Setting Foundations II

Looking at the three-floored building in front of him, Alastor couldn't keep the grin off his face.

Broken down windows, moss maturing on its walls, decayed wood splintered on the ground, the intense scent of chemicals, and of course various lowlives hovering around it.

This was a drug den. One of many amongst the districts of Gotham.

A breeding pit for the desperate and deranged. 

And an excellent hunting spot for those who won't be missed.

Walking to the entrance of the complex Alastor ignored the glances from the homeless surrounding the building.

He looked rather out of place with how he carried himself.

He walked with a Calm swagger, his very existence exerting a gait few hold. Like nothing could touch them. One born out of confidence in ability and not arrogance. 

With how cautious the people of Gotham are, seeing a man with such presence walking into a drug den raised more than a few eyebrows.

Not that it mattered to Alastor. 

In fact, he was wholly adoring the attention.

Once he entered the building Alastor wasn't surprised at the omnipresent stench of human excrements assaulting his nostrils. 

It was only natural with the building lacking any utilities. 

Walking down its halls Alastor searched for his prey.

Drug addicts, despite their muddled minds, would still have enough sense not to make a deal with someone like Alastor, especially the one he had in mind.

 So he dismissed them for the most part.

Rather the radio demon was searching for someone who was truly broken.

One who couldn't tell the difference between reality and fiction.

As he scoured the rooms of this installment eventually he found the perfect target.

In the corner of a ruined room, a man glared at the ruins around him. Clear signs of severe malnutrition, veins and bones were visible to the naked eye. Then at some invisible signal he moved.

He trashed violently. Throwing already broken chairs and other furniture into decaying walls. With a yell he attempted to ward off foes only he could see.

" Fuck off! Leave me alone! Please... J-just let me get some sleep," Desperation crawled out of his mouth as he yelled. His voice teetering out towards the end.

He collapsed. falling into a fit of sobs. Around him nothing more than scraps and rotten food.

With pale skin and eyes bloodshot from sleep deprivation, Alastor could tell. This was a man on his last vestige of sanity. A grin formed before being promptly suppressed.

He was Perfect.

Walking towards the man, carefully avoiding making a sound as he did so, Alastor mentally calmed down his rising excitement. This was it. The first of many to be casted in his show.

He couldn't mess this up. 

 This was his first deal and Alastor could tell his patron was watching with great interest. It was like feeling the eyes of countless people anticipate his next move. He couldn't disappoint now.

Though quite early for one, he would have to put on a show for his audience.

" Hello there my distressed friend! You seemed to be in quite the quarrel with your own sanity. Perhaps I could assist you in untangling that twisted mind of yours!" 

As he spoke a twisted smile that stretched to unnatural proportions found itself plastered on Alastor's face. Part of it was intentional. Not all of it though, after all it was all just so exciting!

The broken man did the only thing he could for someone of his position.

He panicked.

Scooting backwards into the corner of the room with surprising haste, the malnourished man had his back to the wall. Which seemed to only exasperate his fear further. Poor creature was scaring himself to death.

" W-what do you want! L-leave me a-alone! D-don't hurt me d-don't k-kill me! Please!"

Hands in front of him as an attempt to ward off any threat, the man tried to make himself seem as small as possible. Failing at it too. He was skinny but Alastor knew the man would tower over him once healed.

The showman smile only widened at the man's panicked state.

" Now, no need to be so skittish, my deranged friend. If I wanted to hurt you I'd have done it already!" He said "Assuringly".

Alastor's words did not reassure the man in the slightest.

Gulping, the malnourished junky once again asked Alastor what he wanted.

" Isn't it obvious? I want to set that mind of yours straight! For a price of course." Alastor said with his eyes flashing green.

The man in his perilous state didn't even question Alastor as to how he'd cure him of his ailments, his intentions, or even who the smiling man was. Just as the entertainer planned.

Only the mentioning of a price made him hesitate.

" W-what's the price?" Asked the delirious man.

Reaching out, Alastor's hand ignited in green energy as he spoke the terms of the deal.

"All that is yours is mine to take and control. With the exception of your clothing and any existing material possessions. In return, I cure you of all current physical and mental ailments. A fair deal for your sanity, no?"

Once again the man hesitated.

 Whether it was a brief moment of lucidness or something else didn't matter, for the man had already made his decision.

Gripping Alastor's hand the deal was sealed

...

A/n: This chapter showed a bit more of Alastor's personality along with a tease of his ability.

The next chapter will show what exactly this deal entailed.

Share your thoughts, I demand it!

Alt title: The First of Many