In restless dreams I walked alone, narrow streets of cobblestone

[interposal]

[This was supposed to be just a night off, a break from responsibilities that even the most diligent of leaders needed to take in order to refresh and be able to operate at their best. With everything going on lately, that was certainly the case for Young-ho.

Perhaps the first sign that something was wrong was the fact that there were reports of unrest in the area, and that while there hadn't been anything lately, there didn't seem to be any indication of the perpetrators being either caught or told to stand down. Being more careful was something that made sense, of course, but sometimes there are small moments that nobody could really account for, either.]

Comments

[interposal]

[ He doesn't want to admit it, but- ]

It's the best explanation we have so far. Considering it was a ... bit of a predicament with my ascension in the first place, as you know.

[ Never mind that he wasn't supposed to take the throne so early. Beyond that, as mentioned before, he knows that his youth also betrays his inexperience, despite his insightful moments.

Young-ho stiffens as Dusty squishes his cheeks, his face reddening even more at the contact. If anything betrayed how unused to he was with contact, it was this. His voice is even softer as he replies, voice muffled from the position he's in: ]

I'm ... Trying not to. Please stop.

[killingfloorblues]

So cute!

[ It would take a lot to get Dusty to back away from a blushing vampire, even if he knew just how embarrassing it might be for someone of a prominent social standing. Tarr had told him at one time that he was like one of those grandmothers who would pull out all the baby books just to show off how much silliness a kid did right before calling them baby names. Dusty disagreed, but well, Dusty would disagree if he didn't like where Tarr was going with his words.

But probably to Young-ho's relief Dusty does end up stopping, but only because he was squinting at Young-ho like something was puzzling him. He dropped his hands and looked over at Tarr, who saw his expression and raised both eyebrows in a slow dawning horror. Dusty opened his mouth and Tarr pounced, attempting to cover said mouth with his hands.

He didn't make it. ]

Are you two related?

[interposal]

[ Embarrassing and never mind the fact that Young-ho still doesn't really know how to respond to that sort of contact, either. He had heard from Ki-moon about how his partner was a bit ... eccentric at times, but he didn't really think it was to this extent.

He does let out a breath that probably was more for show than anything else once Dusty gets his hands off his cheeks, tilting his head in slight puzzlement at the mage's odd look between himself and Ki-moon. His gaze flickers up to the elder vampire and he registers the movement before he really sees it, and the words come out of Dusty's mouth before he can stop it -

But Young-ho looks more confused than anything at this little exchange. It hasn't fully sunk in for him at this point, bless his heart. ]

Related? I ... what makes you say that? [ It's not like where Ki-moon is trying to stop Dusty from voicing the connection, it's more that the younger vampire actually, genuinely doesn't know where Dusty's coming from with the sudden question. ]

[lesinset]

You two feel -

[ Tarr finally got Dusty to shut up basically by covering the mage's mouth with his hands. Which meant that the mage was glaring up at the elder and making muffing sounds against his hands. ]

He has no reason to say tha - ow!

[ He jumped back and Dusty grinned, pointing at Tarr. ]

You are, why else are you hiding it?

[interposal]

[ Excuse him for a moment while he tries to process this. And it's definitely an attempt, because Young-ho's expression is almost comically exaggerated in its surprise when it's brought up. Wide eyes, mouth agape, and all. He's not sure what's got him more riled up (relatively - no pun intended): the continued embarrassment he's feeling upon seeing what he can only imagine as an intimate moment and subsequent reactions, or the fact that he and Ki-moon might actually be related. There had been some remarks made about how similar they were in demeanor from time to time, but he honestly took them as compliments than anything (even knowing that they weren't a lot of the time). ]

Is. [ He pauses. Though it would partially explain the elder's interest in him beyond agreeing with his attempted ideals. ]

Is this true, Ki-moon?

[lesinset]

I hate you.

[ Dusty grinned and gave a little bounce on his heels, all but dancing at the expressions crossing Tarr's face. Well, expressions that he could read and others just had to guess at since he always had a good poker face. ] That isn't what you said yesterday.

[ He huffed and gave Dusty a look and the mage then turned back to Young-ho, still smiling. ] Surprise?

