synflux | ( open ) unfortunately, about me

Entry tags:

( open ) unfortunately, about me

WHO: Anyone and everyone.
WHAT: Izou being Izou.
WHERE: The busy streets of Shinjuku, what's left of the Nishimuki Tenjinsha shrine in Shinjuku, a run-down looking 7-10, etc.

WHEN: Sometime near the tail-end of the first week.
WARNINGS: Mild violence (right now), severe intoxication.

█ 001, "some people make us feel more human". —

Gerroffa me, you—!

( the sounds of a struggle ensue, and suddenly a couple well-dressed gentlemen are shoving the offender out the club's door. it's pretty obvious he's a bit far-gone with the way he stumbles backwards, arms raises as if to protect himself or perhaps start throwing a mean punch. he doesn't get very far with the idea though, a quick swing of his arm completely missing its target to the irritation of the bouncers who were holding back as best they could. )

T-Try'na... laugh at me. I'll show ya... I'll show ya ALL! I don't forget anyhone... anyone who, crosses my...

( izou quickly discovers how difficult it is to move his mouth properly, visibly flabbergasted at how rapidly his words are starting to slur despite how often he's been through this song-and-dance. it's a familiar strangeness, a something he might find easier to digest as a problem if he weren't so horribly far-gone by most people's standards while a majority of those passing by opt to ignore his cursing and outbursts at the door. gradually, slowly, the chatty drunk realizes that no one's paying him any mind, and, with a couple exaggerated movements, places himself closer to the side of the street against a cold street-light. anything to keep the world from turning for a minute. anything to give him a little comfort.

he'll just... totally get up and leave, any minute now. with a groan, his head starts drooping against the steel that is clearly not designed to be a pillow, hands crawling clumsily up it for support. he's absolutely about to fall asleep in the middle of the city. )

█ 002, "and some people make us feel less human". —

( here, the ever present hum of the city was more faint, and the historic and solemn stone entryway of the temple, adorned with carved pillars and cracks, seemed all the more impressive in the darkness. in fact, one would even call it serene when compared to the hustle and bustle of neo-tokyo, so much so that it's a wonder a spot like this hasn't been entirely torn apart given its proximity to such ruin on the outskirts of shinjuku. tall stalks of grass blow delicately in a breeze, the inherent sensuality of their presence enough to beguile any visitor into venturing up the short steps and into the sacred.

it was easier to breathe here, and those with the courage to approach further into the center of the complex this late at night would see the triumphant emergence of greenery amidst the prayer chambers—new life among wood stained by time and rain. scenery worth committing to memory for anyone who might be losing hope. a glimpse into a world full of air for all who were suffocating.

yes... the perfect spot for some respite, if only a certain man hadn't been tailing behind whatever stranger came here for some peace of mind.

for izou, the night is far from suffocating—it's pleasant, full of sheltered places covered in withered leaves and welcoming to the quick manner his feet move familiarly on the ground without making a sound. a man in his element, aided by an abnormal adeptness in concealing his presence, listening carefully for the slightest shift in movement, the gentle smack of nervous lips. if he weren't so hungry, a cold reminder of how flippantly he tossed his cash around already, the thrill of stalking would bring an even bigger grin to his face... but whatever.

moments later, the soft clink of a blade being unsheathed could be heard as he raised it towards the back of his prey. )

Better start walkin' with a friend at night. Now, take out your valuables.

* alternatively, for those who aren't okay with being surprised and/or more than capable of noticing him following you despite the reduced effectiveness of his presence concealment skill: just assume you caught him before this.

█ 003, "and that is a fact as much as gravity is a fact". —

( it's a convenience store. you know. sickeningly bright, and with the same song looping for the past hour or so. it's the witching hour, and whoever shuffled in was probably just hungry... or bored.

a scrunkly-looking gentleman in an apron at the counter watches whoever's browsing with an impatient expression, a clock in the far-corner wall ticking needlessly the only other sound aside from the shop jingle. after a good ten minutes he smacks a hand down on the counter, shattering the banal background noise with his scratchy voice. )

I'm sick of ya criss-crossin' between shelves like a chicken with it's head chopped off. Buy somethin' or leave.

