in the dark I see you

[murderbirdy]

[The southern city, late afternoon. Time doesn't change a place like this; it's as hedonistic and rough-and-tumble in parts as it ever was. And of course, the seedier places of the city thrive in the shadow of all that glitter and glam; a curious girl who grew up on stories might find herself enticed by that sort of place.

Which is why this particular raven has done exactly that. And for a fashion-conscious girl, she walks through the streets with the confidence of someone who fears nothing.

It's going to get her in trouble. Someone might want to intervene.]

Comments

[nogooddecisions]

[Someone really should pay better attention what she is doing. Namely if she's going to just kind of look like a target, she's going to get targeted. And before that snare can close completely -- after the catcalls and asking if she knows if she's lost or not but before anything physical occurs -- there's a sharp, shrill whistle.]

Not that one. That's bait.

[He can't be older than her. He might actually be younger than her; probably close enough to the same age, though. But that is a man who looks like he was born to help people make bad choices in low lights. Strangely, the thugs look kind of stymied.]

Really. You should have seen it by now.

[murderbirdy]

[She pauses, and kind of looks at him. She's not sure if he means her or the others, but she will stop to listen. And look him over--there's something sharp in her eyes that's out of place on the curious worker's daughter she looks to be.]

I saw it. It didn't seem worth looking again until they made me bother.

[nogooddecisions]

Oh, not you. I know someone looking for a cheap thrill when I see one. These boys aren't going to satisfy you -- and I would really appreciate you not tipping the delicate balance I've been setting up here? It's like one of those ships in a bottle, only made of blockheaded criminals.

[They're watching him, but seem to be getting the idea they need to leave.]

Really, let her go on. You're not going to have fun with whatever she's got in mind, I promise. Shoo.

[murderbirdy]

[They're going, they're going, but there might be some muttered grumbling as they go. Hopefully nobody mentioned wings.

Which, for the record, she's kind of staring at, for a moment.]

That's interesting. I thought no one was in charge down here.

[nogooddecisions]

I'm not, but if there's a guy who keeps telling you which horse to bet on, and he tells you, "not that one," are you going to punch that ticket? You might; you strike me as a contrarian, but those guys know they've got no chance if I say they don't.

[Yeah, those are out and out wings.]

[murderbirdy]

[SHE WANTS TO PET THEM.]

I'd ask why they haven't turned on you but, it seems pretty obvious to me.

[One assumes he's used to girls (and probably guys) giving him a once-over, but again there's something much more predatory about how she does it.]

But you here for the same 'cheap thrills' I am, aren't you? You didn't come from down here.

[nogooddecisions]

Oh, quite the contrary. My father was cut from the darkest pits of places like this. It's in my blood, no matter what, so it's only best to own that. But that makes sense, doesn't it?

[In case she was wondering if they worked or not -- yes, he just extended them.]

Eagles hunt by diving down, snatching the things that they want.

[murderbirdy]

...You're that ex-oathbound's son, aren't you?

[Yeah, wings like that, mention of his father, attitude like that--one has to assume people like Ram and Sarnai get talked about, if not by her parents then probably by her weird wolf uncle and his spirit waifu.

But, she actually giggles at him showing off.]

Oh, you're more interesting than what I was hoping for...

[nogooddecisions]

That makes you the varistytär then, doesn't it? Curious, curious. I suppose this follows. As they say, fate conspires to bring people of quality together; real recognizes real.

[They fold back up.]

I suppose I should wish you good hunting, then?

[murderbirdy]

Hunting? Hunting...no, I don't really think so. [She...might be circling him a little. Look she's curious if the wings cover his butt.]

I think going any deeper would be a waste and ignoring a stroke a luck like this is just pure hubris, wouldn't you say?

[nogooddecisions]

[Holy shit she could bounce a quarter off of that.]

Well, then. Where to, little crow?

[murderbirdy]

[She doesn't answer immediately because she...pulled out a tape measure? Uh. Kasumi. Kasumi, please. She's just. Casually measuring the breadth of his shoulders.]

Oh...goodness. I'm afraid we'll have to leave the neighborhood, if you're leaving it up to me. If that doesn't bother you, then...

