Fandom [CLOSED] Tokyo Ghoul: Dead Enmity

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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The only thing that Adrian could hear were muffled voices behind the door, he was getting more excited to get inside the longer he had to wait. He just couldn't wait to see Jackson and show him his eye, he'd find it so strange! But...it'd probably be cool! It wasn't like he was an actual ghoul or anything, it wasn't quite as dark as a ghoul's, though...it could see like it... Maybe he'd get mistaken for a ghoul and get killed... Hopefully not.


Finally the door opened and Adrian turned back to face it, about to speak, when he saw Jackson's mother. She called out at him before he could even get a word in, moving to let him inside before greeting him and looking happily into his eyes. He'd forgotten that Jackson's parents were here, but he was glad they were, he liked Jackson's parents. They were always really nice to him, he didn't know why they liked him so much...but they did, and it made Adrian feel really good.


He was going to reply to Tilly when he heard another voice, his head turned to look up to a man walking out of the kitchen. Jackson looked so much like it father it was unbelievable... Except Adrian was used to Eric towering over him, Jackson, not so much. If the other wasn't confined to a wheelchair he probably would though...his father was extremely tall, and Adrian was short anyway...so...most likely...


"Eric!" He grinned, placing his hands behind his back and smiling brightly at the older male. What made his smile wider was the man saying he was proud of him. That was something he hadn't heard from anyone but Jackson in quite some time, and for some reason it always made Adrian feel amazing, it made him stand a little straighter and smile a little wider. Jackson was lucky to have such great parents. So lucky...


For a moment Adrian looked to his friend, smiling and waving at him. Usually he'd feel a little more uncomfortable if people were touching him and Jackson was right next to him...but he wasn't really bothered with Jackson's parents. He knew them, he just didn't see them all that often. Leo had known them better. Though it would be nice to catch up with them now, he hadn't seen them in years.


"Yup! Everything's done! My eye turns a weird colour now... It's really cool!" He giggled, he didn't know whether to actually show them all or not yet...then might not want him to...

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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short & shit


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"Isn't that something?" Eric observed, scratching at the back of his scalp with a finger. "Like one of them ghoul jobs. Are they paying you for it?"


"Eric!" Tilly hissed, cuffing her husband over the ear. Eric ducked and frowned in response, but decided to stay quiet anyway, allowing Tilly to carry on, "We picked up some goodies at the supermarket on the way back from the CCG, you know, foodie bits and the like. Eric thought he would cook us all a roast, if he can ever figure out how to use the oven."


"At least he worked out how to turn it on," Jackson added.


"Anyway," Tilly said, clapping her hands together to address Adrian with a fresh topic of conversation as she nudged him over towards the sofa, "Why don't you come and sit down? It must get exhausting spending so long in a hospital bed - well, it does, I know it does! Come, come."

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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Adrian blinked at Eric's words, well...they were paying him in general, but...he didn't really understand. Whatever, it wasn't a big deal. Though, he gained that it obviously wasn't something he should have said since Tilly seemed to get a little annoyed at him.


The woman quickly changed the subject, taking about how Eric was going to cook a roast. Adrian smiled, giggling at Jackson chimed in too. Food sounded good...he hadn't eaten all day...and he was only now realising he was hungry... Maybe he didn't eat enough, did he need to eat more? He kept forgetting meals for some reason or another, but he did eat...just...probably not as often as he should.


It was exhausting spending so long in a hospital bed, mentally exhausting anyway. The boy loved being on the move, he didn't like being stuck in one place, and now he had too much pent up energy...he just wanted to run around for a bit, but Jackson's parents were here, he wasn't going to act like a five year old when guests were around... He at least somewhat knew how to act in company.


"What've you guys been doing?" He asked, sitting down on the couch and grinning, leaning his arm on the arm rest, then his head on top of that, "Anything interesting?"

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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basing these parents on my actual grandparents because fuck creativity


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With a heavy sigh and a heavy flop, Tilly too took the weight from her feet as she leaned back on the sofa, taking the space next to Adrian. She tipped her head from side to side and waved her hand about as she said, "Oh, you know, this and that. Flew out to Tuscany a few weeks ago, thought we'd catch up with some old friends. They're funny, those lot - don't speak a word of our language but insist on a lengthy conversation anyway, they go on and on. We've been trying to learn a little Italian, thought it might help... Haven't we, Eric?"


Eric was busy in the kitchen, crouched over the oven with a hand on one of the dials. "Hm? Oh, yes, yes. Cucino il pollo, as they say," he agreed absentmindedly, continuing to fiddle with the knobs and switches on the device. Suddenly, there was a loud "Ah ha!" and the lights inside the oven began to glow a warm, fiery yellow.


