Chapter 380 - Nasturtiums' Benevolence

"What a delightful coincidence!" 

Rengoku's words came at the realization that his companions were seated directly by the Weltwanderers. 

"Yeah...delightful," Ren muttered. 

Approaching the table, he halted--realizing Macheo abandoned ship, moving to sit next to Aiko. Now it was just Iris and himself left alone to meet two figures who by virtue of being allies of Rengoku, were intimidating. 

But being attached to Rengoku's name wasn't their sole reason for being intimidating. Lounging casually at the table with his legs kicked up on the pristine, white fabric, the man with long, unkempt, jet-black locks kept his hands tucked into the pockets of his baggy, dark coat. 

"Athan! What kind of etiquette is it to sit like that when meeting a guest?" Rengoku asked. 

--Slowly, the black-haired, enigmatically-dressed man raised his gaze that had been obscured by his unkempt fringes and the shadows cast by his fedora. 

Eyes as deeply red as running blood; Ren questioned why such a shade sent a chill through his body as Macheo's eyes were similar, but there was a stark difference. 

Athan's eyes were that of a predator; a killer which housed a primordial bloodlust that rested within those scarlet jewels. 

"And why should I give a damn about some pale-faced brats?" Athan asked with a deep, exhausted voice. 

The scarlet-eyed man stood up as his black coat trailed behind him like a veil of darkness; his height just barely fell short of Rengoku's, but still towered over the young man easily. 

Still, anger or contempt wasn't present on Athan's face; in fact, he was smiling in amusement--an expression that briefly revealed two, iconic and sharp features: fangs. 

Fangs…? Is he a vampire? He thought. 

"I'd like to believe a man who has lived hundreds of years would have spent at least a fraction of that time learning proper manners," Rengoku reprimanded him,"I've befriended them, so show them some courtesy!"

We're friends? Ren thought. 

"You would like to believe that, wouldn't you?" Athan smirked, "also, try more like a few thousand years." 

After such words, Athan turned his gaze to the snowy-haired young man; it was paralyzing being on the other end of such old, mystical eyes, but he stood tall. 

"Well, if this guy took a liking to you, you might be worthwhile," Athan grinned, "I'm Athan, please to meet you, blah blah blah, all that jazz." 

The man introduced himself without much care, not even extending a hand as they remained slid into the pockets of his obscuring, baggy coat. There was a certain ruggedness to the man; his coat looked as if it was freshly swept from a layer of dust-- an absence of exuberance that separated him from the pristine, well-dressed Rengoku, but his own dense aura elevated him to the same level. 

Even in the midst of the conversation, the other member of Rengoku's group remained silently seated at the table, tending to his meal without allowing any interruption. 

"Ren Nakamura," he introduced himself. 

"Iris," she bowed her head subtly. 

Athan's eyebrow twitched slightly at their names. He sniffed the air that hung around the two, primarily catching the scent of the pale-haired adolescent. 

So, that's how it is, isn't it? Athan smirked, how amusing. I'll keep this little secret to myself, Ren Nakamura. 

Though his smile persisted as he stared at the young man for a moment longer before dropping back down onto his seat, stretching his lengthy, thin legs onto the table once more. 

"Don't mind him, he isn't exactly fond of humans," Rengoku added. 

"Not fond...of humans? So you mean…?" He asked, 

Rengoku nodded at his trailing words, looking down at both him and Iris, "Athan is a vampire." 

"Hey, that's a bit disingenuous of you, isn't it?" Athan smirked, "I love humans! Their taste is exquisite, but their personalities…let's see...yeah, I can live without that part." 

Does that make it any better? He thought. 

Ren chuckled nervously, choosing to interpret the vampire's words as jest as he sat down across the round table, watching as Iris moved her chair directly beside him. 

Yeah, can't say I blame you...we're stronger in pairs! He thought. 

Before Rengoku took his own seat between Iris and Athan, he peered down at the leisurely, pale-skinned vampire with his unmoving, powerful eyes. 

After prolonged seconds on the receiving end of that statuesque stair, Athan finally let out a groan, moving his legs from atop the table, "Alright, alright, just sit down already, would you?" 

"Much appreciated!" Rengoku finally resumed. 

It felt like gravity grew heavier as the colossal, fiery-haired man took his seat, barely fitting on the much smaller, cushioned seat. 

He found his gaze naturally watching the man named Cariel, who seemed to possess a similar build to himself--in that he was much smaller than the other two eccentric men in his group. Getting a closer look having been seated at the same table, he found that Cariel's complexion was youthful; seeming around the same age as himself. 

