The birth of a goddess

[sai7x7vii]

Yuri listened to this and laughed a little bit. It was funny, Reiho really thought that she didn't already know that? Could she really underestimate his abilities that far. Turning around she looked at Reiho with a new girly smile.

"Please? Do you think I don't know that already? You see though. Like I said previously, back in our first meeting. Who's to decide between right and wrong? It's simple, same concept applies for the terms. If I follow these to the extent of the witches opinions, the curse would be lifted. And do you really think I'm in capable of lessening the witches opinions? It's just like as if a criminal like me were to cast this curse, I have no opinion on the virtues, thus no matter how sleazy the person was, the curse would go away right after wards."

Yuri was thinking of this explanation. It was just a theory, and one that also made quite a bit of sense. But even she doubted that it would work.

"Still. It might be a good idea to raise up my own standards on said virtues. After all, it's obvious her mind is a little tougher than that of a simple hero"

[raiho]

"If the witch was very serious about the curse, the required levels would be quite high. And the more important part is that you need to want to act nicely. Just acting like a good girl would do nothing unless your really want to do good deeds from the bottom of your heart. I know that you most likely find that corny, cheesy and uncool, but that's how I think the curse works."

She made a quick introspection about her own goals and motivations and it was reassuring to know everything she did was still because she wanted to make of Traverse Town a better place. Not for obligation or for profit but because she really wanted to do it. That was her "good selfishness" because she enjoyed to help people, that gave her satisfaction and also gave satisfaction to others.

"Don't act slightly less mean only because you're afraid of the curse, do it because you really want to change or don't do it at all. It does nothing good for you to lie to yourself."

Probably Yuri was thinking something like "I knew that" or "thanks for nothing", but Reiho simply had to share what she had in mind. Afterall if the obnoxious girl meets her end, Reiho could say that at least she tried to save her from herself. Once more it was her own selfishness but it was as she always liked to think, a good selfishness.

[sai7x7vii]

Yuri looked at her girl body. Thinking all of this over. She as thinner, slightly smoother skin, and she was... err... curvy. Little did she like this, being a guy was so much better. At least when she was a guy she wasn't attracted to herself. Than looking at Reiho she wondered how girls actually dealt with this stupid body. She didn't want to be in this for long. And she knew that if her theory was wrong, than it wouldn't matter how she acted, she had to truly change. And believe it or not it seemed Reiho actually wanted to help.

"Reiho... I know. But... why are you trying to help me? You wanted to punish me remember?"

Thinking about it. Reiho didn't seem like the kind to bother trying to help someone like this. She seemed like a black and white person when it came to things like law and morals. Than looking down on the ground. Yuri was hit by one of those emotions that came with the curse. Was it appreciation? Or was it guilt? But it was something not felt by Kousei. Or it could have just been self pity. Which Kousei would feel whenever his plan failed. Than looking at Reiho she thought for a second. Her face emotionless, but a tear managed to escape onto it. These stupid emotions of a girl were a bit harder to control.

[raiho]

"I'm not gonna lie. Everything is about selfishness. The thief who steals either for need, for greed or just for fun does it due his or her selfishness, and the police who wants to capture the thief either for revenge, for bringing justice or because it's his or her job does it too for his or her selfishness"

She paused a little. Admitting that even the most noble of goals was an act of selfishness was like admitting one of the traits considered "bad" was the very foundation of society, but it was the ultimate truth.

"I help people in troubles because it makes me feel better. Reducing it to it's most primordial level reveals it's origin in my selfishness, but that doesn't change the fact I do it for the sake of others. When i see the smile of the people I helped I know that my self-sacrifice imbued in selfishness helped others to find their own selfish happiness"

True, she wasn't the brightest girl in the world, but when it was about morals, values and seeking the happiness of others, and so find her own happiness, she was unmatched at least in Traverse Town.

"As for what I gain from helping you other than self satisfaction? I truly want to see you redeemed. Everybody deserves a second chance, and as long you don't become a complete monster like the man who choose to become a heartless in the third district there's still salvation"

She took a small moment to remember that deranged man in the third district, that one who got consumed by his lust and become a heartless on his own accord. And she also took a second to remember how she attacked Yuri/Kousei twice due the influence of something that wasn't herself.

"Look at me. Despite you were a criminal I still felt terrible guilt for trying to kill you. Even if you were bad according to my vision of what is good and what is bad, I still considered you deserved to live and redeem yourself. You may consider that I'm still redeeming for that trying to help you, but it doesn't matter why i'm doing this, all that matters is that if you want to be redeemed I will help you."

[shinjihirako]

Lyon watched the little scene unfold before him atop one of the rooftops. So that was the extent of the witches power, he had quite the stroke of luck to be her ally. Though he knew that if she wished it she could break the contract and kill him but as long as didn't go against her he'd be fine. Lyon chuckled rather loudly not caring if they heard him. Such a self-righteous human, she needed to realize that you could not be righteous if you didn't understand the true ways of the world. She had seen at least the truth of humanity, they were selfish beings that cared onlly for themselves no matter how they fooled themselves. It is those they help in the process that determines who they are as a human. It was the speak of redemption that he disliked, one could not erase their sins, they never could no matter how much they wanted to.

With that though he jumped to the ground from his perch and landed a few feet from both of them. "Redemption, you truly think one can erase their own sins kid because if that's what you think then you are dead wrong. Their sins shall stay in their heart forever tainting it with darkness. Who are you to say differently?!"

(I'm currently considering this thread after Naoya's death so Lyon will lash out angrily. And that thread will be created soon and you're both welcome to join but you can't use the two characters you're using now. Plot reasons.)

[sai7x7vii]

Yuri was thinking things through as she said this. It was so deep. It was what Kousei had always preached though. She remembered constantly thinking about no matter how selfless someone's actions are, they are always truly selfish. She remembered how in the eyes of many people would be considered or good, but honestly those who chose to be good are liars. Those who chose to be good want the honor and glory of it. What should truly make someone a hero is their intentions. If someone's intentions is just and good, than they may be considered a hero, but so far the heroes she saw did what they did for the same reason she did what she does.

As these thoughts progressed Yuri realized that no matter what exactly she did her intentions would remain selfish. So her intentions weren't to change to be better, her intentions were to change so she could be Kousei again. She liked being Kousei. Than Reiho finished her speech and Yuri thought about whether or not she wanted help. It may be nice, she already had trouble pulling out her sword to defend herself. It was heavy and now that Kousei was a girl, it'd seem heavier. And even though the mind tricks would work so much better, no way she was going to risk it. So she simply had to work on the virtues and have Reiho do the fighting. It may be using someone for a selfish gain, but that's what all partnerships are about.

"I wouldn't mind getting some help. It may me keep secret from the others anyway"

Yuri said with a smile and a cheery perky tone. Strangely this acting wasn't as hard. It was the girl emotions getting in the way, but it still maybe made being Yuri a lot easier. As they were having a pleasant conversation someone intruded. Great. Oh well. Yuri could be Kousei again though because this person seemed to be an enemy.

"I believe that redeeming yourself is impossible as well. But to be honest. Are you any better? Who are you to disagree with our disagreement? Who are you to decide how the world turns 'round?"

Yuri missed being able to use her mind tricks. But this guy was no where near Kousei's level of intellect. Thank goodness the witch didn't take away his state of mind.

[raiho]

"I never said anything about erasing sins, that's silly. The sins doesn't simply disappear. Just like good and evil, redemption can have different means for different people, and for me, redemption isn't about erasing sins, it's about atoning for them to forgive yourself and be forgiven by those you wronged. The sin will always remain, but at least you did something to compensate for any error you committed and that alone is enough to feel redeemed"

After saying that, her enhanced senses kicked in and she felt a great, powerful malice being emanated from the body of the newcomer. It was a malice even more disgusting than Yuri's ... it's stench called for death, and death shall answer as well. Reiho once more fell in trance.

