Hey friends! As promised, here is my new speedpaint video for this dagger licking danger boy along with the finished piece. I do hope you’ll check out the video. I had a lot of fun picking the colors for this one <3

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(An inside joke at our apartment)

@marinebiologistjotaro

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

So that’s your secret..?

(continued from x)

“I meant what I said. I’m not going to attack you,” Jean repeated herself. She shifted to lean back on her hands, not looking at him. It was a conscious choice – a sign of trust.

“I don’t know why I’m here, but I’m not going to begrudge you just because of circumstance. How defensive you were makes perfect sense now, so I’m… I won’t say I’m not afraid, but more specifically, I’m not afraid of you right now.”

She sighed, sat forward to fold her hands in her lap and tap her thumbs together. He was cautious. She didn’t blame him, she would be too. He probably thought she’d been sent to take him out or something similar. Hah. The idea of her being any kind of actual threat made her snort.

Still, he couldn’t have known what level of threat she was. Her brow furrowed at the thought of him being stuck down here alone, with likely only a few people who knew he was there at all. If she thought her world’s Nori had been treated as if he were a freak by even his fellow Speedwagon agents, this one had it much worse. In some ways, it made her angry.

“Do people really just always assume the worst of you?” Jean winced even as she said it. That has come out more blunt than she’d meant it to.

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

Kakyoin’s scowl melted in to a blank stare at the sudden question. It didn’t happen often, but most people’s reaction to finding out that he was a vampire, usually was a negative one. She was taking it rather well. Still, the question was unpleasant. A bit disgruntled, he slid his gloved hands into the pockets of his trousers, and briskly walked past Jean to the control panel adjacent to his computer desk. Dodging questions was a habit he had picked up while living in the slums of the Middle East. With a quick flick of a slider, the aluminum dome lights of the room returned to their normal brightness. He had dimmed them before as a courtesy, to not disturb her while she was unconscious. He turned to face Jean, hands in his pockets, he tilted his head to one side. “Do you always shift moods so suddenly?” @bd-champagne-punk

She blushed, glancing away. That had been a poor choice of words on her part. He was entitled to ask her an equally invasive question.

“A-ah…I’m… Used to setting aside my feelings to worry about other people.” There was a pause as she visibly deliberated whether she should elaborate. In the end, she supposed she owed him the explanation.

“My father is ex-military. Between growing up with his PTSD and then with what my world’s Nori has been through, it’s… Almost not even conscious. I shut myself down so I can make sure someone else is okay. Not the healthiest of habits, I know, but… You look so much like him that I couldn’t help it. Seeing you so worried that I’d lash out, I… I just…” her voice trailed off and she shrugged, looking down at her hands again.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. As much as… You can be, anyway. Besides, I’m not afraid of what I understand. I was angry before because I thought you had brought me here and were playing tricks with me, but that obviously isn’t the case. So there’s no longer a reason for me to be upset. Plus, you were understandably on edge because I shouldn’t be here and I can only assume you thought I was… Some sort of assassin or something. With both misconceptions cleared up, why shouldn’t I be calm?”

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

Leaning against the wall, he listened. Left hand placed in his pocket, while the pointer finger of the other twirled through his side bangs. The rosy noodle curled tightly around his finger as he twisted it further. He gave it a quick tug, and watched as the hair sprung up and bounced back against his cheek. “Well that’s rather depressing...” he sighed, as he continued to focus on the strands, not making eye contact. He had always been pretty direct with people. When something bothered him, he usually made it known. He may hold off on it for a little while, but eventually he would face the issue head on. Her reasoning was different though, and he wasn’t sure if he could relate. Any time he had kept to himself, it was strictly for himself, in defense of himself, and for no other. After a glance at the ceiling, and a low groan, he left the safety of the wall. “I can’t say I know exactly how you feel, but I’m glad that we can have a civilized conversation now.” Kakyoin chuckled as he passed her. He pressed the switch to turn on the electric burner and then gently sat down next to her. “Umm... It will take a few minute to warm up...” he swallowed “would you like some tea?” @bd-champagne-punk

So that’s your secret..?

(continued from x)

“I meant what I said. I’m not going to attack you,” Jean repeated herself. She shifted to lean back on her hands, not looking at him. It was a conscious choice – a sign of trust.

“I don’t know why I’m here, but I’m not going to begrudge you just because of circumstance. How defensive you were makes perfect sense now, so I’m… I won’t say I’m not afraid, but more specifically, I’m not afraid of you right now.”

She sighed, sat forward to fold her hands in her lap and tap her thumbs together. He was cautious. She didn’t blame him, she would be too. He probably thought she’d been sent to take him out or something similar. Hah. The idea of her being any kind of actual threat made her snort.

Still, he couldn’t have known what level of threat she was. Her brow furrowed at the thought of him being stuck down here alone, with likely only a few people who knew he was there at all. If she thought her world’s Nori had been treated as if he were a freak by even his fellow Speedwagon agents, this one had it much worse. In some ways, it made her angry.

“Do people really just always assume the worst of you?” Jean winced even as she said it. That has come out more blunt than she’d meant it to.

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

Kakyoin’s scowl melted in to a blank stare at the sudden question. It didn’t happen often, but most people’s reaction to finding out that he was a vampire, usually was a negative one. She was taking it rather well. Still, the question was unpleasant. A bit disgruntled, he slid his gloved hands into the pockets of his trousers, and briskly walked past Jean to the control panel adjacent to his computer desk. Dodging questions was a habit he had picked up while living in the slums of the Middle East. With a quick flick of a slider, the aluminum dome lights of the room returned to their normal brightness. He had dimmed them before as a courtesy, to not disturb her while she was unconscious. He turned to face Jean, hands in his pockets, he tilted his head to one side. “Do you always shift moods so suddenly?” @bd-champagne-punk

He was fortunate that Jean was so awful at reading people. His subtle lies seemed good enough and she nodded just slightly as she leaned into her Stand’s embrace. Champagne wasn’t so easily convinced, perhaps, as the porcelain and gold being leaned forward over her user’s shoulder to only stare even more intently.

Painted lips twitched just barely, almost a frown, and her tail shifted to curl defensively in front of Jean with a sharp golden glint of her halo.

“Champagne…?” Jean blinked, rubbing at one eye and ignoring how it smeared her makeup further. She turned an apologetic look towards the redhead. “I’m sorry, she, um, she’s… Very protective,” she mumbled, willing her Stand out of existence and frowning at how reluctant to fade away the ethereal guardian seemed. Why?

Still, at least those four eyes were gone, no longer seeming as if they were peering into his very soul. Jean’s shoulders slumped and she shivered at the lack of support. “I, I don’t.. Want you to think I’m going to try and um, attack, again,” she offered by way of explination. Her own arms were shifted to wrap around her torso as well as she could, and she leaned against the side of the bed frame.

“My, um… My Nori doesn’t like people much either. I guess it’s not that uncommon. He puts up a blank face and is so c-cold whenever we’re around other people. Except um, Jojo, of course.” A quiet sigh and she hugged her knees to her chest instead, leaning her forehead down. “I b-bet they’re both really worried. Jotaro warned me that one d-day if end up in a situation where I had to h-help myself instead of relying on Kakyoin, but I. I never… Thought…”

Her shoulders were trembling, and she bit down on the thin scab upon her lip to stifle the urge to cry again. It didn’t take much to break the tender flesh and she winced at the faint copper taste again. Dammit.

She finally lifted her head to look at him again, sucking on the inside of her lip and focusing on the pain to keep herself grounded. It was an awful habit. She didn’t care. It was that or throwing herself at the redhead across from her and praying he would wrap his arms around her and run his fingers through her hair and whisper that it would be alrig–

No. No, this wasn’t her Kakyoin.

If he had been holding his breath, Kakyoin would have just let it out in a sigh of relief. The unblinking stare of Jean’s stand was unnerving. It reminded him of the harsh, judgmental stares he had received when he had first arrived at the Speedwagon Foundation, years ago. His hand had retreated from reaching for her shoulder the moment her stand turned to look at him. He now held it in a loose fist against his chest, as he politely kneeled a couple of feet from her.

Kakyoin gave a slight nod in response to her brief explanation regarding her stand. He listened to her go on about her world, Jotaro, and the supposed other Kakyoin.

The pale teen chuckled. “That sounds like Jotaro… I bet he didn’t even try to be gentle when he told you that. He comes off as tough, but he is a good guy… He just wants to look out for the people he cares about.” His voice trailed off as his eyes dropped to the ground in thought, a shadow of a pained smile appeared for only a moment. He didn’t acknowledge the description she gave of her Kakyoin. He couldn’t decide if he really wanted to hear more of their life or not. Would it make him sad? Jealous?

He thought to himself. This woman seemed so scared and innocent. Could she really be malicious? It was still possible, but a part of him wanted to believe that she was just a victim in all of this madness. Even though on paper, he didn’t exist, it didn’t mean that he had no enemies. Who could be behind this though? He didn’t exactly leave Egypt on good terms. In fact, he had really stirred things up in the underworld there; especially after what he did to the boss of the largest crime syndicate in Cairo. That didn’t worry him as much as his other theory… What if it was someone within the Speedwagon Foundation itself? Before he could finish that thought, a familiar scent drifted across his sensitive nose. He immediately covered his nose and mouth, wide eyed and scowling. Why again. “Of all the bloody times…” he wheezed quietly between clenched teeth. Kakyoin was sitting very close to Jean, and though he didn’t show it, dread and worry shivered down his spine. Was this a ploy? Did someone want to cause him to attack a human? He knew that there were still those in the organization that didn’t trust him. Some even blamed him for things caused by other vampires, just because he was there, even though he had nothing to do with whatever it was. It would make sense if someone sent this girl, to try and prove he was a monster that couldn’t be trusted. Kakyoin slowly began to back away. Still on his hands and knees, he slid along the floor backwards towards the end of the bed and around the post. Now peering from around the end of the bed, he spoke. “Could you please not do that?” He said as calmly as he could from a crack between his fingers, and shortened breaths. “It is unbecoming for a young lady such as yourself.” Half using it as a distraction, Kakyoin was determined to keep his personal vow to be a gentleman, if he could help it, but she was making it very difficult for him to fully trust her. He felt that he was in much more control than his episode earlier, when he was caught off guard, but his anxiety still had him being cautious. Jotaro and Mr. Joestar has fought long and hard for Kakyoin to be accepted by the SPW, and allowed to exist. He was not about to let them down; whether this girl was in on any scheme or not.

She had begun to relax, just watching him and trying to discern whether she could read him as effectively as she could her own redhead. Just as she had decided that it was unlikely - her own had to deliberately let down his walls to let her in - he went wide-eyed and covered his mouth. Or was it his nose?

“Wh–” Even with his preternatural grace, she could only think to describe how he moved away as ‘a scramble.’ As if somehow he were afraid of her for some sudden reason?

But then he spoke and her own eyes widened in understanding. The way he had reacted before, the way he was reacting now, they had only one thing in common. Her mind leapt back to how uneasy Champagne was the closer he got, to how those pink eyes couldn’t help but focus on how wrong his own looked behind crimson lenses.

“Yo.. You’re a vampire…” it was an almost breathless realization. Strangely, though her heart pounded with adrenaline and uncertainty, she forced herself still. A second later and she swallowed the lingering taste of blood in her mouth, wiping her lip, letting it sting and stem the bleeding (faint though it was.)

“That’s how you survived, then. Why you’re trapped… Why you live down here,” of course she was afraid, and she didn’t try to meet his gaze, but she also seemed… Relieved. Collecting herself. Calm despite her own feelings as if accustomed to pushing past them to calm or soothe someone else. She sighed softly, but it wasn’t out of exasperation, and shifted to sit cross-legged on the floor.

“Please forgive me. It must be hard for you, and I’m over here making things harder.” Perhaps the strangest thing was how her voice held no pity. Her tone was matter-of-fact, apologetic for her own behavior rather than his predicament.

“Take your time to calm down. I’m not going to attack you,” she said at last, after an uncomfortable pause where hundreds of other words raced through her mind. She could have spoken of her own Kakyoin’s nightmares, of how Jotaro refused to elaborate just how he’d saved the redhead’s life. The one time she suspected he had shared that secret with Kakyoin, the two men had gotten themselves so drunk that Jotaro had accidentally– She shook her head mentally, closing the thoughts down. Tangent. Not the time. Definitely not the time.

After another steadying breath, her heart seemed to calm enough for her to push onto her knees and then up to sit upon the edge of the mattress. It was more comfortable, but also more inviting, more likely to encourage him to accept her words. She wasn’t going to judge him for this.

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

The way he peered around the foot of the bed seemed almost childish. If he had not been so focused on preventing the situation from escalating, he may have felt embarrassed for his behavior. Vampire. Hearing that word almost seemed to cause him pain, as he grimly retreated around the bed post, out of view. He was half expecting to hear a scream follow, whether it be hers or his own. He sat with his back to the bed, scrunched down under the end table, and preparing for the worst. It did not come, but instead-after a moment of silence-Jean continued speaking. While, he could still sense the uneasiness within her, she was different than before. He felt the bed shift as she sat down. Hesitantly gripping the edge of the table, he willed himself out from underneath. He poked his head up over the edge of the table, just enough so his eyes were showing. His hands still gripped the edge on either side of his face as he kneeled. Slightly irritated, and refusing to admit it, his hate for what he was stung every nerve in his body. Admitting what he was and someone finding out, we’re the two things that really made him grind his teeth. He sulked in silence for a minute as he watched her. She really didn’t know before. He had to get to the bottom of this. As each minute passed, the idea that she was being used, without her knowledge, was seeming increasingly possible. He let out an irked sigh and closed his eyes as he thought about how to proceed. His fingers tapped the table top as he did so. After a momentary silence, he stood up. Adjusting the glasses that sat upon his nose, he spoke. “Well the cats out of the bag I guess... what will you do now?”

He was fortunate that Jean was so awful at reading people. His subtle lies seemed good enough and she nodded just slightly as she leaned into her Stand’s embrace. Champagne wasn’t so easily convinced, perhaps, as the porcelain and gold being leaned forward over her user’s shoulder to only stare even more intently.

Painted lips twitched just barely, almost a frown, and her tail shifted to curl defensively in front of Jean with a sharp golden glint of her halo.

“Champagne…?” Jean blinked, rubbing at one eye and ignoring how it smeared her makeup further. She turned an apologetic look towards the redhead. “I’m sorry, she, um, she’s… Very protective,” she mumbled, willing her Stand out of existence and frowning at how reluctant to fade away the ethereal guardian seemed. Why?

Still, at least those four eyes were gone, no longer seeming as if they were peering into his very soul. Jean’s shoulders slumped and she shivered at the lack of support. “I, I don’t.. Want you to think I’m going to try and um, attack, again,” she offered by way of explination. Her own arms were shifted to wrap around her torso as well as she could, and she leaned against the side of the bed frame.

“My, um… My Nori doesn’t like people much either. I guess it’s not that uncommon. He puts up a blank face and is so c-cold whenever we’re around other people. Except um, Jojo, of course.” A quiet sigh and she hugged her knees to her chest instead, leaning her forehead down. “I b-bet they’re both really worried. Jotaro warned me that one d-day if end up in a situation where I had to h-help myself instead of relying on Kakyoin, but I. I never… Thought…”

Her shoulders were trembling, and she bit down on the thin scab upon her lip to stifle the urge to cry again. It didn’t take much to break the tender flesh and she winced at the faint copper taste again. Dammit.

She finally lifted her head to look at him again, sucking on the inside of her lip and focusing on the pain to keep herself grounded. It was an awful habit. She didn’t care. It was that or throwing herself at the redhead across from her and praying he would wrap his arms around her and run his fingers through her hair and whisper that it would be alrig–

No. No, this wasn’t her Kakyoin.

If he had been holding his breath, Kakyoin would have just let it out in a sigh of relief. The unblinking stare of Jean’s stand was unnerving. It reminded him of the harsh, judgmental stares he had received when he had first arrived at the Speedwagon Foundation, years ago. His hand had retreated from reaching for her shoulder the moment her stand turned to look at him. He now held it in a loose fist against his chest, as he politely kneeled a couple of feet from her.

Kakyoin gave a slight nod in response to her brief explanation regarding her stand. He listened to her go on about her world, Jotaro, and the supposed other Kakyoin.

The pale teen chuckled. “That sounds like Jotaro... I bet he didn’t even try to be gentle when he told you that. He comes off as tough, but he is a good guy... He just wants to look out for the people he cares about.” His voice trailed off as his eyes dropped to the ground in thought, a shadow of a pained smile appeared for only a moment. He didn’t acknowledge the description she gave of her Kakyoin. He couldn’t decide if he really wanted to hear more of their life or not. Would it make him sad? Jealous?

He thought to himself. This woman seemed so scared and innocent. Could she really be malicious? It was still possible, but a part of him wanted to believe that she was just a victim in all of this madness. Even though on paper, he didn’t exist, it didn’t mean that he had no enemies. Who could be behind this though? He didn’t exactly leave Egypt on good terms. In fact, he had really stirred things up in the underworld there; especially after what he did to the boss of the largest crime syndicate in Cairo. That didn’t worry him as much as his other theory... What if it was someone within the Speedwagon Foundation itself? Before he could finish that thought, a familiar scent drifted across his sensitive nose. He immediately covered his nose and mouth, wide eyed and scowling. Why again. “Of all the bloody times...” he wheezed quietly between clenched teeth. Kakyoin was sitting very close to Jean, and though he didn’t show it, dread and worry shivered down his spine. Was this a ploy? Did someone want to cause him to attack a human? He knew that there were still those in the organization that didn’t trust him. Some even blamed him for things caused by other vampires, just because he was there, even though he had nothing to do with whatever it was. It would make sense if someone sent this girl, to try and prove he was a monster that couldn’t be trusted. Kakyoin slowly began to back away. Still on his hands and knees, he slid along the floor backwards towards the end of the bed and around the post. Now peering from around the end of the bed, he spoke. “Could you please not do that?” He said as calmly as he could from a crack between his fingers, and shortened breaths. “It is unbecoming for a young lady such as yourself.” Half using it as a distraction, Kakyoin was determined to keep his personal vow to be a gentleman, if he could help it, but she was making it very difficult for him to fully trust her. He felt that he was in much more control than his episode earlier, when he was caught off guard, but his anxiety still had him being cautious. Jotaro and Mr. Joestar has fought long and hard for Kakyoin to be accepted by the SPW, and allowed to exist. He was not about to let them down; whether this girl was in on any scheme or not.

“Neither,” she answered quietly, fingers flexing at her sides and tracing along the retreating coils of Hierophant’s grip with blatant familiarity. The cold hadn’t bothered her at all, and she lamented how she felt a bit warm without them around her. A quick shake of her head silenced the thoughts– This wasn’t Noriaki. That wasn’t the Hierophant.  Something was wrong. The way his skin looked almost sickly pale under what little light there was. The unearthly grace with which he moved. It wasn’t right. Not at all.

“I don’t know how I got here. I was walking out of Nori’s office, into the library, and then… Everything was wrong. I- I didn’t really mean to threaten you, I’m just.. I’m just scared.” By the time she’d finished speaking, it was almost inaudible. Her Stand reappeared, curling doll-like arms around her user’s body as if acting like a barrier. Unlike her user’s, those pink eyes didn’t blink or flinch in tracking his motion, and one set looked down as if she’d glance behind herself - all too aware of just where his own Stand was lying in wait.

“I..I wish Kakyoin were here,” Jean mumbled into her Stand’s shoulder, squeezing her own eyes closed and allowing herself to watch through the unwavering calm of Champagne’s gaze instead. “He’d be able to figure out what happened in no time, and I…” Her voice trailed off once again, porcelaine fingers smoothing through pink hair as if they were well-accustomed to soothing her user. Even with the motion, Champagne held steady her watchful eye on both the man across from her and his hidden Stand.

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

He felt her touch as his stand receded and thought it odd that she did not shy away from the thing that had caused her so much stress only moments ago. Jean’s stand manifested once again and stole his attention. Documenting known stands was his job, and work was always on his mind. It was the only thing that distracted him enough to stay sane. He became lost in his mind as he began to observe and calculate various details that he could discern from it’s appearance and current behavior. His analysis was just as quickly interrupted by a familiar name - his own. Even though she spoke quietly, he heard every word clearly. His expression dropped and became grim. Now, himself slightly tense, he stood silent, allowing his face to remain hidden in the shadows. It almost sounded alien coming from her lips. To hear his name from someone he had never met before bothered him greatly. It did especially because very few people knew of his existence here. By all official accounts, he was declared dead years ago after all. It must be a coincidence. Surely she was referring to someone else that happened to have the same name. Right? “Come again?” He said blandly. He was eager to hear her response, and silently demanded it.

@bd-champagne-punk

The subtle sharpness in his tone drew her eyes open and seeking him all too quickly. “M-my boyfriend, Noriaki Kakyoin. You… You look just like him, but it can’t… You’re too young. He’s the head curator at the Speedwagon Foundation’s home branch…” Why was she telling him this?

She dug her teeth into her lip and tensed within her Stand’s embrace. He could be a violent Stand user for all she knew. Could be toying with her, could have brought her here to attack her and– her pulse began to race once more and she trembled. Champagne tightened her grip and curled her tail defensively in front of Jean once more in response to her user’s growing fear.

“Please don’t hurt me,” she managed to croak out through the urge to cry. “I don’t know why I’m here, I-I just want to go home, please, I’ll do anything. I-I’ll cooperate, j-just please don’t kill me.”

Dammit, dammit! Jotaro would tell her she was being ridiculous and even Nori would probably chastise her for babbling like this out of fear. But she was alone! He had always been by her side to protect her. She wasn’t a fighter like he was…

She bit down harder on the inside her lip and squeezed her eyes closed once more, letting the iron tang of her own blood fill her mouth and stifle the threat of tears.

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

By now Kakyoin had turned the lamp light to full glow. It didn’t quite fill the room, but it was enough to see. Next to the desk sat a bed. At the end of the bed stood a small end table that included an electric burner with a tea kettle. On the floor at the end of the bed, even though Jean couldn’t see it from her current location, sat a mini fridge and microwave. The nearby wall was lined with a few bookshelves and trinkets. He listened to her explanation carefully, paying attention to every physical detail of the girl and searching for any indication to confirm his doubt. Surly this was some sick scheme. He thought it best to get rid of her now before she could continue, there was no way that… could there be? He wanted to shake the thought from his head. It was a lie, that’s all it was… although…he had heard about dimension hopping cases where the witness claimed to have run into an alternate version of their self. He always dismissed the idea as it was too far-fetched for him. Could she possibly be from a world where he had survived and was able to carry out such a life? He was torn, logic said it could not be true, he himself was Noriaki Kakyoin, and he had never seen this girl before, but his curiosity and yearn for his situation to be different had him hesitating. It wasn’t his style to attack without reason. Proof of this came earlier when Jean had first arrived. He didn’t move until her stand had threatened him. Instinct nagged at him to take action, but there was no evidence to back up such a move. Before he could make up his mind, a sweet and all too familiar smell danced past his nose. Blood. His hand twitched as desire crept upon him. It was something his body craved, but his morals despised. Even the slightest thought to move in on that desire disgusted him. He nearly gagged as he realized what was happening to him. Slapping a hand over his mouth, Kakyoin stumbled a step backwards, but caught himself on the end table of his bed. “You.” He hissed. “Keep away from me.” He kept his voice as calm as he could, hiding any distress that tried to seep out. Multitudes of thoughts darted through his mind as he tried to make quick sense of it all. He had questions, but his main concern at the moment was to keep his distance until this feeling passed. Enemy or not, he would never feed on a human and let himself become like that man. Denying the very thing that he had become, was his daily burden.

A startled sound left her when he stumbled- it was a stumble, wasn’t it? Kakyoin wouldn’t back into something unless he was caught off guard. Unless something was wrong. Or was that only her Kakyoin?

“I- I promise. I don’t- I just want to go home. Why did you bring me here? If- if you’re just… Going to treat me like an intruder?” Was it possible that he hadn’t been the one to bring her there?

But then… How?

No, she reasoned. No, he was toying with her. He had to be. Even if he was some alternate Kakyoin, somehow, he had to be toying with her. Her own Kakyoin liked to tease and play tricks until she got mad at him sometimes, so it was probably a common trait.

Her fear shifted to frustration and anger. How dare he treat her like she’d brought herself into this situation? An unhappy scoff left her as she rubbed the butt of one palm across her lip to swipe away the thin trail of blood.

“Y-you don’t scare me.” The first lie she’d told. She was terrified. “You can’t bring me here and trap me and try to play tricks on my mind, i- I won’t accept it!” It was all bravado. Trying to convince herself more than him. Stay away, he had said? It must be some sort of trap, then. She scowled and took a determined step forward, trying to mimic the steely look she’d seen on Nori or Jotaro’s faces in fights before.

Her Stand’s expression changed for the first time, from uncannily blank to undoubtably concerned, and she grabbed for her user as if to try and halt her motions. Oh yes, her Stand was sentient– and desperately trying to keep Jean from getting herself killed.

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

One hand on the end table supported himself as his other hand held its grip over his mouth. His eyes scowled at her from behind his crimson shades as she began again. As the stranger pleaded her case, Kakyoin’s heart sunk. He began to feel a bit guilty. His eyes softened for a moment as regret for causing her so much grief began to trickle in. He wanted to believe that this woman truly was in distress, but he had been manipulated before. His hand moved from his mouth as he began to straighten his stance and his eyes narrowed. The last thing he wanted to do was fall victim to someone else’s mind games, like he had so long ago. Kakyoin was irritated, but he was straining his self control just to try and keep his head straight. Suddenly the woman’s attitude turned hostile. As he stepped forward, he stepped back. Not because he was afraid of her, but afraid of what he might do if she pushed him to take action. He paused to see how things played out as he weighted his options. There were very few at the moment. If he were to try and bind her with his stand, he feared that he may subconsciously activate hierophant’s ability to siphon blood. Whatever he did, he better decide soon. A distraction is what he needed, and that was his specialty. “Don’t screw with me, woman!” He barked, now on the defensive. Moving so that the end table stood between Jean and himself. His choice of words and mature attitude towards her was a bit odd coming from someone that appeared to be around ten years younger than she was. His fierce stare flashed to Champagne as her actions caught his attention. Now wasn’t the time to be intrigued by her stand’s behavior, but he couldn’t help but notice. The tension in the room burnt like a sauna as Kakyoin struggled hard to keep a grip on himself. He felt as though he were in some sort of deranged tennis match as they took turns being on the offensive and defensive. Jean grew closer-Kakyoin felt as though his mind was about to snap. It was almost suffocating. In desperation he did what he could only think to do at the time. Like a rush of a windy storm, Hierophant’s tentacles flew out from behind the desk, bound around the desk lamp. Strangling in and crushing it. The room went completely black and silent. “Sorry…” A whisper was the only thing Jean heard before loosing consciousness. Kakyoin had slammed the side of his palm into her back, knocking her out instantly. He felt bad, but it was the only solution he came up with. He slunk to the control panel on the wall and turned on the ceiling lights, keeping them at half dim. He collected Jean in his arms, pausing to observe her face. She was indeed pretty. If he existed in another world, he could see how he might have fallen for her. Not to mention her fluctuating attitude. It almost amused him, if the situation had not been so dire. Kakyoin lay her down on his bed before dragging himself away. Like a beaten boxer, he slowly made his way towards the bathroom door. He wasn’t physically tired, but more-so mentally shot. All he felt like doing was throwing himself against the far wall of the stand-up shower and allowing himself to slump down into the corner, and he did just that. @bd-champagne-punk

“I’m not–” but then the room was swallowed in darkness with the crash of broken ceramic, and only a moment later oblivion claimed her consciousness. How quickly she’d fallen was a testament to just how inexperienced she was.

Still, even unconscious her brow seemed furrowed. He couldn’t have known about the overwhelming, genuine sense of panic that had flooded her mind in the seconds before she was knocked out. Even her own Kakyoin only recently had come to understand why she couldn’t deal with any attacks from behind. She would have been grateful for her lack of thoughts of only she could; memories of trauma flooded to the surface far too easily in these situations.

But when her eyes slowly drifted open a while later, greeted by unfamiliar surroundings and a throbbing pain in the back of her head, all pretence of peace was lost. A loud wail of distress left her scrambling to sit up despite a wave of dizziness. Her knees hit the hard floor before she was even fully cognizant, hyperventilating and crying all at once.

“N-Nori! Nori please, where are you, I’m scared, please!” she sobbed, tangling her fingers into her hair and cowering at the bedside. Champagne was around her shoulders once more, trying desperately to soothe and calm her user’s panic.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll be good, please let me go home, please…”

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

Kakyoin sat in the corner of shower still. He had no idea why he decided to sit amongst the cold tiles. Maybe because it was distant enough from his bed outside, while still within view. How many hours had passed, he did not know. Time no longer felt like a part of his world, and for all he cared, it had stopped for him long ago. He had been sitting in the same pose for a while, and had the appearance of a lifeless statue. Dusty rose colored hair waterfalled over one arm as he sat with his face buried in his knees. He remained there, curled up into himself while in almost a meditative state, reviewing the earlier events. Unlike Jean, he did not have a stand that could comfort him, or to be more precise, he didn’t want his to. If things were different, and Hierophant wasn’t in the state it was, he may have found himself curling it around him like he used to, but things were different, and never would be the same. Eventually his mind drifted into space and his hunger subsided. He felt in control of himself now and he allowed the void to engulf him. This mindless bliss was abruptly shattered by a piercing sound from the other room. Kakyoin’s head snapped up as the wailing echoed throughout the high vaulted ceiling of the archives. Flooding into the bathroom where he hid and dragging him back to reality. The cries began to worry him, so he crept to the door. He gripped the frame as he poked his head around the corner for a better look. It pained him to see a lady suffer, and clearly she was. He couldn’t decide what to do. This type of situation was not one he knew how to handle. It’s true that ever since meeting Jotaro and the others, his lacking social skills had grown, but this… this was foreign to him. It was quite the conundrum. Carefully he crept into the doorway. He started making his way into the room, stopping every few feet to sit and observe, crouching with his knees to his chest before moving closer. Now that he was in earshot he sat down again, chest to his knees at eye level to Jean and her stand. He thought he should maybe say something and softly cleared his throat. “Listen…” he began awkwardly. Unsure of what his tone should be, or what exactly to say. He sincerely stumbled through his words. “I… Don’t know why you are here, and I can’t guarantee myself that you are not an enemy, but…” He cast his gaze aside. Seeing her the way she was made his stomach turn with guilt. If this was a mind game, he had lost. Touching her probably was not the best idea, especially with that protective stand of hers, but unless she was hiding a powerful UV lamp, or had hammon abilities, there wasn’t much she could do that he couldn’t recover from. Taking a chance, he reached for her shoulder. “I’m sorry if I scared you.” he said as his hand moved forward. @bd-champagne-punk

By the time he’d gotten to her, her sobbing had quieted into withdrawn sniffles. She didn’t respond at first to his speaking, though all four of her Stand’s eyes were fixed upon him, their unblinking gaze entirely blank as before. It wasn’t a wary look, simply… Observant. Painted lips parted as if the porcelain being would speak, but no sound came. Instead she tensed her arms around Jean’s shoulders and drew fingers under the woman’s chin to make her look up.

“…okay,” she whispered after a tense few moments of staring at him. He was too young. Too pale. She couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong about him, other than his not being ‘her’ Nori. It didn’t help how his familiar looks made her want to throw herself into his arms and beg for comfort. She shoved the urge down, reminded herself that he was a stranger.

“Okay,” she said again after another pause, her voice determined despite the unmistakeable waver. “I, I believe you. P-please don’t… Come up behind me again.” That part had nearly been inaudible. She was still scared, still reeling, still on the edge of tears once more. Ethereal, gold-tipped fingers brushed the dampness from her cheeks and Jean swallowed thickly. “I’m. I’m sorry t-too. I… My name is Jean. I’m a, um, a librarian at the Speedwagon Foundation. B-but our library isn’t like this. This looks, um, more like an… An archive.”

Okay. Okay, talking seemed to help calm her a bit. Even if she was babbling. Maybe she could sort her thoughts out. “But, um, w-why…do you live in here..?”

For only the second time, he got to see her Stand’s expression change. Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him, tracing his features now that she could clearly see them in the fluorescent lights. His eyes were wrong, she realized subconsciously. Indigo shouldn’t blend so neatly behind red lenses. His skin really was too pale. Even her Nori got out in the sun once in the while. Was this one so much of a workaholic that he chose to live in the archives rather than an apartment outside of the building? Why had Jotaro let him get away with that?

Why did he look like a kid?

@nightlyvampirekakyoin

Kakyoin’s lips wiggled into a sheepish smile. He was relieved to have not been attacked, and that she actually spoke to him. Maybe a normal conversation was going to be possible with her after all. He relaxed his pose in attempt to show that he was not hostile. He sat calmly with his rump against his heels, arms resting on his thighs, and patiently listened as she waded through her sentences. “It’s funny that you should say that.” A leathery glove crinkled as he moved his elbow to his leg and rested his chin in his palm. His eyes rolled upward as they fallowed the length of the ceiling, a smile lightly followed. “That is exactly what this is.” He let out a puff of air through his nose instead of a full chuckle as he thought to himself. Yes she was in the archives, but although it looked large and intimidating, this was actually only the directory room. Further along the wall, heading back towards the entrance, was the vaulted door that guarded the actual archives. She didn’t know any better though, since they were sitting so low to the ground, and couldn’t see past the towering file cabinets. A shadow of a sly smirk crossed his lips for but a moment. He always found it amusing when people were impressed with this area and mistook it for the actual archives. If she thought this was big, wait until she saw the real thing. The smile faded from his face, and his gaze cast downward as he remembered that she could still possibly be an enemy. It was his job, not only to keep the files updated, but also to guard this place. He wouldn’t allow this situation to overpower his sense of duty, or at least, that was the plan. “Why do you live in here?” Jean had asked. Why indeed... Kakyoin shifted his sitting position in response to the question. He now sat with his knees together and his arms crossed in front of his abdomen. His mouth twisted into an awkward, unspecific emotion, as he thought of how to respond while glancing to the side. “Well...” he began slowly. His head turned back towards Jean, only to instead meet, and lock eyes with, her stand. He didn’t jump or act surprised, but instead glowered, and raised an eyebrow in response. He turned his attention back towards Jean and tried to continue, but he couldn’t help glancing back. Growing more and more uncomfortable, Kakyoin’s cat like eyes continued to shift between the helpless girl and the piercing glare of her stand, interrupting his train of thought. “I’m serious about my work, and - I don’t like people.” He continued, half lying, and growing increasingly more nervous each time he glanced back at the stand.