"Oop, sounds like dinner's on the go," Tilly relayed to Adrian with a nod. "You hungry, boy? Oh, of course you are, you've not been home since... Well, since silly o'clock in the morning."


Jackson opened his mouth in a long, wide yawn as he found his way to Adrian's side, brushing his ankles against the coffee table as he turned to face the sofa. "He was at the - the hospital at seven-thirty... I think."


"Really?" Tilly's eyes widened and she stared slack-jawed at Adrian, laughing voicelessly. "Oh, heavens, that is early. Good thing you're home now, eh? So, other than doing all this work in the offices, what do you spend your time doing nowadays, Adrian?"

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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As Tilly talked about flying out to Tuscany, Adrian nodded, listening intently. So...they had friends they couldn't communicate with properly? How did they do it? He'd probably get really confused if someone couldn't speak the same language as him... It was easy to confuse him, if things weren't simply laid out then he often got muddled.


Hearing Eric trying to work out the cooker was quite funny, he wasn't really paying too much attention to anything, hunger taking him over now... He hoped that there was food soon, he'd hadn't gone without eating for a whole day in quite awhile...he didn't really want to start again either. Food tasted good, too good to give up.


"Hm?" Adrian turned his head, "Oh...yeah." He nodded, smiling again, before his attention was taken away from Jackson and placed on Tilly once again. What...did he do apart from work...well... "Not much..." The boy replied, having to think about it, "Mostly just...doing whatever seems fun at the time." Most of his time had been taken up either trying to help Jackson, training, or working for the CCG. He didn't mind any of it, it kept him busy, that's all that really matter.


Bringing his legs up onto the couch and up to his chest, Adrian smiled at Tilly. He wasn't that interesting... There wasn't really much else he did apart from work in one way or another... Which was strange for an eighteen year old, most people he know who were his age were out hanging at clubs or bars...going out at nights... He didn't really do that.

 

[yaint]

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shou uz ur blek aye


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"Whatever seems fun," Tilly echoed, closing her eyes as if to imagine the antics that Adrian would get up to by the day. There was a chuckle in her throat. "Well, I wouldn't know what that all means, but I'll take your word for it, dear."


Suddenly, Eric's voice boomed out from the kitchen again, "Dinner's in half an hour, give or take!"


"Okay!" Jackson called in response, waving towards the kitchen as his father came dawdling into the lounge with his hands in his pockets and a bead of sweat on his forehead. "Hey, Dad, c'mere a sec."


"Eh?"


"Yeah, over here," Jackson repeated, beckoning Eric over with a lazy twitch of the arm. With his opposite elbow, the young man nudged at Adrian. "Adrian, why, uh, why don't you show off that red eye? I want to get a look at it."

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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If something fun popped up, then Adrian would jump at the chance to do something different, but he didn't hate his life, he was content with how things were. Nothing needed to change too much, he was happy. Everything was good.


"Mn?" As Jackson called his father into the room Adrian got a little confused, did he have an announcement or something? He was a little off, it turned out that the other simply wanted Adrian to show off his eye... Oh. Yeah, he...he could do that. "Okay!"


With a grin, the boy triggered that strange muscle that he couldn't really describe...just like Teddy had said! One of his eyes quickly changed from it silver grey, the iris turning crimson and the outside turning a dark grey. Once it had changed he simply looked up at Jackson, head cocked to the left. He'd put his hands on his ankles, as he legs were now crossing on the couch, waiting for everyone's reaction to his rather impressive 'party trick'.

 

[yaint]

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no notes


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Jackson's jaw dropped in awe as he watched Adrian's eye change from its usual colours to the darker, more ghoulish palette. "Oh my God," the young man marvelled, ducking in towards Adrian's face as far as he could reach, "I-it actually works. Your eye - it actually changed colour. It's gone all... Dark. And red."


Eric, too, displayed his fascination - like Jackson, his mouth gaped open as his own wide eyes scanned Adrian up and down. Tilly simply smiled and clapped. "It's a clever trick, isn't it?" she approved with a nod of the head. "The doctors must have all spent a very long time figuring out how to make that work, it's incredible."


"Yeah..." Jackson continued to stare intensely at Adrian, then suddenly he pushed a fist into his shoulder and laughed. "Mate, do you know how cool that is!? You're going to be one of the best fighters in the CCG! I wonder if -" He was cut off by the mobile phone resting in his lap, which now bleeped and buzzed. Huh? Who's calling? "S-sorry, hang on a sec," Jackson said, swiping across the screen and moving backwards out of the way to go and take the call.


