Her chest burned with life, and there was a heated feeling in the pit of her stomach that was almost nauseating. “Ugh…” She groaned as she pushed Taka away. “Next time use an expendable whore for your sick fetish, ronin. Not me.” She muttered as she shifted away from the bed. She knew the Oni was the one to initiate it, but Taka had indulged just as much as the Oni had. Scarlet had to admit she was impressed with his progress, she didn’t think that he’d fall so far, so fast. “That goes for you too.” She muttered, aiming her words at the Oni.

Taka looked down and nodded softly, he seemed oddly quiet. Finally he ventured forth, “As you wish.”

She narrowed her eyes at his pensive reaction, surely he hadn’t broken so easily already? “I liked this dress…” She muttered as she lifted up her blood soaked arms. “Honestly, I have to admire your gusto ronin. You saw what you wanted and you took it. Even if it was to fuck my dead corpse.”

He grew noticeably paler at the words, a stark contrast to the black marks that adorned his body. Covering him in what looked as a stylized slash across his chest,the Ronin kept his face lowered, “Many thanks…” the words sounded wooden more habitual than heartfelt.

“What happened to all that energy you had?” Scarlet asked, turning toward him. She reached out and ran a finger down his cheek. “You certainly seemed more lively… when I wasn’t.” She chided, gauging his reaction to her quip.

She shrugged, turning her back on him. “What other things would you indulge in? Shall I bring them to you?” She asked as she headed over to the hearth and threw a few logs onto it.

“I...don't know. I never gave things such thought. I never needed to, life was simpler,” his words were distant. Scarlet knew he was at breaking point, or had already broken and his mind was now fluid.

After igniting the fire Scarlet turned back to Taka. “But isn’t life so much more satisfying now? Have you not enjoyed yourself here?” She beckoned him. “Come.” Taka rose from the bed going to her cautiously, some semblance of the warrior within showing. “Sit by the fire.” Scarlet commanded, watching his actions closely as she picked up a coal warmer and absently placed the black rocks from the night before into it.

Taka took a seat before he spoke, “I have learned things. Things I'm not certain I was ready to know.”

Scarlet placed it into the midst of the fire. “That’s how life is.” She said quietly. It was the first time she hadn’t shown any malicious intent in front of him since she started whittling down his will. “This is what I want to show you. This is what I want you to understand. Revel in your indulgences. Don’t fear them.”

“I see,” He said softly. He closed his eyes before he whispered, “And if they consume me? I wouldn't be a very good bodyguard. I think I would need someone to pull me from the edge…”

Scarlet turned the stones over once, heating them evenly. “You’ll learn to do that yourself. In the meantime….” She stood and approached him, her fingers trailed over his cheeks. “You trust me to do that for you. I will rip you apart, break you, and put you back together again. You won’t be Taka.” She paused. “I don’t think you’re Taka now.”

“The time in Dheathain seems so far ago…” he mused, before looking at her, “You may be right, Taka died when the archers aimed their bows.”

Scarlet picked up the coal heater with rocks inside and padded over to the wooden bath and ripped off the wooden lid. Beneath it lay a bath full of pristine water, it had been changed during the night. She poured the rocks into it, the water hissed as they clattered to the bottom.

“If Taka is dead. Then who are you?” She asked, turning to look back on him.

“I do not know, but Taka….Taka is not who I am. He clung to what he believes his only chance, and died as he lived. To the end. Foolish, he had so much potential,” came the response.

“Disappointing.” Scarlet chastised. “Come. Get in.” She instructed. Taka entered the bath without pause, Scarlet picked up cloth, then his arm, and started to gently wash it. “You are undeserving of a name right now. When you completely abandon everything that is Taka, and the bushido. I will rename you.”

There was a small pause, “As for you, Oni. I will also bring you a name.”