"So, where are you off to at this hour~?"

As a woman of science and a hard nonbeliever in anything that couldn't be explained realistically, Natori had a hard time believing someone could make a profession out of ghost hunting.

"You're joking right? Some sort of halloween prank?"

❝ Are you for real, ❞ what a bunch of nonsense. Takumi gestured for Matt to stop recording, prior to removing his shades nonchalantly. ❝ what the hell are you doing? You're supposed to recite the lines I gave you, not this bullshit. Do you know how long it takes for Matt to remodel videos? ❞ clearly exasperated, our investigator kissed his teeth.

By day, he's just another face online; by night, he streams live ghost hunts, chasing the paranormal to fill up his pockets and to bring his viewers that much needed shot of adrenaline. His YouTube channel is packed with eerie encounters, EVP sessions, and enough haunted lore to keep anyone on life support waiting for another episode.

Throughout her time as a New Eridu resident, staying within the homely comfort of Sixth Street, one would assume that the proxy would ensure that every passing second is treasured, becoming part of a ritualistic appreciation. Hidden admist the rubble of decaying lands, that was when such a realisation dawned on her. Truly, it had been a miracle the collapsed buildings provided such shelter from the lurking beast in the first place.

"Couldn't you have just gotten a new camera?? Nobody knows we're in here," the retorts came through gritted teeth, though she knew it was pointless in bickering about it now. "I can use any pre-existing data piles to get us out of here, but we will have to be careful, and very quiet, no matter how close it gets." Despite her words, her nerves were on edge, emphasising the anxiety pumping through her veins. With a deep breath in, she finds herself looking at him once more, before analysing the scene before her.

Fortunately for them, there was one not too far off from their current location. It'd be a start.

Dead End Hollow - would be a darn shame to living in such a forgettable place. ❝ S - Surveillance?! ❞ The word caught itself in his throat like a dry splinter. His silhouette traced her path, close as a shadow but twice as clumsy. It wasn't simple for a young man wearing a trench coat to navigate the maze of steel, full of protruding teeth and ragged edges from what used to be a living industry - as if the Hollow wanted his movement impaired. His heart crashed against its cage of bone with each crashing bolt of thunder, all 'till Takumi's boot trashed a discarded can. Its bellowing echo vibrated across the deadly quiet, shattering what little silence remained undisturbed between the bolts of light. ❝ F - fuck me. . . ❞ Takumi's panicked gaze flinched between Belle and the now still can, tracing skywards towards two derailed trains - and the ethereal. A colossal tower of immaculate muscle, its glowing and translucent head contorting in order to slowly gaze their way: no facial features, none, yet its burning presence burned itself into our investigator's psyche.

A low, bitter sigh escaped him. No use hiding now.

Takumi tugged at the collar of his trench coat, then pulled it free with one swift motion. The fabric caught the wind like a veil parting from his shoulders, causing it to drop aside so he could move freely with his buttoned shirt. ❝ I know what you're going to say. . . ❞ The butcher slammed its blunt weapon, cracking the very earth beneath it with ease without noticing Belle. ❝ I'll keep him busy, remember - you owe me my camera. ❞

Our investigator suddenly bolted.

❝ HEY, COME GET YOUR DINNER! ❞ As if blessed by the greek god himself, Takumi took flight by sprinting on the opposite direction of Belle. He had a feeling that she'd come back to find him, otherwise, her rank as a proxy would most likely get a juicy penalty.

❝ 어... ~ ⵑ takumi-ya ! ❞

meeting the other boy half way, the young korean gives a brief bow in greeting, only to notice the politely extended hand. he flatters his dark lashes just then & pauses for a moment, looking almost like a fox lost in translation. ah wait, i should probably shake it, he figures, soon enough straightening up to do just that. ❝ of course i would not miss this rare opportunity, ❞ their hands lace together gently & shake, once, twice, thrice, ❝ it's such a pleasure... to have finally met you. ❞

Fingers laced, palms pressed together in a quiet vow as their hands shared mutual warmth in a forbidden matrimony. Takumi flashed a playful wink, it slipped from him like intoxicating nectar waiting to make the target drunk. ❝ Alright then, cute and a catch, huh? Guess I'm the lucky one for snagging you as the guest of honour. ❞ Without warning, with no care for personal space, Takumi yanked the young man closer, just so the contact of chest to chest lingered enough for his arm to slip over the guest shoulder, pulling him in closer.

Our investigator's pace guided the two down the dirty path layered in shattered marble stone slabs. Meanwhile Takumi waved his free hand towards the van, as if the blind jerk would somehow summon someone from within. ❝ Matt, open up! ❞ At his command, willing or not, a fairly large young man slammed open the van's side door, unleashing a bath of lights that swallowed any imminent darkness up. The inside was any nerd's dream, screens blinking and cameras laid on the floor waiting for a master to configure their settings.

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