Awakening Beast. (Hellhound's Entry)

[Balthier]

"Hey, wait!" Was what she wanted to say, but she sputtered and the words didn't come out. It hurted to move, but Akemi had never let pain stop her. Her championship high-school Kendo club could attest to that is nothing else. She could walk, but only resisted lightly, more protesting silently as the Hound picked her up. The smell of carbon, from fire and burnt things was around the Hound. That Carbon smell could permeate everything around it, sure enough. In fact some of her armor had the smell now too, to go along with the heat scoring.

She had not counted on seeing the mo ster THIS close. Nor had see been prepared to be picked up and have the girl's bare breasts pressed on her side. It felt too intimate for her for soneone she was trying to kill minutes ago. But now she was getting a different vibe. This one just seemed... ignorant of a lot, and more beastly selfishness than having an overarching evil desire. But what to do about it? Something about the Hound made Akemi think of something she had read in world literature long ago. Lenny, from of Mice and Men for some reason came to mind. That and a cross between a Saiyan from Manga her father used to let her read.

Ragnahild's words still echoed in her mind. The question being could the hound be tamed enough to be compatible with life, or was she a complete lost cause. Akemi looked into the Hounds eyes, being intimately close, to see if she could peer I to her soul deeper.

"Yes, such a good girl. Although, I'm not sure the people near by want to see you again so soon. You may have hurt some of their family. I'm pretty sure I can make it back."

Akemi paused, considering something, "Do you have family?"

Edited November 26, 2024 by Balthier

[Warning]

Hellhound got a stupid smile on her face as she carried the girl, not an evil one, not a plotting one, just one of temporary joy for something. Perhaps what she assumed to be a kind of bond with a human but unfortunately one that probably didn't really like her. Not because of what she was but because of what she had done. What she represented... What she meant to the world that wanted her dead for what she was born to do. Unique to her kind, she was not entirely an emotionless demon without morals but she did struggle to understand the harm in what she was doing. Could she express regret? Probably. But what was done was done. She at least showed herself capable of kindness... In a way.

Obviously, the girl was right. In the grand meaning of things, what she had done as a sport would have made many many humans hate her for what she was. For the monster that came to their town and burned it to ashed, hurt many people and caused losses in many of the families... Homes to be destroyed, which had quite a value for many who felt safe there. An action made out of playing that resulted in unspeakable damage. And yet, with all this, when Akemi put it against her, the hound's eyes looked down at her and her ears flattened, giving off feelings of "knowing she was not a good girl at one point." This was what made her different... A demon would not have cared. For a moment, she did.

Then the last question made her slow down half way back to where humans gathered in the burned town to help the wounded... Many of the helpers were still around but too far to notice her. Blinking light being seen in the distance. So many humans who would not welcome her even if she brought a human she helped back to them. "Do you have family?", she was asked. Her eyes looked down as if that held a kind of importance, at least in human culture. If Hellhound ever felt close to anybody, it sure was not a demon. Perhaps a human or two who may have given her head pats in the past. But otherwise? She was a lonely dog in search of a purpose. Shaking her head, she slowly put Akemi down.

Hellhound figured that the girl could walk all the way back on her own but she still didn't look very happy right now, if not for whatever good moment she at least passed with her in the last minutes. Akemi made clear that approaching other humans now would only turn the encounter sour for the beast girl. She didn't plan on returning there, anyway. She was given conflicting ideas in her brain that made her unsure what to do... The hound couldn't approach humans but she couldn't go back to hell, either. Nothing was waiting for her there. Nobody except a place to sleep, which she could find anywhere. Hellhound's tail swayed around slowly but she looked sad, struggling to figure what she'd do.

[Balthier]

Akemi noted, to her mind, the sad lost puppy like look that came over the Hound as she answered with a shake of the head. She was feeling fairly girly being carried as she was, and feeling girly in a monsters arms was... well she didn't know what to frel. Akemi stood finally, as she was placed back on the ground.

Akemi felt like perhaps her words had an impact finally. Should she let it be for now, give her time to contemplate? It seemed like a rather delicate time. Akemi's armor was removed down to about her bikini line, she was considering if she should change back as she looked back to the Hound. About to say something...

Just then a new feminine voice cut in from the forest adressing Hellhound, "I saw the destruction of the town. Well done. Now finish off this girl... or give her to me." The voice demanded, as one used to giving orders.

