Rowan followed Venus carefully, his head slightly cocked to one side. He wasn't sure about the wisdom of this plan, but oh well. No going back now, he supposed. "You're a Dove, right? Which…what level? I-I mean…are you just a grunt, or…?" he didn't know how to phrase what he was asking, not without being rude. And being rude could get him killed. Again.
He shook that niggling thought away, and wondered how in the hell he was supposed to find his father in this maze of a city.
“I see what you’re asking, don’t worry. Let’s see … I guess I’m the Lord of the Doves. The Morning Star, if that rings a bell.” Venus looked back to check on his accomplice, then smiled to himself.
“That sounds nice. I don’t really use that name myself so I never thought about it, but now it seems nice. Me, as the light that brings day …”
Now how funny is that? Venus thought to himself.
Venus rounded another corner and stepped around a couple of rotting bodies. If you kill someone why would you just leave them out to rot? Or if you simply die of an overdose or something, why would you die outside? Rather, why does everyone let the streets fill up with the dead?
Venus didn’t really get a say in the matter anyway though, since he didn’t exactly leave behind a body. But blood is a pain to remove.
Rowan grimaced slightly at the sight of the bodies, and shook his head slightly. At Venus's words, he raised his eyebrows slightly. "You're…oh." he said slowly. "I see." He swallowed and wondered if it was too late to run. He could fill his abilities flickering with the nearness to the bodies, and he stepped away a little bit.
Venus looked into the buildings he passed, at all the gross people inside and all the gross things that they did. It could be a bit more sanitary here, but at least he was kind of safe here.
“If you’re thinking about leaving now, that’d kind of tick me off. I did technically say that you could leave whenever you wanted … but I did offer hospitality to you-“ he shrugged. “Well, I don’t want to make this complicated so whatever. I don’t feel like dealing with anything right now.”
Rowan shook his head just a little bit. "I…don't know what…" He trailed off, biting his lip slightly. "Uhm. How do I know someone won't try to kill me for being near you?" He asked, looking at Venus carefully. "Or anything? And what guarantee do I have that you won't kill me?" I don't want to die again. Not before I can find my father.
Venus glanced at one of the building walls. The only way he’d remember he was going the right way, was through random landmarks he made.
“Well … I suppose I can’t guarantee anything for sure. But you can trust that you’ll be relatively safe for a while. A lot of my decisions don’t involve a lot of thinking, but I always keep my word. Plus, most of everyone couldn’t care less who you are and why you’re with me, and if they do-“ he mimed his hands like an explosion. “Pop goes the weasel~”
Rowan took a deep breath, shaking his head a little bit. "Fine. But I don't want you nosing around in my business. I came here for a reason, and it's none of your business." He took a deep breath, shaking his head a little bit and hoping that Venus wasn't about to kill him. Because that would really, really fucking suck.
He ran his hands through his hair, eyes flicking around to take everything in.
Venus took a final corner which opened up to a very straight, very empty path. There were nearly no buildings here, and the only light came from the end of the path where steel gates stood.
A footprint was firmly engraved in the path next to the last building. At the sight of it, Venus sighed. He didn’t feel like dealing with anyone right now.
“We’re pretty much here now. I’m assuming there are some uninvited visitors waiting for me again. Just as a heads up.”
Venus walked a bit faster down the path, and pushed open the pair of gates that were now in front him. They were pretty useless gates, but they looked nice and Venus liked them.
A bullet ricocheted off the metal.
Rowan sighed, and his eyes widened when the bullet pinged. He stepped back, hand going to his bag. Sure, he wouldn't use his Necromancy here, but he could use other things, other abilities. Guns, for instance. Blades. His Split Talent was useless here, but that wasn't an issue at the moment. It really wasn't.
Venus looked back to Rowan, his brow raised.
“No need to pull out any weapons.” He laughed, finding it amusing.
Venus headed through the gates and made sure one of the doors was left open for Rowan.
He stuck his hands in his pockets and continued the rest of the way to his front door.
He tightened his lips with displeasure at the sight of bullet holes through his door and broken glass, meaning there would be more people inside. As well as at the assailant on the doorstep, who’s gun was raised, but hands trembled.
“You’ll pay, Morning Star.”
Venus let out a yawn and removed one of his hands from his pockets. He focused a bit more on the assailant to use his Blood Talent. There would be no more second chances for this guy.
