Act I ~ The Bloodhounds





The cold grips Hide-shima, as it does every winter. The hunters with the same prey gathered, having never met before.

This is where it begins.

How you got to this city is largely unimportant, be it a few days before hand or only just on that night, what matters is that you were found and brought before someone tonight. This is where it begins.

The group sat before a white uniform-clad man, not much older than anyone else present, feet brought up to rest on the tattered and old wooden desk before him. The only light source in busted and disused factory space came from the moons rays through shattered windows, illuminating one half of the dusty area.

Your chairs, each of various antique makes, are arranged in a slight arc not too far from the desk and its owner, giving you a clear look at the disgruntled expression on the young man's face. He uncrosses one foot from the other, bringing them both down and slowly turning his head to get a look over each of the newcomers in his building.

“I should have figured more would show up.” He offhandedly mentions.

“It’s common courtesy to introduce oneself if they are going to be intruding on the property of others.” He speaks in a matter of fact tone, raising a hand to gesture to the skylines in the distance, past the broken windows and industrial buildings.

He appraises each one of you once again, letting out a small huff.

“But you are new - foreigners…” He tosses a glance to Hazakura specifically here, clearly referring to them as foreigners in more than just the literal sense, "It would be rude of me not to lead by example, for your sake.” He sits up right, taking on a new air of authority, where before he merely appeared to be a uniformed delinquent.

“I am Ikiriyo Tobe, Chief Enforcer for the Hide-shima region. If there’s a problem in this city with it’s...residents, I am obliged to solve the issue in one way or another.” He finishes, then pointing in the general direction of the group. “Introduce yourselves, Little Reapers.”

‘Little Reaper’. The Mori gathered would immediately be able to tell that this man was in the know when it came to their nature, not many used that name for them after all. As to if he’s a threat or not has yet to really be seen, but you do not need to be too savvy to figure out that this man - Ikiriyo - was of of some reputation within the city, at least the side of the city you’d be dealing with.

Time to get to know your fellow undead.

Oda calmly stood up upon understanding that it was time to introduce themselves, and decided to go first since no one else did. Adjusting his tie and fixing his his black leather gloves, before putting his glasses on. He looked over at the man who addressed them and was surprised to see that he was roughly their age. He hesitated on listening to her since he died and that how she wanted him to come here, considering the things she was saying about how they were perfect for each other. He still remembered the long walk he spent getting here, ignoring practically everyone and everything except the slowly nagging sensation of both her and something else in his head until he reached this place.

"My name is Oda Riveres... and by your statement it seems there was supposed to be more of us coming but they decided not to show..." spoke the somewhat intimidating man as he calmly stood his ground. "Eheh... I'm sorry to hear that, sir. Oh, and I'm not really that great with introductions either, considering I'm terrible in crowds. I do like sweets, I can brew wonderful coffee or tea, and I can cook pretty well despite my looks." His voice was different compared to his body's stature; he was nice despite being firm.

"I'm not sure if this is relevant... or if we should talk about this, as 'little reapers', but in life I was an officer. I died in the line of duty... but... I'm here, with her..." he mumbled as a woman appeared next to him.

"Still don't like me?" she played with his hair before Oda promptly brushed her off with his hands.

"No. Apparently she represents my death; Unfair Judgment... Anyway, I apologize for taking so much of our time. Who would like to go next?"

World, other, self.

"Hello, everyone. I hope we can have fun together~"

The containment for what is. That which is which is not the one designating them as is. That which designates as is. Separate between the three.

Other cannot be self as then it is not other, but everything contains other and self so long as it is. I am man, but I would not be man were the quasi-minerality of bone not within me. As such, bone is self and other. Fundament of bone is the materials which comprise it. Said materials exist outside of the conceptual scope of bone.

However, this misrepresents objects. Two of one object can exist so long as it is the same type of object and not the same true object. This is inherent.

Move deeper, question the root of that premise.

Why do we think two of one type can exist?

Deeper.

Understand that it is all hidden behind a veil, and reach beyond it.

Simulation, falsehood, dream, illusion, craft of a demon, prized domain of a narcissist pariah, altar of a corrupted god, plaything of an incomprehensible is-not.

World, other, self.

The geometric arrangement of Algis rotating in place above her shoulder, Koyuki rose to a standing position with a slight giggle.

The world must exist. For even if the demon of Laplace lurks out of our view, feeding us tales and stories of something that never was, or even if this is all a meaningless dream scripted by the mind of you or me, the world must still exist.

The mind cannot contain concepts. The quest of the Tao to contain all under one is ultimately futility unless the one is perfect.

If the one was perfect though...then the one would know the answer to the question we are currently seeking. As such, that futile ideal of the Supremely Mysterious and Primordial is tossed aside, trash to not even be considered in furthering the premise.

Properties cannot be contained by us. Should a demon wish to feed us blue, he must create an illusion of such to feed to us. Even if the true basis of blue is a mere illusion, there does not need to be the developing of an ontology of ideas so long as the premise is established.

World, other, self.

"Koyuki Hazakura, it's a pleasure. I like tropical fruits and eating on the roof!"

But if this illusion exists, if all that is needed is that first concept to exist outside of the mind and then get fed into it, then what is to say that there can be more than one of one?

