how could i ever forget // outside the morning was cool and wet

[monoceroscaeli]

[It's not often Ajax finds himself getting his head slammed down onto the hood of a car, least of all a cop car. Usually it's him doing the slamming.

But today the young man finds himself denting the hood, the sound of metal caving in under his head ringing in his ears. Not exactly the ideal situation he was hoping for, but he figured sooner or later he'd have a run in with the cops due to the sensitive nature of his profession, but that doesn't mean he has to like how inconsiderate they are with him as they cuff him and throw him in the back of the paddy wagon. Not that he was considerate to them when he was discovered, as evidenced by the blood all over his clothing and knuckles from the fight he'd gotten into with them. How he managed to avoid getting shot is beyond him- plenty of shots were fired, but that hadn't stopped him from knocking a few of them out.

It's just too bad he'd been instructed that he couldn't kill anyone, or else he'd of gotten out of there without being caught.

The lights of the police station are bright, almost too bright from the contrast of how dark it was outside. Ajax squints as he's dragged inside, held tightly by two cops who hurry him through the station, but not fast enough that he doesn't catch a glimpse of the secretary behind the desk as they come in. Pretty, blonde, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Gorgeous eyes, ones that catch his attention almost immediately as he's being shoved towards the back, shining with a radiance that captures him instantly. His eyes lock with hers, feeling something silent yet powerful surge through him from this tiny, insignificant interaction. He doesn't even have a moment to think further on it, before he's so rudely interrupted.

Get moving.

The curt voice of the bigger cop on his right cuts through the moment, anger welling up in Ajax's chest and something dark stirs in his core. If he wasn't cuffed and being restrained, he'd turn that guy's face into a new work of art, something so abstract some insane art collector would gladly pay millions for it.

No sooner had Ajax been ushered in, he disappears from sight as he's taken back into an interrogation room, the mysterious blonde no longer in his sights, now getting shoved into a corner of a room.]

What's with this? Don't you even have the courtesy of giving me a chair to sit in, at least?

[From outside of the room, muffled noises of a scuffle as the cops lay into Ajax can be heard, the loudest of which is a thud of a body slamming into a wall, accompanied by a groan from the ginger kid. Though little do any of them know, their real problems haven't arrived just yet, waking from their slumber right outside of the city...]

Comments

[niwabi]

[ Despite her cheeks looking like cherry tomatoes, Yoimiya manages to send him a reassuring smile in hopes of soothing any worries he might have. She doesn't hold it against him, especially since she kissed him back as if he's the air that fills her lungs. The faintest hint of panic begins to set in, he's practically a stranger to her, it's crazy to have enjoyed that kiss as much as she did. Thump, thump. An exhale escapes from her lips in an attempt to drown out the noises of her heart beating profoundly inside of her chest. Never before has she felt like this towards anyone, all of these emotions stirring about are bizarre, frightening, and panic-inducing but as scary as it all is, she's also filled with a strange stirring affection she's never felt towards anyone else.

She glances back at him, taking note of his flushed face which makes her even more red in turn. The most embarrassing part of all this is, if he were to kiss her again, she'd happily oblige...

Goodness, she's growing more red and flustered all over again. Focus, Yoimiya, focus! If they want to get to the bottom of this mystery, she needs to stop thinking about how delightful Ajax's lips felt. Thankfully, before her thoughts get out of hand, listening to his words pulls her back into some semblance of logic. ]

I noticed your mark was glowing the entire time as well. A surging overwhelming force... that kind of sounds like how we felt back when we were attacked by that monster at the police station.

[ Slowly but surely, the blue mark that was once as bright as the city lights in Fontaine starts to dim. But still, as Yoimiya looks up to make eye contact with Ajax, she can't stop her cheeks from burning up. ]

I experienced those same emotions too, it was like I was floating in the clouds on top of the world. It was as if I was made whole after finding my missing piece. [ She pauses, another wave of embarrassment hits her from saying such a cheesy line. ] I... I suppose it's safe to say our feelings are also connected to this mark.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Listening to her makes his head spin a little more. That's not a connection he made right away, what had happened to them back at the station. That's true, that when his powers manifested, inexplicable feelings to protect her seemed to burst out of nowhere inside of him, resulting in that dark armor. It gives him a lot to think about, but he doesn't really get the chance to, not when Yoimiya gives such a blatant admission to him.

