Tourism [P]

[adero]

Blast City.

It was a strange and unpleasant place to put it politely. Between the chagrin smell of smoldering sulfur and the stench of common folk stewing within the volcano’s wind sheltered walls, it was needless to say that the city possessed a formidable offense against the nose.

Despite all this having been discovered only after his arrival, Hachirou had remained with the city walls, bound more so by determination than anything else. He had been attracted by its curiously natural yet obviously man made existence and had made it a point of preference to see the city with his own two eyes – even if it so greatly displeased and offended his nostrils.

Although Blast City was hailed as one of the world’s magnificent wonders, he found the people to be… disappointing in more ways than not. The women were sheltered, both from today’s traditions and evidently also from today’s self hygiene practices. Their assets were rather bland at best. The men were of no exception, mostly ignorant of the world and unreasonably suspicious of the unexplained, consisting primarily of the “block head” stereotype – large and bulky, dim witted and dull.

The list of grievances go on and on, but for the sake of time let us fast forward.

Night had fallen and the city had settled down. Its people having mostly withdrawn in doors, both the stench of sulfur and sapiens had subsided to a degree. It was now that Hachirou dared to venture outside, meandering slowly from what few shops remained open beneath the moon lit skies. Having thoroughly explored the city to his heart’s content the day before, his primary goal was very simple. He sought sustenance – something so easy to make that not even the imbeciles of this god forsaken town could botch it up.

That said, he’d swerve within the folds of the first ramen stand to cross his path, seating himself precariously at the stool to the far right against the wall. Having inspected the facility and finding it to his likings, he’d place an order for noodles – without onions, with one soft boiled egg and with tender beef strips – left uncooked to temper with himself within the steaming soup provided.

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[Gentlemanne]

''Jaaaaaa-hahahaha, oh my, you just slay me, darlink."

I announced to the few stragglers in the streets, my large, skillful hands wrapped firmly around my prizes waist. She was quite pretty, by whore standards. And to be honest, you weren't going to find too many diamonds in the rough in a place called ''Stone" were you? With a couple final squeezes of my one time lovers sides, I leaned in for a goodbye gesture, my wet tongue licking along the sides of her battered face as I sought to taste some of my prior enjoyment. Agony had such a delicious aftertaste.

''And, don't forget.. if you tell anybody about zhis.. I'll have to slaughter you. Zhat vould be unfortunate, vouldn't it?"

Such a stupid whore, she wasn't worth my time. But I let her go anyway. Was I getting soft? Well, if my groin was anything to go by, no. But I let that bitch go, I let her go. How could I do that? It doesn't matter, she wasn't worth trouble. She wasn't worth me. I blessed her tonight. Pushing the sullied strumpet away, I spat at my feet and looked around for something to sate my appetite. It wasn't as simple as ''Go and stab an animal" since I entered these gates, is this what normal, supposedly civilized people have to put up with?

''Ooh, zhat looks lovely."

I exclaimed as I happily hopped towards the folds of a nearby ramen stand, they were charitable people, right? Slapping my hands along the scabbard at my side, I wandered close enough to get a peek inside. One person? What a deadbeat establishment, but I thought I'd oblige them regardless. A visit from a great warrior returning from battle was surely grounds for a free meal. Without the need for consideration, I drew my rapier and stepped to the side of the establishment. The bruises on my arms and the blood on my clothes likely gave away what I was doing, but a couple cuts would sweeten the mystique.

Grasping my rapier by the blade, I drew it along my arms and barely broke the surface of my immaculate skin. Adding small nicks to the sides of them and grinding it in served to make the wounds look less deliberate, though the fact they still oozed blood didn't concern me. Wiping some of the excess fluid onto my wondrous weapon, I slid it back in my sheathe and nearly climaxed from the sound of it clicking again. I really really gave that girl a night she'd never forget.

''Agh.. ugh.. nein, zhis is so painful.. stupid bandits."

