Chapter 49: 3.12 OBSESSIVE LOVE: Detection

He twiddles the black bracelet between his fingertips, feeling the fine threads of hair that are braided together to create the piece. Though the strands were not originally black in coloration; corruption has thus given it such an appearance. It's interesting how corruption can be so notable in other parts of the body; the blackened veins that line a host's body is an obvious giveaway for a demon ready to hop.

But rarely does corruption reach extremities like hair and nails, for the host would die before such a thing could happen. And thus, not even scholars are aware of how mild and inconspicuous rotted strands of hair look like.

He puts the bracelet down, the edge of his golden watch clatters against the wood of the table before sliding the object across.

Casually, he pulls the ashtray closer to himself and lights a cigarillo.

The lighting in his apartment is mild, with the silken curtains pulled over the windows. Filtered sunlight catches the glimmer of vintage piano keys. He offers his foreign brand of cigarillo to his guest.

She hesitates for a moment before drawing a breath and plucking one from his pack. He slides the matchbox to her as well.

His guest is middle-aged. Her peppered blond hair is pulled back into a neat bun. The blazer she wears is without a single wrinkle, the pearl necklace shining with a perfect gleam, matching the vintage piece she has in her ears; a tiny crystal flower with a pearl embedded in the middle. The way she moves is with grace as well, even when she flicks the match against the box and lights up her cigarillo. The woman holds herself up with pride but that doesn't quell the slight trembling fear within her pupils when she looks upon her host.

Her gaze falls to the black bracelet and then back at him. "Are you positive that it will work?"

He hums, taking his time to retrieve the matchbox, lighting a cigarillo of his own. The window is just slightly open to filter in fresh air but he quite enjoys the soft scent of the wafting smoke. "It will do what I said that it does. It won't prevent rot."

"But you are saying that it helps with avoiding detection."

"On a technical level," he explains to her with a lazy smile, "but it will not work any miracles."

"In regards to protection against the purified body of a priest—"

"It can transfer the cleansing process, but the product will corrode rather quickly. I suggest that you stay away from priests and nuns."

"I see."

He waits, eyes sharp as a hawk when he gazes upon the woman. He does not say a word. The silence between them is heavy as she eyes the bracelet with suspicion.

"What is your goal?" She lifts her eyes, daring to hold contact with his hazel ones.

He smiles. "Why, money of course."

She'd be an imbecile to believe him so simple. But she'd be even more stupid for daring to question him further, for she knows a monster well when she sees one. Her host had dealt with them on a daily basis, so after taking over the body, she can recognize them at a glance.

So she does the smart thing and nods, reaching and plucks the bracelet from the table. "Thank you for having me, Professor Ervenir. I hope to have the chance to do business with you again in the future."

The professor flashes his pearly whites, crow's feet at his eyes as he rises from his seat. "It is my pleasure, Dr. Blanche. Do take care." He sees her to the door. How convenient was it to have a customer as his therapist, he thinks as he saunters over to the old piano, his fingers gliding over the keys. It's nice when he's the power to set up fate so perfectly in his favor. That is when it comes to the progression of his own life.

Raziel plies open his blinds just a bit so that he has a good view of the scene outside. The grey city of Salemo stretches out before him and eyes with contained contempt. He spots the faint outline of the Ferris wheel on the horizon and contemplates.

He contemplates his next move, ignoring those annoying nagging voices inside his head.

…

Voir's child-like wonder persists throughout the entire day, unrelenting even as evening falls with twilight upon the sky. Even after he gets dizzy and calls for a break, it's not long until he's back on his feet again and dragging Kyden around. It's only with the growling of their stomachs that he's reminded of the fact they haven't even had lunch.

Voir rubs the back of his neck, bashful and embarrassed. "I… I'm sorry. I totally forgot."

The honesty in his voice makes it hard for Kyden to get mad. So the priest only shakes his head. "Let's get out of here then, the restaurants inside the amusement park are absurdly overpriced. Not to mention crowded."

Voir's eyes go wide. "Wait! We haven't…! We haven't gone on the Ferris wheel yet!" He points towards the large wheel that sits front and center in the park.

Kyden sighs and rolls his eyes. "Alright, fine. Let's go on the Ferris wheel first and then we'll go eat."

"Really?" He's like a child, seriously.

Kyden nods and Voir beams.

The two of them waste no time, heading for the Ferris wheel. With their Fast Passes, they're able to get on right away.

While Voir excitedly watches the scene outside, eyes full of innocent wonder. Kyden finds that he's more intrigued with Voir than he is with the grey scenery of Salemo's nightly skyline. "Have you honestly never been to an amusement park before?"

Voir sputters, his face red as he attempts to settle down in the seat opposite Kyden. "N-no. I never got the chance to, this is my first time, personally."

Kyden tilts his head a little, finding it a bit strange. Unlike himself, Voir comes from a well-to-do family. Growing up, there should have been plenty of opportunities for him to go to the amusement park. "Your parents must have been strict."

"Y-yeah. That's right."

"Hm. Even if you were a bit annoying, at least you had fun today."

"Yeah…"

As they climb to the peak, both men pin their eyes on the scenery. One watches on with innocent wonder while the other basks in sweet lament.

"Kyden?" Voir's voice is soft and breathy.

"Hm?" Kyden lifts his gaze. Voir's dark brown eyes are veered downward. He's acting uncharacteristically shy. The soft dazzling glow of city lights plays off his features; sharp and handsome. Youthful, Kyden thinks.

"Thanks…for coming here with me today."

"…It's fine," Kyden says, watching the way Voir lifts his head, a sparkle of hope lights his visage. "I had fun."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Oh," Voir sighs, "That's a relief."

And Kyden can't help but chuckle.

"Don't laugh!" But it only inspires him to laugh harder.

When they finally get down from the Ferris wheel, the two of them are left smiling. But the confession that Kyden had expected didn't come. Maybe Voir's more of a coward than he originally thought but Kyden doesn't really mind.

When Voir asks, "Erm, want to…come over to mine? We can grab some beers…and some orange juice!"

Kyden's response comes out fast and without thought, "Sure."

When Voir smiles, he's really cute. Like a puppy, Kyden thinks. An odd nostalgia erupts inside of him and he finds himself aching with a strange, distant longing.

Weird. Kyden chalks it up to the years of cutting off his social life. Maybe it's his heart trying to tell him something. Mindlessly, he lets Voir drive.

"Hey," Voir speaks up suddenly, breaking the peace between them.

"Hm?" Kyden doesn't look at his colleague and instead watches the scenery flash by through the car window.

"Want to run away with me?"

"…" Kyden rolls his eyes, but he's smiling too. "Just what ridiculous thing are you daydreaming about?"

"Hahaha…a wonderful dream, I like to think." Voir smiles. "I guess I'm just sick of this old city scenery. Hey, remember Nekata? Why don't we go live there instead? Heard their death rates aren't that much worse than Salemo's. They follow the Divine Mother Oracle too. They have their own version of the Exorcist's Department too. What do you think?"

"Hmm." Kyden doesn't say a thing. But Voir doesn't press him either. What is merely a distant dream remains as such. Voir stops at a corner store and gets them beer, orange juice, and snacks. Kyden's a bit disappointed that there's a lack of his favorite instant noodles but he decides to let it slide.

They chat amiably all the way back to Voir's apartment. He lives on the good side of town and Kyden's pretty curious to see what Voir's den looks like compared to his own.

He eagerly steps inside before Voir.

"Make yourself at home!" Voir chirps. The door clicks and Kyden takes off his shoes as the lights flicker on. He's about to walk inside but there's suddenly a hand on his arm, holding him back.

"What?" Confused, he snaps back at Voir who has suddenly a haunted look on his face.

"Wait," he says, voice hushed and carefully tiptoes in front of Kyden. From his pockets, Voir pulls out a switchblade and begins to step silently forward, into the depths of his own apartment.