Chapter 45 : Get Out Of My Head
“Katrin! Katrin!” Agni gripped her friend’s arm tightly as she pulled her close. The pair had just left Gadsten’s.
“What’s wrong Agni?” It was obvious to Katrin by Agni’s expression that something was amiss.
*Did she shoplift?* Katrin’s mind wandered as she prepared herself to dash just in case. The two left the store as the owners of 2 sets of brand new adventurer’s gear. Katrin was proud of Agni, after all 30% off a sale was a HUGE discount.
“I think...I’m cursed. I keep hearing a voice that tells me to do morally questionable things.” Agni’s face had taken on a serious look, but due to Katrin’s own wild thoughts she couldn’t help but chuckle. By comparison hearing voices didn’t seem like that big of a deal.
“Mmm. Did you make small talk with the voices?”
“First off, it’s just one voice. I’m not crazy or anything. Ha ha.” Agni laughed nervously. “And no, I didn’t. But she just won’t shut up. At all!”
*I heard that , MARSHMALLOW SUCCUBITCH. BWA HA HA.*
“Oh my God, Katrin she’s so petty and childish too. She keeps calling me names, but they aren’t even good insults. I can’t even get motivated enough to be upset at this point.”
*WHAT? I heard that!*
“Mmm. Did you try asking her name? I have an idea of what it could possibly be but…” Katrin replied.
“What do you mean? Is this normal?” Agni asked, latching her arm within Katrin’s as they walked. Today it was Agni’s turn to glean some comfort from the warmth of Katrin’s body.
“Not exactly normal but, we do live in a world with magic and monsters so what is ‘normal’ really? If the problem is what I think, a familiar wouldn’t be that out of the ordinary. I read that some classes do have them.” Katrin continued.
“Are you a familiar angry little girl?” Agni said aloud. She did this purposely to antagonize her and also hear Katrin laugh.
*I’m not a little girl, marshmallow queen. Hmmph.*
“But you ARE a familiar then?” Agni next asked.
“Angry little familiar. You probably have t-rex arms don’t you?”
“Agni..people are staring..” Katrin said as she tilted her head downwards and put some pep in her step. Still, she couldn’t help but laugh to herself.
“Grr. She won’t answer me now. Katrin, what’s a familiar?” Agni asked after finally giving up her own taunts.
“It’s sort of like a magical companion. Different familiars have different functions.”
“Mhm..and?”
“And, in order to use them you have to fulfill certain conditions but, I couldn’t say what those conditions are. It’s different for each kind of familiar-- or so I’ve read.”
“And?”
“And? That’s all I have right now Agni.” Katrin couldn’t help but laugh in delight at this side of Agni’s personality. For once Agni was the one clinging to Katrin, and it felt nice.
“So, what else would you like to do? We’ve got the whole day ahead of us.” Katrin then asked.
“Mmm. No clue. Bracha didn’t give us any specifics and I’m NOT paying another soul for advice today. Maybe we should just take a day off and worry about it tomorrow.” Agni offered. It was true that they’d been training nonstop ever since they left the Lull Forest and reached the city of Grenvale.
*Sprim Row.* The voice said.
“That’s not a bad idea but, we only have seven days left, Agni. Then we really are on our own. While money isn’t really that difficult to get, there’s still a lot we don’t know yet--” Katrin expounded on her thoughts as to why they should use every moment available to them.
*She’s right. But go to Sprim Row FIRST!*
Agni tried her best to ignore the small voice ringing clearly through her head.
*Marshmallow Bitch, I know you hear me!*
*MARSHMALLOW SUCCU-BITCH, MARSHMALLOW QUEEN, YOUR PUFFY TITS ARE LOPSIDED, BAKA BAAAAAAAAKA*
*Today really is the day for people to test me. Do they want me to lose my shit?* Agni thought to herself as she was forced to listen to a repetitive chorus of childishly worded insults laced with profanity.
“Katrin, hey. I have an idea, let’s go to Sprim Row.” Agni said, finally relenting, else she feared she might be driven mad.
