Dernier

“Ah, dammit…”

Chuuya wiped his gloved hands on his apron, scowling down at the flour still clinging to the crevices of the leather. He’d put the dessert he was making back into the oven about 20 minutes ago for it to finish baking, and yet there was somehow still flour stuck to his gloves, in his hair, and on his apron. This was just one reason why he didn’t make it habit to bake very often. He preferred cooking to baking, but nonetheless, it was rewarding to make himself a treat once in a while. Keeping himself busy with it made his house feel a little less lonely at times when he needed the distraction and didn’t want to wake up with yet another hangover.

A loud noise drew him from his thoughts, and instantly, he was on his guard. As a mafia executive, he didn’t advertise the location of his home and told only those he trusted, which prompted him to be highly suspicious of who or what had made that noise. He hurried towards its source, following the sound of the continued tapping that came after it—and immediately felt like an idiot for worrying.

It was a bird; a cute, fluffy white bird! 

All of the tension left his muscles, and he walked over to the window, observing the bird through the glass for a moment. The incessant tapping was beginning to border on weird, but if he didn’t know any better, it seemed like the bird was knocking to be let in. Curious, he finally reached out to unlatch the window and opened it up. “Hey, little guy. You want in?”

Feathers fluffed. A ripple of happiness flowing through them when the little bird recognized someone in the room and even better, someone coming his way. Noe hopped about on the ledge, barely getting out of the way of the opening window at the last moment.

A little flutter was all it took to make his way inside. Hopping about once more in excitement before turning and looking up at the man. 

‘Bonjour!’ He chirped in small crackling avian voice. There was honestly a lot more he could say, being a vampire Noe was completely capable of full speech within this feathery form. But in his excitement, only the single phrase, no more than a half trained parrot would know, came out. 

       Monsieur— what? ` fancy hat `, it has to be… no doubt about it. it sounds different ( apart from the obvious language spoken ) and, though French is a loved and much adored means of expression, Chuuya really can’t help it : his laughter may not be as out of place as the nickname altogether, anyway ! the very moment it is said, the redhead tips it just slightly to further attract that wanted attention to the hat.

                   ❝ can’t be that special. ❞

       not to him, no, but it was requested of him to check on the cargo and on those handling the packages. with an executive nearby and knowing he might be watching when they least expect it, the pressure is palpable— just what he needs to make a good impression to the vampire. ❝ in charge of that an’ more. ❞ it’s not entirely safe to reveal everything yet. ❝ it’s loud over here. if you’re fine with chillin’ by the docks…? ❞

            “It seems special to me. Each of these crates have boxes and every box contains something. They all have to go somewhere and come from somewhere and Monsieur Chapeau Sophistique is the one who decides all that. That’s so much!” 

       this… is more difficult than he thought.        why does he always have to be stuck between two choices? this time— explain, and hint to the fact his friend’s common sense – at least right now – leaves much to be desired ; say nothing, and risk being subjected to the same innocence in the form of a second ( or third ) question in what he guesses will be the next hour.

                   ❝ Noé… ❞ helpless exasperation in the wonderful subtlety of a sigh, ❝ nothin’ happens then. let’s just hope you ain’t gonna get into dangerous business like that any soon, alright? ❞

       for even after a while since he was granted an ageless life himself, remnants of appalling mortality still find their way into his thinking and flaw it before anything could be taken back. any remaining tension, though, fades into nonexistence as soon as he sees his friend stand on solid ground once more. only now can he sit on the velvet couch : visibly more relaxed than before, an expression evolving into wild enthusiasm. ❝ by the way—— ! where can I buy some new clothes? the old stuff I have don’t suit me anymore. ❞

      Practice time was obviously over. His head hurtt, both inside and out, and it was obvious his friend was in a sour mood. Noe would help cheer that right up! Now if only he could figure out where to start. Chuuya didn’t look like he was interested in practicing either... Maybe that was it?

            “No dangerous business, promise!” Any time soon had its limits anyways. He could practice later, sometime that wouldn’t upset the other vampire!

       A tongue ran over his fangs, making sure the fall didn’t chip them or anything. Noe wasn’t sure how strong or fragile the longer teeth were. Plus he had just recently gotten them, it would be awful to ruin them now! Being a relatively new turn like his friend.

🎉 ’ to kiss my muse at midnight | @inkblccded

           Blinks, that’s all he can do, blink at the human who’s staring up at him smugly. Not in the same haughty sense as normal, but some weird sort of… satisfaction. Was it at the action? Or at the vampire’s own reaction to it?

         Not moments before a pair of lips had touched his own. Pulled down to shorter height by collar, an unsteady and sudden task. Strange how used to being tugged insistently here and there he was yet how unaccustomed the end result was. 

         Cheeks flushed, a heart that matched second rhythm that constantly pulsed in his head when the other was near. Had he caught something in that instant? It wasn’t just the scent of blood beneath skin that was alluring.

🎉 ’ to kiss my muse at midnight | @strcysouls

Just before walking out, he set out some money for his own bill, along with a generous tip. He wasn’t really concerned with counting out how much he left on the table, nor did it particularly matter, considering his usual salary. He was much more focused on going somewhere more private for he and Noé to talk, and his first thought was his home. 

Normally, he wouldn’t invite someone he’d only just met into his home so easily, but most people he interacted with tended to have rather dubious records, at the very least. He’d had years of experience dealing people who were trouble, and Noé genuinely didn’t seem like the type. Even if that proved to be wrong—well, Chuuya was plenty dangerous himself. 

Once outside the café, he gestured to the right and began to walk. “Come on; it’s this way. We’re going to my place, and we can talk more once we get there. It’s not in the metropolitan part of Yokohama, so it’s a bit of a walk. I can call a car though, if you want.”

      Keeping up was a bit more difficult at first. Even the first few steps outside were still so fascinating. Nothing in Paris or even the boat over here had prepared him for a city like this. The flashing lights and colors, order and chaos all in one, even the port itself had been a marvel to him.

      The sudden bellow of a ship offshore catching his attention. He could almost see them, the ships moving about like they had when his own arrived. The beauty of the sunlight on the ocean. Thoughts drifting almost causing him to wander towards it, moth to flame. 

      That way? Right! He was following his new friend. Pivot about face on balls of feet to look off in the direction indicated. 

            “Euh, that’s alright! I can take us Monsieur Nakahara no need to waste money on a coach!”

      A mind made up, a determination of immense proportion that he believed without asking that action should come first. So... around slim waist and under arm one arm went. Pulling his companion close in the same moment and breath as he lept upwards into the air. 

            “Just show me which way as we go!”

        “Euh?” Despite his size Noe actively started from the sudden package shoved in his arms. “Have you been avoiding sleep again? You look upset.” Maybe he hadn’t eaten, he was sure cranky or something.

   It took a moment for him to even realize there was something inside the bag that was being discussed. He couldn’t imagine giving it to Murr, it was fascinating looking. The little fish flicking its metal tail back and forth.

        “Vanitas, you got this for me? I...euh, it’s amazing! The fish is so cute! He even drifts a little if I turn it. Look... Thank you. It is a very thoughtful gift... wait, you didn’t do something awful did you?”

         “Monsiuer!” His nose wouldn’t lie, there was tarte (or at least something fairly close somewhere in these packages. But that also meant there was something else? Another pastry? 

        “Joyeux Noël!” The scarf pulled out first, snuggled against his cheek at how soft it was. He couldn’t believe it, someone had gotten him a gift like this. He knew it was pretty purple and soft, but that was about it. “Does it look good? Should I wear it with this? I’m not used to picking out my outfits.” Chuuya was so fashionable looking, he had to know!

     Noe was almost shaking with excitement, tying the beautiful scarf to peek inside the large box. “Tarte! It’s Tarte tatin! Monsieur thank you! I...I can have this whole one? Please have some too... please!”

@10dreamt

          “Whoa, it’s symbolic?” Noe cradles the gem in both palms. He didn’t want it to fall or chip or get dirty in any way. Especially if the chasseur said it was important meaning. 

         “I promise I wont tell anyone. I don’t have a gem that means something about vampires but euh...” Carefully putting the gem in his coat pocket for luck was the best place for it. So free handed, Noe undid the gold and violet broach on his scarf and handed it out. 

Marbles | @strcysouls

                  “Way up there?”

      White hat atop his head nearly fell to the ground behind. Noe peering high up, as high as he could. Maybe that wasn’t the smartest thing to do around the chasseur but he couldn’t care at the moment. He was more curious where these heavens were located that Astolfo might be seen from.

                  “Like from that tree? Or the roof up there? Monsiuer, do you want to be seen from the moon?!” 

      This sent thoughts unfiltered through his mind. No reign, no barrier to calculate practicality for him. So the vampire bolted straight at the smaller boy, intending to grab hold of him and fling Astolfo as high as he could into the air.

Marbles | @inkblccded

       Table back upright, chairs on four legs. Random plates and glasses gathered up and put on a counter, the rest would need a broom to deal with, not to mention all of the glass from the window and whatever was left of the food that hadn’t been finished.

      Noe stopped, pivoting on heel with a slack-jawed expression directed towards his… companion. He wasn’t even sure what to call Vanitas at this part. Who was protecting who or rather, who needed protecting from who. At the moment it was clearly this cafe in need.