we&#x27;re going down this road tonight

"Tian, Honey, Sweetheart..." The pet names fell from glitter-glossed lips in a sigh, leather pants creaking a little as he sat. This look was just concern, all soft eyes and pinched brows.

"I know its.. I can feel fine for a bit. But we both know you have a pretty high tolerance for 'fine but I feel like I'm gonna fall over, wither, or lose control'." He sighed gently, setting down the martini glass and picking up a coup glass instead, all while keeping those eyes.

"You know you're safe here. You know that Inhyeong, P'Sai, and me are all always happy to give you what you need. I've heard that some vampires can build up their bodies to not needing blood as often. But that comes only after they regularly give their body what it needs. If your nervous system is always in fight or flight, it's never gonna settle enough to feel safe to go an extra few days between meals. Trust me, I know"

The Incubus sighed softly, pausing his polishing to look at the other. "And I know that you know that I know. I haven't always loved what I am. I've tried before, starving myself between 'feeding'. And I know that you know that doing that nearly got me killed." His head shook gently, "You don't deserve that tension. And you don't need it either. Being what I am, I could literally get sliced open and bled out and be fine for Months because my body doesn't need blood like that. P'Sai as well. Why do you keep torturing yourself, Love?"

#m; tian #lostxinxavarice

Tian didn't tell a lot of people his history. Even Lock only had snippets of it, of what had even led to him becoming what he was. They'd seen Tian at his worst, when his mind was split and he was nothing more than a babbling, incoherent mess for days while his body fought to repair what had been broken, or to bring him back to a safe part. They'd seen when someone was a little too rough with him, or when he took a little too much from someone and the guilt ate him alive, and he spiralled until he risked falling over that edge.

But he knew that they'd all seen him grow, too. He knew he was better now than he ever had been. That the routine of Crow's Nest had done worlds of good for him more than anything else, that having people around him that would feed him little bits of blood or water or anything to sustain him when he did break and weren't afraid to do it, was more than he could've ever anticipated.

So while he wanted to run, and he wanted to hide, he knew Lock had earned more than his cowardice. "I... It's no secret to anyone that I find most of my... my targets after the shifts at Avarice and... anyway, Monday night, after my shift, I-... I don't know what the term is these days, but there was this guy and he very much enjoyed me drinking from him, I think? And I don't mind that, it makes thing easier, but he-... He pushed for me to take more and I could feel my control slip and then his pulse slipping and-... Anyway, he's fine. He walked out okay and he stopped when I told him to, I'm not saying he did anything like that, but it was a scare, you know?"

Tian glanced out to the people in the venue, leaning against the counter for a moment, "We parted on okay terms, It;s just been decades and I'm still not used to the fact I could and have killed people."

Lock sighed softly, head tilting as he set down another mug and picked up the one beside it. The sigh wasn't angry or exasperated.. Okay so it wasn't only exasperated. There was worry there too, and gentle care. Because while it wasn't the same as his one-winged friend, not nearly that powerful, he did know emotions like they were the back of his well manicured hand. And he'd been looking after this little one from the moment Inhyeong had brought him in, pale as a ghost, almost two years ago.

Toned, silver strands lilted to the side along with his head as he looked the younger over.

"What is it, Hun?" He hummed softly, placing down another mug, changing cloths, and picking up a martini glass. Silvery-purple eyes scanned over the other. "I know at least part of that look, and I've dried about seven mugs in the time it took you to pick that one up...How many days has it been?"

#m; tian #lostxinxavarice #//got no resources;;

Tian knew better than to lie to anyone in this place, least of all Lock. Ever since he'd seemed to take it upon himself to watch out for Tian, the little halfling had quickly learned it was wasted breath to say he was fine when he wasn't. Even more so to try and tell him it had only been a day or two since he'd fed, rather than several more than that.

He sighed, looking down at the cup in his hand as he finally set it down alongside the rest, picking up another if only for an excuse not to have to make eye contact while he very much pretended to have to think about it.

