ｌｏｖｅ xxｉｓ xxｔｈｅ xxｐｏｅｔｒｙ xxｏｆ xx ｔｈｅ xxｓｅｎｓｅｓ xxxxx_________xxxxxit takes up where knowledge leaves off
Iron. Tough, thick, versatile. He's dominant - and it's all about the chase. Velvet. Treat her gently. She is forgiving. She's wonderful to have around.
There is nothing to be gained if you have not learned. Observing, adapting. She does what she's best at. A puff and recline, he does what he needs to do in order to get by. The two grew up in very different words, victims of very different misfortunes. A young girl, her late mother, and strict father. A timeless boy, his struggle, and long journey. One of twists and turns. One of blood and sex. One of lonesome nights and thick books. Two very different roles played in each other's lives. A mentor and a pupil meet at the beginning of a year, an encounter that marks their lives for the best and worst.
Salt Augustus arrived in literature class early, sporting her professor's books. She absolutely had to get them signed. They met with bright smiles and flushed cheeks. One question lead to another, and after a display of events that any normal person would describe as, "super freaking nerdy," transpired, class began, and the young girl found herself smitten. His passion, his air. Everything about him was wonderful. But she only knew the start.
An innocent question of tea was asked and an abhorrent one was requested in return. "Why is a raven like a writing desk? Answer that and I'll agree to have tea with you." Then came the studies. The book searching, the absolute horror. There was no one right answer. Yet the small, fragile woman sought out one. Racked her brain for one. Because she would rather be stressed and distraught, flustered and confused than approach this man without 100% dedication. It's all she knew. It's what she considered proper.
News gave way of a school banquet as a means of having the students and teachers mingle. 6'o clock. Salt needed to be with Mr. Ishiin at 5'o clock sharp, per request. A quick-second decision resulted in the wearing of a beautiful dress to a coffee shop, accompanied red cheeks, and a timid demeanor.
Zincked
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 3:27 pm
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling shy x ; • at the Grog Shop x ; • with nobody
Salt twiddled her fingers nervously as she entered the shoppe, a tiny ringing bell alerting all of her presence. A few heads turned to see a petite, raven headed girl donning a beautiful dress. With a slight train, it exposed her creamy pale legs and dainty feet, which were covered by see-through heels. Her toes and nails had been painted to match the color of her dress, as well as an adorable silver anklet bringing out the transparent quality of her shoes. The sleeves of the dress went up at right about her shoulder, coming down to just under her elbow. The dress's bust sculpted Salt's small bosom modestly so that it accented and showed off her tiny figure. The back was low-cut and exposed flawless skin, a ribbon choker necklace revealing a soft contrast of colors. Surprisingly, Salt was able to walk fairly well in the high heels. She clasped her arms in front of her timidly, along with a hand-held bag. "What can I get a lovely woman such as yourself?"
The finely dressed woman looked over at the bartender with rosy cheeks. She approached him shyly, messy yet elegant hair braids giving off a lighter brown tint in the light. "I'm waiting for someone," Salt started saying, looking down at her feet nervously. "I believe he should be here soon...Perhaps I'll neglect to order until his arrival, if you wouldn't mind?" The girl looked up at the man with gentle eyes, blush extending from her cheeks to her neck and ears. She smiled at him with enough beauty and kindness to make him flush lightly. He replied, "Of course. Find yourself a seat." Salt nodded and thanked him with a bow of her head, walking over to one of the corner booths. She slid in and crossed her legs, looking very ladylike, but very nervous as she fiddled with her clutch purse.
What was he to think of her showing up in such formal attire? Obviously he, too, knew of the banquet coming shortly after their meeting. It was far more efficient to simply wear her outfit to this outing. She knew she would not have time to go home and and prepare after this and still be punctual. So, here Salt was.
⊠Currently: Intrigued ⊠Where: The Grog Shop ⊠With: Vanitas, Salt ⊠Thoughts: "Did I leave the kettle on?"
Ishiin stood in front of the tall mirror that graced the hall of his tiny dorm apartment. Though shorter than he even stood, it gave him an idea of how he looked in a suit. He normally wore such attire, but this was no ordinary suit- it was a tuxedo. How long ago had it been since he had worn one of these ‘monkey suits’? He had forgotten just how unbearable they were to wear. Despite their elegance, the apparel was difficult to put on, and made men sweat like a horse. After spending an ungodly amount of time attempting to put on a simple bowtie, Ishiin was ready to go. He threw his black jacket over his arm, and made sure to grab the closest book from his shelves to take with him. From there, he finally left to make his way to his first destination: The Grog Shop.