I muttered beneath my breath as I parted the folds of the ramen stand, the blood the dripped from my mouth dribbling onto the ground, though I made sure to catch it before it landed on the counter, the only payment he got today was my presence, a blood price was out of the question. ''Ja, hello, herr noodle mast--agh.. I just got back from outsize of zhe gates, do you zhink zhat maybe.. ah.. maybe a soldier could have a delicious meal as payment?"

As I presented my question, I made sure to shoot the man behind the counter a venomous look, the pearly whites of my teeth glinting as I sat myself beside the other customer, though he was irrelevant for now. Slipping my scabbard off of my robes, I stretched and began to lick at my lips, removing the dryness from their surfaces. ''Ja, ja.. vunderbar. I'll pay you back vhen I get my money for zhis job, okay?" I weaved my words masterfully, without a single trace of dishonesty in my tone. As the noodle practitioner wandered off to comply with my demands, I looked to my side and gave my other guest an observing glare, taking in his features for future reference.

''Ja, beautiful night for some.. ah, as you say ''ramen noodles", right?"

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[adero]

It was a fairly uneventful and quiet night – till now at least. That precious silence which had left Hachirou rather content was soon shattered by the thick accented slurring of a savage that had stumbled upon the same place. He wasn’t sure how to feel about this and mixed thoughts began to simmer within. This man had come to the same spot as he. Did this stranger have the refined tastes of a higher being despite his appearances? If so, perhaps Hachirou had some reconsidering to do with regards to first impressions. Or had his own senses dulled so greatly from being around such ill educated people, that the two of them had wound up together in the same establishment?

Either way, the man was here now and Hachirou would have to make due.

He’d remain silent throughout the entire performance. Oh yes, it was nothing more than a simple performance. Despite the rather impressive acting, one glance at his figure would beg to differ. The man was littered in so called “nicks of battle”, the downfall to his guise. Had he truly arrived from the gates, these wounds would have congealed to some degree rather than remaining in their oozed state. Signs pointed to their formation some few minutes ago. Their placement was fishy at best. It was as if his enemy hadn’t even tried striking the vitals but was rather blind and crippled. Probability indicated that these were most likely self inflicted wounds.

It wasn’t so much the dishonesty or vulgarity of self masochism that repelled Hachirou but rather the man’s presence as a whole. Not his presence as a being, but rather his presence as a being beside him – directly beside him. The stand had more than enough stools. Why had this stranger chosen to sit atop the one adjacent to him?

''Ja, beautiful night for some.. ah, as you say ''ramen noodles", right?"

His eyes averting from the table before him, he’d stare quietly at the man for a moment or two as if deciding upon something, his face expressionless throughout. It was only after several seconds that he’d simply stand up and relocate himself to the far left stool without so much as saying a word. His eyes would then curiously peek towards the stand owner as his bowl was being prepared. The man had left his egg boiling for too long. He wasn’t going to receive much of a tip.

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[Gentlemanne]

''Vat? Cat got your tongue?"

I murmured in disgust, my elbows resting proudly on the counter. This boys silent treatment wasn't getting to me, it wasn't. I wasn't angry in the slightest, I didn't want to kill him. I didn't want to butcher him, oh no. That wasn't what I wanted. I don't need his attention, I don't need anybodies attention, not even my fathers. No.. especially not my father. ''Vhatever, zhen." I shrugged my shoulders lazily and stood up from my seat, the man infront of me scurrying about like a mouse in a maze. Did my little performance scare him?

''Oh, my. Vhy are you so.. hasty? Did somezhing scare you?"

Grinning disturbingly, I leaned further over the counter and took in a long whiff of the scent that emanated from the food. It didn't taste half bad, though it lacked that certain flavor that I enjoyed. Where was the misery? ''You know vhat? I'm not even hungry anymore. But extra for zhe young man here." I demanded as I sat myself back down in the chair, my body twisting towards his direction. He didn't seem like much, but he also didn't seem intimidated. Was he an undercover ninja? Or maybe a special operative?

''Hey, mouse boy. Vhy aren't you talking? You didn't look scared of me at all. I'm a big, bad soldier, aren't I--.. ah."

