Witches' Side

[soul_mods]

Characters: OPEN, Witches' Side
Location: Factory #1
Rating: R
Time: SEPTEMBER 1-15TH 2019
Description: A place where you either live in splendor, or squalor. Where has fate thrown you? The Witches and their kin have picked up an unusual bit of excitement from those in Shibusen, just what could it be? All sorts of rumors are flying around, and not

Comments

[coordinatingly]

“Sasuke,” Dawn grumbled, folding her arms. It was clear to both of them that she didn’t like him too much, especially after what he had done to her best friend. However, she was already attempting to forget everything that had occurred in Death City, which was basically the last ten years of her life. She already knew that BREW was gone, and with it, her way back home.

Not that she minded staying here. If she went back home, she would just return back to the mundane life that she had before and not recall anything that happened. Her feelings for him would disappear as well…including the two ribbons that she wore during battle.

Though she didn’t want anyone to know about that. Or at the very least, the meaning behind it. She then gave a slight sigh before speaking again. “So. What are you doing here?” It was said more like a statement than an actual question, though.

Idiots.

[blindingrevenge]

He was unmoved by her annoyance and clear dislike, regarding her without much emotion on his face at all. Sasuke hadn't been personally responsible for what happened to Ash, but he had been there, and that was as good as guilty in the grand scheme of things.

Dark eyes watched the girl for a long moment. It was none of her business what he was doing, and he considered not telling her anything. But the rumour would get out eventually, if it hadn't already, so why not here it from the serpent's mouth. "I've just returned," Though that wasn't much of an answer, his body turned to face her. "Where are you going?"

[coordinatingly]

That was enough of an answer for Dawn, though. She knew that Sasuke was just as vague and silent like a certain indigo-haired person that she knew back at home. When he said that he had returned, it was obvious that he had a mission recently. She didn’t really care what he did now, nor did she keep tabs on him unless it was very important. This, however, wasn’t.

Her sapphire eyes then glanced at the ninja before she looked away, replying in a sing-song voice, “I dunno, maybe I should go back to Death City, find me some innocent victims, and see if I can capture them~” It really wasn’t like her to say something like that, but… she didn’t care. She lost everything too long ago.

It doesn’t matter. Right?

[blindingrevenge]

There were many things wrong with that statement, and many ways it could be taken. Sasuke knew well there were many who were loyal to the Witches with their own traitorous thoughts. Someone could just as soon say such a thing, and return as a double agent to Shibusen. To talk to the citizens, or now, try and make contact with their past. (Which was stupid, there was no way to change what had happened, now.) No doubt more than one person had tried, and been punished for their efforts. It was part of being gifted the powers they had: utter compliance and an inability to disobey. One eyebrow twitched, as though it might creep into his fringe.

"How foolish," He told her, because it was. They both knew it would be suicide to attempt such a thing. Even if she plead innocence, some of those people wouldn't listen. War meant killing your enemies, whether they had once been your friend or not. But such a death might be welcome for some of them, not that Sasuke would outwardly admit to such a thing. Besides, it would be a pain in the ass if he had to go and find her for missions that would undoubtedly be coming in the future. Working with someone else was possible, but she was the best conductor for him. And with that thought, he went on, an emotionless drawl: "I need you here."

[coordinatingly]

Once he said the words, “I need you here,” she immediately flinched slightly. Those weren’t the words she wanted to hear, even though she knew that going back to Death City was plain suicide, but she really wanted to disappear. Any punishment would have been better than this. Even being sent to oblivion would’ve been a nicer place.

Words were powerful, but they also hurt. Especially when it came from someone she despised. Biting her lip, she immediately looked away, but she froze in place, wanting to give an answer. Lowering her head slightly, she had to think. Staying here wasn’t what she really wanted. All the people she cared about were dead, and even if they weren’t - she would still be unable to leave.

She didn’t want to hear this from him. Because the words that he had muttered from his mouth were the ones that she had always wanted to hear from someone else. But he was gone now, and she hadn’t moved on. Not even in a million years would she move on. Wasn’t that why she had worn those two ribbons? To prove to herself that she would live both of their lives until they went home?

Finally turning around to face Sasuke, she then mumbled softly in a monotone voice, “…I’ll stay. But don’t expect me to like it.”

[blindingrevenge]

In the years he had been here, and the path he'd decided to take, Sasuke had long since learned how to manipulate people into giving him the correct response. Black eyes remained on Dawn's face, even as she grimaced and looked away. It was what everyone wanted, wasn't it? To be needed, acknowledged. Anyone with eyes could tell she and her former partner had been something of an item. The loss of him had probably been half the reason she'd ended up on the Witches' side.

