♔ ℚ u e e n.

Unsure of whether to believe such a twisted, questioning story or not, Sebastian simply shrugged his shoulders, rolling the weighty wave of doubts from his conscience like brittle stones to save her and himself further intricacies. Of course his curiosity wouldn’t die just like that but maybe … this conversation needed a little more loosening before things such as these could be discussed. At least that’s what he believed.

Canted his head and fixated his embers onto her small and slim figure before him. She’s talented in throwing in a change of subject, certainly.

‘ I suppose … ? Like I said, I wouldn’t wear them on an every-day occasion but they’re a nice eyeturner anyway. So, what kind of ‘special occasion’ is it, if you don’t mind me asking? ’

A sigh forced itself along her pharynx and out of her mouth once the man decided to let it rest for now. She seriously had no idea what else to answer anyway concerning her outlandish eye color. It's just ... the way it is, simple as that. It's the same with her powers, she sometimes had under absolute and perfect control and sometimes not. But people shouldn't go and judge a book by its cover because, if there's something Kat always hated and also feared the most was being pushed away, despised due to her true nature. Shifters weren't popular around this area. She could tell.

"Mhm, you're right. I wouldn't recommend them on a normal job anyway. A-and, well ... it's the day of ... uhm ..."

She bit her lip, frantically searching for just anything that'd serve as an explanation to her odd situation. But what could possibly be reason enough to wear reddish colored lenses? She seriously had no idea -- well, until it finally came to her ...

" -- the day to celebrate the existence of albinos.Yes. You know, because of their ... eyes. We should all be glad about it and appreciate their company."

Not quite the usual sort of shade he’s acquainted with when it comes to eye colors but then, again, there were things and mysteries in this world remaining unsolved for the simple mind and intellect of a human being to explain. She could be an albino just as well, her skin mildly chocolaty tanned instead of wintery white as snow, but with eyes as bright as the most furious fire. She reminded him of this one boy he’d once seen — white hair, pale skin, as unytpical as the singing of a bird during a wintery morning. So, what could her secret be? Lenses, really? Is that just about it? Sebastian wondered …

‘ They seem … unnatural, yet interesting. Somehow special. Nothing I’d wear in everyday life, however. ’

An awkward smile was offered and the wipe of a single strand of hair followed, a hand brushing them aside. Of course they seemed unnatural and weird, because ... that's what they were. However, Kat tried to take it as it was and swallowed the shame she felt, somehow hoping that they'd change the subject soon before things may get all the more weird.

"Y-yes, I know. I only wear them on special occasion's myself so ... I fully understand. It's a nice variance from normaly, don't you agree?"

♔ : only the strongest will survive

whitexdevil

Pinching the cushion of the juddery, infirm seeming construction of a couch three ‘til four times, Raiden decided to carefully plant himself onto the left end anyway, the wood and padding sighing laborious when he inched to the arm rest to prop his head on top of his palm there, cold, vigilant eye sticking to the frame of the younger one unyieldingly like she’d be the very center of everything that ever piqued his interest in life. He knew that his own appearance probably seemed more than just intimidating and irreal, like a factious, bad being arisen from a similarly bad science-fiction movie. She, on the other hand, didn’t seem all too normal, either. There was something about her he couldn’t quite put into words, not even closely lay a finger on to specifiy. Unworldly maybe? Magically inscrutable and something more than human? He battered his eye a few times, shallowly sighed over his own, ludicrous thoughts, however. Maybe [ he ] was the one spending too much time in front of a TV, watching sci-fi shit and other absurd monster movies. It’d explain his questionable set of mind — but then, again, when did anything ever make sense coming from him? Sometimes, he couldn’t even figure his own actions out himself and that’s a terribly sad fact to admit for sure.

Lifting his palm to wave it in a theatrical fashion, Raiden insinuated a shrug, his lids dropping shut for the time being. He wouldn’t necessarily have to see his sorroundings with his optics straightway. It’s enough to sense and hear it just as much, to draw a silent, ghostly picture of it all so he’d be able to relive it within the back of his mind without restraint. It’s not a secret that a cyborg’s senses were razor-sharp and permanently intact. If she’d start to sneak up on him and start a surprising attack, he’d know — accurate to the point. He highly doubted she’d try something so stupid and reckless on him, though. It’d only diminish her chances at winning during the battles and make her look like a cheating fool. “Didn’t say I would. I was merely … curious, wondering how such a fragile being such as yourself could possibly survive someone twice your size.”, came his uninflected, somehow unreal sounding voice, single sharp nail scratching faintly along the curves and lines of the couch’s trimming. He forced the material to hiss in pain shortly, relocated his heavy weight from the left to the right then before speaking out to her again. Something between a slight spark of [ concern ] and perverse g l e e. “I’ve seen some of the other competitors on my way here, and none of them seemed like the kind of guy you’d like to catch in a lone, dark street alley. You sure you wanna stay and risk a few ouchies? You could still back out.”

He’d never underestimate an opponent — he had done such stupid mistakes more than once in his youth, even a few years ago. But not anymore. The lesson’s been learned, if the hard, cruel and utterly painful way. But those mostly tend to be the only real helpful and defining ones you will not forget so easily. Harsh, yet efficient. Just the way a lecture should be, huh? Somehow, he’s sure that she’ll not agree and realize, how awfully misplaced she was but, stubborn as she seemed, hold firm onto the slight spark of hope and conviction nevertheless. She’ll learn soon enough … how fragile such feelings could turn out to be, how easily they could crumble away and slip from ones grasp like sand.

#whitexdevil #♔ ;; ic.#;verse: PS:ASBR #♔ ;; only the strongest will survive

Twitching her head faintly to the side, Kat still did not leave her sight of the robotic man and his quirky constellated body, or whatever it was now, next to her, scrutinized him like some sort of exotic being from another island. He seemed so awkwardly out of place, the way he had placed himself into the couch and how the cushion had shifted and squeaked beneath his weight -- like a sardine squished into a way too narrow tin. It almost made her chuckle, but definitely painted a shallow smile onto her mild glossy lips. He sure knew how to handle a woman decently, huh? Kat wasn't here to make herself some new enemies because truly, she was a child of peace and harmony. The way he talked and underestimated her powers, however, she could barely tolerate. Pursing her lips a little, the shifter 'tch'd' at the sound of his voice and his uttered words and folded her arms smoothly, rolling fiery eyes in a swift circle. Did he really believe she hadn't seen some of the other guys already? Well, not personally and especially not physically but, still. She knew very well about the other tournament members.

"I know. I've seen a few on my way here, didn't really get the chance to talk to them, however. They may seem big and strong -- but I've got different qualities to show. My prowess runs far deeper than mere looks. Don't get deluded by them", she spoke in a fairly calm and nice demeanor, although inwardly, her fretful temper seethed like a vulcano. She's not one to lose it easily and quick but in that case, he did a whole lot to stir her burning anger all the more. Moistening her lips in a frantic fashion, the blonde cracked her knuckles and stepped closer now, her heels clicking over the boarding beneath in smooth, almost silent tones.

"Listen, I'm not trying to make enemies around here but, as far as I can judge, you're about to make yourself one pretty fast if you keep up your oh so confident show. I will not back out, if you like it or not. And once the battles begin, we'll see who's truly superior." And that's all she wnated to let him know before another turn was offered and her back faced him now.

He could go and rip another, stupid joke that actually isn’t the least bit funny because, whenever Seb tried to make someone chuckle, everything backfired and turned to greater shit. Or nobody really knew how to react, nor to receive his lugubrious nonsense. So instead, he went with something else : The truth. And his own curiosity.

‘ Are those chromatic contact lenses you’re wearing there, young lady or is my mind playing tricks on me? ’

His words had caused those fiery eyes to widen immediately, until she turned to avoid any further visual contact between both of them. She knew her appearance didn't match the ordinary every average human being showed -- but, to be honest, she had no idea why nature gave her this special look instead of something normal. Never thought about it, either. It's a part of her, after all. Like a cat owning a tail. Though, what to say now? How could she react to avoid that things may escalate?

"I ... uhm -- yes. Do you ... like them?"

‘ You know, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you … ’

Blinking her crimson eyes, Kat stepped closer with brisk little steps, canting her head at the man's statement.

"Oh? Really? What is it you want to know?"

♔ : only the strongest will survive

whitexdevil

The stain of crimson shaded irids burned mercilessly through the layers of bulky slick steel that enfolded eighty percent of his somatic appearance when he turned his back on her, if just for a moment. [ some sort of replacement, you could say, he got bestowed with after experiencing the most tragic and physically, such as mentally crippling circumstances of all time; A bloody ordeal, consisting of torture, pain and artificial selection in a wide-awake state over several weeks and months, day in, day out. Nothing but the smell of cold metal, strongly biting antiseptics and the cloying coppery stench of blood coupled with his own anxious screams — those were the strongest of memories he still shared from those days. And many, many more. All horrific of equal value, and everything he wanted to forget and rip out of his remembrance if he only could for good. ] Although he didn’t see her right now, the brand of curiosity was clearly present, jumbling his circuits up and straining his crawling bionic tissues within. He didn’t mind questions, not anymore. When faced with something almost daily, you automatically start to get used to it, willingly or not. The only thing he still couldn’t stand for the hell of it, was the staring, those silent judgements people fling around like [ drilling bullets ] very keen. It’s not like he ever had a choice, both concerning his appearance and his past. But what’s done … is done and can’t be redesigned. He can only try and make it better for the extant time of his life.

Sharp digits that resembled an eagles murdering tools began to caress and draw long the wooden rim of a couch that looked rather old-fashioned, an old remnant and piece of greek history maybe. He didn’t really care, though. It didn’t do much to look inviting but rather deterrent, the cushion that’s ripped down beneath the wooden build showing signs of scratch marks and cut open polyester. It wasn’t him though. With these claw-like hands, he’d indeed be able to peel even the sturdiest of metallic layers down within a well-aimed strike and shatter mirrors and glass of the finest and severe form. Despite his powers, however, Raiden was by no means a superhero, nor the [ perfect ] soldier he used to think he was back then, when shit started to swell up at the Big Shell. VR missions and trainings like these weren’t very lauding, nor something to be proud of. He knew now that it’s been nothing but a first try and step towards the gates of ‘mind control’. And remembering the circumstances, it showed some affects on him. And if it hadn’t been Snake pointing him into the right direction and thinning out the fog, he’d be a lost soul by now. More than he ever used to be. His memories brought a sigh to partly dead lips, cerulean eye skidding sidewards when she spoke up, soft feminine syllables fulfilling the air and banishing the silence which had occurred all so suddenly. Her first tournament, huh? She didn’t really seem like a fighter to him, not by a long shot. However, a first impression could always prove to be [ fallacious ]. Maybe she had more up her sleeve than firstly expected.

He’d see, eventually. If they’d be both strong and persistent enough to make it to the final rounds. Shifting his heavy hold to face her anew, Raiden looked her in the eyes while his arm supported him against the back rest of the tacky looking couch, a calm and silent settlement of inward thoughts when he scrutinized her for the wink of a moment. “I don’t mind a talk. It’s not like we’ve got much options to kill some time left anyway.” A brief pause followed, his tongue flicking rather sharply behind the skully jaw that shone coldly amidst the dim light of the room. “— You sure you’re ready for this, though? Don’t get me the wrong way but you don’t really look like a pro fighter to me.”

It’s safe to say that he could stand a lot more pain and damage than she would, obviously. That, however, is a pure and plain p h y s i c a l thing because Raiden was practically on the inside track. Except she possessed some sort of trick to compensate for her disadvantage.