#and AHHH I'VE LOVED THE GAME!!! i haven't beaten it only bc i don't want it to be done and i think i'm really close :' ))

[quietlyblooms]

she lets out a breath as the feline retreats to her master's side, watching her for another moment before looking to the man again with a prickle of irritation. so he was trying to scare her, though it's difficult to say whether it was a test or not. for the first time in a very long time, chiyo doesn't know what to expect from someone. the cynic in her says not to expect anything, but she has to have hope. she'll always be helpless otherwise.

she nearly jumps out of her skin, not at all expecting the bird that erupts from the man's back nor the booming voice and laughter at his expense. this guy loves humans? perhaps a select few. chiyo isn't quick to believe the bird's words as she is to note the way her neighbor sighs, clearly used to this sort of occurrence and seeing no point in entertaining an argument over it. no, he chooses to jab at her before she can make her own comment instead, and though chiyo doesn't fall prey to insults easily, she would be lying if she said his words did not sting.

" what i'm saying is i don't want to be useless, " chiyo retorts, tone even despite her annoyance. he draws closer, looking like some sort of angel of death with his jaguar and black bird accompanying him, and she again remains right where she is and keeps her mask on. she will not waver. she hasn't thus far, and she'll be damned if it's a man who finally makes her falter. she doesn't care if he towers over her, too close for comfort and eyes boring into her own. the prospect of death is much scarier.

" it'd be stupid if i let you walk away without asking for help. " there is a challenge in her smile now, gaze hardening. if it's a reaction he wants, she won't give it to him. " but i'm not stupid. so can you help me? teach me anything? " her brown eyes land on the bird on the man's shoulder then, and mirth softens her expression. " you must have some pointers for the humans you love so much. "

if she were non-human, the feline would have made easy pickings out of her by now. she may function on his command, but she very well hunts of her own volition as necessary, akin to an attack dog. without any further instructions and not a peep from the summoner, shadow withdraws to his side. the agency has never deployed rules to their devil hunters, all of it was fair game no matter the circumstance unless stated otherwise. V wasn't responsible for the pile of dead surrounding them more than he was an associated cause. that demon who was slain by him made a resourceful meal out of the victims, and by then his arrival have been much too late. if by some odds he was being paid extra and cautioned to avoid as many casualties as possible by request of the agency, then maybe - just maybe - some of them could have been spared rather than the singular woman before him; only some incredible force of luck may have spared her a premature death. she must know it, too.

cracked lips part for words, ready to entertain her query, up until a massive weight collects on his spine. it only burns for a second as another pattern of ink spills over him like water, enveloping the peaks of his shoulders. a pair of wings are the first to manifest as a new demon crawls out of his flesh. it's over. if he wanted to say anything prior to the avian's appearance, it doesn't matter. ❝ THE SCARE TACTICS ARE ALL FOR SHOW. THIS GUY LOOOVES HUMANS! ❞ while Griffon chokes up with laughter, a sigh is all V can give in response to the demon spewing such an ear-grating lie. he's used to it, but a stranger wouldn't know that unless it's painfully obvious in a lack of explanation. the man doesn't object to what is said, though. how could she believe that?

❝ so, what you’re saying is.. you’re useless, just like the dead ones behind me. ❞ pausing any further contempt and insult on the matter, he is now approaching her with minimal haste. the distance between them is closing with each step. now she is at arms length from the half-demon, the pair of familiars in close proximity; Griffon is perched on his left shoulder, Shadow close to his side as he moves. V's stature looms over her, dark eyes searching for a hint of emotion to devour. if he really wasn't going to kill and eat her, this is his only form of sustenance.