all those eons he spent alone in the depths of space, Aku had never once felt a need for companionship. But now that he's been granted the gift (and curse) of sentience by human hands, there's a desire for something more than watching the masses cower before him. A desire for genuine respect and adoration. He had failed miserably in his attempts to endear himself to the younger generations of mortals — it was Jack they adored and lauded as their hero, not him. But perhaps if that younger generation was his own offspring... it would have no choice but to love him.
"A progeny of my own would be ideal," Aku continues without making eye contact. This is pretty personal stuff after all and he's not especially proud to admit he has such feelings. "But alas, my team of scientists have been unsuccessful in their efforts to splice my essence with that of any mortal creature. I am a being of darkness, destruction and discord. Perhaps it's no surprise that life does not spring from my essence."
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Most creatures create. There are few in this world that cannot. And some simply will never have the opportunity.
She thinks on all of this for a few moments pondering just what can be done and at what price. Life is an easier thing to pay for. Death is the one with all the hiccups and taboo restrictions. "Is this your new wish then? If you cannot wish for a life to be taken will you wish for new ones in return? Is that the real reason that you have come?"
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However, Aku's expression remains skeptical. He leans an elbow on the armrest of the chair as he eyes the witch across from him. No doubt she has her own very real mystical powers but that doesn't mean he trusts her not to take him for a fool.
"But there are questions that should not be left unanswered. Firstly, where am I to find an immortal individual of such 'great potential'?" That part of it alone sounds highly improbable. "And furthermore what payment do you seek for this hypothetical wish?"
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"Life begets life. The price for creating life is giving life to something else." She offers him a small smile. "There are all sorts of humans in the world. Humans that have self destructive behaviors or are incapable of truly taking care of themselves and can't create a union with another so easily. Sometimes they are given a task. If they can keep the life of something smaller alive they can be given something else. They learn responsibility and care."
She once more set asides her pipe and pushes herself to a stand. "I will be giving you a similar task." She moves silently to some drawers behind her and rummages through them for a moment or two. She returns to him with a velvet satchel and offers it out to him.
"Seeds." She explains. "Grow these seeds if you can. Breathe life and love into them. Show that you are capable of taking care of something. And grow life. In return life will be given to you. That is the payment for getting what you seek. If you properly take care of what grows the answer to who will bare this burden will become clear. For all flowers hold a meaning. And they will give us the answer we need so long as you care for them properly."
It's a simple task, no? But perhaps for someone like Aku it may prove difficult.
"No magic. No cheating with time. Any foul play and they will wither and your hopes with them. You must craft life as humans do. But if you feel yourself above such a menial task I am sure you'll find what you're looking for some other way."
How fortuitous for him that spring is starting to take root and now is the perfect time to start planting! If he needs a place to start this task the garden out back is perfect. She can also keep an eye on him and make sure he's not cheating. Full offense, but she doesn't trust him not to.
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However, the silent look of dismay he gives her tells much more than words ever could. This is in part because he knows the seeds will die before they ever sprout since that's what happens to most everything he touches. And love? Pfeh! Just because he desires love from others doesn't mean he's capable of expressing it himself. After all, one who has never been shown love and compassion cannot truly comprehend it.
After a brief eternity of silent and intense frowning, his claws snag the satchel out of Yuuko's hand.
"Very well! I will plant your seeds," he growls and rises from his seat. With a wave of his hand, the chair is sent racing back to its former place in the room. "Then you will see for yourself how they refuse to grow and the burden will be on you to rethink this foolish gambit." That's right, he's a failure and he'll prove it! You'll see! Aku turns to face the doorway and pauses just short of storming out.
"And just where shall I plant these seeds?" Because her yard is definitely the place he has in mind.
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"If blaming me for your inability to pay for your own desires is what will make you happy then by all means... blame away. It won't actually change anything."
She moves past him never minding his huffing and puffing and shows him to the back door in which she slides open. "You may plant the seeds anywhere in the garden so long as you don't undo what is already planted. Consider the soil. Where the sun shines. Where the rain may fall. Too much and too little of one thing will ruin your work. Take as much as you can into consideration. And you may try as many times as you like until your wish is able to be granted. Grow life. Get life in return."
She has years upon years before the promised day arrives. Before that boy appears on her doorstep and before the promised children arrive. There is time to do this song and dance. Seasons upon seasons... She suspects, in time, he can get what he desires. After all... he's here right? That's all according to fate.
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Once again the demon lord bows his head as he steps out onto the back porch and casts his sights toward the garden. Glowering, he considers for a moment where he should plant the seeds. Soil. Sun. Rain. Not too much, not too little. Pah! What does it matter? Then, satchel in hand, he leaps from the porch as an arc of darkness and into the garden.
