Byron yawned into his hand as he sat upright, still mostly sprawled out on the couch.
''Have you slept well mine dearest of kindre-''
''IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ELISEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!''
Another undoubtedly beautiful morning was upon the backstreets today, clear skies, sun high in the sky, it's rays shining through the glass of the residence to bask everything in a soft warm glow.
Especially the air....which was so thick with cigarrete smoke that spending over 5 minutes in here could be considered an immediate hazard to one's health.
As for the two primary residents of a particular former headquarters, one of them had just woken up, hair slightly disheveled, posture still indicating some degree of residual sleepiness as he rested against the soft cushions.
Now, what about the other you may ask?
Well he was lying infront of the TV, sobbing his eyes out, chugging a bottle of alcohol with one hand, and banging his fist against the floor with the other, which due to the inherent strength of a second kindred, was causing a minor degree of damage to the building's structural integrity.
He was surrounded by 15 boxes of cigarettes, all of which were now empty, and a few crumpled to pieces or flattened into a circle on the carpet.
The cigarettes themselves also surrounded him in bunches and heaps, and judging by how full the cigarrete tray was, and by how a bunch of them we're literally fucking embedded into the wall, Haru seemed to have taken some creative liberties in disposing of them.
And if the amount of cigarettes both currently on top and around him, he stopped taking those creative liberties very quickly.
As if the cigarettes weren't bad enough, the floor was also covered in several shards of broken glass, a true mystery as to why.
SHATTER
Haru then slammed the bottle in his hand (who he was done chugging for all it's worth) onto the floor, shattering it immediately.
He, well, more so the carpet and somewhat Haru, we're also covered in blood, naturally a result of Haru rolling around in the glass in an drunken frenzy as he was watching the drama infront of him.
The splatter of blood on the carpet was.....a concerning size, to say the least...
''....''
''My sincerest apologies, dearest of kin, but may you enlighten me as to what happened to our abo-''
''THAT BITCH hic JULIA DIDN'T hic DESERVE HIMMMMMMMMM!!!''
The sobbing intensified, and so did Haru's insistence of slamming his fist against the floor full force, so hard that the floor beneath was beginning to creak, and the glass shards and cigarettes around him we're being sent airborne for a moment with every new punch.
''....''
Byron pouted, more deeply and more poutily then he'd ever pouted in his entire pouty life, more frownily too, a breakthrough in being pissy.
''....Mine kindred.'' He said, the first tinge of genuine anger in his voice since this whole thing started.
''SHE. WAS. SO. hic. CLOSE!''
''....Mine dearest...'' Byron continued to loom closer.
''IT'S.....sniffle, IT'S-, IT'S NOT FAIIIIIIIIIIIR! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-''
''Haru.''
''WHAT!?''
I'd finally turned around at that moment, tears still streaming down my face, currently on all fours, to look directly up at Byron.
Who was pouting, so deeply his cheeks looked just about ready to burst, frowning so hard he might as well have had a monobrow.
''...Oh.....''
A few seconds of silence followed.
''Morning fathe-''
BONK
''OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW''
I rolled around on the floor after that hit, hurt way more then it should've il tell you that much.
''Hmph....'' Byron's pout slightly relented after the punch to my noggin, dusting his hand off against his robe.
''OWIE OWIE OWIE OWIE OWIE OWIE OWIE-'' Meanwhile i rubbed at my head profusely whilst continuing to roll on the floor, somehow spreading even more blood around on the once pristine carpet due to all the glass.
''Mmmph....''
Mercifully, it was stopped by Byron grabbing me by the back of my neck like a misbehaving kitten, and slowly bringing me up to his eye level.
''A-Ah, f-father! T-thank you, but uhh....''
''Did i not say to stay away from bad habits....''
''WELLLLLLLLL, I-I'M UH...''
My hands fidgeted nervously, beads of sweat dropping down my temple, since when the fuck was he this intimidating....?
''Really...sorry...?''
''.....''
'':/''
'':D''
''Apology accepted.''
...
Oh right, he was never intimidating.
Byron's hand then moved swiftly to dislodge the shards of glass embedded into my skin, not carefully mind you, or painlessly, or anything but swiftly, but i digress, each swipe scattered a dozen of them to the floor, followed by an impromptu ''Eep'' or ''Ow'' from me.
One by one, they all fell to the floor with soft clinks, and after a few more seconds, he was done.
''Haah~''
''Thank you father.'' I rolled my now glass free shoulders slightly.
''Hmph, you may thank me by staying out of bad habits.'' He was already pouting again
''Not gonna happen...…''
''Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmph....''
''….''
The pouting was starting to become effective unfortunately.
''Fineeeee.''
''Hmph, as expected from my dearest of kindred.'' Byron put me down shortly after saying those smug little words, dusting himself lightly. ''Now, may I pry into matters of nutrition''
''Uh…wha-?''
''The breaking of fast.''
''Oh, right…..''
''…''
''What about it exactly..:?''
''I merely wish to ponder the question of what may be consumed for it, a growing kindred needs to eat plenty of course.'' Byron said this as if I food could somehow make me grow ….as a bloodfiend….
''Uh….anything…..,im fine with anythin-'' I was interrupted by something, my fault for believing a normal morning could exsist for me.
''OI LET ME GO YOU FUCKIN PSYCHO-MPHMPHMH!'' This time it was the very angry pleas of a man, cut off with what could only be presumed to me as him being gagged.
''Please be quiet, im not in the mood.'' And a very…very familiar voi-motherfucking damnit not this cunt again.
Both me and Byron snapped at the commotion, coming directly from the other side of the door, accompanied by the clicking of dress shoes against the stairs, and a very, very tired sigh. Footsteps that stopped very quickly as they reached the door, knocked upon twice, gently.
''....'' Ignoring the muffled protests of the other person was starting to become increasingly difficult and annoying but I reaally was not in the mood to open that door right now.
''Bishop would you piss off if I stayed quiet long enough?''
''No.'' Damnit, worth a try.
''Additionally, you have about 10 seconds to open this door if you want it remaining on its hinges.''
After a quick side glance at Byron, who was staring at me with that usual fondness, clearly not moving a muscle, I opted to walk over to the door myself and slam the thing open.
The air in the room became noticeably more clear as the smoke filtered out through the newly made opening, causing the blonde index messenger to sigh in exhaustion, and the dirty looking stubby bearded man with a headband whom he was carrying to begin coughing violently.
''GA- cough cough SMELLS LIKE SHIT IN HE-''
''Pipe down.''
Bishop let go of his grip, dropping the man onto the floor, who writhed around clutching his throat like a fish out of water, to which the index member looked at with a mild glance of disgust, albeit hard to tell on account of his obscured face and closed eyes, nevertheless his attention turned to me.
''Uh....good….morning…?''
''If it was a good morning I would be literally anywhere but here, how you've managed to make this place look so horrendous in just under 8 hours is truly impressive..''
''Appreciate the compliment.''
''You are welcome..''
''That was sarcasm.''
''I am aware.''
''….''
''Haah~'' My eyes briefly flickered back towards Byron to find that he, indeed, was not moving a muscle, instead just watching the conversation unfold, even making a gesture with his hand as if to say ''go on.''
''Just tell me why you're here.''
''The will of the prescript has decreed I bring this man.''
The statement was punctuated by a light kick to the aforementioned person's abdomen.
''To you. I had initially went to seek him out myself but like usual, doubting lord Hermes's grand plan would only backfire, I'd discovered him walking here instead, calling for someone, the noise awoke me.''
''Mhm.'' I nodded at that.
''Why.''
''Why what?''
''Why were you still here?''
''Sleeping in the closet.''
''Why…?''
''It was comfortable.''
''WHY HERE SPECIFICALLY!?''
''To anger you.''
''….''
''You're a bitch.''
A smug chuckle was heard underneath that collar, his eyes fluttering open just slightly enough for me to see a pair of blue irises staring at me in amusement.
