Forgotten Horrors

[spacepanda]

An assortment of breakfast foodstuffs now decorated the kitchen counter. Anja had decided it was better to go with a big, varied breakfast than having to worry that Akaski wouldn’t be able to eat some of it. She had decided to spoil herself when she last shopped, for which she was now thankful. She had white bread for toasting, eggs, waffle mix, bacon, and even small sausages.


I hope Akaski can’t eat the bacon, she thought, secretly hoping to devour it by her lonesome. She heard the sound of the shower turn on just as the first egg began to sizzle. She let out a small groan of frustration as she prepared the breakfast, as it was beginning to get quite warm. Warmer than the small apartment already was.


She mentally cursed Akaski; she couldn’t remember ever preparing a meal this big. Not that it was anything excessive or extravagant, she was simply used to only ever having to cook for one. She was also never a breakfast person, but she wasn’t quite sure what the day held in stock for her and whatever it was she didn’t want to face it on an empty stomach!


The aromas of the breakfast was making her stomach rumble lightly, and it filled the apartment in a matter of minutes. She couldn’t wait to dig in!

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski had only turned on the hot water, though he didn't really mind seeing as water was rather warm in the under realm. What was uncomfortable for most was actually quite to his liking. However it did make him wonder if this cold place could ever become hot as he wasn't familiar with any sort of season. It was always just hot, the temperature never really changed much and water was a common thing to come by.


The only trouble he found within the shower was the fact that he could barely read the words upon the soap bottles. Soon he just started judging by what picture the bottle showed and went with it finishing in a time he would label as short, though to anyone else the shower might have seemed a tad long.


Once he was completed he turned the shower off, almost breaking the knob as he attempted to make the shower head stop dripping, but eventually he had stopped the water completely. He dried off mostly, doing a rather bad job with his hair as it remained soaked, but other than that he did fairly well. From there he reapplied clothing, selecting the outfit on top which happened to be the black shirt and black pants, though he did chose to keep his jacket wrapped around his waist just incase he would need it later on.


After placing his dirtied cloths within the bag as he wasn't sure where to put them, he was finally finished. Akaski exited the bathroom, leaving the bag upon the floor, and he entered the kitchen peering curiously over the large breakfast Anja had prepared.

 

[spacepanda]

“Ah, I see everything worked just fine.” Anja announced at the sight of Akaski.


She had just finished placing some maple syrup and strawberry jam on the kitchen table when Akaski exited the bathroom in his new attire. It wasn’t anything special, but it was a vast improvement in Anja’s eyes. At least now not only would he no longer stand out, but even with the horns and tail he looked a bit more human. She found his new-found appearance much more comforting. “Oh, you look handsome.” She mistakenly vocalized. “I… I mean compared to before, that is.” Stupid!


She was quick to turn away to avoid eye contact as she strode back to the kitchen. “What would you like to drink?” She questioned, shaking the carton of Orange Juice now in her hands with apparent gusto.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski was somewhat surprised at her sudden comment. Handsome? He repeated it in his head with a bit of amusement, it seemed that he had collected some new teasing material, but he would save this for later. She clearly had a lot of ammo from the night before and he assumed bringing up such a comment at that time would be the most useful way to use it.


Yet it did cause him to glance over his attire for a moment. It was more simple than what demons would normally wear, his other outfit having held great oddity in this realm. It made him look as if he was ready to go trick-or-treating or on his way to some sort of convention.


He peered up once more as she questioned him, and peering to the drink within her hand he tried to read the label. O--n-e J--ce. Akaski couldn't recognize any of the other letters, yet he wasn't about to confess that he couldn't read this language, it could make him seem dim witted. "I'll have that" He said, pointing to the container that she now held.

 

[spacepanda]

Bringing the now frothy orange juice over to the table she motioned for him to sit down, seating herself in the process. The table held plates containing toast, sausages, waffles, sunny-side up eggs, and delicious, crispy bacon. On either side of the feast two large empty plates lay, along with proper utensils. Anja carefully poured the orange juice in Akaski’s glass first, and then her own.


