Pure and uncorrupted

A bit more chalk and less animal fat. Let's not overdo it with the makeup.

It doesn't matter what she does, Tina's beauty will always shine through. Her face will remain perfect every single day of her life. Even the silent can't help but marvel at the sight of her.

"Pardon—"

"Aahh!"

A ghost wearing a familiar face is at her window.

"Please don't scream."

"Aaaahhhh!"

It covers its ears, one arm looking monstrous, like something out of a nightmare. Her feet are the same.

"Tina, please, it's me."

Is it really her? Has she come to finish the job?

A pound on the door makes Tina jump.

"Mistress! Are you alright?"

"Do me a favor and don't allow them in." The intruder's freezing voice commands.

Tina swallows and attempts to conceal the tremor in her voice. "I-I saw a huge spider. I'm fine now, I already stomped on it."

"Should we bring a maid to clean it up?"

"No, it's fine. Leave me now, I have to prepare for my date."

"Understood, forgive the interruption."

Once the steps fade, Tina looks back at the abomination in front. Perhaps not a ghost, but her eyes are still lifeless, and her expression chill-inducing. The new limbs, whatever they are, look as hideous as an insect's.

"I want to talk."

"How are you alive?" She barely avoids screaming it.

"It's a long story. And sorry for startling you." Tina can't stand the sight any longer. She goes back to her cabinet and starts fixing herself.

The beauty reflected in the mirror calms her down. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Is it true you've been spreading rumors about me?"

"Excuse me?" She's here for that of all things? Gods…

"Sorry, I didn't mean it as an accusation. I just want to know the truth."

"Of course not. I'm Puratina Fukuchou, I don't need to make anything up."

"That might be true…" Of course, how could you think otherwise?

Tina doesn't spread rumors. She merely takes the masses' suggestions and chooses which is the next truth. The ignorant implied that Hoshina might've fallen like a warrior. About as likely as humans flying.

The most logical conclusion was that she fled. Anyone claiming they could accept death was a fraud.

Then, as usual, the truth evolved into fantasy as the masses started adding details she never mentioned. Their poor heads can't remember a simple statement. So Tina had to play along and, once again, confirm their beliefs so that they wouldn't fall victims to their own confusion.

"However," the intruder adds, "I have reasons to believe you're not being truthful."

"Ohoho!"

And to think that for a second Tina was afraid she came to attack her.

Of course not.

She wouldn't dare lay a hand on Puratina Fukuchou. This mentally ill freak is a disgrace to everything Tina represents. She's so glad her parents forced her from an early age to not be influenced by this weirdo, otherwise she would've ended up just as corrupt. Still, despite her severe limitations, Hoshina's surname remains the most influential, so the fact that she's dumber than a donkey works perfectly.

"My sweet Hoshina." Tina walks up and stands in the wall next to her. "You're confused. No wonder, you must've gone through so much, you poor thing."

"It was tough at times, yes. But—"

"Of course it was. And you look so hurt and frail now. Don't worry, I won't abandon you no matter how ugly your body becomes." Hoshina sighs.

She sighs?

"Tina, please, stop trying to deceive me."

"Excuse you? How dare you make such an accusation?"

"I just want to have a sincere conversation, to clear the stale air between us, and go back to the times when you and I were true friends."

"You dare accuse me of being a liar AND a false friend? You ungrateful wench! Who has been your sole companion for years while everyone else rejected you. I've endured your lack of class, your random mood swings and all of your disgusting delusions about warriors and crap! What am I if not the truest friend ever!?"

Hoshina makes an expression more repugnant than any she's ever seen.

"Sorry, Tina, I wanted to give you a chance. I regret it had to come to this, but there's nothing I can do to fix our friendship if you aren't willing to even try."

Tina suddenly gets what this face means, and why it's so hideous.

"You dare pity me!? I'm Puratina Fukuchou! Do you have the slightest clue of all the weight my name carries!? You are nothing more than an ill freak, so you can't—" A snort interrupts her. "Did you just—?"

"Ha, ha, ha, ha!"

"How dare you laugh at—" A beat on the door.

"Mistress, what's going on in there!?"

"Why is everyone fucking disrespecting me! You shut up and stay out until I summon you to arrest this bitch!" She spins around. "I'm not done with— where are you going!?"

"I'm leaving. There's no point in any of this anymore."

"I haven't given you permission to leave. You will stay here until I—"

"Farewell." Her figure disappears from the frame.

Tina dashes to the window, and despite her demands, insults and provocations, nothing manages to convince the idiot to turn back and face her properly.

A coward, as I always knew you were.

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

On her way back, Hoshina is met with a group of armed warriors, one of them in full armor.

"Where have you been?" That tired tone… Waissu, no doubt about it. "We were informed that you came back and then disappeared again."

"You are headed to Tina's place, right? You can go back now, I've already dealt with her." The other guards exchange glances.

"What did you do?" His tone is odd.

"I had a talk."

"What kind?"

"I don't get what you mean. We just chatted until I decided it was time to leave."

"Right, I forgot who I'm talking to." He signals to his companions. "Go ahead, I'll catch up later.

"Wait, I don't want you to arrest her." They continue their stubborn march, ignoring her.

"Even if you still believe her to be your friend—"

"She's not. However, she doesn't deserve the dungeon."

"Anyone related to the revolution has to be apprehended now that we know of Kuruma's fate."

"Huh? Revolution?"

"Didn't the Lord put you up to date?"

"Our talk was postponed before he got to that, it seems."

A tired exhale. "Either way, let me escort you home. You shouldn't go out unarmed given the situation."

Any further resistance will only sabotage her plans. Tina will have to suffer the dungeon for a short while.

So, a revolution…

No wonder the clan hasn't been able to focus on ending the war.