Akemi looked to see a demon, gold of eyes and blonde of hair, coming out of the forest towards them on the Hounds path. The demoness looked at Akemi's torn armor, licked her cherry red lips and smirked. Standing with a hand on her hip.

 

[Warning]

Hellhound's ears perked up as soon as she heard the voice, watching in the direction before she even saw whoever was there. On the contrary of what she had hoped, what or rather who she was seeing wasn't a human coming to see Akemi or anything. One of the wretched demons, looking like a succubus. Instead of being calm about it, an expression of caution and awareness could be seen on her face instead. She trust one demon and a half IF even, and that was about it. On the surface? Such laziness toward other demons didn't have the same rules or weight. Akemi could see that despite the praise from the demon, no tails were wagging this time. She was on high alert, instead. Something was off.

Perhaps it was the direct order to finish Akemi or give her up that even made her frown and look upset. Not only... A demon she didn't know dared give an order to the hound? This demon clearly had no idea who the beast girl was and she would learn a harsh lesson for it. Now, if there was one thing Hellhound absolutely despised beyond anything, it was a disrespectful demon thinking she could give even a single order to her. Not a single freaking being gave orders to her. She might have ignored Zorn before but he was different. It would have been too kind to say Hellhound looked ready to do what Akemi said before: Hunt the other side. She looked serious, if not best to say that she looked pissed.

Hellhound certainly wasn't ready to finish Akemi off after she did the effort to play with her, THEN seal her wounds and carry her back to humans. The angel was the one to want her death but they had managed to talk and, in Hellhound's naive mind, have a bit of fun at it as well. For reasons any humans would probably find strange, Hellhound's mood turned into guard dog mode. With a cold yet direct reply, she gave her answer: "No.". With her answer came heat that surrounded her body. If this demon tried even a single thing against Akemi, the hound would rip and tear. Hellhound answered to nobody. No consequences would scare her from hunting demons to show them who they messed with.

With this set, Hellhound stood between the two and her claws looked sharp and ready. Her fur even bristled some as her senses sharpened. If anything, she saw this as a way to play. With how close they were to the town in question, there was no doubts that humans would witness it but again, Hellhound didn't care. She would however mind her flames so they don't head that way a second time. Or hurt Akemi in hellfire. "If you want this human, you will have to play with Hellhound.", she warned her, giving the demon a twisted grin. She was already marking the ground with burning claw marks. All she needed was a sign... A movement. A single threat toward Akemi would make her start playing.

[Balthier]

"No?" The demoness looked surprised, tossed her long golden blonde hair with an annoyed flick of her wrist. It was shortly followed, as she covered her mouth with the back of her hand and laughed.

"Come now, be a good little beast, and finish what you started. We'll sacrifice this one to celebrate a new beginning. Or stand aside and I'll..." again, she licked her red lips, "deal with her myself.  Mmmmm, delicious looking." Holding her hand high and bringing it down in an arc, a yellow energy whip appeared in her grasp, with a distinct crack.

Akemi stood with feet shoulder width apart. Her shield at the ready, as she drew her sword, lightning rippling across the blade as she did. She kept an eye on both combatants, not sure if this ambush was set up, or this was just a random encounter. She waited to see how the Hound would act, was it an act or not. Akemi would have to be more careful with her shield now that the majority of her armor on the front of her torso was off, and her soft skin bare to world. She could feel her heart ramping up with that precombat fight or flight reaponse. "Begone demon spawn! You'll find more fight here than you think, I wager!" Akemi shouted at the demon, taking a combat stance, her halo glowing brightly once more.

[Warning]

Hellhound only looked back at Akemi once when she was getting ready to fight. No signs of betrayal could be detected. All of her focus was on fighting whoever this demon woman was and she was even trusting Akemi enough to turn her back to her even as her weapon was drawn. If she was backstabbed by the angel, she probably would never trust a human ever again. But right now, the whip wielding demon stood there, threatening her. The sign that she had waited for ALL this time. This was going to be fun. She could simply launch herself but she at least had the right mentality to see what Akemi was going to do first. Her response made the hound grin as she was correct. The dog was angry and ready.

There was no waiting anymore at this point. Lowering herself down in a crouching position, her paws left marks on the ground before she finally leapt directly toward the demon as fast as her strength launched her. Hellhound was getting ready to do what she had done to Akemi with her claws but faster and with even less mercy. Rip and Tear, nothing else. Either she took the words of the human to heart by changing side or she just really... really hated demons. Especially one thinking she could order her around. The only one she would be a good girl for now was the angel. If her attack missed, she assumed Akemi would also join the fight to play as well. The idea of slaying this demon made the hound happy.

