Walking beside Travis, Kristian couldn’t peg him. Both chastising him earlier. But then again also lending him hospitality and a place to stay. He didn’t know whether he should be angry at Travis or should be glad because of Travis.
He didn’t really know what any of this meant right now. He didn’t like this uncertainty or the weakness he had shown earlier in the department store. What other cracks would begin to show? Was he scared of development? Of finding out who he really was. Not who someone wanted him to be.
He felt a sudden sense of unease. Kristian wasn’t so sure if he sensed the presence of another or if he was imagining things because he was already on edge. Looking around, somewhere, somewhere in the shadows? Maybe he was being paranoid. Maybe it was Him. To take him back.
“Travis someone is watching us,” Kristian calls out.
----
Travis looked back at Kristian and nodded,
”I know, c’mon let’s pick up the pace” Travis then looks forward and a drop of sweat runs down his forehead.
I had no fucking idea we were being followed! Travis was now on edge. How long had this mystery person been following them, fuck it didn’t matter, he had to change his course.
If he brought a possibly hostile ghoul to his dealer he’d never be able to go there again. And Travis couldn’t afford something like that.
”So Kristian let’s try and get somewhere open. Then we could possibly talk to this person following us. And if we must, we’ll fight them.” Travis’ tone had changed to a worried but stern tone, he knew what he had to do but he wasn’t sure if he could pull it off.
----
Natsuya held onto a piece of shirt that had fallen from Travis’ torn clothes earlier. It was the only clue he had to the whereabouts about the boy, now dressed in pants and a simple shirt. And Travis himself. It didn’t take long for that boy to catch onto him, which only made Natsuya’s suspicions of him confirm his line of thinking.
Where did that boy come from? Why was he here? He was certainly far more interesting than the other child he was brought. But Natsuya wasn’t going to allow him to cry him a river of fake tears this time, even if it meant he had to implement a harsher lesson.
Natsuya bit the bottom of his lip. What the fuck was Alice thinking right now.
That dingy girl earlier, with less than impressive moves. This boy. Breaking someone possibly dangerous out of the Dove prison, bringing ruin to the very Ghouls she promised to protect. Right now he only felt frustration for being so left out of the dark of her thought process.
Listening and watching, he didn’t feel the need to stalk them any further. Instead he cut them off standing in front of them before they could get anywhere open.
“That won’t be necessary,” Natsuya told the both of them, “I had spent most the afternoon finding you. How I conduct my investigation is dependent on how satisfactory I find the answers given to me.”
----
Travis flinched when Natsuya landed in front of him and Kristian. Questions? What did he want to know? It didn’t matter, he was here now and he wasn’t leaving until he got answers, Travis could tell this much just by looking at him.
”What happens if we don’t want to answer the questions you ask?” Travis felt like he knew the answer, but he wanted confirmation of this guys intentions.
----
Natsuya narrowed his eyes and cocked his head to the side.
“You should know the answer to that,” Natsuya said, “That is a rhetorical question, because I’ll eliminate you both.”
Though there was something nagging him. The boy sensed him. Which meant he was not some low ranking Ghoul. He had power. How much? How strong was he that he managed to notice him?
----
Kristian scowled. It was just the man from earlier in the coffeeshop. Him and that Alice woman thought scary looks scared him. He wasn’t wetting himself just because someone gave him a dark glare. Instead Kristian just gave him a dark look back.
“You and that Alice lady, like scary words,” Kristian told Natsuya, “I don’t really listen well to shitheads who just talk big.”
----
Travis was mentally screaming
fucking god dammit Kristian! Don’t fucking sass the dude that’s the kind of shit that starts fights! Travis rubbed the bridge of his nose.
”I… *sigh* What do you want? Please just ask your question, and forgive that last comment. He is new around here.” Travis was not sure how to handle this situation, on one had he had this rather threatening ghoul who want answers or blood, then there was Kristian. Travis was pretty sure Kristian just wanted blood. Things might get really ugly.
----
Natsuya continued his stare at the both of them. This boy had no sense of who he was either. Children these days spouted vulgar language like it was meant to be used in common language. Especially to an elder. He should tear a limb off for such an indiscretion to him. Once again Travis came to the boys aid, against him? Natsuya raised a brow at Travis remark.
“New around here he might be,” Natsuya told Travis, “But things do not stick right in my head. Firstly, look at your shoulder wound as evidence. That attack from the Chimera caused you serious damage. He escaped with barely a cut across his arm. Secondly, he’s the first out of the two of you to notice me. I am not some blind dumb fool who just let’s a stray come into my abode without some clarity. Are you an idiot Travis? Because you’re starting to look like one protecting something that doesn’t need protection.”
