Ch7- Te Odio

Never let someone tell you hate is a bad thing.

Prince Tynan stood in front of a mirror.

He was wearing black slacks, and a deep purple shirt.

He sighed before turning about.

Standing was Purpura, in his assassin's gear.

He set the princess's pendant on the table.

"Ah, so it's done."

He was quiet a moment, walking over to the table.

"You didn't happen to bring a change of clothing, did you?"

Purpura shrugged, and shook his head no.

Tynan sighed, "It's fine.

Go shower, there's a change of cloths in the bathroom.

We're to go to practice...

My mother wants to ensure that our dancing is up to snuff.

And likely wants to belittle the other country's customs.

Since they're hosting we must be well versed in their customs."

Purpura didn't move, just shifted his weight to the other foot a bit.

Tynan sighed, "Look I'm not bringing Purpura, my assassin to the ball or rehersal.

I'm taking my foreign affairs adviser, this little purple haired neko, named Damiaan.

So, mother will not approve of you, all bloodied, during the practice."

Purpura grumbled a bit.

"Oh, shut up and go shower."

Purpura gave a bit of a growl, as he went off to shower.

Tynan picked up the pendant, he doubted killing all her assassins would twist her.

Even with their mother angry about the lab & her losing all her pets.

Even if Purpura eliminated her generals.

It wasn't enough.

He needed her weakness, he doubted she'd ever reveal such a thing.

Even by accident.

It would be a closely guarded secret.

Finally Purpura came out, his hair it's natural vibrant purple.

His cat-like ears parting his hair, and his long purple hair trailing behind him.

The clothes Tynan had left for him, were simple.

Being black pants, and a gray shirt.

Purpura went over, and set down his armor in a chest, before closing it.

Tynan watched Purpura before speaking, "Do you have anything to actually wear?
Or will I have to provide it again?"

Purpura shrugged, he didn't own anything that met the caliber of these events.

And he didn't intend to buy anything.

If Tynan was going to force him to go, he was gonna force Tynan to supply him with everything he needed.

Tynan shook his head, "Fine.

Come on, before we're late."

The two walked out, Purpura following just a step behind Tynan.

This was because of custom.

Purpura, especially in the guise of foreign adviser, was not considered Tynan's equal.

Thus he was not allowed to walk right next to him.

They arrived to the main hall.

Sitting on a small bench by the opposite stairs was Princess Crudelis, and her top adviser.

She wore a simple but elegant black gown.

It was natural that those unwed, not engaged, or widowed brought an adviser.

Simply being someone they trusted, and could offer conversation, if there was none.

Also they would not be the least bit offended at being abandoned if someone else caught the royal member's fancy.

Purpura went and sat on the bench on their side.

Tynan and Crudelis both stood, and approached each other.

They stared with a general glare at each other.

"Te odio." Tynan stated.

"Te odio" Crudelis replied.

They looked ready to claw at each other.

Another door opened, and in walked a woman.

She commanded respect, and walked with a perfectly poised elegance.

She had long black hair pulled up in a sophisticated bun.

Her dress resembled a pitch black ballgown.

Yet, it seemed to flow unnaturally.

It was formed of darkness, and shadows.

For she was the most powerful of the shadow demons.

Her craft perfectly honed.

As such, she flaunted her talents, especially in front of her children.

Lest they forget that she could destroy them with the slightest of effort.

They were still young, by shadow demon standards.

They were prone to act impulsively, and their mother had never been a loving parent.

She demanded their respect like she demanded all others.

Thru fear.

The two respectfully greeted their mother.

She ignored their greeting, and walked over to the band.

She spoke to the band, before returning the the main area.

The music began, it was slow, with gentle bells, and sounded perfect for relaxing.

"Dance." the woman commanded.

The two looked to each other, with a glare.

Before taking proper dancing positions, and gently dancing to the music.

Purpura had to keep from laughing.

Everyone in the room knew of their in depth hatred for each other.

Their mother forcing them to slow dance, was mostly a show of power.

Finally the band stopped, the two instantly let go and walked to their guest.

Purpura watched Tynan approached and stood.

Music began again, as the woman went over to Crudelis, and spoke a moment.

Before the two gently began to dance.

She then went over to Tynan and Purpura.

She gave Purpura a scowl.

He'd never known her not to.

She had a well documented hatred of nekos.

He was fairly sure, it enraged her that her son employed one as foreign adviser.

If she knew he, as the assassin was also a neko, she didn't show it.

"I doubt he needs to practice this style of dance."

she said speaking directly to her son, ignoring Purpura.

"Perhaps he can brief you on their general customs, while your sister practices."

she said with a general distaste in her tone.