[Balthier]

The demoness dodge to the side, still getting clipped by the Hound. Claw marks raking on her side.

"Insolent pup! In the name of Gyumaoh, I shall punish you!"

Holding the energy whip taught between two hands she managed to parry one swipe and wrap the whip around the Hound's forearm. With a look of fury and a leap, bringing the whip over her head in an arc, she lifted the Hound off her feet and attempted to smash her into the ground.

Only at the last second Akemi was there, flying fast and low on pure white wings to catch Hellhound, grabbing her around the waist right before she hit. She absorbed the momentum only to be driven herself into the ground, back first. Her face wincing as the heat from Helhound burned her bare stomach. She exhaled though gritted teeth, baring the pain. Driven into the ground with a thud, she had to push Hellhound off her because she couldn't bare the heat. Her sword was on the ground some feet away, having had to drop it to catch the her. Her body and warrior spirit were again one, though that hit would have put a normal human out of commission, she rose to one knee, then standing to a crouch.

The demon was fast, and looked to be experienced. The whip rained down attacks on Akemi and Hellhound. One striking Akemi's armored thigh with a snap, another cracking across Hellhound's right breast. Akemi stood, a fierce look on her face, and fire in her eyes matched only by her heart, stepping between the demon and the Hound, shield raised. A flurry of blows impacting on her shield. She looked at the Hound, nodding as if to say, "let's do it."

The demoness yelled, her demonic aura expanding, manifesting as a barely perceptible golden flame around her. Causing her hair to flow as in a strong breeze, and her eyes to glow bright yellow. Her muscles seemed to grow in strength, as did her breasts increase a cup size. Her armored top strained to hold her in now. The claw marks from Helhound's attack were already slowly healing.

"You fools! I'll teach both of you bitches a lesson!"

Edited November 26, 2024 by Balthier

[Warning]

Hellhound felt surprised but only for a second. A demon was not to be underestimated either. But the hound didn't care. She had touched her but she was fast. Not as fast as SHE was, though. A grin drew on her face but the demon was still quick enough to hold her with her whip and swing her around, shockingly caught by the human girl. Her fiery heat was still up and somehow caused a light burn for Akemi but she also tried not to stick around to her to much, whenever she was free. A smile showed on her face, though. Human and Hound playing together as a team. "She is playing rough. But I won't be done until she's in pieces.", Hellhound stated, looking ready. The demon woman already tried to attack.

Hellhound didn't stay there to take it. Although she didn't have to go very far as Akemi found in herself the will to shield them both. When the angel gave a nod to her and spoke to her, the hound knew what it meant. Playtime in duo was official. Or at the very least, for this one battle. Hellhound nodded back and kept her fiery eyes on the demoness. "She is strong but she can't take being slashed forever. Play like you did with Hellhound but... together!", the beast girl said to Akemi. This was going to be rough but the last thing the hound would do was running. Both for the sake of her pride but also for the sake of Akemi. She had found what she considered a human friend of sort. They would win but together.

Hellhound had to be careful. Prioritizing speed over raw strength. No point sticking to her head-on when it was better distracting her for the human's shiny light and glow to do their work. If Akemi sliced this demoness the same way she had cast her blade's magic against her, chances are she would not have the time to heal if they worked together. "Playtime...!", she shouted happily before she dashed but slightly off line to get a quick slash at her side then instantly going around her to slash again and again. The hound kept an eye on her target in case she'd lift her whip. She couldn't be caught again but she still had the advantage of range. It was unknown how powerful she was yet but she felt pumped.

[Balthier]

"Aaarrrgh!" The demoness snarled in annoyance. The Hound girl was damaging her beautiful manicured skin, and was actually hurting her. She launched an attack with her whip, snapping the dog on her hind quarters after she had swiped at her.

Akemi went into action a split second after Helhound had broken the cover of her shield, and with three quick steps and a shoulder roll, regained her sword, lightning rippling along it's length as she did. Launching herself for a crouch with a strong beat of wings at the demon, she flew right at her, striking hard, only to find the demon had parried her attack with a flash from her sword meeting the whip. In a follow up the demon wrapped the whip around Akemi's leg and white a two handed pull, tripped the girl, she stepped forward placing her foot on the strip of armor that was little more than an armor bikini bottom at the moment, and pressed to try and pin her down. "Ugh!" Akemi called out in surprise. She grasped her sword looking for an opening as the demon's eyes went between her and Hellhound. The demoness' whip back up at the ready.