When she turned back, his eyes were unsurprisingly still on her face. "I didn't ask you to," He murmured, because this had nothing to do with what anyone wanted, least of all her. His body turned, and while it wasn't an invitation by any means, it also wasn't really a dismissal. Babysitting wasn't something he enjoyed, but he also wasn't keen on the members of his team acting out of turn.

[coordinatingly]

It was true that she wanted to go, yet a part of her still wanted to linger here and stay behind. Death City gave her nightmares, especially when she visualized it in her head. It had been five years since she conjured up the image of happier days in her head, something that Dawn wished that she didn’t have to recall. Thrusting her stronger hand into her chest, grasping the vest as if to reassure herself, even though she stopped caring about herself.

Stopped caring about others. It was one of those reasons why she didn’t speak as much. She wanted not to be heard. It was quite unusual how she felt, since sometimes she wanted to kill herself, and sometimes she willed herself to stay alive.

There was one thing in the back of her mind that stood still, that never arose, but wanted to. It was her other self -- the one that wanted to live out both lives, the one that wanted Dawn to just disappear. Forever.

“Mm, that’s fine,” she finally responded silently as she began to walk off, heading towards the factory. “You should be careful, though.”

[blindingrevenge]

It sounded like a thinly veiled threat, and Sasuke might have even been amused by her audacity. Truth be told, there was nothing he would be able to do if she decided to do something stupidly reckless and end her own life. It would be an aggravating loss, but Sasuke doubted he would feel any remorse over her absence. There was really only one thing these days that could work him up, and it certainly wasn't her, or even the team or the Witches. Nevertheless, he stepped after her, because it was the same general direction he had been headed.

"Why is that, Dawn?" He asked, voice low, because she wasn't about to be let off the hook that easily. It was a trait shared among many of the people on this side: vague statements that could be interpreted multiple ways. But Sasuke had come to make something of a game out of slipping in and sinking his fangs into the people around him. Instilling doubt, curiousity, uneasiness, need. Sometimes they wanted you to persist. Manipulation kept those you wanted around obedient, and that way you could leave them when you saw fit, not the other way around.

[coordinatingly]

“Why should I tell you, of all people?” Dawn coldly replied, flipping her hair in response. It wasn’t something that he should care about, or even wonder about. She wasn’t going to give an answer. Or at the very least, not one that was very conventional. As long as nothing mattered, she kept many things to herself.

It was funny, really, how people knew so much, yet so little about her. Then, not even taking a second look at him, she said nonchalantly before starting to walk again, “Besides, it isn’t like you really care, now is it…?” Her voice stopped suddenly, as if she were waiting for an answer, but she just had decided to walk away.

What do you want to be in the future? a question raised by her mother a long time ago, even before she was able to choose on her own. Even though her answer back then was to become a Top Coordinator, now…it didn’t matter. Her future was set in stone. She was to live, be used, and die.

It was the same fate as every other modified witch in this world. They were used until useless - and the ones who were “used” were the ones who were the weakest. The ones who looked, and seemed innocent. Innocence was bliss, they used to say. But who was to say that they were still innocent? Could they have still been considered innocent?

…She couldn’t think herself like that any longer. She had killed so many - many not on purpose, but still! A death was definitely a death. And she couldn’t change that.

[blue_darkslayer]

"You two seem to be getting along well."

Despite the irony to Vergil's unexpected greeting, it was delivered without rancor. His expression was mildly curious, given he didn't spend a great deal of time personally associating with the Mod-Witch half of APOC. He worked with Nataku, Sasuke worked with Dawn, and they each performed their roles satisfactorily both as pairs and when they came together for a Hunt. Admittedly, though, Vergil relied on the ninja for the more subtle duties that now only he could handle.

It was an arrangement that suited them well. Sasuke kept the Kishin at a distance, and Vergil didn't have to struggle with the restrictions placed upon him by Crane's drugs in front of the Uchiha any more than necessary. Dawn was a simpler matter; he just didn't know much of anything about her.

"Our Hunt has to be postponed for the time being," Vergil said, as if to explain his presence. He had come looking for the two of them before he had to dangerously attempt to break the same news to Nataku. "Certain developments require us to be on stand-by. Don't suppose either of you know anything about that?"

[blindingrevenge]

Sasuke could have smirked at Dawn's defiance. She was spunky, he could give her that, even after everything that had happened. There were many who had sank under the control of the witches, become subservient and without fire. Dogs, as Einstürzen loved to describe them as. Still, the conversation was cut short as another familiar voice entered the area, and he allowed Dawn to avoid the question, for now.

