Fight or Flirt [Nagi/Kail]

[qhostqrowls]

Kail had been loitering around the city all day, and now found himself combing through the last dregs of the rush hour crowds. He'd gone through several sticks of jerky and a fair few cigarettes and was still bored and, as usual, hungry. He skulked along, feeling uninspired despite the abundance of prey. Maybe he'd head to the outskirts or pay the camping grounds a visit. He didn't feel like going through the effort to lure someone out to the woods.

That changed as a particularly alluring scent caught his attention - fresh but distinctly non-human. The wendigo turned, pinpointing the scent as coming from a pale, well dressed man walking in the opposite direction. He took in his slight frame and the white cane and felt his mood lift inmediately. It was admittedly low to go after a blind man, and non-humans weren't his preferred prey, but this was too tempting to pass up on.

Kail trailed after the man with a predatory focus, impressed by how well he navigated the streets. He hadn't come across a super like this before, and wondered briefly if he had any hidden abilities, or if he was putting on a helpless act. His scent was definitely that of a prey animal, so he doubted it.

The crowd thinned as the kirin turned a corner, and Kail sidled up not a moment later, his tone light and friendly.

"Hey man, ya got a lighter?" He scanned the street as he spoke, watching the pedestrians, looking for security cameras, waiting for the right alleyway.
It was a well rehearsed routine, which he was confident would be made all the more easier by his targets lack of sight.

[Marshmallow]

Another work day come and gone. Nagi was just happy to be out of the office, and savored the fresh air as he navigated the bustling city streets. The faintest breath of a breeze ruffled at the hems of his kimono-style jacket, a wind that he himself controlled. He may have been practiced with the cane, but out in the open it was the wind that helped him so flawlessly pick his way through the throngs of people. He needn't worry about outing himself to the ignorant public though, for the feathery fall of his bangs hid the shining mark on his forehead from view.

The press of the crowd may have been a comfort to a herd creature like himself, but since he had to channel his magic to navigate smoothly, he was always relieved when the mass of bodies began to thin out.
One set of footsteps stuck close behind him as he rounded the corner. From his shoulder, Okudo clicked his beak, beady bird eyes locked on the figure that was trailing after.


After a moment, the footsteps closed in at Nagi's flank. His nose subtly wrinkled when his personal breeze was tainted by the stink of stale cigarette smoke, but the voice that followed seemed pleasant enough.


"Hey man, ya got a lighter?"


Nagi slowed as he was addressed, so as not to seem rude when he naturally couldn't look the stranger in the eye. He wondered, just briefly, if this was one of the city's homeless... He often made a point to keep spare change to hand if he came across someone in need, but unfortunately for this individual he was sadly lacking in lighters.
"Sorry friend, I'm afraid not," Nagi chimed back gently. "Not in the habit. Best I could do is tell you where the closest gas station is."

[qhostqrowls]

"Would appreciate that," Kail replied in the same smooth tone. "Don't know my way 'round the city yet. Big place."

He eyed the bird perched on Nagi's shoulder, curious. It was hard to tell if it was magical or just colourful - hopefully the latter. It would be irritating if that was the reason the hunt went south.

The air around the kirin dropped subtly in temperature the longer Kail walked with him. Beneath the cigarette smoke, there was the faint smell of blood and old-growth forest, and his footsteps were strangely quiet.

"What's up with ya pet? Is it a seeing-eye bird or something?"

[Marshmallow]

Nagi cocked his head, affording the stranger a curious smile. "Really? Well, I mean, I'm happy to help... Must be one hell of a run of bad luck if you have to ask the one blind guy on the street for directions," he replied with an airy laugh. "If you want to follow me a bit, I'm headed to the bus depot. There's some shops that way, I'm sure one of them will have what you need."

Inwardly he grimaced at the thought of spending too long in the company of that smoker scent. It was unpleasant, and held an undercurrent of rot that made the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. But Nagi wasn't about to get on this guy's case just because he smelled like death, and passed off the feeling to his prey instincts being over-paranoid. For the time being, he just focused on directing his private breeze to pull the scent away from him instead, though it did nothing for the creeping chill.

"Huh... I didn't think that cold front was supposed to come through for another day at least," he wondered aloud, while tugging his jacket a little tighter with his free hand.


As the stranger stared at the bird, the bird stared right back. In fact, it seemed fixated on Kail to a degree that was almost uncanny. It only broke eye contact for a moment when Nagi reached up to stroke the bird's feathers.

"Oh, yeah, something like that. Okudo's a service animal. He helps me find door handles and switches and things. I'm allergic to dogs, so..."

[qhostqrowls]

"Yeah, but you're the first one to help." Kail replied with a rough laugh. The street was still too crowded, but he knew there was a discreet alleyway coming up within the next block. Until then, he just had to keep up the small talk.

"Huh. Ain't heard of a bird like that before." Kail stared back at Okudo hungrily. It looked like he might have to wring its neck so it didn't raise the alarm - those beady little eyes looked suspicious enough of him already.

"Ya work in the city?" Kail asked, fiddling with the lighter in his jacket pocket. Human scents clung onto the other like a second skin, but that was the case with most city-dwelling supers. 

[Marshmallow]

"For real?" By the slant of his lips and the pinch in his brow, it seemed as though Nagi were offended on the stranger's behalf. "I guess that's the 'Big City' attitude for you. Sucks you've had a bad run of it, buddy. I hope I've made a positive impression, at least!"

While he may have been amicable and charming, the bird only glowered all the more at Kail as they went. Okudo's feathers subtly puffed out, and he clicked his beak in distaste.

Nagi didn't seem to notice his familiar's shift in behaviour. He put on a bright and friendly smile, and held out his free hand in proper greeting. "My name is Nagi, by the way. I was new here too, a few years ago, so I know the feeling of being lost," he went on sympathetically. "Yeah, I work in the city. Downtown actually, I'm a therapist. I could give you my card, for if the city's temprement starts to get you down." He chuckled a little at the polite ribbing, hoping the other man would take it in stride.

[qhostqrowls]

"Aww believe me, ya really have, Nagi." Kail all but purred, his skin cold against the kirins as he shook the outstretched hand. "I'm Kajika. Pleased to meet ya." 

"A therapist huh? I ain't that crazy just yet." He joked back. The man certainly did emanate serenity and calm. It was kind of nice to have a friendly interaction, he thought in passing. What was even nicer was that Nagi seemed to be unsuspecting and at ease. It would everything much easier.

Only the slightest of doubts scratched at the back of his mind - the guy was real sweet. But he wasn't one to start feeling bad over friendly prey. There'd been plenty of those before. His biggest concern was  really the bird and the way it seemed to be glaring at him. 

"Where'dya move from? Japan, right?" Kail guessed, given the accent and the name.

[Marshmallow]

The chill of the other man's skin was surprising. After the brief handshake, Nagi was left wondering if he was a supernatural himself. Not like he could ask while out on the surface streets though, so he set the thought aside for now. Maybe if they crossed paths again in the future he could sate his curiosity then.


"Pleasure to meet you, Kajika-san!" Nagi chimed brightly. "Ding-ding! Good guessing! You would be surprised how many people think Korean first. I think they just don't want to be offensive by assuming Japan right away, though."

He reached back to pat his fmailiar and smooth the bird's ruffled feathers. "Can you say hello, Okudo? Say hello to our new friend," he hummed with a smile.
The jay pinned Kail with a glare, before hesitantly warbling a trained "Konnichiwa" in a startlingly deep voice for such a small creature.

Nagi smiled, and then continued in a conversational tone. "If you don't mind my asking, where are you from? 'Kajika' doesn't quite sound American, so I'm a little curious."

[qhostqrowls]

"Ah, he can talk. Thats useful." The wendigo stifled a laugh at the unexpectedly deep voice, though the amusement was clear enough in his tone. It was absolutely not useful. He'd have to kill it so it didn't alert anyone. Which was fine with him - the bird was giving him some serious stinkeye.

"Don't mind at all. I'm actually from Canada. My mother is Native." He said easily. "She wanted to give me a traditional name. It's kinda a pain in the ass though. Always gotta explain how to spell it."

Another lie, coming to him as easy as the others.

There was a lone pedestrian on the other side of the street, and Kail watched her progress in his peripherals. She'd pass them in a few seconds, would be around the corner in another few. He glanced over his shoulder. The street lay empty behind them. It was a quieter stretch of the city, but activity picked up again just a street or so ahead, near the bus depot and convenience stores. He'd have to do it sooner rather than later...

With a toothy grin he looked back to the kirin, eyes raking down his slender form. Maybe he'd just mug him, or at least start with that. He'd see how it went. The Hunger stirred deep inside, and his gaze was heavy with predatory intent as they ambled along.

"Japan must be nicer than here. Safer, right?"

[Marshmallow]

"Yeah! A lot of people don't realize that corvids can mimic voices, parrots keep getting all the praise," Nagi went on, smiling pleasantly, entirely unaware of any ulterior motives. "Okudo knows a few phrases, but I haven't taught him any English yet..."


As the conversation rolled on, Nagi subtly adjusted his walking pace. He slowed a little, knowing there were streets and alley crossings coming up ahead, but also because he was simply enjoying the company. It would almost be sad to have to part ways. He wondered if he should get the man's phone number...

Okudo shifted back and forth on his master's shoulder. The bird clicked his beak, flexed his claws, ruffled a wing. He seemed to grow more agitated when Nagi and Kajika were finally alone on the sidewalk. "Kiyohara-sama..." the bird grumbled in hushed tones. "Kare wa kiken'na otokodesu."


Nagi's bright smile flatered. He tipped his head, brows lightly furrowed in confusion. What was his familiar talking about? Kajika had been nothing but pleasant thusfar. One pale hand lifted to comfort the bird.

"Ah, well... I've only been here for a few years, so I'm a little biased," he replied, continuing the conversation. He tried not to miss a beat as he subtly put a little more breathing room between himself and Kajika. "Japan is lovely though. If you ever get the chance to visit, I would highly recommend!"

[qhostqrowls]

Kail's expression darkened as Okudo spoke. Weak as his hearing was in this form and language barrier aside, he guessed the jay wasn't whispering any words of praise. He watched Nagi's smile falter. Watched the alley near. The kirins voice faded into the background as he considered the attack.

"Well then," He clapped a hand over Nagi's shoulder as the man began to inch away - a poor parody of friendliness. He was suddenly very close, and his grip uncomfortably tight. "I'll have to add it to the bucketlist."

Nagi was dragged sideways, the movement disorientating and frighteningly swift. Okudo was snatched from his masters shoulder, long fingers splaying over his wings in a cage-like grip. His free hand moved to press against Nagi's collarbone with just enough pressure to keep him pinned against the alley wall. Blunt nails lengthened to claws, pricking at the collar of his shirt and the hollow of his throat. The implication was clear.

"Don't scream," Kail drawled as he kicked the white cane aside, "And I ain't gonna hurt you or the bird."

[Marshmallow]

It had seemed like such an innocent encounter. The conversation had been light and pleasant. But in a span of only seconds, the reason behind Okudo's agitation became clear, and Nagi's trust in the kindness of strangers was betrayed. In a single swift movement, Kajika gripped his shoulder and hauled Nagi into the alley so suddenly that the blind man nearly lost his footing completely. A cry of alarm died in his throat as Nagi was shoved roughly against the alley wall, and the press of claws - actual claws - at his throat ensured his silence.


"Kiyohara-sama!" Okudo yelped as he was snatched from his perch. The jay squawked indignantly and struggled in his captor's grasp. Beak and claws pecked and scratched defiantly at the long, clawed fingers. But at the heavy implication that harm might befall his master if either made a sound, the bird gradually ceased its attempts to break free. It fell deathly still, and pinned the wendigo with a glare that could have melted glaciers.


Nagi's heart was racing. Stunned by the sudden turn of events he stood there frozen, not unlike a deer in the headlights of an approaching truck. His cane was kicked aside, depriving him of the closest thing he had to a weapon.

"So this is how it is, huh?" the kirin found himself saying, hands raised to show that he was unarmed. Despite the fear prickling along his neck - or perhaps because of it - he chuckled. He hoped he didn't sound hysterical. This was a mugging, not a murder (not yet, at least) so as long as he stayed calm, he had a chance.

Naturally, calm turned into sass the next time he opened his mouth. If he was gonna get mugged and beaten in an alley, he might as well go out sarcastically. "I mean, I'm flattered of course. But if you wanted to get me alone so badly you should have said something sooner!"

[qhostqrowls]

Kail thought he'd seen it all. Everyone had a different reaction to being attacked - some begged, some bargained, some fought back. But no one, in his three centuries of hunting, had flirted.

"What?" He blurted out, taken aback. "Hey, no - that ain't what this is!"

The wendigo scowled down at Nagi. The last thing he'd expected was an attitude - this was supposed to be an easy hunt.

"I'm tryna mug you," he growled, with a slight shove for emphasis. "not that."

You're the one in control, he reminded himself. He was an apex predator. An experienced hunter. Nagi was just grasping for something to throw him off. 

[Marshmallow]

Of course the man was only interested in carrying out a mugging, Nagi knew this. And honestly his heart was pounding as he anticipated imminent violence. But he couldn't help the sly smirk that spread across his face knowing that, with just one innuendo, he had managed to get a rise out of his would-be assailant.

Alright then. How about some more?

Kajika gave him an extra shove to get his point across, and Nagi made a show of biting his lip and making a soft little moan in the back of his throat. "Ooh, so you like to play rough, hot shot? Gonna make me submit to you?"

[qhostqrowls]

A dark blush spread across Kail's face as Nagi moaned. Insinuations were bad enough, but dirty talk was another thing altogether. It irritated him that he was so offput, but this was the last thing he'd expected from the neat, polite little super.

"Just shut the fuck up and hand over any valuables." He snapped. Nagi's heartbeat thundered beneath his palm, and he loomed closer. "This ain't a fuckin' joke. Don't think I won't wring the birds neck."