🕸 DIANA 🕷

@bl00dcrys

RP / ASK BLOG FOR A HORROR / CREEPYPASTA OC ;; information to come.

50 posts

▬▬▬╭─► ❝ A HOPE LIKE YOURS

⌒⌒⌒ WON'T HELP ME NOW ! !

🕸 (( you can do your ⌒⌒⌒ 🕷

» WORST TO ME ! ! ❞ ┊🗡ˊˎ

NERO FORTE | SLIPKNOT

01:15 ━━━●──────── - 04:00

⇆ㅤㅤㅤㅤ◁ㅤㅤ❚❚ㅤㅤ▷ㅤㅤㅤㅤ↻

An RP / ASK blog for my horror centered oc ;; fits many horror verses ( creepypasta, dbd, but especially the slenderverses! ) CONTENT IS OVERALL VERY MATURE, i ask that only those 18+ interact due to this! Call me, the creator, Corpse. I'm a 20 something year old loser. account is multiship unless specified otherwise, but shipping isn't really much of an interest. NEW-ISH TO TUMBLR, forgive me for any confusion. I match length and rp style to the best of my ability. PINNED POST IS A WIP.

OTHER RP BLOG IS @angelcryz , I follow from here.

|| LORE || PLAYLIST || OC INFO || WRITER ||

#creepypasta rp #slenderverse rp #marble hornets rp #everymanhybrid rp #horror rp #oc rp #oc rp blog #i dont understand tags yet please show mercy to me

tobys-multiverse-official

Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

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The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

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”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

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“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

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Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

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Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

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“Friends, family… Some are even old coworkers. So yeah, I’m pretty close to everyone here. Believe it or not, this used to be my mom’s tavern before she…” Toby paused, before shaking his head, as if to get rid of a negative thought. “…never mind. Let’s head inside.”

As Toby stepped in, his ears rang with the cheers of the patrons inside. Cries of “Toby’s home again” rang throughout the dining hall, and behind the bar, a mysterious young woman with crimson hair looked up from cleaning out the used mugs. Parts of her body were held together by stitches, and only her left eye was visible, the other eye being obscured by her hair. She wore a black surgical mask that covered what could only be presumed to be a grotesque injury, but anyone could tell that she was smiling by the glimmer in her good eye, which seemed to be just as red as her hair.

”Well, if it isn’t Toby. Welcome back!” the woman called out as Toby approached the bar, urging Diana to follow. “I see you brought company. Seems like no matter where you go, you attract new friends.”

”The more friends I have, the better life is, Ann,” Toby stated calmly. “I’ll take two orders of steak teriyaki, and some green tea.”

”Got it,” Ann stated, writing down the order calmly before getting to work on brewing some tea for Toby and Diana.

Diana wasn't one to pry. She had her own rough patch, and she knew the pain that could resurface from questions. But she couldn't help but wonder where Toby was going with that - he must have lost his mother, too. As she saw people's reactions to Toby's presence, she would look towards him, a faint chuckle leaving her lips.

She'd follow Toby to the bar, looking at the woman curiously. Ann, huh? She offered a polite smile and a small nod of her head, taking money out of her wallet to cover the cost of the meal - taking out enough to cover both hers and Toby's.

" She's pretty. "

She told Toby as Ann was tending to the tea, and Diana would take a seat at the bar, crossing her legs when she did. She cracked a faint grin, pocketing her wallet again and resting her hands on the edge of the counter.

" Green tea is one of my favorites. My sister would get it all of the time. "

tobys-multiverse-official

Before Toby or Ann could answer, a much younger girl with black hair came running up to Toby, hugging his arm. Her big blue eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at the swordsman, a glimmer of excitement and happiness filling her expression. Looking closer, the girl seemed to have cat-like features.

“Seems like Kate missed you,” Ann stated calmly. “She wouldn’t stop waiting outside your bedroom door, and even hissed at me when I tried to enter.”

Toby chuckled, ruffling Kate’s hair. “Thanks for keeping my room safe, Kate. I owe you one.”

The only response Kate made was loud purring as she nuzzled into Toby’s hand before sitting on his lap. Seems like she was one of those demi-humans that seemed to be present almost everywhere nowadays…

A look of surprise swept over Diana's features for a brief moment as the girl ran up to Toby, a warm, soft expression spreading across her face. As she listened to the interaction, a look akin to amusement twinkled in her eyes.

She did have a soft spot for youth. Brief memories ran through her mind of her son, and she stilled slightly, her body tense.

Only for a fleeting moment, before her shoulders would visibly relax again. Her tone would be noticeably softer as she spoke, almost soothing, especially in comparison to the manner she usually spoke.

" Aw. What a cutie. "

She paused, taking her backpack off and rummaging through it for a moment, before taking out what looked like a small plush. Actually, it wasn't just a plush. It had catnip inside of it, something she got for her oriental shorthair back at her house.

. . . she just kind of assumed it might would have interested Kate, hesitantly offering it.

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Kate sniffed the plush briefly, and immediately took it into her arms, cradling it like a baby. Somehow, catnip didn’t make her go crazy as it would with most other cats… It actually seemed to relax her. She started nuzzling the plush, purring audibly as Ann came back to the counter with the food and tea that Toby had ordered.

”Give the girl enough catnip and she’ll be knocked out cold ‘til sunrise,” Ann stated with a small smile. “She may look terrifying to some other folks, but that girl’s got a heart of gold. No wonder Toby took ‘er in as a little sister.”

Toby huffed. “…I was 5, okay? When she was a baby, she was left on the doorstep of the tavern. Mom and I raised her like she was a part of the family. She and I haven’t been apart since.”

