Happy Mother's Day(Ozaki/One other)

The Nightmare would hum as he brought the small bat closer as if to keep it warm, but whether he could or not was questionable. Even so he liked the creature closer. The bird on Ozaki’s head would turn its head to the side and bury its beak into it feathers, the pattern of breathing similar to sleep. Animals and random things aside, the Nightmare would eventually part his lips.

“So the majority just see it fit to know enough to be able to use them. I am not sure if that is sad or not. For me it seems like a great loss.” One could probably learn a ton just from being around these usually secretive creatures. So much loss…

“Different is not so bad as long as you are happy with the results. And being part of the flock seems like a good place to be.” Kind of didn’t have to worry about the usual things an outsider would. On that note, the creature did take note of a slight disturbance in the calm causing him to ask an additional question on the matter. “Does it bother you? Being different?” He would ask the question, but not just because of the disturbance he felt. No the reasoning behind that was a bit more complex, but at least he could deliver it as a simple curiosity question.

Speaking of curiosities, he did take full note that the other didn’t comment on his words regarding not giving up. In fact, after a pause the other continued on like the subject didn’t even exist, he focus on bats. Was he avoiding something again? And if so, why?

….

“That seems like a rather complex system you got going on there. Didn't even know they could push buttons." That was quite the skill to be frank. "Though if you track does that make you an information gather or a hunter?” he would begin easily enough as he left the omission for the moment on the back burner to cook. He would chuckle softly at the last part though. “Well everything has its prices, so I can see a careful eye being able to figure it out due to pattern or type. Though these are not the blood sucking bats no?”

Heh. It seemed they agreed in some fashion about the vampires not getting to know the bats beyond simply having them as minions, but outside of the agreement the Nightmare did nothing to try to add onto that piece of conversation, his focus turning to the topic of being different.

He would hear the response, his expression an unreadable one as he looked to the side in thought. He could sense that this topic bothered the other, the strange distortion in the peace signaling another emotion in the air. However this one was different than the spice of rage or agitation though for the moment he did not put a name to said emotion.

“Can you elaborate on that?” he would ask the other, his tone soft as usual as he kept moving. Different results? What sort of results was he talking about? Good ones? Bad ones? Some other form of result? It was true, he had not grown up shunned or anything like that…yet somehow deep within the other side was reacting to this guy’s words. Was it relating and if so why? Why did the topic of being different make the Nightmare uncomfortable in his own way too if none of this happened to him? Why did it feel it did? Was this a result of his other side being there?…Did something happen to it because it was different? He almost wanted to ask, but was too scared to poke the creature and risk losing this current peace to a fight with it for control. No. He would push the thoughts away, trying to keep his mind clear for an answer.

Letting that topic float where it would, the Nightmare would get pulled back into the talk of bats and buttons as his attention was drawn to the movement of the other’s wing. The temptation too touch the wing was great to be frank, but Nightmare would hesitate as his eyes were drawn to the point on the bat wing as the other explained just how a bat could push a button with it among other things. “I knew the grip thing from observing them in nature. It is just the digit is so small in comparison to a button, I did not think it could be used to push a button.” He would carefully shift the baby bat in his hand so he could still hold it with one hand -- or rather along his hand and arm like a baby – and use his free hand to reach out to gently grab an edge of Ozaki’s wing. He wanted to know what that wing felt like and also just examine its structure a bit though whether he succeed or not was left up to fate. Either way, he would let time do what it wanted to there as the bird on Ozaki head shifted slightly in its sleep.

“I know animals can be trained, but how do you train a bat to do such thing and in turn recognize a signal to do something?” He knew with work a dog or cat could be trained and even some wild animals, but a bat? Not only was that an unusual choice, but how did they learn and memorize things? It didn’t seem like the other was implying he controlled them much so what did he do? And how did he do it among a flock? The questions kept flowing in alright, but Rika was kind enough to keep himself restrained from rattling them all off at once.

That aside, he would find himself unconsciously smiling a bit at the hunting topic. He would hum slightly amused at this one. “You seem to know much on hunting. Perhaps we can go hunting together one day. Who knows, I may be able to sharpen my skills and learn a trick or two,” he would say his voice taking on a slightly more bolder tone versus the usual softness he talked with. It was something subtle and something those who did not know him well wouldn’t understand. But he understood it….that thing in him was actually participating in everyday talk without being triggered by something negative? Now what new hell was this? Was it good or bad this happening? The Nightmare wasn’t sure, but it did bother him that he was flipping between himself and the beast so easily today. Did something internally break? Let’s hope not. He really didn’t want his personal shit coming in to ruin things….though….he supposed as long as It was behaving this was fine.

