* ㅤ STRAYㅤ / ㅤ HOUND.

baddestdangerboy​:​

Badou, as usual, just. Doesn’t bother to be confused by anything Setsuna says or does. There’s no time for that, it’s just her being her. So he takes the boxes and when they join Heine and his grumpy self, the redhead winks at Setsuna as if to say see? There he is.

That’s the way he is, as well. The wink is more like a blink, so…

He sweeps his free hand toward the game.

“You wanna give it a try? What’s the weapon you use again, Sets?” He forgets, though he knows she can take care of herself when things get dicey. 

At least in games that’s safe enough.

@snowsacrifice​

“Eh? Me…?” Somehow, the words ‘ass-kicking’ don’t sound too inviting to Setsuna. But with everyone’s attention on her now, it would be rude to refuse.

“Um. Normally, I use my chakrams, but now, this is all I have…” She retrieves the plastic disk she’d received upon her arrival. Though more toy than a weapon, Setsuna sharpened its outer edges enough to ensure at least some usability for it. Without a word of warning (unnecessary, as this is merely a game, right?), she sends the halo flying in one swift, well-practised motion.

The “toy” sails past Heine, hits a target in the stall, and, following its circular path, changes direction, shooting past Badou before it returns to Setsuna, who catches it and safely returns the disk to its previous position as an unassuming hair ornament.

But the stall owner, far from being impressed, shouts something at her about being disqualified for cheating and endangering bystanders.

“Um… I guess it’s up to you, Badou.” @halsberus​

“tch, unbelievable.”   heine rolls his eyes in dismay.  so not only did setsuna’s hairpiece turn out to be a concealed weapon ( or at least, it was wielded as one, nearly taking his nose in its trajectory ), she got herself banned for it.  this feels as if he’s the straight man to a terrible, terrible joke by now.

annoyance flares through him again, but he’s a little adamant about trying out the stall game.  so he twists the annoyance into incongruous enthusiasm as badou gets nominated next.  heine glances over his shoulder at him.  someone is due for an ass-kicking after all. 

“i’m counting on you, badou.”   ( he’s really not ).

”Made for…?“

The words come so quietly, Setsuna might not even have said them at all. And there is so much to be said, so many stories to tell, and so many questions to ask. But how could she ever condense and fit so much meaning into so few words? Maybe Heine only meant it as a metaphor, anyway, and perhaps this is not at all like the things that happened in her world. Hopefully, it’s not.

So she only nods, for now, and reaches for the hand offered to her. But Setsuna halts mid-motion, barely having slipped off the bench yet, her gaze drawn to the paths they’d come from not so long ago. And just as the atmosphere between her and Heine has changed, subtly but significantly, so has something else.

It’s hard to pinpoint the source of it ━ of this sharp and unpleasant feeling tearing its way to the forefront of her senses. It’s all too familiar, but not from here, not from this world. The source remains unmovable, somewhere at the far end of the garden, where the lantern’s delicate starlight can’t reach and the sculptures lie in total darkness. They’re mere shapes now, indistinguishable from any other shadows that might dwell among them.

”We, um…“ She turns towards Heine, trying not to sound too worried, although the thought of turning her back towards potential danger isn’t an encouraging one. ”Would you mind if we took that walk somewhere else…? This place…━We should leave.“ A gentle but urgent tug at his hand betrays her own efforts.

it starts as a tickle upon the base of his neck, feather-light, until it gradually licks into a chill that shoots down his spine.  then in the brief, strained silence comes a languid whisper hissing the warning into his ear, forcing hackles to rise.  looks like we’re about to have some company, lover boy.  tough luck, huh?

coincidentally, setsuna has also turned her attention over yonder, where the shadows seem to roil in anticipation.  or were those shifting figures in the gloam as the voice claims?  it’s impossible to tell in the low light.  yet, whatever it may be, the sense of foreboding does not disperse.

“...you feel that, too?”   heine asks absentmindedly, fixated on the darkened space ahead.  a mere coincidence, he distantly registers because she says something he cannot hear over the rush of blood in his ears.  instinctively, heine reaches for the holster at his hip only to remember it was left behind at the apartment for the occasion and internally curses.

however, the tug on his hand breaks the reverie.  his attention finally drags back to setsuna, taking note of the urgency in her expression.  she needn’t say anything more because now heine understands, sees it, and nods.  they really ought to leave. 