" I can tell you're a great brother. She trusts you so much. "

A warm smile, watching the sight for a moment. She felt at peace from the scene unfolding, gingerly taking her cup of tea.

" Ah, thank you. "

She would give Ann the money she previously took from her wallet, taking her fork and taking a bite of the steak.

" You were right. The steak is really good. "

She looked towards Toby again, he clearly had a life full of trauma and his occupation wasn't particularly a normal one. And yet he seemed to be surrounded by loved ones. She almost envied him over that, really.

She snapped herself out of her thoughts, cutting another piece of the steak with her fork.

" I assume she lives with you, then? "

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“Yeah. She sometimes travels with me too, if there’s nothing else to do around the tavern and Ann’s not available to watch over her,” Toby explained. “Kate’s the only thing keeping me sane these days. I fight every day, every week, just to keep her safe. Just to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

Ann hummed softly. “…Believe it or not, I’m here because I was hired by Toby’s mom to keep him outta trouble and patch his wounds every time he returns. He says time and time again that I’m part of the family too.” She sighed, tears coming to her good eye. “…He’s two years older than I am, and yet he’s still so fragile. Like he’ll break at any moment. He needs all the support he can get. I… I thought he was just some reckless idiot doing whatever he could to take care of his baby sis… But I’m starting to see that there’s more to him than that. I love him, but I’m scared that I might lose him if he leaves again.”

Diana fell into silence for a long moment, whatever thoughts that she had been getting had been a mystery - as was the expression on her face. She looked towards the peaceful Kate, to the tearful Ann, her hands resting on the edge of the counter again.

" Let me help. "

Her gaze shot towards Toby, her expression a little more serious than it had been previously.

" I have history of working as a merc and I did attend medschool. I never graduated, but I'm sure I would still be of some use. Whether it be helping watch Kate or helping you out there. "

She stated. She almost couldn't believe that she was suggesting this- she didn't know them for very long at all. Maybe it was the thought of this family getting torn apart that bothered her, maybe there had been some guilt of her own past mistakes encouraging her. Whatever the reason, she seemed pretty sure of her suggestion.

" I have experience with children, so I'm sure I could help looking out for Kate if an extra hand is ever needed. "

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Toby’s face turned a light shade of red, not expecting Diana to ask to help. Aside from him and Ann, nobody else had ever been willing to help take care of Kate. And he’d been so used to working solo during his hunts that the concept of help seemed… Almost pleasant, if not unexpected.

“…If you’re certain that you want to help out, then I can’t say no,” Toby finally stated, regaining his bearings. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am, Diana.” His face seemed to take on a much deeper shade of red as he looked directly at Diana.

Ann smiled softly and nodded. “…Then it’s settled. I’ll get to work on preparing a room for you, Diana. If you’re going to be helping out around here, you’re going to need a proper place to sleep.” And with that, she walked upstairs to find a room for Diana, leaving Diana with a flustered Toby and a sleepy Kate, who was still audibly purring and nuzzling Toby’s chest.

" Don't mention it. What you have is precious, cherish it. "

Her gaze met Toby's own, a soft smile on her lips. She glanced towards Ann and gave an appreciative nod of her head with a little " thank you, " as she went to prepare her room.

It would be a major change for Diana, she had been alone for so long that she would have to take some time to adjust, but she was sure of her decision, even if it was one that was impulsively made in the moment.

" I would hate to see anything happen to you, or to her, for that matter. I'll be here to help in any way that I possibly can. "

A faint flush of red spread over her face. She felt soft - she wasn't sure how else to describe it, overwhelmed by a pleasant emotion she couldn't quite pinpoint. And she felt relief that she may have found a new purpose.

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It was in that moment Kate started to stir, her purring never ceasing as she looked at Diana directly. Still holding the plush with one arm, she carefully approached Diana before hugging her. It looked like she’d found yet another person she could trust aside from Toby and Ann. Claw-like nails dug into the fabrics of Diana’s clothing, as if Kate was holding on for dear life and was afraid to let go.

Toby, noticing this, gave a small smile. “Seems like she likes you. She hasn’t warmed up to anyone else other than me and Ann until now… Perhaps she sees something in you that other people fail to possess. Maybe she knows that no matter what, you’re a good person.” He looked away for a brief moment. “…Hell, you’re one of the few people who actually see me and Kate as humans, even though we are far from that.”

" You're more human than half of the humans that I've met. You're good people. "

As Kate held onto her, she smiled tenderly, a hand gently resting on Kate's shoulders. Her touch was motherly, and she felt a tug at her heart. Her fingers ran through the youngers hair, as though trying to soothe her and let her know that she was going to be taking care of her.

" I lost my son. But I'll make sure that you'll never have to worry about her. I'll stop at nothing to ensure her safety and well being. "

She fell silent for a moment, clearing her throat. Turning her head to hide the tears that brimmed her eyes, fighting them off - she didn't want to get emotional right now.

" Thank you for trusting me. "

// ooc //

me featuring diana as a marketable plushie

I'm not finishing this, tbh, but I thought I'd post it anyways.

tobys-multiverse-official

Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

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The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

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”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

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“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

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Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

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Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

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“Friends, family… Some are even old coworkers. So yeah, I’m pretty close to everyone here. Believe it or not, this used to be my mom’s tavern before she…” Toby paused, before shaking his head, as if to get rid of a negative thought. “…never mind. Let’s head inside.”

