Well, they ARE bird legs in the end. He has always been a beanstalk for as long as I've known him.
Something strapless... [Encouraging Akira seems to be a terrible, terrible idea. But on the other hand it'd give Douman a wealth of things to laugh at while the Doctor is happening to others. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions~ ] You know, there was actually a rather famous male doctor who's wearing things like that in human pop culture. Maybe you could take him as a reference?
I can't believe that you've never heard of Doctor F. N. Furter from Transylvania. Now that I'm recalling it, I think that he has even researched in a similar direction as you're doing with your nurses. I bet that you could learn a lot from each other.
[Rest of the world, you're welcome. He'd going to get the popcorn and find himself a good seat.]
[ In all honesty, the fear came and went pretty often.
Of course he's afraid. He's alone somewhere out on the ocean in the hands of criminals who apparently know enough of their stuff to not only know what a youkai is but to have an anti-magic talisman on hand. Whether they knew exactly what he is or not, they decided to get the most bang for their buck and double it as a blindfold, which felt like adding insult to injury. He can't grow any new eyes, can't use his strength, couldn't even take the damn thing off himself if he could get out of these bindings, and he can't look around at his jail like a normal human being would! Ugh.
But what's been getting him the most is the boredom. He's received only a few visits from the same few people, and none of them have been too entertaining to talk to. He can tell there are more people around, the sound of voices and footsteps are common enough to hear from outside, but they're too muffled to make out any actual words so he'd have something, anything for mental stimulation other than running through the same few thought experiments on getting out over and over and over and over...
--Noise. A single pair of footsteps approaching. Not immediately something to get excited over, but they just keep getting closer until they're at what he's assumed is the doorway and it finally opens.
Must be time for another check in. Boring as they usually are, he can't help but perk right on up at something tangible to pay attention to. ]
Hello! Good--ah, is it afternoon or evening? Been getting hard to tell.
[Fear's good. Fear's well-deserved, considering how dangerous the Great Lake is in the first place, let alone the sort of bastards who travel her many varied waters and zones, all full of their own time-limited punishments.
But that's not a worry for Akira. Not the Waves of the Great Lake, no; the Twinhook Pirates would've been long gone if they couldn't fucking move before their time ran out. Maybe the reek of guests come before him might add an edge, the scraps of those not cared for enough to cough up exorbitant amounts of ahn or ignored completely. The way the whole place seems to sway and groan, containers on containers like their own little city all stinking and rusting and damp.
Or maybe it's just the fact that he can't fucking do anything, and there's indeed a pair of well-heeled boots tick-tacking towards his container. The door gets slid open with a long-suffering grunt, fresh air and light streaming in to alleviate all that metal-rotten stench, before it disappears just as quickly.]
Hey hey~ [Yeah this one uses tildes a bit. Love to remember that all of a sudden when I reread his dialogues.] Honoured guest. It's afternoon, yeah? Not that that matters to you, I suppose.
[The boots tick-tack ever closer, at a faster clip; it's not often that the first mate gets to actually get his hands dirty these days, with how he's stuck doing the pirate equivalent of paperwork most of the time. In fact, probably the one time Akira's heard this voice was when he was nabbed in the first place and restrained at all; the cold blade of a hook prosthesis at his nape, a pistol pressed to his temple, and the same bored, lilting tone.]
Negotiations haven't started yet. Bit sad for you, isn't it? Thought that, since my lads are busy, I'd come and make sure our accommodations are to your liking. Since you're an extra special guest and aaaall~ You comfy? You good? Hungry, sore, thirsty? If you need to piss, there's nothing I can do about that, unless you're real brave.
[Then there's the tell-tale squeaking sound of leather right up close; Gregor's squatting beside Akira now, breath thick with exotic tobacco nabbed off another unfortunate guest and the tip of that ice cold hook dragging against the metal floor.] You feeling brave?
[ Ah yes, he remembers this voice. Someone very important, judging by his coming in alone and the smell of nice tobacco on his breath. (Hm. What he wouldn't give for a smoke right now too.) Someone dangerous. If this one's going to be coming back at all it'd be a good thing to get a few tests in on their patience for chit chat.
With a shrug and a demonstrative tug at his wrists, ] I am feeling sore, if we're being honest with each other.
[ Completely genuine. Not as lackadaisical as he might normally sound, but not quite like he's talking to someone who could end his life on a whim--it's moreso the average caution of talking to any kind of authority figure. ]
Though I don't suppose there's much you can do about that either, huh?
Fair 'nuff. My lads, they don't prioritise comfort when it comes to tyin', just security. Can't have you runnin' around here blind, can we? And we do need you blind.
[Heh heh horf. A little joke between pals, of course.] Just means you'll have more to thank your family or whoever for when they cough up, doesn't it? You can kiss their feet, thank 'em for getting your wrists all freed up. It'll be reeeeaaal heartwarming~
[Then he's quiet for a second or two, looking over his shoulder as if he'll get sprung for having too much fun, before turning his attention back to his guest and tapping the tip of his hook against one of Akira's thighs. Not a horny gesture, at least not for now, just meant to see if he'll jump.]
