[THREAD] to my motion FATIGUE : f a r e w e l l

[striginae]

Who: Kengamine Nagi & OPEN
Where: the streets of Abyss
When: late afternoon to early evening
Summary: Owl of the burning forest, searching for some familiarity.
Rating: T (to start?)
Other: Start a new thread or hop onto a pre-existing one with permission, I'm good with either.

Comments

[modeofbehavior]

Two shapes marred the smooth seam of shadow-- one man crouched over another. One of these men was dead. The Corinthian took the chin of the corpse, tilting it upwards with a pleased expression, a mirror opposite to the frozen shock on the stiff face. He hadn't killed the man. He'd never seen him before in his life, or if he had, hadn't found him interesting enough to remember. The interest was there now

[striginae]

[ that's fine. :D ]Edging down a deserted alley and emerging back onto the main street, Nagi kept careful track of the direction he was headed in, trying to balance a quick route to his destination with a route that would hopefully avoid any commotion. Of course, he could probably hold his own if worst came to worst, but it would be better to leave here without any trouble, right? And so, taking a right turn, he stepped into a side-street that would lead to the back door of the headquarters, and

[modeofbehavior]

The nightmare rose smoothly to his feet, blatantly watching the newcomer. There was a judgment being passed, whether Nagi was aware of it or not. A possible interloper? ...It didn't seem like it, he decided finally. The placating smile and comment were more the mark of someone trying not to get involved. A glance over his dress and demeanor, and the Corinthian began to wonder whether the man lived down here at all.

Curious.

He smiled. It was an easy, practiced sort of smile. He could have won contests for it. "I don't mind. It can be returned to. ...You look lost." Well, really he meant 'you don't look like you belong', but only one of those phrases came across as inquisitively friendly, and he didn't want to scare the man off so soon. The possibility for information was too enticing.

[striginae]

A pause. Nagi slowed to a stop when the other rose, figuring that if this was going to be a conversation, then that would be the polite thing to do -- regardless of the fact that the corpse still lay in plain sight. As long as it was already dead, there wasn't much he could do, was there? And at least this stranger seemed friendly, much more than he'd expected -- so this momentary distraction wouldn't be much of a problem, would it?

The smile was returned, tinged with a faint hesitation, but otherwise sincere, and he gave a small laugh. "Is it that obvious?" A hand rose to tug at the folds of his scarf in his usual nervous habit, before he glanced down the street. "I don't usually come around here that often, so I suppose it shows." Part of him wondered if this was a bad thing to say -- would the other realize he wasn't from Abyss and use that to his advantage? -- but if it was that obvious, then maybe there wasn't much point in hiding it in the first place.

[modeofbehavior]

The voice startled him. He cocked his head, as a dog might at something new and puzzling. What was this? Something to disguise the man's identity? ...No, what would be the point, when he was down here in the flesh? An injury, then. Or perhaps the man was simply robotic, an achievement of steel and wire and microchips, all electrical bursts beneath that polite smile. The Corinthian's smile widened. Ridiculous, if an amusing thought.

"Only small hints. I guessed. I'm told I'm skilled at that." And what telling little movements you make, like a nervous bird. Do you fear someone clipping your wings, little bird? "Mm, the atmosphere can be... oppressive to some." A meaningful look at the corpse, his soon-to-be meal. Patience, patience.

"You must have pressing business to venture down here in spite of that."

[striginae]

It took him a moment to realize why the other looked curious -- most people he associated with were far used to his artificial voice by now. And so when he did remember that his voice was an oddity, Nagi felt a faint pang of unease tug at the back of his mind. (It was a bit of a danger to draw any attention in Abyss, wasn't it?)

Giving the hem of his scarf another habitual tug, he gave a sheepish laugh. "It's certainly something I'm not used to -- not that it's too unbearable." The widening smile was taken into account, but not given too much thought -- this situation didn't indicate any need for caution, not yet. Hopefully, it would stay this way.

"There's something I was, ah -- looking for, around here." A small pause. "Haha, perhaps I should get going?"

[modeofbehavior]

Terra or Elysium, the nightmare wondered. He'd guess Terra, if only because the ones who came from Elysium usually did so with some form of protection. More often than not they seemed to send people if they wanted something-- or someone-- from down here. Who was he? Information could be so very valuable in the right hands.

He lifted his brows faintly. "Looking for something? ...Perhaps I could help. I'm used to finding things. What were you looking for, Mr...?" he trailed off expectantly. He doubted the man would accept the offer (what sane person would, from someone who'd been found crouched hungrily over a corpse?) but oh, if he could just get a name. Even an alias.

[striginae]

"Ah, no -- I think I can manage it myself." The offer for help was promptly answered with a half-hearted shake of the head. More out of politeness than due to caution, though. "It shouldn't be that difficult, and I wouldn't want to be a bother." A sheepish laugh, and a nod as he began to introduce himself. "And please call me --"

Pause. It probably wasn't safe to say his name here, was it? "-- Owl." A crude moniker that he didn't like to use much since he'd left it behind, but it would have to do for now. Trying to gloss over the momentary stumble in his words, he gave a good-natured smile. "The offer is much appreciated though, sir."

[modeofbehavior]

"Owl." Personally he'd have picked finch or sparrow for the man. Still, an interesting alias to choose. The Corinthian nodded faintly, acknowledging the thanks and the man's desire to leave. "Good luck on your hunt, Owl."

He'd remain standing until the 'little bird' had gone out of sight, however.

[striginae]

The nod was returned, and Nagi paused -- considering, for a moment, whether he should ask the other's name in return. But eventually decided against it -- this would probably be a one-time meeting, wouldn't it?

And so, with a small half-bow and soft smile in farewell, he passed by and headed down the street. Paying as little attention as possible to what could possibly happen to that dead body once he was gone.