SWNOVELXO Chapter 24: We Make a Good Pair, Right?
What a beautiful view. At some point I've forgotten, we stopped at a makeshift overlook with a view of the lowest part of the Scorn, where the underground tracks intersect like veins and the artificial lights flicker like the heartbeats of a dying beast.
Using that analogy, it wouldn't be hard to believe that the ground beneath the Imperial City houses some kind of dead creature. There's no specific mention of this in the novel, as if the author would include it, but it's quite interesting to analyze the landscape and think in that way.
Ravenna is beside me, sitting on the edge of the low wall, swinging her legs over an abyss that leads to a vast network of tracks. After causing so much chaos back there, we managed to shake off our pursuers and come here, supposedly a place she wanted to visit and quiet enough for no one to bother us. The space behind us is quite enclosed, with only this crumbling low wall preventing certain death.
Anyway, it's a cool spot, even if it's macabre. Goths really have a taste for bizarre places.
"You ever thought about... disappearing?"
I turn my face toward Ravenna, the one who asked the question, and rest my elbows on the low wall. Not the biggest fan of these kinds of questions, as I've never been one to philosophize or lose sleep imagining things at night.
"Like, really vanish? Vanish for good?"
"Yeah, vanish for good. Not die. Just... cease to exist in what people expect of us. Stop being the monster, the witch, the noble... I don't know. Escape the versions they've invented."
"I've thought about it many times, but then I realize that even if I vanished, someone would put my face on a rumor. There'll always be someone inventing stories in my place. I remember a friend who told me about dead people who don't even find peace after going to the other side. Well, considering my position, I guess the same applies to me..."
She laughs, but this isn't funny at all. This life really sucks, especially when you're at rock bottom. Witches in this world are hated as much as bastards. I'm a stroke of luck that for some reason the duke decided to take in, while Ravenna is a miracle of nature for existing.
From this perspective, we actually make a good pair.
If it were in another situation, maybe back in my past life, we would have met and made a great duo for causing chaos.
"Hahaha! Hahahahahaha!"
I slap the low wall, leaning forward some of the trains below skid on the tracks and crash into each other, causing a terrible accident. Not even a day has passed and I'm already this insensitive, incredible.
"Darius, can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Why did you save me? Tell me the truth. So far, your path with me has been one lie after another, but I think it's time to spill it... what's your objective?"
Direct, aren't you, witch? I take a deep breath, tilting my head up, seeing another one of those magically enchanted lamps swaying above us. Let's lay our cards on the table.
"I was drunk and probably high on something they put in my drink. You must know my reputation, hanging out in brothels and causing trouble because I want to... well, when I left Madame Cerise's brothel, I thought it would be really stupid to go to you."
"But we'd never met before, that doesn't make sense."
"That's why I said they put something in my drink. I don't know what the hell was going through my head, but someone told me where you were locked up, so I just gave in to it and went after the risk."
"Why?"
"I have no idea. Madness? Craziness? Or because I thought you were beautiful? Maybe because you're my type?"
To play along, I nudge her arm with my elbow, letting out another one of my typical laughs that now sounds more like a villain's than anything else. However, there's no good feedback. She's not blushing, but rather has a strange glint in her eyes, holding back a dam of tears.
I think about making some witty remark, some catchphrase, but there's no room for it. Saying something idiotic would never improve the mood, maybe it worked before when she was excited.
I hate playing the gentleman, but this situation demands a respectful person to help this lady. I bring my fingers to Ravenna's face and brush away a rebellious strand of hair that covers her eyes, those hypnotizing knife-like grey eyes.
Would it be terrible if I mislead her a little? No, considering her mental state and the fact that her face is about to burst into tears, I have almost no alternative but to appeal.
"Now, I see things differently."
"Differently? How so?"
"I think what I ended up saying about loving you might have been true from the beginning."
"Huh? Wai-Wait..."
My bad, no time to lose. My lips attack hers, stealing a delicious kiss from that black lipstick that for some reason tastes like blackberry. Anyway, my high is quickly cut short as she pushes me back with her hands on my shoulders.
"W-What was that?! Are you crazy?!"
Ravenna blushes. Wow, the ruby red of her necklace and face really match the black tones around her, it's quite captivating.
Oh, damn it, Darius, don't tell me you just turned into a teenager in front of this girl? Is that even possible? I was supposed to keep my distance, why the hell are you getting so close, you idiot?
One of my hands touches the witch's delicate chin, our eyes fixed. Since my specialty is being shameless, I don't even feel embarrassed.
In fact, I have a better idea.
"You said you could start to like me, remember?"
"B-But that was because of your a-acting! It was b-because you did a good job!"
"And do I look like I'm acting now?"
In part, I am, it's a shame Ravenna can't quite tell, maintaining such a deep silence full of doubt that I feel pity for her. I move my face even closer, which makes Ravenna shiver like a black kitten. Apparently, I have you at my fingertips.
"If that's the case, I'll collect the favor you owe me. In the cell, when I promised to save you from the trial, you accepted my terms, so I want to use it now."
"W-What is it?"
"I want a night together. You and I, in the same bed."
The silence after I say this is an affront to my courage. The sound of metal trains grinding and crashing below barely surpasses that of my own heart beating fast, unable to believe I had the guts to ask this of someone who could literally end my life with a snap of their fingers.
As for Ravenna, it seems her brain is having a hard time processing what I asked, until her face slowly starts to crumble.
"D-Darius..." Her voice comes out choked, a whisper more fragile than the invocation of the dark spirit. "Is this... is this se-serious?"
"Do you think I'd joke about this?"
"B-But... here? N-Now?"
"What? No. I'd never allow anyone to see you in such a shameful way..."
I sigh, running a hand through my hair and tidying my messy fringe. Let's try another approach, this time softer, calmer.
"I'm sorry, I think you must have misunderstood. I meant that... I just wanted to sleep in the same bed as you, not have sex. Better now?"
"Oh... I-I see... I guess that's what you meant by 'I need to be alive to ask for the favor,' hahaha... haha..."
She doesn't even have the strength to laugh properly, poor thing. All right, it's part of a plan. If you really think I'm going to let you off this easy, Ravenna, you're sorely mistaken. I've been through hell on Earth because of you, I haven't forgotten a thing, so I'm going to be mischievous today.
"You know what? This whole thing today has left me dead tired! How about we buy some drinks and relax for the rest of the day?"
"Dr-Drinks? I want wine! Very expensive wine!"
"Ravenna, we only have a few silver coins left, so try to be patient with what you spend them on..."
"But the money was originally mine, you only had a chance to win that rat competition because of me!"
And now we're back to the traditional animated Ravenna. It's funny how the mention of "drinks" completely flipped a switch in her. Anyway, I decide to head down the street and am soon joined by the skipping goth witch, who is suddenly less clingy due to my "sleep together" remark.
I truly am a jerk for making her follow along like this. Am I more villainous than a secondary villain? Who knows, first let's focus on getting drunk! I deserve it today after such a painful victory!