Another day, another murder.

Once again, the patrol captain stared down at the three corpses who's life liquid stained the white snow. The man was in his mid forties, with a bushy mustache and large build. His hairline was receding and his face had wrinkles and creases that came from years frowning.

"This is the eight time this month, and thirty third one since these killings started."

"Yeah... the ones we know about, anyway." The cop turned to his subordinate, raising a brow. "There were more?"

"Probably, but if there were, they are hiding it."

"'They'?"

The underling pointed a thumb over his shoulder, eyes half lidded in vague annoyance as a group of uniformed men headed towards them. "...'They'."

The head of the group sneered at the captain. "Step aside, we are taking over this investigation." The captain scowled, but moved aside, knowing the routine.

As they group went past them, the captain turned to the underling. "The Okayami Corporation has been a pain in the ass as of late. They always seem to prevent us from investigating." The other shrugged. "I suppose justice doesn't matter if you have money, hm? But, Captain... Do you think it was Eisolace again?"

The captain nodded, turning and walking away, subordinate following. "I believe so. Once again, that man killed members of Okayami Corp, but as to why... Well, everyone knows that company is shady, but would that warrant murder? I do not know, evidence is nearly impossible to get."

Both men sighed, and looked up as a young girl walked past, face buried in her coat collar. They disregard her and turned a corner. The girl continued walking on, pale green sheepskin boots making a trail in the heavy snow as her coat, a large but rather cute tanned article of clothing with various white wool linings, was dotted in small clumps of snow from the recent snow fall that happened but ten minutes ago. A pale green knitted ski cap covered her head, but long, wispy auburn strands could not be confined underneath and trailed behind her like a banner. Her pale blue eyes were half lidded, eyebrows down in an irate manner as her 5'3 foot frame disappeared through the door of a tavern.

"Oh! Welcome back~ How are you? Give me a hug~"

The girl did not reply to the busty woman, who pouted after her. "Fine then, be that way. I won't give you any of the chips I bought earlier." The girl paused, and then with a scowl that was not seen behind her collar, turned and hugged the woman, who nearly crushed her in return. Satisfied, the woman gave the girl a bag of lays potato chips. The girl took them and grumbled her way up the stairs. The woman simply laughed and returned to her work.

"Connie has decided to be extra difficult today, I bet~!"

The woman opened the tavern door and noticed police officials patrolling around. Giving a cheery wave to them, she noted the ravens gathering upon the rooftops and frowned. She brushed back her short red hair, brown eyes narrowing as her pale lips pursed in irritation. She brushed some snow off of her dress, which clung to her hourglass frame, and turned to return inside, only to be greeted with...

Another bar fight. Great. She sighed.

"Will you two stop!?"

"Shut the hell up, you stupid broad!"

"Hey!" She rushed forward, only to be knocked back harshly into the wall by a back hand as the men continued their brawl. "Eeeee!"

Gil grimaced as he pushed his way through the gathering crowd on the sidewalk, flashing his fake Criminal Photographer I.D. badge to the local police officers, he pulled his camera out of his shoulder bag and began snapping pictures of the grisly murdered trio.

"Hey, haven't they already sent one of you photo techs here already?" asked the younger looking cop. "He left here only a few minutes ago."
"Well, they like to send two of us, you know, get different angles, perspectives, all that crap," Gil replied nonchalantly, looking every part the disgruntled employee who just wanted to get his work done and get home. Gil was good at fooling people, at making them believe he was exactly what he said he was. Being a freelance photographer who mainly sold to high paying newspapers and magazines, it paid to be a good actor. So Gil was usually always able to get the money shot.

"Step aside, we are taking over the investigation." Ah, the ever shifty Okayami Corporation. Gil sighed as he took a few more shots. One of their goons took notice.
"Hey, didn't you hear the man? This is our investigation now, and that means no flash photography." The muscular 6'5" man grabbed the camera from Gil's hands and smashed it on the ground.

"Aw man, that was a $2000 camera, I'll be expecting full compensation!" Gil backed up as the goon advanced towards him. "Should I just send the bill to your address in the phone book?" As the goon lunged, Gil ran.

A couple of blocks away he paused, slightly out of breath, and starting grinning. Putting his hand inside his jacket pocket he felt the small hidden digital camera inside that had been taking photos every 3 seconds. He let out a little chuckle, before shivering at the cold.

