"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?"
The smile she gives him and the words that follow leave Aku feeling somewhat perplexed. It's more than a little surprising (and confusing) to hear words of praise directed at him. Was it a joke? A veiled insult? He can't tell but at this point he can't bring himself to care much. The plants were alive, he's one step closer to receiving his wish and that's all that matters. His gaze follows Yuuko as she retreats to the porch but Aku remains where he stands near the plants as if he's not ready to leave them yet.
"I could not care less about what these things are so long as they continue to flourish and become large and strong," he answers with some theatrical movements of his hands. Large and strong! — what any parent would want their offspring or plant to become. But more than anything, Aku wants the answers these plants will provide should he manage to keep from killing them. Turning toward the well, the demon points a clawed finger to the sky. An arc of water leaps up out of the well like a jumping jet fountain which he directs into a nearby watering can to fill.
"How will these plants provide us with the answers I seek?" he inquires, stopping just short of asking Yuuko if she will 'read the flowers'.
"All flowers have meaning and purpose. Perhaps you cannot relate but people have flowers that resonate very well to them or to an occasion. The most obvious one, of course, is the rose which represents love. And there are flowers that represent death too... When your flowers bloom we'll be able to find out a suitable host due to the very species and color."
Yuuko leans back on her hands, kicking her legs out a bit as she watches him work. "The love and attention and hard work you're putting into those budding sprouts will resonate within the flowers that bloom. I'll read them, of course, but it is your efforts that will lead us there." Her gaze flickers up to the morning sky... ugh... it's much too early to be awake.
"Life leads to life. That is why you doing this on your own is so important. Creating life will allow you to find a way to allow you to make more. It is, in some ways, the natural order. And most importantly it keeps things in balance."
"The red spider lily..." That was the one that represents death. Aku was no master of flowers but he's been around awhile.
Once the watering can is sufficiently filled, the demon points his finger toward the patch of earth where the seeds have sprouted. Following his silent command, the can lifts itself up off the ground and floats to where it's needed. There, it hovers in midair as it pours water onto the seedlings. Apparently, Aku has an endless supply of magic to call upon at his whim and it seems to come not from the universe, but from him.
While his magic does the work, Aku returns to the house and takes a seat at the edge of the porch overlooking the garden. He listens as she explains how his efforts will lead to the type of flower that will grow and the life that will follow. And of course, something something, balance.
"You speak often of balance," he states plainly. Balance and Aku were two concepts that did not go hand in hand. The demon could see no value in keeping things 'in balance' and would sooner liken himself to an Extreme. His gaze shifts to look at the witch.
"I must wonder—" he frowns, slouching as he rests his elbows on his knees. "What if the host indicated by the flower should refuse me? I am, after all, the fearsome Lord of Evil and Darkness." Even he has to admit not every chick is into that.
She glances at him with a small smile at the mention of the red spider lily. Yes... that certainly is one. One that grows in this very garden for somewhat obvious reasons.
"I speak of balance often because I am bound by it." She lazily lifts up her hand and looks to her wrist as if there were some sort of shackle binding her to this shop. There isn't... but there is a weight, certainly, of the laws that must be followed in regards to her magic. They are, at times, like heavy weights that stop her from taking a firmer position in many situations.
"When I do things that tip the scales too far in one direction terrible things come to pass. And people get hurt. Those with great power must learn to control it so it doesn't effect the world around them too greatly." She gestures to Aku. "Even you are bound by some sort of balance. You and this samurai you spoke of before. One without the other would surely lead to some sort of ruin and chaos. At the very least a void where once the other stood."
She shrugs her shoulders a bit. Too tired and too hungover to say more than that. It's the sort of thing she thinks he'd scoff at and she has no great interest in explaining how her world works to him. In the end it's too sad a story. Instead she'll answer his concern which is a much easier.
"You have to trust in the magic and the contract that is made by creating life. You will have created something and it will lead you to someone who can help create even more. That is what you're paying for and that is what you will get. Have faith in my work and in yours. So long as those flowers bloom your wish will be granted."
Just as Yuuko had suspected, the demon scoffs inwardly at the notion of Jack playing the role of counterbalance to the glorious power of Aku. Yet, he does understand the sense of feeling shackled and weighted down by the samurai's continuing existence. It's part of why he's agreed to this contract, after all. While he might not be able to obliterate his foe (at least not yet), he could lighten the weight by finding a purpose beyond the samurai and create his own powerful allies.
