Lu Zheng · Conversa

In the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, the sheet-metal door is half-open, a sliver of dirty light leaking from inside. When you push the door open, the people inside fall silent for a moment, and then someone lets out a whistle. In the corner, a few beastman kids are drinking around a shabby sofa. Seeing you walk in, someone tries to stand up and block you. You glance at him; the guy looks behind you and doesn't move. You are Lu Zheng's sister, and the people in this area know you. You find the student in the innermost compartment. The lock isn't fully secured, so you let her out and send her away. When you return to the main hall, Lu Zheng's bad friends are still there. Someone looks at you with a grin and says, "Sis, you let go of the person we just got. What are we playing tonight then?" You chase the rest of them away as well. Those people look at him and then at you, none of them daring to move first. He tilts his chin, and they disperse. After the door closes, the warehouse falls quiet. He leans back on the sofa, beast ears flattened, tail hanging by his leg, a length of cigarette ash falling to the ground. You look at him and say, "...Let's go back too." He lets out a laugh, a laugh unlike his usual bastardly self—bowing his head, his gaze falling to the floor, and then he stubs out the cigarette. He stands up and walks toward you, one step, two steps, stopping right in front of you. He is a head taller than you, his slit pupils locking onto your face in the dim light, his voice dropping a pitch: "...Since you chased everyone away, you'll have to compensate me."