[Warning]

Hellhound was in it for the fun but also to see what Akemi would do. Seeing things happen fast lead the hound to respond in kind, especially as the demoness tried to bully the angel. No flames... She could not risk hurting her now. There would be a time for that but not yet. Instead, Hellhound moved around them as fast as she could then swiftly leapt at her from behind or at least from the most hind based position she could get, always going speed first before power. She was not going to let this monster of a demon grab her a second time. In the heat of battle, Hellhound was getting more and more serious. Her fiery eyes that displayed hatred for this demon, unlike the way she saw Akemi, only got fiercer.

If Hellhound couldn't cast flames, it didn't stop her from slashing with scorching claws, trying at the very least to get her off Akemi. If she wanted to win this, she'd have to work with her, which wasn't a bad deal at all. Maybe the reward would be worth it as well. She didn't seem to care what the demoness had to say about it. Or any demon. Hellhound made sure not to use her legs to attack. Only her hands. Speed first, power would come if she saw an opening. For now, the hound only wanted to go frenzy at their enemy. Any chances to free Akemi, even at the risk of taking a few hits, would be worth it. She was a tough beast and her wounds had mostly healed by now. She could take more hits if she had to.

Edited November 26, 2024 by Warning

[Balthier]

The demoness had to take a step to defend from Hellhound, it was all the opening Akemi needed to attack from her supine position. The demon was moving fast, akemi managed to carve an inch deep cut above her left knee despite her moving. It caused the Golden haired demon to stumble as Hellhound pressed her back further. Akemi pushed herself up and launched into an attack herself, side by side with the Hound. Together they forced the demon to give ground, as she tried to parry them both one after the other. Energy whip furiously thrashing from left to right and back.

Suddenly the demoness executed a backfilp, followed by a spinning attack with her whip. Forcing some distance between her and the girls. She looked throughly annoyed. Bleeding from Hellhound and Akemi's strikes. She held her wounds, looking at the blood on her hand, and laughed maniacally. She swiped her bloody hand in an arc shouting, "Claws of blood!"

Her blood, focusing her concentrated demon energy, was charged with dark energy and hit both Akemi and Hellhound, cutting them with this surprise tactic. She kept focusing on her spilled blood, a pool of it near Akemi and Hellhound, spontaneously forming red tentacles which immediately shot out out trying to entangle the demoness' enemies. Akemi sliced one, and was wrestling with another. Her face showing that fierceness still.

A red tentacle speeding up from the blood pool, sped between Hellhound's breasts, and further up around her shoulder, attempting to restrain her.

Edited November 27, 2024 by Balthier

[Warning]

Hellhound kept her cool in a heated manner, seeing Akemi handling things as well on her side until the demoness started using her pain as attacks. A desperate move but an efficient one at the start. The more they damaged her, the more they would be fought back. A victory was more than possible but the demoness wasn't going down easily. The tactic of forming tentacles was a clever and dangerous one. Being at the mercy of this bitch wasn't in Hellhound's plan however and she was pissed already. Her body heated up rapidly before she stomped the ground, creating a blast of flames around herself. Not even waiting, the hound leapt and did a backflip of her own, this time firepunching the ground.

All Hellhound cared about now was to ruin the demoness's plan and that punch causing an explosion all around should give her the small opening she required. If the blast might hurt Akemi, it might also free her from whatever spell was trying to force her into defeat. The beast girl wasn't one to gloat and watch. She loaded her palm with fire and tried the ransengan-ish trick that she did against Akemi, pushing her flame against the demoness. She might or not be resistant to it but the goal was to distract her, try and hurt her, get close to her, so she could throw a punch afterwards but without staying near her to see how well it worked. This annoyance was a little too grabby and she didn't want that.

Edited November 30, 2024 by Warning

[Balthier]

The red tentacles around Hellhound evaporated in heat as she stomped the ground, including the one wrapped around her torso. The demoness slashed at Hellhound with her whip while the tentacles remaining had coiled up Akemi's legs, and were just inching their way to her partially bare torso seeking to get over then under her armored lower half. Trying to get to where they could drain her magic energy.

The firey explosion hit the demon and Akemi caught part of it. The blood red tentacles took the full force and wilted from the flames, catching on fire themselves. Akemi quickly shook them off, relieved to be free of their molestations, while the demoness realed back.

