looking for heaven found the devil in me; any

[Rodrik]

In truth, he was speaking to a child and such things often would not be considered in a child-like thinking process. Rodrik, though, considered the young girl to be more than a simple child that knew nothing of the world. Ajatar was already beginning to experience the realities of life at such a young age. He did not see why she could not handle a little help to guide her—this was her life, not someone else’s. Rodrik had never wanted his own life to be controlled either. While it had never come to that, he would have been too stubborn to allow anything to stop him. Nothing had ever stopped him from getting what he wanted in the end. He was capable of planning and manipulating it all. These lessons were simple and easy if the mind was willing to learn and be open to all. The red devil had done it once to even his daughter, Lucrezia. He had tampered with her admiration of love to do what he needed and do as he asked. It had been manipulating and some days he regrets ever filling the child’s head with false information and ideas and not upholding to his promises and commitments. He should have been a better father first. But Lucrezia was well equipped to do as she pleased, just as he had fashioned and created his own ways to get that. If anything, Ajatar could be the same. He smiles when she smiles. It was a promising start, a bit of hope to a brighter future. “Control it and you will not be powerless to it,” he says, “or anyone ever.” This young girl already had others trying to use her for the will of her abilities it seemed. Family that was greedy for using her to whatever it was they willed. “But then again, you could always learn to use others.” He draws a mischief smile onto his lips, eyeing the young girl carefully to see if it interest her or not.

character info: here | character reference: here | image © rostyslav zagornov

[Ajatar]

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Harmonia.
She is loathe to call the woman her mother. At first her affections were of all children toward their mother. Admiration, recognition that she needed the palomino to live. At first she loved her (she supposed). She came when she called, she spoke only when spoken to, and she let the mare push and prod her to elicit certain reactions. After Harmonia realized what she was and what she could do...well. The girl was a tool.

No longer, though.

Rodrik speaks of control, of manipulation, of using others. This draws Ajatar's curiosity in a way it's never been drawn before. It never occurred to her to be like her mother. Could she use her, the way she uses everyone else? Ajatar had no knowledge of her mothers deep, dark history and how she had played horse after horse like a fiddle. She'd kidnapped children, she'd removed vocal cords, she'd brought kingdoms and heavens crashing down. She abandoned her children time and time again after they proved to be weak and useless. Ajatar knew, deep down, that her mother was bad.

But could she be bad too?
She is torn.

"Use others? Then, wouldn't I be just as awful as they are?" It's true childlike wonder, true naivety - the same that told her that Harmonia loved her, and that the great beast before her meant her no harm.

a j a t a r

[Rodrik]

His mother own mother—dear old Kagerou—had been quiet the opposite of the filly’s own mother. There was admiration and true and eternal affection of a mother’s love. The very presence of his father had been there too during his childhood. Old man pops, Rhaego, was more than ever a father figure despite being mute. If anything this was all he knew. Rodrik knew the very white pitch fence with loving parents and siblings. It was a perfect family. Rodrik had turned out quite the opposite. He had craved the same things all others do, and even a love and family of his own. Brunhild had been the very person in his life that his soul craved for. She had been the missing piece when he needed the other half so desperately. Her very presence filled him with more warmth and love he could ever handle. At last, she had become his and he had become hers. He would do anything for them. The red devil peers at her curiously. Manipulation had always been his key and tool to get what he wanted. It had never been about doing the very best. His acts and desires were out of selfishness, feeding his own satisfaction. But, right now, he does not see it the way he had always done. Manipulation was very whatever he had wanted, and surely it would serve the same usage for her if she accepted his teachings. “No, Ajatar,” he begins, “You do not have to use others the way your mother might or even I did.” It was her very choice to decide what she used it for just as her very own blessing and curse was too. “Manipulation is for your own personal use. It can be good or bad. It can help you achieve whatever you want in life.” He had become a king and taken many things from others because of his skill. The red devil was known for his cunningness and deceit to others. “It is your choice alone, and always your choice.” Because in the very end it is always the self that makes the choice and to act upon it. The world was cruel and most of the time you needed a little power to fight off the wicked, and even protect the ones you loved.

character info: here | character reference: here | image © rostyslav zagornov