tushanshu_logs | I am flesh and I am bone

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I am flesh and I am bone | April Catchall

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker, and you!
Date: Throughout April
Location: Jade Dojo, Sky Sector, all over Keeliai.
Situation: Pepper's living her life, and Devin is getting dumped into Keeliai a little maimed.
Warnings/Rating: Possible mention of murder and probably blood, specific warnings in headers.

A. [Pepper] Jade Dojo | Backdated to end of March | Heather

As promised, Pepper got up early and made her way to the dojo at a time that was unusual for her. She normally trained in the afternoons, so this was a big change of pace. There was no guarantee that she and Heather would make good partners, but it would be interesting to try. It would also give her a chance to get a read on Heather, since Pepper hadn't interacted with her much before now. She hung up her jacket and pulled a set of long, thin cloth wraps and began to circle them around her hands; once they were secured, Pepper began to warm up, keeping an eye out for Heather's arrival.

B. [Pepper] House Spicy Iron Dragon | Early April | Gene

The weather is getting almost reasonable, and on one of the days where it's a bit sunnier, Pepper goes out into the backyard and does some practice summoning. She's getting better at it, and higher level monsters are slowly getting easier to summon, but she still has pretty strict limits. That doesn't diminish her determination - if anything, it makes her push harder. Vee is there, too, standing off to the side with less armor on, observing. Pepper will occasionally speak to her like her ka has said something, although the creature's lips never move.

C. [Pepper] KPD | Throughout April | Open

The new Guild system has definitely stirred things up in the city, and there's a rash of thefts hitting Foreigners that suggests it's systematic. The destruction of the spirit houses is also concerning, although fortunately it doesn't seem to be escalating badly. Pepper is pretty busy, spending a lot of time out on patrols and talking with kedan as well as Foreigners to see if they have any information. Busy or not, she's in a good mood most of the time if anyone bumps into her.

D. [Devin; CW: burns, possibly blood] Healer's Guild | April 5 | Raine

The ground is a lot smoother than he expects. There's a ringing in his ears and he can tell he’d be dead if he hadn’t known what was coming. As it is, his back is charred from the explosion. It was a small price to pay for getting the hunters and the dossier out. He can feel them start to heal, but his wounds must be worse than he thought – someone is saying something, putting a hand on his shoulder and Devin can only lay there, stunned. The person sounds worried, and Devin tries to tell them he'll be fine, to leave him here. To run. It doesn't come out particularly coherently.

Whoever it is doesn't listen, and two sets of strong arms are lifting him off the ground to a standing position, which he couldn’t have managed himself. This is bad, that he can't orient himself properly or see straight. At some point, he must have lost consciousness, because next he opens his eyes he's being led into a building and there's a flurry of activity that ends with him face-down on a gurney.

"I can't stay here," Devin mutters, trying to get out of the bed, but the hands keep pushing him back down. Devin is stronger, though, and he stumbles vertical again, searching for a door. "I don't need your help."

E. [Devin; CW: blood] Thoughout Keeliai | Throughout April | Open

As soon as Devin is fully recovered, he gets out into the city. The situation has him on edge, the fact that his agency has been violated again setting a semi-permanent frown on his face. Devin is familiar with a few different planes of existence, so the idea of Keeliai isn't something he outright rejects. After a week or two, he accepts that he's stuck. From what Devin can tell, he's the only one of his kind here.

That should have been something of a relief, Devin reflects, but it also meant that he's adrift without purpose. What is he supposed to do with himself? Almost all of his energy back home had been spent hunting. Devin can't remember the last time he took a vacation.

Long story short, Devin is not in a good mood most of the month, somewhere between lost and agitated. He does need to find a way to live, though, so when he's not at the Hotel (which he hopes he won't have to stay at for an extended time) he's wandering around and observing, taking in every detail he can, and looking for a niche to fit in.