He knew how long it had been. He was blissfully, painfully, fang-achingly aware that he was pushing it this time. He knew he could go two days comfortably and be okay. Sometimes three before he started to get spaced out and find it hard to focus. Day four was pretty much asking for him to lose control, and wasn't that what he feared most? Wasn't that why he'd sought out help in the first place?

"Four," He answered eventually, lowering the cloth and mug before looking up at Lock properly now, "I wanted to see-... It's just one extra day. I don't know why I can't do once a week like some can. Sometimes it feels like I'd have to feed every night just to stop feeling like my stomach was going to eat itself, and I... There aren't that many people willing, so... Four. It's been four." And that was probably the most he'd said in a while, too. He inhaled again, setting the cup down again, running that hand over his eye a little, "I'm okay. I'll pick up a shift."

@lostxinxavarice

The Crow's Nest wasn't too busy that morning, but it still bustled with the same life that Tian had grown to love it for. It's cosy, gentle life with people more concerned with taking a moment for themselves or their friends or family than anything else. It was comfortable. It was safe. And Tian had grown rather fond of it's repetitive, predictable nature.

But there were bad days too. They all had them sometimes. For Tian, they often came when he let his hunger stretch just a little too long, or when he did not rest nearly as much as he should. They came around anniversaries, or when he saw someone who looked like him.

That morning had been one of the latter. It had been barely a resemblance, truly, it was nothing but the eye colour, the hair, and day four without feeding all mixed into a perfect storm. He'd jumped, initially. Recoiled, nearly ran for the hills, but he'd caught up with himself, realised it was not him. It couldn't be him. Not after this long. He'd apologised, laughed a quiet laugh and said he'd been off with the fairies, and had taken an order, but it had set him on the wrong foot for the rest of the day.

The mug in his hand had been dry a few minutes ago yet still his hands went through the motions of drying with the cloth. They were in a lull, most customers already served and seated, which gave Tian far too much scope to disappear a little too close to that torn edge that sat unkempt in his mind, oblivious to the world around him. At least until someone was directly in front of him, and he was yanked right back from that cliffs edge and eyes flicked up to see whoever had just been speaking at him, startling slightly, but quickly recovering.

"Hm?"

#m; tian #lostxinxavarice

no but if anyone fancied a titanic-esque plot without the sinking bit like I'm/you're a rich upper class person marrying an equally rich upper class person and I/you got my/your ticket in a lucky hand at poker/by chance but then we met and now i can't stop finding ways and excuses to see you

like give me angst yes but also a happy ending ya know

musesgonnamuse

Send “📚” and I will flip to a random page in a book and use the first line of dialogue I see as a starter.

hellslittleprince

Makai was not used to such volume in here. The shop had always had a sense of quiet and peace around it, a natural calm that most were drawn to and naturally fell into step with before they realised they were doing it. It was part of its charm. Part of the reason so many ended up wandering its shelves, relaxing in the coffee shop - it was in many ways a haven from the chaos of the rest of the world. Even the town it was nestled in was a world away from the bustling cities and pollution ridden streets.

So yes, it very much caught his attention. He’d been tending to a slightly tilting but lovingly stacked pile of books that had overflowed from the already stacked shelves, blinking past his glasses as he looked up, pushing them up his nose slightly.

“Uh… there should be a pot brewing,” he answered softly, setting a book down and moving to glance into the cafe. It was still early, and therefore empty at this point. “Sorry, let me just get to that. Please, make yourself at home. There’s a freshly baked lemon cake, or a carrot one, if either take your fancy? I’m Makai, by the way.”

n0chanxes

Solaris didn't answer the kind little question just yet. No, right now his eyes were still scanning the space. A low, impressed whistle pushed past full, rosy lips as he did so. He was nodding seconds before the other had even stated his name, as eyes stopped simply looking around, and seemed to be following something in the air. He smiled a good bit wider at that as he turned, following behind the younger.

"Oh there's rush. And no worries! Anything I can lend a hand with?" He asked, eyes tracking seemingly nothing- all around the store, and then in the air directly around the other's head. His smile and gaze lingered there before eventually meeting Makai's eyes.