If bone does not exist, but it all stems from the same singular illusion of bone, crafted by the demon to deceive us for reasons outside our ability to conceive, then there is no distinction.

Object theory collapses. I possess bone and you possess bone, but they are not distinct, they are all mere digital copies of the same primal illusion.

World, other, self.

"I had a bit of a nasty spill when doing some stuff on the aforementioned roof, and what do ya know, here I am!"

Thus it is impossible.

World, other, self.

"This is Algis-chan, he represents Death By Substitution. He doesn't talk much, cause y'know, he's kind of a cube, but he's really insightful! I promise!"

It is impossible to delineate, when everything which comprises the self is the same as what comprises the other. Every concept and ideal exhibited by the self is not-self.

World, self.

"Um...oh, right! If anyone wants to join the Koyuki-sama Fan Club, let me know! Seeing as this whole thing happened, I have to start from scratch with my member count, funyaa..."

The world has to exist, the outside has to exist when you glance outside your window, but even that is a falsehood, an ephemeral dream that will melt away when he who created it wakes.

Illusion, self.

"Anything else, anything else..."

...you stand adrift in an endless void.

Your sins are infinite, for it is you who made their premise.

Your blessings are naught, for it is you who has sinned.

You cannot atone with death, for then there is nothing to see the atonement. Without interaction with observers, that atonement is meaningless.

Instead of atonement, it shall be a curse.

The nightmare ends when the dreamer wakes, so this will simply never end.

There is merely one penalty.

The penalty which encompasses first and last is that which shall be eternally endured, appointed by you unto you within you. Not death by happiness, madness, love, drowning, burning, electrocution, suffocation. None of those. This is the truest penalty of the first and last.

Death by life.

You will never let yourself awaken, because when you do you yourself will cease to be.

So keep existing for yourself, will you?

"Let's keep this game going forever, alright everyone~?"

Such are her words as she takes her seat once more.

"I guess I'm next, yaaaay." Zach said in dull monotone, wondering why Umbram had made him come to this stupid thing. Oh well, he was hear now, so he better get on with it. As he stood up, Umbram stepped a little closer. He was an intimidating sight, a tall demonic looking creature composed entirely of darkness.

"My name is Zachary Martin. My Mori is Umbram Eniium Ultionis or, for those of us who don't speak latin,Shadow of Vengeance. He prefers to go by Umbram however, less of a mouthful. As for how I kicked the bucket, it's actually quite tragic. I came home one day to find a vampire standing over my mother's pale lifeless corpse. Before I could do anything he grabbed me and slammed me down on to the floor, I everything was over, but instead it got much worse. He held me there, struggling to no avail, as my mother, who was now a vampire like him, rose up. She stared at me, her eyes filled with nothing but hunger and malice. Then she. . .she" Try as he might, Zach couldn't say it,the words seeming to choke him as he tried to speak, the wound on his heart pulsating pain throughout his core. Umbram stepped up to steady his master, backing off when Zach gives him a nod to indicate that he's okay now. . "Well you get the idea, either way, I've been like this for about a month now and have devoted myself to hunting him down. When I find him, I'll take my time in ending his pathetic immortal life. Then," here he takes a breath to steady himself, "I'll free my mother from the curse of vampirism by ending her life."

As he speaks about his death and his target, his eyes began to take on red glow, and his canines became razor sharp fangs. As he sat back down, he takes a few calming breaths, his features returning to normal soon after.

Monica paid little attention to the others and their introductions besides noting their names. When she felt it was her turn to speak, she stood and bowed slightly. "My name is Monica Phobos, former heiress of the Phobos family." With her short introduction over with, she sat back down, hands folded in her lap. She didn't really care about any of this, what was the point? She just wanted to get rid of this incessant NEED and be left alone. Maybe once she was done here, she could finally be free.

Her Mori stood silently by her shoulder, seeming to have taken the role of one of her maids. The Reflection stood perfectly straight, hands clasped around the knife and held in front of her, and she had even changed into an apron. Monica didn't really understand what her purpose was, but it didn't bother her very much. In fact, the actions of the strange creature gave her a comforting feeling of home.

Lance was keeping a mental notebook of those who spoke, trying to figure out what was going on with everyone who spoke. Now, he was not a great judge of character and he knew it, but he believed it would be a good choice. After all, how could you get to know people if you never even try? This method may not be as effective as talking and having one on one conversations, but that wasn't a method he could use after all. Especially if they were all meeting just now for the first time, introducing themselves one at a time.

The first to speak was apparently Oda. He seemed like a brave soul, or at least, a ballsy one. After all, he did introduce himself first after all, that says something about him! However he couldn't decide what it was. He spoke something about dying in the line of duty, so he was a cop? Cops are cool he thought to himself. He also introduced everyone else to his Mori. When he did Lance couldn't help but choke, she was pretty hot! In a, spirit-ghost of vengeance kind of way. He focused on her for as long as he could, until another one of his kind spoke up. The next one to speak up was Koyuki, and Lance couldn't decide if she made him cringe or not. Spill on a roof. What did she spill? She's not making much sense was what flew through his mind when she started talking. She also had her own fanclub? Pretty vain, but he couldn't deny she also had some nice looks. So it wouldn't surprise him if some people were just that desperate to be with her. As much as he wanted to keep some mental notes on her personality, she just didn't make much sense. Oh well, looks like someone else is speaking up now.

