Day 27: Sun Room (4th Shift)

[hajike_tobiume]

Momo's mind was turning over all the possibilities surrounding this "field trip" to the surrounding town when she settled down in the corner of the Sun Room away from the Arts & Crafts room. She curled her legs underneath her as she waited for Shouko-san to find her. The shinigami had no idea what she looked like, so she kept an eye on all those

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[broken_exorcist]

So not just Rinali, but now Kanda was here too? It was good that they could work as a team now, but what of the people back home? Were they still doing alright? Had anyone managed to find Cross? He would be a big help if they could actually find him. Then again, maybe he was stuck here too. Allen repressed a shudder. He had no desire to meet up with that man anytime soon.

He'd had a long day, honestly, after dealing with Rhode and then a surprise visit from Rinali. Though the message board hadn't helped. Rhode was all riled up now, he was sure, and had found more than a few other strange people that shared her tastes. He couldn't say it made him very happy, but there wasn't a whole lot he could do about it.

He found a seat, however, and waited for the others to arrive.

[a short hello from alu and then meeting with the Exorcists]

[madvampireking]

The scant bits of scent in the notes were all that he could use to track this 'Allen' down, but at least his intended prey wasn't trying to hide. It was slightly difficult at first, but the vampire managed to pin down the other's location. He entered the sun room, pausing at some point near the doors to scent the air.

Aha.

Smirking, he made his way over to where Allen was seated. This was going to be fun.

[broken_exorcist]

Allen had expected to meet up with Rinali, Ravi, or even Kanda this hour. He hadn't expected the gangly man that now towered above him. "C-can I help you?" he stammered. This wasn't one of the people from the message boards, was it? He was huge!

[madvampireking]

Alucard stood still, standing and looming over the little boy for a few quiet moments. Well, he wasn't surprised to find a child before him, after all, Rhode had expressed a bit of a love interest for him -and Rhode herself was a little girl-. And the boy looked quite frightened. Excellent.

"Remember how I said I would find you?" he grinned, finally speaking up, seeming ridiculously happy.

"I'm A. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

[broken_exorcist]

He oughtn't have been surprised that this man registered as an Akuma. His left eye darkened, the iris turning a bright, glowing red once again. Was that what the A was for? Akuma? It would explain the bloodlust. Allen steeled his nerves, though it was difficult to keep hold of them. His expression darkened slightly as he stood, frowning up at the man. Even standing, this "A" person still had at least a good couple of feet on him!

"Akuma..." he said the first word quietly, not sure if he believed it. "What do you want with me? I may not look it, but I'm an Exorcist. I'll... I'll fight you if I have to..."

[madvampireking]

He watched, interested as one of Allen's eyes seemed to change colour. This was something he had never seen before! Or at least anyone else with glowing, iridescent eyes. Then he had that slight...feeling, that tingling which told him that something rather odd was happening, as if Allen's left eye was staring right into him, and then that feeling was gone.

"I'm not an 'Akuma', I'm a vampire," he replied in a condescending tone, arms folded. "And you look a little too young to be a fully-fledged priest, let alone an exorcist. You seem more like an altar boy to me."

[broken_exorcist]

Vampires weren't supposed to be real. This Akuma... it looked like there was not just one, but many souls trapped inside him. Allen's left arm twitched instinctively. The Innocence in his hand wanted him to destroy this monster. To set those souls free. He knew though, that right now, he'd barely the strength to stand, let alone deal with this.

He drew himself up to his full height of just barely over five feet, doing his best to look intimidating. An Altar boy?! "I'm sixteen!" he replied with a frown. "Besides that, we're under jurisdiction from the Vatican, but we don't work in the same capacity. I assure you that I am a fully qualified Exorcist."

[boot_i_licious]

The rush as people were herded from shift to shift made it difficult to keep sight of Allen, and she still hadn't caught sight of Ravi, except for a post he had left on the bulletin board. And Kanda was here, too? She wondered how many more exorcists were going to be trapped here.

She caught sight of Allen, talking with another man. She couldn't tell what, but something was obviously wrong with him from the way Allen was staring at him. The other man didn't seem particularly amused with Allen, either. Deciding it best to be there and lend support to Allen in case something happened, she approached and stood next to Allen. "Who's your friend, Allen?" she asked, not sure if 'friend' was the best term, given the situation. The man was huge and imposing, but she refused to be intimidated, especially when she didn't know what was going on yet.