"Its the least I can do really. The sun's barely even up so I reckon I'm here either just as you normally open or... a good bit before."

The bookshop had opening times, yes, and a quick glance at the old watch on his wrist told him that it was certainly before those times, but equally... Makai had never turned anyone away before and he didn't want to start now. If this being wanted to be here before opening, well, who was he to deny such a thing? He was awake, and semi ready to serve - whether that was a cup of coffee he'd painstakingly selected and honed over time to be the perfect accompaniment to a book, or ringing up one of the thousands of pre-loved novels and tomes in this shop that he was still struggling to inventory all of... he was here, so where was the harm?

He looked back at the other, catching him looking around with what looked like intent. His eyes drifted up, wondering if perhaps a fly had managed to make its way in, but he saw nothing.

Then again, he knew by now that he may never know the full extent of the wonders this world and any other had to offer. The creatures and beings and abilities and specialities that walked this Earth and it's neighbouring realms. He often found it was none of his business, too. That didn't stop a curiosity making his lips purse slightly as he watched, then blinked quickly when eyes were back on his.

"Well... We don't officially open until around 9, but I certainly don't mind if you want to browse or stay for a while. Chips and Salsa-... Sorry, those are my pets-... Decided they did not want to be nocturnal any longer and had me up at the crack of dawn rather than taking it as their cue to sleep, so I've been keeping busy for a while. The company is appreciated," he smiled warmly, and shook his head at the offer of help as well, "And please, not at all. Take a seat, have a look, whatever you fancy. You're a guest here. How do you like your coffee?"

#m; makai #n0chanxes

This was a process Taeseok had seen many, many times before. The come-down after almost dying. It was the thing that followed what should've been certain death. Time and time again he'd seen it. Hell, he'd felt it before as well. And it never got any easier to witness. Hard as it was, it meant he wasn't too far gone yet..Right?

"It's alright, Oren" A low, gentle voice followed a little shake of his head, hands still up at either side of his head. "I know what it looks like when people are afraid of me versus feeling very valid fear at a.. general situation. I'd be willing to be that's part of what you'e feeling now.." His mind wondered a little as keen eyes watched the rising, fluctuating heat levels in the other's frame. It wasn't.. just fear. Or not just one kind at least. A panic attack, mounting on various fronts.

"This is... A lot. And I know that's putting it lightly. I've been in your place before. I know that cascading, crushing fear, the panic. All of it. I.. I was able to get information on those things that chased you here. And I give you my word I'll make sure they don't bother you again. I've done similar in the past but--" A shake of his head, "That's too much information for right now. Right now, I want you to know you're safe here. I..." Lips pursed and a brow furrowed. Still bad at this, then? What to mention? What to leave out?

"I know it will take... much more than words to trust me. And that's not something you should feel guilty about. But I will say that you are safe here. With me. With the entirety of my staff." He gestured around them. "I own this building, the club, and the lofts right above it. My staff here are all supernatural and have all been in.. similar situations as this. I... I'm happy to go more into detail later. But for right now, if you need a place to sleep, or just a place to.. be, wash up, you're free to one of those lofts I mentioned." Too much. Taeseok kept in the urge to sigh deeply at his own... stuff. He could berate himself for overwhelming the other later. Right now, he just needed to make sure shock didn't take him before he got the chance to make a choice.

It was funny, really, how a person could, in times of crisis, learn to trust a complete stranger without second thought when the alternative meant death, or hurt, or worse. If Oren went home tonight, if he went back to his bed, back to sleep, there was every chance he would not wake up again. He'd been lucky, truly, that he'd seen them coming. That whatever deities gave him this ability yet prevented him from seeing his own future, had given him a blessing in seeing one of theirs, instead. That he'd seen enough to know what was happening, to know he had to leave, and he had to do it immediately.

That might not happen again.

And so, he leaned into that very human reaction, that very innate need to trust the first person with a friendly face and who hadn't tried to hurt him.