The demoness was winded and hurt from the fire, blood from her wounds leaked down her arm, onto her energy whip. Turning her whip from yellow to red, it also ignited in the presence of Hellhounds flames, then absorbed some of them. Twirling her whip faster and faster, she released waves flames at the girls until her whip returned to the yellow color.

Akemi knelt and held her shield to the fore, blocking the wave of fire that was sent at her. When it past she dropped the shield, and took a two handed hold on her sword, a shout, and she charged running, wings flapping to assist her speed, then a short rapid leap and a loud war cry as she closed the distance. She was past the demon in a flash, and turned to face her again once she past.

The demoness' right hand fell to the ground separated from her arm at the wrist by Akemi's clean cut, and a spray of blood arced out. The energy whip dissipating as the hand fell in the dirt. The demoness screeched and clutched at end of her limb where the hand had been. She faced Akemi, snarling, her back now to the Hound, and raised her half an arm pointing it at Akemi. Concentrating her demon power, for a massive blood powered attack...

Edited November 30, 2024 by Balthier

[Warning]

The whipping was not too effective on Hellhound, at least not when the demoness used fire on her whip. Still, the beast girl was smart enough to try and block the fury, eating some slashes at the very least. Akemi, in her case, focused her deadly attack on the enemy. A strike that might have sliced through the hound herself if she had decided. With a blink, she realized how scary this human could but but also how thankful she was that she wasn't the target of such attack. She preferred headpats over being sliced in two. Not the case for the demoness, though. She asked to be hurt like this... Not like Hellhound really was nicer with the humans herself but she had time to correct herself. Not the demoness.

Their enemy even seemed mad when the hand was cut off. Hellhound was in a shock as she watched for a bit but the blood attack she was preparing could severely do something bad to Akemi. Not only that, she dared turn her back to her as if she wasn't a threat to her or anything. Hellhound wasn't angry, though. Not now. She was focused, deadly, plotting this careless demoness' demise, quietly clawing the ground as she leapt forward to her back. Sending all of her power in her hand, she aimed all of it in a jab at her spine. Hellhound aimed to destroy and kill. She had no mercy, even if it made her a threat or a bounty for demons. Akemi was her friend right now. Nobody would kill or play with her.

Edited November 30, 2024 by Warning

[Balthier]

Hellhound's fist connected with the demoness before she could release her attack. The savage blow, cracking her spine, as flames exploded forward through her body and out her front. She looked down, as her energy dissipated, not quite believing she had been bested.

"Noooo!" Was all she got out as her whole body was consumed by flames as burned quickly to a pile of ash.

Akemi's face was stern, eying the Hound a moment before standing relaxed. She executed a chiburi, bringing her sword up by her ear, then swinging it down to the side and stopping suddenly, to fling off any blood still on her blade. Breathing deep, she sheathed her sword. Somehow she had managed to make it through today alive and with her virtue in tact. For not the first time, she was thankful at least her bikini her armor had held together.

She walked silently over by Hellhound, looking down together at the pile of ash, she put a hand on the Hound's head and gently patted her.

[Warning]

Hellhound stood still in her attack pose for a bit, panting a little as she had put lot of power in this one. Her body had gotten some slash but they would certainly recover soon enough. This had been a fun battle and Hellhound had played rough but Akemi had more than her share of credits for the kill. Without a slice like that, the battle would probably have had taken longer and hell knows what trick this demoness might have pulled. A rage baiting attack like what Akemi did killed all of her focus and made her aim all of her revenge at her attacker, forgetting the dog in the process. Bad choice. Sure, Hellhound got the kill but alone would have been a different story. It was thanks to her partner that they won.

Finally relaxing, she dropped her pose and sat down, looking as innocent as ever again. Akemi watched her but the hound remained quiet. Did she do good? Was she a good girl? She quietly wondered while she watched the angel skillfully handle her blade. This magical girl definitely was one of the scariest humans. After what she had seen, she felt concerned that the severed limb could have been her tail, an arm, maybe even a leg. She healed easily but she could not grow back limbs. At the same time, she had been stabbed and recovered just fine. Nothing that she could not attach back to her body, assuming she didn't lose the parts AND she had the time for such recovery. She wasn't afraid, just very wary.

While Akemi approached her, Hellhound stared but said nothing or did not move an inch. Her tail froze momentarily but soon, the hound was finally rewarded as she hoped, feeling the hand pat her head. A smile drew on her face and her tail started wagging gently. Headpat meant good girl. Demons never really rewarded her for killing humans. It was merely a self-given reward if she had any. One based on satisfaction of having played, if anything. This feeling right now however was real and felt good. Still, while she felt excited for a moment due to their victory, her ears lowered down slowly knowing what she had done before that lead to this. Surely, the both of them would also go on separate paths now.