What would you give up if you could get outta here right now, I wonder? Both hands? Just for the sake of conversation, mind.
[ Whether you're in the camp of it being grotesque or gorgeous, it's hard to deny the thing is eye-catching.
It's been nicknamed The Heart of Geb, probably due to it looking uncannily like a human heart blown from glass until the venae and arteries give way to a more crystalline formation, suggesting it was pulled right from the earth. The smoother sections of the ventricles are somewhat foggy, but what looks like a thin, glossy liquid can be seen stagnating inside, facets of light mysteriously catching from within to project what can only be described as rainbow constellations when plunged into complete darkness. It really is a sight to behold.
But most of the time it's not for anyone but its "owner" to see, locked away in a much less brilliant box for safekeeping. Once in a blue moon, and only then, does the "owner" feel a sliver of generosity in their own heart to allow the starved masses a few moments to glut themselves on its presence...for the appropriate fee, of course.
That's what has the museum in such a tizzy these recent nights. The exhibit isn't fully set up for the paying public just yet, but of course word's already gotten out that this precious thing is swapping its usual maximum security cage for a slightly less reliable one. Seeing Zwei agents on duty is enough to scare most two-bit punks with delusions of grandeur off, but that doesn't mean they get to just sit back and be intimidating their whole shift.
Another name has wormed its way into public consciousness in the past few months: Dodomeki. A demon with many eyes. That's what the fella calls himself after he swoops in unseen to snatch such oddities for himself--or is it all for himself? Rumors have gone this way and that about mysterious sums of money going to places like orphanages and hospitals, or to businesses with already shady reputations; it's difficult to tell what's an actual lead and what's just curious people extrapolating and spreading fantastical stories as a way to kill time.
On this night, in this corner of the property, his presence is still a looming threat. No one's seen hide nor hair of him, though, let alone any kind of ne'er-do-well, so maybe they really can relax for just a second. Just a sec. Lil breather, it'll be fine.
So long as they don't notice a vivid red eye blink into existence at the edge of a corridor wall, looking every which way as if to hastily find its bearings. ]
[Gregor figures it's just one of those pieces of art that you're not meant to get (despite evidence towards natural formation so on and so forth). He's not sure if it's pretty or not; it sure is impressive, but...
Eh. Beyond his ken to understand. He's not meant to, either; this isn't about appreciating the thing, just protecting it, ensuring order when people come in for viewings in short time, so on and so forth. And he intends on doing just that to the best of his ability. Zwei involvement usually keeps the majority of folks bar the most desperate or the cockiest away, which helps, but it also leads to the number one killer.
Complacency.
Whiiiiich he might be exhibiting when he stretches and yawns, of half a mind to find Heathcliff just around the corner and see if he can't bum a light off him, if not a smoke as well. He's already turning, actually, when something flickers in his peripheral vision. Something red, brightly so, without any alarm sounds to say that it's at least part of the building. That's all he needs to snap out of it, though; the benefit of Gregor is, underneath that lazy mien, how quickly he can snap to attention and get work done.
In this case, 'work' is just him sprinting towards that unassuming eye, zweihander curving through the air to make up for its wielder's lack of height. There's no delay; every second of vision stolen is a second of layout relayed back to the owner, assuming it's some sort of stealth monitor system.]
Ahaaaaa, achtung, baby! [let him have a cool one-liner, at least once. Just once.]
[ Luckily for Gregor he's quick enough to catch the eye before it catches him, the thing instantly squeezing shut upon contact with the zweihander as if that spot on the wall was made of flesh. Just as organic, it'll ooze muted red until the wall is once again smooth and unmarred, the droplets mysteriously fading with the it, though when Gregor pulls back his weapon what red's clung to the metal will stick around as a reminder that those moments did indeed happen.
It's quiet for a few beats, five, ten...
Until another eye, just like the other, pops up even further down the corridor in full view of where Gregor should be able to see it. It searches left, right, then stops dead on him once he's found.
What will he do? ]
michelin star-level rp for me.....u shouldn't have u////u
[The smart thing would, of course, be to yell out to Heathcliff or Faust, corner this thing and destroy it effortlessly. However, that's no fun for anyone involved, especially not the sort of guy who's keen to spice up his night. He figures that, if it gets too much, he'll get in the kids to help, but for now?
It's just him, and whoever's behind that eye. That reappearing eye, staring right at him, which he gladly allows considering he's already racing towards it yet again. (And really, if the other Zwei Fixers don't hear him laugh-panting by this stage, their collective failure is on them.) This time, however, there's no swing to his blade; the madman's attempting a stab, which is. It sure is something, considering his height and all.]
Hey hey hey, fella, where's your mouth? Let's have a little banter here, if you're gonna be this ballsy! It's no fun like this, yanno?
[ Thankfully Maruki is spared holding a strange youkai's hand all the way to a nearby hospital.
The place is huge, clean, and busy despite seeming like it has plenty enough staff running around all seeing to their duties. It also gets easy to tell who's newer and who isn't from their reactions to Akira, some only recognizing the name while others greet him warmly, excited to show him one thing or another or beg his opinion on something, all of which he has to tear himself away from due to some very important business with his guest, here.