"I-If I could sleep here..." he started slowly, hiccupping on his own breath as he tried to speak, but needing to get it out. He wasn't a fool, he knew that the streets would be the alternative, and just as dangerous. And in a room, a loft, maybe he could barricade a door if he panicked again.

Talk of other supernatural beings had him sniffling, using ragged sleeves to try and wipe tears from his cheeks and whatever other mess he'd created.

It was also good, in a way, that Taeseok had given so much information at once - it forced him to focus, to ignore his racing mind in lieu of working through all of the information. And there was a lot to process. Talk of making sure none of them bothered him again, of people here that had been through what he just had. And yet, one silly question came out instead.

"How much... How much is a room? I don't- I didn't bring my wallet, and I don't have much, but I can pay you back, or.. or something?"

A.. rather significant amount of relief washed over the Basilisk as the other made a choice- the safest one- and asked, however tentatively, to stay here, at least for a time. He'd never force anybody into anything; If Oren wished to leave, Taeseok would've clothed and fed him, given him a number to call in emergencies, and sent him on his way. But Taeseok would never stop worrying for him. A rare few had taken that option, and to this day Taeseok remembered each face, each name, and hope they still drew breath.

So maybe he let a hint of that relief shine through, lips casting a knowing smile at the question that followed. He was no Seer, but having done this long enough, certain questions were natural constants. That was always one of them.

"While I do appreciate it, there's no need to worry about that. And I will warn you in.. What I'm about to say always tends to make beings either much more relaxed... or more often much more skeptical of me initially. But that's not.." He sighed softly, letting his hands drift down, resting in his lap as gentle magentas looked around the space, head shaking soon after.

"That's not what this space is... Nor is it the type of being I am. You're free to live in one of the flats as long as you like, free of charge. I make more than enough from this club and restaurant, I'm not looking to.. extort money from the beings that I help." With a small nod, he looked back to the blonde. Gods when had the other eaten last? Or slept? "That being said, if you are in need of money, you're welcome to work here if you'd like. You can work in the nightclub in any role you're interested in. The same goes for the place when we open in the mornings as a brunch spot. The staff will all be happy to help train you; Ember especially and---"

He paused, blinked, and chuckled in spite of himself, shaking his head gently. "And there I go again. Front-loading so much information. If you'd like some time to think on the offer, I can show you to a flat, give you the key and space to think. What would you like to do, Oren?"

Work... wouldn't that be a novelty. To be able to hold down any kind of job, any kind of work.. It had been impossible, so far. With the lack of control he had over his visions, there was no way he could do anything, not without having to explain why he had to take sudden breaks, often unannounced, or why he would be unreachable for days at a time, sometimes.

"I-I don't think I can work. It's... complicated," he murmured, knowing this man didn't know the half of what Oren's life was like on a daily basis, and he didn't expect him to. Maybe he could talk to him later about payment, about working out a way to earn money that didn't require him to be an actual functioning person.

But yes, all in all, there was a lot of information, but it was... helping Oren to relax, too, in a way. Not so much the information itself, but the way the other seemed to keep offering it. The way he kept giving him bits and pieces, things to build up trust and comfort and a sense that he would be safe.

It was his stature, too, the way he sat, the way he looked around the room... For someone that didn't deal with people often, he'd seen more of the best and worst of humanity in his visions than any other person had seen in a day to day life, and Taeseok... he didn't seem to have that badness in his eyes. Not towards him, anyway. Striking though their colour was, they were also... kind. Reassuring, in some ways.

"Can I have some water?" He ended up asking instead. He wanted to go to the room, yes, and hide himself away... But maybe this was his small attempt at offering something in return. A small olive branch... For now. "And then maybe the room. I don't have anything with me though, I-..." he was lucky his phone had already been in his pocket when he'd run. But he really did only have that, and his pyjamas. "Are you sure?"

That might not happen again.

And so, he leaned into that very human reaction, that very innate need to trust the first person with a friendly face and who hadn't tried to hurt him.

Talk of other supernatural beings had him sniffling, using ragged sleeves to try and wipe tears from his cheeks and whatever other mess he'd created.

