The Light of my Life

Seeing Stars

Far be it for Dilwyn to have suspected a Youkai of that caliber among the patrons. Upon the crowd's arrival they had been carefully checked over via their identification cards. As a Demon it was expected that your species was labeled on the card along with a Grade that identified your Rank. Ranks ranged from C to S class, five ranks in all. A Youkai's Rank was determined by its base power metric. As an adult Youkai reached a certain level of power regardless of health or training so that would be the basis and after a simple test they were given a unique ID card that indicated if they exceed the system. This allows establishments to determine whether or not they allow them onto their property for fear of damage or threat of interracial conflict. While it was ideal everyone got along there were simply just some creatures that could never due to old blood feuds. An almost legendary example would be that of the Vampir and the Lycanthrope.

These ancient orders of enemies have been at war since time immemorial. As apex predators they are at odds with each other for territory, prey, and mates. The simple fact is that Humans have always been a favored choice for them on all counts. Living among the Humans, feeding on humans, and having children with Humans was something both species shared. These conflicts became personal when one race attempted to enslave the other. There have been Vampir under Lycanthrope authority and there have been Vampir that have collared the proud Lycanthrope to use as guard hounds. Come an end to the separation of the Human and Demon worlds these feared races had to find neutral ground. Today all Vampir can be found in Asian territories while Lycanthrope prevail on the European reaches of the continents. It was all to preserve the peace.

But there were also Demon like this omukade which were not allowed in crowded, public areas due to being aggressive and voracious predators to all other species.

"Eeeh?" The omukade demon raised his face up from behind the camera, the man having gotten in the way of his wonderful photo opportunity. "Who the hell do you think you are? I'm with the press! I've got rights on a public sidewalk." Though he only had twisted mandibles visible one could see the dark grin he offered threateningly to Tamotsu.

"Rights...?" Tamotsu murmured as he gently brushed the tips of those silver claws along his skin, as gently as a parent touched their child. "The only right you have is to be ripped apart by me..." His voice was low, almost imperceptible save between the demon and him.

"Momo..." Illyana stood behind him, clutching the microphone.

Even though she wanted to do something she wasn't allowed to participate in conflicts lest further harm come to her reputation.

For a moment the man's eyes would darken, his raven hair hiding away his deep, chocolate eyes. The centipede leaned back, the crowd having thinned out and ran in different directions to avoid touching his body when they realized it was a centipede demon. Centipede demons were often misconstrued for being poisonous due to the barbed hairs along their bodies, but they are indeed venomous, excreting a paralyzing poison they use to stun prey. The youkai examined Tamotsu. He had hunched forward and was murmuring to himself. It started to creep the demon out, but he realized what Tamotsu had said. He was going to...?

"You've picked the wrong target." The photographer chuckled, feeling the man's murderous intent. "Fuck off, Human!" While he was talking with Tamotsu the centipede was coiling his tail behind the man where his tail's pincers raised up to strike.

In a flash the tail lashed down, aiming for Tamotsu's neck, but as the tail came down the manager raised his monstrous hand and snapped their grip around one of the knife-sized pincers.

"Hmm, small." He pursed his lips before his eyes pinched up into a smile towards the insect youkai.

"What?!" The bug's face twisted up in a sneer as he clutched his camera. "Wha--!"

The demon let out a shout when his body was suddenly jerked to the side, his camera falling from his hands. To the photographer's luck it hung from his neck by a strap. Tamotsu whipped out his right arm like throwing a pitch, pulling his body through the forward motion. The act ended up taking the long, coiling body of the insect with its momentum, gravity doing the demon grave misfortune. The irate manager dragged the demon's tail through the air with such aggression his long, carapace-covered body seemed to whistle against the air. An adult omukade was over 106 kg, but Tamotsu treated him like a child's stuffed doll when he brought the beast around and slammed his body onto the ground as if he was a wet piece of dirty laundry. To his misfortune his camera would swing around and slam into his face.

~B A M~

The photographer was piled into the ground, the sound almost deafening and the force nearly knocking people off their feet. The concrete was shattered with an outline of the demon's body. When his back struck the sidewalk the centipede coughed out a mouthful of blood before his face turned blue from the pain. The shouts of the panicked crowd soon quieted. The sight was unbelievable to say the least. Such a thing was expected from trained bodyguards, but there were none that expected the manager to act so quickly. The bodyguards and security team assigned to the venue soon rushed to the scene to subdue the demon. Tamotsu looked to his right arm, the monstrous hand still clutching onto the centipede's stinger. Tamotsu had walked up to where the demon's head was, staring down at the youkai.

"Hoo..." He murred softly. "A souvenir? Maybe you'll be reminded of our time together, little bug." His voice was soft, but it was loud enough for the photographer to hear before he lost consciousness.

Stepping back Tamotsu would tuck the object into his vest before taking out his phone. It was still in one piece at least. Putting it back he watched as the team collected the troublemaker. The manager narrowed his eyes, the deep wood-colored gaze practically burning a hole into the demon with his disgust. Returning his expression to its neutral state the man would turn on his heel and walk toward Illyana.

The Vampir gasped and held out her hands. "Momo, are you okay?" She looked down at him from her stand in worry.

He frowned. "Lily, my dear don't frown. You don't want your fans to worry."

Blinking the white-haired Vampir realized her expression. Since Tamotsu was fine she didn't need to worry. If he was hurt he'd surely look it, right? Exhaling a soft breath Illyana calmed herself before standing tall, her smile returning.

"That's better. What a cute vision." Tamotsu praised. "May I borrow the microphone Lily?" He held out his hand.

"O-oh, yes, here." She had not yet turned the device on so there had been no feedback in the exchange.

Wrapping his hand around the object he would hold still, his fingers touching against her glove covered hands. Lily shivered, the hesitation confusing her. When she turned her crimson gaze towards the man he was looking right at her. She felt her cheeks heat up before she looked away shyly.

"W-what is it?" Even if Tamotsu's interests were different she couldn't help but feel shy beneath his scrutiny.

He became aware of his actions. "Oh, I apologize. I was just thinking... if Lily keeps doing such a good job she should reward herself, you know?" He nodded before turning away.

Adjusting his clothing and rolling his sleeves back down it would look like whatever that monstrous limb was, had vanished, as if it was just a passing hallucination. When Tamotsu turned the mic on there was a moment of feedback, but he kept his hand covering the mouthpiece to limit the intensity. At this the crowd, who were being handled by security, would turn their eyes forward. The man had a relaxed expression, his eyes closed as he waited for the chatter of the fans to settle down. Raising his head he would smile, eyes pinched closed in a fox-like expression.

"My, my such excitement. But isn't it the job of the prince to rescue the princess?" The manager's words looked to confuse the crowd. As they were slowly ushered back to the vicinity now that the Centipede was taken away and handed over to police custody, they could give their attention back to the event. "I don't know how many of you heard, but because of men like that, surprises meant for you fans are ruined."

Looking around, people would murmur in confusion. Tamotsu smirked darkly, but the expression flashed by so fast it may as well not have existed.

"You see Illyana and I were going to announce that we were dating at today's event and do a photoshoot, but it seems one individual jumped ahead of things and took it into their own hands. So because of that I will, unfortunately, be canceling the last part of the event and take our tired heroine home." Disappointment washed over the crowd. "Not to worry. We will be holding another event soon, so I hope you all come properly support Illyana with your kindness. We don't need hooligans like that giving her trouble, hmm?" After a moment there were a few in the groups that would agree, soon a passing and frantic desire to shame the rabble rouser. And with that the event would end...