DOWNTIME MINGLE #3

[synfluxmods]

DOWNTIME MINGLE #3

CONTENT WARNINGS: natural disaster, forced scenarios.

▶ 001. A JOB WELL DONE.

As Outsiders head back from Okinawa (or, perhaps they are already back, characters were able to leave Okinawa through the dataportal whenever) with plenty of coconut crab and mutated fish, Outsiders can expect to have the cafeteria filled with crab and fish food for the next.. well, undetermined amount of time. The power outages have been restored on the LILITH base, and while Outsiders have been enjoying their change of pace in Okinawa, there has been some celebratory news across the Outsider's ocular implants. It looks like it is a message from the big guy himself! Whoever that is. Wasn't his name.. Eiji something? Elijah?

"I'm not going to waste my time with introductions, because we have more important matters to discuss. First of all, good work. Second, while we have been met with several successes, don't let it get to your head. Third, continue following the lead of Yamakawa. ... This is why I don't do celebratory speeches. CODENAMES MONEYBAGS, DUELWIELD, BUSTERMOVE, CHAINSAW MAN and CURSE... great work. You'll see the rewards of your hard work momentarily. Report to me for a payout."

The announcement won't leave an Outsider's implant until it has been read, but just as the voice said, Outsiders will find a Sampo themed pachinko machine installed by the cafeteria near the vending machines. It looks like it's ready to be played! Why not give it a go? Because who wouldn't want to see this charm willingly.

A lot of toy companies are also wanting their skin in this game and have introduced the set of several actions figures based off Yzak and Dearka's gundams, which can be seen distributed on base. The caveat, however, is that you will need to build them piece-by-piece. Alongside this, there will also be Denji-themed plushies, even if it looks like a cross between a dog and human.

Thanks to Choso, hair care on the base has also gotten a lot better. Due to sponsorships, Outsiders are readily able to access more shampoo and conditioner options. Though, maybe thanks to the pictures on the bottle— buns are now trending.

Maybe give the pachinko machine a spin? Or try Choso's brand of shampoo your team's wing communal shower?

▶ 002. TRADITIONAL TANABATA.

The sun is hot but summer is traditionally festival season in Neo Tokyo; these old traditions have managed to hold up in this gritty society in attempts to keep a positive morale, so some citizens and organizers try to keep the tradition going and lift spirits by celebrating local festivals. Many districts and neighborhoods have their own festivals as well. One day, you might stumble onto a shopping district’s wind chime festival and the next day, you might find flyers for a neighborhood’s morning glory festival.

The largest festival of the month is the Tanabata festival. Since the holiday falls in an odd weekday this year, the main celebration is held the next weekend. Civilians and Outsiders can find various shrines, shopping centers, and community buildings with bamboo branches on display with holographic slips of paper that alternate colors. Characters that pass by may submit their wishes on their implants; a new way to keep the old tradition.

On the weekend, some stalls have been set up for people to celebrate. Attendance is low because of the heat and due to a food shortage, the options are lacking. However, there are plenty of games such as a toy shooting range with laser guns and kaiju targets. There are also goldfish catching games where people can catch a cheap goldfish drone that can “swim” in the air and water and shoot bubbles. As a bonus, LILITH will provide Outsiders with an outfit upgrade to help lift spirits. The outfit consists of a traditional summer yukata or jinbei.

Fireworks have gone out of style due to attracting kaiju attention. However, at the festival’s end, there is a drone light show. Hundreds of customized hummingbird drones take to the sky and create elaborate illuminations and shapes in the sky while music plays.

▶ 003. DR. RATIO'S RENOVATIONS.

Festival season means LILITH also has to get in on the action, and while a certain Outsider named Dr. Ratio has raised concerns over the stated of the LILITH base Library, LILITH has actually listened to his desperate plea to renovate the library. What a perfect opportunity for LILITH to use the festival as a way of raising funds so they don't have to dip into their kaiju payout funds (and pizza party fund.) It's time for LILITH's annual SUMMER FESTA. Every year, LILITH comes together with local organizations like fire stations, police stations, clinics, and nonprofits to promote public safety and awareness. It's a one day festival where people can get information about what to do to stay safe not only during kaiju attacks but in their daily lives. The funds raised at the festival will go to training, supplies, research, and maintaining services.