Which means he must make these flowers grow and find the one who will help him grant his wish. Straightening out of his slouch, Aku, Lord of Evil and Master of Darkness, makes a solemn vow: "Then I shall make these flowers grow."
In the months to follow, Aku became more and more of a permanent fixture in Yuuko's yard. What started as short daily visits grew longer when he realized all the dangers waiting to sabotage his efforts. After discovering that something had chewed on some of the new leaves, he often took the form of a large owl and perched in the tree above to stand guard. And when a late snow fell over the garden, he shielded the sprouts like a mother bird shielding her young from the cold. Sometimes, on cool nights, he napped beside them in the form a of a cat. Other times Yuuko might find him napping on the porch, but for the most part, the demon kept away from the house and did not interfere with her other clients.
As the seasons changed, the plants grew taller and taller. Not all of the seedlings had survived but the ones that did seemed to be as stubborn as their caretaker. In the warm months of summer, buds appeared on the delicate stalks. Finally the day came when the buds opened and the long-awaited flowers bloomed. On that day, Aku once again leads Yuuko to the garden to show her the fruits of his labor. It's clear that he's proud of his work and he's eager to hear what she has to say, but there's still a small part of him that can't help but feel apprehensive.
Wearing his best poker face, Aku looks to the witch for the answer he's been waiting for, "What is your verdict, Miss Yuuko?"
Her own personal promised day is still far from coming to pass. Having Aku in her shop and mulling about is no great issue and he keeps to himself and leaves her to her work. Spirits come. Humans come. Deals are struck across time and space and magical items are collected to help the shop continue doing what it needs to do.
She has just finished a trade with a rather ragged and desperate man. He has traded an eye and half his magic to travel a limited amount of times across space. His magic will help further her cause... She shelves the golden crystal in her treasure room and it's then that she hears Aku's excited and eager calls. All that time and effort... He must undoubtedly be nervous. Though this amount of time is nothing for beings like them hard work is still hard work.
She doesn't keep the demon waiting too long. Yuuko carefully steps out into the yard to look at the fruits of his labor. And at first sight at what has bloomed she knows. She knows exactly who this represents. If they had been flowers representing simply death that'd be one thing. There would be options in the spirit world and even here. There are possible people that could take on this task. If it had been the red spider lily she'd have known where to point. But this is a plant that points to her specifically more than any flower teasing death would.
"This is a black knight butterfly bush. It looks somewhat like a lilac but you will find in a few weeks time it will be covered in butterflies and other insects. Like moths to a flame all sorts and even birds will come to sample the nectar of this plant. It provides that which is most needed.
Its petals are black giving it a haunted and rotting away look though it is not so.
A provider to those in need. Something not quite living any longer that can bear the burden of that which you hope to bring into this world. And... butterflies."
She turns away from the flowers to head back inside. Her feelings on this matter are somewhat numb. It's certainly not what she expected. It's certainly not what she thought the magic would lead to. But everything that happens in this shop does in fact happen for a reason and maybe this too needs to be. After all... she is not going to be able to ever be capable of having a child of her own in any other way. That time has passed. He is gone now due to their combined mistake. And her body... it certainly could not provide any living mortal thing a chance.
Her reaction, or lack thereof, is most perplexing. Aku can only blink his eyes and watch as she turns toward the house with a distant air of shock about her. It makes him wonder if something has gone wrong. Yet there is nothing uncertain in her tone of voice when she tells him to follow.
As Yuuko makes a beeline for the shop, Aku teleports to appear several times on either side of her route along the way. And each time she passes him, he fires off a new question: "Is she inside the shop?" he inquires. "How well do you know her?" And again, "Do you think she will agree to our arrangement?"
Finally, he appears on the back porch standing between Yuuko and the door leading into the shop. He looks as if he won't let her pass until he gets a more definitive answer. "Yuuko, I must know. Will she say yes?"
She answers those questions as he appears each and every time. They're short nearly single word answers but they are answered.
Is she in the shop? "No." Not yet anyway.
How well do you know her? "Very well."
Do you think she will agree to our arrangement? "Maybe."
Apparently her answers are not good enough, unsurprisingly. She looks up at him offering nothing as far as expressions go. It's just a lot. It's something she needs to take in and absorb. Does she have the ability to say no? He planted the flowers. He made them grow and gave them life. Now she must uphold her part of this magic. No is probably not an option.
"I don't know. I just learned who it is." She closes her eyes for a moment and works to center herself. This matter is serious and it's certainly not fair to him who worked so very hard. "You've done well. You planted the flowers. You helped them grow. Life has bloomed. You've done all that you need to do. Leave the rest to me. I just need time. Can you wait a few more fleeting moments?"
More and more, Aku feels that something has gone wrong. If all was right she would have given him a straight answer by now, wouldn't she? But perhaps Yuuko merely needed to contact the woman in question and have a word with her before things could move forward. A part of him is dubious, yes, but he still recalls what she told him not so long ago — Trust in the magic. Have faith in my work and yours.
After a moment of consideration, the demon's stern expression softens a bit and his gaze drifts pointedly elsewhere. He then moves aside to let Yuuko pass.
"Yes, yes, I will wait," he says with a measure of resignation. While eager to move things along, he's not so eager to meet some stranger whom he might have to woo and convince to be apart of this contract. It's not something he'd given much thought to before now and it's beginning to weigh heavily on his mind. Regardless, he would do what he must to receive his wish.
After letting Yuuko proceed into the shop, Aku follows her inside and seats himself in a chair. There he sits with a bladed elbow on the arm rest, half-way lost in his own thoughts. "...If you speak with her, please let me know what she says," comes his mumbled but sincere request. "I will be here."
He intends to stay, does he? She supposes that makes sense. He's worked hard and she's keeping this important information at bay. All the while while she struggles with her own personal dilemma, she can't decide if her own personal opinion on this is worth it or if she is just another tool to the magic. Does she even get a say?
Everything happens for a reason. Even something like this. Right?
And perhaps this is less about granting children to a demon and bringing balance to a truly chaotic creature. For being bound to her in any way comes with its weight and duty. Not that this makes the decision any easier.
First things first. Liquor. She needs to enjoy that while she still can. Should she grant his wish she's going to be losing all her fun vices... And once she has poured herself an ample helping of wine she moves back to the room that the demon is currently residing in, still waiting for his answer.
"Aku... You've come from a far off land. Many in need of wishes granted come from the infinite worlds of time and space. So may I inquire how you came to know of me? Is it knowledge that you've acquired through other lands and places. Or was it whispered to you like in a dream?"
For every minute Yuuko is away, Aku becomes increasingly paranoid with thoughts of uncertainty racing through his mind. Something had gone wrong, he was sure of it. The look on Yuuko's face had told him so. What would he do if the answer was 'No'? What would he have to do to change her mind? She would want something in return, no doubt. Something valuable. He could produce priceless gems and jewels from thin air but would that really be enough? Had it been a mistake to come here? Could he have been wrong?
When Yuuko reenters the room, Aku's mind jolts back to the present and he sits a little straighter as if he expects some kind of answer, good or bad. What he receives instead is a question. There's an anxious twitch in his claws as he grips the chair's armrests. It takes him no time at all to recall the event that had brought him here. It does, however, take him a moment to talk about it aloud.
"It was a dream...," he begins. "No, a premonition. I foresaw my own demise at the hands of my enemy. The Samurai found a way to return to the past and erase my future and myself from existence. But as my reality crumbled around me and my being began to fade, I saw but one remaining structure left standing. It was a shop — your shop. As I entered, the fading slowed and I knew that I would be safe for a time, though not forever. No one appeared to me in the shop but there was a table set for tea. Butterfly-pea flower tea, to be exact."
It was a strange detail to recall but a memorable one, no less. He vividly remembers the deep blue and purple liquids inside the teacups. He even recalls the cups themselves bearing images of butterflies but he sees no reason to mention it.
"I awoke soon after with the feeling that I must find this shop and the answers therein."
The witch closes her eyes for a moment as he speaks. A dream... Not a passing word or something he got from someone else as many others do. This is what came to him through nothing short of a prophetic vision, thus it was foretold.
The dream of her shop and the butterfly tea... That all points to her and the flowers that bloomed only confirm what she already knows. Whatever the reason of these predestined events it is her duty to see them through.