Zachary was next! He seemed to be the most sane out of the three others who spoke up, or at least, he was not some rogue cop or a girl with a fanclub. Its a bit cheesy, but his Mori sounds pretty cool. However, immediately after thinking Zach's mori was cheesy, he realized both that he should be taking this more seriously, and he probably didn't have any authority on who's was cheesy or not. After all, its not like his Mori's name wasn't latin as well! Lance followed zach's words while he could, he appeared to be wanting vengeance. Just like the name of his mori suggested. However, it still surprised Lance a bit. He wasn't good when it came to foreshadowing. Lance had planned on stepping up after Zach, but another girl stood up before he had the chance. Her name was Monica, and wasn't one for long introductions apparently. Bummer, wanted some more time to think of what to say

Immediately after Monica sat down Lance waved his hand. He figured he would keep this short and sweet, as well as a bit vague. "Hey guys! Name is Lance. Nice to meet you all!" he almost shouted out, he took a deep breath and continued. "Died of knife-entering-heart syndrome, as well as beat down-itis. My mori is Cor Ira, call him whatever you want. Hope we manage to not be awkward as all hell around each other!" as he finished talking, Cor Ira appeared above him, blood dripping out of the X shaped scar across its chest. Well, at least I kept it kind of short and vague.

Prudence watched everyone gathered there. She listened as the white clad man spoke. It seemed, to her, that this was something he had done before, and would most likely do again. He liked his position, his...power, she could tel. Her eyes, cops eyes even now, saw a ot about a person. She wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of Ikiriyo. But she would, if she deemed it right. If she deemed t necessary.

Prudence was young, just twenty three. She had a tall, thin frame, and her eyes were the colour of aged whiskey. Her hair was long, ,but the ends were....uneven and looked as if she had just hacked at her hair with kitchen scissors. Which she had. She wore jeans that were battered, faded and fraying at the cuffs, and a brown T-shirt that clung to her frame. .

Oda interested Prudence. An officer, died in the line of duty. Just like she had. He liked sweets. Damn. Where was he before? She wondered musingly Woud have made a better partner then the idiot I was paired with. At least I would have been able to steal sweets, instead of carrot sticks What was he investigating when he died? Bitterness rose up in her, her last case was probably still unsolved, and the ba-. She coughed, sshook her head, breaking her train of thought. She figured that Oda ad been a good cop. A right cop. You didn't go down in the line of duty, shot, if you were a bad one. Everyone had dark secrets though. You could be a good cop, but a crappy person. Still...Oda interested her.

Koyuki seemed a little strange, but harmless. Prudence thought. She did imagine that Kayuki could and would defend herself, like an animal cornered, but doubted she was a type that would cause an issue. Eating on the roof. Falling off the roof Fallen, or pushed? the cop in her couldn't help but wonder, seemed slightly childish. Her manor of peaking seemed to confirm that opinion, at least for Prudence.

Zachary just plain gave Prudence the shivers. He seemed uncaring, and hell bent on vengence. Prudence knew what it was like, to have such rage and hate in you, but she also knew it could take you over and completely destroy you. Zachary just didn't seem to care about that. Would Prudence like to take down the person that killed her? Yes. But then that would comprimise the investigatio, and the victims would never get closer, the family and friends. Those left behind. And she would never do that. Her thoughts flickered to her parents, and her throat seemed to tighten, fill with the tears she refused to shed.

It was easier to focus on those around her. When Monica spoke, Prudence saw a girl who seemed closed off, desperate for an escape. Prudence wondered what had happened to her, why she was like she was. Who hurt you? She wondered, as she watched the girl, an ache in her heart, Who made you this way? Can you cmme back from it? Prudence knew what it was to come back from something that utterly destroyed you. All she knew was, you needed a reason to keep on fighting. She sighed softly.

Lance. She didn't know what to make of lLance, and that unnerved her. He seemed as watchful as she was, but didn't seem to give much away, beyond his name and how he died. A mystery, then. Seeing as a few of them had introduced themselves, Prudence finally rose, the Mori in the form of a young girl, that Prudence refused to look at too closely, for fear of seeing herself at the age of four, shifted, eyes watching prudence. Eyes that pleaded. Eyes that showed the flicker of flames.

"my name" She said in a voice that carried, despite its softness, "Is Prudence Peabody. I wasn't anyone special. I just stood up for those that couldn't protect themselves, or were beyond being able to. I looked for answers, and despite seeing the worst the world has to offer, experiencing it, I never gave up. I was an officer. I died in the line of duty, apprehending a suspect. I was shot. And then the building around me was set on fire. I was unable to do anything. The flames... " And here, her composure broke, and she shuddered, visibly and violently. "Well, lets just say I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Inferno is my Mori, but I wouldn't touch her. She might burn you"

Having introduced herself, Prudence sat down once more, and rather then look at the others now, she looked down to the ground, her hands in her lap.