Still, for now, Hellhound's fiery eyes looked up like a good puppy. By the eyes alone, it was hard to believe such a beast would attack humans. In her mind, she probably was not going to do it again. It would remind her of this angel if she did. Of course, Akemi was not the first human the hound had met and, in a weird way, made friend with but she was the first one who really questioned her motives and the morality of her choices. At best, everyone else saw her like a monster. Rarely, like a good monster. She still was a monster to everyone and Akemi had reasons to be upset for what she had done and who she had done these things to. Hellhound somewhat felt bad and it was part of why she looked sad.

[Balthier]

Between her blood, Hellhounds, and the demoness', Akemi looked rather a mess. Ash and blood on her body and on the armor, down her legs. She didn't particularly want to be seen this way in public, yet she didn't want to revert to her normal girl form yet either. As she stared attention ash a moment longer she noticed the Hound looking like a sad puppy. It was cute, despite the earlier carnage. Her head pat turned into resting her hand on the Hounds head, then rubbsing side to side reassuringly, before finally absent mindedly scratching behind one of her ears.

"Good." Akemi said plainly, allowing her voice soft and feminine now that combat was over. Finally taking her eyes off the pile of ash and really looking at the topless dog-girl. They were both pretty messy it seemed. She was actually thankful they were able to team up this time. Already having been banged up, had it been one on one, the outcome would have been questionable.

"First one I've seen so... good looking. Usually they appear much more monstrous. I wonder if this is some new group?" Akemi wondered out loud.

[Warning]

The single word helped make her feel better. No one really said "good" in her presence, especially toward her. Better yet, she was getting a little spoiled too and her tail kept wagging at its base, otherwise trying to keep a certain control on the rest of it but failing to do so, leaving it to sway around. The ear scratch especially made her even close her eyes for a moment to savor the moment a human was spoiling her in what she saw as a very good reward for her efforts. If she had any doubts about her decision, this alone made sure to dissipate them, making her happy have fought along side a human. It then appeared that Akemi had thoughts about who or what that demoness was. For Hellhound, it wasn't much of a shock.

Demons were, for many, monstrous creatures. And then there were... other ones existing for other reasons. Some of them loving to charm humans and attract them only to make them their plaything. Hellhound's eyes then opened up, looking at Akemi. "This one looked like a succubus... They prey on humans to play with them or feed on them. They play like Hellhound but they're worse... Once they catch you, they don't let go... I didn't want her to hurt you so I played rough. Akemi is a friend, now. Right?", she asked, tilting her head. But she still eyed away, feeling bad again. Still, she herself had noticed the state they were in. "I think I will take a bath... Do you want a bath, too?", the hound suddenly asked curiously.

[Balthier]

She finished scratching behind to dog-girl's ear, her hand falling by her her armored thigh. She listened to her explain the differences of demons, she had hears of succubus, but had always thought they would have wings. Interesting. If not perhaps it was something similar, she would have to go to the temple and consult the sources for more information.

"A friend...?" Akemi said pondering. Her thoughts while initially conflicted, were calmer now. Despite the Hound killing people, despite her friend getting hurt, they had drawn the blood of her foe together. For Akemi drawing swords together, was no small thing either. She was staring off into the distance, processing the days events in her mind. It was amazing how soft her voice was when not in combat, "Perhaps... perhaps we are... or we can be."

She was surprised by the next question, although she was just wonder if it might be worth while to find a stream or something nearby to clean a little. The question brought her gaze back to her surroundings and her mind as well. "A bath? Out here!?"

She was wondering what she was talking about exactly, she did want to be clean, a bath out here? Was that even possible? Was it a good idea? "I could do without all this blood for sure. What exactly do you propose?"

 

[Warning]

Hellhound looked a little excited when Akemi didn't seem to dislike the idea of friend. Human friends were rare. Still, if they were as nice as Akemi was for petting her for so long as a reward for being good, she'd be more inclined to leave them be. Or not... If she did just go away and never tried to approach them again, she wouldn't get any petting and it would be a disaster. Humans didn't like her, though... The ones at the village would certainly kill her on sight. There was no undoing what she had done... It was fair that nothing she could do for them would repair what she had taken away from many. Magic did wonder in healing those still alive, though. But the dead...? They were gone for good. For humans, she had been bad.

