[ Complete ] Strangers Like Me

[moralsintact]

Whom: Takuma [ sparklepiredesu ] and D [ moralsintact ]
Where: Ari Apartments, Marketplace
When: November 30th, night time
Summary: The Vampire and the vampire hunter meet! Not that they know that. Takuma feels a strange, but familiar presence in Ari Apartments. He goes out to find it, and ends up encountering D. How will the undercover vampire and the dhampir who doesn't even know he is one fair?
Warnings: None.


Takuma was finally settled somewhat into his apartment. Everything was unfamiliar, so new, even his existence seemed like it came out of nowhere. His legs were pulled up to his chest as he sat on the bed thinking about everything. No one knew how or why they were here and everyone was in the same boat as he was. No memories or some regained. What kind of memories would he have? They must be good for him to have such an optimistic point of view on things. Or were they so tragic that there was no other way but to look on the bright side.

Letting out a light sigh, he pushed a smile on his face and got to his feet. Well, there was no use sitting around and doing nothing. The night was young and he had just awakened.

What did he know....? His name was Takuma and he was a vampire. Other than that, he didn't know anything else. The only thing he knew about his vampire race was that he needed blood, the sun was bad, and sleeping at night. How often he needed to feed was unknown to him. Though...he was starting to get a strange burning sensation in his throat as if it were yearning for something. Water or juice didn't quench it, so it must have been...

He started to heave another sigh, but then paused in mid-breath. A scent...his nose, it was sensitive. It was different, though. Different from the people he met. It was like...him except a bit different from that, too. Not only did the scent pique his curiosity, but another sense tingled in the back of his mind. He couldn't place a finger on what he was sensing, but he needed to check it out.

Wandering from his room, barefoot and clothed in a simple pair of slacks and a button down shirt, the blond started to follow his senses where ever they were leading him.

D closed the door to his apartment on the fourth floor. The dark-haired man was light in his steps as he walked, even though his body was weighed down by the thick leather armor and cape--and his long sword as well.

It had been a couple of days since he had arrived--and now that the moon was out, D found himself wandering outside again. It was odd. He couldn't bring himself to sleep at night, as hard as he tried. And the day time always seemed to make him sleepy. So D found that his sleeping habits were much different than the other islanders on Memento Eden... and he wasn't sure why.

D didn't know he was a dhampir. Since his normal form was without fangs, when the other looked into the mirror, he had none. What was peculiar? Just the other night, he swore, while looking upon his reflection, he saw the bed behind him... through his body.

It could have been a trick on the eyes. He had been tired.

He was hungry. The Ari Apartments had cooks luckily, and he had eaten... but there was a constant nagging, like in the back of his throat. He was also confused. When he had went through the small amount of items he had arrived on the island with, he found a small bag of medicine pills--the capsule kind. They were white and red--and only a small handful of them. Maybe seven or so.

Did he take medication? Were they even his? D didn't know--so he had just kept them with him. Maybe the time would come and he would know.

But they smelled strange... just a little bit.

D wandered down the hallways, his dark sable hair fluttering behind him in gentle waves as he started down the staircase.

Takuma was also light on his feet. He had a grace about him that the humans here didn't. The grass bent only slightly to his weight when he walked outside. Was this another trait to being a vampire? Or was this...something that was special to him?

His senses pulled him to the stairwell, and he tiptoed down soundlessly, peeking around the corner every so often to see if what he was following was there. The scent was getting stronger and he couldn't stop himself now, he was far too intrigued with who or what was producing that scent. But at the same time, it seemed foreboding. There was an intimidating power behind the feeling he was getting in the atmosphere that a small part of him was whispering in the back of his mind not to get too close to, but that didn't matter. The curious part of him was much much louder than the small whisper.

Finally, he arrived to the source. He peeked around the corner of the wall, gazing at the tall man with inquisitive eyes.

The night air was crisp at this time of year. D had paused not too far away from the Ari Apartments, his lavender eyes hidden behind his long lashes lifted up towards the sky. The night time had welcomed him with open arms. It was one of the few things about the island so far he liked.

