6 彡 [action]

[toplay_thefool]

[The inn is seldom, if ever, empty. There are always people there, and currently Souji, Yosuke, and Aaron are in the kitchen, preparing food. Or Souji and Aaron are, anyway. Yosuke’s there to taste-test, whine about Mystery Food X, and probably bitch a bit, which is fine by the other two, provided he keeps up the tasting. Just because they’re out

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[timid_werewolf]

[Aaron found comfort in the kitchens of the inn. It reminded him of the eatery of World's End, and that in turn was a vague memory of the cafe back in London. Moments like this, especially in the turmoil caused by the fae were few and far between, and the teenager cherished it.

Moreso, of course because he had friends around his own age to share these moments with. With the voice from the communicator, and the memory of the legends that had frightened him as a child returning he had beenon edge, a fact notlost on anyone who visited the inn. Dreizehn, Sechs and Sieben, and even the newest member of the teen's pack, the pug Funf had all kept close, remaining near the doorway to the inn, within hearing distance of their master.

At the request, Aaron looked up from stirring the small pan before him and nodded, stretching as he stepped back, heading for the door.

Yeah, sure thing, Souji! I'll be right back, alright?

[And he slipped out of the door, heading into the main room of the inn, making his way towards the stairs. The cupboard door was closed, and Aaron paused at the doorway, staring at the slats for a moment in the dim room, the hairs on the back of his neck rising. He had an odd feeling that there was something there...but he wasn't sure precisely what. Warily, the teenager flicked the slats, peering inside.

[dem_nasties]

[The light from Aaron's candle casts a soft orange glow on the woodwork, between the planks that form the door. Through them is blackness and gloom - and, in the pale stripe of light that manages to shine between them, thin as a knife...

is the gleam of the candlelight reflecting on one wide open eye, staring not at Aaron but straight ahead.

Waiting for something, apparently.]

[andallforone]

[Yosuke is on edge. He's jittery and jumpy, feeling like he has to move, has to pace, has to do something or his bones will snap. It was all well and good, honestly, until this morning, when he'd woke up and hadn't been able to get dressed until he cranked up the volume on his mp3 player (losing battery for that and fast) and blasted the unease away for a few seconds.

Naturally, he hadn't shared that fact with anyone, though Souji may have noticed something when he leaped to join him and Aaron at the Inn. He hoped that his friend chalked it up as eagerness to be the taste-tester of delicious food, but knew him well enough not to expect that.

But things were fun and, very definitely, easier with Souji and Aaron in the kitchen, and he leaned back against the counter as he poked Souji's elbow.]

So what are you guys making tonight? Can I try some now?

[timid_werewolf]

[For a moment, the werewolf was just -still-. He didn't move at all in that split second, staring, transfixed in horror at the sight before him. There was a thing in the cupboard. And even if it was simply staring forward, the simple fact that it existed at all terrified him.

When Aaron finally found the will to move he did so in an explosion of motion, the candle falling from his hand and guttering, dimming the room further as an almost embarrasing shriek of fright left his lips. In his haste to scramble back, he tripped over his own legs, falling back. To his credit, he didn't shriek again, though he did call out as Dreizehn approached, wrapping his thin arms about the direwolf's neck.]

SOUJI!

[toplay_thefool]

[His mouth opens to answer Yosuke's question, but it's cut off by the scream into a sharp little 'nn' as he freezes for a moment, knife still in his hand. He drops it onto the counter top, and his hand is already closing around the hilt of his sword when he hears the call.]

Aaron!

[He doesn't need to look at Yosuke to know he'll be moving, too - his partner always has his back. Right now, Aaron is the one he's worrying about, and he bolts out of the kitchen to where Aaron is curled on the floor with the direwolf, barely visible in the gloom of the barely-lit inn. In front of the door. Calm grey gaze goes from the blond to the still-closed door, somehow foreboding.

A few steps and he's between Aaron and the door, free hand closing around the handle. He glances over at Aaron inquisitively, however, before making a move to open it.]

[andallforone]

[Souji is right there; Yosuke is running just behind him, flipping his knives into his hands as he goes. He can see Aaron in the gloom, curled up around that massive wolf of his (still not used to that) and shaking.

Yosuke feels like shaking himself. He probably is and just hasn't realised it. The panic builds up and his eyes go from the lump of shadow that is Aaron to the upright one of Souji, and then he peers into the gloom, breath hitching up a notch.]

Dude... I do not like the way this feels...

[With trepidation, he comes to stand closer to Aaron. That sense of foreboding increases as he does so, making him feel oppressed, tiny, unable to do anything without making something huge and terrifying happen. The hands that grip his knives are shaking, palms sweaty, but he manages to swallow down his fright and gives Souji a small nod - probably more sensed than seen - and crouches down behind Aaron.]

You okay, man?

[timid_werewolf]

I don't know...

[And he hates how his voice is quaking with fright. He looked up at Souji and Yosuke with those blue doe-eyes, shuddering.]

I-I'm okay now...but, hey,no!

[And Aaron is reaching towards Souji in a surge of motion, tugging at hiw wrist as he tries to rise, and attempting to pull him away from the door.]

There's something in here! I saw it through the slats! I-it had like...like raw skin and i-it was just staring forward. I don't think it saw me but it was some kind of monster!

[He was trying hard not to cry, in that panicked sort of way, more than from actually being hurt. Shuddering, he glanced back to Yosuke, to make sure he was alright before cringing awa from the door once more.]