As Toby stepped in, his ears rang with the cheers of the patrons inside. Cries of “Toby’s home again” rang throughout the dining hall, and behind the bar, a mysterious young woman with crimson hair looked up from cleaning out the used mugs. Parts of her body were held together by stitches, and only her left eye was visible, the other eye being obscured by her hair. She wore a black surgical mask that covered what could only be presumed to be a grotesque injury, but anyone could tell that she was smiling by the glimmer in her good eye, which seemed to be just as red as her hair.

”Well, if it isn’t Toby. Welcome back!” the woman called out as Toby approached the bar, urging Diana to follow. “I see you brought company. Seems like no matter where you go, you attract new friends.”

”The more friends I have, the better life is, Ann,” Toby stated calmly. “I’ll take two orders of steak teriyaki, and some green tea.”

”Got it,” Ann stated, writing down the order calmly before getting to work on brewing some tea for Toby and Diana.

Diana wasn't one to pry. She had her own rough patch, and she knew the pain that could resurface from questions. But she couldn't help but wonder where Toby was going with that - he must have lost his mother, too. As she saw people's reactions to Toby's presence, she would look towards him, a faint chuckle leaving her lips.

She'd follow Toby to the bar, looking at the woman curiously. Ann, huh? She offered a polite smile and a small nod of her head, taking money out of her wallet to cover the cost of the meal - taking out enough to cover both hers and Toby's.

" She's pretty. "

She told Toby as Ann was tending to the tea, and Diana would take a seat at the bar, crossing her legs when she did. She cracked a faint grin, pocketing her wallet again and resting her hands on the edge of the counter.

" Green tea is one of my favorites. My sister would get it all of the time. "

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Before Toby or Ann could answer, a much younger girl with black hair came running up to Toby, hugging his arm. Her big blue eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at the swordsman, a glimmer of excitement and happiness filling her expression. Looking closer, the girl seemed to have cat-like features.

“Seems like Kate missed you,” Ann stated calmly. “She wouldn’t stop waiting outside your bedroom door, and even hissed at me when I tried to enter.”

Toby chuckled, ruffling Kate’s hair. “Thanks for keeping my room safe, Kate. I owe you one.”

The only response Kate made was loud purring as she nuzzled into Toby’s hand before sitting on his lap. Seems like she was one of those demi-humans that seemed to be present almost everywhere nowadays…

A look of surprise swept over Diana's features for a brief moment as the girl ran up to Toby, a warm, soft expression spreading across her face. As she listened to the interaction, a look akin to amusement twinkled in her eyes.

She did have a soft spot for youth. Brief memories ran through her mind of her son, and she stilled slightly, her body tense.

Only for a fleeting moment, before her shoulders would visibly relax again. Her tone would be noticeably softer as she spoke, almost soothing, especially in comparison to the manner she usually spoke.

" Aw. What a cutie. "

She paused, taking her backpack off and rummaging through it for a moment, before taking out what looked like a small plush. Actually, it wasn't just a plush. It had catnip inside of it, something she got for her oriental shorthair back at her house.

. . . she just kind of assumed it might would have interested Kate, hesitantly offering it.

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Kate sniffed the plush briefly, and immediately took it into her arms, cradling it like a baby. Somehow, catnip didn’t make her go crazy as it would with most other cats… It actually seemed to relax her. She started nuzzling the plush, purring audibly as Ann came back to the counter with the food and tea that Toby had ordered.

”Give the girl enough catnip and she’ll be knocked out cold ‘til sunrise,” Ann stated with a small smile. “She may look terrifying to some other folks, but that girl’s got a heart of gold. No wonder Toby took ‘er in as a little sister.”

Toby huffed. “…I was 5, okay? When she was a baby, she was left on the doorstep of the tavern. Mom and I raised her like she was a part of the family. She and I haven’t been apart since.”

" I can tell you're a great brother. She trusts you so much. "

A warm smile, watching the sight for a moment. She felt at peace from the scene unfolding, gingerly taking her cup of tea.

" Ah, thank you. "

She would give Ann the money she previously took from her wallet, taking her fork and taking a bite of the steak.

" You were right. The steak is really good. "

She looked towards Toby again, he clearly had a life full of trauma and his occupation wasn't particularly a normal one. And yet he seemed to be surrounded by loved ones. She almost envied him over that, really.

She snapped herself out of her thoughts, cutting another piece of the steak with her fork.

" I assume she lives with you, then? "

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“Yeah. She sometimes travels with me too, if there’s nothing else to do around the tavern and Ann’s not available to watch over her,” Toby explained. “Kate’s the only thing keeping me sane these days. I fight every day, every week, just to keep her safe. Just to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

Ann hummed softly. “…Believe it or not, I’m here because I was hired by Toby’s mom to keep him outta trouble and patch his wounds every time he returns. He says time and time again that I’m part of the family too.” She sighed, tears coming to her good eye. “…He’s two years older than I am, and yet he’s still so fragile. Like he’ll break at any moment. He needs all the support he can get. I… I thought he was just some reckless idiot doing whatever he could to take care of his baby sis… But I’m starting to see that there’s more to him than that. I love him, but I’m scared that I might lose him if he leaves again.”

Diana fell into silence for a long moment, whatever thoughts that she had been getting had been a mystery - as was the expression on her face. She looked towards the peaceful Kate, to the tearful Ann, her hands resting on the edge of the counter again.

" Let me help. "

Her gaze shot towards Toby, her expression a little more serious than it had been previously.

" I have history of working as a merc and I did attend medschool. I never graduated, but I'm sure I would still be of some use. Whether it be helping watch Kate or helping you out there. "

She stated. She almost couldn't believe that she was suggesting this- she didn't know them for very long at all. Maybe it was the thought of this family getting torn apart that bothered her, maybe there had been some guilt of her own past mistakes encouraging her. Whatever the reason, she seemed pretty sure of her suggestion.