Jimmy looked at all the speakers before him. They wore nice clothes were good looking and well fed. Bummer.
He decided this would be the time to speak. "So my name is Jimmy. Hey everybody.", it remembered him of the self help group he once visited. Horrible place. But he got in contact with a dealer there so that was nice. "I guess since we all tell sweet story's right now it is my turn. So I was like stupidly rich, made all my money illegal you know.", he grinned at the cops, his mouth was missing a few teeth, "All to impress a women. But she was with this like also super rich asshole who also was a racist and so on. And then one day this like husband of the girl that rich asshole had an affair with comes and kills me! Because he thought I was the guy his wife had an affair with! Crazy right?"
Worst lie ever.
Jimmy did not even a moment thought that someone would believe him. But his story was just too pathetic in comparison to the others. He would not tell it.
"Well long story short, now I have this crow as an buddy.", Black Tar was sitting on Jimmy's shoulder, looking at each individual group member.
I like none of them. They all seemed so weird but so interesting. One was killed by a vampire! Two were cops. I don't like cops.
It seemed like the beginning of a good story...

“Us next, us next, us next—“

The Mori’s words whispered continuously behind her, ever softly giving a nudge to her arm every few seconds. Amongst the others, Evangeline Thorne wasn’t all that thrilled to share her stories, much less introduce herself to a bunch of strangers. She shook visibly in fear, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap as her gaze sat fixed on the ground beneath her feet. She didn’t want to be here, not in this room, not around this people, not on this plane of existence. But it didn’t look like she was going to have the option to opt out of this ordeal.

One by one she watched the others introduce themselves. She listened to their stories, and took note of their Mori’s, while her own continued to whisper ‘Us next’ in a never-ending loop. Trying to avoid publicly speaking she watched their numbers dwindle, and with only her left, Evangeline knew she had no choice but to speak. Once Jimmy returned to his seat it had become a struggle to get her legs to move as fear and anxiety kept her locked to the seat. But upon noticing this, the replica behind her simply giggled. Earning a harsh shove from her Mori behind her, Evangeline was thrusted off her seat, forced to stumble clumsily to the center floor as The Doppelgänger skipped after her. Taking its proper place behind its master, its hands sitting gently along her shoulders as if to give her encouragement.

Refusing to make eye contact with the others in the room, the small young woman struggled to spit out her words, stuttering with effort as she tried to fight past her anxiety, “My name.. is-“

“Evangeline!” The Mori spoke in her stead, its voice unsettlingly the same as its Masters. Its words were joyous and excited despite it still lingering and hiding behind Eva’s form. The third eye siting atop the Doppelgängers head darted back and forth amongst the others, staring hard at the other Mori’s and their masters. “Speak! Speak! Speak!” It continued, ushering Evangeline in an excited whisper. Oh, how she wanted to sit back down. How she wanted to leave right now. “I died,” She finally said, her hands twisting anxiously into the bottom of her dark sweatshirt, ”I died by.. by—“

“Suicide!” The Mori called out again. Stepping out enough for the others too see, The Doppelgänger grabbed the dangling rope sitting along its chest and held it above its head. Mocking its master, odd, almost comical chocking noises escaped from its grinning lips as the noose dug into its throat. Dark eyes were narrowed with entertainment, while Evangeline continued to stare uncomfortably at the floor. Given another rough nudge by the Mori the sinister voiced continued in a quiet tone, “Introduce me.”

Swallowing hard and giving the replica a hesitant nod, Evangeline turned to the others, her eyes still focused on the ground. Clearing her throat the blonde spoke in a tone barely above a whisper, “This is my Mori.” She threw a quick glance at the creature as it suddenly hid behind Eva’s shoulder almost shyly.

Leaning its weight back and forth along its feet, it squirmed and fidgeted in excitement before finally speaking up, “Call me, D e e.~” Emphasizing its name, a large, menacing smile stretched across the Mori’s face. Sharp, edged teeth sat within its mouth, clenched tightly together almost as if it were baring its teeth, or clenching its jaw. After their introduction Evangeline continued to stand in the center awkwardly. Unsure of what to say and beginning to shake once again, a hard shove to her back sent her stumbling back to her seat once, the same grin still stretched across the Doppelgängers face as it skipped behind its Master.

Sitting down quietly, her hands returned to her lap as she resumed to making herself seem as small as possible, her eyes ever so slightly drifting to the others around the room now. The whole situation presented so many questions, and while the average person would have been thankful for a second chance at life—or at least that’s what she assumed they would do—Evangeline wasn’t all too thrilled about any of this.

"Yo, Tobecchi, are new groups usually like this? If not, can I request a transfer? Listening to Linkin Park songs in prose format isn't really my cup of tea, if you're pickin' up what I'm putting down."

The singsong voice of Koyuki cut through the air once more after Jimmy had started speaking her arms crossing themselves behind her head as she sat back. Algis floated over her head, still spinning slowly in silence.

"It's like...how does it go...'All of these children think they're insane, or cursed, or dark or alone or weak or strong or black or red or the color of the flesh given darkness so I wonder what would happen if I cut them open and make them bleed red, red is the color given darkness of the flesh made into a form made into an actualization' or some mediocre stream-of-consciousness nonsense in an attempt to chart out the narrative of the self in the vein of that."

