Setting off

"It's quite fitting, don't you think?" An indifferent but melodious voice filled the unending white space.

[Named after the culprit who tempted him to taste the forbidden fruit.]

[The beauty behind the original sin.]

"Come to think of it, you are suitable for the role of that talking snake." She added.

[ Halfsie's existence is akin to that creature, huh]. She tapped her chin with her fingers as she chewed over that idea. Both the snake and her Halfsie's sole purpose are to influence them into doing bad things. She finds such similarity impressive. In this case, she can be considered as Eve that have teamed up with the so-called snake.

[How interesting.]

That plot twist made her feel as though they are in a new kind of fairytale. She'll be the princess with her loyal sidekick, Halfsie, venturing through winds and storms just to fulfill their goal. It's just that, she won't go searching in the name of love, honor, or some sort. She won't even rescue them from the clutches of the villain but rather force them to join the dark side. That, and not to mention that she is the villain. Overall, she thinks it's a novel kind of distorted fantasy.

Eve's attention returned to the handbook on her lap. She traced the snow-colored letters one by one and felt the stroke beneath her fingertips. She has already started writing her guidelines and inwardly felt satisfied. Even so, she aimed at listing more afterward. She has decided to learn from the mission worlds they will visit later on. For instance, observe the necessary information she thinks are of value or take note of the things she will have to avoid. She has to grasp everything she can before she runs out of the will to do so. Anyhow, it's considered progress no matter what she achieves. What matters is that she can leave enough rules for her later use.

Contemplating the fact that she aims to be the best villain she can, at the same time, preserve some of her morals is truly conflicting. Nevertheless, she wanted both worlds. She is greedy like that. Not to mention, she likes such a challenge. She is looking forward to who will prevail; she, instilled with deteriorating integrity or the future her, a probable degenerate to the core.

[Such madness, I can't wait.] She let a low chuckle.

After setting a plan in her mind, she then placed the manual on the floor. Soon after, she paused as if recalling something, then spoke;

" I know it's your manual. Still, only having one content seems to put such gizmo to waste."

" I will take it from now on. I hope you don't mind."

Noticing that the furball has been silent for a long time, she raised her head and glanced towards it. It stood meekly, not too far from her with its empty eyes fixing forward.

"You've been ignoring me. It seems you're dissatisfied with your punishment?" The gentle tone asked.

Finally, Halfsie was summoned back to reality.

It shifted towards Eve who is sitting cross-legged with one arm across her chest and another supporting her chin. Even the strong indifference emanating from her can not shroud her ethereal beauty nor her inner cruelty.

" No host, I'm just too touched by your feelings for me." The crimson eyes watched her, enlarged, glittering with happiness.

[I knew it. The host treasures me so much.]

Halfsie believed it's gone for good a moment ago. After all, the sense of impending doom it felt blasted beyond the critical values. Despite that, the host decided to let it go. Such benevolence was appreciated by it. Sure it lost a handful of its silky black fur, still and all, it's continuing life eclipsed that fear into bliss and commendation. Even the ripping action that uprooted almost half its mane, appeared like a tenderness-filled stroke instead. Halfsie surmised that it's the special way of its host of showing affection for it. Then reminiscing the different times its dear host tormented him, he was pleased. The host has favored him from the very start but was just too ignorant to know, is what it figured out. Therefore, it started looking forward to the next time its host showers it with such fondness.

The dense creature did not even realize it is already diving headfirst into the world of M.

Eve creased her brows when she heard the unexpected reply from her goofball.

[Did I pull too hard and ripped off its brain?] She titled her head and examined the black cotton who is flashing its adoration-filled eyes at her.

She looked away from the offending sight. It wasn't aesthetically acceptable to begin with, more so now that it's missing a patch on its head. That bulging and glowing scarlet eyes coupled with its "balded" soot-like body looked as if it came straight from a horror story. If it's not for the space is well lit, she may have thought it is a tiny beast possessed by a demon or something.

" You thought too much."

[Duh, killing you meant more trouble for me.]

She denied the possibility of feeling a sense of loss if ever she eliminates her non-stop entertaining machine.

Halfsie deluded itself that the host looking away was because she felt embarrassed to admit her endearment for it.

" No need to explain, host. I understand. I will keep it a secret hidden in my heart." Halfsie, with a child-like voice, vowed solemnly. In contrast, its head pecked up and down while its squinted eyes bent so hard it resembled a sickle.

[ She is the she-devil, of course, she must maintain her image of being a heartless and malevolent scumbag]

Eve studied the deformed creature spouting nonsense with a stupid look on its face. She started to consider the probability of traveling through worlds alone. Then thinking back on how she claimed Halfsie as her own being, she decided,

[Forget it. It must have gone crazy from losing half of its hair.]

After all, it's a creature already ugly as hell but was forced to be hideous beyond compare. She thinks that such a stimulus might truly push any life form to go batshit crazy. Anyway, she's just forming such conjectures. She won't ever know since she can't be fugly.

" Host, that reminds me. Next time, can you let me frolic on your face rather than touching me with your mouth?"

That's right. When the beauty-obsessed creature nearly ascended heaven, it wasn't because of the kiss but rather from the proximity it had with that angelic face. Halfsie felt a little lost when what it had contact with was its host lips rather than her eyelids. In reality, it thirsted to touch Eve's eyes but it also comprehends that the closest it could ever get is stroking her eyelids.

Eve nearly lost her remaining goodwill and wanted to tuck the little fool to eternal sleep. She calmed herself down from further wrinkling her brows. She fathoms that if she kept furrowing her brows continuously, it will remain creased for good. Such a possibility worried her. She won't allow such blasphemy to this newly acquired godly face.

" I have a better idea. Instead of my lips, I'll use my fist or the sole of my foot next time. I'll also make sure to do it so hard you won't be able to feel your body for a long time."

" What do you think?" She flashed a gentle smile matching her soothing voice.

[This donkey dared to disdain my 'kiss', huh. ]

She regrets being too excited when she learned the possibility of overthrowing her heavenly being of a sister. Blinded by the anticipation to kill, she then neglected Halfsie's grotesque image and committed such a mistake. However, this daredevil had the audacity to belittle her gesture. She concluded that it had truly gone insane. To think it courted death yet again but now with enthusiasm.

When it heard Eve's words, Halfsie felt excited. Knowing it is the host's peculiar way of showing 'love', it agreed immediately.

" Host! Host! I agree! Can you do it now?"

Sure it's not her face but it's still an organ not far from it, was what it stupidly thought. It was determined to please the host to the very best of its ability until it finally reaches the goal.

Eve: …

She suddenly has the urge to work already. Eve has a hunch that if she stayed with this abnormal donkey any longer, she'll join the batshit crazy club.

Resolved not to go full bananas, Eve spoke.

" Let us set off."