" I have experience with children, so I'm sure I could help looking out for Kate if an extra hand is ever needed. "

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Toby’s face turned a light shade of red, not expecting Diana to ask to help. Aside from him and Ann, nobody else had ever been willing to help take care of Kate. And he’d been so used to working solo during his hunts that the concept of help seemed… Almost pleasant, if not unexpected.

“…If you’re certain that you want to help out, then I can’t say no,” Toby finally stated, regaining his bearings. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am, Diana.” His face seemed to take on a much deeper shade of red as he looked directly at Diana.

Ann smiled softly and nodded. “…Then it’s settled. I’ll get to work on preparing a room for you, Diana. If you’re going to be helping out around here, you’re going to need a proper place to sleep.” And with that, she walked upstairs to find a room for Diana, leaving Diana with a flustered Toby and a sleepy Kate, who was still audibly purring and nuzzling Toby’s chest.

" Don't mention it. What you have is precious, cherish it. "

Her gaze met Toby's own, a soft smile on her lips. She glanced towards Ann and gave an appreciative nod of her head with a little " thank you, " as she went to prepare her room.

It would be a major change for Diana, she had been alone for so long that she would have to take some time to adjust, but she was sure of her decision, even if it was one that was impulsively made in the moment.

" I would hate to see anything happen to you, or to her, for that matter. I'll be here to help in any way that I possibly can. "

A faint flush of red spread over her face. She felt soft - she wasn't sure how else to describe it, overwhelmed by a pleasant emotion she couldn't quite pinpoint. And she felt relief that she may have found a new purpose.

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Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

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The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

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”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

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“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

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Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

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Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

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“Friends, family… Some are even old coworkers. So yeah, I’m pretty close to everyone here. Believe it or not, this used to be my mom’s tavern before she…” Toby paused, before shaking his head, as if to get rid of a negative thought. “…never mind. Let’s head inside.”

As Toby stepped in, his ears rang with the cheers of the patrons inside. Cries of “Toby’s home again” rang throughout the dining hall, and behind the bar, a mysterious young woman with crimson hair looked up from cleaning out the used mugs. Parts of her body were held together by stitches, and only her left eye was visible, the other eye being obscured by her hair. She wore a black surgical mask that covered what could only be presumed to be a grotesque injury, but anyone could tell that she was smiling by the glimmer in her good eye, which seemed to be just as red as her hair.

”Well, if it isn’t Toby. Welcome back!” the woman called out as Toby approached the bar, urging Diana to follow. “I see you brought company. Seems like no matter where you go, you attract new friends.”

”The more friends I have, the better life is, Ann,” Toby stated calmly. “I’ll take two orders of steak teriyaki, and some green tea.”

”Got it,” Ann stated, writing down the order calmly before getting to work on brewing some tea for Toby and Diana.

Diana wasn't one to pry. She had her own rough patch, and she knew the pain that could resurface from questions. But she couldn't help but wonder where Toby was going with that - he must have lost his mother, too. As she saw people's reactions to Toby's presence, she would look towards him, a faint chuckle leaving her lips.

She'd follow Toby to the bar, looking at the woman curiously. Ann, huh? She offered a polite smile and a small nod of her head, taking money out of her wallet to cover the cost of the meal - taking out enough to cover both hers and Toby's.

" She's pretty. "

She told Toby as Ann was tending to the tea, and Diana would take a seat at the bar, crossing her legs when she did. She cracked a faint grin, pocketing her wallet again and resting her hands on the edge of the counter.

" Green tea is one of my favorites. My sister would get it all of the time. "

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Before Toby or Ann could answer, a much younger girl with black hair came running up to Toby, hugging his arm. Her big blue eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at the swordsman, a glimmer of excitement and happiness filling her expression. Looking closer, the girl seemed to have cat-like features.

“Seems like Kate missed you,” Ann stated calmly. “She wouldn’t stop waiting outside your bedroom door, and even hissed at me when I tried to enter.”

Toby chuckled, ruffling Kate’s hair. “Thanks for keeping my room safe, Kate. I owe you one.”

The only response Kate made was loud purring as she nuzzled into Toby’s hand before sitting on his lap. Seems like she was one of those demi-humans that seemed to be present almost everywhere nowadays…

A look of surprise swept over Diana's features for a brief moment as the girl ran up to Toby, a warm, soft expression spreading across her face. As she listened to the interaction, a look akin to amusement twinkled in her eyes.

She did have a soft spot for youth. Brief memories ran through her mind of her son, and she stilled slightly, her body tense.

Only for a fleeting moment, before her shoulders would visibly relax again. Her tone would be noticeably softer as she spoke, almost soothing, especially in comparison to the manner she usually spoke.

" Aw. What a cutie. "

She paused, taking her backpack off and rummaging through it for a moment, before taking out what looked like a small plush. Actually, it wasn't just a plush. It had catnip inside of it, something she got for her oriental shorthair back at her house.

. . . she just kind of assumed it might would have interested Kate, hesitantly offering it.

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Kate sniffed the plush briefly, and immediately took it into her arms, cradling it like a baby. Somehow, catnip didn’t make her go crazy as it would with most other cats… It actually seemed to relax her. She started nuzzling the plush, purring audibly as Ann came back to the counter with the food and tea that Toby had ordered.

”Give the girl enough catnip and she’ll be knocked out cold ‘til sunrise,” Ann stated with a small smile. “She may look terrifying to some other folks, but that girl’s got a heart of gold. No wonder Toby took ‘er in as a little sister.”

