Aiko's eyes trailed up to meet the source of the voice, and she found herself staring at a strikingly handsome man with blonde hair that tumbled down his back in lustrous waves. Two long piercings hung from his ears, one glimmering in gold, the other in silver, catching the light as he spoke.
There was a softness to his features, a hint of femininity that lent a gracefulness to his movements and an elegance to his speech. His voice was like silk, each word enunciated with a precise delicacy that made Aiko feel almost clumsy in comparison.
As he spoke, his gaze swept over her, taking in her appearance with a discerning eye. "Hair as black as the night and unfamiliar clothes," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "And eyes as blue as the sky."
Aiko felt a flush rising to her cheeks at the scrutiny, suddenly self-conscious of her simple attire and rough-hewn boots. She straightened her shoulders and met his gaze, determined not to be cowed by his presence.
[https://snipboard.io/t2QkgZ.jpg]
The man exuded an air of elegance and extravagance, clad in a suit that shimmered like stars against his skin. The hue of the suit was a deep, regal purple that seemed to glow in the light. Upon closer inspection, Aiko noticed that the material was almost like a second skin, clinging tightly to his toned physique. She couldn't help but notice that most of his chest was adorned with metal, with a few flecks of gold that gleamed in the light. The effect was both alluring and intimidating, giving the impression that this man was both powerful and dangerous.
He gracefully bent forward in front of Aiko, never breaking the gaze between them, his face adorned with a beguiling smile.
"Lysander, at your service, mademoiselle," he introduced himself in a melodious voice.
Aiko's cheeks warmed as she struggled to find her voice. At last, she managed to stammer out her introduction.
"My name is Aiko," she said, "and I am the bounty hunter who was sent by Zero."
Lysander shifted his stance, deftly toying with the silver piercing that dangled from his left ear as he spoke.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful lady," he remarked, his tone smooth as silk.
Aiko's eyes lowered to the ground, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red at Lysander's words.
Lysander gestured towards an elegant table that stood adjacent to a glass window and spoke,
"Please, why don't you have a seat?"
Aiko's steps were steady as she made her way to the lavish table, but her thoughts were in turmoil. She couldn't help but wonder why she was there and whether she belonged in this opulent environment. It all felt surreal, like a dream she couldn't quite wake up from.
Seated across from each other, Lysander made a beckoning gesture with his fingers, as if summoning an invisible servant. Suddenly, a large bottle of opulent wine ascended from the middle of the table, catching Aiko's attention.
Lysander deftly plucked the large bottle of wine from the table's center and gestured towards Aiko, pouring the rich liquid into her glass.
"Le Soleil Rouge," he stated, "one of the city's most exquisite wines."
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Aiko's polite nod and gentle smile belied her inner confusion. The words "Le Soleil Rouge" meant nothing to her. The only drink she knew well was the cheap, murky liquor she relied on to numb the pain of her hairline fractures and cybernetic jolts, a daily reminder of the perilous profession she had chosen.
The wine exuded a deep red hue, almost too vivid for Aiko's eyes to discern. As Lysander poured it into her glass, she couldn't help but notice how viscous it was, resembling more of a thick oil than a beverage. She found herself momentarily transfixed by the peculiar qualities of the liquid before quickly regaining her composure.
Lysander paused the pouring motion once the wine had reached the halfway mark of Aiko's glass, then proceeded to pour himself a serving. A perpetual grin remained on his countenance throughout the act, and Aiko couldn't help but feel drawn to his charm.
Aiko sat in silence for a few moments, contemplating what to say next. Eventually, she spoke up.
"I was told that I would be joined by two other hunters," she said, her voice calm and measured.
Lysander took a slow sip from his glass before glancing down at a golden watch on his wrist.
"Ah, yes, I'm afraid my colleague is known for his tardiness," he said apologetically.
Lysander turned his gaze towards the entrance of the restaurant, his eyes lighting up as he saw someone walking towards them.
"Ah, here he is," he announced.
As Aiko turned to glimpse the approaching figure, a sudden unease overtook her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she felt a chilling shiver run down her spine. Never before had she experienced such a sense of fear, and it consumed her as she laid eyes on the newcomer.
Upon initial observation, the figure possessed a humanoid form; however, upon closer examination, one would quickly realize the extent of his deviation from humankind. The entirety of his being was concealed by a luminous black metal, leaving not a single trace of flesh exposed. his physique was slender, and his neck was elongated in a manner that was distinctly inhuman, adorned with apertures and luminescent markers resembling the mechanisms of a machine rather than a sentient organism. The entity's face was fully pallid, akin to a mask, while his eyes radiated a red hue that seemed to penetrate the depths of Aiko's psyche.
Additionally, the figure was enshrouded by a mane of long, black hair, contributing to the unsettling ambiance that surrounded him.
[https://snipboard.io/4BNAjt.jpg]
As he moved towards them, Aiko couldn't help but notice his strange, unhuman gait, twitching and clicking as he walked. The sense of fear that overtook her was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
The sound of clicking and twitching echoed in the silent restaurant as the unhuman figure stopped in front of the table. Aiko's fear only intensified as she watched the man's neck twitching in an unsettling manner. His gleaming black metal body seemed to reflect the light in an almost menacing way, and she could feel the hairs on her arms stand on end.
The figure's gaze fell upon Lysander, and Aiko noticed a strange connection between the two of them. Lysander seemed unbothered by the unhuman figure's appearance, as if they knew each other for a long time. Aiko couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled deep within her.
Lysander took another sip from his wine, his expression unchanging as the figure of metal was standing in front of him.
"Have some manners, Sullivan," he chided, gesturing towards Aiko. "Our new partner is here."
The figure's head moved with an unnatural robotic twitch as he shifted his gaze towards Aiko, fixing his glowing blue eyes on her.
The figure's robotic voice sounded as if it came from beyond this world, as he addressed Aiko by her full name and bounty hunter code name,
"Aiko Kraus, Class B3, code name 00158: BABY BLUE." The voice was a strange amalgamation of a male and female voice speaking in unison, making it impossible to discern which one was speaking at any given moment.
The figure then proceeded to take a seat next to Lysander, his metal body emitting a faint hum as he settled down. His neck continued to twitch in an unsettling manner, giving off an otherworldly vibe that made Aiko's skin crawl.
Aiko sat upright, her eyes shifting between Lysander and Sullivan, anticipating the conversation to come. She couldn't deny the deep sense of fear that had settled within her, as Sullivan's strange and unhuman appearance sent shivers down her spine. She waited for Lysander to initiate the discussion, feeling completely out of place in this surreal setting.
Lysander's demeanor shifted, and his playful tone was replaced with a serious one that caught Aiko off guard. She had never seen him speak like this before.
"Now, let us talk about the Widow Makers," he said, his voice low and commanding.