"How much... How much is a room? I don't- I didn't bring my wallet, and I don't have much, but I can pay you back, or.. or something?"

Taeseok felt himself holding his breath for the seconds to come; They were the most pivotal, crucial seconds after something like this. Would the other remain silent? Would he run, cry, scream, attack? That last was... Well a single glance to the other told Taeseok that an attack, while never impossible, was unlikely. But what about trust? Would that be possible? Those bags under the stranger's eyes told of a life or harm, of hurt. He'd seen it so many times. So he wasn't surprised to feel himself holding breath as the seconds passed, like on exhale could startle the other off.

And gods, how his very soul seemed to relax at what followed. A name. Not only a name, but... More? Hands still raised at his sides, well kept brows twitched inwards towards each other. Soft magentas drifted towards the door, thoughts drifting back to the boy. Skinny and slender, outrunning six trained killers. And that door had been jammed shut. No way he could have even peeked at the slaughter...

I saw them coming...... I saw them die.

It finally dawned on him then. And it took everything in him to keep his eyes from jumping wide. A seer, then? Gods they were a rare sort, as coveted as they were endangered. It was clear that the blonde-- that Oren had almost met his end tonight. And in spite of that, he trusted Taeseok with so much. That alone fully softened his gaze into tender worry as he nodded, looking back over the slender frame.

"... I see." He breathed out gently, with a soft, slow nod, only for a gentle, timid, curious little question to pull his lips into a soft smile. Words were one thing. Curiosity? That was a whole different, incredibly heartening sign.

"A truth for a truth then" He hummed softly with a nod, smiling as he looked to the blonde. "I'm not... A typical sort of being. My eyes alone, in their normal state, are a bit of a clue to that. I'm.. What I am is still whispered as a myth even between other supernatural creatures. I'm what's called a Basilisk, Oren. A.. demonic serpent in part. We have the ability to turn living things to stone, as quickly or as slowly as we have the power to sustain. There are other.. aspects of what I am as well. But that is how I was able to... take care of those. Inhyeong is probably already out sweeping up, if I had to guess."

#;; novel of trash there go #m; oren #lostxinxavarice

It occurred to Oren moments too late that the door being so finally jammed shut had been Taeseok's doing too. In his panicked state, he hadn't considered that it wouldn't just be a lock, easily broken into with a key. But as the stranger explained what he was, it all made sense. The magenta eyes that he'd noticed but been too lost in his own panic to truly see. The calm fury that radiated from the man as he'd passed him and gone outside. The demise the hunters had faced, why they were so fearful of him before he'd even really gotten started.

The truth the other provided in return for his was more straightforward than his, left little room for misunderstanding, and yet Oren saw the moment it seemed to occur to the other who-... or what, he supposed - he was dealing with. Putting a name to what he was, giving that confirmation, however? Well, his parents hadn't given him much, but they'd at least made sure he knew perfectly well that such a thing could lead to his death, or worse.

He'd trusted the man in front of him enough to give a name and a suggestion, but even he wasn't so foolish enough in his desperation and panic to give him full knowledge yet. For all he knew, this man could own a special kind of black market, be willing to sell him to the highest bidder. He didn't even know what this place was, he'd just run through the door, curled up and-...

The panic was building in him again, spurred on by his own whirlwind of thoughts he could never quite shut up.

They nearly killed him.

He couldn't go home.

This man in front of him could turn him to stone in a heartbeat, or enough that he could sell him off and he wouldn't be able to run.

"Fuck..." he nearly squeaked, hands unwrapping from around himself, only to cover his face, trying to hide any sign that the tears were coming all over again, "I nearly died, I..." he whimpered, already mentally kicking himself for appearing so weak.

And fuck again, his only reaction to everything that man had said was that one curse. After he'd saved his life, covered him with a jacket, told him to find help if he wanted to run, told him the truth of what he was and probably more.

"M'sorry, that's not-... not because of what you are, I... I just..." These were already more words than he typically spoke to anyone, and the rest were sticking in his throat like a thick tar, making even breathing difficult, "I nearly d-died. They know where I live..."