You are horrible and I didn't want anyone to know anything about it.

[ Dusty just waved his hand at Tarr as if that would keep him from voicing any displeasure about having his secrets just dumped out the way they were. Tarr continued to glare at the mage's back before huffing a sigh. ]

I had younger sisters when I was mortal. I felt sorry for being taken from the family and came back to make sure they were fine... and I just continued to keep track.

[interposal]

[ It's taking a few moments for him to process this further, but there is one thing that's clear right now - ]

I understand why you didn't want to come forward with this.

[ Yes, while blood was considered one of the strongest connections, especially with vampires, there still was the matter that Ki-moon was, while respected in some circles - still a loner. Clan affiliations were also important, and if their enemies caught wind, well. Things would get even messier than they already were. ]

I'm just. [ He lets out a semi-amused huff, running a hand through his hair. ] I'm surprised I didn't see the potential connection in the past when we've talked.

How long did you know?

[lesinset]

Mm.

[ That was good. It was enough for him to actually say what he did without having to go into details when Young-ho was smart enough to understand. Vampire politics was messy enough as it is without the added weight of being related. It was one thing to have a bond through maker and child, it was something mush darker to have a bond through human ties. Look at all the trouble it caused Molly despite her relative being who he was. It would be much worse for Young-ho. ]

Much has changed and you can say that I don't speak as much to others for them to see the connection so easily. [ He shot a glance at Dusty who assumed a hurt innocent expression. ]

You're not that sorry.

[interposal]

A bit of a mixed blessing, I suppose. I don't think most of the others have picked up on it either, though I can't say for sure.

Though now I'm worried with this escalation that it might come out into the open anyway.

[ They had thoroughly destroyed the assassination squad, true - but that didn't mean that others didn't have eyes and ears around here either. It was why he had taken to trying to stay out of certain territories and flitted between them when he was in one of his more inquisitive moods. It would be too easy to trace back to him if he were spotted in certain areas for too long. ]

I would be lying if I didn't want to know more, however.

[lesinset]

I never gave them reason to think that I have living bloodkin.

[ Because it would mean that they had something that could be used as leverage against him. Other vampires might not care about their living relatives, but the simple fact of Tarr keeping track of his could prove disastrous towards him. He wasn't prone to the usual vampire follies as his peers after all, despite his ties to a human mage. Especially a mage that was the boogeyman of the undead - a necromancer.

No. Leverage against a lone elder like him would be either through blood ties he acknowledges or anything close to romance and with that one avenue very dangerous to face, well they would go after the other. ]

I think more would be better discussed in a safe house then an alley, mm?

[interposal]

I know.

[ That still didn't stop some of the other council members from being more perceptive of how things went than either of them would like to be. He does nod, however. ]

Yes, of course. If you do not have one nearby, I might be able to find a ... friend that could help us.

[ It's still odd to say that, but he's pretty sure that Molly would insist on it again after everything. ]

[lesinset]

We've been staying at a hotel. [ Dusty raised his shoulder in a shrug, swinging his bag around and dug into it. ] If we're leaving, let me set a clean scent bomb to cover everything here.

[ Tarr hummed in response, stepping closer to Young-ho, letting his voice drop. ] Don't worry, he is very good at that.

[ Most clean scents on,y worked to mess up tracking and even then they were easy to figure out by experienced spell casters. Dusty was far better then most, but that was partly because of his unique line of castors. It wasn't just his skills that went into making them; it was the skills of all those before him centuries of necromancers adding to the working. There were few mages that could match that collective skill and none most vampire lords could hire.

Dusty found the right bottle and shook it until the dull green potion turned a light red. He scraped the wax seal off an set it down, the potion bubbling like fizzing pop. Tarr flitted over to him, picking the mage up and moving before the bottle shattered from the pressure, washing the alley in a bright red light. ]

Lead the way.

[interposal]

[ Young-ho was about to pipe up, but if the mage was able to clear any traces of them, then he wasn't going to be the one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He simply nods, following Ki-moon out of the alleyway before the mage bomb went off.

Once they were in the clear, he nods, beginning to walk down the street, keeping his ruined sleeve out of sight as he digs for his cell phone. Thankfully even the more stubborn members of the council had seen the reason as to why they should attempt to keep up with technology, even if magic did the job sometimes just as well, if not better in some cases.

Young-ho quickly sends off a text message while they walk, but not five minutes after he does so, does his phone start to play what sounded like ... "Kung-fu Fighting"?

(Young-ho would insist that it was Molly's idea to put the song on his phone in the first place, he hadn't looked into changing it lately with everything going on.)

He quickly answers it before it can go on any further- ]

I would've been okay if you texted me back instead of calling, you know.

[ "Yeah, but figured in case you get jumped again, I can at least figure out where you're at." ]

... Thank you for the vote of confidence.

[ "Holy shit you did get jumped, you only get snarky when you're irritated. Meet me at the old spot, I'll make sure to have my usual loadout." ]

I don't think we will be fighting any more tonight-

[ "Says the guy who just had to deal with an assassination squad ten minutes ago on the borders. Uh, dude - I kinda have to go out there one way or another, so. Might as well save myself a trip." ]

If you insist.

[ Young-ho sighs, shaking his head slightly before pocketing the phone once he hangs up. ]

It shouldn't be much further for us to get there.

[lesinset]

[ As soon as he was sure they were safely away he set Dusty down, who gave a slight huff and smoothed his shirt back into place. Tarr ignored the huff since he knew it was just show and instead waited for Young-ho to get a hold of his contact. He did smile at what parts of the conversation he managed to hear, even though he kept his gaze on Dusty.

The mage looked at him and then sighed, moving over to stand close and reaching up to cup Tarr's face. The vampire sighed and leaned down, cupping his face in return. They stood like that for a long moment before pulling away at Young-ho's words. ]

I'm sorry if this puts you in trouble with your contact.

[interposal]

[ Young-ho lets out a small snort, shaking his head. ]

It won't. If anything, she owes me a favor regardless, so it makes us more even, at least.

[ "The old spot", in this case, was actually the rooftops above a club not too far from where they were walking anyway. Not only was it technically in a buffer zone as far as territories were concerned, it also was on the border of where most knew Molly's main base of operations was. As such, there was less chance of them being overheard anytime soon.

She's already there by the time the vampires and the mage make it to the roof, back turned to them while she had her arms crossed and looking out toward the city. She wasn't kidding about the usual loadout - a bandoleer of knives was strapped to one of her thighs as well as a pair of greaves on her legs and gauntlets at her hands, and Young-ho recognized the reinforced top she wore that had protective sigils etched into the leather lining on the inside.

She regards the trio with a bit of a wild grin once she turns around - even though she was completely human, the flash of teeth when she smiled could've very well belonged to a vampire for all its sharpness. ]

You got here faster than I expected.

[ Molly shrugs. ]

Sorry? Look, things have been way too quiet around here, and I'm not in the mood to get caught with my pants down if someone else decides to get cheeky.

[lesinset]

[ As first meetings went, both Tarr and Dusty were not dressed to impress. Tarr had his usual clubbing gear on, showing that he had expected to go trolling for a meal or ten after he took a quick peek at how Young-ho was doing. Dusty was dressed more for relaxing at their hotel room, probably even set to binge watch one of his dramas or the like. But despite at how off-footed they had been made, they both were professionals and did not get startled easy. Tarr glanced at her weapons, before nodding once while Dusty took a few steps away from the vampires and letting his shadows coil up over his shoulders and into the ground behind him. ]

Young-ho told you what happened?

[ Dusty glanced over at Tarr and snickered, getting a flat look in response. ] Stop that.

[stanceshift]

[ It actually speaks to how much she's changed over the course of the last year or two that she thought ahead enough to dress for a potential fight. She doesn't react to Dusty's shadows sweeping over him, but she does nod, lightly scratching at her scalp as she nods. ]

Yeah. Should've figured it would be a matter of time before they found out about the whole sneaking out business.