“You could’ve waited to morning, hey? Can’t you see I have a guest? I guess it’s on you now,” He formed a finger gun with his hand and pointed it towards the assailant. “Bang.”
The finger gun was only for show, and for the amusement of Venus. The ‘Bang’ was also just for the fun of saying it, and for the build up to when the assailant exploded.
Rowan frowned a little bit as he followed Venus, biting his lip slightly. He didn't speak, merely stuck back, shaking his head slightly. Cocking his head at the finger gun, he wondered if Venus was, perhaps, completely insane. Then again, he had no idea what Venus' blood talent was, so perhaps this had something to do with it?
He didn't know. He knew there must be more than just this man, and just hoped that he wouldn't be accidentally or purposefully shot, just for being here and being near Venus.
Venus smiled widely to himself.
“That felt a lot cooler than I thought it would, I should do that more often. But I guess I’ll need to clean this up later …” he muttered.
Venus stepped around the biggest puddle of blood and kicked open his front door.
“Charlene! You still alive?” Venus called out.
Charlene was a servant he kept around, mainly to just clean up after him, and didn’t want to have to teach someone else everything. It was hard to find people who would stay.
Venus kicked away some shards of broken glass, then looked up as he was tapped on the shoulder.
“Welcome back, Master. Your guests are waiting in your office.” Charlene held her arm where her sleeve was soaked through from blood, most likely from a gunshot.
“Thank you, Charlene. We’ll get you patched up soon. I brought back someone else today, they’re just outside. See to it that they receive our hospitality, but don’t push yourself.”
Charlene nodded and stepped out the door.
Rowan's eyes widened as the person exploded, and he let out a slow breath. "Fucking hell." he muttered under his breath. He didn't know what to do or say, but greeted Charlene with a faint little smile. "Hello, ma'am." he greeted in a slow voice. He didn't really know what else to do, other than stand there awkwardly clutching at his bag.
Charlene looked down at the puddle of blood with much displeasure, it would make her life much easier if Venus just burst the heart or something else. She’d also have to get a lot of things replaced now, but this was all pretty much routine.
She bowed to the young man who stood in the front yard, “I am told Master Venus has offered his hospitality, please come inside and I can make you some tea while we wait for Master Venus to finish up.”
Charlene gestured for the man to follow inside and held the broken door open with her foot.
Rowan nodded slightly. "Right. Alright. Thank you." he said, following Charlene inside. He was quiet as she led him through the house. He swallowed softly, clutching his bag close. One hand reached up to touch the necklace dangling from his neck. An automatic nervous reflex. He wasn't even really aware that he was doing it, just that he was.
Charlene finally reached a parlor room, it was the nicest room that was furthest away from Venus’s office.
“I apologize for the delayed introduction. I am Charlene, Master Venus’s personal servant. Please make yourself comfortable here while I go make some tea. Is there anything you may need?” Charlene turned to face the man and held onto her arm a bit tighter.
She had quite a few questions and things to do, she also needed to treat her arm soon. But following her orders came first.
(gtg soon sorry)
"It's fine. Thank you. And…no, thank you." he replied, sitting down slowly and trying to figure out what else to do. He held his messenger bag in his lap, but didn't open it up. He didn't need anything inside of it right now, so there was no reason to.
(It’s all good, I should probably try to fix my sleep schedule by now, heheheh.)
Charlene passed Venus on her way to the kitchen and nodded her head in acknowledgment.
“I didn’t completely ruin the other guys and I moved the bodies outside. I don’t want to give you too much work while you’re injured.” Venus said as she passed.
Charlene thanked Venus and continued on her way to the kitchen.
Venus made his way to the back parlor, where he assumed Charlene had brought Rowan.
“Charlene’s very nice, isn’t she?”
Rowan nodded slightly. "Yeah." He agreed, adjusting the collar on his shirt, looking twitchy and a bit nervous. "She, uhm, she is." He swallowed, fidgeting a little and not quite meeting Venus's eyes.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck I have no idea what to do. He thought, eyes darting around the room. He said he won't kill me and I think that's the truth, but…but I can't be sure.
“She’s probably the nicest person in all of the North Side. To me, at least. She’s my most valuable acquaintance by far. It’s hard to find people who will stick with me for a while.”
Venus sat across Rowan, crossing his legs.
To say the least, Venus was essentially indebted to Charlene. For her cleaning up after him, sticking with him all this time, and making his life a little less lonely.