Upon his arrival, Ishiin sighed heavily and stared at the glass-windowed door. Why was he here again? He had nearly forgotten. ‘Ah, yes..the girl.’ He thought to himself as his palm touched the glass, and he pushed the door open to step through. A bell signaled his arrival just as it would for every customer, and he was immediately greeted. “Yo, Prof.” Called out a voice from behind the front counter. A young male with hastily tousled hair sat atop a stool while cleaning a mug that rested in his hands. A smile tugged at Ishiin’s lips as he approached the boy. “Good afternoon, Vanitas.”Ishiin’s deep tone was followed by a soft ‘oof’ as he fell back onto the nearest stool to sit across from the boy called Vanitas. “What the hell are you wearing?” Vanitas scoffed, and had to hold the towel he used to clean mugs over his mouth to keep himself from laughing. “Please tell me you were forced ta’ wear that.” Ishiin lay his jacket over the counter, and raised a brow at the boy’s sniggering. “It is called a tuxedo. Only the finest members of society are even qualified to wear one.”Before Ishiin could even finish his sentence, Vanitas had nearly fallen from his stool from laughter. “Oh really? Then why is it that Pervy Prof is wearing one?” He asked, a smirk forming onto his lips after he finally caught a grip on his laughing. Ishiin cleared his throat, adjusted his bow tie, and stood from his stool. “I’ll have you know that many famous writers wear tuxedos.” Ishiin couldn’t even take himself seriously at this point. He sighed, and grinned widely. “Alright, you got me. There is a Meet n’ Greet at the University tonight. I was told to look my best. Naturally, I dressed to fit the occasion.” “You’re just hoping to chase some tail in that, aren’t you?” Vanitas assumed, winking in Ishiin’s direction. “Why, whatever do you mean? There will only be young, voluptuous, luscious college students just waiting for a scandalous affair with-“ Ishiin’s words were cut off by Vanitas. “Please don’t drool on the counter. Goodness, you should be considered a predator.” Ishiin shrugged his shoulders, and shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers.“Just doing what I do best- luring in the prey.” “There’s a fine specimen for you over there.” Vanitas pointed in the direction Salt had wandered off to. She sat in one of the corner booths- looking nervous as could be. Ishiin noticed her beauty even from far away. She was surely a sight for sore eyes in that dress. “That is one of my students, young Vanitas. On that note, I’ll see you later.” Ishiin hurried off towards the booth despite Vanitas’ protests that followed, and cleared his throat once he had reached the edge of the table. “Good afternoon, Miss Salt.” Ishiin addressed her before sliding himself into the seat across from her. Clasping his hands, he placed them on the table in front of him with his signature lazy grin. “How might my most charming student be?” He took his time gazing over her attire, admiring it in all of it’s glory. Had she always been this gorgeous? Ishiin had no answer- for all he could focus on was the present Salt.
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OOC:
Ewww, look how gross my old format is. I may have been blessed with fine charms, but man did I get left out in the creativity category! Also, forgive my s**t post, Dearest. It has been a very long day, as you know.
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2016 3:28 pm
Zincked
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling shy x ; • at the Grog Shop x ; • with Ryuu Ishiin
2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61... Salt didn't know what else to do. Her heart was practically beating out of her chest. To calm her nerves, she began to count through prime numbers. It managed to give her solace for the moment. Truthfully, Salt didn't have very many things to feel anxious about. It was only professor Ishiin. She'd met him before, and was well aware of his kindness. Salt just wasn't a social butterfly. She was awkward, and fumbled constantly. Despite being capable of so much, Salt still worried about the tiny things. What if she was too early? If she dressed up too much? Or not enough? Would he be angry that she sat down and picked a table without him? And neglecting to order? She bit her lip and twirled some of her hair absentmindedly, staring down into her lap. Salt liked her professor. He was lovely. A dominating intellectual who so willingly agreed to have a spot of tea with a student as lowly as her. She didn't want to mess it up.
The sound of the door opening brought Salt out of her thoughts, and she looked over at the person who entered, spotting a very handsome Ryuu. She paled and shuffled, mildly panicking. He hadn't spotted her just yet - only began speaking to someone at the counter. Salt brought her clutch purse out and found the tiny mirror inside, checking her face. Well...still nerdy. When a person wore clothing that accented their curves, specifically tailored for them - it was obvious that they would look gorgeous. Otherwise, Salt only wore comfortable, baggy clothing. She didn't like things that pinched her in certain places. Her normal attire revealed nothing. It only contributed to her childish look. What especially presented her look was the lack of eye wear. Her glasses were not on her face, she had taken them off prior and put contacts in. No makeup graced her features. She didn't need it. Her lips and cheeks were naturally pink, eyelashes long and dainty. Salt was without a blemish or mark on her body. She had a few cute freckles on the small of her back and stomach, something that might have been alluded to with the light speckles on her shoulders. They were soft and natural, bringing out the pastiness of her skin.
Before Salt had even realized it, Ishiin was heading towards her. Perfect eyes widened and her vanity items were put away, gaze returning to the empty space in front of her. The space was soon occupied by her professor, and Salt offered him a shy smile. Her cheeks became even more rosy at her title. "Good afternoon, as well. You're far too kind, Mr. Ishiin." She was reminded of the fact that he preferred not to be called professor. "I'm well. Thank you for asking. Ah - perhaps a bit tense, as well. This is my first formal event." The young woman smiled brightly and put a gentle hand on her chest, looking down at her delicate feet. "Um, h-how do you do? You look very dapper, sir." She met his eyes sheepishly, nervously dusting imaginary debris off of her exposed collarbone.
⊠Currently: Intrigued ⊠Where: The Grog Shop ⊠With: Vanitas, Salt ⊠Thoughts: "What a woman."
Ishiin had known Salt was cute, but he had never truly noticed her until now. The fairly cute girl he had met not long before had somehow blossomed into a gorgeous woman overnight, and he was left in awe. It was a little bit funny how a simple change of clothes could change an entire outlook on a person. Ishiin collected his thoughts soon, and shook his head in disagreement with her statement. "Kind? Sweetheart, you know little of me. I could be the Big, Bad Wolf; sitting across from a lamb as I lick my chops. Why is it that prey feeds the predator? Why do all kind Fables fall into the hands of their gristly fate?"The man clenched one hand over the other in order to crack his large knuckles. "The reason is that the prey is too trustworthy."Ishiin answered his own question, and proceeded to wink a dark eye at Salt. Once this had been addressed, the professor seemed to soften. He did not appear to be the 'Big Bad Wolf' that he spoke of, but his words hinted that his looks were merely deception. Ishiin was a dangerous man that Salt knew nothing about; a man that could turn bloodthirsty at the drop of the hat. He gave off very little about his own life, and remained a mystery to even those close to him.
"You are tense? Why might that be, Little Lamb?"The nickname dripped off the tip of his sly tongue like honey; sweet and delectable. "Formal events are simple. One must only remember to smile and pretend that they are having a good time. Of course, this may be easier said than done in this situation. I do not suppose there will be booze to help."He seemed almost saddened by his realization of this, and found himself wondering just what he would do about this situation. He had forgotten his flask at home, and there was certainly no time to go back to retrieve it. With a grimace, he lifted a hand to rub at his jaw in thought. It seemed he would have to make it through without the usual tricks. What a bother.
During his distress, Ishiin had nearly missed Salt's comment about his attire. It took him a few moments to even address her words, and it was clear he had been thrown off-topic completely."Hm? Ah, yes. I do try my best for these events. I notice that you had the same idea. In fact, you may just be the Belle of the Ball in a dress like that. A Wolf such as myself may struggle in an attempt not to take a bite out of a beauteous little Lamb such as you."Ishiin's tone was one to confuse. His words had seemed like a joke, but were laced with danger.
"Finally." He breathed suddenly as a waiter approached to take their order. The Grog Shop was not just a coffee shop, but a restaurant too. For this reason, customers were waited on rather than ordering drinks at the front. "Black coffee for me. No sugar or milk. As for the Lam- I mean, young lady,..." Ishiin trailed off and looked to Salt for her answer; to which he would convey to the waiter so he could fetch their drinks.
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OOC:
Sorry for the wait and short post.
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 8:50 am
Zincked
pls quote me... redface also I might or might not have typed this up during lunch at my school edit: just realized that i screwed up the formatting - pay no mind.
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling shy x ; • at the Grog Shop x ; • with Ryuu Ishiin
Salt's chest couldn't help but tremble in front of Ishiin as he spoke. His single gaze smoldered her, and she found it so difficult to look into his dark eyes. Her blush had gone from subtle to full on feverish. The way he addressed her certainly didn't help the situation, either. The scholarly girl attempted to gather herself to the best of her ability, straightening up. Ryuu compared himself to a horrible creature. One that hunted and was capable of violence. Despite these rather harsh words, Salt's gaze upon him remained soft and kind. She met his expression and calmly shook her head to convey that she did not agree with his words.
"Mister Ishiin, if I may," She began. "The very nature of these creatures convey a sense of survival. They do what they must to live… It is not a matter of luxury and desire. I know you are a good person, that you are so different from the animals you compare yourself to because you thirst for knowledge. Not only have you lived a life of exploration of the written arts, you have chosen to share those experiences with students who, statistically speaking, might not be very interested in such. I believe that is their loss. I believe that it is those who mistake you for this wolf you make yourself out to be. And finally, I believe that you are far too humble of a man to see yourself as anything otherwise." Salt finished speaking and smiled lovingly at him, tucking a strand of her loose hair behind her ear. She had calmed down a bit in going off on this tangent. However, immediately after finishing, she felt the anxiety return. Especially with Ryuu's reaction to her explanation.
He asked her why she was tense. He explained to her what formal events were supposed to be like. Salt hummed softly and nodded, looking down into her lap. He called me a lamb… Her blush returned full force. "I am tense not because of the event, but because of you…" Salt bit her lip and covered her face embarrassingly, peaking out at her professor as she began to speak. "I respect you very much. I admire you. I would not smile in your presence for a single moment if the emotions I felt in my heart were not true, Mr. Ishiin." Slowly, her hands returned to her lap. She then silently cleared her throat and added, "Someone in my Chemistry class told me that they will be serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic champagne. I do not drink."
Things were getting a bit better for Salt. The more she spoke to her professor, the less panicked she felt. It was still difficult to look him in the eye, and she certainly knew any closer of a proximity would send her over the edge of embarrassment, but for now, this was alright. She enjoyed this. However, it seemed that with every word Ishiin spoke, it set her comfort level back 15 notches. He knew exactly what to say to make her blush. His next comment on her appearance didn't so much make her flush as it did dye her face red. Salt didn't know what to say or do, so she just stared at him, wide eyed. "Nnn…Thank - thank you." Salt wrung her hands nervously under the table. That was the first time someone had gone so far as to call her attractive. What was she supposed to do? How did one respond to this?
If this kept up, Salt knew she was going to begin to cry. Not knowing how to react, she would surely feel as if she was doing something wrong. The waterworks would inevitably flow. The scholarly girl sucked in a small breathe and sighed, calming herself down just in time for the waiter to come by and ask for their orders. Ryuu wanted straight black coffee. She wouldn't of expected anything else. The man also had a knack for making award situations worse. Calling her lamb made her turn scarlet. She managed to say, "I'm feeling a bit w-warm…Some iced water with a side of lemon, if you could?"
