"Calls all made?" "Yes, dear." "Bags?" "Out in the car," the rolling black evil replied. "Cards and traveler's checks?" "You have them." A moment's pause, and then, "Got them. I think that's it." "No, it isn't." The eternal dark thing said with certainty. "Well, we have all the emergency numbers, the office has a way to contact me, and I'm sure you've warned all of your officers and clients away by now," Mrs. Mikagami said, ticking off each item on her fingers. "What are we forgetting?" Two bright crimson pits lit up on the demon's 'face.' "Don't worry, you'll find out." "Troi Mikagami, if you're going to try what I think you are..." "Don't worry, I shall take care of it." A... tendril, waved in the air dismissively. "Has the girl been informed?" "Yes. Absolutely no one in the basement, since its being renovated from your informant meeting." The blond crossed her arms and gave her husband and life/death eternal bond a disapproving glare. "I still think that you should have let me silence the darn thing. I mean, who knows what kind of problems it will cause?" "As long as he doesn't have food or sound, he should fade away when the spell dissipates; we did have the area soundproofed." Mrs. Mikagami rolled her eyes. "Ah yes. The neighbors complaining about the tortured screams." The two orbs lit up again, this time in what his wife could tell was mirth. "It's not my fault if you're so much of a screamer." She glared at him coldly, ignoring the slight blush on her cheeks, which caused him to chuckle darkly. "Well, it's true." "Anyway, it's time to go," She said, ignoring her husband. "The cab is waiting, and we're running behind as is." The two headed toward the taxi, Troi only stopping to obtain the items he had briefly shot past his wife's attention, and let the rather spooked taxi driver take them to the airport. The Mikagami patriarch took one last look as his house faded further down the street, briefly thinking that his little girl better take damn good care of the opportunity she'd been given. Banishing the rest of the thoughts from his mind, he enjoyed what would be the journey back to the subject of his senior year terrorist experiment: Disneyland in Orlando, Florida. Somewhere in a grave site in Alaska, a certain plucky cartoonist turned and shivered. **** ***** ***** ********************************************************* Dark Heart High Netherworld Educational Institution for The Universal Propagation of Evil Started by Mads ********************************************************* Part Twenty-four: Exploitations... By Kenji Murasaki ********************************************************* **** ***** ***** Somewhere else in the world at that exact same time, class was being attended, but not focused upon. Leilei, having no real work to do since Bala was "unlocked," was doodling pretty bishounens and fluffy clouds. Yasuko was trying to think exactly why she still hadn't said no to Yuri about the oncoming slumber party. Craig... wasn't there, and wasn't going to be for a couple of days. Such is The result of losing a fight with the oncoming mack truck known as Bala. Ki was doodling too, oddly enough. Concept drawing, actually. It was required for the literature class the students were currently sitting through. He would have been thinking about other people and devious plans, but he was content that things would take care of themselves. The teacher was reliving the elder days. The rumor among the staff was he was a living relic, a fossil from the days of ancient evils long forgotten. Yet his image was very much youthful, and his mind was active and as sharp as they came. A shame no one remembered his name, though, himself included. "Consider as you sketch, class, the great pains that malevolent general went to in order to make the Danes' lives pure and utter voids of misery and misfortune." He drawled on. "It might help you picture his toothy grin better." A hand raised. "Yes?" "Sir Hastur, how was this Grendel character important again?" "He's only responsible for one of the most important coups in history. It was very important to those of evil's decent, now that the elder gods were no longer directly protecting the population," the man continued, eyes suddenly distant. "You all have no real idea how annoying someone like Zeus can be for plans of conquest and terror." "I see," the student said, returning to his work as the man lectured on. Amy was trying to pay attention to the lessons. She truly was. Everything seemed going to her subtle design to help Yuri realize her feelings for her, so she could actually relax for once, and catch up to her studies. But... But... She's just so cute when she sleeps, the mischievous girl thought. Her gentle face was cushioned by the small frame of her elbows, crossed just right to provide the girl with efficient comfort. Amy allowed her eyes to trail further down the girl's frame, which was starting to become just a bit more firm and athletic. Before her thoughts wandered any further, the subject of her attentions snapped awake, a piece of chalk having done the job. The girl's head darted from side to side, searching for her assailant, and instead found an irate teacher. "I'm very glad that my lectures are so interesting to you, Yuri-kun." The panicked girl stood and bowed respectfully. "Gomen, sensei. I was just late helping my parent's pack, and I didn't get much--" "Well, I'm sure you can remedy that this coming weekend," he said with a wave of his hand. "But that still doesn't excuse the fact that you've been missing vital information. Now, what do you plan on doing about that?" A horrible feeling swept over the class. Yuri gulped. She wasn't going to get detention, was she? What would her parents think? "Well..." "I'm sure we can come up with something, when you see me after class." His tone left no room for argument. The girl only nodded, deflated even more, and sat down. **** ***** ***** Yuri Mikagami arrived in her house, not all that surprised at its vacancy. She had known that her parents had left earlier in the day, after all their belongings were packed and secured, and that they wouldn't be returning for a week. One whole week. The girl's mind wrapped around that concept, daring to believe it. What most teenagers dreamed of, a week in a house free of adult authority, had just been handed to her on a whim. A whim planned months ahead, but you took what chances you could. The girl shut her front door and timidly stepped into the empty domain, taking it all in for the first time. All her problems seemed to melt away, if only for a moment, at the mere possibilities. A party? Have boys over? She grinned as she played with that idea. It wasn't like she was really going to have