[Just. putting that away and gesturing to follow and he may have the terrifying impression she just extrapolated all the rest of his measurements.

What have you gotten yourself into, birdy.]

[nogooddecisions]

Oh, this is rich. Sure, sure. I could use a singular amusement here...

[She seem to have legitimately cracked him up some, there.]

[murderbirdy]

Laugh all you want. I won't be embarrassed...ah, though, what was your name, again? I can't remember hearing it.

[Just. Casually going to lead him off. Yeah, she's taking him home to the...classy bar that may or may not still be a host bar because that will close when they pry it from Saori's cold dead fingers. By now she's also likely known for doing fashion commissions for the ridiculously rich. When it suits her.]

[nogooddecisions]

Kiran. Do try to remember it this time, Marie~

[...Implying implications there, birdude. But he will continue to follow her through this place. He isn't phased by this bizarre walk.]

[murderbirdy]

[Welp this sure is a set of apartments upstairs.]

I've grown up around beautiful men...you'll have to forgive my memory.

[Yep, here we go, right up to the the weird birdgirl's room. Excuse the sewing projects in the corner. She's a crow, of course her nest is kinda messy. Bed's perfectly made, tho.]

[nogooddecisions]

I am impressed with how direct you are, little crow. But for the sake of it... what is your aim in all of this?

[murderbirdy]

[Pulling out some fabric samples and holding them up, and humming.]

You're a challenge. Wings like those...typical fashion doesn't account for them, no? I imagine you've a tailor you're already fond of, but I relish the difficulty, anyway.

[She pauses, and seems to realize that she basically just said she dragged a hot boy home to play dress-up.]

...Which isn't to say I'm not interested in sex. But both of these require getting you naked...I see no reason not to not multitask.

[nogooddecisions]

Oh, no, it's lovely. Every shirt has to basically be built like an incredibly complicated scarf. I sometimes just go without them for that reason.

[WINGFLOOF. Just full extension.]

Go ahead. Make your considerations.

[murderbirdy]

[Well then. She's going to be circling him, and there's some touching, because she's feeling out just how big his wings are and also she really wants to pet them, like for reals, they're right there, must fingerpreen.

But, she's also taking stock of how this would work. Considering how she'd like to do this. And what colors to put him in.]

I don't think that's the only reason you go shirtless.

[nogooddecisions]

[He might have chirped a little when she got into finger preening them. Also ohgosh they're so soft. It is kind of insane. They are surprisingly large, though, given they're golden eagle wings scaled up to man sized to some extent.]

You and so many others would hope so, yes?

[murderbirdy]

You're a show-off at heart, Kiran. I don't think I have to hope.

[...Yeah ruffling those a little more before just going on to apparently feel out the rest of his measurements. Whether or not he wore a shirt today, well, her touch is pretty delicate, and she...actually, she runs a little cool. Or she's got some magic at her fingertips already. One of those.]

I couldn't say I'd do any different, were I in your shoes, though.

[nogooddecisions]

Oh yes, I can picture it now. First, losing the glasses because they're a distraction in flight. Then, outfits designed around two things; leaving only the most tantalizing bits to the imagination, and making sure they stayed that way under intense velocity. A tendency towards maniacal cackling. A fondness for crushing people under heel. And.... having a hard time with feelings, when someone realizes who you are underneath.

[He grins, looking up. He might actually have both wings and arms extended dramatically by the end of that.]

Am I right?

[murderbirdy]

...

[Booping him in the nose.] I'm not that much like my mother. And I'll bet I'm better at dealing with any sort of feelings than the kind of man who's grown up in the shadow of one of the strongest women on the planet and a man who built a fortune from nothing out of the most dangerous ruins...a legacy you stand to inherit over either of your siblings.

[She shrugs a little, but it's a bit...cooler. She doesn't like this game, apparently.]

[nogooddecisions]

Not so much, actually. I've come to terms with the notion that legacy is important but not wholly consuming of my identity. I won't lie, though, it took some time. But moreover.

[He reaches out with a surprising speed and just snatches those glasses.]

It seems I was right about the glasses, at least.