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Reisen finds herself in a dark, quiet room. She’s been here before on several occasions, but she’d be hesitant to call it familiar. The silence is comfortable, broken only by the tapping of buttons on an unfamiliar controller and by the sound effects coming out of the old television across the room.
The small screen's glow illuminates not only her face, but the face of the goddess whose lap she is currently nestled into as well.
Reisen had expected the Goddess of Hell to be a much more imposing figure, some sort of tyrant ruling over the world of the damned with an iron fist. Surprisingly, however, she’s actually quite lax, more than happy to allow her domain to run its course whenever possible.
Knowing this side of Hecatia made her significantly less intimidating, enough for Reisen to find warmth, and even comfort in the Goddess's lap.
Hecatia's chin rests atop Reisen's head, her face snugly set between two crumpled ears. With each breath the goddess takes, they involuntarily twitch. Her arms wrap around Reisen's torso, keeping the moon rabbit close. Coveting her.
Reisen finds this arrangement rather stifling. Her body is uncomfortably warm, and the hot breath tickling her ears makes it hard to focus on the task at hand.
Said task being… well, Reisen isn’t fully sure actually. Some sort of 'video game' that Hecatia wanted to watch her play. The technology felt both primitive and advanced at the same time, the controller responsive enough, except for when it counted the most. The screen is bright, and clear, yet Reisen struggles to read it. Objects poorly defined, and objectives trivial, it felt aimless.
Regardless, she continues to guide the little man on the screen forward. Her game-play was mediocre at best. Were she not under Hecatia's watchful eye, Reisen most certainly would've left to do something else by now.
Periodically, Hecatia would provide some insight and try to guide her along, but it only did so much.
Frustration would continue to build gradually, each time the small man was struck by a creature or fell to his demise, her methodology would get sloppier. The man would die more often, his lives running low. He could only go to the start of the course so many times until…
The words "game over" flash onto the screen. Reisen's hands grip the controller tightly, and her teeth clench together.
Clownpiece was better at this game than she was, she'd seen it. Maybe you could argue that the hell fairy had an advantage, but that didn't matter much to Reisen. What mattered was that a child was better than her, in her vast amounts of experience and capability.
How could she be less proficient than a literal child?
Before her internal thoughts begin to loop, her attention is recaptured by Hecatia, breaking a long pause in the conversation with her address.
"You know Bunny, you'd probably have a better time if you didn't get so antsy. Just because the levels are timed doesn't mean you can't slow down if you need to."
Reisen reluctantly ponders this, one of her ears bumping into Hecatia's cheek as it twitches involuntarily from the sound of her voice.
"I suppose so." The response is detached, uninterested. Her gaze fixed on the game's given prompt to continue. Returning to the title screen felt alluring. Almost as much as turning off the console entirely.
Hecatia merely chuckles in response, giving her an affectionate squeeze. "Aww, don't get so pouty. You'll get it next time, I'm sure of it."
"I doubt it."
"Don't be that way."
"I've been stuck on this for a while now. I doubt that's going to change anytime soon.”
Hecatia considers this in silence for a moment before one of her hands starts to wander.
"I suppose you have been, haven't you?" She muses, her feather-light touch inching along Reisen's torso, before gently brushing her side.
"Poor thing...maybe you need a bit of encouragement?"
Reisen's shoulders stiffen, a response forming and dying on the tip of her tongue. Hecatia’s other hand follows suit and grazes her other side. Hearing no resistance, both begin to trail up her ribs in unison.
Reisen can feel her heart rate skyrocketing, suddenly pounding so hard that she almost feels nauseous. Her grip on the controller tightens, to the point of discomfort.
A strained, "I, Um," is slotted in place of a more coherent sentence, and Hecatia gives a fond murmur in response, cooing directly into one of her ears.
"Aww, at a loss for words already, Bunny? I've only just started." One of her hands glides up further still, finding purchase on Reisen's chest.
"Don’t. Don't call me that please."
She pauses, taking a strained breath.
"And uh, I don't think I'm in the mood for this right now. Sorry."
There's a moment of reluctance, but ultimately Hecatia respects her wishes, dropping her hands and instead allowing them to rest on Reisen's hips.
"You sure? Your cute little self doesn’t have to do a thing. It'll be all me!"
Reisen finds it easier to respond this time, answering almost automatically.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"Alright bunny, that's just fine." Hecatia's tone is artificially light, careful not to show any disappointment.
It's clear as day to her regardless, but Reisen appreciates the attempt.
There's a moment of silence, and to Reisen it’s nearly deafening. She almost feels inclined to say more. To justify herself, to change her mind, or just anything to break the tension that felt so palpable to her.
But before she can come up with anything, Hecatia reaches up to toy with one of her ears. A thumb strokes the back of it gently, and it helps soothe the moon rabbit's nerves minutely. Her tightened grip relaxes.
