Degraded Liar

"Iᴛ ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴏʟʟʏ ᴀᴄᴄᴜsᴛᴏᴍᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʟᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ Lᴀɴᴅ ᴏғ Jᴜᴅɢᴇᴍᴇɴᴛ," Agnes said.

I laughed. "Of course. One of my greatest qualities is my nature to adapt. How else do you think I managed to live like you so easily?"

Raya gripped my arm. The corners of her mouth bent down and she looked at me with greatly worried eyes. "Are you really doing this right now," she asked me with a baffled tone.

"Relax, it is just a game. You ought to enjoy such things." I patted Rayas's head. She pouted slightly and it seemed like a lot of things went through her head. Still, as someone who had bested her, should she not show a little more trust in me?

Lady Butterfly agreed with my words. She gnawed on her pipe. "Gee, that Agnes kid is right. It ain't like we are holding a Judgement Table. Not without a judge. Though that doesn't mean you'll go back on your word, right?"

"I would never lie," I told her, earning me extreme scorn from both Agnes and Raya. "If not, how about putting it on paper?"

"A contract? Maybe afterward. Beating someone as young as you will be child's play." The lady joked. Smoke escaped her lips, together with her words. "Just you watch; When I win, I'm making that girl work her bones off. Sorry, but, I got, like, a massive debt to pay off and she just looks to be the hope I've been praying for. Hey, no worries, I treat my children well."

My dear Rayas face paled and I realized that my coat looked good on her. The fur wrapped around her, emphasizing her curves. She kept stretching the hem, trying to hide her butt. Since the coat was originally mine, it was too small for her, looking more like a mini-dress and just barely hid anything that should be hidden. As hard as it was for me to admit, I understood where the Butterfly Lady came from—Raya was the embodiment of Eros.

We all headed back into the room I came from, Libra had left for someplace else. Inside, there was only one table, perfect for a showdown, albeit it was an unofficial one. The butterfly gracefully took her seat. I sat opposite her, just like the time I first entered this place. I beckoned Raya to approach me and let her sit on my lap. She first disagreed and turned red, but I made her feel welcome with my gentle touch. I stretched my arms out, letting my cousin hold me close.

"You got a game in mind?" the Lady asked me. "An interesting one please."

"I do." I placed my hand on the desk. "We both ask each other a question. The first one that cannot answer, loses. I call it the Degraded Liars Game. It fits our current situation, I believe."

"That's it? How simple. But I do like it if it's easier to understand. So the one who carries more shame inevitably loses, but I'm fuckin' amazed a kiddo like you had the guts to challenge me using these conditions. Don't you know that women like me have long discarded shame?" She fetched a new wad of herbs out her robe and placed them into her pipe.

"I wanted to give you a fair chance after all. However, there are two important rules. One, you have to answer everything as best as you can. Two," I gave her a rare serious look. "You are not allowed to lie."

"Fine with me, let's get on with it." She wasn't anxious, as if it had nothing to do with her. Inside that woman, I could tell, there was a gambling spirit, and it was a refined one to boot. How intimidating. She opened her mouth. "So, your name is really Agnes, right?"

"Of course it is. Though I can't say my answer stands pure," I said. "Then, since we are at it, what is your real name?"

Her voice turned a tad deeper. "I've got no name anymore. As of now, you may refer to me as Lady Butterfly, and as that only." She brushed her hair out of her face. "Now, something more interesting: you an S or an M?"

"Already attacking, I see. To be quite honest, many people tell me I'm sadistic, but in reality, I'm open for both; Surely this girl agrees." I rested my hand on Raya who was sitting on my lap. She shrunk; her ears were pink. I felt her heart beat like a drum, penetrating through her back, onto my chest.

While holding down my coat and fidgeting, she turned around and asked sheepishly, "What's an Es or Em?"

"That's why you were embarrassed? How innocent you are. Well, it matters not." I rustled her hair and then paid my attention to the butterfly before me. "This does beg the question, say, why do you call yourself Lady Butterfly?"

She was quick to answer. "Surely you know that a butterfly represents progress. I too have changed, after an essential event. You see, my father died in an accident. He loved getting dead drunk, thus, it was inevitable that—at work—he slipped and bashed his head in, leaving for the other world. From then on, I could only rely on myself. I had no other choice but to change." She shrugged. "Well, enough about that, I am more interested in your story. What brings a little girl to such a dubious road?"

"The demons tend to gather where the damned are. But to answer more normally, you have something I need." I knocked on my own head. "You may not understand, but I have an important appointment in less than two weeks. Your participation is essential for that. This reminds me to ask, in the underworld, which person should I never anger?"

She thought. It took a minute. "I suppose it would be Hells Judge Mariah. Never met that man in person, but I do feel his influence. Every word of his is law. If he tells you to die, you die. There are many dangerous individuals in this city, but ain't many as frightening as him. Talk is he has blackmail on influential nobility too, making him basically untouchable," she said, lowering her head. "Oh, but who cares! I understand you, but there's also her—How about you tell me what the relationship between you two are?"