( my smoke break... )

* Anyone from Brimstone, feel free to recognize Izou from his loud demeanor around their commons.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ As he backs up, she stays put. She doesn't chase. She knows better than to try that even if she could keep up the advantage. She doesn't answer the question, however. She's heard it too much, hated answering it too much. ]

The only valuable thing I have to give you right now is your life. [ Lucy reaches into her coat pocket to take out a bag. She doesn't toss it to him for fear of the contents falling out. Instead, she places it on a nearby stone lamp where it won't fall over. ] Unless you're just acting out because you're hungry.

[ She turns on her heel and steps away as if unbothered, eager to make her way toward the steps leading away from the temple. ]

[ the first few steps were steady, a success even.

—until he teeters forward, disturbing the snow in his wake, and jing yuan's hand shoots forward to grab him by the back of his collar like an errant pupil being restrained by his teacher. this at least keeps him from faceplanting into the ice, which can't be a very comfortable and soft landing. ]

But I'm?

[ not supposed to be here? not supposed to be real? he's most curious what's meant to pick up the threads of that starting statement. ]

( izou gives the kid another lookover from behind the counter, and just... fine. surely the little service bots that make up the rest of the store can handle the particularities of their job without him for a moment. weren't machines supposed to be a little more self-autonomous despite the need for repair? not that he's too knowledgeable to the fact.

whatever. best not to waste this opportunity. )

I'm holdin' ya to that.

( he gives denji a sidelong glance as he steps outside to squat outside the store, rubbing his hands on his crumpled apron to finger a cigarette that he fully planned to smoke.

the open chill and gestures of night were more comfortable to izou than the cramped conscience of the convenience store. the darkness, where everything abandoned lay in wait... far from the flickering lights and ads sent straight to his ocular device that interrupted his otherwise unremarkable magazine perusal.

he returns about ten minutes later to see if everything is still in place... after dropping the stick and stubbing it out with the sole of his shoe, of course. )

( being yanked back like the little creature he is in spirit doesn't seem to phase him none.... at the moment. he's too busy scrunching his face up as he recalls bits and pieces of jing yuan's profile and their discussion during the "orientation". it's a shame he doesn't have a name for right now, or he prays, in all his crazed inebriation, doesn't have a name to discover. )

Too big to be seen wh, the likes-a... of me.

( "tactical intelligence"? "diplomacy"? all this important business... )

Smug or no, takin' everything I said seriously... reeks of a kindness I don't deserve. Yer student must be, pretty...

( —thankful. choke that thought down. this is where he gets antsy about the grip on his collar and tries to shrug it off. )

[ The confirmation earns a long-suffering sigh from Ren, because while Izou finds it amusing, he does not. Of course, it's no surprise to him that Jing Yuan would do something like this, meddling so much with other people's affairs rather than focusing on his own.

He barely moves when the other man tries to reach for his katana. Not a single part of him feels threatened. ]

I'll pass. You can barely stand on your own two feet right now.

[ It isn't going to be worth the effort, at this point. ]

I'm not interested in a one-sided fight.

( the strange idea to continue after this person (entity?) he doesn't know...

well, it's not as if he has anything better to do than freeze at the side of the road as shoppers in their well-turned pumps that match their purse walk hurriedly by with a judging eye, so he continues to follow in all his inebriated, delirious splendor, growing more cognizant the longer he keeps up with this charade.)

If you're not a ghost leadin' me to my death, then wh-where're ya... why're ya—

( izou trails off mid-question, bare, calloused hands suddenly planted on the glass window of a convenience store they're traipsing in front of, his eyes, glued to a display of unassuming manjuu. then back to tsurumaru. then back to... the manjuu. )

( nothing. nothing at all?

everyone has something on their person. weapons. nails. hair. a feeling of being sad in the world, of being ready for sleep and the contentment that comes with it.

the eerie calm with which she regards him even with a blade drawn towards her back is notable. noble, even, to most, but to a man like izou steeped in the blood of many, it reeks of simple foolishness.

izou gives her another leisurely look-over as the ocular device gives his one eye an unsettling gleam, the perceived lack of concern arousing an innate curiosity in him. )

Come to pay your respects within nothin' on ya, then.

Hmmm? (He hums, musing over the question as if it's one of the most interesting things he's heard in awhile. Does he still think he's a ghost? Just not one leading him to another world? ) Well, they say cranes can travel between heaven and earth...