Ajax's eyes widen only the slightest bit as he takes a quiet, shallow breath in. To hear her refer to him as her missing piece, even if cheesy, makes his chest buzz hard and his mark flare up. It's the kind of thing you say to the love of your life, the one that you couldn't ever live without if you didn't have to. And it scares him that he knows that she's right, that it is connected to their marks, that they might be influencing them to feel the way they do. He's not sure how he feels about that.]

Yes...that all does make sense.

[It doesn't feel right if this sense of warmth and respite she brings him is a result of some outer influence that neither of them have any control or say over. Because if that's the case, then is what he feeling his own, or just something created by the magic of their new powers? He's not sure if he can acknowledge it as freely as Yoimiya just did.]

But now the question is, why did these marks suddenly appear on us, and are we okay with how they seem to be controlling our emotions?

[niwabi]

[ The idea that the marks are in control of their emotions hadn't even occurred to her and it paints an unfortunate perspective in her head. That surge of happiness during their kiss, the sense of finding the one who completes her... it's terrifying to think that her feelings aren't of her own violation. The deeper this rabbit hole gets, the scarier it becomes, she's doing everything in her power to not panic but there's no denying the anxiety that's starting to form in her heart. ]

I... I wish I could give you a straight answer.

[ No. They shouldn't be okay with their emotions being under control. Logically, that's the correct answer to give him. But for reasons unknown, she can't bring herself to say those words.

She shifts her gaze towards the ground, feeling beyond embarrassed by what she said to him. Calling him her missing piece... how could she say such an intense phrase to someone she just met? In the heat of her shame, the glowing light on her chest finally fades away. And now, she just wants to bury her head in the ground. ]

Sorry if I made this weird. Maybe we should call it a day.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Even if she doesn't give him a straight answer, her answer intrigues him. It makes his heart skip a beat, in the strangest way, as if he was glad to hear that she didn't outright reject those feelings. It swirls inside of him, and Ajax has to take a moment to collect himself and put his mind on the more logical track here.]

Hey.

[His hand falls on the side of her arm, looking downward at her with a sympathetic smile. He doesn't want to see her upset, feelings or not, over something that seems so out of their control.]

You didn't make anything weird. I was the one that kissed you, remember? I was the one that accelerated us into this situation. We learned a lot, so I don't see this as a bad thing at all. Chin up.

[Ajax's head tilts to the side, as if he were trying to catch her eye to get her to look up at him.]

We can head back, but not until we have a nice meal first. My treat.

[niwabi]

[ As if his touch is a beacon shining away her muddled thoughts, the warmth of his hand brings her back to reality. She catches his shadow beckoning her to look up and when she finally does, she's greeted with a sweet smile that holds the power to soothe her worries.

He really is thoughtful, has been nothing but considerate of her from the moment they met. She can't help but wonder if their meeting was truly meant to be. A small smile pulls at the corners of her lips. ]

That sounds great. Now that you say that, I am getting a hankering for a nice meal.

[ And on cue, her tummy growls. Oops, a bit more hungry than she realized. A little embarrassing but her silly stomach does wonders in perking her back up, eliciting a soft giggle from her lips. ]

That's mighty kind of you to offer but you don't have to pay for mine. I can take care of my portion.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax is glad she's able to look up at him. It probably would of broken his heart a little if she wasn't able, breathing out a sigh of relief through his nose that she's willing to go out with him for a while longer, even after everything that's occurred.]

Haha, alright. We should get going before your stomach gets any angrier at you. I know a good spot that's not too expensive. C'mon.

[Turning, the two of them go to return to his car, driving back into the city to have that meal. It's relaxing, being able to talk, have a drink, and relax for a bit. He drives her home, and the next day will come when they have to go back to the police station to be interviewed.]

---

[Ajax wakes up a little earlier in preparation, sending a quick text to Yoimiya to tell her to make sure to wear something a bit more thick to cover their marks in case of any accidentally glowing. He's opted for a jacket over a casual shirt to keep it hidden, as he walks up to the entrance to wait for her to show up. He's not nervous, but he does hope the both of them can keep it together for this. He's sure he's remembered everything, and it's not like they hadn't reviewed it one last time beforehand. They just really, can't get caught here...he can't imagine the problems that will stem from being found out.

Once she arrives, he'll greet her with a wave.]

Hey there. How are you feeling?

[niwabi]

[ The day they give out their testimonies has finally come. Their lives depend on this interview and it's important they match up stories word for word but despite everything riding on their success, Yoimiya is strangely not at all nervous. All of their preparation has led up to this day and she made sure to review the night before. So long as they work together, she has faith they won't get caught.

She appreciates the suggestion Ajax texted to her, arriving in a dress with a pink coat thrown over just in case her mark flares up. ]

Hey! I'm doing good. Slept like a rock last night and made sure I ate my wheaties, hehe.

[ Security cameras are all over the premises, so it's important to act like friends from the get-go to fool the cops. But in the case of Naganohara Yoimiya, being friendly is first nature for her. And with Ajax, she's felt a strong connection towards him that seems so natural. The opening act of their performance should go without a hitch. ]

How are you?

[monoceroscaeli]

[She seems more calm than how he feels. For him, it's the danger of what happens if they slip up, something he's familiar with being so close to the actual danger itself. But that cheery exterior lifts his own spirits, returning the greeting with a warm smile and a small sigh.]

I'm okay, perhaps not as well rested as you are, but I'm still confident we'll be alright. You look nice.

[She looks sharp too, his eyes dilating visibly the more he looks at her. It's a cute outfit. She looks really cute in it.

He stares for a second too long, before his focus seems to come back from her to their objective ahead, though his eyes don't break from Yoimiya. He inclines his head towards the entrance to the station, so they can head inside and get this over with.]

Maybe I should get you to come with me shopping, haha.

[niwabi]

[ Hopefully he got plenty of rest. But it's understandable if he did some tossing and turning, given the gravity of the situation. Once they get this out of the way, Ajax deserves some well-earned rest.

The compliment is sweet, earning him both a bright smile and a soft giggle. Now it's Yoimiya's to get a good look at him, her eyes shimmer and shine at his cool appearance. His ensemble might be a bit simple but he still looks handsome, the blue jacket accentuates those brilliant blue eyes she's been enamored with. He really is a handsome man. ]

Are you sure you need my help? I think you look pretty sharp yourself.

[ Catching his head gesture, Yoimiya proceeds to stride into the station, all while continuing their lighthearted conversation. ]

But if you really want to go shopping one day, I'll be happy to join you. I'm sure we can find an outfit that looks super cool on you.

[ Once more she's giggling, finishing off with a wink now that they're inside the station. A worker at the front desk recognizes Yoimiya and knowing the reason for her appearance, her colleague points in the direction of the interview room.

The officers will be ready to question you in a few moments. Feel free to have a seat while they're getting things together.

Nodding, Yoimiya gives her thanks and leads Ajax to their destination. Right outside the interview room are several folding chairs they can sit down on while they wait. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

Haha, then it's set. I'm putting my fashion fate in your hands.

[He returns that wink with a smile of his own, before they're pointed to the interview room. He notices that all the damage that was done to the station has been fixed for the most part, save for the wall that the abomination had smashed into and subsequently ruined the video of the whole encounter. His eyes make a pass over it, remembering the nightmare of it slamming up against the wall and barely dodging that attack, and for a second he feels his heart speed up from the pure fear of the memory. The spot where the other officer died is something he keeps out of view, trying to not remember that cold blade sticking through the guy's chest. He takes a deep breath to calm himself- he can't get worked up now.

Ajax diverts his attention to the room they're being lead towards, but he can't help but look up to where he knew that sludge had dropped from the ceiling and taken over that officer's body. The slight stain of black is still visible from its path up the wall and onto the ceiling, and he shudders at that memory too. Thankfully, there's more than one interrogation room, and they pass by the one that he'd been beaten inside of. He takes a seat next to Yoimiya at the entrance of the room, sighing quietly to himself.]

They fixed this place up fast. Guess you can't exactly have a destroyed building to run your day to day operations out of. When are you supposed to return to work, by the way?