"I really do appreciate how direct you are with this kinda thing. I never have to worry about doing anything you don't want to." A bit more pressure is applied to her ear as Hecatia begins to fidget with it idly.
"And it's really cute, too." She muses, more to herself than to Reisen.
"Uh, thanks?"
"Seriously! If you weren't so forward, you'd be much more difficult. I'd rather worry about you backing out of something you wanna do than going along with something you don't."
"I suppose..."
Both are still for a while. As the pause in conversation grows longer, both grow more comfortable.
After some time passes, Hecatia snakes her arms around Reisen's torso once more. She starts to rock them both side to side, humming quietly to help fill the silence.
Reisen tenses slightly but allows this. As much as she would hate to admit it, she didn't mind this arrangement all too much. It felt safe.
The peace doesn't last long though; it's only a matter of time before Hecatia gets bored. The rocking stops, and she clicks her tongue at Reisen to get her attention.
Reisen hesitates for a moment, before slowly turning her head. Perhaps a mistake. As soon as she does she hears a satisfied hum and is immediately assaulted with kisses.
"Oh, cut it out, will you?" Reisen grumbles crossly, moving an arm to push her away halfheartedly. This only results in Hecatia's grip tightening and for her kisses to become more fervent.
"Hecatia," she warns weakly, screwing her eyes shut and turning away, "quit it."
"Sorry, sorry! I just can't help myself, you're just sooo cute." Hecatia punctuates her sentence by giving Reisen another squeeze.
"And you're just too much." Reisen grumbles, now attempting to wiggle free of Hecatia's grasp.
Unfortunately, Hecatia doesn't budge an inch. Much as she hates to admit it, the goddess is significantly stronger than her.
"Hey now, don't be like that," Hecatia's voice drops to something a bit more sultry, "you wouldn't leave me all by my lonesome, would you?"
"Can't you go ten minutes without getting worked up?" Reisen asks, exasperated.
Hecatia giggles at that, leaning down to start peppering kisses on the back of Reisen's neck. "If you think I'm bad, you should see my mother,"
Before Reisen can respond, Hecatia murmurs, "...or was it my sister?" The kissing stops for a moment as she mulls it over. "Eh, I was never great at keeping track." She decides flippantly.
Reisens's eyebrows furrow. Did she hear that right? There's no way she heard that right. "E-excuse me?"
"Huh, what?"
"I-" she wasn't sure how to even begin responding to that. "Oh, forget about it." It would probably be best to just not think about it anyway. Gods, huh? What pieces of work they all turn out to be.
"Mhm, enough about that," Hecatia is more than happy to switch gears to her previous task. "why don't you turn around?"
The goddess's hands find Reisen's sides, gently pushing her forward until she stands on her feet. There's a slight sting as her legs straighten, making her realize that they had been sitting there for quite a while already.
Before she can stretch out more properly, Hecatia is quick to turn her and start drawing her back in.
Reisen gives a prolonged sigh as she's brought into the goddess's lap. She's had enough make-out sessions to know where this was going. If she gave Hecatia an inch, she would take a mile. And as much as she normally didn't mind too much, she just wasn't in the mood right now.
"Oh Bunny, don't look so cross! Don't you want a little kiss?" Hecatia inquires playfully, gently pressing the moon rabbit closer.
Refusing to justify that with a response, Reisen instead opts to do what suits her best in situations like these.
There's a small flash of light, and in an instant where once was a girl now sat a very grumpy-looking rabbit. Nose twitching, ears askew.
"Oh, so that's how it is!" Hecatia takes this in stride, quick to scoop the moon rabbit up before she can hop away. "I haven't gotten to see you like this in ages, what a cutie-pie!"
There's no response, not that Hecatia expected one. Animals can't talk, and she certainly wasn't Melampus.
"Oh, of course." The goddess nods with an amused smile as Reisen attempts to wiggle out of her grasp.
"Hey, take it easy. I'll play nice, promise!" Reisen is very skeptical of this statement but decides to humor her for now.
Hecatia Firmly settles Reisen in her lap before beginning to gently stroke her ears. "Is that better?"
Reisen had to admit it was. Her ears give way under the goddess's touch, slanting towards her back. This is much more like it. Shuffling in place, she tucks her paws underneath herself to get a bit more comfortable.
"Awww, aren't you a peach?" Hecatia coos, continuing to dote on her. The goddess digs her fingers into Reisen's coarse fur, ruffling it before carefully smoothing it back out.
It's soothing, and Reisen is more than content to soak in the attention for as long as it lasts. Or rather, however long it took for Hecatia to lose interest.
The room falls into a comfortable quiet once more, the only sounds hanging in the air being the ever-present hum of the television and an inconsistent purr coming from Reisen. Minutes begin to pass, slowly bleeding into one another as both are content simply to enjoy one another’s company.
Reisen has lost track of how many times her fur had been rubbed out when the goddess's hand abruptly stops. Cocking an ear, she shoots Hecatia a puzzled look.
