abraxaslogs | ( catch-all ) sailin' away on the crest of a wave

[ She lets out a sudden and merry laugh at his accusation. ]

Oh, dear! You're really just giving it to me. [ Though she's less offended and more bemused at the idea of anyone just bossing her around.]

That was just harmless flirting Doctor. All that's happened is that he happened to pass by and we chatted.

[ And the guard looked at her, took in that faint scent that slowly started to invade his senses, listened to her voice and... Well, he got away and it wasn't as if she was going to latch onto him after he gave her his apple.

She takes a small bite of the apple, savoring its honeyed sweetness before continuing. ]

I'm not one to brag, but I'm not half-bad to look at you know. Some humans reaallllly like the horns.

Edited 2022-02-18 19:54 (UTC)

Good for them. [Clearly, he’s not as impressed as she wants him to be. But that’s just Stephen Strange for you, stubbornness flaring when he thinks it’s deserved.

An oni, and one with her reputation, using her powers so flippantly in the vicinity of the unwitting? She may only have earned an apple for her efforts just now, but this is a disaster waiting to happen within the castle walls; the whimsy of a spirit, or a demon, is never to be underestimated, and she slots neatly into both categories.]

But I don’t care. You know what you’re doing, playing up manipulation as flirtation. Keep on this path, and you’re just asking for trouble.

[ Shrugging petulantly, Shuten turns her gaze away from him as she takes another bite of her apple. ]

I just wanna know what I'm working with here. After being summoned, my powers were a little too faint for my liking.

[ She'd just call it stretching her wings and such, that's all, honest! (It's testing the boundaries, seeing what she can get away with, with no Master or other Servants to keep her in check).

The oni gives a sideways glance towards Stephen; on the surface, she appears lazy and indolent and yet... ]

I'm not that foolish; I know when the cards are stacked against me and as far as I can tell, I'm behaving quite well for a demon.

... Though when it comes to trouble... [ Her lips move into a slight curve. ]

Are you promising me a good time? Doctor?

Edited 2022-02-18 21:31 (UTC)

[Good behavior or not, it is no less comforting. Though Stephen supposes if she must point her lazy interest somewhere, it may as well be in his direction — he has handled worse than an oni with a penchant for eating human flesh.]

That depends on your definition.

[Which is not necessarily an open-armed invitation, mind.]

I warned you, didn’t I? The first day you arrived here. Be careful about biting off more then you can chew.

Hee. I'd need a bigger mouth to take huge bites.

[It isn't just her usual scent that is amplified and utilized to throw off aggressors. This version of Shuten-Douji is a small woman, someone who looked as if she could barely lift a twig. She may not be a giant and imposing monster, but there is a reason why she was one of the calamities of Japan. Shuten stands up from her seat, putting the apple down.]

You sound like you're constantly vigilant... I don't blame you.

[Shuten looks at him. Her violet eyes shimmer, accentuated by her painted eyelids. Her gaze is locked onto his as she takes two steps towards Stephen.]

If you're gonna keep an eye on me, well... Feel free to keep looking.

[After all, isn't Shuten-Douji lovely? There is something to her visage as a young woman. Pale smooth skin, slim shoulders, the sway of her hips, shining sleek hair, and again, that look in her eyes that signal some sort of enticing invitation. And even more so, her voice...]

I like to eat and drink, but I love it more when the ones I want feel as pleasant as I do.

[Low.]

Isn't it better when your mind and body want the same thing?

[Sensual.]

If you're worried about me devouring others, it would be much better if you kept looking at me right now.

[She is a pure poison that invades the senses.]

[He should like to think that he is strong of mind — if through stubbornness alone. But even Stephen will admit that his eyes remain fixed on her form, as though encouraged to stay there by the lull of her voice, the subtle sway of her movements. It is not so much seduction as it feels like he’s… off, off-balance, off-kilter, and a hand comes up briefly to his head, eyes closing.]

You’d like that, wouldn’t…

[Words trail off. Wouldn’t you? But they stick on his tongue, which suddenly feels more sluggish, or like words are as heavy as stones.

He is aware, at least, enough of what’s happening here. That this is an outside influence, hers, an attempt to achieve the same with him as she did with that guard moments ago.]

Stop.

Ufufu. Don't tell me I took all the fight out of you now.

[As his words trail off, she's taken the opportunity to close the gap between them. Her voice and gaze are absolutely hypnotic at this range. Shuten can tell that Stephen hasn't completely fallen under her sway though. Weaker-minded men and beasts find themselves dumbfounded and unable to move when she fixes her focus on them.

So she pushes and pokes a little further, just a bit more, just to see if she can get this handsome face to tremble beneath her.]

You are entirely too serious, Doctor.

[Her voice is a whisper and dripping with honey. Her presence is like stepping into a pool only to realize you're swimming in a fog of sweetness and death.]

