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 Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:21 pm
 
Azriel half smirked but then closed his eyes, leaning back in the chair for a long moment. "Lets just say I may be spending the next couple of months stuck with Ishihara-san and I'd rather not end up dead because whatever experiment he thinks happened backfires." the bat spoke softly.
But then he looked to Shizuka with slightly tired eyes and smiled ever so gently. "He's a good man. Oreo-kun that is. You know... I wouldn't even know him if you hadn't disappeared on me the last time we were so alone..."
Katsumi sighed, "Izo will be upset that I hurt Ishihara... but I would rather him hurt then have him dead. These aren't my levels to rule... but that room was something I was personally watching. Damn shark is useful sometimes..." the bat's dark eyes narrowed slightly as he watched #2. "Have you ever been drunk and done something you regretted, Shizuka-san?"
Of course Katsu had... oh gods how he regretted what he told Hiroki during a drunken stupor.
"I can kind of understand Ishihara's reaction when I think about it... then again..." sighing again, Azriel rubbed his eyes.
He really hadn't wanted to get up today to begin with!
"Then again this is the most dangerous place for a drunk man to wind up."
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Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:58 pm
In The Pit
Shizuka's brow furrowed a moment but he knew that Katsu was fishing just a bit for information. Really...Easing the young man's mind about the situation wasn't in #2 job description. However, he typed upon his phone, Your life won't be affected by the Shark's bite except by your own actions.
He stepped nearer so quietly that Katsu probably wouldn't have heard his feet move. I have done things I've regretted but being drunk during...no. Drinking takes away your ability to fight at optimum levels. And...that is not allowed. No the Doctor would be furious if he imbibed like Ishihara had done.
His finger tips brushed Katsu's shoulder and he typed out upon his phone. Sympathy for the Devil isn't wise... Shizuka leaned in and licked up Katsu's injured neck while his fingers typed upon the phone in his other hand. But Sympathy for the innocent...Oreo will be at ease as much as it is possible.
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Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:02 pm
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Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 10:09 pm
Katsumi's eyes slipped closed after he read those words. "And which would I be in your tale, Shizuka-san? I'm certainly not innocent... but the devil..." he whispered the words so softly that it might not even be heard.
When his eyes opened again, Azriel was looking into the serpent's own gaze. "Again... you have my thanks." he reached out gently, fingers lightly brushing through the strands of #2's hair that were within reach. "Regret... I almost don't understand what it is to regret... and yet I know that once... when I was terribly drunk... I did something that I shouldn't have. Perhaps it is the one thing I regret in my life."
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:00 am
In The Pit
Every man chooses the road they wish to travel no matter how often they say they were forced on the road. Devil you may be...and innocent never but the type of Devil you choose to be is all your own craft. It wasn't a complete answer to where Katsu fit within Shizuka's world but more pointing out that Katsu would be the one to make that particular decision. Where Katsu fit in was based upon his own actions.
The Serpent head tilted slightly as the fingers brushed along his hair. It really was as smooth as silk. And Shizuka enjoyed the moments of gentle contact even if he shouldn't indulge. But within this room, his indulgences wouldn't be uncovered. His fingers walked up Katsu's chest and then tapped his nose playfully. One incident is enough to understand regret. However, to truly learn from regret, one doesn't make the same mistakes twice.
Shizuku grinned for a moment with perfect teeth before sliding a finger down Katsu's chest and paused then poked quickly at a nerve to send a wave of pleasure down Katsu's flesh in the form of released tension. It was as if to say, Lighten up!
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:12 am
For a moment, as that feeling of released tension ran through his body, Katsu pondered Shizuka's words and actions. To him, if he were the devil, then this man should have no sympathy for him... and yet the serpent's actions seemed to contradict that notion.
"Repeating one's mistakes and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity, you know." Azriel whispered with an amused smile.
His fingers continued to gently and slowly moved through the other man's hair. It's feeling relaxed him for some reason... that soft smooth silky texture. "Perhaps this devil is learning what road he wishes to travel because while he isn't innocent... he knows when a kind hand brings better results than the edge of a wicked blade."