F. [Devin] Turtle's Head | Mid April | Open

The rumors of the serenity of being near Tu Vishan's beak are appealing amidst the turmoil of Devin's arrival and the impending problem of finding a food source has him troubled enough that he hikes out there one day. The sight of it, actually getting confirmation of what it is he'd standing on, is grounding and the calming influence of a being so much greater than him is familiar in a way. At least this trip doesn't come with a migraine. He spends a few hours there, mostly standing at the shell's edge and staring out at the sea, thinking through his options.

(OOC: Let me know if you want a specific starter or feel free to write your own adventure!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh hell. He had to go and be gorgeous too.

Fai isn't completely swept off his feet, but it sure looks that way from the outside. His one good eye widens and his mouth drops open, and he even blushes at the other man's question. When he's firmly back on his feet again he doesn't quite step away just yet; suddenly grinning, he reaches out with one hand to brush lightly at the other's chest a little, as if bumping into him had somehow managed to scuff his rescuer's shirt.

"Sorry about that, handsome," he croons, his heart racing for an entirely different reason (shit shit shit). "I'll do my best to warn you before I throw myself at you next time~"

Well, that is absolutely not the reaction that Devin is anticipating. He releases the other man after a moment, once he's steady on his feet again. The Brit is a little bemused by the immediate flirting, but he rolls with it.

"I'll probably catch you, warning or no," Devin replies, making no move to put more distance between them. He's done this dance before, many times. "And there's no need to apologize. It was an accident, and I've had far less pleasant introductions."

"Well, aren't you a regular knight in shining armor! I guess today's my lucky day~" If the other man is content to stay put then so is Fai, even if he's not at all sure if this is a good idea. Do vampires prey on other vampires? His only experience with others of his kind is the twins. It's hard to draw any sort of conclusion from such a small sample.

...but this guy is a vampire, not a hunter like Seishirou, so Fai sticks it out. Friendliness, after all, has always been his preferred method of information gathering. And truth be told... not all of the flirting is an act.

(Please, please don't let Kuro-sama walk down those stairs right now.)

"Speaking of introductions, does Sir Shining Knight have a name~?"

Oh, Fai. If only you knew.

A knight. That was rich. Devin is possibly the least likely candidate for admission to that order except by deception - which, to be fair, he is very good at. In his own turn, Devin knows the value in learning about his fellow Foreigners.

So, for now, he plays along, stepping back so he can bow a little. "Devin, though I've never had much use for titles. They tend to come with more arrogance than I can stomach, in my world."

Oh gods above a bow and everything. Even if it's affected, which surely it is, it's still kind of cute. Some of the knots in Fai's stomach start to come undone, slowly. Maybe... maybe he's just been worrying himself for nothing. The guy--Devin--seems pleasant enough. Civilized. If he's not trying to attack Fai for being a vampire and he leaves Kuro-pon alone, maybe this won't be so bad after all.

The blond rests his hands on his skinny hips and grins. "Lovely to meet you, Devin. And in that case I'll skip the titles too, so you can just call me Fai. I-- I'm sorry, did I interrupt you heading somewhere important?"

Fortunately for Fai, he doesn't present like Devin's usual nasty breed of vampires; for the moment, Devin will remain blissfully ignorant and have no cause to drag Fai outside the bounds of the Hotel to initiate any sort of assault.

Fai is, however, quite the character.

"Not especially. I'm new and still looking for employment, but most of my skills aren't particularly useful now that there's no terrible evil being to fight," Devin answers, shrugging gracefully. "The police force might take me on, but that's about it. I was considering paying them a visit. You work here, correct?"

He's seen Fai around but this is the first time he's had cause to interact directly.

The longer Devin talks, the brighter Fai beams.

"So you are a knight in shining armor!" he chirps merrily. "I knew it! Fighting the big bads, protecting the innocent! See? I'm usually right about these kinds of things~" Sorry Devin, you walked right into that one. Fai looks incredibly pleased with himself.

