14: Argument
Brainless Brutus and Tsukinousagi. What a concept to the mind! She, whom everyone wished to wipe themselves on, with her guard in an embrace of intimacy!
Some people probably think that it took everything I had not to scream at them, or to lose my mind. Actually, it was not so difficult to do, looking back, since I was too shocked to actually react properly. In fact, I just let Tsukinousagi go into the house, and Brutus passed right by me as he left!
-What are YOU looking at? He gave me a look. -Seema-ship.
I was too shocked to reply. I simply let him walk past me, and I went into the house after several minutes of simply looking at the cursed spot where I had seen what had happened.
How could it have happened? How could our client betray us like that? And how could I tell Dyka?
-
I should have noticed, of course. We both should have noticed something unusual about Tsukinousagi's behavior, at least when it came to Brutus, since she was given to our care. But it had been unfortunate enough that we were both tied up in the witnesses, and Jyanda's death was going to be a very difficult thing to replace. Who would go on the stand for us?
Anyways, first, it was her slightly changed demeanor. It was something that I overheard from others, the next day in court, after Kepe's long-awaited witness was again denied release from prison until the next day. There had been a delay in getting a transport ready for her; she was supposedly violent. But, as the transport for Dyka and myself was not ready, I simply listened in to a conversation between three or four soldiers whom were observers in the trial.
-They've known each other for months, the voices would snicker. -They've been like this for some time, even before this trial.
You see, Brutus was entrusted to bring her to and from the Court of Justice every day. He was charged as her guard from the time she had exited Veldanis, the last prison where she had been held. But I digress. I think I already mentioned it.
Some of the court observers later told me that, as time went on, when she was released from the court to be escorted back to Mehsheh, she would almost run to him, and they would leave, laughing and talking. It was as if they had been soul mates since the beginning of their lives. Their private displays of emotion were supposedly sickening to see.
Not only that, but it was supposed that Tsukinousagi had been taken out for dates by the large creature. Whispers abounded that she would starve herself all day - and it wasn't too surprising to us, since she never seemed to eat anything we made other than my coocors - and then go out with Brutus and have a huge meal. Indeed, some people had started to notice that Tsukinousagi was actually getting bigger and rounder in her midsection since the trial had started, yet she never ate any of our food.
On the other hand, she was never like that with us. Hearing the descriptions of how she acted with the grunt, in comparison to how she was with us, annoyed me. It was an insult, also, that she should choose to eat his food over ours, and while she stuffed herself, we were secretly being humiliated for her spurning of us. But there were stranger things I was about to hear.
-....Good day, sisters! Deciding it would be worth it to report to Dyka, and perhaps get her to trust me more, I stepped in.-I'm sorry, but I couldn't help overhearing.
There was a brief moment after this where they stared at me. They apparently thought I was angry at them for talking about my client. But I simply smiled and laughed.
-Oh, don't worry! I laughed. -You can tell me what you're talking about. I hate her too.
-You...do? One of them was astounded. -But you're her defender.
-Hmph. I shrugged it off; putting her down made me feel good for the moment. Pish! Her. My client, I admit, is not exactly the most savory character. I saw her too, last night. Brainless Brutus, right?
-....Yeah! The women laughed. -Well, what a surprise! Are they coming out in public now?
-Who knows? I snickered. -But tell me. What does she do, Does she kiss that filthy mouth of his?
-Oh dear, no! Another one of them giggled. -Dear me, I think even she's smart enough - for a jeukoochinegar - not to kiss his mouth! Who knows where its been!
We all laughed at this. Such nasty, horrible things of gossip were common with observers; they were always ones to trump things up. Unfortunately, I was a fool to think that they were only on my side; they, like I, were always looking for way to ingratiate themselves to anyone with power. And I, like a fool, had no inkling that I was playing into a dangerous trap.
-Oh, one of them then snickered. -But speaking of dirty mouths, sisters. I wonder how her lover would react if he ever saw her with him.
-Oh, indeed! The other girls laughed. -That would be a scene!
-Yes, it-what? I looked at the others. -What....did you.....did you say lover?
-We most certainly did, Sailor Themis! One of them pinched me. -You seem surprised! Didn't Dyka tell you? You know, she's your boss?
I simply kept my mouth open as the soldiers laughed and walked away. It was obvious that I didn't know a single thing. And yet, Dyka had known.....
It was then I made up my mind. I had to speak to Dyka. I had to clear everything up, and tell her about Brutus and Tsukinousagi's love affair. Then, I would get her to tell me everything.