Hecatia gives a hearty chuckle at that, quick to apologize. "Sorry, sorry, my bad." Reisen huffs in response, her posture relaxing slightly.
The apology rings hollow though, as the goddess reaches down the moment Reisen has let her guard down to give her tail a light tug.
Reisen immediately shoots up, ears slanting backward and nose twitching rapidly. If she could speak at the moment, she'd have a few choice words to say. But she can't, so she thumps her foot instead.
Hecatia's composure breaks completely as she bursts into a fit of laughter, making it clear this was exactly the reaction she was after.
"Oh gosh, I don't know what came over me there. I'm sure you can forgive me, can't you?" Hecatia asks, not even trying to sound remorseful.
Reisen gives another huff, hopping from Hecatia's lap to the couch. She feels the couch shift as the goddess leans over, but she's unable to react before she feels another tug on her tail.
Flipping around, she thumps both feet into the couch and gives Hecatia the dirtiest look a rabbit can muster. As Hecatia laughs in return, she takes a few steps back to nestle her behind into the arm of the couch. A rudimentary defensive measure, but it would do for now.
"Bunny, come baaaack!" Hecatia calls out, before patting her lap. "Come on, I promise I won't do it again. I just couldn't help myself, your tail is just too cute."
Unfortunately for Hecatia, Reisen wasn't born yesterday. She firmly holds her ground, looking away to express her disinterest. Hecatia gives an exaggerated distressed wail in response.
Before the goddess can attempt to plead once more, she realizes she can hear the quiet sound of distant footsteps outside. Perking up, she angles her ears to get a better read of the familiar sound. Could it be?
Reisen hops off the couch and sprints toward the source of the noise as fast as her little legs can carry her, leaving a befuddled Hecatia to give chase.
Getting to the door, Reisen hops into the air, turning back into a girl with another flash of light. Needing little time to regain her bearings, she's quick to throw the door wide open.
A little ways away from the door stands a mildly surprised-looking Junko. The surprise gives way to a more amused look as Hecatia quickly falls in behind Reisen, leaning an arm on the moon rabbit's shoulder and feigning innocence.
"Oh hey, babe-" She begins nonchalantly before Reisen interjects.
"Junko! Your wife’s being a menace!" She complains, letting the goddess's arm slide off of her and making her way towards the divine spirit.
"Oh, was she now?" Junko shares an amused look with Hecatia as Reisen indignantly stands behind her.
"She kept tugging on my tail! You know how much I hate that."
"I'm very sorry to hear that dearest," Junko turns, reaching out to lightly brush a lock of her hair to the side. "do you think you can find it in yourself to forgive her?"
Reisen stiffens at the spirit's touch, painfully aware of her cheeks heating up. Reisen glances up at Junko, then at the goddess across the way.
"Hrmph." She glowers over Junko's shoulder, shooting Hecatia a dirty look. "After all her torment?"
"Geez, you're making me sound like some sort of fiend! Come on, we had fun!" Hecatia feigns offense, but it's clear she's more amused than anything else.
"That's because you are one! You're the only one who likes your stupid games!" Reisen snaps, turning her nose up.
The goddess gives an exasperated huff in response, looking to Junko in a silent plea for assistance.
"Oh, come now," Junko chides, glancing at Hecatia sternly before placing a reassuring hand on Reisen's shoulder. "I'm sure Hecatia didn't mean to upset you. Isn't that right love?"
"Of course! I was just messing with you a bit," Hecatia all too readily chimes in, "you're just so cute when you get all grumpy, so I got a little carried away."
Reisen glowers at that, "a little?"
"Fine, fine, a lot." Hecatia yields, raising her hands in mock surrender.
"And?" Junko prompts the goddess, looking at her expectantly.
"And I'm very sorry Bunny." Hecatia assures.
"I've told you not to call me that!" Reisen sighs, exasperated.
"Oh come on, you're literally a moon-bunny," Hecatia shoots back, quirking an eyebrow, "what else am I supposed to call you?"
"My name, perhaps?"
"Is it really so different?"
"Oh, just forget it, I'll forgive you for now, but don't expect me to be so agreeable next time." Reisen finally gives in. She doubts she's going to get much better than that, and she's willing to revel in this small victory.
Junko seems satisfied enough with that resolution as well, allowing her arm to drop from Reisen's shoulder. "Oh, but surely there wouldn't be a next time, would there?"
Hecatia waves a hand dismissively. "Of course not, who do you think I am?"
Both Reisen and Junko shoot her a skeptical look, and the goddess gives a small chuckle.
"Ah, whatever, why don't we just go back inside? It's hot as hell out here you know!"
Reisen groans, rolling her eyes while Junko gives an amused huff. "I suppose it is, isn't it?" The spirit agrees, giving the goddess a quick peck on her cheek before passing her to go inside.
After a pause, Reisen follows along. If she were lucky, the rest of the evening would be uneventful.
Though, even if it weren't, maybe that would be alright.