Still smiling, he decided to go for a drink at the tavern he sometimes frequented. Pulling his thick winter coat around his rake-thin body he made his way through the snow, snowflakes drifting down to settle in his dark brown curly hair.

Just as he entered the tavern, he noticed a bar fight, starting. He didn't think he would need to get involved until he saw the innkeeper get backhanded into the wall. For Gil, that was enough.
"Alright boys, I think that's quite enough wouldn't you say?" Gil moved firmly between the two. "We're all just here to have a good time aren't we?"

"Get-outta- ma-way," the particularly drunken one slurred as he tried to crash tackle Gil. Gil who had learned to be rather quick on his feet, was able to slide out of the way quickly while the man fell flat on his face. Grinning widely, Gil turned to the other man, who wasn't quite as drunk.

"You need to mind yer own business," he growled, reeking foul breath.
"Well you need to stop creating havoc in this here tavern." Gil replied, sharply, wrinkling his nose at the smell. "And what have you been drinking? Methylated spirits?"
The man's face went even redder as he swung his fist at Gil, who quickly ducked, landing a swift blow to the man's solar plexus. Choking slightly, the man fell to his knees, before struggling to his feet again, gasping like a fish.
Gil just shook his head sadly, "I just wanted a damn drink." He moved aside to miss the man's punch, but not fast enough. His fist grazed Gil's face, smarting the area below his eye.
Gil, however, used this opportunity to grab the man's arm and twist it behind his back, putting his head in a headlock, cutting off the man's air, who without oxygen, soon slumped to the ground.

Gil sighed and stepped over the unconscious bodies. Although he didn't look it, Gil was a good fighter, being quick and light helped a lot, plus he often got caught in sticky situations and so had learned a trick or two over the years.

He turned to the innkeeper. "Are you alright?" he asked smiling at the older woman.

The woman gave a sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you, sir! They might've caused more damage before Connie could take care of them if you hadn't arrived! Oh, speak of the devil. Connie! Hi sweety, you can put that thing away now, this fine gentleman took care of it~"

The girl was on the stairs near the bottom, coat gone to reveal a pale pink camisole and dark blue denim skirt. Her hat was also missing, leaving the top part mussed in what was widely known as hat hair. In her hand, however, was a large metal bo-staff, and after a few moments of half lidded staring, scowled and leaned the weapon against the wall.

The girl trudged towards the bar and opened a mini fridge underneath the surface, grabbing a carton of strawberry milk before sitting behind the counter. The woman watched with amusement as Connie attempted to poke the straw through the hole of the carton before giving a low pitched whine of anger and stabbing it in, only for the milk to squirt out due to the pressure she was holding into it.

The sight was so amusing many patrons paused their conversation to watch and he made odd noises that seemed more suited for an animal than human and scrounge around for napkins, only to meet more dilemmas in the form of the cabinet holding them being out of her reach. After a few minutes of futile hopping, she finally figured to climb onto the counter, being careful to avoid placing her feet on the surface, and opening the cabinet...

Only to have the pile of napkins avalanche on her and she herself falling back with an embarrassingly high pitched squeak. Roars of laughter followed this and squeaky growling sounds came from the pile of papers. The woman giggled some and turned back to Gil.

"Sorry about that, Connie's a real klutz when it comes to things like this. Adorable, though~! Oh, excuse my manners, I forgot to introduce myself! I'm the owner of this establishment, Melanie Wintel. And what do I call the savior of my tavern and finances?"

Gil stepped up to the bar, sitting on a barstool comfortably. Turning as the woman pointed out Connie, he watched as she walked over.
"Hello Connie." He flashed her a warm smile. As he watched her play with the strawberry milk, he frowned slightly, confused as to why to girl seemed not to speak. As everyone laughed at her, he remained silent a thoughtful expression on his face.

He started a little when Melanie spoke again, introducing herself properly. "My name is Gilbert, but please, call me Gil. And I am always happy to help, I don't like the sight of a lady getting hurt. Could I please have a scotch on the rocks? If it's not too much trouble" He smiled at her, before wincing, feeling his bruised cheek smart.

"Oh, of course! Just let me help Connie out of that pile..." Melanie slipped behind the counter and pulled the girl out, who looked rather harried and even more irate that before. Melanie quickly cleaned the pile of napkins in recored time, as if things like this happened often. They probably did. She glanced back at Gilbert, about to say something when she noticed his cheek. "Oh my! That must smart something awful! Let me get the first aid kit. Connie, make his drink, would you? Thank you, dear!"