“come on.”   his fingers tighten around hers, lacking the fear and hesitation threaded through them before.  and they move.  away from the danger, away from the garden, and toward a conveniently hidden backdoor nestled between the lush of plants.  STAFF ONLY is painted onto the dark wood in white letters, but the words go ignored as the door is easily pushed through━━

Somehow, a part of Setsuna expects to see the shimmering dust of northern lights braided into the dark blue of the early winter night, but of course, there’s no such thing. Well, at least there’s the festival ━ and Heine.

”It’s fine, you know… Even if we can’t spend as much time together sometimes, as long as we can be together at all… I don’t mind.“ She takes the hand held out to her, offering a grateful smile in return. ”Besides… I bet the festival looks much better in the dark, anyway.“

It only takes a few steps forward to prove Setsuna’s point. Even here, some blocks away from the actual event, the festive spirit has taken over the entire neighbourhood. There’s no street light left unadorned, no tree left bare. Colourful fairy-lights engarland shop signs and handrails. Some of the lights look like LEDs, while others have a wispy, otherworldly sheen to their glow ━ contributions by the fairies of Cotes, no doubt. And all of this is only a foretaste of the more elaborate displays awaiting them at the event.

The casual conversation they’d had on the way fades out as the festival grounds come into view. Vague recollections of the last time she’d been here spill into Setsuna’s mind ━ memories from long ago, when she’d come here with her parents. Back then, everything seemed much taller, but everything appears much grander now. 

There are still the many festival stalls selling souvenirs and mementoes, along with hot drinks and snacks like caramelised almonds. But several other attractions are new, like the illuminated snow sculptures in the plaza’s centre. And there’s one path among the many leading away from the plaza, beautiful and mysterious at once, framed by illuminated arches adorned with delicate, frozen flowers. 

”I wonder where it leads…“ Setsuna wonders, motioning towards it.

he responds with the subtle pull of his tiny eyebrows, dejection narrowing his gaze and parting his lips.  half a protest waits to remind their original plans of seeing the snow sculptures, to revel in the bustle of the festival.  with the exception of a few scattered stalls, the tunnel of illuminated arches seems to lead into a secluded area, away from it all.

"i doubt there's anything worthwhile ..."   he argues, only to feed into her curiosity in the next moment, signature sigh included.  setsuna seems enraptured by what lies ahead;  it would be a pity not to.  and before she could say anything more, heine hooks an arm around hers and walks setsuna toward the luminous path.  as long as they are together, right?

no sooner does a man in a mystic getup flags them down, promising a glimpse into the future for a meager price. they have all the trappings of a scammer behind the gaudy façade, and heine regards them with a strongly pointed look.  but the stall keeper ignores it and invites both with a sweeping gesture over his table, smiling coolly.  palm-sized orbs are lined upon the ornate cloth, closely resembling snow globes.  

‘one hearty shake is all it needs to determine your immediate future.’

“Oh. I didn’t notice…”

If she had, Setsuna’s stuff wouldn’t still lie sprawled across the wooden table. She sets the cup down and hurries to pick them up now ━ two books, some notes and a pen, and lastly, the laptop. With everything safely stored in her bag, she wraps herself in her favourite coat, which looks a little more like a cape instead, but is just snugly enough to keep her warm all the same.

“I’m the worst kind of customer, huh…? I’m sorry for making you wait.” Still, Heine doesn’t look too bothered, and hopefully, an apologetic smile is enough to make up for the delay.  "Of course, we’re still going. After all, it’s…“

Setsuna can’t quite bring herself to finish the sentence, a fresh wave of mild bashfulness sweeping over her, and she tries to drown it with a sip of cocoa. It doesn’t quite work. ”So… to the road then…?“

"oh, yeah.  you're my biggest offender,"   he says flatly, his lips cinching into a pout.  it's a jest, of course.  and, a part of him wishes setsuna would rise up to the teasing, even if just by a fraction.  there's no fun in receiving earnest reactions to the banter.  though, he supposes, that is also half the charm. 

heine pulls out a silver ring of keys from his pockets, letting them clatter and dangle from his fingers as he beckons her outside.  there, he goes through the motions of closing, a routine procedure that is more habit than protocol━━  the flick of the lights, the prod of security, and the shutter of a metal gate.  however, this time, it is frequently interrupted by several glances straying to find setsuna, catching the red of her eyes, her hair.  

maybe it's the distant ache for sleep that makes his thoughts so gauzy, but he cannot help his gaze from seeking and studying her.  today is no different.  sheesh.  he gives a hefty sigh, a steadying breath that plumes in the crisp air.  then, with the flick of his wrist, finally, there is the satisfying thunk of a lock set into place.

heine has to remind himself this upon hearing the telling rattle and methodical hiss of a spray can.  it really isn't, but having just finished dealing in business with one of the most annoying gang leaders in archimedes, it might as well be.  he’d hate to hear their squealing and complaints about it later.

he shifts his weight to lean over the iron railing, witnessing the vandal blotting out the weathered bricks with their vandalism.  they certainly have the gall to bring mischief right on this doorstep.