Anyway…

“Fruit bats?” the Nightmare would blink at this one finding it quite interesting that a vampire had a vegetarian versus something that fed off blood like himself. The idea was cute and warm all at once making the Nightmare smile in amusement. “Hmmm. That seems like a lovely combo. You and that bats I mean,” he would say enjoying the moment of joy before he was blinking again and probably asking something that could cause problems. “Hunters of any sort are a pain in the ass. You got a vampire hunter issue?” he would ask his voice back to being a different tone than before though his appearance, eyes, and presence remained mostly Rika’s. The dark taint to it only noticeable by something super sensitive to such energies.

He had his ways of picking up on things, emotions and subtle cues that made him always wonder just what one was thinking; however, depending on mood he could choose to poke or not poke. Lucky for the other for the moment things were not to the point that the Nightmare dug into the smallest of changes. Could he tell that this conversation was used to avoid something deeper? Yes, but for the moment he gave the other space though for how long? Who knew. For now though he enjoyed the conversation about bats.

He would raise an eyebrow at what the other said. “That is rather peculiar for a vampire considering we --“ Nope wrong word. The Nightmare pause for a second and shook his head a bit, refocusing so his mind wouldn’t drift so far outbounds. Anywho. “I mean they are typically hunters that like to bite into their prey. Also I have never heard of one using technology to help them do things. That is rather neat,” he would say with a smile. “Though you said you learned such techniquesto feed yourself and others? Why did you do that?” He wanted to know the reason behind that one. Wouldn’t a vampire want to hunt and bite down on fresh prey? Wouldn’t they want to teach someone who could not yet hunt to do the same? So why needles for yourself or others? That was a curious thing to do.

That aside, the curiosity would move over to the other's wings, the Nightmare reaching out to touch them and being allowed to do so too. He took note the other flinched, the Nightmare’s golden eyes tinted slightly red drifting over to the other briefly just to see if it was discomfort or something more negative that would suggest a different course of action. It didn’t seem that the latter was in play so he would continue to examine the wing getting a tad bit closer to look at it and almost, yes almost, tried to snuggle into it; however, a quick thump and a growl in the back of the head from his other side and the presence of that baby bat grounded him. No. No. Let’s not get carried away. This was a person’s wing, so be good…for the moment.

After a few seconds more, he would let go of the wing more to break off the temptation to do something more rather than the fact he was done examining it. Either way, no one would know of the temptation outside of the Nightmare as he gave the other a small smile. “You are very good with examinations. Thank you,” he would say before stepping away as he refocused on the rest of what was being said.

“Hmm,” the Nightmae would tap the index finger of his free hand against his lip. “That is a lot of effort and patience, but it seems you respect them well enough and in the end everyone is happy. That is impressive,” he would say amused at the thought of the other beast taming. It was similar in a way to his own abilities when it came to creatures though he did not seek to control them or use them most of the time, so he didn’t train them but rather learned their language and became a part of the clan so to speak so he could just ask a favor here and there if needed. Yes similar and yet different. “They are clever teaching each other like that to help you. You must be really treasured if they see it worth doing that.” The Nightmare would give a small smile to the other, one that was a bit sad on one hand, but at the same time completely calm. It was hard to say what the Nightmare truly thought of the matter and as soon as it came the smile was gone as the Nightmare choose to look away to focus on a butterfly rather intently in the area.

He watched it fluttering by taking in its coloration before blinking and seeming to relax as he refocused on Ozaki who was now not comfortable again? Rika would tilt his head at the other, an amused smile crossing his lips. “That be disappointing to see. A master hunter that cannot hunt. I would have to wonder many things if I saw that,” he would say before becoming serious again.

“Hunting alone is nice, but one other is always nice if they know what they are doing or can be taught to do so. I like sharing a good hunt, but you? Why alone?”

From what he observed of the other, he highly doubt that this alone thing was simply because he liked solitude on a hunt. There had to be more to the story if one was uncomfortable at the mere idea of bringing another no? He waited to be proven wrong or right before focusing on the fruit bat thing.

He’d raise an eyebrow about the other being a fruit bat. “Oho? You like fruit baskets then?” the Nightmare would ask seeming quite excited about that idea, but why who knew. The point was he found it amusing that of all the bats out there this one was a fruit bat versus one with more of a darker myth around it. Amusing and fitting. This one did seem to gentle versus a vicious hunter type, but then again he could be hiding a beast much like himself. Hmm… “I wonder what determines what sort of bat you are in the end..” Genetics? The one who made them? Your soul? Heh. It was probably a question he would not get an answer to. The Creator of All's ways sometimes much too confusing to simply break apart and analyze.