⊠Currently: Worried ⊠Where: The Grog Shop ⊠With: Salt ⊠Thoughts: "I'll have to feed soon.." ⊠Theme
It was nearly impossible to miss the way that Salt trembled in her seat. The way he made her nervous- it was delicious. Most women he had grown friendly with always had a sort of power to them. They were mature in all of the ways that Ishiin enjoyed, and could handle his endless teasing. This was different. Perhaps it was the difference in age? Maybe her innocence had something to do with her flushed cheeks and situational shaking? Ishiin did not know the answer. Sure, he wrote about women in his novels as characters, but understanding them was another story entirely."You say I am no monster, but sometimes I get the feeling that you fear me. Of course, maybe it is the opposite? Maybe you're the wolf in sheep's clothing." Ishiin chuckled and mused over the idea that she was a beast in disguise. The idea was overdone, sure, but it was an interesting concept for a story. Quickly Ishiin reached for a napkin from the metal container at the end of their booth. He placed it in front of him, and reached into one of his pockets to reveal a silver ball-point pen. Before he could forget the idea, Ishiin proceeded to jot down 'Male- Womanizer, Disturbingly handsome, Brilliant. Woman- Shy, Innocent, Hauntingly Beautiful Black Widow'. He folded the napkin after writing down his thoughts, and shoved it into his pocket along with the pen. The events had transpired as she was explaining her point of view on the animals he had spoken of. After this, she even noted his comment on her attire. He was not focused on this, though. He decided to ignore her reaction so that he could explain what he had meant.
"You misunderstand me, dearest. Of course these animals do these heinous acts on the basis of survival. The fact is- so do I. You see, we live in a world where the impossible is very possible. Your worst nightmares roam like shadows in the night. Not everyone is as human as the last..." Ishiin cut off, having said too much already. Immediately he bit down on his lower lip and avoided eye contact with the young woman. It was his turn to be nervous, but for entirely different reasons. He had been negligent in the past, and the consequences had been dire. Speaking of his true nature could only bring adverse side effects.
The waiter appeared, and threw Ishiin off-guard. He jumped slightly in his seat as coffee was placed in front of him, and he even bared his teeth as a dog might when faced with a stranger. Realizing his inappropriate response, Ishiin quickly straightened his posture and pretended to be interested in the wrapped silverware at the end of the booth. Even after the waiter had left, he stayed deadly silent for several minutes. When he did speak, he tried to play it off as if nothing had happened. "You are tense because of me?" Ishiin was not blind to her admiration, and knew where this could head if it continued all too well. "Please, do not admire me without knowing me. Admiring my work is one thing, but having admiration for the writer is another. You are young and full of life. You are innocent, pure, and have a long life ahead of you if you are careful. Getting to know me will only change your life for the worst. I do not wish that kind of life upon you. Keep your distance." Ishiin's words had grown cold; his gaze clinical and calculating. The teasing was over, and the jokes were done. Steel had replaced the playfulness in his demeanor.
"I do not believe I will be attending the Greeting tonight. I'm...hungry."The excuse would sound poor to anyone who did not understand just what he was underneath his mortal exterior. However, it had been true. He had not fed in many, many weeks. Going to an event with loads of people was not wise in this state. Going to an event with a woman like Salt gave Ishiin even more reasoning to not attend. "Also, I should probably get back to work on my next piece. Leaving it alone for a night will only begin a cycle of neglect. I do hope you understand, and let everyone know that I am truly sorry for missing the event of the year.Ishiin's mind was elsewhere as he dug in his pockets for cash. He revealed a twenty dollar bill and tossed it onto the table. Grabbing his coffee mug, he downed the black, steaming liquid in one gulp before slamming it back down on top of the twenty. With that, he slid himself out of the booth, and looked over his shoulder to meet her gaze.
"Have someone you trust walk you home tonight. Do not leave alone. I won't repeat myself."He demanded, and then proceeded to approach the counter where he had left his tuxedo jacket. He grabbed it, swung it over his shoulder, and then began to walk to the exit.
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OOC:
Vendemmian
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2016 7:44 pm
Zincked
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling nervous x ; • at the Grog Shop x ; • with Ryuu Ishiin
This turn of events had transpired so quickly, it left Salt's head spinning. One moment he was smiling so dearly, and the other he gazed upon her with cold, seemingly dead eyes. In a way, it frightened the young woman. Not because of what it was - but because it had remained hidden up until this point. What was this dark character her professor seemed to be hiding? The way in which he insinuated the hunt made it increasingly clear to salt that he was not in fact human. Something that preyed on the life force of the living. Blood? Flesh? Dreams? Salt was familiar with many of them. However, she wasn't sure she was prepared to meet one up close.
Ryuu spoke his words, and before Salt had fully gotten a chance to answer them, hastily paid and began to leave. She blinked in surprise and got up quickly, taking his hand into her small ones. Salt's touch was warm, and extremely gentle. As if his limb would shatter at her mere touch. "Poe wrote on both." The words came out of nowhere. Salt shuffled nervously. She did not release him. "Perhaps...they both stand on sticks? One would remark that there is a B in both and an N in neither. Or maybe because the notes for which they are noted are not noted for being musical notes. Because bills and tales are among their characteristics. Because they both stand on their legs, conceal their steels, and ought to be made to shut up. Because it slopes with a flap. Because one has flapping fits and the other fitting flaps. Because one is good for writing books and the other better for biting rooks. Because a writing-desk is a rest for pens and a raven is a pest for wrens. Because 'raven' contains five letters, which you might equally well expect to find in a writing-desk. Because they are both used to carri-on decomposition. Because they both tend to present unkind bills. Because they both have a flap in oak. Because... it bodes ill for owed bills."
