Svetlana's desires

"Now, Svetlana-chan, I want to ask you..."

"..."

"What got you into fashion?"

Svetlana stared in disbelief. "That's what you really want to ask me?"

"Yes. You rock some fine drip, and know your apparel. Not even some of my friends can properly name every Mizuse Niimi brand item out there, and some are fashionistas themselves," Mimoko smiled. 

"And because we have shared interests, you're into me?"

"'Into you'?"

Svetlana's cheeks went red. "You invited me on a date... And... I'm... into women..."

Mimoko began blinking rapidly as a nervous smile spread across her face. "Heh? HEH!?" 

"Tch, I guess you are an idiot off the board like they say."

"Like who says?"

"The league. I often find myself forced to sit in on meetings where some constantly rag about how much of a pain in the side you are. And then I come see you face-to-face... You're a drastic contrast from the oni-tiger."

"Is that why you're nervous about playing me? Because if you do, the league might find out?" 

Svetlana's jaw began to drop. "... No... The league itself is of little concern. Everyone usually does as they please, so fraternizing with an enemy isn't much of an offense. But my father... has strictly prohibited me from engaging in any unnecessary chess matches."

"Why?"

"I'm unable to tell you."

"You don't know?"

"No, I know, but I'm physically prevented from saying the words."

"That's horrible."

"You don't know the half of it. I'm essentially that man's slave. My free will a delusion. There's times I even question if I truly am human, or a natural human at the very least."

"What do you mean?"

"My earliest memory is waking up in a test tube... about 5 years ago... I'm told I'm the daughter of Tsar Grigori, but throughout the palace, there's not a single photograph of me any younger than I was when I first awakened. The same is eerily true of my supposed siblings. But when my blood is tested, there's no doubt I am of Russian royalty. Yet despite that, I'm kept out of the public eye as much as possible. And when I am to appear in public, it's usually in a controlled environment, or as part as a mission for the league. Even my college life is just an illusion of freedom as most of my "friends" are children of elites, who simply flock around me for my status. And of course, Skaberghast is my professor, though at the least, he has the decency not to flirt with me like the others. But that also makes me feel... different..." 

Mimoko frowned as she digested all that. 

"Now do you get it? I'm nothing but a puppet on an extension chord. I don't even know if my own likes are of my own free will. So... the date was nice... but next we meet, we'll probably be enemies," Svetlana mumbled as she began to get up.

"Ah, then just consider hanging out with me reconnaissance. That should justify spending more time with me."

"Oi, are you that stupid? That means the league would know more about you!" 

"But I'd get to know more about you. An even trade." 

Svetlana began to tremble as tears dripped out of her eyes. "You're stupid."

"Maybe, but I'll accept it. Now I have one final question before you go; what's your preferred style? Like, what look and clothes do you most like rocking?" 

"I'll never compromise on the shoes. They're the core of every outfit I wear. But if there was something I really wish I could rock... long hair." 

"Hmm?"

"I'm forbidden from growing my hair out past my shoulders, but, I really want to... I really want to have long hair down to my ankles." 

"Then looks like you've got some free will after all, Svetlana-chan," Mimoko smiled. 

"Or just another delusion of it," Svetlana grumbled as she walked away.