(And to the convenience store they arrive. He steadies Izou, making sure he doesn't hit his face on the glass or anything that might hurt him. Or be too funny. It's no fun to pick on someone so pitiful.

Look at this man, though. The way he looks like a child staring into the display of a sweets shop. He can't help but reach out to pat his cheek and let out a bright laugh,)

Haha! Are you hungry? (Pat, pat.) If there's something you want, you should say it.

I’m not particularly worried.

[Said while browsing through the candy. Maybe something sweet? There’s some amusement about the danger. She’s not making fun of him, she just thinks it’s a little funny, that’s all. There’s things to be concerned about and then there’s this part of town. If you ask her anyways. She’s sure others might think a little different.]

Are you? Dangerous part of town, at such a late hour, being the only employee?

[Makes far more sense for him to be the worried one in her opinion, but she doesn’t think that’s the case either.]

Not that I’m planning to cause you any trouble of course.

( it's a fair enough assumption, that this LILITH, despite carving them up and leaving them to their devices, still plans to harden the fruit they've called to bear with enough bloodshed to do some good for this world. izou still suspects, as izou does, restless and discontented now that he's been made again as flesh, no longer depending solely on magical energy for his manifestation... even more reason to be suspicious, in his opinion— but the little wheels in his head are turning as she agrees with him, the slender leaves twisted around the trunks of unkempt trees blowing lightly as if to remind them of their presence in the background.

he wonders, for one minute more, when faced with that orange so blinding it might drink up all the sunlight once dawn breaks again, whether he should kill her anyway, a finger itching impatiently for a taste. whether she might just be bluffing and there's something worth taking on her person still.

and then his stomach rumbles obnoxiously, surprising even him.

... human again.

his face scrunches up, embarrassed. )

Tch. As if I haven't already had my fill-a cheap food this week. I'm sayin' if we're such outstandin' candidates and all we should get... ugh, whatever. If you're fine with diggin' at the bottom of a well for water then keep doin' it 'till your nails fall off.

( a pause, and after he's sheathed his blade, because he's not in the mood... anymore: )

Well? Are you buyin'?

[ sorry, izou. she tried her best to stifle a giggle, but a tiny sound came out of her anyway. now she gets why he was intending to rob her blind. which is a pretty stupid idea, honestly -- he can just ask nicely, first of all? but he's from brimstone, and apart from the girls, none of the men so far have been particularly nice to her and they're not about to start now apparently. ]

Maybe I'm just used to shitty work conditions. If you want to complain, just take it up to some poor LILITH staff who'd just jot down your complaints and call it a day.

[ whether it's in a prestigious Wing or the darkest dregs in the Backstreets, she can't possibly complain and she's certainly not about to waste her breath when she can just use her energy on something more worthwhile. such is the life of a former wagie... ]

Also if you're hungry, you could've just said so sooner. [ smh. ] I saw some food stalls on the way here. You can tell me who you are while we walk.

[ she'll lead the way, her sunrise hair swaying in the chilly air as she stuffs both her hands into her coat pockets. there are certainly weirder ways to encounter her teammates, but she'll give credit to izou -- he sure picked a nice place to do it. ]

Edited 2023-12-21 14:33 (UTC)

( no problem. your furry crimes are safe with me. let's just say the ocular implant gives izou the insight required to see leona's attributes.

anyhow, he fiddles with a cigarette in his pocket impatiently... expression that of the disgruntled retail worker. )

It look like they pay me enough t'know where it comes from...

( the mechanical clunking of a serv-bot serves as background music as they start to wipe down the register now that izou's stepped away. )

Should be fine long as it tastes good with a shot of sake. What, did LILITH hire ya to be their official taste-tester?

( a free hand gestures to some miscellaneous cans in the aisle... dog food, mackerel, chicken yakitori... this picky behavior is about to be his 13th reason. )

[ me committing furry felonies ]

I dunno. Not here to assume anythin'.

[ except that izou is still buppy-coded and he kind of likes the guy's vibe already, so. you know what? leona can be a merciful ~~king~~ prince now and then. he'll have to think of a way to butter this guy up. shouldn't be that hard, right? ]

The only thing that LILTH that hired me to do was sit at a stand that no one goes to. Business ain't boomin' for a secondhand junk shop.