Salt gave the prettiest of timid smiles, looking up at him below perfect lashes. "You promised. And even if it holds little merit, you still haven't given me an answer." She'd slaved over books for hours in search of what Mr. Ishiin wanted from her. In the end, she realized the absurdity of it all. Ryuu had played her into the hands of what kept such a riddle alive for so long. There was no true answer. Only one that satisfied the asker. If he couldn't give her one, why should she? "Would you follow me in my return home if it meant only being able to put my trust in a single man, only for this dark night? I don't know anyone here...I do think turning my attention to my books would be more productive than standing in the corner of a grand ballroom. Especially not in the company of someone with which I might converse with intellectually." Salt hummed and walked past him, her clutch purse tucked underneath her side casually.
There was no fear of Mr. Ishiin to be had. It was not because she was naive, or too innocent to see what he was. She had faith that he said what he said, and did what he did out of respect and worry for her own safety. Salt was going to be a bad person in her own mind by taking advantage of that. He would do no harm unto her. This would include the avoidance of breaking her heart. At least, not right away. The young woman bowed and thanked both the server and the man who greeted her at the entrance, stepping outside, looking up at the sky.
⊠Currently: Worried ⊠Where: The Grog Shop/ Alleyway ⊠With: Salt/ Unknown woman ⊠Thoughts: "What is this feeling?" ⊠Theme
Before he knew it, the young woman was grabbing onto his hand. Her touch was warm and gentle; her skin soft and feminine. They were opposite to his own hands. His were large and rough, as if he had undergone harsh manual labor for years. It was not just their hands, it was everything about them that opposed one another. They could have been polar opposites if it were not for their equal appreciation for the literary arts. Ishiin had a strange urge once she had taken his hand; he wanted to lace their fingers together and hold her's. It was a foreign notion, and he felt sickened by the very thought of it. What was this all of a sudden? He tried not to think about it too much, and focused on what she was saying to him.
Ishiin's eyes stared forward while Salt gave him every 'answer' to the question he had proposed to her. He cared for none of it. If it had not been for her kind smile and grip holding him there, he would have left in a huff. "You see, I gave you this question believing I would get that same answer. You are the scholarly type, and hit the books the moment you are posed a question. You always have to have the correct answer, even if it means scouring through centuries of information to find it. What will happen when there is no correct answer? What will you do then?"He looked down at her, but only for a minute."Some things are left in the dark for a reason. Some problems cannot be solved. The answer is to live and let die. If you continuously search for a true answer to a question undeserving of one, it will drive you mad. You will always think of it; always search for an answer that satisfies you." He pulled his hand away then, and shoved both into his pockets to keep her from grabbing on again. He did not wish to feel that same warmth, the same urge, again.
"No. You can walk home alone if you refuse to find another to accompany you. Tonight will spawn no intellectual conversing from myself." Salt had been the first to exit, but Ishiin followed and slipped right past her once he was outside. Instead of taking the path back home, the man strode off in the opposite direction towards a very run-down part of town. He kept to the shadows that the abandoned houses and businesses made; straying clear from the sight of any who may have decided on a night out. The walk was long, but Ishiin was patient- for now. When he finally reached his destination, he stopped in his tracks. Neon lights advertised a 'good time' for all who entered. He would not be partaking in the festivities tonight. Too many people knew him at this particular establishment.
Instead of entering, Ishiin turned down the alleyway that connected the strip joint to a closed accountant office. Broken glass bottles and crates were scattered among the garbage and dirt of the alley; dusty foot prints and dried blood leading him to his prey. "Come on out, Piggy." Ishiin hissed as his lips formed a sadistic smirk. He stopped next to a large garbage bin, and lifted the flap to peer inside. "There you are." He cooed. Inside sat a woman that stared up at him. Her gaze was weak, but full of anger and hatred for the man that looked down upon her.
"Go to Hell." The woman growled, and attempted to spit at Ishiin. Ishiin briskly moved to the side to avoid being hit; his movements quick and precise.
"If you ever wish to see the light of day again, you will stop that." Ishiin's words held power, but he did not seem outwardly angry.
"What do you want with me?"
"Well, you see, when I noticed you last night, I simply could not resist. I like a woman who can drive a steak knife into a prostitute with such ease." Ishiin reached for the woman. She tried to duck, but to no avail. His hand caught her throat, and he lifted her from the garbage with ease. Stepping back, he pulled her out as she clawed at his hand in an attempt to make him let go.
"S-She slept with my husband!" The woman gasped as Ishiin's grip tightened around her small neck. Her nails had no effect on him, and didn't even make a dent in his skin.
"Ah, yes, of course! Sex always merits death, doesn't it? She was paid to sleep with a man, so she did! Therefore, she deserved to have a knife twisted into her gut! What a rich story." Ishiin laughed and pushed her body up against the brick wall of the strip joint. "I have the perfect ending for it, too! Wanna hear?" The woman could only stare in horror while Ishiin's dark eyes gleamed crimson. The grin on his face exposed sharp teeth resembling an animal's.
"Please! Please let me g- OH!- Ugh... Oh..." Life left the woman's eyes as soon as she quickly bled out from Ishiin's bite. Feeding was not always lethal, but in this case, he could not stop himself. He drank from her wound until he was full, and then dropped her body at his feet. Her lifeless corpse deteriorated in front of his eyes until it was a pile of dust, and nothing more.
