RP Log: Echizen Ryoma and Niou Masaharu
Who: Echizen Ryoma, Niou Masaharu
What: Ryoma gets rained on and heads for the closest shelter, unexpectedly getting a few surprises along the way.
When: 31 August, night
Where: Niou's shop, Foschia
Rating: G
The things I do for people, Niou grumbled to himself as he threaded a hand through his lax silver-white hair.
He'd gotten out of his much needed rest to attend to the sparse customers who hadn't heeded his "Closed" sign and wanted to enter. The only reason he knew about them at all was because his familiar had literally pounced on him while he was sleeping and ranted about how annoying the people were. Initially he had gotten up with the intent to tell them off, but they were one of the elderly regulars that he had and he didn't have the courage to send them away after they had ventured so far into dangerous territory.
Now that they were gone, he could finally get back to sleep...after he cleaned up shop, of course. Letting out a sigh, he got to work.
It wasn't much of a surprise that he was allowed to go off early when he asked for it, Ryoma had to admit. He'd played for a couple of hours, taken a break, and then gone to find the restaurant owner - said he hadn't been sleeping well lately, and would it be all right if he went off at midnight? Poor dear, of course you can, came the not-so-unexpected reply. Ryoma had smiled gratefully at her before he left - she had such a pretty neck.
He took a slightly more unusual route back home; one he used sparingly, only when he wanted a little extra walk. It looked like his "little extra walk" wasn't going to last long though - Ryoma glanced up at the sky when he thought he heard the distant rumble of thunder. At this time of the night, it was hard to tell how badly it would rain just by looking at it. Maybe if he walked a little faster... He studied the way ahead. Possible, but he wouldn't get far.
He didn't. The rain started before he got twenty paces or so, and he darted quickly to the nearest shelter he could see, keeping his piano notes under his jacket so they wouldn't get wet. What a pity, really, to be a vampire who couldn't get wet, he thought ruefully, as he stood on the doorstep of a two-storey shop. And he couldn't stay there forever. Turning, Ryoma raised a hand to knock - time to find out if he could have a little more comfort than...this.
Niou swiped at his counter at a brisk pace, wanting to get back to the comfort of his own bed as soon as possible. He distantly heard the sound of thunder rumbling and then the pattering of raindrops against the windows of his shop. His shoulders relaxed a little at the soothing sound. He always did like the rain.
However, he tensed right back up when he felt someone go past his magical barrier that he had put up the moment the elder couple left and paused in his cleaning when he heard a knock amidst the rainfall. He wanted to tell whoever it was to just go away, he really did. However, knowingly sending someone off in the middle of the night while it stormed sat on his conscience. He knew he was too nice for his own good.
Going over to the door, he unlocked it along with removing any barriers that he had placed before opening it. Niou blinked his eyes at who he saw. They were definitely not one of his usual customers. In fact, there was something decidedly...off about the person in front of him. "Can I...help you?"
Ryoma pulled his jacket tighter around his body as the door opened, and he found himself gazing up at a young man, who looked... Uncannily like a witch, was his first thought, before he dropped it. He knew there had to be others like him, other vampires at least, but the chances of meeting one living in the same region were just terrifically low. His own encounter could testify to that - it took him seventeen years to actually run into a vampire, and become just like it.
Still, he couldn't quite take his eyes off the other male, maybe it was the shock of silver-white hair, or maybe it was...something else. "It's kind of raining," he said softly, holding on just a little bit tighter to the file of notes beneath his jacket as he tried to figure out what was setting off the alarm in his head about the guy.
Giving his new and unexpected guest a once-over, Niou stepped aside to allow the male in. After all, he didn't look very dangerous - almost had an innocent air about him. Still, something was telling him to not take the seemingly younger male lightly. Besides, after all the different kinds of run-ins he'd had within the last few weeks, it wouldn't hurt to be a little cautious.
"Come on in then. You're lucky you came just before I was thinking of closing shop," he said, gesturing for the other to get inside. He actually had full intention of closing up his pastry shop, but his merciful nature had kicked in again. One of these days, he knew it was going to get himself killed off completely. "Want something? Cup of tea, coffee...cake?"
Once inside, Ryoma took a look around and almost smiled. It was a cake shop. How...endearing. He shook his head just once and looked about carefully for a stool to sit on. "It's all right. I just wanted to get out of there," he said, gesturing faintly at the door. "Were you going to sleep?" His eyes followed the owner as he moved around the shop. He's too young to own a shop, he realized.
Niou let out a small shrug, but in his mind the answer was a definite "yes". He was still recovering from being out during the daytime for so long, after all. Try as he might, even he knew that his movements weren't as fluid as they should be. He had been able to trick the elderly couple with his false enthusiasm. Would he be able to do the same with someone younger-looking?
Probably not, he thought to himself. And he found that he didn't really care at that moment. Glancing at his visitor, he wondered what to do if the other didn't express an interest in his confectioneries. "If you don't want anything, then just take a seat," he said, gesturing to the small tables that held chairs. "Or you can sit here." He gestured again toward a counter that had stools resting in front of it. "Take your pick."
Ryoma chose the stool; making his way over to the counter, he perched himself on the nearest one, before sliding his piano file out from under the jacket and onto the counter-top. It was a bit of a stretch to say he felt warmer in the shop - it had been a long time since he'd actually been warm, but he did feel a little more comfortable indoors.
And since he wasn't much of a talker or a thumb-twiddler, he sat and studied the shopkeeper with great interest. He really does look like a witch...
Deciding to do something semi-productive, Niou began to tidy up a bit more around the place. After all, there was someone other than himself and his familiar here and he couldn't just very well leave the shop unattended, especially with a peculiar stranger. Taking up a towel, he began to wipe the glasses and tea cups, setting them carefully aside when he was finished with them.
Although he tried to keep himself busy, he could tell that he was being stared at. Normally he didn't mind nor care since it wasn't often that people saw a young person with silver-white hair. However, the way his guest was staring at him, he had a feeling that it was something else. And the only way for him to find out was small talk. "So, what brings you around here in the middle of the night?"
"Work," came the simple reply. Ryoma thought it was a little hypnotizing, watching someone at work, cleaning the way the shopkeeper did. He gave himself a tiny shake and rested his elbows on the counter, finally turning his gaze away.
Even then, he still felt that odd, prickling sensation at the back of his neck. "I was coming home from work early."
Niou raised his eyebrow at that, but didn't question it. After all, he usually kept his shop open all night and closed during the day. But that was understandable if anyone knew of his circumstances. "I see. And just got caught in the rain, yeah? Tough luck for you but at least you're not standing in the rain getting completely soaked," he said with a wry grin. "Name's Niou Masaharu. Welcome to Foschia, my pastry shop~"
Despite any misgivings he might have had about the shopkeeper, Ryoma found himself returning the older man's grin. "Nice name," he commented; whether it was in reference to the man himself or the shop, he deliberately left it unclear. And since it was only polite... "I'm Mori," he said, going by the name he performed under since it was unlikely he'd ever meet this guy in a bar or restaurant.
"Heh. Pleasure to meet you," Niou responded, some amusement coloring his tired visage. He didn't know what it was, but there was something about the kid that made him interesting. And that said a lot considering all his guest had done was just sit there and stare at him while exchanging a few words. There was a niggling at the back of his mind that he should notice something, but he couldn't quite place it.