Connie made a sound of annoyance but sighed as Melanie rushed off to get the kit up stairs. However, once the girl got the glass, the sight that followed was impossible to break one's gaze from as she moved with a strange grace. She tossed the ice into the air and landed them perfectly into the glass without looking, seamlessly moving the glass to catch the frozen water, and the way she poured the liquid just right in just the right light so that a water fall cascaded down the ice as a small rainbow appeared over the said falls, hands deftly stopping exactly as the ice was completely submerged. A soft tap of the glass hitting the counter and a slight flick of the wrist sent the beverage spinning down to his seat, stopping right in front of him, not a drop spilled.

Connie put away the bottle and returned to her little stool behind the bar, finally able to drink her milk in peace just as Melanie returned. "Connie! You didn't tell me you used up the bandages! You need to tell me these things, honey!" She turned to Gilbert and pulled out a small square of cloth and a paste, quickly applying the paste to one side before carefully covering the man's injury with it. The ointment was refreshingly cool and smelled slightly of vanilla and cinnamon, and the pain almost vanished instantaneously.

"That should do. In half an hour it'll fall off and you'll be good as new~! Connie made it, you know. Clever kid~!" Connie scowled but a flush could be seen on her tanned face, obviously embarrassed yet somewhat pleased at being praised.

Gil watched a little stunned as the young Connie fixed his drink with amazing bar skills, the likes of which he had never seen in a long time. Nodding his thanks, slightly speechless, he tilted the glass to drain part of the contents. He sighed as the scotch warmed it's way down his throat to his stomach, leaving a slight burning on it's way. This was the way to warm up after being stuck out in the snow for the past hour or two.

Gil was a little unprepared when Melanie came back with a first aid kit.
"That really, isn't necess-" he began, protesting as the woman rubbed some salve on his face. He was slightly taken aback by the woman's forwardness and kindness. Most owners of taverns were hardly this friendly to strangers, even if they were the ones who broke up a bar fight.
"It's really okay, it wasn't much more than a graze." he remarked when she was finished, applying a small square patch to his face. His cheek, however, felt amazingly cool and free of pain. Gil smiled. "Thank-you," he said as he turned to look at Connie as well. The little girl was truly something sort of intriguing. Who was she?

Before Melanie could say anything, a bar maid hurried up to Melanie. "There's been some weird activity going on by the warehouses tonight! Someone says they definitely saw that." Connie looked up, and silently went up the stairs Melanie frowned. "Oh dear... Are you sure that it's tonight?"

"Yes, they are definitely involved..." The barmaid looked around, blinking as she brushed straight brown hair out of her face. "Connie?" She then gave a sigh of exasperation, shaking her head. "And as always, Connie runs off." Melanie chuckled and turned back to Gilbert. "Don't mind Pannima, she's always grumbling about something." Pannima pouted in response. Up stairs, though, on the inner balcony of the second floor, Connie could be seen running with a something wrapped in cloth being gripped tightly as she ran down a different set of stairs, which presumably lead outside.

A faint voice come from the direction she went, barely able to be heard over the tavern noise and distance. "Connie! Make sure to wash the blood off this time!"

Gil's ears instantly pricked up at the mention of 'weird activity', and the definite emphasis on the word 'that'. Furrowing his brows, he feigned interest in is drink, sipping at the remainder of the contents. He doubted at this point that these people would really have anything to do with the Okayami Corporation, but then again he had definitely learned in the past to believe in the old cliche of 'expecting the unexpected', as well as the fact that most people were rarely what they seemed.

He looked up when he noticed Connie leaving the room, wondering as to where the strange girl was going, and so suddenly. He wasn't sure as to what to make of the girl yet, as he was unaware if she could even speak. She certainly was not stupid so maybe she just preferred not to talk. Gil shrugged. She was only a young girl after all.

Gil's attention back to Melanie. "No worries," he replied in reference to Melanie's explanation. Turning to Pannima he said, "If you don't mind my asking, but what weird activity would you be referring to, Miss?" Gil used his best 'you can trust me' expression, along with a slight seductive curve to his friendly grin, hoping the lady would give him a few hints as to what she was referring to.