"Hitsuzen then...?" She nods a bit, more to herself than to him. This, for whatever reason, is part of the great plan that her existence still lingers here for. So who is she to deny this step? She has a duty here in this shop. And whatever role he may or may not play in it is not something she can deny. This is the path that was carved out for her...
"You must forgive me for making you wait for an answer. The results were a bit surprising... After all..." She cants her head to the side just a bit as she looks this demon over. "I am not alive. But I suppose that suits the purpose of this. For what living creature could take on the task? The one who will take on this deed... is me. So the flowers have said. So your dream foretold. So it must be."
It's then that his claws cease their idle tapping and Aku looks at her with rounded eyes. A silent moment passes in which he sits up so straight and alert even his horns seem to perch higher atop his head.
"So, it is you," he speaks with quiet shock. No wonder she had looked so pale and stunned earlier upon realizing it was she who was slated to this fate. Aku strokes his beard as if he's just been struck with an enlightening thought. "A being of great power and magic, one who is neither living nor dead but remains immortal. ...Yes, it makes perfect sense that it is YOU who shall bear my child."
Relieved, the yokai rocks back into his seat with a raucous bout of laughter, teeth and fangs bared in a big grin.
"WHAT RELIEF! You had me worried, Yuuko! I was not looking forward to convincing some stranger to carry out my wish. Not that I couldn't do it..." he's quick to point out with a raised claw. "I can be very persuasive after all. But why go through the trouble when before me sits a woman of such magical prowess and beauty?" Yes, beauty. It isn't as if he hadn't noticed. If they're successful and the offspring comes out looking like her, Aku wouldn't be at all dismayed.
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unspeakablyevil) wrote2017-11-10 02:58 pm
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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.
no subject
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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"I could not care less about what these things are so long as they continue to flourish and become large and strong," he answers with some theatrical movements of his hands. Large and strong! — what any parent would want their offspring or plant to become. But more than anything, Aku wants the answers these plants will provide should he manage to keep from killing them. Turning toward the well, the demon points a clawed finger to the sky. An arc of water leaps up out of the well like a jumping jet fountain which he directs into a nearby watering can to fill.
"How will these plants provide us with the answers I seek?" he inquires, stopping just short of asking Yuuko if she will 'read the flowers'.
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Yuuko leans back on her hands, kicking her legs out a bit as she watches him work. "The love and attention and hard work you're putting into those budding sprouts will resonate within the flowers that bloom. I'll read them, of course, but it is your efforts that will lead us there." Her gaze flickers up to the morning sky... ugh... it's much too early to be awake.
"Life leads to life. That is why you doing this on your own is so important. Creating life will allow you to find a way to allow you to make more. It is, in some ways, the natural order. And most importantly it keeps things in balance."
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Once the watering can is sufficiently filled, the demon points his finger toward the patch of earth where the seeds have sprouted. Following his silent command, the can lifts itself up off the ground and floats to where it's needed. There, it hovers in midair as it pours water onto the seedlings. Apparently, Aku has an endless supply of magic to call upon at his whim and it seems to come not from the universe, but from him.
While his magic does the work, Aku returns to the house and takes a seat at the edge of the porch overlooking the garden. He listens as she explains how his efforts will lead to the type of flower that will grow and the life that will follow. And of course, something something, balance.
"You speak often of balance," he states plainly. Balance and Aku were two concepts that did not go hand in hand. The demon could see no value in keeping things 'in balance' and would sooner liken himself to an Extreme. His gaze shifts to look at the witch.
"I must wonder—" he frowns, slouching as he rests his elbows on his knees. "What if the host indicated by the flower should refuse me? I am, after all, the fearsome Lord of Evil and Darkness." Even he has to admit not every chick is into that.
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"I speak of balance often because I am bound by it." She lazily lifts up her hand and looks to her wrist as if there were some sort of shackle binding her to this shop. There isn't... but there is a weight, certainly, of the laws that must be followed in regards to her magic. They are, at times, like heavy weights that stop her from taking a firmer position in many situations.
"When I do things that tip the scales too far in one direction terrible things come to pass. And people get hurt. Those with great power must learn to control it so it doesn't effect the world around them too greatly." She gestures to Aku. "Even you are bound by some sort of balance. You and this samurai you spoke of before. One without the other would surely lead to some sort of ruin and chaos. At the very least a void where once the other stood."