It's not-

Dude. It's classic teenager sneaking out. Only difference is that you've got some of your retainers to cover your ass. [ She raises an eyebrow with another grin, but she doesn't look mad or like she's trying to admonish Young-ho for his habits. ]

But yeah. Assassin squad. And ones that don't come cheap, either. Granted I suppose with what we're trying to at least get a start on, we'd piss off some people in high places. [ She's fairly animated while she talks, hands almost never staying in one spot while she's talking as she shifts between her feet. She has a lot of energy to burn off, it seemed. ]

You guys should be safe if you stick around here for a bit - they shouldn't be dumb enough to send another set around here, anyway. Not if they don't want a boot up their asses.

[ She pauses for a moment before she regards both Tarr and Young-ho, frowning in slight confusion for a split second before a look of dawning realization makes itself known. ]

Huh. Similar bitchface, even. Thought I was the only one between us that has connections in high places. [ Molly lightly elbows Young-ho's side with a cocky smirk, to which he responds with a long-suffering sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. ]

Molly...

[lesinset]

She's right.

[ Look. He may not have had the chance to work with teenage humans, but Tarr has had a hand in helping out young vampires and he was well aware at how they like to sneak away from home to do things that they know is wrong. Young-ho might be old enough to know that it was wrong but it still wasn't going to stop him, especially since he was determined to see what the world was like without being surrounded by his clan. ]

It's not like anyone can sneak up on me that easily. [ Dusty sniffed as he said that before glancing over at the two vampires and sidling over to stand near Molly, leaning in to stage whisper. ] Scary, isn't it? I never knew someone else can do a resting bitchface like Tarr until now.

[ Tarr shot Dusty a look and Dusty smiled back, one of the tiny shadow feelers waving from his shoulder and making the vampire roll his eyes. Typical of the mage. Serious whenever there was danger but give him someone to gossip with and he becomes this nagging ball of dramatics. Tarr decided to ignore the mage for a while and instead turned towards Young-ho. ]

This might be a mistake letting those two meet.

[interposal]

[ Molly gives an "I told you so" grin to Young-ho before she slips further back. While he never had raised a hand against her outside of sparring matches, she liked to keep it that way.

He lets out a sigh, shaking his head as the huntress and the mage stand next to each other. ]

Perhaps. But I don't think we have much choice in the matter at this point. At least until we finish our earlier discussion.

You wound me! [ She fake-clutches her chest before straightening to her normal stance, giving Dusty a wink before continuing, her expression softening slightly: ]

All jokes aside - only reason I picked up on it was because you two are still tired from the fight - makes your energy easier to read. Though honestly I have half a mind to talk with gramps about this.

[ Young-ho rolls his eyes. ]

So all that aside, even without knowing how the jackass that pulled this operates, we obviously can't count on this being an isolated incident. Young-ho here being a young lord notwithstanding, yours truly is someone they don't like on principle for two reasons. One - I'm first and foremost a huntress. Protecting humans is my goddamn job. I try to be more sympathetic than most, but point stands.

Two - on top of that, I just so happen to be related to one of the few lords they can't do much about without getting annihilated.

We're shaking things up too much, we already know that, Molly.

Shush, I'm thinking out loud. So because of that, between the two of us, Young-ho here's the one that's more likely to be targeted due to there being less repercussions for doing so.

[ She's pacing while she says the rest of this, only to stop and make a somewhat dramatic flourish. ]

So the motive's clear as fucking crystal, we just need an actual piece of solid evidence that this Sang-suk asshole is the one that hired those Bloodfangs that were after you.

Yes. Basically. Though what would be easy for you to trace with a paper trail isn't so easily done in our realm, Molly. Though, right now ...

[ She tilts her head, confused at the more pensive than usual look on his face as she drops to a more neutral pose. ]

I want to speak to them alone. Please. Do what you have to in order to find what you need, but not here. [ His voice is quiet, but authoritative. If it weren't for the fact that he wouldn't do it to a friend, Young-ho's voice might've actually been laced with a glamour when he issues the plea.

(Even though they both know that Molly would be able to fight it, if only a little.)

She nods with a sigh, shrugging. ]

Alright, alright. Let me know if you need anything, I'll be back at the scene of the crime. Might be able to dig something up.