“I hope you’re able to eat most of it,” she spoke, except the bacon. She had decided to start with toast, covering it in the sweet jam not too far from her left hand. “So, have any questions,” she offered. She wasn’t really used to talking to people socially others than in the workplace. Sure, she had done it before, and sure she had had ‘friends’ in the past, but it almost seemed like another era.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Seating himself as she instructed, he looked over the spread out once more. He couldn't recognize much from the buffet, though he assumed this world probably held a wide variety of foods just like his. As such he selected a random choice, first placing a waffle upon his plate and peering at it for a moment as if taste-testing it with his vision.


He thought a moment as she asked about questions, he had gathered up quite a few so it was rather hard to pick. He chose to go with what seemed to be simple first. "What are the holidays?" He asked, recalled his earlier role when he was at the cafe she worked within. He had said he came to visit her for the holidays, though in truth he had no clue what these were.

 

[spacepanda]

Anja’s head snapped up from her task with his question. It seemed like such an odd question to ask, as the concept of holiday was so prevalent in human society.


“Well,” she began after a moment’s pause, “A holiday is a day, or days that people have chosen to collectively celebrate. Usually, although not always, the holiday has strong traditions with religious undertones.” She bit into her toast and decided and egg was most certainly next.


“Nowadays, people will use just about any excuse to have some fun, so they hold festivals on said holidays even if they aren’t religious.” She added an egg to her plate and poked the yolk with her fork, causing it to run along the sides of her toast. “They tend to be family oriented, the holidays, so people will travel long distances to spend them with the people they love.”


Satisfied that her answer was adequate, she began to slowly devour her egg. “Hmm, unless…” she mused out loud, “Do you have religions where you’re from?”

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

"We used to, religion has been within our history" He replied, recalling all the books he had read over the history of his own realm. Considering the fact that so many gods where known off and often seen, they had no use to truly find one certain god, nor did they have any use to worship seeing as most gods there would rather spend eternity alone than have a horde of demons fawning over them.


Yet sill, some demons loved the power they got when they could control the minds of multiple followers, so wars have waged in the past due too this seeing as once a threat was detected, a god would quickly try to eliminate the competition.


"We already know our gods are real, they've been out and about. I've actually seen a couple of them, though they're piratically immortal so I don't normally try to get on one's bad side... but many regard them as overpowered demons." He seemed to be rather fund of the waffle on his plate, nibbling upon it whenever he got the chance. "So, what do humans worship?"

 

[spacepanda]

“Themselves,” Anja retorted quickly with a snort. The concept that gods were real was one that she no longer found surprising now that she knew demons existed. But still, that Akaski had seen such entities was quite fascinating, and she filed the thought away for later.


Grabbing a waffle for herself, she began to pour more maple syrup than was actually necessary. “Humans vary in their beliefs, as it changes from location and culture. Some believe in gods and goddesses, others believe in a single God, some believe in smaller entities like spirits, and others nothing.”


“More gods have disappeared in history than exist in the minds of worshipers today, no doubt. But on the whole, humans are terribly narcissistic.” Her waffle was now soggy, but she ate it anyway. She began to wonder if any of the gods in Asaski’s realm were ever worshipped in this one.


“Next question?” She offered, finally partaking in her orange juice.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski had completed his own waffle by the time she had explained and he now found himself partaking in the toast. It was good as well, though he kept this comment to himself as he tried to think up his next question, or rather he was trying to select one from the surplus amount currently within his head.


He did wish that he could read english better, if so he could have just gotten the answers all from a book. He could probably figure out the language if he tried to with his current knowledge upon the symbols, though it would have still taken him a while to memorize. He assumed that he would just have to rely on her for now, though he was certain that he would learn it eventually. He did plan on practicing with his key after all, even if he left he would soon come back.


His tail curled a bit behind him, he was rather happy that he finally was gaining at least a little information on this land. He probably knew more than a majority of his race by now.


"I'll save the rest for another time" he replied. "I'll see what I can figure out on my own..."

 

[spacepanda]

“Very well, then.” Anja replied between mouthfuls. She was now enjoying the precious bacon strips that had been calling her name for the entirely of the meal. She yawned. It was unusual for her to be up so early, as she usually worked night shifts at the café. This meant that she usually didn’t wake up until noon, and it was now 5 hours before that. I wonder how cold it is today, she pondered.


