♦ ♦ 5th Contract

[mortemscintilla]

 [ It's routine for him to patrol the neighborhood. Hidden on rooftops under the dark sky. Skulking unseen in alleyways. On guard for strange activity. It's the only time he feels like himself anymore. The daylight hours, his mundane obligations, leave too much time to speculate where his life is going. What his life here is. ]

[ No Syndicate. No Gate. No Contractors. No teammates. ]

[ At least this keeps him focused. Allows him to sharpen skills, burn energies, that can be exerted no other way. At quarter to two a.m., a round completed, he slips into civilian clothes. As Li, he walks the empty streets. Stops off at a store for a quart of milk on his way towards a hot bath and bed. The clerk, a pretty redhead, smiles and rings up his order. Hei smiles back. ]

It's a really nice night out, isn't it? I can see all the stars.

[ Patrols are perfunctory. But tonight he's filled with (inexplicable) jubilation. So much that he leans across the counter, tipping the girl's chin up for a kiss. Which. Goes on. And on. And ... Okay, kids. Enough. After a moment Hei jerks back, red-faced and stammering. ]

Ah! S-Sorry about that! I think -- I-I-I think it's a curse.

[ The girl blushes and mumbles likewise. Flustered, Hei grabs his purchase and hurries off. She watches him go, a guilty little smile on her lips. Someone doesn't seem to have minded. ]

[ OOC: Hit with Victory Kisses. Feel free to run into him and get smooched, or vice versa. Just a warning: he may freeze up/eyetwitch/smack/injure your character. Or just blush and sob hideously! Whichever reaction you want is upto you! ]

Comments

[dignity_misery]

[ She smiles, the side of her face is going to be violet tomorrow. She'll adore it. ]

I like you. I like liars.

[mortemscintilla]

The City is full of them.

[ Find another one to beat you black and blue. He's not interested. Without a word, he pushes past her. Focused on getting home. His one triumph tonight. ]

[ -- Until the compulsion sets in. Damn curse. Turning, he catches her shoulder. Shoves her none too gently against the wall, a hand on either arm. His face -- flat, severe -- just inches from her own. ]

[ And his mouth crashes on hers, sharp as a blow. ]

[dignity_misery]

[Everyone lies, it's true. But not everyone lies like you, Hei. She doesn't flinch from him, even when their teeth click and it sends ripples of shock up her jaw, she just pushes back, biting at him before he can pull away from her.]

[mortemscintilla]

[ He tastes blood in the kiss. Hers. His. There's a fleeting spasm of disgust. But the curse still has hold. Teeth catch her lower-lip, exerting a pressure reserved for maiming. He's in a fury - but contained and controlled. She'll have a swollen jaw and bruised mouth later. But nothing serious. ]

[ Abruptly, he drops her. ]

Curse.

[ Like that needs to be explained. Turning on his heel, he starts the long walk home. ]

[dignity_misery]

[ Oh, Mr. Reaper, oh.]

[mortemscintilla]

[dignity_misery]