With Purpose [Aegyo]

[Vice Ysal]

Aegyo Cho

---

"Well, here we are."

Vice's voice was slightly raised to make it louder as the continuous streaming of red rain from above continued to pour down on the fields below them. From where they were standing, just beneath the concrete of the old hiroshige terminal entrance to the out skirts of the inner city, Vice could still see the ominous black clouds hanging lowly over head as the onslaught of crimson tears continued to drown the outer lands. Along the way as well did Vice feel at the edges of his sensory the presences of a few minor class shadows. They weren't much to speak of and with how his presence was a bit easier to feel where the fog was prominent, it was rather trivial to exert enough pressure in the area to keep them at bay.

"I'm sure you've been here before but welcome to the potential future of this city should things ever go south. Take a good look at it, and remember whatever it is you're fighting for."

And in Vice's hand was the last can of caffeinated beverage he had bought from the convenience store where the duo had taken their lunch of sorts. His boots were beginning to stain red as some of the water had began to mix with the soil. The displayed earth had also began to move towards the mouth of the entrance they were on which meant their footing wouldn't particularly be that easy this time around.

Just another reason why Vice wanted to see this one through. It wouldn't do after all for the Users to be so encumbered just because of a few different weather patterns and whatnot. Taking one last long chug of his drink and crushing the can itself once more in his hand, this time with more ease, Vice would then toss it on over to the ever growing pile of junk off to the side. Something to help the other users out if they ever wanted to trade in stuff over at the strange blonde lady in the Gap.

"I wanna see what you can do Ag. You ready?"

[Aegyo Cho]

"So we are. And on such a lovely day at that." he stated aloud as those red eyes scanned the area with an attentive gaze and a warm smile despite it all. His heart was pounding loudly in his chest as he gripped a little tighter upon the umbrella's handle. Somehow it felt a little more intense than usual, as if there were some greater weight upon his shoulder, and in a way he believed that there was. He believed that this man was in danger if he let his guard down for even a moment. Luck might have been on his side in the past, but Aegyo was particularly good at riding luck until it was drained. How long would this man's luck last if he stuck around Aegyo? he couldn't say and he nearly wanted to just take in a breath and push the thoughts to the back of his mind, but that nagging voice wouldn't allow him to do so.

If you mess up he could die. You're weak enough that it could happen.

Aeygo made a small 'tch' of a sound in mocking of the voice in his mind. Her voice was like a little bit of a conscience in a way. Sure, she was just part of his mind, but manifestation or not he still saw his persona as an individual entity. No matter what other people thought of him for it. He stood beneath that concrete with Laz, staring out at the darkened sky, the tall buildings that had once been filled with people and routine lives. It was hard to believe that the sun ever shone in this place. The air felt thick and he couldn't explain why, but he imagined it was because of how corrupted the area had begun. He wondered what it was like to travel across the world when there was still a world of sunshine to look upon. He didn't know how far the shadow's reach truly grasped, but it was a bit sad to think about either way.

His eyes lowered toward the ground as he listened to laz speak and he made a mild sound of distaste at the truthful words. "So long as I live what remains will never become this way. I won't stand by and let them block out anymore of the sun. So long as I live I do fight and I will fight until my bones turn to ash." he told Laz as he looked to the other man. "What kind of people would we be if he didn't fight to save what remains when we're the ones that see what is happening? we can't stand idly by waiting for it to happen." he told Laz with a determined tone to his voice.

His shoes stuck somewhat in the earth that gathered at their feet, but he didn't seem to care of it at that point. He nodded a bit as his fingers curled around the handle of that umbrella, "It won't take long for them to realize we're here." he stated as he closed his umbrella. Shaking it off a bit to the side, then hooking the end of it onto the bar at the entrance there, raising his hand to brush those pale strands away from his face briefly. "If things don't go well don't try to play hero okay? Just keep yourself safe." he told the other man as he stepped forward. Forward was the only direction they could go from here. Rain, mud, or shadows it didn't matter what he had to face. He'd get through it all.

"I'm ready." he stated to the other man. Turning suddenly as he overheard something stirring nearby. He could almost feel the tension in the air, but why wasn't it coming yet? He supposed they would just have to go to it instead. It didn't matter to him either way. The end result would be the same regardless.

[Vice Ysal]

It…has been a while since the last time the Shadow had been underestimated like that. Even more so for his Human counter part. He who always stood tall, stood proud of himself, and withstanding against every single onslaught thrown his way. Nevermind the rather delinquent fashion sense, what with the complete biker set working out for him, most people wouldn't have even bothered to look him in the eye in favour of not looking at a person who looked like he wouldn't care if said onlooker got beaten to a pulp. It almost made the Shadow want to just unfurl his wings then and there, show case to this User just who he really was. Of course, that in itself was a rather frivolous idea and bore no true merit in the end. He may think about it in the future, once this little seedling could finally grow up to be a strong stalk. Until then though then Vice would simply continue to try and nurture it until his hands are forced to rip away this pathetic mask he wore.

The albino seemed to already understand what it was that he had to do and the Shadow gave a rather calculating glance as to how the other person brought himself. Head held high, confident, and with the most determined look in his eye. The catch was that it didn't even look like the guy was trying to be such, it was as if he simply was. Tallying up a new score sheet for Aegyo, Vice carefully and meticulously pulled back on the power he was radiating. Keeping it under a tight lock and key to avoid letting the secret out prematurely. So instead of shivering or doing anything a normal person would, the Shadow would only give Aegyo a rather frightening grin as he turned back. Walking forward this time, his foot wear leaving rather heavy imprints on the ground as his lungs became filled with the air of the outside place, Vice curbed the urge to let out the most satisfied grunt he had in a while. Walking past Aegyo, his stride as collected and cool as it always was, Vice simply kept his vision forward before stopping when he was finally a few feet ahead of his partner.

"You're going to have to focus harder than that, Aegyo. The shadows don't play around when there's prey nearby. Not these ones at least."

[Aegyo Cho]

Aegyo was a fool all in all. He trusted to greatly the masks that others wore because he wanted to believe that people more often good than they were bad. Deep down he knew the truth of the matter was that everyone had their secrets, but never would he ever guess the secret his new friend held. He thought him purely human, another person attacked that had managed to make it out alive, he wouldn't have been the first civilian he'd come across. though in the back of his mind he considered the possibility that Laz was a persona user like himself that just wanted to see what he could do. Though that could be said of a normal civilian as well. He really wished he had some sort of extra perception that would let him see into people's hearts, but unfortunately he had no such ability. He probably wouldn't have liked what was most people held int heirs these days.

Aegyo was himself through and through. Stubborn perhaps, but more so simply just trying to survive. He was confident that in time he would be stronger, that he would be able to make a difference, and he wouldn't give up. Though his journey was only just beginning he felt he had alot to offer in the fight against this thing. Whatever it was that was causing all of this. Something that seemed to remain a mystery to many people including himself. Aegyo looked toward Laz and watched as he moved past to get ahead of him. He felt for a moment as though his skin were crawling, the sort of feeling one had when they were being watched, or followed. Though he imagined it was likely both at this point.

Some people might have been intimidated by Laz. The way he grinned, the way he looked in general, but not Aegyo. Foolish it was perhaps, but he didn't find Laz to be that way at all. Even despite the shift in his interests. If anything it made Aegyo a little curious to know more about what this man knew and how he knew it. As well as why he himself was the one proving things. His feet didn't leave quite as heavy of imprints, but it was a bit more difficult to walk with this sort of weather. The rain fell down upon him and soaked through that fabric well enough to have it clinging to him already. it made him feel heavier than usual and the annoyance of his pale hair clinging to his skin was present, but he could hardly pay mind to much of that as Laz continued on. Though the distance had grown between them and when Laz stopped he stared at the man with a bit of a confused expression.

"I think you underestimate me, Laz. I may not seem it, but I'm more aware of my surroundings than you might think." Which was only partially true. When it came to people like laz he was as clueless as could be, but he knew well when it counted. "Most shadows don't play around. They only want to fill their voids. " he stated as he looked around slowly. Small fries were often the first to charge into battle, thinking highly of themselves, and the weak were always quick to seek what they lusted for the quickest. No sooner had that tension in the air drew back had his eyes darted toward the shadows nearby. A small group seemed to be heading right their way, "Looks like they're getting impatient. " he stated with a slight smirk as he turned toward them. "I guess it's time to get these out of the way." he told Laz as his hand rested upon his music player. The dull hum of music that still played in his ear, as it had been quietly so from the start of their meeting, and his fingers tapped upon it. It appeared to be nothing more than two rebellious little lying hablerie. Their long tongues flopping about as if they planned to lick the flesh right from his body.

Given the chance, he imagined they would, but either way he hoped that this was not the only encounter he'd have this day. These creepy things were nearly a waste of effort, but he couldn't let them go after laz regardless.