----
Fuck Travis was going to have to work really hard if he wanted to talk his way out of this one.
”I don’t doubt that he is able to defend himself. I just think it would be even better to avoid combat altogether. But anyway, what kind of question do you have for Kristian, he is standing right there. So ask them.” things didn’t feel as tense but he still had to make sure everyone stayed happy and non hostile. And this guy has some serious attitude.
----
Nastuya played with the tip of his fingernail, staring at Travis trying to navigate this scenario. So he was an idiot and a diplomat. The worse kind of diplomat. Natsuya looked at Kristian now.
“No fake tears, no childish antics,” Natsuya told him, “Where are you from?”
----
Natsuya they called him, was correct on somethings. Kristian could tell him and Alice were powerful Ghouls in this city. Not that scared him much, but he was here for their protection. If he completely pushed them away he might lose that opportunity. Travis could barely take down a Chimera, but Natsuya and Alice. He needed them at least for his safety.
There were just things he couldn’t say for his own safety though too. He didn’t know how well Alice and Natsuya would be able to protect him from that place. Or if they would find out, and bring him back to that place.
How could he tell an honest lie? One that would not send this man on a kill order? He was good at acting or manipulating people, that was easy. But how could he avoid saying nothing with saying something? Kristian frowned.
“I admit my previous statement was a little overreacting, but” Kristian paused, “What I said was the truth. I am an orphan. My parents abused me. Isn’t that good enough? You really should give people the benefit of the doubt.”
----
Natsuya raised a brow at Kristian. Still going with that story?
“I already gave Travis the reasons why I cannot find that answer possibly real,” Natsuya told the boy, “Travis is an idiot. And you seem to think I am an idiot. You do not behave like an abused boy. If you want a story, should probably do more research.”
Natsuya gives Travis a look.
“With that said you haven’t killed Travis,” Natsuya replies, “I came here to kill you if you did not give me real answers. I cannot trust an individual who has everything to hide. What would you tell me to convince me not to?”
----
Kristian stared at the guy in the odd clothing. He really was arrogant and really thought highly of himself didn’t he? Well Kristian could play that game too. So he gave Natsuya a smile and did a little excited hop, with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Because I’d kill you before you had the chance to kill me,” Kristian told him.
----
Travis groaned as Kristian announced he would kill Natsuya before he had the to kill him. Was that really needed, sure the dude was a grade A egotist but was poking the bear really the best thing to do at this point? Travis was worried again, Kristian looked like he had it under control but this dude wasn’t satisfied, he wanted answers right now.
Even if Kristian didn’t want to talk about it. He must have thought so highly of himself that other people feelings didn’t matter, this really pissed of Travis. Unfortunately for him this guy was also a very powerful ghoul who might just kill the fuck out of him.
Travis clenched his fists behind his back, why was power given to all the wrong people? All of the strong people in the world never seemed to deserve the status assigned to them by the world. Only on rare occasion was power rightfully bestowed upon someone.
This world was unfair and Travis was now in a situation where that unfairness might end in his death. This dude was a massive asshole who saw others as bugs, and to him he could easily step on them and kill them. Even if it was just for looking at him. The thought made Travis sick.
----
Natsuya was cautious. There was no hesitation in how the boy responded to him. The very fact he came toe to toe with a Chimera with barely a scratch. The very fact he had sensed him long before he was to make his presence alone.
And the assured confidence in his answer meant the kid had called his bluff. It wasn’t that Natsuya didn’t think he couldn’t kill this kid, but there was a slight chance he couldn’t. Or a slight chance he could with serious injury to himself.
Travis silence finally meant he understood his place in this discussion. Still this boy seemed too confident that he could kill him, him of all people, that he was beginning to realize that this was not the path to take. He didn’t believe he was abused. Kristian didn’t peg him as the type of person to have been abused, he didn’t have the mannerisms.
He did believe though Kristian had the intent to defend with lethality if he attacked them. Natsuya surveyed the both of them.
“While I do not believe your story of abuse,” Natsuya told him, “Your emotions were fake in the cafe. And even now I see nothing on your face or your behavior that would show that. You will be surveyed.” Natsuya turned to Travis.
“Travis, was it?” Natsuya asked.
----
Travis gritted his teeth as he was addressed, he was so mad but he had to put that aside for now. Sending a wave of insults at this guy wouldn’t help the current situation.