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:07 am
In The Pit
Well at least Katsu seemed to understand the consequences of repeating one's mistakes. Maybe he was capable of seeing more than most 'devils' but he still had a long ways to go 'Put your Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove.' Both are useful tools but don't be as blind as Napoleon. An interesting quote but many a man could not truly grasp the concept or apply it well.
If you find my hair so soothing, then braid it. The topic suddenly was changed from hidden meanings to something quite mundane and common. But Shizuka liked his hair being stroked. It was a definite pleasure to the Serpent. Braiding would take longer and he could enjoy the conversation until his duty called.
Do you enjoy your work above? I saw the new kitchen. The food smells better. Shizuka asked upon his phone, making casual conversation. Sometimes it seemed odd to make casual conversation as not many chose to try to speak to him.
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:27 am
"Napoleon?" Azriel asked in confusion.
The rest of the idea made perfect sense. Katsu knew that he had to be tender to those who deserved it, but that he couldn't be afraid to be stern and ruthless if the situation called for it.
But who or what was a Napoleon?
When he was asked to braid Shizuka's hair however, well... that intrigued the bat. He carefully took the full weight of #2's hair in his hands, letting his long sharp nails run through it much like a comb, riding it of any tangles first.
"I do enjoy the changes above. I... had been meaning to ask you something about future changes however." Katsumi spoke softly, enjoying those silky stands in his fingers. "The hidden ways within the walls... I want to expand the nesting area so that the pets may have actual beds, at least those deserving of them anyway. I also like the idea of a small gym to allow the more violent pets to work out their frustrations on a punching bag rather than a client." he continued to work with that hair, slowly beginning to gather the hair in preparation for the braid itself. "I'm telling you this... because I would need to seal off some of those hidden ways or incorporate their space into the renovations altogether. I'm no fool... I know you use these hidden places... so I wanted to compromise, Shizuka-san. If you will allow me to expand the upper floors as I wish... perhaps new, though smaller, ways can be worked into the architecture?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 1:00 pm
In The Pit
Napoleon was a great French ruler. Well, mm...almost great. Ah..yes, you were raised down here. You should read a few history books and learn about the world. Mm...after you learn Kanji. History is a good way to learn from others successes and failures. A fascinating way to take in the entire world. Shizuka pointed out as a message on his phone then showed Katsu a photo of the infamous ruler.
Your nails are perfect combs. He casually added as he stood there and let his shoulder hang just slightly. Appeared that the Serpent was a bit more relaxed right now but probably still on guard at least somewhere in his mind.
Beds? In my space? Shizuka's eyes flicked in Katsu's direction even as his head remained still for the combing. The Serpent's thought zoomed in on Katsu's ideas. The spaces beyond the Pit, were not part of the original architecture. The Pit was built for the War as a bunker to protect those that feared Nuclear devastation. It was sealed off from world but life down here was not...desirable. My places beyond the walls of the Pit are remnants of an old manufacturing company and tunnel storage. Although, I've renovated some.
What you ask for impedes my movement in the Pit. Secrets are meant to remain secret. His breath became a slight sigh. As he weighed these thoughts. Giving up space that he had all rights to was not comforting. There were other reasons that he'd prefer to keep spaces sealed as well. However, these requests were only for the high reaching areas. Not those deeper in the realm. But...their betterment means less work for me, less death in the darkness. Is that what you are hoping for?
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 2:04 pm
Katsu smiled softly, "Dead pets do no one any good, Shizuka-san. Their lives are spent so I suppose, if they thought their existence retched, that it is their freedom... but the PIT makes no money off death nor does the Doctor get new experiments from death nor do the clients leave feeling satisfied from death. Death is a hindrance in this darkness, and yet it is as common place as breathing at times. If I can save the lives of a handful of men, women, and children by making a few simple changes... then I will do what I can." his smile turned into a bit of an amused smirk. "I'm not as cruel a man as I make myself out to be."
Very careful Azriel was braiding the long strands of Shizuka's hair into a tight yet comfortable braid along the man's back.