In a place where he knew nothing, however, D found himself wondering little about himself, other than how he even got there. The tall man let out a sigh, his eyes flitting over towards the scenery.

It was nice. D decided tonight was a good time to explore, definitely. However, as he stepped out towards the island, he could feel another presence. He paused, the ends of both his soft hair and his cape swishing due to the sudden halt.

The leather-clad man paused.

"...Who's there?"

The blond continued to peer at the dark-clad male even after he paused, jumping just slightly then went back completely behind the wall when he was suddenly called out. How did this person know he was there? He had been so sneaky. But then if they were alike, maybe he sensed or smelled him, too.

He then revealed himself slowly, almost like a child getting caught spying on their parents as they wrapped Christmas gifts. "It's Takuma...a new person here", he said in a friendly, yet soft tone of voice. The night time really was quiet around here.

He stood there straight, his posture perfect, but his hands nested against each other across his chest and his hands grasping either upper arm. This stance felt natural to him. Maybe the way he's stood most of the time before he got here.

"Yourself...?", he asked back, the curiosity obvious in his voice.

It was then an attractive young blond emerged from the other side of the wall. He was dressed in what looked to be nice clothing, even if they were more casual in nature. His green eyes stood out under the moonlit sky along with his feathery blond hair.

Takuma. He was new--so was D. He watched as the young man shifted in posture--his arms were crossed in front of him. Was he feeling vulnerable? Perhaps, since the dhampir did just call him out.

When Takuma had asked him about himself, D almost didn't answer. He didn't know who he was. No one else did either.

The gorgeous sable haired man would at least answer to the best of his ability.

"D."

As the man watched him, he got a better look at him. His physique was so defined and muscular under that skin-tight leather. His hair fit nicely around his face as it fell along his shoulders and back. He couldn't make out his eyes very well, but from the shadows that were cast on his cheekbones, he had to have long lashes.

"D...", he repeated, trying it out. So this man only knew one letter of his name or was it that it was his actual name. Either way, a name was a name. It was something that people were just called to identify one another. It didn't have anything to do with personality, well, maybe it did a little, but it didn't define a person.

"Nice to meet you, D", he said in a slightly raised volume, not being as quiet as he was before. He gave the other a bright smile. "Are you getting settled in well?" Should he bring up that he was pulled to him because he sensed that they were alike? That D was possibly a vampire just like him?

D watched as Takuma repeated his.... name. He had a feeling there was more to it, and it was clear by the look on D's face, his long lashes lowering even more as Takuma allowed the word to leave his lips.

"I suppose."

Takuma glanced to the side, shifted his weight on either foot for a brief moment, licked his lips slightly the looked back up at him. This was a bit awkward. The man in front of him seemed soft spoken and of few words. "Ah...Well...Uhm! I heard there was a school here as well as jobs.", he said with a nod. Maybe he could be useful in relaying information.

"So I heard."

D's voice was so soft, the wind nearly took the sound with as it rolled by. The tall man stared at the green eyed youth.

The blond let out an abashed chuckle, not really knowing what to do or say, so he just continued to bumble around the conversation. Like talking nervously to a wall. "Yes, but the library positions are all taken. And..ah...don't worry so much about your memories. If you make good ones here, then if you have any bad ones, they can override them", he said remembering the conversation he had with Olette about being a bit nervous about regaining his lost memories.

D stared at him as he spoke. It was like talking to a wall--a very beautiful wall--but a wall nonetheless. Takuma's chattering, however, was oddly soothing in a strange way. It was filling the silence. It was as if his talking was meant to be there.

Did he know this person? What if he did and he forgot? Or they both forgot? D wondered that about everyone there... what if he had known them before...?

D kept his gaze on him, and when there was finally a break in Takuma's chatter, the dhampir blinked slowly. He didn't say anything.

Instead, he turned away, walking off.

He took a few good steps, before he paused again, looking back at Takuma, almost expectantly.