He does promise to do his best getting back to them before the day's out, though. Hard to keep his curiosity at bay once it's piqued.
Which is why he keeps at dragging Maruki along until they're finally alone in an office on one of the upper floors, clearly not used very often what with how organized and lacking in any personal touches it is. For that extra bit of security he even locks the door behind them, placing the key used on top of the desk, well within either of their reach.
It's a quiet promise that this isn't some kind of trap to pounce and chow down on him after all, only a safety measure, and Maruki can still back out at any time he chooses. ]
[ Akira's popularity with some of the staff doesn't go unnoticed, nor does the gesture with the key. Both go a long way toward settling the uncertainty in Maruki's mind that keeps edging toward fear. By all means, he should be frightened of a youkai β especially one who is in the medical field and eats organs β but there's something rather placating about Akira. He keeps managing to pull Maruki back in, gain a few footholds of trust.
He glances around the pristine office, then back to Akira. ]
Thank you. It's a very nice facility. Do youkai really come here for treatment...?
[ Yes, he's stalling. And he hasn't taken a seat. ]
This is mostly a human hospital, but it's known in the local community as a safe place to go. The youkai on staff know all the proper protocol~
[ They passed a few on their way here, but masterful control of shape changing is a must for youkai who choose to live this way. He wouldn't out them, though, not to a stranger, even one he has good feelings about. Maruki will just have to learn who's what on his own time if he gets curious enough.
Akira himself takes a lean against the front of his desk, casual save for the spark of all-consuming curiosity behind his eyes (just the two, for now) fixed on the other man. ]
[ He steps back a little further, puts more distance between him and Akira at the desk. ]
Let's begin.
[ It stands to reason that a reality with youkai disguised as normal humans has just enough ripples at the edges of its fabric that a cognitive being could exist in it too. Maruki has no doubt, really. Azathoth was borne from his soul; he knows inherently what it can and cannot do, and he knows it will come now if he calls.
The air in the tidy, disused office wavers slightly as an aurora of deep jewel tones seeps in. It's a lovely sight all on its own, for the few seconds it lasts before the Persona that it heralds makes its appearance. All at once, Azathoth manifests beside Maruki β scaled down to fit indoors, its gleaming golden chassis taking up the whole space from floor to ceiling.
It stares at Akira with unseeing, otherworldly blue eyes as its clawed tentacles rise up all around it and Maruki, striated in that same glowing neon.
He looks from his Persona to Akira and waits for the oncoming avalanche of weirdness that's sure to follow. ]
It's called Azathoth. It doesn't act outside of my command, [ lmao probably? ] so you're safe.
[ Maruki trusts Akira. And at this point, it isn't even against his better judgment.
He's a caring, affectionate man who has, to Maruki's knowledge, never been dishonest with him. Yes, he can get intense about his interests, butβ well, so can Maruki. That's something inherent to people who seek out knowledge above all else, he thinks. Even when it's occasionally unnerving, it's never dangerous. Really, Maruki feels perfectly safe with him, youkai or not.
Of course, there's always the possibility that he's got it all wrong, that he's walked right into the belly of the beast and will be devoured soon enough. But some wires of his cognition are permanently crossed, and even that potential is thrilling in its own way.
One nice date snowballs into another, and another, and another, and it's truly a phenomenal thing that Maruki gets up the nerve to accept an invitation back to his hotel room.
His very luxe hotel room.
Suddenly, Akira's ability to spoil him on those dates makes a bit more sense... Oh, to have a doctorate degree that isn't functionally useless.
It's there, on a plush loveseat in a suite that surely costs more than his life, that Maruki finds himself deftly pulled into the good doctor's lap. Awkward, gangly limbs splay to straddle his lap, and his already flushed cheeks flare brighter and hotter as his palms come to rest flat on Akira's chest, and he laughs through his shock and fluster. ]
Ah, I keep forgetting just how strong you are... [ Not that it takes much to muscle around a guy as slight as him, but still. ] I wish my own abilities granted me any sort of practical side effects like that. You've certainly got one over on me!
[ Being the eldest son of a wealthy family, Akira's been on his share of dates. Both with the children of other families trying to win the favor of the Takahashis and younger folk who see a rich eccentric and figure they may as well shoot their shot.
Very, very few of them come back for a second go.
He was always too much in one way or another, too strange, too intense, too frightening, and though finding a match was never really his highest priority Akira just had to come to terms with the fact that finding someone who enjoys spending time with him as much as he does with them was going to be...difficult.
Maruki, though. Maruki is incredibly easy to spend time with. He's so patient with Akira's curiosities, eager to learn things in tandem, and has no shortage of fascinating topics to regale with at any given time. On top of that he's kind, and he's cute with that smile and nervous little laugh...
Alright. Akira might be a little smitten.
Which might also be obvious from the tipsy adoration he's beaming up at Maruki once the man's settled on his lap, palms resting against thighs as thumbs draw lazy little circles.
