MURDER ON THE HIGHWAY

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Taxi Teufel Ungeheuer generally had the appearance of someone who should not be hitchhiking as it was dangerous. Yellow shaggy hair, vibrant green eyes, and a yellow hoodie with little bumblebees decorating it. The male who currently couldn't look a minute over nineteen was walking along the side of the highway with his thumb protuding. What most wouldn't know was that he was an individual nobody should ever pick up as it was very, very, very dangerous to do so.

It was considering difficult to keep his thumb out with the distraction of a murder of crows following him. The birds gathered to him like magnets, and he hated it. No amount of swearing and cursing and kicking could get them to leave him alone so he resigned to let them follow him. The damned things were waiting for him to keel over and die so that they could pick him apart and eat him. Charcoal shiny feathered fiends could sense what humans could not, that he was no longer a member of the living, and because of this a few dared to skirt closer and peck at his shoes, hoping to tear off some dead flesh.

They got nothing but a kick to the face, skirting the flock up for a few moments. Always they reformed, a few deciding to pick and tug as his hair as they swarmed him. German cursing, flailing of his limbs, nearly in tears. Damn it all to hell. He couldn't stand this being without funds, the inability to just call out and have somebody at his beck and call. Incredibly frusterating, taking out his anger on the birds, managing to grab one and dig his finers into ones neck before throwing it down. "Fick Dich!"

Corpse was discarded on the side of the road as Taxi ran with tears in his eyes, arm outstretched with his thumb extended, chased by a murder of crows. Other hand swatted at them desperately, shouting out in his native language, "ABHANDEN KOMMEN!"

The blonde only hoped somebody would pull over in the middle of this wretched night and rescue him. In gratitude he might even decide to kill whatever poor bastard picked him up.

[Rip]

Gabri didn't like driving- he really didn't. Simple acts of curitoisy were not only unwanted by punishible on the road; punishable not by the law enforcement, but rather the other people unfortinate enough to travel by car. The people were much more intimidating then the police as they had a tendency to throw things, scream obsenities and... well. Some people even got out and beat him senseless once. Then again, pulling halfway over to look at the baby deer hiding in the bushes might not have been the smartest thing to do. But still. He couldn't so much as pause for five seconds in order to let someone make a turn without the little impatient devils behind him pounding their horns. This made him sad. He liked letting people turn. He liked letting people infront of him.

Good Lord above, he was too passive for the road.

However, it was a nice day. Nice days had that marvelous ways of improving his mood, even if the rather overdressed young man looked nervous, shy and upset as he drove down the highway. Frowning but trying very hard not to, he sighed, consintrating on just getting to wherever he was going. He almost missed the screaming nut being chased by crows. He drove passed about 30 feet before doing a double take, and with a gasp he slammed on the breaks so fast that he just barely avoided smashing his head on the steering wheel. Throwing his stare over his shoulder, sticking his head completely out his window to get a look (looking paranoid even), he started to slowly back up.

Crows were never that vicious, that obvious. They always made him look hard. They made him check. But this, this had blown up completely in his face. And that guy knew it. He could see them doing this thing. That wasn't natrual.

His weird, steel eyes with the green ring around the pupil narrowed oddly and he withdrew his head.

Pulling up along side the boy, he looked over, his typical pleasent expression returned with a grin. He paused only to fix his hat before unlocking the door. "Need heelp?"

Maybe today would be even better.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Taxi wasn't entirely surprised by somebody pulling over to help him. Afterall, it was a bit of an odd sight, and humans were inherintly good. Or something like that. There wasn't time to dwell on it, or to even look at whoever it was, no, he had wrenched open the door and flung himself in before there was even a chance for him to consider the option.

No, it wouldn't matter if it were a three hundred pound cross dresser. it wouldn't have mattered if it had been a scary-as-fuck biker on a motorcycle. Hell, it wouldn't have mattered if it were satan himself. But no, it was, to Taxi's pleasant surprised as he slammed the door closed and settled himself with heavy unnecessary breathing, a rather handsome and nice looking guy. Poorly dressed, although it had sort of a gritty hippy flair to it, and hair he really badly wanted to comb or put some product in.

After a few seconds of examination while he regained his composure somewhat he spoke exasperatedly. Accent was incredibly thick, his beautiful voice marred by heavy german. "DANKE, I don't know what happened, they just, they're just, PSYCHOTIC BIRDS!" Fingers wrung through yellow locks of hair, pulling it off of his face, slightly dull green eyes wide. This was a lie, Taxi did know what happened, the crows had sensed carrion. But still, it was a bother, and he was glad for the ride. Hopefully this guy wouldn't question him too much.

[Rip]

While Taxi was busy having a stroke in the passenger seat, Gabrjel took a moment to look over this weird Marked One. The crows cawed outside the door, some pecking a little or landing on the hood, but they did not follow the stranger into the car. Perhaps they were worldy birds? But crows never attacked people in such a way, not unless they were sent by Him to highlight the marked ones for the reaper. How weird. How weird. Perhaps this was a misunderstanding? Well... being cautious was a good thing and it was only one person...

"DANKE"

Blinking in slight bewilderment at the excited words, not used to this type of flamboyant behavor, it took a few seconds for Gabri to collect his thoughts. Ok, introductions now- the decision could come later. Taxi's accent didn't phase him at all, actually he looked rather happy about it.

"Weel, crows ah goot birds." He said a little slower then someone might have, as if wanting to make sure the German could make out what he was saying. Afterall, his own accent was just as prominate. "Mebe they just like yah, eh? Whacho doin' on the... high way, hinny?" Gabri's eyes went over him again, noting the nice clothes. "More then a canny way for' a city."

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

"Vat? Ah, ja," A hand waved, dismissing his own confusion. Polish, surely, he could practically even pinpoint the specific region the dialect came from. For a second he considered slipping into the tongue for comforts sake as English was an annoying language, but he didn't want to embarass the other incase he had forgotten how to speak it and only held the accent still.

"If zat is ze vay zey show 'affection'," Eyes rolled, leaning back in the seat and putting his hands up behind his head. No seatbelt. "Zen zey can keep their kisses." A laugh as his accent bean to calm down, the sound was light and incredibly cherubic.

"Zere vas a sale," Slender finers plucked at the hooded shirt he wore, smiling toothily. "I vas not aware zhat ze bus did not come after dark. Stranded."

[Rip]

"Ye go all dat way?" He questioned, looking completely shocked. The idea of going through all that trouble for a shirt was beyond Gabri's comprehension. Actually... it was down right insane. Completely bonkers if anything, but that wasn't very polite to say- not even to a potientally marked one. With a small amount of hesitation, he finally managed to say, "Yer dertimined eh? Is nice shirt." Actually, he didn't have taste for bumblebee hoodies, but it was also rude to insult another's attire. even if the insult was unintentional, he'd rather not take the chance, especially since he did feel quite bad that this guy had been running around stranded. "Mebe thos birds try to eat the bees, yeh? Crows geet hungry. I'll take ye back if ye woont. No bother ta me. Or somewhere else, whever you woont, hinny. I'm not going any one way." This was another lie- he was trying very hard to find his way to Las Vegas, but he could make a pit stop for this guys sake. And possibly for the sake of the hachet under his seat.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

"DANKE!" Taxi beamed, pulling his hands away to roll them over his chest and smooth down the fabric. He knew it was a nice shirt, it was fucking adorable, the little bumblebees were all cute and buzzing around and the little dangly cords to pull the hood tight and the pocket for his hands-

Nearly purring in satisfaction the blonde decided he quite liked this other man. Ego had been stroked sufficently to the point where he lost any blood-lust, even if it would make him feel better after being mobbed by birds. "Neeiiinn, don't take me back, i'll go vherever you're going." The truth was was that Taxi had nowhere to go. Or rather, nowhere he particularily cared to return to. Just a crappy motel room with some of his shit in it. A month long break, Quinn had some business he had to attend to and the blonde had taken the chance to seek independance.

Fuck this though. He had only been attacked by crows, and previously had to beat off teenage girls from clothing. Empty wallet. Empty stomach. Lonely. Legs tired from walking.

Things seemed to be looking up for him with pleasant polish company, though. Atleast for now. As long as his new clothes weren't ruined by his own (or stolen) blood.

[Rip]

Wherever he was going? Gabri bit his bottom lip, concidering hard as he headed down the street. Oh dear, this could be partially problematic. If he did indeed take this German fellow to Sin City and he was indeed a Marked One he could easily loose him a crowd and then never see him- Oh God the idea of letting one slip away tied knots in his stomach and made him feel sick with shame. Oh Jesus, oh jesus; maybe he should just kill him now. It wouldn’t be hard. The blonde was just… sitting there so unexpectant and relaxed with the whole situation. Who ever expected the driver to pull an axe out from under the seat and wham the blade into the passenger’s chest or neck?