[niwabi]

[ Ajax's observation is spot on, it's impressive how fast they've fixed up the station considering the state it was in. Yoimiya glances around to get a good look at their surroundings, her eyes momentarily growing wide from shock at the sight of the damaged wall that once had a security camera. It's no wonder they weren't able to recover any footage, it looks like a meteor struck the inside of this place. During their time off, she's been trying her best to push the harrowing ordeal out of her mind but now that they're back, the horrifying memories are back with a vengeance. ]

I'll be going back next week. So thankfully once we're done here, I'll have a few more days to rest up before going back to the grind.

[ The bubbly blonde isn't the type to sit around and while there's a part of her that's ready to go back, there's another side to her that's terrified of sitting behind that desk. She'll never be able to forget the grotesque scene of her coworker getting skewered right in front of her eyes. There's also the paranoia of the abomination coming back to finish the job while she's on duty. Doing everything she can to remain calm, she keeps her small hands clasped on top of her lap but now that they're back where it all began not even the happy, cheerful Yoimiya can hide her shaking hands. She lets out a deep exhale, doing her best to put on a smile. ]

Has your job made you go back yet?

[ Of course, she dares not to say his job out loud for obvious reasons. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[His eyes dart between each of hers, sensing an uneasiness from her that only radiates more and more the longer they sit there. He can't blame her, they're back where all the action happened, and he catches the sight of her shaking hands as they talk. Strange powers and marks aside, they really were just two people who had a terrifying experience together and barely managed to scrape out of it alive. Without thinking, Ajax reaches down to take both her hands in his, slipping one underneath while covering them over the top with the other. It's unfortunately the only comfort he can give, returning the smile she offers with a gentle one of his own.]

No. They've got others covering for me right now, so any work that pops up they can handle. I was told to rest, and to take care of any important matters first before I return.

[That being the whole interview here today. The company needs those ends tied up to make sure they're not going to get caught.]

I assured them I'd take care of everything, and once I've got things in order I'll go back.

[He rubs her hands a little between his own- it's not exactly great news and he doesn't want her to shake anymore.]

Everything's going to be fine. I promise.

[niwabi]

[ She's not sure to what extent the Nizhnii company knows of their horrific night at the police station but it only makes sense that they also want this interview to go smoothly for the sake of continuing their twisted experiments. So much is at stake, not only is Ajax's livelihood at risk, Yoimiya isn't sure what to make of indirectly covering for that terrible company. The weight of this interview is finally starting to dawn on her, Yoimiya hasn't realized just how stressful getting through this actually is, to the point of not even noticing just how badly her hands are shaking.

In the haze of her frantic thoughts, a tender warmth reaches out to calm her nerves. Yoimiya's gaze shifts downwards to see his big hands enveloping hers. It's not all about herself, Ajax has been through the same harrowing ordeal, albeit even worse with the beating he received shortly before coming face-to-face with near death. It says a lot about his demeanor that he was able to pass by that same interrogation room, keep his cool, and even go out of his way to comfort her. Another reminder that at the end of the day, the two of them really were just two people who survived a traumatic experience together. ]

Thank you Ajax, I appreciate that a lot.

[ From the bottom of her heart, she means it. Might be the only sense of comfort he can offer but his gentle rubs do wonders in soothing her spirit, feeling all the more ready to pass their interview with flying colors. Glancing upwards, a soft smile settles on her features. What he's doing truly means a lot to her. ]

We will overcome this.

[ She slides her fingers in between his, interlocking them to strengthen their connection. It's not much but she hopes to provide him even with a little bit of comfort. ]

Together.

[monoceroscaeli]

Yeah. Together.

[There's something calming about how she gazes upwards at him. His expression softens, looking downward at their hands now twined together, feeling a sense of relief at the gesture and her words. It's comforting to know he's not in this alone, even if he wishes that she didn't have to suffer through this trial. It seems fate had other plans for them, and it's all they can do but move forward together on this new mystery they've found themselves in the middle of.

A monster that sought him out specifically, the special powers they'd acquired, the marks on their chests. The intimate connection they feel towards each other because of it. Hopefully, they'll be able to uncover all the answers...]

Yoimiya? Mr. Volkov?

[He hadn't even noticed the police officer that had materialized next to them, startling Ajax so much that he lets go of Yoimiya's hands as he looks up.]

Y-Yes, sorry. Are we ready to start, I take it?