A soft meow disturbed his thoughts and the shopkeeper glanced over to where it had come from. Ah, maybe he'll know something. He always does, Niou thought to himself as he watched his cat familiar nimbly jump onto the counter, circle around a bit, and then turned to look at the newcomer with curiosity evident on his face. "Don't mind him. He's just being what cats are best. Curious," he mused with a small chuckle.
Ryoma turned on his stool so he could keep the cat in his view. He didn't sense anything off about the cat - yet, but he wanted to keep an eye on it anyway. "I know." He watched it edge along the counter-top with a little smile. "I've got one of my own at home." The thought of Karupin always brought a strange mix of feelings to his chest, but for the most part, he knew he loved his cat dearly. Karupin had been his sole companion ever since the change, the only being whom he thought wouldn't treat him any differently. "I'd give my life for it," he added, after a brief pause, chuckling mentally at the irony. He had - for that damn cat.
I'd probably do the same, but no point in telling the furball that, Niou mentally thought to himself as his gaze kept returning to his familiar. "His name's Noeru. Been with me for a few years," he informed, finishing up the last cup. Putting down the towel, he carefully picked up the tray that he'd placed all the cups on and put them away. He frowned a little when even doing something so simple was a little taxing on his tired body. Damn the sunlight. "If he gets annoying, then just tell him to go away."
"Maybe I will." Ryoma was still mostly watching Niou out the corner of his eye, even as his ears were listening hard on the downpour outside, straining for the slightest indication that the rain was letting up and he could head back home. As fascinating as the shopkeeper was, as long as Ryoma couldn't figure out what was bugging him about the other male, he'd prefer to stay away.
No such luck, at least, for several more minutes, Ryoma realized dully. The rain was practically battering against the windows now. In a bid to occupy his mind, he let his eyes wander all over the shop, all the while thinking how quaint it was. How...not the kind of shop someone like Niou should own... "Why do you own a cake shop?"
Niou blinked his eyes at the question. The real reason was at the tip of his tongue, but it wasn't like he could tell someone he'd just met that he was a witch... A witch who had been turned into a vampire at that. Three others already knew partially what he was. Noeru would have his head if another knew.
He shrugged. "Why not own a cake shop?" He questioned in return with a small grin.
The corners of Ryoma's mouth twitched as if he was trying not to smile. Which he was. It was pretty obvious, what Niou was doing. "That's not really answering the question, is it," he said, sliding off the stool. He leaned against the counter, and just for the heck of it, just to see the older man's reaction, he added, "Are you trying to hide something?"
At the very worst, Niou would just throw Ryoma out into the rain, for cheeking him. Maybe.
The younger male had guts, Niou wouldn't deny that. He mimicked the other's movements, leaning on the counter with one arm resting on the top of it. The small grin morphed into a mischievous smirk, amusement clearly showing in his eyes. "And if I was? What do you plan on doing about it? Figure it out?" he challenged. He could tell that Noeru was getting a tad annoyed at him doing this; he could feel it through their mind link. But he didn't care. Right now he wanted to see what his impromptu guest would do.
It would be just his luck if he stepped into a real witch's shop today, of all days. It's just like those stories, Ryoma mused silently. Hansel and Gretel and so on. Not that he was afraid - he was pretty sure he could handle himself - but really, what were the chances?
Right now, looking at Niou, he decided it wouldn't hurt to play along. Even if the guy wasn't a real witch, it would be interesting to see how far he could keep it up, and if Ryoma ended up scaring him, albeit accidentally - well, what were the chances of him ever stepping into this shop again?
He shrugged lightly, turning away just a little from the other male in a show of nonchalance. "I figured you out from the moment you opened the door."
"Oh?" So, he wanted to go that way, did he? Niou was just fine with that. He was a master at illusions and masks. It would be easy for him to play along with this...and would most definitely be fun as well. Slowly but surely he could feel his tiredness ebb away, but he figured that was more at a mental stage rather than an actual physical one. "So what was it that gave me away?"
"Everything really." Niou was deliberately keeping his answers vague, Ryoma noted amusedly. "And yet, nothing at all." He cast a glance at the cat, which was still prowling on the counter-top and thought he sensed its growing irritation. Somewhat unusual, and at the same time, not quite - after all, Karupin got irritated rather easily as well.
The stool was just the right height for him to place his elbows on and he did just that, resting his head on his hands to look at the shopkeeper. "If you don't mind, how old are you... Niou?"
Niou was amused. Highly amused. No one had really asked him that question before and he always wondered what he should say whenever it came up. Luckily for him, he actually knew how old he supposed to be, but unluckily for him he probably didn't look the age he was supposed to be. After all, once turned one doesn't go back...or forward for that matter.
So now therein lies the debate. Should he tell his supposed age or the age he actually looked? He guessed that either way didn't matter. "I'm twenty-two," he replied simply.
"And how many twenty-two-year-old men do you know run a cake shop?" Ryoma's gold-flecked eyes were fixed on Niou and looking at the position he was in, head cradled in his hands and eyes wide, one might have thought Niou was telling him a fascinating story.
In a way, it was. As soon as Ryoma said that, something clicked in the back of his mind. Exactly...how many twentysomething-year-old men did run a cake shop?
"You'd be surprised at the kind of world that we currently live in~" Niou responded easily enough with his patent smirk. He didn't know any specific people who ran a cake shop or any kind of shop in particular who were his age, but he did know a few witches who were younger than him trying to make a name for themselves in the world of potion making. And they were mediocre at best. Amateur imitations of the those truly gifted in the art.
The silver-white haired male tilted his head to the side in mock curiosity. "Is it so difficult to believe that I own this place?"
Oh, why not. "Very." With a sigh, Ryoma pulled himself back on the stool and did a little turn. Niou could pretend all he wanted but Ryoma was fairly certain now that the other male was hiding something. And he didn't know if he wanted to find out but it never did hurt to prod, did it?
... Okay, maybe it did, once. But nothing could hurt him now - much. "You know, I first thought you looked like a witch when you opened the door," he said idly.
Well, that was just a little bit unexpected. Over the course of the years since he'd opened this shop, Niou had been called a lot of things - the most ironic being vampire. But try as he might, this was the first time he ever remembered someone saying that he looked like a witch without a seemingly second thought. And it was the correct assumption, of course. Whether he could divulge the response that it was remained to be seen.
"Really now. And just what of my features made you think of that?" Niou mused with a grin.
"Like I said, nothing really." Ryoma tried to do another spin on the stool. "Thought it was the hair at first but I don't think so now." He paused suddenly, seemingly struck by another thought. "And it's too far of a stretch to assume you are a witch."
Slowly, the smaller male turned so that he was facing Niou, a little gleam of mischief entering his eyes. "Because you might be right. In the kind of world we live in, it's normal for a young man to own a cake shop," he murmured, then glanced quickly at the counter-top. "And a cat."
Niou was tempted to let out a small chuckle. Really he was. His guest sure was trying his best to get the answers from him that was for sure. The other was quick to assume one thing and then contradict was he was saying in order for him to say something about the contradiction. Interesting tactic, he had to admit and it was one he'd probably used sometime in his life.
A small shrug of his shoulders, he responded. "So why were you questioning all of that before if the possibility's there?"
Ryoma sighed inwardly. The shopkeeper was proving to be a tough nut to crack, not that Ryoma was sure what he was looking for either. Even if Niou admitted he was a witch, or something else, what good would it do? It just meant a little additional danger - and that, Ryoma was sure he could do without.
