even at the best of times i'm out of my mind // intro

[teef]

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a smart remark made itself in his head but he kept his tongue, closing his eyes with a snort, [color=#151B54]"Oh yes. Be more careful. Well, sorry to say, but I don't do careful. That's kind of obvious considering current company."[/color=#151B54] he grumbled.

stamping his feet to wake them, he stretched his arms above his head, feeling xiaoxiao squirm as she got comfortable once more, his python reluctant to leave his neck for his waist, her cold belly scales sliding smoothly over his skin, catching his attention.

the snake was otherwise ignoring alex for the time being, focused on rialto and the particular scent that slowly rolled off of him. it tickled her memory, reminded her of long ago caresses and of warm baths in the past. she flicked her tongue once, twice, and thrice before she gave up on the mystery that the craft-skilled vampire represented. she focused on on alexander now, catching their scent easily and resting in it. perhaps a faint floral scent, but they smelt of annoyance and aggravation. ah, her master's doing, likely. curling loose around jikai's shoulders and neck she slipped into a few seconds of slumber.

jikai patiently let xiaoxiao make her observations before clearing his throat, clearly ready to make his own introduction now. [color=#151B54]"I'm toji and this is xiaoxiao, my ball python. i am older than i look, i have raised a family, and i am a witch." he announced proudly, knowing to not tell strangers his full name in case they meant to use it against him. with time, he knew his name would actually be known, but for now he called himself toji, a beloved nickname bestowed by someone of the past. he could not remember the individual's face or name but their voice and teeth haunted his dreams at night accompanied by dreams of blood and murder.