Guilty x Creatures Ch. 43

"...Yep, that sounds like the one." chuckled Anton as Leopold became even louder "...Well, I guess you can just add that to the reasons you have to be angry with her....I mean, if it's that important. I can probably get the outfit back to you....No, I'm afraid the sword will have to stay with Mica. For now at least....No, no. Don't worry yourself. I understand the sword is important to you. And I'll make sure that it stays safe. You have my word on that....Because, I'm afraid I need it for some research that I've recently become interested in....Yes. I am....Because I need to....I know, there is at least a chance though....It's no surprise that you wouldn't find this to be happy news. And it's entirely possible that I might feel a bit more sympathetic about that, if I felt that you were being completely honest about this whole situation. You may be far from a saint, Leopold. But Mica is still your daughter. And I may not have ever met your children before, but it was never uncommon for both you and Ila to be bragging about your daughters. I know full well that you care for her, and that you don't want to see her die....Of course. I'm well aware of the dangers involved....No, I don't expect any help from you. And I know better than to even ask....I understand....Well, as I've said before. I'm far better versed on your kind than I let on....It really shouldn't be too much of a surprise, Leopold. Despite the fact that you shinoccubi work as hard as you do to keep your customs as secret as possible, there is still a great deal about you that at this point is common knowledge. And although it can be difficult at times to separate the facts from the rumors, I still have more than enough confirmed information to speculate with. And I highly doubt that I'm too far off the mark with any of my theories as to why you and Ila are making the choices that you are....You have your position and I have mine. And for now I think we should leave it at that....Again, I understand, Leopold. I really do....Right, well then, to shift the subject a bit. It has, at this point, become abundantly clear that for the foreseeable future, Mica will be remaining under my care. And with this being the case, I'd like to ask if there is anything about her that I should be aware of?"

As he spoke, Anton couldn't help but to smirk as he noticed that a small swarm of honeybees had begun to gather around the soaked pillowcase that covered Mica's head. As the kiochi herself became aware of the buzzing creatures, she started to cry out in alarm and frantically jerk her head back and forth in a effort to drive the thirsty insects away from her face.

"Well to begin with, I'd like to know if she, or I suppose shinoccubi in general, have any allergies that I should be aware of?" asked Anton as he leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs at the ankles "Well you know how some people have issues with odd things. Dairy products, some seasonings, nuts, animal dander, certain types of air freshers or cleaning supplies. Just anything like that....Hm, okay good. And how about bee stings though?...Really? So are they still painful at all?...Oh they are then, good....Oh, no reason. So, how about dietary needs?...Well your kind are Infernals, so I wasn't sure how important fresh blood was for you. Or whether or not you could even eat cooked meat?...Well good. That makes things easier since we won't have to prepare separate meals for her....Because I don't know how long she'll be here, Leopold. At this point I can only plan for tomorrow. And since I do want her to stay healthy, I do need to be aware of these kinds of things....Well, we'll just have to see then, won't we... Oh, also! One other thing. Does she happen to take any medications? Or no?...Okay, good....Yes, it matters....Because again, she's going to be here....Well, to be honest with you. At this point. It's been decided that we'll be keeping her... legitimately..."

There was a moment of weighted silence on the other side of the line as Leopold seem to be digesting the implications of what Anton was saying.

As he waited for Leopold to speak, Anton reached into his pocket with his free hand and felt the brand new collar he had just recently acquired right before getting ice for the ice chests. He absently ran his finger across the smooth rounded surface of the collar until Leopold's questioning voice finally came back through the line.

"...She tried to kill me, Leopold. Twice now. And I can't just forever risk her trying to kill me or my dark elves while we sleep." said Anton as he took his hand out of his pocket and left it to rest on his chair's armrest "...No, what I'm saying is that the best course of action, for everyone involved, is for her to be under control....Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying....Because it's for the best, Leopold..."

As Leopold continued to speak, his tone shifted and became threatening. And as this happened, Anton's attention became split as he focused on both what was being said, and on a light tickling sensation at his wrist. Glancing down at his appendage, he found that a ladybug had landed on and was now crawling around on the back of his hand as it lay resting on the armrest of his chair. Grinning at the sight, he absently watched the brightly colored little insect for a moment before slowly raising his hand and gently blowing on the tiny creature. The startled ladybug immediately opened its wings and flew away as Anton's grin broadened. Shifting his full attention back to Leopold, he dropped his hand back to the armrest and let it lay palm upwards so it could be warmed up by the sunlight.