"Wrath ... wrath .. wrath ... . An enjoyable feeling"

The voice talked a little and quickly seized control of the situation, forcing Reiho to act against her will.

"Wrathful being of shadows ... so weak and frustrated you are that neither you nor your other self understand the true meaning of wrath and darkness. I see a dim light within you, how fun must be to mix wrathful shadows and godless angels, pathetic!"

Once more, Reiho lost her own will, and this time whatever was causing that was at complete control for the brief moment she was in trance, even speaking coherent words unlike the animal-like behavior she showed in previous trances. And so, the trance ended with no problems, a quite quick and painless process compared with the painful ones product of the encounters with Kousei/Yuri.

" ... He's ... almost completely devoured by his own ... wrath, just like how Miss Yuri once was almost condemned by her insatiable greed prior to being punished by a curse. A frightful wish of damnation and ruin for all hidden under a mask of control and humanity"

First Kousei's greed and now this unknown man's wrath. Two of the seven deadly sins strongly attached to two human beings made presence in front of Reiho, and she didn't know why, but the force that possessed her under trance always appeared when powerful evil emotions tainted the area with their malice, and this man's malice was matchless even compared with the girl formerly known as Kousei's greed even at the peak of his/her greed.

"Are you wrathful because you cannot find redemption for something you did?"

Maybe, just maybe, Reiho could stop those states of trance if she could tame the greed within Yuri and the wrath within this new man. This time she was aware of what she did under the trance and deduced the redemption of those sinful people could be the key to end this insanity born the moment a heartless tainted her heart with darkness.

[Deleted]

(Permission from Lexaeus to use Kuja was given so don't freak Naoya)

"How nostalgic!" Kuja announced at the cafe he was sitting at as he drank from his class of Merlin Mocha he.."ordered". It reminded him so much of his own planet of Gaia. The mages of the area could make a mean cup of coffee and it seems that these humans could do the same, how stupendous. An old couple sitting behind him gave a grunt as they sipped from their own tea but Kuja paid them no heed, he was strolling down memory lane at the moment. But bad memories have a habit of resurfacing, like the memory of his estranged brother Zidane Tribal. The Heartless' eyes flared and he crushed his glass in his hands as he went through the battle he had with that monkey boy brat. Kuja nearly won and had to use a fail-safe to end the fight. If not, a creepy smile etched its way across Kujas face while he thought of himself taking down Garland and ruling with an iron fist.

But with a heavy sigh he pulled himself up and began to walk back to his home, or of a ratty apartment to him. Only three stories and lavish furniture, but what's an egotistical manic to do? He crossed his arms and his stroll continued and he thought of the XII.
"It has only been some months since my transformation to glory as a Heartless, but I feel like the fruition of their volition is not apparent to I. Perhaps I must make more of an image of myself, yes! That is it, my true light must shine through the iron curtain of the Heartless. Yes I--" Kuja was stopped by the body of a person who had unwittingly gotten in his way and he bumped into.

He swiped his hair out of his face as he began to scold to human (Yuri) for getting in his way, "Excuse you! Watch where you're standing next time human, least you get a more sever punishment for getting in my way. Now, I wait for an apology."

[shinjihirako]

"I had never once said that I was any better or I was the one to dictate how 'the world turns' as you put it. Though I'm one to disagree because I cannot stand someone saying something such as that." Lyon spoke with disgust at the girl's arrogance.

"But you are saying that you're covering it up which is just as sinful. To do something good to try to cover up something bad is as wrong as performing the sin itself." Lyon's spite remained his voice, already starting to hate the girl. No matter what he would never erase what he had done or try to cover it up. He was not proud of it but it would be wrong to treat it as if it never happened.

As the girl went into a long-winded speech about himself he started chuckling, she knew nothing of him. He did not follow the sin of wrath anymore than any other. Though he had anger aimed at himself and the being inside of him he only held some for others. "To not even understand the true meaning of darkness? Apparently you know nothing of it either. Though I use it's power that rebel angel, Remiel hold's back the being that gave me it. And he will be erased soon, if you sense wrath in myself it is purely from him. Remiel hold's nothing but love for humanity which God seeks to erase." Lyon's voice still held spite but during his last few syllables he sounded sad.

"Redemption for something I did? No, I will not cover up my sin like everyone else, though I do lament over my actions I do not wish them to be forgotten. It would be horrible for him to be remembered that way... Lyon was in reminisence of his brother. He was the one that had given him the soul of Remiel so he could have something to remember him by. Nyalatotep had been the one to kill him but it was his own weakness that caused him to take over. He despised the demon more than he ever had now. It was when he saw a familiar face that he regained his stoic composure.

"Kuja... it has been quite some time, though I do not expect you to remember me. I take it things have been well." Lyon though seeming to speak as if he were a friend his intent was different. Kuja was powerful, as powerful as Jadis even, it would be bad to have turmoil between them. Though he could tell he was as narcisstic as he didn't condemn him for it, if one had beauty and the strength to back it up why not flaunt it?

(Lyon and Kuja had a brief meeting in a thread that Lexaeus was in.)

[sai7x7vii]

Yuri had seen enough. This was ironic. If she were still Kousei no doubt they would be on the same side. Kousei would fit in perfectly with these guys. But apparently they didn't understand exactly what was going on.

"You don't seem to understand. I don't believe in redeeming ones self or covering up. But the person who bestowed this stupid curse does. And apparently until I do so I will be stuck in this form forever. And believe it or not, I don't like being so god damn feminine!"

Yuri was about to walk away when someone bumped into her. Stumbling a little bit she looked up at him. When he tried intimidating her she couldn't help but laugh. It would take a lot more than someone like this to intimidate her.

"You're right. I should apologize. I'm sorry you're to ignorant to realize you should walk with your eyes open. Now if you'll excuse me I have more important things to do than spend my time with the likes of you"

Yuri knew she couldn't fight these guys. If she was still Kousei she could probably take them both on. But she wasn't and she was a frail girl now. She had to get used to things before she could ever fight. Walking away she completely ignored the two. Even someone of darkness would find it in an awkward position to just up and randomly attack someone. And words couldn't get to her. She was the master of deep thought. As she walked away she looked towards Reiho.

"I don't know about you. But I wouldn't want to spend time with these imbeciles."

This was her way of inviting Reiho to come along. She needed Reiho for help. If she could gain her trust she could use that to gain trust of others and than she could use superior acting to show the witch. Obviously showing the virtues would be no problem on the outside. The trick was making it believable by having people who trust you along your side. Walking away Yuri wasn't even going to pay any attention to these guys.

[raiho]

Having to deal with a terrible and powerful source of pure malice was bad, but another equally terrible presence joined as well.

"Miss Yuri, I wouldn't call them imbeciles, but I agree. They are not people we want to keep near us"

Nothing but pure and distilled malice concentrated in those two guys. Not even the darkside she fought against before had so much evil within it's darkness-made body. The mere action of touching their bare skin would probably be enough to send chills to the body of anyone who rejected the evils of the world.

"Mister Wrathful being, at least you are still a living being with potential for goodness. You can still be forgiven if you keep being one, unlike Mister Kuja here"

She could sense it. That kuja fella wasn't like any being she met before, he felt like the heartless but not like the heartless at the same time. If something was sure, it was that the "thing" called Kuja was no longer a living being. His existence was like the one of a virus, living without being alive, existing only to spread fear, guided by his instincts free of restrictions.