"seriously?  take your shitty graffiti elsewhere━━"   heine argues.  but then he blinks, and the frown is gone, replaced by an expression of sudden knowing.  this person seems familiar somehow.

"hold on, aren't you that gang kid━━  what's your name again…?  quinn?"   he dips his head forward, trying to recall rumors and revelations from previous offhand jobs.  that sounds about right, yet his memory fails him for a better name.  so, quinn, it is.  well, not that it matters.   "anyway, tagging in monetti's area isn't a smart move.  though i’m sure i don’t have to tell you that."

Badou catches Heine’s gaze, follows it to the figure in question and squares his shoulders.

“Hey, I’m clever like a fox, don’t forget that. And hard boiled to boot. I can handle this.”

He cannot handle it. As charming as he is, there is a risk to talking to the boss’ wife or girl or whatever. Getting the guard’s attention at that. 

Badou’s expression hardens. “If this goes sour you can do whatever you want. I don’t see that happening right away, but knowing us…” 

clever as a fox and hard-boiled, yeah, right.  heine nearly scoffs aloud in response.  but he’ll hold the redhead to that go-ahead when the time comes.

"'knowing us'━  what's that supposed to mean?  information is your job, so go on and get that info, eyepatch,"   he notes coarsely, nudging badou forward as if he were encouraging his partner to confess to a schoolgirl. 

at that moment, the metallic shriek of a microphone resounds, followed by a tinny voice announcing the start of the rites.  every funny-faced cult member draws their attention towards the center floor, an uncannily fluid wave of turning faces as the room softens into whispers and the swish of dark robes.  this can be an opportunity, an art of welcomed distraction.  while the masses focus on the withering man that speaks empty promises, the two can move around with a degree of freedom. 

"be professional, remember?"   heine sneers, savoring every second he can get egging on the other.  they are nowhere near professionals but a pair of scruffy, undisputable fellows who are well versed in mayhem.  if this doesn't go as planned, that just makes it any old day on the job. 

OOC.  dunno how much of this is a good idea, but it’s also been more than half a year since i’ve made one so consider this a very small starter call for subversion!  heine’s event info is pinned for the time being if you wanna check that out.  i’d be happy to work out pre-established relationships, too :)

Stray dog?  Yeah sure, but not so literal anymore. He’s less doom and gloom, too, but still pretty angry about most things in his life. 

Comes from a family of accomplished scientists + biologists with exceptional advances in understanding the human body, often employed by military services. But he split away from them after a lab accident left his sister hospitalized in a coma and his brother resenting him.

Said incident became news for some time though little has been pieced together by federal officials, making it one of those unsolved mysteries kicked under the rug. Or has it?  Doesn’t stop random journalists and zealots hounding him for answers and clearance to the rumors of inhumane methods being used in the labs. 

Due to his upbringing, he is ofc well-educated in the sciences ( finally ). But Heine won’t outright say so, or pursue higher education/college to follow his parent’s footsteps, despite their insistence. Delinquency follows into adulthood.

IF you nag him enough though, he might help you out with your science homework and theories.

Instead, most of his time is spent working at a café somewhere in archimedes. He still, more or less, lives off of caffeine, and needs something to do while he tries to figure out his life; it’s totally genius. Though it’s a wonder how he manages to keep the job with his constant scowling and terrible customer service… Maybe it’s the mean coffee that he can make.

Doubles as a fixer and works odd jobs at night, which often leaves him very tired. Someone’s gotta bring a little trouble and do the dirty work, though.

Badou at least collects himself. He’s a professional. Professional. He spends the next few moments looking around at the people (nearly identical) and the annoying deco. So tacky.

Then again it’s a cult. 

They’re all mingling, murmuring softly together, but so far there isn’t anything eerie. 

Besides how ready and raring to go Heine is.

“What? No, you can’t go right for him. Look at those two dudes in the corners,” he nudges his partner back, frowning, and drawing his attention to those men.

“Those are his crew. And while I don’t see them packing, I bet you they are. We have to go for the wife first…or the girlfriend, whatever. And I know you’ll hate that, so just…mingle.”