... Though, admittedly, the idea of discovering someone else like that, was somewhat thrilling. His shoulders drooped suddenly and he stopped his spinning attempts on the stool, placing both elbows back on the counter and looking very young. "Because something's telling me things just aren't what they seem," he said, barely audible over the rumble of thunder.
"Oh? Kind of like...an illusion?" Niou wondered if there had been anyone else like this person before him who had been trying to guess what he was. Sure the werewolves had been easily enough - they had the power of scent and familiarity on their side. Though the hunter...that was more because he hadn't wanted that one to walk around with a barely usable arm for the next few decades. This was the first time someone was actively trying to get him to reveal himself in a semi-direct manner.
This Mori person sure was taking a lot of his "firsts".
"Mm, nope." He let his fingers play over the counter-top, almost as if he were seated before a piano, his eyes following them as they ran all over the piano file and back again. "It's nothing as complicated. I think it's more like..." Ryoma's hand paused somewhere near the cat as he racked his brain for an example. "...you ask me who I am, and I give you a false name," he finished.
"And does it bother you that it could be that way?" Niou questioned, curiosity becoming more prominent in his features. He was beginning to wonder what would be the outcome of this conversation. Although it was interesting enough to keep his attention and make him stay up just that much longer, even he could feel the affects of not letting his body rest enough after the ordeal he'd gone through. He really did need to think of a potion that would help in this kind of situation.
Ryoma managed an expression of mild surprise as he turned to eye the shopkeeper. Would it bother him? The chances of him encountering Niou again were significantly low - no wait. That was before he stepped into a cake shop owned by someone who looked like a witch. "It'd be interesting," he admitted finally. "But not really. I'll still think there's something odd about you, whether you admit it or not. But I don't think it's possible to die of curiosity."
Niou thought about what the other had said for a moment. He could sense there was an underlying message in there. Though his guest had explained that it was all right for him to not to admit to anything, he could tell that the younger male was still curious enough to want to know. And he would know - or at least suspect - that because he was often the same way.
"There's no guarantee that you'll believe me if I even admitted to something so...far-fetched," he pointed out, nonchalantly waving his hand. There was a way to make him a believer though... Glancing over at Noeru, he could tell that the familiar didn't like the idea but wouldn't do anything to stop it either. "Is there?"
"Hm, I think there is." One of Ryoma's hands gripped the piano file; it was startling, he hadn't realized it but he had been waiting for this, ever since he'd thought there was something off about the other male.
...or maybe he was holding onto the file just in case Niou's demonstration - if he was going to give one - turned out to be something sinister, and he needed to bolt for it. For all he knew, Niou could just be an ordinary human pervert.
He cast a glance at the older man. Yeah, right. "Why don't you just give it a try?" he asked, leaning forward in anticipation. Anything but human, was his next unconscious thought.
Letting out a low hum, Niou considered his next course of action. Should be reveal himself to someone again? And to someone he hardly knew? There was a risk involved, since he didn't know what the younger man was either. Going through a quick deduction, the other could be one of two things. A human or a vampire. If he had been a witch, he could have simply cast a spell to leave him dry until he got home and him being a werewolf was the least likely possibility. He knew two already and this newcomer didn't have the same feel as the others.
But the more he thought about it, the more the balance was beginning to tip to one side, though still fairly even. He'd just have to risk it. If he existence ended that night, then the fate's were against him. Not like they were on his side to begin with but that was beside the point.
Niou glanced over to the side and saw an unlit scented candle sitting not too far from them. Concentrating on his reserves, he formed a small flame on his forefinger and pointed to the candle, lighting it a second later. It was a simple demonstration, but it would prove enough without needing his wand.
It wasn't very spectacular, Ryoma noted. It probably wasn't a complex spell either for Niou to perform. But the fact was that Ryoma had never so much as seen a real spell performed right before his eyes, and he let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Seeing that flame flicker to life only confirmed that magic did exist - and so did witches. And vampires actually, he added mentally.
He turned his gaze on the shopkeeper, eyes shining a little brighter than before. "So I was right," he murmured, beaming at the other.
Chuckling slightly, Niou made his way over to the candle and waved his hand over it, promptly dispelling the flame before the scent permeated the air. "You've got good instincts, I'll give you that," he started before turning around to face the other again. "However, I've got good instincts too and they're telling me that you aren't what you seem either."
From the corner of his eye, he could see movement and knew that his familiar had gotten up from his resting position and stood at ready. Noeru was just as curious as he was and he knew that the cat would pounce for the answers. Literally.
Ryoma blinked once. And then twice. Even as he kept his gaze on Niou, he could sense the cat on the counter-top getting to its feet as well, almost as if it was poised to move if he did. A year ago, Ryoma would've dismissed it as his imagination but things had changed - his mind, he knew, didn't quite work the way it used to.
He slid off the stool cautiously, slowly pulling the file towards him as he did so. "What am I?" he asked, a tiny frown creasing his forehead. "I never said I own a cake shop."
"I never assumed you did," Niou pointed out, a grin slowly making its way to his lips. "Is it now normal for someone who doesn't seem quite right to own a cake shop? That's news to me if it is~" He didn't take his eyes off of the younger male, moving around the counter, step by step, almost like a predator to a prey. With the way that his guest was acting now, he was certain that the person before him was no ordinary being.
Either way, he had the advantage. Not only was the place his that had various kinds of barriers that could come and go as he liked, he also had his instincts as a vampire. Sure he suspected that the other was one too, but he had a feeling that he was the slightly more experienced one between the two of them. And if that was right, there could possibly be a chase on his hands unless he was somehow able to convince the other that he really didn't mean any harm. Just merely curious.
Ryoma was beginning to feel a little cornered. Not that he was actually in a corner, but the way Niou was moving towards him now was just a little reminiscent of a hunter coming forward to claim his prey. And he'd be damned if he was the prey in this situation.
Then again... Niou did know more than a couple of spells. That automatically made him more dangerous than the average adversary, not that Ryoma had really met any so far. He didn't count the occasional mugger. "I don't understand," he muttered, taking another measured step back.
And another. And another. And before Niou could answer, he bolted for the door.
So it's gonna be like that, huh?
Niou glanced over at Noeru who was already going after his running guest. Though the familiar couldn't do much in his state, he could still contribute somehow. He knew he could count on the cat to not get in his way.
Quickly rounding the corner of the counter, Niou gave chase. It's not like he needed to go very far; his shop wasn't overtly huge after all. However, he mentally started to raise up the barriers that he usually had up around his shop. Luckily for him, there was another barrier on his side - one of the more natural kind.
"Are you really going to go out in the pouring rain when you weren't so willing before?" He called out, a knowing tone to his voice.
Reaching the entrance only took Ryoma a few seconds, even without tapping into his vampiric speed. Still holding the file to his chest, he gripped the knob and flung the door open, just as Niou called out - just as he nearly fell over the steps because as far as he could see, there was a blitzkrieg going on out there. Okay, maybe that was a bit of a stretch too but the downpour hadn't ceased since Ryoma first entered the shop. If anything, it seemed to have gotten heavier.
He stared at it and looked back down at his file. It was just a couple of piano notes right? ...and his livelihood, but that wasn't the point. The point was that he was stuck in a witch's shop and, well, he never thought he'd see the day when a bit of rain could stop him.
He turned to face the shopkeeper, swallowing the little lump of desperation at the back of his throat, even as his eyes started to glow. The gold in his eyes wasn't as obvious before. "Yeah, you're right."