[ junk being trinkets but like same thing, tbh ]

Shot of what? [ sounds like booze. ] You a heavy drinker?

( the sky continues to unfold in a fading fury of frozen light, blue tones bordering the forming clouds, almost if the gods themselves were reacting to the tension down below.

izou, meanwhile, remains jumpy. he can feel the hair on his neck rise, gut turning with a distasteful something he hasn't felt in a good while: fear.

even possessing a dangerous weapon... being, a dangerous weapon, a man purportedly a demon in his own right, couldn't keep that shameful feeling from snaking its way up his spine. he grits his teeth, struck by all of this a little too hard and too fast, perhaps, but... if he presses her any further, will he end up on the ground, writhing, alone in this abandoned crevice of a temple? no, he swallows. someone as peerless as himself... doesn't deserve to die. doesn't want to die.

he listens to her offer in frustrated silence, the beauty of the dense darkness the only thing bringing him solace other than her declaration to leave.

when she's a respectable distance from him, the soft tak of her footsteps on gravel reaching his ear, izou finally shuffles over to the worn lamp to search the contents of whatever she left behind. )

( for a split second, something else is gazing back at blade: something sharpened and animal, like a stray with its jaws wide open to snap.

but only for a second.

izou's brow furrows at the rejection in the next instant, his canine teeth flashing as his jaw moves to say something before stopping, making it obvious how confused he is by the whole affair. barely stand on his own two feet? pshhhh.

he makes a disapproving, clicking noise with his tongue, and then, flush still creeping across his cheeks: )

I get it, I get it. This Jing Yuan went 'n foisted ah, a... real pushover on me. All for the better you bow out, though. Wouldn't wannah, have a hole in yer neck or anything.

( there wasn't any foisting, though. just izou intruding on a stranger's personal space. anyway, he's going to attempt to turnnn the other way after being all knifecat. )

[ for someone who's inebriated, he finds it very impressive that he's still recognized. and despite the brief exchange they've had over the network, jing yuan too recognizes him well enough.

still, that remark surprises him and his hold on his shirt loosens, ensuring that he continues to keep him supported despite the gentler grip while he finds his footing (and his composure, if he even can) once more. he only releases him when he finally squirms away. ]

There is no one undeserving of kindness. [ smug or not. ] If not kindness, then to be heard and listened to.

[ and his previous rambling about winning seems to root from something deeper, hence jing yuan's curiosity and mild prodding. ]

But yes, Yanqing is rather adorable as a student. Feeling better?

( the pat on the cheek... ✨

it's a good thing he's out of his mind, because being treated like a child would set him off for sure. for now, though... he's agreeable, hanging off every word and gesture as he speaks to tsurumaru in drunken awe at how well he listens. )

Manjuu...

( then, all of a sudden, there's a burning fervor to his pleading, his words quickening as though they might disappear if he doesn't get them out right away, fists balled against the glass. )

Get me one-a those manjuu, and I'll... I'll do yah, a favor. Anything. 'Cause there ain't, nothin'... Manslayer Izou ain't... capable...

( —of. a dangerous thing to promise, but when combined with that confidence and an empty account... )

(All of this over a single bun. It's cute. It's so pitiful. He's always struggled to turn down wishes from children and while Izou may be a grown man, he can't help but think of how much he sounds like a boy right now.

That is, until he hears the name and there's only the briefest flash of surprise across his face before he reins his emotions back in, careful to not reveal too much too early.)

Hmm... (He hums. He has no use for a favor from another swordsman. When it comes to matters with a sword, he can take care of things on his own but--) Since you offered...

(He lets his voice trail and undoes his scarf, wrapping it loosely around Izou just before he dips into the store. He isn't gone for long. He returns a minute later with a small plastic bag at his side. He reaches in and offers a manjuu to Izou,)

Here you go, Izou-kun.