[Not Ajax trying to act cool and not act like the guy got the jump on him]

[niwabi]

[ He's got such a lovely expression. As she locks gazes with him, Yoimiya's worries are washed away. So long as they have each other's backs, she's assured that everything will be okay. The uncertain future that lies ahead of them is somewhat frightening but with Ajax at her side, she feels like they will be able to take on any challenge thrown their way. Fate must have brought them together for a reason, a reason that the two of them will hopefully discover one day.

Oh! The officer's sudden appearance takes her aback as well. Yoimiya is quick to calm her racing heart and once the beating has settled, she can't help but giggle at Ajax's reaction. He's trying so hard to act like mister cool guy over there but can't quite hide the stutter in his voice. Goodness, who knew he had a funny side too? ]

Yup! Mr. Volkov and I are ready as ever.

[ She gets in one last chuckle before reaching over to give Ajax a reassuring pat on the back. There, there. The guy came outta nowhere. Thanks to his reassurance, she's able to stand up with a pep in her step. ]

Right this way please.

[ The police officer motions for them to follow, leading the pair into a simple interrogation room with a table and three chairs. Once the officer in charge takes his seat, Yoimiya is quick to join him at the table, mentally steeling herself for the questions thrown their way. ]

All right. I just want to clarify that the two of you are not being questioned as suspects, we just want to get to the bottom of what happened. [ Shuffling through his papers, the officer turns his attention to Ajax to start. ] Mr. Volkov, I was informed that you are a friend of Yoimiya's. What brought you to the station to begin with?

[monoceroscaeli]

[Man, that's kind of embarrassing. He sighs at the pat on his back, deciding that it's probably just best to take the L here and roll along with it. Yoimiya's little giggle is cute anyway, taking that as the consolation prize as he stands to follow into the interrogation room. He looks around, noting how similar it is to the one just down the hall that two of their police officers had been beating him senseless in. How on earth this officer isn't immediately asking who he is is beyond him. Maybe another stroke of luck happened- maybe they didn't report it yet that he was at the station. Probably so they could beat him without getting reprimanded for it.

Suddenly, he doesn't feel as bad for them, the little that he might of felt from the horror that had happened to them. Karma sucks, doesn't it.

Taking a seat, he sits calmly as the officer starts, nodding his head.]

Nothing particularly special. I was just dropping off her key after picking up some groceries for her. And...

[He turns his head to look at her, his eyes narrowing with a smile on his face. He did not forget about the fish LOL]

...to take care of her poor, helpless Hanabi. If he's not fed, she practically has an anxiety attack about him.

[niwabi]

[ Welp, he's not wrong, Yoimiya would go into a tizzy if her sweet baby Hanabi isn't fed. However, there is just one bit of information he got wrong and it's enough for the blonde to slowly turn her head in menacing fashion. She doesn't say anything, only widening her eyes in response to his smile. It's great he didn't forget about the best fish in all of Teyvat but... ]

I see. She is always worrying about that fish during her late-night shifts. [ Chuckling, the police officer can already imagine Ajax being on the receiving end of Yoimiya's many, many Hanabi tangents. ] Yoimiya, I thought you told me that Hanabi is a girl.

[ Poor sap has listened to his coworker go on and on and on about this goldfish. ]

That's right. Hanabi is a girl.

[ Shoot. Probably not the best look that they got something wrong from the get-go but Yoimiya is certain she's able to salvage the situation. ]

Pay no mind to him, he doesn't know much about goldfish. He's just now learning how cute and adorable Hanabi really is.

[monoceroscaeli]

[The turn of Yoimiya's head is not unlike one of those dolls in a horror movie. He catches the menacing look she's shooting him and he knows instantly that he fucked up.]

Hahahaha...

[Though that was probably something he shouldn't of messed up, he knows Yoimiya well enough now how she is about her goldfish that it's probably okay to look like he's worried about the scolding he might get for forgetting. Holding up his hands, he looks at her apologetically, nervousness allowed to show on his features.]

Hey, I remembered all the detailed instructions you left for me though, [he counters, hoping that the officer will buy this part of their banter,] I just misspoke, is all.

[He looks to the officer for a little support- he genuinely doesn't want to be on the receiving end of a Hanabi monologue.]

Let's continue on, shall we? I'm sure Hanabi isn't offended at my mistake.