At the question he nods, still smiling. "Mm, that's right! I work in the kitchen. I have some small talent at cooking, and it helps pay for our room. Since you're not heading anywhere important, can I get you something from the kitchen? Or would you be interested in a drink?"

The whole thing rolls off his tongue casually, as if he didn't just ask a man he's known for all of five minutes (VAMPIRE) out for drinks. He is incredibly curious what Devin will say to the invitation for food, however.

Devin's expression remains faintly amused, that smirk still playing across his lips, but his eyes have gone a little cold. He's one of those 'big bads'. Fai will probably be disappointed and disconcerted when he finds out Devin is a killer, but that's fine. Better the sprightly blonde think ill of him, when all is said and done.

For now, though, the charade continues.

"I suppose I could eat." He should, since he didn't have much breakfast and avoiding food accelerates other hungers. "I'm not much of a cook myself. I mastered omelettes and that's about it," Devin replies. "It might be a bit early for a drink." The smirk curves more sly. "But I won't say no, if you're buying."

"Hm, omelettes are a good start! I could probably teach you to make more than that, if you're not too busy out saving the turtle all the time~" Fai reaches out to grab for one of Devin's arms, to thread one of his own through it and drag him toward the kitchen. He naturally reaches for Devin's left, to keep the other man on his right side--the side where he actually has vision.

"We can save the bar for later if you like. I think I still have some wine stashed in the kitchen~" Fai shoots him an equally sly smile. "Any requests for lunch?"

It would be easy to make himself impossible to move, but Devin doesn't see much of a point in being obstinate. The casual contact is a bit odd, and if he weren't already essentially play-acting, it might cause him to hesitate. What does happen is the briefest flicker of surprise, there and gone again in an instant, before he allows himself to be led towards the kitchen.

He notes where Fai places himself, such that he can see Devin better out of the eye he has remaining.

"I will probably be forever hopeless in the kitchen. I'm sure Klaus wouldn't want me burning down the Hotel," Devin replies. The offer is intriguing, even if the skill isn't terribly useful to him. If Fai is willing to teach a complete stranger, he must trust pretty easily, or at least be confident enough that his hand won't get bitten if he holds it out to someone new. "As for requests: surprise me."

Devin isn't the first bigger man Fai's been able to drag around through sheer force of will--he's been leading Kurogane around for ages. Apparently big guys don't usually mind being hauled around by waifish (albeit tall) blonds, who knew?

(Fai totally knows.)

"I'm sure you're not that bad!" he laughs, curling himself like a cat around Devin's arm as they pass through the hotel toward the kitchen. "It's really not as difficult as you think it is. Although it is my job, and I certainly don't mind doing it."

Oh Devin, if only you knew. Smiles can be used just as effectively to shut people out as they can to invite them in. Fai's friendliness is his shield.

"Hmm~ Anything you can't stand? Any allergies?"

It helps that Fai is pretty, Devin can admit. There are worse forms of distraction from his various predicaments than an impromptu lunch.

That said, he has to remind himself not to tense up when Fai curls even closer. Play the part.

"It's only a mild exaggeration. I hardly spend enough time in my own house to make it worth learning," Devin returns with an elegant shrug. "I suppose it would be cheaper here to cook for myself, however."

He has an egregious sum of money to his name, and takeout and premade meals were often easier, especially when traveling.

"No allergies. I think the only thing I really hate is zucchini, if there's such a thing in Keeliai. I'm a veritable omnivore," he supplies, grinning. His canine teeth are just a bit longer and sharper than the average person's.

"Ah, I see. I learned most of what I know about cooking secondhand, actually, so I can understand that. If I were just cooking for myself I probably wouldn't bother either. But it's nice to make things for other people." At this Fai's smile mellows--a little less bright, a little more heartfelt. "You're always welcome in the kitchen here, of course! Although you probably won't want to live in the hotel forever, not when you can get a house for yourself." He and Kuro-rin are still planning to move out, they just need to go out scouting for a suitable place first.