As usual, LILITH is raising money for disaster relief supplies and renovation projects across Neo Tokyo. Per request, LILITH has agreed to set aside some funds to help renovate the facilities on base, including the library. However, they will task the Outsiders with raising the money.

It's a festival so how they raise the money is both up up to them or they may take the suggestions according to their team placement below. Either way, Outsiders are required to work with other people on their same team but they're encouraged to make it fun. Set up game stalls, sell food, do performances, and ask for donations to raise as much money as possible for their projects. The team that raises the most money is promised a prize while the losers will be punished. Here are the team suggestions below and some of them may have some new, modern twists:

Everlight: Kingyo-sukui, which is goldfish catching with a paper scoop. Managing the takoyaki stands.
Revelation: Yoyo-tsuri, fishing for water-filled balloons with a “fishing pole” with a paper string. Managing the mask stands.
Brimstone: Shateki, shooting at targets for prizes. Managing the sparklers stands.. sparklers shouldn't catch kaiju attention, right?
Redemption: Wanage, ring toss. Managing the onigiri stands.

Outsiders will be given a week to prepare for the festival and they only have a single day to raise funds. In the evening, the winning team is announced: Revelation. All team members will receive can badges and a pizza party. A special donation will also be made to the library on their behalf: A stack full of self help books, yes, REAL books and not holograms or digital books, such as "Overcoming Your Depression for Dummies" and "How to Make Friends 101." Thank you for your effort, Team Revelation!

As for the losers, they will be given options: Sign up or the final fundraising event of the night or help clean up at the end of the festival. The final fundraiser is a punishment game where volunteers from each organization are dunked in tubs of water or pied in the face. It seems like a certain person (Seok Dang) was supposed to be LILITH’s tribute but he is nowhere to be found… maybe one of the other losers will step up and take his place to be dunked in water or pied in the face? Characters may also sign up a loser character without their consent. Come on, be a good sport!

▶ 004. MONSOON SEASON.

Despite the celebrations and attempts to raise morale, the heatwave persists in Neo Tokyo and with it, the problems from the beginning of the month. Food continues to go bad quickly and while fundraising attempts have provided some relief, the city is huge and shelf stable supplies begin to run low again. The energy crisis improves slightly with blackouts occurring less frequently as emergency personnel attempt to intervene. Though the weather is dreary, the renovations must press on! Fortunately, most of the things to do around the Library consist of staying inside. Dr. Ratio has given the following orders which Outsiders may help with in the Library:

- Install better lighting.
- Organize and add more books.
- Set up and secure tables and chairs.
- Add couches to once section of the library to convert it into a lounging area.

Characters may work together to help, or maybe they prefer to laze around and give the newly renovated Library a test run!

After a few days, finally, the rain meteorologists have promised arrives. The skies darken and heavy rain falls on the city which brings much cooler temperatures. People stay inside more often as it becomes too inconvenient to go out when the rain and wind are so strong. The rainstorms grow stronger and eventually become fully fledged storms. The ground shakes from thunder and lightning strikes light up the sky.

Everyone’s ocular implants will frequently give warnings about the weather. LILITH will task Outsiders with assisting across the city. Help evacuate citizens to higher ground during flash floods. After the storms subside, help clear the streets of debris and trees. Some neighborhoods will lose power because of lightning strikes and need their generators restored. However, every time they finish their tasks, a new storm will occur a few days later and they’ll have to repeat.

At first, it seems like the typical summer storm season but meteorologists become concerned when more storms begin to happen without following clear weather patterns and even the locals remark the season seems very active this year… could it be another kaiju? The last time Neo Tokyo had floods, it was sea water, but this is caused by heavy rain. Like clockwork, LILITH's investigating team is on the lookout for energy from a rift or any leads to what could be causing all of the heavy rain. Outsiders are instructed to keep an eye out for any emergency messages.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our third downtime mingle! While we would typically have a texting prompt, we instead have player plots for this event! Thank you Abbel and Eski for the Tanabata and festival player prompt and Sky for the Library renovations plot! We appreciate Eski for spending 500 bonus points to provide everyone with something to wear for Tanabata. For the character-run stalls as part of the renovation prompt, players are not limited to the suggestions given by the mods and are free to come up with their own stall ideas. Additionally, for characters signing up other characters for the dunk tank, please make sure you get OOC permission from their players first.