But then again, what if this was a mistake and he wasn’t marked, and those crows were worldly? What a horrible, wretched sin! Taking a life of someone who wasn’t meant to die yet- that was a complete abuse of his power, his gift. If anything, Gabrjel knew He wouldn’t be pleased with him. Unless this person beside him was simply so vile and wrong that even worldly crows could sense it and wanted to make such a fuss so the reaper would certainly see him? Dead, bed, said, Fred- how confusing. “I’m gooin’ ta Las Vegas- they call it Sin City ye know. It’s a canny way oot, but I can drop ye off on the way if ye woont.”

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

"Vegas!?" Voice light up, unnaturally dull eyes glittered despite the sheen of film over them. Mind flashed with beautiful imagery, the bright lights, the nearly-constant night, the dancing and singing and sparkling sequins and-

"Bitte! Bitte!" Body twirled, somehow managing to kneel in the passenger seat with his hands clasped together under his chin. Those glistening greens were wide, yellow brows tweaked in just the saddest way, begging hands drawn up to cover his mouth. This only lasted for a few seconds before he fell back down to sitting in a crouched position, satisfied with his performance. Taxi was far too ADHD to wait till the other replied, and he didn't want to be too much of a distraction to the driver.

This was also the reason he didn't extend his pale hand for a shake as he finally introduced himself, "Taxi, Taxi Teufel Ungeheuer." Words which should have sounded rough, horribly gluttural, as all german speech did came out as angelicly soft despite their nature. Tongue twisted them into something that was almost a melody, incredibly pleasd with himself and their destination. Maybe getting mauled by crows wasn't so bad now that he had good company and was headed for Vegas.

Once again those muddy-emerald eyes drawled over to said company. The guy really didn't look like someone who would be heading to the city of guilty pleasures. And there was almost a sort of twitchy look about him, the blonde was good at reading people, it was required for his favourite hobbies. Touch them there, see if they like that. Sing that note, no, they didn't approve. Sneak quietly behind prey, do the suspect you? The blonde was too delighted by their apparent destination to be bothered with that worried look and bitten lip. Besides, what was the worst that could happen?

[Rip]

The unexpected explosion of grace from Taxi's mouth nearly gave the quiet, polite polish boy a heartattack and it took a great amount of control to avoid swurving the car off the road and into a ditch, but he did indeed get out of his lane for a few seconds and just barely missed a little bunny that insisted on running out infront of him. For God's sake! With eyes a little wide, he let out a shaky breath during the 'BITTE BITTE' rap and little sideshow of twirling around in his seat. How did he even manage to kneel like that? Gabri was impressed dispite himself and gave a very weak grin, glancing over as long as he dared, still attempting to get his pulse off the racetrack. He was about to ask the name of his cannon ball companion, but the German was obviously a few steps ahead of him. In the put of his stomache, this fact bothered him.

"Gabri, just... Gabri." He responded nicely as he could, trying to smooth over the nervousness in his voice. Taxi? Gabri thought it was a strange but oddly fitting name. Unusual but not a bad title- at least it wasn't something awful like Hilary or Mortimer. "Nice to met ye."

The initial reaction of this Mr. Ungeheuer was terribly worrisome though. So overly ecstatic about Las Vegas- this was a bad sign. Maybe he was a vile little beast. Certainly didn’t seem that way though, but if anyone knew not to judge a book by it’s cover… well. I’m sure you know.

“Why ye like Vegas so much?” He asked, his mind being crafty and his voice friendly. “Which part is best?”

Maybe he could use this fellow. Sure he might be a marked one, but he couldn’t act until he was absolutely sure so in the mean time why not let him lead the reaper to the more obvious targets? Just like the angel who whispered in his ear two nights ago: ‘it’s sin city and it’s a bad place filled with bad people who need to die’.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Gabri? That was an interesting name. Like Gabriel. He had a boyfriend once named Gabriel. Shoulder length curly orange hair, was absolutely lovely. The blonde couldn't remember what had happened between them so he returned his attention to the man beside him. Still a nice name.