Takuma blinked at the slightly awkward silence that followed his prattling about memories and general things like that. His shoulders sagged a bit as the taller man just turned, his hair fanning out as he did so, and just started to walk away. But then D turned back to look at him. Did he want him to follow? It seemed that way, right?

Just allowing his legs to move before his brain, he started to walk after the half-vampire. Not too eagerly, but not too hesitantly. It was like he was already used to following people around.

D waited until the other was close enough and seemed to have gotten the message to follow before turning again, heading off and away from the apartments, to the west. He recalled seeing the market area there--passed the school and such.

Of course, D remained silent, feeling to real need to talk. If there was to be conversation, the well-built man assumed his... new acquaintance Takuma would be able to assist with that.

The blond continued to follow along behind him, but not too far behind him. He remembered walking around these parts a bit when he first arrived before meeting Jaime. But he didn't actually stop to look at anything.

His green eyes glanced around at the buildings, taking in the surroundings at night. A more natural time to him. Everything looked different at night, but not in a creepy, eerie, dark way, but in a more....natural light to him. Everything looked more comfortable at this time of day.

"Oh! I wonder if the shops need cashiers or anything. I didn't really get a chance to look at the job listings", he said out loud. It wasn't to anyone in particular. Of course it was directed towards D, but other than that, it was the same as if he were talking to himself. "I wonder...is it required to enroll in the school? I wonder what age you have to be. I don't think I'm too old."

D continued walking ahead, the weight of the long sword on his back becoming obvious to him as he slid through the town under the starlit sky. His head didn't move--just his eyes as he spared a glance over at the school building as they headed down the path towards it..

When Takuma mentioned enrolling in school, it got D to wonder about his own age. Just how old was he? Judging by his body type, he would have to guess at the youngest eighteen. No older than perhaps... twenty-five? It felt like such a broad spectrum to him.

They didn't even know their ages. Just their names.

Part of his, anyway.

D didn't even glance back at Takuma as he finally spoke again.

"You don't look any older than perhaps eighteen."

The vampire looked up at the halfling when he stated an age that he could be. He thought about it for a moment and tilted his head to the right thinking about it some more, then he tilted his head to the left continuing on his contemplation. He then brought his hand up to his chin and lowered his head in a thoughtful expression, his brows furrowed and all. "Hmmmm...."

He looked up and smiled. "Maybe! I think I'll take your word on it", he said with an affirmative nod. Though, in all reality, he was older than eighteen. Here he was, nearing twenty next year and he was being pegged as someone that could be no older than just a budding adult. Oh well, not that he knew that.

"You...hmm...you could be forty-nine with that personality. Haha! Just kidding. You look young yourself. Maybe no older than twenty four? But no younger than nineteen.", he said, trying his hand at age guessing.

D continued down the pathway, his hair giving a gentle wave with each step. He listened as Ichijou contemplated his age. Though they were both guessing D's own age, they were off. Just a little.

You know.

Like.

....Five thousand years off.

"Perhaps." D finally spoke.

"Let's go for the happy medium and say you're twenty two for now until you get your memories. That might make it more exciting to see if we were right or not, right?", he said with a light chuckle.

Takuma continued to follow him along, the conversation becoming less awkward even though he was still doing most of the talking. Though it felt natural for him to do so. As if his voice box was programmed to be used quite often.

After a bit more walking and more of Takuma's chattering, D found them coming up to the market area. When he glanced further south, the former vampire hunter could see the stadium--the rumored coliseum. He vaguely remembered a job post for that place--something about fighters. He wondered if he would be able to get a job there, as it seemed he was still somewhat proficient with his sword (only basic swings such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal and some blocks and parries, but once he started remembering, perhaps...).

D started off towards the coliseum momentarily, a little lost in thought.

There was a bit more silence as Takuma looked around curiously at all of the places around him. Hopefully he could remember where everything was when he needed to find it again.

He looked up at the older man as he just started wandering towards the coliseum. He followed him, a slightly confused look on his face wondering why he was drifting towards that direction. But it was a place to explore.

"I wonder what sort of games go on there. Maybe things like soccer and lacrosse! That would be entertaining to watch for a little bit. ", he piped up

D halted.

"....They need fighters there."

The dark-haired man turned fully, his hair and cape flaring together, facing the young blond.

"...Have you gotten any ideas to where you want to work?"

He headed into the market area, deciding to look around a little.

The shorter boy stopped when D stopped and blinked a bit as he looked at him.

"Fighters...? So it's a fighting arena?", he asked as they turned around to go the other way. "I have no clue, actually! I was thinking of something that deals with people", he said with a nod. "I've met a bunch of people already and they seem pretty friendly here"

"But I'm not sure what I'm good at, so I'll just pick something that sounds like something I'd be interested in and go with that!"

Of course. People didn't even know what their talents were.

D wandered a bit through the market place, seeing the different shops. Nothing that particularly interested him, but he was more wandering for reference. A grocery store, book store, weapons shop--the weapons shop interested him, but he could never work there. Too much talking involved. he could never be a sales person.

D turned to the store, his wide brimmed leather hat casting a long shadow over him. And as he did, this long sable colored hair fell down over his shoulders partially, showing off his pointed ears.

They gave a twitch upwards, showing off his interest.

Takuma watched as D became interested in the weapons shop. He was more interested in getting new clothes, but the weapons also made him perk up a bit, so he followed him to the stores.

Glancing up, he noticed something pale poking out from behind the curtain of deep brown locks. Were his....Were his ears pointed? Well that was certainly different from himself. Though, he didn't feel as if it was weird in anyway. Since, well, he's grown up with someone who also had pointed ears. Not that he remembered that, anyways.

Tilting his head, he stared at them for just a moment before looking forward at the shop. Those were kind of....cute and a bit out of place on the dunpeal. It was quirky cute.

D let his lavender gaze linger on the shop for a bit. Since it was later in the night, nothing was open, and the lights were off. D could see he and Takuma's reflections clearly in the windows.

...Almost clearly.

D's eyes narrowed faintly. He took a step back, continuing onwards.

He saw a part of Takuma right through himself.

The blond watched as D started moving away from the shop to keep going on their path and he merely followed wondering what caused him to change his mind about looking at the swords in the window so abruptly.

"We should look at the times the stores close. If we're going to be up at odd hours of the day, it would be safer, ri--", he stopped himself in mid-sentence wondering why he blurted out that kind of thing. There was no way that D could tell that he knew they both were nocturnal beings. Takuma only knew from what he felt and that feeling could have been wrong for all he knew.

"I mean, it's pretty late now and everything's so dark. Ah...I wonder if anything really would be open at this time of night"

"It doesn't seem that way." D noticed the odd halt in Takuma's sentence, but he didn't further comment on it. The dark-haired man made his way out of the Market area after a bit, back onto the path from where they came. They were facing the lake now. D started out at it in contemplation.

"...In the morning I suppose I'll come look again." After all, if he wanted a job, he would have to get used to trying to sleep during the night like everyone else was so he could make money during the day.

Takuma stared out at the lake more admiring its beauty rather than lost in his thoughts. He knelt down and started to put his hand into the cold water, running his fingers through it slowly feeling the water resist his movements.

"I should try doing that", he said with a fake smile. He knew there was no way he could be awake and about in the morning. Well, he could be awake, but not in the sun. He started feeling dizzy when the sun was on him for too long when he was with Jaime. Thankfully they got out of the sun before long, but in the morning when the sun was at its brightest? There was no way he would be coherent or stable on his feet.

D watched as Takuma stepped towards the water. His eyes lowered faintly, watching the other bend down and start running his fingers through it. The lake was nice and clear--it made him thirsty. Not for water, though... something warmer...

D let a faint breath of air escape his nose in a barely audible huff. The entire situation was comfortable--and all the others had told him was to 'get used to it', essentially. His memories would 'come to him in time'. What was that supposed to mean? How could anyone just accept that so easily?

Though, D found himself feeling very light, not having anything to ..... remember. Though he found himself wondering why he seemed to dislike certain things, or why he preferred the night to the day. It was too hard to think about. At least for now.

D spared a glance over at Takuma. He waited by him for awhile before starting to head back towards the apartments. Nothing else would be open, right? So D figured he would just head back to his assigned home.

Takuma looked up as D started to move back to the apartments and stood up to follow him. There was a light smile on his face and he hummed lightly to himself. He didn't have much to say, but the cheerful humming was enough to fill the silence. It was a random tune that he was just making up as he went along, it wasn't like he had any songs that he could remember to hum.

His hands were locked behind his back as he walked leisurely. He wasn't in a hurry to go home. The night was still just beginning and he was far from tired.

His stride was slow and leisurely as well. D kept his gaze straight ahead, though his senses were very aware of everything Takuma did--the soft humming of his voice as he let out his nameless tune, the soft his his light footsteps as the two made their way down the path back towards the Ari Apartments, and of course the smell that was coming off from him.

D wasn't sure what it was. It ignited something in him, though--it made his right hand tighten into a fist. His left hand, oddly enough, opened.

The dhampir took another shallow breath, attempting to block out everything his senses were attempting to bring in.

"I think I like it here", he said aloud breaking out of his idle humming. He didn't know what his own home was like, but it was peaceful here and the people were friendly. He might even come to like this place better depending on what memories appeared before him.

Though, there was the one problem of him being thirsty. It hurt a bit, it felt like his throat was constantly dry. He was parched and no amount of water, juice, or milk could cure it. But what was stopping him from just biting someone? Nothing really. Except, well, himself. Control, control control his mind chanted on. For what reason, he didn't know.

He looked up at D and smiled.

When D got to where their journey began, the dhampir paused. He glanced over at Takuma, who was giving him a smile. The long lashes on his bright, lavender eyes slowly lowered, hiding the orbs once again from view.

"Its peaceful."

He would give Memento Eden at least that.

A sudden breeze rolled by. D's long hair brushed out from behind his back, whisperering around his arms and face. His wide brimmed hat fluttered gently. The dhampir stared over at Takuma, his gaze settled on him.

Takuma nodded once in affirmation at the comment he made. "I think I'll do some more exploring later after I've settled down. Perhaps after I've gotten and job and things like that", he said in a chipper tone of voice. There had to be much more than just the town here, it was an island after all. Was there wildlife and wilderness to see? Though...

"Would you like to come with me when that time comes? I think it'd be fun to go with someone!", he said. "Maybe we could invite some people that know their way around a bit so that we don't get lost...What do you think? Doesn't that sound nice?", he asked looking up at him again with a grin.

"No thank you."

D turned away from Takuma, headed back inside of the apartments. He opened the door to head inside, before looking back at him.

"Don't stay out too late."

The blond blinked a couple times, his smile fading when his plan was rejected so quickly. His green eyes fell onto the door step then he pushed a smile onto his face looking back up at him.

"Alright. If you change your mind, then just say so", he offered.

He would go look at the employment listings and choose something that interested him before going up to his room to just...well...do whatever he guessed.

"Have a good night", he said softly.

D stared at him.

"Good night, Takuma."

The handsome man stared at him with his slender eyes, as if there was nothing else around to focus on. D's lavender gaze remained on him, motionless, soundless for a few good seconds, allowing the two to sift together in the silence of the night.

The dhampir turned away slowly. What followed next, D felt was nearly wondrous for some reason. To anyone else, that would have been it. However, Takuma was... different. There was something about the blond--and though D had not met many people yet while on Memento Eden, it was enough for the gorgeous man to murmur one last time.

"402."

He headed on inside without another word, and the door to the Ari Apartments slammed shut.

Ichijou paused for a moment when D uttered those numbers, confused for the briefest moment before registering that they were his apartment number. Then the door closed once the connection was made. He smiled and waited for a moment before heading inside himself not seeing the dhampir and went to look at the job listings.

What an interesting meeting.