vatheon | So a vampire walks into a bar owned by a magic Japanese Batman...

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So a vampire walks into a bar owned by a magic Japanese Batman...

Who: Otoha and Charley
Where: The Crow's Nest
When: Late at night I assume since vampires are involved. :|
Style: [ Action ]
Status: Closed.

[It had been slow. It had been slow all week. Maybe this wasn't the best idea. What did he know about running a business? Even if he was glad he wasn't his father, the man could at least run things decently. Maybe he should see about advertising, or at least expanding the menu some more.]

[Sighing, Otoha sits on a bar stool, reading a book. ... This plot is terrible, but he had promised himself that he was going to try to read more. It wasn't like there's much to do until customers come in.]

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[He closes the book and stands, nodding.]

Yeah, sorry. It's just been pretty quiet here lately. Come on in.

[ The relief is instant, welcome, and he forgets those peculiar details for a moment as he helps himself to a seat adjacent to the one the man has just abandoned. ]

Sorry for interrupting. [ He indicates the book, resting his hands on the bar. ] I don't usually do this.

It's fine. Sometimes we all just need a drink.

[He moves behind the bar, ready to serve him.]

What would you like?

[ He remembers having a drink, once, in Italy, but that's the extent of it. Charley doesn't recall the flavor of it, the brand or anything else except that it had burned. A sigh, and he looks at his hands for several seconds. ]

I don't know. Anything will do—something strong. [ And quietly: ] Please.

[He nods, and starts mixing up a Brass Monkey. After a minute, he hands it over.]

... You okay?

[ Their fingers brush in that brief exchange. It's peculiar and suddenly sharp: the feeling of knowing someone without ever having actually met. Charley frowns, staring into the glass. ]

Can there be such a thing as too much faith? In an idea? In a person? [ He speaks idly, gently tilting the glass and watching the liquid slosh before taking a sip. ] I don't think I can believe anymore.

... If you're talking about religion, then I'm not the person you should be going to. But if you're talking about other things... yes. I think there can be. I've seen it.

[Between yakuza members who were too stuck in the gang life who ended up dying to Eko and his dream of a Shinjuku without humans 'tainting' it...]

I feel it. [ It's a long standing battle: Charley and his faith. He'd had this discussion with Master a while ago, but he hadn't taken him seriously. He never did. What good was a faithless man to God? What could he do for anyone if he couldn't help himself? ] I have for quite some time.

[ Another sip. ] May I ask you something? [ But he goes on without waiting for an answer. ] I understand several know him... Are you familiar with the name Johnny Rayflo?

[He can't really say anything to that. But he blinks at the name.]

That was the name that popped up on the SFC of the person who I ended up carrying back from the forest. So you could say I know him.

[ That's his cue to leave, pay him and return to his apartment so he can deal with this his own way, but Charley's feeling far too talkative to do something so simple. ]

He did this to me. [ His fingers clench around the glass as if to shatter it. Then, he carefully sits it down. ] And that's all you know about him? [ He should be relieved, but he knows more than he should. More than he wants to admit. Charley stands, one hand on the bar as he leans forward and the other curling into the man's shirt. Close, but not too close. He feels nauseous. ]

I could—I could taste you.

[Otoha reaches for something on one of the shelves under the bar, but doesn't move against Charley yet.]

He was weak. He needed blood. So I donated some. Mikura aren't vampires, and vampires aren't Mikura, but it's similar enough that I thought it was fine.

[His face is impassive as he stares right back at the other man.]

[ He notices the movement and does nothing about it, hesitating on the words he wants to say. Charley's lost the motivation with that comment, and his fingers loosen considerably, face flushing with embarrassment. ]

Mikura? [ It's strange on his tongue. ] Does that mean you're...not human? I don't understand. [ His eyes lower to Otoha's shoulder. ] He never tells me anything.

It's... complicated. Technically, my soul shouldn't be in my body. I'm not sure if it is, actually. I used to be human. I'm the guardian of my city now, chosen by its will. But I can't access my power here, so technically I'm human.

Mikura are demons, with machine parts added. They drink human blood. ... Or they did. If they hadn't been working with Eko I wouldn't have a problem with them. Nue was the only one who didn't agree with him, so when he was injured I fed him my blood.

[ Through the small speech, Charley's hand has slipped from its hold on Otoha's shirt. Now, with it over, he stares at him with all of it swimming in his head. No soul? Guardian? Demons and machines? Blood...? Even after partaking of Master, he feels empty, and what this man says proves it. He grits his teeth, the sharp pressure of his fangs evident. ]

That doesn't make any sense! [ It's not the best thing to begin with. ] But if it's true— [ He still can't grasp the concept of all of this, and he shakes his head. ] I should be thanking you for saving him, and not...this.

I know it doesn't. But it's the truth. Believe me or not.

[He looks down at where Charley's hand is now, and then looks back up.]

I've seen and done worse. It's fine.

