Sometimes it takes a kind heart to see the truth in lies.

There had to be something that would make this night just a little less boring - though there was something comical to be found in a Halloween party hosted by vampires...he was only here chasing up a lead, but there may have still been a small part of him simply enjoying watching this little act.

That's when the mage noticed movement from the corner of her eye. At first she thought nothing of it just someone passing no doubt.

That however had not been the case as she watched the gentleman before her bow. She blinked a few times in surprise, making sure to glance to her left then right before she pointed to herself.

——— " Whatever. " He mumbled, not quite accepting her apology but didn't reject it either. ...It was just unbearably awkward when people apologized to him. He didn't like it.

His eyes narrowed as his gaze flickered to study Hikari, taking in her guilt-stricken expression and fidgeting. " ...Don't call me 'sir'. That's so weird. We're practically the same age. " From what he could tell, at least. Somewhere around that range.

The poor girl felt it was just one mess up after another with this guy. To be honest this is one of the reasons the poor android usually kept to herself instead of talking to her peers.

She took a deep breath before she slowly began to approach as maybe just asking wouldn't hurt?

He wails into the sky as he struggles to stay sane, he huddled into her touch, seeking what little comfort he could take.

….t-thank you….”

"You're quite welcome."

send one to have our muses meet for the first time.

“Sorry, were you just talking to me?”

“I think you dropped this.”

“You look lost. Need some help?”

“I don’t usually talk to strangers, but…”

“You’re sitting in my spot.”

“Whoa! Careful!”

“We’ve never met, right? You seem familiar.”

“Is that seat taken?”

“Sorry, I think I just spilled something on you.”

“You’re blocking the doorway.”

“Were you just staring at me?”

“Excuse me, do you know the time?”

“Wait — are you the person I’m supposed to meet?”

“I’ve been sent to find you.”

“Please don’t be alarmed, but I think we have the same bag.”

“Do you work here?”

“I’m fairly certain that’s mine.”

“You’ve got something on your face.”

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Do you know the way to ___?”

“You’re hurt. Do you need help?”

“That’s a fine ___ (cloak/hat/book/etc.). Where did you get it?”

“This might sound strange, but can I hide behind you for a moment?”

“You look like you could use a friend.”

“I think your dog just stole my lunch.”

“Hey, you dropped your coin purse.”

“I think we’re stuck in here together.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but…”

“Are you the new neighbor?”

“First time in town?”

“I’m not sure if this belongs to you, but…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“I think you’re in the wrong place.”

“You seem… out of place.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you following me?”

“That was a close call.”

“Not to alarm you, but someone’s watching you.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

“You look like you’re in trouble.”

“Was that your doing back there?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“That was impressive. How’d you manage it?”

“I’m guessing you’re not here by accident.”

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

“You might want to keep your voice down.”

“Is it always this strange around here?”

“I have a feeling we’re about to become acquainted whether we like it or not.”

❝ i wouldn't find the need to tell you 'i told you so' if you weren't so allergic to admitting i'm right. ❞

❝ there are better hills to die on but i find this one quite comfortable. ❞

❝ would you come with me please? i adore your company. ❞

❝ that's not the worst thing i've ever heard but it's certainly up there. ❞

❝ i would love to help you but i'm afraid i'm suffering from a terrible case of 'it's not my problem.' ❞

❝ could you just think about anyone other than yourself for once? ❞

❝ i'm not going to stand here and argue with you about how much you need to get some rest. if i find you passed out on the floor i'm leaving you there. ❞

❝ would you be a dear and shut the hell up. ❞

❝ i know i need help but i'm not quite ready to ask for it. ❞

❝ do you know where we're going or are we just trying to get lost now? ❞

❝ i have confided this in you, please do not betray that trust. ❞

❝ do you like it here? with me? ❞

❝ are you still happy? with me, i mean. with us. ❞

❝ i didn't lie, i simply presented a selective truth. ❞

❝ do you actually like spending time with me? because i feel like all you do is argue. ❞

❝ one of us will eventually have to have the strength to be honest with ourselves about each other. ❞

❝ i want to tell you something i just need a moment to figure out the right words. ❞

❝ if you were the religious type i would challenge god to win your devotion. ❞

❝ don't tell me to quit being melodramatic it's the only time i have any fun. ❞

His hands lower as everything went silent, his eyes returned to normal under her comforting words as he timidly spoke.

“…but I-I hurt you….my hands….hurt you…”

He squeaked out, shaking as he struggled to look at her. He was at a loss of words now, his head hurting as it took a lot of willpower to regain what consciousness he still had.

Her voice was gentle and comforting as she gently began to rub soothing circles on his back much like her sister used to do whenever she was upset.

The boy’s eyes shot open as he tackled the other to the ground, weapon raised but he couldn’t strike as his mind was scrambled in thoughts and he was still fighting off the shock the woman placed on him.

His voided eyes had a faint pupil in them which meant his true self was trying to resist! He looked at her, a small audible voice spoke out, heartbroken of what he had done.

“….p-please….I’m….s-sorry miss…I…I…am..a monster…I can’t control this…it’s not me…I hurt you…”

He spoke out in broken words, the weapon dropped to the ground as he puts both hands to his head before screaming, this was now a inner battle with the jewel shard in his back as he was trying to regain control of his body.

Then she saw it that faint pupil in the boy's eyes followed by the boy's words everything clicked into place. Oh this poor child was being manipulated controlled like a puppet on a string unable to stop himself even though he wanted to.

Hikari carefully wrapped an arm around the boy to pull him into a comforting hug.

Kohaku was about to strike down his “foe” before sensing they’re were doing something, he tries to back away but was now being shocked.

“A-AAAAAAARGGGGGGAAAHHHH!!”

His eyes widen as he could feel an electrical shock all throughout his body before he would collapse on the ground, fingers twitching as he dropped his weapons.

The jewel shard in his neck still shining as he now lays there, a small groan sounding out.

That train of thought however came to a halt when she saw the boy's body twitch. In that moment her own well-being was thrown to the wind as she ran to the boy's side.

Kohaku was about to strike but looked as he watched the other approaching and at a quickening pace!

He sent the chain towards her to stop her from getting close as he brought his weapon up, backing away in order to shield the back of his neck.

His eyebrows narrowing as soon as he noticed the other’s blood, something inside him was reacting to seeing that but his body tries to shake off that feeling! He moved his right hand, ready to brandish his katana.

The woman never liked using her magic on her fellow man but she knew that sometimes she had to in order to protect herself, though that doesn't change the fact she still didn't like it.

"Please... forgive me..."

Kohaku looked at the shield cracking as voided eyes stare, he began to move towards her, swiping his weapon in a slash as no words were getting through to him yet.

The control over his body was too great, there must be a weakness!

The jewel shard embedded in his back that kept him alive began to shimmer a bit brighter, if it was tapped into, maybe that might let the boy regain some control?

He wasn’t about to let anyone get near as he steadied his weapon, beginning to swing it like a lasso once more.

Hikari didn't have to look to know that warm liquid she felt on her arm was her own blood which caused to her to hiss as she looked around desperately for something, anything to snap the kid out of it when she saw the glow.

"What in the world...?"

Checking through his own list on his phone, he was stopped on the sidewalk as he read, unaware of his surroundings. If he was aware, the calamity that followed would have never been allowed to happen. The moment the android girl collided with him, Jeremy nearly dropped his phone in the panic to get away from whatever just touched him.

He flinched like he'd just been burned and glared hard at Hikari. " Watch where you're going, would you? " He checked over himself to see if he hadn't had skin exposed when she bumped into him-- then checked over her to be sure she wasn't covered in filth and transferred it over to him, or anything.

"I'm so very sorry about that sir. It wasn't my intention to cause you any problems."

The boy didn’t speak as he lifted his weapon once again, his heart wanted to scream out, to tell her to run but his body, it didn’t register his pleading as he swung down on the barrier with a strong force.

Eyes void of life and reason could only stare at the mage, a wash of bloodlust over them as he continued to swing his weapon with the bone sickle part trying to break the barrier!

She in that moment made a decision to jump back in hopes of dodging whatever attack was about to come her way.