"Plot, scheme, prepare, do research, destroy, create, cry, ask why, cut your own throat, smash yourself into the ground—none of it's gonna do you any good. You're dead but for you, death isn't the state at which one ceases to 'be', so there's all this interesting stuff on notions of 'is-ness' and corresponding bases that pop up, get it~? Pretty cool stuff, honestly. And hey, if you hadn't had such an edgy death you wouldn't be able to exist post-death, so yay you~!"

"I'mma be blunt. If your mom was killed by a vamp or you've got flames ~craaaawling in your skiiiin~, don't whine about it and be edgy and use stuff as some emotive motivator to push you to excel and develop your character that this is some dark shounen adventure where you need to master the power within you to slay the Demon Lord. Edgelords are just 'ugh' to deal with and makes me want to deck you in the face, and since I really really want us all to get along, I'm letting you guys know to please keep that in mind, kay~?"

"Oh yeah, also, Tobecchi, what's the policy on parties now? When can we throw one?"

The Chief Enforcer's gaze lidded, appearing anywhere from unimpressed to disinterested. He watched them introduce themselves and interact, taking mental notes on the odd group. Ikiriyo specifically looked at both Koyuki and Jimmy for a moment longer than the others when they talked about themselves. This was standard business fare to him, but Egregoroi were as quirky and dysfunctional as ever. He cast a look to his watch...

9:33 PM. Plenty of time before things got weird.

"So...," he started, raising a finger to the first to introduce themselves, "Riveres, Hazakura, Martin, Phobos, Lance, Peabody, Jimmy and Evangeline." He listed, mainly to attribute the names to memory. He tuned in to Koyuki's questions after letting her talk for a while, and then quickly regretted it.

"Tobech-?!" the Enforcer stopped himself with a clear of his throat, trying to brush off Koyuki's apparent nickname for him. "I do not make your 'groups', Hazakura. That is for you lot to decide. You can work together, or you can go at it alone. It is not my business, so long as you do not make it my business."

The threat was not subtle in the slightest.

"No parties here. There are plenty of parties for you to find out there, should you so wish." He pointed a hand back to the broken window, indicating to the centre of the city where the night life was undoubtedly starting up.

"But Hazakura is thinking along the right lines. Things will be getting busy, so I will request that you ask any questions you may have, and quickly."

---

There's a few things that could be asked here, and given he's the 'Chief Enforcer' (whatever that means), he might be able to help out with the reason you're there. Alternatively, he might be aware of some things regarding your current state, or be aware of any other general questions the Egregoroi might have. Better ask, and quick. He does not seem like the most patient man.

Argo waited patiently, listening to the other speakers in turn before it came to him. Just as he was about to speak, the girl from near the beginning spoke up again and seemed to witter on about what the others had said. Argo glanced around; she must’ve just not noticed he was there. Then, the man dressed in white stated talking once more. Argo frowned in frustration, could they not see him?! He stood up and moved towards the centre of the semicircle to make his presence known, clearing his throat loudly.

“Hey, er, Mr Ikiriyo Tobe, sir” he wasn’t exactly sure he’d pronounced it correctly but he went on, “Yes, I have a question, I am thinking that it is perhaps maybe best that I introduce myself also, you know, and then maybe Koyuki, I think that is right, she can invite me, to the party, and you peoples will know my name so it is easier to speak with me, yes?” He spoke with a noticeable accent. In addition, he spoke quickly, his sentences seeming to roll into one another; he would pause at odd intervals, creating one long string of oddly rhythmic speech.

Turning to the room, “Yes as I was saying my name is Argo, Argo Mihhailov, if maybe you have trouble to say my name I can explain it slowly: mee-hi-lov, yes that is it, simple. Err, ah, yes, how it is that I came to be here, well I myself also died, I was not stabbed like some of you...” he glanced at the respective people, “...nor did I kill myself.” He glanced at the relevant people once again. “No as it happens I died in hospital, I was very sick you know, if I knew the name of what it was that had killed me I would for sure tell you but as it happens I do not know, it is great mystery to me.” He paused again, waiting for his thoughts to catch up.

“Ok, yes, that’s right, next thing, I see you peoples have a, thing, next to you, I too also have something the same, yes, a Mori? That is what you called it, well, here is mine, his name is Shifty, that is what he tells me, he, as you can see, well it is hard to see what he is actually.” With an exasperated grin he gestured to his Mori, which currently resembled a shadowy figure, the most prominent feature being a pair of blue eyes that stared out at the group. “He is not always like this, sometimes he has a different shape you know.”

He turned to address the man dressed in white at the front of the room. “It is a pleasure to meet you sir, Mr Tobe, I must say, I am thinking it is the same for the others here, I don’t know for sure, but it would make sense if they feel, like I do, this strange feeling, sir, it is hard to explain but it is like something telling me that I have a mission, something I must do to make this feeling go away. It is this feeling that has brought me here to you, I think, and I think it must be you, who is going to be the one to tell me what I must do, what, I think, what we all must do.” He stressed the word as he gestured to the rest of the people with his arm.