"I came from the darkness... I fought and struggled my entire life to live. There are things I don't understand, like Napoleon..." he laughed softly, fulling intending to look this person up when he returned home that night. "But we all deserve a chance to live. Some men throw it away... others take it for granted... I could care less how people spend their lives or what they waste it on... but I will give them the chance to live. If a pet becomes nothing more than a drug addicted whore... then I could care less if they lived beyond the ability to make a profit. But if one, like Oreo, who performs brilliantly and yet holds the ability to do so much more... then I will free them from their chains. Kaito-kun... Oreo-kun... both of these men work for me outside of the dark, or soon will. I can give them a better life because my own life was set free and I could taste the world that they longed for for the first time in my life. Those who deserve my wrath will get it... but those who prove themselves trustworthy deserve my aid and compassion... and my own trust. I won't ask you to give up your places, Shizuka-san, at least not all of them. It is your choice. But I do this to better the lives of those in this darkness... and of course I wouldn't dream of touching any of your spaces below the 4th floor."
His fingers had finished the braid, but then Katsu looked around. "I've nothing to tie your hair off with. Do you?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 3:56 pm
In The Pit
Shizuka pondered Katsu's comments as he stood there feeling the slow twists and turns of the braid flowing down his back. It seems that Katsu had 'good' intentions mixed with profit in mind. And seemed almost in line with things that Soto wanted to accomplish. But did the Serpent truly wish to align himself with that endeavor? The Doctor didn't care much as to 'what sort' of pets fell into his grasp. Did the Serpent care for what sort of environment that they lived in?
Of course, there were 'benefits' that Shizuka could see if he chose to give up some of his space in the darkness. But he asked a simple question as he fished in his pocket and produced a black hair band. And...how do I benefit if I give you what you request?
This small band was made out of a very elegant embroidered velvet. A small embroidered snake in shiny black thread raced across the black velvet. It was actually rather adorable with a small forked tongue and scales. The work was hand done at least by feel because it was so small.
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:11 pm
For a time, Katsu stood there, one hand holding the braid in place and the other holding the hair band. He studied it, a small smile on his lips as he took in the design.
"When I set out to improve things in the depths, I found myself asking the same question. What do I get out of this. The answer, for me, was nothing. And yet, in a way, I did get something out of the actions I've taken. A cleaner conscience perhaps... though I suppose I've little morals when you get right down to it. I do this simply because I know what hell is and I'd rather fewer pets felt your boss's scalpel in the end. However..." carefully Azriel began to tie the band properly. He had learned to braid from some of the women when he was just a boy in the dark. "Unlike others in this endeavor, because I want your permission, Shizuka-san... what benefit would you desire for this sacrifice?"
Katsu could give many things because there were a lot of things within his power to give these days. Rather than come up with something himself... he wondered what sorts of benefits the serpent would find most useful to himself.
Curiosity...
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:24 pm
In The Pit
Of course the simple question could not get a simple answer. There were moments that Shizuka just felt like saying, I asked you first! Now as for what he wanted, well that was something that he couldn't just reveal to the young man that held his hair in his hands. Freedom..., a voice, a safe place....for....
His shoulders tensed ever so slightly and it was too bad that all the things that he desired couldn't be obtained as simply as giving up space above. Your question has answers that cannot pass my....phone, unfortunately. You are fond of this world and in this world you shall remain for now. What can you offer?
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:44 pm
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Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:32 pm
In The Pit
本当？お土産は？For me? Shizuka was surprised by such an offering and really he wouldn't have expected it from Katsu who was fairly uneducated. How did he uncover this? Obviously,he must have been searching for something that might fit Shizuka's interests. But to what end?
Shizuka continued to listen but he couldn't explain his 'freedom'. It wasn't the same as what Katsu might think. But for now, it appeared as such at least to the eyes that took notice. The idea of an apartment though....his own private place. Maybe...just maybe that could be useful. He glanced away for a moment as if pondering those words. An apartment...would be welcome. One that has a large...private storage and workspace.
A thoughtful smile appeared on his lips. Alright, you have convinced me to accept this deal. However, I can offer areas on 2 and 3 because on level 4 the levels are not evenly spaced due to the slide down to....Hell. Actually there are areas there but, they are between 4 and 5. Because these areas were not built with the same...spacing. It would be level 4 1/2 in relation to the pit.
The construction would be difficult around the slide. But maybe a winding stair case could be constructed. The Serpent however, didn't want the slide disturbed. It would have to be enclosed. However, he didn't offer that right away.
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