(OCC: I’m assuming this is a village of wooden buildings as just using the term ‘building’, ‘house’ etc, is a bit vague. But if lightning can set it alight, it seemed as wood in my minds eye. If this is wrong, then I shall correct it.)

The sound of merriment lingered in the air, tainting it, pervading in its every pitched noise and thick, burly breath that Katsu took in. As the songs of valour and courage echoed onwards in the out of tune way they were, he stayed on his seat, metal fingers tapping with arrogant annoyance at the naives he kept as brief company. Still, it was the lure of the drink that bade him to stay. That fresh, sweet wine of life. Yet his eyes could only watch as what he truly wanted from this place was slowly being diluted by the filth of mead. Alcohol always left a horrible after-taste.

But still, the prey had not bothered him too much. A couple gold coins kept those curious in his wear and weapon away, as well as the water flowing to his glass. Even with the weather-beaten cloak shrouding most of his clothes, brief flashes from the split in the centre shown the extravagance he favoured to wear. Regardless to him though was if they noticed him or not. It was easier if they paid little interest in him but if moods changed, he was always prepared to take what he wanted with force.

As the rambling drunken choir carried on, one of them stumbled from the main crowd and left for the guest rooms above the in. ‘Now is the time’ Katsu thought to himself as he took leave of his seat in slow pursuit. His eyes lingered on for as long as they could on the target he had not picked. He examined the man carefully. Clearly, he was intoxicated beyond any and every limit humanly possible and in an unhealthy stated. From the heavy breathing to the deposits of fat that rolled about his body, the drunkard was an easy buffet open to his fangs.

The hunger grew, that feeling that must be satisfied roaming wild in the confides of his mind. But his eyes hardly showed the bloodlust; they remained calm and collected as Katsu watched ever closer as he hovered nearer to the target. The man, with a large and disturbing thud, fell flat onto the floor in his own room, leaving the door ajar. ‘This is too easy.’ The thought of how absolutely simple it was to prey on the mortal baffled him more and more. Surely they had heard of the myths and rumours of his kind. Was it blind ignorance, fear or stupidity that governed the mortal, he thought.

Slowly he closed the door and turned the man over. His eyes flickered open slightly, still slightly conscious after his fall but it mattered not. Look with those cold, impassive eyes, Katsu brought his fist crashing down in his face. That first spilling of blood, a moment that always washed through him when the hunger urged for his wine. The punch had split most of the drunkards left cheek open and removed a couple of teeth as well. Crimson slowly, ever so slowly, stained the floor. The sight was unbearable. He had to drink. With a sweep of his hand, he tore the throat and…

The deed was done. The hunger now receded to the depths of his mind as he took his leave of the inn. He could not stay longer, they would know it was him within little time as he always left a mess after feeding. The beating rain seemed to crash upon him with menacing intent, as if his action was a crime of nature. But the night called, as did something within it.