Please note also we have added new rewards: the Poison Dagger, Cat Ear Visor, and the Elemental Swords now come in the models Ice and Lightning. Please see the REWARDS page for more information.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

EVENT BREAKDOWN (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. A JOB WELL DONE: The kaiju heavy hitters get recognition with.. a pachinko machine and shampoo sponsorship? Outsiders can react to their fellow colleagues about this development, or maybe even talk to the winners themselves around the base.

2. TRADITIONAL TANABATA: It's Tanabata season, even in a post-apocalyptic world! Put on some old, traditional attire with your friends and enjoy a drone show.

3. DR. RATIO'S RENOVATIONS: LILITH has teamed up with the local safety personnel to get in on the festival season. Characters are encouraged to fundraise for renovations at the LILITH base Library. Teams may also visit other teams events and stands to donate, partake in, and.. maybe deliver some competitive harassment.

4. MONSOON SEASON: With the weather being hot and renovations needing done, LILITH works together to improve the Library. A few days later, the weather gets suspiciously intense and Outsiders are instructed to help civilians with power outages, flash flooding, debris from heavy wind and rain.

code

Comments

[hitokiller]

( ah, the brimstone member he'd want following him the least.

the encouraging lilt of tezcatlipoca's voice causes hair on the back of his neck to prickle, izou immediately swatting a hand over his shoulder as if to tell him to shoo—a casual sort of gesture meant for flies or insects that might swarm around one's neck in this sweltering heat. )

Don't you wanna flex your "Authority" or whatever to make our booth the best of the best?

( he doesn't do much more to deter the divine trailing along after him, and he doesn't slow down either, a rough hand pressed against the recycled material that makes up their booth.

if tezcatlipoca wants to follow him that bad, he can keep up. izou didn't really have anything specific in mind to do, except maybe grab a free meal from another booth and check out what others are up to from a distance. but he's quickly trying to figure out his next move. )

[fursuit]

[ Getting shooed just makes Tezcatlipoca’s neutral expression crack into a full, shitty grin. He takes the gun off his shoulder with a flourish so that he set it back down in the booth, since this is a gesture that’s practically an invitation as far as he’s concerned. ]

With a festival going on? Nah. It’s not well suited to me anyways.

[ He says, even though he seemed to be doing well? This is definitely just him acknowledging that his aim is bad and therefore getting assigned this booth is rude. Not that Izou would know. But once the rifle is out of his hands, he’s quick to slip out after him, and it’s just as smoothly. He might not have that designation at the moment, but he’ll be well suited for that Grand title too. ]

It’s no Toxcatl, but I’m always interested in seeing how other people conduct their festivities. This one’s pretty quaint, seems like.

[hitokiller]

Toxca-wha?

( overhead lights from the booths spotlight their footsteps as they walk, and there's a prick of irritation at the back of izou's neck for how swiftly tezcatlipoca can follow him. he should've expected as much, but that doesn't make it any easier to accept. for starters, he still hadn't come to a conclusion as to how he should be handling this guy in general, the indecision of it all scraping at something between his ribs like a knife. )

That so. Takin' stock of it so you've got more ideas when you remake the planet?

( izou's attempt at a jeer, because he isn't over the precarious position they've been put in just yet. not by a longshot.

his hand swipes at a display of artificially processed food as they pass, content to nibble at a cobette during this conversation. )

[fursuit]

Toxcatl.

[ He repeats it slowly for Izou to pick up on, but also, Japanese and Nahuatl do not play nice together, linguistically speaking, so. It's especially fair, even if Tezcatlipoca doesn’t agree. ]

Festival dedicated to yours truly, and the biggest one of the year.

[ Which is definitely why he cares so much. If it had been other festivals, he’d let it slide more. He considers himself a more modern god, after all, and with that, it meant letting go of some of his attachment to a world he now considers old. Maybe not completely dead, but there sure as hell weren’t ixiptlatli walking around year to year anymore.