''Ah~ Shame, your insult is ineffective, you'll find that im quite male.''
''You know damn well what I meant.''
''I am not sure I do~''
''…''
Deep breaths, deep breaths, it was very important to remind myself that killing him would be both unnecessarily difficult, and come back to bite me in the long run. My anger would instead have to be channeled out via a very annoyed exhale.
''Kay then, you fulfilled the prescript, which means you can leave.'' Although I was beginning to question what the man writhing on the ground possibly knew or had that was so beneficial to us that a prescript would have him brought here.
''Not quite.''
''..Excuse me?''
''My prescript came in two parts, the second being to ensure that I am to remain alone in this place with your first kindred while you and the workshop owner go on your own.''
''…Huh?'' I tilted my head at that.
''Workshop….owne- WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN IM SUPPOSED TO LEAVE YOU ALONE HERE WITH BYRO-''
''Father'
''ALONE HERE WITH FATHER.''
''Also why'd you correct me on that but not on swearing…''
''I merely thought it was the way you conversed with your friend-''
''We aren't friends.''
''We aren't friends.''
''…''
''Mmph…you are to mine eyes atleast…'' This was all it took to get him pouting.
''…''
''…''
''I still don't trust you.''
''Do you honest to the wings think I am here of my own free will? The moron you call a father is the only thing I've encountered in all my years that has severely diminished my will to live.''
''Okay but-''
''And on top of this, the notion that your trust is in any way shape or form important is laughable, the magnitude of how tiny a speck of dust you are is indescribable.''
Bishop picked up the writhing man on the floor, tossing him outside still coughing and sputtering all throughout, then squinted at me, and pointed to the door.
''Leave.''
''….''
I turned around to take one last glance at Byron, who gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up in response, and with another tired sigh, I turned to Bishop to reply with a simple, oh so very simple.
''Sure.''
CLICK.
The shutting of the doorknob was a much welcome respite, maybe from the smoke that permeated the apartment, maybe from my drunkenness, who knows, unimportant really, what matters is that im here alone in a cold and unfeeling building, with nothing but my thoughts, like the good old days…2 days ago….two fucking days ago…..atleast im alo-
''So….''
Ah, right, this idiot.
My gaze turned to him appraisingly, he'd finally decided to stand upright, probably cause cigarrete smoke wasn't assaulting his lungs anymore, although he was still coughing into his fist, anyway, now that he was upright, I could actually get a good look at the man.
Tall and muscular was the best way to describe his build, he had a certain rough look to him apart from that though, not in the way of a typical backstreets resident though, in this case it was the appearance of a man who looked like he'd never took a day off in his life. The bags under his eyes were plenty apparent but even the more subtle details of his posture and general cleanliness had all but lead me to that conclusion.
In terms of actual appearance, stubby beard, long and unkept hair, donning a white tank top and black baggy pants, his appearance kind of reminded me of…well…me, if I was three heads taller and built.
He was currently in the process of scratching at the back of his head, looking down at me with a newly found look of confusion.
''Uh….''
I nodded for him to continue.
''What's uh…your…name I guess….?'' He stretched his hand out towards me for a handshake.
''Haru.'' A sentiment I did not return.
''A-Ah uh…nice name! I'm uh…I'm….''
''You can just call me Renza…''
''…''
''…''
The silence was painfully awkward.
''SO! UH!'' And the stubby bearded man decided to break it.
''You uhh….are..chilling in the Kurokumo's hideout huh! Real uh…real….real swell….!''
''…''
''You're uh…not gonna kill me too…..r-right…?''
''Eh?'' My face scrunched up in confusion ''Why would i?''
''W-Well uhm-'' He rubbed at the back of his head sheepishly ''I don't really…know….I think we just got off on the wrong foot here…''
''We got off on the entire wrong leg.''
''Uh…yeah…guess you could put it that way…''
''…''
''…''
''Sigh, just..'' I pinched at my forehead to try stave off a migraine. ''Tell me why you came here.''