Toby huffed. “…I was 5, okay? When she was a baby, she was left on the doorstep of the tavern. Mom and I raised her like she was a part of the family. She and I haven’t been apart since.”

" I can tell you're a great brother. She trusts you so much. "

A warm smile, watching the sight for a moment. She felt at peace from the scene unfolding, gingerly taking her cup of tea.

" Ah, thank you. "

She would give Ann the money she previously took from her wallet, taking her fork and taking a bite of the steak.

" You were right. The steak is really good. "

She looked towards Toby again, he clearly had a life full of trauma and his occupation wasn't particularly a normal one. And yet he seemed to be surrounded by loved ones. She almost envied him over that, really.

She snapped herself out of her thoughts, cutting another piece of the steak with her fork.

" I assume she lives with you, then? "

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“Yeah. She sometimes travels with me too, if there’s nothing else to do around the tavern and Ann’s not available to watch over her,” Toby explained. “Kate’s the only thing keeping me sane these days. I fight every day, every week, just to keep her safe. Just to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

Ann hummed softly. “…Believe it or not, I’m here because I was hired by Toby’s mom to keep him outta trouble and patch his wounds every time he returns. He says time and time again that I’m part of the family too.” She sighed, tears coming to her good eye. “…He’s two years older than I am, and yet he’s still so fragile. Like he’ll break at any moment. He needs all the support he can get. I… I thought he was just some reckless idiot doing whatever he could to take care of his baby sis… But I’m starting to see that there’s more to him than that. I love him, but I’m scared that I might lose him if he leaves again.”

Diana fell into silence for a long moment, whatever thoughts that she had been getting had been a mystery - as was the expression on her face. She looked towards the peaceful Kate, to the tearful Ann, her hands resting on the edge of the counter again.

" Let me help. "

Her gaze shot towards Toby, her expression a little more serious than it had been previously.

" I have history of working as a merc and I did attend medschool. I never graduated, but I'm sure I would still be of some use. Whether it be helping watch Kate or helping you out there. "

She stated. She almost couldn't believe that she was suggesting this- she didn't know them for very long at all. Maybe it was the thought of this family getting torn apart that bothered her, maybe there had been some guilt of her own past mistakes encouraging her. Whatever the reason, she seemed pretty sure of her suggestion.

" I have experience with children, so I'm sure I could help looking out for Kate if an extra hand is ever needed. "

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Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

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The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

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”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

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“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

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Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

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Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

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“Friends, family… Some are even old coworkers. So yeah, I’m pretty close to everyone here. Believe it or not, this used to be my mom’s tavern before she…” Toby paused, before shaking his head, as if to get rid of a negative thought. “…never mind. Let’s head inside.”

As Toby stepped in, his ears rang with the cheers of the patrons inside. Cries of “Toby’s home again” rang throughout the dining hall, and behind the bar, a mysterious young woman with crimson hair looked up from cleaning out the used mugs. Parts of her body were held together by stitches, and only her left eye was visible, the other eye being obscured by her hair. She wore a black surgical mask that covered what could only be presumed to be a grotesque injury, but anyone could tell that she was smiling by the glimmer in her good eye, which seemed to be just as red as her hair.

”Well, if it isn’t Toby. Welcome back!” the woman called out as Toby approached the bar, urging Diana to follow. “I see you brought company. Seems like no matter where you go, you attract new friends.”

”The more friends I have, the better life is, Ann,” Toby stated calmly. “I’ll take two orders of steak teriyaki, and some green tea.”

”Got it,” Ann stated, writing down the order calmly before getting to work on brewing some tea for Toby and Diana.

Diana wasn't one to pry. She had her own rough patch, and she knew the pain that could resurface from questions. But she couldn't help but wonder where Toby was going with that - he must have lost his mother, too. As she saw people's reactions to Toby's presence, she would look towards him, a faint chuckle leaving her lips.

She'd follow Toby to the bar, looking at the woman curiously. Ann, huh? She offered a polite smile and a small nod of her head, taking money out of her wallet to cover the cost of the meal - taking out enough to cover both hers and Toby's.

" She's pretty. "

She told Toby as Ann was tending to the tea, and Diana would take a seat at the bar, crossing her legs when she did. She cracked a faint grin, pocketing her wallet again and resting her hands on the edge of the counter.

" Green tea is one of my favorites. My sister would get it all of the time. "

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Before Toby or Ann could answer, a much younger girl with black hair came running up to Toby, hugging his arm. Her big blue eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at the swordsman, a glimmer of excitement and happiness filling her expression. Looking closer, the girl seemed to have cat-like features.

“Seems like Kate missed you,” Ann stated calmly. “She wouldn’t stop waiting outside your bedroom door, and even hissed at me when I tried to enter.”

Toby chuckled, ruffling Kate’s hair. “Thanks for keeping my room safe, Kate. I owe you one.”

The only response Kate made was loud purring as she nuzzled into Toby’s hand before sitting on his lap. Seems like she was one of those demi-humans that seemed to be present almost everywhere nowadays…

A look of surprise swept over Diana's features for a brief moment as the girl ran up to Toby, a warm, soft expression spreading across her face. As she listened to the interaction, a look akin to amusement twinkled in her eyes.

She did have a soft spot for youth. Brief memories ran through her mind of her son, and she stilled slightly, her body tense.

Only for a fleeting moment, before her shoulders would visibly relax again. Her tone would be noticeably softer as she spoke, almost soothing, especially in comparison to the manner she usually spoke.

" Aw. What a cutie. "

She paused, taking her backpack off and rummaging through it for a moment, before taking out what looked like a small plush. Actually, it wasn't just a plush. It had catnip inside of it, something she got for her oriental shorthair back at her house.