—Well. Except Izcalli, which is what comes to mind at the jab first. He chuckles to himself, mostly, but as Izou swipes his snack, Tezcatlipoca reaches into the sleeve of his yukata to grab the cigarettes and lighter he’d been storing in there. Hopefully they don’t want these back, because his is going to smell… ]

But, yeah. Sure. Somethin’ like that. [ His tone makes it obvious that Izou’s assessment isn’t completely correct, but it doesn’t seem like Tezcatlipoca is inclined to elaborate. ] Or, think of it as tourism, if that's better. I know it ain’t exactly frequent, but you Heroic Spirits still get to visit more than I do.

[hitokiller]

( honestly, repeating it much more slowly for him like he's an idiot to catching on is worse.

also? what the hell. this guy is just bragging about his own damn festival. izou's nose wrinkles in distaste. )

And you're followin' me, 'cause you want a better glimpse of it all? When I'm of the mind to skip out on all this and just foot it back "home"?

( regardless of how tense he is, izou gives that quick slip of the lighter a look, as if he wouldn't turn one down if offered. not that he's asking. he'd rather die than ask as things are, and so he opts for crunching teeth harder into that small stick of corn.

the excitement around them continues, and izou points dismissively this way and that. maybe he would be keen on staying if there were anyone here he wanted to be with, but it's like he told march before--the most fascinating thing about these celebrations were just the fact that they persisted this far. it wasn't for him. )

"Festivals" weren't always like this anyhow. Didn't used to be so commercial. We had floats, and actual performances. Not that I'm real torn up about it or anything. They can do whatever the hell they want.

[fursuit]

Sure. Or, alternate theory, you’re the first one to ditch. Just unlucky that it’s you and me, huh?

[ He’d been getting bored enough that he figured he’d slip out at the first chance, but it’s definitely ironic that it happened to be Izou that prompted it. Unlucky for Izou, anyways. Tezcatlipoca was much more neutral about the prospect.

He catches the glance to his lighter and considers it… And at least has some time to do so. He fiddles with getting it lit, which takes a try or two with the light breeze, but it’s plenty of time for Izou to start up again. He figured he might just leave it at that, so he’s a little surprised that he keeps talking and actually explains.

Well, that makes the consideration easier, at least. He doesn’t tuck them away again, but instead pops out another cig and holds it out for Izou to take. He’s not being nice, exactly, but he’ll reward Izou for doing what he wants… ]

Well, that’s the modern era for ya in general. Everything is crazy commercial. Like, I kind of respect it, since that’s human innovation for ya. But, yeah, if people still celebrated toxcatl, it’d be strange for that one to be like this. Lose the art and all that.

[ And most likely, loose the human sacrifice? Lame. ]

So, what’s this one for? That the same as your time, or has it shifted?

[hitokiller]

( izou takes the cigarette between his fingers, receptive to the exchange despite some internal misgivings. a heap of misgivings, actually, that play across his face as he turns it over like it might burst into flames and ember. it's what he wanted, though, and so he pushes himself to get over it fairly quickly. )

Gimme a light.

( quickly enough to make demands of the divine, but tezcatlipoca's the one who deemed it fit to follow him?? he's just waving that cigarette around in front of him harmlessly.

a bolt of spotlight passes above them, splitting the darkness like a wedge. there's still a magical quality to it all, being a festival, and izou would be partying it up if he weren't forced to participate under LILITH. as it stands, he can't quite enjoy it properly, the work and the fun just a cornerstone of teamwork. )

Search me. There's too many of 'em for me to count, and most were for worshippin' deities I don't care to remember. All I cared for was the eating and the dancing, but most of the ones back in good ol' Tosa were held at shrines. Not just thrown into the middle of a city, like it or not.

( he turns the cigarette over again, an eye lifting from it and up to tezcatlipoca. maybe he can get something outta this. )

How 'bout we do something more fun than standing around discussin' history?

