Get rid of the Excess | Desert Island Car | Atsuko + Viper

Viper

…Viper was starting to feel the weight of her excessive burdens now that they had washed up. So many items… so many of them utterly useless… how could she offload without seeming like she was trying to just give people her crap?

…One person came to mind.

The knowledgeable queen herself. She would be more than happy to have some things to burn, surely? Time to go find her.

Viper, still carrying that stupid oar around, wandered the beach for what, to her, seemed like hours- in reality, it was more like minutes, until she found the other woman.

“Yo- ’suko.” She greeted, “I got some stuff for ya. Thought ya might wanna uhhh… dispose of ’em, if ya catch what I’m puttin’ down.” The cat-like grin on her face widened as she winked almost mischievously. …Perhaps she shouldn’t encourage the burning things, but hey! It was an easy way to offload things she now no longer needed!

Atsuko Samukura

What did Atsuko carry around that she didn’t need? Nothing. Bag of her possessions and fire-making implements. Space heater. All very necessary! Others may doubt that she still needed the space heater on an island that was already warm, but it had proved to be indispensable after they arrived on the island, hadn’t it? Getting people warm and dry was no easy feat.

Viper was the real knowledgeable queen here, because Atsuko would be more than happy to light a fire!

Viper “Yo- ’suko.”

The innkeeper visibly grimaced at that. Ugh. Atsuko disliked being nicknamed enough as it was, let alone… that. How unrefined.

Viper “I got some stuff for ya. Thought ya might wanna uhhh… dispose of ’em, if ya catch what I’m puttin’ down.”

Atsuko seemed to look a little bit less like she had just smelled something pungent after that.

“…First of all. ‘Suko?’ Never call me that again. It’s Atsuko.” This just in: Ice queen hates nicknames and also probably having fun.

“…Secondly. I’m assuming you’re asking me to burn things you don’t need anymore.” Well, wasn’t this fun! People usually never came to her asking to burn things. In fact, it never happened. So it was a very welcome new addition to Atsuko’s repertoire of experiences and storied history with fire.

“I assume that oar is one of those things? It would make some effective firewood to keep the flame burning longer and larger.” It had dried by now, right? Hopefully.

Viper

The reaction to the nickname easily earns a snort from Viper, Atsuko sure was entertaining. There was nothing Viper loved more than feeling like she was annoying or inconveniencing people with her presence sometimes

Atsuko Samukura “…First of all. ‘Suko?’ Never call me that again. It’s Atsuko.”

“Oh my apologies, my liege.” Viper bows dramatically, “But I am here to talk business.”

Atsuko Samukura “I assume that oar is one of those things? It would make some effective firewood to keep the flame burning longer and larger.”

“How astute of you, dearest Atsuko!” Viper unclips the oar from her backpack, and drops it down onto the floor, then, she takes off her backpack and rummages around for her next items.

She pulls out the star wars CD as well as the book checkout register and interesting cookbook she had saved up. Gotta make more room for her awesome anime figures!

“ ’fore I get you to burn these… any of this your stuff?” Viper also pulls out her phone, and takes a photo of the book checkout register on both sides, just in case at some stage it comes in handy. God, she’s lucky her phone is in tact. Her laptop is another story.

“And… do ya mind if I help ya burn this cookbook? I dunno if it’ll help? But heard it can be kinda therapeutic…” Maybe ripping stuff up and tossing it into the fire will stop her feeling bad 😍

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

And there was nothing Atsuko enjoyed less than being inconvenienced. If the annoyance wasn’t accompanied by the request to start a fire, she would have been far more angry. She would forget it… this time.

Viper “Oh my apologies, my liege.”

“……………..”

This was hardly better, was it?

Viper “How astute of you, dearest Atsuko!”

Nope, it was definitely barely better. But at least she was being addressed with an air of superiority. As she deserved, and would have on the outside. At least by people in papa’s circle, at least.

She watched intently as, item by item, Viper presented each item that was to be burnt. The CD earned a cocked eyebrow from her, but she otherwise didn’t say anything.

Viper “ ’fore I get you to burn these… any of this your stuff?”

“No. Besides, most of the things that belonged to me that came out of that dreaded machine I wanted to burn anyway.” Except the tea cup, that was still safely stored away in her bag. Hooray!