Seeing his opportunity, Eric crouched down in the space where Jackson had been to take a closer look at Adrian's eye. "God alive," the older man mouthed, rubbing at his bare neck with a hand. "That must have been quite the operation..."

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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Adrian was fine sitting there and being the centre of attention for once, in fact, he was enjoying it. They were all marvelling at his eye, and there were only like...five other people who could do the same thing in the entirety of the CCG... He really was something special now... This was going to be awesome!


One of the best fighters in the CCG? Was he...sure? Could he really do that? Did Jackson really think he could be one of the best... There were people like Lea out there...they didn't even need to be a Quinx to fight spectacularly. She took on Jester all on her own. The girl really was amazing...


Jackson would have carried on, but he got cut off by a phone call... Who...was calling? Adrian wanted to know what he was going to say. He watched the man as he moved away to take the call, what was it about? Always curious, that's what the boy was, but he hardly ever asked when someone was busy like that...afterwards though, or when they weren't as busy... That was different.


His attention was drawn away from Jackson when he saw something move out of the corner of his eye.


"Hm?" The boy looked down, just to notice Eric staring at his eyes now. In response to him he nodded and smiled, "It took a long time...so probably!" It was strange to have people stare at him like this...but he ultimately didn't mind, his eye was cool.

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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organised... because... organisations! get it? it's called foreshadowing *cackles menacingly*


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Eric continued to gaze at the strange colouring before him until he felt the sudden sharpness of a knuckle in his left shoulder.


"All right, Eric, leave the poor boy alone now, I think he's had enough," Tilly instructed, shaking her hand at her husband to usher him back to his feet. "Yes, yes, sorry about that, Adrian - he tends to forget his manners sometimes." Instead of retorting, Eric just cast Tilly a nervous smile and made quick eye contact with Adrian before turning around to go and check the oven.


One by one, Tilly cracked the joints in her hands and then her neck. "Right then, shall we see what's on telly?" the woman suggested as she grabbed the remote control from its place on the coffee table. At the click of a button, the screen flashed into life and displayed a broadcast of the day's news. It was one of the usual reporters, repeating the headlines in a monotone voice; something about a murderer, something else about flooding.


Eventually, the reporter took a deep breath to begin coverage of a new story about a ghoul; "In other news, agents from the Commission of Counter Ghoul have reported the discovery of several bodies in Cornwall following what appears to be an organised ghoul attack. This is the fourth in what is now being treated as a series of regulated slaughters, and local residents have been warned not to travel alone."


"Oh dear, this isn't very cheerful," Tilly pointed out, gesturing to Adrian with a turn of the head. Eric returned from the kitchen and crouched behind the sofa to get a glimpse of the news for himself, and meanwhile Jackson was still speaking on the phone, one hand covering his mouth.

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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Sure, it became a bit uncomfortable to have someone stare at you for a very long period of time, Eric really seemed interested in his eye... Well...who wouldn't be? Adrian probably would have been in awe if it had been someone else... He wouldn't have wanted to look away.


Soon enough Tilly was pulling Eric away, finally giving Adrian a break. The boy blinked, his eye going back to normal... To think...he'd get to use his kagune soon enough, along with the others. They were going to have to work as a team, he'd have to get used to all of the new people that he was being paired with. Maybe he'd just stick with Teddy for the first few days, just until he got used to this new team. Everything would probably be fine in the end though.


"Okay." Hearing the television was going to be turned on, Adrian turned his attention to it... The news was never a happy topic, but it was something to watch...and it was helpful to keep up with as a CCG ghoul investigator.


More ghoul attacks... Organised? Was there a group of them down there just slaughtering whoever they could? That was...cruel. Really cruel.


Not really wanting to listen to the news anymore, Adrian turned his attention to Jackson, who was still on the phone. He rocked back and forth for a few moments, wondering whether or not to go over... He'd be invading his privacy if he did, but...he wanted to know what was going on... It was a tough decision for sure.


"Huh?" Snapped out of his thoughts by Tilly's voice, Adrian turned back to face the woman, "Oh...no...not really..." He replied, looking back to the television. It never was cheerful, Jackson was always saying they should report on something more lighthearted for once...

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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why? for some reason i just read all of adrian's speech and thoughts in that last post ain the voice of skeletor.


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Jackson was half-listening to the news as he endured the phone call from the other end of the room. His face was contorted in a half-frown, half-grimace of confusion. "Okay," he muttered into the microphone, "Yeah. All right, uh, thanks. Bye." With a click of the thumb, he ended the call and pocketed the phone again, sighing as he reached into his front pocket. What the hell do I do now? he thought, chewing on his lower lip as he tried to reach a conclusion. That call... It hadn't made much sense, but he had no choice other than to accept what it meant.