( what that is............. i haven't figured out yet, stay tuned...... )

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca scoffs at Izou making the demand, and that’s the only warning he gets before tossing the lighter his way. It’s very much the same way he’d tossed that water bottle… He wasn’t planning on lighting it for Izou in the first place, but making demands on him means that it gets roughly tossed instead of handed over amenably. But he’s at least spared further (petty) action by explaining, since Tezcatlipoca seems genuinely interested. ]

Interesting. Guess that’s not too different from what they did in Cemanahuac, save for the “where”. Tons of festivals, since my pantheon ain’t exactly small either, but all the temples are in cities. Kinda had to be, since most of ‘em were huge.

[ But naturally, despite his intellectual interest in the customs of other countries, that’s forgotten in the face of the question. He takes a drag of his cigarette with a smirk. ]

—But, yeah. Sure. What’s your idea of fun?

[hitokiller]

( the lighter tossed tumbles into a fairly awkward catch, izou having not been on guard this time. there's an indignant look of uncertainty on his face as he wonders if tezcatlipoca expects him to voice his gratitude, brows furrowed and lips thinning out evenly, though when it doesn't come, izou opts to flick his thumb at the lock mechanism, causing it to sputter into flame and light his cigarette. not a bad light.

the small flame casts orange shadows on his face, and izou wastes no time tossing it back. )

Dice. I know a couple guys who said they were gonna run an odds-even game out back. Old-school stuff.

( men he knew from his civilian job, the sort to take to the streets after hard night at work and party 'til they'd been to every bar in an entire province. izou exhales briefly, wisps of smoke from the cigarette trailing between them like incense rising. )

Unless you're not the sort to gamble.

[fursuit]

[ He tosses Izou a (shitty) little grin as he fumbles, but he doesn’t actually say anything further than that, at least. He’s curious about what “fun” entails, after all, and if gets him so mad that he runs away, that sucks. He catches the return volley smoothly, then tucks them back into his sleeve. ]

Dice, huh? Sure. Why not.

[ This could be a bad idea, since luck isn’t exactly his strongest stat, but. So long as he doesn’t get invested in the game, then it’s probably fine…? It’s not the kind of game of chance that he imagines the World sticking its fingers in, anyways. ]

Makes me sound like a damn shut-in, but haven’t actually gambled much, not in this way. So, lead the way.

[hitokiller]

( yeah... it does make him sound like a shut-in. heheh.

but maybe this is how izou can get an in, as the neutral-evil-gears in his brain start to creak with another quick puff that sends tendrils through the air.

he'll take them to the edge of the festival grounds, which border on bustling city streets. there stands a sturdy man with heavy-lidded eyes and a polished metal arm, keeping watch over an aged building that still features some of its wooden exterior, a sight for sore eyes these days. a little discussion and nodding heads later, and they're walking through a broad swath of men cheering, circled 'round a group taking turns rolling dice on the floor with cups—a pretty ancient way of gambling in this age of digital casinos and phone games.

izou plunks down on the floor when a couple guys make room, an arm hanging loosely over his knee. dice swivel out onto the floor as he gestures for tezcatlipoca to take a seat opposite, a shirtless dealer watching them on the sidelines.

it's lively and sweaty in here, but izou doesn't seem to mind. this is the sort of environment he thrives in. the sort of "fun" people were keeping alive even now, enticed by the rich quality of older leisure culture. )

Two dice to a cup, where each player calls out their bet soon as it hits the floor. Game's simple. So simple we might as well bet somethin' more substantial than cash on it, yeah?

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca follows along, and it does seem like his interest is genuine just from how his gazes wanders around to take in the sights. He’s been confined to the booth so far, so he hasn’t gotten to see much. So, he wouldn’t express it, but he’s definitely glad that Izou decided to be a delinquent so he could join in.

When they make it to the dice parlor, his attention doesn’t wander nearly so much, though. He can see what kind of place this is just from the characters hanging out here, and that makes this fun. He can see how comfortable Izou is here too, which is also interesting. It tells him more about the kind of man he is, but those observations are kept to himself. ]

Yeah, can’t get much simpler than that.

[ He agrees as he takes his seat, but it’s followed with an easy, slightly sharp smile as he takes a drag from the cigarette. ]

I’m not opposed to higher stakes. ‘Course, sounds like you have somethin’ specific in mind.