“I’ve never actually burnt a CD before…” It was funny because burning a CD, you know? Remember that? Atsuko sure didn’t. “But the disc itself… is mostly plastic, right? It will probably melt, and release fumes… So don’t go standing directly over the flame. Any stupid decisions made by you can’t be blamed on me.” She still wasn’t letting Jack go for that one.

Viper “And… do ya mind if I help ya burn this cookbook? I dunno if it’ll help? But heard it can be kinda therapeutic…”

That earned a chuckle from the innkeeper. Don’t be bewitched by her smile, Viper!

“You heard that? I see word is getting around about how great casting away things you hate into the flames can be…” She was far too proud of that. “If you detest it… sentence it to a fiery end. Or even if you don’t. I wouldn’t recommend page by page, though. A gust of wind could send it blowing away at any state of being burnt, and then it could catch something… or someone… else alight.” And that would just be inconvenient.

“But just doing it all at once seems like such a waste… perhaps several chunks of pages at a time? Heavy enough that they’re not going to fly off anywhere… Hmm…”

As she had multiple times already, she got down to begin digging a nice pit for the fire. And thankfully, they had firewood—the oar would do nicely.

Viper

Atsuko Samukura “But the disc itself… is mostly plastic, right? It will probably melt, and release fumes… So don’t go standing directly over the flame. Any stupid decisions made by you can’t be blamed on me.”

“Yeah… mostly plastic. Well, pretty much all plastic, really…” Viper shrugs, she had no plans to lean over the open flame and inhale the plastic fumes, but she appreciated the warning regardless. “…Works for me.” …She could appreciate a woman who knows her terms and conditions, she supposed. Atsuko is met with a bit of a, ‘fair enough’ facial expression.

Atsuko Samukura That earned a chuckle from the innkeeper. Don’t be bewitched by her smile, Viper!

Maybe a little bewitched. More of an ego boost, though, since Atsuko so rarely offered a smile, let alone a laugh. Viper felt like a peacock preening its feathers as she mirrorwed the smile with her own significantly wider, more goofy one.

Atsuko Samukura “You heard that? I see word is getting around about how great casting away things you hate into the flames can be…”

“Yeah, and, like, after you… set all those sprinklers off, I was just… too mad to see your point.” …Really, Viper? Are you just trying to butter her up?

“But I’m… interested.” She nods along as Atsuko explains how best to handle the cookbook, and she glances down at it thoughtfully. “…Seems good enough to me! I trust you on that, ’cause you’re the expert and all…” Viper glanced down at the oar too, now dry and ready to become kindling.

It would need to be smaller to fit in the fire pit…. she snapped it over her knee- it hurt, yeah, but, like…. she totally looked super cool doing it (she hoped). “Is this small enough, or do you want smaller?” …Viper didn’t quite fancy ‘Lady and the Tramp’-ing the Oar when there was fire involved.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Viper “Yeah… mostly plastic. Well, pretty much all plastic, really…”

Well, it would still be getting burnt regardless of emissions. Girlboss. As long as Viper wasn’t going to do something stupid to get hurt by the fire like a certain self-proclaimed ‘mass murderer’ had (it was Jack!), Atsuko would burn anything. She would burn anything regardless of whether anyone else got hurt or not, it was just much less inconvenient to have the likes of Fenna and R.N.A. breathing down her neck.

Viper “Yeah, and, like, after you… set all those sprinklers off, I was just… too mad to see your point.”

Atsuko would take that, regardless of how true it was. Appealing of any sort to her ego or to the flame itself was an easy way to make her look past any other perceived slights.

“Pity, that. Like I said, I don’t often make a habit of lighting fires indoors. But my hand was forced. And thankfully, I had. Because if I had lost the painting in the shipwreck, or worse… the water tore it apart before I could burn it… that would have been the worst.” ~~Fire~~ First world problems.

Viper “But I’m… interested.”

And that was all that mattered in the end, wasn’t it?

The innkeeper retrieved that metal tin from her bag and took out another old newspaper and starter made of sawdust and wax. She was running out of materials, which was problematic. She would need to do something about that… But if nothing else, this fire could be multi-purpose. They had decent firewood, after all.

Viper “Is this small enough, or do you want smaller?”

Atsuko narrowed her eyes, trying to gauge how much it would take.