Inwardly letting out a smirk of triumph at the subtle changes that the other was doing, Niou stopped his advancement. He held his hands up in mock surrender, though his face still held that knowing grin. Whether the other stayed or not was of no consequence to Niou. Especially not when his observation and assumption had been proven correct.
"I knew it," he simply declared. It was a half-truth, but a truth all the same.
The smaller male blinked again. In a matter of seconds, his face smoothed over and Ryoma looked just like he did when he was spinning - or trying to spin - round on the counter stool, a little young, a little unsure, but most of all, relatively harmless.
He stared up at Niou, and decided to play confused. After all, he'd barely done anything. "Knew what?"
"Play the innocent card all you want, but I know what I just saw~" Niou replied, bringing his hands down when he saw that the other wasn't going to bolt away immediately. He briefly toyed with the thought of letting his own eyes flash gold for a split second but decided against it. One secret revealed was enough for one night. Besides, he was bound to get an earful once the younger male was gone from Noeru. "It was only for a moment, but it happened nonetheless."
It was on the tip of his tongue to say that looks could be deceiving, but Ryoma thought the better of it. The night was turning out to be really one of his most interesting ones since being turned - and who was it that said first impressions were often the truest? He sure struck the bull's eye with this one.
But it didn't mean he had to admit it. Now that he felt quite sure Niou wasn't going to hurt him, he let his shoulders relax and stared blankly at the other man. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he declared.
While Niou just continued with his knowing grin, Noeru looked like he was going to roll his eyes. And he would have if he had deemed it dignified to do so. As it was, he didn't. Strolling up to the newly discovered night being, he spoke. "What he's trying to get you to do is admit that you're not exactly human," he started, sitting down on the ground. "And don't try to keep denying it either. Even I can now tell that you're a vampire."
Niou just watched his familiar in amusement. He would have never thought that the cat would get so fed up that he would out himself like that. But it's not like it mattered anyway. The other knew he was a witch already, so why not reveal the familiar too?
Ryoma loved cats. He really did. He had sort of come to that conclusion after discovering he'd been turned into a vampire, and died for his pet cat. In a way, he'd demanded Karupin's companionship after splitting from his family but he liked to think that even if he hadn't, Karupin might've followed him anyway. Karupin could be strangely intuitive like that.
Intuitive flew out of the window with this cat. For as long as Ryoma could remember having Karupin, he could not remember ever hearing him talk. Like this one. What breed is this? shot through his mind before he remembered its owner, and his eyes widened, taking in the cat's appearance as it practically sauntered towards him. "So if I'm not allowed to deny it, only thing left for me is to agree, isn't it," he mused.
If cats could smirk, one would have appeared on Noeru's face at that moment. However, he just settled for being amused. This one was interesting, probably because he wasn't as old as some of the other vampires he'd come across. He had to wager that this one was a fledgling, newly turned just a year or two ago. Not that much younger than Niou.
"Even if you agree, that's not the same thing as you agreeing that it's the truth," Noeru pointed out, head tilting to the side a little. "You could be saying that just to indulge us."
Shifting back to the counter, Niou sat down on a stool, just watching the interaction. His familiar could handle things from here. Besides, he had to concentrate on preserving his energy. Now that he didn't have to entertain his guest, he was beginning to feel the tiredness again. He really did need to sleep some more.
"True, but I'm not saying it's the truth..." Ryoma mumbled, instinctively moving back a little when the cat came closer. He glanced at the shopkeeper, wondering if Niou was going to call him off, and then realized, oddly enough, that he didn't know who was master anymore. From the way the cat was taking charge at present, Ryoma wouldn't be surprised if he ran the shop whenever Niou called in sick.
"What's your name?" he asked after a brief pause, and managing to feel somewhat stupid at the same time while asking the question, as if he should be asking Niou for it instead.
"Noeru, but I believe that Masaharu had already told you my name," the familiar mused. Noeru thought of advancing closer but decided against it. It didn't seem like the other would be leaving any time soon anyway. The storm was coming in strong. Instead he went over to where Niou was sitting, almost slumped against the counter. "You need sleep."
Niou waved the comment off, but knowing that was the truth. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Though he could probably leave the shop and their guest in Noeru's capable...paws, he couldn't just leave like that. Bad manners and all that.
"I don't remember names that well," Ryoma admitted, truthfully. Something that carried over from his time as a human apparently; Ryoma vaguely remembered a girl from his school asking him once if he knew his brother's name. Ryoma had asked her in return if she was joking, and the only reason why Ryoma remembered the incident at all was probably because the girl was devastatingly pretty. And he recalled that fact without remembering how she looked like.
He blinked at Noeru's next statement, and moved to put his hand on the doorknob. "If he's tired, I could leave," he offered. Not that he felt particularly guilty or anything about dashing into the shop, but he figured a little politeness wouldn't hurt. Maybe he should've just asked Niou for an umbrella and go on his way home.
"And here we thought you didn't want to go out in that," Noeru pointed out again, idly gesturing to the sheets of rain still coming down. However, he was worried about Niou as well. He was losing what little color he had left. There was the thought of having Niou cast a spell on their visitor to keep him dry from the rain, but the vampire-witch was tired enough as is. And he knew his companion enough that just letting him leave without protection was out of the question. That left another option...
Niou ran a hand through his hair. "It doesn't look like it's gonna let up anytime soon. Could stay here for the night if you want. I got an extra room," he suggested, almost in a nonchalant way. It was the first time he'd offered something like this and whether it was taken would be up to the one who he offered it to. Yes, a lot of his firsts were definitely being taken tonight.
Ryoma's first thought was to reply, no, he couldn't stay. He had a cat back home and sure, Karupin couldn't talk but he didn't like the thought of leaving Karupin alone for too long either.
On the other hand... The rain was getting worse. Ryoma bit his lip, thinking hard for a moment, before nodding reluctantly at the shopkeeper. "If you're sure." He could always time himself to wake up in an hour or so, and leave while it was still dark. "You're not afraid I might attack you or something during the night," he observed, frowning slightly.
"If you did, I would know," Niou replied, waving off the question like it was nothing. And to him, it was. Magic was laced throughout the building and could be activated if he wanted them to. However, the other didn't need to know that he hardly activated them since he was the only one here besides his familiar. Besides, he had his vampiric powers to help him should he need it.
He gestured for the other to follow him to the staircase that was partially hidden away that would lead to his living quarters. Pausing at the base of the stairs, he looked over his shoulder and let out a small grin. "Besides, you don't seem like the type who would."
It took Ryoma a while to register it and when he did, he stopped and scowled petulantly at the bottom stair. "I could be dangerous for all you know," he grumbled, but only half-meaning what he said. He wasn't particularly keen on attacking anyone at the moment even if he felt wide awake. Niou could still throw him out in the rain. "And I didn't know there were types..."
"You'd be surprised at the various types out there..." Niou said, intentionally trailing off. He didn't want to go through the explanation that there were plenty of beings out there that would have taken advantage of the situation just for a quick bite. That was reserved for another time or maybe he would let the other find out for himself. Whichever came first. "And if you're as dangerous as you're trying to imply, then you would have attacked me rather than run away earlier," he assumed, slight amusement coloring his tone.
"I did not run away," Ryoma retorted indignantly, following the older man. He paused on one of the stairs and watched the other with narrowed eyes that were a little too bright to hide the interest he obviously had in Niou's earlier comment. "You mean there are others? Like yourself?"