( you're just gonna laugh... at manslayer izou of all people? the nerve.

despite plainly disagreeing with her ideas about just accepting the lot they've been given, he manages to take her comments stride, mouth forming a thin, irritable crease. he isn't sure if her shitty work conditions were his shitty work conditions, the memory of a sweet and exultant smile turning cold over time, his stomach churning with the passage of time and perceived betrayal, but there's no point in arguing about it any further in the midst of the burdened temple and the pale moonlight.

the offer to tell her who he is... is weird as hell, given his abrasive behavior. izou, a bit taken aback by the gleam of her curls wherever they go in the city, follows her down and out of the temple only a few steps behind, the shuffle of his feet strangely inaudible to any who might be paying attention. )

Izou. Tosa's Okada Izou. ( why's he answering her seriously? ??? ghhh, well. ) You're a strange one, y'know that? Goin' along with a guy alone in the middle of the night, let alone one who could've stole yer head. This LILITH really knows how to pick 'em.

( the oden cart they arrive at is just as worn-down as the temple, but the smell of the stock that had been soaking in broth all night was tantalizing. he's just... going to let her pick where to sit first, so he can determine where he's sitting. something about sitting next to someone he's only just met is too embarrassing. too intimate. he sits down at least two whole seats apart from her, hunched in on himself, feeling awkward. )

Gimme some daikon to start off, Gramps.

Me? Worried? ... Far from it. If anyone walks in here lookin' for trouble, though, they'll find it.

( izou leans an arm against the register with a cocky chortle, implying in no uncertain words that he'll be glad to offer them a challenge.

this woman... he's not the type to let his gaze linger for too long when it's evident he's looking, but the way she speaks to him so frankly when it's clear he's being impatient with her sparks a mild curiosity. )

Sounds like you're pretty fearless yerself. You strong?

( whoops, i was under the assumption they could read the data entries too. anyway, waves a magic wand.

"there's no one underserving of kindness."

his head throbs, the generous words offered while he's vulnerable possibly the most painful. izou falters, unable to even ponder why it bothers him so much right now, unable to even cling to anger as his defense. if only he could dig the heels of his dress shoes into the street to sober himself proper, to steady the world and the slight tremble of his shoulders.

in summary, he knows his outburst is awkward... but the purpose of this man's kind, yet piercing questioning continues to elude him. )

... Yeah. ( a lie. ) Yeah, now... just.

( he waves a hand dismissively, not even in jing yuan's direction. somewhere down the street??? )

Call me, a... wagon, would ya.

[ Despite the insults, Ren barely bats an eye. He knows his capabilities as a swordsman, so a drunkard implying that he's weak is hardly going to rattle him. Izou appears to have had enough alcohol in his system that he'll likely forget about tonight, so what would be the point in proving him wrong? ]

If it helps you to think of it that way, so be it.

[ He should walk away. This isn't any of his business, after all, and he's not sure he wants to listen to the other man throwing more slights. ]

Go home and sober up.

[ jy can pretend he didn't hear it ...

he can also tell a lie from the truth, once more stretching out an arm to tug him back before he can clumsily amble further down the street. at this rate, he'll find himself crashing into another lamp post or worse. ]

And where would I find a wagon?

[ if he meant cab back to the base, then he's out of luck because he has no means to pay for the cab or train fare. looks like they're walking back. ]

Besides, the cold, winter air should clear your head after a bit of walking. [ he overtakes him but not entirely, making sure the other male is trailing next to him. if izou tries to walk away, he's getting steered back on track. ] Come.

Hmm.

[Nope, nothing with the candy grabs her attention. So she’ll walk over to get that cup of coffee, not quite answering the question just yet.]

I know some of these are full service, more so these days, but I’m not sure if providing trouble is approved policy.

[That’s a joke. Mostly. Something to pass a moment or two while she fixes up her coffee.]

Anyways, I’m not the type to brag about bravery or strength. I think it’s best said that if trouble finds me, I still expect to get home just fine. Make of that what you will.

( don't worry. if she's joking, it goes completely over his head. if anything, izou's trying to puzzle together what she's implying as he watches her tinker with their instant coffee machine, a something he himself can't exactly help her with. standing around menacing customers means he hasn't made much of an attempt to get a handle on the various intricacies of the position.

what's a killer got to remember all these petty little details for, anyhow? he'll let the serv-bots handle it. )

Fair enough. In my line-a work, not disclosin' the nitty-gritty's pretty much standard.

( there's an uncomfortable pause, and then: )

Not this line.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 3 of 4

( open ) unfortunately, about me

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject