Hide and Seek [Open]

[Nocturne]

The night sky was black, but the city wasn't dark. It never was. Neon lights streamed across the buildings and cast coloured shadows on the pavements. The darkened alleyways weren't safe at this time of night - this was so for canines and humans alike. Yeah, there were murders and rapists lurking within the shadows. But there were also things much, much worse. Nocturne smirked as a human crossed by the entrance to the alley, waiting for them to turn and walk right into him. But they seemed to sense the presence of the beast, and hurried off in the opposite direction.

The monster clicked him teeth, a small breeze made it's way down the alley to ruffle the thick black mane that made him look like something out of a horror film. In fact, most of his appearence made Nocturne, or Nox as he called himself, look like some beastly apparition created by the over-active imagination of a young child. The skin on his right fore-limb was torn so badly it revealed the muscles beneath - something that had happened as he'd been in the testing facility. He was a weapon, They'd said. They proved this by pitting him against another of the experimental animals. His opponent managed to rip the skin clean off his leg, and gave him a couple of scars, but Nox had taken them down - and ruined what would've been many years of experimenting. The creature had been killed, it's windpipe severed by his sharp fangs.

A long tongue snaked across his lips as he reminisced of the creature's sweet blood. That taste was quite different from that of a normal animal. Considerably sweeter, he had noted. Licking his lips again, the monster shifted. This place wasn't too far from his own lands, so if needs be he'd retreat back there. Perhaps if he got bored of waiting, anyway. Nocturne's burning spheres turned upon the blazing lights of the city. Even in this darkened sidestreet the light was still blinding to his sensitive eyes. Growling in irritation, the monster rose, now standing at the height of your average pony. He was an intimidating sight in anyone's perspective. Tall, muscled and down-right strange to look at, with a mane and bulging mucles. What a terrible beast he was.

Rolling back his shoulders, Nox padded forward, exiting the cramped space of the alleyway for the larger side-street it joined to. Despite his bulk, the beast was suprisingly stealthy. Not that he really needed to be- he had established himself as Tokyo's top predator. Practically anything that crossed his path was on the menu. A scream nearby caused his ears to flick, his large head turning to stare right at some trembling human female. The bi-pedal seemed to be frozen with fear, shaking and whimpering pitifully. Luckily for her, Nox wasn't hungry at that moment so she would escape unharmed. Though a burning hatred for humans within him urged him to at least give her a scar tgo remember him by. Although it was unlikely anyone would forget such a terrifying beast. A swipe of a large paw, claws unsheathed, made four deep gashes on the woman's cheek, before he moved into the shadows further up the road to await some, preferably canine, company.

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[Kisaki]

OOC: Brilliant post! Hope you don't mind if I join? I’m finished with my to-do list for today, at last.

Fleeting from shadow to shadow, Kisaki was a specter in her own right, though one would never expect to find such a gem among these flea-bitten ghosts. She, unlike they, had experienced the courtesy of mankind and even accepted their charities in her younger days. What's more, she was loved by man once -- few of these beasts were or ever would be, and it was this realization that kept her from them all these years. Kiki had encountered such animals before, of course. Truly, there were no other terms for them but "animals" and "beasts," for the harsh life of the streets had brutally beaten them down, body and soul, so much so that they could hardly be called "dogs" anymore. Here man's best friend became man's worst fiend; the transformation was already tearing at Kisaki's being like the savage devils that haunted her steps. Yet she was still a house pet, at least partially, for once infected with the kindness of man, a dog could never completely shed his (or her) mercy for others. Two years of this life had wasted her appearance and her compassion, but she wasn't quite ready to yield entirely to the lupine instincts within her, to submerse herself in her identity as a wild predator of Tokyo.

This would lead to her death one day, and she was highly aware of it. Kisaki could not endure with the lazy nature of a house pet for much longer, scavenging and scamming other canines out of prey. Intelligence benefited the companions of man: "Sit! Good dog!" Cue treat. "Roll over! That's a girl!" Cue table scraps. Life was not like that here. Her expansive knowledge of human vocabulary meant nothing in this world, though the ability to translate their verbal and body language did save her occasionally, being able to recognize their anger and avoid being smote by a broom and other such objects capable of inflicting injuries. Nevertheless, this would never spare her from the wrath of a starving cannibal.

Kisaki usually paid no heed to the din of night. The activities of humans were of no interest to her -- they were the inferior race, betrayers of their own kind. Man never killed for survival, but for pleasure, a sickening ideology to Kiki. Should she ever be forced kill another of her kin, it would be solely for the purpose of meat, life, and a promise: to be able to feel the sun caress her coat and soothe her weary spirit tomorrow. But tonight, another sound pierced through the bedlam of humanity, one she quite clearly recognized. Amidst the blatant shrieking of a woman, the whispers of paw pads taunted Kisaki's ears. Tentatively, she began her pursuit of the unknown creature. Kiki's inquisitiveness had taken her to Toyko; tonight she was well aware that it could draw her to the maw of a foe -- but it could also lead her to a better life, a second chance, enlightenment, or an awakening...

[Nocturne]

//OOC;; Sorry about the wait//

Thick, brush-like tail swayed behind his monstrous being, hind legs folding beneath him so he could rest upon his haunches. Ears flicked stop his head, the muffled sobs of the human woman could still be heard, along with the click of her shoes on the cement floor. A smirk crossed his jaws, but he knew the streets would be a dangerous place for him and other dogs tomorrow - the dog catchers would be hunting for the insane mutt that would turn it's fangs upon the race that was supposed to lead them so easily.

Raising one of his hind-limbs Nox tamed an itch that had flared up behind his ear, the clanking of the shackles and the chains that had once bound them clanking on the cold stone floor as he did so. The gentle tap of paws touching concrete made the monstrosity stop - mid-scratch - and gaze into the street he'd just escaped from. His lips twitching upwards slightly, Nocturne's gaze moved with the approaching shadow.

From what he could see, she was small. He knew the canine was female from the sweeter scent that followed her form. Nox knew that, despite being altered into some lion-like monster, size was not everything. There were flaky memories of times when he was small - possibly bigger than this female, but certainly no great dane. He had once been a lithe, black and tan 'hound' - but he wasn't sure whether it was the fragments of a dream.

As the female drew closer, Nocturne let out a sigh before stepping from the shadows to face her. Too many times had other canines just fled from him - based on his appearence alone - when they could get to know the monster and make up their own minds. Fight or flight was the instinctive question - and fear made most choose flight. But he lowered himself upon muscled haunches, the visible muscles on his foreleg pulsing under the change of weight distribution. He would not speak - not yet, anyway.

[Kibeth]

Kibeth did not like the night.

Her human genes granted her better color vision than most other canines, but at the expense of night vision. She was grateful for all the lights that shone throughout the city.

A piercing scream rang out. A female human, likely in some sort of trouble.

She whimpered softly in sympathy. She was, after all, part human. They weren't a bad species, really. They'd done their best to care for her when she'd been in the lab, hadn't they? There was something to be said for being fed twice a day. It hadn't just been kibble-- although still not seen as human, her ability to communicate meant that her desire for variation in her diet did not go unfulfilled.

For all the freedom her new life gave her, the food left something to be desired. Digging in dumpsters only got one so far, but Kibeth had managed to get a fish from a sympathetic merchant that day, so she was not too hungry.

Kibeth listened. No further scream came. That could either be a good sign, or a very, very bad one. Her first instinct was to go and see if she could help, but that might only get her into the same sort of trouble the woman was in.

But Kibeth's conscience could not bear to do nothing. And so she headed in direction which the scream had come from.

[Kisaki]

As the fabled monster of the streets emerged from the ill-lighted alley, Kisaki noted another set of foot steps closing in behind her. An ambush? As this possibility dawned on her, the eerie chill that was due to freeze her blood cold in such instances failed to reduce the liquid crimson running through her veins to even a lukewarm temperature. Brawn, Kiki knew quite well, could not easily triumph over brains when a certain Australian Kelpie was involved. For two years she had lived under this code of treachery, this oath that swore the survival of the fittest, and she would not abandon her schemes now.

The fae approached Nox, but did not halt at his paws and tuck her tail between her legs, begging for mercy – she would more willingly sacrifice her life for her pride. Instead, she remained on her feet, pacing back and forth, avoiding the brute’s eyes so as to avert what might be seen to him as a challenge. Purebred though she was, her instincts and past experiences had taught her to never stare directly into another’s eyes when authority was in question.

When it became apparent that Nocturne was not about to begin the conversation, Kisaki ventured a “Hello” devoid of any emotion, save mild interest. Her ears, like his, were attentive and alert, taking notice of every audible sound. The second dog’s approach would not go unnoticed, even though her attention was partially focused on the mutated figure before her. Despite the tension in her muscles, Kiki retained her composure, maintaining a steady gait as she walked to and fro, awaiting a response from the being that many strays before her had classified as a threat to their existence.

[Kibeth]

Kibeth wandered further, her senses alert. She noticed with some dismay that the lighting was growing dimmer with every step she took.

Her nose told her that other dogs were ahead. Her ears heard pawsteps.

She finally grew close enough to see.

There were two dogs in front of her, one who looked like no dog Kibeth had ever seen.

Truth be told, Kibeth hadn't actually seen all that many dogs in her sheltered existance. She'd seen a good few on the streets, but certainly was no expert on dog breeds.

And yet... Kibeth was pretty sure that dogs weren't supposed to have manes.

Another experiment, perhaps? Maybe they had something in common. However, Kibeth felt inexplicably fearful of the muscular, maned dog. Something threatening and dark seemed to emanate from him.

The other, more ordinary looking dog had said hello, but Kibeth thought that the greeting was aimed at the other dog. She replied anyways.

"Hello," Kibeth ventured. "My name is Kibeth."

[Kisaki]

OOC: I was going to wait for Cassehh before I posted again, but... we'll see. I'll give her one more day. Maybe I can post this evening.

[Nocturne]

Fiery eyes settling on the petite form of the Kelpie, he watched as she paced back and forth before him, her eyes not meeting his. She was smart, although Nox wasn't bothered if another dog looked into his eyes - who in their right mind would challenge him anyway? A simple “Hello” was captured by awaiting auds, and the lion-like mutant grunted in responce before a singular word was to escape from his huge chest cavity. "Hi" The sound was deep, with an almost regal tinge to it - but there was an underlying darkness within the sound.

Ears perked at the sound of approaching footfalls, and from the shadows a new form melted into the scene. Human hands replaced the creature's forepaws, and Nocturne instantly knew that she was a fellow mutant. Like him. But, a question tugged at the back of his mind - would she join him in the extermination of the humans?

"Hello," The mutant's words then continued, "My name is Kibeth." He pondered for a moment, somewhere in his memory he thought he'd heard that name before - but the memory of an animal - even an experimental one - was nothing extra special. "Well hello there, miss Kibeth. Nice of you to join us" Again, the words were spoken in a deep and slightly intimidating tone, although with a slightly charming edge this time - even though he didn't mean them to sound that way, the experiments that had caused him all that pain had not only effected his looks but some of hsi internal being as well. The monster did not move from his seated position, he couldn't care less whether the pair thought him rude, he didn't need to care for others opinions because nothing bothered the beast anymore.

[Kibeth]

Kibeth started at the maned dog's voice. "I, ah... I heard a scream. A human scream..." She trailed off as she realized the possibility that this creature might very well be the cause of the scream. He did look intimidating. An unsuspecting human spotting him in a dark alley would certainly be startled.

Don't meet his eyes, eye contact is a challenge, she reminded herself. Humans liked eye contact during conversation, but things were much different with other canines, especially in a place where weakness could mean death. Her instincts had atrophied from disuse in the lab. She would have to tread carefully.

"Forgive me if I'm being intrusive, but... are you also a mutant?" She knew that there were other canine experiments. She'd had no experience with any other mutants outside her litter, but she knew from overheard fragments of scientists' conversations.