Inhale. The scent of unwary prey invades your nostrils, though somewhat tainted by the constant, lingering stench of zoo animals. Yet, you remain unperturbed by this as you behold the mighty lion, whose roars cut through the air, eclipsing the chatters of nearby bystanders. Watching the beast roam in its cage makes you wonder - do ghouls deserve a similar fate? After all, you are a menace, a plague that corrupts this world. You gulp at the thought. The lion looks at you, and tilts its head.
Strange....but also, fascinating, though not as much as giraffes, you muse. In truth, you have always admired their placid nature. Thus, you make your way to their exhibit. Upon arrival, however, you immediately notice that there's a minor anomaly in the tranquil atmosphere, caused by a rather unique aroma coming from of an androgynous, white-haired male sitting on the ground, drawing the giraffes. Aside from his out of the ordinary clothing, you can't help but feel a tad uneasy at the sight of his copious stitch marks.
Naturally, you try not to attract any unnecessary attention, so you avert your eyes. But to your misfortune, the boy now stares at you with an enigmatic countenance, which makes you all the more nervous. Reluctantly, you shift your gaze to him once more.
"H-hi," you stammer.
He blinks then gives you an eerie smile. "Hey."
"Um..." you trail off, taking a quick glance at the notebook in his lap. "Are you an artist?"
"Oh, no, I'm just curing my boredom," he responds in a cheerful tone, crimson eyes returning to the giraffes. Holding his pencil in a rather awkward manner, he resumes his work.
No doubt this individual is peculiar, but he does not seem to be a bad sort, or a threat. In fact, judging by his demeanor, along with how other people look at him from a distance, you have deduced that he is simply misunderstood, perhaps even isolated and shunned by society.
A familiar feeling indeed...
Conveying at least a fraction of sympathy towards him, and intrigue by how he appears so absorbed in his task, you dare to take a few steps closer - just enough to get a good glimpse of what's on the paper. It's in that moment when the white-haired boy lays down his pencil, and rivets his gaze on you again.
"Wow, I've never seen anyone draw animals like that before," you exclaim.
At that, a light, ephemeral giggle departs from his lips, both hands resting on the notebook. "That's because I like to imagine them in cross-sections."
"Interesting..." you murmur, turning your head to him. "For someone who's 'not an artist,' you're pretty good."
Still maintaining a smile, he closes his eyes briefly as he says, "Thank you."
An uncomfortable silence has nested in the air after that, for you wish not to bother the snowy-haired boy any further. And so, before taking your leave, you bow politely.
"I must go. It was nice talking to you...err..."
Pointing a finger at himself, he hollers, "Suzuya Juuzou!"
Grinning slightly at the gesture, you utter, "[First] [Last]."
As you saunter away from him, Suzuya trails your movements carefully.
Hmm...I should keep an eye on her...just in case.
In the course of the next few days, you decide to visit the zoo again, only this time, you have brought a notebook and a pencil with you. Observing the animals is relaxing, yes, but drawing them sounds like a great way to escape from the pandemonium that dwells in your mind, the turmoil that afflicts every ghoul that desires nothing more than to lead a normal life amongst humans, yet ends up all alone, without anyone to talk to. And also, in attempt to banish this feeling completely, it may serve as an excuse to speak with a certain friendly eccentric...
