therealbrianna | Come As You Are // Open Post

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.]

[ Her face is stiff and rather unfazed, but her eyes are more expressive.

She looks at Hikaru, her eyes saying "I'm super good". ]

I thought I'd be scared, but that was surprisingly easy to take in.

[He's relieved by that. All of that, really, since he's damned good at reading people. He's also becoming very familiar with Brianna's tells, by merit of their (surprise!) closeness.]

That's good. [His smile comes a little easier now.] Doing this every day, though, is hard. Even on me. It's just good that I have company now.

I think it would be hard on anybody, daddy.

[ Tilting her head to the side. ]

You know I can accompany you more, right? I mean, I can't possibly do it everyday. If it helps, you can have me on video chat while you're doing your rounds! I can be in your shirt pocket!

[ Because in Brianna's world, video chat solves everything. Wonderful invention, right there. ]

[That suggestion actually makes him laugh.]

Now why didn't I think of that sooner?

[Okay. Truth be told, he had never considered it on purpose. He had always felt like it was hassling other people, for one, and that he also felt - for better or for worse - that he had to learn how to do these walks alone.

He was going to be alone at the end of it all anyway, as things go.]

[ Laughing along with him. ]

Cause I'm the best and I also think of the best things ever?

[Moving in to wrap an arm around her shoulders and kiss her forehead.]

I'm not going to dispute that.

[And he's more grateful for this than he could ever express. Who knew that a single coffee date could lead to this? He's been exceptionally blessed lately. Equally blessed and cursed.

(enough of that, brother.)

I know, I know.]

Anyway, we should go. We've got a long night ahead of us... unless your folks want you back early?

[Dialing back up to Concerned Father now.]

[ Giving him a look that says Really?, before breaking into a smile. ]

Don't worry, I told them I'd be out til late. I also told them that this is important to me.

[ The importance of a certain thing or matter is something Brianna doesn't really like expressing. However, it's Hikaru and she does want him to know that she will be there for him, no matter what. And that he has no choice whatsoever. ]

All right. [Then, teasingly:] Don't say that I didn't warn you.

[If for anything, he sounds better because it's true. He IS better. It's never going to be easy, and tonight probably has other surprises for them both, but if there's one thing he's learned yet again? It's that he doesn't have to be alone.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject