Friends are useless

"I'll survive, no matter what... so I can be stronger than anyone." Keita Wakui RP blog affiliated with Sleepy Hollow Sidebar Image

[royalflare]

of dusty tomes and closed doors || open

How long has it been since she’s woken up in that field? She doesn’t know, doesn’t care, not when she’s been distracted by the beauty of an entire new library to tame and to make hers.

She doesn’t remember much, really, just snatches of a great library in her dreams and the occasional flash of inspiration when she tries to work magic that leaves her coughing and gasping for air as the power sends her frail body into overload.

he small library she’s claimed as her home is still filled with signs of neglect, dead animals (and sometime their skeletons) lying on the floor amidst creeping vines that she tried to burn down at first but took to mostly ignoring after the second fire spell sent her into a coughing fit and nearly burnt down a bookshelf instead.

There are live animals, too, small rodents and bugs and reptiles that she can live with as long as they leave her and the books alone. She should clean the library up, really, but physical activity of any kind was never really her forte given her weak constitution.

She carries with her always the thick tome that lay next to her when she awoke, its pages filled with writings in languages that she can’t read but knows she once could and it frustrates her to no end. Still, the number of books that she can read in this library is large enough that she rarely ventures out of it, mostly leaving for food and drink when she remembers and staying curled up in a corner reading otherwise.

It seems that the townsfolk have all but forgotten the presence of this library, and so it startles her when one day she hears the old door creaking open and footsteps approaching.

Curious, she carefully shuts the book she’s reading and stands up to greet her library’s first visitor. “Hello.”

[southernberserker]

Keita had been spending his new unlimited free time walking around Sleepy Hollow. He didn’t have anything else to do; he didn’t feel safe enough to loosen up and train or nap. To tell the truth, he was bored out of his mind. Keita wished this place wasn’t so eerie.

Therefore, since he was so bored, Keita had been looking into buildings and windows in search of something to do. He ended up finding himself in a weird library, which was the last place Keita would have ever gone. Despite the lack of a lot of memories, Keita was aware that he was definitely not the reading type.

He really did prefer hitting to reading. It was less…boring.

But something about this library made it seem as odd and eerie as the rest of the town, so Keita couldn’t help but walk further in. It was nearly empty, save for a girl who looked to be about Keita’s age; maybe even younger.

As soon as she noticed he was there, she got up to greet him. She was…definitely weird, Keita thought to himself. He wasn’t sure if he was willing enough to talk to her.

“…Yo. What’s up with this place? Don’t libraries usually have…I dunno, people?”

[southernberserker]

[Open]

[tyranthotsuin]

There was simply that connection which could be felt while looking at the other and listening to their voice. It seemed that they felt the same way too. Perhaps they also had memories which were in fragments; unable to be pieced together the way they were now.  No matter… Yamato had a feeling that these things would solve themselves somehow. Right now, they best thing they could do was to talk things out. There was a chance that doing so could bring up some important memories which were missing. 

"I see."

By instinct, it certainly didn’t feel like the first time Yamato had talked with the other. They had seemingly just met, but it felt it they had always known each other. When had they met? That memory, it was somewhat becoming clear. Demons, or so that they were called were somehow involved too. There seemed to be a process in order to summon them. It was with…

Yamato was snapped out of his thoughts by the other’s question. He was so close to coming to a conclusion, but became distracted with how to answer the stranger. Although the term “demon tamer” did seem to ring a bell. 

"I’m Yamato. As for being a demon tamer, I’m not sure about that.."

A cellphone. That was it; the key to summoning a demon. Yamato quickly scrambled into his pocket for his cell phone. Following his instinct, he clicked about until he got to the ever so familiar screen of the demon summoning app. 

"I found i-"

Caught in his excitement, Yamato had accidentally pressed a button on his cell phone. Soon after it began to light up, and a figure began to take form, standing in a ring of light in front of them. The light cleared away a second later, and in its place was a large beast, which let out a ferocious roar. Yamato found that the name of the beast immediately came to his mind. 

"Cerberus!" 

[southernberserker]

Yamato.

The name had a familiar ring to it…as if it was someone important. Keita did seem to get a feeling of authority from this Yamato guy. Somehow it was very irritating.

Keita was about to introduce himself, as maybe it would help Yamato remember more about him, when a ring of light shone in Keita’s vision. As soon as Keita blinked, the light had faded and a beast had appeared. The beast was definitely a demon, Keita was sure of it. But this demon, like its tamer, was so god damn familiar to Keita.

“Shit…!”

With the way this ‘Cerberus’, as Yamato called it, was roaring…it was almost as if it saw Keita as an enemy. While he couldn’t be sure, Keita raised his fists up and prepared to be attacked at any moment. He slowly brought out his own phone, without taking his eyes off of Yamato and Cerberus, and opened the Demon Summoning App.

The layout was still familiar to Keita. This he had not forgotten, at least. Though, it did seem like the only demon he had was Berserker. That was strange…had something happened to the other demons Keita had gotten? Either way, Keita couldn’t afford to risk getting injured by some guy who seemed to have no idea what a demon tamer was.

It wasn’t like Keita wanted to fight here when he still had no idea where he was. He wasn’t really going to have a choice if there was some chance Yamato didn’t know how to control his demon though. Keita quickly pressed Berserker’s icon on his phone and watched as the demon appeared in front of him, positioning itself in front of Keita and Cerberus.

“So you’ve got a Cerberus, huh? Know how to control that thing? Because to me it looks like it’s going to eat everything it fucking sees.

[southernberserker]

[Open]

[auxiliarystar]

"Oh? I was not aware that there are designated spaces for breathing. Oxygen is available in abundance and does not vary much over the generational timespan of humans, and as a gas, would not deplete so quickly in an open space. Nevertheless, I apologize for occupying it."

It’s not like he needed to breathe anyway.

"…Am I weird?" That wasn’t something he was told everyday (but he wasn’t told a lot of things everyday). "I am sorry if it inconveniences you. Many individuals have indeed come to settle in this place, and I suppose some could be considered unconventional to a human, yes. Unfortunately, I have little else to tell you. My stay here spans only to the recent past; perhaps a period of two weeks by your reckoning."

He continued to stare down at Keita—his eyes were just drawn to the vibrant light his being exuded. Not exactly the brightest, but still bright. This boy clearly would have made an impact on the world, wherever that world may have been.

"But do humans not require some sort of homestead? There are occasions when the weather would be considered unpleasant by your standards. If I am not mistaken, you should have a reservation to your name in one of the inns here. Is that not the case?" 

"I will guide you to them if necessary: I am headed there as well, regardless."

[southernberserker]

Keita could feel his patience withering away as Alcor went on about how oxygen worked. While he himself didn’t care much for understanding language—and just about anything that had to do with academics, really, Keita just couldn’t believe how…detached this guy seemed to be about casual sayings and such.

“Sure…”

Keita wasn’t really sure how he was supposed to act around this man. How was he supposed to respond to any of this? He wanted to turn around and leave, but Alcor could possibly benefit him in finding out more about this town. Although Keita wanted to deny it, he had to admit that there was also something about Alcor’s presence that made Keita defensive and relaxed all at the same time. He didn’t think he’d be able to get his body to move.

After hearing about how Alcor also hadn’t been here long, Keita could feel his jaw clench. Had he wasted his time sticking around this guy when he could have just left and found someone else?

Keita exhaled through his nose in frustration. He supposed there was no point to getting angry now. He had no idea what Alcor was capable of, the man was definitely weird enough to have some kind of hidden strength. Keita didn’t think he had enough control over this situation to go and underestimate any possible enemies.

Alcor kept observing him. It was definitely freaky, but Keita didn’t want to back down against a threat. He kept his eyes to Alcor’s and refused to look away. Keita only blinked once Alcor started talking again.

As soon as Alcor mentioned the inns, Keita fished the scrap paper out of his pocket again. Keita could probably find the place himself, but he supposed this would give him a better chance to find out about the residents of this place. He needed to know if they were strong…stronger than him. He unfolded it and practically shoved it in Alcor’s face.

“I’m guessing this is where I’m stayin’. Let’s get going then. You’re not as weak as you look, are you? I sure as hell hope you can manage to walk there in one piece, at least.” 

[southernberserker]

[Open]

[tyranthotsuin]

Being in this situation was like a dream. Just yesterday, Yamato had found himself in an unknown place, being forced to wander about and follow the only lead he had- a slip of paper with an inn number on it. Sleepy Hollow, or so this place was called was an old town with an antique feel to it. Strange… Yamato was sure technology should be more advanced than what was seen here. If only he could remember clearly…

Speaking of technology, Yamato had found a cell phone when he was digging through his coat pocket a little while ago. It seemed to still be in good working condition, but what was the purpose of having a cell phone if there was no service here in the first place. A phone seems pretty useless when you can’t make any calls. Although, there were probably some clues about his lost memories hidden in the cell phone somewhere; photos, old texts, he should probably look into it later, but since there didn’t seem to be a way to recharge any electronics, it was better not to waste any battery. 

After giving the idea some thought, Yamato decided to return to the entrance of the town. There were so many questions to be asked. It felt necessary to return to the beginning in order to answer them all. Even if he wasn’t able to find anything, at least he would have the satisfaction of knowing that he had been there and that he’d tried. 