Magenta hues jumped wide as the sudden, visceral fear overtook the once limp, misty-eyed frame. Senses be damned, Taeseok had panicked in the moment, fearing the worst; A poison or spell of some kind that'd cut the other's life short before he could help. But no. No the other was still very much alive, heart thundering in his chest. And gut-wrenching as those broken pleas were, they were also a good sign. Time. The other still had time.

"It's alright. I'm sorry" He breathed out softly, hands pulling back, lifting to remain at either side of his head as the Basilisk sat but moved a foot or two away. Were it not for the odd mix of what he was, his heart would still be racing too. Perks of being selectively cold blooded, right? He took in a few long breaths, not fully sure which of them he was trying to calm more. After the breaths, a few seconds of silence lingered before a soft, low voice left rosy, though now slightly dried lips.

"My name is Lee Taeseok. I'm the one who draped that over you earlier. The men outside are gone. Dead with no chance of coming back, on that you have my word. You also have my word that you are safe here, but know that I understand if its hard... or impossible to trust those words right now. May I have your name? Or.. Something to call you if giving your name doesn't feel.. safe enough just yet?" He asked softly, head tilting black strand over magenta, serpent-like eyes.

What a night. What a life. Oren could've laughed - hysterically, but laughed all the same - at how ridiculous his entire life had been from the moment he was born. How it was him that had been given this "gift". How his parents, who had birthed him and who were responsible for his entire existence, had practically wiped their hands of him at the first opportunity, claiming it was for his own good to have other people do the care. How he'd moved out as soon as he was able, how his days weren't filled with work or studying, with parties or making friends and instead, with dark rooms and self neglect because his own abilities made it impossible to live.

How he was such a rarity that there was no one to talk to, no one to teach him how to handle it, to tell him that he wasn't an abomination, that he deserved a life as much as anyone else...

And now, it was almost laughable that a stranger was looking at him with more worry than anyone had dared look at him with before in his life. A stranger that had, just moments ago, turned six hunters with a scent for his blood into statues, crumbled them into the dirt to be trodden into the ground by passersby. to be swept into the wind, forgotten.

He'd saved Oren's life. Because had he not, had Oren been intended to live anyway, he would've seen the other's face in his vision. Would've seen him as more than just a vague blur, a feeling more than a person. It was what had him at least look up at the other, even if he stayed curled up tight, protecting himself as best he could.

His dark eyes scanned the other, trying to determine whether he culd be trusted, whether he spoke the truth... And still, his mind went back to the fact he looked worried. That he'd put a jacket around him, that-...

"O-Oren." He stammered out before he could second guess himself. And then, quieter, perhaps a little more hesitant... "I... I saw. I saw them coming and then... then i saw them die."

It wasn't quite a confession, not quite him telling this stranger what he was, but it was just enough information that it might at least make the other understand why he'd been in such a state when he came back in. Why, even now, his eyes were a little unfocused, a little milky at the edges.

There was a question on the tip of his tongue, a childlike curiosity to match... Was it rude to ask? Oren had never cared much for social cues anyway...

"What... How did you do that? Turn them into stone?"

'O-oh god. Oh god you're him aren't you? Th-th---'

A golden flash of serpentine eyes. Silence.... More or less. Muffled whimpers still counted.

"....The Stonewarden?" His voice slid from rosy lips, head tilting as he looked to the pile of rubble as it crumbled at his feet, not bothering to look at the one who'd been speaking. Instead, he sighed, stepping around the stones as they crumbled further, until he could grind them to dust under his shoe, lips turning in a small sneer. Another sigh came, though it was mostly masked by the fearful, muffled whimpers of now five men, all frozen in place. Not frozen from fear alone, no, no they didn't deserve that freedom. His eyes had flashed the moment he walked out and saw them, and the next instant, cries of shock and fear as the hunters all realized, one after another, that their feet no longer moved. The cries grew louder as the feet, cemented to the ground, began, slowly and surely, to turn to stone with another golden flash of his eyes. Another flash and he'd managed to freeze their lips shut, the calcification slowly starting to spread from both their feet and mouths. Another sigh.