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OOC:
Vendemmian
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 6:40 pm
Zincked
hahaha i added in the library thing whoops
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling nervous x ; • at her dorm x ; • with Ryuu Ishiin
Outside, Salt leaned on the wall of the Grog Shop silently, feeling herself unable to breathe. She looked down at her hands and saw they were shaking. What was she doing? The meeting was mandatory for all students and teachers. Would they be taking roll? How would they know that Salt attended? And Mr. Ishiin, for that matter? The young woman sighed and wrapped her left hand onto her right wrist in attempt to stop trembling. It didn't work out so well. A tiny spot of coffee could turn into this? A promise broken over…hunger? Salt understood that for some creatures, the need to feed was primordial. There was nothing you could do to escape it. Was it irresponsible for Mr. Ishiin to wait so long in order to get his next meal? Perhaps. Was it anything he could help? That very well might've been so. No matter how many avenues of the situation Salt explored, she couldn't find one in which Ryuu was to blame. She found it so easy to blame herself, however.
Maybe if she had kept her mouth shut and never asked him for this in the first place. Maybe if she had just gone to the banquet in favor of this. Maybe if she hadn't dressed so nicely. Salt buried her face in her hands and whined softly, wondering what the hell had come over her. She wasn't the type of person to do all of this. Her father would've not only disapproved, but would've punished her dearly. Salt could've been studying right now. She could've been at home reading. Salt was doing the exact thing her father always put her down for. Her admiration for Mr. Ishiin as a person, for his skills as a writer and educator - they clouded her mind. They kept her from realizing the truth. She was not a social butterfly. She would never be a social butterfly. She needed her smarts, not friends. Her father knew that best.
The tall, gruff man left the store and began walking an alternative route, leading Salt to stare at him as he walked away. Why was it that each time she saw him, all of her thoughts were thrown into a jumbled mess? Why was it that her professor made it alright to defy her father's taught morals? Was it because he was a radical man of pleasure and desire, and turned out to be so successful? She thought she wanted that for herself. In truth, Salt didn't want that at all. She wanted to bask in the light of someone who had so much of life to offer. Something that was forever going to be closed off to her. Or so she thought.
Ishiin's question of what Salt would do when she couldn't find and answer to a question left her silent. A question undeserving of an answer...By the very nature of that statement, it didn't make much sense to her. There was an answer to everything. She didn't care if it was wrong. It offered her solace finding one. Would she eventually be driven mad finding one? Perhaps. But that was the nature of life. You try, and you try, and you try. You fail. Then you try, try again. Life was a never-ending road of questions. Each answer is a step in a different direction. Everyone took different paths, finding and formulating their own answers. It helped them grow. Helped them look back with a different perspective, and give a different response. That helped them form yet another route. Reflection was a large part of it.
Her professor had refused to walk her home in favor of some other endeavor. Selfishly, Salt felt that she needed to know what that was. So she followed him, berating herself the entire time. She began to shadow Ryuu after he turned the corner, keeping a pace steady of at least 20 paces away. She shook in anticipation, finding that Ishiin's eventual stop looked to be brothel. Her face flushed and eyebrows furrowed. The young girl had not seen if he went in, as it was too dark. Only his familiar voice diverted her attention to the alley's end. She entered it, peeking out to get a better view. The shadows cast a view upon boxes and figures. Salt leaned against bricks, preferring to listen rather than strain her eyes. What she heard made a hand raise to her mouth in shock. Her knees quivered at grotesque sounds of gnawed flesh and gushing blood. It took all of her strength to not drop and look at what was happening. Instead, Salt clenched her eyes shut and covered her ears. The sounds didn't stop. They echoed in her head.
Salt told herself she wanted to count how long it would take to return home from the Grog shop. She couldn't remember. Or rather, didn't bother to at all. Her mind was filled with images of cadavers and blood spills. Her feet were sore and red by the time the young scholar made her way into her small apartment, practically limping over to her room to peel off her clothing. She sat in the shower for a long time, letting the water cascade over her silky tresses as she contemplated what this meant. Was...was her professor a monster? Was he what he made himself out to be? Did killing people to keep yourself alive make you a bad person? Did the end justify the means?
It was hard to tell what was water and what were tears of frustration at that point. Salt brushed her teeth, took out her contacts, put on some shorts and a tank top, and crawled into bed having not eaten anything but lunch the entire day. Her stomach bubbled in protest, but she was too tired and brain dead to care. Heavy lids fluttered shut and remained that way for 15 minutes, before the owner of them shoved the covers off and hastily grabbed a notebook, her glasses and some pens, rolling out of bed and into the kitchen. She put the kettle on and went to the table, frantically scribbling in her book. When the kettle began to steam, she put four scoops of tea leaves in the pot and let it steep as she continued writing, finally pouring herself some after 30 minutes. It was neither sipped nor gulped. The small girl found herself falling asleep shortly after sitting down.
Waking up the next day with an aching neck., Salt bolted up from the table and gulped down her cold tea, running into the shower to change and get ready for the day. Her alarm had been ringing for about 15 minutes straight, much to her panic. When everything was said and done, the young girl emerged from her bathroom in a robe and picked out her clothing, hair still damp. She changed quickly, gathered her essentials, and bolted out of her dorm with a multitude of things anchored in her arms. Salt ran into the library at 7 in the morning, hastily shouted a good morning to the old woman setting up there. Immediately, she went to the non-fiction section of the library, pulling out book after book about cannibalistic specie. There were tons of autbiographies, magazines, studies, and the like. There was not one book without ghouls on her workstation, surrounded by open and worn history pages, crisp journals, and flowery notebooks for jotting down information. Dilligently the scholar worked despite hunger and exhaustion, but before she knew it, Salt's head fell against the work table with a dull thud, pen loosely in her hand and glasses crooked on her perfect face.