Demons would probably praise her for it. They praise her when it serves their wishes but they don't really mean it. Akemi at least seemed to mean it. Maybe the hound could not undo what she had done but she could be a good girl for now, at the very least. As the bath idea seemed to win some interest, Hellhound's ears perked up. The question about what she proposed felt odd to her but she still replied, "Water! Hellhound can find a spring... It feels good to rest in water, especially when I make it warm.", the hound said with a grin before she sniffed the air for a bit then stood up and started going back to the forest. "Follow and I will show you. Humans don't come here so we'll be alone.". She looked happy to help, anyhow.

[Balthier]

Akemi was still not sure this wasn't a trick. Then again, the beast could have just teamed up with the demon, instead they had fought together.. And she did need to clean off. What the Hel? Maybe they really could be better than enemies. This might be an expect bad but hope for the best situation. She thought she was starting to think like her father. She had been a bit of a daddy's girl, especially since her mom had died so young in her life. Against the odds, as was her style, she chose to take a chance. Hopefully her other friend would forgive her for being nice to the one that injured her. Is she could make a friend, that wouldn't be betraying the people here, would it? Again, they had teamed up against the Golden haired demoness, that had to count for something.

"Alright. Let's see what we can see what we find and go from there." She thought she must look a right proper mess, and getting the blood off her and out of her hair, at the least sounded like a good idea. She didn't want the demon's blood on her longer than absolutely necessary anyway.

With the slightest smile she said, "Lead on, and I shall follow." Akemi made to walk just behind her, still a little on guard, just in case.

 

[Warning]

Hellhound seemed excited, without any real malicious intentions right now. Her tail easily wagged but she started focusing on finding the source of water she spoke about. If there was anything important about the way to find it, it was the scent that a spring left around not some would only really perceive when closer to it. Water itself might not normally have any scent but a spring meant possible aquatic life. Or a river connecting to it, sometimes a waterfall which caused noises enough to be heard at the distance. It was not the hound's first time being there. She knew how things worked. She also gave the assumption that she sometimes bathed to keep herself clean, if she cared about that. At the least, she enjoyed water.

Leading Akemi around the forest, she only eyed back at her to make sure she followed, otherwise trusting her not to do any move against her. Hellhound sniffed her way around and the closer they went to their destination, the more they could probably hear a quiet flow of water. She knew exactly where to go to find what she was looking for. As they reached for a clearing, they would find a naturally formed spring of rather clean water connected to a small elevated river. The sound of flow of water, as tranquil as it was, could be heard being the only sound disturbing the silence at the moment. Animals probably came by this spring to drink when they found themselves thirsty. With the hound around, though, they were alone.

"There it is...!", Hellhound finally said and taking the rest of the clothes off and dropping it on the ground, she simply jumped in, causing a splash around herself. The spring didn't have too much depth so it made the place safe to swim without any worries of drowning. The beast girl left herself vulnerable as water probably would stop her from using her flames. Whether she could boil the water or not was another story but nothing gave a hint that she wanted to harm Akemi for any reason. If anything, Hellhound smiled to the human girl. "Now you come it, too... The water feels good.", the hound told to her, watching her while wandering around and just enjoying herself, seeing this like some kind of bath time for the two.

[Balthier]

Akemi, unsummoned her shield, and then her sword, both returning to the either from which they came. She walked slightly behind the Hound, noting she walked like she had no care in the world. She had fought the whole last battle topless, in fact, and Akemi saw no sign that she cared. She wondered if it was her nature, or if it was just because they had all been female so far. Was she trying to show off, or did she just not care. Akemi had always had a little amount of jealousy for those more endowed than herself, since her earlier teen years when it had become clear she wasn't going to be that busty. Still she had managed to get some looks still do to her slender waist, and immaculate hair and face, always taking great care with her makeup.

Soon she could hear the gentle flow of water. She watched the Hound finish stripping to nothing and jump in. She paused herself looking around. No one.

Biting her lip, she unsummoned her magical transformation. Wings unraveling and disappeared, her armor dissolving in a small swirl of blue bright light. She was back in her torn shirt and navy blue skirt. She bashfully removed her skirt, then her shirt. While she was conscious of her smaller chest around other girls, sometimes making her feel less of a woman around other women; her tone legs, and tight ass, those of an athlete, where perfect.  Finally, removing her undergarments, she left her clothes in a neat pile on a grey stone, and slid into the hotspring. She let out a breath as the water felt good, standing waist deep. Dunking herself under and rubbing her face and body, she began to remove the blood from her skin. Save for the marks across her body that Hellhound had sealed.