With a chuckle, ] It helps that you're pretty light. Buuuuut I do get a lot of practice holding down unruly patients, so it isn't all side effects of genetics.
[ He likes to think he doesn't let his upbringing get the better of him all that often, but even the most shunned of outcasts aren't immune to social conditioning. And so a potential partner hitting him with the 'oh wooow you're so strooong' is. Unexpectedly doing it for that oni side of him. ]
[ Akira's in luck, because Maruki has no intention of stopping with the fawning over him any time soon. He likes to be vocal in his affection, places a tremendous value on words. And besidesβ none of it is put on at all. Maruki genuinely means every word of praise that he speaks, earnest in all endeavors.
He ducks his head to try to hide a growing flush β holding down unruly patients, dear lord, of course that's part and parcel when it comes to practicing medicine on youkai. Akira is ridiculous, and Maruki's ridiculously fond of him.
One hand tracks up to idly fiddle with the collar of Akira's shirt, fingers slipping inside undone top buttons to seek out the warmth of his skin. ]
Do I have to be unruly to see that for myself? I'm afraid that's not exactly in my nature...
[Preamble schmeamble. Satan's Big Kink is spanking. Akira is interested in studying his capabilities. Satan can transform into a fucking furry behemoth with big ole paws, too big for anywhere bar a warehouse or the like, but hey, he's not the only guy Akira's probably had to 'treat' of this size, so it's not like it's hard for them to find a space to do this. In fact, it's a relief to be able to stretch for a bit, really fuck around with his powers and get praised for it like he's actually special.
And sometimes, Satan likes to indulge in a bit of mind-reading to see what this little non-human, buzzing with energy and curiosity, is thinking. One thing leads to another, and really, is it any surprise that Satan's sat down, yanking Akira over his big, veiny thighs (so close to his sheath, oh dear) and rumbling in amusement?]
You're a pain in the fucking ass, so I figure you should learn what that feels like too, huh Doc? Reckon no one's ever disciplined you like you deserve; types like that crave a sharp hand across the ass, kekeke!
[A gentle stroke from mind to mind, to make sure that Akira's alright with this in ways that Satan's clumsy words don't fully allow. Imperceptibly small, almost. But it's only fun if they're both having fun.]
[ Oh, once Satan brought out that 'new' form there's no doubt Akira's been a pain in the ass. A presumptuous brat, even, the way he pokes, prods, pulls at every inch of the huge fella he can get to with little to no consideration for how said huge fella might feel about it. He's far too excited for that, lost in the sauce of discovery and pushed forward like the blood pumping through his veins a mile a minute, flushing his face and burdening his breathing into an almost obscene display all on its own.
So it really should be no surprise this is where that gets him. ]
--Hey! I wasn't anywhere close to done with you!
[ Only a half serious complaint, as a peek into his mind will show. It moves just as quickly as you'd think, flipping back and forth between a hydra of questions about this devil, this body, the other body, how everything is interconnected, and the horny stream of consciousness once he's bent over of yes, yes, oh yes, please keep going, please--
Which is to say, despite the wriggling he's doing, yes. He's very alright with all of this. ]
Can it; you're the one who's big on learning, and I'm teaching you a fuckin' lesson.
[Delicately delicately, he tries to undress Akira with his big meaty paws, before grunting and giving up on that delicate bullshit. For better or worse, those pants are just getting yanked down, and underwear? Nah. Nah, that's getting torn, straight up. As if it's paper instead of cloth.
Then Satan smooths one hand over that cute little ass, chuffing heavily enough that it looks like clouds of steam coming from his maw, before winding back.]
You're lucky I know you can take a real beating. I really wanna punish you for being so damn cute that it pisses me off...! [There's no holding back when he finally brings his hand down on Akira's ass, at least not like there would be for a human. The sort of slap that rattles the brain and spine, just for this uppity little creature.
With his free hand, he cups Akira's chin and starts working one pointed, thick claw into his mouth, just to press against his tongue and see what he does. Another slap. Another. Just varying in power and placement enough to keep any one spot from going completely numb, the comforting sort of percussion and pain that threatens to go too far but never quite manages it.]
[ Had they never stumbled back in time, a night like tonight would normally be spent alone.
Things are different now, though. When Miki slips away after school lets out on Friday to spend the weekend with his sister, Hatanaka, and their new baby, instead of penciling himself in for a candlelit dinner for two with his sailor uniform catalogue and early night's rest, Haruaki found himself poking his head into the nurse's office to see if the terrifying good doctor might have an evening free.
And where an enthusiastic yes might have sent him spiraling into instant cowardly regret and running for the hills anywayβ
They're sat across from one another at the low table in Haruaki's dormitory room, a couple beers deep after enjoying dinner at one of the stalls in town, and he's only feared for his life less than half a dozen times! It's going pretty well!!
That reminds me, Akira-kunβ when you were patching up Hatanaka-kun's injuries after he was brought back from Kyoto... did he ever tell you how that all happened?
[ This is honestly the best case scenario for what could have happened after everything came to light. At least it is in Akira's mind.
He was never subtle about his interest in Haruaki before, but now with added context it almost feels even more intense, his smile wider and brighter when Haruaki wants to spend time with him--he always, always has time to spare for his oniisan.
