The Kingpin of Karakura[FINISHED]

Styn stood not quite six feet tall, taller then average perhaps, but not in a way that stood out. His medium build accentuated his averageness, he wasn't quite slim, but fell short of heavily muscled. Dark green hair only an inch or so in length, could possibly be a dye job. Pale violet eyes, while a questionable fashion choice, were not outside cosmetic modification. Both ears came to slight point at the apex of their arc, something easily overlooked. His teeth might be a bit sharper then normal for a human, but they retained the same basic shape and placement. The demon's nails also came to a point and were thicker then common, but were by no means long talons or claws. All and all - discounting Za Koa which was naturally suppressed in this base form - Styn would go unremarked in most locations. Unchallenged was another story entirely.

The Knight of the First Circle sported a dark green business suit, almost black outside of direct light. The pale violet tie was clearly meant to bring out his eyes, which were somewhat concealed behind a pair of gunmetal gray glasses with translucent bottom rims. Black dress shoes capped out the attire, with especial detail paid so that the combat boot soles didn't look out of place. Still the effect lacked a certain something. First of all, his white button down shirt was not tucked in, which his unbuttoned dark green jacket didn't quite conceal. His tie was loosened at least an inch, and cocked slightly to the left. His pants looked a bit rumpled and his shoes were scuffed. In addition his eyes had heavy dark bags under them and his stare was half lidded, giving him the appearance of someone tired or sick.

It would be one thing if this sort of look was calculated on his part. Styn couldn't have tried to look more like a strung out saleryman looking for his next fix if he'd tried. A young man perhaps, new to the business and beginning to feel the discontent from what he imagined life was going to be, and what he actually was finding to be true. Maybe that was why this was the third such meeting he was showing up for. The two previous times his target had failed to show. Now there could be a perfectly good reason for such a failure on part of the Karakura Kingpin. However, Styn wasn't sure of the reason for being violently accosted by thugs at both of those meetings.

Either way, this is how I always look. If I don't pretty myself up for Hobgoblin, I'm damned sure not going to do it for some random human. Even if he does claim this part of the city as his own.

Hopefully the drug lord appreciated his light touch. Other then a few bruises, the hired muscle had escaped relatively unharmed. Styn wasn't sure what he would do if this was yet another dead end though. It had taken him months of investigating to get this far. He wanted more then his suspicious before taking this up with Shadow Fall. Clearly he wasn't cut out to be eighth or even fourth circle. A master of information gathering he was not. Still, he was here again at the appointed time.

A glance upward showed a sun that was threatening to descend. The deep orange glow really was nice, as the day's heat finally began to subside. Supposedly people said it was dangerous after dark in these parts. It would take more then another encounter with some spiritually aware humans, or the odd hollow or three to make Styn flinch though. His recent treatments still made him shudder, but Shadow Fall's best and brightest were shaping his willing body into a true force to be reckoned with. Although the concept seemed almost foreign, Styn knew he was well on his way to being a player instead of just a pawn.

To that end he would really prefer to wrap up this business with the small gang known as the Karakura Demons that had come to his attention. It wasn't that he suddenly had an interest in crime or justice. No, it was the drug that he wanted access to. Preferably with the person who created it under Shadow Fall control. With everything else that had been going on in his life, it had been difficult to find the time to continue to impress his demanding organization. Certain things were expected of the Knights.

Gaze still to the sky, Styn allowed his eyes to wander toward the skyline, where he could see hints of the domed city of Karakura proper. It was always something he took the time to appreciate on this jaunts along the outskirts. Did the citizens destined to live in these conditions curse their betters who enjoyed the dome's protection, and the affluence that came from living in the heart of what was undoubtedly the strongest and safest city that humankind still controlled? The demon sometimes wondered if big shots like Shadin Yuudeshi every looked down from their thrones at the same reversed view. What where the chances, that right now they were locking gazes from a span miles wide?

Heavens, I hope not. I'd like to keep living. If the likes of Shadin Yuudeshi ever got me in their sights, I'm sure I'd last about as long as an offending fly. With just as much thought going to my disposal.

The thoughts made him hunch in on himself suddenly. Styn was hardly immune to fear, or the concept of his own mortality. Death had been something he was far to exposed to in the last few months. Disjointed imaginings continued to spiral around in his head as he leaned his scrunched form against a dilapidated structure. The Kingpin was either going to show, or he wasn't. The only thing left was waiting.

As an hour ticked by Styn was forced to come to the realization that this meeting probably wasn't going to happen. This was a fairly low traffic area and those who passed were quick to hustle past without making any attempt ot interact with the Demon Knight. There were of course exceptions. As often happened in the course of a day in the slums, a small gang of boisterous young men and women rounded a corner. Styn could tell that he was immediately in their sights.

They looked to be about high school age and the Demon Knight wasn't sure what to make of their particular fashion sense. They looked to be wearing swim wear, but their exposed bodies were painted in some kind of holographic material and their bodies were covered in piercings. Who the heck would pierce their tricep? That looked both uncomfortable and non functioning.

Styn soon found himself ringed in a half circle of jeering teenagers. This close he could tell that none of them were particularly strong. "Hey there old man, whatcha doing way out here?" A purple haired punk said while leaning forward aggressively.

"Maybe he got fired today and is looking to die so his wife and kid can collect his life insurance policy. You want someone to kill you old man?" A pink haired teen girl jeered from behind purple hair.

The other humans thought this was funny, or they were high on something, because the group started barking like a pack of hyenas. Purple hair pushed a finger against Styn's chest, no doubt expecting the demon to be forced backward. One of the black haired thugs in the back reached into the crotch of his shorts and pulled out a plastic bag with a distinct logo on it. More importantly Styn could smell traces of demon blood as the bag was opened.

Really it was the only reason he hadn't done anything yet. As the group had approached Styn had just barely been able to detect the slightest feeling of Za Koa from them. His spirit senses weren't exactly what one would call refined though, so he had needed the extra time to pin point where the signature was coming from. He didn't like touching something that had been rubbing against male genitalia but something had to be done in pursuit of information.

Connecting to the young man's shadow, Styn moved in a mist of black smoke to appear behind the bag holding punk. With a quick flick of his arm the Demon Knight easily managed to snag the plastic container away. He flattened out the package to get a good look at the logo. This looked to be something a bit more professional then the standard pusher's mark.

Exclamations of disbelief met these precise movements. Unlike his experience in the slums a few months back, this particular group didn't seem inclined to try their luck. Maybe he had made a bit of a name for himself in his investigations. The teenagers fled in all directions instead of trying to overwhelm the Demon Knight. This was just fine with Styn he hadn't been looking for a fight anyway.

It might not be the lead he wanted, but as Styn forged a portal back to the Demon World, he found himself not completely disappointing with result. Its not like he had advertised his affiliation, as far as Karakura Kingpin knew, he was just a random guy who several small gangs were willing to vouch for. Maybe next time he'd impress upon the shadow boss the true nature of his standing. Then again knowing humans the man wouldn't be able to appreciate who Styn was becoming.

With a shake of his head the Demon Knight left the slums of Karakura. This sort of inquiry might be small potatoes, but it did help pass the time. The potential rewards for refining the solution into a more viable form was also of potential interest. In the end most things came down to risk verses reward, and when the risk was non existent the reward was just that much more attractive.