She shrugs her shoulders a bit. Too tired and too hungover to say more than that. It's the sort of thing she thinks he'd scoff at and she has no great interest in explaining how her world works to him. In the end it's too sad a story. Instead she'll answer his concern which is a much easier.
"You have to trust in the magic and the contract that is made by creating life. You will have created something and it will lead you to someone who can help create even more. That is what you're paying for and that is what you will get. Have faith in my work and in yours. So long as those flowers bloom your wish will be granted."
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Which means he must make these flowers grow and find the one who will help him grant his wish. Straightening out of his slouch, Aku, Lord of Evil and Master of Darkness, makes a solemn vow: "Then I shall make these flowers grow."
In the months to follow, Aku became more and more of a permanent fixture in Yuuko's yard. What started as short daily visits grew longer when he realized all the dangers waiting to sabotage his efforts. After discovering that something had chewed on some of the new leaves, he often took the form of a large owl and perched in the tree above to stand guard. And when a late snow fell over the garden, he shielded the sprouts like a mother bird shielding her young from the cold. Sometimes, on cool nights, he napped beside them in the form a of a cat. Other times Yuuko might find him napping on the porch, but for the most part, the demon kept away from the house and did not interfere with her other clients.
As the seasons changed, the plants grew taller and taller. Not all of the seedlings had survived but the ones that did seemed to be as stubborn as their caretaker. In the warm months of summer, buds appeared on the delicate stalks. Finally the day came when the buds opened and the long-awaited flowers bloomed. On that day, Aku once again leads Yuuko to the garden to show her the fruits of his labor. It's clear that he's proud of his work and he's eager to hear what she has to say, but there's still a small part of him that can't help but feel apprehensive.
Wearing his best poker face, Aku looks to the witch for the answer he's been waiting for, "What is your verdict, Miss Yuuko?"
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She has just finished a trade with a rather ragged and desperate man. He has traded an eye and half his magic to travel a limited amount of times across space. His magic will help further her cause... She shelves the golden crystal in her treasure room and it's then that she hears Aku's excited and eager calls. All that time and effort... He must undoubtedly be nervous. Though this amount of time is nothing for beings like them hard work is still hard work.
She doesn't keep the demon waiting too long. Yuuko carefully steps out into the yard to look at the fruits of his labor. And at first sight at what has bloomed she knows. She knows exactly who this represents. If they had been flowers representing simply death that'd be one thing. There would be options in the spirit world and even here. There are possible people that could take on this task. If it had been the red spider lily she'd have known where to point. But this is a plant that points to her specifically more than any flower teasing death would.
"This is a black knight butterfly bush. It looks somewhat like a lilac but you will find in a few weeks time it will be covered in butterflies and other insects. Like moths to a flame all sorts and even birds will come to sample the nectar of this plant. It provides that which is most needed.
Its petals are black giving it a haunted and rotting away look though it is not so.
A provider to those in need. Something not quite living any longer that can bear the burden of that which you hope to bring into this world. And... butterflies."
She turns away from the flowers to head back inside. Her feelings on this matter are somewhat numb. It's certainly not what she expected. It's certainly not what she thought the magic would lead to. But everything that happens in this shop does in fact happen for a reason and maybe this too needs to be. After all... she is not going to be able to ever be capable of having a child of her own in any other way. That time has passed. He is gone now due to their combined mistake. And her body... it certainly could not provide any living mortal thing a chance.
"Follow me." She insists. "I know who it is."
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As Yuuko makes a beeline for the shop, Aku teleports to appear several times on either side of her route along the way. And each time she passes him, he fires off a new question: "Is she inside the shop?" he inquires. "How well do you know her?" And again, "Do you think she will agree to our arrangement?"
Finally, he appears on the back porch standing between Yuuko and the door leading into the shop. He looks as if he won't let her pass until he gets a more definitive answer. "Yuuko, I must know. Will she say yes?"
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Is she in the shop? "No." Not yet anyway.
How well do you know her? "Very well."
Do you think she will agree to our arrangement? "Maybe."
Apparently her answers are not good enough, unsurprisingly. She looks up at him offering nothing as far as expressions go. It's just a lot. It's something she needs to take in and absorb. Does she have the ability to say no? He planted the flowers. He made them grow and gave them life. Now she must uphold her part of this magic. No is probably not an option.