''I-''
''And stop stuttering and being all…meek and stuff, im not gonna kill you, I don't kill people for no reason.'' My small figure was already descending the staircase whilst saying this, with the man following me in suit.
''Well I came here to deliver some clothes…..''
''…Clothes?''
''Yeah, a commission from the kurokumo clan, from what I gathered the captain just asked for some grunts to visit the nearest workshop they could find with some fancy fuckin' silk to get it made into some bullshit uniform.'' His foot kicked a wall, lightly of course, in clear annoyance. ''Pieces of shit…do I look like a fuckin' tailor to em?''
It didn't take a genius to realize he was pissed off just by thinking about it, brows furrowed and teeth clenched.
''But right, I get the job done, never say no to a paying customer, screw the fact there's a big ass sign outside that clearly sais ''Renza Bladeworks'' not ''Renza Makesclothesforpeopleworks'', piece of shit….ptui-'' He spat on the floor. ''Dumbass fuckin' kurokumos….''
''And let me guess, you came to deliver those clothes here.''
''Sure did. Was' supposed to just hand them to a wakashu standing outside but as im sure you of all people are aware that not a damn soul was present''
''So, I decide to walk inside, calling out for literally anybody, and that's when BOOM!'' An exaggerated raising of his arms to mimic the noise follow his statement ''Some big freakin' thud. Before I even know it the door to a nearby closet was just blown off and out pops the dude I was with earlier, starts talking to me about some ''Greetings, Rodent.'' When the beepy thing in his pocket starts making funny noises, and all of a sudden the guy's grabbing me and dragging me upstairs!''
''….Sounds rough.''
''IT FUCKING WAS!''
By this point we'd reached the bottom of the stairwell together, and wouldn't you know it, there it was, the closet door from the story he was telling, laying haphazardly on the floor, and a few paces away from it, were a neatly folded bundle of black clothes.
''Tch- Stupid bitch…what does he even want me to do with this midget anyway..'' Can't exactly say I didn't mildly get annoyed at that jab, but I relented to simply watching him walk over to pick up the clothes, grumbling to himself. Once he was done, he turned to me with a scowl and a pointed finger.
''Look, I held up my part of the deal''
''This wasn't a deal.''
''YEAH YEAH WHATEVER, JUST TELL ME YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY NOW! WHERE THE FUCK DID THE KUROKUMO CLAN GO.''
''It's a long story…''
''Too fuckin' bad'' He slung the no longer neatly folded clothes over his shoulder. ''I got time.''
''…''
''You're annoying.'' My cheeks puffed out slightly.
''I JUST WANT BASIC ANSWERS MAN!?''
''Fineeee, you can get those answers.''
''Finally-''
''On the condition that you help me out with something.''
''Kay?''
I pinched the dirty, clearly oversized, and bloodied up kurokumo clan garments I was currently dressed in, then pointed to the clothes he had slung over his shoulder.
''Make me some clothes.''
''I JUST SAID IM NOT A FUCKIN' TAILOR!''
''…''
My hands rummage trough the interior of my shirt in search for something, a simple band aid fix, no, better then that, something that can solve all my problems, everyone's problems, over literally anything, anywhere, ever. A weapon so foolproof in getting him to throw away any and all morals, qualms, and doubts about doing this job, so potent in its effectiveness that even the most cold of hearts could be stirred by it.
500,000,000 Ahn, in cash, locally sourced from the Kurokumo clan's very own private safe that I'd sniffed out at 9 AM while drunk.
''…''
''Ah~'' His mood instantly shifted along with his expression, a warm smile plastered across his face. ''You should have opened with that! Oh silly me! I was wrong to deny a paying customer!''
He crouched down to sling an arm around my shoulders, mildly annoying in all honesty.
''My mistake my mistake! I should've known better! Oh im such a fool!''
''Say, how about we head back to my workshop, you explain the story to me on the way, I make that cloak for you, and you pay me generously for my hard work! Who knows, maybe il even throw in some snacks if you tip~!''
''Im not tipping you.''