I felt my brows darken from her precise question. She smiled a dead-alive smile that seemed to hold something cold. "It really isn't that interesting. She is my cousin, though I care for her as if she was my little sister. We do things together, no matter what. I'm sure she'd be useless without me."

"Hey, that isn't true at all," Raya complained and sent me a glare. Soon after, she shut her mouth, realizing the implications of her words. She felt guilty, thinking she had exposed me. Her heart beat faster. I held her against me; The girl's butt sank onto my lap, as she tightly grasped my arms wrapped around her waist. She had yet to realize the obscenity of her body. I brought my face close to Raya, her hair touched my temple, and I guided my hair out of my face.

"It is what I wholeheartedly believe to be true;" I responded, ending any doubts about my truthfulness. "Hells Judge, what a scary name. It really does make you wonder if he is human. Say, do you have any info about him that is of use?"

"I have much. Be it as it may, the man dislikes to hide. He has a mansion in the white district, where he lives with his family. I hear he has a daughter whom he holds very dear; She isn't even allowed outside without extensive protection. The populace call her the Monster Princess. Man, surely sucks to be born under such star; I'd go insane living her life. Ah, naturally, everything that I tell you stays between us." She smiled at me and played with her pipe. It appeared she had thought of something. Briefly, I saw her neck redden, faint blood vessels appearing in between. "Let's move to the main course. You avoid questions of your cousin. It really makes me wonder, for someone blood-related, you two do seem to really get it on. You two doing anything you shouldn't when together?" The lady scrutinized me; Maybe she even found a flicker of uncertainty hidden in my eyes.

"Oho. good question. All the love that's been exchanged was wholesome so far. Though when it comes to hatred, we do get passionate." I felt Raya tighten her grip, and the back of her ears changed from pink to a glowing red, almost illuminating the dim setting. "By the way, do you know a fence—as in, someone willing to sell stolen goods? I might be in need of one."

She made an effort to control her expression. The lady unknowingly squinted her eyes. "Sure I do. Say what, you manage to win and I introduce you to as many as you wish. But I don't see how that could help you win this game. In fact, none of your questions are hitting the mark. It's boring if you don't even try." She twirled her rumpled hair, a glimmer of her bare breast shone upon me as she shifted to her side. I thought if I went closer, I could change the glimmer to a sight, but when I approached, she swiftly pulled her robe up, hiding her cleavage and leaving only her fair exposed shoulders. "Oops, it's paid admission starting from here." The lady displayed a fiendish grin, and with no remorse, she asked, "Next question, if you had to choose, would you give your cousin up for somebody important that is not related to you? I mean, surely things must be crazy with all the family stuff, right?"

"That's two questions." I clicked my tongue. She really knew how to hit it where it hurt. I dabbed my forehead of its sweat.

"Agnes," Raya muttered, somewhat afraid. "You can't afford to lose."

"To answer, I would never give up on her because of superficial reasons like blood. My love does not care for what labels we have been dealt with. However, on a much different note, how big is your chest?"

Raya, who had just accumulated a scant amount of sympathy, felt it all disappear with my probing question.

"Have you given up? That was your weakest attack by far. Sizable enough to please the men around me," the Lady Butterfly said laughing.

"I haven't, but I just had to find out. How about it, if I win, why don't we spend a night together?"

Raya, once more, turned around and shouted throatily, "Agnes, stop messing around!" She curbed her embarrassment to chastise me. However, my dear, a game was all about having fun; And I had to break the pace the lady was leading me into—otherwise, the outcome would not be favorable.

"If you want a piece of this you got to earn it. I suppose we both wasted a question, so I'm going to be serious now." The lady grinned fiendishly again. She looked me in the eyes. "I know your type. I've dealt with them many times before. You say you don't want her to be someone else, but in the end, aren't you going to leave her alone?" She glanced at Raya. "Little mink, if I were you, I wouldn't trust a single word out her goddamn mouth. Turn away for a second, and they leave you with only regret. I've experienced it many times. Enough to have scars. My girls working here have too."

Raya sat with bated breath. She unwittingly moved her hands to mine. Her palms were warm.

"Since Milady is giving it her all, it would be wrong for me not to reciprocate." I pretended to be in thought. "See, you say you know my kin. Then you should know for people like me, there's only one way this tainted life ends. I don't want her to see that. I don't want her in this darkness of mine. Because I look after her. It is my duty, one that I have abandoned for far too long," I answered steadfastly, and Raya quickly turned silent. Her lips drooped and she pouted slightly. She remembered the dilemma she was in and the marbled flush between her ears dissipated. "Still, for a selfish wish, I do want her to be with me. I am myself, and she is her. If her answer is to be with me, I understand. However, I realize my words right now carry no weight for her; Even if it is the truth."