Oddly enough, Fai doesn't possess fangs like Devin's sort of vampire, so he doesn't necessarily balk at the sight of sharp teeth. "All right, let me see what I can do~"

They pass through into the kitchen, just after the lunch 'rush' as it were, so the place is nearly empty. Fai lets go of Devin's arm and pats a tall stool near one of the counters. "Have a seat? I'll throw something fast together so you won't have to wait all day."

That smile, just subtly different, and the repeated offer-- Fai is probably just a relatively nice person. No need to read into it too far, but it's hard to turn off his analytical mind. "I've lived alone for most of my life, so this is definitely... unusual. This is much nicer than when I was serving in the military, however. I'll be moving out when I can afford it."

In all honesty, it was difficult for him to be this close to people. He wasn't used to it, and it made him uncomfortable for a number of reasons.

Devin sits where Fai indicates, leaning his elbows on the counter. "How long have you been in the city?"

"Oooh, a military man? Not helping your knight in shining armor image here, by the way~" Fai smirks as he moves toward one of the cupboards to pull out a few things. Stars above, Flourite, do not think about gorgeous men in uniforms. Not helping. "What did you do in the military?"

(Okay, maybe he could stand to think about Kurogane in a uniform. Although really that's... not going to help matters either. Not helping.)

As they talk, Fai collects the ingredients to make a slapdash kind of stir-fry. "Mm, let me think~ It's been since just before Valentine's Day, so... almost two months, I suppose? Not terribly long."

"Fight two world wars, on a number of fronts," Devin answers, looking around the kitchen. Disguising that he's looking away, really. "Infantry officer the first, enlisted the second. There was very little nobility in my involvement, I'm afraid." Just a lot of death. "It was a long time ago."

A lifetime, maybe two, by human standards. He'd had to do some unpleasant things to survive, but he'd also made a few, rare friends.

"I heard a lot of people like us come and go, even in such a short time," Devin remarks idly, intending that to mean the Foreigners rather than vampires.

Fai nods, still smiling but less overly cheerful about it. There's obvious sympathy in his expression when he looks back at Devin. "I see. I can't imagine it was easy on you. I can't even imagine two world wars. The little experience I've had with war was enough for me."

The blond takes a moment to wash his hands, and then long, deft fingers make quick work of chopping vegetables to throw into the dish he's preparing. "If that was a long time ago, what do you do now? Before you came here, I mean."

He nods at the comment about Foreigners. "So I've heard. One of my companions appeared for a brief time, but she didn't have a soul gem. Apparently sometimes that happens; people arrive without soul gems and then disappear a few weeks later." Fai manages to keep his voice even and his smile firmly affixed as he's talking, even though it still aches to have lost Mokona all over again.

"There were certainly some challenges," Devin agrees. Finding ways to not feed on his allies if possible had been one of the most complicated and most difficult things, and most gruesome when it was impossible to avoid. Getting shot and blown up had merely been painful. He drags his thoughts back to the present.

No soul gems? Interesting. The comment has him tugging gently at the bloodstone pendant around his neck; he still hasn't gotten used to it. He's also still a touch confused as to how he can have one in the first place, seeing as he has no soul, but the magic here was very different.

He considers how to answer Fai, whether to lie or tell the truth. Creative word choice prevails, since talking about his lifetime of murder isn't great conversation over a meal. "Pest control, in a manner of speaking. It's not at all glamorous."

Challenges. Fai knows all too well that where war's concerned, that's the understatement of the year, even if their experiences may have been vastly different. Of course, fighting someone else's war when you can't even speak the language and you don't look like anyone else in the army ~~and half the army's trying to get in your pants as a result~~ may have been a little out of the ordinary.

He uses the edge of his knife to scrape everything from the cutting board into a pan and lights the burner. "Ah, that's okay!" Fai turns his head to grin at Devin over his shoulder. "Work doesn't have to be glamorous to be necessary. Cooking isn't especially glamorous but everyone needs to eat, don't they?"