“…Mmm… Smaller. Once more should be enough. It’s better that it’s more concentrated with more smaller pieces, rather than two wider pieces.” Sorry, Viper. At least she got to look cool breaking it over her knee?

Itching to get the fire going, Atsuko took the liberty of retrieving the striker from her wallet, anticipating getting it started as soon as the firewood was ready.

Viper

Atsuko Samukura “Pity, that. Like I said, I don’t often make a habit of lighting fires indoors. But my hand was forced. And thankfully, I had. Because if I had lost the painting in the shipwreck, or worse… the water tore it apart before I could burn it… that would have been the worst.”

“Yeah… you really hated that thing, huh? Which, like, understandable! Just ’cause it’s well painted doesn’t mean it ain’t… horrible?” …Viper assumes Atsuko hated it for a specific reason- she can’t quite recall if she’d heard why she hated it. That’s because I, Mars, do not remember either!

Atsuko Samukura “…Mmm… Smaller. Once more should be enough. It’s better that it’s more concentrated with more smaller pieces, rather than two wider pieces.”

“…Gotcha!” Viper once again proceeds to look very awesome and cool as she breaks the pieces of oar once more- she struggles more this time, but hey, it’s a smaller surface! Once the firewood was prepared, she sits at the edge of the fire pit beside Atsuko, placing the oar pieces into the pit. She glanced over at Atsuko, before looking down at her striker with piqued interest.

“…Can’t say fire has ever fascinated me, but there’s a first time for everything.” She smiled rather coyly.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Viper “Yeah… you really hated that thing, huh? Which, like, understandable! Just ’cause it’s well painted doesn’t mean it ain’t… horrible?”

Atsuko felt herself getting heated, not even wanting to hear the slightest compliment toward it. Nothing about it was well-painted. Each brushstroke was laced with evidence of her father’s crime. It was a painting of her mother’s dead body, which I think she had explained, but Atsuko absolutely did not want to go into it again, so Viper would remain oblivious.

“If you knew everything that had to go into that painting, you would hate it as much as I did.” And if Viper didn’t? Then they would have a problem.

Viper “…Gotcha!”

Whether or not Viper actually looked cool was of no importance to Atsuko. What was importance is she had firewood to work with, and that the flame would be beautiful. Atsuko placed the starter in the center of the pit, and with a few practiced strokes of the striker, the small mixture of wax and sawdust caught with ease.

Bit by bit, the smaller pieces of the oar were added to the fire, keeping it healthy and giving it a steady source of wood to feed on.

Viper “…Can’t say fire has ever fascinated me, but there’s a first time for everything.”

That was what Atsuko liked to hear.

“…It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Viper could understand that, right? Not everyone did. Whether it was saving or destroying, it was beautiful. It made sense. Atsuko could always return to it, and it would be the same. It would be hers, whether or not anyone else saw its glory.

“…Go on. You have things to burn, don’t you?” How lucky, Viper! Atsuko was letting you do the honors. Be careful!

Viper

Atsuko Samukura “If you knew everything that had to go into that painting, you would hate it as much as I did.”

“Yeah, yeah… I gotcha…” Viper is a little concerned she’s shot herself in the foot for a moment, but when Atsuko simply allows them to carry on preparing the fire. Once she watched the flames ignite, there was a definite sparkle in her eye. Maybe it was just the reflection of the flames…

“It…is beautiful.” She admits, reaching for the CD. Best to start with the easiest one… As she tosses the fire onto the flame, she gives Atsuko a grateful look, she could guess that it meant a lot to be allowed to burn stuff when Atsuko liked to do so so much. “…Thanks.” She watched eagerly as she then added the book checkout receipt onto the top of the flame.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Atsuko wouldn’t entertain any more talk of that painting, unless it was to defend her actions (how anyone could get on her case for burning that, of all things, was beyond her) or remember the feeling of watching it burn. Finally. She hoped that what was burnt in here affected the outside. She hoped papa would feel a little bit of remorse, seeing the ashes. She hoped he regretted everything he did.

But that was the way everyone else thought about her, wasn’t it?

After all, she was papa’s little deer, and nothing she could do would change that.

She allowed herself to get lost in the flames.

Viper “It…is beautiful.”

“…….More than anything.”

She felt her body come alive, warmth spreading through her fingertips, as Viper added the CD to the flame. Just as the fire’s strength grew, it was as if Atsuko, too, was being indulged. Enabled. To share this feeling with another person…

Viper “…Thanks.”