He turned, dark eyes settling on Vergil. He was fully aware of the man's addiction, the path he'd decided to take, and honestly- it did not change Sasuke's opinion of kishin. All but mindless killing machines. But Vergil, and Nataku for that matter, had proven they had restraint when necessary, and so Sasuke tolerated them. They were better than some of the other mad people in the base. There was something to be said about the violent way his relationship with Vergil had started, and that was probably half the reason he voluntarily stayed around. Sasuke only knew how to connect with his fists.

"It's likely the time travelers," He drawled, and his arm moved, wrist curving over the hilt of his katana in the same manner someone might put their hands in their pockets.

[blue_darkslayer]

"Time travelers?" Vergil queried, curiously. The messenger who contacted him moments ago had been rather sparse on details, as they often were. The Kishin found he could obtain more thorough and less distorted information from other associates, anyway, so he had not particularly bothered him at the time beyond how the notion of how arduous his later conversation with Nataku would be.

Of course, Sasuke being Sasuke, this could occasionally mean an unhealthy dosage of cajoling and/or self-imposed humility. Troublesome, but Vergil was the type of person to go to any length if it made him or APOC more efficient or more effective.

"This sounds... interesting." The only entity he could think of in existence that was capable of piercing the barriers of time was BREW, but that had ceased functioning long before. It had been unfortunate news; more newcomers meant more near-defenseless people with the souls of Weapons and Meisters. If more people had found their to this world, though, Vergil was most certainly interested in finding out how and whether the means was something he could exploit.

[blindingrevenge]

"Indeed," Sasuke agreed. It was interesting, especially considering who had returned- a point he would be sure to rub in Saralegui's face should he get the chance. "And troublesome." He added, because it was. It threw off any plans that might have been underway, and it threw off everything they had thought was fact before.

BREW was destroyed, and there was no way back had been truth. It had been half the reason some people, including himself, had defected. The very idea that something else could be at work could throw everything into upheaval. Sasuke was too far gone to really care at this point. He had nothing to go back to anymore. But that didn't mean the same held true for everyone.

[blue_darkslayer]

"Mildly." It went without saying that Vergil's concerns only went as far as APOC. It meant relatively little to him what the Witches were up to in their own right, though naturally if recent events could lead to a more pronounced attack against Shibusen and the other survivors he would be inclined to do whatever he could. Otherwise, though, a sudden occurrence such as this only provided more opportunities. He sincerely doubted any of his allies would be lured back to the losing side.

Vergil bowed his head slightly, thinking. He hadn't taken his most recent dose for keeping his insanity in check, figuring he'd need to be able to process things properly, so he possessed more clarity of mind than usual. It was a dangerous practice if timed incorrectly, but then he was taking care to avoid anyone except APOC members and associates who were capable of restraining him if necessary.

"Do you have the names of these 'travelers'? Is there anything about them that can be used to our advantage?" he asked.

[blindingrevenge]

"Miranda Lotto, Winry Rockbell, Kanda Yuu, Shibuya Yuuri," Names that meant little, in this day and age. People that Sasuke hadn't really interacted with on any intimate level, back when he'd had the chance, back before they'd disappeared. But they had affected so many, and really thinking about it, Sasuke could almost recognize that their disappearance was the reason everything had gone to shit in the first place. Maybe not for Shibusen, or for the Witches- but for himself. Their return probably couldn't change the tide of war, especially with just four of them, and with the sheer force of the Witches, but Sasuke had long since learned to underestimate anyone. Regardless of his arrogance, and how he might preach it in battle.

[blue_darkslayer]

Vergil paused to consider the four names, reaching back and sifting through what remained of his cohesive memories. They meant nothing to him. Admittedly, in his time at Shibusen, he hadn't become familiar with many people at all; he'd only really acknowledged those who had demonstrated themselves worthy of respect, through one means or another. Early in his 'career' as a Technician Hunter he'd occasionally wondered if he had met any of his victims before, but it was something that he had long since ceased being concerned over. Those he had cared about were still alive, by simple virtue of proving themselves strong; strong enough to survive this long.

"I recall Winry being with the medics when I first came to Death City. Otherwise, nobodies. I don't know if they're even worth killing." It did raise questions for other opportunities, though; he didn't overly care about the travelers' emergence, but no doubt some of the wandering survivors and members of the Calming Wavelength Community would be curious. It may just prove an opportunity to track down at least one of the remaining hold-outs... and it had been far too long since Vergil's last Weapon soul.