Not much is growing yet except maybe some tiny shoots here and there. Aku picks a relatively bare spot that has nothing but dead leaves and a few weeds covering it. On this spot he breathes a gust of fire-breath to clear it and destroy the weeds. Now then, onto the planting. He drags his claws through the soil like a rake and then tosses the seeds into the ruts soon after. Having had plenty of time to observe early man till the soil (often before splitting the earth beneath the man's feet and dragging him into it), Aku knows well enough how it's done even if he's never planted anything himself. He goes about it somewhat carelessly but it gets the job done.
After covering the seeds, he raises his claws skyward, arms outstretched. There's still one last thing he needs to finish this and the clouds shift overhead, gathering above the shop and growing darker by the moment. Soon a light but steady rain begins to fall.
"The deed is done," he speaks at last. "Hey... What kind of seeds are these?" You know, just out of curiosity. Not in case he needs to cheat or anything.
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"It's a mystery for now. Whatever they bloom into will provide us with the answers we seek. All flowers mean something... and when yours bloom it will point you in the direction of the person who will help you create what you most desire."
The witch turns away from the outside, desiring to go back in and continue her evening uninterrupted. "Come back as often or as little as you like to care for your seedlings. No one is going to do it for you." She pauses and glances back at him, wanting to make sure he doesn't forget. "I will know if you try and cheat."
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In the coming days and weeks, Aku returned every so often to check on the patch of earth in the garden and water it if the soil felt dry. For the longest time it seemed as if nothing was happening and each time he left, he looked more and more disappointed. There was irritation, yes, but there was also a growing sense of despair that he would never recieve his wish. He almost considered not returning at all until one morning he arrives early to find the tips of tiny green shoots sticking up from the soil. Aku blinks as if his eyes deceive him and moments later, he bursts in through the back door of the shop, grinning excitedly.
"Yuuko!" His serpentine form flies from room to room in search of the witch. It doesn't occur to him that she may not even be awake at this early hour. "YUUKO!"
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Aku is it?
She scowls a bit. He's been coming and going, which is all well and good, but he's mostly kept to himself up till now. She's had no problem with that arrangement. Why this had to change right now is beyond her.
"What... could possibly be so important...?" The witch slowly rises from where she'd been sleeping and takes careful and somewhat steady steps towards him. Because as tempting as just pulling a blanket over herself is she now has company. And as the owner and proprietor of this business she does have a responsibility to customers... even if that customer burst into her home and woke her up her duty is irrefutable.
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"They are ALIVE!" he announces joyously with claws raised and arms spread. "But you must see it to believe it!"
Aku can see that Yuuko has just awoken and is only barely awake but he can't be bothered to care. This news is MOST important! Of course, if the situation was reversed and he'd been the rudely awoken one, he'd put a swift end to whoever dared to disturb him from his nap. The most he does to dial himself back is shout in a 'softer', slightly hushed way.
"And if you can see it then I'll know that my eyes do not deceive me!" Because apparently he isn't sure if he can believe it himself yet. One of his arms remains extended out in front of them while his other hand hovers behind Yuuko as if he means to lead her through the house and into the backyard.
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A customer is a customer though...
So... not even bothering with shoes or even another word she moves to go outside and into the crisp morning air.
Now, if this were any other time of day she'd be much more interested and intrigued at the state of things. She honestly thought he'd be at this for years and years but to have something start to sprout at his very first attempt? This wish of his must be a very longed for desire. And she truly is impressed even if the early hour does not allow her to be so.
"Alright... show me."
Not that she doesn't trust him but... she doesn't trust him. Yuuko knows where the seeds are planted and presumably so does he since he's come here quite frequently but just in case. The witch doesn't want him pointing out any other sprouting plants and claiming them as his own.
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Beaming at his unexpected success, the yokai takes his place beside the tiny sprouts and gestures grandly to them with both hands as if to present a great gift to the witch.
"BEHOLD! I, AKU, have created LIFE!"
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Yuuko nods a bit and turns to face him. "That certainly is life. But your task isn't over yet. It needs to continue to thrive and once it blooms it will give us the answers you seek in regards to who will be able to carry that which you greatly desire. Until then... continue to look after your creation. But..." She offers the demon a smile. Despite the rude awakening and hangover it's still rather kind. "Know that I'm quite proud of you."
She moves away from the soon to be flowers and takes to take a seat on a the porch to her home. There's only so much standing and moving around she can do in this state. "I know this is simply a means to an end for you but... what are you hoping to see spring out of the ground? Any prospects?"
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