It's not fine! [ His irrationality and stubbornness is showing again, and his face turns a rather interesting pink. He purposely places both hands on the top of the bar, head bowed. ] It's not fine. I shouldn't have done something so careless. I'm sorry.

[ When he's composed again, he looks at him. ] My name is Charley. I'm certain he wouldn't have mentioned me, but I don't... I would not wish anything to happen to him. Not like that.

[He just watches this display, before relaxing slightly, letting go of the sword under the bar.]

I'm Otoha. ... He's that important to you, huh? Must be nice.

[ A nod, still embarrassed by his own outburst, and he forces himself to sit on the stool. Take the drink and finish it before speaking again. ]

I don't have anyone else, here or otherwise. [ Charley's voice is softer. ] For as long as I can remember, I never have.

... Mm. I don't have anyone here. Back home I used to have people who said they were there for me. Only one of them was, though.

[His voice is a little softer, but his tone is still rather flat.]

Waste of a good guy, I think. He should've gotten out.

[His gaze goes a bit distant as he thinks of Reiji. He'd like it here. It wasn't New Zealand, but it wasn't like they could be found here anyway.]

He still might have that chance. You can never be too sure with this place and the way it works.

[ Charley speaks from his own recent experience, the thoughts and feelings fresh in the forefront of his mind. He could never understand why he had trouble being frank with Master when he seemed to pour his heart out to (almost) complete strangers. He looks at him. ]

You should know... [ There's a glance over his shoulder; years of being cautious evident in the way it's only brief. ] This isn't a habit I usually make. If the wrong person knew what I, what we were— I don't want something to happen.

True.

[... He nods, understanding.]

I'm not going to tell anyone. It's no one else's business, anyway. You don't have to worry about that.

Thank you. [ It's the only thing he can offer right now, a thanks he doesn't quite feel. Still, Charley finds it a little reassuring anyway. ] For everything. [ His voice is quiet. ] For saving him.

... It's no problem.

[He leans against the bar a little.]

You don't need to thank me.

It's the right thing to do, especially since I— [ A shake of his head. ] I wanted to. [ And isn't he so awkward at having this conversation now. ]

Is it always this quiet in here?

... Pretty much. I need to advertise more. Also I forgot how many kids there are here.

[ He shifts in his seat, arms folded over the bar. ]

I hadn't really noticed. I've been...distracted. [ A hint of a smile. ] It's nice anyhow.

It is. It's just hard to remember to restrain myself sometimes. Most kids didn't grow up like I did.

Restrain yourself? [ That sounds a little...odd. ] What do you mean by that?

I grew up in the Yakuza. Most kids don't drink until they're older, they don't swear as much, and they actually have a problem with murder.

Oh...

[ Well, what can he say to that? To be honest, he doesn't have a problem with murder either, but it depended on what was being killed and for what reason. Never a human life, though Charley's sure Otoha isn't talking about those with a supernatural origin. His voice is low. ]

That makes sense. [ And then, as if he's obligated to say more: ] I was raised in a church. But I don't remember much of my time there.

Ah. I wasn't exactly raised religious, as you can imagine...

I didn't mean anything by it. [ A breath. ] Our pasts don't necessarily dictate who we are or what we do in the present.

I know that, at least. Most former Yakuza don't end up as the guardian of their city.

[ This guy's so full of surprises, isn't he? Charley just blinks at him. ]

Do you, uh, miss your home? [ More to the empty glass than Otoha: ] Sometimes, I don't know if I prefer being here or there...

I do. This place is... very different from Shinjuku. There's not as much life here, and it's strange for me. But I know what you mean.

... Want another drink?

[ Charley recognizes that name, but he says nothing. There's a lot he needs to think about, sort through and figure out what to do with it. He shakes his head and pushes the glass aside. ]

No. I really shouldn't have... [ A glance at him. ] I have to go back soon. [ There's a man lying in a bed recovering from dinner, after all. ] I hope you don't mind.

I understand. Feel free to come back any time. We're open most nights.

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So a vampire walks into a bar owned by a magic Japanese Batman...

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YOU ARE SO ACCOMMODATING KIND SIR ;D

... NOT LIKE THAT /brain in gutter

I COULD MAKE PUNS ALL NIGHT /terrible

... I could too probably. It runs in my family. 8(

/RUBS HANDS TOGETHER (8

Oh my. o^o

This is becoming so personal...

It's not like he's going to tell people. :|

He has trust issues |D

Otoha does too. :| Also he hates this explanation it's so weird and so many words...

HAHAHA. He is so cute. They are going to be great friends :')

It's cute. And technically his soul is in a treasure... Karas canon makes no sense okay.

It's cool. THEY CAN BE SENSELESS CANON BROS ;D

8Db Come join him in the world where the will of the city takes the form of a catgirl -

...his master's blood takes the form of cat maids. IS THAT CLOSE ENOUGH?? |D

... I say yes. They're both just pawful in their own ways.

Oh no. The puns...

:33<

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THIS IS THE BEST THING HE'S HEARD ALL MONTH

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