Regardless of that, the amusement would die down as the conversation turned to hunters. To the response the Nightmare would narrow his eyes as he saw the flicker of anger come back to the other. He really did hate that hunter…didn’t he? He contemplated what to do with what he had before opening his mouth. “Hunters…of all sorts can become rather painful to talk about, especially when it something close to you. I think that makes it all the more offensive in the end.” He would say the words and watch the other with an icy glare not directed at him, but rather something deep within. The intense stare would last for only a moment before the Nightmare was shifting in his spot and moving a little bit up the road not giving any explanation to why he said what he did or why he seemed to reflect a bit of anger himself when saying such words….

Oho? So he caught onto those things? The Nightmare would consider the question he was asked for a moment. Consider how much he wanted to give before he gave the simplest of answers. “Yes, I do have vampiric blood in me,” he would answer in a calm tone, though he wouldn’t go beyond at the moment. The other could poke if he wanted to, but would he get answers? Well it would depend on what he asked. Going down the rabbit hole of what the Dreamweaver truly was could become a touchy subject. One that he was unsure if he wanted to share with one who did not like to share his own private business let alone someone he didn’t know well enough to trust fully. Even if those issues were aside, he was curious how bold this one was with poking. Would he dig further or back off? Either way, the Nightmare gave no sign that he was bothered by such questioning as he instead waited to see if the other would answer his own question and when he did, the Nightmare would raise an eyebrow.

“This top secret now?” he would question his arms folding for a moment as he considered the hand not because he didn’t want to shake, but rather it took a moment for him to realize that it was for something. Like sealing a deal perhaps. He wasn’t sure, but after some consideration on certain things he would reach and take the hand. “I won’t tell.” More than likely he’d stash it in a note somewhere later though, but that was okay as long as no one saw it right? As for that sudden eye contact thing…he considered not meeting the gaze having a feeling where this might go, but in the end he decided to let this play out as his eyes narrowed slightly as he met the other's gaze. What was he planning to do? And why go through all this trouble just to tell him about why he did a thing?

Well wherever that went, the Nightmare found the other quite cute and amusing for both the examination of his wing and then later the reaction to his comments about the way he had handled the bats he had. Both reaction reminded him of a curious and shy child. Something precious really even if it was for only a few seconds these small glimpse existed. “It seems nice to have a family like that.” The Nightmare would smile softly at that one thinking back for only a short period of a time of a time that was happier for himself when he had something similar to a family. So long ago that seemed. So long…Oh? The Nightmare would blink as he returned to reality the memories sealed again as he tilted his head. “How long have you been a vampire?” This one looked quite young, but maybe he was a lot older than he seemed.

That aside, the Nightmare would chuckle easily enough about the hunter comment finding it quite amusing that the other seemed to be pretty straight forward in options for those who could not hunt. “You speak as if all failed hunters go to school.” What if they didn’t go to school what would they do then? He was almost tempted to poke into that matter, but for now would see where the conversation would go without added fun stuff….or at least fun for him. On the note of going places, let’s examine the hunting alone topic, shall we?

Uh-huh. Hear the way he was explaining his reasoning for hunting alone? Mhmm. Alright then. The Nightmare would tilt his head. "Information gathering can be spread out between party members. Widen the web so to speak to gather more. As for staying a distance to hunt, if we are talking about live prey you could always combo a close range person with a your ranged style to get the kill.” There were many ways to work another into a hunt of any sort. “So then…Tell me the real reason don’t want anyone with you.” Well he wasn’t going to wiggle his way out of it that easily. Try another story, yes? Regardless he would watch the other like a cat for a moment before finding himself becoming highly amused when it came to fruit baskets.

The change from rather serious prying to completely over joyed was a jarring one yes, but the Nightmare was a pro of switching moods unexpectedly. He was practically glowing with joy now. “Oh! I can make a nice basket for you with lots of kiwis,” he began and then becoming more serious gave him a sheepish smile. “Besides it the least I can do. You did give me food after all.” Though that situation was completely different he was still grateful for those containers. Oh yeah. He’d have to remember to give them back to the guy soon. He made a mental note of that before listening to the other speak. “Mmm. Science leads me not to believe is random, but I would have to do a deep study of your kind to find out. Though does considering where it come from bother you?” Yeah that is right, he was gonna poke the hell out of this to figure out hings. No disrespect to the other, but honestly he would kind of liked to know what was triggering the guy or getting a jest of what it was. Maybe it was because it was a parent thing again? Curious, curious. Anyway….

It would be no surprise the other caught onto his mood. He was doing nothing to hide the fact that something deep within bothered him, but how much he would tell? Well that really depended on how bold the other was. Shall we test bravery and guts? See if the other would push for an answer or give up?

Hmph.

He would stop in his tracks and look over at the other over his shoulder, his dark hair would fall over his face a bit but the eyes remained visible under those locks. Red intense eyes that watched the other coolly. “Something?” he would repeat. “Specify what you want to know.” It was not a gentle suggestion…it was a command. Odd perhaps, but sudden changes were just a thing that came with the dealing with the Nightmare...especially when dealing with touchy topics. Did he do this to scare people away no, but rather it was just his way of handling the ugly matters without crumbling himself. Intense, perhaps, but it was what it was. Now then would the other worry and back off or simply build up the courage to ask further?

The Nightmare would hear the words and give the other a frown, but it wasn’t displeasure, but rather a frown of trying to explain something that was difficult. “I do have vampiric blood in me. This I know. I also know that I am not a pure breed, but what exactly am I mixed with? That is where things get fuzzy. I can’t tell which part of the half is me and the other is him,” he would say before frowning even more a slight bit of distress coming into his eyes. “It is…” He’d sigh. “A frustrating thing to try to explain.” Even more so when he didn’t get the answer. He knew he was vampire at some point, but the other half of him? Why was that so hard to recall or even his parents for that matter? What was it about his past that he couldn’t see or clearly answer things beyond where he lived in isolation with his mechanical parent? He couldn’t figure it out and it only agitated the Nightmare not knowing.

However, the agitation would last for a few moments before it was being swept under the rug as something else came into play and a deal was made. It was true vampiric blood could pose a problem, but even more than that what of a being a concept or dream? Did mind tricks work on them the same way? Well one could argue no, but in this case? The Nightmare allowed it. After all he was very good about keeping a deal.

He would hear the words said, his gaze not leaving the other as he nodded a bit slightly in a trance as he listened. He heard the words and hummed. “So like you eat them whole?” he would ask not sure if he would get an answer or not, but in this state he didn’t mind too much. Regardless of that the moment would eventually end as the Nightmare broke eye contact with the other and things moved onto other matters.

To the family issue, the Nightmare didn’t push any further when he received a nod versus a comment. As for the latter answer…

Rika would look down at the bat in thought. “Fifteen. You are still young then in comparison to some. I’ve been half vampire all my life up until I became a being of the dream that is, but I often wonder if you have two half vampires within one body does that make the halves a whole vampire?” the Nightmare would ask, his questioning strange, but also a sign he was opening up to the other a bit. It seemed that even if the Nightmare was prying earlier, he wasn’t afraid to analyze what he was with another. Too much trust? Maybe, but then again perhaps this was his way of showing fair trade. After all the he had poked into the other pretty ruthlessly before why not allow him to poke back?

Speaking of topics going by without words, the hunter going to school topic would go by too…and so would the topic of hunting in general. The Nightmare would respond to the answer with a light huff and a soft "fine" as he let that topic go for whatever reason. Maybe he didn’t feel like fighting or maybe he too was being pull down from the nice air of earlier as more negative emotions settled in. Who knew.

On the note of negative emotions, the Nightmare wouldn’t hide his as his eyes narrowed at the other a flare of agitation there at some thought, but just as suddenly as it was there, the flame went away as the glare soften and the Nightmare actually turned to the other with a soft apologetic smile. “I am going to be frank with you. I do like to dig and I must admit I probably have gotten carried away in prying. I do not mean to make one suffer. I just want the whole story and you’ve given me more than I deserve. I thank you that. As for hunters….my other side doesn’t like them. He hates them…It is something about them destroying happiness that makes him so mad with them, but he won’t share more than unfortunately…..and poking at him is dangerous. I don’t want to harm you, the bat, myself, or this place... so that is the best I can do right now.” He would give the other a small embarrassed smile at the matter that probably opened other questions, but he didn't mind.

Metaphorically? If only it was that simple. No the issue of other self was quite real for the Nightmare that at times felt like a stranger in his own skin. A feeling that only came up again as they talked about what he may be mixed with, but he didn’t run or try to hide it.