[hitokiller]

I got half a mind to make it so one of us has to strip naked and run around the place like an idiot.

( but i won't, because izou loses so gd easily to everyone and he'd never live it down. )

But, let's see.

( and as he scrapes the scruff on his chin with a finger, the tell-tale grin of a mad dog playing across his face. )

How about... I win, you cut off the small of your finger. That way I got a memento of my victory. Somethin' you can heal back real easy, what with the technology they've got now. Unless you've got a better idea.

[fursuit]

[ Tezcatlipoca laughs at the first offer, since that’s no problem to him. Hell, it’s less than he was expecting, considering he figured this was part of some kind of power play. He doesn’t even have a problem with it, so there’s sly words in mind. Gods don’t exactly have the same kind of hangups about their bodies, after all, since it wasn’t even like this meant anything to him.

However, Izou’s actual verdict is more in line with his expectations. The grin is met with a sharp, confident smile that reaches to his eyes. His picture of Izou (and Chaldea by extension) is definitely evolving. ]

Oh? Pretty macabre of ya, but lucky for you, that’s right up my alley. Blood and sacrifice is kinda the name of my game.

[ He points at Izou’s chest, but very specifically one part of it— ]

And normally, I’d be askin’ for your heart. Perfect offering for yours truly, and a nice payment for challenging a god.

[ He says that so easily that it’s a little chilling. As outgoing and friendly as Tezcatlipoca could be, the fact still remained that he was a brutal, bloodthirsty god. For him, these aren’t ideas in conflict, so he’s perfectly serious. But, with just a moment too long to let that sentiment linger uncomfortably, he grins just a little, as if it were a joke. ]

But I’m gonna guess that ain’t an easy fix in the same way. So, sure. Finger it is. I’ll be askin’ for the same, of course.

[hitokiller]

( macabre, indeed, but something about it feels right at home with a man who was practically itching for a way to cause a little harm.

he couldn't do anything direct as things were, and it's not as if he could take back a fraction of tezcatlipoca's finger with him to chaldea... when this was over, if it ever ended and if he actually managed to be transported as he was—

but keeping it in a little box in his room sounded nice. )

Yeah. Funny thing, not bein' able to remove your heart as is. I'll wager the same, then.

( no longer being corporeal... or spiritual, was something izou was used to by now. hunger, drowsiness, desire—all were far more tangible in the hands of a human body.

he signals to the dealer for their game of odds and evens to begin. it's not as if he were going to lose. not when he played this shit all the time. )

I'm callin' odds, for the record.

( here we go... a very mild d20 roll to see which mfer loses a chunk of their finger as the cup slams to the floor. )

i'm so sorry to izou. me, personally,,,

[fursuit]

[ It at least makes things easy, in a way. He’s clearly itching for violence, and you know what? Tezcatlipoca is happy to indulge. Considering the general disrespect, maybe it’ll teach him a lesson. Or, on the opposite, he doesn’t actually have as much hubris with his luck as Izou. So, for that possibility, who knows? Maybe it’ll just revert back to its primordial form, since he’d made this body in the first place.

So, he snorts out a quiet laugh. Either outcome seems thrilling, though of course he’d prefer to win. ]

And I’m callin’ even.

[ And fucking. Boy does he. He leans closer to the cup with a grin, waiting for the reveal, and when it comes— ]

—Ha, will you look at that.

[ When the cup is lifted and he actually sees that he’s won, he’s a little surprised… His luck isn’t great, so his hopes weren’t exactly high here. His gazes drifts up from the dice to meet Izou’s eyes instead, and his smile grows more to be just a little toothy, showing those feline fangs to him for the second time. ]

Thanks for breakin’ my unlucky streak.

cw: blood, gore

[hitokiller]

( once again, izou finds himself at the end of a metaphorical rope, biting straight into his bottom lip as the dice tell all.

he blinks rapidly, leaning in to get a better look at the results, as if they were phony. surely. surely it had to be odds and not evens, yeah? just a trick of the eye.

but no. it's there for all to see, the paint of the die worn with age and yet still visible enough to pass judgment on those who dared cast them. )

... Well.