Sing it with me now, ~Everyday a hustling! Everyday a hustling hustlin! hustlin!~
I can just picture agni reminiscing on her throne in the middle of sprim row just before whisper ordering that gladsten guy and the accessories guy to bring her their best stuff so she can help her girlfriend get enough points for that skill they want. Lol
Yeah? Non-con is in fact rape. I don't see what is surprising about that
Also, speaking of that bit*h. What was up with that "i shall consume your soul" or whatever it was comment?
Well, that's the thing. It wasn't non consentual.
It was most certainly consensual and it even states as much in the chapter. What rubs me the wrong way about that chapter (and probably other people too) is that Agni is still not comfortable being herself. While she accepts the act she struggles afterwards. Still pretty scummy by Abeni though even if it’s not rape because she did exploit Agni’s emotional vulnerability.
@Blankwalls Its what is referred to as 'dubious consent'
@therandompers which is still categorized as rape in the in legal matters. But then again you can't expect everyone to know the fine lines with laws. Also, just because a person says yes doesn't mean it wasn't rape. Coercion in any way shape or form automatically throws out any agreement on the part of the individual that was raped. I've seen a few instances like this in some of these novels on this site and others. The big clue in this part was her resistance to the idea. She wasn't on board at that moment really. Her abilities just flip a switch and she's not really in her lucid state of mind. That's akin to being doped up on drugs. Abeni is a rapist. Plain and simple.
@lightningshifter Good point. I think the chapter should be changed a little to clarify that she was fine with it because it can be a little hard to sort all the events. Agni did that to Abeni first (not that that really matters) but Agni had a fair amount of time to whisper and not have anything happen. This was before she had succubus activate in the chapter. She clearly was fine with it. Her regrets and suffering is the result of what happens after the act is over the next morning. That said, that chapter still left a bad taste in my mouth because the real cruelty was that Agni was left with nothing in a world where she is still trying to adjust, not the act because it's pretty clear that the author did not intend to write a rape scene no matter how it may come across at first glance.
@Blankwalls
As written she clearly did not want to have sex, her "consent" came after her succubus instincts overwhelmed her mind just like her first sexual encounter with Abeni. Did she ask to be made a succubus? did she ask to have her will over written when she gets turned on? What exactly is the difference between the system as written and a date rape drug?
@Golanth drop and move on if it bothers you so much.
@lightningshifter If that's the case then most of the s*x that people participate in is considered rape.
By your definition people need to give verbal consent each and every time they engage in sexual acts.
Logically it makes sense, but you're missing the emotional aspect.
Women frequently decline s*x when men open their mouths or interrupt "the mood". Some are just that fickle. They don't want to have to explain every single thing, and they despise people who seek "permission" sometimes as well.
Some ladies just expect men to "know" when the time is right and read the mood.
I don't use rape lightly in the context of any of my work.
Which is why, without a doubt this isn't rape.
The closest this story has come to rape is Agni forcing herself on Abeni , which instigated this entire situation to begin with -- yet, no one has once yet mentioned that.
I wonder why?
@Golanth I think it's strange to question the motives of a being that is historically known for taking what they want from their victims either through force , allure or compelling them.
If this isn't your cup of tea--great, but I will never understand the desire some readers have to indulge in things that they genuinely aren't interested in (which , it kind of seems may fit you with this particular story).
If the story isn't your cup of tea-- no harm no foul. I would encourage you to read something you are genuinely interested in.
But a lot of your gripes don't make sense in this context when you consider that she's a demonic being that indulges and delights in sexual deviancy.
It's sort of like complaining that Ares, the God Of War isn't nice enough -- it just doesn't seem like a realistic complaint.
@DreamOfRen Great response. Also just want to point out that in one of my comments I said Agni more or less did the same thing first.
@DreamOfRen
Women frequently decline s*x when men open their mouths or interrupt "the mood". Some are just that fickle. They don't want to have to explain every single thing, and they despise people who seek "permission" sometimes as well.
Some ladies just expect men to "know" when the time is right and read the mood.
F*cking double standards, and, this annoys me to no end.
I don't think I could enter a relationship with someone like that, but I never entered any relationship in my life anyway.