I don't know what it was...

[toplay_thefool]

[He's the courageous type. He's not easily swayed when he's set on a course of action. Unless it's logical, or reasonal, he doesn't waver, doesn't hesitate.

But he finds his hand frozen on the handle for one long moment, and then another.

His throat clicks when he swallows, but he pulls his wrist free from Aaron's grip.

Just incase he needs the sword.

Steeling himself, he pulls the door open, blade automatically swinging up in an arc to guard right off the bat, because whatever it is, he's ready for it -]

[toplay_thefool]

[And there's nothing there.

The only thing staring at them from the darkness are a few pots and pans, some cleaning utensils. A box of candles. Nothing with raw skin. Nothing with eyes.

He's waiting for a sigh of relief, but it doesn't come just yet. His breath is still caught in his throat.

But there's nothing there, right? He's looking right at it, and seeing nothing.]

It's alright. It's empty.

[He steps back to let them see inside.

Finally, he can breathe again.]

[andallforone]

[Yosuke heaves out a sigh as the door swings open, but the feeling of mounting terror abates only slightly. He peers in beside Aaron, catching the dull glimmer of the other candle shining off the surface of one of the pots. For a moment, he watches the flame flicker, and wonders, just vaguely, if Aaron had mistaken what he'd seen.

He ran a dry tongue over his lips and knew that the other boy didn't. You wouldn't lie about that, right? Not now. You'd know if you saw it, right?

He pats Aaron on the shoulder with the handle of his knife.]

Man... haha... that really spooked me.

[timid_werewolf]

[Aaron cringed when Souji opened the door, burying his face into thick, black fur as if that alone could protect him from the monster that he had seen. There was a long moment of silence where everything seemed to move slowly. The door was open, and Souji was slipping into a defensive stance, peering inside...

...and then moving aside to reveal nothing at all but typical cupboard items. Cleaning utensils, candles, useful things that weren't the least bit threatening unless you were a dustbunny. Aaron stared for a moment in shock before peering up at the two, back and forth, afraid that they wouldn't believe him, that he was crying wolf.]

But...i-it was there! I saw it through the slats! It was there, I-I promise!

[toplay_thefool]

[Souji wants to meet Aaron's whimpering with something solid and reasonable. An explanation. Something, anything to rationalize what just happened, something that can make it forgettable. But his shoulders are still tense and his grip is still tight on the katana, and the only thing that comes out when he speaks is:]

I believe you.

[And he does, but he almost wishes he didn't, just so he could somehow explain it away.

It takes an absurd amount of willpower to leave the sword on the nearest table, but he manages to do it, the heavy clunk of metal on wood helping to find normalacy again, to breathe.

He leans in to the cupboard and pulls out the pan he'd wanted in the first place, suppressing that sigh of relief he'd been waiting on. Because he's not the one who should be panicking. He can't panic.

He shoots them both a rueful smile, but it's a bit more wan than usual.

It takes an absurd amount of willpower to close the door back over, but he does so.]

[andallforone]

[Yosuke gives Souji a little smile in return, nodding his head once. He pats Aaron's shoulder and straightens.]

Don't worry, man. We got your back.

[He glances down at the huge sprawl of the wolf and gives a little nervous smile.]

Heh, and this guy too.

[Looking over at Souji, he's able to grab that feeling of security again, with the panic just lapping at the edges. He gives a little chuckle, still a little high and nervous, and jerks his head back.]

Yo, partner, think we can get a little more light back here?

[Without waiting, he goes back over to the now shut door. The hairs on the back of his neck prickle and raise again, and his heart begins to pound, but now he's almost certain that it's just himself being spooked. And when you're spooked, you gotta conquer it, right?

Right.

He presses his eye to the crack in the slats...]

... Hhk.

[He can't make it out. But there's...]

S-something...

[timid_werewolf]

Did you see it too?!

[The words almost come out as a squeak, and he immediately freezes mid-movement, once more clinging to the stoic wolf's neck. The direwolf in question raises his massive head, growling softly at the door, but otherwise doesn't seem overly phased by the actions of the teenagers around them.Aaron glances up shakily, eying Souji - he seems to be the alpha in the room, and Aaron's more than willing to be a sub in the pack at the moment.]

Let's...let'sgo sit down...or something...

[He suggested in a small voice, jerking his head towards the tables.]

[toplay_thefool]

[There's a cold, cold pit of dread that drops in his gut when he hears Yosuke saying that there's something in there. His breath hammers, his chest shaking with the effort to keep the anxiety from becoming apparent. He takes a tentative step back towards the door, leaving the katana on the table this time.

One hand moves to press against the door close to Yosuke's, and Souji stands beside him, flush against the wood. Their combined shadow almost blots everything there is to see out, but the warm light from the kitchen (feeling so distant, even if the door is but feet away) is enough to show a sliver of raw flesh and one bulging eye.

Another little throat click. Breathe in. Breathe out. He stays calm, because he's the leader. He's not allowed to lose his head.

He leans as close to the space as is possible without obscuring everything, and fixes his gaze on that eye.]

Can we do something for you? Why are you waiting in the closet?

[dem_nasties]

[There is no reply to the questions.

None whatsoever.

Except that, for a second, the eyes swivel, the gaze turning up to fix upon Souji's.

After a moment, however, they just go back to staring straight ahead.]