. . . she just kind of assumed it might would have interested Kate, hesitantly offering it.

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Kate sniffed the plush briefly, and immediately took it into her arms, cradling it like a baby. Somehow, catnip didn’t make her go crazy as it would with most other cats… It actually seemed to relax her. She started nuzzling the plush, purring audibly as Ann came back to the counter with the food and tea that Toby had ordered.

”Give the girl enough catnip and she’ll be knocked out cold ‘til sunrise,” Ann stated with a small smile. “She may look terrifying to some other folks, but that girl’s got a heart of gold. No wonder Toby took ‘er in as a little sister.”

Toby huffed. “…I was 5, okay? When she was a baby, she was left on the doorstep of the tavern. Mom and I raised her like she was a part of the family. She and I haven’t been apart since.”

" I can tell you're a great brother. She trusts you so much. "

A warm smile, watching the sight for a moment. She felt at peace from the scene unfolding, gingerly taking her cup of tea.

" Ah, thank you. "

She would give Ann the money she previously took from her wallet, taking her fork and taking a bite of the steak.

" You were right. The steak is really good. "

She looked towards Toby again, he clearly had a life full of trauma and his occupation wasn't particularly a normal one. And yet he seemed to be surrounded by loved ones. She almost envied him over that, really.

She snapped herself out of her thoughts, cutting another piece of the steak with her fork.

" I assume she lives with you, then? "

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Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

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The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

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”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

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“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

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Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

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Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

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“Friends, family… Some are even old coworkers. So yeah, I’m pretty close to everyone here. Believe it or not, this used to be my mom’s tavern before she…” Toby paused, before shaking his head, as if to get rid of a negative thought. “…never mind. Let’s head inside.”

As Toby stepped in, his ears rang with the cheers of the patrons inside. Cries of “Toby’s home again” rang throughout the dining hall, and behind the bar, a mysterious young woman with crimson hair looked up from cleaning out the used mugs. Parts of her body were held together by stitches, and only her left eye was visible, the other eye being obscured by her hair. She wore a black surgical mask that covered what could only be presumed to be a grotesque injury, but anyone could tell that she was smiling by the glimmer in her good eye, which seemed to be just as red as her hair.

”Well, if it isn’t Toby. Welcome back!” the woman called out as Toby approached the bar, urging Diana to follow. “I see you brought company. Seems like no matter where you go, you attract new friends.”

”The more friends I have, the better life is, Ann,” Toby stated calmly. “I’ll take two orders of steak teriyaki, and some green tea.”

”Got it,” Ann stated, writing down the order calmly before getting to work on brewing some tea for Toby and Diana.

Diana wasn't one to pry. She had her own rough patch, and she knew the pain that could resurface from questions. But she couldn't help but wonder where Toby was going with that - he must have lost his mother, too. As she saw people's reactions to Toby's presence, she would look towards him, a faint chuckle leaving her lips.

She'd follow Toby to the bar, looking at the woman curiously. Ann, huh? She offered a polite smile and a small nod of her head, taking money out of her wallet to cover the cost of the meal - taking out enough to cover both hers and Toby's.

" She's pretty. "

She told Toby as Ann was tending to the tea, and Diana would take a seat at the bar, crossing her legs when she did. She cracked a faint grin, pocketing her wallet again and resting her hands on the edge of the counter.

" Green tea is one of my favorites. My sister would get it all of the time. "

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Before Toby or Ann could answer, a much younger girl with black hair came running up to Toby, hugging his arm. Her big blue eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at the swordsman, a glimmer of excitement and happiness filling her expression. Looking closer, the girl seemed to have cat-like features.

“Seems like Kate missed you,” Ann stated calmly. “She wouldn’t stop waiting outside your bedroom door, and even hissed at me when I tried to enter.”

Toby chuckled, ruffling Kate’s hair. “Thanks for keeping my room safe, Kate. I owe you one.”

The only response Kate made was loud purring as she nuzzled into Toby’s hand before sitting on his lap. Seems like she was one of those demi-humans that seemed to be present almost everywhere nowadays…

A look of surprise swept over Diana's features for a brief moment as the girl ran up to Toby, a warm, soft expression spreading across her face. As she listened to the interaction, a look akin to amusement twinkled in her eyes.

She did have a soft spot for youth. Brief memories ran through her mind of her son, and she stilled slightly, her body tense.

Only for a fleeting moment, before her shoulders would visibly relax again. Her tone would be noticeably softer as she spoke, almost soothing, especially in comparison to the manner she usually spoke.

" Aw. What a cutie. "

She paused, taking her backpack off and rummaging through it for a moment, before taking out what looked like a small plush. Actually, it wasn't just a plush. It had catnip inside of it, something she got for her oriental shorthair back at her house.

. . . she just kind of assumed it might would have interested Kate, hesitantly offering it.

// OOC //

I WAS GOING TO SKETCH OUT A MEME BUT HONESTLY NOW I WANT TO DRAW A BUNCH OF MUSES AS CHIBI PLUSHIES LIKE THIS HSISIXIDIDOF

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Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

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The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

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”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

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“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

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Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

tobys-multiverse-official

Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

tobys-multiverse-official

“Friends, family… Some are even old coworkers. So yeah, I’m pretty close to everyone here. Believe it or not, this used to be my mom’s tavern before she…” Toby paused, before shaking his head, as if to get rid of a negative thought. “…never mind. Let’s head inside.”