Slowly, he wheeled back to the front of the room to retake his place next to the sofa. Tilly turned her head expectantly at Jackson, and after a few seconds more of lip-biting hesitation, the man rubbed at his eyes and began to talk about the call. "Sorry, that - that was Minnie," he explained, averting his eyes from his mother and roommate. "I've, uh... I've been transferred. They want me working in the labs after the squad splits."


"Labs?" Tilly parroted, batting her eyes in confusion.


"Y-yeah. Doing ghoul research rather than field work. Science stuff." Jackson wound his fingers together as he spoke, an idle-thought gesture to keep his hands busy whilst he sorted out his ideas. She didn't give me an opportunity to refuse... Which means I'll be expected at the labs tomorrow. Do I need a white coat?


"Ooh, that's impressive," Tilly noted rather loudly as she tore her gaze from the news, which was now going into greater detail on the ghoul attacks. "I heard that the bio department is where all the big money is."


Jackson wasn't really paying attention. But... I don't really want to be leaving Adrian behind, even if we're on different squads anyway. We were supposed to be working together on this. Damn it! So much for being on the same team.


"...And it has been concluded that several ghoul organisations are currently on the rise, and it's doubtful that it's just in Cornwall. There are going to be groups cropping up all over Britain," said a guest reporter on the news.

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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With the word 'bye' having been uttered by his roommate, Adrian immediately snapped his head in the direction of the other, following him with his eyes as he came over to them... He couldn't tell how Jackson was feeling at the moment... He didn't look happy, but at the same time he didn't look extremely unhappy... So...So what was making him...confused? The boy didn't know how to explain his friend's expression, not without using words that didn't really exist.


Soon enough Jackson started to explain what was going on. So...Minnie had called him and told him he'd been moved to work in the labs, on clever stuff? Well...he was really smart... It probably suited Jackson well! He'd surely enjoy it! Even if he didn't look that enthusiastic.


"That sounds fun!" Adrian exclaimed, sitting up straighter and grinning over at the older male, as long as Jackson was happy with it, then he was. Sure...Adrian wanted them to stick together, but they were getting split up anyway, he didn't want Jackson to leave him...but he'd have to manage... This wasn't a moment where he could be selfish about what he wanted, it was about his friend's wants too... If that's what he wanted to do, that who was Adrian to stop him? "I'll have to come and visit you though... I don't wanna be alone all of the time." It was going to be a little more awkward for him, but he could stick to Irene or Teddy if he felt really uncomfortable. Everything would be okay, if they were both doing something they found interesting, then it would all work out.


The television chimed in with something about ghoul organisations popping up all over the countries. So...ghouls were finally trying to fight back in hoards? How strong were they together? Oh, how fun it would be to fight a group of them... Adrian's thoughts were consumed by images of action and adventure, reckless situations, strange missions, and everything in between. His eyes slightly wide as he watched the television, daydreaming about what could possibly be in the future.


He was suited to his job, it's what he wanted to do... Everything was going exactly to plan, sure, there had been slip ups...but everything was working itself out. This whole thing would take him down the right road to becoming who he wanted to become.


Would Leo be proud of him now?


He wasn't useless anymore...

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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dinner, bed + teleport to work sound good to you?


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"Fun is one way you could put it," Jackson sighed, pushing his round glasses back up to their place at the top of his nose. Fun... Yeah, it's interesting. But would I go that far? There was no way of knowing what to feel about the sudden shift. Even if working in ghoul biology would be fascinating, it certainly threw a spanner in the works of the man's other plans. What happened to being an ordinary ghoul investigator? True, combat would never be his forte, but... Damn it, we were going to climb the ranks together. What about Lea's bet? She told me I could do it.


"Well, nevermind. Maybe they know better, after all," Jackson decided. When he glanced up at Adrian, his mind started racing again. We really are going to be split up after this. Is... Is he happy? The man's brow furrowed in a frown. He won't be alone. There's the squad, and whoever their squad mentor is going to be. Probably Strat again. But... There are going to be problems. What would happen if Adrian has another encounter with Matthew? What happens if I'm not there to help?


Suddenly, Tilly sat up straight and lifted her hands up to applaud with her fingertips as Eric, a plate in each hand, wandered down to the sofa. "Look! Dinner's here, boys," Tilly pointed out. "Oh, but there are only two seats at the bar... Err, Adrian, dear, why don't you take a stool? Eric, where are you going?"


Eric grunted, "Hang on a second, let me -" One at a time, he slid the two plates onto the surface of the breakfast bar. On each plate was a handsome portion of food; chicken, potatoes, an assortment of colourful vegetables all coated in a generous amount of gravy.


"Looks edible, doesn't it?" Tilly squeaked. Jackson nodded.


"Thank you," said Eric, "All right then, I'll take the sofa."


"Are you sure, love?"


"Yeah, yes, of course. Hm, um, you can sit up there with Adrian." After a quick trip to the kitchen counter, Eric returned with two filled bowls. Jackson reached up and took one into his lap as it was handed to him, and his father slumped down on the sofa cushion beside him, cradling his own supper in the crook of his elbow.

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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At Jackson's response to him, Adrian's eyebrows raised slightly and he blinked in confusion. Did...Jackson not think so? It was what he was good at, he'd be playing to his strengths. So why didn't he seem like he wanted to do it? Shouldn't he be overjoyed that he'd been given such an opportunity? Maybe they should talk about it later, now wasn't the right time. Though, Adrian was wondering if Jackson was also worried about leaving the other, they'd still see each other, it was nothing to worry about. Plus, he was happy for the man, he'd gotten a job in the CCG that he'd probably end up really enjoying. If not, well, they'd have to find something else instead.


He was staring at the male for quite some time, thinking of what to say to him. Was there anything he could say? Maybe Jackson just shouldn't take the position if he wasn't happy with it. It was totally up to him after all. Though, again, they could talk about that later.


A voice brought him out of his train of thought and back into reality, suddenly he could smell food, and he was more than excited to tuck into it! Having not eaten all day was really getting to him now that he could smell something good.


Jackson and Tilly had been talking before Eric suddenly came over to sit on the couch, making room for Adrian and his wife at the counter. Was he really sure? Because if he wanted to sit at the counter Adrian would happily sit on the couch or something, he didn't mind at all. Still, for some reason, he didn't say anything, which was strange, usually he'd speak up again things like that.


The boy stood up in an instant, smiling at Jackson again before passing the male and walking over to the counter. He was surprised he was drooling by this point, it looked really good. Vegetables...chicken...potatoes...and gravy! This really was a good meal, he'd have to thank Eric afterwards for it, he had cooked for them after all. Adrian's smile appeared back on his face as he sat down, this was going to be nice! This day just kept getting better, sure, he'd spent a long time at the hospital, but it had been worth it, and now he was home with Jackson! Plus they had delicious food! How would he live without all of this?


Everything was going great! And tomorrow he'd get to work with his Quinx squad, that would be interesting. They'd all be trying out their kagune for the first time. Or...at least he hoped so.

 

[yaint]

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NOTES

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ARE YOU READY... TO BE GHOULIFIED??


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That night, Eric's cooking was savoured over light-hearted conversation between residents and visitors, the news of ghoul organisations continuing to play in the background all the while. Shortly after finishing, everyone paid Eric their thanks before he set off with Tilly, leaving Jackson and Adrian home alone together once more.


It wasn't long after the older couple departed when Adrian and Jackson finally decided to get to bed. Adrian was 'exhausted after sitting on his arse all day', according to his roommate, and the next day promised huge changes for both males - with Jackson being transferred to the labs and Adrian having his induction to the new Quinx squad.


***


"There we go," Jackson breathed as he pushed himself up into a more straight-backed position, having just been helped out of the car. It was still somewhat early in the morning; eight-thirty, at least half an hour before either man's negotiated start of the working day.


Arriving to the site this early would at least ensure that they had enough time to find their new stations. Jackson had seen the laboratories only in his brief introduction to the CCG mere months ago, and remembering his way around was going to be a challenge. He didn't even know if Minnie would still be mentoring him, having been pushed into a separate career track entirely. Does this make me a bureau investigator? the man wondered as he turned about to stare at his friend. I guess I'll find out when I get there.


"Adrian, are, uh, are you going to be okay? I mean, with getting to the place by yourself?" He wrung his hands together for a moment and swallowed, finding the words to explain himself. "I mean, you know where you're going, right? I could always... Come with you... And then tell whoever's in charge that, uh, I got lost, or stuck, or something. If you want."

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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"Hm?" Adrian looked to Jackson as he shut the door and locked up the car, today was the day. They were both going their separate ways, it would be strange not having Jackson around everywhere he went in this building. What was it going to be like without the other? Was he really going to be okay?


He needed to make out he'd be fine, Jackson was already worrying, he'd worry more if Adrian didn't do something to stop him. The man had a job to get used to himself, he didn't need to worry about the other, it wouldn't be fair. It was their first days in their new positions and it wasn't going to do either of them any good to worry about whether the other was okay, they had to do this. They'd both be happy if they put one hundred percent into these new positions!


