shamelesshookery | (no subject)

[Chris probably notices the smell of blood long before the man becomes visible, a sad heap of white hair and white clothes and oddly enough in this day and age, a fine sword, all stained red and collapsed in a drift of snow. It's hard to tell if he's still alive at all.]

[He's been tracking Kou for a long time now. After he recovered from his injuries, after he mourned his family and the betrayal of his friend and took up magic and swordwork more seriously, he finally felt ready to find Kou, or whatever might be left of him. He has the sword, reforged and reinforced with layers of spells, he has companions who have helped him grow over the years, and helped him in his search. But he wants to confront Kou alone this time, that's why he's come, to see what might be left of his friend now. If there's anything left at all.]

[And this is where he's tracked him to. He's laid his traps, to keep Kou from escaping he hopes, and now he'll make his presence known.]

[ with a wolf's nose, it's the smell that draws him at all— first, toward a possible meal, and then, once he realizes what he's smelling isn't animal at all... toward a rescue.

lowering his nose to the man's face, sniffing; if there's any life left him at all, he should be able to smell it. ]

[He's not human, that much is evident to Chris' senses. And he's still alive, though it seems he shouldn't be at all. He makes a soft noise at the nose in his face, stirring a little, but not quite waking.]

[ ...not human is good. not human means he can shift back, shivering slightly at the sudden increase in chill without insulating fur, and try to get a look at how badly he's hurt and where ]

[Pretty badly, and everywhere, seems to be the immediate evidence. Whatever he tangled with certainly tore him up.]

[ licks his lips a little, automatically, and then makes a face at himself. damned predator instincts...

it's not entirely a bad idea, though. if he gets enough venom into the other man, his wounds won't hurt him and they'd be encouraged to heal; it would only be a stop-gap measure, considering how much fuel would be needed to take care of that much damage but it would at least keep him from bleeding out in the snow before he could be properly taken care of.

that decided, he lets the smell of blood work on his appetite until his fangs are out and his mouth watering, and bends down to put his mouth to whatever damage is easiest to get at. not drinking will be an effort, but he'll live. ]

[There's a soft sigh from the man in the snow. The easing of his wounds helps him a bit, though he's not quite conscious yet. Instead he makes a few restless noises as he tries to struggle to wakefulness. The sensation is strange.]

[It's the sort of mansion out in the middle of nowhere that really only politicians have. Apparently Kou's been cozying up to something like easy mode, and reaping the benefits. The place is empty except for him, though, probably a side home, so there's no risk of collateral damage if they go all out.

Not that Kou cares.

He follows Yuki's presence when he feels it, though, curious and drawn like a moth to flame.]

[He approaches the front door, not trying for stealth or ambush, not bothering to knock as he lets himself in. Calling, when he's entered.]

Kou, I know you're here.

Obviously, or you wouldn't be in a place like this. What brings you to my humble abode?

[he's just standing at the top of the gorgeous stairs, practically welcoming.]

Do you have to ask?

[His hand is casually on the sword, but there is tension in his shoulders, scanning the grand entrance for any advantage if it becomes a fight, which it surely will.]

I've come because of you. You need to come home with me, Kou.

That's touching, but I really like it here? I'm not really a fan of being caged.

[there is. a chandelier.

someone's gonna swing on it you just know it.]

[ coming up for air as he hears that, licking a trace of blood off his lower lip. (might as well not let it go to waste when he's already bled it out, right? even if it isn't nearly as good.)

clearing his throat and then pushing a bit as he speaks, gently ]

Easy, Sleeping Beauty. You don't have to get up yet; you're safe.

[He relaxes again, easing back into an exhausted sleep that's a little easier than the barely alive state of moments before. He's still in rough shape, if he were human it would be critical condition. It might be for whatever he is as well, though he doesn't seem to exactly be dying not with many of his wounds mostly sealed.]

I'm sorry. But the damage you do is more than can be allowed.

[This is going to get Hollywood. Still, he slowly starts to approach the staircase.]

Is Kou still alive in there? I want to talk to him.

[Kou stands his ground, looking for all the world entirely unthreatened and deeply amused. He cocks his head, seeming to think for a few moments, then smiles wider.]

Seems that's one-sided. He doesn't want to talk to you.

As for the damage I do, can't you look the other way? Since he's in here, and all.

[ oh no. don't get attached don't get attached heee's going to get attached.

but yes, that's a good sign it's time to drag him home out of the cold and to a proper medical kit. starts to scoop him up, stops, and goes to take care of the sword first, hurriedly getting as much of the red off of it with the snow as he can to keep it from rusting before wiping it on his own coat and sliding it into the scabbard the man is carrying. then he carefully picks the man up and starts the long run home.

when Yuki wakes up, it's to a warm bed, a lot of bandages, and a bowl of soup and a note on the bedside table— as well as a lump across his legs. ]

I can't.

[Was any other answer expected? He pauses at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at Kou. Or whatever is wearing him. He feels... Sad, yes, nostalgic at his friend's face. But determined. This is his job. It's his purpose. He won't give up ever on this. And maybe, maybe he'll find a way to save Kou still, if he can just catch him, and seal the evil riding him, then he can perhaps free Kou from the nightmare he must be trapped in.]

Will you not come with me willingly? I would rather not hurt you.

[The sword practically sings of holy energy when Chris touches it, though as it's sheathed the aura is blocked entirely.]

[Yuki, for his part, wakes a little confused and groggy, sitting up slowly to wince at his injuries and wonder about where he is and how he got here and why his legs are heavy. He looks around, notices the lump of dog and his tended wounds and the note and soup. He picks up the note first.]

That's weak, isn't it? You don't want to hurt your ages-old enemy just because he's also the boy that killed your family? It really doesn't follow.

[But he's starting to back away, gearing up to bail. He knows Yuki revealed himself on purpose, so he'll have to be careful of traps, but it's so fun to tease him that it's hard to tear himself away.]

I do mean it. If this can be peaceful I would like that.

[He starts up the stairs, slow and deliberate, not yet threatening, but still approaching with one intent in mind. By persuasion or force he will make Kou come with him.]

I've never hated you.

Aah, you're so cute. It would be really fun to play with you, but I'm afraid I really must go.

[turns on his heel and BOLTS]

[ it starts with "Good morning, sleeping beauty!" because of course it does, and then goes on to explain that he found him in the woods and dragged him home for medical attention. there's more soup in the fridge, the medical kit is on the floor next to the table, and he's welcome to the bathroom; and although he'd offer those things himself in person, he unfortunately had to go pass out for a few hours and will hopefully be awake by late afternoon (which is about what time it's getting to be according to the lone clock in the room). it ends saying not to worry about waking the dog up by moving around, and to definitely shake it awake if there's an emergency— signed, Chris.

the soup is a very hearty chicken noodle :|b ]

[Vaults up the rest of the stairs in hot pursuit, weaving a net of holy and ice magic to slow and stop Kou if he can.]