With wide eyes, Atsuko watched the receipt catch fire. Yes, this was as it should be. She was being thanked. The fire was being thanked.

Viper was the one thanking her, but Atsuko was probably gaining more from this than Viper was.

“……………………..Of course.”

And they weren’t even all done. Happy day!

Viper

Viper kept her gaze on the flames, watching as the cd melted into the flame, the waves of fumes coming from it as it burned. The fire was beautiful in a way. She doesn’t think she could ever love it anywhere near as much as Atsuko, but the heat was certainly welcome when there’s been so much chill and water making everyone’s lives miserable. Watching as the receipt crumbled and burned to ash, she felt a sense of satisfaction, strangely enough… something about the way it burned away…

She reached for the cookbook next, taking a small, thin wad of pages and tearing them free from the binding. Then, she held them into the flame. Perhaps she was too brave, holding onto them even as they caught alight, but watching the fire climb toward her fingers was almost enchanting, exciting… her heart thumped in her chest as she dropped the rest in at the last moments.

“…Fascinating.” She murmurs thoughtfully, repeating the process again. “It comes so close to licking my fingers, but… I won’t let it.” Viper was a tease…

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Atsuko’s mission to make everyone see the beauty of fire was slowly catching on, bit by bit. Much like fire itself, in that sense.

The innkeeper watched interestedly as Viper danced dangerously close to the flame. It wasn’t smart, but she could relate. To Atsuko, the fact that Viper was willingly partaking in its whimsy was more important to her. Perhaps she could work with this after all…

Viper “It comes so close to licking my fingers, but… I won’t let it.”

Atsuko let out a low chuckle.

“Awfully confident for someone who’s just starting their journey with the flame…” And that was presumptuous of Atsuko to assume Viper’s journey would continue at all. “If you try to act that brazen like that, you’ll earn your first touch of the flame… And the first contact stays with you, physically and mentally.” From the way Atsuko spoke, it would seem like she had been burnt herself once or twice before.

“…This is what you were most excited to burn, hmm? Is it living up to your expectations?”

Viper

“Psht… I’m gonna be careful. Confident is my game.” Viper held some paper into the flames, letting it get close to her hands again. Her gaze was fixated on the paper as it burned, in a weird way, it was almost calming down her hectic brain. So many thoughts going on at all times, and now she only had one focus. Not getting burnt!

“I can handle a little burn.” Viper sniffed, as if offended Atsuko sounded as if she may be doubting her ability to handle the pain. “But…this is good.” The game developer confirms as she watches the flames eat up another wad of pages. It was… fun, she had to admit.

Burning the cookbook… was fun.

“I can…see why you enjoy it so much.” Viper has no plans to be indoctrinated- if Atsuko becomes too pushy, she’s likely going to backpedal and reject her, but… for now, she has no qualms with indulging Atsuko into believing she may be able to convert her yet.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Viper “Psht… I’m gonna be careful. Confident is my game.”

That was all well and good. Jack was clearly ‘confident’ (or maybe it was just recklessness or carelessness), and she was still chewed out for Jack’s burn. When he was the one sticking his hand into an open flame. Viper had at least relented that she wouldn’t blame her.

Viper “I can handle a little burn.”

“…Whether or not you can handle it, I don’t want anyone else coming and blaming me for you hurting yourself.” Translation: Atsuko didn’t actually care if Viper got hurt or not. Fire would do what fire would do, and if you acted foolishly before the flame, you would be punished accordingly.

Viper “But…this is good.”

Atsuko knew it was. Just as the flame saved, it destroyed. In essence, through its sheer existence, it destroyed the cold. It destroyed everything it touched. Viper, too, was surely learning to enjoy it. If she had any negative memories of that cookbook, or if she didn’t even know what it was and just wanted to experience the flame… The flame would serve either purpose.

Viper “I can…see why you enjoy it so much.”

Viper was walking the line, not actually intending to do any more than this, just fishing for a reaction from Atsuko… She was getting it. She was indulged. Enabled.

To Atsuko, she was understood.

“Fufu… I wonder if you’ll wind up addicted like me soon enough…?” She wouldn’t, Atsuko. But she liked to think she might. “I might just have to take you under my wing… I’ve never had anyone to share the flame with like this.” She was accidentally appealing to Viper being gay. Girlboss success???

Viper

Atsuko Samukura “…Whether or not you can handle it, I don’t want anyone else coming and blaming me for you hurting yourself.”

Another snort, Viper can at least relate somewhat to Atsuko’s priorities of protecting herself from the blame. Despite the fact the innkeeper was the only one who had such an affinity for fire, she knew she may be able to twist some people to absolving her of responsibility. Specifically, Abel.

“Nobody’s gonna come blame ya, don’t worry.” She snorted, “If I burn myself, I’ll put on that stupid glove thing that we got given.” She hadn’t used hers yet because she already had gloves… but if she burned herself, maybe it’d come in handy. “My responsibility and my responsibility alone. Ain’t above a lil’ white lie if it comes to it.”

She could easily say that she borrowed someone’s lighter… seemed legit enough!

As much as Viper toed the line, dipping in her feet every now and then, just testing the waters, she was… interested. In how Atsuko’s mind ticked. This had to be the warmest she’d seen the icy woman, as strange and eccentric as her behaviour in truth was.

Viper had returned to burning pages when Atsuko so openly pondered taking her under her wing, and she was grateful for the glow of the flames with how her cheeks tinged. Huh. Weird. Confusing. She didn’t know how to feel about That.

“…Really? Nobody else? A shame. You’re plenty pretty.” Viper acknowledged, as if it was just a normal observation. W Rizz? L Rizz? “I ain’t gonna deny ya the chance to share with me. Plenty of me to go around.” Viper does the >:3 face.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Viper “Nobody’s gonna come blame ya, don’t worry. If I burn myself, I’ll put on that stupid glove thing that we got given. My responsibility and my responsibility alone. Ain’t above a lil’ white lie if it comes to it.”

“…I would certainly hope not. At least some people here have some sense when it comes to these things…” She was vaguing Jack like her life depended on it. Although who knew if Viper also knew about Jack burning himself, or if she remembered being blamed by R.N.A. for his actions.

“Whether or not your hands get burnt, make sure you don’t burn to death. I don’t know if that would count as ‘murder’ as part of the rules of this game… As lovely as that would be,” Whether or not there was any truth behind Atsuko finding the thought of Viper burning to death a good thing was impossible to discern from her tone of voice. “…Having to deal with all of that would just be too much work.” Hardworking queen.

In spite of her warnings, she made no attempt to stop Viper. This was excellent, wasn’t it? To share the flame and all of its power with someone… If she wasn’t careful, she could go overboard…

Viper “…Really? Nobody else? A shame. You’re plenty pretty.”

Oh, Viper was trying to put the moves on Atsuko, hmm? How would she react?

“………”

Not very much, it would seem. There was still progress being made, but she was as stoic as ever when it came to these things. She knew she was pretty. It didn’t make a difference if the likes of Jack or Viper told her as much.

Viper “I ain’t gonna deny ya the chance to share with me. Plenty of me to go around.”

“………………………….”

Whether Atsuko herself felt as awkward as Viper likely did in this moment was unclear. She was hard to read in that way, wasn’t she? After a bit of silence, however…

“…Very presumptuous to assume you’re being competed for. By whom, then? Surely, Dexter-san isn’t trying to convert you before I can get to you…” Well, that was definitely. Something! It seemed like she was willing to partake in the banter, at least.

Viper

Slight warning for implied innuendo at the end i guess kinda i hate viper sometimes

Viper wouldn’t be surprised to find out Jack had burned himself and then caused Atsuko to be blamed by RNA. Both because she knew Jack was a chaotic freak and would easily just burn himself on purpose, she surmised, and RNA because they were such a goody-two-shoes all the time… but Viper was just built different, clearly! She wouldn’t hold Atsuko accountable.

Viper grinned, a chuckle escaping her as Atsuko advised her not to burn to death. Well, there went her plans! Curse you, Atsuko!

“Nah, heard it’s way too painful, besides, wouldn’t wanna make you lift a pretty finger more than necessary.” Viper. Viper stop please!!!!

“I have adoring fans everywhere, dear Atsuko.” Viper held some more paper into the flames. She pulled it back, letting it burn in her hands as she looked over at Atsuko. “I’m popular online, not the same, sure, but even here… Abel, Matsukaze, Asuka, I bet there’s more.” Is she just naming people who have beaten her up? Or otherwise expressed even a shred of admiration in Asuka’s case.