"I'll be okay, Jackson." Smiling, Adrian started towards the building, "If you want to come, you can, but really, I'll be okay!" As always, he kept up his happy and excitable demeanour, this was going to be a great day! "Just...try not to worry too much okay? Just...focus on your job!" He got to the doors of the CCG building, pulling them open and waiting for his friend to get through before he went through himself. Honestly, he didn't quite know the way, but he was pretty sure he'd be able to find it... How hard could it be after all! It couldn't be that hard...right? It was just finding a room.

 

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why do i read all of these in american accents??


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Averting his gaze from Adrian's searching eyes, Jackson managed a nod. "Y-yeah, okay. If you're sure..." There's no need to worry. Adrian had been leading Jackson around the main building for a comparitively long time now - the boy knew how to find his way, even in a place neither of them were familiar with. He's fine. He'll be fine.


With a grunt of effort, Jackson pulled down at his shirt and took a moment to straighten his tie. If he was going to be meeting his new boss, there were good first impressions to be made - and since he was apparently no longer allowed to do ordinary investigative work, that first impression was going to stick for a long time. This is important. Have I got all of my stuff? In his lap was rested a silver case containing his papers, identification, stationery and space for any extra materials. He was well-dressed. His phone was stowed away in the inner pocket of his jacket. Yeah. Everything's here.


"Well then, I'll - uh - go," he declared, making eye contact with Adrian once more. "Don't get lost... Okay? Right, um, good luck. I'll see you in the evening." Those last words felt strange to say. In the evening. Almost never was Jackson separated from Adrian for such a long stretch of time, and the prospect of being in a new environment without having him to follow was frightening. But it's fine. Whilst he worried for Adrian, whilst the thought of the boy working with Matthew set Jackson on edge... There was a faith somewhere within him that nothing bad would arise. It's fine.

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

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Again, Adrian nodded, smiling widely. Everything was going to be fine, sure, he was a little nervous about being alone, but that was normal. He had Teddy there, and Irene would be there too. Ryan didn't seem too bad, he seemed like he'd rather work alone and he was a little blunt, but he didn't seem mean, he hadn't met Kathrine yet, and...Mathew...well, he could work with him. He didn't mind it.


"Yeah, I'll see you in the evening Jackson!" The boy laughed, looking down the hallway to the right, he believed that he was meant to go this way. "Don't get lost okay!" With a final wave, Adrian bounded off to the right. He didn't want to stick around too long, since he might not go if he did. Already being split up from Jackson felt lonely, it was strange being without him when he'd relied on him for so long. It seemed too quiet, he had no one to talk to until he actually got the room they were meant to be in.


Left.


Right.


Left.


Ah!


Stopping outside a pair of double doors, Adrian smiled, this was the place, right? Well, he thought so, and he could heard voices inside, although they were muffled and he really couldn't work out what they were saying. It was time to meet his new squad!


Instinctively, the boy turned to the left to look to Jackson, opening his mouth as if to speak, but he shut it again once he realise the other wasn't there. A little bit of the excitement left his eyes. They were supposed to do this together... No, no this wasn't the time, he could whine about it later, right now he had a job to do! These were going to be the people he had to work with for quite some time, so it was time to get used to them. So, after taking another second to stare at the door, Adrian walked forwards and pushed the door open, stepping into the room.

 

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NOTES

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it's coming closer, it's gonna happen, A GHOUL WILL BE BORN YET


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Right. Don't get lost, Jackson reminded himself, drawing in a deep breath before he too departed the car park in sight of the other end of the building. He had a vague idea of where the laboratories were - they were located downstairs, in the underground floors where unassuming visitors were unlikely to stumble upon them by accident.


Slowly, cautiously, Jackson wound around to the back of the building and slid through the doors when he found his chance. All he had to do was find his way. One turn around here. In through the doors. Take the lift downstairs, and... There it was. He carefully emerged from the elevator, glanced both to the left and then the right, then finally took his gaze upwards to the wall of the corridor in front of him.


"Sorry!" Jackson hiccupped suddenly as he backed out of the way of a lady in a white coat, who had just emerged from a door on the far left. The lady didn't look at him as she walked, instead just speeding towards another door on the far end of the room, no doubt busy with her thoughts and oblivious to the outside world.


Daring to breathe again after watching the lady disappear, Jackson nodded some encouragement to himself. Adrian wasn't there to watch his back, and that was beginning to feel lonely, but there were other things to look forwards to. Silently he wished his friend good luck from the other end of the building and raised a hand to knock on the nearest pair of doors.


***


As the doors opened, several pairs of eyes turned to face Adrian, blinking owlishly at their squad's youngest member. There were many familiar faces in sight - all of the other Quinx members, including Matthew, Irene and Teddy. All of the members were scattered about in the exceptionally large training room. There was an entire arsenal of silver cases lined up along the far wall.