''Son of a-''
''Sure thing on following you back to the workshop though.''
''GREAT!''
My response elicited an overenthuastic grin and thumbs up from the man, and a generous stride of his footsteps towards the front door, accompanied by a wave over his shoulders to beckon me to follow.
Keeping up a steady stride with him was easy of course, and before I knew it, the morning sun was assaulting my eyes again, casting a warm glow on the shithole that is the backstreets of the city.
Although this time the backstreets felt…safer…not in the same way as yesterday though, I didn't have Byron to protect me this time, I was alone, knowing damn well this moron would ditch me in a heartbeat if a gaggle of rats decided to attack us, in spite of that though…there wasn't any of the fear that permeated the back of my neck anytime I went out like this, just a cold, dull boredom at everything…
…
It was such a welcome change of pace.
I was so lost in thought that-
''Oi!'' I'd ignored the man snapping his fingers furiously in front of my face to try and elicit some form of reaction.
''OIIIIIIII! SHIT FOR BRAINS! LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!!'' The snapping only intensified.
''OIIIII-''
''You know you should go back to being scared for your life, it was better.''
''Tch- Fuck are you zoning out for…''
''And I know damn well you won't kill me now, it'd be too inconvenient for you to find another workshop mister Kurokumo clan murderer….''
''…'' I squinted at him.
''You're right but you should still watch your tone.''
''Yeah right, im gonna let someone half my height dictate what im allowed to say.''
''MORE IMPORTANTLY THOUGH.''
He flicked my forehead, eliciting a small ''Ow!'' And a rubbing of the inflicted area, and very, very murderous glaring.
''TALK.''
''….''
''Asshole…'' I muttered under my breath.
''Sigh,Fine though. Do you know what bloodfiends are?''
''Blood..what?''
''Bloodfiend.''
''Nope'' We'd rounded a corner by this point. ''Doesn't ring any bells.''
''Of course it doesn't…makes this way harder…''
''Just….think of me as a kind of distortion right…''
''Uhuh.''
''And that big guy you saw earlier, im connected to him''
''Uhuh''
''And I need to drink blood to not die or go insane.''
''Uhuh.''
''Makes sense?''
''Nope.''
''WHY THE FUCK WE'RE YOU SAYING ''UHUH'' THEN!?''
''Bored.'' He picked his ear with a pinky.
''Oh for fuck's sake-''
I rubbed my temples to try and soothe another migraine before it began.
''Look, all that's important is that I got a prescript from Bishop''
''Whos Bishop?''
''The Index messanger.''
''Ah Gotcha.''
''Right, I got a prescript from him to kill every member of the Kurokumo clan, so I sort of just…did…and now'' I stretched my arms outwards ''We're here I guess!''
''….''
''That's dumb.''
''HOW IS THAT DUMB!?''
The workshop he'd mentioned before, Renza Bladeworks, had begun to come into view, the building wasn't anything particularly out of the ordinary, blending in well with the other backstreets architecture, the only thing to signify anything special about it was the large sign hanging overhead, with the workshop's name spelled out with glowing neon letters, I didn't notice, cause I was busy arguing of course.
''It's dumb cause I said soooo'' He picked his nose this time. ''What's hard to understand about that.''
''THAT'S THE DUMBEST FUCKING REASONING I'VE HEARD IN MY LIFE.''
''To you maybe'' A booger was flicked onto the pavement.
''TO ANYBODY!''
''Yeah yeah'' He waved a hand over his shoulder ''Whatever.''
I clicked my tounge, for alas, I had no more retorts to the sheer stupidity of the moron in front of me, it wasn't important anymore though, cause of one simple fact.
We'd reached the front door after a good five minute walk from the kurokumo clan headquarters, by my estimates at least, Renza patted his pockets down for a set of keys, jingling in the air before being inserted into the lock and given a twist, a click emanating from within to signify the door had been open. The keys were removed from the keyhole and pocketed once more, before his hand moved towards the doorknob, twisting it open.
Nothing but darkness filled the corridor in front of him.