[lesinset]

I really don't want to talk about it too much.

[ Dusty rolled his eyes. In his opinion, Tarr always does not want to talk about anything. It took a lot of get him to really start, and even in their partnership there were moments that the vampire would just shut up and make faces. Well. Dusty called them faces but other people may not even be able to get a read on his expressions so easily. ]

Tell the kid. He may need to know and it's not like he will tell it to everyone else.

[ Tarr just stared at Dusty. The mage grinned even wider and leaned closer to Molly, dropping into another stage whisper. ] You know, I think that he wants me to go too. Mind if I tag along? I can help.

[ The elder huffed slightly, looking away since he knew that no matter what he said, Dusty was still going to do some gossiping. It was fine, maybe. The mage might actually figure something out and it would be easier to talk without him underfoot, butting in and being Dusty. ]

I'm not holding you here.

[interposal]

Sure, let the two grump-asses figure out whatever it is they need. You might be able to pick up on something I can't, anyway.

[ She flashes him a thumbs-up before letting out a fond huff of air at Young-ho, already getting ready to jump back down into the alleyway. ]

My bike's near here anyway, just redirect me over there and we'll be set.

[ Young-ho watches them go, shaking his head lightly before turning to face Ki-moon again. ]

As much as she likes to tease, she is good at what she does. They'll find something to help us along.

What else was Dusty talking about, though?

[lesinset]

[ She had to be good for her to have gained enough prestige to at least hold some sway among the vampires. Tarr still couldn't help the slight feeling that scraped down his spine as Dusty took off with her. It wasn't the first time his partner went off to do something somewhere that might annoy other people that then try to kill him, but it still was worrying. Humans were fragile no matter what power they had.

He took a deep breath and pushed the feeling aside. Dusty would just tease him about it if he knew anyways. ]

Ah. The fact that I keep tabs on the family line.

[interposal]

Admittedly I tried to stay out of our family's business after I was turned - it was for the better, or so I thought.

[ His lips twist into a sardonic smirk at the apparent irony at this before he looks away again, frowning slightly. ]

Not that I'm saying anything against the revelation earlier, of course. But now you do have me curious.

I know I had cousins, and my wife did have a daughter before, but - [ He makes a vague gesture with one hand, but even if he doesn't say anything past that, Ki-moon should easily get the implications. ]

[lesinset]

I understand. I was kept away by distance and by my Maker; it was one of the many reasons why I broke free so soon.

[ His sisters needed him in one form or another. Well, the one was married and it was a good match, but the other had been young and his father had been older. He didn't like the idea of him not there making sure they stayed safe as he could make them. That anger helped with weakening the hold that his clan leader held over him.

When he finally made it back home, Tarr had spent a lot of time searching records and listening in corners until he had an idea of what had happened and where the family could have gone. The records were sketchy thanks to the wars, but he finally did find them all. He had nieces and nephews, and he kept track of them. In some cases, he moved a few small pieces to make sure they stayed safe, or that they managed to survive. It had been guilt after all, but it was nice, seeing some of them grow up.

He pursed his lips at Young-ho's words, thinking over the information he had on their blood relatives. ]

There was a few cousins. I think one died childless, but the rest have had descendants. One of them is a Director of Finances in a corporation. The daughter married; I believe there were three children. Two married, and one had a same sex partner, though they did not tell their families until after they died.

[interposal]

It didn't help I've been on the other side of the world ever since I was still human.

[ There's a small sense of shame burning in his gut when he thinks about it - but he had been so out of it the first few decades that he couldn't afford to go back to Korea to see how his family had been doing since he had died. Unlike his great-uncle's maker, Young-ho's was actually fairly sympathetic to a lot of the younger vampire's plight with regard to his family - to a point.

And then came his maker's murder and his subsequent ascension as clan leader. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. ]

Is it sad that despite knowing that it would only bring about more problems, I want to see them? [ He lets out a sad laugh, shaking his head. It would just be another thing to use against him, never mind that the danger they would be involved in would be too great. It's not like Molly's relationship with her ancestor, where she knows exactly what she's getting into and fights on regardless. He's slightly jealous of them for that much. ]