week 0 ( saturday )

[subordinacy]

[Setz didn't think he'd ever willing seek out this man, but today has been full of surprises, apparently. Mostly of the unwelcome kind, frankly.

...

For better or for worse, Shinssin's very hard to miss right now, so it doesn't take Setz long to find him. Pausing a short distance away, he watches for a few moments, before—]

Should you really be doing that?

[It's said in his usual passive tone, though there's certainly an undercurrent of tiredness to it now.]

Comments

[shinssin]

Wanna do it!

[ He's giving Hachiko(?) all he has. Each punch and kick is heavy with anger. ]

Gotta do it!

[ And he's not stopping. ]

If I don't, I might really kill someone!

[subordinacy]

[Um.

Well, Setz sure is keeping that distance, even if he at least has his teleportation psych if it truly becomes necessary.]

You probably should refrain from admitting that so easily.

[Though Setz can't say he blames him too much.]

... You didn't vote for Maya.

[shinssin]

Everyone voted for her anyway, right!? [ Punctuated with a resounding punch. ]

From a numbers standpoint, it doesn't matter!

[subordinacy]

... I can't argue with that, seeing as how I didn't vote for her either.

[Or rather, for Dahlia, but. Well, there's a reason there was a vote for Setz in there.]

Abstaining was risky for you, though.

[And Setz was surprised by it, though he doesn't say as much.]

[shinssin]

[ Assassin slows to a stop. ]

... I might be an outlaw, but I have my pride. [ He reaches into his pocket to take a magatama out. ] I can't ignore the trust and kindness Maya showed me.

[ He closes a fist around it. ]

It's not what she would have wanted, but I'd rather abstain if it meant her blood wouldn't be on my hands.

[subordinacy]

[...

Another surprise for the night: Setz didn't think he'd come to empathize with this man, of all people.]

... You're more soft-hearted than I would've thought. [A pause, before he adds,] I don't mean that in a bad way. Don't take it as an insult.

[shinssin]

[ Setz is not the only one who's surprised. He chuckles. ]

So you're complimenting me? I didn't think you had it in you.

[ He pockets the magatama. ]

Who'd you vote for, though? Me? It's okay. I'm not angry.

[subordinacy]

You're annoying, but I'll give credit where it's due.

[He blinks.]

... Why would I vote for you?

[shinssin]

Becaaaaause you like me so much you can't stand it?

[subordinacy]

[...]

I don't believe in mixing personal opinions on a person with what their final judgment should be.

[Read: "even if I disliked you that much, I wouldn't vote for you out of spite, asshole," as he chooses an alternate interpretation of what Shinssin's saying.]

In any case, I wrote my own name down. Our host had mentioned before that there was no penalty for it, and I doubted I would be putting myself or my partner in any danger.

[shinssin]

You listen to that guy?

[ GUESS WHO DOESN'T... ]

Hmm. I see. Well, I guess I should follow your example next time.

[subordinacy]

... Considering he's the one who gives us the rules of how things work, it'd be prudent for you to pay a little more attention...

[SHINSSIN...]

Please do. I would rather not see anyone be erased here, especially when it was avoidable.

[shinssin]

[ He snorts. ]

Alright, alright. I guess I could stop thinking about murder for a few seconds.

[subordinacy]

Well, I'll admit that it's difficult, since that's the entire idea behind this Game. Still, do try and look after yourself a little.

[Which means PLEASE DON'T MAKE PUNCHING STATUES A REGULAR THING.]

[shinssin]

Ohoho.

You're worried about me.

[subordinacy]

[hrrGRRK why did you have to say it like that!!]

... Am I not allowed to be?

[shinssin]

Nah, it just means you're a good kid with great taste.

[subordinacy]

[Setz doesn't know if he's really a "good kid"—isn't it normal to worry?—but MORE IMPORTANTLY

STOP BRAGGING.]

That has nothing to do with this.

[shinssin]

I'm still up for licking you, by the way.

[ please stop him ]

[1/2]

[subordinacy]

[WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS, ASS.]

[subordinacy]

I'm not a suspect on trial right now. Sorry.

[shinssin]

Your loss!

[ He shrugs. When is he going to find someone dtf... ]

[subordinacy]

[Ask Jacopo. (Don't ask Jacopo.)]

No, I'm pretty sure I lost nothing of value here. Why would you even do that to someone to begin with?