Glancing at the cuts that dotted around my arms, I couldn't help but laugh. Did this boy call my bluff off of such a small sign? No, maybe it was something else? Did I mess up? ''Do you zhink you know about me, boy? Do you think you've got me figured out?" Rising from my seat, I reached beside me and grasped my sheathed rapier, my fingers spinning it about skillfully as I approached him yet again.

''I'm much worse zhan a soldier, but don't you vorry. I'm not here to hurt you. All I vant is an answer to a question that has been gnawing at me all night.."

Licking my lips sleazily, I turned my head to the side and looked the chef up and down, his clearly frightened expression bringing a great degree of gratification to me. As I sat up on the counter and reached over, I gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder and tore him closer, my arm now casually draped around his neck to comfort him.

''Or maybe you can answer zhis? Vhy, oh vhy, do people like me exist? I mean, surely ozer people have noticed my nature, ja? But no, zhese questions I already know zhe answer to.. vhat I want to know is.."

Pinching his cheek mockingly, I slipped off of the counter and stood before the quiet boy, my body leaning over towards him as I studied his response, the murderous look on my face betraying what I was about to say. ''V--.. Vhy.. vhy von't anybody give me a hug and love me?" I spoke in a shaky tone, my lip quivering in time with my words. As I crumpled down on the seat beside the boy sadly, I pouted and glanced at the floor, faux tears streaming down my face. ''You are quieter zhan most, so I'm sure you can related. Did your fazher leave you, too?"

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[adero]

This man was… persistent to say the least. Despite having relocated, Hachirou somehow still remained the object of his attention. He found it to be rather unbearable and contemplated simply leaving the stand without eating his meal. After all, the cook had already over boiled his egg… Was it childish? Yes. Would it be effective? Most likely – assuming the annoyance wouldn’t trail him upon his departure.

It wasn’t so much the man’s words that bothered him as his actions did. Hachirou was more than capable of ignoring his taunts however this stranger had gone even further.

''You know vhat? I'm not even hungry anymore. But extra for zhe young man here."

His previous conclusions lead him to believe that the man was a fraud. Given the false pretexts, it was safe to assume that this same man had originally sought a free meal, meaning that he not only was he forcing extra food upon Hachirou and presenting him with an unsightly amount, but also presented him with the bill. His actions were questionable to put it politely.

A hand would wave dismissively towards the chef, indicating he’d pass on the extra serving. His eyes remained fixated upon the gas lit stove as he’d continue to ignore the stranger’s approach, the flames flickering ever so precariously as if reading the situation down to the letter. They would avert however as a rapier began to spin dangerously within his peripherals. Both now fixated upon the stranger, he’d stare blankly as the monologue continued.

''V--.. Vhy.. vhy von't anybody give me a hug and love me?"

Oh how lovely. He thought as man collapsed beside him yet again, the voice within his head rolling thick with sarcasm. Ignoring his final statement, he’d speak rather briefly with a sharp tongue. It was clear the lad wanted nothing to do with this man.

“If you want love there’s a brothel down the street.”

He’d leave it at that.

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[Gentlemanne]

''Oh, ja. Zhis von has a bit of fight on him."

As I watched the boy dismiss my offer of an extra serving, I began bellowing loudly, my hand grasping my side to stop them from splitting. He wasn't a lame, quiet little child after all. ''You don't vant extras? Oh, zhen I can tell you veren't in a big family. Only child, zhen? Maybe no family at all.. hm, zhis is interesting." Prodding the floor with my rapier, I looked him up and down yet again and began murmuring lowly, my unintelligible thought process halting as soon as he spoke.

''If you want love there's a brothel down the street."

''Ohoho, cheeky. But I've already had my fill of paid sluttery tonight, zhank you."

Deflecting his retort, I leaned in again and extended my hand towards the chef, urging him to stay back as I explained. ''You see.. zhere isn't a more satisfyink feelink zhen holdink somebody down and showink zhem how you feel. Some might refer to it as sadism, ja. I can see zhat. But I call it a gift. How often do you get to look into anozher persons life? Get to feel vhat zhey felt? Very rarely, I tell you."

