An Insidious Call [Vanyel, Kurai]

Bars weren't something he frequented much these days -- mostly just for the occasional outing with his coworkers in Gracen Arms, and even those he rarely accepted. But, this time, he was alone.

Tonight was one that he just...needed a drink for himself. It was a bar that he liked rather well, one that was quiet, in the back alleys of Kyoto.

Some would think that it's lack of a large clientele would drive people away, but, that was just part of its charm for him. It wasn't a sketchy place -- just a quiet, humble bar for those passing by, and that was all Vanyel needed.

He went in, sat down at a table, ordered a Green Dragon cocktail, and took a drink as it came. There was some soft jazz playing in the background, but, otherwise, it was a pretty peaceful, relaxing evening.

At least, for now.

With how out of the way the bar already was, more customers was a rarity. The place was already pretty barren, save for a couple more regulars near the front. But, he wasn't all that interested in gawking at new faces. So, hearing the door creak open and the bell's gentle chime ring out, Vanyel hadn't looked to see who it was.

Rather, he looked at his phone for a bit as he waited for his drink, only taking his eyes off it as he saw someone come up beside him out of the corner of his eye. He slipped his phone into his pocket, his fingers shifting and quickly palming a switchblade.

He didn't answer immediately, instead contemplating what she said. His oceanic eyes held skepticism, wondering why this random newcomer was suddenly suggesting a double. He didn't get drunk easy, and he wasn't really expecting to black out tonight. But, one double surely wouldn't hurt, right? Though still skeptical of her, he shrugged, releasing the weapon in his pocket.

"Sure. One double won't hurt, I guess."

The bartender nodded, moving away to start on the drink. As he did, Vanyel turned to face the woman, resting his arm on a fist as he leaned against the bar.

"So, got any reason for why ya did that? "

Vanyel raised an eyebrow as she openly pulled out a lighter and cigarette. He knew the place wasn't super strict about smoking, but it was pretty heavily frowned upon. Some people just didn't mind getting nasty looks, he guessed. He wasn't all that worried about tampering with his drink, he knew that he'd -- in all likelihood -- would be fine.

However, as he inhaled some of the smoke he exhaled, he coughed, waving his hand to disperse some of the smog. He wasn't a saint when it came to smoking himself, but, it wasn't like he relished in the stuff. As the drink came out, Vanyel cautiously took a sip from it. Nothing tasted different, aside from it being a bit stronger than usual.

It was probably safe -- at least, currently. Nevertheless, he kept it a decently safe distance from the newcomer's hands, making it so that she'd have to really put in work if she wanted to reach it from there. Just as he had done that, he noticed her starting to lean closer, to which, he responded by leaning back, a hand sliding into his pocket and palming the switchblade again.

"If I didn't, I wouldn't have asked. Be as honest as anyone would expect you to-"


Before he could finish, he trailed off, his head turning to the side, one hand instinctively gripping the knife tightly, and the other keeping a hand over his drink. It was quiet, small, barely audible, but recognizable, even above the music of the bar. He'd know Algos' voice anywhere, and a chill ran down his spine at the realization.

He hadn't heard from her in months, and he never wanted to again. He wanted to put that part of his life behind him, and, if possible, pretend it never happened in the first place. So, to hear her again, even if briefly, and even if it was potentially just all in his head, was enough to give him pause. He turned back to face Kurai, trying to play off the admittedly sudden and strange motion.

"As I was sayin', be as honest as anyone would expect you to be."

A thumb hovered over the trigger, his fingers slowly tightening around the weapon. He had better ones, but, currently, he didn't want to make a scene by drawing a sword. A knife was easier to conceal, more convienient. As she sat up straight, turning her attention back to the cigarette in her hand, Vanyel slowly came back to sitting upright, hand sliding out of his pocket.

Index and thumb hovered subtly over the pocket, ready to reach for the knife again, should he need to defend himself. As she continued, Vanyel slowly turned his own attention back to his drink, taking a sip from it before turning to face her again. He had noticed that -- the change in her character, from trying to sound all mysterious and forward, now sounding more...timid.

Her choice of attire was weird as well, for the setting they were in, at least. It probably had turned heads when she walked in, whether it was from how strange it looked there, or because there were some degenerates that wanted to get an eyeful for once. Her story, however true it was, did cause his expression to change. Rather than placid neutrality, he looked sympathetic.

"Sorry to hear that. Look on the bright side, you're free from him, and you can find someone better."

Despite the attempt at kind words, part of him felt deeply uncomfortable. Something felt eerily familiar about this situation, and he didn't like it.

Not worth anyone's time or love, huh? That was something he could relate to. Algos' words still seared his memories as his attention went to the bar. No matter how long it had been since then, it stung fresh every time, lashing at his heart. It always weighed him down, poisoning his thoughts on relationships as a whole -- after all, if a demon princess, someone close to godhood, said you weren't fit to love someone, what did that say about him?


He could hear the words again, as if whispered in his ear, and his fingers gripped his glass tightly, taking another earnest drink. He let the glass go, resting his head against the palm of his hand as he propped it up on the countertop. His voice lowered to a mumble as he looked forward, his mind occupied.

"That makes two of us, huh..."

His didn't look at her as she asked of his own love life, his head only dipped slightly, turning from the wall to the countertop. Even if she were still alive, he'd bet all his money that she wouldn't be home. She never was, even after everything they had gone through.

"No. She's...She's dead. Even if she were still alive, she wouldn't be home. She always was away, disappearing for long periods of time, before just...showing up again, then rinse and repeat."

His hand idly went to grip at the glass, his fingers slipping slightly under the growing condensation of the glass. But, he sighed, before taking another drink, finishing off the glass and setting it down. Out of the corner of his eye, as if the wind pushed it into his vision, he saw strands of white hair.

He turned his head, and saw...Algos. Snow-white hair, flowing red and black dress, but her face was twisted. Shadows cast over her face to conceal what would be normal features, her mouth replaced by a long, white crescent, twisted upward into a smile, with two white circles for eyes.

Vanyel suddenly jumped from his seat, a black jian immediately manifesting in his hand. He kept his gaze fixated on her with hate, his voice changing again to a low, spiteful hiss.

"Algos..."