"Yo-oh!" Teddy whooped, hopping from his seat on the floor up to Adrian's side again. With his heavy, muscular log of an arm, he slammed down on the smaller boy's shoulder and seized Adrian's neck in the crook of his arm. "So we meet again, amigo - what's up? Ya ready to test out your kagune?"


A familiar dark-skinned, heavily tattooed girl stared at Teddy from afar, one eyebrow raised at his questionably rough gestures. Though her wish to involve herself with Teddy's antics once more was weak, she made the sacrifice and gave up her place to meet Adrian from a safer distance than Teddy's death grip.


Irene greeted the boy with a small wave. "Hey, shorty. You actually managed to find the place - I'm impressed." For a moment she paused to inspect her newly-carved nails. "Anyway, we're just waiting for Strat now. It's still early, so we've got some waiting to do. How's your back after the surgery? Still sore?"

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

​

Less than a second after entering the large room Adrian felt a large arm wrap around his neck, almost tripping him up as he was pulled towards the other male. Teddy. Of course it was Teddy! Who else grabbed people like this? The boy smiled and nodded in response to the other's question, he seemed enthusiastic! Well...who wouldn't be to be honest... This was their first time checking out the things that made them Quinx.


Then Irene walked up too, making Adrian's smile widen, she explained that they were waiting for Strat, well...not before saying she was impressed he was actually able to find where they were meant to be...but he ignored that, it wasn't a big deal, she wasn't trying to be mean. It was just Irene.


"Mmn...I'm okay, I think." He replied, rolling his shoulders back a little, "It's not too bad."


"So what? We're hiring kids now?" A woman walked towards the group, smiling casually, the way she spoke was calm and playful, there was nothing malicious to it. "My my, I did expect this." She walked up to stand next to Irene, looking over at Adrian, "What's up, kid? I don't think we've met yet. My name's Katherine, you must be Adrian, right?"


Adrian blinked before nodding, so this was the woman he hadn't met? She looked awfully laid back, which was never a bad thing, laid back people were easier to get along with. She had a smile on her face as well, so at least she didn't hate him.


"But...um...I'm not a kid." He replied, just looking up at her.


"Hm?" Katherine's gaze had moved to some other part of the room by that point and she was forced to look back, "How old are you?"


"Eighteen."


"Yep. Kid."


"Huh...?"


"Well, you're the youngest here, right? Which makes you the baby of the group."


"I suppose so..."


"So, you're a kid to me." Katherine grinned, "But hey, I never said kids couldn't fight." She winked at him which made Adrian giggle and smile back at her, yeah, she wasn't so bad.

 

[yaint]

tฬเxt

​

NOTES

​

"let the dragon consume you"


TAGS


@Yoki

MAIN

​

"Right you are, Kathrine," said Irene, brushing a layer of imaginary dust from each of her arms, "Shorty here might be the size of a cornflake compared to enormous brutes like Teddy-"


"Hey!" Teddy interrupted, hugging Adrian closer to his chest.


"- But I've seen 'im fight. He got completely beat up, but the guy's still alive."


Suddenly, with all the force of his entire weight, Teddy shifted his grip on Adrian and spun the boy around by the shoulders so that they were face to face. He shook his teammate back and forth, beaming at him with a shining white grin. There was something of a glimmer in his eyes; a realisation, or a memory.


"Oh yeah!" Teddy gasped, "That thing you were talking about at the hospital. Irene told me everything. Dude, I was gonna call you and say how fuckin' cool that is, but I totally forgot."


"Yeah, real cool. You still owe me a quinque, Adrian," Irene snorted. "And poor Matt. I know he's playing it up with that enormous wad of bandages, but he hasn't let anyone touch his hand since Saturday. Whatever, though..." Her attention turned to Kathrine once more, the girl stretched out her arms behind her back and switched the conversation topic to something more light-hearted. "So, Kathrine. Have you heard anything about the type of training they're gonna make us do? I think we're all dying to know, and you probably have a better idea than the rest of us. Being our so-called leader, after all."

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

​

"Impressive." Kathrine nodded, "Guess we'll have to see what you've got, short stuff." Just grinned and watched as Teddy started to grab and mess the smaller male around like a rag doll. Did that not hurt him at least a little bit? After all, Teddy was quite a tall and relatively strong guy.


"U-Um..." Adrian was taken off guard as Teddy spun him around, he was a little baffled and flustered, unsure of how to react in the moment. Teddy though it was cool. Really? He was...he was just fighting, it wasn't even that good, it was just because he was angry. His technique had been slopped, he'd used so many dirty tricks, and he'd been fuelled by rage because they guys attacked Jackson. Even though that was the case, Teddy still thought that what he did was cool?