After a short pause he nodded to the group “Okay, that is it from me for now, nice to meet you peoples, I was thinking perhaps for a moment I was invisible! Haha! But, yes, I am thinking maybe we can have good times at this party, yes.” He moved back towards his seat but remained standing.

"I have some follow up's to Argo's question, Can this feeling be ignored and how do we improve our abilities?" Zach had wondered about the feeling as well, a tug on his mind. It was rather annoying, and he had hoped it would go away as time went on. Sadly, it didn't.

"Also, are there any clans of vampires in this city, or reports of one with a crescent moon scar under his eye?" He doubted his mother's killer was here, but he did want to get all the info he could about him. And he figured the easiest way to do that would be to ask some vampires himself.

As he had been speaking however, he felt a jolt of pain rush through him, like lightning was burning his veins. Than it was gone, replaced by a feeling of intense hunger. His eye wandered from person to person, sizing them up until his they fell on Evangeline.

She looked like she was made from china, so fragile, so innocent, so. . . delectable.

Umbram's hand on his shoulder as he finished made him jump, breaking the power's hold over his mind. After he realizef what happen, he cursed silently in his head.

"Also, would it be possible for me to take blood from a local hospital or blood bank? If not, than I am afraid that people will start to go missing from time to time."

Oda promptly stood up before the chief could answer anything, but not before he took out one of his favorite soft caramel sweets and placed it into Evangeline's hand. It was clear that she was uncomfortable being here and that her life was rough... her Mori sure as hell didn't make things any well better by its cruel antics moment ago. Whether it was intentional or not; no one had to go through that. Patting the girl on the head, and finally standing up, Oda spoke up and interrupted on his own. "I think I have a pretty basic idea, so I'll pass with the questions... besides, I got her telling me stuff... and I suspect things will work much like they did in life for me, or, at least that is what I believe."

The police officer removed his glasses, looking over them for a moment before cleaning them with the edges of his thumb. "If you don't mind... I'll be finding myself somewhere to train and get adjusted to things until whatever the reasons you expected more of us to be here to arrive." Placing his glasses on, Oda bowed his head towards the chief as a sign to excuse himself, before turning towards Koyuki, his eyes were... vastly different than how he was before when he was introducing himself.

"Oh... and not to be rude, but I don't like you... and I think I'm going to dislike working with you... Though, I am glad to hear that I may have the option not to. So, please excuse me if I don't join your fan club, Koyuki. I understand where you're coming from with some of your ideals, but because of who I am, you're someone I'm going to hate. I'd also like it if you'd be more respectful towards our comrades, since they're in the same boat as you," spoke Oda plain as day before walking out with a shake of his hand to train somewhere on his skills until he was called into action.

"I'll be around if anyone needs me, whether it be a small chat over some coffee or tea or something else."

Prudence stood up as well. She decided she didn't like koyuki. She seemed...arrogant, self pity and just plain...nasty. Prudenxe took a deep breath and then decided nope, she couldn't hold it in. She turned towards the Koyuki and said "shut up. My once did I complain about my death, and I certainly don't use it as a way to get pity. I did not enjoy my death, and do not make light of it, like you. You think everything's a party, you think slipping off the roof is just a fun game. Let me tell you, I've seen people jump. I've seen their yes. The utter depression and broken mess of them. Death is not something that should be taken lightly. I don't like you, I won't ever like you. You can shove your fan club up your butt, where your head is, because you're certainly talking out of it"

She began to walk, following Oda out the room. "Until you take your head out your back side, I will not interact with you" she walked out, calling over her shoulder "I have no questions. I assume you will know where to find me" inferno followed after her like a puppy, her eyes haunting Prudence. She just wanted to turn to her and shoot i tried my best! I'm sorry I couldn't save you! Stop lookin at me like that but she didn't.

She decided she needed to brush up on her skills. How was she to kick butt if she let herself go slack. So she stopped, turned to Oda and said "since we both went through officer training, would you care to be a sparring buddy? It's so much better working with someone else, then a dummy" she asked with a smile.

Koyuki shrugged, giggling to herself. "Boring. So inanely boring, but don't you worry because I'll make sure it ends up being as fun as I can make it~" She hummed, "Teetering on the brink, holding on to the edge of a cliff above an abyss, but that's no reason to not sit back, enjoy a nice glass of hedonism, and let yourself fall. If you let yourself get bogged down, then you're only half of a 'self', then you're broken, and it's no fun when things break prematurely, you know~?"

"Analysis complete. Substitution and stagnation bases have been formed; foundation is set and ontological states have been aligned. Baseline capacities established, resonance of conceptual strength at the current state relative to capacity for growth is as expected. It is recommended that this cumulative existence begins said process of 'growth' and conceptual expansion."

The rotating cube spoke for the first time, reporting its findings in a monotonous voice that emanated from its core, while Koyuki nodded as she stood up, stretching slightly. "Alrighty, Algis-chan. Let's see what you can do." She sang airily. "Hey, Tobecchi, any advice for beginning that process Algis-chan talked about? Do I just have to grind against level five random encounters for a while or what? If so, what places around here've got a high encounter rate?"

With that, the girl crossed her arms behind her head, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she awaited a reply.

When Lance had finished up his introduction. A few others proceeded him, the first one after him was Prudence. She died in a fire, and had a smokin' hot mori. Hot damn, shoulda brought shades . He chuckled at his internal pun, then went back to listening. After all, someone else was after Prudence.

His name was Jimmy. He got rich through some vague criminal scheme and was killed because he was a 'player' type of criminal. Lance hoped he wouldn't be around criminals, especially violent ones. But this guy didn't seem to give off any malignant vibes. However, Lance could be wrong. Evangeline, she seemed to have a very active mori, Lance tried to deduce what her problems was but other then suicide(which she had stated herself) he couldn't figure out anything. He was also confused on why someone who wanted to die was brought back, or why she didn't try to kill herself again. Either way he wasn't going to ask her about that. That might take me down a bad road in her book

Lance prepared himself for whoever was next, but before someone else could speak Koyuki barged in. She went on and on about how everyone else went in some extreme way, but at the same time she herself went on about how she had her own fanclub. Lance just figured she was trying to project herself onto others so they wouldn't figure she had a dramatic life either. I took psyche classes you know, trying to project around yourself. Or was it actually reaction formation? Lance started to confused himself while trying to see their koyuki. Oh well and he quickly gave up. He 'knew' it was one of the two. But either way, he enjoyed watching her up there, its true she was mean, but she was also rather fun to watch.

After she had finished and sat down, Lance's ears perked at Argo's introduction. Lance figured that now he was most likely the normal person here. As well as the most confused, which Lance managed to appreciate. He was already asking questions that he was wondering himself, he hoped that Tobe would be able to give both of their minds a rest. Then after everything else he might go and thank Argo for asking the questions it would have been hard for him to ask.

When Argo finished, Lance had started to go into a daze. All of these mental notes began to ware him out, so he wasn't really able to pay much attention to the others. All he was able to gather was that Koyuki wanted to test her cube-thing, and that Prudence was wanting to train with Oda. Lance didn't have much of a clue on what he wanted to do when the meeting ended. He figured if he couldn't find anyone else to hang out with, he might just follow the cops. After all, neither of them seemed that bad and they already started to form a group. And if there was one thing he wanted to do, it was to stick around a group. At least, until he got his bearings around and knew what he had to do.

Oda smiled a bit as soon as he entered the other room; a fine spacious area where it was more than suitable for people to train and spar at. An excellent place indeed... hell, it brought him back to the court he used to be in when he was back at the Police Academy. It was as if he was back at his natural habitat... back with his buddies at the headquarters training or goofing off in-between calls and tasks. Pleasant... nice. Not much more could be said as those memories came back to him and as a simple smile crept its way more onto his face. Popping one of his signature sweets into his mouth, he began to stretch a bit and was about to do a few exercises until Prudence called out to him and offered to spar. For a moment, he almost choked on his candy as she spoke, and had to cough as he quickly crushed the sweet with his jaws. He never really did have a partner, nor did he actually ever did spar with someone else.

"A-Ah... Sorry about that," Oda patted his chest as he stood straight, smiling before continuing, "I didn't think someone was going to follow behind me so quickly. You kind of took me off guard there, Prudence, correct?" he spoke as he readjusted himself. "To be honest, I've never really had a sparring partner, so this is something somewhat new to me, although I don't mind taking you up on your offer."

"Although, having spectators is quite nice too, don't you think?" he chuckled as he nodded towards Lance. "After Prudence and I are done sparring, I'd be more than willing to spar with you if you'd like," he said in a respective tone. Despite being a cop, he wasn't looking down at Lance- No, his eyes were saying that he was interested in seeing what the guy could truly do. He saw him as a comrade; someone who he could respect and hopefully rely upon. Focusing his attention back towards Prudence his smiled, before a frown emerged as his Mori appeared by his side as a horrifying lantern appeared within his left hand.

"Heh~ It's glowing orange! You know what that means my precious Oda!" spoke the Mori as she giggled with her tail swaying from side to side, poking the moving lantern as the face upon it stared towards Prudence, before turning to look at Lance- its orange color never changing before disappearing. "Oooooooo! This'll be fun! They're strong too! Well, that's to be expected after all! Chief did hand pick you guys~"

"Do you mind? We're in the middle of something. I only need my weapon. Nothing else," spoke Oda with slight frustration as he glared at his Mori before she pouted... and as a scythe appeared within Oda's right hand as the lantern disappeared. Refusing to do anything more, the Mori promptly vanished, leaving the disturbing looking scythe in Oda's hand. "I apologize for her... intrusion," Oda sighed as he twirled the Scythe with excellent skill as if he already knew how to use it, "her and I don't get along well as you can see."

Sighing again, Oda tried to put up a smile. "I would have introduced her, but unfortunately, I do not know her name... but let's ignore that for now."

"The first move, is yours, Prudence."

Prudence had the pleasant surprise of watching Oda stretch, and then seem utterly shocked that she had followed him. She watched him as he coughed,but quickly ruled out that he was chocking. He seemed quite comfortable working alone, and she wondered if he had ever had a partner before. Well, she had, and her partner had been a complete idiot. She would have been better on her own, then with her partner. As it was, he was still alive, and she had died in fire.