Somehow Yamato was able to make his way back to the entrance of the town without getting lost. Yesterday’s memories were also somewhat hazy. It was overwhelming trying to take in everything at once, but it was nice to know that he had a good sense of direction. While he was standing at the entrance lost in thought, Yamato didn’t notice the other who had walked straight into him. 

"Excuse me."

He wasn’t in the mood to argue with a stranger, especially with such little reason to. That would have been the case if Yamato hadn’t been so distracted with how familiar the other looked. It was as if Yamato had known him before…

"…. Have we met before?"

[southernberserker]

Keita glared harder as the other man regarded him with a cold look. In a way, he was pleased that this person hadn’t bothered to start a fight or, even worse, indulge in stupid small talk. However, as soon as Keita got a full view of the man’s face, his glare fell and was replaced by an expression of confusion.

The man seemed familiar, way too familiar for Keita to pass the feeling off as a strange coincidence. Judging from the look on the stranger’s face and his words, he was obviously feeling the same way. But…why couldn’t Keita piece together his memories of this person?

“I…maybe, I guess…”

Keita almost hit himself for faltering in front of this person, but he couldn’t help it. He was too busy trying to sort out the blurry memories he had of the man and didn’t have time to filter his words. Keita had definitely met this guy before. Even the man’s voice sounded familiar, which meant him and Keita had to have had a conversation together.

The thing was, Keita rarely talked to others. Even with the vague memories, he knew at least that much about himself. So, if he knew this man’s voice enough to recognize it now, he must have talked to this person a lot. Either that or the man could have been involved with Keita during the time demons had attacked. If that was the case, maybe the man knew something about where they were and how they got here, even if he couldn’t remember Keita exactly.

Keita supposed the only option he had was to question the man directly. He could just ask him a couple of questions and then go to this Inn 7, wherever it was. Though, Keita did wonder if he could still summon demons here. If this guy was a demon tamer like Keita thought, there was a chance Keita could try to bring out his demons without causing too much unnecessary trouble.

“Look, so…who the hell are you? Are you a demon tamer too?”

[southernberserker]

[Open]

[auxiliarystar]

"That is a name. You have given me a name."

Not exactly what he had been asking for, but it would do. Humans held their names in great esteem, from what he had observed. At least he would have something to call the boy. But even with that piece of information, the name rang no bells and left him just as in the dark as he had been before.

"Hm? Is it not courteous to look one in the eye when addressing them?"

Alcor didn’t relent with his own stare, though he straightened again so that their faces were not mere inches apart anymore. 

"Keita Wakui…" He said the name slowly, deliberately, as if testing its flow on his tongue. "It is curious. I feel as if I should know you. And yet, this is the first time that we have met… Or have we?" 

He stared at Keita’s face, as if searching for an answer. Perhaps there would be a spark of recognition in his eyes? Perhaps his presence here would explain the circumstances of his own arrival, of which he had no memory. Or perhaps they shared those circumstances. Perhaps this strange familiarity was a result of those strange circumstances—this whole strange world.

Well, dwelling on it wouldn’t answer any questions, and judging from the rather vacant look in Keita’s eye, he would get no answers. “No matter. I am called Alcor.” He tilted his head slightly as he regarded the younger. “I’ve not seen you in town before… Are you a new arrival?”

[southernberserker]

This guy was seriously strange. Keita wasn’t exactly sure what the man wanted from him if not his name. Did he expect Keita to give him his entire life story? Whatever the case, the odd man had backed off for now and was no longer standing so close.

“Uh, sure, but it’s not ‘courteous’ when you’re in my fucking breathing space.”

Keita took in the man’s face again and tried to search his memories for some kind of clue as to who he was. He could vaguely make out some of the man’s attributes in his mind; a wistful voice, odd black stripes, even a tall figure. However, the things Keita remembered didn’t necessarily belong to this man. Everything Keita could recall was too blurry for him to be certain of anything.

Keita met the man’s eyes with his own and opened his mouth slightly, as if he had something to say, but his thoughts were too jumbled up to get him anywhere. There was no point in busting his ass to find out why he knew this guy anyway. If he forgot, then that was that.

Keita looked away from the man just as he started to speak again. Apparently, his name was Alcor. An odd name to match an odd appearance, Keita remarked. Though he had told himself he wouldn’t dwell on trying to remember this Alcor guy any longer, Keita found himself trying to remember if he had heard the name before. It took him a couple of seconds to register that he had just been asked a question.

“Yeah, I guess I am. So, what’s the deal with this place? Is everyone here as freakin’ weird as you are?”

[southernberserker]

[Open]

[auxiliarystar]

Ah, he had flown around far too much again… Luckily, he had remembered these new bothersome limits before exhaustion set in completely and landed promptly, his shoes touching down onto the cobblestone near silently. He had attracted some attention—it was hard to imagine that a flying man wouldn’t—but he didn’t mind too much. 

