APEX PREDATOR

           ::「⊘」:: ⊱ ━━ He saw the hand coming but hardly had time to dodge, much less to stop it before clawed fingers found their mark and gripped onto his face. A yelp of pain instantly left his lips as nails dug into fair freckled skin, leaving behind angry red marks that seemed to dig into skin like butter. He tried to jerk back, only to inhale sharply once he felt his neck get jolted to the side by the harsh twist of the other’s arm. A loud CRACK resounded from abused spine, sending a shiver through the Gokusotsu’s entire body. It hurt. It hurt and he hated hated hated HATED pain. 

            He retaliated by jutted his face forward and sank his teeth into the other’s palm. As soon as he felt hot blood spurt across his tongue, he let out a low and disquieted growl. He yanked his head to the side, keeping teeth clamped down tight so has to rend skin from hand. He chewed fast and quick, hardly stopping to swallow before lifting his foot and slamming the sole of his boot against the man’s kneecaps without bothering to curb his strength. 

             “What’d you do that for!?” he roared with a snap of his bloodied teeth. Gloved fingers curled into tight fists as he sniffed and then spat, only enraged by the realization that dark, dark blood had started to dribble from a now crooked nose. “I didn’t do anythin’ to ya! I even gave you a compliment!” His complaining would have sounded hilariously childish were it not for the fact that they carried nothing but hellish malice in them. He brought his foot down with a firm thunk and squared his shoulders back.“You wanna fight me? Huh??” He followed his demands with a cracking of his fingers and a tightening of his jaw. Actually… fighting sounded rather fun right now. He didn’t know how else to release this horribly aggressive energy coursing through his veins now that he’d felt unexpected pain.“You hit first, so you gotta.”

“Creepy, creepy, creepy...” he had chastised the other, purposefully muffling himself by holding a loosely playful hand over his mouth as he glowered down with a sort of muted delight (eyes wide! pupils dilated! brows raised! glorious, simply glorious!) the reaction. “What a rude boy.”

As teeth bit hard into his palm’s flesh, Ren felt his eye give the smallest twitch. He wasn’t... human, now was he? Ren hadn’t expected anything other than a human, but he wouldn’t dare show some sort of surprise at this point. There was a sick sort of joy he acquired from seeing the way his blood spurted, spraying out like a horror movie’s special effect gone wrong. The mayor allowed for all of it to happen, allowing for skin to rid itself from his hand (it was a minor inconvenience anyway.) and letting the blood spit out (how does the blood of a sick man taste?) from his wound all the same. 

“What a stupid boy,” he tested further, feeling the sheer agony of knees giving way to the invasion of blunt force to, otherwise, fragile body. “You don’t know anything, do you? Didn’t anyone ever teach you manners? Fuck...”

Pain. What that pain that he was feeling? Oh... Ah... It’s been quite a while since Ren’s felt pain.

Legs trembled, collecting more and more in force at the thighs as he took half of a step back. Maybe a bone or two had broken, but what was the point in yielding to such a simple pain? His JunJun had delivered beatings far more worse (far more euphoric... aaah, it has ren shuddering all over again. aaah...) and far more detrimental than the mere shattering of kneecaps. Thinking back on it, actually... Ren couldn’t help but think that he should’ve done this to Yumiko instead of choking her.

It might’ve made things more interesting.

“I don’t... I don’t want to fight,” he insisted, despite the eager smile now tainting touching his lips. It was all the effort he could give before he felt one leg give out, bending crudely at the knee before he childishly stomped his foot against the ground as a loose form of “straightening” it. A weak wince soon followed after. “Shit...”

But it’s short-lived. He raised his head, thick bang sticking to his forehead as he offered an innocent (what was innocent in ren’s eyes? what even constituted as innocent anymore?) grin before, steadily, letting his jaw fall slack in an uneven laugh. He wouldn’t let loose his kagune yet, but-- ah, it was so fucking tempting. Instead, he put both his hands to his hips and continued on.

“Poor baby...” he cooed, putting forth a mocking voice, “’I didn’t do anything wrong!’ Were you dropped as a baby? Revolting.”

She hadn’t expected to be pulled up so quickly after the man backed off and it startled her a bit more. Flinching at the grasp on her wrists, the ghoul was pulled up, almost ready to fall lover in an instant. It made her head rush with dizziness and her leg wasn’t able to support itself just yet. Though she tried not to make a sound, there was a small wince leaving rose tinted lips as she then had one of her arms wrapped around the others figure.

Catching her breath with his support, she closed her eyes for a moment before looking down then back to his features as she steadied herself, mostly putting all her weight on the one uninjured leg. If she lived through tonight with no cannibals coming for her 

        - Though she knew that would be a miracle with her bloods scent thick in the night air - 

It was definitely a good time to find a new place to sleep. She never stayed in one place long, but now she had to move even sooner with someone like him now knowing where her current spot was.

With the meat being held up, lips parted slightly. She was about to speak when he said he could hold onto the dripping hunk and she gave a hesitant nod. “T-Thank you..” She stuttered out. “We really should go now though…” Voice meek, she wanted to get away from him as soon as possible, afraid of what he would do next.

Once he started moving along, she began to limp at his side, unable to put any weight on the torn up leg as pain shot through her body, causing her to hold back any tears that wanted to fall.

 “Thankfully its not far….”

Playing the lowly role of mayor surely had its perks (if one could call it such.) in Ren’s most humble opinion. Inexpensive adoration... Freedom to do whatever it was he wanted... To always have quality time with his dear JunJun... What more was there to ask for? Ren couldn’t simply bite the hand that fed him.

However, at the same time, it gave to him quite the opposite of a reward. Over the years, he learned that he had to be careful; he had to pick his battles wisely. Simply just, he couldn’t pick off whoever it was that he wanted! People would get suspicious, and it’d eventually fall back onto the ward’s lovely mayor if nothing was done about it.

No, no. He couldn’t have that.

But, because of that? He was at a bit of a standstill. No longer was he allowed the privilege of killing whenever he wanted (well, he could but... ah, it’s more trouble than what it was worth.), and he couldn’t just lay his claim anywhere like he would have been able to if he was but another ghoul. So, perhaps, he’d make this situation last as long as he could.

He was having fun after all!

Careless yet elegant, he’s precise and bold in how he walks. Barely paying any mind to her comfort nor her pace, Ren merely kept a firm hold around her (it was almost romantic-- if he weren’t so utterly disgusted by the concept of intimacy with a woman.) as he was now freed of the “burden” of holding meat.

“You’re we~eeelcome!!” he nearly chirped, purposefully shifting most of his weight onto her to see what would happen before, at the very last moment, reeling back with his eyes gone wide. “Oh goodness... We almost missed the turn.”

Erratic, erratic, erratic! How long has it been since he was able to do this? It’s the most pure form of fun Ren’s experienced in a while.

Turning on the heel of his shoe, he moved his hand down until the tips of his fingers were touching the small of her back. Eyes glanced from side to side before he gave her a hefty push forward, raising his head all the while. Wearing a thin smile, he slowly crossed his arms over his torso and raised a brow as his gaze occupied itself elsewhere-- completely ignoring the consequences of his actions.

                        With his mind already in a drunken stupor, it took half a minute for him to realize that the heavy back-hand to his face was what caused him to suddenly be lying on the ground now. 

                            Stunned, the male model laid there even longer for his head to catch up with the rest of him before rolling his body up and sitting on his butt why a hand cradled his reddened cheek. The touch of his own ice-cold fingers made him wince, and he swore he tasted blood on his tongue.

                           “Did’ja have to hit my face?” He asked in an unexpectedly whiny tone, seeming more upset over his face being the target rather than being hit in general.

Both of Ren’s hands fell down, gripping tightly onto his own hips as he stared down at the man. This rush of adrenaline-- incredibly dull, but it was something Ren could make do with for the time being.

“No, I suppose I didn’t,” he replied in a bored voice, somewhat emotionless (lacking the proper necessities of empathy.) and with a drawl sprinkled throughout. “But, honestly, it’s better than what I was going to do.”

(LIKE SMASH YOUR SKULL OPEN AND WATCH YOUR BRAINS POUR OUT.)

Taking a step forward, the ghoul slid his foot slowly against the ground before tapping the shoe’s toe against the other man’s kneecap. He tilted his head, lifting a hand to rest his chin playfully against his palm’s ball as a brow raised in mild amusement.

@eaterofchildren

“What a weird question!”

He’ll answer it regardless- because that’s what good boys do.

(junjun, obviously. he’s my number one. he’s ALWAYS been my number one!)

“--I don’t have one,” he responded plainly despite the clearly happy (was it euphoric? creepy, creepy... sometimes ren unnerved himself with how skilled of a liar he was.) expression he wore. Leaning forward, he folded his arms over the table and gave a grin, flashing pearly whites all the while. “I find the concept a little...”

“...demeaning.”

There went a little tilt of the head, soon joined by an arm propping itself up. Cheek rested casually into the softness of his palm as he glanced elsewhere, letting his teeth nip and chew lightly at his lower lip. Legs pressed together at the thighs with Ren using his other hand to drum rhythmically upon hardwood.

“Though, I guess I do have someone in my life that’s a bit like that~” 

He giggled, light and flighty before letting his gaze settle back on the other man. 

     She’s quiet, her attention drawn away from a notepad onto the other before her. Eyes lock with his as with her right index finger she tucks away stray hairs behind her ear, her left hand burying a ballpoint pen into her breast pocket. ❝ No, you’re not in trouble sir. ❞ Or so she had hoped, ❝ Let me introduce myself, I’m Nora Kazayami, Investigator Kazayami. ❞ She isn’t much into field work, she much rather be locked away in her office, designs, and outlines of possible weapons spread out before her, and the thoughts of what would be put into production for her upcoming collection on her mind. 

     ❝ I’m out in the ward investigating the recent murders of six Kami students, not one, not two, but six. It’s believed to be done by none other than a ghoul, details state that it was a bikaku user. I’m here to ask if you know anything about this. ❞

“O~oooh, an investigator?” This was more than enough cause for him to relax, so he leaned slowly back. His back pressed into the cushion of his seat as his expression lessened, forming into something more calm and collected-- controlled within the blink of an eye. “Sounds fun~!”

Hands moved to fold neatly and politely over his desk, Ren giving a small raise of his head towards the description before letting his attention back down towards his hands. A light smile wore itself over visage (it’s almost like he’s not taking this seriously, but he was the mayor, wasn’t he? he had every reason to take this seriously.) as he hummed out in faint contemplation, tilting his head subconsciously.

“Six... Six, six, six... Oh, that’s really sca~aaary,” he mused out, keeping his voice low before raising his gaze back to hers. She was a very serious sort, wasn’t she? Oh, this could be fun! “Yes, that’s been a problem for quite a while. I’m surprised it’s a bikaku, though.”

He smiled, wide yet thin, and propped his arm up onto his desk to nestle his cheek within his palm. A brow raised.

No matter where he was, William always seemed to come across the oddest of characters. This man in front of him was no different. Yet something in the back of his head told him to be cautious. Misfortune always warned him no matter what the situation was. 

       M: Something is a bit off with this one don’t you think Will?        W: Off is an understatement don’t you think Misfortune?        M: You’re not wrong. Haha. Be cautious dear witch. 

William remained standing and soon crossing his arms before slowly closing his eyes to listen to their surroundings. Yes, he was waiting but more for something than someone. If anything he was patiently waiting for that someone they seemed to have been late or held up. How unfortunate. Ironic. 

”I am waiting for an owl. A friends owl at that is that is all that important to know. Though he seems to be a bit late sadly.” It wasn’t like the witch had anything better to do besides waits. Since this was an important council business that he would have to settle on his own. Why he agreed to take his mother’s position as Head Councilman he has no clear clue. Was it to hold up her greatness? To keep the family name above all others? Or was it because another upon the council said no one was fit for her position? Either way, it was a pain in his ass. Really it was. 

”So, if you do not mind me asking… are you a resident around here? Or are you merely passing by?” 

“An... ah, an owl...?”

Ren’s faking his disbelief (it’s just so fucking ridiculous that he could see it being true! he’s been apart of things far more laughable, after all.), leaning forward all the while with both arms now folded over his chest. Eyes went wide for but a second before relaxing, Ren himself reeling back before he could be, perhaps, accused of breaking into other man’s personal space. 

“Is it like a, uh... oh, um... what’s the word...?” 

Stupidity was the easiest for the mayor to fake, quite frankly, but it’s always disgusted him when he had to. He enjoyed the way it stalled for time, but he simultaneously loathed it solely for it being his own petard at the worst of times. 

It made people doubt him-- which could be good! It forced people to try and take advantage of him-- which was all in good fun! 

However, it also forced Ren into uncomfortable predicaments-- which involved him forcing himself to uphold the illusion. It was absolutely disgusting!

As if spared from his own pseudo-stupidity, Ren blinked upon being questioned. Tilting his head from one side before shifting it to the other, his bang swung loosely with his brows raising in insincere wonderment at his curiosity. A hand raised to cup thoughtfully beneath own chin as he peered skywards, pursing his lips before rolling them in idle contemplation-- as if he needed to actually think on such an obvious answer!

“I mean, um... I’m passing by, yes, but... I’m also a resident? If that makes sense?” Of course it did. Ren knew it made sense. “I’m the mayor, if you’re familiar with that kind of thing. It’s a bit embarrassing!”

Despite the claims, the ghoul didn’t seem at all put off.

“One of my secretaries always dotes on me, you see... I’m a bit frail, and she tends to worry, worry, worry...! I appreciate it, but sometimes I just have to sneak out and enjoy some “me time”. So, um... yeah! Yes, I’m passing by.”

Within seconds, he’s suddenly snapping his fingers with his expression lighting up, faking a modest “aha!” moment.

ero - physical love

This love type means you are attracted to people who are physically attractive. Typically, you are eager to develop intense, passionate relationships and like to experience fairly intense emotional highs. It should be noted that emotional lows are part of this dynamic as well after a relationship ends. You tend to feel most intense during initial stages of relationship and often get “hooked on the look” of another. You can also become addicted to the “newness” of a relationship but lose interest quickly.

            ::「⊘」:: ⊱ ━━ Oblivious to the ‘submissive’ body language and feeble gestures coming from the other, Hirahara advanced forward a few more steps. One, two. His teeth remained out on display in that garish grin of his, eyes flashing even brighter once he heard the man’s response. “Ooooh?” he answered, a childlike excitement trembling in his throaty voice. “What’d ya eat?” he questioned, taking yet another step forward. “Somethin’ sweet?” Another step. “Savory?”Another step—pause.

           He closed his mouth and tipped his head down. The shadow covering the upper half of his face seemed to darken. Lips pulled into an impossibly wide smile quivered. “Well, whatever ya ate, it doesn’t cover up the smell.”Those words, so morbid, yet presented in such a cheerful voice and with a bright gaze full of nothing more but amicability. With one abrupt motion, he raised a gloved hand and thrusted a finger forward, mere millimeters away from the man’s chest.

           “You. I’m sayin’ you smell like food. But not human. Well—sorta. So, why’s that?”

(oh... oooh... ooooh--)

“No, ah... No--” he’s clearly having trouble (truthfully? truthfully? truthfully?) keeping up, putting more focus than what was probably necessary into keeping an even amount of distance betwixt them. Feeling his shoulders tense up, Ren stared down at the man with a somewhat pained expression. “It’s, sw-- um...”

(--fffFFFUUUCK.)

He doesn’t remember when or how, but he feels his back hit a wall suddenly. It doesn’t  surprise him, but he still acts like it does. Stealing one look to the right then one to the left, Ren returned back towards the problem at hand. Was he caught so easily? Was he caught, was he caught, was he caught?

Here he thought he was doing such a good job. He really thought he piled on the perfume today, too.

“Ah, um, vanilla smells like food to you?”

As soon as the finger nearly stabbed itself against his chest, Ren’s hand immediately raised. It was an overall clumsy motion, implying the mayor’s intentions to merely knock the intrusive hand away only to change its trajectory seconds later. Fingers spread out, bending and contorting into a claw-like clutch before he tried to smash his palm straight into the younger (was he actually younger? ren couldn’t tell, but he’s going to assume that he was with how stupid he was acting.) male’s face.

“...” 

Shoulder gave a twist with wrist giving an even sharper twist, the ghoul using nothing but brute force. It was clear that he had no regards for what would happen, Ren simply desiring to shove him back and seeing any additional damage as a bonus.

     ❝ Ren, Ren why bother with what they want? With what they need? ❞ Top dog of the ward, he’s the one in charge. The mayor, the title never seemed right to her. Leader? Master? Warden… warden, that term better suited him, at least to her. She understands that in some ways, he is like her, two sides of the same coin ( in some fucked way ). Were they compatible to work together? To come to some agreement? Probably not. She’s too stubborn. Him? She couldn’t tell with him.

     Unreadable in some ways, yet certain things stuck out like a sore thumb. It isn’t hard to tell that he is lying, and that’s something she doesn’t like. But she’ll keep that to herself, at least for now. ❝ It’s a ghoul eat ghoul world, ain’t it? Strongest survive. Gotta look out for yourself and those you want to kick it with, ain’t that it? ❞

     So what she wants to know is why, why he chooses to watch over those he doesn’t care for. Why not just stick with those he holds close to him? Or was it the satisfaction of holding a role of power above them? Comments of his are ignored, she chooses not to pay mind to his threat ( if she had spoken it, it would’ve been a promise ). ❝ What’s in it for you? ❞

“...”

Before him, he could see several paths-- each ones branching out into further paths that branched out only further. 

At times like this, he wished he was sitting at his desk so (he would be less tempted to grab her by her hair, slam her face into the pavement, and tell her to stop acting like a damned brat.) he’d have something to occupy his hands. There was such an urge for him to tap at something... anything, just so he could distract himself with something else other than her babbling.

“I don’t see why the answer matters to you,” he answered moments later, taking her lack of responses to prior comments to heart (how dare she! how dare she! how fucking dare she!) as he shrugged, grinding one shoulder against wall carelessly. “It’s about the same as, mm, say... sleeping with someone.” Eyes did a quick flicker, shifting up and down Shini before returning to stare seriously. “You do it because you want to.”

(it’s just so fucking euphoric!! the attention! the awe! the dependence! fuuuuck!)

“I like humans.” 

Liar!

“They’re very... interesting to watch. Helps me blend in a bit more, don’t you think?~” 

Liar!

“Besides... I couldn’t just say no to the opportunity. The people-- they need me.” 

Liar!

“Other than that, umm...” He paused to put a thoughtful hand to his chin, pulling and tugging at an imaginary beard as he pursed his lips, shutting his eyes tightly all the while. “... It just makes things a lot easier when things are going according to plan. I’d rather have a happy community over a mob that’s on the brink of a breakdown because some--”

Eyes opened with face contorting into a nasty mishmash of grin and sneer.