Pannima looked as if she wanted to divulge, but didn't, and Melanie sighed. "Oh, its nothing. Did Connie go already?" Pannima shrugged and went back to do her job. Melanie glanced at Gilbert again before smiling. "Would you like anything else? We serve food as well." And it was just as she said this the sound of an explosion was heard. Instead of looking surprised or anything, she looked mildly irritated. Of course, explosions were often heard when Eisolace was about. "Really, why must it always be explosions...?"

---

Another slice, more blood spilling upon the fresh fallen snow. A step back, a pivot to the right, a quick stab. Another body falls. A swift turn, a clean cut. A head rolled. A monstrous roar was heard from behind. "Eisolace...!" A back hand sent the enemy through a pile of crates. A scowl crossed Eisolace's lips, and then a slash was delivered soon after.

The criminal turned, facing a large creature that was simply not human, it's twisted maw roaring. A slice severed it's torso in two, and the creature regained it's human form in death. A couple of humans dashed forward, hands lighting up with an unnatural fire, but the hands were quickly separated from their bodies and another slice silence both forever.

Eisolace paused, frowning. There were usually more than this. But even after waiting for a few minutes, there was nothing. So the criminal sighed, brushing snow off of their black jeans and checking for blood on the black trench coat. Upon there indeed being blood, the wanted killer scowled, although it could not be seen from underneath the long, trailing orange scarf, and took off the said jacket, hoping to get the blood out while it was still fresh. Pulling down their scarf as well, they revealed not only that Eisolace was Connie, but that, if the net shirt and tight fitting sleeveless turtleneck was anything to go by, the girl was actually a boy.

Gil sighed, disappointed that his tactics hadn't worked like he'd hoped. It was usually inconvenient when people didn't fall for his charms, but sometimes Gil liked the thrill of finding out your own information, rather than have someone spell it out for you. This drive is what usually helped Gil to capture the best images, however, it was also this drive that often landed him in a lot of hot water. Either way, he usually enjoyed himself nonetheless.

Gil shook his head to Melanie's inquiry. "No, I'm alright for the time being, just another drink if you will," he replied as he drained the glass, setting it down on the bar, ice cubes clinking together as they hit the bottom.

Gil only made the slightest movement when the explosion occurred, also aware that this was what happened when Eisolace was about, but pasted a shocked look on his face, as though he had never experienced this before. "What's going on, Melanie? What was that explosion?"

This Eisolace was the latest in Gil's interests, a case that he slowly been building up since the killings had begun. It was the reason for him dragging his ass through the icy snow half the time. He couldn't help it. It usually happened 3, maybe 4 times a year. A chance to earn some big money would come to his attention, he would usually complete the assignment, get his cash and go home happy. However, something about the case would strike him as odd or intriguing and suddenly he became his own police force and couldn't rest till he got answers. At the current time, his basement had numerous crime scene photos pegged along a string, in chronological order, all murders directly linked to Okayami Corporation, along with names, contacts and links between each people of each murder.

Melanie blinked. "Oh, that was Eisolace, or I think it was. Explosions seem to be synonymous to that person, anyway." She looked irritated at this. She glanced at the clock and frowned. "Oh dear, I have to go to the old man's place... Excuse me. Ellis! Go get him another scotch!" A small but busty brunette nodded and went behind the bar to fix the drink as Melanie grabbed a coat and exited the tavern. A few minutes later, after Gilbert recieved his drink, Connie returned the way s/he came, attire returned to what he had worn before he left the establishment. He came down stairs just as Ellis walked out from behind the counter.

Just then, a man burst in. "Oy, there's a serial killer cutting down women in the streets as we speak! All you girls, stay inside!" The man caused a bit of an uproar, in which Pannima quickly took charge. "All men here, I'm sorry, but could you help guard the place?" Connie looked around as Ellis gasped. "Melanie!" Quickly, the child turned and ran back upstairs, going right back out again.

"Oh no, this is terrible! Knowing her luck, she'll be headed right towards him!" Ellis cried, burying her head in her hands.

---

Indeed, she was. One of the monstrous creatures was chasing her right that moment, and she wasn't even bothering to scream, it would waste precious breath. Under her arm was a package, and she barely kept the lopping creature at a constant eight meter distance. The thing looked a cross between a puma and a crow, running on four feet with wings closed and attached to the front legs, its beak large and snapping, showing rows to razored teeth.

She vaguely wondered why this always seemed to happen to her, and WHERE THE HELL WAS CONSTANTINE!?

Gil nodded his silent agreement at what he had known all along. It was interesting that this tavern woman knew so much about Eisolace, well enough that she wasn't even rattled when the explosions started. He frowned, this case was becoming even more interesting every day, and strange as well. He looked up at Melanie when she exclaimed about leaving.
"Ah, perhaps you shouldn't go out there-" he managed to get out before she was out the door. "Why is it that women never listen to me?" he muttered to himself, as he sipped at his replenished drink.

Looking up in surprise when a man burst into the room. He assumed the man was talking about Eisolace. However Eisolace didn't attack women in the street, he was quick and cunning and it was usually only those associated with Okayami Corporations that met Eisolace's swift brand of justice. He narrowed his eyes, aware that this was probably something different altogether.
He stood quickly, straightening his jacket. "I know I'm not much to look at, but I can hold my own. I'll go out and look for Melanie and try to stop this crazy son-of-a-bitch." He patted Ellis' arm, smiling gently. "Don't worry I'll find her, somehow."

Gil looked pretty grim as he exited the tavern. All that bravado inside has pretty much just been hot air. While he could stand his own in a fight, he didn't have super ninja assassin skills or anything even slightly heroic. But he didn't exactly like the idea of some crazed maniac killing women in the streets. So he hurried down the snow covered sidewalk, unsure of what was really going on and what he would find once he got there.

A few minutes later, Gilbert would find Melanie practically flying towards him. "Oh god, what are you doing here!?" She asked, almost tackling him due to her inability to slow down. By now he would be able to see the creature that chased them. The woman screamed as it lunged for them, only to be knocked far back into the snow.

Eisolace growled, glaring down at the creature as it stood through the infamous white mask, coat hood drawn up to cover their head. The monster lunged again, the criminal doing so as well, drawing a sword so large it literally was bigger than its wielder from his back, bringing it down in a slicing arc. The creature dodged and attempted to swipe at the man's side, but was blocked by the yatagan the criminal unsheathed, lifting the other sword with one hand, an amazing feat in itself. The monster backed up in surprise, which the criminal used to quickly sheath the smaller blade and swing the larger one with surprising speed, especially since it was still one handed.

The monster roared in surprise and pain as the blade bit into flesh, and with a shrieking cry, back handed the criminal into a wall, three slashes on the man's chest. Melanie moaned. "Oh no...!"

But the man was not down for long. Eisolace was back on his feet and dashing towards the creature, dodging under another swipe to bury the blade deep into the creature's skull. A warbled scream was heard as the blade slid back out with a soft, wet sound before being sheathed and the creature began to shrink until it revealed the corpse of a man- Who was dressed in the uniform of one from the Okayami Corp.

Eisolace turned towards both Gilbert and Melanie, swayed, and then fell face first to the ground, blood beginning too pool around him, blissfully unconscious. Melanie quickly was by his side. "Crap crap crap!" She quickly tried to pick him up, but the sword was too heavy combined with his weight. She frowned, and then removed the sword from the man's person. She looked to Gilbert, eye pleading. "Gil, please... Could you carry that sword and follow me? Please?"

Gil tried to step back as the tavern owner barreled towards him in the snow. He steadied her before she could fall and looked back to see the monstrous shape that had been chasing her. "What the fuck--" Gil choked out just as Melanie was thrown backwards. Gil rushed to her side to make sure she was okay, finally noticing the smallish figure that had arrived on the scene.

Gil watched the figure and the great black puma-crow thing attack at each other in awe. Unsure of what he was really seeing, Gil felt a little overwhelmed. What the hell was that thing?! He watched as the figure finally got in the final stroke, Gil's jaw slightly dropped as he watched the black thing shrink to a man wearing the Okayami Corporation uniform. He had known they were doing some weird experiments, but even he hadn't managed to guess at something this crazy.

Turning to see the smaller figure collapse from several wounds and exhaustion, he eyes sharpened. This must mean... "Eisolace," Gil whispered, still slightly shocked. He shook his head slightly, as Melanie asked him to help. Gil nodded slightly, reaching down to pick up the large sword, feeling how heavy it actually was. "Okay, so where are we going now?"

Melanie did not not reply, gathering Eisolace into her arms, and by then one would realize, in contrast to the woman, that the criminal was but a child, or a very short person. The woman turned and began walking down a series of turns before they arrived at a back alley of where the tavern was, entering through the back door only to be bombarded by worried waitresses.