"…"

But what to do now? He could head back to his inn, certainly, but it would be quite the walk… Well, something like that wouldn’t tire him out anyway, and it would be best to get used to using his legs as much as possible.

There was also the subject of the presence slowly approaching him, but Alcor didn’t think to move out of its path. If it was something harmful, Alcor still had enough in him to muster up a powerful Holy Dance. And if it was just another human, surely they would be able to walk around him or change course?

…Apparently not. Alcor turned to regard the stranger, and rather than the small stature or the spiky silver hair or the piercing steel eyes, the first thing he noted about him was his vast amount of potential, perhaps more than any human he had come across thus far.

"…My apologies," he said in response to the boy’s rather unfriendly snarl, but that did little to deter him from leaning closer—in fact, probably far too close for comfort for a human.

"Hm… You are…"

What was this feeling of familiarity? Alcor had not interacted with many humans before coming to Sleepy Hollow, and yet he felt like he should have known the boy standing before him.

"Who are you?"

[southernberserker]

Hm, so the stranger had apologized instead. Keita let his scowl fall and exhaled.

It was better this way, he thought. He’d rather be finding out more about his current situation than interacting with people. He especially didn’t want to get involved with this…odd looking man, to say the least. With his white hair and the somewhat dazed appearance on his face, Keita thought the man looked similar to something like a ghost.

Keita was never one for making small talk, especially not with strange people like this, so he decided it was best to leave.

That was, of course, before the stranger leaned in close enough for Keita to feel his breath on Keita’s face. Keita instinctively moved back. He wasn’t one for letting people get physically close to him.

The stranger seemed to be observing Keita, but Keita couldn’t think of a reason why. Maybe this man knew him somehow. It seemed to be the most likely conclusion, yet Keita couldn’t recall ever seeing a person like this before. He was sure he’d remember that pale face and those eyes with thicker eyelashes than Keita could have ever imagined possible. It could’ve been that this guy had been a fan of Keita when he was still being featured in boxing magazines, but Keita honestly felt that there was no way this man was human—he just seemed somehow…supernatural.

Well, whatever the case, the stranger certainly didn’t seem to know Keita’s name. Keita supposed there was no harm in introducing himself. After all, this person could have some worth. Keita could learn more about this Sleepy Hollow place.

“…Keita...Keita Wakui. Do you know me or something, or do you just stare everyone you meet down like that?”

Keita didn’t really want to ask the man for his name. Frankly, he didn’t care that much. It would be easier if the stranger could just tell Keita everything he knew and then leave, but Keita figured that kind of attitude wouldn’t be enough to get him any information.

“So, who’re you?” He asked in a harsher tone than he'd meant.

[southernberserker]

[Open]

A rush of air and the echo of a scream brought Keita out of a daze.

He had no idea how long he had been standing there, nor did he know where he was. Keita blinked rapidly in confusion and gently touched the back of his head with the tips of his fingers. His head was pounding as if he had hit it on something, yet Keita couldn't remember doing anything of the sort. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe deeply. As he did so, Keita’s headache slowly faded and soon, he was left feeling like it had never happened at all.

With his mind now cleared of any signs of pain, Keita looked around him. He seemed to be in the entrance of a town, one that appeared to be rather old. Old tiles with plants between the cracks made up the floor, and the sign read ‘Sleepy Hollow’.

It was all too weird, Keita thought to himself. He swore he had just been fighting…demons. He had been somewhere that looked more panicked and rundown than this. Not to mention, Keita couldn’t recall ever hearing about a place like this before. This certainly wasn’t his hometown as Keita’s home had been a lot more urbanized. Yet…Keita couldn’t quite remember his home either. He could remember bits and pieces of what it was like but he didn’t have a clear memory of it. All the stranger, Keita felt as though there had been someone with him back home, yet somehow he just couldn’t believe that he had been anything but alone.

Nonetheless, Keita decided that he could think more about these things later. For now, he supposed he should find out what he had on him. After patting himself down and checking his pockets, Keita ended up with his red cellphone in one hand —which, after a quick check, still had the Demon Summoning app installed—and a scrap paper in the other. There was only one thing written on the scrap paper; ‘Inn 7’. Was that where Keita was to be staying? Well if it was, he decided he might as well start looking for his new home—which he certainly hoped was temporary.

Keita shoved his hands in his pockets and entered the town. As he walked, he looked around at the town’s buildings, which seemed to all be constructed rather old fashioned. Keita let out a sigh. He wasn’t sure if he could get used to all this rural nonsense. Absorbed in his thoughts, Keita didn’t notice someone standing there and ended up bumping into them.

“Hey, watch—” Keita started. Though, after realizing that he was the one that bumped into…whoever this stranger was, Keita closed his mouth and glared instead. It wasn’t like he had to apologize. The person really shouldn’t have just been standing there in the first place.