[niwabi]

[ On the plus side, the cop seems to be buying into their banter and doesn't pay mind to the slip of the tongue. He's trying to keep a straight face but he can't stop the chuckle that slips out from Ajax's nervous features looking like he's about to get it to Yoimiya defending the honor of a fish. ]

That's true... you did listen to all of my instructions and did a good job taking care of her. But!!! [ HUFFS 😤 ] Make sure you apologize to Hanabi later! If you are humble enough, I'm sure she will forgive you.

[ The officer catches the look Ajax shoots his way, he nods and quickly clears his throat to interject. He gets you, pal. He knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of a Hanabi monologue. Time to change the subject to spare their ears. ]

Next question. Mr. Volkov, do you mind telling us a bit about yourself? What is your occupation? And as for a question for the both of you, how long have the two of you been friends?

[ ... Uh oh, definitely didn't plan this far ahead. Darn, she just kind of assumed they would buy into her WE ARE FRIENDS story immediately with no further questions. Okay, Yoimiya, think!! Use your brain to come up with something believable. ]

We met at a coffee shop not too long after I came to Fontaine. I asked him for some directions, we started talking and the two of us hit it off right away because... [ 💦💦💦 ] we're both country bumpkins! I felt an immediate kinship with him and from that point on, Ajax has been a huge help in getting me settled into this vast city. Couldn't have done it without him.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He's about to thank his lucky stars when the officer cuts the Hanabi scolding short, but he asks a question they really didn't go over. He didn't think they'd want to know about their history, and he's about to object to it and ask what that has anything to do with them getting attacked by a monster, but Yoimiya beats him to it. He lets out a sigh and smiles, folding his arms over his chest. He's going to skip the occupation question and focus on following up with Yoimiya's statement.]

That's Yoimiya's way of saying she got completely lost and clung to my side until we finally got her home.

[He laughs, giving her a look. A kinship over being country bumpkins? Girl...if she were anyone else no one would buy that.]

Oh, so where are you from Mr. Volkov?

[He takes the opportunity for the follow up question, and Ajax replies coolly, without skipping a beat.]

Snezhnaya. I'm from a backwater town in the middle of nowhere. Yoimiya's right, we're definitely both country bumpkins, but you get used to it here pretty quickly.

[niwabi]

[ Glancing over, she sees the look he sends her way, giving him one right back. What's wrong with bonding over being fellow country bumpkins? :c It makes perfect sense in her mind. She'd be tempted to wrinkle her nose at him if it wasn't for the police officer sitting right in front of them. Instead, an amused grin tugs at the corner of her lips as Ajax adds more to the story to make it sound more believable.

Clung to his side until she got home, huh? Interesting way to spin the tale, Mr. Volkov. Once they're done here, she'll be sure to poke fun at him later. ]

That's right, this is my first time being in such a big city. I had no idea where to go until this country boy from Snezhnaya came to my rescue. I owe a lot to him.

[ For all of their fibbing, the latter part of her story isn't a lie. If it wasn't for Ajax, she wouldn't be here to tell the story. For that, she reaches over to give him a hearty slap on the back! Good boy. ]

He's done a lot of favors for me and we've been friends ever since!

[ Maybe this guy is a simp... crosses the police officer's mind, but he dares not to share those thoughts outloud. ]

[monoceroscaeli]

[Ajax catches onto the double meaning there. Maybe he really didn't help her settle in at all, but he appreciates the gesture of her being thankful for what had happened that night. He shoots her a soft smile, perhaps revealing some of that potential simping nature of his to the officer. He leans forward involuntarily at the slap to his back though, eyes widening a little from surprise, wiping the smile off his face and getting him to cough. Girl's got a good slap going on there. It didn't hurt, because it's not like she hit him hard, but he didn't think she'd be that strong for that frame.

Guess you'd have to have some strength to draw that bow she had...]

Yes, yes...anyway, as much as I'm not fond of the idea of reliving a nightmare, why don't we move on to what we're really here for.

[He's afraid if this line of questioning goes any further, there will be another slip up and he's not sure if he can take another slap on the back. The police officer seems to accept that, nodding as he writes something down on his pad.]