Renza was unperturbed, just walking inside calmly and gesturing for me to follow with a wave over his shoulder.
I obliged.
The interior was nothing special, hardwood floor, concrete walls, yada yada, you've heard the same song and dance a million times by now, every building in the backstreets looks the damn same.
After a few seconds of walking, we'd reached a place with actual light, a large room with various potted plants scattered throughout, paintings hung on the walls and accompanied by a central desk and chair. It was a….reception?
On said chair, a woman was seated, legs crossed and casually reading a newspaper, only turning to look up at us once to lock eyes with Renza, completely ignoring my presence.
''You're late.''
''Something came up.''
''…''
She gently lowered the newspaper to look at me.
''That's not the captain….or any member of the kurokumo clan I know.''
''AH! I KNOW JUST-LOOK'' He shook me by my shoulders ''SHOW HER!''
''Show her what?''
''THE MONEY!''
''…''
My hand patted down my shirt for the place where I'd stored the bills, taking them all out and placing stack after stack on the table.
Once I did of course, the woman's demeanor immediately shifted to something one of complete and utter joy and fascination.
''OH RENZA! YOU SHOULD'VE JUST LEAD WITH THAT!''
''I tried you prick-''
''YEAH YEAH! GET HIM TO THE BACK AND MAKE HIM WHATEVER HE WANTS!''
''Tch-''
A strong grip suddenly encompassed my hand, looking up revealed Renza to be the culprit, dragging me across the floor as if I weighed nothing at all towards the back.
''Yeah yeah, just make sure the money's all counted nicely.''
It slammed shut behind me.
…
This whole morning's been insanely weird.
My eyes raked upon the interior of the building and-
Shit…this place looked like an actual proper workshop.
Starting from just the door alone, the smell of iron mingled with the smell of ash in the air, like a punch to my throat every time I tried to take a breath, various machines of all size and purpose filled the room, from simple grindstones and anvils to complex machinery whose purpose I could only gauge.
And through all of it, Renza stood behind me with a shit eating grin.
''Pretty cool huh~''
''Mediocre at best.''
''AH COME ON HERE!''
''Can we just get to the clothes making part….''
''TCH- FINE! SINCE YOU'RE SO STINGY!''
Part of me was confused where he'd even made clothes in here as he stomped off, there wasn't any-
Ah, there it is, a sewing machine in the far-off corner of the room, under the shade of a dull desk lamp, exactly where Renza was currently headed to pick up a measuring tape, he of course grabbed it with much more force then necessary.
As he walked back to me with a clearly angered expression, he'd tossed the clothes made for the Kurokumo clan captain aside, into…a liquid I guess? It was a strange color though, held in a cauldron and sizzled upon contact with the clothes.
''…Weird…'' I muttered to myself before taking my attention back towards the man walking towards me, hands outstretched with a yellow tape held between them, to which I raised an eyebrow.
''What's that for.''
''Measuring tape, I gotta get your measurements.'' He crouched down beside me. ''Now lets see here..''
The first motion he made was from the base of my foot all the way to my forehead, could feel my eyes going slightly cross eyed at it.
''164 Centimeters…'' He muttered.
Next was around my waist, tying the entire thing around.
''50….'' Both we're jotted down on a nearby notepad.
After which was my bust I suppose, on which he measured a 60.
….
I didn't think I was that small to be perfectly honest.
A few more measurements followed, ones that I could not care less about in complete honesty, the alcohol from last night was starting to hit like a bitch and I could feel my head pounding with this dull throbbing….damn annoying…
''There.'' Renza wiped some sweat from his brow once he was finally done with all the measurements. ''All done.''
''..Cool…what now.''
''Now.'' He grabbed some tongs to yoink the clothes out of the cauldron, every color and pattern on them having been clearly melted off.
''You leave.''
''Huh.''
''I said you leave…this'l take me a day to get done for you, just go do whatever…''
''…..Okay then..''
And so I just relented…walking past the door, grabbing my money back from the receptionist, and leaving.
…
''This entire day's been weird….i hate it..''