Day Two: Morning

[Minoshia]

The night had been filled with tense moments, instances which nearly crossed the invisible threshold that separated words and fists. With every close encounter, none matching the intensity and the fervor that had come with the ‘Violet’ conversation, the ironic duo managed to diffuse the situation before either exploded into a furious anger. At any point in the past two years, either of the two men would have jumped at the opportunity to do battle with the other, now both of them found themselves backing out of heated situations. It was strange how things like this happened, and being the curious Konat that he was, he couldn’t help being intrigued in Seventeen’s new personality. For once in their history together, the two seemed similar, two years ago if that thought had even crossed his mind he would have doubled over in disgust. Regardless of the past he was satisfied with his current partnership – hell, he even felt normal compared to the increasingly unstable android walking beside him. He chuckled under his breath for a moment as the thought of him being normal crossed his mind; he had come to terms with the fact that he had some serious mental problems a long time ago, but that was just fine by him.

His mind escaped its wandering escapades and allowed his eyes to focus on what lied ahead. As they continued their excursion across the island of Dante, Minoshia found himself noticing they were following an increasingly erratic path and wondered if letting Seventeen chart their course had not been a failed plan. If there is one thing that cyborg is good at, it’s finding a fight. We of all people should know that. Fear not, it will not be long before these hands are wrapped around someone’s throat. The dark voice inside the Konat’s head reassured him of the machine’s intentions. The demonic hissing spoke up again in his brain, making a strange noise at first to gather his attention. By the way, we can stop twitching our hand so violently –our ally is sure to be growing uneasy… He hadn’t even noticed his fingers pulsating against his thigh; his palm was sweating with anticipation. Energy fizzled around his hand, and had indeed caught the attention of his ebony haired accomplice. He quickly shot his hand across his body and scratched his shoulder, finding some activity for his fingers to accomplish would keep them from twitching so noticeably. After the imaginary itch had been ‘tended’ to, he grabbed the strap to his duffel bag and held it firmly – giving the appendage a full time job.

“A little antsy, aren’t we?” The hybrid raised a single brow in an inquisitive manner. “Well, you can stop that,” He pointed at the still shaking hand of the dark child. “It won’t be long now… no, not long at all I suspect…” He finished his sentence, letting his words tail off in suspense. Minoshia grunted with approval, his upper lip tightening as he did so.

“Fighting alongside you,” Minoshia snarled, not in his usual cold, disgruntled manner, but with an amused sarcasm. A short snicker escaped him immediately after he’d finishing speaking, the cackle was matched by the android. “I can’t say we’re not intrigued.”

“Agreed.” His face contorted for a moment, his mouth opening once and closing before opening once more. This time imminent words followed the movement of his lips. “’We’… you use that term in reference to yourself on occasion, why?”

“Why do you talk to yourself? Shout at yourself even?” The Dark Prince was on the defensive once more, taken aback by the question. His reply was shot back like returning cannon fire, even if the two weren’t battling with their fists, the hostility that crossed the lines of communication suggested that a new type of warfare was being waged between the old rivals – a war of words.

“That, also, is none of your concern.” Machine or not, he could become quite emotionally charged about some topics. He was, without question, the most complex and ‘human’ android the Konat had ever crossed.

“Our questions have something in common then.” Case closed, cannon fire ceased. The brief topic was opened and closed faster than a bad book. The two were still in the process of reintroducing themselves, some chapters of their intricate personalities were better not opened – not yet at least. Ignoring the warning signs that had been flown at every conversation the two had embarked on recently, Minoshia dove in on what he expected to be another touchy subject. He knew he would never trust the android, but if he was to fight beside him then there were certain things he needed to explore.
“I couldn’t help but notice your growing anger, Seventeen.” Minoshia paused and waited for the machine-hybrid to acknowledge what he had said. When his partner refused to turn his head, he continued anyway. He did what he wanted, on his own terms, and this conversation couldn’t be stopped by a resisting party. “I can help you with that, if it is indeed what you are experiencing. Anger, burning rage, blood lust… all things that have plagued me for as long as I can remember… but they are not burdens, they are gifts.” The Konat was growing increasingly uneasy, he was making an offer to his worst enemy – he was explaining himself to someone who had been a victim of the very rage he spoke of. His stomach churned as the urge to vomit stirred in the depths of his being, he suppressed his own disgust and desire to purge himself.

“A gift which you use to maim women and children?” Seventeen dismantled the idea of anger being a gift with a scoffing reply, his voice hissed with a venom that was genuinely familiar to Minoshia, except generally he was delivering the poison-laced words.

“In time, Death comes to us all…” Minoshia’s voice drifted off, his tone had become menacing and dark once more. “Who I send to their demise, and how they meet that demise, is ultimately immaterial in the grand scheme of things. The strong survive, the weak perish. That is the way of the world.”