therealbrianna | Come As You Are // Open Post

[And while he notices this, there isn't any time to do anything about it. He's already letting go of her hand and walking over, stopping once he's knelt in front of the child.

The boy can't see him, and even if he wasn't already at that point where the darkness is eating at the corners of his vision, he still wouldn't be able to. Such is the nature of his work.

Reaching out, then, and placing a hand on the boy's forehead. It doesn't take more than a few seconds before his tiny body is rattling with that last, painful, breath.

When Hikaru steps away, he has the child's soul wrapped about his arm. A gesture from his end, and it's shooting straight up, into the sky.

Softly:]

We're going to be here for a while.

[There are more in the area. Many, many more.]

[ Looking around now, absorbing the details of the area. While it does ring a bell (not that she's been there, more like Brianna assumed because of the style of the buildings, roads and other infrastructure.

And saying in an equally soft voice: ]

Where are we, daddy? What happened here?

[ She assumed that there are a couple more people to "collect", since Hikaru said they'll be there for a while. ]

[He glances around once as he's stepping out of the alleyway. That, plus one breath of the air, is all he needs.]

This village doesn't have a name. It's somewhere in the Middle East, though.

[And maybe she can hear it now: the almost complete lack of sound, beyond distant sobs, terrible coughing, fearful voices. There is, as well, the heavy stench of death and those who now stand closest to it.]

There's a plague going through this area. One of the Kindred passed through this area... Morbus. They carry disease within them.

[He can see the echoes of its presence in the shadows, in the eyes of the few people that are out on the streets. It is still around, feeding on the people.

He will deal with it later.]

[ The bloodline is familiar, per what she learned in Gideon's class. That's all she knows about them though, that they store diseases and spread them. ]

Oh. You were just here, right? I mean in the Middle East. Did you hear about this thing happening before tonight?

[ She's a bit... concerned. She doesn't know much about diseases and plagues and the developments of plagues from one stage to another but if some of them look a little bit fresh... ]

No. This area is Aegis Kai Doru's purview, due to the political instability here. Many countries in this area are anti-supernatural, and had to be forced to accept help from the Legion of the Phoenix.

[He'll probably call this one in once he's not busy with. Well. This.

Speaking of. Stopping in front of a house now, and stepping right inside.]

[ Right. Realizing that things here aren't as good as they are in the Philippines.

Saying nothing more and following him in. ]

[The smell of blood in there is about as bad as the foul stench outside. It's a woman this time, flat on her back, eyes wide and staring at nothing, belly still engorged from her pregnancy. The child she bore is in the bloodstained pile of rags on the table beside her.

She is not alone: there is a man at her side, clutching at her pale hand. He's crying, loudly and pathetically, as he presses his forehead against her knuckles.

None of them see Brianna or Hikaru, once again. None of them see how the Blade King's passing his fingers over the pile of rags first (the soul whispers up and vanishes immediately), and then moving to stand by the bed.

Bending down, now, kissing her forehead. She stops breathing. Her soul, though, remains: it appears, as if written in television static, at the man's side.

Please.

That is all she says in her language, as she turns her eyes up towards Hikaru's. He considers her a moment, nods, and then turns away.]

Let's go, Brianna.

[And you may note that he sounds quiet not just because of how he feels, but because he's getting tired. It's been a harrowing few... no. Not few. It's been a harrowing year. This also takes a lot out of him.]

[ She takes in the scene, one eyebrow furrowed. If she's stressed out, she doesn't show it. Hikaru might not take her again if he knew how it made her sad. But given that, if she's affected that way then she is all the more concerned over what Hikaru feels.

She nods and follows Hikaru, looking one last time at the people inside before stepping out. ]

So... The baby and the woman?

Yes. The woman wanted to stay, though. I suppose I can let her do that for a while.

[He's... going to suffer for that later. As things stand, he can already feel the ban scratching against his brain. Still, it isn't a direct violation: he's just going to feel lousy for a while.

Glancing at Brianna now, and trying for a smile.]

Are you okay?

[ Her eyes are still unfocused. Not that she has to really hide anything from Hikaru. Besides, it'd be freaky if she'd smile at him. It is her first time doing something of this sort. ]

Yeah. I'm pretty fine. I didn't know you could do that.

Technically, I can't.

[But enough of that. He's perceptive enough to notice the look on your face.]

We can take a break. Go elsewhere.

[People are always dying, as it is.]

[ She lifts her chin up to meet Hikaru with a smile. ]

I'm okay. Don't wanna get in the way of your work. But if you want to, we could.

[ She's sad and a bit shaken. Mostly shocked. She can't imagine what it feels like for him, though. ]

Okay. Maybe after I take care of one last thing here.

[He knows where the vampire is, has known since they arrived in the village.]

We have to stop what's going on down here in as much as we can.

[ Following his lead with a bit of curiosity. ]

What are you thinking of doing?

The vampire needs to die.

[Cool, simple, and matter-of-fact. He eases the statement, though, with another smile.]

You don't need to watch. I'll be quick about it.

[ She doesn't step away. ]

Can I, though?

[Regarding her carefully for a moment.]

It might not make you feel better.

[ Looking at him seriously. Better make sure her daddy knows that she's not a queasy little girl. ]

I think I can take it, daddy.

[ Besides, might as well get used to things like this, right? ]

[And still, he worries about her, even if he's aware of the fact that she's already done engagements. Even if she actually has several centuries more on some of the people that he knows personally.

But he'll let it pass this time. She's with him now, and perhaps this, too, is a lesson.]

Come on, then.

[Taking her hand once more, and walking.]

[ She follows him silently, letting him lead her to wherever the Vampire is.

It could be anywhere, and she's scared that it might suddenly jump out at her. But she's with Hikaru. At least saying that in her head pacifies her. ]

[The "where" happens to be nearing, apparently, because there's a blade appearing in Hikaru's free hand, sliding out from underneath his skin. They round the corner, and - right across of them - their target is pinning a girl against the wall, drinking from her neck.

The Blade King's shadow lengthens and slides forward on the ground, right towards the vampire. Once it is at his feet, the creature stills for just one second before it's reeling back, convulsing. The girl snaps out of her stupor and runs.

A second after that, Hikaru's no longer beside her. He's behind the vampire. His sword is through the creature's gut, and quite slowly and quietly burning up in gray flame.]

[ As she's watching all that unfold in front of her, she's gritting her teeth and clenching her fists.

Seeing Vampires don't really make her angry or set off any triggers. Maybe it's the fact that the victim was a girl, that she was attacked, and that she didn't have a choice at all. It may be far from her experience in Arcadia, but the mere fact that the girl was a victim made a rage in her stir.

Get rid of him.

Get rid of him, daddy.

She has never felt this un-sorry for a being ever in her life. ]

[While he's noticing this through the corner of his eye, he isn't commenting - not yet, anyway. As things stand, he's busy watching the vampire turn to ash. When it's midway through that, the blade he is holding is sliding back into his arm, and he's bringing out his phone.

("This is Hikaru Shinta, Wolf of Zangyaku. Inform the Keeper that there was a renegade: patch into my signal for the coordinates. The situation has been handled. There are victims.")

Once that is done, he's moving back towards Brianna. He brings his pack out without a word, and holds it out in her direction.]

[ She smiles and takes a stick, lighting it up.

Taking a drag. ]

Thanks.

Anything for my daughter, right?

[Smiling, and then lighting up with a bit of gray flame from his fingertips.]

And I should be thanking you, for agreeing to come with me. How are you holding up? Really.

[Be honest. That is what the look in his eyes is saying, as he is turning in your direction.]

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