Niou paused in his steps and glanced back again, a grin barely visible with the dim lighting. "Wouldn't you like to know~"
What: Ryoma gets rained on and heads for the closest shelter, unexpectedly getting a few surprises along the way.
When: 31 August, night
Where: Niou's shop, Foschia
Rating: G
The things I do for people, Niou grumbled to himself as he threaded a hand through his lax silver-white hair.
He'd gotten out of his much needed rest to attend to the sparse customers who hadn't heeded his "Closed" sign and wanted to enter. The only reason he knew about them at all was because his familiar had literally pounced on him while he was sleeping and ranted about how annoying the people were. Initially he had gotten up with the intent to tell them off, but they were one of the elderly regulars that he had and he didn't have the courage to send them away after they had ventured so far into dangerous territory.
Now that they were gone, he could finally get back to sleep...after he cleaned up shop, of course. Letting out a sigh, he got to work.
It wasn't much of a surprise that he was allowed to go off early when he asked for it, Ryoma had to admit. He'd played for a couple of hours, taken a break, and then gone to find the restaurant owner - said he hadn't been sleeping well lately, and would it be all right if he went off at midnight? Poor dear, of course you can, came the not-so-unexpected reply. Ryoma had smiled gratefully at her before he left - she had such a pretty neck.
He took a slightly more unusual route back home; one he used sparingly, only when he wanted a little extra walk. It looked like his "little extra walk" wasn't going to last long though - Ryoma glanced up at the sky when he thought he heard the distant rumble of thunder. At this time of the night, it was hard to tell how badly it would rain just by looking at it. Maybe if he walked a little faster... He studied the way ahead. Possible, but he wouldn't get far.
He didn't. The rain started before he got twenty paces or so, and he darted quickly to the nearest shelter he could see, keeping his piano notes under his jacket so they wouldn't get wet. What a pity, really, to be a vampire who couldn't get wet, he thought ruefully, as he stood on the doorstep of a two-storey shop. And he couldn't stay there forever. Turning, Ryoma raised a hand to knock - time to find out if he could have a little more comfort than...this.
Niou swiped at his counter at a brisk pace, wanting to get back to the comfort of his own bed as soon as possible. He distantly heard the sound of thunder rumbling and then the pattering of raindrops against the windows of his shop. His shoulders relaxed a little at the soothing sound. He always did like the rain.
However, he tensed right back up when he felt someone go past his magical barrier that he had put up the moment the elder couple left and paused in his cleaning when he heard a knock amidst the rainfall. He wanted to tell whoever it was to just go away, he really did. However, knowingly sending someone off in the middle of the night while it stormed sat on his conscience. He knew he was too nice for his own good.
Going over to the door, he unlocked it along with removing any barriers that he had placed before opening it. Niou blinked his eyes at who he saw. They were definitely not one of his usual customers. In fact, there was something decidedly...off about the person in front of him. "Can I...help you?"
Ryoma pulled his jacket tighter around his body as the door opened, and he found himself gazing up at a young man, who looked... Uncannily like a witch, was his first thought, before he dropped it. He knew there had to be others like him, other vampires at least, but the chances of meeting one living in the same region were just terrifically low. His own encounter could testify to that - it took him seventeen years to actually run into a vampire, and become just like it.
Still, he couldn't quite take his eyes off the other male, maybe it was the shock of silver-white hair, or maybe it was...something else. "It's kind of raining," he said softly, holding on just a little bit tighter to the file of notes beneath his jacket as he tried to figure out what was setting off the alarm in his head about the guy.
Giving his new and unexpected guest a once-over, Niou stepped aside to allow the male in. After all, he didn't look very dangerous - almost had an innocent air about him. Still, something was telling him to not take the seemingly younger male lightly. Besides, after all the different kinds of run-ins he'd had within the last few weeks, it wouldn't hurt to be a little cautious.
"Come on in then. You're lucky you came just before I was thinking of closing shop," he said, gesturing for the other to get inside. He actually had full intention of closing up his pastry shop, but his merciful nature had kicked in again. One of these days, he knew it was going to get himself killed off completely. "Want something? Cup of tea, coffee...cake?"
Once inside, Ryoma took a look around and almost smiled. It was a cake shop. How...endearing. He shook his head just once and looked about carefully for a stool to sit on. "It's all right. I just wanted to get out of there," he said, gesturing faintly at the door. "Were you going to sleep?" His eyes followed the owner as he moved around the shop. He's too young to own a shop, he realized.
Niou let out a small shrug, but in his mind the answer was a definite "yes". He was still recovering from being out during the daytime for so long, after all. Try as he might, even he knew that his movements weren't as fluid as they should be. He had been able to trick the elderly couple with his false enthusiasm. Would he be able to do the same with someone younger-looking?
Probably not, he thought to himself. And he found that he didn't really care at that moment. Glancing at his visitor, he wondered what to do if the other didn't express an interest in his confectioneries. "If you don't want anything, then just take a seat," he said, gesturing to the small tables that held chairs. "Or you can sit here." He gestured again toward a counter that had stools resting in front of it. "Take your pick."
Ryoma chose the stool; making his way over to the counter, he perched himself on the nearest one, before sliding his piano file out from under the jacket and onto the counter-top. It was a bit of a stretch to say he felt warmer in the shop - it had been a long time since he'd actually been warm, but he did feel a little more comfortable indoors.
And since he wasn't much of a talker or a thumb-twiddler, he sat and studied the shopkeeper with great interest. He really does look like a witch...
Deciding to do something semi-productive, Niou began to tidy up a bit more around the place. After all, there was someone other than himself and his familiar here and he couldn't just very well leave the shop unattended, especially with a peculiar stranger. Taking up a towel, he began to wipe the glasses and tea cups, setting them carefully aside when he was finished with them.
Although he tried to keep himself busy, he could tell that he was being stared at. Normally he didn't mind nor care since it wasn't often that people saw a young person with silver-white hair. However, the way his guest was staring at him, he had a feeling that it was something else. And the only way for him to find out was small talk. "So, what brings you around here in the middle of the night?"
"Work," came the simple reply. Ryoma thought it was a little hypnotizing, watching someone at work, cleaning the way the shopkeeper did. He gave himself a tiny shake and rested his elbows on the counter, finally turning his gaze away.
Even then, he still felt that odd, prickling sensation at the back of his neck. "I was coming home from work early."
Niou raised his eyebrow at that, but didn't question it. After all, he usually kept his shop open all night and closed during the day. But that was understandable if anyone knew of his circumstances. "I see. And just got caught in the rain, yeah? Tough luck for you but at least you're not standing in the rain getting completely soaked," he said with a wry grin. "Name's Niou Masaharu. Welcome to Foschia, my pastry shop~"
Despite any misgivings he might have had about the shopkeeper, Ryoma found himself returning the older man's grin. "Nice name," he commented; whether it was in reference to the man himself or the shop, he deliberately left it unclear. And since it was only polite... "I'm Mori," he said, going by the name he performed under since it was unlikely he'd ever meet this guy in a bar or restaurant.
"Heh. Pleasure to meet you," Niou responded, some amusement coloring his tired visage. He didn't know what it was, but there was something about the kid that made him interesting. And that said a lot considering all his guest had done was just sit there and stare at him while exchanging a few words. There was a niggling at the back of his mind that he should notice something, but he couldn't quite place it.
A soft meow disturbed his thoughts and the shopkeeper glanced over to where it had come from. Ah, maybe he'll know something. He always does, Niou thought to himself as he watched his cat familiar nimbly jump onto the counter, circle around a bit, and then turned to look at the newcomer with curiosity evident on his face. "Don't mind him. He's just being what cats are best. Curious," he mused with a small chuckle.