"I see my reputation does proceed me... I normally wouldn't love knowing that. Though.. If your leader's brash hubris is any indication, nobody knows what I look like." A hand rose, brushing away the splattered blood of that very leader, who's body was now dust beneath his shoes.

"You know.. I think it is good, now that I think about it." He mused aloud, walking slowly around the group of hunters, all frantically trying to move, to grip their feet and legs, to will them to move, as though their desperation could stop the inevitable. Uncaring eyes took in the panic, the desperation with a tilted head. Some limbs tore, as desperate hands tugged and where stone met delicate flesh, eliciting only muffled, panicked breaths and vocal chords turned to stone, leaving them unable to scream.

"I think it's about time your lot finally had something to fear. Something like me to keep you up at night, like just the thought or sight of you does for so many innocent souls. How many, I wonder, did you chase, corner, torture, dissect simply because they were guilty of living?" He walked up to one who the calcification had taken to quickly, only his left eye remained able to move, and frozen skin and fabric turned slowly to granite. He'd asphyxiate soon.

Taeseok's head tilted as he looked to the other's neck, taking a necklace he saw there, and odd, not unfamiliar symbol on it. Good. Now he knew where to leave little warning. Without much thought, Taeseok took the pendant and turned to leave, pausing a few steps before the door, back to the slowly calcifying group of vermin. A body or two fell over, stone forms also turning to gray rubble.

"You're all going to die here. Afraid. Forgotten. I have it on good authority your souls will go to Hell, where someone else gets the pleasure of tormenting you. Know it was your actions that got you here. But know that it was my pleasure to finish you off"

With that, the Basilisk went back to the door, carefully wrenching it back into working order, the sounds of strong crumbling at his back. The gold melted from his eyes as the ire faded into their natural magenta, only to be replaced with knit brows and sharp worry. Milky-white eyes. A rigid frame. Tear-stained cheeks and barely there breaths.

"H-hey! Hey I.. Are you alright? Can you hear me?" Taeseok ran to the frame with a start, one hand on a cheek, the other on a shoulder. He was usually much, much better about not touching a clearly scared being after they'd been hunted or hurt but.. Well this was a first, for him, and worry took the wheel before reason. A stark contrast to the version of himself the hunters had witnessed, Lee Taeseok knelt by the currently nameless boy, voice soft and urgent, magenta eyes wide with worry and a touch dulled from exertion.

It wasn't long after the door reopened that the heavens, or hell, or fates, or whatever cruel mistress put him through this, finally let him go. He was always a poor sight, a scary one at that, when visions hit quite so hard. Sometimes it wasn't quite so dramatic. Sometimes, when it hit him for days at a time, it would simply be like going to sleep. One moment he would be standing, the next his body would crumple as though consciousness was taken from him with the flip of a switch. Twitching eyes and the odd muttered sentence would often be the only sign there was any life there at all.

This time, it was the more dramatic. Poor Taesook for having to see that so suddenly.

Oren's body gradually released it's tension, spine the first thing to start to loosen, letting his body begin relaxing - as much as it could given what he'd just seen in his vision. He wasn't scared of the man, of the rubble he'd left behind. Not when his eyes slowly bled first to a milky coffee colour, and then slowly back to the darker brown, almost black of his normal hue. He blinked slow, exhausted, as his mind tried to make sense of the world all over again.

It was always like this, at first. Not knowing who he was, where he was. Sometimes, it could take him hours before he felt like himself again, and not the person who's future or past he'd been seeing. This had been a shorter vision, as far as that went, yet still there was nothing but blank confusion written over his expression as eyes fluttered and tried to take it all back in again.

There was a person in front of him. Words? Words were being spoken. And... hands? Touch, he was being... Panic lurched in his chest in a sudden flurry, and he immediately flnched, everything rushing back to him. He wasn't scared of the being in front of him, no, and he would likely apologise for such a violent reaction later, but he practically recoiled from the touch, his own arms coming up to wrap back around his head.

