#refutable

              A short groan bellowed from his throat as he tightly gripped the spine of a text he had just purchased. He had been trying to find answers about this city that had been shrouded in mystery—even little would suffice for him at this point—after all that would signify that he were getting somewhere. The one act he never gave an attempt was inquiring answers from the locals—those who have been within the city for awhile. Instead he would spend most of his days within book stores, keenly searching for anything that could prove the least bit helpful.

Slender digits reached at the loose strands of his hair that had accumulated in front of his gaze. With a slight gesture of his hand, he quickly pulled them back behind his ear as if by habit. It was sudden but the far-off sound of a man screeching had made his breath hitch; he was on his way back to the abode that had been granted to him here, but his attention was now completely stolen as the disturbance seemed to grow louder, or perhaps it had grown quieter. Either way, it was enough for him to want to further inspect the issue. The atmosphere was still, the only sounds to disrupt the long silence were the abrupt pangs of a gun being shot. Being curious was a quality he had disliked about himself, though at times it had gotten him the solutions in which he had desired—though he wouldn’t dare put himself in harm’s way if there was nothing worth risking his life for and this particular case was no different.

          It doesn't take him long to come upon her home, nestled in what seemed to be a deep wooded area. Good, all the better for what he had planned to do. 

          Knock knock. He stands there and waits at the door as he patiently waits for someone to open it. It doesn't take long until he's met with just the person he's been looking for. Just a few inches shorter than Allen, he has to admit that she's cute, but unfortunately he's not come here to give blessings. ❝ You must be Mukuro. ❞ Yellow eyes bore into her now, a smile slowly spreading across what would be Allen's features.

          ❝ Are you going to let me in? Or are you just going to keep me standing outside? It's rude, you know. ❞

       ❝ I didn’t know it was so hard to go shopping with ya, Allen. ❞

       It’s a joke, though, because Lavi didn’t really want to go shopping. The plan was simply to take Allen out for an hour maybe, and the red haired had used the excuse that they had to go buy suits for the ball that approached. It was the perfect excuse, was it not? Even though his friend did have a sharp eye ( or perhaps they just have been friends for time enough ) for Lavi’s horrible lies and just the fact he had a really poor acting sometimes, the important fact was that he did manage to be out for time enough until Lenalee ( though Mukuro’s phone ) message him to come back.

       And he did, on December 25th -- Allen Walker’s birthday.

       Despite the boy’s mood being over the top, loud & smiling and joking twice more than the usual, especially by the time they approached home, he still did as planned. And by the time they got home, well -- he just simply pushed Allen in to the surprise beyond the door.

⊰☠⊱ — Faint traces of gunpowder lingered nearby, a familiar musky yet feminine scent he hasn't smelled in a while. In a long while. They parted ways without the other knowing. Nicolas figured she found a way back home or managed to get out of the shoddy buildings and into a better place. Living cozy, probably. As cozy as one can get in a place like the Hive. 

Was she even the same person he knew? He recalled seeing another pal of his at the Hive after his pal's sudden disappearance, only to find out it wasn't the same exact person he met. Something about coming here from a different time. That or their memories were wiped. Either way, he wasn't sure what to feel or say. 

Shoulders tensed for a bit before squaring up, a low grunt rumbled within his chest as a slight crooked frown permeated his lips. Large hands were presently dug into his pockets as he advanced towards the source of the smell, casually leaning on the wall of a building next to her, arm bumped against arm. 

Without sparing a single glance her way, habitually pursed lips finally parted.

          ❝  If your commander is in, I'd like to speak with them. Relay the message, please. ❞ A tip of his hat towards them now, as one scurries off to do just as he asked. He'll wait now.

Not that he was going to wait for an answer. Daichi was already settled in, giving one of the waitresses his order. “Sorry for the intrusion! But-- You’re Mukuro-chan, right? Rokudo Mukuro? I’ve heard about you.” How could he not have? Daichi Shijima had been in Hive City a long time now and this person’s name had come up a few times.

“I-I wanted to ask you about the mercenary corps-- So I... Ah.. Looking at you now... Haven’t I seen you somewhere before? On TV or something... Ah! I rememb--”

“Didn’t you...? Ah...”