"I don't know. I just learned who it is." She closes her eyes for a moment and works to center herself. This matter is serious and it's certainly not fair to him who worked so very hard. "You've done well. You planted the flowers. You helped them grow. Life has bloomed. You've done all that you need to do. Leave the rest to me. I just need time. Can you wait a few more fleeting moments?"
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After a moment of consideration, the demon's stern expression softens a bit and his gaze drifts pointedly elsewhere. He then moves aside to let Yuuko pass.
"Yes, yes, I will wait," he says with a measure of resignation. While eager to move things along, he's not so eager to meet some stranger whom he might have to woo and convince to be apart of this contract. It's not something he'd given much thought to before now and it's beginning to weigh heavily on his mind. Regardless, he would do what he must to receive his wish.
After letting Yuuko proceed into the shop, Aku follows her inside and seats himself in a chair. There he sits with a bladed elbow on the arm rest, half-way lost in his own thoughts. "...If you speak with her, please let me know what she says," comes his mumbled but sincere request. "I will be here."
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Everything happens for a reason. Even something like this. Right?
And perhaps this is less about granting children to a demon and bringing balance to a truly chaotic creature. For being bound to her in any way comes with its weight and duty. Not that this makes the decision any easier.
First things first. Liquor. She needs to enjoy that while she still can. Should she grant his wish she's going to be losing all her fun vices... And once she has poured herself an ample helping of wine she moves back to the room that the demon is currently residing in, still waiting for his answer.
"Aku... You've come from a far off land. Many in need of wishes granted come from the infinite worlds of time and space. So may I inquire how you came to know of me? Is it knowledge that you've acquired through other lands and places. Or was it whispered to you like in a dream?"
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When Yuuko reenters the room, Aku's mind jolts back to the present and he sits a little straighter as if he expects some kind of answer, good or bad. What he receives instead is a question. There's an anxious twitch in his claws as he grips the chair's armrests. It takes him no time at all to recall the event that had brought him here. It does, however, take him a moment to talk about it aloud.
"It was a dream...," he begins. "No, a premonition. I foresaw my own demise at the hands of my enemy. The Samurai found a way to return to the past and erase my future and myself from existence. But as my reality crumbled around me and my being began to fade, I saw but one remaining structure left standing. It was a shop — your shop. As I entered, the fading slowed and I knew that I would be safe for a time, though not forever. No one appeared to me in the shop but there was a table set for tea. Butterfly-pea flower tea, to be exact."
It was a strange detail to recall but a memorable one, no less. He vividly remembers the deep blue and purple liquids inside the teacups. He even recalls the cups themselves bearing images of butterflies but he sees no reason to mention it.
"I awoke soon after with the feeling that I must find this shop and the answers therein."
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The dream of her shop and the butterfly tea... That all points to her and the flowers that bloomed only confirm what she already knows. Whatever the reason of these predestined events it is her duty to see them through.
"Hitsuzen then...?" She nods a bit, more to herself than to him. This, for whatever reason, is part of the great plan that her existence still lingers here for. So who is she to deny this step? She has a duty here in this shop. And whatever role he may or may not play in it is not something she can deny. This is the path that was carved out for her...
"You must forgive me for making you wait for an answer. The results were a bit surprising... After all..." She cants her head to the side just a bit as she looks this demon over. "I am not alive. But I suppose that suits the purpose of this. For what living creature could take on the task? The one who will take on this deed... is me. So the flowers have said. So your dream foretold. So it must be."
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"So, it is you," he speaks with quiet shock. No wonder she had looked so pale and stunned earlier upon realizing it was she who was slated to this fate. Aku strokes his beard as if he's just been struck with an enlightening thought. "A being of great power and magic, one who is neither living nor dead but remains immortal. ...Yes, it makes perfect sense that it is YOU who shall bear my child."
Relieved, the yokai rocks back into his seat with a raucous bout of laughter, teeth and fangs bared in a big grin.
"WHAT RELIEF! You had me worried, Yuuko! I was not looking forward to convincing some stranger to carry out my wish. Not that I couldn't do it..." he's quick to point out with a raised claw. "I can be very persuasive after all. But why go through the trouble when before me sits a woman of such magical prowess and beauty?" Yes, beauty. It isn't as if he hadn't noticed. If they're successful and the offspring comes out looking like her, Aku wouldn't be at all dismayed.
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