⊠Currently: Chipper ⊠Where: The Library ⊠With: Salt ⊠Thoughts: "She knows." ⊠Theme
The rest of the night had gone by in a blur for Ishiin. In fact, most of it he didn’t even remember in the morning when he awoke in his bed. The first victim was the only one that he could recall, but this was normal. This was the only point at which he had enough sanity to retain memory. After the last drop of the first touched his lips, he was gone. It was as though an entirely different person would take over from there in his place to carry out his dirty deeds. The concept was frightening, even to him. Whenever he would wake up, it would resemble a situation in which he would have gotten black-out drunk. However, his symptoms would be opposite that of a hangover. Instead of a headache, his thoughts would be clear and his health would be peaked. His energy would return in copious amounts, and would make him feel almost invincible. It was an amazing feeling- what death could do for life.
Ishiin woke to birds chirping outside of his apartment window; something in days before he would not appreciate so much. This morning was different. The first morning after feeding always was. He opened his eyes to blinding light, but he didn’t mind. He still sat up with a smile on his face. Not a drop of blood remained on him from the night before. It would have been carefully cleaned off of his person in case trouble were to come knocking. Of course, that would be impossible. Even in a beastly state, he always made sure to cover his tracks. Though those he had killed were unsavory for the most part, murder was still frowned upon, and that was the technicality of what he was doing. Many would feel regret for this. Ishiin had no room for regret- a monster had no time for it.
The first task of the day was to shower. Though he had done so the night before to wash away the gore of his feast, another would suffice to leave him fresh. It never hurt to be too careful. After his shower, he would serve himself a hot mug of black coffee and some eggs- the only breakfast he enjoyed (unless it was a victim). The coffee would go down in one gulp, as always; the eggs, two bites. Next would come the dressing for the day from which he chose from his wardrobe of suits and ties. He didn’t own much when it came to casual clothing, as his occupation demanded a look of prestigiousness. He chose a black button-down with a pale grey tie and a pair of trousers to match. A shear was then taken to his long, messy hair- a change was in order. He cut and cut until his hair was a bit more manageable; short on the sides and back, but a bit longer in the front. All-in-all, he was as ruggedly handsome as ever. He just had that certain quality that only gave him better looks with age. He was nowhere near perfection, and that was what made him attractive. His constant 5 o’clock shadow, squared jawline, dark eyes, and haphazardly styled hair set him up for success.
Ishiin’s first stop would be the library after he had gathered his briefcase, notes, and reading material for the day. Research was in order for Black Widow, the novel he had gained the idea for on the previous night. The walk was not long, and the bright, sunny day added an extra bit of hop to his step as he approached the library- which just so happened to be near his apartment. He entered with a wide smile on his face and greeted the staff, to which he received a very welcome ‘hello!’. Most of them were fans of his- others…not so much. Ishiin almost started a conversation with the woman behind the desk, but was silenced by a familiar smell. It was her. Guilt filled him to the brim as he remembered the events of that night. He had left in a huff, and didn’t even have the decency to walk her home. It brought him shame. He knew he had to apologize; it was all he could do.
Ishiin approached after searching her out by scent, only to see her face-down on the table. With a soft chuckle, he pulled up a chair to sit across from her, and decided to get to work while she slept. He would not wake her up- that would be rude. Instead, he would wait until she woke on her own for him to apologize. While he was waiting, sifting through books for his own research in the process, he noticed something. The books scattered across the table.. they were about ghouls. No- they were about him. His race, His specie. She had figured him all out. Just how would she react now that she knew?
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OOC:
Vendemmian
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 11:48 am
Zincked
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling nervous x ; • at the libraryx ; • with Ryuu Ishiin
Salt's phone began ringing at her side, making her groggily open her eyes and reach into her bag. Her eyes widened at the person who appeared on the caller ID and she bolted up out of her chair. The sudden action sent her mind reeling with lighteheadedness, and her lack of a meal for the past 12 hours brought up extreme nausea. The young woman covered her mouth and answered the cell, sounding almost afraid. "H-Hello, father." There was a sudden silence on the other end that left Salt standing there awkwardly, wringing her hands together with the fabric of her shirt. She shuffled back and forth nervously.
"Yes. There was a banquet. I did not attend." He reprimanded her for not following the rules and going to something mandatory, yet told her she needed to be studying in the first place. Her lips pressed together in frustration. "Yes, sir. I am currently studying." Salt looked back at her things and blinked in surprise seeing Mr. Ishiin sitting there staring at her. "I am with my professor, father." She couldn't lie to him. Never did, never would. Fear of what would happen if she lied to him overpowered the fear of being put down. She was already used to being verbally abused that way. "N-No! I'm not being scolded, sir! I promise, father. I have been well behaved."
She looked down, tears gathering at her eyes. He was accusing her of foul-play, now. "No, sir. I would never do such things. He's a very kind person. I am not wasting his time, sir. I-" He interrupted her and she had to steel herself, clenching her eyes shut. "I apologize, father. Yes. Yes, I understand. I will try my best to not be bothersome. Yes, sir. I am not conversing with friends. I am concentrated with my studies." He continued to chastise her before mentioning how she was wasting his time, that he needed to do other things rather than speak to her. There was no goodbye. Simply an order to do more. Salt let him hang up on her before frantically wiping her moist eyes, returning to the table. She smiled at her professor timidly, giving him a wave. The young woman found herself trembling. Not because of who she now though she was, or any changed perspective. She needed food, and refused to eat when she felt like she was doing things wrong. The discussion with her father didn't help with that, either. So there went another untouched meal.
