Chapter Text
USA - Modern Day (probably)
A spiteful man of many abilities with a cat-like penchant for malevolence joins his companion at a destination with a skyline ever reaching heaven’s domain as if to let the beings above know that this city that never sleeps.
This looked wrong.
Not quite incorrect, because nothing was out of place. The sights and sounds were befitting of a somewhat active residential area near the edge of a commercial strip. Cars and busy people coming and going were hidden behind the loud and goofy shrieks of children running over rusty manhole covers and fire escape stairs.
Not exactly displeasing, because everyone was doing pretty alright. The weather was nice; clean air and clear skies for once. And other than the hot dog guy nagging Kama to get her ass off his dog cart to no avail– everyone had carefree smiles on their faces. Preoccupied with the entertaining excitement a Servant’s existence always brings.
But the sight before you was just… off . Like a massive puzzle was using a single piece from a different set. And it wasn’t a corner piece or a darker colored part that could be obscured by the bigger picture— oh no. This scenery was ruined in your eyes by its center gouged out and perfectly filled in with a false framework. A puzzle piece that shouldn’t but did belong.
It was such a shame because he was so form fitting. The dark red vest, or the green and black coat neatly folded and draped over his broad shoulders belying a massive figure shadowing these kids. The neatly combed and styled hair was nearly ruined by the curious pulling of kids.
It would be a heartwarming sight, if you didn’t know better.
Those large hands that would squeeze the heads of these children's heads with a single finger were gently cleaning the cheeks of messy ice cream eaters. Hooked nails that could cave in their little ribcages or puncture those guts now filled them with laughter, swinging them around as if he were a human playground. A gesture he frequently performed with the younger Servants now in broad daylight.
He played with them, laughed with them, smiled with them and it looked as if he were a daycare worker or babysitter with how the little ones flocked around him, curiosity got the better of them and hoping to share their joys. but the way that monster held himself– as if he hadn’t committed heinous atrocities and wouldn’t do more at the drop of a ball. All while mimicking their expressions with such ease that you were convinced it was practiced– for all the wrong reasons.
“Umm, can I have my ice cream now?”
“Hmm? Oh yeah, right. Sorry about that, here."
Handing the last cone to the awaiting little boy, you stared dumbfounded at the sight before you, amazed and skeptical at many things at once.
“Uh, Douman?” you called out with some concern. Shiny obsidian looked up at you through the bite sized crowd with an expecting smile on his face. After setting some kids down from his shoulders, he strode toward you.
“Yes, my Master?”
Honestly, there wasn’t much you had in mind to say. There was nothing going wrong other than the sensation in the pit of your stomach that Douman might do something. Right now he’s been more than cordial. Past experience however, has told you otherwise. And tangled with the thought of whether it’d be more or less stressful to keep him close or leave him to his own devices in broad daylight led you to a pause.
“Master?” He leered over you quite close to coating your shadow. “Is something not to your liking?”
Such was the demeanor of the man who was by your side. The one you brought here. Him and unnerving qualities that neatly covered by falsifying better traits. But press forward into your day, you must.
“Oh, nothing. Just wondering when Kama stops bothering that poor guy, if you’d like a hot dog?” Awkwardly gesturing to Kama who seems to have charmed the cart owner into giving her her extra mustard. “Preferably paid properly?”
“Hmmnnnn? An enticing offer.” He practically purred at the simple gesture. “You’re most gracious, Master. Taking care of a lowly onmyouji like me.”
“Right…” was all you could reply, casting the remaining children around back towards their group, away from the leaving ice cream truck. Children were one thing to keep track of but Ashiya Douman was another; no matter how well dressed he looked on the outside. You sigh, trying not to let the worst of your worst case scenario doubts get the best of you. With a click of your tongue, you stopped chiding yourself.
“Well, come on then. We don’t want to keep Kama and Abby waiting too long.”
Casting those worries aside to make the most out of, quite frankly, a good situation. Making them known, or even having them would be just what he wants. But you won't have that jester win, not today. Ushering him along the New York City streets, hopefully keeping him occupied enough to prevent him from getting any of his ideas or lowering that oh-so-attractive mask he puts up.
The most that could be done is to keep him and his preference of inciting casualties on a tight leash. If that could happen, then the two of you could have a nicer time. Hopefully.