He looked up to Rowan, smiling a bit, “No need to be so uptight, you can relax a bit now. I owe Charlene a lot already, and she’s injured right now- so I shouldn’t give her more work.”
Rowan let out a breath. "Fine. FIne." he replied, trying to relax a little bit. But he was on pins and needles, really. He had no idea what to expect from Venus, no idea what to do or say. "Sorry. Uhm. Where am i going to be…where are you expecting me to sleep?" Rowan didn't actually have much of an accent. Or at least, if he did, it was such a strange blend of them that it wasn't easy to pick out. He had moved so much as a child that he didn't really have a single defined accent anymore.
Venus looked to the doorway as Charlene walked in, then back to Rowan to answer his question.
“I suppose you can stay in a guest room. There should be one in pretty good condition that I kept for uh … special occasions? Like when people show up in the same situation you’re in.”
Venus watched Charlene unsteadily place a tray down on the table, and beckoned for her to come over.
“Make sure you don’t injure your arm anymore, Charlene. Sit here and I’ll go get the medical kit.”
Charlene nodded, but before following her instructions, she placed the cups of tea in front of Rowan and where Venus had been sitting.
"Ah, alright." Rowan replied to Venus. He wondered what Venus had meant by "Special occasions", but figured it was best not to ask. He thanked Charlene and picked up the cup, blowing on it carefully to cool it, before taking a cautious sip. He kept a careful eye on Venus, still not trusting the gang leader.
Which, really, was just smart. You shouldn't trust a gang leader, no matter what they say in regards to whether or not they'll kill you.
Venus sat back down next to Charlene and opened up the medical kit.
“Your guest is very polite, Master,” Charlene said as she rolled up her sleeve. “Much better than anyone who came before.”
“Right?” Venus smiled, which reassured Charlene in knowing that Venus had an interest in this person and that she’d have someone else to talk to.
Charlene’s wound had opened up a bit again, and blood trickled down her arm.
Charlene clenched her jaw and looked away while Venus cleaned her wound. Though she didn’t really trust Venus removing the bullet, she knew he was better at it than she, and that she’d need help to properly wrap her arm afterwards.
Rowan was quiet, watching them for a moment, then looking around the room again. He let out a slow breath, rather unsure of what he was supposed to say. He settled for nothing, seeing as how even if he did say anything, he didn't know if it would be the right thing, if it would be something he should say. Plus, there was so much he had to hide…no. It was safer to be quiet.
“Master-“ Charlene winced. “You also have been asked to go in regards of a few of the newest recruits tomorrow.”
Venus sighed, “I suppose I’ll never run out of things to do, huh?”
In between the moments where Charlene processed his words, and became more fatigued by her injury, he carefully nicked out the bullet the rest of the way out.
Charlene gasped as Venus once again cleaned the wound, in an attempt not to scream. Injuries like this happened a lot around here, but that was no reason to get used to them.
“How long do you think you’ll be here for, Rowan?”
(gtg soon sorry)
Rowan looked up. "Hm? Oh. Right. I uhm…I don't know." he replied honestly. "It depends on…a few things." he shook his head slightly, running his hands through his hair and letting out a slow breath. "Sorry. I wish I could give you a definite answer, but…not everything is within my control."
“Alright, fair enough. As long as Charlene here, is still operating, I can manage to let you stay here.”
Venus finished wrapping up Charlene’s arm and put all of the used materials and the bullet onto a cloth. He’d need to clean them now.
“Charlene, you’re dismissed for tonight. We’ll clean up later.”
Venus first put away the medical kit and then moved the materials to a side table.
He sat back down and grabbed his cup of tea, the contents now only lukewarm.
“Now … my dear guest. How will you repay me for letting you stay here?”
Rowan let out a breath at the question. "Well…my Talent is truth-telling. I can tell when someone is telling the truth." he didn't specify which Talent. Having the talent of truth-telling meant he was very creative at dodging truths without outright lying. "So I could do that for you, I guess."
Venus thought about what Rowan said, for a moment. Though, he knew that he didn’t really have a need for that kind of Talent.
“You can come see the newbies with me then. It’s always good to scare them so they don’t slack off … Now, tell me more about yourself. You’re trying to avoid this as much as possible, tell me about your interests, pass times, family …” Venus listed each topic, holding out another finger each time.
He really just wanted to learn more about this person.