The exploration of his territory did not take long, a result of his own deep familiarity of this part of the outskirts' expanse. Despite not having been briefed over it yet, Ciel was already well aware of each hideout which the Red Tiger Gang tended to use.
The red commanders were placed as rulers of controlled apartment complexes. Those of the Street Division were often given the filthiest streets to hover around, shifting in accordance to their activities and police reaction.
Then there were the hideouts, small buildings which hid in plain sight as shops of unpopular services. Those minor businesses would then have their own storage rooms where all of the gang's needs within that area would be placed for usage by the local Red Tigers.
Be it weaponry or drugs.
That is also where the gang relocated those who they desired to 'interrogate', or simply as a place to dismantle and dispose of corpses. To divert attention away from the hideouts, the Red Tigers would occasionally steal from these small businesses, creating the impression of non involvement.
Beyond the hideouts, the areas where the Red Tigers roamed were often chosen and arranged so that the members moved their residence towards the nearby streets.
Truly the Red Tiger Gang's machinations to uphold their image was impressive. Likely contributing to their long time existence within the district's outskirts.
With the news of him being the latest Red Commander not likely to have reached the members he was to oversee just yet, Ciel was not treated any differently than those of the other passing pedestrians. Rather the very fact that he wore a bright crimson jacket while circling around well known Red Tiger areas seemed to have irritated some of the Street Members.
A few even attempted to start trouble with him. Ciel was not shy to showcase his newly acquired handguns, ensuring to his would-be assailants of his willingness to escalate the situation into a slaughter.
The threat along with his cold temperament seemed to serve as enough of a deterrence. Ciel took no offense to their behavior personally, however he did take note of their faces. Before Ciel was only a slum's rat, however he took on different personas when he needed to. Currently the situation required for him to once more take on another persona, that of a ruthless individual capable of any slaughter.
Ciel was here as a death bringer, such was his new role.
All of it would ultimately be for his advancement into the first stage of the Esper Program. Once he does that, then his time within the Red Tiger Gang would come to an end. Far sooner in this present than that of his old self.
That was why he bothered to remember, because a petty killer would.
Eventually after an additional two hours of leisure exploration, his tour was complete. Ciel found himself at the eastern start of Mirfield Street, the Evergarden visible a short distance away. Mirfield street itself was no different than most streets found within this region of the outskirts: dirty and weathered.
Each building appeared on the verge of collapse, their colors long since faded. Its entire expanse was full of scattered garbage, a foul smell permeating the air.
Even the road itself was already falling apart, the asphalt covered with numerous cracks and holes.
The surrounding buildings were mostly apartment complexes like the Evergarden, however most were a story or two shorter. Not far from where he stood was also the entrance to an underground bar named Stardawn.
The entrance was solely a steel door surrounded by weathered concrete, situated beside a two story tall apartment building of the same material. A bright neon light served as its sign, slowly gliding within the steel surface of the door.
Some local residents were lingering near its entrance even at such a time of the day. Most likely they were those who worked throughout the night, choosing to spend the little free time they possessed upon liquor rather than sleep.
Truly it was a familiar sight.
Seeing that he still had plenty of time remaining, Ciel decided to enter the underground bar. The steel door was easy to open, leading him down a spiraling staircase. The bar was forged of gray concrete, however it was a small establishment covered with warm orange lights and furnished by tables forged of walnut wood.
Few people were present, occupying the tables situated upon the corners. In the background was a soft melody, adding nicely to the atmosphere of the underground bar.
Ciel turned his focus to the bar counter situated at the center.
However, just as he was about to take his first step, a tall figure approached him. The man was dressed in full black and his burly stature was rather intimidating. He had blue eyes, a thick beard, and short brown hair. His bushy brows were currently curved into an unfriendly scowl as he glared at Ciel.
"Hey brat, stop right there."
Ciel donned a confused expression as he tilted his head slightly.
"Huh? Are you talking to me?"
The tall figure scoffed.
"Anyone else look like a brat here? The bar doesn't allow any red clothing. Take it off or leave now."
The man spoke with a stern, unfriendly tone. Ciel's eyes narrowed down to his crimson jacket.
"Ah, might this relate to the Red Tiger Gang?"
The tall figure answered with a hint of irritation.
"Is that a serious question? Of course it's because of those fuckers. My boss doesn't want any trouble, so are you gonna listen or leave?"
Ciel shrugged, he then carefully removed his jacket, doing so in a way that also removed his shoulder holster. Folding it neatly between his hands he stared at the bar counter before asking.
"May I enter now?"
The tall man appeared surprised by Ciel's compliance, however in the end he shook his head.
"No, you look too young. Got some ID to show?"
Ciel stared at the man blankly for a moment before he shrugged.
"No I don't. Who carries that with them nowadays? You know what I do have though: money. Do you want to continue giving me a hard time or can I get a fucking drink in peace?"