He's young, he thought. 

There was little to be found when peering at the black jewels that made up his irises, though his sable coat that reached past his knees, bearing some decoration as a crimson jabot was visible through his flared collar. 

Despite his adolescent appearance, Cariel ate with a certain, refined elegance; emitting a tranquil air around himself that felt almost suffocating to approach further. 

Something about the darkly-dressed man caught his eye, however. 

Huh, what's that? He thought. 

Briefly shown under the lengthy sleeves of his coat and peeking under his collar were bandages that seemed to cover his entire torso and arms. 

Looking at Iris for a moment, he gulped before returning his gaze to the three, relatively unknown men. 

"I have a question," he stated, gulping as the eyes of Athan and Rengoku laid on him. 

Even still, the one man with faded, neatly-kempt, combed-over, ashen locks continued to quietly enjoy his meal. It was almost as unnerving as the blood-like eyes of the vampire; the man didn't budge at anything, and even the eccentric Rengoku didn't interrupt him. 

"What is it?" Rengoku asked with a vibrant smile. 

"...What're you eating…" He began to ask, "…Cariel?"

The question pointed at the adolescent, gloomily-dressed man who hadn't spoken a word thus far as even Rengoku seemed to be taken aback, raising his bushy eyebrows. 

Cariel stopped before his spoonful of whatever sauce-covered delicacy could reach his lips, turning his eyes up to Ren. 

Whatever it was, resembling mashed potatoes with scarlet sauce, it bore an enticing aroma, clearly still at peak temperature as steam rose from the spoon. 

Oh crap, did I piss him off?! He thought. 

—However, Cariel quietly extended his arm, bringing the spoon near the snowy-haired young man's face. 

"Try it out," Cariel spoke at last. 

Surprisingly, his voice was delicate to the ear; though the situation still presented him with a predicament. 

"…You want me to try it? From your spoon?" He asked to confirm."

Cariel nodded, "Mhm."

Okay, I'm not crazy for assuming that then…well, it'd be rude to reject it, right? He thought. 

Hesitantly, with a droplet of sweat gliding down his cheek, he parted his lips, allowing Cariel to guide the spoon into his mouth. 

It was gently set on his tongue, introducing him to the culinary delight that Cariel was so inclined to. 

A light blush was left on his cheeks from the embarrassing exchange, feeling eyes lay on him, but he managed to ignore it as the taste of the dish left him taken aback. Confirming his guess, it was indeed akin to mashed potatoes, but with a sweet and spicy kick to it. 

As Cariel pulled the utensil back, he stared wordlessly at him--awaiting his thoughts. 

"It's...amazing!" He proclaimed. 

Instantly, a small smile formed on Cariel's expression as the snowy-haired young man sitting near him shared in his appreciation of the dish. 

"The sauce...it's kind of spicy, but balanced by something sweet in the mix…" He held his hand to his chin as if trying to figure out what the taste was. 

"Cinnamon," Cariel answered,"it's a cinnamon and apple puree. The spice is made from a special flower." 

"Just what kind of dish is that, anyway? I've never tried anything like it," he asked. 

He brought his gaze to the bowl that sat in front of Cariel, that was stacked with a small mound of the vanilla-colored mashed dish that had been laden with the unique sauce. 

"It's something I specially requested from the chefs here; it's a...family recipe," Cariel answered gently, "...it's called,"Nasturtiums' Benevolence"...it's rare for someone outside of my family to take a liking to it. It can be an...acquired taste." 

Rengoku roared with laughter that abrasively charged into their conversation,"That's indeed true! I found that dish utterly repulsive! However, if you like it, I am happy for you!" 

Does he have an inside voice? He thought. 

Finally looking to the side at Iris, he realized she had witnessed that entire exchange, and was holding a slight blush of her own. 

"Urr, Iris, you okay there?" He asked. 

His question seemed to catch her off-guard as she frantically waved her hands, "perfectly fine! Don't worry about me!"

Cariel seemed to open up from his quiet stance as he looked at the snowy-haired young man with a certain softness present in his black, pearly irises. 

"Maybe I'll ask the chefs for the same dish...Nasturtiums' Benevolence, huh?" Ren smiled. 

"It's not quite on the same level as the one my brother makes," Cariel replied, "perhaps one day you can try the real deal." 

"I'll take you up on that offer!" He replied with a smile.