PCs: NATSUNO

[chaoscontrol]

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Week 2 - Saturday Night, after the afterparty

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow makes his way to the library, where he knows Natsuno will be.

He has a fine bottle of scotch and two glasses with him]

[sotoshini]

[ Jumping down from the rafters when he spots Shadow. ]

Somehow this isn't how I pictured my first drink.

[chaoscontrol]

I know. You probably didn't picture sharing it with a person like me.

[Shadow places the glasses on a small tablet and pours a small amount into both glasses]

Or in a place like this.

[sotoshini]

[ Sitting down, he takes the moment to examine the box while Shadow pours the drinks. Despite the whole situation, or in spite of it rather, he smiles ruefully. ]

I didn't. But I don't think I mind. This probably counts as normal, somewhere.

[chaoscontrol]

It's common for humans and animal people to be friends in my own world. Where I was created, there were only humans... I didn't even know there were other animal people until I went to Earth.

[Shadow swirls the liquor in the glass, appreciating the deep color]

Though you aren't quite human, are you? [his tone is accusatory, but curious]

[sotoshini]

[ Taking the glass, he closes his eyes as he breathes in the sharp scent of the scotch. It makes his nose crinkle a little, and he looks just like your typical sixteen year old with his first glass of liquor in hand. ]

I've never met an animal person until you. [ At the question, his eyes open, carmine red from their previous violet. ] Mhmm. I haven't been human for a few months now.

[chaoscontrol]

It's strong stuff -- sip carefully.

[Shadow takes his own advice and takes a small sip, savoring the almost etheric quality on his tongue]

A vampire, yes? Those aren't a thing in my world, but I'm familiar with the concept.

[sotoshini]

[ Solid advice, but he takes a hefty sip anyway. He doesn't quite gag, but he does make a face which probably looks comical with his fangs peeking past his lips. ]

Jinrou — [ Taking a smaller sip this time, augh still strong. ] but close enough.

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow laughs a bit] It burns, doesn't it.

I'm not familiar with that term but... close enough for government work, as they say.

[sotoshini]

It's fine. [ Nope it's definitely strong. Setting the glass down and swallowing slower this time. That's a bit better, and the warm sensation is one he hasn't felt in a while given his self imposed diet here. ]

My sense of taste and smell [ Spoilers, he could have helped you out all along in investigations shadow but he's not that helpful. ] is stronger than normal humans, that's all.

[chaoscontrol]

[It's pleasant, the way it spreads from your mouth, down your throat, and then blossoms like a warm flower through the whole body]

I see. I suppose that explains the general reclusiveness.

[sotoshini]

Hm? [ His eyes flicker to Shadow from the scotch, still that somewhat familiar shade of red. ]

[chaoscontrol]

Ha... maybe it's not that at all. Maybe you just like to be alone?

[Shadow what are you even talking about]

[sotoshini]

Is that what you've read about vampires? I don't burn in the sun either. [ Easier to just use the common term here, so sure. Taking another small sip, he's definitely dodging the question on purpose. ]

[chaoscontrol]

[He chuckles] Well let's see... I know they sometimes turn into bats, or mist, or wolves. They can't cross running water or come into a home without being invited... Christian symbols such as crosses and holy water can do them in... [he waves a hand] But those all vary. One thing is a common thread -- that vampires feed on human or animal life force directly, either through blood or energy. [Again, no judgement -- just curiosity] Have the goats been providing your food for you? Ha. Or is Nirrti planning to let you starve and murder someone out of necessity?

[he scoffs at the idea, taking a sip] ... Which sounds exactly like the kind of overly dramatic and cruel nonsense she would get up to.

[sotoshini]

[ If any of those hit the mark, Natsuno appears to have a pretty good poker face. His liquor face is improving too, as long as he takes small sips. One of those characteristics Shadow has probably seen if he was paying attention when they first arrived though, because it sure did take a while for Natsuno to actually get into the mansion.

Damn goats and their non-verbal invitations. ]

I haven't asked, and I'm not going to. I don't need to drink blood to survive, so her leverage over me is nonexistent. For supposedly picking her pieces for a reason...she really doesn't know me at all.

[chaoscontrol]

[yeah uh he kinda wondered why you were living outside, bro]

Hm... I think I should be allowed to say this... but. The Witch of Dimensions chose the pieces. The Witch of Misfortune chose the game. I think, anyway. [he nods] But that's good to know. I'm glad she can't force you to suffer in that way, at least.

[sotoshini]

He knows me even less. I've never been a sympathetic or warm person, which is what he seemed to be expecting.

[ Natsuno doesnt really know what to say to the rest, so he just takes another drink of scotch. Don't worry about him, feelings are bad. ]

[chaoscontrol]

Mmm. I'm not either. And yet... here I am. [he finishes off his helping, and pours himself some more] Erika wasn't a particularly warm or pleasant person either. But he chose her... for her detective skills, I imagine? Perhaps he also needed... well, skeptics. People that won't just take what's told to them at face value, people that have trouble trusting and question everything.

[sotoshini]

Maybe that describes you, but it doesn't really fit me. [ He can be a skeptic yeah, but he can't imagine that would be a top characteristic if he asked other people to describe him. Setting the empty glass down, his cheeks are tinged slightly pink. It's probably the healthiest he's looked since he's been here, given his typical pallid appearance. ]

If I had to pick something... I'm stubborn, obstinate, and I don't know how to let go. [ A different type of candidness than his usual, courtesy of the liquor. ]

[chaoscontrol]

[he looks good, with the color in his cheeks. Shadow gestures to the bottle for an unspoken question -- want more?]

[Shadow laughs at his honesty] Maybe it just takes all kinds. People with all different kinds of world-views.

[sotoshini]

[ D'ya really need to ask Shadow, he's a teen having his first drink, of course he wants more. Pushing his empty glass forward just a touch enthusiastically. ]

That's one way to put it. [ His world view is well...it's something alright. ] I guess it could be worse. I didn't expect to get along with anyone here.

[chaoscontrol]

[Of course. Shadow obliges by pouring him another serving]

Well... if you shove 20 strangers together in a small place with common enemies, I think it forges friendships quicker than under normal circumstances. [Shadow sips his] I don't... make friends easily, myself.

[sotoshini]

[ Good man. ]

Mm. [ Taking a sip, he thinks back to two people he hasn't put much thought into lately. Mostly because he feels like that chapter of his life is closed but it seems like they might have relevancy after all. Something he'll voice later maybe, but for now- ]

Does that bother you?

[chaoscontrol]

Does what bother me? Not making friends easily? [he scoffs] It's a choice I made for myself.