"Melanie! You're okay!"

"What happened to him?"

"Oh no! He's hurt!"

"Somebody get the medical kit!"

"I'll call the doctor over!"

"Are you sure you're okay, Melanie?"

And then, as suddenly as the questions started, they stopped, an odd hush washing over everyone as Gilbert was revealed carrying the sword. Suddenly, the women looked rather dangerous, defensively glaring at him, ready to do... Whatever they would do. Possibly scratch his eyes out with their long nails.

Melanie quickly waved them off, though. "It's alright, we can trust him." Teh women looked doubtful but seemed to trust the red head's judgement, so they pulled back. Melanie walked up a set of stairs, motioning for Gilbert to follow. They arrived at a small bedroom, and, after setting Eisolace on the bed, began to undress him. The mask and shirt was removed to reveal Connie, and the fact that the child was male.

"I assure you, if you tell anyone, Constantine here will hunt you down himself. That is, if the Okayami corps don't find you first."

Gil's brow furrowed slightly when the woman did not answer his question, but did not say anything further. Instead he hefted the sword so he had a more comfortable grip before following after the woman. Gil's mind raced as he processed the current events. Eisolace was a young child, not the older male he had expected. The Okayami Corporation were conducting weird experiments on their own employees, what sort of company would do that? And what exactly were their plans for crazy hybrid animals?

Following Melanie as she entered the back door of the tavern, he gave a weak smile to the several suddenly vicious looking women eying him off. He didn't particularly feel like fighting, much less fighting women, so he did his best to stay quiet for now.
He followed Melanie upstairs and watched passively as she undressed the young child, seeing that Eisolace was actually a boy, a boy who he had thought was actually a girl by the name of 'Connie'. He had definitely not expected this sort of revelation.
"Constantine?" He questioned. "Ah, Connie... Eisolace?" Gil shook him head. "It's not like I want to meet him in combat... You have my word I will not tell anyone. In fact, I don't know of anyone who would even believe me, much less what I would tell them exactly."

Melanie smiled at that. "I know. Just making sure, though." She began cleaning the wounds, wincing at the angry gashes across the boy's chest. After cleaning them, she left them as they were instead of wrapping or attempting to close them. After a moment, it was clear why when an African woman walked through the door, looking rather irate.

"Why does the fucking brat always do this when I'm busy? I was in the middle of watching a House marathon, dammit."

"Hello, Dr. Del."

"Fuck you." The woman scowled, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she leaned down to inspect the child. A growl filtered past her lips as she pulled out some bottle of liquid, and without even bothering to measure anything, poured it on the boy's chest, which elicited a violent jerk from the unconscious body.

Melanie gasped. "Dellius Grivear! What the hell!?"

"Shaddap. I'mma doctor, aren't I? Trust me."

"I wouldn't trust you to breathe air, much lest take care of Connie."

"Then why am I here?"

"..."

"Thought so. See? Healing right up." The liquid had evaporated quickly, and a steaming sound was heard as the wounds the boy had gathered disappeared with a hiss. Dellius smirked. "Okay then. Now, I'm expecting double the usual pay." Melanie looked affronted.

"What? Why?"

"You know how much I love watching House." Melanie looked like she wanted to retort, but gave up, knowing from experience that fighting would not help the situation.

Gil was slightly affronted at the African woman's actions, but actually began chuckling to himself at the conversation between the two woman. What he also found very interesting was the solution the "doctor" poured onto the young boy's chest. As it watched it evaporate and miraculously heal the boy's chest, he slightly gaped. "And just when I thought tonight couldn't get any weirder." He muttered to himself.

Turning to the doctor, Gil decided he was better off just introducing himself. "Hello Dellius, is it? My name is Gil." He smiled, slightly unsure whether the woman would greet him in return or just bite his head off. "Did you create that stuff that you just poured on Conni- er, Constantine's chest?"

The doctor blinked and looked at Gilbert,a s if noticing him for the very first time. "Who the hell is he?"

"He's Gilbert. He helped bring Connie. Oh, yes, its alright for you to call Constantine Connie." Dellius simply shrugged and made her way out. "See ya tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow?"

"Because Connie's gonna get his ass beat up again." Melanie scowled as the doctor disappear out of the door. Her attention was brought back to Connie, however, when the boy groaned. "Are you alright, Connie? Do you need anything?"

