I plopped onto the little cot in my new room. Sighing, I rolled over onto my back and stared at the room, taking in the layout. It was rather spacious, well, at least in comparison to what I had been used to back in the tavern. At the tavern, I had roomed with three other women in a room half this size. I had never had my own room before.
This room had my bed and a dresser, which if I was a normal girl, would be filled with clothes. I had no other clothes, so the drawers were empty. There was a closet, too, but it was also bare. A desk and chair sat against one wall, papers and a quill sitting on top.
I got up and walked over to it. I fingered the feather quill and wondered what it was like to read and write. I had never received an education, as it was unnecessary at the tavern. Juki had forbidden us from reading as it was a waste of time to him. If Hana or whomever could teach me to read and write, I would be immensely happy.
I was still against this whole farce, not knowing what it was exactly I was supposed to be doing to release that jerk of his curse. I sighed as I plopped back onto the cot, all of today's lessons running through my head. I had learned a little of the ancient language, but I wasn't retaining as much as Hana needed me to.
Hearing footsteps, I glanced up as Hyaku walked into the room. I frowned, surprised by his sudden appearance. We didn't exactly see eye to eye, why would he seek me out? "What are you doing here?" I asked. What if I had been changing? The creep.
"I Came to apologize" he replied, surprising me even more. "I Can see hana is right, and I apologize." he said, looking away from me.
I eyed him suspiciously. "You're apologizing to me? For what? Kidnapping me? Thrusting me into this strange place? Forcing me to become a Priestess or whatever? Making me interact with the very beings I have come to hate? Or being a jerk to me?"
He turned his eyes back to me quickly, anger flaring in his eyes. "I was going to apologize for my behavior. You don't have to turn every little thing I say into a fight."
I stopped short, taking in what he said. He was right, I had just turned it into a fight after he had come in to say he was sorry. I had never had some apologize to me before.
"Well, while we are apologizing, I apologize as well. The people I came in contact with weren't the nicest people, I'm not very good socially. I was only ever used." I gave him a pointed look, "But, don't you dare feel sorry for me."
He shook his head, "As if i would. I pity you only for being a human."
I narrowed my eyes. "What's wrong with humans?" I shot at him. "Demons are the worst."
"Are you kidding?" he cried.
"You are never going to dislike your own kind," I told him. "Demons use their power and special abilities to overpower humans, to trick them, to kill them. They are no different than the devil."
He looked angry at this statement. But, he didn't say anything back to me. I didn't care; I couldn't have cared less what he did. "I still apologize for my behavior, but don't expect me to treat you kindly if you are going to be dissing me and my kind."
"The same goes for you," I told him, crossing my arms. "Why don't we just agree to disagree."
"Fair enough," he said as he stormed to the door.
I looked up at him through my hair, regret in my eyes. "I'm sorry," I whispered. He hesitated at the door, but I couldn't tell if he had actually heard me.
I didn't like being like this. I was actually a very shy girl by nature, but I had to protect myself somehow. If I talked big, chances were that the reality wouldn't sink in nearly as quickly. I was scared of this place, being surrounded by demons. I had no friends, no one I could trust. I was all alone, as I had been for all of my life.
~.~
A knock on the door startled me. Opening the door, I found Koori on the other side, a stupid grin on his face. He was holding a box in his hands. "Mind if I come in?" he asked politely.
I shrugged and stepped aside. Closing the door behind him, I went and sat back down on the bed, next to the box he had set down. "What's this?" I asked, opening the lid.
"Well, I know you weren't able to bring anything with you here, so this is some sets of clothes. I guessed on your size, so I hope they fit," he answered.
Peering into the box, I pulled out an outfit that resembled Hana's priestess outfit. I saw there were a few others in different colors. Digging to the bottom, I found that there were some dresses and skirts and tops as well. I looked up at Koori curiously.
"I brought you some priestess clothing and some other stuff you can wear whenever you want. I know your room is bare, so I hope this can fill it up somewhat so it doesn't feel so empty," he replied with a shrug, the smile still plastered to his face. "Anything you had in your old room can be replicated to here, so just tell me what you need. You can decorate this room any way you want."
I turned away, engulfing myself in the box. "I didn't have anything of my own. I owned nothing; I left nothing behind," I told him sadly as I took the box over to the closet where I hung up the dresses and priestess outfits. I put the other clothes in the dresser, folding them neatly.
Koori didn't seem to know what to say to that. "Well, I'll leave you to it then. See you tomorrow morning." When he got to the door and opened it, he turned back to face me. "Oh, and if you could give Hyaku a chance, you'll see he isn't so bad."
"So everyone keeps telling me. I don't see what's so special about him," I shook my head. "I was thrust into a world filled with demons. Demons killed my parents; demons are the reason I led the awful life I led," I spat out.
"Humans killed his parents when he was young. He's had a hard life too. How would you like to be cursed for all your life?" Koori said before slipping back out the door.
I sighed, falling onto the bed. Burying me head in a pillow, I cried myself to sleep.