[shinssin]

I'm bored. [ And sad. And lonely. ]

[subordinacy]

... I'm sure there are better things to do if you're bored.

[Just don't ask Setz what they are, because hell if he knows when he has no life.]

[shinssin]

[ Well Setz sounds like a virgin but he'll just keep that to himself. ]

Hmm.

You wanna spar?

[subordinacy]

[??? That was not what he expected.]

What?

[shinssin]

After that trial, I'm feeling pretty restless.

[ And angry, frustrated, confused— ]

That energy's gotta go somewhere, right?

[subordinacy]

[...

This probably isn't a great idea, but at least it's after the trial, and—well...]

Sure. Just don't try and kill me.

[shinssin]

[ YESSSSS ]

Hahaha! Here we go!

[ He doesn't even run. Without warning, he teleports right in front of Setz to draw first blood and get a good hook in. ]

[subordinacy]

[Setz is pretty sure that he's going to get his ass kicked, as while Setz has had to work hard to compensate for being otherwise "useless", in a world where flashy powers determined your status, he suspects he hasn't had to fight for his life nearly as often as this guy has. He hasn't forgotten that Shinssin apparently does this for a living, after all.

Still, he has quick reflexes if nothing else (and he did keep in mind Shinssin's psych), so he manages to reach up to block in time. Ignoring the sting in his arm, he figures this means psychs are fair game—so he's going to promptly teleport behind Shinssin to launch a hit at his back.]

[shinssin]

[ Shinssin may have the upper hand, but he totally forgot that was Setz's psych, because he is an idiot.

The blow nearly sends him to the ground, but he's quick to catch himself and do a roll to land back on his feet. Before he creates an other opening, he doesn't waste time. He lunges and begins to deliver a flurry of palm strikes. ]

[subordinacy]

[Keeping up with an onslaught of attacks like this is harder for Setz, so sooner or later, Shinssin gets a hit in. Still, Setz manages to catch himself before he falls completely, and elects to take advantage of his lowered position to kick at Shinssin's shins in an attempt to sweep him off his feet but in the non-romantic way.]

[shinssin]

[ SOMEONE SWEEP HIM OFF HIS FEET ROMANTICALLY, DAMMIT.

It's a good call, but Assassin's reflexes are fast. Before the kick connects, he misdirects Setz's leg and lifts it up to flip him over. Easy. ]

[subordinacy]

[HE'LL HAVE TO TURN TO SOMEONE BESIDES SETZ FOR THAT, SORRY ASS.

Also, damn it. On the bright side, what with—while he was alive—having spontaneously gained so many new abilities after a life of not having any, Setz has learned to remember that he has them, so.

Before he can end up in a worse position, he'll be teleporting out of Shinssin's grasp. He doesn't bother with a surprise attack from behind this time, though, instead re-appearing in front of Shinssin so that he can try and punch him.]

[shinssin]

[He doesn't even bother dodging this time, either.

I guess they're just going to punch each other shounen-style.]

[subordinacy]

[gj guys

If nothing else, the punching's good stress relief?? Even if it probably hurts more for one side than the other (hint: it's Setz who hurts more), oops.

Afterwards, he jumps back a bit to give himself a bit of space to recover.]

[shinssin]

[It does help with the stress. They're... They're good at this...

He leaps back as well, though it doesn't seem like he doesn't intend to continue.]

Not bad for an amateur! Where'd you learn that?

[subordinacy]

[As he idly places his hand over where he was hit,]

... If you're expecting an interesting answer, there isn't one. I've just had lessons since I was young.

[It's said mostly passively, as usual, though there might be a bit of bitterness leaking in. It's hard to feel proud when all of his reasons for training turned out to be bullshit in the end!!]

*remove the first doesn't... phone tagging is ass

[shinssin]

Haha... me too.

[ Because he does sense the bitterness. All that work and trust and loyalty, just to be betrayed— ]

... Let's stop here. If this goes on any longer, I might seriously kill you. [ Yes, it helped with his emotions, but does Setz really want to deal with an angry martial arts expert right now?

He jerks his head to the side. ]

Go. Get stronger or something. And... thanks.

[subordinacy]

[Probably not, given that the last angry martial artist he dealt with kind of murdered him.

He tilts his head, just a tad, as acknowledgment, before he turns to leave.]

You don't need to thank me. Besides, I benefited as well.