She wasn’t in any rush to return to the chilly outside air, but it was growing rather stuffy in the apartment and she was sure Akaski would want to travel somewhere today. He seemed curious about practically everything, and knowledge seemed to hold some power in the demon realm from what she had gathered.


“What kind of information would be most useful to you?” She asked him suddenly. She was trying to work out where she could take him today. If he was a real human on holiday, she supposed he would want to see the sights, take in the nightlife, possibly go to a movie or other such activities. As of now, she thought of maybe taking him to a museum, but she had little interest in the past and she wasn’t entirely sure he would even be able to read the plaques.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski shrugged at her question, in truth he held no pacific wanting in any sort of information. Any subject could add to his knowledge, though not always would demons focus on improving they're minds as many just desired the most physical strength they could collect. yet Akaski saw no need for that as he could easily use his shadows to fuel his strength, though losing a lot of energy could harm his body, it could aid it as well.


Akaski knew the history of his realm, as did he know much about its politics, science, math, literature, truly anything he could get his hands on. This also fueled his want to go to the abyss. He knew there was something in that place for him to see, it seemed to taunt and tempt him... it held some sort of knowledge that would hold importance to him. It was simply a feeling he got whenever he laid eyes upon that vast darkness. He already knew the entrance to the abyss could be found deep within the deserts of the demonic realm, but never before had he found it, he actually did have someone working on the information now. It was a demon near his ranking, one who owed him quiet a bit.


"Anything will do" he replied, his mind now drifting over the matter of the abyss. He looked at her curiously, "Do you have any questions about my realm?"

 

[spacepanda]

Anja’s complexion immediately reddened in hue. Well, there was one question she had, one that she thought of every time she looked at his horns. She shifted in her seat nervously for a moment. It wasn’t exactly the type of question that one would ask in the midst of a meal.


“M-maybe after breakfast,” she said hurriedly. Realizing that her sudden hesitation would probably just pique his interest, she quickly thought of another one. “Aside from deals, do you have any other form of currency?”


She supposed if it were anything like human civilizations, that if there was no object set for the purpose of monetary value, that trading was most likely to occur. “Are there different types of demons?” She asked, her mind now traveling along the route of questions she had stored up. “Do you lose your memory often?”


“Oh! Sorry,” she added when she realized that she hadn’t even given him a moment between questions to speak. It was just that she never would have predicted such a thing happening to her, such creatures actually existing, and if it weren’t for the fact that other people had also interacted with Akaski… she would still believe herself to be hallucinating.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

He was a little bit questionable about what she was first hesitant about, but he chose not to ask about it. She was probably just coming up with this set of questions of him, all of which he planned to answer.


"It's fine" He said with a small swish of his tail, it now wrapped over his lap as it had the day before. "As for currency, we can use special types of metal to buy what we wish to acquire. They're small, and they don't weigh all that much. Copper holds the smallest value, then silver, and gold has the most. We can use it to buy anything that is for sale, but to get items of true value you would normally have to get it either through a fight or a deal."


With that answered he moved onto the next. "Yes, there are lots of different demons. Many have individual race names and are often given a color based upon their abilities. My own are a bit odd, it isn't seen too often, so I'm just called a shadow demon. As for others there is white, red, blue, green, purple, yellow, pink, and a few other rare ones like myself. Yet, I do believe that I used to be a blank, which is a demon without any magical properties... I can't really remember how I became what I am."


He clearly didn't mind giving out this information as he continued onto the next without any sort of break. "I haven't lost my memory in a while. I think last night was an exception due to the fact that I had been tired. I... I'm not really sure how I managed to lose so much of my earlier memories, but its why I want to go to the abyss. My key was made there, I have a feeling it has something for me to see..."

 

[spacepanda]

Visibly cringing at mention of the key, Anja finished the rest of her orange juice. She took in the information quietly, although she was a bit confused when he started listing off colors.


Standing up she began to clear her plate, being sure not to touch the others in case Akaski was still finishing his meal. The money part seemed right, but she was worried that he would lose energy while they were out and about. She walked to the kitchen, placing her plate in the sink and sauntered back over to him with her hand on her hip.