The thought of the event didn't make the boy mad, instead he just smiled, watching Teddy as he marvelled at what had happened. Of course, then Irene brought up the quinque he owed her. He turned to her, nodding, "Yeah, I know! Next ghoul I kill, it's all yours!" He didn't mind giving away a quinque, he didn't need it. Then again, neither did Irene. Why did she want one? Not that it was really any of his business...and he could live without knowing.


"Hm?" Hearing her name spoken, Katherine turned to Irene, "Oh, yeah, that." She crossed her arms, holding her head up high, "Well, I can't say exactly, but I suppose they'll get us to test out our kagune, Strat can be a strange one when it comes to training however. Who knows if she'll make us do some field work, but I don't think we're ready for that. I'm going to make sure this team works together before that happens. After all, it already seems like we have some...discrepancies." She looked at Adrian and then over to Matthew across the room, "They'll get sorted."


"Huh?" Adrian followed her gaze, "Oh...um, I mean, I don't have a problem." He smiled, putting his hands behind his back.


"Really?"


"Mhm!"


"Well...we'll see what happens then, I guess."

 

[yaint]

tฬเxt

​

NOTES

​

incoming jackass


TAGS


@Yoki

MAIN

​

"Heads up," Irene muttered out of the corner of her mouth, having suddenly lowered her voice to a quiet monotone. With a nudge of the elbow she gestured for Teddy to let go of Adrian; he understood the cue and released the boy from his vice grip, dropping his arms to his sides as a burly, ginger-haired figure ambled across the floor towards the waiting group.


Matthew's hand, the one that been impaled with a fork, was wrapped tightly in a bundle of white linen bandages and cradled in his opposite palm. His steps were long, and as he came closer to Teddy, Adrian, Kathrine and Irene, he angled the injured hand upwards as if showing it off like some kind of badge of honour.


Though he did freeze for a moment to cast Adrian a sour look, Matthew bypassed the boy and instead poked a finger at Kathrine's forehead. "The fuck are you looking at?" he taunted, jabbing at the girl's face and glaring at her with his cold green eyes. "You think I can't see you staring at me from over there? If you're talking shit, come say it to my face. Bitch."


"Shut your face, Matt," said Irene. The girl crossed her arms over and leaned to one side, whipping her fringe out of her eyes to give Matthew a more intimidating stare. "Nobody said shit about you. You're paranoid."


"Yeah, and nobody was talking to you, Irry."


"Don't call me that-"


"Is this something to do with the shit you pulled on my brothers? Well?" Now Matthew's attention was on Adrian again, and his index finger, which had previously been jabbing at Kathrine's head, was now positioned against Adrian's throat.

 

[Yoki]

Dead Enmity

​

Everyone had seen Matthew walk over, and Kathrine's initial reaction was to sigh. She didn't really react to him poking her in the head, what was the point? She knew that he was just going to be as whiny and childish as ever. How anyone ever took that guy seriously, she honestly didn't know. Irene always had something to say to him however, and it was usually amusing.


Adrian didn't understand why Matthew was still being so moody, was he always like that? Oh...it would be a shame if he was. He knew everything had gone to shit the other day, but they could be friends, if he wanted to be. The man seemed to immediately start insulting people though, and so Adrian decided it was best to stick close to Teddy, he didn't really feel like getting in an argument with anyone on his first day.


First he had been accusing Kathrine of talking shit about him, and now he was pointing at Adrian for god knows what reason. The boy simply looked at the other's hand and then up at him, blinking innocently, as if he didn't even know what he was talking about.


"I-"


Just as he was about to speak, Kathrine interuppted, taking a step forwards and knocking Matthew's hand out of the way. There was a smile on her face.


"Actually, Matty, you're right. We were talking about you." She sighed and shook her head, "I was just telling this lot how much of a little bitch you were, and how you obvious could never compare to any of us, since you let a little kid," She motioned with her head to Adrian, "beat up your entire little possy. On his own. What a shame. Maybe you'll get kicked out of this team. If I were you I'd start bucking your ideas up, you better impress Strat." She was face to face with the guy by this point, her eyes calm, and the smile on her face still holding nothing with playful intention, she wasn't angry at anything or trying to be overly malicious. She was just getting Matthew riled up in a different way.


The woman would have continued, but suddenly the door burst open and a woman with long blonde hair burst into the room.


"Alright! Listen up!"


Alyssa Strat, finally she'd arrived. She walked to the centre of the room, looking at the little group that had formed, then looking over to Ryan in the corner, who seemed busy tapping away at something. "You lot, play time's over. Ryan, stop playing video games."


"I'll have you know, I was-"


"I don't care. Get up."