Tynan said nothing, simply offered a respectful bow of his head.

She walked away, and corrected Crudelis's partner.

Purpura stood perfectly still, before glaring at Tynan a bit.

Tynan purposely avoided looking at him.

"Come now, I refuse to be upstaged by those mousers."

She stated, before correcting both Crudelis and her partner.

Purpura purposely jabbed Tynan.

Tynan flinched and conceded to look at Purpura.

Purpura had a strong angry glare.

Tynan sighed, as he closed his eyes.

"Yes. The ball is being held by a Neko Kingdom.

You have nothing to worry about though.

No one will bother you, they're celebrating a religious event remember?

Surely there will be tons of purple nekos, from all the kingdoms.

No one will notice another purple neko."

"Boy!" the woman shouted

Tynan stood straight, and lead Purpura over.

"Yes, mother?"

She turned and looked to them.

Purpura maintaining a generally emotionless expression.

She scoffed at Purpura, "I must speak to you, and your sister privately.

Leave your... pet here. While we speak."

She said, and began to walk away.

Crudelis followed, and Tynan gave a slow breath, before following.

After a moment it was just Purpura, and Crudelis's adviser.

They just stood, while the band continued to play it's music.

The adviser spoke, "I'm sure, you're elated to visit the homeland of your people.

It's not often the most useless species on the planet invites others to a showing of their most ridiculous of rituals."

Purpura looked to him, though of course said nothing.

"What you think I'm wrong?

The nekos are celebrating a day no one else considers the least bit important.

No gods were born on that day, there's no significant to it.

Unless they're celebrating some made up neko god.

Which then makes them not only stupid, but instant targets for the true gods."

the man was quiet a moment, "So, which is it, mouser?"

Purpura looked away from the male.

Partly because he couldn't answer, and partly because mouser was a derogatory term for nekos.

Insinuating that they were only good for catching mice.

Not mice demons, just normal mice.

And normal mice were extinct.

Thus, nekos were useless.

Eventually Crudelis came out, and escorted her adviser away.

Purpura watched with a curious look, before Tynan came out.

Tynan looked annoyed, as he often did after speaking to his mother.

Though his mother didn't come out, Tynan simply lead Purpura back to his wing.

They reached his room, and Tynan grabbed a book and threw it across the room.

"Gah! She's infuriating.

She refuses to tell me anything of neko royal customs, or any neko customs.

She claims you should be able to tell me everything I need to know.

She's also going to give Crudelis, and her adviser private lessons on the subject."

Purpura smirked.

Tynan looked to him a moment.

"What?"

Purpura went over and picked up a piece of paper.

He scribbled down something and handed it to Tynan.

Tynan took it, and read it.

"Wha- This is preposterous.

There's no way."

Purpura touched his own ear.

"From hearing his heartbeat?

That's incredible.

I doubt such a thing works on shadow demons.

Given... the lack of heartbeat."

Purpura gave a nod.

"Hm... I'll investigate this.

Until I know for sure...

I need you to eliminate her generals."

Purpura nodded again, and went over to the chest.

"Oh, and could you mind trying to discover some information on neko customs?

I'd love nothing more than to flaunt a vast understanding of the customs in front of mother...

I should brush up on my neko...

It'd ruffle her feathers if I got thanks for speaking in the native language."

He was quiet, then looked to Purpura.

Purpura was changing, so he looked away.

Then paused, they were both male, why was he looking away?

They'd also known each other for far to long to be truly modest.

So, he looked back to Purpura.

"Are you fluent in your people's language?"

Purpura nodded, his mother had insisted they learn it.

And it worked very well as a means of secret communication.

Purpura finished changing and tossed the borrowed clothing, before wrapped his tail about his waist.

He walked over to Tynan, as blood moved, staining his hair and tail.

He held the scarf in his hand.

"Being honest, watching you do that with blood is always interesting."

Purpura shrugged, and tied the scarf.

"Her first two generals should be in the castle.

Her last is out at a battle.

Go to Kipsy for details on the last general.

Oh, and since you'll be moving about her wing...

Do feel free to eliminate any of her servants, or workers.

Not guards though, mother likes to take my guards if to many of hers die."

Purpura nodded, and walked out the door.

His thoughts on a simple statement.

Te odio

An ancient phrase, it's roots actually from the neko language.

Though not a common phrase spoken by nekos.

It's meaning was simply, but strong.

Te odio

I hate you

Author's Note

Thru life I was often told that I shouldn't say I hated something or someone.
For it was too 'strong' of a word, and nothing should warrant such an emotion.
To this day, I whole-heartedly disagree.

Hatred is important. If you cannot hate something, how can you love something?
There must be balance.