”Yeah, that’s my name.” Travis was mad but it would be well masked, he’d hidden his anger before. People didn’t like being yelled at if they screwed up at work, so Travis had to learn to keep it cool.
”You got a question for me too?”----
Natsuya took a second to take out his fan from his obi, he opened it and then closed it. A habit of his to relax.
“No,” Natsuya replied dryly, “Instead I have orders for you. By my authority, you will report to me every day Kristian’s whereabouts, the things that have been done, everything. You want to be part of this group, I have to know I can trust the both of you. This is your test. One has already proven they are a liar. Now let’s see if you can prove yourself to me. You took him under your wing I presume, so continue doing so. He is your responsibility. I’ll allow leniency depending on how well you both behave in my eyes.”
----
”So, you need my phone number for that? It’d make things a lot easier.” Travis spoke in a slightly steadier tone, but it was probably clear he was upset. His face tone didn’t hold any anger but his face very much showed his distaste with the situation.
----
Kristian frowned. He was not a pet. He wasn’t something someone could just keep on a leash. That was. That was. Why he left that place. Why was Travis going along with it? Travis had come to his rescue when he was lying, now he’s just accepting this man’s terms.
He did not want to be imprisoned again.
“You can’t do that,” Kristian called out, “I am not going to let you do that Travis. You’re not going to watch me all day and restrict what I can do. I make my own choices and report to no one when I do.”
Because he was suppose to be free now.
----
Natsuya snapped his fan close.
“You think I’d allow you to roam free after telling me you’d kill me first?” Natsuya asked, “You ask a lot from strangers. To trust you. Despite your lies. To let you roam free. Despite the malice in your eyes. You ask a tall order from people.”
Natsuya doesn’t expect an answer from Kristian, as he has already made up his mind on the decision.
“Yes, your number would be serviceable,” Natsuya said, no longer entertaining Kristian to converse with him.
----
Travis was again in a tight spot, he couldn’t try and make a plan with Kristian because Natsuya was right there. And he wasn’t sure how Kristian would take him handing over the phone number, this situation was now at a breaking point. He turned to Kristian.
”Look Kristian, there is only two ways this situation can go at this point. Either I give him my number or a fight breaks out, and I don’t know about you but I don’t want to make a scene. And if I wasn’t useless enough before now I have this shoulder wound. Just trust me on this one, and if you dislike the deal after say, two days then we reconvene and alter the deal then. Sound good?”He looked up at Natsuya briefly with that “give me a moment” face.
----
Kristian scowled at Travis. Two days. He had tasted freedom. Walked the city. Made his own rules. Survived on his own. They said they were there for all Ghoul kind, but this guy Natsuya was just an oppressor. And Travis wanted him to go along with this deal. He was not a stray puppy. He was not a prisoner. He was never going to be controlled by another person again.
He did it before. It couldn’t be any different from then, could it? He shoved Travis a little, not very hard.
“Fuck you,” Kristian told him, “I am not to be kept.” Kristian only half glanced at Natsuya, “None of you care about your own kind. Else you wouldn’t be putting them through such hoops. You don’t want to keep other Ghouls safe.”
Kristian scowled.
“I’ll do it by myself, like I have been,” Kristian turned on his heel and meant to run off.
----
A tail wrapped around the boys ankle tripping him.
“I’d like you in my sights,” Natsuya said, “Number Travis.”
----
Travis seped between the two.
”Hey! let him go. You’re taking this shit too far.” Travis hoped that this guy had a shred of sense and would let the kid go, Travis never really intended to give Natsuya information about Kristian but he couldn’t have just said that out loud. This was Travis’ last hope at avoiding a conflict.
----
“I tripped him,” Natsuya said with a shrug of his shoulders holding onto the ankle, “Do you want to see what too far is? I can demonstrate for you.”
Natsuya glared.
----
Landing with a thud he was being held down by this man’s tail. Kristian tried to get up off the floor, seeing Travis between the two of them he was beginning to only feel boiling rage.
Get up.Kill them both.Rip them apart.Why are you lying on the floor?You are meant to kill them. Ghouls like them.But he’s defending me.Oh don’t be a baby like you always areDon’t make excusesDo It!Kill! Kill them!Kristian growled under his breath as his eyes turned and he shot out his thorns. A blooming rose behind his back.
“Fuck you,” Kristian said again, though all that childish demeanor from Kristian had seemed to fade from him at this point, “I told
you. If you tried to kill me. I’d kill you first!”