"Darkness isn't innately evil for it can be used for good, and that's why you don't understand darkness."

Said that, she followed Yuri and continued talking with her as they took distance from the duo of overpowered beings wielders of immense malice.

"They are too powerful. I think they wouldn't listen to us at all if were tried to reason with them and the one called Kuja, I feel the essence of a heartless within him, a very powerful energy that shouldn't be taken lightly. It was a good thing Miss Yuri decided to simple leave. I can't even imagine what they could be able to do if provoked"

[Deleted]

(I’m aware of all threads Lexaeus has been apart of)

Kuja was rather astonished that a woman would mouth off to him and such a discourteous manner, but the Genome should be use to it by now. But the servant of Jadis had to intervene before he lost it. He was saying something about the darkness and how no one understood it and why they should. Some sort useless gibberish people have been going on about these days.

”How mundane of you. You clearly run into me and blame myself. You young ones clearly have no idea who I am, if you did you would be on your knees groveling. However, I will excuse this one instance. For I am a loving Genome and ready to let go of the mistakes en route of ones so frail and meaningless, there is one thing that interests me…”

Kuja let his voice trail off as darkness clung to him and he vanished in a dark portal and appeared several feet in front of Yuri. His arms were crossed and eyes closed. He tapped his foot a few times and his eyes flew open and he announced rather loudly, ”Do you think you can fix your mess alone. Don’t be astounded, that enchantment in you couldn’t even be masked by the one who used it on you. What did you do to infuriate that witch I wonder? But I can clearly see through that pseudo disguise. I am rather disgusted that no one else can.” Kuja walked to Yuri and placed his hand on her…his shoulder and said whispered in his/her ear.

”You’re a man and you know it. Beneath those stereotypical looks lies the beating heart of an adolescent boy correct?” Kuja lifted his hand and walked past Yuri and chuckled slightly and stood in front of Lyon. It had been sometime since he saw this trouble child, he was his only link to Jadis indirectly. There was another, Xavier, but he was too protective of his Mistress to talk about her about. So this child would have to suffice.

”So what has Lady Jadis been up to these months? Has she finally used that Heart from the Guard Armour yet to act on her own volition?

[shinjihirako]

Heart from a Guard Armor? That was news to him on quite a scale, though the fact that Jadis had not told him wasn't all that surprising. "I don't have much of an idea of what you're talking about Kuja. Jadis rarely tells me anything that doesn't concern me. She doesn't trust me and I don't trust her all too much either, though I do respect her for the strength she possesses. If I see her again I'll tell her you asked." Lyon spoke rather kindly trying to be curtious. He did not want Kuja against him, in any way shape or form.

"As for you, I suggest learning more about residents in ones souls before trying to determine what type of person I am." He had a strong disliking for the girl because of her self-important attitude. She didn't understand that he used the darkness for himself be it good or bad for others. She was the one that was playing the fool as of now.

(Short but I plan on leaving soon)

[sai7x7vii]

Not even bothering to listen to the words of the man Yuri just stared at him blankly. What did she care if he knew? He didn't know the way Kousei was before, and he didn't know the way Yuri was now. As the man walked past her she nodded of understanding and started walking off. Than looking towards Reiho she smiled politely and crouched down so she would be the same height as Reiho. And with a whisper gave a pleasant feeling.

"Was I really like these guys?!?!"

Maybe this new perspective could help. People who were just like Kousei was would be that way towards Yuri. She could get a feel of what she was really like. And it already didn't feel good. But at least these guys weren't as good as Kousei. If Kousei were in their position the two girls would be on their knees crying without a single attack being made.

"Well. Not anymore. These guys are bastards. If you still want to come with me you can. But now I have my own motivation"

This was half true and half not. For this wasn't enough motivation, someone being with her at the time she needed most. But she could deal with it either way. Than with a smile she turned off and started walking off.

(Unless stopped Yuri has left)