"I think it may be best for us to put this conversation on hold, Leopold....Because I think that with enough time you'll come to appreciate the fact that although this is not a full on solution to our little problem. It does help us both more than it hurts us....I understand that you're angry. I do. But I'm going to need you to refrain from threatening me any further....Because I don't appreciate it....Then I think that for the time being it's best that we end this call....Yes, I do....Have a good afternoon, Leopold."

Ending the call with a tap of his thumb, Anton dropped his phone in his lap before leaning his head back and sighing through his nose. As he sat there contemplating these two conversations, he found himself becoming mesmerized by a rather unusual sight.

The ice cubes that lay around and over Mica and the dark elves had now begun to melt. And as they did the pools of water they left behind had started to seep between the wooden slates of the picnic table and drip down to the ground below. As these drops of chilled water fell through the rays of bright sunlight, they reflected the light and created a dazzling array of sparkles.

Enchanted by the simple yet beautiful display, Anton went still for some time as his mind fell into a semi-meditative state. And it was while quietly watching this tiny, shimmering rainstorm that the events of the last few weeks began to float through his thoughts.

Busy, would certainly be an understatement when describing the most recent period of his life. As hardly a still moment had gone by since he had first met Kianna and Fiona on that fateful evening.

A thin but happy smile adorned Anton's face as his thoughts jumped from one memory to the next, and he had to admit, without question, that he had definitely enjoyed the last few weeks spent with these girls. But as his mind finally reached the series of events that had taken place this morning, his smile began to fade.

It had been many, many years since he had felt any emotions as strongly as those he had experienced this morning. And although he was no stranger to fear, despair or rage. It had still been a very long time since he had felt their sting reach him so deeply. Even now, as his eyes strayed away from the sparkling water and landed on the prone forms of the dark elves, a heavy weight began to grow in his chest. And for the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt himself beginning to question his decisions.

From the start, he had known full well that taking on the dark elves as his charges would lead to difficulties. As many outside sources would not look in on what he had done with anything less than absolute fury. He had known that this would be the case, and had mentally prepared himself to deal with the incoming dangers.

Or at least, he thought he had.

Though he had no fear for his own safety, the realization of just how fragile the dark elves truly were had not fully dawned on him until this morning. And it wasn't until after having experienced how it would feel to lose them, to see them fallen, injured and seemingly lifeless, that he became aware of just how truly unprepared he actually was... One lapse in judgment, one mistake, one blind moment... That would be all it would take, and they would be gone...

He was not going to let this happen.

Unable to help himself, Anton began to smirk as the irony of this situation hit him. Here he was fretting over the safety and well-being of the dark elves whilst all the while subjecting them to some of the harshest treatment they had ever experienced.

Shaking his head, he quickly came back to his senses before rising from his seat. As he approached the table his eyes became locked to the guilty individual that was ultimately responsible for the dark elves current predicament.

With stiff, stilted movements that were being compounded by her uncontrollable shivering, Mica was still pulling furiously against her restraints as she stubbornly struggled to free herself.

Completely unaware that someone was now gazing down at her, the incensed shinoccubus continued in her efforts without pause as an annoyed expression spread across Anton's face.

Through her rash and poorly executed actions, Mica had single-handedly made his goal of keeping the dark elves safe and secure that much more difficult. As now her parents, and possibly even their entire clan, could officially be added to the list of potential threats that would need to be dealt with.

As he stared down at her, Anton's annoyance gradually grew into full on irritation. This little demonoid had created some serious problems for him. So now, whether she liked it or not, she was going to help him solve those problems. He knew that she did have the potential to be a great asset, but it was going to take a bit of work to get her to that point. He was also aware that this task would be a delicate one as a level of mutual trust and loyalty would need to be established between them, and they were certainly not off to a good start on that front...

Anton sighed softly and shook his head as he turned away from Mica and headed towards the ice chests. He knew that if he wanted to make any progress with this shinoccubus he would first need to do something about the level of irritation that he felt towards her. And so, with the intention of alleviating some of this anger, he gathered together another pitcherful of the icy water and continued with his task.