Especially with 'Akira-kun' thrown into the mix, but this is already a lot for the delicate creature that is this man sitting across from him. They can get into how it makes his chest flutter a little later.
Even without that it's a downright nice night, the food is good, conversation fun, and a cute, healthy baby picture to coo over to top it off. He really couldn't ask for anything better... ]
Mm?
No, he didn't. Hatanaka-kun always likes to try and act tough and downplay his injuries, so he doesn't always tell me what happens.
[ That's about what he figured. If anything, Hatanaka probably only grumbled vaguely about getting into a fight. He can be so cool sometimes... ]
That's the way he is, isn't it...
[ It's said with nothing less than fondness as Haruaki takes another swig of his beer and then sets in down in favor of propping both elbows up on the table to rest his chin on his hands, eyes wandering up and away as he tells a very normal story in the most normal way possible: ]
Well, this and that happened, and we ran into the Four Gods who protect Kyoto. One of them stole my soul, and then it got split up into five pieces! The teachers and students had to fight to get them back! I would probably be dead if they hadn't!
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Hmm, I'm not sure I could pull off the sort of stuff sensei wears. His legs are so slender compared to mine, I'd just look silly!
Maybe something strapless, though. I do know I have him beat in the chest department.
[ Shame?? What the hell is that. ]
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Something strapless... [Encouraging Akira seems to be a terrible, terrible idea. But on the other hand it'd give Douman a wealth of things to laugh at while the Doctor is happening to others. Hmmmm. Decisions, decisions~ ] You know, there was actually a rather famous male doctor who's wearing things like that in human pop culture. Maybe you could take him as a reference?
[ -> Chaos it is]
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I can't believe that you've never heard of Doctor F. N. Furter from Transylvania. Now that I'm recalling it, I think that he has even researched in a similar direction as you're doing with your nurses. I bet that you could learn a lot from each other.
[Rest of the world, you're welcome. He'd going to get the popcorn and find himself a good seat.]
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for @blattella
Of course he's afraid. He's alone somewhere out on the ocean in the hands of criminals who apparently know enough of their stuff to not only know what a youkai is but to have an anti-magic talisman on hand. Whether they knew exactly what he is or not, they decided to get the most bang for their buck and double it as a blindfold, which felt like adding insult to injury. He can't grow any new eyes, can't use his strength, couldn't even take the damn thing off himself if he could get out of these bindings, and he can't look around at his jail like a normal human being would! Ugh.
But what's been getting him the most is the boredom. He's received only a few visits from the same few people, and none of them have been too entertaining to talk to. He can tell there are more people around, the sound of voices and footsteps are common enough to hear from outside, but they're too muffled to make out any actual words so he'd have something, anything for mental stimulation other than running through the same few thought experiments on getting out over and over and over and over...
--Noise. A single pair of footsteps approaching. Not immediately something to get excited over, but they just keep getting closer until they're at what he's assumed is the doorway and it finally opens.
Must be time for another check in. Boring as they usually are, he can't help but perk right on up at something tangible to pay attention to. ]
Hello! Good--ah, is it afternoon or evening? Been getting hard to tell.
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But that's not a worry for Akira. Not the Waves of the Great Lake, no; the Twinhook Pirates would've been long gone if they couldn't fucking move before their time ran out. Maybe the reek of guests come before him might add an edge, the scraps of those not cared for enough to cough up exorbitant amounts of ahn or ignored completely. The way the whole place seems to sway and groan, containers on containers like their own little city all stinking and rusting and damp.
Or maybe it's just the fact that he can't fucking do anything, and there's indeed a pair of well-heeled boots tick-tacking towards his container. The door gets slid open with a long-suffering grunt, fresh air and light streaming in to alleviate all that metal-rotten stench, before it disappears just as quickly.]
Hey hey~ [Yeah this one uses tildes a bit. Love to remember that all of a sudden when I reread his dialogues.] Honoured guest. It's afternoon, yeah? Not that that matters to you, I suppose.
[The boots tick-tack ever closer, at a faster clip; it's not often that the first mate gets to actually get his hands dirty these days, with how he's stuck doing the pirate equivalent of paperwork most of the time. In fact, probably the one time Akira's heard this voice was when he was nabbed in the first place and restrained at all; the cold blade of a hook prosthesis at his nape, a pistol pressed to his temple, and the same bored, lilting tone.]
Negotiations haven't started yet. Bit sad for you, isn't it? Thought that, since my lads are busy, I'd come and make sure our accommodations are to your liking. Since you're an extra special guest and aaaall~ You comfy? You good? Hungry, sore, thirsty? If you need to piss, there's nothing I can do about that, unless you're real brave.
[Then there's the tell-tale squeaking sound of leather right up close; Gregor's squatting beside Akira now, breath thick with exotic tobacco nabbed off another unfortunate guest and the tip of that ice cold hook dragging against the metal floor.] You feeling brave?
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With a shrug and a demonstrative tug at his wrists, ] I am feeling sore, if we're being honest with each other.
[ Completely genuine. Not as lackadaisical as he might normally sound, but not quite like he's talking to someone who could end his life on a whim--it's moreso the average caution of talking to any kind of authority figure. ]
Though I don't suppose there's much you can do about that either, huh?
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[Heh heh horf. A little joke between pals, of course.] Just means you'll have more to thank your family or whoever for when they cough up, doesn't it? You can kiss their feet, thank 'em for getting your wrists all freed up. It'll be reeeeaaal heartwarming~
[Then he's quiet for a second or two, looking over his shoulder as if he'll get sprung for having too much fun, before turning his attention back to his guest and tapping the tip of his hook against one of Akira's thighs. Not a horny gesture, at least not for now, just meant to see if he'll jump.]
What would you give up if you could get outta here right now, I wonder? Both hands? Just for the sake of conversation, mind.
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@blattella
It's been nicknamed The Heart of Geb, probably due to it looking uncannily like a human heart blown from glass until the venae and arteries give way to a more crystalline formation, suggesting it was pulled right from the earth. The smoother sections of the ventricles are somewhat foggy, but what looks like a thin, glossy liquid can be seen stagnating inside, facets of light mysteriously catching from within to project what can only be described as rainbow constellations when plunged into complete darkness. It really is a sight to behold.
But most of the time it's not for anyone but its "owner" to see, locked away in a much less brilliant box for safekeeping. Once in a blue moon, and only then, does the "owner" feel a sliver of generosity in their own heart to allow the starved masses a few moments to glut themselves on its presence...for the appropriate fee, of course.
That's what has the museum in such a tizzy these recent nights. The exhibit isn't fully set up for the paying public just yet, but of course word's already gotten out that this precious thing is swapping its usual maximum security cage for a slightly less reliable one. Seeing Zwei agents on duty is enough to scare most two-bit punks with delusions of grandeur off, but that doesn't mean they get to just sit back and be intimidating their whole shift.
Another name has wormed its way into public consciousness in the past few months: Dodomeki. A demon with many eyes. That's what the fella calls himself after he swoops in unseen to snatch such oddities for himself--or is it all for himself? Rumors have gone this way and that about mysterious sums of money going to places like orphanages and hospitals, or to businesses with already shady reputations; it's difficult to tell what's an actual lead and what's just curious people extrapolating and spreading fantastical stories as a way to kill time.
On this night, in this corner of the property, his presence is still a looming threat. No one's seen hide nor hair of him, though, let alone any kind of ne'er-do-well, so maybe they really can relax for just a second. Just a sec. Lil breather, it'll be fine.
So long as they don't notice a vivid red eye blink into existence at the edge of a corridor wall, looking every which way as if to hastily find its bearings. ]
(β€Β΄θΈο½β€) love the meals u cook always
Eh. Beyond his ken to understand. He's not meant to, either; this isn't about appreciating the thing, just protecting it, ensuring order when people come in for viewings in short time, so on and so forth. And he intends on doing just that to the best of his ability. Zwei involvement usually keeps the majority of folks bar the most desperate or the cockiest away, which helps, but it also leads to the number one killer.
Complacency.
Whiiiiich he might be exhibiting when he stretches and yawns, of half a mind to find Heathcliff just around the corner and see if he can't bum a light off him, if not a smoke as well. He's already turning, actually, when something flickers in his peripheral vision. Something red, brightly so, without any alarm sounds to say that it's at least part of the building. That's all he needs to snap out of it, though; the benefit of Gregor is, underneath that lazy mien, how quickly he can snap to attention and get work done.
In this case, 'work' is just him sprinting towards that unassuming eye, zweihander curving through the air to make up for its wielder's lack of height. There's no delay; every second of vision stolen is a second of layout relayed back to the owner, assuming it's some sort of stealth monitor system.]
Ahaaaaa, achtung, baby! [let him have a cool one-liner, at least once. Just once.]
( Λ Β³Λ)β₯οΈ made with love for u, baby
It's quiet for a few beats, five, ten...
Until another eye, just like the other, pops up even further down the corridor in full view of where Gregor should be able to see it. It searches left, right, then stops dead on him once he's found.
What will he do? ]
michelin star-level rp for me.....u shouldn't have u////u
It's just him, and whoever's behind that eye. That reappearing eye, staring right at him, which he gladly allows considering he's already racing towards it yet again. (And really, if the other Zwei Fixers don't hear him laugh-panting by this stage, their collective failure is on them.) This time, however, there's no swing to his blade; the madman's attempting a stab, which is. It sure is something, considering his height and all.]
Hey hey hey, fella, where's your mouth? Let's have a little banter here, if you're gonna be this ballsy! It's no fun like this, yanno?
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@placation
[ Thankfully Maruki is spared holding a strange youkai's hand all the way to a nearby hospital.
The place is huge, clean, and busy despite seeming like it has plenty enough staff running around all seeing to their duties. It also gets easy to tell who's newer and who isn't from their reactions to Akira, some only recognizing the name while others greet him warmly, excited to show him one thing or another or beg his opinion on something, all of which he has to tear himself away from due to some very important business with his guest, here.
He does promise to do his best getting back to them before the day's out, though. Hard to keep his curiosity at bay once it's piqued.
Which is why he keeps at dragging Maruki along until they're finally alone in an office on one of the upper floors, clearly not used very often what with how organized and lacking in any personal touches it is. For that extra bit of security he even locks the door behind them, placing the key used on top of the desk, well within either of their reach.
It's a quiet promise that this isn't some kind of trap to pounce and chow down on him after all, only a safety measure, and Maruki can still back out at any time he chooses. ]
Please, take a seat anywhere you like.
gasp.... for ME!!
He glances around the pristine office, then back to Akira. ]
Thank you. It's a very nice facility. Do youkai really come here for treatment...?
[ Yes, he's stalling. And he hasn't taken a seat. ]
(ΛΆ Λ Β³Λ)Λα΅ ΛΛΆ)
[ They passed a few on their way here, but masterful control of shape changing is a must for youkai who choose to live this way. He wouldn't out them, though, not to a stranger, even one he has good feelings about. Maruki will just have to learn who's what on his own time if he gets curious enough.
Akira himself takes a lean against the front of his desk, casual save for the spark of all-consuming curiosity behind his eyes (just the two, for now) fixed on the other man. ]
Now, you said you had something to show me?
[ whip it out, big boy ]no subject
[ He steps back a little further, puts more distance between him and Akira at the desk. ]
Let's begin.
[ It stands to reason that a reality with youkai disguised as normal humans has just enough ripples at the edges of its fabric that a cognitive being could exist in it too. Maruki has no doubt, really. Azathoth was borne from his soul; he knows inherently what it can and cannot do, and he knows it will come now if he calls.
The air in the tidy, disused office wavers slightly as an aurora of deep jewel tones seeps in. It's a lovely sight all on its own, for the few seconds it lasts before the Persona that it heralds makes its appearance. All at once, Azathoth manifests beside Maruki β scaled down to fit indoors, its gleaming golden chassis taking up the whole space from floor to ceiling.
It stares at Akira with unseeing, otherworldly blue eyes as its clawed tentacles rise up all around it and Maruki, striated in that same glowing neon.
He looks from his Persona to Akira and waits for the oncoming avalanche of weirdness that's sure to follow. ]
It's called Azathoth. It doesn't act outside of my command, [ lmao probably? ] so you're safe.
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oh my GOD DHFHHDJS
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THAT'S A WRAP ON THIS ONE TOO?? oh the way i will bombard you soon
wrap wrap kiss kiss β€
you say "someone should sit in akira's lap and get jerked off" i say how high
He's a caring, affectionate man who has, to Maruki's knowledge, never been dishonest with him. Yes, he can get intense about his interests, butβ well, so can Maruki. That's something inherent to people who seek out knowledge above all else, he thinks. Even when it's occasionally unnerving, it's never dangerous. Really, Maruki feels perfectly safe with him, youkai or not.
Of course, there's always the possibility that he's got it all wrong, that he's walked right into the belly of the beast and will be devoured soon enough. But some wires of his cognition are permanently crossed, and even that potential is thrilling in its own way.
One nice date snowballs into another, and another, and another, and it's truly a phenomenal thing that Maruki gets up the nerve to accept an invitation back to his hotel room.
His very luxe hotel room.
Suddenly, Akira's ability to spoil him on those dates makes a bit more sense... Oh, to have a doctorate degree that isn't functionally useless.
It's there, on a plush loveseat in a suite that surely costs more than his life, that Maruki finds himself deftly pulled into the good doctor's lap. Awkward, gangly limbs splay to straddle his lap, and his already flushed cheeks flare brighter and hotter as his palms come to rest flat on Akira's chest, and he laughs through his shock and fluster. ]
Ah, I keep forgetting just how strong you are... [ Not that it takes much to muscle around a guy as slight as him, but still. ] I wish my own abilities granted me any sort of practical side effects like that. You've certainly got one over on me!
[ GOD, PLEASE GET ONE OVER ON HIM. ]
bark bark bark bark bark bark
Very, very few of them come back for a second go.
He was always too much in one way or another, too strange, too intense, too frightening, and though finding a match was never really his highest priority Akira just had to come to terms with the fact that finding someone who enjoys spending time with him as much as he does with them was going to be...difficult.
Maruki, though. Maruki is incredibly easy to spend time with. He's so patient with Akira's curiosities, eager to learn things in tandem, and has no shortage of fascinating topics to regale with at any given time. On top of that he's kind, and he's cute with that smile and nervous little laugh...
Alright. Akira might be a little smitten.
Which might also be obvious from the tipsy adoration he's beaming up at Maruki once the man's settled on his lap, palms resting against thighs as thumbs draw lazy little circles.
With a chuckle, ] It helps that you're pretty light. Buuuuut I do get a lot of practice holding down unruly patients, so it isn't all side effects of genetics.
[ He likes to think he doesn't let his upbringing get the better of him all that often, but even the most shunned of outcasts aren't immune to social conditioning. And so a potential partner hitting him with the 'oh wooow you're so strooong' is. Unexpectedly doing it for that oni side of him. ]
ohhhh your honor they're CUTE I FEAR
He ducks his head to try to hide a growing flush β holding down unruly patients, dear lord, of course that's part and parcel when it comes to practicing medicine on youkai. Akira is ridiculous, and Maruki's ridiculously fond of him.
One hand tracks up to idly fiddle with the collar of Akira's shirt, fingers slipping inside undone top buttons to seek out the warmth of his skin. ]
Do I have to be unruly to see that for myself? I'm afraid that's not exactly in my nature...
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one thing about caitlin she loves a scar stories thread
quietly adds that to the list.....
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DERANGED BARKING
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spanking in the name of science.
And sometimes, Satan likes to indulge in a bit of mind-reading to see what this little non-human, buzzing with energy and curiosity, is thinking. One thing leads to another, and really, is it any surprise that Satan's sat down, yanking Akira over his big, veiny thighs (so close to his sheath, oh dear) and rumbling in amusement?]
You're a pain in the fucking ass, so I figure you should learn what that feels like too, huh Doc? Reckon no one's ever disciplined you like you deserve; types like that crave a sharp hand across the ass, kekeke!
[A gentle stroke from mind to mind, to make sure that Akira's alright with this in ways that Satan's clumsy words don't fully allow. Imperceptibly small, almost. But it's only fun if they're both having fun.]
baby you're my ANGEEEEELLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
So it really should be no surprise this is where that gets him. ]
--Hey! I wasn't anywhere close to done with you!
[ Only a half serious complaint, as a peek into his mind will show. It moves just as quickly as you'd think, flipping back and forth between a hydra of questions about this devil, this body, the other body, how everything is interconnected, and the horny stream of consciousness once he's bent over of yes, yes, oh yes, please keep going, please--
Which is to say, despite the wriggling he's doing, yes. He's very alright with all of this. ]
:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
[Delicately delicately, he tries to undress Akira with his big meaty paws, before grunting and giving up on that delicate bullshit. For better or worse, those pants are just getting yanked down, and underwear? Nah. Nah, that's getting torn, straight up. As if it's paper instead of cloth.
Then Satan smooths one hand over that cute little ass, chuffing heavily enough that it looks like clouds of steam coming from his maw, before winding back.]
You're lucky I know you can take a real beating. I really wanna punish you for being so damn cute that it pisses me off...! [There's no holding back when he finally brings his hand down on Akira's ass, at least not like there would be for a human. The sort of slap that rattles the brain and spine, just for this uppity little creature.
With his free hand, he cups Akira's chin and starts working one pointed, thick claw into his mouth, just to press against his tongue and see what he does. Another slap. Another. Just varying in power and placement enough to keep any one spot from going completely numb, the comforting sort of percussion and pain that threatens to go too far but never quite manages it.]
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closes eyes. i need to make 500 more icons first but have this for now
Things are different now, though. When Miki slips away after school lets out on Friday to spend the weekend with his sister, Hatanaka, and their new baby, instead of penciling himself in for a candlelit dinner for two with his sailor uniform catalogue and early night's rest, Haruaki found himself poking his head into the nurse's office to see if the
terrifyinggood doctor might have an evening free.And where an enthusiastic yes might have sent him spiraling into instant cowardly regret and running for the hills anywayβ
They're sat across from one another at the low table in Haruaki's dormitory room, a couple beers deep after enjoying dinner at one of the stalls in town, and he's only feared for his life less than half a dozen times! It's going pretty well!!
His phone buzzes, a photo from Miki of Hatanaka passed out under a pile of his own children. Haruaki beams down at it, turns it toward Akira before tapping out a quick reply of Ω©(ΛαΛ*)Ω β‘!!!!!!!!! and then setting it aside. ]
That reminds me, Akira-kunβ when you were patching up Hatanaka-kun's injuries after he was brought back from Kyoto... did he ever tell you how that all happened?
gnaws on you so intently
He was never subtle about his interest in Haruaki before, but now with added context it almost feels even more intense, his smile wider and brighter when Haruaki wants to spend time with him--he always, always has time to spare for his oniisan.
Especially with 'Akira-kun' thrown into the mix, but this is already a lot for the delicate creature that is this man sitting across from him. They can get into how it makes his chest flutter a little later.
Even without that it's a downright nice night, the food is good, conversation fun, and a cute, healthy baby picture to coo over to top it off. He really couldn't ask for anything better... ]
Mm?
No, he didn't. Hatanaka-kun always likes to try and act tough and downplay his injuries, so he doesn't always tell me what happens.
BUPPY DRIVE BY KISS.GIF
That's the way he is, isn't it...
[ It's said with nothing less than fondness as Haruaki takes another swig of his beer and then sets in down in favor of propping both elbows up on the table to rest his chin on his hands, eyes wandering up and away as he tells a very normal story in the most normal way possible: ]
Well, this and that happened, and we ran into the Four Gods who protect Kyoto. One of them stole my soul, and then it got split up into five pieces! The teachers and students had to fight to get them back! I would probably be dead if they hadn't!
[ Ha ha! Probably ♥ ]
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