The blonde was unable to sit still, leaning against the door and pulling his legs up to his chest so that he faced the driver. "Vich part?" Finger placed itself to pursed lips, one brow quirking as he looked upwards. "Ze Cabarets. VAIT, Nein, nein, the money." He settled with this answer for only a few minutes before he sat up from his leaning position with urgency, obviously have something incredibly important to say.

"VAIT, NEIN! I know ze very best part of Vegas." A sort of sly secretive look crossed his cute little face as he settled back down, hands folding over his stomach. He spoke as though he were sharing the most secretive of secrets with Gabri, something the other should feel very priveledged to get to know. "Ze very very -very- best part of Vegas are ze Gay Bars, of course."

[Rip]

Gabri was very satisfied with the money responce- or well, satisfied because it proved his 'vile' person theory was a probable option. Greed was a very, very deadly thing.

A few minutes of quiet was blessed, but the man was suspecting a sudden outburst and when it happened he had braced himself. ... well braced himself for the scream, not really the words. Overtaken by a sudden horrorific cough he couldn't avoid the second bunny that dashed infront of them.

--

They arrived a bit later then expected mostly because Gabri had insisted on burying the rabbit Taxi unintentionally made him run over. Driving through Las Vegas strip, they passed the 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas' sign and instantly the entire scenery changed. Where barron, flat desert plagued the window veiw for the past hour or so was now an endless explosion of colorful lights and life. The hotels, casinos and resorts drew mass crowds of people who didn't stop at the street, so he reduced his speed and glanced carefully out his mirrors to make sure he didn't kill anything else he didn't want too.

All about outside the car he could see thousands of crows, perching on the shoulders of countless people. Oh god, even on the children they sat there, bouncing. What an awful place.

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

Taxi had expressed no guilt or sympathy for the dead rabbit. As adorabibble as it may have once been, it certaintly any more, and in helping Gabri burry it he had accidentally brushed some blood up against his finger and couldn't resist slipping it in his mouth when the other man wasn't watching. How long had it been, anyways? The blonde had been intending on killing whoever picked him up but this guy was too damned nice. Maybe in Vegas he'd find somebodies neck to suck on. And not in the sexy hicky-giving way.

---

He really hadn't been overstating his love for this city. As soon as they passed that sign he was pressed to the window like some deranged five foot seven dog, watching everything they passed with the utmost glee. So many lights and shiny things and people and shiny things and people with blood and so many god damned hot people. Their clothes were marvelous, the outfits just the most fabulous thing he had seen. The feathers, the boas, the shoes, the SHOES! Eyes shifted down to his italian leather shoes which had become a bit scuffed. A frown. He'd need to kill someone with nice shoes. 'Hello sir, what size feet do you have?' was an odd question to ask before killing a person.

"Vat are you here for anyvay, Gabri?" Taxi would say to hell with this man and run for the bars to get himself some hot ass, but, he had no desire to. Well. There was some. But lust was a sin he would not be induldging himself in tonight. No, greed, wrath, and a few others, but not lust. That would have to wait. For now.

[Rip]

While Taxi put face smugges on his windows, Gabri adjusted his hat with the tips of his fingers. So many people. So much work to do. How many heads would be removed from the body? How many faces would he have to split in half? Jesus, this was going to be so damned difficult and bothersome- he almost felt like groaning. But he didn't. No, he liked his work and he liked feeling important, and boy was he important. No one else could do this, oh no. He was the one they picked and he'd make sure to do a good job of it.

Yes sir. He would. It wasn't a sin when the act was justified, afterall, and these people were marked and needed to die. It needed to be flooded or hit by fireballs because there were no 1000 or 100 or 10 good people within the boundries.

"Gamboling." He replied easily. Having never seen bets and gambols as a sin himself, he had no problem admitting it and had no problem coming to terms with intending to actually do it. What good was doing this if he didn't fit in with the crowd. Sacrifices, ah. "I'm tryin' to find The Mirage. Dunna suppose ye know where?"

[KOCHI-KOCHI]

"Of course I do, hell, I even performed there once in the si-" Taxi cut himself off, insantly realizing his mistake. Sixties. No, you look what, eighteen, nineteen? You were not supposed to be alive in the sixties. Distract him.

"PARK THERE!" Fingers jabbed out infront of Gabri's face to point at an underground parking lot, hoping he wouldn't press Taxi's mistake. And maybe then the blonde wouldn't wonder why the fuck this guy was gambleing. It was a stupid game of luck, here, i'll give you a bunch of money and you might give me some back just maybe if you're lucky.