"D-Don't- No..." he started, his soft, crackling voice sputtering out useless words. "P-Please..." And another small, pathetic one, apparently. "M-M'sorry, I... Please... Don't..."

"...Ember...?"

The currently blonde bartender glanced up from his glass polishing with a nonchalant tilt of his head, leaning against the bar-top as Sunil showed Yang how to actually make an old-fashioned [as opposed to just scowling at somebody until they ordered straight whiskey]. He didn't reply though. One look at his friend told him everything he needed to know in half a second, even as Seok continued to speak, seated there, seemingly staring very intently at the wall, gaze distant, focused, and seething all at once, and all in spite of his even, ever suave tone.

"You've got tonight covered, yeah? 182 on the books. 68 checked in so far. 6 total...." His eyes narrowed, head tilting. "6 total host reservations for Sai and Yang. One for Sunil at 11:50..." Ember nodded idly, placing the polished crystal cup on the shelf with the others, fixing a mojito Yang had attempted, sending it out before continuing along with his polishing.

"Sure do, Boss. Gotta go for another inventory run?" Seok nodded, eyes narrowing further as Ember watched him track what looked to be a concerning number of heat signatures through layers of wall, wood, and concrete. The more he tracked, the angrier Ember could tell his hyung was getting. But it was the hint of a flash of gold around Seok's eyes that told Ember all he needed to know. A chase then. The sort that made Hyung's blood boil the most. Seok stood, making his way to the back door, eyes tracking whatever trouble was brewing.

"Alright then. Well give me a call if you need help bringing stuff in. Or with clean-up in case you spill anything." Taeseok was walking towards the back even as he gave a final nod that was so slight, it hardly even shifted the black strands the framed his face. Ember whistled softly under his breath, almost feeling sorry for whatever monsters. Almost. The door that lead out back clicked closed, and Ember, ever polishing, leaned his back against it, as casually as breathing.

Vermin.

The thought hissed in his mind, blood boiling with every step. Every step he took, every step he tracked. So many heat signatures tracking one. The first must've been smart at least, it'd had quite a lead on the other.... 6. But there was no denying it; they were no match for those trained to exterminate. Not alone at least. Did they know, he wondered, that tonight would be their last night terrorizing innocents? Hopefully not. The fear of death was so much better on a Hunter when they weren't expecting it.

One more step, and he found them; A trembling, quaking form, wide eyes so fixated on the door that they had.. barely seemed to register him there.

"Stay here..." A low, smooth voice left him, and the only touch he gaze was to drape his jacket around quaking, heaving shoulders. The being's blood was racing. Shock would set in if he didn't have something warm to cling to. All the while, deep brown hues remained fixated on those heat signatures.

"...About 78 meters. You did well getting this far... Almost impossible well, really" He continued, still walking towards the door, clad only in his sleeveless, silken black undershirt. His head tilting for a moment, mind filtering away a curious, fleeting thought for later. He paused at the back door, head tilting the other way. "...I'm going to jam the door shut behind me, so they can't get to you. I'll take care of them. That much I can promise. I'd request you not run off so that I can help take care of you if you'd like the assistance. There's a blonde who works here. He may come by to check on me, and by extension, you if I take too long. His name is Ember. You can trust him. If you do feel the need to run, make sure he helps you leave quietly. Though again... wouldn't recommend it.

With that and nothing more, and fighting to keep his eyes that masked, deep brown, Taeseok stepped into the alleyway behind Avarice and closed the door hard behind him. The sound and feel of metal crunching into stone told him the door wasn't opening unless he personally wrenched it free. He walked slowly, calmly down the long, empty alley, stopping as the group finally accumulated at the entrance.

"I'll have to apologize" His voice dipped lower, the hiss barely held from his voice, as he took in the group, the vermin before him, head tilting. "But this is as far as any of you go. Escape isn't an option either really. I can't let your sort go on killing and terrorizing other's. I'm sure you understand."