Ryoma turned on his stool so he could keep the cat in his view. He didn't sense anything off about the cat - yet, but he wanted to keep an eye on it anyway. "I know." He watched it edge along the counter-top with a little smile. "I've got one of my own at home." The thought of Karupin always brought a strange mix of feelings to his chest, but for the most part, he knew he loved his cat dearly. Karupin had been his sole companion ever since the change, the only being whom he thought wouldn't treat him any differently. "I'd give my life for it," he added, after a brief pause, chuckling mentally at the irony. He had - for that damn cat.
I'd probably do the same, but no point in telling the furball that, Niou mentally thought to himself as his gaze kept returning to his familiar. "His name's Noeru. Been with me for a few years," he informed, finishing up the last cup. Putting down the towel, he carefully picked up the tray that he'd placed all the cups on and put them away. He frowned a little when even doing something so simple was a little taxing on his tired body. Damn the sunlight. "If he gets annoying, then just tell him to go away."
"Maybe I will." Ryoma was still mostly watching Niou out the corner of his eye, even as his ears were listening hard on the downpour outside, straining for the slightest indication that the rain was letting up and he could head back home. As fascinating as the shopkeeper was, as long as Ryoma couldn't figure out what was bugging him about the other male, he'd prefer to stay away.
No such luck, at least, for several more minutes, Ryoma realized dully. The rain was practically battering against the windows now. In a bid to occupy his mind, he let his eyes wander all over the shop, all the while thinking how quaint it was. How...not the kind of shop someone like Niou should own... "Why do you own a cake shop?"
Niou blinked his eyes at the question. The real reason was at the tip of his tongue, but it wasn't like he could tell someone he'd just met that he was a witch... A witch who had been turned into a vampire at that. Three others already knew partially what he was. Noeru would have his head if another knew.
He shrugged. "Why not own a cake shop?" He questioned in return with a small grin.
The corners of Ryoma's mouth twitched as if he was trying not to smile. Which he was. It was pretty obvious, what Niou was doing. "That's not really answering the question, is it," he said, sliding off the stool. He leaned against the counter, and just for the heck of it, just to see the older man's reaction, he added, "Are you trying to hide something?"
At the very worst, Niou would just throw Ryoma out into the rain, for cheeking him. Maybe.
The younger male had guts, Niou wouldn't deny that. He mimicked the other's movements, leaning on the counter with one arm resting on the top of it. The small grin morphed into a mischievous smirk, amusement clearly showing in his eyes. "And if I was? What do you plan on doing about it? Figure it out?" he challenged. He could tell that Noeru was getting a tad annoyed at him doing this; he could feel it through their mind link. But he didn't care. Right now he wanted to see what his impromptu guest would do.
It would be just his luck if he stepped into a real witch's shop today, of all days. It's just like those stories, Ryoma mused silently. Hansel and Gretel and so on. Not that he was afraid - he was pretty sure he could handle himself - but really, what were the chances?
Right now, looking at Niou, he decided it wouldn't hurt to play along. Even if the guy wasn't a real witch, it would be interesting to see how far he could keep it up, and if Ryoma ended up scaring him, albeit accidentally - well, what were the chances of him ever stepping into this shop again?
He shrugged lightly, turning away just a little from the other male in a show of nonchalance. "I figured you out from the moment you opened the door."
"Oh?" So, he wanted to go that way, did he? Niou was just fine with that. He was a master at illusions and masks. It would be easy for him to play along with this...and would most definitely be fun as well. Slowly but surely he could feel his tiredness ebb away, but he figured that was more at a mental stage rather than an actual physical one. "So what was it that gave me away?"
"Everything really." Niou was deliberately keeping his answers vague, Ryoma noted amusedly. "And yet, nothing at all." He cast a glance at the cat, which was still prowling on the counter-top and thought he sensed its growing irritation. Somewhat unusual, and at the same time, not quite - after all, Karupin got irritated rather easily as well.
The stool was just the right height for him to place his elbows on and he did just that, resting his head on his hands to look at the shopkeeper. "If you don't mind, how old are you... Niou?"
Niou was amused. Highly amused. No one had really asked him that question before and he always wondered what he should say whenever it came up. Luckily for him, he actually knew how old he supposed to be, but unluckily for him he probably didn't look the age he was supposed to be. After all, once turned one doesn't go back...or forward for that matter.
So now therein lies the debate. Should he tell his supposed age or the age he actually looked? He guessed that either way didn't matter. "I'm twenty-two," he replied simply.
"And how many twenty-two-year-old men do you know run a cake shop?" Ryoma's gold-flecked eyes were fixed on Niou and looking at the position he was in, head cradled in his hands and eyes wide, one might have thought Niou was telling him a fascinating story.
In a way, it was. As soon as Ryoma said that, something clicked in the back of his mind. Exactly...how many twentysomething-year-old men did run a cake shop?
"You'd be surprised at the kind of world that we currently live in~" Niou responded easily enough with his patent smirk. He didn't know any specific people who ran a cake shop or any kind of shop in particular who were his age, but he did know a few witches who were younger than him trying to make a name for themselves in the world of potion making. And they were mediocre at best. Amateur imitations of the those truly gifted in the art.
The silver-white haired male tilted his head to the side in mock curiosity. "Is it so difficult to believe that I own this place?"
Oh, why not. "Very." With a sigh, Ryoma pulled himself back on the stool and did a little turn. Niou could pretend all he wanted but Ryoma was fairly certain now that the other male was hiding something. And he didn't know if he wanted to find out but it never did hurt to prod, did it?
... Okay, maybe it did, once. But nothing could hurt him now - much. "You know, I first thought you looked like a witch when you opened the door," he said idly.
Well, that was just a little bit unexpected. Over the course of the years since he'd opened this shop, Niou had been called a lot of things - the most ironic being vampire. But try as he might, this was the first time he ever remembered someone saying that he looked like a witch without a seemingly second thought. And it was the correct assumption, of course. Whether he could divulge the response that it was remained to be seen.
"Really now. And just what of my features made you think of that?" Niou mused with a grin.
"Like I said, nothing really." Ryoma tried to do another spin on the stool. "Thought it was the hair at first but I don't think so now." He paused suddenly, seemingly struck by another thought. "And it's too far of a stretch to assume you are a witch."
Slowly, the smaller male turned so that he was facing Niou, a little gleam of mischief entering his eyes. "Because you might be right. In the kind of world we live in, it's normal for a young man to own a cake shop," he murmured, then glanced quickly at the counter-top. "And a cat."
Niou was tempted to let out a small chuckle. Really he was. His guest sure was trying his best to get the answers from him that was for sure. The other was quick to assume one thing and then contradict was he was saying in order for him to say something about the contradiction. Interesting tactic, he had to admit and it was one he'd probably used sometime in his life.
A small shrug of his shoulders, he responded. "So why were you questioning all of that before if the possibility's there?"
Ryoma sighed inwardly. The shopkeeper was proving to be a tough nut to crack, not that Ryoma was sure what he was looking for either. Even if Niou admitted he was a witch, or something else, what good would it do? It just meant a little additional danger - and that, Ryoma was sure he could do without.
... Though, admittedly, the idea of discovering someone else like that, was somewhat thrilling. His shoulders drooped suddenly and he stopped his spinning attempts on the stool, placing both elbows back on the counter and looking very young. "Because something's telling me things just aren't what they seem," he said, barely audible over the rumble of thunder.
"Oh? Kind of like...an illusion?" Niou wondered if there had been anyone else like this person before him who had been trying to guess what he was. Sure the werewolves had been easily enough - they had the power of scent and familiarity on their side. Though the hunter...that was more because he hadn't wanted that one to walk around with a barely usable arm for the next few decades. This was the first time someone was actively trying to get him to reveal himself in a semi-direct manner.
This Mori person sure was taking a lot of his "firsts".
"Mm, nope." He let his fingers play over the counter-top, almost as if he were seated before a piano, his eyes following them as they ran all over the piano file and back again. "It's nothing as complicated. I think it's more like..." Ryoma's hand paused somewhere near the cat as he racked his brain for an example. "...you ask me who I am, and I give you a false name," he finished.
"And does it bother you that it could be that way?" Niou questioned, curiosity becoming more prominent in his features. He was beginning to wonder what would be the outcome of this conversation. Although it was interesting enough to keep his attention and make him stay up just that much longer, even he could feel the affects of not letting his body rest enough after the ordeal he'd gone through. He really did need to think of a potion that would help in this kind of situation.
Ryoma managed an expression of mild surprise as he turned to eye the shopkeeper. Would it bother him? The chances of him encountering Niou again were significantly low - no wait. That was before he stepped into a cake shop owned by someone who looked like a witch. "It'd be interesting," he admitted finally. "But not really. I'll still think there's something odd about you, whether you admit it or not. But I don't think it's possible to die of curiosity."
Niou thought about what the other had said for a moment. He could sense there was an underlying message in there. Though his guest had explained that it was all right for him to not to admit to anything, he could tell that the younger male was still curious enough to want to know. And he would know - or at least suspect - that because he was often the same way.
"There's no guarantee that you'll believe me if I even admitted to something so...far-fetched," he pointed out, nonchalantly waving his hand. There was a way to make him a believer though... Glancing over at Noeru, he could tell that the familiar didn't like the idea but wouldn't do anything to stop it either. "Is there?"
"Hm, I think there is." One of Ryoma's hands gripped the piano file; it was startling, he hadn't realized it but he had been waiting for this, ever since he'd thought there was something off about the other male.
...or maybe he was holding onto the file just in case Niou's demonstration - if he was going to give one - turned out to be something sinister, and he needed to bolt for it. For all he knew, Niou could just be an ordinary human pervert.
He cast a glance at the older man. Yeah, right. "Why don't you just give it a try?" he asked, leaning forward in anticipation. Anything but human, was his next unconscious thought.
Letting out a low hum, Niou considered his next course of action. Should be reveal himself to someone again? And to someone he hardly knew? There was a risk involved, since he didn't know what the younger man was either. Going through a quick deduction, the other could be one of two things. A human or a vampire. If he had been a witch, he could have simply cast a spell to leave him dry until he got home and him being a werewolf was the least likely possibility. He knew two already and this newcomer didn't have the same feel as the others.
But the more he thought about it, the more the balance was beginning to tip to one side, though still fairly even. He'd just have to risk it. If he existence ended that night, then the fate's were against him. Not like they were on his side to begin with but that was beside the point.
Niou glanced over to the side and saw an unlit scented candle sitting not too far from them. Concentrating on his reserves, he formed a small flame on his forefinger and pointed to the candle, lighting it a second later. It was a simple demonstration, but it would prove enough without needing his wand.
It wasn't very spectacular, Ryoma noted. It probably wasn't a complex spell either for Niou to perform. But the fact was that Ryoma had never so much as seen a real spell performed right before his eyes, and he let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Seeing that flame flicker to life only confirmed that magic did exist - and so did witches. And vampires actually, he added mentally.
He turned his gaze on the shopkeeper, eyes shining a little brighter than before. "So I was right," he murmured, beaming at the other.
Chuckling slightly, Niou made his way over to the candle and waved his hand over it, promptly dispelling the flame before the scent permeated the air. "You've got good instincts, I'll give you that," he started before turning around to face the other again. "However, I've got good instincts too and they're telling me that you aren't what you seem either."
From the corner of his eye, he could see movement and knew that his familiar had gotten up from his resting position and stood at ready. Noeru was just as curious as he was and he knew that the cat would pounce for the answers. Literally.
Ryoma blinked once. And then twice. Even as he kept his gaze on Niou, he could sense the cat on the counter-top getting to its feet as well, almost as if it was poised to move if he did. A year ago, Ryoma would've dismissed it as his imagination but things had changed - his mind, he knew, didn't quite work the way it used to.
He slid off the stool cautiously, slowly pulling the file towards him as he did so. "What am I?" he asked, a tiny frown creasing his forehead. "I never said I own a cake shop."
"I never assumed you did," Niou pointed out, a grin slowly making its way to his lips. "Is it now normal for someone who doesn't seem quite right to own a cake shop? That's news to me if it is~" He didn't take his eyes off of the younger male, moving around the counter, step by step, almost like a predator to a prey. With the way that his guest was acting now, he was certain that the person before him was no ordinary being.
Either way, he had the advantage. Not only was the place his that had various kinds of barriers that could come and go as he liked, he also had his instincts as a vampire. Sure he suspected that the other was one too, but he had a feeling that he was the slightly more experienced one between the two of them. And if that was right, there could possibly be a chase on his hands unless he was somehow able to convince the other that he really didn't mean any harm. Just merely curious.
Ryoma was beginning to feel a little cornered. Not that he was actually in a corner, but the way Niou was moving towards him now was just a little reminiscent of a hunter coming forward to claim his prey. And he'd be damned if he was the prey in this situation.
Then again... Niou did know more than a couple of spells. That automatically made him more dangerous than the average adversary, not that Ryoma had really met any so far. He didn't count the occasional mugger. "I don't understand," he muttered, taking another measured step back.
And another. And another. And before Niou could answer, he bolted for the door.
So it's gonna be like that, huh?
Niou glanced over at Noeru who was already going after his running guest. Though the familiar couldn't do much in his state, he could still contribute somehow. He knew he could count on the cat to not get in his way.
Quickly rounding the corner of the counter, Niou gave chase. It's not like he needed to go very far; his shop wasn't overtly huge after all. However, he mentally started to raise up the barriers that he usually had up around his shop. Luckily for him, there was another barrier on his side - one of the more natural kind.
"Are you really going to go out in the pouring rain when you weren't so willing before?" He called out, a knowing tone to his voice.
Reaching the entrance only took Ryoma a few seconds, even without tapping into his vampiric speed. Still holding the file to his chest, he gripped the knob and flung the door open, just as Niou called out - just as he nearly fell over the steps because as far as he could see, there was a blitzkrieg going on out there. Okay, maybe that was a bit of a stretch too but the downpour hadn't ceased since Ryoma first entered the shop. If anything, it seemed to have gotten heavier.
He stared at it and looked back down at his file. It was just a couple of piano notes right? ...and his livelihood, but that wasn't the point. The point was that he was stuck in a witch's shop and, well, he never thought he'd see the day when a bit of rain could stop him.
He turned to face the shopkeeper, swallowing the little lump of desperation at the back of his throat, even as his eyes started to glow. The gold in his eyes wasn't as obvious before. "Yeah, you're right."
Inwardly letting out a smirk of triumph at the subtle changes that the other was doing, Niou stopped his advancement. He held his hands up in mock surrender, though his face still held that knowing grin. Whether the other stayed or not was of no consequence to Niou. Especially not when his observation and assumption had been proven correct.
"I knew it," he simply declared. It was a half-truth, but a truth all the same.
The smaller male blinked again. In a matter of seconds, his face smoothed over and Ryoma looked just like he did when he was spinning - or trying to spin - round on the counter stool, a little young, a little unsure, but most of all, relatively harmless.
He stared up at Niou, and decided to play confused. After all, he'd barely done anything. "Knew what?"
"Play the innocent card all you want, but I know what I just saw~" Niou replied, bringing his hands down when he saw that the other wasn't going to bolt away immediately. He briefly toyed with the thought of letting his own eyes flash gold for a split second but decided against it. One secret revealed was enough for one night. Besides, he was bound to get an earful once the younger male was gone from Noeru. "It was only for a moment, but it happened nonetheless."
It was on the tip of his tongue to say that looks could be deceiving, but Ryoma thought the better of it. The night was turning out to be really one of his most interesting ones since being turned - and who was it that said first impressions were often the truest? He sure struck the bull's eye with this one.
But it didn't mean he had to admit it. Now that he felt quite sure Niou wasn't going to hurt him, he let his shoulders relax and stared blankly at the other man. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he declared.
While Niou just continued with his knowing grin, Noeru looked like he was going to roll his eyes. And he would have if he had deemed it dignified to do so. As it was, he didn't. Strolling up to the newly discovered night being, he spoke. "What he's trying to get you to do is admit that you're not exactly human," he started, sitting down on the ground. "And don't try to keep denying it either. Even I can now tell that you're a vampire."
Niou just watched his familiar in amusement. He would have never thought that the cat would get so fed up that he would out himself like that. But it's not like it mattered anyway. The other knew he was a witch already, so why not reveal the familiar too?
Ryoma loved cats. He really did. He had sort of come to that conclusion after discovering he'd been turned into a vampire, and died for his pet cat. In a way, he'd demanded Karupin's companionship after splitting from his family but he liked to think that even if he hadn't, Karupin might've followed him anyway. Karupin could be strangely intuitive like that.
Intuitive flew out of the window with this cat. For as long as Ryoma could remember having Karupin, he could not remember ever hearing him talk. Like this one. What breed is this? shot through his mind before he remembered its owner, and his eyes widened, taking in the cat's appearance as it practically sauntered towards him. "So if I'm not allowed to deny it, only thing left for me is to agree, isn't it," he mused.
If cats could smirk, one would have appeared on Noeru's face at that moment. However, he just settled for being amused. This one was interesting, probably because he wasn't as old as some of the other vampires he'd come across. He had to wager that this one was a fledgling, newly turned just a year or two ago. Not that much younger than Niou.
"Even if you agree, that's not the same thing as you agreeing that it's the truth," Noeru pointed out, head tilting to the side a little. "You could be saying that just to indulge us."
Shifting back to the counter, Niou sat down on a stool, just watching the interaction. His familiar could handle things from here. Besides, he had to concentrate on preserving his energy. Now that he didn't have to entertain his guest, he was beginning to feel the tiredness again. He really did need to sleep some more.
"True, but I'm not saying it's the truth..." Ryoma mumbled, instinctively moving back a little when the cat came closer. He glanced at the shopkeeper, wondering if Niou was going to call him off, and then realized, oddly enough, that he didn't know who was master anymore. From the way the cat was taking charge at present, Ryoma wouldn't be surprised if he ran the shop whenever Niou called in sick.
"What's your name?" he asked after a brief pause, and managing to feel somewhat stupid at the same time while asking the question, as if he should be asking Niou for it instead.
"Noeru, but I believe that Masaharu had already told you my name," the familiar mused. Noeru thought of advancing closer but decided against it. It didn't seem like the other would be leaving any time soon anyway. The storm was coming in strong. Instead he went over to where Niou was sitting, almost slumped against the counter. "You need sleep."
Niou waved the comment off, but knowing that was the truth. "I'll be fine, don't worry." Though he could probably leave the shop and their guest in Noeru's capable...paws, he couldn't just leave like that. Bad manners and all that.
"I don't remember names that well," Ryoma admitted, truthfully. Something that carried over from his time as a human apparently; Ryoma vaguely remembered a girl from his school asking him once if he knew his brother's name. Ryoma had asked her in return if she was joking, and the only reason why Ryoma remembered the incident at all was probably because the girl was devastatingly pretty. And he recalled that fact without remembering how she looked like.
He blinked at Noeru's next statement, and moved to put his hand on the doorknob. "If he's tired, I could leave," he offered. Not that he felt particularly guilty or anything about dashing into the shop, but he figured a little politeness wouldn't hurt. Maybe he should've just asked Niou for an umbrella and go on his way home.
"And here we thought you didn't want to go out in that," Noeru pointed out again, idly gesturing to the sheets of rain still coming down. However, he was worried about Niou as well. He was losing what little color he had left. There was the thought of having Niou cast a spell on their visitor to keep him dry from the rain, but the vampire-witch was tired enough as is. And he knew his companion enough that just letting him leave without protection was out of the question. That left another option...
Niou ran a hand through his hair. "It doesn't look like it's gonna let up anytime soon. Could stay here for the night if you want. I got an extra room," he suggested, almost in a nonchalant way. It was the first time he'd offered something like this and whether it was taken would be up to the one who he offered it to. Yes, a lot of his firsts were definitely being taken tonight.
Ryoma's first thought was to reply, no, he couldn't stay. He had a cat back home and sure, Karupin couldn't talk but he didn't like the thought of leaving Karupin alone for too long either.
On the other hand... The rain was getting worse. Ryoma bit his lip, thinking hard for a moment, before nodding reluctantly at the shopkeeper. "If you're sure." He could always time himself to wake up in an hour or so, and leave while it was still dark. "You're not afraid I might attack you or something during the night," he observed, frowning slightly.
"If you did, I would know," Niou replied, waving off the question like it was nothing. And to him, it was. Magic was laced throughout the building and could be activated if he wanted them to. However, the other didn't need to know that he hardly activated them since he was the only one here besides his familiar. Besides, he had his vampiric powers to help him should he need it.
He gestured for the other to follow him to the staircase that was partially hidden away that would lead to his living quarters. Pausing at the base of the stairs, he looked over his shoulder and let out a small grin. "Besides, you don't seem like the type who would."
It took Ryoma a while to register it and when he did, he stopped and scowled petulantly at the bottom stair. "I could be dangerous for all you know," he grumbled, but only half-meaning what he said. He wasn't particularly keen on attacking anyone at the moment even if he felt wide awake. Niou could still throw him out in the rain. "And I didn't know there were types..."
"You'd be surprised at the various types out there..." Niou said, intentionally trailing off. He didn't want to go through the explanation that there were plenty of beings out there that would have taken advantage of the situation just for a quick bite. That was reserved for another time or maybe he would let the other find out for himself. Whichever came first. "And if you're as dangerous as you're trying to imply, then you would have attacked me rather than run away earlier," he assumed, slight amusement coloring his tone.
"I did not run away," Ryoma retorted indignantly, following the older man. He paused on one of the stairs and watched the other with narrowed eyes that were a little too bright to hide the interest he obviously had in Niou's earlier comment. "You mean there are others? Like yourself?"
Niou paused in his steps and glanced back again, a grin barely visible with the dim lighting. "Wouldn't you like to know~"