"Good morning, Mr. Ishiin. How do you do? I'm so sorry if you've been kept here waiting for me, I must have dozed off. I apologize. I'm a grown adult, I really should keep up with a better sleep schedule, haha..." Salt didn't meet his eyes. She looked like hell. Her eyes were tired and solemn, and her hair was not brushed. It was still wet. Compared to how he saw her before, Salt seemed almost like a completely different person. "Might I ask what brings you here?" Her exhausted gaze traveled over the multitude of books, cheeks darkening. What would he think?
⊠Currently: Brooding ⊠Where: The Library ⊠With: Salt ⊠Thoughts: "He had better not harm her." ⊠Theme
The ringing of a cell phone brought Ishiin’s attention back to Salt. He winced as the sound broke the heavenly silence of their corner of the library, and shook his head a few times. ’Who doesn’t turn their phone off in a library?’ He thought to himself as Salt finally answered the thing. Ishiin closed the book he had been sifting through, and leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes locked on her in an almost accusing way while he more or less eavesdropped on the conversation she was having. He was unable to hear what was being said on the other line, but her replies told him that whatever it was, it was not pleasant. Father The word brought instant understanding to Ishiin. So her father was what caused Salt to be so timid and fearful of failure. It all made sense now, and he could understand it in a way. Ishiin’s own father had been a piece of work as well; though, not the kind that Salt’s was. His father was abusive and pitiful. He had also been Ishiin’s first kill.
“Good morning, stalker.” Ishiin addressed her in a nonchalant way, sitting back up so that he could go straight back to his sifting through dusty, old books.“I am doing rather well on this fine morning. I’m full and content.” His eyes flicked back up to her’s the moment he had uttered the word ‘full’.“How about you? Didn’t get much sleep last night, I assume?” Only after he had spoken did he realize he was being unnecessarily cruel to the poor woman. With a heavy sigh and the shutting of his book, Ishiin placed his elbows on the table and his hands over his face momentarily. “I apologize. I don’t mean to be so odious. Do know that the reason is behind all of those books you’ve been mulling over. You know something that you should not.” Ishiin eyed the very books he spoke of, and then reached for one. Sliding it in front of him, his fingers danced over the cover before lifting it to peer at the first page. “Ghouls.” He murmured, and then slid the book right back over to her. “Something that would give that father of your’s a run for his money.”
Suddenly, he switched topics completely.“I've a question, if you don't mind." He began as he lifted his thumb to his lips. He bit down on it for a moment, pondering over what words to say, to the point where he actually began to bleed just a bit. It was the likes of a paper cut, no more. He didn't seem to even notice. “Last night I felt something. I felt something rather...strange." He didn't look at her- he couldn't. “I felt as if I could tell you things that I don't tell other people. Then, after expressing your admiration, I felt more than flattered. It was something else. Perhaps it was the dress you were wearing, or the atmosphere having a play on my emotions, but I..." He couldn't finish. He had no idea what to say. It was all so strange and foreign; there were no words he could think of to express what he was trying to get across.
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OOC:
Vendemmian
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 12:54 pm
Zincked
ehh screw it proper formatting is for sad people i'm too lazy to color my quotes
Ｓａｌｔ Ａｕｇｕｓｔｕｓ
Maybe it's not about the "happy ending " . Maybe it's about the story.
• feeling nervous x ; • at the libraryx ; • with Ryuu Ishiin
Stalker? Stalker? Salt's face paled. He knew she followed him? How? That wasn't the point, now she felt guilty! The poor girl buried her face in her hands and sighed. In her mind, she knew this was going to happen eventually. Her heart tried to put it off. Damn that organ. It always seemed to fumble with her common sense. "It's not that." She started, pulling her face out of her hands to look at Ishiin. He didn't meet her gaze, Salt could only bite her lip. Her professor suddenly chose to change topics entirely, one that lead him to ask a question of her. She frowned. The last time he had a question, she found out something she shouldn't of known, and he didn't even tell her what the proper answer was.
Her frown soon vanished into a sad smile. He really knew how to say some things in just the right way. "Did you know that I want to be a psychologist, Mr. Ishiin? I want to listen to the things that individuals won't speak of to others." The young scholarly girl hummed quietly and closed her many books, setting them aside to join the tall stacks surrounding them. "I came to this school with the expectation that I would learn very many new things. About the people. About where they come from. About what they do. I think I was, and still am quite naive to think that the world is all smiles and kindness. That sometimes there simply aren't simple solutions to problems." Salt paused and got up from her chair, wobblying slightly. She was feeling weak. She silenced her phone and looked at him endearingly.
"It makes sense for me to be afraid you. I should probably want to keep a safe distance. But golly, there is nothing more I'd like to do that sit here for hours on end and speak with my professor. I don't know why you can make me justify so many things... I don't know how you can so effortlessly shape my logic." Her cheeks began to flush as she spoke, and Salt found it difficult, just as he, to meet eyes.
"I do know, however, that I like helping people. That I'd like to help you ask those questions, and say those things that you feel you can't normally ask." The worry in her words was that she was so tired, some of them didn't register in her mind. In fact, Salt didn't think she heard most of the things her professor had said to her for the simple fact that she hadn't gotten more than 5 hours of sleep in the past 3 days. For some reason, his presence woke her up better than anything else. Not out of fear, but some other emotion she couldn't pinpoint.