Alright. You were here with Yoimiya on the night that some monster got inside and mutilated two of our officers. Did you see the thing before it got to them? Where in the station were you both before the incident happened?

[His mind instantly flashes back to the moment he'd saw the thing on the ceiling, dripping down and infiltrating the body of the officer standing behind the one beating him senseless. A chill goes through him, but he manages to keep his cool on the outside and answers.]

I was at the desk chatting with Yoimiya about Hanabi and handing over her key. I didn't see a thing when it entered. I still don't know how on earth it got in to begin with.

[niwabi]

[ Oh! Maybe she doesn't know her own strength. Yoimiya wasn't expecting that slap to double him over the table. She's a little taken aback by his coughing at first but it's not long until she's chuckling. It gives her hope that maybe if she hones her abilities, she'll be able to grow stronger to better defend herself. But for the time being, it's best to focus on this interview.

It's a good call on Ajax's part to move on to the questions pertaining to the night of the incident. If they had to keep making stories up, there's a good chance another slip-up might happen. She's quick to follow up her partner-in-crime with a confirmation. ]

I can attest to that. One minute Ajax and I were chatting and then the next, we were attacked by that... [ A beat. She's quiet for a few short seconds, the memories of her coworker's gruesome deaths come flashing back but she's able to fight down those fears by exhaling. ] thing.

[ Satisfied with their answer, the officer nods and scribbles more notes onto his pad. ]

Do either of you recall where the creature emerged from?

[ A horrifying thought just now occurs to her, Ajax was not only the first one to witness the monster, he had the misfortune of watching it take over the police officer's body in such a grisly fashion. How he's able to stay strong in the face of trauma is truly something else. And come to think of it, she's not sure how the otherwordly being entered the interrogation room, to begin with. And speaking of that, dreadful room, she figures it might be best to avoid bringing up the two dead officers who were inside of that place to begin with. Yoimiya ponders for a moment, debating what to say until she finally speaks up. ]

I was so busy talking to Ajax that I don't recall where it came from. All I remembered was hearing the sounds of the officer's screams until suddenly, one of them was thrown at my desk. Thankfully, Ajax was there to make sure I wasn't hurt.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He wishes so much that the answer Yoimiya gave was just acting. But the reality is that it's not, it's very much a terrifying reality for the both of them and he has to take a breath to calm himself as he recalls it. He has to fast forward through his mind as to where he would have seen the monster first as if he really were at the desk chatting with Yoimiya. It had all happened so fast, he's not even really sure if Yoimiya's recollection of it is correct or if she's purposely lying about exactly how she first saw it herself.

So he just nods along, to build off of what she had just said, to keep it all straight and together.]

I too, remember first hearing the screams, and trying to get Yoimiya out of harm's way. I barely remember what happened in the immediate aftermath. The only thought that sticks out in my mind after it first appeared was...

[He has to stop himself. He's seen some relatively terrible sights, but nothing comes close to the image of the dead officer on that blade.]

...the sight of it mercilessly killing that officer.

[His eyes point to the floor, trying not to think on it too much. It makes his stomach twist in knots, knowing how close they both were to suffering the same fate. To know it wanted him...and not knowing why.]

[niwabi]

[ She hears Ajax stop mid-sentence to collect himself. The poor guy has witnessed even worse horrors than she has. Absentmindedly, her hand reaches over to hold onto his, her fingers grasp around his as she gently brushes her thumb over his knuckle in hopes of providing him any semblance of comfort. Just like what he did for her in the waiting room. He did so much to ease her fears while they were waiting outside and she wishes to do the same, not at all caring how the two of them holding hands might look in front of the police officer.

For a good few seconds, Yoimiya doesn't say anything, needing a quick breather to gather her thoughts together. She still has night terrors over watching her coworker getting skewered by the blades. A fate that nearly befell her had Ajax not stepped in to save her. She recalls the tendrils gripping around her neck, squeezing the life out of her with it's deadly blade drawn. It's almost hard to believe she escaped death that night. ]

It's... hard to pinpoint exactly what happened. The creature... impaled that man while using the body of the other officer.

[ Archons, does she feel bad for Ajax. Seeing the contorted police officer was a horrifying scene but he was an unfortunate witness to the gruesome body snatching. ]

It's unlike anything neither one of us has ever seen. A creature that can take over someone's body.