“I…” he would frown trying to get his brain to remember something, but nothing came but confusing images. He would sigh and shake his head. “I cannot tell if I was half human….or not. Maybe, but there is other evidence suggesting maybe not. It gets tangled though. Separating myself and what I was from the other…is hard to do. So no…it is not simple at all.” It was quite complicated to be frank and that just added onto the frustration of trying to figure the mess out.

The Nightmare would become quiet for a bit mulling over the mess, the prying from the other not unwelcomed at all. He was actually okay with it…it kind of helped him look at things a different way and try to figure the mess out; however, it would seem the other would not be poking further at the moment leaving the Nightmare to his own thoughts for the time being.

When the other finally did break the silence, the Nightmare would pull himself from the thoughts and look over at the other refocusing. To the answer given he would hum.

“That is unfortunate, yet you avoid doing that so…you don’t like to harm or kill?” It was a curious thing to be sure, but he had to wonder if it was the act that scared him or if the other just didn’t want to needless harm or kill something. That aside though, he would shake his head at the matters of wholes. “I sometimes wonder what makes a whole anything these days. Is it determined by what we are born as? Or….what we make of it in our minds?” Okay maybe he was going a bit off the deep end here, but he honestly did wonder a lot about self and if there were any true solid answers to what he had questions about. Self? Wholeness? Were there answers to that in the universe? Or was that something he had to come to his own conclusions on?

Hmmm…..

Huh?

..Oh...

Rika would blink at the request for the baby bat after he had spoken about potentially being dangerous if he poked his other side. Looking down at the baby bat, he’d hesitate half of him wanting to keep it, but knowing it was probably better this way. With a slight sigh and a bit of a deflated look, he would nod as he paused to perform the transfer being as gentle as the other had been to keep from disturbing the still sleeping creature. He was kind of sad to see it go honestly, but if the other planned to poke him more then it was best if he had nothing to crush if he did lose control to the other side. Either way, he would let this play out as it would.

The Nightmare could only give a small hum of acknowledgment to the statement. It certainly didn’t help him figure out things and it kind of cut off exploring that topic more, as the Nightmare went into his own thoughts about the matter for a second. It was probably for the best, the topic would probably give him a headache in the end.

That aside, the Nightmare would hear the short answer given to question of harming and killing. He would be quiet for a while as he mulled over it. “Ah so you prefer mercy. You seem very kind for a hunter…” Not all hunters were monsters. Just like all predators weren’t monsters. It just some enjoyed the hunt and the kill a ton and even got a kick out of watching things squirm, but not this one… “It is nice to see I am not the only one like that in the hunting world.” Though he had to wonder of the two of them who was the softer one? Who would have issues killing?

He’d see the other take out the blood pack and take a swing of it after shaking his head over something.

….Yeah. Maybe the Nightmare was the softer of the pair. He wasn’t sure, but maybe this one just had lots of control over himself and if one were to take it away…Drive him even further than what happened in the library? Hmmm…No, no. No. Let’s not go down that rabbit hole. Come back to sanity, yes?

“I think…” the Nightmare would pause as he thought a bit on his wording. “I think my questions are hard to answer because it is different for everyone. As for belonging, I think…I can understand that. Not belonging that is. I mean I am not even sure if there are any like me out there and I don’t exactly fit into the norm either. So we have that in common, but maybe…that is okay. I mean we can belong with each and other folks like us right?” There was a tribe for everyone to go to right? Even if said tribe wasn’t the same species, it was still a place to belong. Home. Family. That is what helped things not be so bad right? He wasn’t too sure about that, but he’d like to believe in something that wonderful could exist. He knew the idea made him feel less odd about being what and who he was at times.

Anyway…contemplative time went to a bit of a sad time for the Nightmare as the baby bat was taken away from him. He really wanted to keep hold of it, but…He would shake his head at the other as he gave him a small smile. “It’s alright. You have nothing to apologize for. Even though I try to be as harmless as possible, I know that baby is safer with you. It is no telling what might happen if I had something that precious in my hand and lost control.” He was a concept…a dream. He wasn’t supposed to be able to kill things of reality…and yet he often wondered….If he lost control to the thing within…would that change? It was a dark thought that he quickly shoved down as he looked up at the bar sign.

“Ah so we have,” he would say as the bird on Ozaki’s head shifted in its spot and after a few stretches flapped off his head and towards a tree nearby. Perhaps bats were easy to get in if they were hidden, but a bird? He wondered if the people running the place would like that. Hmm well better safe than sorry he supposed. In any case, he would study the sign for a moment longer before following the other into the mostly empty bar. That was not expected from what he heard of bars. “Is it not ready for business?” he would ask looking around.