“Akaski,” she said looking into his eyes, “you’ll let me know from now on, won’t you? When you’re feeling unwell?” She wasn’t sure she’d be able to handle the drama she had taken part it yesterday a second time.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski paused a moment as she questioned him, his eyes fixated to her's. It seemed he had made her worry quite a bit when he was only trying to avoid it, he pushed himself a bit beyond his limits and he knew by the mention of blood that he must have entered that stage. He was still a little flustered over the fact that he had apparently passed out in her arms and he assumed it would make matters easier for the both of them if he would just drop his pride from time to time.


His tail flicked in his lap. "F-fine... I'll let you know" He said, finally able to remove his eyes from her's. "I'm fine right now, I'm nearly back to my normal state. I can last for the day, I could probably keep myself awake the entire night if I wanted to. We don't have much to worry about..."

 

[spacepanda]

“The entire night?” She repeated. “Akaski, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to need a nap later.” By now it was 7 in the morning, and still hours away from Anja’s normal hours of awakening. “Besides, what could we have to do that would take the entire night. I’m not much of a party-goer, I’m afraid.”


She was finding that it was becoming easier to talk to him. They were communicating almost like… friends. He’s a demon Anja, she reminded herself in a mental sing-song. She was always quick to attach herself to those who showed the slightest care for her, and it’s not like they could be friends in any way, even if he had admitted to liking her a bit. He was likely to be out of her life very soon.


“You can rest if you need to, you know, if you still haven’t reached,” she waved her hand about for a lack of words, “your full potential.”

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

"It's an option to stay up the entire night" he replied, standing himself up. He hadn't eaten much, but he did have a near full supply of energy so it wasn't truly necessary. "I'll still get tired when dark comes around, I just won't be coughing blood because of it" he tried to explain, he could sleep even when he didn't need any energy at all. It was optional to use it up.


"I'm fine right now, I'm not at my best, but this is rather close. I can work with it. I would only need an hour or so of sleep to fully recharge, if your tired I don't mind it" He said, though a little suddenly he came to remeber something that they had been discussing only moment before, looking down to her with now curious eyes.


"By the way, what did you want to ask me after we finished eating?" He questioned her, still wondering why she had seemed so hesitant about it.

 

[spacepanda]

Anja, who had been readying the dishes for the sink, now settled them down in a clutter with obvious nervousness.


“Ah! That. It’s only, well, I assume there are female demons of a sort, and, well, it’s just… the question was a bit about, I guess, about mating” her face instantly turned crimson and she shot her hands up in defense, “NOT about the process itself, just, well, your horns are so very long and…wouldn’t that hurt?” She squeaked out the last bit clearly embarrassed.


She wasn’t sure why her brain had to work the way it did, but she honestly just couldn’t see how such a thing was possibly. She hoped she had explained her question clear enough because she didn’t need another ‘Bird and Bees’ talk, especially not from Akaski.


(Edit: She's asking about birth btw D: I just re-read it and thought maybe it sounded a bit lewd)

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski blushed a bit at her question, this hadn't been what he was expecting. Then again he didn't know what he was expecting really, but it certainly wasn't this. He did glance up a moment, though he couldn't truly see his own horns he had come to know what they looked like and for a moment he had misunderstood her question.


He was about to ask her as to why she chose to ask him about such a thing, but he did come to realize in time what she could mean by the statement and his blush went down a small bit. "W-well..." He started off, he felt this to be something she would ask an older demon, probably a girl at that as he felt a tad awkward in the subject of child birth.


"A demon's horns are small when they're first born..." He said, looking off to the side as he did. "They're shapes aren't as refined... the points are tones down, and the size of it all is manageable. I-I guess its because of that... the horns grow in as the demon ages and they've normally grown sharpened points by the age of two..." His tail flicked behind him.

 

[spacepanda]

“O-oh… that makes sense…” Anja, who was now deeply mortified at having actually asked that question, began busying herself with the dishes once again. It had been a question she probably could have just kept to herself, and hearing Akaski’s answer she now felt like a complete idiot. That’s how it worked with animals in this realm too, and she wasn’t sure why she hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps because Akaski didn’t really seem like something she would compare to an animal, even with the horns and tail.