As Toby stepped in, his ears rang with the cheers of the patrons inside. Cries of “Toby’s home again” rang throughout the dining hall, and behind the bar, a mysterious young woman with crimson hair looked up from cleaning out the used mugs. Parts of her body were held together by stitches, and only her left eye was visible, the other eye being obscured by her hair. She wore a black surgical mask that covered what could only be presumed to be a grotesque injury, but anyone could tell that she was smiling by the glimmer in her good eye, which seemed to be just as red as her hair.

”Well, if it isn’t Toby. Welcome back!” the woman called out as Toby approached the bar, urging Diana to follow. “I see you brought company. Seems like no matter where you go, you attract new friends.”

”The more friends I have, the better life is, Ann,” Toby stated calmly. “I’ll take two orders of steak teriyaki, and some green tea.”

”Got it,” Ann stated, writing down the order calmly before getting to work on brewing some tea for Toby and Diana.

Diana wasn't one to pry. She had her own rough patch, and she knew the pain that could resurface from questions. But she couldn't help but wonder where Toby was going with that - he must have lost his mother, too. As she saw people's reactions to Toby's presence, she would look towards him, a faint chuckle leaving her lips.

She'd follow Toby to the bar, looking at the woman curiously. Ann, huh? She offered a polite smile and a small nod of her head, taking money out of her wallet to cover the cost of the meal - taking out enough to cover both hers and Toby's.

" She's pretty. "

She told Toby as Ann was tending to the tea, and Diana would take a seat at the bar, crossing her legs when she did. She cracked a faint grin, pocketing her wallet again and resting her hands on the edge of the counter.

" Green tea is one of my favorites. My sister would get it all of the time. "

// OOC //

hello!! i made a side blog for another oc of mine! ♡

@angelcryz

you're all more than welcome to go pester her!

tobys-multiverse-official

Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

tobys-multiverse-official

The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

tobys-multiverse-official

”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

tobys-multiverse-official

“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

tobys-multiverse-official

Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

tobys-multiverse-official

Toby nodded calmly as they approached the restaurant. It was more of a tavern than anything else, as its name suggested. The large sign hanging above the door read “Crimson Thorn Tavern” in crimson lettering, accented by a series of blood-red roses weaving their vines. A smile crossed Toby’s face.

”…Feels good to be home. After traveling for so long, hunting down whatever demons crossed my path… I can’t imagine how much my folks have missed me.” He sighed, bracing himself to enter the tavern. ”…welp. Might as well head inside.”

Pausing as she looked up at the sign, she took a moment to appreciate the design - roses happened to be a favorite of hers, next to hibiscus. She glanced towards Toby as he spoke, registering his words. Demons, huh? She wouldn't ask too much, not yet.

" I take it you're close to them, then? "

Honey gaze lingered to his smile, and her own spread across her face. Seeing him seemingly finding comfort in the place made her feel somewhat at peace. She'd take the lead, stepping through the doors of the tavern as she slipped her wallet out of her pocket. It was a simple black wallet, with one of those wristlets attached - which she'd slip over her hand as to not drop it as she looked around.

tobys-multiverse-official

Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

tobys-multiverse-official

The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

tobys-multiverse-official

”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

tobys-multiverse-official

“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

tobys-multiverse-official

Toby tried to look away, trying to play it off as nothing too major, but a small smile crept its way onto his face. It was undeniable that for whatever reason, he was grateful to be spending time with someone who didn’t see him as a threat.

”…It’s no problem. This is the least I can do.” The man’s crimson eyes filled with warmth, glowing like embers that still had the chance to spark to life once more. Bitter as he may be perceived, he was genuinely a friendly person who merely hid behind a hardened shell to prevent himself from getting hurt by individuals who may or may not have the best intentions.

“The restaurant’s nearby. I can already smell the food. Judging from the sound of music in the air, it’s busy. My kind of crowd. Fellow demon hunters, magic users, vigilantes, weaponsmiths, vendors, et cetera.”

" Hah, guess i'll somewhat fit in then. "

Wasn't particularly sure what criteria she would have fallen under — vigilante, most likely? But it was comforting to know that she wasn't alone in the matter. It was a struggle to fit in these days, she felt nostalgic for the normalcy of her childhood and envy for those around her that lived peaceful lives.

The smell would hit her nostrils, and she felt a comfort wash over her. Her hand reached for the pocket of her jeans, patting it lightly to make sure that her wallet was there, following the sound of the music. Hopefully the place wouldn't be too crowded, she didn't particularly like being in crowded spaces.

" It'll be nice to have something cooked. I've never exactly been a very good chef. My son made that very clear to me. "

A faint, amused smile as she stated that, and she'd be getting her wallet out of her pocket.

baby i could treat you so good you just have to get past my strange and off-putting demeanor and my kubrick stare and my inability to behave like a human and the 40 layers of icy fortress walls i have up and answer my riddles three

// OOC //

revamped diana's avatar in zepeto, featuring my self insert at the bottom lmao

#ooc #oc images

daddy i’ll be honest kitten has killed before and will kill again

tobys-multiverse-official

Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

tobys-multiverse-official

The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

tobys-multiverse-official

”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

tobys-multiverse-official

“Their buffalo wings are really good, so I usually start off with those. Sometimes I’ll even go for the teriyaki steak, ‘cause it’s more tender there than anywhere else.” Toby seemed to smile, if only for a little bit. “…Only thing there that I don’t recommend is the burgers. It’s hard to finish ‘em since they’re so huge, and I usually have to end up taking them home. Not saying that they’re poor-quality burgers, but I wouldn’t recommend getting something that you’re not going to finish in one sitting.”