Viper blew the embers from the paper before tossing the remains into the flame.

“But I’m picky. I like a woman who knows what she wants,” Viper started, making a point of glancing Atsuko up and down. “And who isn’t afraid to take control.” Viper stop hitting on her. Let alone like a total SIMP.

“Dexter can try to control me, but he won’t get far. I doubt he will be able to convert me at all.” A pause, “However,I wouldn’t have trouble being under the control of an attractive woman.” Viper what does that mean. Atsuko AND Maw I’m sorry.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Only Atsuko would see R.N.A.‘s tape and still be like ’yeah they won’t get off my case.' At least Viper wasn’t too deterred by her casually throwing out the idea of Viper burning to death; and considering it a mild inconvenience at that.

Viper “Nah, heard it’s way too painful, besides, wouldn’t wanna make you lift a pretty finger more than necessary.”

This would do just fine, wouldn’t it?

“…Good.” Being doted on, being not made to work… this was much more her style. If this island only had a shopping mall, she would be set.

Viper “I have adoring fans everywhere, dear Atsuko. I’m popular online, not the same, sure, but even here… Abel, Matsukaze, Asuka, I bet there’s more.”

Well, Atsuko wasn’t exactly popular anywhere, so she unfortunately didn’t care much for Viper’s self-proclaimed accolades. She was far more interested in watching the flame consume the paper, bit by bit, until it was nothing but ashes.

“You shouldn’t have burned the oar, then. You might need it to bat away all those adoring fans.” Was she being sarcastic? Probably. Maybe. It was hard to tell.

Viper “But I’m picky. I like a woman who knows what she wants, and who isn’t afraid to take control.”

Viper was really going for it and I, for one, am very proud of her. Atsuko… was slightly indifferent, but she was also happy enough to indulge the idea of just having someone she could order around. That could be interesting for sure.

“…Be careful with your words. Don’t you know I’m ‘evil?’ There’s no telling what I’d have you do…”

Probably just things like carry her belongings around and do chores for her, for the most part. Wasn’t that just basically being employed at the Hearth? But perhaps being wary of the inner workings of Atsuko’s love for the flame had special privileges…?

Viper “Dexter can try to control me, but he won’t get far. I doubt he will be able to convert me at all. However, I wouldn’t have trouble being under the control of an attractive woman.”

If everyone was this forthcoming and malleable to Atsuko, the entire world would have already burned down at her whims. Maybe she was going about things wrong the whole time? Instead of being cold and standoffish and waiting for papa to take care of things for her, maybe she could have used her beauty even more to get what she wanted? What a waste. Things could have been going so much better for her.

But it was never too late to start, was it?

“…If that’s the case, then entertain me. Bark like a dog.” ATSUKO.

Viper

Atsuko Samukura “You shouldn’t have burned the oar, then. You might need it to bat away all those adoring fans.”

“Maybe not. But it was much more worth it to have such wonderful bonding time with you.” Viper’s catlike smile returned as she complemented the other woman once again, clearly…she was trying so very hard to get the other woman’s good favor that she didn’t even consider that Atsuko would use her nature to persuade her to do things for her. Despite her… statement.

Viper was a #hardworking queen herself of course, but perhaps, just maybe, she could afford to get up and do more. Just…sometimes.

Girls supporting girls, y’know!

Atsuko Samukura “…Be careful with your words. Don’t you know I’m ‘evil?’ There’s no telling what I’d have you do…”

“You doubtin’ me?” Viper raised her brow, “Don’t care if other people think ya are evil.” She shrugged, “Care more about decidin’ that for myself. ’sides, evil women are kinda sexy anyway.” She would come to regret her words very quickly after she says this, because Atsuko continues… and Atsuko bites perhaps a little too well. Well, Viper wasn’t going to complain just yet. Viper was built different, she could withstand many situations without shame or embarrassment but- she stops mid cookbook page tear.

E-Entertain her?! Bark?! Oh god, if anyone finds out about this, Viper’s going to never live it down. Her face is red, but she’s keeping her cool. Mostly. She’s more worried about someone witnessing this than the situation itself. Despite how insane it is…she’s not…pertubed. She really should be. But Viper isn’t. She’s probably done worse when she’s been drunk, so whatever. She can do this.

