Seacats Tea Party Chapter 5

Battler:............

Bernkastel:.....................

Beato:..........................

Lambda:.................................UGH!! I can't stand this silence anymore!

Battler was lying in Beatrice's arms defeated. He couldn't even cry anymore. He shed as many tears in the last few hours as an ordinary human does during his entire life.

Bernkastel: Well, this will be troublesome. What will I play with now that Battler is broken? I didn't expect him to break down this soon...

Beato: You really are the Devil itself, aren't you?

Bernkastel: Haha!! You can call me a god or a devil, I couldn't care either way!...That's right. My only goal in life...is to have fun. To escape...boredom. If you call that devilish or evil, then fine. I'm a demon. *giggle*

Lambda: Bern. If you ever want to play with Battler again, you know what you have to do. Humans can't live without hope. You should give him back at least a tiny bit of that...otherwise he will stay like this forever.

Bernkastel: Hope? I don't know what you are talking about. You mean I need to give this moron something in order to make him a functioning toy again?

Lambda:...Something like that, ehehehe. You know what you have to give back to him, right?

Bernkastel: *sigh* Let me guess....it has something to do with a certain red haired little brat, am I right?

Lambdadelta nodded slightly. Bernkastel looked at Beatrice and then at Lambda, then closed her eyes...then opened them and looked at the miserable being whose name was Battler.

Bernkastel:....Fine. If it means that this will get him into a state that reacts to my tortures, then be it! After all, nothing hurts humans more than giving them hope....and then taking it back from them. *giggle* *giggle*

Bern looked down at Ange's corpse that was lying at her feet. Then she spoke to it.

Bernkastel: Hey, time to wake up, you good for nothing mongrel! Didn't you hear that your beloved Onii-chan needs you?!!

After the witch said those words, the corpse started to move again...the blood and flesh that was on the ground all over the room gradually disappeared...and the girl? Her body started to resemble her original state. Slowly but surely she was regaining her appearance.

Beato:...Ange, are you OK?

The little girl suddenly sat up straight and looked around. There wasn't a single trace of the horrible things that took place in this tea party room not so long ago.

Ange:---Who...are you...people?

She asked that question first. She looked like she woke up from a long, peaceful sleep. She rubbed her eyes and gasped a little when she saw her brother lying unconsciously in the arms of a woman she has never met before.....or has she?

Ange: O-Onii-chan! What is the matter, talk to me!

Ange rushed to Beato and Battler and started to shake his brother violently.

Ange: H-Hey!! Onii-chan! It is me, Ange! Your sister! Don't you recognize me?!

Battler's empty gaze suddenly vanished from his face....and a weak smile appeared. A tired smile.

Battler: Oh...Ange.....................................Ange?!

Suddenly he was filled with energy and became his usual self. He jumped up and hugged her sister. Tightly. They hugged each other.

Battler: You are okay, aren't you?! You aren't hurt anywhere, are you??

Ange: Huh??? What are you talking about? Onii-chan, you talk about strange things! Did you drink something?

Battler: Hahaha. No, I'm just happy...to be with you. And to see that you are safe.

Ange: Uh-huh. O--kay. But...you shouldn't hold me...so ...tightly! Guh!

Battler: Sorry, sorry!!

He let go of her and rubbed her head.

Beato: Welcome home, Battler. Ange is right! You shouldn't drink soo much if you can't handle it!! *cackle*

Battler: Hey now, don't say things like that in front her!

Ange: Y-You are...

Ange looked at Beatrice throughly. She now remembered where she has seen her before.

Beato: What, have you only just realized?! That the true master of Rokkenjima stands before you? *giggle*

Ange: I-I can't believe it! M-Maria onee-chan....was right after all?!

Battler: Heh...kind of.

Ange started talking to Beato curiously and asked her questions after questions...ignoring the other two witches in the room.

Lambda: Well, Bern? Don't you feel relaxed just by looking at a happy family like that? *giggle*

Bernkastel:...Give me a break.

As Bern said that her eyes met with Battler's. He looked serious and determined.

Bernkastel: What's with that face, huuuuh? Are you trying to scare me?

Battler:--We have a score to settle. I hope you don't forget that.

Bernkastel: I never forget anything, unlike a certain person who doesn't even remember his promises!

Battler:.....We will have a go at it again.

Lambda: ????

Bernkastel: At what? What are you talking about, are you really drunk??!

Battler: A game. Between you and me. Last time you made us figure out your little puzzle...but this time....this time WE WILL CHALLENGE YOU, BERNKASTEL!

Lambda: Ufufufufufufuf. This is really entertaining. Sounds like fun. Bern, you wouldn't turn down the offer to kill some time, right?!

Bernkastel: *giggle* Yeah, sure. If you want to lose this much, then I will gladly be your opponent!!

Battler: I knew you would accept it. Now onto the rewards...

Lambda: Rewards?

Battler: Yeah. If we win, you will release Erika from your grip..forever!!

Bernkastel: Whaaat? Erika? What does she have to do with any of this?!

Battler:...After experiencing your cruelty yet again...I can't turn my back on Erika just like that. Leaving her as your servant...is the worst thing I could do to her!

Bernkastel: You are crazy. That girl is obsessed with me. She only knows how to serve me. She isn't good for anything else. She DOESN'T WANT to be free.

Battler: We will see what she says once she tastes freedom!

Bernkastel: Pffftt. Whatever. Though if I were you, I wouldn't waste a victory on that incompetent piece. But who am I to tell you what to do with your victory, right?! *cackle*

Lambda: True, I really don't get it why you treat Erika so kindly, Battler. Frankly speaking she has caused you much more harm than benefit.

Battler: She is my rival...just like you two are eternal rivals to each other - it is the same with me and Erika...

Lambda: Oh, is that so?.....I guess I can understand you a little more now...

Bernkastel: Are you two done with the useless talk?...So Battler, tell me. Can I choose anything I want if I win?

Battler:...Yeah, it is only fair after all. If I can grant it, you will get it. That is, if you manage to defeat us.

Bernkastel: *sigh* What I want is......YOU AND YOUR SISTER....TO BE....MY....PIECES.....FOREVER.....AND.....EVER!! AHAHAHHAHAHAH!

Battler: W-Why Ange too?!

Bernkastel: Isn't it simple? You two make the best faces when tortured!! *cackle* I guess this is a family thing!! HAHAHA!

Battler: Hmmm.....Forget it. I wouldn't risk Ange's fate.

Bernkastel: Then no Erika for you!

Battler: Ugh.

Lambda: Hey now, let's be reasonable everyone, oookay?! I'm sure we can agree somehow...

Battler: Then talk to your friend, she is the stubborn one here.

Bernkastel: What? Me? Uh-huh.

Battler: H-Hey. I know. If I win you let us play with Erika sometimes, all right? She can be your servant but you have to let her fight with us when we want it. How about that?

Bernkastel: ...Dunno. What should I ask for in case I win then?.......Ahaha. I have a good idea.

Lambda: W-What?!

Bernkastel: Since you ask for a silly thing, I will ask for a silly thing in return too. If I defeat you, you will have to entertain Featherine when she is bored instead of me. That old hag just doesn't stop bothering me, it would be real convenient if someone could keep her occupied in my place when I have better things to do.

Battler:....Deal.

Lambda: So what kind of game will you make, Battler??

Battler:....A game which relies on the Purple Truth.

Bernkastel: Heh, you steal my ideas? Not very creative. But I accept it. I will see through all of your tricks, anyway.

Battler:....We will see about that.....FREDERICA BERNKASTEL!!!!!!