"...I need fooooood... Geh..." His voice was surprisingly deep- Not deep for his age, of course, but deeper than expected of a child who looked so much like a girl. He sat up blearily, looking around until his eyes laid on Gilbert. He blinked once, twice... And suddenly, a knife appeared in his hand- Where the hell did he get it, anyway?- and he looked defensive until Melanie laid a hand on his arm. "Its alright, Connie." He didn't look impressed but put the knife down regardless.

"Alrighty then," Gil muttered as the doctor headed out the door. Shaking his head slightly, he heard the younger boy groan out about needing food, which surprised Gil because he had been sure that the boy had been a mute or at least, refused to talk at all.

When Connie pulled the knife from seemingly nowhere, Gil held his hands up reassuringly, hoping he wouldn't end up like one of those from the Okayami Corporation. As Melanie reassured him it was alright, Gil smiled a little. "I'll go downstairs and see what I can get for you." He nodded to Melanie, thinking that it was probably best if he left them alone for the moment.

Heading downstairs, he passed a group of women awaiting news. "Don't worry, Connie should be fine, Dellius came to fix him up." They all looked very relieved at this news which made Gil think, who exactly was Connie and where did he come from? "Excuse me ladies, but do you know where I could get some food for Connie?"
Pannima spoke up, "I'll tell the cook and it should be up in a minute. Would you like a drink as well, Gil?"
"If it's not too much trouble," Gil replied, as he made his way towards the bar following Pannima. He accepted the scotch graciously. "It really has been one hell of a night." he muttered, taking his drink and heading back up the stairs to Connie and Melanie.
"Pannima send she would be sending up food any minute," he announced before flopping into the empty chair again, nursing his drink.

Melanie smiled and thanked him while Connie stared out of the window, scowling. "Well, I suppose you'd want to know what's going on..." She sighed and ran a hand through her red locks.

"The Okayami Corp. is... Well, it's older than you may think. They've only surfaced about fifty years ago as such, but before that, they were a clan in Japan that was searching for the secrets for becoming the 'Center' and the 'Incubator'. What this center or incubator is, I don't know, but they want to become it. They've been searching for this since a couple thousand years ago.

'Eventually, they began experimenting on people- They are turning their employees into 'Eggs', once again, no idea what that is. But these eggs apparently 'Hatch' upon command turn into... One of those things you saw. After hatching, they can return to the state of 'Egg' when they want or need to.

'Okayami is here because they want to find the 'Nest', whatever that is. I don't think even they know what it looks like, but we do know it's here. This is the only place where 'Eggs' are created more easily. From what I hear, it takes a large amount of time and energy to create even one Egg, but here they are popping up like daisies.

'Connie probably knows where the 'Nest' is, but he's not telling. Probably for a good reason. I'm not so sure what the Nest does, but apparently it will make Okayami Corp. the 'Center' and 'Incubator', whatever those are."

Gil sat back, reaching a hand to scratch at the stubble on his cheeks, a result of a few days of not shaving. This went way beyond what he had thought or even thought possible. He would have called Melanie crazy if he had not just almost been killed by one of those fucked-up egg human...things.
"Jesus Christ," he muttered. He reached into his jacket for his emergency packet of smokes. Pulling one out, he popped it into his mouth and reached for a lighter. "I hope you don't mind. I don't usually smoke, it's just, this has been a pretty fucked up night."

He inhaled heavily, and lifted his glass of scotch to his lips, sipped at the lukewarm liquid. "Okay, so what does Connie have to do with any of this? And how the fuck is he so strong?"

"I don't mind, its been a rough night." Despite Melanie's words, Connie wrinkled his nose in disgust, but said nothing. Upon Gilbert asking the next question... "No clue, actually. He won't tell anyone." Melanie gave the boy a hard look as she said that, which he waved off. "I'd like to know as well, but apparently it's one of those things where it's best to know as little as possible."

Just at that moment, there was a knock on the door and Pannima stepped in, carrying a tray of food. Connie all but sprang to life, grabbing a sandwich and devouring it. After a moment of fussing over the boy, the woman was ejected from the room by Melanie rather rudely. "Hey!"

"Connie needs rest! Shoo! Shoo!"

"Meanie Melanie!"

"Off with you!" The child in question seemed to be off in his own little heaven as he ate, completely in a different world.