F-ck it.

“As ya wish.” She replies, the most calmly she probably could in the situation. Without an ounce of shame present on her face, she barks. Surprisingly, it’s pretty convincing!

I’m so sorry.

Atsuko Samukura

Viper

Viper “Maybe not. But it was much more worth it to have such wonderful bonding time with you.”

Uh-huh. The cat smile didn’t do too much for Atsuko, but she was more than willing to entertain the notion of Viper bending over backwards for her sake. What a joy!

Girls supporting evil girls.

Viper “You doubtin’ me? Don’t care if other people think ya are evil. Care more about decidin’ that for myself.”

“………”

Viper ’sides, evil women are kinda sexy anyway.”

“………..”

That whole sentence was an emotional journey for Atsuko, even if it didn’t show outwardly too much. Oh, to be seen only for her beauty and not for her substance as a person. What a cruel world it was! She’d take it, but still. Her mother’s beauty was a curse that passed onto her.

But Atsuko bit, indeed. If Viper was going to play ball with her, she would be going for a home run. Or maybe she was the one pitching to Viper on the plate…? Atsuko didn’t care for baseball. Too many bad memories.

Viper “As ya wish.”

And then Viper bit. Over the crackling of the fire, Viper truly did it. With her whole chest. Without an ounce of shame. Viper actually barked like a dog, no matter how humiliating it was, just because she asked.

“………………”

Tough crowd? It would have seemed so. After a moment of awkward silence that felt heavy in the air—

“….Pffft—Ahaha—” Atsuko was stifling a laugh. A true, genuine laugh. It had been so long since she heard that sound? She would let little bits of air out her nose, sure, and chuckle from time to time. But to truly laugh out loud? She couldn’t remember. The whole situation couldn’t be any more comical, could it? Viper, debasing herself just because Atsuko said it… Fire and a show. She was on cloud nine.

“Ahaha… Aren’t you too easy? You’re not embarrassed at all?” Oh, she was really far too happy about this. “You’re the kind of person that would be eaten alive in my world, not a trace left behind…” Okaaaay. Very reassuring and normal words, Atsuko.

“…You really ought to toss another page into the fire… If I’m not careful, I’ll have too much fun with you…”

Viper

Atsuko Samukura That whole sentence was an emotional journey for Atsuko, even if it didn’t show outwardly too much. Oh, to be seen only for her beauty and not for her substance as a person. What a cruel world it was! She’d take it, but still. Her mother’s beauty was a curse that passed onto her.

Sorry, Atsuko… she’s a visual woman, what can I say? Viper sees a pretty woman and she’s of course gonna comment on that. …Probably not helped by the fact that Atsuko was a strange one. And so obsessed with fire. Viper was definitely going to have to workshop some lines and compliments for her.

Atsuko Samukura Tough crowd? It would have seemed so.

At first she wondered if she hadn’t done a good enough job. Yes, Viper actually found herself considering if she needed to humiliate herself again for Atsuko’s entertainment. Looks like it’s not just the one clown in town, but the entire circus packed into a Viper-shaped circus tent.

She was about to ask, but… then Atsuko laughed, not just a snort, not just a little chuckle… and f-ck the ego boost that gave her made it more than worth degrading herself. Where most people would have had shame, shame for her actions and the fact that Atsuko had laughed at her so openly, Viper was only filled with pride. Pride that she had made Atsuko laugh, and what a cute laugh it was.

Atsuko Samukura “Ahaha… Aren’t you too easy? You’re not embarrassed at all?”

“…Nah. not at all. I’ve done worse when I’ve been drinking.” Viper fixed her with a Look. Almost… challenging. “You’ll have to try a lot harder to truly make me feel shame.” Tearing a couple pages out of the book, she held them back into the fire. Atsuko’s next words seemed to make her twitch, and she glanced over at the other woman.

Viper seemed… something! Something about Atsuko claiming she would be eaten alive has her abandoning the paper in the flames, leaning closer to Atsuko and giving her a Stare. Almost defiant.

“…I’d get eaten alive? F-cking try me.” …??? Viper???? “Awfully presumptious to think you can tame me with just one demand. You’ll have to push more to get me right where you want me. If you truly want me, to bend me to your will… I’ll give you the chance.” Viper?????