Ciel's eyes turned sharp, his tone shifting to match his hostile glare. The tall man meanwhile only became enraged.
"Brat, watch that tongue! Rules are rules, show me an ID now!"
Ciel scoffed.
"Fix your tongue first and I'll follow suit. I'm of age, it only takes a good glance to realize that. I'm irritated now though, so how about this, you either believe me and I get my drink or I'll remind this place why it doesn't like the Red Tigers."
From beneath the cover of his folded Jacket, Ciel allowed the point of the Kert 12x to emerge. In truth, Ciel felt indifferent to the man's treatment over him, yet he needed to uphold his new image.
The tall figure's blue eyes widened upon catching sight of the weapon. His hand twitched, eager to reach for his own firearm, however Ciel's cold glare made him hesitate.
"So which will it be? Is your hand faster than a bullet?"
Ciel's words were icy.
The figure only fell into further rage, yet he was not foolish enough to act on his anger recklessly. It was as the stalemate was reaching its climax that a distant voice reached them both.
"Zavier, it's fine. Let him enter."
The figure, Zavier Jones, turned towards the voice.
"But boss this brat is…"
"I said it's fine. He was willing to listen until you asked for an ID, he probably didn't want problems but lacked an ID to give."
The bartender and bar owner said.
His light green eyes then turned towards the silently observing Ciel, his lips curled into a polite smile.
"Isn't that right mr…?"
Taking in the exchange that occurred, Ciel waited for a moment then lowered his hidden gun. He then turned and began taking steady steps towards the bar.
"Ciel…"
He answered only after his arrival.
The bartender nodded.
"Mr. Ciel, are you here to cause us trouble? I know the Red Tigers are some savages but they have never bothered to come here before."
He asked.
Ciel smiled somewhat sinisterly.
"Who's to say we aren't expanding our reach? Heh-heh, but don't worry, I just want a drink."
Despite his calm temperament, the bartender seemed to relax slightly upon hearing such words.
"Ah, wonderful news then. What would you like? I'm the owner so it's on me."
"Anything is fine…"
He paused, then added with a somewhat mocking tone.
"On you huh? Such kindness, does any gun earn such hospitality? Or only those with the Red Tiger backing?"
The bartender chuckled, his expression turning awkward.
"The gun had nothing to do with it. I've lived in this street my whole life, I know what the Evergarden is and what the king of that hill represents. I can tell at a glance, you are here to replace the dead king aren't you?"
The middle aged bartender reached for a bottle upon the shelf behind him.
"Whisky okay?"
Ciel nodded.
"We are more like dukes than kings, a monarchy can only have one ruler after all."
The bartender quickly prepared a drink before sliding it down Ciel's way.
"They live in a luxurious room looking down from above, they command a force behind them, they do as they please with little consequence, to us regular people, what difference is there between that and a king?"
Ciel took a sip of the glass, it was a bitter taste.
"That's still a poor king though. If that's your standard, then there are many kings in Bastion. Besides, you can always kill them with one well aimed shot."
The bartender shrugged.
"Not everyone in Bastion lives on the outskirts. They don't realize how good they have it. Heh-heh, and about killing them, that will come at the cost of your life whether you know to aim or not. In the end, the best thing to do is to create good favor with them."
Ciel took a few more sips of the drink before he turned to the bartender.
"You say that but this bar doesn't look cheap, I'm sure you live far better than most here."
The bartender made a bitter smile.
"My parents lived an entire life of debt just to own this, now I inherited both this and that lifestyle. I live better if we compare, but only by a little."
"Your name?"
Ciel asked.
"Luke Torres."
"Then Luke. You want to be on good terms with me, yes? I don't mind that, however one drink is not enough. Don't worry though, all you need to do is tell me stories."
The bartender, Luke, tilted his head slightly in clear bewilderment.
"Stories? Of what exactly?"
Ciel shrugged.
"You've lived here your entire life, you said. How many years have you been an owner of this bar?"
Still perplexed, Luke answered.
"Um, over ten years now."
Ciel smiled.
"Perfect, then it means that people talk right? I want you to tell me stories of strange occurrences that visitors have spoken of, no matter how silly and unbelievable they sound, I want to know them."
Luke nodded with a slight frown.
"Um sure thing, however I don't understand what possible value that could have."
Ciel shrugged.
"I have a wife that loves supernatural stories, but she likes realism. I've run out of ideas and need some inspiration. See the value now?"
Luke raised a brow.
"Married at such a young age huh…"
Luke's green eyes narrowed towards Ciel's folded crimson jacket.
"Some people really do live strange lives."
He murmured to himself before he began recalling any recent conversations in the nature of what the young man seeked. Then after a few seconds of pondering, one at last came to mind.
With a delightful snap of his fingers he began.
"Oh! There was a strange story about a hotel not too far from here…"