She watched as he gained control of himself, apologising, her eyes analysing his movements and what he said and did. She returned his smile, a bright, kind smile. "I decided it would be best to leave the room before...ah. Before I lost complete control and beat up a certain annoying person" She said with a shrug. "Prudence is correct, but Pru is just fine too" She smiled again, looking to Lance when her attention was brought to him. She didn't mind being watched when fighting, but had to admit, she felt slightly awkward that it was just the three of them. "Don't worry. I've sparred often enough to be able to teach you a thing or two about it" She said confidently, with a laugh.

She watched the interaction between him and his Mori. It reasured her that not all of them had good relationships with their Mori, as her eyes slide to Infero, those distressing eyes watching her. She shivered lightly. She sighed softly, and said "I understand. They are...rather intrusive things" She looked back to Oda, pursing her lips. She didn't normally spar with a weapon, and had no access to one here, Inferno just merely watching her. So she would just have to be smarter, faster, stronger. Trickier. She smiled slightly.

She once more studied Oda, taking in his form, his appearance, judging his strength and agility from the way he held himself. Did he know how ot use that Scythe? He seemed to hold it like he did, but anyone could be a good actor. It certainly wasn't hard to hold a weapon like you knew how to use it. She tried to figure out the best way of starting, the best way of attacking him.

She went in low, aiming for his legs. She watched his arms, his body, ready to counter any movement on his part. Inferno watched on, silent like she had been throughout everything, sad eyes watching Prudence.

"Mihhailov, was it? I cannot tell you the specifics of what you're meant to be doing, only what I know about your sort. Your purpose is simple, really. You've just got to kill something." Ikiriyo paused, considering his next words. He knew a lot about the city, about its residents and happenings, he also knew that any Egregoroi trying to find a specific target would be easier said than done. It wasn't surprising that he'd dealt with so many recently, with that in mind.

"This 'something' is immortal, in some sense. It could be a mage who has achieved some form of immortality, a vampire, both of the previous two, a spirit, or any other number of immortal. I don't know the specifics of how your hunt works, but I know that's what you're meant to do." He answered, for both Argo and Koyuki. The Chief Enforcer blinked a few times, mulling over a thought before continuing.

"Let me pre-empt another question - I can't tell you who you're meant to kill, but I can point you to the people who might be able to if it'll get you out of Hida-shima faster." He looked to address Zachary.

"Ignored? I don't think so, not for too long at least." He shrugged, that being his only answer for that part of the question. "And again, I don't know the specifics. You'd be better asking an older Reaper. I know there's one in the city, but I don't bug her too much. No good can come from it."

"I'll just say that there's a lot of vampires around, and they generally do not keep me up to date with the happenings within their own. They manage themselves under an understanding we came to. If you want to answer that, and possibly find a lead on what you're hunting, look for members of the Bloodhounds. They're a gang, but it's a front for the bloodsuckers own 'enforcers', as it were. They're also ones to talk to about you...blood issue." He made little effort in hiding the sneer that came to his face.

He took a breath, thinking each question answered for the most part. He noticed that Prudence and Oda had left at some point during or just before his answering, sort only paying half attention to the interactions between the Egregoroi.

"Cannot say you guys have much chemistry. Might want to work on that." He arched a brow, looking at Koyuki especially. It seems he was having his doubts about this odd individual as well. "Last I checked, there's a group of Bloodhounds who hang around a convenience store about two miles easy from here, bordering the residential area. That'd be a good place to start. As for your Reaper concerns, Cheten is difficult to keep track off, but they'll probably be at one of the night clubs in the city centre. It's a good place to get information for your kind of work, after all."

---

So the Bloodhounds are the place to start, according to the Chief Enforcer, and there is an older Egregoroi within the city, possibly within a night club in the city centre. It's up to you to decide if you head east to the convenience store to find the Bloodhounds, or, if you want to prioritise information about your own state, you can try and track down this 'Cheten' individual. Alternatively, you could strike out on your own and see what's up.

---

Meanwhile, somewhere else in the city...

It was a house of God, from the outside. On the inside it was house to a completely different type of god. Lit candles running up the isle were all that dimly illuminated the pewless, once-catholic church, Christian iconography having long been taken down from its walls. At the altar, the only thing that remained from the old owners, stood she, and robed in shadows at the back stood a man.

"More have come, Praetor." The man spoke in clear English, a foreigner, regarding the woman at the front with a sense of reverence.

She was draped in a different kind of shadow, a long black coat with a grey fur collar, evidently of some price. She did not turn to face the one at the back, but instead stared up at the only cross hanging in the Church above the altar, untouched by the removal.

"How many?" She demanded from the messenger in a calm tone, sounding unphased by the news.

"Nine."

There was a silence, the number having significance to her.

"My, we certainly have drawn the attention of It, haven't we?"

"Yes, Praetor."

"We do not know if they are here for one of us any of the others dwelling in the city. None the less, we cannot risk any disruption by It, and it's too much of a coincidence with the package having arrived only a few days ago. Send word to the packs. Give them the scent of Egregoroi once more."

Her pale hands went to pick up a mask resting on the alter, coloured a black which seemed to ward away light, and slowly placed it on herself. She finally turned to the messenger.

"The Bloodhound hunts."