Spoiler

 

Akemi's skin was almost glowing as she cleaned it in the warm water. Starting to feel human again."You're right the water is nice!"

[Warning]

Hellhound tilted her head slightly as she watched the girl undress though the hound didn't show any real judgement, if she was even aware of what she should judge or compare to. She could playfully tease her but unlike the human she had defeated before, Akemi was not one she felt like playing with. Not that she was not tempting to do so but perhaps she had a little more respect for her. It wasn't just a defeated victim. Their battle had been brutal and it almost cost their lives but worse, they were assaulted by a demon and it forced them to fight as a team, which they had done well. Akemi had earned being admired but she wouldn't become Hellhound's plaything. Still, it didn't stop the beast girl from approaching.

The girl was beautiful, for a human. The concept of beauty perhaps eluded Hellhound a little but it remained that some humans were pretty. Her black hair were longer than hers and her figure had something that looked attractive to her. Not to mention the one important part of her body or at least the one in sight before her. The same part Hellhound had been showing up for a while now. The difference was that Akemi's skin was so bright while the beast girl's skin was very dark in comparison. A dark beast and an angel bathing together. She did not look for long, however, at least not at this part. She seemed curious about her, watching her skin, her hair, only what was visible out of the water, as she swam around.

Hellhound came around to her back, approaching closely but still not touching her yet. The vocalized agreement that the water felt good made the hound happy as she smiled. "I knew it. No humans come here and no one will bother us now. Now that we beat that demon, she won't go after other humans either...", she said with a grin, aware or not that in a way, it made the two of them heroes. At least for this one part... It didn't erase Hellhound's crime against the town but at least she helped not making it worse. It would be apparent that she looked satisfied about it but she suddenly swam away and around again, just enjoying the spring rather than focus on Akemi alone. The beast girl stretched, looking at the sky.

Just like this, Hellhound somewhat floated in the warm water that did its job of at least rinsing her body from any dirt and stain that she gained from everything that happened so far. Some stains were resistant and stuck to her body but she didn't pay attention to that right now. The beast girl looking self absorbed by the sky above, just relaxing for the time being after what she probably considered a good day. What wounds she had gained during her battles were healing easily but as the marks were still fresh, what could be defined as scars remained notable on her body. The wounds she had gained from the demon's multiple slashes had healed less but weren't bleeding anymore at least. Hard to say if she felt pain.

And yet, despite this, Hellhound oddly looked calm for the first time in a while, having shifted from her playfulness. She did not look tired but maybe her body simply needed a moment of break. Akemi was there with her but she did not look worried or concerned about her presence. At this point, she felt like they were past the possibility that one would betray the other even though she did did not know how the human girl felt about her. Her naive nature thought of it as nothing but bathing and just taking a moment to rest. Hellhound didn't really know how that day would end yet. Only that a separation would come, soon or later. Akemi would need to return to her kind and the hound? She was still thinking.

[Balthier]

Akemi kept to herself, mostly, rubbing her skin until she was a clean as she could get. She noticed Hellhound swimming around, but didn't stare, as was polite. Eventually she herself, feeling like a cool down was needed from the exertion earlier, swam around also. Calm and graceful she swam small circles in the hotpring, breathing deep. Relaxing.

"I was expecting a relaxing day. I was coming here to meet my friend... Instead I got into two battles. And to be honest, I wasn't sure I would make it past today."

Akemi relaxed further floating on her back. She needed this more than she had known, the hot water doing wonders to leach away the stress of the day.

"What a surprise it turned out to be."

Moved by the stillness she recited a haiku that she had suddenly recalled.

"The west wind whispered,

And touched the eyelids of Spring,

Her eyes, Primroses."

She soaked in the pool for a time, finally sitting near the side. Looking at her scars, she would have to seek magical healing if she wanted her skin back to perfect. She recalled one contact that might be able to help, but would have to pursue that later. Her right arm shoulder felt a little stiff for all the hard sword swinging earlier, she had put all her might into some of those attacks. She rolled her right shoulder to loosen it up.

"Where do we go from here?" She looked directly into Hellhounds eyes as she spoke, though her expression was flat, her warm brown eyes betrayed her gentle spirit however. She ran fingers through her hair, as she thought about what to do next.

 

Edited December 9, 2024 by Balthier