Was this a bad idea or was this a bad idea! 

"dunno about you, but i’m not here to chat and make friends,"   he chides grumpily, falling back to his partner's side.  considering how this is badou's idea, it can only be bad.  heine just happens to amplify it with his impatience and penchant for trouble.  

why bother taking a long way around when they can cut the bullshit and head straight to the target?

"more importantly, how are you gonna find this girlfriend-slash-wife, or whatever, in all of ━━"    he trails off, noticing a second figure approach the cult leader for a brief exchange.  unfortunately, their voices are much too quiet to pick up before one melds back into the sea of members.  the most notable feature is ( once again ) the disguise, which sits just a fraction smaller than the super party-sized one.  

at this, heine has to facepalm.  it’s ridiculous enough to settle his exasperation into a need of seeing how terrible this will play out.  hell, the idea is better than mingling.

For a few moments, Setsuna’s voice doesn’t seem to cooperate. After all, this is Heine. She’d expected him to deny her theories outright, but he didn’t. And that’s the most she could hope for  ━ a lack of denial  ━ or at least so she’d thought.

”You do…?“ It’s still a question, still uncertain, although he undoubtedly wouldn’t have said anything like that if he didn’t mean it. ”I’m… so glad. I… I wasn’t sure you’d feel the same…“

Setsuna finally manages a small smile. It feels daring now, somehow, when it never did before. And still, there’s no sigh of relief. It’s strange, how one can feel so happy and so worried at once. It would be easier not to mention it, this tiny prick of distress that has been bothering her ever since that day in the forest. But maybe that’s why it feels long overdue to address it now.

”There’s one thing I want to ask of you, though… Because…“ She holds her gaze steady on his, ignoring the waves of nervousness that still refuse to cease. ”I grew up surrounded by monsters. They hunt and attack humans, so… There aren’t many people left in my world…“ But that’s not even what matters right now.

”You’re nothing like these monsters, Heine… I don’t know why you’d talk about yourself like that. But I’m sure I’m missing something, so… I hope one day you’ll tell me. I really want to understand you better…“

"setsuna..."   the lines on his face quickly harden into solemnity.  it's ironic to think of her as stubborn when he, too, refuses to change his mind.  although, in fairness, heine does recall something of a promise to tell her all about it another day━  that day just seems to have caught up faster than he anticipated. 

of course, it's not meant to be kept secret, and setsuna suggests patience in exchange for understanding.  but to heine, the topic now sits between them, expecting to be addressed;  the elephant in the room. 

"... i say it because that's what i was made for, too."   to hunt and attack.  to whom and to what end?  the details escape him.  but it doesn't matter because they are all the same, regardless of shape or place;  heine sounds sure enough as he continues,   "those monsters ━  we're no different."

and, that label ( MONSTER ) is held like a crutch or a safety net when the threatening waves of blood and guilt undulate and suffocate.  for when people, kind people, draw too close to the sharp edge of his teeth.  he won't change his mind...

heine makes a sound of disgust and rises from his seat abruptly, taking the starlight lantern along with him, seemingly intent on leaving that conversation behind.  yet, he only manages a single step forward before halting.  a hand is then lifted, hesitant in the act and extending itself in a wary invitation.  ...but setsuna deserves to know, at least.  even if that happens to be right now.

”I know.“ She’s been quiet to give Heine the room he needs, but his last set of words forces Setsuna to speak up, although her gaze remains firmly fixed on some oddly-shaped stone on the ground.

”Because I’m not truly alive… right? I know it’s foolish…“ She gives the stone the tiniest push with her foot, rolling it around until it slips out of her reach. And as it disappears into the darkness of the garden, Setsuna can’t help but wonder if her precarious state of being is what Heine meant. It doesn’t quite fit his other words.

”What’s good for me…“ And so she returns to quietly recalling what he’d said ━ and how. ”But, doesn’t that mean…“ Slowly, Setsuna picks her gaze off the ground as if merely looking at Heine would confirm or refute her latest theory. Of course, it doesn’t.

”You didn’t deny it… But then…“ That means, one way or another, he believes he’s the problem here, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

”Heine.“ Her voice, though still soft, now holds a sense of resolve it lacked before. ”You could never be bad for me. You’ve helped me so many times. You always listen to me, and… without you, I wouldn’t have Yuki either. I don’t care if you don’t sound nice. You don’t have to. You just have to be you. So…even if I you don’t think the same way… That’s how I feel.“

he barks a laugh, finding the conversation taking a morbidly humorous turn.  with every legitimate claim raised, another number of viable excuses will follow.  this is a dance of side-stepping that will carry on endlessly if someone does not concede.

"this is insane ..."   he mutters to himself, running a hand through his bleached hair.  it falls slightly out of place, curling over his eyes in the wild sort of way it does when he finally stops caring.  and he has because, despite all the fight left in him to argue against setsuna, heine doesn't.  instead, he slouches in his seat, concentrating on the lines of his palm.

this kindness she keeps asserting stems from a fondness in her━━  not in the sibling-sort of affection he seems to give out so freely.  rather it's something a little more, a little warmer, and that thought is a guest that has long overstayed its welcome.  but perhaps it's time he gave it the attention it consistently clamored for.  

there is a sigh of defeat.

"alright.  just be me, huh?"   ( the hollow shell of a mongrel, pathetically dragging out an existence? hah. )  she doesn't know a damn thing about who he is.  though, he supposes the opposite can be said, too.  well, except for one thing, that is.  heine gives her a sideways glance through the fringe of white, his lips still showing the barest hints of a smile.   "you have terrible tastes in monsters, you know that?"   he says, half in jest and vaguely alluding to himself.  the Problem.

baddestdangerboy​:​

“It’s exactly like Shrek, yes, exactly to a T.”

Badou watches Heine’s retreating back, and he holds out a hand for Setsuna in the meantime.

“Let’s go follow him. We can’t let him get away after that great ogre comment.” Then, raising his voice to a volume he knows Heine will hear, he adds, “IF ANYTHING HE’S MORE LIKE AN ONION!” 

Badou’s face then twists into a grin.

“C’mon. He’s not really mad anyway, he’s just acting like a baby.”

@snowsacrifice​

Setsuna wants to comment on the ogre stuff, but the conversation moves far too fast for that. Both of the others are on the move now, while most of the food Badou brought remains on the bench.

“But…”

Figuring it’s no use protesting, Setsuna grabs some of the boxes left behind by Heine and unceremoniously hands them to Badou (that’s what he’s holding out his hand for anyway, right?). She quickly shoves the rest of the food into a bag. Anything else would be terribly wasteful.

“Shrek is pretty great, though…” Setsuna says, now entirely out of context, once they’re finally able to follow Heine to the shooting stand, and she gives Badou a knowing nod. Surely, he’ll confirm this.  

@halsberus​

the footsteps that draw near can only belong to badou and setsuna, still talking about shrek apparently, because they just cannot let him live in peace.  he clicks his tongue loud enough for them to hear, and doesn’t spare a single glance.  instead, his attention lies on the targets hanging ahead, wholly ignoring them as a show of defiance.

at least, until the stall keeper flags him down with a wave of their hand and a point toward the second gun, sitting empty.

right.  of course.

“if you guys are done talking nonsense,”   his tone is crude and full of annoyance when addressing both.  but that is why they showed up, right?  heine gestures to the spot next to him.   “... need me a second player.  pay up if you want an ass-kicking.”

Badou’s job may be hiding and running and keeping secrets….but could he truly keep this to himself if it were a joke? Messing with Heine and only that? Absolutely not. He’s human, after all, and a spiteful one.

To his credit he doesn’t bust out laughing once the stupid glasses settle on Heine’s face. Give him a few minutes though.

“Right back atcha!” He crows happily, his mouth beneath the ‘stache stretching in a wide grin.

They’re all set. This won’t come back to bite them, of course. When they arrive with little incident (besides laughing for 10 minutes) the set of his shoulders noticeably change. 

“We just have to check this out….try to hold off beating anyone’s ass as long as possible. I know it’ll be hard for you.”

it’s practically a miracle the funny glasses do not go sailing down the street or into the redhead for being laughed at.  it’s fine.  in fact, once they step into cult territory, the prop stays squarely upon his face, suppressing the fierce glare there. 

“whatever you say,”   he drawls out with little intention of following through.  the extent of his patience has been made clear many times now;  badou can’t really expect anything short of heine jumping at a suspicious-someone’s throat. 

but he’ll behave, for now.

they're swept in by the motion of the gathering, a wave that slowly moves towards center stage.  expectedly cult-like, a podium stands in the clearing, fenced by bouquets and alighted by spotlights to show its importance.  an older man at fringe of the platform catches heine’s wandering gaze, and it’s not the long dark robes that mark him as a person of interest.  rather, it’s the most comically oversized nose-glasses on his face that does the job.

that makes them the leader, obviously.