Raya nodded. She slowly got off my lap and faced me—her countenance distorted to a wince. The pain she must have felt. She moved her neck, thinking out the right words, sounding them out in her mind, and then she shook her head. There was nothing.

"You two are getting me all excited." The lady laughed loudly. She hit the table with her pipe. "Seems we are reaching a climax."

"Why thank you; I have similar notions." I bowed down. "Now it is my turn again. As I said, I'm going to be a little meaner now. So, sorry." I rubbed my nose. "See, there's something I find interesting. Your father, let's get back to him. How did he earn his bread?"

"Yeesh, I hope this ain't your big idea. Bringing up my old man." Lady Butterfly scorned. "He painted the churches' ceiling I believe. It's been a long time so my memory's all jumbled up."

I intercepted her statement. "Oh, that's weird." I lowered my head, acting shy from what I said and mindful of her reaction. "That can't be true."

The lady did not flinch. She glanced at me with cold eyes. "What, you trying to call me a liar, 'cause of what? Ah, damn, you made me waste a question. But still, what's with the accusation here?"

"I would have explained without you asking," I told her. "See, you said your father died because he tripped while drinking; Yes, that's what you said." I nodded solemnly. "Now, here's the thing, those who drink too much usually develop an illness called 'alcohol shakes'—a symptom inevitable for people suffering from alcohol addiction." I paused, gauging for any response. None came. I continued. "Suspended in the air, he would need extreme precision to paint these realistic paintings a church always wants. There's no way he could do such fine work under such conditions. No, he wouldn't have even made it up the ladder. But let's say he was skillful enough to do so; I don't think he'd die of a simple slip then." I slammed my hands on the table, the cups rattled and they spat out little droplets of brown tea. I pointed at her with my finger and said, "You're trying to hide something—a truth you don't want anybody to know. So, what's it gonna be: Can you talk yourself out and let the secret come to light, or will you forfeit the game because you lied?"

There was a quiet. Raya glanced at me in amazement.

Suddenly, the lady's stony facade dropped; it shattered, brittle as it was, revealing a pouting child. "You dirty—you trapped me." She froze, wounded. "So, this game wasn't just about exposing your opponent, it's about catching inconsistencies. I was wondering why some stupid no-lie rule was there. It's to tempt me into testing its limits. Dumb me got caught in your misdirection."

"Since just a moment ago you asked me twice, allow me to do the same. No worries, it should help you with your decision-making," I said sharply, and almost sincerely, with faux authority. "There's something I am curious about. You know, within this grand country of ours, there's only one estate whose names are important enough that they may need hiding. Are you perchance a fallen noble?"

The butterfly was silent for a long time. She grumbled so hard, her face scrunched. Her grip tightened around the pipe, bending it, while she wrestled her thoughts in inner turmoil. "That geezer of mine . . . was a corrupt judge. He also painted, but that was rarely. He did drink a lot too. I did not lie about that." She squinted her eyes, mulling over the right words. She groaned as if the memories hurt her. "In the morning, he'd emotionally abuse me even when he was wrong and refused to take any accountability for his actions, because as a judge—a sacred task from God to King to him—he'd know better than silly young me of course." The haze returned to her face, rebuilding the walls that had crumbled, and what seemed so clear had now turned opaque, as her countenance turned hard like steel. "However, turns out at night, that man. . . he'd take bribes from the rich. He never wanted to be just, he only liked the authority. Really blows your mind, huh? At last, it all came crashing down on our family and we lost everything we had, though I ain't got anything to begin with. That shit really was no joke." She nibbled on her pipe. "I am glad that lard-ass is dead." She shot the smoke out her lips, looking like a sharp sword piercing through the air. "Letting all that out felt good. I hope this wasn't your big plan, because if so, the game's as good as over."

She breathed out, and I gave her pause to do so. It felt like she really needed it.

"Yes, it is over." I sighed. "but not because of the reason you think it is, I am afraid." A smile appeared on me. "You lost. You are going to ask how, and I will tell you: Do you remember the rules?"

"Nonsense." The lady looked at me with incredulity. "To not lie. And I didn't, did I?"

"That's the second one." I shook my head in concerned disappointment. "You forget, the first is to always answer as best as you can. That means no hiding information."

Lady Butterfly gasped. "Wait, you—"

"Yes, exactly. When I asked you what he worked as you never mentioned him being a judge. That is a violation of rule one." I gifted her a sharp stare. "You aren't going to tell me you simply forgot, right? Unless of course, you lied. Either way, the outcome is the same," I said. "Yes, you lost. And this time, there's no talking out of it."

"Get outta here." She was already sitting on the edge of her chair. The lady threw her pipe away—hitting a wall—and it neatly snapped in half. "There's no way you had got that planned!" Her screams echoed in this small room. "That's not possible for a normal human. Who are you exactly?"

I only grinned at her. With much composure, I told her, "I'm Agnes. Just an ordinary girl."