[madvampireking]

Now this was interesting, little boys who claimed to be priests. And this one looked like he wanted to hit him too, judging by how his arm seemed to twitch a little. Alucard stood ready to block any incoming blows, arms hanging at his side. But what was an Akuma? He had never heard this term being thrown around before.

The vampire simply grinned, baring a row of razor sharp teeth. "The Vatican is enlisting mere children to do its work now?" he chuckled. Oh, what would Anderson have to say about this. "What's an Akuma? And is there a whole branch of little children who are 'exorcists' then?" he asked, turning around when yet another child -a girl this time- approached them.

"And are you an exorcist too?"

[broken_exorcist]

"I'm not a child," Allen said with a frown. He took a half-step forward, standing somewhat protectively in front of Rinali. He turned his head slightly to answer her, but didn't move his eyes from the Akuma.

"Akuma," Allen hissed under his breath. "But he claims he's some kind of vampire."

"She's none of your concern," Allen said firmly, his will to stand much greater than his ability. It compensated for the difference, at least for the moment. "Akuma, walking dead. Borrowed bodies that aren't even real. There are... souls trapped inside."

"The Order takes any who are accomodators for the Innocence. They could be any age. The Innocence chooses its master."

[boot_i_licious]

Rinali frowned and took a step back instinctively. It was nice to have Allen try to protect her, but not at the expense of his own health. "Allen," she whispered back. "It's ok, I can take care of myself."

She didn't bother responding to the Akuma, but instead watched him carefully. Neither she nor Allen were in any condition to take on even a level 1 Akuma, and this man had to be at least level two...but possibly level 3 judging by his very human-like albeit large size. Their only hope was that the Akuma was just as weakened as they were, and under the control of the nurse-staff.

Time would tell.

[madvampireking]

Alright, so there was some similarity between an 'Akuma' and himself. Perhaps those creatures were vampires or some sort? There were a wide variety of monsters in the world after all. "I assure you my body is my own. Though yes , I absorb other's lives into me," he replied in a mock-friendly gesture, arms open with the very same grin still plastered on his face.

But still, he had never heard of a Vatican branch employing 'Innocence', or at least people wielding it. The way Allen explained it, the 'Innocence' must've been some sort of weapon used against 'Akuma'. All foreign terms to him. Maybe these two were from another realm? There had been some talk about such before, and it was getting easier and easier to believe, a most unnerving prospect.

"Come now, are we really going to fight?" he chortled at the girl. As if they were in any shape to take him on in the first place. "I promised to meet up with him on the bulletin board, and that is what I intend to do." The vampire's grin became predatory. "I've already fed last night."

[broken_exorcist]

The man's explanation didn't leave Allen feeling much better. Absorbing the souls of others was worse if anything! It gave him the chills, thinking of how many must be trapped within him.

In spite of Rinali's brave words, she didn't have her Innocence with her. It wouldn't make sense to put her in danger with no weapon. "And now we've met. If there's nothing further, I really think you should leave," Allen said as calmly as he could.

[boot_i_licious]

Rinali shook her head at the Akuma's taunts, but didn't answer. She couldn't think of a response that wouldn't serve to worsen the situation. Besides, Allen had said it all. He was remaining as calm as possible given the circumstances...they were face to face with an Akuma. And he was grinning at them...it was decidedly not a friendly grin. She couldn't help but feel like prey before the predator, and she didn't like it. Hopefully he'd listen to Allen and leave.

[madvampireking]

Well, Allen did have a point. They had met, spoken, and exchanged less-than-friendly words with each other. What they thought about vampires or Akuma wasn't of too much importance, since they didn't even look fit enough to defend themselves.

"True, and I have other matters to attend to anyway," he replied airily, turning to leave. Now to see if they would try jumping him while he had his back to them. Alucard secretly hoped they would. It would be so much fun!

[broken_exorcist]

Allen watched the man leave, unable to relax until he was out of sight. Once he was no longer a threat, Allen all but collapsed into his seat. Today had been a terribly long day and he was still exhausted, but there was more to be done. Ravi and Kanda would probably be coming along shortly if they'd got the message.

"Sorry about that," Allen apologized. He didn't know what else to say. If he'd had his full strength with him, he'd have dispatched a terrible Akuma like that in no time. But now it was probably going to continue threatening people, "feeding," whatever that was, but hopefully he wouldn't be able to take any more souls. Worse was the thought that Rhode might have made a friend of that man.