#cutwarmth 01

maybe it’s bad for Aichi to flinch when he enters the cabin numbered the same as his key. maybe it’s bad to hold the cards in his jacket pocket tightly, like a lifeline, to make sure he’s where he seems to be. (he doesn’t feel out of the ordinary. he’s here, wherever here is.)

there’s someone else in the cabin. that shouldn’t be…abnormal. of course there would be other people. he’s not isolated.

it’s - just -

the greeting is caught in his throat. (maybe he’s scared.) 

“um -”

it’s not exactly a word. Aichi wavers there. there’s a small part of him that really, really wants to run away.

you’re not human. he doesn’t say that, because it’s the first person he’s met and he won’t say that and maybe he’s the only human here! maybe it’s another world entirely. but he thinks it, and then follows that thought with they look pretty, which is easier to prove true than the first statement but something he’s not even slightly going to say.

…they’re about the same height. he’s not going to bring that up, either. 

Aichi’s been standing here saying nothing for quite some time now, so he should either run or actually try and say something, and because bravery is still a foreign concept but one he can finally touch, he clutches the key to his chest and says -

“who are you…?”

Whatever, whatever. Back to what’s in front of him. They’re both drawn to the dark, naturally, to the parts of the city where people won’t notice if someone goes missing or won’t see someone watching them. Gyuutarou doesn’t recognize the kid, but he’s heard of him from his conversation with Daki. Lower Moon or something. Not super important. Still, she had some choice things to say, so Gyuutarou decides to make his presence known.

“Hey, hey. I know you. My little sister mentioned you. You know Daki, don’t you? You’re not gonna play dumb, right?,” he says, emerging from the shadows. Just a Lower Moon, right? Hopefully Daki hasn’t been spoiling him or anything.

“Listen, I wanna ask you something. I can’t ask Daki ‘cause she’s kinda lacking in the brains area, you know? Maybe you’ve noticed. Anyways.”

He leans in, fangs on full display as he grimaces. He drags a clawed hand down the side of his face, scratching deep gashes into his cheek and eye as he stares the kid right in the face.

“How the hell's a demon supposed to find food in this place? I feel weak as shit, haven’t eaten in days. Couldn’t just ask Daki ‘cause she was crying all over the place, but you gotta know, right? Don’t try and keep me outta the loop, man, I don’t appreciate that.”

Bandaged feet stepped further into the alley way, the shadows within of which extended under the evening sky. The scent of blood and death surrounded her, blood staining the mask of bandages upon her face. Eto often found herself being one of the Cotes Ward’s primary predators, so to hear the sound of someone approaching while she feasted was an intriguing change of pace. Was it a possible enemy, or something far more fascinating?

“...?”

“Oya, what’s this?”

Tilting her head back quickly, the false ears of her hood flopping forward, Eto peered at the small figure. A child? No, she doubted it would be that simple. Being so small herself, Eto knew better than to judge anyone based upon their size. Flesh of her kill still in hand, Eto smiled.

she didn’t really realize how much practice she was getting in between the bamboo. the cold failed to truly faze her, and it’s just been too long since alisaie has parleyed with anything but cold steel. it’s important to know the limitations of such material. how fast does it move, how hard can it cut, does it break or bend all that easily?

but the sight of such a familiar ghost... no, that can’t be him. he didn’t have horns, but that comfort doesn’t chase away her instinct to run up to him.

he just has such a similar presence. but alisaie takes a deep breath, and keeps her composure. even if his expression mimics him so closely, alisaie has to accept that this isn’t him. he’ll be fine without her... right?