Peppersalt43
They/Them- 24,224
- 7,710
ALTERNATE TITLE: MANKIND'S HORRORS NEVER DIE
With the Junji Ito skin pack in DbD, I've gained some sort of motivation to do this. I've read a couple of Tomie stories (The first one, the photographer one, the body swap one, and the one where Tomie is actually evil) but for the most part, I mostly recall the themes of her stories which I try to use here. I remember reading in the Thematic but Stomp thread on a similar MU but I do honestly think this can work due to some factors I'll explain later.
So for now, enjoy two evil and unkillable fellows in a fight.
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Despite the hostility of the mansion, there remains some areas for rest and respite. There were many reasons for it such as a lack of monsters, the strange topology of the mansion making the relocation of monsters difficult, or just to give a sense of dread for those who wander the place. These locations come in various shapes, sizes and forms with this one taking the form of an old Western saloon.
It was dimly lit at the time with only candles placed all around to provide lighting. A somber tune of a violin served as ambience, being played by a gramophone in the far corner. Despite the bountiful presence of food, water, and weapons in the place, not a single soul was present there due to the person sitting in the middle. A teenage girl sat by a table all alone, her head resting on her hand as she occasionally sighed with disinterest. Despite her unamused expression, her beauty was immaculate, supernatural even which many have found hard to resist. Yet many have became all but aware of her role and the game she played.
Her influence was growing, and it needed to be curbed.
"And what's a little lady like you doing alone?" a voice could be heard alongside a small pale hand reaching out from the dark. Looking up, the young woman saw a man looming over her. He stood six foot six in his moccasins, had a large, fleshy frame, a dull, tallow-colored face destitute of hair. The sight of him earned a smile from the girl as she straightened her head and put her hands on the table.
"Holden," she said as the man sighed.
"Hmm, third generation splitter. Hello, Tomie," he replied before offering his hand.
"Care for dance?" Her delicate fingers touched against a similarly small hand clothed in rough leather. She stood up once her hand was held before following the judge along. His large stature and heavy weight caused the old wooden floors to creak with every other step he took.
"Interesting to see you come back. Am I just that beautiful?" Tomie asked as she was being led to a more open area.
"It's curious. Despite your inferior heritage, your features are indeed attractive, even in an objective stance. A perfect chin length, nose size, distance between eyes, forehead size, even your eyes aren't slitted like those of your kind. I just can't seem to get it out of my head," Judge Holden explained as his companion's smile widened.
"Tell me more, tell me more! I'd love to hear it," Tomie pushed on as she stopped, now standing in a open spot.
"Frankly, that alone is absurd. But a beautiful yellow face isn't all that you have, is it? Throughout my quest in this strange land I continue to discover more about you, more to your mystery, more that is outside my knowledge," the judge explained as he raised his companion's hand before holding her hip.
"How you keep coming back to these places, how you keep drawing me and others in without a single word, how you drive any who meet you into an endless well of madness, how you turn dead matter into living flesh... how you can't seem to die." Tomie merely giggled at that explanation as she began to sway, the two monsters dancing to the music which began to swell in intensity.
"Wouldn't you like to know, big boy~"
"But that's just the game, isn't it? The man who sets himself the task of singling out the thread of order from the tapestry will by the decision alone have taken charge of the world and it is only by such taking charge that he will effect a way to dictate the terms of his own fate. If I can't route you out and strip you down of all that you are, how will I escape the enslavement of this bitter hell? You're just one more unknowable being in this place."
"I heard this before. In the end you keep playing these games, because that's what you men were born for. Nothing else~ And you know too that the worth of a game is not in the game itself but in the value of that you put at risk. In this case, you see if you can keep yourself together as you learn more about myself. The value here is your own precious mind, against an endless expanse of all that I am. But keep trying, it's all too fun for me too~"
"But I am winning. Look at you, spouting my own words back at me. Enjoying this game as much as I am too. Despite how highly you think of yourself, of your beauty, of your mystery, of the power you hold over each and every one of us, you're as human as every one of us. Each word, each meeting, each encounter, each and every bloody end, your heart blackens. And when the time comes, you will come to understand the ways of man. You are not endless, you are not the truest form of divination, you are not the ultimate game, and you are not god, for war is god. And when the time comes after all these petty, childish, insignificant games, I myself will wage that war upon the forces that held me down here. There will only be one devil by the time man rules this place."
Their dance slowed as the music died down. Despite the smiles they still had, Judge Holden still noticed his companion's grip wavering in his tightening grasp.
"Well, I wish you good luck in your endeavors. Perhaps we can discuss this more in our next meeting?" Tomie asked as she struggled to pull away from Judge Holden's grasp.
"Sure, I can't wait," he replied, his grip tightening enough to crack his companion's wrist.
"Right, I'll make it easier for you then. I'm done," Tomie suddenly slapped Judge Holden, causing him to sigh before grabbing a nearby bottle and smashing it at her head. The gaping wound it created left her stumbling away before she fell towards one of the tables when her hip banged against the edge. Her body fell upon hard planks, making a loud sickening creak followed by smaller creaking which approached her location. A powerful tug was felt on her ankle, prompting to reach for anything that would keep her away from this man. All she could grab was the tablecloth which fell as it was pulled along with her.
And in end, she came face-to-face with that pale wide grin.
"N-No, wait!" it was all she could say before a sharp pain was felt through her hand. She had attempted to shield her face, resulting in the broken bottle being stabbed right through her left wrist. Judge Holden effortlessly tore her whole arm with a pull before stabbing it through her body and shoulder all while keeping himself atop her to keep her from escaping. She could hear and feel his heavy breathing against her soft skin, even as it's being torn and soaked in blood. Along with his grin, it looked like he was enjoying this brutal act and she was helpless to stop it no matter how hard she pushed and hit. He was stronger after all, strong enough that he could do anything he wanted to do... anything.
All this agony blinded her to the candle she had knocked down, lighting the dry tablecloth with ease before spreading through old planks. It was only when her hair and clothes began to burn did she realize the pain of fire spreading through her being. At this sight, the judge sighed and relaxed for a moment, even as flames snaked up his clothes too, exposing his large pale body one burn hole at a time. Yet his light skin remained free of burns despite the biting trails that spread through him.
"Ha! What a rush! That's what I like about you, Tomie~ No matter how many times I do this, it's always as dangerous, as thrilling as the last. This game will be one of hell of an experience from start to finish!" he said while flicking a lock of hair from Tomie's burning face as she sputtered and choked from the blood and smoke pouring into her lungs. Despite the jagged hole leaking innards at the side of her head and burns climbing up her body, her helpless visage remained just as beautiful as ever to look at. Realizing that his companion won't be responding anymore, he reached for the stone tablet he brought along with him for occasions like this. With the sharp end of the bottle he held, he scraped against it to create a tally mark with 3 completed ones drawn besides it. Throughout all this, flames continue to slither up and around their bodies, turning blood to vapor and flesh to ash. It all culminated in an explosion from the bar as all the alcohol was set alight by the spreading fire.
"I truly can't wait for our next meeting," Judge Holden said before sticking his tablet on his holster.
"But what say we savor our last moments?" He got up from where he sat before manhandling the poor girl, giving the two a chance to see how they were. Two people engulfed in flames but only one was keeping themselves together in their entirety. Her weak legs struggled to find footing on the hot fragile floor but being held high up certainly helped her from just slumping back down, something her body cried out to do.
The flames burn away his hat and the lunar dome of his skull passes palely under the bright orange lights. He takes her by her remaining arm, his other hand on her hip and he pirouettes and makes a pass, two passes, dancing as the sound fiddling degrades along the burning gramophone. Despite the fire engulfing their being, their feet remain light and nimble. They never sleep. They say that they will never die. They dance in ash and charcoal and they are a great favorite. They never sleep, the judge and the girl. They say that they will never die
It was dimly lit at the time with only candles placed all around to provide lighting. A somber tune of a violin served as ambience, being played by a gramophone in the far corner. Despite the bountiful presence of food, water, and weapons in the place, not a single soul was present there due to the person sitting in the middle. A teenage girl sat by a table all alone, her head resting on her hand as she occasionally sighed with disinterest. Despite her unamused expression, her beauty was immaculate, supernatural even which many have found hard to resist. Yet many have became all but aware of her role and the game she played.
Her influence was growing, and it needed to be curbed.
"And what's a little lady like you doing alone?" a voice could be heard alongside a small pale hand reaching out from the dark. Looking up, the young woman saw a man looming over her. He stood six foot six in his moccasins, had a large, fleshy frame, a dull, tallow-colored face destitute of hair. The sight of him earned a smile from the girl as she straightened her head and put her hands on the table.
"Holden," she said as the man sighed.
"Hmm, third generation splitter. Hello, Tomie," he replied before offering his hand.
"Care for dance?" Her delicate fingers touched against a similarly small hand clothed in rough leather. She stood up once her hand was held before following the judge along. His large stature and heavy weight caused the old wooden floors to creak with every other step he took.
"Interesting to see you come back. Am I just that beautiful?" Tomie asked as she was being led to a more open area.
"It's curious. Despite your inferior heritage, your features are indeed attractive, even in an objective stance. A perfect chin length, nose size, distance between eyes, forehead size, even your eyes aren't slitted like those of your kind. I just can't seem to get it out of my head," Judge Holden explained as his companion's smile widened.
"Tell me more, tell me more! I'd love to hear it," Tomie pushed on as she stopped, now standing in a open spot.
"Frankly, that alone is absurd. But a beautiful yellow face isn't all that you have, is it? Throughout my quest in this strange land I continue to discover more about you, more to your mystery, more that is outside my knowledge," the judge explained as he raised his companion's hand before holding her hip.
"How you keep coming back to these places, how you keep drawing me and others in without a single word, how you drive any who meet you into an endless well of madness, how you turn dead matter into living flesh... how you can't seem to die." Tomie merely giggled at that explanation as she began to sway, the two monsters dancing to the music which began to swell in intensity.
"Wouldn't you like to know, big boy~"
"But that's just the game, isn't it? The man who sets himself the task of singling out the thread of order from the tapestry will by the decision alone have taken charge of the world and it is only by such taking charge that he will effect a way to dictate the terms of his own fate. If I can't route you out and strip you down of all that you are, how will I escape the enslavement of this bitter hell? You're just one more unknowable being in this place."
"I heard this before. In the end you keep playing these games, because that's what you men were born for. Nothing else~ And you know too that the worth of a game is not in the game itself but in the value of that you put at risk. In this case, you see if you can keep yourself together as you learn more about myself. The value here is your own precious mind, against an endless expanse of all that I am. But keep trying, it's all too fun for me too~"
"But I am winning. Look at you, spouting my own words back at me. Enjoying this game as much as I am too. Despite how highly you think of yourself, of your beauty, of your mystery, of the power you hold over each and every one of us, you're as human as every one of us. Each word, each meeting, each encounter, each and every bloody end, your heart blackens. And when the time comes, you will come to understand the ways of man. You are not endless, you are not the truest form of divination, you are not the ultimate game, and you are not god, for war is god. And when the time comes after all these petty, childish, insignificant games, I myself will wage that war upon the forces that held me down here. There will only be one devil by the time man rules this place."
Their dance slowed as the music died down. Despite the smiles they still had, Judge Holden still noticed his companion's grip wavering in his tightening grasp.
"Well, I wish you good luck in your endeavors. Perhaps we can discuss this more in our next meeting?" Tomie asked as she struggled to pull away from Judge Holden's grasp.
"Sure, I can't wait," he replied, his grip tightening enough to crack his companion's wrist.
"Right, I'll make it easier for you then. I'm done," Tomie suddenly slapped Judge Holden, causing him to sigh before grabbing a nearby bottle and smashing it at her head. The gaping wound it created left her stumbling away before she fell towards one of the tables when her hip banged against the edge. Her body fell upon hard planks, making a loud sickening creak followed by smaller creaking which approached her location. A powerful tug was felt on her ankle, prompting to reach for anything that would keep her away from this man. All she could grab was the tablecloth which fell as it was pulled along with her.
And in end, she came face-to-face with that pale wide grin.
"N-No, wait!" it was all she could say before a sharp pain was felt through her hand. She had attempted to shield her face, resulting in the broken bottle being stabbed right through her left wrist. Judge Holden effortlessly tore her whole arm with a pull before stabbing it through her body and shoulder all while keeping himself atop her to keep her from escaping. She could hear and feel his heavy breathing against her soft skin, even as it's being torn and soaked in blood. Along with his grin, it looked like he was enjoying this brutal act and she was helpless to stop it no matter how hard she pushed and hit. He was stronger after all, strong enough that he could do anything he wanted to do... anything.
All this agony blinded her to the candle she had knocked down, lighting the dry tablecloth with ease before spreading through old planks. It was only when her hair and clothes began to burn did she realize the pain of fire spreading through her being. At this sight, the judge sighed and relaxed for a moment, even as flames snaked up his clothes too, exposing his large pale body one burn hole at a time. Yet his light skin remained free of burns despite the biting trails that spread through him.
"Ha! What a rush! That's what I like about you, Tomie~ No matter how many times I do this, it's always as dangerous, as thrilling as the last. This game will be one of hell of an experience from start to finish!" he said while flicking a lock of hair from Tomie's burning face as she sputtered and choked from the blood and smoke pouring into her lungs. Despite the jagged hole leaking innards at the side of her head and burns climbing up her body, her helpless visage remained just as beautiful as ever to look at. Realizing that his companion won't be responding anymore, he reached for the stone tablet he brought along with him for occasions like this. With the sharp end of the bottle he held, he scraped against it to create a tally mark with 3 completed ones drawn besides it. Throughout all this, flames continue to slither up and around their bodies, turning blood to vapor and flesh to ash. It all culminated in an explosion from the bar as all the alcohol was set alight by the spreading fire.
"I truly can't wait for our next meeting," Judge Holden said before sticking his tablet on his holster.
"But what say we savor our last moments?" He got up from where he sat before manhandling the poor girl, giving the two a chance to see how they were. Two people engulfed in flames but only one was keeping themselves together in their entirety. Her weak legs struggled to find footing on the hot fragile floor but being held high up certainly helped her from just slumping back down, something her body cried out to do.
The flames burn away his hat and the lunar dome of his skull passes palely under the bright orange lights. He takes her by her remaining arm, his other hand on her hip and he pirouettes and makes a pass, two passes, dancing as the sound fiddling degrades along the burning gramophone. Despite the fire engulfing their being, their feet remain light and nimble. They never sleep. They say that they will never die. They dance in ash and charcoal and they are a great favorite. They never sleep, the judge and the girl. They say that they will never die
- Place Located in: Blackwater Saloon
- Starting range: 10 meters with no line of sight
- Holden has his possible abilities except Non-Duality
- Both are completely in-character (I feel like this is one of those cases where the characters would fight even without an altered state of mind. I mean, Holden's a guy and Tomie's a strange undying being who probably doesn't have Holden's consent for existing)
- Both have prior knowledge
- Win via anything!!
- Man is the monster : 0
- War is the monster : 0
- Incon : 0
VS
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