( —is all the response he can manage at first, matching tezcatlipoca's gaze defiantly. defiantly, but he's a man of his word, and the dealer isn't about to let him skip out on the pact they agreed upon. the knife is provided swiftly for him to hold, and izou poises it directly over his ring finger. hesitates, because the truth was that he didn't enjoy a great deal of pain despite being the one to deliver it swiftly to others, sweat starting to bead on his forehead for the thought of driving it clean through.

it's fine. a servant, even with a body of flesh, could handle more than a normal human could. if anyone were to ask him why he was nursing his hand in the future, he'd say it's an accident. simple enough. )

I don't wanna hear it.

( bitter about losing, much?

he lets out an impatient grunt as he presses down and into the fleshy finger, heart racing fast as a thin, red line starts to form. it lasts for maybe a half-second with how quick izou can butcher a man, but that doesn't mean his face doesn't scrunch up as pain sears through his body. breathe deep. suck in that air. the gash trembles and shifts, and then, just as quick, a full-finger joint plops onto the mat for retrieving as red drips incessantly from the open wound. )

[fursuit]

[ It’s at least a small mercy that Tezcatlipoca stays silent. There’s nothing more that needs to be said, since hesitation is normal—expected, even—but he’s already certain that Izou won’t back down. If nothing else, he’s gotten a decent read on his pride, so reneging on their agreement would sure be worse than losing the finger itself. That would be showing weakness in front of an enemy.

Still, though. Even without a word, it’s not exactly comfortable, since Tezcatlipoca’s attention is intense. It could be easily mistaken for sadistic enjoyment, though it’s not actually that. This is much more unique to Tezcatlipoca, since it may not be traditional, but what else could this be but a sacrifice of flesh to him? If he were closer to his true being, this would surely be something to very literally invigorate and empower him. So, his gaze doesn’t settle on Izou’s. Instead, he watches as the knife comes down. And immediately, he can appreciate the resolve and the skill that’s shown. He knows what this kind of butchery requires.

The ash on that cigarette he’d been nursing lingers too long with the intensity of his attention and falls in a column. That makes him chuckle, and he reaches up to take the cigarette away and stub it out onto the mat next to Izou’s finger. ]

Nothing to mock here. I respect you for following through.

[ His tone is less casual as he declares it, since this is the minute formality of his acknowledgement. But. That doesn’t mean he won’t claim his spoils. He turns one of his sleeves inside-out so that he can access the lining. are yukata lined, no apparently they are not, but for narrative convenience this one is,,, Smoothly, he rips out a chunk of it, then divides it further in two.

One half is offered to Izou, perhaps confusingly. But despite his clear enjoyment at being the winner, he doesn’t want Izou to bleed out. Not here, anyways. His place is definitely a battlefield. ]

[hitokiller]

Shit. Shit.

( is all he can manage at first, cloth pressed tight enough to his sliced finger that it begins to darken.

and yeah, it's confusing. confusing, but not unwanted. the pain maintains, practically scalding his gaze from the short distance across the floor, izou doing his best to warp his features into that of an indignant grin instead, his tongue passing over the sharp of his canines. his mind wracks for the last time he bled this much, the memory of the sea churning and beasts lurching out of it feeling so far away at this point.

through a shaky exhale: )

Told you... it'd be more entertaining than babysitting a buncha stalls.

( unfortunately, the spectators to this event are just regular civilians despite their crass attitudes, and a tattooed gentleman is already starting to lift izou by the shoulder to strongarm him into seeking more medical attention. there's a round of folks uttering "biscuit" in his direction over and over, which is his civilian name, and it only seems to frustrate him further as izou struggles against it all. it wouldn't take much effort to toss them off with the strength of a servant, but even in the midst of this hurt, izou is still clever enough to know not to make a scene in that sense. this is also where i forgot he was smoking? bye... let's say it fell and someone stamped it out. )

Let... Let go of me, dammit! I'm not through with the game!

( but he is.

he is so through according to the swarming crowd of burly men brandishing a variety of prosthetic limbs, until eventually, all that can be seen of izou is a flailing arm and that messy hair as they work to haul him away. )