-
We were brought home in silence, Dyka and I. As the minutes went by, my anger towards her began to rise. How much was she hiding from me? How could she hide such things from me? How was I to know our client was carrying on recklessly with a fool?
Of course, when I learned that Tsukinousagi had a lover, thoughts began to arise as to who could ever possibly be a lover to her. Who, who in their right mind? I made up my mind, at that, to believe that Tsukinousagi's other lover had to be another Brutus. Perhaps his name, I thought, was Bumpkin. It had to be, for who, other than a hulking piece of muscle, could love her?
-Dyka.
-Hmm?
-We need to talk.
The transport stopped in front of our house. Slowly, we both got out, and walked to the front door.
-What?
-Its about Tsukinousagi. I took in a deep breath. -We need to stop her.
-...Stop her? Dyka became confused. -Stop her from what?
-From destroying our case, of course!
I then began explaining to her what I had learned from those soldiers whom had been talking. I told her everything, from what I had learned about Brutus, to her....lover. By the time I had finished, Dyka and I were both inside.
-......Hm.
-That is all the truth. I finished what was probably one of the longest discussions I had had with her in a very long time, perhaps ever. -We need to do something, something that will ensure this doesn't continue. How will it looks to the Three when the hear about this? They may declare us incompetent...or...or something of that sort.
-.....How do you propose to do this?
-Well, I..... I stopped. -I...figured you had some suggestions.
Dyka stopped, and looked at me. She started to laugh, which instantly chilled me.
-Themis...... She shook her head. -No, no. I will not deal with this matter. You shall.
-Tha......What?
-I already knew of...this lover of hers. Dyka snorted. -But this discovery will be yours to handle, this one of Brutus.
I looked at her, and I am quite sure my mouth was open quite wide when she finished. At that point, my simmering annoyance at her briefly lost control. The next thing I knew, I was screaming.
-SO YOU DID KNOW! I exploded. -YOU KNEW. And when I talked to those women, I looked like a complete fool!
-Quiet, you fool! Dyka looked at me, her laugh subsiding. -That is not completely my fault.
-How is it my fault!?
-You should know better than to talk to them. All they do is spread rumors.
-Well, those were rumors I just happened to not know about! I spat. -So, what else are you going to hide from me?
-I beg your pardon?
-You know what I'm talking about.
-THAT was none of your business. Dyka's voice changed at this. -I was talking to someone that you have no need to learn of.
-Is that SO?
-Yes. At this, Dyka's became such that I noticed the anger in it. -And if you know better, you'll mind your business.
-....Fine.
I gave a growl at this. I was really, really hating what Dyka was doing to me. I knew nothing. I was not allowed to know anymore than I did. And when I asked for more info, Dyka only got angry with me. I really had a mind to take it up with someone if it kept up. By this time, of course, everything Dyka said was angering me.
-I am the main defender of Tsukinousagi. And you will do what I tell you. Dyka started to walk off. -You will be the one to try to bring her back to us.
-Right. I nodded. -Because-
-Because we don't know what she may be telling him. I was immediately cut off from saying it was somewhat inappropriate. -Though I will admit....such a thing was not unexpected. I anticipated that we might have to do something to show her what we are doing, that it is us whom she must learn to trust. And if I can save her, most likely I can't, but she will learn to be grateful. You will be the one to show her we want her.
-How?
-By using this.
With that, Dyka turned back around and held up a card towards me. I slowly brought one of my appendages out and took it from her. On it was Dyka's scribbled, messy writing.
-Hu....... I squinted. -Hu....m....humbu......humbugger. Fr.....f.....frey.
-It took me time, but I found something that could make her stop her foolishness.
-What...... I looked confused. -What is Humbugger?
-It is a food, Dyka replied. -A delicacy from her world.
I looked at the card and frowned. There were things written that I did not understand.
-But....what is this?
-Its called a recipe. Dyka tossed her head back. - Make it for her tonight. We start this now.
-......What about you?
-I have to go down to one of the neighbors. Dyka gave me another warning look. -I was asked to attend a small gathering. I already told them you couldn't come either way.
-...I see.
I was very certain I was sulking as Dyka went to leave. Dyka was going to a party, and I was stuck with what your kind calls the dirty laundry. Of course, Tsukinousagi was not laundry. But I digress.
-Oh. Dyka went to leave. -One more thing, Floritiuse. Don't scare that girl. If we're going to get her to stop with Brutus, we can't go around hitting her anymore. Understood?
-Understood.
-Good. Dyka opened the door. -I'll be back. Have fun.
And with that, the door closed, and I was alone.