But I do like playing around with serious-minded and brave humans. They look the most lovely when they're distracted...

[One finger reaches out to stroke the base of his neck, tracing it until she caresses his chin.]

So just let your thoughts melt away already.

[It would be so easy to just give in to that warm feeling, that temptation of losing oneself into nothingness — no worry, no rigidity, only the dizzyingly anchoring presence of her gazing upon him. Her touch is electric despite her sudden nearness, and he drops his hand, looking at Shuten as though—

As though he is fighting it, jaw tense and the line of a frown deep across his expression. Strong-willed and impossibly stubborn.]

I said stop.

[A scarred hand reaches out, pressing against her sternum, and magic ebbs through his fingertips. Suddenly, a burst of magical force casts outward from his palm, enough to push her back, granting space with his other hand to flick a few gestures mid-air.

Her influence dispels. The cloying presence that had sought to subsume him lifts like a cloud, and Stephen inhales sharply as if allowed to breathe again, looking at her stark disapproval.]

I told you. You’ll have to try harder than that with me.

[Now she didn't see that coming.

Shuten is immediately caught off guard by the burst of magic that pushes her back. She manages to not completely get thrown about, skidding backward on her feet. When the oni looks up, her eyes are alert and her brow is wrinkled in confusion as well as caution.

A moment passes as she shakes it off...]

Oh.

[That's the first thing that comes out of her mouth. And then with a wide smile, she follows up with another longer one.]

Ooooooh! I see, I see! Of course! You wouldn't just be any foolish human trying to lecture an oni. So you do have more than just arrogance. How silly of me to think otherwise! I almost got knocked off my feet there. That's not the kind of magic I'm used to in terms of the feel of it, but it's got the spirit behind it.

[Shuten appears to be pleasantly surprised by the sorcerer's retaliation. There's a skip in her step as she moves forward, though at a respectable distance this time.]

I guess these silly magi in Thorne wouldn't summon just anyone. Doctor, you've done it now. There is definitely some entertainment to be had and you're proof that I've barely skimmed the surface.

[She sighs dreamily behind the sleeve of her robe.]

Ah... It's like taking a tiny sip, no, just a drop of what's to come.

Edited 2022-02-28 01:46 (UTC)

[Indignity still flares in his chest. Shuten’s sudden change of heart regarding his, what—? His worth? His power? Well, it does very little to abate it.

His sarcasm’s just as present, though, as cutting as before.]

Oh, lucky me.

[But his mind works; he thinks of what it means to have the attention of someone troublesome, someone who’s been testing their powers against those unknowing in the castle. At least he would have the advantage of suspecting that kind of behavior from her; at least he has some means of defense against it.]

How about we strike up an agreement? If you’re so interested.

An agreement?

[Her curiosity is piqued further now that this magus wants to bargain with her. Clapping her hands together, she leans forward, interested to hear more.]

I'm allll ears, Doctor. You've really made me optimistic so I have to thank you even just a little, somehow.

Hold onto your thanks until you hear it.

[Ah, the self-sacrificial nature of all those who'd bear the title of hero. Often, Stephen is not even immune.]

Next time you're wanting to test out the limit of your abilities, turn your attention away from a random guard in the castle. Come to me, instead. I've just proven I can handle you; that includes any wayward experimentations you suddenly get it into your head to play around with.

Oh?

[The oni blinks in mild surprise at the sorcerer — he just keeps 'em coming. There's certainly no fault with his offer, none that she can immediately poke at anyway.]

How bold of you to offer yourself to me. Though... Hm.

[She is definitely mulling it over as taps her cheek and rests the elbow in the other hand.]

I was assuming you'd just exterminate me on the spot. Instead, you're being pragmatic even after I nearly made you go mad, drinking me in like that.

[She's trying to eke out his intentions, or something to that effect. It would only be natural that anyone with actual sense would single her out as a wildcard and a threatening one at that with no Master to anchor her down.]

I’m not in the business of killing indiscriminately.

[He is a doctor, after all. And though his Hippocratic oath has been… bent to the point of resembling a pretzel at this point, Stephen will always choose reasoning over violence. A peaceful solution to an outright violent one.

It’s often a matter if the other party is willing to do the same.]

So what do you say? Willing to accept my offer?

So it's neither love nor hate... Mn.

[For a moment, she says nothing and angles herself so that she can examine Stephen. As a summon, Shuten would have never predicted it would take her to this place. There were so many humans and though it would be hard to hold a candle up to her Master's strength of character, the man before her was proving to be something else entirely.

And different isn't bad.]

Welllll... If you're gonna play with an oni, then my one concession...!

[And she holds up a finger, wagging it at him playfully.]

... Is that you share a drink with me. You're handsome enough to make any alcohol I have taste better and it seems we'll have a loooot to talk about. I won't even try to nibble on you if that makes you feel better.

( catch-all ) sailin' away on the crest of a wave

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