The swordsman wasn’t usually one for conversation, given the usual cold demeanor that he gave everyone and, judging from the scars, what could only be described as a brutal past with a LOT of trauma… But he seemed to be letting down whatever walls he’d built around himself while talking with Diana. The way his shoulders relaxed, the way he didn’t seem too skittish or defensive… He was able to let his guard down long enough to ensure Diana that he was willing to talk as long as she needed him to do so.

She listened as the other spoke, noting the way that his posture seemed to relax as he spoke. It may not have seemed like a massive detail, but she was happy that he felt comfortable enough around her that he could let his guard down like that.

" I'll probably try one of those, then. I love teriyaki, so I may go with the steak. "

She'd decide for sure once she was actually there, most likely. She fell silent after that for a long moment, although it wasn't an awkward one. For her, it was comfortable. She had a hard time making conversation with people at times.

" I appreciate it. "

Pierced lips formed into a faint smile of appreciation.

tobys-multiverse-official

Carrying a rough looking map, the woman had been struggling to make sense of it — various scribbles and illegible words decorating it with Sharpie, as though she had been carefully in search for something.

Her frustration had been getting the best of her, her phone had been charging on a power bank in her backpack, so instead of trying to pull up a GPS, she'd walk up behind the nearest person that she saw.

" Excuse me? Sorry. I think I've taken a wrong turn. Or two. Or three. Would you mind helping me a bit? "

The swordsman before the young woman tilted his head to the side calmly, crimson eyes glowing behind the metal mask over his face. He didn’t seem hostile, but his appearance… Anyone could easily tell that he was a former assassin. He was too intimidating to be anything else.

And yet… He sounded so gentle and calm, like an autumn breeze right before sunset, with the scent of firewood, cinnamon, old books, motor oil, hot metal and leather.

”…Sure. I think I can help out a bit. Where are you headed to? I think I can be of at least some substantial use.”

" I appreciate it. "

Lips formed a small appreciative smile, soft brown gaze finally taking in the swordsmans features — especially the mask. She wasn't one to judge. She didn't have a pretty past either.

Smoothing out the map, Diana would carefully tap on a spot marked out on it. Seemed like she was looking for a gas station.

" This place? Or . . . anywhere that has semi - decent food that isn't too far? "

Ironically enough, this was likely the most normal interaction that she had with anyone in ages. She took a moment to catch her breath, wiping some sweat off of her forehead as she carefully watched the other.

tobys-multiverse-official

The swordsman thought for a moment, lowering the hood of his coat. His brown hair, streaked with red, was neatly tied back into a singular braid, running down his back. Looking at Diana again, he cleared his throat.

“…I can take you to a restaurant I frequently visit. It’s the closest thing to where we are now. They mostly sell bar food, but it’s high quality for a decent price. It isn’t horribly expensive, nor is it dirt-cheap. And at least it’s better than eating fast food from a cheap, suspicious-looking drive-thru or some of the even lower-quality crap from gas station vendors.”

" I'll take it. It sounds more appetizing, anyways. "

She nodded her head, carefully folding the map and slipping it into her pocket. She brushed her choppy black bangs away from her face, hands then finding themselves in the pockets of her black jeans.

" I appreciate it. My name's Diana, by the way. "

She figured she should at least give her name. A sweet, chocolate - like smell with notes of cherry seemed to follow her, likely whatever perfume it was that she wore. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was definitely there.

tobys-multiverse-official

”…I’m Tobias. Tobias Foster. You can call me Toby, though. All my friends do.” The swordsman ran his left hand through his hair, smoothing out his curtain bangs before lowering it back to his side. “My enemies call me Revenant if they know what’s good for them.”

Toby huffed before removing his mask. His face bore a vertical scar running down the right side of his face from just above his right eyebrow down to his right cheekbone, and the left side of his mouth bore a decent-sized, jagged scar that revealed razor-sharp teeth (whether his teeth were naturally like that or were sharpened by his request was a mystery nobody was willing to solve). His eyes were an unnatural shade of crimson, matching the red streaks in his hair. He had heavy bags under his eyes, presumably from a lack of proper sleep and a long list of nightmares that he’d have liked to stay dead and buried, and he had a 5-o’clock shadow that gave him the appearance of a tired father. His skin was a muted tan color, giving him an almost half-dead appearance.

“…We should get moving,” Toby stated bluntly. “Can’t have either of us dying of hunger out here. Or dying in general.” The last line hung heavy in the air as if the temperature had just dropped, the notions of those chilling words just as cryptic as anyone could’ve ever made it. Judging from Toby’s no-bullshit demeanor, he was not going to elaborate.

Her honey gaze lingered over the scars with curiosity, although she didn't stare - shifting her gaze to the surrounding area one last time. She pulled her hands out of her pockets to adjust the straps of her backpack one last time, giving a small nod of her head.

Her expression remained pretty neutral most of the conversation, her tone of voice and eyes carried more emotion than her face did. She was fairly soft spoken when she wasn't hostile.

" Yeah, we should get going. "

She would etch his name into her brain so she wouldn't forget it, but she'd likely remember it anyways — he stood out from most of the people she had met so far.

The majority of her scars came from fighting, although the worst visible ones had been concealed with damn good makeup or with her clothes. Mainly to prevent nosy strangers from asking about them, especially while she was at work.

" You said that you go to this restaurant frequently, yeah? What do you usually get? "

She asked, partially to fill the silence as she took a few steps, the sounds of her worn combat boots against the ground seeming loud to her ears. She wasn't exactly wearing anything out of the ordinary. Worn out shoes, black jeans and an old black tank top. Her arms were fairly toned giving the amount of training that she had to do in the past, and that she had to recently pick back up on.

🕸 DIANA 🕷 @bl00dcrys - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag