Vei Rin- Chapter 13: Closer inspection begins.
"Hm?" Ebon Metal hummed questionably and looked to his side, there he saw Rin. The mysterious feline was limping her way to the front doors of the Zoo. Even Igilous stopped to view what his boss had seen.
Rin had turned and leaned her back against the doors. With gritted teeth and tightly shut slits she held on to her arm where her bleeding cut was, with her fingers. If she gripped on to it, more would gush out and her white cloth fingerless glove would have been stained. The blood trickled down her bicep and dripped off her elbow, luckily she avoided getting stained everywhere else. Knees up near her chest and her head lowered, she felt she was safe enough to drop her guard just for that one moment. "I'm glad I only gave away my first name. Announcing my last name would have probably made them realize who I am under this mask or possibly more. Not only would they be after me, they would be after Vei's tail too." She stated in her mind, moved her slits down and viewed the blood on her arm. "It hurts... Well, at least this isn't as bad as getting my ribs broken like before..." Rin's mental words echoed whilst remaining in that position. Her gaze opened and viewed the ground, eventually peering up at the sky. "At this rate I might as well head back home. I can't have my blood leaving a trail behind... Someone could follow me. " She added and gradually stood back up. Rin lifted her cut arm, turned it and began licking the blood off her bicep, then cleaned it off down on her elbow. Now that the blood stopped gushing out so much, she walked towards her home's direction with a hand grasping her shoulder.
Ebon Metal's head watched her retreating form and hummed to himself in thought. "Igilous, head back to my lair...I'll be there soon." His deep and clear voice spoke up to his servant.
The said scout sighed and made a reluctant hum. With that the red head trailed on back to his boss's lair and Ebon was alone following Rin back to her home. The scene changed and showed him up on the rooftops some time later with great distance between him and Rin. He was able to keep up with her easily and she was running at full speed too. Rin kept avoiding any climbs that required her to use her one arm, so leaping across rooftops and running across streets as fast as she could was the best option.
Ebon made sure she didn't notice him, his black silhouette's head was pinned on her frame. "Felines...such majestic creatures. Domesticated or wild they are beautiful and mysterious." He said in his mind as he kept on her tail. "Such swift movements, she has feline reflexes, strength and flexibility. Most likely has night vision too." He added, paused in his contemplation and got a bit closer to her. She still hasn't noticed him, he was one building away from her up on top of a higher rise structure. "Those eyes...those cat eyes. It couldn't be..." He began, not once averting his hidden gaze from her frame. "My... I underestimated her wits. Gaia Galis, your daughter is still alive and it appears she has your eyes." Finishing in his monologue, he halted in his step and watched as she rushed her way into an apartment. The ledge of the building he stood on was an inch above the ground, his foot appeared propped up on it and his other leg flat against the surface. Both his arms were to his sides with fists lightly clenched, Ebon's face slowly became visible as the moon shone down upon his head.
He wore a full, black metal helmet that masked his entire face. Black visor that covered his eyes and a silver mouth compartment that looked almost like an open mouth or sharp teeth. The metal on his mouth compartment were shaped like tiny diamonds, it glossed along with his silver metallic crown that held down his leather cape on his head. The said gradient cape waved from the soft breeze that occurred, making the silver part at the bottom of it shine like metal despite it being made of leather. His metal shoulder plates, peck muscle metal plates, oblong metal plates down the sides of his biceps and waist, metal gauntlets that covered his entire hands up to his forearms and fingers, metal pants that hugged his hips, as well metal boots that went up past his ankles. Nearly everything was made of black metal, the only parts that wasn't were on his abdomen, neck, collar bones, biceps, the back of his knees and his cape. Muscle detail was made with his outfit too, indicating his own musculature. "The mysterious feline... Igilous informed me that her strength was similar to the woman I saw before. Hero nor villain could uncover her mystery throughout the decade she has been around." He said in his mind, stared at the apartment and chuckled in a low voice. "I have unmasked countless mysteries. So, let's see if this one is any kind of challenge... Gaia, your daughter is safe for the time being...hmhmhmhm..." His low laughter sounded as if it were behind closed lips. Suddenly, he disappeared from thin air with little to no effort.
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When morning hit, Vei's eyes fluttered open and saw the ceiling above her. Birds chirping just outside of her window could be heard and vehicles with their engines revving down the street. Groaning, Vei sat up in bed but winced when she felt a stinging sensation on her bicep. Through gritted teeth she grasped her arm and stiffened from the pain. Her slits looked over right after and took notice of her wrapped arm, Rin must have rolled her sleeve up so blood wouldn't get on it... "Rin, seriously?!" She clicked her tongue and held her bicep, as she stood from her bed. "Why do you always have to get hurt?! You hurt 'me' in the process, you know! Damn, how am I supposed to defend myself now, when I don't even have a second 'able' arm?!" Vei grumbled whilst pacing past the desk that was to her right. Everything in her apartment was moved into suitable places and since it wasn't a two story building, all she had to do was walk down a hallway. With her one hand she unrolled her sleeve and put it back down to her elbows. Rin's clothes got moved from her closet, to the hidden place her master once used as a meditation room. Yes, Isabelle told her that the room was for meditation and practicing incantations for barrier spells. Her master was very fast with speed; She was the one who taught her the afterimage technique after all and the one who taught her how to be a rogue. Isabelle was very keen in the art of the rogue, she used to be known for her healing capabilities and rogue skills such as shuriken, kunai, short sword and bow combos. Her talismans were just used as protective barriers if she needed to lay low or needed defense against something stronger that her physical body can't endure. Isabelle used to be relied on by heroes, they would always ask for her help when they needed healing or protective barriers.
Down the hall and into the living room that was combined with the kitchen, she prepared some breakfast. Scrambled eggs and peanut butter toast sat on her small plate. Vei was seen sitting at the table, eating at her eggs until a knock occurred on the door. Her eyes widened when that happened, so she quickly dropped her fork, ran to her room and grabbed her sunglasses. After the protagonist left her bedroom and paced over to the door, she made sure to put her sunglasses on and compose herself. With a deep breath she opened the door. Her mouth almost went agape when she saw the same short silver haired man standing there with an uncaring feature. "It's that man from before! He was the one staring at me through the window yesterday!" Vei exclaimed mentally in panic.
"Hey... I wanted to stop by and apologize for yesterday, I was just planning on eating there until I saw you." He said with a deep and clear voice. The man's eyes looked away and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, with a blush tainting his cheeks.
"So...you weren't stalking me...?" Vei questioned with hidden narrowed eyes, as she stared up at the six foot, nine inch man. He wore a white, tight tank top that seemed to expose his muscle and dark gray jeans. Black sneakers were halfway hidden beneath his pant legs, it made her wonder if he tripped often with them over his shoes.
"N-No...I wasn't. When I seen you I kind of...just..." He trailed off and took a deep breath at feeling his cheeks burn even more. His blush spread more when he looked back at her, his uncaring feature just turned into a serious one. "I'm Gratta Quall, nice to meet you." A faint smile grew on his lips and a hand lifted up for her to shake.
Vei didn't even consider shaking it, she kept her hidden slits on his frame with suspicion swirling inside. "You kind of just, 'what'...?" She crossed her arms, knowing that he was trying to avoid something by introducing himself. Her one foot began tapping and a scowl became evident.
"I...well, I just..." Gratta's face turned completely red. He was looking every where else now. "I just froze when I saw you. I thought I was looking at a model or...or a celebrity. I saw you on the news before when you took down a monster and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, figured I'd never run into you. When I did though, I thought my heart skipped a beat and I felt my feet become heavy. When you looked at me, I was able to move again so..." He trailed off and sighed, his features still as bright as ever. "What I'm trying to say is, I was captivated. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, I just had to come over and tell you so you wouldn't feel paranoid." He closed his eyes after explaining that then peered down at the floor.
Vei on the other hand was taken aback by his words. Slowly she began to shut her door, the comical creek of it echoed and she was completely chibified. "Wait, can I at least treat you to brunch?! As an apology?!" Gratta caught the door, him having wide eyes and parted lips.
"No, you saying 'sorry' was good enough. Now leave me alone..." Vei answered with a serious voice and her hidden eyes peeked through the crack.
"Please?! It doesn't feel like it's enough, not to me. You can even pick which place you want to eat at, I'll pay. If it makes you feel comfortable, I'll let you have some friends tag along, too." He was persistent, wanting to make it up to her was just gnawing at the back of his mind. From down the sidewalk behind him was Genos and Saitama, they were heading somewhere when they both heard the man's voice raise. They saw him trying to keep the door open every time Vei attempted to close it in his face.
"Looks like someone's trying to get in." Saitama stated with boredom and watched the scene play out.
"Doesn't look like the person behind the door wants them in... Excuse me a second, master." Genos replied and walked over to the apartment. He climbed the stairs until he got to the third floor and reached Gratta's backside. With one finger he tapped him on his shoulder, causing the man to turn his way. "Sir, I don't think they want you inside, please leave." He spoke up, looked over and saw Vei peeking through the crack with her mouth parted. Luckily the door hid most of her features because, her face was flushed with pink after seeing him approach Gratta.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to apologize to her and treat her to brunch. My mind won't be at ease if I don't." Quall said with a disappointed frown and sighed. He stepped away and looked over the railing, seeing Saitama. His brown and silver eyes squinted for just a second when he saw him, he figured he would be there since Genos was. Just from watching last night play before him, he could tell the cyborg was loyal to the baldy. So that pretty much explained it to him...
"If it'll make you stop pestering a civilian then I'm sure my master and I wouldn't mind accompanying you two." The demon cyborg said and glanced over at the protagonist, giving a reassuring nod.
Vei grumbled with announce, she didn't want to have to deal with more strangers...especially someone who just confessed that they were 'captivated' by her. Her face was still flushed, it felt so weird to her when her face would light up. It only seems to happen around Genos, which confused her... "He's a cyborg! Doesn't that mean he doesn't have any 'man parts'...?" She mentally groaned and hid behind the door for a second, so she could snap herself out of it. Four against one, that didn't feel fair to her. So reluctantly she approved and opened the door. "Fine, if it'll make you shut up and leave me alone then sure." She said with shut eyes then opened them when she glanced over to Genos. Believe it or not, she was relieved Genos saw the trouble she was in. Vei just woke up and made food, she was in no mood to kick someone's ass right now. "Let me go put away leftovers, I'll be right back..." Much to her distaste, she walked back inside after closing the door and left those two there alone.
"Oi, Genos! What's going on?!" Saitama hollered from below and stared up at the third floor where he and the silver haired male stood. His simple mouth and eyes present on his face.
Genos peered down over to his master and blinked. "Master, we're going out for brunch. There's no time limit to where we need to go, so eating out wouldn't be a problem right?" He asked, heard Gratta shuffling around and looked in the corner of his eyes. He looked back at Sai and saw him nod, making a relieved smile grace his lips.
Quall was looking at the floor, shifting in his stance and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll pay for you all, so don't worry about anything ok?" He said and looked up at Genos with a faint friendly grin. He saw the cyborg nod and holler back to his master, telling him about not needing to pay.
Finally Vei got done and returned to them, leaving her apartment all the while. The door got locked and her keys were stuffed into her pocket. "Alright, let's go..." She really wasn't in any mood to go out. Quall stared at her, examined her features with a serious face and took notice of the cat toy-like hair clip.
"Gaia had that...she must have given that to her when she was just an infant. That's enough proof to understand that she's her daughter..." Gratta's mental thoughts echoed. Not long did he realize that Vei was staring at him right back. His eyes widened and a sweat drop rolled down his head, smiling awkwardly. "Sorry, I was deep in thought! So, where to?" He questioned, just to see Saitama casually making his way up to them.
Sighing, Vei just walked past them all and made her way down the stairs. "The restaurant I last ate at with these two, breakfast burgers sounds good I guess..." Replying to his question, the protagonist got to the bottom and looked behind her.
"Alright, don't worry I'll pay for everyone." Gratta was behind Genos and Saitama as they trotted down the steps.
"Sure..." Vei mumbled and continued walking, heading to the said restaurant. The baldy and the cyborg both caught up to her, leaving Gratta behind them for safety reasons. Genos was rather suspicious of the silver haired man and Sai didn't really seem to care all that much. The cyborg's eyes were looking over his shoulder at the man as he conversed with his Master.