the gumption to try, but the fact that she even had the possibility... Yuri kicked off her shoes, and plopped on the couch. Television, or homework? She could start for Hastur-sensei's oral presentation on Beowulf and the fall of the great Grendel, but that would almost be like doing what any good, responsible student would do. "And I don't want to be the good student right now," the girl said aloud, flipping on the TV in time for the afternoon's run of Heart Heart High. **** ***** ***** It was Friday, and those students still brave (and/or stupid) enough to remain on campus were glad for that blessing. They milled to class, anticipating the weekend that was upon them. One particular group, not quite on the actual campus, were contemplating the weekend. "So you have the house to yourself for a week, huh?" Leilei asked. The sandy-haired blond nodded. "Yup! And it's only day one. They should be back next Friday." A thoughtful look came to her face. "I dunno, though. I've never really had the house to myself before. I've been on my own alright, but to take care of a house..." "Bah. Those things take care of themselves," Leilei said. "The real question is what you're going to do with a whole week to yourself." Amy, who had been listening intently and spinning all forms of ideas in her head, patted Yuri on the back. "Yeah. There's so much stuff to cover, people to invite over," She went starry-eyed. "And you could always make time for that special someone..." "Guys," Yuri admonished, she couldn't help but smile. "I'm not going to trash my parents house, my father would have another conniption or something." As one, they blinked at the scary vision that brought up. "Still," Leilei continued. "No reason not to take advantage of it. A slumber party is great and all, but you gotta think bigger, Yuri-kun!" Yuri looked uncertain. "I don't know..." "I'm sure people will come if you throw one later on this week. Kinda like a pep rally before some of next week's events," the girl said, nodding vigorously. "Don't you think so, Bala-kun?" The girls turned to look at the unwrapped evil intent, who shrugged. "Whatever." Yuri blinked. "Bala, you tournament is next week, isn't it?" The boy eventually nodded, and returned to studying the atmospheric conditions, while Yuri thought hard. "Well, Yuri-kun?" Leilei prodded. Amy glared daggers at the smaller girl, not that anyone was paying attention to her." "I'll think about it, okay? Let me get some things situated first." "Cool!" The small girl bounced ahead of the others. "I have to make a stop by the cafeteria for a moment. I'll see you guys later, kay?" Party? Yuri thought while walking. She couldn't do it, really. It was one of the laws that her mother had lain down. "And no parties!" she had said with a smile. Yuri bounced logic through her head. She wouldn't go against her mother, but wasn't that what she was already doing with the slumber party? And then there was that tournament of Bala's. He had been even more distant than usual over the last couple of days, and Yuri's curiosity was getting the better of her. For some reason, a party didn't seem much of a bad idea, at least as long as he was there. Still... Perhaps it would be a good thing to take it one step at a time. See how the slumber party goes down, and then maybe, MAYBE, prep for a small celebration. "Yuri-kun?" The girl snapped out of her reverie. "Hai, Amy-chan?" "Time to go to class," the girl gave a curious look at her sempai. "You don't want to be late, do you?" **** ***** ***** The day came and passed quite all too quickly for Yasuko's taste. Even cheerleader practice had gone by with unexpected swiftness. There were no excuses left, not that she needed any. No, she could just slip into a pub, like any usual Friday, and trick some silly stud into giver her his 'all.' Why, she could even torment Ki with his favorite little infatuation should she choose. So why in the nine hells did she bring her overnight bag to school today? Because she hadn't had a girl's night out in quite some time, she realized. Even counting whatever other friends Yuri could drudge up that weren't even a part of Yasuko's own circle, there was a slight kindle of anticipation in her mind of the evening's events. Of course, she wouldn't leave it to her gracious host to provide all the entertainment, she thought with a chuckle. She would bring some of her own, and maybe have some fun playing a joke or two on the unsuspecting guest. Her thoughts trailed off she she bumped into someone. Rather, her knee bumped into someone. "...Leilei, correct?" she said upon recognition. "Hai. Nice to see you again too, Yasuko-san." the smaller girl gathered herself and stood, shouldering her own bag. She eyed the busty succubi with a smile. "So Yuri decided to invite you after all?" The taller girl flustered for a moment, and then waved it away. "Yes. I suspect a trap, but it sounded too much of a good opportunity to pass up." "Sure," Leilei said in a nonchalant tone. "Anyway, I'm going to meet her right now, since this is her afternoon for her FAC meeting." Yasuko shrugged. "What she does with her time is no real worry of mine." "But you don't know where she lives, do you?" Irritation crossed Yasuko's eyebrow, much to the little girl's enjoyment. "That's okay, Yasuko-san. We can go meet her now, ne?" "...Whatever." **** ***** ***** Author's Notes: The preceding document was written under a fever-enhanced delusion, and therefore, is not as nearly potent as it was intended to be. Criminately, I didn't even get to dabble into Yasuko's and Amy's choice of nightwear. However, I've been reassured that given the rapid happenings within the last chapters, filler isn't necessarily all that bad. Ah well... Much thanks to Brian and NinjaDebugger for picking this apart and showing me that I really shouldn't write while sick. Also, cookies to Sharyna for wanting to volunteer to help. Not sure what I'd do without ya. Back to Bed with me. Next Victim/Author! *THUD* K. Murasaki (3/28/02) ***** ***** ***** Deep within the recesses of the foul, dank, generally not pleasant place known through family private jokes as "Troi's Playhouse," a dark creature stirred. The dark one was gone, as was his life mate. So he had doomed it to a fading existence, only to be called upon when the whim suited him? Oh, how the mighty had fallen... He could "see" several life forms converging on the dwelling, as well as the usual pacing of what It had been told were the neighbors in their own areas of housing. If only It could get out of here, and to a source of sustenance, then It could strike back at It's hated captors! It licked its meaty jaws in the gaping darkness, praying an opportunity would present itself.