She also felt kind of guilty. She hadn’t been trying to tease him that time, and yet she had notice his increase in color and hesitant answer. It had been awkward moment all around and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to look him in the eye for a while. Anja didn’t really have a sense of pride so much, but she didn’t want him to think she was a moron either.


And now he probably does, she sighed. Having finished rinsing off the dishes she placed them in the dishwasher and pressed start. She made her way over to the couch and sat down, taking a deep breath.


“We can go somewhere today…if… if you’d like. It’s going to be cold again, though.” She avoided eye contact and instead busied herself with the braiding of her hair.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski did wonder why she would ask him about such a thing, but he thought it was probably just due to curiosity. His horns did seem like they would be a painful thing after all at they're current size and he knew they were sharp enough to do damage. He had actually cuthis hand on them before, whenever he would try to rub the back of his head of scratch hid neck without thinking, he would always catch that sharp end point of his horns.


Akaski did want to explore some more, and he was curious about what else this town would have for him to see. He knew it would probably still be freezing out as it had been the days before, but he did hope to grow a tolerance for it soon. Hopefully he wouldn't end up ridding himself of his thing blood either as that would make his return home rather uncomfortable.


"Sure, where are we going?" He replied, not having anywhere in mind himself seeing as he had gone to only a few places so far and he didn't even know the names of most of them. He could recognize them for what they were for, as in the first two were both eating establishments and the other was a shop, but other than that he didn't know what to call them.


Luckily this thought distracted him from they're more awkward discussion and the blush on his face soon faded.

 

[spacepanda]

Yet again, Anja was glad Akaski hadn’t teased her. Perhaps he was just feeling a bit merciful today. She brought her index finger to her chin, tapping it lightly in thought. Still unsure where to even bring the demon, she figured she could both show him something beautiful and get what she wanted.


Anja, you’re a genius, she smiled to herself. “Well, we could go for a bit of a hike back into the forest where I found you,” realizing that might sound a bit boring she added, “There’s a tree house there you can see the mountains from. It’s really quite beautiful.”


She was unsure as to if Akaski was one to appreciate nature’s beauty, but he had mentioned liking the place with the green moon. Smiling she thought back to her dream, well, this place is no Green Mooned Paradise. It wasn’t, but she thought it was nice. All she needed was for him to say yes, and she could grab her sketchbook and run.

 

[xXRassBerriXx]

Akaski thought over it curiously, he hadn't truly taken the time to observe the landscape when he first arrived in this place and he now found himself wondering what this place had in store. He didn't mind the hike seeing as he was an active person so with a small nod he chose to accept her invitation.


"Sure" He said simply, hoping not to give of to much of his wonder in his voice. He didn't wish to ask as if he were desperate to go to this place as he still did have his pride to uphold, he wouldn't allow himself to act as if he were a child.


He unwrapped his original jacket from his waist seeing as they would be heading outside again and he slipped it over his shoulders before looking around him curiously. "Were did the green one go?' He questioned.

 

[spacepanda]

Anja tried not to smile at his acceptance of her plan. Already her mind was filled with a list of items she wanted to sketch once they arrived. Oh! And birds! She added to her list. Being a late sleeper meant she never really got a chance to draw the animals that were most active during the early hours of the day.


“Oh! I’ll get it for you.” She exclaimed, realizing that they had forgotten to purchase a coat for him the evening before. She was going to help him look for one after he had selected his clothes, but then she had noticed Victor, and everything else that night just seemed to go quickly awry.


She had taken the coat and placed it back into it’s box and would now have to retrieve it. “I have to throw on some more clothes; I’ll grab your jacket and then we can leave.” She informed him, nearly forgetting that she was not properly dressed for cold weather.


Once in her room she slipped into a pair of stockings, and selected a warm black sweater to go over her otherwise summery shirt. Fishing her sketchbook out from underneath her blankets she admired the portrait she had drawn of Akaski. I better make sure he doesn’t see this, she decided for the second time that day.


In a matter of moments she was appropriately dressed, her utensils had been backpacked, and the green coat was handed to Akaski with a smile.