Itching my face, I broke the somewhat awkward tension and sat up straight, my hand clipping my scabbard to my robe yet again, the bloodied wounds on my arms now covered by my fancy robe. ''I'm curious, vhat is it that you do? Are you a warrior? A sief? Vhat?" I drummed my fingers on the counter as I spoke, hoping to get a response. ''Or maybe a scavenger and ''sicko" like me, eh? Vhen vas zhe last time you dug a knife into somebody as you climaxed? Zhough I vas missing zhe secondary penetration, I just got done doing zhis. And let me tell you.. zhe feeling doesn't lose its sveetness."

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[adero]

''You see.. zhere isn't a more satisfyink feelink zhen holdink somebody down and showink zhem how you feel. Some might refer to it as sadism, ja. I can see zhat. But I call it a gift. How often do you get to look into anozher persons life? Get to feel vhat zhey felt? Very rarely, I tell you."

… Uhhh what? He’d stare even more blankly at the man than before, unable to decide if whether a look of disbelief or disgust was more appropriate. Whether the stranger was serious or not was a separate unimportant matter. What truly mattered was that this man was behaving rather inappropriately – even with accordance to the most outlandish of social customs. The foreigner was clearly disturbed in some manner.

''I'm curious, vhat is it that you do? Are you a warrior? A sief? Vhat?"

He wouldn’t privilege him with an answer. Perhaps if the lad remained still and feigned death then the ignorant beast would lose interest of its prey.

''Or maybe a scavenger and ''sicko" like me, eh? Vhen vas zhe last time you dug a knife into somebody as you climaxed? Zhough I vas missing zhe secondary penetration, I just got done doing zhis. And let me tell you.. zhe feeling doesn't lose its sveetness."

When was the last time I dug a knife into somebody as I… wait what?!?

His brows furrowed as he’d slink more so towards the wall in disdain. Hachirou would motion towards the shop keeper yet again, this time uttering one very simple request.

”To-go please.”

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[Gentlemanne]

''Oh, zhis kid had no idea vhat vas going to happen."

I couldn't help but crack a smile at how disgusted the boy seemed to be, and how couldn't I enjoy it? I was more than capable of putting on an act, but I let my sickness show for a bit of fun. Everybody does it, otherwise brothels and fall men wouldn't exist. ''Ja, don't vorry. I'm only joking, darlink. I'm not zhat sick, you know?" I offered my comforting words to him, though I assumed he wouldn't take much honesty from it.

''Now, you see.. I like you, boy. You aren't zhe type I'd like to take home, but you have zhe.. uh.. how you say, ''mystique"? It interests me, but zhat is a tale for anozher night."

Parting the folds of the ramen stand, I took one step out before glancing back at the boy, my hand firmly clutching my scabbard as I leaned in for a few more words, my tone raspy and quiet. ''If you efer need help.. give me a call, ja? I'm heading to Mist soon, so ve should catch up for a drink or maybe a bit of innocent prostitute beating, ja? Ja!" With that, I closed the folds and began singing out loud, the new kick in my step making my leather shoes clack along the ground.

''Ja, ja, ja. Zhis friendship will go far! Ja, ja, ja. NOW VHERE ZHE FUCK IS ZHAT PROSTITUTE!?"

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/exit

[adero]

It was only till after the man had left had Hachirou returned to life. A breath of relief sounded as he’d shake his head sympathetically towards the shop keeper. Were all night shifts this chaotic? If so he couldn’t imagine such an occupation being pleasurable under any circumstance.

He’d remain seated till his meal was prepared. Despite having ordered to-go, the lad would consume his food quietly within the folds of the noodle stand. After all, his primary reason for wanting to leave had already departed – right?

It was as he dove into the steaming bowl of noodles that he had begun to ponder more so upon the foreigner’s words. The stranger had mentioned traveling to the Land of Mist. Perhaps it would be in his own best interest to go the opposite direction… or further away from that man in general. Though it might be an initially over reactive thought, the more consideration Hachirou put into this the better an idea it became.

Taking his sweet time with the meal to allow the man a decent head start, he’d paid the owner and take his own leave towards the city gates.

/exit

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[~Kohana <3]

Gana- 38

Adero- 44