A dash of this, a bit of that, and the smells coming from the sizzling pan are nothing short of mouth-watering. "If it helps, I'll keep imagining that you're a monster-slayer or a demon-hunter. That's a bit like pest control, isn't it?" The demons they'd encountered in Outo Country had certainly needed exterminating, even if they hadn't ended up being real at all.

"I think cooking can be glamorous; it's certainly become something of an art form in my world, even if it's edible art." Usually it's edible, anyway.

It helps, perhaps, that Fai is more focused on the pan and less on Devin in that moment; he smiles at the other man's imaginings of his 'work', but it's brittle. The expression smooths back to neutral after a second or two, the persona re-applied flawlessly.

"Monster-slayer would be another way of putting it, yes," Devin concedes. "That's not an inaccurate description. I'm the one getting hunted by the demons, though."

"Well, food can be pretty, of course!" Fai laughs. "I do my best to make everything look nice. It's even easier with baking; cakes and pastries are so easy to turn into art. But cooking itself isn't glamorous. It's hot and time-consuming and nothing but rush-rush-rush. The best part is getting to see people's reactions when they like something you've made. Making them happy." He enjoys cooking, finds it soothing, but he's trying to make a point here.

"Ah, so your world does have demons and monsters?"

Fai turns to Devin, leaving the stir-fry for a moment to finish while they talk. He's never heard of a vampire who hunts monsters, but again he doesn't have much of a practical knowledge base on his own kind. "Then you keep people safe! You've been holding out on me, Sir Knight~" he adds, flashing Devin another sly smile and poking his spatula playfully toward the other man. "There are a lot of worlds out there with monsters who prey on humans. Monster hunting isn't an uncommon job at all. Some worlds even give their hunters special perks for keeping the rest of the population safe. But what do you mean, they hunt you?"

Making people happy. Fai doing his best to put a smile on Devin's face is not what he wants. "Food certainly brings people together," is his response, feigning the sort of gentle appreciation Fai is probably expecting.

Maintaining it is harder, and Devin sighs quietly. He does his best to keep people safe, but he's no knight.

"My world has vampires, myself among them." They're the only monsters. Do the math on that, Fai. "As for the demons...I have something they want rather desperately."

Fai's blood runs cold, the smile on his face freezing in place. Thank the heavens he's had so much practice lying, pretending to be something he's not. Pretending to be happy and carefree when he's confused or hurt or terrified. It's a good skill to have.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little confused," he hears himself saying in a cheerful voice. "Are you saying you hunt vampires, as well as being one yourself? Why would you do that?"

Pest control, he called himself. Because we're vermin. Monsters. I'm a monster and I shouldn't even be alive.

Devin feels the shift as much as he hears it, the way prey sense they're being watched by a predator. He's not surprised by the reaction, and the vampire hunches his shoulders. There's resignation in him, something grim that settles at Fai's realization.

"Because we're creatures of destruction," Devin sighs. "Where I come from, we're practically built for it. My kind treat humans like property at best, and use our biological need as an excuse for brutality and depravity. We're bound to hell from the moment of our creation. Humans have enough problems without us being involved," he explains, staring a hole into the counter. "We have no place in the light; I'm simply returning my race to darkness, where we belong."

The worst part is, Devin's explanation makes sense. Brutal creatures that feed from humans without a care for anyone else... who wouldn't want them hunted, destroyed? Surely Kurogane hadn't meant to make him like that, to make him a monster, but intent doesn't change what he is. It doesn't make him human again.

But the ninja has sacrificed too much for him to let this life go, even if it's a waste of a life and Fai still doesn't know why he cares so much. Fai can't let that sacrifice go to waste by letting this hunter know what he is... if he hasn't figured it out already. The blond turns back to the stove to hide the way his hands are shaking, using the meal he's cooking as his excuse, and forces himself to keep up the smile in his voice when he speaks again.

"They can't all be bad, can they? I mean, you've been nothing but a gentleman so far. Aren't there others who feel the way you do?"

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