The Carnival

[Kazuya]

Death was a natural part of life. She had embraced the concept many, many years ago in that little village, the name lost to her now for decades. What she had done in that room was necessary for her survival, but that isn’t what bothered her. What bothered her is that she enjoyed it, in a way that was perturbing and vile. She hated herself for liking what she did, resented the fact that one half of her brain relished in her misery.

Her fists clenched at her sides, a muscle in her jaw working furiously as she mulled over her current mental storm. Kazuya wandered aimlessly around in loose circles around the attractions and venues of the carnival, every sense seemingly blocked to everything around her.

How could she forget his face when she skewered that nameless victim on the pool cue and then unceremoniously shoved him out of a fourth story window? She didn’t know what had come over her then. It was like, after that, everything came to her in a tidal wave of raw power, of wanton bloodlust. She couldn’t get enough of the fighting, the death, the utter, unadulterated destruction. It was but a small taste, she thought. It was so matter of fact, so positive of its surety. There would be more.

Her brain was temporarily jolted when something soft and small plowed into her, her eyes finding focus as they met and held the gaze of a meek, petite woman. "I...I am sorry..." the silver haired girl apologized.

"Oh, you are the girl from before...." Kazuya murmured, the tone most unlike that of which was going through her head. In fact, she was grateful for the disruption. The two introduced themselves, exchanging a few words, and to her surprise, found a very home-like feeling in the girl. She spoke her native tongue.

“Well, it is very nice to meet you, as well;” Kaz returned the gesture with a brief hint of a smile, much to the younger woman’s relief. “You look…lost.”

Tamsin chuckled and said, “Perhaps just a little.” She looked around her, her nostrils flaring slightly as she took in the scents all around her. “Everything smells so wonderful!”

“Yeah, come to think of it, I could go for a snack.”

“Elephant ears? That sounds disgusting!” The silver haired girl looked even further, spying a stand selling chicken on a stick. “Care to join me, then?”

“I’m not...oh, why the hell not?” Kazuya sighed reluctantly and followed her newfound companion to the food stall, where they found, to their delight, that the food was all free. Needless to say, Kazuya stocked up on just about everything, and Tamsin, unsure of when she’d be able to eat like this again, followed suit.

They found a place just outside of the crowds, where a few benches and tables had been set up, shadowed by some lovely oak trees. Being a world completely digitized, she didn’t have to worry about leaves or debris fucking up her area. Blessing in disguise, Kazuya surmised.

It didn’t take long for the pair to lay waste to their repast, an accumulation of empty cartons and sticks piling neatly in front of them, only growing bigger as they took turns returning to the booth for more. Kazuya was beyond full at this point, and groaned woefully. “I think I’ve passed the point of delightfully full to miserable…ugh.”

“Yeah…” Tamsin leaned back in her chair, her hands covering her stomach. A small burp surfaced from her throat, and she blushed, embarrassed. Kazuya laughed.